The Devil Made Me Do It

The Devil Made Me Do It

Be it for good or for ill, the Devil cannot make a person do anything. Each person is free to make their own decision. For this reason the devil gets a bad reputation in my opinion. I also want to say the Devil as known by many is misunderstood. Let us look at the Tarot, specifically Key 15 for an illustrative example.

Key 15, as is true of all Keys, has many different levels of interpretation. Depending on ones own level of development a different response may be evoked. The Devil may be seen as the Dweller on the Threshold, or the Tempter of those seeking enlightenment.  The Devil is the symbol of the One that is in charge of the severe trials all must face. This Tempter is really our own Higher Self helping to prepare us all for enlightenment.

This figure is depicted as grotesque. It is an amalgam of parts from seemingly several different beings. However if one looks closer, the wings, goat’s horns, eagle’s claws and torch could suggest a combination of the four elements albeit in a distasteful way. It is also worth noticing that the chains around the necks of the human figures are loose and could easily be removed if only they realized how they were bound. The Pentagram upon his brow is inverted. The inverted Pentagram is a symbol of the falsehood that man is dominated by the elements in the physical world.

If in our Mind we turn that Pentagram around then the Devil who is ugly, due to his inharmonious nature, begins to be transformed into the Angel that is our Higher Self. Imagine yourself as one the human figures. The two figures start to feed each other with the energies of Love. They are giving each other new energy, new insights because the light filling them both is the energy of Love. Stop to truly feel that energy. Now, filled with Love, together to two figures are ready to face the Devil.

Look at him, does he look scary now? Not anymore because you are seeing him with freshly opened eyes. You see him as a dreamed up combination of symbols. Together the figures can transform him through the joy of seeing him for what he really is. Keep the energy flowing between the figures; now pour out that Love to the Devil. All things can be overcome with Love. There is now an exchange of energies between the figures and the Devil above. He is being filled Love and Light. You can even laugh at him now because a new vision of his true self is being revealed.

As the figures continue to send energies to the Devil suddenly he is transformed. The figure that was there before was never real. He was only a dream, a nightmare. Yet, it is that nightmare that woke you up. You could not wake up to wisdom without first encountering the Devil. Even in that old form, the Devil taught us to search for the Light. All the time he was really an Angel, the Higher Self.

What The Devil really looks like is the figure from Key 6, The Lovers. The same human figures are also on the card as well. The figures are now no longer bound in this Key and have been transformed themselves.

The beginning of Wisdom is Ignorance or rather the realization of that ignorance. That is what the Devil represents as well. If unaware this image is seen as materialistic or evil. However, once we learn to see him as he truly is, we see he was an Angel and a teacher all along. The Devil does not make anyone do anything. They do these acts all on their own, it is their own ignorance that allows these actions to be committed. Once we all become aware that we and everything in this Universe truly are One, these acts will stop.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Formerly and sometimes still known as Mr. Moon

Spiritual or Religious?

Spiritual or Religious


Which are you? What is the difference? I am going to attempt write my thoughts about this subject. I consider myself a Spiritual person. The spiritual person sees the truth in all religions, while the Religious person seems to acknowledge only their path. There are many paths to the Divine mine is but one. There are many very Religious people, who follow at least the letter of their religion. They do not however follow the Spirit. They have read about or been told about A Path, but do not recognize others. How can one Faith be more correct than another can? Who is right? The truly Spiritual person can see that all are correct.

All are different paths to the same goal. The goal is reunion with the Divine. The Divine is manifest in all things, including us. The Religious person may have read or heard about all things Divine in nature. The Spiritual person has experienced these things for themselves and seen their own true nature. The Spiritual person recognizes they are a Spirit being having a human experience, not a Human have a few Spiritual experiences.

Many religious people have been told to do things certain ways and not question why. If they do question, the answer is because, The Bible or Koran or some religious text says to do it that way. That is ok for some but just because it has been written down does not make it good for the benefit of all. There have been many great religious and spiritual leaders. They were not necessarily one and the same.

The religious leaders put forth the letter of their own faith, but often repressed other faiths. The Spiritual leaders spread the word as they saw it, but did not condemn others paths. They often incorporated other faiths into their own. Thus instead of a new religion, they were spreading an extension-a continuation of an established faith. They offered a new philosophy based on old values, old values such as love.

From time to time many Spiritual teachers have manifested to help guide humanity. Jesus was such a spiritual leader. Jesus said that he would return in different forms. He was asked, how will we know it you? His answer is in John 10:37-38. `If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe in me. If I am doing them, even though you do not believe in me, believe in the works, so that you may know and believe that my Father is with me and I am with my Father.' Krishna also spoke of returning from age to age. `For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness, I come forth into being from age to age.' Since Krishna was manifested on the Earth thousands of years before Jesus, Jesus could have been a manifestation of Krishna. All religions stem from the same source. The Spiritual person sees and can acknowledge this fact. The Religious person is at times trapped within their own faith and can not see outside. They often can or will not acknowledge the many paths to the Source.

The Spiritual person can recognize the many manifestations of the Divine as being parts of the same Source. The religious person recognizes only the manifestation they have been taught. Too often the religious person seeks to discredit other manifestations of the Divine. This has been the cause of many wars and countless deaths. This has caused people throughout history to be persecuted because of their religion. The Christians persecuted the Pagans. The Jews persecuted the Christians. The Chinese government persecuted the Buddhists in Tibet. Christians persecuted other Christians. Once started this cycle is at times hard to stop. This list could go on and on and on.

Even within the same path, people interpret things in different manners. The Spiritual person can see the Light in all. The Religious only sees their own narrow band of light. The Divine Light is Broad and contains all the colors of the Rainbow in a constant state of change. The Divine includes all sects and paths.

If only there were more Spiritual people in this world as opposed to Religious people. Spiritual people are more open to other faiths and learn from each other. Religious people tend to only want to learn about their own path. Religious people follow the letter of religion, but often not the Spirit of it. Spiritual people are more concerned with the spirit of religion than the letter of it. I suppose that is the main difference between Religious and Spiritual.

People are often led by fear. It is this fear that must be overcome. People fear that which they do not understand. To overcome a fear-any fear-you must learn about it. There are some fears that do not have to be experienced first hand to be overcome. We can learn from watching others, which may have faced that same fear- either on purpose or accidentally.

There are many people who are Religiously Spiritual or Spiritually Religious. The Paths to the Divine are about connecting with the Spirit/Soul/Divine Light that is within us all and is also outside. The Source is in all things as The Source IS all things. As a Buddhist and many other Paths might say, the entirety of the Universe is contained within a single flower. It takes all aspects of the Universe to combine together and manifest in such a way as to create the flower. The flower has always been there as the Source has always been there.

I tried not to use absolutes, as in 'ALL Religious/Spiritual people Do This...' I myself do not like being labeled and thus grouped in with others that have been labeled the same thing, what ever that thing is. We are all different, we may be very similar, but no two people truly think in exactly the same way. That is a part of the gloriously, wonderful gift of Free Will.

Universe: Uni=One; Verse=Song.
Universe=One Song. One Song heard by all throughout the entirety of existence.
One Song. One Message to all. I feel that message is Love.
Love is the Law. Love Knows no religion. Love Knows no nationality or country border. Love is Love.
May the Divine Light shine upon us all. May it fill our hearts with Love. May we shine with the Light and illuminate the Divine in all that surrounds us.
Bill Schell
(AKA) Mr. Moon
(AKA) Frater Frabato

Isis-Mother of the Mysteries

ISIS -The Mother of the Mysteries


Isis is the Mother of the Mysteries. Isis is the Virgin of the World. Isis is Mother Nature herself. Isis is one of the most important symbolic characters in the Mystery Tradition. It is from the womb of Isis that initiates are born. All adepts are daughters and sons of Isis. Which makes each initiate Horus, the ‘Widow’s Son’. Even modern Masonic Lodges refer to members as the Widow’s Son. Ever heard that phrase before? Well, if you hear it again now you know they are talking about Isis. The murder of Osiris is said to be the destruction of Wisdom. In some traditions it is said that the job of Horus is to avenge the destruction of wisdom. Isis, the Widow, is the Mystery School itself, which through her efforts continually produces the redeemers of Wisdom.

Isis is usually seen carrying a simple ankh. The Ankh is the sybmol of Life Eternal. As Isis gave life to Osiris and then gave birth to Horus she is referred to at times as the giver of Life. The life Isis gives is a rebirth into the eternal life of the Mysteries.

Many temples and churches, which were built by Masons, were built on sites where the Black Madonnas were worshipped. Some are literally built on top of the existing site. Just what are the Black Madonnas? In my own opinion and other more scholarly types, the Black Madonnas represent Isis. There was said to be a well at these sites. With the well going down into the ground and spires of the new church reaching to the sky, we have the connection of the Above and Below. As the Masons are the Widow’s sons it makes sense to me that this was down on purpose to bring about balance and help restore Wisdom.

Bill Schell
(AKA)Frater Frabato

Spiritual Talent

Spiritual Talent


What spiritual talent do I have? This was a question I was once asked, here is my answer.

Love. And yes Love is a spiritual talent. Pure unconditional love as expressed from the Source of sources is what runs this Universe of ours and all the rest as well. Love is not something you 'Do', Love is something you 'Allow'. One must only allow the Divine Light to shine through as our sun shines upon us. The sun shines just as brightly on the rich as the poor. The sun does not care what color the skin is, or what country you were born in. The sun is not influenced by ANY social institution. That is how we must allow our Light to shine from us. We can allow it to illuminate the Divine in ourselves and in everyone and everything we encounter in our lives.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Mr. Moon
Frater Frabato

High Magic

High Magic

What is High Magic? Ceremonial Magic is often called High Magic, but the two terms are really not synonymous. High Magic is more precisely defined as Magic where the end result is to bring the practitioner closer to the Divine. Connecting with the Divine is the ultimate goal of High Magic. High Magic is focused on bringing oneself ever closer to uniting with the Divine on ALL levels.

High Magic is as much art as science. The roots of High Magic are ancient, but the techniques have continually evolved and adapted through all ages. High Magic is also known as Hermetic Magic as it is derived from the hermetic arts and sciences. High Magic uses and relies upon a complex system of correspondences derived from numerous sources including but not limited to: Alchemy; Astrology; Angelic whether Enochian or not; the Elements-Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit/Ethers; Gematria; the Tarot; and Qabalah-spelled with a Q to distinguish it from Jewish Kabbalah and Christian Cabbalah.

The Great Work is another term for the ultimate goal of High Magic. Each step brings one closer to the Divine. The Great Work is nothing less than the achievement of union with the Divine. The three pillars of Alchemy, Magic, and Astrology are used to achieve this goal. Alchemy is defined as being the Operation of the Sun. Magic in this context is defined as the Operation of the Stars. Astrology in this context is defined as the Operation of the Moon. Together they are the Three Parts of the Wisdom of the Universe.

High Magic is all about balancing the Above and the Below. Since, 'As Above so Below', we are a reflection at a different level of the Universe. We are the Microcosm represented by the Macrocosm of the Universe as a whole. High Magic's intent is reaching for and achieving the Hermetic Marriage within ourselves and thus finding the Magical Equilibrium. The sole purpose of High Magic is reaching unity with the Divine on the highest possible level.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato

Not My Will, but Thine.

Not My will but Thine


Sometimes we must all decide to live the occult maxim, `Not my will but Thine'. No matter how much energy we put into something if our will is opposed to the Universal Law, we tend to lose the battle. If this happens, do I feel like I have failed? Do I feel abandoned by the Universe? The answer to both questions is a resounding, NO.

How can I possibly feel like I succeeded in anything? Well, for one thing when working for something beyond my own personal level all I ever ask for is that the outcome that is truly for the planet's and the Universe's greater good be accomplished. I place my faith and trust in the Universal Archetype's hands. That Archetype is known by many names. Call it whatever you choose; THE ALL, Goddess, God, Lord of the Universe, Sky Father, All Father, or a more specific name such as Krishna or Buddha or Christ or Allah it is still subject to the same Archetype.

We are subject to the Universe's Will by whatever name we know that Will. Our own individual will does influence our individual world, but we operate within the boundaries of the Universal. At least we must until we become one with the Universe on a much higher level. As we continue to raise our own Vibrational level, we grow ever closer to the Universal Level. In our personal evolution we may reach a point where we are not only one with the Universe, but we yet Become the Universe. It is at that point where we can decide what is best for an entire Universe and only then. Personally I know I have quite a ways to go to reach that level. Since I am not qualified to make a Universal level decision, I accept the Will of the Universal Archetype and say, `Not my will but Thine'.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Formerly and Sometimes still known as Mr. Moon

Lessons From a Tree

Lessons from a Tree


Which is more evolved a person or a tree? The quick and perhaps obvious answer for many people is that a person is more evolved. Upon closer examination I personally am not too sure that is entirely correct. I have no doubt that in certain aspects people may be more evolved. However, I am beginning to believe that the opposite is also true.

A tree adapts to it's environment and also, to some extent at least, adapts the environment to itself. A tree seems more patient than most people. A tree is born with everything it needs to survive, thrive and grow. A tree is self-sufficient. It does not need help from anyone or anything except the sun and the earth. A tree has two sources of nourishment, the Sun above and the Earth below. A tree is thus suspended between the Above and the Below. A tree is sustained by a balance between the Above and the Below.

Those of us that are walking our own Path of Return should be seeking to find that balance of the Above and the Below within ourselves. Maybe we should watch a tree and see how it finds balance. A tree's branches are reaching out to the above even as it's roots are reaching out to the Below. As the limbs and branches of the tree go further out and thus further into the Above, the tree's roots are also at the same time growing further into the Below. Perhaps there is a lesson in there somewhere that would help us on our Path of Return.

Even as we seek out the higher planes, as long as we remain manifested on the physical plane, we must keep ourselves attached to this plane of existence. We need to keep ourselves attached and grounded to Mother Earth. We cannot ignore the Below in our quest. The Below is but a reflection of the Above and as such should be studied. There are a lot of things the Earth, and in this case a tree can teach us, if we but open our eyes and truly see.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato

Spirit Walks All Paths

"Do not say, 'I follow the one true path of the Spirit,' but rather, 'I have found the Spirit walking on my path.' For the Spirit walks on all paths." by Khalil Gibran

Hermetics

Hermetics

This is for the Pagan Blog Project.  This week I am doing ‘H’ for Hermetics. 

Hermetics derives its name from the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.   This name is really a title which means the Thrice Great Hermes.  Hermes is the Greek god name associated with a much older Egyptian God Thoth/Tehuti.  Hermetic teachings heavily influenced the Western Mystery Traditions and through them the Renaissance and the Reformation.  That tells you where the name came from, but still doesn’t tell you anything about Hermetic philosophy.

Ever heard the term Hermetically sealed? To be Hermetically sealed, means an item is not affected by external forces. It is totally isolated. The Hermetic master is also sealed and is beyond outside forces. Though chaos may reign around them, they remain unaffected. The Hermetic master realizes they are the only one that can have any affect on themselves.

The Hermetic philosophies found in the writings of Hermes are collected in numerous volumes called collectively the Corpus Hermeticum-17 volumes of which survived. Another much shorter text is the famous Emerald Tablet Hermes.  The Emerald Tablet is the origin of the phrase, ‘As Above, so Below.’.  The Emerald Tablet also refers to the three parts of the wisdom of the whole Universe.  The Kybalion-is more modern book containing the Hermetic Philosophy, thought it was published over 100 years ago now. 

The three parts of the wisdom of the whole Universe include; Alchemy-The Operation of the Sun, Astrology-The Operation of the Moon, and Theurgy-The Operation of the Stars. There are seven Hermetic Principles. Excerpt below from The Kybalion.

THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES.

"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."
The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based, are as follows:
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM.
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
III. THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION.
lV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.
V. THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM.
VI. THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT.
VII. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato

Nature Unaided

Nature Unaided

There is a certain Occult Maxim that states, `Nature unaided fails.' If taken at face value and if Nature is interpreted as correlated to Mother Nature or the Earth and all her species, many including myself would tend to disagree with this great Occult Maxim. It is one of my personal beliefs that Nature, as defined above, as opposed to failing if unaided actually thrives when not `aided' by humans. Nature will find a way to survive. Ever see grass growing up through a sidewalk? A blade of grass somehow gets through solid concrete, how is that possible? If left alone without human interference Nature would even take back control of our largest urban areas. Apparently that is actually happening right now in parts of Detroit. Nature is thriving all on its own.

So if the Maxim is not really talking about Nature as in Mother Earth, to what then does the Maxim refer? Could it be Human Nature? If the Maxim does actually mean human nature to what part of human nature does it refer? Could it be our Subconscious? If so, is it really possible for our subconscious to fail? Our subconscious produces that which we, through the messages and images we inundate it with, desire. Our subconscious does everything in its power, which is quite vast, to give us that for which we have asked. The problem many people face, whether realized or not, is that we are sending messages and images to our subconscious that actually work against that for which we are striving. In that respect, I do not believe the subconscious can actually fail.

We may say, for example, I want to lose weight. Our goal in turn becomes to lose weight. What happens if we do not actually perform some physical actions such as diet and exercise? We should not expect to lose weight while continuing to do nothing to bring about the desired result, some action is required. If, on the other hand, we do perform the required physical and mental actions and send these messages and images to our subconscious it will in turn focus its power to help bring about our desired goal. Once the subconscious and conscious minds are working in conjunction rather than opposed to each other, the desired goal will begin to manifest.

What then does this all mean? At least in part to me it means, that to bring about the desired result we must aid our subconscious mind through the use of images and symbols and action to bring subconscious and conscious into alignment. We must get our subconscious and conscious minds working together. Once conscious and subconscious are focused on the same goal and if that focus is maintained that goal can be achieved. In the end I agree with Occult Maxim, `Nature Unaided Fails' to bring about our desired result.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Formerly and Sometimes
still known as
Mr. Moon

Words to the Wise-Scott Cunningham

Words To The Wise By Scott Cunningham


O daughters and sons of the Earth, adore the Goddess and God andbe blessed with the fullness of life. Know that They have brought you to these writings, for herein lie our ways of the Craft, to serve and fulfill the keepers of wisdom, the tenders of the sacred flame of knowledge. Run the rites with love and joy, and the Goddess and God will bless you with all that you need. But those who practise dark magicks shall know Their greatest wrath.

Remember that you are of the Craft. No more do you trod the ways of doubt. You walk the path of light, ever climbing from shadow to shadow to the highest realm of existence. But though we're the bearers of truths, others do not wish to share our knowledge, so we run our rites beneath moon filled skies enwrapped in shadows. But we are happy.

Live fully, for that is the purposeof life. Refrain not from earthly existence. From it grow to learn and understand, until such time that we are reborn to learn more, repeating this cycle 'till we have spiralled up the path of perfection and can finally call the Goddess and God our kin.

Walk the fields and forests; be refreshed by the cool winds and the touch of a nodding flower. The Moon and Sun sing in the ancient wild places: The deserted seashore, the stark desert, the roaring waterfall. We are of the Earth and should revere Her, so do Her honor. Celebrate the rites on the appropriate days and seasons, and call upon the Goddess and God when the time is meet, but use the Power only when necessary, never for frivolous ends. Know that using the Power for harm is a Perversion of Life itself.

But for those who love and magnify love,the richness of life shall be your reward. Nature will celebrate. So love the Goddess and God, and harm none!

The Law of Power-Scott Cunningham

THE LAW OF THE POWER Scott Cunningham


1. The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or control others. But if the need rises, the Power shall be used to protect your life or the life of others.

2. The Power is used only as need dictates.

3. The Power can be used for your own gain, as long as by doing so you harm none.

4. It is unwise to accept money for the use of the Power, for it quickly controls its taker. Be not as those of other religions.

5. Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the mysteries of the Craft and magick.

6. Ever remember that the Power is a sacred gift of the Goddess and God, and should never be misused or abused.

7. And this is the Law of the Power.

An Ancient Precept

Baha'i 'Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.' BAHA'ULLAH, Tablets of Baha'ullah, 71

Buddism 'Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would findhurtful.' UDANA-VARGA, 5:18

Christianity 'All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' JESUS, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism 'Do unto other what would have them do unto you.' Analects 15:23

Hinduism 'This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.' Mahabharata5:1517

Islam 'No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.' SUNNAH

Jainism 'In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we sbould regard all creatures as we regard our own self.' LORD MAHAVIRA, 24thTirthankara

Judaism 'What is hateful to you, do not to your fellowman. That is the law: all the rest is commentary.' Talmud, Shabbat 31a

Native American 'Respect for all life is the foundation.' The Great Law of Peace

Sikhism 'Don't create enmity with anyone as God is within evreryone.' Guru Arjan Devji 259,GuruGranthSahib

Zoroastrianism 'That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.' Dadistan-i-Dinik, 94:5

And of course my favorites:

Wiccan 'An it harm none do what thou will.'

Thelemite Love is the Law, Love under Will.

Afghanistan?

Somebody in Afghanistan read my blog. Look at three pages at least. Military personnel? I spent 6 years on. Active duty in the Marine Corps myself. If you come back to the Blog, I would love to hear from you.

G for Grail

G for The Grail

Got a little behind and swamped by the ‘real’/mundane world, so this will be a short post. I will rewrite it and add to it later I am sure. This is the second ‘G’ post for the Pagan Blog Project. This week I chose ‘G’ for The Grail. The Grail is many things to many people. I want to focus more on the Quest for the Grail.

What is the Quest for the Grail? When one seeks the Grail where should they begin? Is the Grail an actual physical object? I’ll start with the last question first. The Grail is internal to us all. When one seeks the Grail it is an internal journey. The Quest for the Grail is the Seeker’s Journey of discovery leading to initiation into the Universal Mysteries. The Quest is a journey within through the Universal Mind. To Seek the Grail is to seek your own Higher Self, your own connection with the Divine. Love is the energy of the Universe. The Grail is that internal Chalice of Love. That Chalice can never be emptied as the more is bestowed on others, the more is returned. Our conscious waking mind only communicates with our higher self through the subconscious. Seeking the Grail is seeking to open that communication channel so that we can truly hear and learn to listen to that ‘Still, small, voice within’.

To find the Grail is also to find a Balance within ourselves which allows that Divine connection to stay as open as possible. That balance is the sought after Magical Equilibrium that is also known as the Hermetic Marriage. We cannot truly complete The Great Work until we have experienced the Hermetic Marriage within ourselves. The Hermetic Marriage is experienced by bringing into balance the Masculine SOL with the Feminine LUNA, which could correspond to the Masculine and Feminine qualities within each of us be we male or female. As The Kybalion states with the Principle of Gender, `Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.' This lifetime I happened to be manifested as a male,but I realize that my spirit is not truly male or female. Spirit in it's True Self is neither male nor female, it is both yet it is neither. I have an extremely strong feeling that last lifetime I wasmanifest as a female. I believe that I , as well as most of those reading this message, have experienced physical existence both as a male and as a female. Some reading this may ask, why I am mentioning this? I mention this because there seem to be those out there,who follow a line of thinking that one gender is superior to the other. There are some differences between the genders, but neither is superior to the other. Both share a role in manifesting the spiritual beings we truly are and bring that spiritual nature down to the physical level.

Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Mr. Moon

The Masonic letter 'G'

I thought I would do something a bit different from what one might expect to see as part of the Pagan blog Project. I chose to write about the Masonic letter ‘G’ for my first official entry. I must start off by saying that I am NOT a Mason, though I might be one day. I have had many Masons as friends over the years. The Masonic letter ‘G’ stands for more than the typical response of God, though that could be included.

One of the things the symbol ‘G’ stands for is the Grand Architect behind the Universe. The original Masons were builders, stone masons actually. Therefore design and architecture were very important to them. This is also the reason behind the two most recognizable Masonic symbols, the square and the compass. Since they knew the importance of getting a design exactly correct, they saw a Grand Architect behind all of nature.

Coming hand in hand with design and architecture is Geometry, which is also another meaning for which the Masonic letter ‘G’ stands. One must get the angles correct otherwise the structure will not be Square or Plumb. As below, so above; As within, so without… The study of Geometry in the external physical world leads one to Sacred Geometry. Sacred Geometry is the design and plan of the Grand Architect on the spiritual planes which reaches down to us in the physical.

Two ancient and important languages to the Masonic Orders are Hebrew and Greek. The Greek word for geometry is Geometria, meaning literally to measure the world. The Master Mason must take a measure of his own internal world. A Hebrew word having it’s meaning from the same source is Gimatria better known as Gematria. Gematria in short is a system of assigning numerical value to a word or phrase, in the belief that those words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other. Gematria is another meaning of the Masonic letter ‘G’.

The Masonic letter ‘G’ also stands for the Hebrew letter Gimel. Gimel numerically is three. Three is the symbol of stability and balance. Stability and Balance make for a stronger building; the same is true internally for each of us. Gimel also represents the camel or the camel’s journey through the desert. Traditionally it is taught that this journey is from the West to the East. Why West to East? The journey to the East is a journey to the Source of Light, physically represented by the Sun.

Hebrew Scholars taught that Gimel represents the rich person running after or seeking out the poor in order to bestow good upon them. Here is an excerpt from “The Hebrew Letters” by Rabbi Ginsburg to provide more of an explanation concerning Gimel. ‘In running, the leg is firmly in contact with the earth; through an act of will, the soul directly affects physical reality. The final reward, the ultimate revelation of God's Essential light, will thus justly be bestowed upon the soul in the very same context as its life's endeavor, the physical world.’ Anyone familiar with the Masonic order knows that helping out those less fortunate is something Masons take to heart. We could delve off in all sorts of directions and get lost in obscurity and minutia concerning Gimel and Gematria but that would be another article entirely.

As mentioned above one answer to the question, 'What does the ‘G’ stand for?', is God. This is true but hopefully as pointed out in this article not strictly in the traditional ‘Christian’ sense of the title. As Greek is a very important language to the Masons ‘G’ also stands for Gaia. Gaia is the primordial Earth Goddess in the ancient Greek religion. With Gaia I bring this post back full circle, for the readers of the Pagan Blog Project. What follows is an Orphic Hymn to Gaia.

Oh Goddess, Source of Gods and Mortals,
All-Fertile, All-Destroying Gaia,
Mother of All, Who brings forth the bounteous fruits and flowers,
All variety, Maiden who anchors the eternal world in our own,
Immortal, Blessed, crowned with every grace,
Deep bosomed Earth, sweet plains and fields fragrant grasses in the nurturing rains,
Around you fly the beauteous stars, eternal and divine,
Come, Blessed Goddess, and hear the prayers of Your children,
And make the increase of the fruits and grains your constant care, with the fertile seasons Your handmaidens,
Draw near, and bless your supplicants.



Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Formerly and sometimes still known as Mr. Moon

Thoth and the Equinox

Covering aspects of Thoth, an often overlooked aspect of Deity at this time of year. Equinox is a balance of Light and Dark. Sun and Moon. Which is also what Thoth is all about. Western Mystery traditions call this balance the Hermetic Marriage. The Hermetic Marriage is also about finding the balance of female and male energies within ourselves. It is that much sought after Magical Equilibrium.

More on Thoth can be found at http://www.crystalinks.com/thoth.html.

Donald Duck, Pentagrams, and Pythagoras

This is great. It should be shown in every school. Many parents should watch it too. It mentions Pentagrams, Pythagoras, the golden rectangle, and the golden ratio/mean. Oh, and it was made for kids in 1959 starring Donald Duck.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=YRD4gb0p5RM

Waite's Hermetic Museum

This is the main index for Arthur Edward Waite's Hermetic Museum. This is one of the largest collections of Alchemical tracts, first published in Latin in 1678. Waite translated it into English and issued it in two volumes in 1893. It appears in its entirety here on the Internet for the first time.---JBH

http://www.sacred-texts.com/alc/hm1/index.htm

Random Book from the stacks. True Magick by Amber K

Today's random grab from the stacks is the revised and expanded edition of True Magick by Amber K. This is one of the best book out there for beginners to the Craft. This book has helped Pagans of all types for over 15 years. This newly revised and expanded edition is even better.

This book can be used as a workbook or read straight through. My wife found this version when some people were asking where to start. There are lots of books out there for beginners, but this one of the best. I now recommend this as the book to start serious study of the Craft.

Random book from the stacks: The Shining Paths by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki

The book that jumped out at me today is The Shining Paths by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki. The subtitle(s) give a great description of what the book contains. It is 'An experiential journey through the Tree of Life. A unique collection of magical pathworking based on the thirty-two paths of the Qabalistic Tree of Life.' I have had the pleasure of meeting Dolores and attended two of her workshops. She is truly one of the last great adepts of her generation. This book highlights one of her major strong points which is creating Pathworkings. The only thing better than reading and experiencing the pathworkings she creates is actually having her there in person as a guide. The pathworkings contained in this text lead across the 22 paths between the Sephiroth and then 11 pathworkings conerning the Sephiroth themselves.

The information in this text regarding Daath alone is worth the price of the book. Daath is presented as Sephiroth in its own right, which while being true is not always taught. At least it is not taught until the student has advanced enough and has grasp of the fundamentals. Daath is a crossroads, a gateway to other dimensions. It is a said to be a higher version of Yesod, which is the sphere of illusion. I am in agreement with the author in that since it is a higher sphere, the higher the illusion.
That is but one of the actually 33 pathworkings contained within this wonderful book.

Random Book from the Stacks-Wisdom of the Mystic Masters

Today's random pull from the stacks is Wisdom of the Mystic Masters by Joseph J. Weed. Mr. Weed is a former Rosicrucian Grand Councilor. Some within AMORC were not pleased with the publication of this text. This book contains a sort of condensed version of many of the core teachings of the Rosicrucian Order. Instead of taking years to reach the point where the information contained herein, as was the normal among the order, Weed published it for one and all. Wisdom of the Mystic Masters contains information on a variety of topics including: harmonium, karma, reincarnation, types of energy, thought, healing, the cycles of life, prayer, telepathy, developing psychic ability, & psychic projection. I highly recommend this book for every student, seeker, or Magus. I also, advise the reader heed the author's own warnings from the text. "Energy that is built up demands release, & if we do not open doors for it and guide it in the proper direction it is likely to break out in an undesirable way." Some things do take time to truly master. Patience is advised to one all.

Random Book from the stacks.

I am going to grab a book off of the shelves and post about it.