Morning Star or Pentagram

The Pentagram, or Morning Star, is nothing to fear (or worship) boys and girls, it's an ancient symbol of harmony, health and mystical powers; nothing more, nothing less. 

The Pentagram, an astro-alchemical hieroglyph, is a geometric, five-pointed star with interwoven bars that can appear either isolated or within a circle, usually with one point uppermost, imbued with many esoteric qualities. Some commonly used alternative names for the pentagram include pentacle, pentangle, and pentalpha. It is believed to have originated over 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, as a graphic description of the astronomical movements observed in the conjunctions between the planet Venus and the Sun. Representing Venus, the pentagram is also known as the morning star.

Passing through Sumerian and then Egyptian cultures the pentagram is argued as being the original device central to the Seal of Solomon as well as serving as the ancient seal of Jerusalem for 150 years.

Many interpretations exist for the meaning of this mystical star, reaching across many cultures, religions and ages, mostly being of a positive or ‘good’ nature. Pythagorean mystics in ancient Greece interpreted the symbol as being the sum of the numbers two, (representing feminine/terrestrial), and three, (representing masculine/celestial), making five, the microcosm of the human mind and spirit. From that time, the symbol increasingly took on greater occult and religious significance. The five points came to represent, for Christians, the protective power of the Five Wounds of Christ; for alchemists and Gnostics, the five elements of spirit, air, fire, water, and earth; for medieval sorcerers and magicians, the force of Solomon over nature and the spirit world. 

Like the circle, the ‘endless’ attribute of the pentagram represents perfection, continuity and eternity, with the power of binding evil forces and elements and therefore denoting good luck. As illustrated by Leonardo, the symbol is an allegory of the outstretched figure, the microcosm of man reflecting his integral personality and potential perfection.

Talismans and amulets were frequently created using the pentacle as their focal point, often with the addition of Latin or Cabalistic Hebrew characters and within a protective circle. These could be drawn on virgin calfskin or chalked onto doors and floors, or fashioned from metals, ivory, etc as rings and amulets and inscribed in wood, rock or bone.

As with other emotively meaningful symbols, the pentacle’s inversion is usually, though not exclusively, used to mean the ‘Goat’s foot’, or Devil’s Goat, representing Satan, and the ‘black hand’ in medieval magic. 

Kabbahah from Top to Bottom

 

I'll be honest, I've been studying the Kabbalah for years and just when I think I got it, I lose that thought and have to start back at the beginning.  This is the beginning. 

Kabbalah (also spelled Kabalah, Cabala, Qabala) — sometimes translated as “mysticism” or “occult knowledge" — is a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God. Whether a sacred text, an experience, or the way things work, Kabbalists believe that God moves in mysterious ways. However, Kabbalists also believe that true knowledge and understanding of that inner, mysterious process is obtainable, and through that knowledge, the greatest intimacy with God can be attained.

The Zohar, a collection of written, mystical commentaries on the Torah, is considered to be the underpinning of Kabbalah. Written in medieval Aramaic and medieval Hebrew, the Zohar is intended to guide Kabbalists in their spiritual journey, helping them attain the connectedness with God that they desire. 

Kabbalistic thought is often considered Jewish mysticism. Its practitioners tend to view the Creator and the Creation as a continuum, rather than as discrete entities, and they desire intimacy with God. This desire is especially intense because of the powerful mystical sense of kinship that Kabbalists believe exists between God and humanity. Within the soul of every individual is a hidden part of God that is wait­ing to be revealed. Even mystics who refuse to describe such a fusion of God and man so boldly still find the whole of Creation suffused in divinity, breaking down distinctions between God and the universe. Thus, the Kabbalist Moses Cordovero writes, “The essence of divin­ity is found in every single thing, nothing but It exists….It exists in each existent.”  

There are three dimensions to almost all forms of Jewish mysticism, which are likely to be understood by only small numbers of people who possess specialized knowledge or interest in the topic: 

• The investigative
• The experiential
• The practical

The investigative aspect of Kabbalah in­volves searching the hidden reality of the universe for secret knowledge about its origins and its organization—a quest that is more esoteric than mystical. In Jewish tradition, there are three ways esoteric knowledge can be obtained:

1. By interpreting sacred texts to uncover nistar (“hidden” meaning)
2. By oral transmission of tradition from a Kab­balistic master
3. By direct reve­lation, which might include visitation by an angel or Elijah, spirit possession, or other supra rational experience

Although it is primarily interested in metaphysics, things beyond the physical universe, investigative Kabbalah is not anti-rational. All Jewish mystical/esoteric traditions adopt the language of, and expand upon, the philosophic and even scientific ideas of their time.

The experiential dimension of Kabbalah involves the actual quest for mystical experience: a direct, intuitive, unmediated encounter with a close, but concealed, Deity. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote in his book, "Man is Not Alone," mystics “...want to taste the whole wheat of spirit before it is ground by the millstones of reason.” Mystics specifically seek the ec­static experience of God, not merely knowledge about God. In their quest to encounter God, Jewish mystics live spiritually disciplined lives. Although neither formal nor informal monasticism is sanctioned by Jewish mysticism, experiential Kabbalists tend to be ascetics. Nonetheless, Juda­ism keeps its mystics grounded; they are expected to marry, raise a family, and fulfill all customary communal religious obligations. Therefore, many willfully expand the sphere of their religious practice beyond what tradition requires, creating hanganot, personal daily devo­tional practices. In his will, one Kabbalist recommended this regime to his sons: peri­ods of morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight prayer, two hours devoted to the Bible, four and a half to Talmud, two to ethical and mystical texts, two to other Jewish texts, one and a half hours to daily care, as well as time to make a living with five hours left to sleep!

The practical dimension of Kabbalah involves rituals for gaining and exercising power to effect change in our world and in the celestial worlds beyond ours. This power is generated by performing commandments, summon­ing and controlling angelic and demonic forces, and otherwise tapping into the supernatural energies present in creation. The practical aspect of Kabbalah furthers God’s intention in the world, advancing good, subduing evil, healing, and mending. The true master of this art fulfills the human potential to be a co-creator with God.

Historians of Judaism identify many schools of Jewish esotericism across time, each with its own unique interests and beliefs. Technically, the term “Kabbalah” applies only to writings that emerged in medieval Spain and southern France beginning in the 13th century. Beyond academia, however, the term “Kabbalah” is a catchall for all forms of Jewish esotericism. 

As noted above, Jewish mystics are not like monks or hermits. Kabbalists tend to be part of social circles rather than lone seekers. With few exceptions, such as the wandering mystic Abraham Abulafia, esoterically inclined Jews tend to congregate in mystical as­sociations, and it is not unusual for a single master to bring forth a new and innovative mystical school which yields multiple generations of a particular mystical practice. Although Kabbalah has been the practice of select Jewish “circles” until recently, most of what we know about it comes from the many literary works that have been recognized as “mystical” or “esoteric.”

From these mystical works, scholars have identified many distinctive mystical schools including the Hechalot mystics, the German Pietists, the Zoharic Kabbalah, the ecstatic school of Abraham Abulafia, the teachings of Isaac Luria, and Chasidism. These schools can be categorized further based on individual masters and their disciples. Most mystical movements are deeply indebted to the writings of earlier schools, even as they add innovative interpretations and new systems of thought to the existing teachings. In contemporary Reform congregations, the observances of Kabbalat Shabbat, havdalah, and the Tu BiShvat seder derive from Kabbalistic traditions.

A Brief Overview of Rudolf Steiner

I've written about Esoteric Christianity before, and well have been informed by one of my readers that I missed Rudolf Steiner who wrote the book on it, and so here is my brief overview of Rudolf Steiner. 

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), was an Austrian philosopher, esotericist, and the founder of Anthroposophy, which can be viewed as a Christianity for modern times. At the heart of Steiner’s writings is his unique articulation of Esoteric Christianity, a visionary approach that covers Gnosticism, Rosicrucianism, and the Hermetic philosophy. ​His seminal works such as Christianity as Mystical Fact, Theosophy, and Esoteric Christianity articulate a vibrant spiritual cosmology in which the incarnation of Christ is the central turning point of both cosmic and human evolution.
​
Steiner’s Vision of Esoteric Christianity is not a departure from traditional Christian faith but a return to its mystical roots. He believed that Christ’s incarnation brought about a new evolutionary impulse in human consciousness—one that could be directly experienced by spiritually awakened individuals. 

The cornerstone of Steiner’s Esoteric Christianity is the Christ Impulse. This is not merely a theological abstraction but a living, spiritual force that entered the fabric of human evolution through the incarnation of Christ at the turning point of time—an event he placed in cosmic perspective. According to Steiner, the Christ being descended from the spiritual Sun realm into the body of Jesus of Nazareth, thereby embedding a divine impulse into Earth’s spiritual life.  

Steiner referred to Christ’s death and resurrection as a pivotal event not just in religious history but in the metaphysical evolution of the Earth itself. Unlike traditional atonement theology, Steiner viewed this mystery as the moment when Christ, through His sacrifice, united His being with the etheric body of the Earth. This union allows every human soul the potential to overcome death inwardly and spiritually regenerate.

​All of what I've just written is fine, but where I think Steiner is spot on, is how he breaks with with mainstream Christianity and argues that the human soul evolved through multiple lifetimes.

Yes, reincarnation. 

Furthermore, Steiner writes about Christianity like, well, for lack of a better term: Buddhism. His path to spiritual knowledge emphasized meditation, concentration, and moral purification. 

He also wrote about Christian mysticism, alchemy, and Hermetic wisdom and taught that through such initiations, the soul begins to align consciously with the Christ Impulse and take part in humanity’s collective spiritual ascent. 

Yes, he was a fan of Madame Blavatsky's "Isis Unveiled."

​Finally, Rudolf Steiner’s Esoteric Christianity offers an alternative to secular Christianity for those afraid of being labeled a non-believer in a Christian society where it pays to be a Christian. Having said that, I believe it is a great visit on the path of enlightenment, wherever that takes you.

~~ Eso Terry  

Elvis was a Closet Esoterist

As a kid I wanted to be like Elvis.  I'll admit it.  I listened to the records of Elvis my folks had, learned guitar, and even became a Christian to sing gospel songs like Elvis.  Of course, as with my spiritual journey I've written about that took me from a Christian, to Atheist, Pagan, and finally, Buddhist from Zen to Nichiren where I finally found the answers I was looking for, I outgrew Elvis with the Beatles. 

As I grew I viewed Elvis as a materialist lost in the Christian myth.  I turned away from him and elevated my Rock and Roll tastes to the esoteric sounds of Led Zepplin, and thought Elvis was part of the exoteric problem.  Of course, now, after the book The Occult Elvis,  I see I was wrong for it has come out that Elvis was a closet Esoterist. 

As Miguel Conner explores in his book The Occult Elvis: The Mystical and Magical Life of The King, Presley had a deep interest in spiritual matters from the time he was young, and it did not take long for him to look beyond the tight confines of traditional Christianity.  His roots were in Pentecostalism, an evangelical Protestant movement centered on speaking in tongues.  Yes, those Christians that even other Christians think are weird. 

Elvis may not have spoken in tongues, but as Conner's book explains, "To deepen this direct connection, Presley turned to non-Christian texts like Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, which he read while stationed with the Army in Germany shortly after his beloved mother’s death in 1958. Though he had been only a fair student, he was a voracious reader, next turning to the essential texts of Theosophy—he loved H.P. Blavatsky’s Voice of the Silence so much that during his later career, he occasionally read from it on stage to a bemused crowd—and the very challenging works of Alice Bailey."

According to Peter Orvetti of the Theosopical Society review on Esoteric Elvis: "...there was one special reason why Elvis was so taken with Blavatsky: she strongly resembled Elvis’s late mother. On seeing a famous portrait of Blavatsky, Elvis remarked, 'Look at the eyes . . . The shape of the face, the cheekbones. I’ve never seen anything like it.'"

Madame Blavatsky

“For Elvis, the Bible was sacred, the blueprint of creation in allegorical and metaphoric form,” said Larry Geller, the hairdresser who, according to Conner, became “Elvis’s Guru.” “But his interest went beyond the orthodox, extending into Gnostic and esoteric literature” Geller added.

Presley met Geller in 1964, and they got to talking about spiritual stuff during a lengthy salon session. Geller was a self-taught student of the occult, and in him, Presley had finally found someone he could discuss these questions with. He gave Elvis books to read and got him into meditation, and with the exception of a brief falling out after Presley’s controlling manager, Colonel Tom Parker, convinced Elvis that Geller was a bad influence, he would remain Presley’s friend and guide until the latter’s death.

So there you have it boys and girls, Elvis was a closet Esoterist, but then, we already knew that, didn't we(?)

Elvis with his mom, not Madame Blavatsky, or was it?....

 

~~ Eso Terry  

Collective Consciousness

 

Collective consciousness, a concept primarily introduced by French sociologist Émile Durkheim, refers to the shared beliefs, ideas, moral attitudes, and sentiments that are common to the average members of a society or social group. It operates as a unifying force, shaping individuals’ behaviors, interactions, and perceptions within a community, thereby fostering social cohesion and solidarity. Though it exists in the minds of individuals, Durkheim viewed it as a distinct and discernible entity that stands apart from individual consciousness, exerting a compelling influence on social behavior and is passed down through generations.

That's the definition, now here's the Esoteric Truth: Collective Consciousness is the Ego in us looking for an orgy. 

~~ Eso Terry  

"Yes, boy's and girl's, we are all in this together!"

Kant Starts Here

Here is a brief overview of Immanuel Kant, warning, this is some deep shit.

Immanuel Kant, German Philosopher (1724-1804) and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Koneisberg, was a key figure in the period referred to as the German Enlightenment. In addition to his philosophical treatises, Kant wrote extensively on the theory of the heavens, origins of the planetary systems, effects of the tides upon the earth's rotation, causes of earthquakes, volcanoes on the moon, and other subjects. His treatise on eternal peace formed the basis for the United Nations Charter. Although he was raised Lutheran, he rejected conventional doctrine early in life and regarded independent spiritual integrity as the highest form of morality. In contrast to his brilliant intellect and Prussian rigidity, Kant confessed to moments of passive contemplation and listened to the music of the spheres on numerous occasions.  

Kant suggested that humans have two basic ways of knowing, a priori and a posteriori. These two kinds of knowledge are key to the development of human consciousness, instrumental in the pursuit of a moral and constructive state of being—which Kant calls "Pure Reason." Kant's "Noumenal Principle," what we might call the unknowable, is that which is beyond experience but somehow involved in it—something like Madame Blavatsky's "unutterable" or Thoreau's "impersonal spectator." According to Kant, a priori knowledge emerges from this Noumenal Principle, this "unknowable." It is, in effect, a representative of the Noumenal Principle deep within the human consciousness. And it recognizes a "voice from afar," independent of human experience as we know it. It precedes human experience and serves as a sort of judge and jury (conscience). This is also what Carl Jung would latter call "The Collective Consciousness." 

For Kant, it is possible for human beings to remain largely unaware of the a priori knowledge available to them. Manifestation of a priori knowledge is dependent in part upon Time, or the readiness (precision) to manifest, and Space, or the direction of its influence. It is also dependent upon moral development. People who adhere to certain moral principles allow a priori knowledge to unfold into consciousness and become available for use—much as etheric energies blend, by way of chakras, into electromagnetic states the body can use. 

There are four "moral principles," and they are:

1. Transcendental Aesthetic: The concept of innate goodness, metaphysical transcendence motivates the use of a priori knowledge and also becomes the modus operandi for its use.

2. Synthetic Judgment: a deductive process by which one can move the a priori toward its objective. this is the moment of enlightenment. Kant declares that a sense of "revelation" furthers synthetic judgment and opens the way to wisdom. 

3. Intuition: this is spiritual awareness and the understanding of one's own powers.

4. Descending Will: This can be defined as "action," by which one makes use of Time and Space to develop the will to enter the exalted state of Pure Reason. 

For Kant, a posteriori knowledge, or knowledge gained by experience, is a product of the Phenomenal Principle. It is exoteric, shadowed by the world of sense perception, and regulated to a large extent by the basic instincts of Experience and Assimilation. These two represent the physical exposure to the elemental realities of the corporeal world and an intellectual growth of the world as it is -- I told you this shit is heavy. 

Finally, the pragmatic value of Kant's philosophy lies in its exploration of the relationship between Thought, a well-adjusted thinking process and attitude, and Action, rational behavior under all circumstances. Immanuel Kant might leave the esoteric mind somewhat unfulfilled, but we must realize the reactionary atmosphere at the time and place in which he made his ideas known. These ideas made a profound and expansive impact upon the somewhat crystallized boundaries of academic philosophy which resulted in the popular adage, "If you do not know Kant, you do not know Philosophy." Western philosophy and theology have been forced to acknowledge the basic fact of our incarnation and the sources of wisdom that lie therein.

Esoteric Christianity 101

Esoteric Christianity. Yes, a very emotional topic, and so let me start by saying that this is not a knock on anyone's faith, this is a definition of the words Esoteric Christianity and nothing more. I know a lot of great Christians who consider themselves Pilgrims on the Road, and there is nothing more honorable in life. We are all on our own spiritual journeys, and peace be with you on yours. 

~~ Eso Terry 

Esoteric means requiring special knowledge to understand; designed for only a select few. Esoteric Christianity, then, is a version of “Christianity” that can only be understood or practiced by those who have been properly initiated in secret knowledge. It is also knowledge that shouldn't be esoteric, but due to the world we live in has to be for the safety of its adepts. 

Esoteric Christianity teaches that Christianity is a mystery religion and those with eyes to see, do see.  

Now, before you run away because you just realized you are in the deep end of the spiritual swimming pool, let me tell you why there is an Esoteric Christianity, and I can do this in two words: Organized Religion, which began with the Christian persecution in Carthage, a major center in Roman North Africa, where the people were forced to denounce their Christian beliefs for the Roman emperor; this persecution continued on with the Christians who were labeled Heretics around 380 AD under Theodosius I who used the Roman church to enforce his, male-dominated, Christian orthodoxy through excommunication, confiscation of property, imprisonment, execution, etc.. Simply stated: anyone who had a different understanding of his teachings would at the very least lose their hands to write with, eyes to see with, and tongue to speak with in a gruesome public torture worse than any modern-day "slicer" film. Is it any wonder that many of the Christian monks swore an oath to silence in the days of the early Christian church?

Esoteric Christianity, is a form of the exoteric christian faith many early Christians had before those in power forced them into hiding. There are also those who kept the message in secret because they felt the people weren't ready for it. These adepts were the historical masters such as Pythagoras and Plato, (before Christ), and Meister Eckhart and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (after Christ). 

So Esoteric Christianity is not written in one book, although, we can narrow it down as a teaching that has more in common with Gnosticism, Theosophy, and Rosicrucianism than the genuine biblical Christianity. The common themes shared by these religions are that we are gods ourself, or as Jesus said, “... You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High” (Psalm 82:6). 

Then, they also believe in reincarnation or as Jesus said: "Born Again" (John 3:3): Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be "born again,"and John the Baptist and Elijah (Matthew 11:13-14, 17:10-13): John the Baptist was "Elijah who was to come..."  

Another theme you'll find in the Esoteric Christian teachings is that men and woman are equal, and both capable of leading a church. This is most notable in the teachings of the Tertullian, who was a lay theologian in Carthage church where woman were priest; conversely, they meditated, and believed in reincarnation too, yes, very Buddhist like indeed.  

I said there wasn't a book on Esoteric Christianity, but there is one for those who want to know more, and you can find it free everywhere.  It is  'Esoteric Christianity' by Annie Besant.

~~ Eso Terry

Colorless World and the Rainbow - a children's video.

 An esoteric Rainbow message for those with eyes to see, to see. 

Esoteric Beards

Beards have been a thing since COVID. I grew one then and still have it. So did many of you. Having a beard these days is really cool, the flag of a modern-day hipster, the remnants of an aging hippy. Although beards appear to be fashion, esoterically speaking, they are more, much more. Beards are part of what Carl Jung called our Collective Consciousness, and so let's look at this Collective Consciousness together. 

Bearded Venus 

Today we see beards on athletes, musicians, actors, etc. Visually, they are associated with aesthetic jews, the Sunnah beard (a beard worn in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad), and of course the beatnik's of the 50's, hippies of the 60's, and Nirvana grunge of the 80's. These are the external, or exoteric, images we associate with a beard, but esoterically speaking beards were regarded by the ancients of the middle east as a token of wisdom and a sign of power. So much so that even some of the Great Goddesses of the early Mediterranean cultures were depicted with beards, including a number of Bearded Venuses in Greece. 

In ancient Mesopotamia the beard was a mark of virility and many worth, and was carefully shaped and tended to give it distinction. Assyrian beards were meticulously arranged in tiers of circular curls stiffened with perfumed gum. 

In Islamic countries the beard was considered the supreme badge of male dignity for the faithful. Traditionally all the prophets of old before the time of Muhammad. Speaking of Muhammad, in "The Beast Within," by Benjamin Walker, he quotes the honored profit as having said, "Do the opposite of the polytheists, and let your beard grow long." Walker also states that Muslims used to "swear by the beard of the Prophet, and consider it a great insult to have their beard pulled."

Yes, beards were a thing until Alexander the Great forbade his soldiers to grow beards because they provided a convenient handle for the enemy. After that shaving became the thing gentlemen did for centuries leaving beards for the priesthood and nobility. 

In the reign of Elizabeth I there was a tax on beards in England. In Eastern Europe and especially Russia beards remained in vogue until Peter the Great decided to reform his country in line with western Europe and put a tax on beards and personally cut off beards of anyone he came across. 

Besides being a sign of manliness the beard was often regarded as a sign of mature wisdom. It was even believed that stroking the beard assisted thought and deliberations. Hence, the gesture of stroking the beard was often satirized to signify an imminent pontifical utterance that turns out to be worthless.

It has been argued that the beard, being the attribute of a mature male, must require a considerable amount of male energy to help it grow. But when the beard is full grown, the energy normally diverted to grow it becomes available for virile purposes. The beard should therefore never be cut by anyone who wishes to preserve his manhood unimpaired. 

Of courses, being a man who has grown a beard I call bullshit on the beard being anything but facial hair.  I mean, you never saw Buddha with a beard, did you? 

Putting all I've written on beards aside, there is a very real coinkydink with beards and history that should scare us all, and that is how divided our country is today between Right and Left political beliefs.  It is a divide not seen since the Civil War (1861-1865) when the US was torn apart with bloodshed in this country we haven't seen since. Now, consider this fact as reported in Google Arts and Culture, that "The American Civil War (1861-1865) coincided with a rise in the popularity of men’s full facial hair during the mid-19th century. Contemporary photography captured men’s experimentation with an endless variety of styles, including mustaches, muttonchops, underbeards and sideburns. President Abraham Lincoln embraced the widespread trend himself when he grew his iconic beard in 1860."

Yes, brothers and sisters, all the masculine facial hair we see today, is a sign of the inevitable troubles to come if we don't come together as human race, and live together as one. 

~~ Eso Terry