“To transform oneself—this is the necessary premise of higher knowledge. Such knowledge does not know ‘problems’ but only tasks and realizations.” — Intro to Introduction to Magic
The purpose of existence is to self-realize, and that requires first that we take on certain limitations as symbolized by “The Fall” or descent, and then actualize our inner potential through personal effort as understood by the Path of Return or initiation. This path is well defined in some ways, and among its most common attribute across time and place is the necessity – yes, Necessity (as in the goddess) – of taking risks.
It is impossible to overcome limitations without taking risks, and it is only by overcoming limitations that we advance on our inner journey. Where do these risks take place? One can say within the confines of our own mind, as there is where we self-conceptualize, and with it self-limit as well as self-actualize. However, it is in the material domain that this is TESTED. It is easy to say we are courageous, it is another thing to demonstrate it to ourselves or even others.
Courage, the Path of the Heart, is what is required even demanded of us if we are to be adepts. The key to an adept being his or her ability to adapt, to solve problems, to overcome, and to self-realize and expand in the process. This Solar path, this Path of the Hero is the only path which will provide us with the necessary realizations for personal awakening – to be among the Sons and Daughters of Hermes, and of Jupiter.
This role of Jupiter is critical as it governs all the “Big Picture” things and as such, both personal and collective expansion. It is only with that expansion that we can say we ‘grew’ as without expansion, there is no growth.
To align ourselves with the powers of growth, we need to realize our Saturnian limitations and overcome them in an efficient manner, to see past them, to what is being hidden behind them so that we can move towards it and access it within as well as without. Once these limitations are realized then we need to thank Saturn for showing them to us and the lessons they teach – which is mainly about time and death. Then we must align ourselves with the powers of Jupiter and make efficient use of our time and resources here on earth to make it and ourselves a better experience as a result of what we have done, of what we have accomplished, of what we have overcome.
Fear and greed are the most common of obstacles and they can be very subtle as well.
To overcome them we must confront what it is we are afraid of – that involves the courage aspect of the heart, of the Sun, and with it Mars as well, so that we can move on to the powers of Jupiter. It is easy to see the powers of the Spheres of the Tree of Life in practice here. Greed of course is the Vice of Chesed, or Jupiter, and that can only be overcome by generosity. This is important because we can only master these spheres or expressions of existence by overcoming their vices and embodying their virtues. These virtues are real powers, and they must be embodied, that is expressed while we are physically alive to be accessible when we are no longer breathing here on earth. Or as Herbert Gunther, the pioneering Tibetologist points out in his translation of a Tibetan text:
“Then He who had overcome (what was negative), was endowed (with what was positive), and had gone beyond (this duality), rose from the in-depth appraisal (of His being) that was verbally inexpressible, and said: “So be it! For the benefit of (you) intelligent (listeners) I shall explain this treatise of profound analogies.”
The greater your generosity, the greater your potential for expansion. As many scriptures say in some form: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This Golden Rule so to speak requires that we think beyond the immediate moment of how we are treating others, but to the Bigger Picture as well. What are we leaving in this world when we leave it behind? What will we come back to if we return to this world? Since we are as Eliphas Levi so often pointed out, “the sons” or rather children “of our deeds” what we do will ultimately effect us. If we wish a better life for ourselves, we must in some fashion attempt sincerely to build it for others.
It is fear and greed that hold most back from that and for students on the Path this seems to be even more accentuated and profound. As ironic as that may seem it is a truth that I have noticed reveals itself over time.
Fear is essentially a negation of the future. Now, there are very real things to be afraid of, and fear is a warning or indication of them. But once realized that a threat or danger exists we must act in an effective and efficient manner. To do otherwise is like driving up to a stop sign at an intersection and never driving any further or even turning back -we remain stuck and the only person who can get us moving is ourselves.
As for time, that means death. Once you realize death is inevitable, risks become less threatening, and are transformed into challenges, even joyful ones. That being the difference between the person who exists outside of the influences of the Sun and those who exist within and above it. Those below are always in some form seeking to hide in the Shadows – to not be seen or threatened so to speak. Those in the Sun and above stand in the Light and welcome the challenge of the day. They invoke it, they embrace it, they seek it out again and again, until they are a fully realized being. Yes, there are periods of rest, but then the challenge joyfully begins again.
The alchemist does not stop once the Stone of the Wise is confected, they then seek to multiply its power and effectiveness. The Adept seeks to be among the Heroes, the Children of the Gods, and that can only be by invoking and embodying the power of the gods while alive on earth.
As Paracelsus said:
“Medicine rests upon four pillars—philosophy, astronomy, alchemy, and ethics. The first pillar is the philosophical knowledge of earth and water; the second, astronomy, supplies its full understanding of that which is of fiery and airy nature; the third is an adequate explanation of the properties of all the four elements—that is to say, of the whole cosmos—and an introduction into the art of their transformations; and finally, the fourth shows the physician those virtues which must stay with him up until his death, and it should support and complete the three other pillars.”
Or to paraphrase him in a more direct manner, “You must first transmute yourself if you wish to transmute anything else.“
To this end, we invite and encourage you to overcome your fear and greed, and to expand your inner potential by having faith and confidence in the future, a positive future at that, wherein your illumination is both possible and certain. A possibility and certainty made so by your actions, wisdom, and generosity – or the transformation of inertia, fear, and selfishness – into energy, insight, and action.
We invite and encourage you to look at your relationships with those around you and what it is you wish to create for yourself and others while alive and leave behind when you are dead, and maybe even return to when your rest in the Invisible comes to an end and you find yourself back in the World of Assiah, the World of Action, or Karma if you will.
If you have fear about the future and your capacity to have the resources to meet it, we encourage you to make a donation to our Endowment. Make it anywhere from today’s lunch money to what you might otherwise spend on entertainment for a year, or any amount in between. Once done you will realize that neither was that amount missed nor did your life change for the worse, but in fact, changed for the better – you realized your capacity to give in an intelligent manner and benefit from it. In short, you increased your positive outlook about the future, your capacities, and your ability to have a positive impact on others for years to come.
If you have a great deal of fear or even anxiety about the future, then donate more – make it an amount you will notice. That can be anywhere from $250, or slightly more than $20 a month, to the tithing done by many spiritual practitioners – or again, anywhere in between. What is important is that one, you think about it and come to a meaningful amount; two, you do it; and three, do it with the intention of making a contribution to others AS WELL AS making it a dedicated ritual practice of willing sacrifice to overcome your self-concieved limitations, which will aid you as well in your advancement on the Path. In and through this act of generosity you will come closer to the forces the Jupiter, and thereby engage and overcome your limitations on the Path of Return.
Endowment Fundraiser donation link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ihs-endowment-resources…
Please read this epistle over again, share it with others if you wish, and ACT upon it. Do so with speed and courage. Do so for your own sake, as well as the blessing and benefit of others. In this way, we advance together on the Path of Return.
As Francis of Assisi said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.”
Or in the words of Brother Benjamin Franklin:
“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.”
Take your pick of which inspires you, but either way, ACT and ACT TODAY!
Sincerely,
Mark Stavish, M.A.
Director of Studies
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