To: usenet
From: [nagasiva@luckymojo.com (nagasiva)]
Subject: Christian Magical Rite (Preface: Magery) (Was Re: ~)
Date: 11 Jan 1996 12:12:23 -0800

[Reposted from an elist]

kaliyuga
49960107


In review of:

# Contemplating the Nature of Christian Magical Rite
# Experiments in Cyberspace Worship
# Grimoire of the Unexpected


Follow Me

# 	"_Follow me_," Jesus answered, "and let the dead bury their
# 	own dead."

I've subsequently discovered the exact passage which was bugging my
memory: Luke 18:18 (I won't quote it here, but it pertains to the
'rich man' entering unto heaven, selling all he has and giving the
proceeds to the poor, as well as leaving family and home and friends).

There are are countless prescriptions by Christ to 'follow me', and I 
continue to take this literally in the sense of patterning one's life 
on the formula of the Lord in preparation for work (He showed us
the Way of Magick through the stories of his acts preceding His work).


Preparation For Work

# The elements of the Formula are thus:
# 
# 		1) Go to the place of baptism
# 		2) Get baptized by a mage
# 		3) Follow the Spirit of God into the Place of
# 		   Barrenness
# 		4) Answer unto the Tempter/Adversary
 
# [Here ends the description of Preparation; the rest be an analysis
#  of the Work itself and an elaboration of this Formula.]

[rest of text omitted]

I have subsequently verified that these are contained within the
first three Gospel stories (Matthew, Mark and Luke).  John does
include the first, but seems unclear in my translation on the second
and doesn't appear to mention the third or fourth.

Thus there are two major elements: baptism and temptation, taking
place at their appropriate places (waterhole and desert/barrenland).
These could be taken metaphorically or entered into quite literally.

The problem would appear to be the definition and location of the
'mage' (John the Baptist in the Gospel).  If one is already a mage
oneself, capable of baptizing, then this is no problem unless
there is some restriction against baptizing oneself (anybody know
about this kind of limitation?).  

If one is not, then some other means must first be enacted (a kind
of initiation/instruction) in order to confer this authority/power.

Consider how this formula of Preparation relates to Medieval demon-
summoning -- the baptism being a self-anointment and the 'entering
into temptation' reversed (due to our powerful nature) such that
the Devil (and His minions) are called unto us into controlled
circumstances.  Interesting parallels.


Magery/Working 

I contend that anywhere within the Scripture we find the notion of
'work' being expressed, especially by a prophet or disciple/Apostle,
this is the equivalent of 'magick'.  Thus anybody who does this kind
of 'work' (usually Jesus or His disciples, but also John the Baptist
and perhaps others) is a mage and has been prepared accordingly.

My Blue Denim Bible mentions, in its 'Word List', two definitions which
strike me as pertinent here, and perhaps you can provide feedback on
how your own favorite Scripture varies from this or how you see my
logic on the whole (_my emphasis_). :>

	Anoint	To pour or rub oil on someone in order to honor
	him, or _select him for some special work._  The word is
	also used in a figurative sense.  "The Anointed One" is
	the title of the one whom God chose and appointed to be
	Savior and Lord.  Oil was also used by the Jews on a sick
	person to make him well; it was also used on a dead body
	to prepare it for burial.

	Apostle  One of the group of twelve men whom Jesus chose
	to be his followers and helpers.  The word means "messenger,"
	and is also used in the New Testament of Paul and of other
	_Christian workers_.


Thus one way to effect one's own magery would be to anoint oneself
in ritual manner, according to one's cherished flavor of rite, and
in the conformity to the dictates of God's Word.  In this way we
become 'Christian workers', or 'Christian mages', perhaps in some
mystical way related to or identified as a 'messenger' or 'Apostle'.


Conclusion

I'll save the examination of possible Preparation schemes and an
elaboration on what this 'work' ought consist for future posts.  As
I see it, I am utilizing the Gospel to discover/create a path of
magick described therein and welcome (constructive) commentary on
any and all of these posts.

One question that occurs to me is whether or not there are different
Greek words relating to 'work', and how these are used in _The Bible_.
We might be able to narrow it down a bit if this is the case.


Peace be with you,

nagasiva@luckymojo.com (nagasiva)

 [review and reflection continued in xtianmgk.rite.3]