Fundamentals of Western Magic Waning Year Semester 07/14-01/15 Presented By: J.A. Doyle, Wizard of Grand Grand Rapids, Michigan (616)-427-7875 thecuriocabinet@gmail.com thecuriocabinet.wordpress.com
Description: This course is designed for those who feel the undeniable pull towards things of an occult, magical, or spiritual nature and have the impetus to turn that curiosity into knowledge. Founded upon on the ancient wisdom of the Western Mystery Tradition stemming from Mesopotamia and Egypt, continuing through Greece and Rome to the rest of Europe and the New World, this course will focus on the Hermetic, Orphic, Neo-Platonic, Solomonic, and Sabbatic schools of magical philosophy. During this 26-week (6 month) course, students will learn not only practical occult rituals and methods, but will also be exposed to Empedoclean Physics, Ancient Cosmology, the Kabala, Magical Time-keeping, Magical Herbalism, Basic Divination, Classification of Spirits and how to work with them. A succinct way to begin building the foundation of any personal spiritual or magical practice based upon the teachings of the Western Mysteries.
Course Objectives: To present the Student with sufficient information over a 26-week period to establish the fundamentals of the Western Mystery Traditions, the goal of instruction being to provide practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge.
Tuition Fees: $520 full tuition, $20 per class session
Materials Required: 1) A Black-covered Journal & adequate, long-lasting writing utensils 2) A copy of The Kybalion: Definitive Edition (ISBN: 978-1585428748) 3) A blade, preferably double-edged with a black handle, but a pocket-knife will do 4) A wooden rod, measuring approx. from the crook of ones elbow to the tip of the longest finger 5) A cup, preferably goblet or chalice-shaped and made of glass or non-toxic metal 6) A disk or plate, preferably made of a natural material such as stone, china, or metal 7) A ring of symbolic nature, simple or decorative- a most important magical tool 8) A mortar & pestle made of soap-stone or similar 9) A heat-proof, pot-like container to serve as a cauldron 10) A Tarot Deck, preferably the Rider-Waite Deck 11) A skyring tool such as a black mirror, a crystal ball, a special bowl and ink, ect. 12) A white, natural, linen Tau-robe
Organization of Class-time: 1) Check-in: Students arrive punctually and the Instructor takes roll-call 2) Last Week Review: Brief discussion of the course material studied previously 3) Lecture: Lecture will take place over a 45-90 minute period 4) Break: a 10 minute break will be provided 5) Experiment: If a practical experiment is carried out, it will happen after lecture 6) Assignment: Assignments are explained at the end of the class 7) Closing: Brief review of material studied during class, final questions
Rules of Conduct: 1) Students will arrive punctually, properly prepared, focused, attentive, and eager to learn. 2) Students will participate to their fullest capabilities in class discussion, experimentation, and demonstrations. 3) Cell-phones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices are only permitted for use in class explicitly for auxiliary note-taking or referencing topics at hand. If the Instructor feels any devices have deterred the attention of a student or students away from the topic at hand, the offending students will be politely asked to put away their device or leave. Further action may be taken from there. 4) Students will not discriminate against any other for any reason pertaining to Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Age, Sex, Pregnancy, Citizenship, Familial Status, Disability, Veteran status, or Genetic Information. Any complaints risen against a student will be dealt with without hesitation and promptly investigated. If the offending student is found to be justly accused, they will be expelled. 5) Assignments will be given and explained at the conclusion of the class session. Journal entries on the current weeks topic of study are mandatory and will be expected to be finished before the following weeks class session begins. Completed assignments will be assessed based on effort, comprehension, and execution.
Other Considerations: When contacting through telephone, it is preferable to send a text message first and wait until I have an appropriate time to contact you to talk When contacting through e-mail, please label the subject ATTN: FWM Class
Course Topics: 1) Powers of the Sphinx: Lecture on the Four-fold Powers of the Sphinx 2) Hermetic Principles: Lecture on the Seven-fold Hermetic Principles of the Kybalion 3) Powers of Love & Strife: Lecture on Polarity/Duality, Intro to Empedoclean Physics 4) Powers of Fire: Lecture on the Correspondences & Energies of Fire 5) Powers of Air: Lecture on the Correspondences & Energies of Air 6) Powers of Water: Lecture on the Correspondences & Energies of Water 7) Powers of Earth: Lecture on the Correspondences & Energies of Earth 8) The Magic Circle: Lecture on the history, theory, & practice of the Magic Circle, an Experiment of the Magic Circle will be attempted by the student 9) The 7 Heavens: Lecture on Planetary Cosmology 10) The 8 th Sphere: Lecture on the Zodiac, Constellations, and Fixed Stars 11) The Magical Calendar: Lecture on Lunar, Solar, and Planetary time-keeping for ritual purposes, Introduction to Practical Astrological Theory 12) The Holy Decad: Lecture on the history & meaning of the Tetrakys & Kabala 13) Etheric Anatomy: Lecture on the correspondence between the Body and the Cosmos 14) Barbaroi Logoi: Lecture on Magical Linguistics, Sigillum, and Characters 15) Ars Pharmakiea: Lecture on the historical & practical use of herbs for magic, Experiment with crafting incense, oils, potions, & dressing candles. 16) Spirit of Place: Lecture on the Spiritual Presence of the Land 17) The Mighty Dead: Lecture on the Ancestral, Wandering, Hungry, and Enlightened Dead, a Dumb Supper communion will be held after lecture 18) Hierarchies of Heaven & Hell: Lecture on Pre & Post-Biblical Spirits 19) Gods of Many Lands: Lecture on Deity, devotional rites, and cultural context 20) The Magical Assistant: Lecture and Experiment on the Familiar Spirit 21) Divination 101: Lecture on omens, dreams, visions, signs, patterns, & methods 22) Tarot in Brief: Lecture on the history & use of Tarot, its correspondences and value 23) The Shewstone: Lecture & Experiment on Skrying 24) Theurgia & Goetia: Lecture on the history and methods of the Ouranic and Kthonic schools of spirit-work 25) Evocation of a Spirit: Experiment lead by the Instructor, but performed by the Class, wherein a Spirit is unanimously chosen and evoked for communion 26) Initiation Ceremony: Instructor performs a private ceremony with each student to mark their graduation from this course
Date Topic of Discussion Experiment Materials Required Main Assignment 07/04/14 Intro to Western Magic Book Why do I want to do Magic? 07/11/14 Powers of the Sphinx Book How do I relate to the Powers? 07/18/14 Hermetic Principles Breathing & Mindfulness Book, The Kybalion Meditate, Breathe regularly 07/25/14 Powers of Love & Strife The Calyx Rite Book Practice Calyx regularly 08/1/14 Powers of Fire Fire Attunement Book, Knife Embody Fire 08/8/14 Powers of Air Air Attunement Book, Rod Embody Air 08/15/14 Powers of Water Water Attunement Book, Cup Embody Water 08/22/14 Powers of Earth Earth Attunement Book, Disk Embody Earth 08/29/14 The Magic Circle Rite of the Magic Circle Book, Ring & Elemental Tools Practice Magic Circle regularly 09/5/14 The 7 Heavens Rising through the Spheres Book Practice Rising regularly 09/12/14 The 8 th Sphere Book Cast your own Horoscope 09/19/14 The Magical Calendar Book Make a Calendar 09/26/14 The Holy Decad Book Chart the Kabala 10/3/14 Etheric Anatomy 3 Souls Attunement Book Practice Attunement regularly 10/10/14 Barbaroi Logoi Book Create a Personal Name & Sigil 10/17/14 Ars Pharmakiea Herbal preparations Book, Mortar & Pestle, cauldron Create an original recipe 10/24/14 Spirit of Place Genius Loci Contact Book Practice Contact regularly 10/31/14 The Mighty Dead Dumb Supper Book Ancestor Devotional 11/7/14 Hierarchies of Heaven & Hell Book Spirit Devotional 11/14/14 Gods of Many Lands Book Deity Devotional 11/21/14 The Magical Assistant Spell for a Familiar Book, Elemental Tools Regular Familiar work 11/28/14 Divination 101 Book Find a favorite! 12/5/14 Tarot in Brief Tarot Spreads Book, Tarot Daily Reading 12/12/14 The Shewstone Skrying Session Book, Mirror Practice Skrying 12/19/14 Theurgia & Goetia Book Study a Spirit, create a Lamen 12/26/14 Evocation of a Spirit Rite of Evocation Book, All Tools, Lamen, Robe Fasting until Initiation 1/2/15 Initiation Ceremony Initiation Book, All Tools, Robe