View Full Version : The 30 Aethyrs
Professor X
03-07-2012, 06:10
This is my first post on AT in a while.
I am current reading the book Visions & Voices: Aleister Crowley's Enochian Visions with Astrological & Qabalistic Commentary by James Eschelman.
It is has turned out to be a very interesting read and I have really learned a lot of about Enochian Magic. I am actually considering using the 19th key to explore the 30 Aethrys one day. I realize that this is no light undertaking and is not something that someone should do who is merely curious about these type of things. In fact people who are novices should definitely stay away from Enochian magic. This is something that I feel I may need to explore for my personal spiritual reasons. With that in mind I have some questions that perhaps someone can shed some light on.
I see from reading in the book that they is apparently more than one way to pronounce the Enochian language. I see that the Golden Dawn had their own dialect of Enochian which Crowley used. Which dialect is the correct one to use? Should I study more about the Enochian language before using the system?
What should I use to scry the Aethyrs with? I know that Crowley used a topaz stone to view the visions with. I would assume I could things like mirrors,a bowl of water or even a crystal ball to view the visions in. I guess it would likely depend on what is most useful for myself.
Another question I have is the effect that these Calls had on Crowley himself. It has been said by some that the reason that Crowley had so many problems in the last part of his life was because of his mispronouncation of these keys. Does anyone have any information to either prove or disprove. Right now I am inclined to think that is true which is why I am trying to find out the correct pronounciation of Enochian.
Just reading the book about it all has got my interested in learning more.
Should I study more about the Enochian language before using the system?
If it will help you stop worrying about it, then yes.
What should I use to scry the Aethyrs with?
If you've already experimented with skrying use whichever technique you've had most success with. Play to your strengths.
It has been said by some that the reason that Crowley had so many problems in the last part of his life was because of his mispronouncation of these keys.
It could have been that ladder he walked under when he was boy. ;)
Professor X
04-07-2012, 05:17
So which pronounciation of Enochian is the correct one?
The Golden Dawn version or the other one?
So which pronounciation of Enochian is the correct one?
The Golden Dawn version or the other one?
The other one. The GD made it up, it seems the most correct is to just say it like it's spelt :)
So which pronounciation of Enochian is the correct one?
The Golden Dawn version or the other one?
The Golden Dawn method of pronunciation is almost certainly not how Dee and Kelley did it. But that didn't prevent Crowley from using it to good effect in Mexico 1900 and Algeria 1909. (See Liber 418)
The scare stories you mentioned are, in my opinion, superstitious nonsense. Hence my seemingly flippant remark about walking under ladders.
The trouble with Enochian is that it is pretty much in the same boat as biblical Hebrew.
No one really knows how it is meant to be pronounced. There are some very good educated opinions out there, but whether any of these are "correct" is anyones guess.
I remember Lon DuQuette mentioning that he uses a kind of mix-n-match system in his own work. For the most part he uses the say-what-you-see method. But for the Keys he still uses the Golden Dawn method simply because he likes it. (I will dig out a quote later.)
And he hasn't been hit by a bus or struck by lightning........ yet. :rolleyes: :laugh:
Enochian Vision Magick by Lon Milo Duquette p.101-102
Superstition.
"The Method of Science - The Aim of Religion" was the official motto of The Equinox, the great magical periodical first published by Aleister Crowley and his colleages in the early years of the twentieth century. This same phrase could also comfortably serve as the watchwords that describe what the art of magick is to me.
Conversely, superstition (as the word is commonly understood) has, in my opinion, no place in the arsenal of the modern magician. This, I believe, is especially true concerning the practice of Enochian vision magick. In all my years of magical practice and exploration of this system, I have never encountered a single case of so-called psychic attack, demon possession, headache, hives, or hernia - indeed any ill effects whatsoever - resulting from the practice of this particular kind of magick.
That being said, strange and unexpected things do occasionally happen to those who practice magick. And while I believe it is bad for one's mental health to ascribe undue importance to these phenomena, it is important that they be dispassionately observed and recorded.
Enochian Vision Magick by Lon Milo Duquette p.197-198
Pronunciation.
You will probably be very surprised at how little time I spend on this subject. In fact I am tempted to simply paraphrase Rabbi Ben Clifford's heretical comment about the Hebrew language and tell you bluntly, "There is no such thing as correct pronunciation!" On a few occasions, the communicating angels gave Dee and Kelley suggestions as to how certain words were pronounced. But, by and large, we modern magicians are left to our own devices as to how to push these awkwardly constructed words out of our mouths.
Dee notated the words of the calls in columns. The left contained the Enochian word in all uppercase letters - PIRIPSOL, for example. The right column contained the word in upper and lowercase letters, which split the word into syllables and characterized certain letters as if to suggest pronunciation: Pe rip sol. Sometimes the translation of the word appeared in a center column: "of the heavens."
The Golden Dawn and Crowley use a pronunciation method that they felt rolled more fluidly off the tongue. This method obliged the magician to insert a natural Hebrew vowel sound after every Enochian consonant. For example, the word butmon (meaning "mouth) would be pronounced, "but-a-mon-u." This is wonderful for words such as this one, giving it an almost Italian lilt. But things get a little crazy when it comes to the letter z, which the English currently pronounce as "zed" and in Dee and Kelley's day was pronounced "zod."
The angels did on occasion instruct Dee when and when not to use "zod," but it's universal application to a language that uses the letter z very often becomes, in my opinion, laughably cumbersome. Using the Golden Dawn pronunciation method, the simple, one syllable Enochian word zims ("clothing") becomes the unwieldly, four syllable "zod-I-me-zod." You tell me which rolls off the tongue better.
The most obvious alternative to the GD pronunciation is simply sounding out the words as they are written (which appears to be what the angels generally wanted Dee and Kelley to do). For the last fifteen years, this is what I have done, and it is what I recommend to students who are learning Enochian magick. Before that, however, I used the GD/Crowley pronunciation method and was perfectly happy with it. In fact, I still use the Italian sounding method when I recite the first and second calls because I have them memorized and they hold a special place in my heart.
Both methods work just fine. In fact, any sincere effort on the part of the magician to sound out the words as they appear in the call works. Some of the best group scrying sessions I have experienced have followed the most horribly butchered recitations of the calls. It's as though the Enochian angels (like the French) appreciate any attempt on your part to speak their language. I often use the example of a mouse. If a mouse hopped up on your shoe and squeaked, you'd just shoo it away. But if it hoped on your shoe and started to talk to you in your native tongue, you'd be impressed. You wouldn't even care if it spoke with a thick accent!
Professor X
07-07-2012, 03:47
I can say this much so far, I have recited some little parts of the keys just as a example and I have indeed experienced some increased energies from it all so there is no doubt these call will work for me.
This is just something I need to gradually work myself into.
I dont suppose either one of you guys has explored the Aethyrs before?
I dont suppose either one of you guys has explored the Aethyrs before?
I've worked some of the Aethyrs, but not all of them. Success with the Aethyrs seems to be keyed to an individuals "actual" level of attainment. Crowley himself could only obtain the first two in 1900 and then found himself blocked.
Also consider this from Crowley's vision of the 13th Aethyr:
And I said to him: Concerning the Vision and the Voice, I would know if these things be of the essence of the Aethyr, or of the essence of the seer.
And he answers: It is of the essence of him that is called NEMO, combined with the essence of the Aethyr, for from the 1st Aethyr to the 15th Aethyr, there is no vision and no voice, save for him that is called NEMO. And he that seeketh the vision and the voice therein is led away by dog-faced demons that show no sign of truth, seducing from the Sacred Mysteries, unless his name be NEMO.
I think this same principle holds true for the earlier aethyrs too, but on a lower octave.
Professor X
08-07-2012, 06:30
I think I am going to start working with the Enochian Alphabet to see what happens with it.
I have done the same thing with the Hebrew Alphabet and I have made great use of it, perhaps that can be a gateway for me to work with Enochian Magick.
Barleywine
08-07-2012, 06:52
I think I am going to start working with the Enochian Alphabet to see what happens with it.
I have done the same thing with the Hebrew Alphabet and I have made great use of it, perhaps that can be a gateway for me to work with Enochian Magick.
You might also want to dig up Israel Regardie's Enochian Magic writing, which became Volume 10 of his "Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic." I was reading through it yesterday as a result of this thread and found that his long-in-development Enochian dictionary was included as an appendix. I'm not sure what the more experienced among us think of his contribution, but that alone seemed like a worthy endeavor. His discussion on the pronunciation of Enochian words - while acknowledging that there is no authoritative source for it - adheres to the awkward and cumbersome GD approach.
I was reading through it yesterday as a result of this thread and found that his long-in-development Enochian dictionary was included as an appendix. I'm not sure what the more experienced among us think of his contribution, but that alone seemed like a worthy endeavor.
I don't own the New Falcon version of Regardie's Golden Dawn book, so I can't really comment. But I do have a copy of Laycock's, Complete Enochian Dictionary. In his discussion of pronunciation he says the Golden Dawn method is definitely not how Dee and Kelley did it, but he adds that it is a practical system for coping with the consonant-clusters.
To play Devil's advocate for a second, there's some evidence that Enochian's not even a natural language, but was contrived by Dee. In some ways it has more similarities to English than anything else. If you must use Encohian, I'd just pronounce it anyway you think best. But there are good reasons to use your native language.
For example, if you wanted to communicate with an angel, why wouldn't the angel be able to understand your native language? It is an angel after all. And if the angel wanted to communicate with you, one of two things would be necessary. It would either have to mystically make it possible for you to understand it, or it would have to already understand your native language. If it has the power to alter your mind so you can understand it, it stands to reason it should have the power to understand your native tongue.
Using Enochian might impress yourself or others, but I really don't think it matters to angels.
As far as scrying, the method I like best is a black mirror. You spray a piece of glass with black paint then after it dries, put it in a frame. You can decorate the frame in any number of ways that suit you. :)
Barleywine
09-07-2012, 06:32
I'm not a practitioner of Enochian magic, but my understanding of this sort of thing (the unique language, that is) from past investigation is that it is ideally intended to elevate - exalt, if you will - the awareness of the supplicant, or at least to take it out of the realm of the ordinary to another plane of operation. It might be seen as hubris to expect a celestial being to converse with you in your own language. But as a pragmatist I tend to see it your way. BTW, my understanding is that it was the skryer, Kelley, who received the alphabet and Dee who recorded it in the squares. When, after 14 months, they were done getting it all down, they really had no idea what practical use to put the information to; that was left to later generations. (Regardie's take on it.)
I've always intended to make a black mirror for skrying but haven't got to it yet. Scott Cunningham gave some interesting instructions for making one, including leaving it outdoors overnight in running water (or at the very least on the sill of an open window) under a Full Moon. That seems a bit fanciful, but I suspect it can't hurt. He also had some advice on what you might expect to see in one.
BTW, my understanding is that it was the skryer, Kelley, who received the alphabet and Dee who recorded it in the squares. When, after 14 months, they were done getting it all down, they really had no idea what practical use to put the information to; that was left to later generations. (Regardie's take on it.)
Hi Barleywine. That's the story we've been told at least.
On a totally unrelated note, I find it interesting that so many have relied on Regardie as far as the authenticity of Enochian. In his own words in The Golden Dawn (emphasis mine):
"Although no philologist, and without the least scientific knowledge of comparative languages, yet I have found the study of this Angelic or Enochian language an absorbing interest."
"In short, though as pure speculation, it is believed that the language in which these invocations are written are remnants of the tongue of the age-old Atlanteans."
"True, there are no means for the time being of proving this speculation, or of bringing forward the least convincing item of corroberation other than it is an instinctive or intuitive conviction."
While I admire Regardie's honesty, I have to wonder why so many occultists after him have bought his assertion that:
"The Angelic Secret Language, whatever it's origin, is a true language. It has, quite clearly, a syntax and grammar of its own..."
More recently, bona-fide linguists who have studied Enochian (Donald C. Laycock for one) have come away skeptical.
I agree that the keys' real value probably lies in their ability to produce a sort of trance state, similar to speaking in tongues. In such a state, a person might have an experience of communicating with angels. But, according to Dee, the calls were also translated into English by the angels, which would seem to indicate they did have the ability (according to Dee at least) to communicate in human language if they so chose.
On a totally unrelated note, I find it interesting that so many have relied on Regardie as far as the authenticity of Enochian.
I fail to see how Regardie's personal opinions impact on the authenticity of Enochian. If he were trying to pass this off as fact that would be another story, but it's very clear that Regardie is merely speculating. You can take it or leave it.
To illustrate my point I'll "cherry pick" a couple of examples from your previous post.
there's some evidence that Enochian's not even a natural language, but was contrived by Dee. In some ways it has more similarities to English than anything else.
This is one among many theories about the Enochian language. As such it can be regarded as a factual statement.
Later in the same post you said:
Using Enochian might impress yourself or others, but I really don't think it matters to angels.
This is obviously your personal opinion. (Unless you would like to share with us how you know what matters to angels? :)) Does this have an impact on the previous statement? Common sense says no because we can distinguish between the two statements. Of course if I had an axe to grind I might ignore commnon sense and say one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. But that would be a bit silly.
Professor X
10-07-2012, 07:11
I agree that the keys' real value probably lies in their ability to produce a sort of trance state, similar to speaking in tongues. In such a state, a person might have an experience of communicating with angels. But, according to Dee, the calls were also translated into English by the angels, which would seem to indicate they did have the ability (according to Dee at least) to communicate in human language if they so chose.
Whether Enochian was a actual working language or not is debatable but the success that people have had using it to scry with is beyond debate. Enochian without a doubt is one of the most powerful magical systems out there. It definitely should not be compared to speaking in tongues which generally leaves the person in a state where they are not in control of themselves. Perhaps it isnt the language of the Atlanteans like some believe but it definitely is a occult language which has been used by occultists with much success.
From what I seen from my limited use of the language is that it seems like something that was created to generate energies at certain frequencies at a very fast rate to the bridge the gap between the physical and etheric/astral. It is sort of like a 'Stargate' allowing you direct access to whatever section of the astral that you want to scry in which is why you can access whatever Aehtyr you wish to. You just recite the call ,dial in the name of the Aethyr and zap you are there almost instantly. This can be a good thing but it can be a bad thing if one is not ready for the that quick energy transmission which is why I am being careful with my interest in working with Enochian.
Note: My favorite Aethyr so far is the 16th one Lea. It is very powerful and motivating.
The accuracy of that particular Aethry in predicting future changes in the world is simply
astonishing. Crowley was ahead of his time by about 100 years, its no wonder he was misunderstood.
Crowley's view on the authenticity of Enochian is neatly summed up in the Confessions. It completely side steps all the intellectual stone-throwing that usually surrounds the subject.
The genuineness of these Keys, altogether apart from any critical observation, is guaranteed by the fact that anyone with the smallest capacity for Magick finds that they work.
Professor X
16-07-2012, 04:44
I am still reading the book and have made it to the 8th Aethyr.
Right now I have got my Golden Dawn book back out again and am going to study the section in the book that deals with the Enochian information. That book always seem to come in handy no matter how long it has been since you last used it.
I read it all before but I am going read the Enochian section again and study it throughly.