Atu XX- The Aeon, flame on!

Aeon418

Although it is too early to really identify the attributes of even our current Aeon, although it might be characterized by violent upheaval and discovery, are there any theories about what the one of Maat might be like?

One of the most useful ways to view the Aeonic model is as map of the evolution of human consciousness.

Isis - Nephesh: instinctual, animal consciousness.

Osiris - Ruach: rational intellect. Developed ego.

Horus - Opening to Neshamah: K&C of HGA. The next step for humanity in this present Aeon.

Maat - Supernal consciousness.
 

ravenest

Past and current aeons did seem to have some correspondence/overlap with the astrological ages. Though as has been noted they are not the same thing at all. Age of Capricorn and Maat though, well I guess Saturn is exalted in Libra...

So what I find intriguing is the formula mother-father-child (isis-osiris-horus) then we get Maat, considered connected to or a form of Isis at times, so one can speculate that the Aeon of Maat is an evolved feminine Aeon, and perhaps might be followed by the Aeon of Thoth!


Mother : father : son : daughter ;)
 

ravenest

Although it is too early to really identify the attributes of even our current Aeon, although it might be characterized by violent upheaval and discovery, are there any theories about what the one of Maat might be like? Serenity? Balance? But balance is a double-edged sword, so it doesn't necessarily portend a peaceful existence.

A larger scale 'weighing of hearts' perhaps ? A return to some type of balance ( repercussions from nature , massive global population decrease ) ?

That crocoleporpottomus creature is going to get a lot to eat !
 

ravenest

One of the most useful ways to view the Aeonic model is as map of the evolution of human consciousness.

Isis - Nephesh: instinctual, animal consciousness.

Osiris - Ruach: rational intellect. Developed ego.

Horus - Opening to Neshamah: K&C of HGA. The next step for humanity in this present Aeon.

Maat - Supernal consciousness.

Interesting ! The could equate to the first 4 'brain circuits' of Exo-psychology :

Isis - Bio-survival circuit ('reptilian' or ' hind brain ' - cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata. )

Osiris - Anal territorial circuit. (mid brain )

Horus - Artistic / expressive / creative circuit. ( frontal lobes )

Maat - 'Neuro-hedonistic' circuit . ( contact between left and right lobes )

Exo-psychologists postulate that these circuits track the individuals development BUT ALSO , human species development .
 

Aeon418

Exo-psychologists postulate that these circuits track the individuals development BUT ALSO , human species development .

In some respects I think the same individual/species approach mirrors Crowley's in those rare instances where he donned his prophetic hat and cast his visionary eye towards the future. He saw first hand the effects of initiation on himself and others, and then he extrapolated. "What might happen if this same stuff started happening to large numbers of people?"

In the individual initiatory framework the "ordeal" pre-K&C is symbolised by the Tower card. What is true for the individual is also true for the collective. This may, in part, explain Crowley's grim warning in the final paragraph on the Aeon card in the Book of Thoth. But instead of an individual nigredo, he anticipated a collective one.

In a way this confirms the placement of the Aeon card on the Path of Shin, between Hod and Malkuth. It's not some sort of spooky, supernatural force that ushers in the New Aeon. Rather it is the evolving nature of conscious minds (Hod) that gives Birth to the Aeon in the world (Malkuth).

[DISCLAIMER: I've a couple of drinks tonight. :D]
 

Zephyros

[DISCLAIMER: I've a couple of drinks tonight. :D]

While I have had more than a couple of puffs, just the thing to deal with and write about the Moon, as I am presently doing. There's some interesting contrast between the two cards, opposing each other as they do on the Tree of Life. Can't help thinking of the setting Fish Gods giving way to the fire of the New Aeon.
 

Michael Sternbach

Interesting ! The could equate to the first 4 'brain circuits' of Exo-psychology :

Isis - Bio-survival circuit ('reptilian' or ' hind brain ' - cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata. )

Osiris - Anal territorial circuit. (mid brain )

Horus - Artistic / expressive / creative circuit. ( frontal lobes )

Maat - 'Neuro-hedonistic' circuit . ( contact between left and right lobes )

Exo-psychologists postulate that these circuits track the individuals development BUT ALSO , human species development .

Obviously, another manifestation of the 3+1 law that we have talked about before.
 

Michael Sternbach

There indeed seems to be a close correlation between the astrological Ages and the Thelemic epochs.

The introduction to the 1938 e.v. O.T.O. edition of The Book of the Law reads (in part) as follows (emphasis is my own):

[The Book of the Law] explains that certain vast 'stars' (or aggregates of experience) may be described as Gods. One of these is in charge of the destinies of this planet for periods of 2,000 years. In the history of the world, as far as we know accurately, are three such Gods: Isis, the mother, when the Universe was conceived as simple nourishment drawn directly from her; this period is marked by matriarchal government.

Next, beginning 500 B.C., Osiris, the father, when the Universe was imagined as catastrophic, love, death, resurrection, as the method by which experience was built up; this corresponds to patriarchal systems.

Now, Horus, the child, in which we come to perceive events as a continual growth partaking in its elements of both these methods, and not to be overcome by circumstance. This present period involves the recognition of the individual as the unit of society.

According to this excerpt, each Thelemic Aeon has a duration of approximately 2000 years - which ties in rather well with the astrological outlook.

Also, 1904 as the beginning of the Aeon of Horus is well in keeping with the astrological theory. An exact date for the transition from Pisces to Aquarius cannot be given, however, "Nicholas Campion in The Book of World Horoscopes lists various references from mainly astrological sources for the start of the Age of Aquarius. Based on Campion's research, most published materials on the subject state that the Age of Aquarius arrived in the 20th century (29 claims), with the 24th century in second place with twelve claimants" (quoting the Wikipedia article "Age of Aquarius").

The themes of self-realization and self-actualization which, according to the Thelemic teaching, are the essence of the Aeon of Horus, are clearly of Aquarian nature.

Moreover, Crowley talks about the Aeon of Osiris as being characterized by the "formula of the dying god" as represented by Trump XII which, in a modern view, is attributed with Neptune, the Lord of Pisces.
 

Michael Sternbach

Hello Owl Tarot,

A few comments on certain parts of your great OP:

Interestingly enough, Nuit is shaped like an Omega, the last letter of the Greek Alphabet. It is the equivalent of the letter Tau and so she is the manifestation of every actuality and potential, both in the same figure.

Could you explain in what ways Omega and Tau are equivalents, exactly?

Anyways, it is worth noting that this card depicts the end of the cycle, or the process that directly leads to it and is completed in The Universe.

So, the universal Love making of Hadit as a phallic symbol and Nuit as a universal womb gave birth to the whole Universe ...

It did, and it will again in the transition from The Universe (back) to The Fool.

The last three Trumps (almost) coincide with each other.

The Esoteric title of this Trump is "The Spirit of the Primal Fire". Shin means Tooth, and is the letter doing "double duty" elemental wise, being both Fire and Spirit. The result of the devastation caused by the Primal Fire with which Horus "crushed the Universe" allows for the Spirit to shine.

and

The tooth is the hardest substance in the human body. Just like it, the Spirit is the hardest substance within the individual. It is the perfect substance to endure the "destruction of the universe" cause by the primal fire, and the primal fire is the Divine tool which will elavate the Spirit.

As the matter or crystallizations of a whole Aeon is broken up, its Spirit or primal fire is set free and becomes the building material for the next cycle. (Consider also the traditional versions of this card as "Judgement".)

This principle holds equally true for the cycles of a human being (both during a lifetime and regarding a series of lifetimes), a culture, a world epoch, and the whole Universe. It is reproduced by the Alchemist in the Great Work.

All those ideas are closely assosiated in my opinion with our Trump. Just like how Peter is the "rock" of Church, so is the Steele the "rock" which is the foundation and presentation of the energies of the current Aeon.

At the end of an Aeon, it also represents the "genetic code" for the next one. It is the karmic information that has not been processed successfully in the ending cycle and therefore will be transcribed to the one that follows.

Thus, this card also has to do with a review of the past (such as we experience at the end of a physical incarnation) and an outline of the next one.

It connects Hod to Malkuth. Hod is the Sephira of the intellect, the form giving abilities of our minds. Hermes is the Deity most closely assosiated with Hod. Hermes is traditionally the Messenger of the Gods. Malkuth, on the other hand, is the universe manifested and fully functioning. In this light, I could say that The Aeon is the influence of Fire upon our mentality and our perception of the universe, which in a large percentage forms our personal world. The Lord of the Aeon destroys the falsities and lies (the vice assosiated with Hod) of the mind and allows the truth (the virtue assosiated with Hod) to shine in order to allow the Message to enter matter.

Again, it is the "primal fire" breaking through the "karmic shells" that have been obscuring it (also note the egg symbolism on this card and Pluto's astrological meaning).
 

Terrapin

Thank you all for your thought provoking answers. So much food for thought! You've expanded my horizons. Really appreciate these wise insights.