Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Fighting Evil through Inner Change




Fighting evil, at least in my experience and honest opinion, is not exactly a glamorous thing as depicted in comics, TV shows and movies. Try literally fighting against a provincial warlord in the Philippines (just like the infamous Ampatuan clan who were involved in the shocking Maguindanao Massacre) and you'll find yourself riddled with bullets. In real life, the villains often wield power and influence in terms of guns, goons and gold. They are even more dangerous than those serial killers you dread every time you watch a slasher movie.


Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to fight bad guys. I still do. Unfortunately, I'm just a regular guy who's still struggling to achieve his personal dreams. I don't have the power to fight despicable scoundrels directly. I'm not Gandalf, Dr. Strange or Harry Potter. I can't shoot lightning. I can't summon legions of spirits or banish the bad guys back to whence they come from. However, I am confident that I can change this country even if it's just as simple as being, in the words of Bill and Ted, excellent to one another.


Most of my friends are aware of my "unusual" lifestyle. Although I have troubles of my own, I help them anyway. I do divinations for them. I do incantations for them. I do healings for them. I send them blessings. I petition gods to help them overcome whatever ails them. I do all that without charging a cent. Why? Because I really want to help humanity. I can't promise instant wealth, fame, fortune and enlightenment but at least I can increase their chances. Magick may not exactly work like in the Harry Potter or Lord of The Rings books. It just works in a subtle but powerful way. When I'm not doing magick for others, I do magick for myself. I do magick to improve myself and my life. As above, so below. The microcosm affects the macrocosm. Change yourself and you can change the world. This is how I operate to make my nation a better place. This is how I beat the bad guys.


There is a thing called the ripple effect. When you drop a pebble, no matter how small it is, it will still cause ripples across the surface of the water. Thoughts work like this. Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. That destiny may or may not influence the world. Will your inner alchemy beat the bad guys? Will your personal development change the world? It's entirely up to you.


Sunday, June 13, 2010

Intuitive Magic


Although I'm a Hermeticist, I have a strong eclectic streak. I hardly perform elaborate rituals and I prefer my practices to be as simple as possible. This article from ChaosMatrix.org mirrors my reasons.

PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN Peek behind the curtain (don't peek behind the curtain). Are you afraid of what you might find (an old man masturbating)?

Throw away your magical textbooks. They won't really help you. Ditto for the candles, inscence, robes, wands, etc. What you really need is a frame of mind (not one drugs will necessarily get you).

Think of the last time you really wanted something. To set a record for yourself, to change, to get something you thought was perhaps out of your reach. Remember the frame of mind you were in. The determination, the total concentration on that one goal, every fiber, every cell moving forwards to grasp it. THE WILL TO SUCCEED. Changing reality to conform to your will. This is what magic is.

Using magic is an integral part of being human. You use it like you use your hands or any other part of your body. It's just that you have been taught to feel you need the trappings when all that is truly needed is the will.


Source

This is for you, Signor Bruno


Some men, resembling the dim-eyed mole, who the moment he feels upon him the open air of heaven, rushes to hide himself back again into the ground, desire to remain in their native darkness... But those who are born to see the sun, being full of thanksgiving when they come to the end of the loathsome night, dispose themselves to receive in the very center of their eyes' crystal globe their long expected rays of the glorious sun, and with unaccustomed gladness in their hearts, they lift up hands and voices to adore the east.

- Giordano Bruno, De la Causa, Principio, et Uno

One of my most influential figures in my mystical life is Giordano Bruno, 16th century Hermeticist, Kabbalist, philosopher and freethinking martyr. Bruno was relentlessly persecuted by the Church until his death by being burned at the stake for his beliefs. The passage I've just cited refers to those who refused illumination and preferred to stay in the darkness. It's no wonder the Church tormented him.


Honestly, I'm still far from my own ideal of a spiritual freedom fighter but I am doing my best to emulate Giordano Bruno. Fortunately for people like me, the Church doesn't burn people who don't agree with their doctrines. However, even after Vatican 2, the Church still "desires to remain in their native darkness". Here in the Philippines, the Catholic influence is still strong. Unfortunately, they are not better than the dim-eyed moles Bruno wrote about.


I feel that it is my duty and right to fight against the fundamental darkness especially within the religious sector. The Philippines may be a democratic country but there's still a streak of theocracy alive and well since the time when the Spaniards were our masters. For instances, Lito Atienza's ban of contraceptives in Manila back when he was mayor, the Comelec's rejection of the gay partylist Ang Ladlad and the CBCP's endless meddling in Philippine politics since Day One. This has to stop.


I'll be honest. There were times when I doubt my courage. I used to think that challenging and criticizing the Church will bring nothing but ruination to me. Back then, I was still struggling to free myself from Catholic influence. Now I realize that I'll be damned if I let them get away with it. I will not tolerate any lies and other tomfoolery from the religious right. In the name of the Sage of Nola, I will fight them.


Thank you, Signor Bruno, for inspiring me.

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Purpose of This Blog


Greetings. My name is Thrassadar and welcome to my blog. I'm a practitioner of magick. Most of my practices consist of meditation and energy work based on Bardon Hermetics and a few oriental traditions. I subscribe to no organized religion. Instead, I follow a "universal religion" as described by the great magician Franz Bardon. Every religion has its good points and bad points. I have no interest in converting people to my way of life. I just want to help the Filipino people to be happy and live.

There is so much suffering in this country. Poverty, corruption and violence plague this nation. I can't be a great politician or a lawyer. Nevertheless, I will help in anyway I can. Practicing charity and doing energy work for the country isn't enough. Through this blog, I will share whatever insights I have and whatever basic arcane knowledge I possess in hopes of inspiring Filipinos and (forgive me for the messianic tone) saving the Philippines.


Until then, Peace and Salutations to all.