Detailed in the O.’s Constitution, Whare Ra had a well defined hierarchy of leadership. In 1960, newly installed Order Chief G.H. Frater Achernar (Archie Shaw) describes this chain of command succinctly in his Autumnal Equinox Address to members:- “At this time of transition, it may be of some benefit to us if I refer brieflyContinue reading “Whare Ra Leadership – Part One”
Author Archives: kasmillos
The Obligation
Is the Obligation magical, or just a formality? If the Obligation is not magical, what about the rest of the Order’s corpus of material? Are Higher Forces real, or not? If they are real, how would they view the breaking of the magical Obligation? Can we pick and choose as we like, believing Higher ForcesContinue reading “The Obligation”
Both Art and Science
“I solemnly promise to persevere with courage and determination in the labours of the Divine Science” ‘Divine Science’, an interesting turn of phrase that could just be poetic licence, but if not, what could this mean in terms of our Work? We are taught time and time again that moderation, balance and harmony are toContinue reading “Both Art and Science”
Arthur and the Grail
Many people will be generally familiar with the telling of the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, but how many of you will have realised the parallels between this epic tale and the tasks of the Adept? The telling of Arthur’s tale usually revolves around three principle protagonists, Arthur, Guinevere,Continue reading “Arthur and the Grail”
Breath is the Evidence of Life
Inhale to the count of four, hold the breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four and hold the vacuum to the count of four. Repeat for a total of four cycles. This summarises the O.’s use of the Four Fold Breath technique taught to members of the Outer. While given early inContinue reading “Breath is the Evidence of Life”
Sacred Symbols
Hebrew is used extensively throughout many of the various O. manuscripts from Ceremonies to KL’s to side papers and private notes and rituals. It’s use is almost always exclusively to do with the Sacred and associated with the Tree of Life and other Qabalistic concepts including the many Divine names of Gods, Angels and theContinue reading “Sacred Symbols”
Discipline – A Gift from the Higher Genius
“While the ego, when under the sway of the Evil Persona, will use all sorts of tactics to divert the Candidate from the true path, such as laziness, indecisiveness, self-criticism and spiritual pride to name a few, the Higher Genius, yet unseen by the Candidate gives just one gift – that of discipline. Know thenContinue reading “Discipline – A Gift from the Higher Genius”
Magical Diet
If we can’t control our lower mundane desires, how can we hope to command the Higher Powers? The Order is fairly silent on the matter of diet. The best that one can generally glean is that we should practice eating a balanced diet, and that we should generally look after our bodies so that weContinue reading “Magical Diet”
Daily Practice
Members of the Grades Neophyte to Portal are expected to follow a regime of discipline, discussed and agreed with the Demonstrator, but usually along these lines. -Wake up and rise at sunrise if possible. -Recite the Daily Rhythm for the Grade [Daily Rhythm for Grades Neophyte to Philosophus printed in The Lantern Vol III] -UndertakeContinue reading “Daily Practice”
Samothrace
Back in 1990 I hiked the slopes of Mount Fengari – whose spurs protect the site of the Samothracian Sanctuary – in search of the magnetic stones used by initiates to form rings as a sign of their having passed through the threshold of the Mysteries. From the summit, as did Poseidon, I could seeContinue reading “Samothrace”
