Newsgroups: alt.magick.chaos,alt.answers,news.answers Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!crl.dec.com!caen!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.uoregon.edu!tank.news.pipex.net!pipex!oleane!jussieu.fr!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!ashton From: ashton@netcom.com (AShdeamoNium) Subject: [Alt.Magick.Chaos]: REF faq (1/1) Message-ID: Followup-To: alt.magick.chaos Summary: The generic section of the Periodic Postings Keywords: ref,faq,ack,chaos,magick,cthulu,elric,fnord,jomama,... Sender: ashton@netcom16.netcom.com Reply-To: ashton@netcom.com Organization: Thee Dark Eidolon ov Shub-InterNet Date: Sat, 28 Oct 1995 19:47:13 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Lines: 1141 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.magick.chaos:5663 alt.answers:13160 news.answers:56338 Alt-magick-chaos-archive-name: faq Archive-name: magick/chaos/faq Last-modified: 49950808 Posting-Frequency: moonly Version: 1.00 ======================================================================= HORNS ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Horns Subject: Defn This a component of the Alt.Magick.Chaos files. This specific file is a dose of frop and quaff. This file is hatefully held hostage by ashton@netcom.com. One file posted to *.answers, two files posted regularly. The working versions are kept at: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/Sh/Shub/Amc/ http://www.io.com/~shub/amc.html The marked-up (and recursive) version: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/magick/chaos/faq/faq.html However, if you're looking for something more useful than a faq: http://www.io.com/~shub/ ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/pa/pali151/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Horns Subject: Index Horns Defn Index Ed Banish OVERVIEW 01. Glossary 02. Groups 03. Books DATA 04. Definitions 05. Rants 06. Frequently Abusive Quotations Tail Banish Ack End ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Horns Subject: Ed The file got too big and I ended up pulling the rogue section. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Horns Subject: Banish Before you shoot yourself in the censor with your newsreader, read the Statement of Intent in the Main file! Edit your quotes! Some people do not have a decent newsreader ... Some people may even have to download every post! Banishment from the group Will Be Accomplished by laughter. Any appearance of organization is result of sorcerous attacks by the Lords of Order. "The common defect of all mystical systems ... is that there has been no place for Laughter." -- Aleister Crowley "Could there be anything worse, and *less* chaotic, then those who contribute nothing to magick, and everything to politics, semantics, and useless definitions?" -- Tzimon Yliaster ======================================================================= OVERVIEW ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Overview Subject: Glossary 01. Glossary AC Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) AOS Austin Osman Spare (1886-1956) AX Autonomitrix. A Guild of Chaos. COTAO Covenant of the Ancient Ones CI Chaos International. A zine put out by IOT members. CM Ceremonial Magic CoS Church of Satan GD Golden Dawn HGA Holy Guardian Angel IOT Illuminates of Thanateros. The Pact. LK Liber Kaos: The Psychonomicon by Peter Carroll. LN&P Liber Null & Psychonaut by Peter Carroll. OTO Ordo Templi Orientis SOI Statement of Intent ToS Temple of Set TOPY Temple of Psychic Youth TOTEA Tribe of The Eight Arrows ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Overview Subject: Groups 02. Groups Here are some places that you might be more welcome. talk.religion.newage alt.soulmates alt.out-of-body alt.pagan alt.gothic alt.vampyres alt.horror.werewolves alt.folklore.ghost-stories alt.evil alt.mythology alt.folklore alt.astrology alt.meditation alt.divination alt.tarot alt.satanism alt.magick alt.illuminati alt.discordia alt.slack alt.horror.cthulhu alt.necronomicon [spelled right] alt.necromicon [sic] alt.usenet.recovery alt.mindcontrol [You WILL read this group and ENJOY it!] alt.atheism [the argument faq is impressive] ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Overview Subject: Books 03. Books This will be short list of works a neophyte might be interested in. There is a seperate file going into gory detail. ======================================================================= DATA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Data Subject: Definition 04. Definition This is where working definitions will be filtered. 04.01. IOT: Illuminates of Thanateros. The Pact. 04.02. AX: Autonomitrix. "A Chaotick Guild and WorkNet of chaotes" 04.03. Z: A TAZ. 04.04. TOTEA: Tribe Of The Eight Arrows 04.05. CoTAO: Covenant of the Ancient Ones ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 04.01. IOT: Illuminates of Thanateros. The Pact. Here is the first public notice of the IOT from "The New Equinox Magazine", 1978. Marviously worded ... "Spiritual heirs to the Zos Kia Cultus, the Illuminates of Thanateros are drinkers of the dual ecstacies of the sex and death gnoses. The IOT represents a fusion of Thelemic Magick, Tantra, The Sorceries of Zos and Tao. The non-mysteries of symbolic systems have been discarded in favour of mastery of technique. ... " ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Illuminates of Thanateros POB 17995 Irvine CA 92713 The contact address for the Americas. Illuminates of Thanateros 7349 Via Paseo Del Sur Suite 515-205 Scottsdale AZ 85258. The address for obtaining publications (Chaos International and books), shirts, videos, tapes, CD's, etc. IOT mail relating to the Americas will be forwarded to the Irvine address above. The IOT have neither a site nor a net contact ... Illuminates of Thanateros c/o Weiser POB 612 York Beach ME 03910 207/363-4393. A last resort ... dougg@netcom.com (dagon productions) writes: >To contact Weisser means that your letter is sent to Weisser, >then sent to Pete Carroll, then sent to the US Sectionhead. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dougg@netcom.com (dagon productions) Newsgroups: alt.magick.chaos,alt.magick,alt.magick.order Subject: IOT FYI It appears that there is a proliferation of anonymous posters passing themselves off as the IOT. Interesting since the IOT has never made any public announcments on any of the Magical Usenet groups. The Pact of the IOT has no set policy and no lines ared drawn concerning other organizations. The IOT continues to move forward, choosing not to involve itself in the mundane affairs and inane postings that make up the majority of the posts to these Usenet groups. Douglas Grant for the IOT USA. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 04.02. AX: Autonomitrix. "A Chaotick Guild and WorkNet of chaotes" From the Nascent Manifesto of 930111 The name AutonomatriX is derived from the words autonomy and matrix to represent a self-directed and self-governing repository of information. The emblem of the Auto-nomatriX is a circular blade with eight teeth providing a background to the glyph of Eris turned on its side. The AutonomatriX is a networking chaos magic guild of those striving to discover and rejuvenate magical ideas and technical skills with success as the only key to validation. We do not discriminate on the basis of lifestyle, gender, affiliation, race, or sexuality. We seek to interact with creative magicians who are pushing boundaries instead of being trapped by them. We are a guild composed of working craftspeople, whereas an order/lodge/clique is generally an exclusive membership of supplicants. The time of centralized info-banks is at an end; the nature of "classified" or "secret" information is that it is more often limiting than useful to the collector, and only profitable to the banker of such media. Hierarchical structures are unnecessary and undesired; checks and balances regarding membership are determined by an individual's interaction with the rest of the group rather than personal prejudices or acceptance for any member by any other member. The principles "sink or swim" and "(inter)action equals life" are applicable to this magical guild, as in any network. Information is distributed throughout the entire active membership of the network in the issuance of the Contacts Listing and Index of the Corpus Fecundi by the AX curators. AX/Zetetic Alliance Project Attn: Nisus 6230 Wilshire Blvd. Suite #30 Los Angeles CA 90048 seera@netcom.com AX/Temple Anaki Attn: Darakan.180 422-B 38th Street Oakland CA 94609 darakan@aol.com or max@atticus.com AX/Anon Faction Attn: RoikaXul POB 16035 Seattle WA 98116 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 04.03. Z. The Z(cluster) is a group of chaos magicians who have temporarily aggregated for the purpose of cracking the universal consensual belief structure and thus bringing about the end of the world. Originating in a cluster of New Orleans sorcerers who are artists, musicians and writers, mostly gay, with a strong contingent from the leather community, the Z(cluster) is an attempt to configure a new form of organization, one that is non-hierarchichal, non-dogmatic, inclusive, anarchistic, and flexible. The Z(cluster) is open to all. Membership requires a simple declaration. There are no dues. There are no grades. There are no leaders. There is no received truth. Opinions of Z(cluster) members, including these statements, are personal and non-binding and may be adopted or discarded by members as whim or analytic thought provides. If you do wish to contact us, the address follows: defrat@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu or marik@aol.com Mark Defrates 5014 South Prieur New Orleans LA 70125 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 04.04. TOTEA: Tribe Of The Eight Arrows TOTEA stands for "Tribe Of The Eight Arrows" and is the spawn of former IOTer Steve Wilson. Their style of shamanistic Chaos is detailed in his book _Chaos Ritual_ (and a fine book it is too!) available from Neptune Press (ISBN 0-9505001-9-4). TOTEA BM Grasshopper London WC1N 3XX UK ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 04.05. CoTAO: Covenant of the Ancient Ones Currently no valid address. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Data Subject: Rants 05. Rants 05.01. Chaos Magick 05.02. Chaos Order 05.05. Thelemite 05.06. Satanist 05.07. Setian 05.08. Greetings 05.09. Chaos Star 05.10. Kia 05.11. Ouranian Barbaric 05.12. Colour of MagicK ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.01. Chaos Magick? "The Lords of Chaos are the enemies of Logic, the jugglers of Truth, the molders of Beauty" -- Hanafax from _The Knight of the Swords_ by Michael Moorcock ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "...if you want a one-line definition with which most Chaoists would probably not disagree, then I offer the following. Chaoists usually accept the meta-belief that belief is a tool for achieving effects; it is not an end in itself." -- Peter Carroll January, 1992 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In Chaos Magic, beliefs are not seen as ends in themselves, but as tools for creating desired effects. To fully realize this is to face a terrible freedom in which Nothing is True and Everything is Permitted, which is to say that everything is possible, there are no certainties, and the consequences can be ghastly. Laughter seems to be the only defence against the realisation that one does not even have a real self. So welcome to the Kali Yuga of the Pandaemonaeon wherein nothing is true and everything is permissable. For in these post-absolutist days it is better to build upon the shifting sands than the rock which will confound you on the day it shatters. Philosophers have become no more than the keepers of useful sarcasms, for the secret is out that there is no secret of the universe. All is Chaos and evolution is going nowhere in particular. It is pure chance which rules the universe and thus, and only thus, is life good. We are born accidentally into a random world where only seeming causes lead to apparent effects, and very little is predetermined, thank Chaos. Reject then the obscenities of contrived uniformity, order and purpose. Turn and face the tidal wave of Chaos from which philosophers have been fleeing in terror for millennia. Leap in and come out surfing its crest, sporting amidst the limitless weirdness and mystery in all things, for those who reject false certainties. Thank Chaos we shall never exhaust it. Create, destroy, enjoy, IO CHAOS! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: duo@teleport.com (Gratuitous Pseudonym) >Chaos magick (I have not a CLUE what this is) That's a good start. Chaos magicians are an unruly lot, literally. They are basically magickal anarchists and admirers of no rules other than their own, arrived at by their own personal experiences. Many of them (but by no means all) have been heavily influenced by the Discordian Society and the writings of Malaclypse the Younger, worshippers of Discordia, or Eris, Goddess of Strife and Confusion. Very few generalizations hold for this kind of magick. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: pali151@netcom.com (Tzimon Yliaster) It begins with knowing how near and how far Whatever is. Then you concentrate on the placement of objects. Take neither nourishment, nor stimulant nor any drug. Use pain, when it comes, as a sharp wedge into the lower half. Dance. Climb a mountain. Strip off your clothes (read civilization) and break something cherished that owns you as you own it. Avoid recruiters, and shoo away those who want to "teach you magick". To paraphrase Austin Spare, all any teacher can do is show you your own magnificence. Examine your obsessions. What are they, really? Fuel. Burn them up and move on. Don't let anything restrict you, least of all "groups" (the shortest path to nowhere). Every group implies hierarchy, whatever their press kits may say, and any structure is a lessening of the degree of freedom. Chaos is the greatest degree of freedom there can be, as it encompasses all potential and possibility. Turn your will against your fears and your insecurities. Bury yourself. Hang upside-down and sing "Hallelujah" in public. People will think you mad, but what's one more madman, and isn't madness often little more than the folly of genius? You *are* involved! Everything is involved, and it's really a question of what the nature of your involvement will be. Welcome; I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long :=} Try everything. Be ye manic!!! We are all our own set of variables, and for each of us there are at least slightly different ways by which we can shortcut cause-and-effect. The only secrets are the ones that have to do with the ways that work for *you*, even if others say you're wrong. All that matters is effectiveness, and the only way to find these keys is to *do*. It takes time, and it takes effort, and maybe even a little bit of your own substance; think of it as an investment, if nothing more. It will, without question, pay off. But you have to start *now*... because a part of the set of variables is time, and its a very limiting factor. Lean way back, hold your breath, and count backwards from 418. It's begun :=} ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Joseph Max.555" Chaos Magick is currently the cutting edge of modern Ceremonial Magick. It largely grew out of the work of Austin Osman Spare, though it has been fractalized into many forms over the last 10 or so years. Chaos Magick emphasizes a personal, experimental approach to magickal practice, de-emphasizes "traditional" approaches (ie. GD, OTO, et al) especially as regards "secret knowledge", male/female dichotomies and order hierarchy; what can be learned from Masters or Gurus is far less important or effective than what a dedicated researcher can discover for hirself. As such, shamanism is incorporated more directly than such historical approaches as Kaballa, though most Chaotes are quite adept at examining traditional systems, incorporating what works and discarding that which holds no personal appeal. Chaos Magicians look at Magick as being a _living_ art rather than an _antique_ one. They regard the various belief structures of magick as being the _means_ rather than the _end_, and the most adept can alter their belief-state as easily as they change clothes. Chaos Magick recognizes no particular system of theology as having any more "reality" than any other, and most Chaotes (like Jung) approach dieties as being no more than archtypical constructs of the subconscious mind. Therefore they are far less concerned with having any (in their eyes) arbitrary moral system pounded into their skulls before getting to actually put magickal techniques into practical use than "Old Aeon" systems like the GD's or Abra-Melin. Chaos Magick propounds no particular dogma or moral system, beyond it's most common identifier: "Nothing is True, and Everything is Permitted." I have yet to meet, however, any adept Chaos Magician who doesn't have a strong sense of personal ethics and subscribe to it feverently. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: locklin@phyast.pitt.edu (Lupo the Butcher) "Chaos Theory" is generally concerned with making more complex physical predictions, sometimes based on a "chaos/order" measurement. "Chaos Magick" may or may not be concerned with utelizing paradigms of "chaos theory" to exert change in accordance with ones telos (in my case it would certainly be the former)... "Chaos Magick" may also be the latest attempt to appeal to the testosterone junkie set of the magickal community via their lust of destruction, much as other LHP groups (Satanists & sinister Pagans) do in other ways. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- from Benjamin Rowe I have received several complaints about my published rituals recently. Some complain that they are too elaborate, others that they are too simple, and some question whether they really qualify as magickal rituals in the traditional sense. There is some justice in all these, and they should be addressed with respect to the work presented here. The complaints of over-elaborateness stem from the fact that it is impossible to perform any significant part of the works in a single session. This is perfectly correct, and is done deliberately. My experience has been that the rewards given to the magician by the "angels" of the Enochian system are very precisely gauged to the amount of care and effort the magician puts into the work. Works that are planned, rehearsed, and carried out over a period of weeks or months are much more likely to produce significant initiations than any number of single-session efforts. The present work was designed to be performed in stages, with the expectation that each stage will be performed until the powers invoked achieve a self-sustaining presence in the magicianAs temple before he passes on to the next stage. It can be expected that the rewards will be commensurate with the effort involved. Complaints of excessive simplicity derive from lack of the pompous verbiage typically found in formal rituals, and the dearth of advice concerning symbols, implements, and materiel that would help to fire the imagination of the magician. There is a decidedly bare-bones feel to the descriptions. This is perhaps an expression of my own character as a magician; I find that complex pomp and ceremony put me off rather than enhancing the work. I have complete faith that every magicianAs imagination and intuition will provide him with enhancements appropriate to his or her own character and style, and so see no need to provide more than the minimum schema necessary to accomplish the work successfully. [from _COMSELHA: A spiritual excercise for Enochian magicians] ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.02. Chaos Order? From z@cluster.net Any appearance of organization is result of sorcerous attacks by the Lords of Order. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: johnson@sleipnir.pb.wes.mot.com (Mark Johnson) Beware of equating things based on the occurence of the same label. We are talking about three things here: 1. Chaos science: the characterization of nonlinear phenomena to facilitate a limited mathematical predictability. 2. Chaos: disorder. The absence or diminished presence of order where a higher degree of order is expected. 3. Chaos: the elemental force of creation and destruction, as opposed to order, the sustaining and suppressing force. 3 is the original definition, from the greek. 2 is a common misinterpretation, and 1 is a name chosen by mathematicians on the grounds that it sounds cool. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: pali151@netcom.com (Tzimon Yliaster) Subject: Re: Stalking 101 Tyagi Mordred Nagasiva (Tyagi@cup.portal.com) wrote: : The way that I define 'chaos', it does *not* include organization. : There is no perceivable order inherent to anything that is 'chaotic'. : Therefore, 'chaotic organization' is, with this definition, : meaningless, and oxy-moron. : Tzi, I'd like to know what 'chaos' means to you that it might contain : any hint of organization at any time. Thanks. : Tyagi Order is a subset of Chaos, temporarily existent at times, and drawing its existence from our perception. A group of individuals may work together in a coherent way to accomplish a chaotick act, and when the act is finished, move on. As long as they have done so of their own whim and will, then they haven't acted in any way that is counter to chaos. This only comes when permanence is forced upon them. Chaos, at a human level, means doing what one chooses, rather than following a set of rules. If this includes a desire to form some sort of group to achieve some aim, then so be it. To *restrict* oneself from doing so because of someone else's rules, opinions, or perceptions would be far more orderly than to do it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ReaperD@aol.com (The Grin Reaper) >If Carrol emphasizes the use of 'chaos' as a source of power, >instead of the more positive 'kia', >that means he deliberatly chooses the abyss >... should I say it ... going into de-evolution ... This is only true if you accept two of things as true. 1] Disorder=Distruction 2] Chaos=Disorder As a Discordian, I feel that these assumptions are more correct. 1] Disorder= BOTH creative and destructive 2] Order= BOTH creative and destructive 3] Chaos= Both Order and Disorder in a formless state. For more information consult your pinial gland. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: afgm@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Fra Semper Non Sequitur) An added elaboration is to draw a distinction between Chaos and disorder. To me, Chaos is a level above the artificial distinctions of either order/disorder. Hence, to say Chaos (in the higher sense) contains order is meaningless, but equally to say Chaos contains disorder is meaningless (both being eqully illusory). However, in a less lofty sense, I say again that Chaos contains order and disorder, organization ( eg the human body / colony of ants), disorganization ( muddy water), and plenty of it. She aint your average everyday type Goddess. The upshot : 1) With Chaos as above,the fount of all, terms such as (dis)organization are quite meaningless. Take neither term. 2) With Chaos as below,the 'natural' world, terms such as (dis)organization are uesfull only in pairs. Take both of them. 3) With whatever Chaos, to dismiss organization and have only disorder, is a bizarre worshipping of a single side of a polarity, eg Christianity. Take both or neither. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: cipher@pentagon.io.com (Rev. Dr. J. B. Bell) Some people have been debating whether all Chaos magick must of necessity be anarchic. I think the answer is, clearly not. I personally think of Order as a subset of Chaos. Complete *dis*order is merely entropy, and just as boring and awful as total anal-retentive Order. What makes the whole of chaos interesting is the contrast between the schmuzzle and the foamy, intricate bubbles of Order. They form spontaneously, and break down just as unpredictably. The point, I think, of Chaoism, or at least *my* Chaoism, is not to eschew order, but simply to understand its transitory nautre and use that. I may be a Chaos magician, but I rather dig *perversely* orderly things like Kabbalah. They're so incredibly ordered, they're chaotic! Another point of Chaoism (how could it be *the* point anyway?): Have Fun. If you need some order to have fun, you should summon it--then, when you're done, dispose of it, don't worship it because of what it did for you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: raudlee@xyplex.com Chaos can be beautiful and good. Order can be dangerous and evil. As any carpenter will tell you, some tools are dangerous. Dangerous tools are safest when properly sharpened, and used by experts. You get to be an expert by practicing your sharpening skills, not by hacking away....... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: amanda@intercon.com (Amanda Walker) I'd say that written rules are at their most useful when, in fact, they *subvert* order. Look at the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta, Civil Rights legislation, and so on. People are still arguing over the Second Amendment... Unwritten rules are used far more often to maintain order, since they are implicit parts of a world-view, rather than explicit concepts which can be critically examined. Examples are discrimination based on race, sex, or academic qualifications, religious bigotry, and so on. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.05. Thelemite. "Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." Liber AL vel Legis sub figura CCXX. II.40. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tyagi@HouseOfKaos.Abyss.com >What's a Thelemite? The word was popularized by Aleister Crowley, whom I find quite inspirational. It means one who lives by the Law of Thelema. 'Thelema' is a Greek word meaning 'will', and this Law was expressed by Crowley as 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.' He echoed a scripture which is important to some within the Thelemic movement, called _The Book of the Law_. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.06. Satanist. From: nemoiii@aol.com (NEMO III) Two rather helpful books outside the apparent Satanic community were written by California psychologist Lawrence LeShan entitled *The Medium, the Mystic and the Physicist* (1974) and *Alternate Realities* (1976). In the second book, LeShan charts out approximately four separate but self-contained belief systems ("modes of reality")which, when completely entered, permit the individual to perform acts considered impossible to the others. The key, according to LeShan (as well as to Anton LaVey who wrote the same things in 1969, five years ahead of LeShan's publications) is to enter into a belief system in which you also know, while there, that this and *only* this view of the world is true and all others are false. To achieve that degree of belief at will is the key to effective magic according to the Church of Satan's view. A secondary benefit to this achievement is the delightful flexibility the Satanist can enjoy in dealing with other human beings and their varying institutions. The single-belief system fanatic can only fight for his views and attempt to convert others (usually causing him to alienate just about everyone not equally fanatical). These are the individuals who will often quote from stirring patriotic themes to endorse martyrdom to the cause. The Satanist can not merely assume the belief system of the ritual and non-ritual in accord with Satanism, but can move smoothly through the midst of Christians, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, nationalists, agnostics, Moslems, racists, neo-nazis, Wiccans, neo-pagans, communists, socialists, etc. The Satanist moves like a predator through the human herd, usually unobserved, taking his pick of the best that is offered. A true Satanist can go to a party held by his avowed religious enemies and have a good time, enjoy the qualities of those who have something to offer and return home afterwards feeling no guilt or concern. To the Satanist charges by others of "hypocrisy" are a clear indication of the limited mindset of the accuser. Ethics are a guide to action for the Satanist, not a god to be mindlessly obeyed. All this is beautifully summarized in The Book of Satan, Part 2, Verse 12 (The Satanic Bible, page 32), "Whatever alleged 'truth' is proven by results to be but an empty fiction, let it be unceremoniously flung into the outer darkness, among the dead gods, dead empires, dead philosophies, and other useless lumber and wreckage!" The key words to that quote are "proven by results." Results! That's the purpose of it all. Nemo, Priest, Church of Satan ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.07. Setian. From: Michael.Aquino@125-430.wmeonlin.sacbbx.com (Michael Aquino) The founders of the Temple of Set disagreed with a May 1975 decision by LaVey to sell the Satanic Priesthood [and all other initiatory degrees of the Church of Satan] for personal profit. Prior to that time the Priesthood had been considered a sacred trust, attainable by personal merit exclusively. When LaVey announced his new policy, approximately 100 of the 250-total members of the Church resigned on principle. These would later become the founders of the Temple of Set. It differs not only in its continuance of strict interpretation of initiatory standards, but also by an open atmosphere of communication and a rejection of Judaeo/Christian iconography. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Michael.Aquino@f430.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Michael Aquino) >What is the Setian view on magickal systems, especially those of >Carroll, Crowley, and Spare? A general answer to your first question may take care of the others as well ... The Temple of Set approaches "magic" with a very broad brush; magic is magic, be it used for whatever purpose. It involves the use of principles which have not yet been identified or codified [or accepted by the establishment] to be classified as "science". Since it is imperfectly understood and applied, it yields imperfect and unreliable results. In this it is no different than the science of flight at the time the Wright brothers & others were trying to get an assortment of crazy contraptions into the air, usually - but not always - with comic opera results. So today's magician must be prepared to achieve some success, but also to screw up a lot. He may take some consolation in being a pioneer, but he must also expect that non-magicians will think him a nut. Thus it has been with all pioneers throughout history. And of course some of them got somewhere, while others didn't. No guarantees in this line of work. The Temple divides magic into only two "colors" for basic purposes: White and Black. While I could give you a variety of technical definitions, let's keep it simple: White Magic involves self-deception as well as the deceit of others, by being based on mere superstition which either has nothing whatever to underpin it or which has long since been proven a piece of nonsense. For example: Judaeo/Christianity and all "occultisms" derived from it, such as the Cabala. [Pause here for shock waves to subside.] Black Magic is magic in which there is no self-deceit whatever. The magician knows exactly what he is doing, why he is doing it, and what he expects to accomplish. Associates or assistants also do what they do with open eyes. Persons, situations, or things which are the *object* of the magical operation may be deceived, manipulated, or otherwise changed. In this sense a Black Magician might conduct a "White Magical" ceremony for purposes of controlling people who believe in it. But he would not believe in it, except as a tool, himself. This dovetails into your question about Set & other gods. Set is not a cartoon-god like YHVH, Krishna, et al. - but is rather a *principle* [or *Form* in Platonic terminology] giving substance and organization to individual self-consciousness. So while you could theoretically pray or talk to Set, in actuality you would be praying or talking to the thing which makes yourself yourself - but which simultaneously enables other independent selves. One of the founding principles of the Temple of Set in 1975 was that "all other gods are created by men". This has never been interpreted as a "sneer", but simply as an important realization of metaphysical truth. It is precisely the psychecentric consciousness which enables us to create "gods" and "daemons" to personify wishes, desires, prerogatives beyond those to which we are limited as inhabitants/prisoners of a mechanical, physical universe. We approach becoming gods ourselves - the process which the Temple summarizes as _Xeper_ - as we strengthen those aspects of ourselves which are not dictated by the objective universe. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.08. Greetings + 93 ... Ia ... Nothing ... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Nothing is Permited From: dougg@netcom.com (Doug Grant) The supposed origin of this statement is from the Hassan I Sabbah of the Islamic heretical sect the Nizari Isma'ilis, also known as the Hashasssins. The dictum is seen by some to be the jist of the highest level of initiation within the Nizari Isma'ilis, wherein the initiates would turn their backs to Mecca and make this statement. It has also been attributed to being the last words of Hassan I Sabbah on his deathbed. Nothing is True - Everything is Permitted is an english interpretation of an Arabic statement. Other translations appear as: Believe Nothing - Dare All On Earth There is No Reckoning The statement was popularized by William S. Burroughs in his many literary works. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Joseph Max.555" > What do you mean by that statement, "Nothing is true ...? There are probably as many interpretations of that particular dictum as there are for "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law." I can only offer my personal take: "Nothing is True" can be interpreted as meaning nothing is _absolutely_ true. "Truth" is a theoretical construct, a model laid over reality to give it meaning. As Poincare' pointed out, there are always an infinite number of _facts_ available. "Truth" is derived by choosing amongst those facts and assembling them into a meaningful model. It's like saying that neither the metric system or the English system of measurement is "true". As long as they are self-consistant, they are _useful_. To quote Poincare': "If a phenomenon admits of a particular mechanical explanation, it will admit of an infinity of others which will account equally well for all the peculiarities disclosed by the experiment." So using physics as an example, we can say that Newtonian gravitational formulae are "true" - we still use them to calculate the trajectories of space probes. However, when speeds approach that of light, they are no longer "true", and we must revert to general relativity to obtain consistant results. As for "Everything is Permitted", it is merely the consequence of the first postulate. If nothing is true, that there are no absolutes, the universe is relativistic (which Einstein pretty much established) and ultimately arbitrary (and Chaos Mathematics is making a strong case for that), then we are given the awful freedom to create whatever universe, whatever reality, whatever TRUTH that we care to invest belief in - and the freedom to alter that reality as need or desire may require by altering our beliefs by application of the will. This, BTW, is what we Chaotes call "meta-belief" - that belief itself is only a tool by which we create reality. It is a means, not an end; a vehicle, not a destination. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Balanone@tefnut.astaroth.sacbbx.com (Balanone) Any attempt to translate Xeper literally will fail. Approximately, Xeper is most often used as a verb, referring to willful self- improvement, self-initiation, self-advancement, and similar self- initiated and self-produced advancements in being. Add to that the concept of self-creation (Xepera was the ancient Egyptian god known for being self-created, did not come from any other source). Add to that the idea of metamorphosis, like from caterpillar to butterfly, but often discussed as being from child to adult or from man to god. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.09. Chaos Star? "In the distance, he saw the banners of Law and of Chaos raised, side by side, the one bearing the eight radiating arrows, the other bearing the single straight arrow of Law. And over all this hung a huge balance in perfect equilibrium. ... The balance sometimes tips. It must be righted. And that is the power of mortals, to adjust the balance." -- from _The Knight of the Swords_ by Michael Moorcock. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jbbell@tiguex.cs.unm.edu (Rev. J. B. Bell) I know at least three Chaos symbols. The most well-known one in less specialized circles than Chaos Magick is the simple eight arrows radiating from a single center. Moorcock appears to have invented this one, but it's possible it comes from the U.S. military. The next popular one I know of consists of eight rays whose endpoints define a square, with a cirle more or less bisecting the longer rays. This is a trademarked symbol from Chaosium Games, which among other games publishes an Elric role-playing game. Finally we have the Star of Chaos that appears to be designed by Peter J. Carroll. It is the familiar eight rays, but the center is obscured by an opaque, pregnant-looking circle. My symbological interpretation of these: the first seems to emphasize simple dispersion or ordinary material chaos. The second is more about breaking out of boundaries. The third stresses Chaos as the origin of being, and the mystery at its center. I ripped off my personal chaos symbol from Grant Morrison, writer of excellent comics like _Kid Eternity_ and _The Invisibles_. His is more of a black sun than a star--simply a circle, surrounded by eight triangles. I find the black sun associations quite pleasing, particularly when I found much mention of it in music (most recently "Black Hole Sun") and alchemy. It is perhaps symbolically more mystical, with a "leap of faith" or intuition, or Gnosis, between the original mystery and the radiated points. In the section on Yantras, in a diagram on p. 52 of _Tools for Tantra_ by Harish Johari, which I admit is a somewhat cheesy book, we have a couple of possibilities: one, a set of eight equidistant lines, not arrows. The header says "Expression. Dynamic." Then the aforementioned circle with radiating arrows. That says "Expansion." Not a perfect match, but close enough to be interesting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: v306zj7w@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (Frater ABZU) The eight sided star appears to be relatively old, - for in the book Symbols of Prehistoric Mesopotamia by B.L.Goff, fig.45 shows one quite plailnly, belonging to the Hassunah period (7000=+ B.C.E.). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: pali151@netcom.com (Sri Palindrome.151) The Chaostar, is, in fact, the eight rays as you indicate. The symbol is sometimes used in physics to represent the four dimensions of matter (length, width, depth, time), and thus also represents the extension of a point to a line, square, cube, and tesseract ... by the formula: point "Xiqual Udinbak" line "Xiqual Uzarfe, D'kyeng" square "Xiqual Kudex, Eacht" cube "Xiqual Ashara, Dijow" tesseract "Xiqual Thaldoma, Nobo" ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.10. Kia? From: pali151@netcom.com (Sri Palindrome.151) Kia is a term coined by Austin Osman Spare as a label for the unmanifest portion of the human psyche/spirit/etc. Thus, the Kia is the Chaos within each of us. Being thus, it is the source of inspiration, and the interface between the finite human mind and the infinite. It's also, in a sense, the energy that causes us to grow, change, and expand. Note the similarity between the words Kia and "Ki," the Chinese word for the vital energy. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.11. Ouranian Barbaric? From: pali151@netcom.com (Sri Palindrome.151) >I don't know the origins or meanings of many of the words mentioned. The words are in a language termed "Ouranian Barbaric," which is generated via the Ouranos Rite. Ouranos Baphomet is taken, in some quarters, as the "god of magick" and source of the Great Work itself. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 05.12. Colour of Magic Humor from Prachett's wonderful book made into tragic magic by Pope Pete will go here when I can bear to deal with it. ======================================================================= FREQUENTLY ABUSIVE QUOTATIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Data Subject: Frequently Abusive Quotations 06. Frequently Abusive Quotations 06.01. Where is the FAQ? (please repost answers as needed) You just wrote it. There is no FAQ. Why don't you make one? We don't need a FAQ. No FAQ I know of. Do we even get a mention in the various REFs? FAQ's are like assholes ... everyone has one but most people don't use them often enough. There are already several FAQs but no one feels like posting them. We had a FAQ but it is being held hostage until you post hard data. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tail Subject: Banish THE GENERAL CURSE O THOU wicked and disobedient spirit, because thou hast rebelled, and hast not obeyed nor regarded my words which I have rehearsed; they being all glorious and incomprehensible names of the true GOD, the maker and creator of thee and of me, and of all the world; I DO by the power of these names the which no creature is able to resist, curse thee into the depths of the BOTTOMLESS ABYSS, there to remain unto the DAY OF DOOM in chains, and in fire and brimstone unquenchable. -- some paliomage ... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH -- Tzimon Yliaster *giggle* *giggle* *GIGGLE* *MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargg* *cough* *choke* *hackgiggle* -- Tim/Void BBBBBRRRROOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!!!!! -- Joseph Max.555 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAEHAHAHA GO AWAY LITTLE CHAYOAT! -- Tyagi Mordred Nagasiva BHHhhhWWWwwwAAAAAHHHAAAhhhaaahaha !!! -- AShTON the UnSubtle ======================================================================= TAIL ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: From: Tail Subject: Ack The article skeleton was swiped from the news.software.nn faq. From: pali151@netcom.com (Sri Palindrome.151) From: ice@netcom11.netcom.com (I. Chris English) PRINCIPIA CHAOTICA: Chaos Magic for the Pandaemeon From: davey@world.std.com ([Fob]) From: Tyagi@HouseOfKaos.Abyss.com (Tyagi Mordred Nagasiva) From: Shawn Clayton Knight From: johnson@sleipnir.pb.wes.mot.com (Mark Johnson) From: locklin@phyast.pitt.edu (Lupo the Butcher) Benjamin Rowe From: afgm@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Fra Semper Non Sequitur) From: dougg@netcom.com (Doug Grant) From: Michael.Aquino@f430.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Michael Aquino) From: max@tatertot.com (Joseph Swails) From: (Joseph Max.555) From: wednsday@mcs.com From: blade@pentagon.io.com (Scott "Blade" Hamilton) From: tim@midnight.demon.co.uk (Tim) From: ReaperD@aol.com (The Grin Reaper) From: bheidrick@aol.com (B Heidrick) From: Balanone@tefnut.astaroth.sacbbx.com (Balanone) From: cipher@pentagon.io.com (Rev. Dr. J. B. Bell) From: v306zj7w@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (Frater ABZU) From: raudlee@xyplex.com From: duo@teleport.com (Gratuitous Pseudonym) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tail Subject: End go away =========================== PHYSICAL END ==============================