Issue 1 25 of March 2012

th

Blagovetz

Design and Edit Israfela Editors: A.S. Israfela Cath

zmei_magesnik@ymail.com

Pagan Federation International Bulgaria..........4 Kukeri..5 Trifon Zarezan and the vine.7 Karakndjul...9 Todors Sunday10 Baba Marta and Her faces.13 Ostara, the Spring Equinox and the Rabbit.15 Orphic Hymn to the nymphs .17 Blagovetz..18 Hekate and Her Sacred Fires ...20 The Three Initiated..24 Liber Resh Vel Helios or the fourfold adorations of the Sun.32 Invocation of the Goddess Isis The Golden Dawn.36

ear reader,

Zmei Magesnik is an independent magazine dedicated to magic, occultism and esoteric literature. It is entirely prepared by a team of young occultists and it combines the traditional magical beliefs with the most contemporary tendencies in the magickal arts - the magick in the old times and its development in the present days. The authors of the magazine have the idea to unite articles about Western occultism with paganism, no matter if we are speaking about pagan belief within Bulgaria or outside our borders. Having in mind that the authors have a wide range of perception and that the articles express their personal interests, you will be able to find different kind of topics connected with the Bulgarian folklore, the Bulgarian customs, contemporary paganism, magick, occultism and Western esoteric ideas. Zmei Magesnik combines a great number of different views and gives an opportunity for both the authors and the readers to perceive a new understanding for magick and the world. We would like to invite our readers to send us their own articles or to get in touch with our team for any further information that should be provided. The magazine is being issued in an electronic format and it is bound to specific dates and celebrations in relation to the Bulgarian and Western traditions. We hope you will find Zmei Magesnik useful on your path and in relation to the Art.

The Authors.

FI Bulgaria is a part of Pagan Federation International- a registered nonprofit organization, established in 2005. It is an affiliated organisation of Pagan Federation which was established in 1971 to promote and defend Pagan Rights. All Pagans over the age of 18 are welcome to join regardless of which Pagan path they follow. They must however subscribe to the three principles which give the Pagan Federation International its common purpose and its focus: * Love for and Kinship with Nature. Reverence for the life force and its ever-renewing cycles of life and death. * A positive morality, in which the individual is responsible for the discovery and development of their true nature in harmony with the outer world and community. This is often expressed as "Do what you will, as long as it harms none". * Recognition of the Divine, which transcends gender, acknowledging both the female and male aspect of Deity. PF Bulgaria will try, with your help, to grow as her other sister-branches all over the world, and provide an excellent point of contact not only for beginners but also for experienced pagans. The only requirements of PFI are an open mind and respect and tolerance to others in our communities. For more information please contact:

pfi_bulgaria@paganfederation.org Sothis - National Coordinator Bulgaria morgana@paganfederation.org Morgana- International Coordinator

ukeri and the rituals of Kukeri is a special custom that is performed through our lands during the days around New Year up until Sirni Zagovezni (The first Sunday before Lent). In some regions for example in Eastern Bulgaria the rite is celebrated between Mesni (Meat Fasting Day) and Sirzni Zagovezni and between Christmas Eve and Epiphany in Western parts of Bulgaria. Nowadays, however, Kukers day is celebrated almost everywhere in Bulgaria on the day of Sirni Zagovezni. Regardless of the time of celebration the aim of the Kukeri rituals is to banish and scare away all evil spirits and creatures with special magical dances and scary and terrifying masks so that there will be rich harvest during the next year. The custom in Bulgaria derives from the Thracians where it had been celebrated during the days of the Thracian god Dionysus altogether with the feast of the beginning of the new agricultural year related with the start of the plough of

fields. The Kukeri games also mark the beginning of the Summer Fertility and the end of winter. The Kukeri are men dressed like beasts always wearing masks on their heads, which usually are made of wood. The masks with faces of rams, goats or bulls are considered to be the most ancient ones. The Kukeri also wear large bells attached to the belts (the bells are made of bronze), fur coats with the hair outside. The masks are very different from small ones and symbolic to very big and impressive ones, they are also made of fur, feathers and goats hair, small bits of textile are glued, mirrors and other elements. There are also double faced-masks on the one side of the mask the face is with tip-titled nose and cheerful expression of the face and on the other side the face has a humpbacked nose with sinister look. These masks represent the good and evil and their inseparable bond in the world. The Masks of the Kukeri also can be with faces of old women, women, old men and kings (these are typical characters).Main characters in the Kukeri band are: a King, a Young Man, a Bride or a Grandmother and a Grandfather. They have a two-wheeled carriage or a cart in which the King is led; they also have a wooden plough with which they plough up the land in a ritual manner, a dry measure filled with grain which the King sows, wooden swords, a mace and a warp-beam all of which represent a phallus. The Kukeri rite re-creates the bond between nature and men: the land- the woman; plough up the sexual act; sowing insemination; the death of the king the end of the winter; the coming of the spring the Resurrection of the King.

The pokes of the red edges of the swords represent the fertile movements of the sexual act. The jumps are made in order to make the wheat to grow higher. The shaking and the downthrows are done in order to make the corn to swing because of the abundant and rich ears of wheat, and the rolling on the earth is done in order to charge their bodies with earth's lifegiving energies. The rattle of the bells is used to scare away and banish evil spirits. In Eastern Bulgaria the leaders of the Kukeri are dressed in traditional bridal and bridegroom clothes. In other parts of Bulgaria Kukeri are dressed in fur made out of deers, goats or sheep, their faces can be also painted with charcoal in black instead of wearing a mask. They bear with them a wooden phallus painted in red and a wooden pole with a tied rag on its edge (this is made for the sweeping of the oven).
Israfela

rifon Zarezan or the day of the vine-grower is a traditional Bulgarian celebration in honor of St. Trifon, because he is known as the protector of vines. We celebrate this holiday on the 1st of February (new style) and on the 14th of February (old style). But according to the tradition the celebration consists of the first three days of February. They are called Trifuntsi. On the 1st of February we celebrate Trifonovden (The day of Trifon), the day of the God of the wine; on 2nd of February we celebrate Sretenie Gospodne (or the presentation of Jesus at the Temple ) also known as the day of the Gods son; and on the 3rd of February is Trifon Zarezan , also called by the Bulgarians Wolf or Trifon Mother Mary, Simeon The Righteous(Holy Simeon) or (Vulcha or Trifonova Bogorodica; Simon Bogopriemec or Zimen Simeon) in fact on this third day we honor the Mother of God. Trifon Zarezan is also called Trifon piqnica (Trifon the drinker) Trifon Zarezoi or Trifon Chipiq, also Zarezanovden (the day of Zarezan) Trifon Zarezan is a celebration, not only for the vinegrowers, but also for the tavern-keepers and the falcons. This is how the holiday is celebrated:
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On the 1st of February early in the morning the proprietress of the house (the housewife) kneads bread a new one or a leavened, a chicken filled with rice or with croup is also made ( in some places a rooster is cooked and filled with rice or croup it is the sacrifice given to the son, sometimes this is done on 2nd of February) Regardless of the fact on which day the chicken/rooster is cooked it has to be boiled whole and after that it should be baked on trivet (spider). The chicken or the rooster should be put in a new bag made out of wool together with a wooden wine vessel filled with wine. The men go to the vines with the bags on their shoulders and make the sign of the cross three times, they take the sickles and from three hubs each of them cuts three sticks. Afterwards they make again the sign of the cross and

pour the vines with wine. This ritual is called carving or zarqzvane. After that all men gather and choose the king of the vine only then the feast begins. The king wears wrath made of vine sticks, which he bears on his head and another one which he bears through his shoulders. He sits on a cart and under the sound of pipes, drums and gadulka (traditional Bulgarian bowed string instrument) pulled by the winegrowers the king and his companions set off themselves to the village or the town. When they reach the town they stop by each house, the housewife

takes out the wine in a white cauldron, firstly she gives a drink to the king, after that she offers wine to the other winegrowers. The rest of the wine she flings on the king and utters this blessing: Let there be a rich harvest, let the wine spills over the thresholds.

And the king answers Amen. Afterwards the king changes in new clothes and sits on the table to welcome people from the whole village/town. Thats why the chosen king is always a well-off man. The next two days of Trifuntsi are known as Wolf celebrations and women are prohibited to do some actions as on the other Wolf days (during 11th - 16th to 21st of November depending on the region) they are not allowed to sew. During these days women do not cut with scissors this is done in order to prevent the wolves to open their mouths. They also do not spin and knit. They prepare ritual bread and give it out to other people; they put bits from the bread in the mothers milk of the animals. This is done for protection, to keep the wolves away from people and animals. The 3rd day of Trifuntsi in Rodopa mountain the childless women knead corn loaf and give it away to neighbors. It is forbidden for pregnant women to do any kind of work, because it is believed that if you work on this day while you are pregnant your child will be born with a scar. In the evening divination is given: from the charcoals in the fireplace we predict what the year would be like. It is absolutely obligatory to clean the chimneys one day before Trifons day, because otherwise catkin would fall on the vines.
Israfela

ccording to peoples traditional beliefs karakondjul is a spirit, resembling to a vampire. It is called by different names: karakandju, karakondjer, poganetz and many more. It is believed, that every buried man onto whom a priest hasnt sang or onto whose grave a cat has jumped over after his or hers funeral transforms into karakondjul. None knows how exactly a karakondjul looks like. But usually it is represented with four horse legs and

with a human head and also with wings. It is also said that he can fly. Karakondjuli have long ears and big eyes. They can appear in other unexpected forms such as - a dog, a cat, a horse, a chicken, a little child or a big scary man with one leg and one eye. In all cases there is a certain indeterminateness, duality. A karakondjul is nor a human, neither an animal, it is a creature from the chaotic terrifying world, which is called Underworld.He reveals himself only to people who had been born on Saturdays only in the nights from Christmas Eve to Jordans day. During this period the evil ones are dismissed and walk on the streets, around the houses, they gather close to water-mills and dance horo on the stack yard. Most oftenly they can be seen close to wells, rivers, valleys near to gulches and waterfalls where cranes bill and ivy grow. The place where a pig is killed is also dangerous. When karakondjul appears among people, it breaks the tiled roofs of the houses; it dazes peoples heads, if it meets a person on his or hers way karakondjul with the magical power of his demonic transformations leads him or her to unknown and dangerous places.
Israfela


t is a well-known fact that in the traditional Bulgarian culture there are many mythological characters samodiva, zmeiove, karakondjuli. But few people know that in the traditional folk beliefs illnesses also have their own personifications. They are seen as demonic creatures that should be appeased in order not to harm people. In the Bulgarian spring festival cycle there is a certain period in which some illnesses are worshipped. Traditionally this period is thought to be dangerous, more precisely the week known amongst the people as Todors Sunday. Todors Sunday is celebrated on different dates each year, as it begins immediately after the first Sunday before Lent, which is determined by the date of Easter, in turn, depending on the lunar phases. Each day of this week is perceived as bad and is celebrated with a certain purpose and with specific rituals, but also is associated with many prohibitions, which aim is to protect people and animals from harmful influences. The first day of the Todors week is known mainly as Pesi (doggish) Monday. This is a very important day, because it is celebrated in order to protect dogs and domestic animals from illnesses. In this connection a custom known as swinging of dogs is done,
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this custom gained a lot of popularity recently with other names such as : tsirene (healing), besene (hangingdespite the fact that the rope is not put on the dogs neck) and also trichene. The belief that the custom is barbarian and it is harmful for the dogs has been drawn up by the Bulgarian media for the past years. This is more than wrong. The custom is being done throughout our lands for centuries and actually its aim is absolutely practical otherwise it wont have survived. There are records stating that dogs that have been hanged, even after they have been bitten by a rabid animal do not catch rabies. This is very important for the owners, who want to protect their hunting or domestic dogs from death. On this day it is forbidden to sew, to spin or to handle an ax, a knife or other iron, so that there will be no pests on the field. Another very important custom on Pesi Monday is the circling of mummers, and therefore in some places the day is known as Kukov or Kukerovden (Mummers day) Here I will explain very

briefly how does the holiday run and one should bear in mind that the details in the ritual or the names vary in the different regions. From early morning the mummers walk around the village chase and beat people with branches, who in return are obliged to give them money. At noon all people gather at the house of the boy, who was elected for Baba(Grandmother) a main mummer character who ,therefore is dressed in female clothes. Led by the Baba the mummers go from house to house, play horo (dance) in each house while she spins. The hosts give them various gifts. After they finish with all the houses, the mummers gather in the square, where they play a special ritual scene the Baba harness two mummers in plow and in this way plow a certain place, plants it and drags it with harrow. All this is done to ensure a rich harvest and prosperity for the village, so that is why people welcome mummers with special joy. The next day is known as Tzurn (black) or Dry Tuesday. In the traditional Bulgarian culture all Tuesdays are

regarded as bad days, during which no initiatives are taken. But the Tuesday from the Todors Sunday is considered to be the worst of all. This day is also celebrated to avoid dry land and thats why it is called Dry Tuesday. In the regions of Belogradchik and Pleven people knead bread, burn incense and go out next to the wood-shed, where they break the bread and invite the rainy clouds to come and to eat and so they will be favorable to the hosts and they would come also during the summer. Mad Wednesday is celebrated to protect men from insanity. There are several prohibitions that should be followed, and the most important one is that a man should not work on this day, because he or she would certainly go mad. After the Mad Wednesday a Giddy Thursday follows, which is celebrated to protect people and cattle from vertigo or also known as dizziness. The Bulgarians believed that on this day water should not be boiled and in general no dishes should be prepared. Ritual breads with a specific plastic were kneaded. A small part of the bread is given to the cattle.

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The Friday of this week is known as Shamoten heady or Black Friday. Prohibitions come into effect mainly about feminine activities on this day women should not wash and comb themselves and they do not have to work with spindle. Apart from this people do not work on this day. In this way they protect themselves from illnesses and the harvest from natural disasters such as lightning, hail, drought.The last day of the Todors week is Saturday, when is the day of Todor. Despite the fact that the honor of Christian saints named after Todor is witnessed amongst the Bulgarians back in the early Middle Ages, still the celebration has no such orientation for them. While in the Christian religion six saints bearing this name exist together in Bulgarian traditional culture the day of Todor does not coincide with any of the Christian celebrations.Furthermore In the folk memory of people St.Todor is not a fighter for the Christian belief, but the one who contributes for the coming of the summer. According to the traditional Bulgarian culture on Todors day, St.Todor takes off his nine fur-coats and begins to pray to God to bring summer or he crushes a burning firebrand into

the ground and thats how he warms the earth. According to the folks understanding St.Todor has a dual nature he is a saint horseman, who is riding his white horse and a patron of the horses; but he is also a demon, who goes around at night accompanied by vampires and karakondjuli and he walks on the late ones who stayed outside their homes after sunset. Such a duality may seem strange for our understanding, according to which we naively believe that the gods are only good or evil, but in fact it is quite the opposite, because good or evil are only human notions, which regarding the traditional culture are inapplicable to the divine.
Cath

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ne of the months filled with the most special festivals, beliefs and rituals in Bulgaria is surely the month of March. But there isnt anything as popular as the celebration of Baba Marta - (Grand Mother Marta), which starts at the beginning of March and continues until the end of the month. Even being entirely pagan, it is highly respected and celebrated from the whole population. It is a very ancient tradition the traces of which are lost somewhere between the Thracians and with the Proto Bulgarians. However it is a pure miracle that it has been preserved until today with all its beliefs and superstitions. Baba Marta is a mythical symbol in the Bulgarian folklore. Her name derives from the name of the month itself (in Bulgarian language March - which is pronounced [mart]) She is often described as frowning old woman and in the meantime as beautiful young maiden. She has two brothers, her two lovers January, called Goliam Sechko (Big Sechko) because the month has 31 days, and February, called Malak Sechko (Little Sechko), because the month is with 28 days. There are a lot of Bulgarian fairytales connected with the two brothers and the sister. It is believed
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that they have a beautiful and tidy house as well as a gorgeous vineyard from which they produce the finest wine. The old woman is best known for her unpredictable and changeable character. When she is in the role of the young maid, she is happy and so the sun shines, the snow starts to melt and the flowers blossom. When she is the old hag, she is mad, there are tempests, the snow is falling again from the sky, the wind blows, the rivers are ice-bound and the ground is frozen hard. She is the ultimate femaleness- raising, nourishing, giving birth and in the same time destroying, wrecking, devastating Goddess. Most of the rituals, which are performed during the whole month, are with one single purpose- to please Baba Marta. The most common way to please her is by wearing a martenitza- a special handmade amulet, which is traditionally made out of white and red knitting wool. It is given to everyone, especially to young children, women and animals because the month of March is a month of transition, from winter to spring, from one realm to the next, and these two colours are believed

to be the perfect defense against the evil spirits. It is very important that the martenitza is worn near the places we can best feel our pulse and the blood running through our veins- the wrists- as a bracelet, the neck- as a necklace and the heart- as a decoration on the garment. The red colour of the yarn

clothes or hangs a red scarf, knitting wool, apron or a rag-carpet out of her window. It is believed that whenever Baba Marta sees this colour she smiles, she becomes so happy that the sun starts to shine bright. You can predict the following year by the first days of March. They are called the counting days and it is believed that the first twelve days represents the twelve months of the year. Whatever the weather is in the counting days, this will be the weather all through the year. And there is even more. If you are born on the July 21st for example, it is enough for you to see what will be the weather on March 21st to predict your luck this year. If its rainy, you will have troubles and misfortunes but if it is sunny you will have a happy and healthy year. It is believed that the martenitza is worn until you see a blossoming tree or a stork. They are both messengers of the spring and you no longer need your

symbolizes blood, life, passion, health, the white colour of the yarn symbolizes purity, happiness and immortality and the two colours together are believed to chase away evil spirits, demons and illness. The most special kind of martenitza is two little dolls of a man and a woman, made of red and white knitting wool - Pijo and Penda. They represent the God and the Goddess- a pray for fertility, health, love and happiness. A martenitza is always given as gifts. People never make the amulet for themselves. They are given to loved ones, friends, and those people whom one feels close to. Because Baba Marta loves the red colour so much, early in the morning on March 1st, every girl puts on some red
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protection, because the Sun God is here to guide you. Then you should tie your amulet to the tree with the blossoms to give the tree your protection. Make a

wish and until the end of the month it should be fulfilled. Blessed be!
A.S.

he end of March is the focus for a number of religious and traditional celebrations. As the sun appears to cross the earth's equator on the 20th or 21st of March, entering the Zodiacal sign of Aries, day and night will be equal in length. This astronomical phenomenon has been the reason for celebrations and festivals known as Eostre /Ostara, or Spring Equinox held by the ancient people during this period of time. We know that in the modern Witchcraft and Wicca belief, the vernal equinox is part of a cycle of eight celebrations(the wheel of the year) known as Sabbaths, which in the northern hemisphere is around the 20th or 21st of March and in the southern hemisphere around the 23rd of September. Its modern revival is linked to some of the oldest traditions of mankind according to the local beliefs and honor. As here in Bulgaria March is related to the female beginning so is the same with the Western tradition. The Month of March is dedicated to the Goddess. The month of the Goddess Pagans named the Spring Equinox after Ostara , their goddess of spring, fertility,
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and rebirth. In England, among the Anglo-Saxon tribes, Ostara was known as Eostre. In fact the modern holiday of Easter is derived from the name of the Teutonic Goddess of spring Eostre and

the associated myths. According to these myths, Eostre is a playful goddess whose reign over the earth begins in the spring when the Sun King journeys across the sky in his chariot, to bring the end of winter. Eostre comes down to earth then, appearing as a beautiful maiden with a basket of bright colorful eggs.Ostara's magical companion was a rabbit who accompanied her as she brought new life to dying plants and flowers by hiding the eggs in the fields. The symbol of the Egg Many of the traditions associated with Easter have direct links with Paganism, for example the one related with the eggs and their dying. From the earliest of times, the egg has represented immortality. The egg is the World Egg, laid by the Goddess and opened by the heat of the Sun God. The hatching of this World Egg was celebrated each year at the spring festival of the Sun. The Druids dyed eggs scarlet to honour the Sun, and Pagan Anglo-Saxons made offerings of their coloured eggs to the Goddess Eostre. They also (like many Pagan cultures before them) placed patterned eggs in tombs or on fresh graves, to ensure the rebirth of the deceased.

The rabbit Another symbol related with this celebration is the rabbit - a symbol of fertility and abundance. The modern belief that the eggs are carried by the rabbit, in fact comes from a famous pagan legend, according to which Eostre was having a walk in one sunny spring day and suddenly she saw a beautiful small nbird.The wing of the bird was so injured that Eostre knew that it wont be abel to dly again.She decided to help the bird,so that it will be able to move again, but not only she helped the bird,but she also turn it into a rabbit.The rabbit was so thankful that he laid a sacred egg in Her honour. The rabbit decorated the egg and gave it as a present to the Goddess. She was so happy that she decided that she have to share with the whole humankind Her happiness.In order to fulfill Eostres wish, the rabbit travelled throughout the world carring and leaving beautiful decorated eggs. It is believed that he still does this even today. Israfela

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Nymphs, who from Ocean's stream derive your birth, Who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth Nurses of Bacchus secret-coursing pow'r, Who fruits sustain, and nourish ev'ry flow'r: Earthly, rejoicing, who in meadows dwell, 5 And caves and dens, whose depths extend to hell: Holy, oblique, who swiftly soar thro' air, Fountains and dews, and mazy streams your care: Seen and unseen, who joy with wand'rings wide And gentle course, thro' flow'ry vales to glide; 10 With Pan exulting on the mountains height, Loud-founding, mad, whom rocks and woods delight: Nymphs od'rous, rob'd in white, whose streams exhale The breeze refreshing, and the balmy gale; With goats and pastures pleas'd, and beasts of prey, 15 Nurses of fruits, unconscious of decay: In cold rejoicing, and to cattle kind, Sportive thro' ocean wand'ring unconfin'd: Nysian, fanatic Nymphs, whom oaks delight, Lovers of Spring, Ponian virgins bright. 20 With Bacchus, and with Ceres, hear my pray'r. And to mankind abundant favour bear; Propitious listen to your suppliants voice, Come, and benignant in these rites rejoice; Give plenteous Seasons, and sufficient wealth, 25 And pour; in lasting streams, continued Health.

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n the 25th of March we celebrate the feast of Annunciation or the so called Blagovetz. According to the Christian faith the archangel Gabriel gave announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of the Sun of God. Therefore this day is celebrated by the mothers, because Virgin Mary is their protector. In the traditional Bulgarian ritualism 25th of March is connected mainly with the coming of the spring. It is believed that all snakes and lizards, mermaids, wood-nymphs (samodiva), dragons ( zmei ) and vili ( a beautiful female wood spirits a kind of nymph) go out on this day. On the night before 25th of March yards are being cleaned and on the morning people light fires and the boys jump over them to singe their heels, this is done for protection against snakes biting. The ritual of scaring away is widely spread which the women do. 18

They use different metal objects, all kinds of kitchen objects, most recently saucepans and frying pans. The housewives make the following spell Runaway snakes, lizards, fleas and frogs, because grandfather Blagovetz is coming with the big mace Another famous practice is the whitewashing of the houses and the plug up of the holes; women do this for protection against snakes. On the day of Blagovetz the ears of the young girls are pierced. From one point of view, because on this day it is believed that the wounds heal faster, and it hurts less, and from another the piercing itself has a ritual character. The golden ornaments are put with the aim to protect the child from the evil spirits who are going out with the coming of the spring.Here are several superstitions related to the celebration: If you plant a tree on this day, its fruit would be sweet.The houses and yards are cleaned and swept well yet in the night before Blagovetz, because people should meet the new day clearly. The gathered rubbish is lighted on the street and the boys jump over the lighted fire.The girls who are not married yet look on which branch a cuckoo would land so to take the branch with them and hide it in their chests. By Doing this they will marry by love. The magicians look for a snake a whole day long to kill it and then to fill its mouth with basil seed. Then they bury the head of the snake in the ground and when the plant springs up and glooms they pick up the glooms from the basil and make potions for passionate love. The skin of the snake is being dried and reduced into powder. The treasure-hunters go out at dusk and begin to walk over the field. wherever a blue fire blazes theres buried a treasure. On this day

the bee-keepers open the bee hives and let out the bees to fly freely to breathe in from the wealth of Blagovetz, so that their honey would be good. The grandmothers pierce the ears of their little granddaughters. It is believed that the little girls do not feel pain, because the powers above protect them. The whole vanity of people is being carefully observed by the samodivi(fairy like spirits), the villi (fairy like spirits), the judi (forest fairy like spirits), the mermaids, the zemjove (dragons) and the zmeitzi (female dragons). They are hidden in the shady and cool forests and stalk for young men to go out from the village, so that they can allure them and take them for husbands. Those kidnapped husbands had no other obligation except to make love. After they have drank all of his male power, the samodivi leave him back to go home.Sometimes the shepherds see how the samodivi play horo bare. They become ill from the attraction they feel about them, they languish and in the end men die if none manage to cure them. Sometimes a bunch of yung men used to kidnapp a samodiva for a bride and took her at their homes, they threw away in the fire their non-earthly clothes and dressed them in ordinary woven clothes. The children born by kidnapped samodivi were extremely beautiful. On Blagovetz according to the belief the cuckoo begins to sing for the very first time after the winter. Therefore the older name of the celebration in some regions is known as Cuckoo day (Kukovden), Most of the ritual songs sang on this celebration begin with

the tidings that the small spring bird has arrived. In the songs for Blagovetz the cuckoo is alighted sometimes amongst the village, sometimes in someones yard and sometimes at the end of the village or at the shore of the lake. According to the folks understanding and experience the cuckoo can be heard only until Eniovden (St. Johns Eve on the 24th of June this year) or Petrovden(Feast of St. Peter and Paul) at the beginning of summer and then it becomes silent. Thats

way everybody waits for the first singing of the cuckoo. It is believed that its hooking predicts how many years would live the person who is listening to its voice in this particular moment. The other old folk belief tells that when a person hears for the first time the singing of the cuckoo he or she should touch a piece of bread and a coin. In this way he or she would be satisfied and rich during the year, and the new harvest would be good. A.S.

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he Rite of Her Sacred Fires is

an international act of devotion to the Goddess Hekate. It was first initiated at the Full Moon of May 2010 when thousands of people in more than 60 countries participated, performing the rite in many different languages and lighting a flame for the Goddess Hekate. general information see: http://sacredfires.co.uk/the-rite-of-hersacred-fires (from where you will be able to explore lots of resources from past years!) This year the Full Moon falls on May 6th. As we gaze up to the skies, whether we are performing the ritual by ourselves as solitaries, and regardless of where in the world we are - or with a group of other like-minded people, we know that we are looking at the same Moon as all the other devotees who are participating. Recorded examples of the Rite of Her Sacred Fires can be found on YouTube, including this http://youtu.be/p6-zVYbMSJU short film in which Sorita d'Este (who penned the ritual) performs it, filmed and produced by the author Tara Sanchez,with music by Jad Sol Luna.www.youtube.com/hersacredfires will have further information, as well as featured playlists with examples uploaded by other participants in previous years. Some of which are summarised at:http://sacredfires.co.uk/the-rite-of-her-sacred-fires/ritual-recordings/hsfcontributor-recordings and which includes recordings of more than one person doing it together as a group rite if you are looking for inspiration. This year Pagan Federation International Bulgaria will be joining The Rite Of Her Sacred Fires. Honouring the Goddess Hekate-6th of May 2012. All the members of Pagan Federation International- Bulgaria willing to participate will be able to do so in an organized open ritual. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pagan-Federation-International-Bulgaria/233938556627688 20 For

The Rite can be done solitary or in a group (its very easy to adapt!) and can be done by itself (exactly as it is presented) or incorporated into a larger, longer and/or more complex ritual. You can do it with, or without, a shrine or an altar etc. Essentially that is all up to you! All you will need is something to light a devotional fire with which could be as simple as a candle and a box of matches; or anything else suited to your circumstances (some people have used lamps, bonfires, hearth fires, oil lamps etc.).

Preparation:
Find a quiet place where you will be able to perform the rite undisturbed. You will need a candle (or another form of devotional fire, such as a lamp or hearth fire) and something with which to light it. You may wish to consecrate the candle, or other materials you will be using in keeping with your usual tradition of working, otherwise please simply ensure that it is clean.

Prelude:
Make yourself comfortable, breathe deeply and find your point of balance, a balance of mind and soul and body, which will present you proud and beautiful to the world. Breathe deeply and find your voice, the voice with which you will speak words of true and pure intent. Breathe deeply and call upon the freedom within your heart so that you will be able to express yourself with purity of intent and with strength of desire. Place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats). Now enclose your thumbs within both your hands (in fists) and raise both your arms to the heavens. Open your hands and with palm upwards in your left hand, bring your right arm to your side palm facing downwards and invoke the Goddess.

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Invocation:
I invoke thee, Great Mistress of the Heaven, Earth and Sea, By your mysteries of Night and Day, By the Light of the Moon and the Shadow of the Sun I invoke thee, Mistress of life, death and rebirth Emerge now from the shadow realm to feed my soul and enlighten my mind, Triple-formed Mistress of the three ways I entreat thee, Key-bearing Mistress of the Nightwandering Souls To bring forth your wisdom from amongst the stars To bring down your starfire from the darkness between, Creatrix of Light! Goddess of the Shadow Realms! Light-bearing queen! Whisper now your secrets! Fire-bringer! Earthly-one! Queen of Heaven!

[Raise both hands with palms facing upwards to the heavens (three heartbeats) and then touch the ground palms downwards] [Sit before the candle and prepare to light it] [Take three deep breaths and allow your senses to awaken]

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Say:
Hekate, companion and guide to the mysteries I light this sacred fire in your honour, [light fire] Its light uniting the stars and stones, the heavens and the earth, With this fire I express my desire for a greater understanding of your mysteries Askei Kataskei Er?n Ore?n I?r Mega Samny?r Baui (3 times) Phobantia Semn?, Great Hekate, who spins the web of the stars and governs the spiral of life Guide me through towards pathways of understanding, From Crossroad to Crossroad, The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries, will always find one another, Now sit and watch the flame flicker and dance, allow yourself to focus on the different colours in the flame, the yellows and reds, the blues and whites, and the black. If you wish you may decide to spend some time meditating on the flame, skrying for visions or omens. Likewise, you may wish to extinguish it and keep the candle let your true self radiate brightly its beautiful mysteries from this day on forth, the flame of the fires of Hekate burns on in your heart! I banish now the shadows of doubt from my mind, Infused by the silence and warmth of our union I feel your golden radiance within my heart And the glory of knowledge on my brow, I am a student of your mysteries. Extinguish the flame, then place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats). Open your palms reaching towards the heaven, then reach down and touch the Earth.

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Kybalion a study of the Hermetic philosophy of ancient Egypt and Greece

The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly, possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open.

he Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Philosophy is based, are as follows: Hermetic

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM. THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental.

I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM. II.THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE. III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION. IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY. V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM. VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSEANDEFFECT. VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.

These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed with these lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be given at this point.

This Principle embodies the truth that All is Mind. It explains that THE ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which
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we know under the terms of The Material Universe; the Phenomena of Life; Matter; Energy; and in short, all that is apparent to our material senses) is SPIRIT, which in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND. It also explains that all the phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental Creation of THE ALL, subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that the universe, as a whole, and in its parts or units, has its existence in the Mind of THE ALL, in which Mind we live and move and have our being. This Principle, by establishing the Mental Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the varied mental and psychic phenomena that occupy such a large portion of the public attention, and which, without such explanation, are non-understandable and defy scientific treatment. An understanding of this great Hermetic Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the laws of the Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being and advancement. The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental Laws, instead of using them in a haphazard manner. With the Master-Key in his possession, the student may unlock the many doors of the mental and psychic temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and intelligently. This Principle explains the true nature of Energy, Power, and Matter, and why and how all these are subordinate
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to the Mastery of Mind. One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: He who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on The Path to Mastery. And these words are as true to-day as at the time they were first written. Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and the student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple. II.THE PRINCIPLE CORRESPONDENCE. OF

As above, so below; as below, so above. This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life. The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: As above, so below; as below, so above. And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature. There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of universal application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material, mental, and spiritual universeit is an Universal Law. The ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which hid from view the Unknown. Its use even

tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess might be caught. Just as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables man to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated in his observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he understands the archangel. III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION. Nothing rests; everything everything vibrates. moves;

This Principle embodies the truth that everything is in motion; everything vibrates; nothing is at rest; facts which Modern Science endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to verify. And yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt.This Principle explains that the differences between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even Spirit, result largely from varying rates of Vibration. From THE ALL, which is Pure Spirit, down to the grossest form of Matter, all is in vibrationthe higher the vibration, the higher the position in the scale. The vibration of Spirit is at such an infinite rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at restjust as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be motionless.

And at the other end of the scale, there are gross forms of matter whose vibrations are so low as to seem at rest. Between these poles, there are millions upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscle and electron, atom and molecule, to worlds and universes, everything is in vibratory motion. This is also true on the planes of energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration); and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations); and even on to the spiritual planes. An understanding of this Principle, with the appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students to control their own mental vibrations as well as those of others. The Masters also apply this Principle to the conquering of Natural phenomena, in various ways. He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the sceptre of power, says one of the old writers.

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IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY. Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled. This Principle embodies the truth that everything is dual; everything has two poles; everything has its pair of opposites, all of which were old Hermetic axioms. It explains the old paradoxes, that have perplexed so many, which have been stated as follows: Thesis and antithesis are identical in nature, but different in degree; opposites are the same, differing only in degree; the pairs of opposites may be reconciled; extremes meet; everything is and isn't, at the same time; all truths are but halftruths; every truth is half false; there are two sides to everything, etc., etc., etc. It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and that opposites are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees between them To illustrate: Heat and Cold, although opposites, are really the same thing, the differences consisting merely of degrees of the same thing. Look at your thermometer and see if you can discover where heat terminates and cold begins! There is no such thing as absolute heat or absolute coldthe two terms heat and cold simply
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indicate varying degrees of the same thing, and that same thing which manifests as heat and cold is merely a form, variety, and rate of Vibration. So heat and cold are simply the two poles of that which we call Heatand the phenomena attendant thereupon are manifestations of the Principle of Polarity. The same principle manifests in the case of Light and Darkness, which are the same thing, the difference consisting of varying degrees between the two poles of the phenomena. Where does darkness leave off, and light begin? What is the difference between Large and Small? Between Hard and Soft? Between Black and White? Between Sharp and Dull? Between Noise and Quiet? Between High and Low? Between Positive and Negative? The Principle of Polarity explains these paradoxes, and no other Principle can supersede it. The same Principle operates on the Mental Plane. Let us take a radical and extreme example that of Love and Hate, two mental states apparently totally different. And yet there

are degrees of Hate and degrees of Love, and a middle point in which we use the terms Like or Dislike, which shade into each other so gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we like or dislike or neither. And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you will see if you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered of more importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the vibrations of Hate to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in the minds of others. Many of you, who read these lines, have had personal experiences of the involuntary rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own case and that of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this being accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas. Good and Evil are but the poles of the same thing, and the Hermetist understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by means of an application of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the Art of Polarization becomes a phase of Mental Alchemy known and practiced by the ancient and modern Hermetic Masters. An understanding of the Principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will devote the time and study necessary to master the art. V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM. Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the
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pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.

This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the Principle of Polarity described a moment ago. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the Universe, suns, worlds, men, animals, mind, energy, and matter. This law is manifest in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in the life of all things; and finally in the mental states of Man (and it is with this latter that the Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle most

use of his Will, and attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness almost impossible of belief on the part of the masses who are swung backward and forward like a pendulum. This Principle and that of Polarity have been closely studied by the Hermetists, and the methods of counteracting, neutralizing, and USING them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental Alchemy.

important).The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have also discovered certain means to overcome its effects in themselves by the use of the appropriate formulas and methods. They apply the Mental Law of Neutralization.They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to cease its operation, but they have learned how to escape its effects upon themselves to a certain degree depending upon the Mastery of the Principle. They have learned how to USE it, instead of being USED BY it. In this and similar methods, consist the Art of the Hermetists. The Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at the point at which he desires to rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing of the pendulum which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All individuals who have attained any degree of SelfMastery do this to a certain degree, more or less unconsciously, but the Master does this consciously, and by the
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VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT. Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law. This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect from every Cause. It explains that: Everything Happens according to Law; that nothing ever merely happens; that there is no such thing as Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever entirely escapes the Law. The Hermetists understand the art and methods of rising above the ordinary plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a higher plane they become Causers instead of Effects. The masses of people are carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and

desires of others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life. But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers instead of pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being played and moved about by other wills and environment. They USE the Principle instead of being its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the higher planes, but they help to RULE on their own plane. In this statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledgelet him read who can.

VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER. Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes. This Principle embodies the truth that there is GENDER manifested in everythingthe Masculine and Feminine Principles ever at work. This is true not only of the Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the Spiritual Planes. On the Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as SEX, on the higher planes it takes higher forms, but the Principle is ever the same. No creation, physical, mental or spiritual, is possible without

this Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light on many a subject that has perplexed the minds of men. The Principle of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration, and creation. Everything, and every person, contains the two Elements or Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her. Every Male thing has the Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male Principle. If you would understand the philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation, Generation, and Re-generation, you must understand and study this Hermetic Principle. It contains the solution of many mysteries of Life. We caution you that this Principle has no reference to the many base, pernicious and degrading lustful theories, teachings and practices, which are taught under fanciful titles,and which are a prostitution of the great natural principle of Gender. Such base revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism tend to ruin mind, body and soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the warning note against these degraded teachings which tend toward lust, licentiousness, and perversion of Nature's principles. if you seek such teachings, you must go elsewhere for themHermeticism contains nothing for you along these lines. To the pure, all things are pure; to the base, all things are base. The Three Initiates

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he fourfold adorations of the Sun by Aleister Crowley are compounded by four worships, that must be performed four times a day at dawn, at noon, at sunset and at midnight. The magician performs them in order to harmonize himself with the Sun - the center of our Solar system and with the four elements, the Universe and the Divine. The magician begins to create his own rhytmn in accordance with the cycles of the Universe by performing the adorations. The main purpose of this practice is to remind the student about the special periods of time, and the Great Work. The student must try to establish a conscious bond with the center of our solar system and when he or she advances to set up a real magical connection with the spiritual energy of the Sun and in this way to draw his/her power from it. The regular practice of the fourfold adorations of the Sun works very well against the fear of death. It is very well to meditate upon the Sun at each of its four positions and also upon its constant and ceaseless way: the everlasting circle. The fourfold Adorations of the Sun by Donald Michael Craig Donald Michael Craig in his book Modern Magick Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts explains how to perform Crowleys adorations of the
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Sun, but he gives his own developed version. Here is the practice related with the fourfold adorations of the Sun:

Fig.1. The sign of the Enterer At Dawn, the magician faces east and makes the sign of the Enterer (figure 1; figure 2 Sign of the Enterer / Sign of Horus). The Sign of the Enterer is done by making one step forward with the left foot and thrusting the space in front of you. Afterwards the magician should stand upright with lifted arms as if a heavy beam rests over his head (see the picture of Liber Resh vel Helios page 35). Say in a loud voice the following prayer:

Hail unto Thee who art Ra in Thy rising, even unto Thee who art Ra in Thy strength, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Uprising of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and RaHoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Night! In the end you should make the sign of silence. You have to stamp hard on the ground with the right foot and rest the

case you should make the triangle stand slightly above your head (since here it represents the element of Fire, while in the previous position it represented the element of Air) Say in a loud voice the following prayer: Hail unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy triumphing, even unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy beauty, who travellest over the heavens in thy bark at the Mid-course of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Morning! Make the sign of silence. At sunset face west and make the sign of the Enterer. Make the triangle of Manifestation with your hands, but this time make it front of your stomach with palms facing your body, with thumbs above, and the rest of the fingers facing downwards. This position represents the element of Water. Thus you have an inverted triangle, located in front of your stomach. Say in a loud voice the following prayer: Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Downgoing of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day! Make the sign of silence.

Fig.2. The sign of the Enterer index finger of your right hand to your lips in a gesture as if you tell someone to keep quiet. The Sign of Silence is also known as the the sign of Harpocrates.(Please look at fig.3) At Noon face south and make the sign of the Enterer. Make the triangle of Manifestation (please look at the picture Liber Resh vel Helios page 35). In this

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At Midnight face North, make the sign of the Enterer. After that make a one step forward with your right foot and lift your right hand above your head with palm facing forward in a salutation. This position symbolizes the element of Earth. Say in a loud voice the following prayer: Hail unto thee who art Khephra in Thy hiding, even unto Thee who art Khephra in Thy silence, who travellest over the heavens in Thy bark at the Midnight Hour of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Evening. When making the adorations of the Sun you can also do the following visualizations: 1. When you are facing east at Dawn, imagine that you are filled with yellow colour and the quality of Air: heat and moisture 2. When you are facing south at Noon, imagine that you are filled with red colour and the quality of Fire: heat and dryness 3. When you are facing west at Sunset, imagine that you are filled with blue colour and the quality of Water: coldness and moisture 4. When you are facing north at Midnight, imagine that you are filled with brown and green colour and the quality of Earth: coldness and dryness.

Fig.3. The sign of Silence

Fig.4. L.V.X. Signs

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Aleister Crowleys adorations of the Sun If you wish to make the adorations of the Sun, in the way they are given by Aleister Crowley himself, you may use the same texts, which are given above. The only thing that is different is the positions of the body, which is used in the four directions. On each direction the students of AA use a relevant to their degree position of initiation in the hierarchy of the magical order. But in the case in which the student doesnt belong to the order, he should use the following four positions while making the adorations: At the dawn you should make the L.V.X. signs. (Please a look at fig.4 the L.V.X. signs)The positions should be done as it follows: 1. The sign of Osiris slain or also known as the sign of the cross 2. The sign of Isis mourning or also known as the svastika 3. The sign of Typhoon or also known as the Trident 4. The sign of Osiris risen. At noon the sign of Fire is done- hands touch the forehead making a upwardpointing triangle .At sunset the sign of the Air is done or the also known as the God Shu supporting the sky. You have

to imagine how you support something with our hands. At Midnight the sign of Water is done. No matter if you decide to use Craigs adorations or those of Crowley, remember that the secret of the good result is the persistence in your practice. My advice is to spend some time in studying the symbolism of the adorations, in order to comprehend and understand deeper the meaning of the movements and the gestures that you do and the words you say. And because of the fact that I managed to find few mistakes in Craigs book Modern Magick 11 lessons in High Magickal Arts (which in the current text are corrected, when it comes to the signs and gestures of the positions, which should be fulfilled in different directions), always check the veracity of what you read and what you intent to practice. Spend enough time for its serious study.

A.S.
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beheld a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the Sun, with the Moon at her feet. And on her head was a diadem of the twelve stars. Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save. O thou queen of love and mercy, thou crowned with the throne, thou hauled as with the Moon. Thou whose countenance is mild and glowing, even as grass refreshed by rain. Hear me, our Lady Isis, hear and save. O thou who art in matter manifest. Thou bride and queen as thou art mother and daughter of the Slain One. O thou who art the Lady of the Earth. Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save. O thou Lady of the amber skin. Lady of love and of victory, bright gate of glory through the darkening skies. O crowned with the Light and life and love. Hear me, our Lady, hear and save by thy sacred flower, the Lotus of eternal life and beauty; by thy love and mercy; by thy wrath and vengeance; by my desire toward thee, by all the magical names of old hear me, O Lady, hear and save. Open thy bosom to thy child, stretch forth thy arms and strain me to thy breasts. Let my lips touch thy lips ineffable. Hear me, O Lady Isis, hear and save. Lift up thy voice to aid me in this critical hour. Lift up thy voice most musical. Cry aloud, O queen and mother, to save me from that I fear most. I invoke thee to initiate my soul. The whirling of my dance, may it be a spell and a link with thy great light, so that in the darkest hour, the Light may arise in me and bring me to thine own glory and incorruptibility. Isis am I, and from my life are fed all showers and suns, all moons that wax and wane, all stars and streams, the living and the dead, the mystery of pleasure and of pain. I am the Mother. I the speaking sea. I am the Earth in its fertility. Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me, to me. Isis am I, and to my beauty draw. All glories of the Universe bow down, the blossom and the mountain and the dawn. Fruits blush and women are creations crowned. I am the priest, the sacrifice, the shrine. I am the love and life of the Divine. Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, are surely mine, are mine. Isis am I, the love and light of Earth, the wealth of kisses, the delight of tears, the bowel and pleasure never come to birth, the endless infinite desire of years. I am the shrine at which thy long desire devoured thee with intolerable fire. I was sung music, passion, death upon thy

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lyre, thy lyre. I am the grail and I the glory now. I am the flame and fueler of thy breath. I am the star of God upon thy brow. I am thy queen enraptured and possessed. High do these sweet rivers welcome to the sea, ocean of love that shall encompass thee. Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me, to me. Hear, Lady Isis, and receive my prayer. Thee, thee I worship and invoke. Hail to thee, sole mother of my life. I am Isis, mistress of the whole land. I was instructed by Hermes, and with Hermes I invented the writings of the nations in order that not all should write with the same letters. I gave mankind their laws, and ordained what no one can alter. I am the eldest daughter of Kronos. I am the wife and sister of the king Osiris. I am she who rises in the dog star. I am she who is called the goddess if women. I am she who separated the heaven from the earth. I have pointed out their paths to the star. I have invented seamanship. I have brought together men and women. I have ordained that the elders shall be beloved by the children. With my brother Osiris I made an end of cannibalism. I have instructed mankind in the mysteries. I have taught reverence of the divine statues. I have established the Temple precincts. I have overthrown the dominion of the tyrants. I have caused men to love women. I have made justice more powerful than silver and gold. I have caused truth to be considered beautiful. Come unto me and pledge unto me your loyalties as I pledge mine unto you.

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Oh mother Isis, great art thou in thy splendor, mighty is thy name and thy love has no bounds. Thou art Isis, who art all that ever was, and all that there is to be, for no mortal man hath ever unveiled thee. In all thy grace thou has brought forth the sun, the fruit that was born forth for the redemption of man. Oh Isis, Isis, Isis, graciously hear our cry unto thee, we mourn for thy blessings on us this day, every day, to nourish, to aid and to fill the emptiness within, that only you our beloved mother can satiate. Unto thee do we pledge our solemn oath of dedication, and for the power and glory of him the Unknowable One to witness our devotion to thee. For as we now receive thee into our hearts, we ask that you never leave us, in times of trial and joy, and even unto death."

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