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Serpent Flame Quarterly Journal of Serpente et Astrum Camp Ordo Templi Orientis, Australia VOLUME ONE NUMBER TWO WINTER SOLSTICE 1998e.v.
SerpentFlame
Quarterly Journal ofSerpente et Astrum Camp
Ordo Templi Orientis, Australia
VOLUME ONE NUMBER TWOWINTER SOLSTICE 1998e.v.
Serpent Flame Vol 1. No.2Winter Solstice 1998e.v.
© 1998 Ordo Templi Orientis
Anno IVviSol in Cancer, Luna in Taurus
Dies Solis
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Serpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampOrdo Templi OrientisOrdo Templi OrientisOrdo Templi OrientisOrdo Templi OrientisOrdo Templi OrientisToongabbie, AustraliaToongabbie, AustraliaToongabbie, AustraliaToongabbie, AustraliaToongabbie, Australia
Frater AShR (Camp Master)[email protected]
PO Box 667TOONGABBIENSW, 2146AUSTRALIA
Soror HANH (Camp Treasurer)[email protected]
Frater ShAIB (Camp Secretary)[email protected]
Co
nte
nts Camp Master's Rave 2
Gnostic Crusaders (Frater ShAIB) 3
The Science in Art: Part I (Soror HANH) 5
Directory 8
Lorelei (Soror PHOENIX) 9
C a m p M a s t e r � s R a v eDo what thou wilt shall be the
whole of the Law.
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SALUTATION ON ALLPOINTS OF THE
TRIANGLE !
It has definitely been a busypast three months for us. Manythings have been happening withinand about the Camp.
Firstly, Frater ShAIB has beenappointed Serpente et AstrumCamp Secretary.
Frater ShAIB has workedclosely with Soror HANH and myselfsince Serpente�s beginnings and willfill an important space in thestructure of Serpente. Frater R.V.N.stated recently in a letter to all LocalBody Masters;
�Throughout the O.T.O., on anadministrative, magical andritual level, the basis of stabilityis the triangle.�
Now we have the foundationsof the triangle in place and, in orderto keep its stability, we should turnto some of the symbolism of thetriangle and the various trinities.There are fairly obvious ones (in noparticular order) l ike Kether,Chokmah, Binah; Air, Fire, Water;Mercury, Sulfur, Salt; etc, etc�. Butthere were also three Fates, threeFuries and three Graces in GreekMythology. For the morescientifically minded we have theProton, Electron and Neutron as thebuilding blocks of all the elementsin the known universe. And thenthere is the more commonlyaccepted breakdown of the modes
of existence, Animal, Vegetable andMineral. In this last case theTreasurer is symbolised by Mineral,reminiscent of Disks and Coins. TheSecretary is Vegetable as pertainingto the main role of dealing with thepaperwork, which is generallymanufactured from pulpedvegetable fibres. Which only leavesme as the Animal.
A welcome also to newSerpente Minerval Soror Phoenixwho was initiated recently throughOceania Lodge. Her artwork�Lorelei� can be found elsewhere inthis issue as well as on the Serpenteet Astrum web site.
The Serpente site has nowbeen up and running since April athttp://www.otoaustralia.org.au/serpenteand contains essays on Qabalahand Ritual. There is also a galleryof artwork by Serpente membersand the calendar is updatedmonthly.
Also in April we celebratedFeasts for the Three days of theWriting of the Book of the Law. Oneach day a different Serpentemember performed the Star Rubyto banish the workspace and areading of the appropriate chapterof Liber AL was given. This wasfollowed by Feasts of definitely fitfor the Gods. Feast were also heldfor Winter Solstice and the Feast ofthe Prophet and his Bride withSerpente members and visitingOceania Lodge guests enjoyinggreat company and much �sweetwine�.
In early July members ofSerpente et Astrum attended theE.G.C. conference hosted by
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Oceania Lodge. This was a marvellousweekend with Brothers and Sistersfrom all over Australia joiningtogether to celebrate and shareknowledge on Liber XV, The GnosticMass. Many talks were given and theMass run through with Commentaryby Sabazius and Soror Helena leftus all with plenty to think about.Frater ShAIB has a report on theRetreat in this issue.
The first part of Soror HANH�s�Science in Art� series also appearsin the pages of this issue. Thisinstallment looks at the geometricprogression from the Point to theCircle and some of their relatedsymbolism. Future issues will lookat the Point and the Circle in relation
to Cosmology, Chemistry andPhysics, all the while delving intohow these ideas relate back tophilosophical and mystical thought.
Serpente et Astrum�s publishingprogramme is also now ful lyunderway with �The Soldier and theHunchback� and �Energised Enthusiasm�currently being printed and bothshould be available by the time youread this. Numerous other publicationswill be popping up on the Serpenteweb site in both HTML and PDFformats and this task will probablykeep us busy for a while.
Love is the law, love under will.Frater AShR
Camp Master
Gnostic CrusadersAn O.T.O. Journey
IntoDeepest, Darkest Galston
A Report on the EGC Retreatby Frater ShAIB
Do what thou wilt shall be thewhole of the Law.
On a cold Friday afternoon inJuly a select body of men andwomen from all climes made theirway to the valley of Galston topartake in the first National EGCRetreat hosted by Oceania Lodge.In my view the retreat was acomplete success; and judgingfrom the opinions of those aroundme almost everyone else thoughtthe same.
It was a unique experiencefor everyone. Spanning just over
two and half days most warmed tothe fraternal companionship of theirfellow Sisters and Brothers. Underthe lamen of the Ordo TempliOrientis we strode into the CrusaderConference Centre (an AnglicanBible Study centre � a potentialdisaster from the very beginning!)masquerading as Gnostic Catholics(which I don�t think they everactually bought - though thanksmust go to Soror Shalimar for herquick thinking!). From the veryoutset there were comments ofbesieging the place...The Soldiersof Freedom had arrived! After aquick search for mules and camelsto bear the load of the contents ofFrater ATSh�s car we realised wehad lots to do before dark.
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We soon realised the bondingritual Oceania Ritual Group hadconstructed was not going tohappen�everyone was knackered.Those from Alpha & Omega haddriven non-stop to the retreat andbore the scars of such a long trip.Sabazius and Soror Helena andtheir children were suffering jetlagand people from Darkwood werestill turning up at all hours. TheGatekeeper spared those whoarrived late. The caretaker was akinto someone you might see at 7amon TV on a Sunday morning. Hepreached, he quizzed, he poked hisnose in everywhere he shouldn�tand then when we believed he maybe asleep we were accosted withAmazing Grace played at 11pm withthe chanting of �Jesus�Oh Jesus�.After an excellent dinner (Petra,having a kitchen the size of thebottom floor of her house, was inher element) we retired in bouts oftwo or three throughout the nightto the `Boys and Girls� labelledcabins. I am sure some slept withfear in their hearts that night.
Breakfast was graced with avisit from some of the tamestKookaburras I have ever laid eyeson. The children petted withoutfear, all I could see was the beaks.I was was blessed with the role ofDeacon in the Mass discussion/run-through and gained much insightand knowledge under the guidanceof Sabazius and Helena. FraterNuma and Frater RVN also sharedsome of their wisdom with us. Itwas a long but very satisfying dayand we all wanted and needed adrink and a chat. The night was notwithout chaos. It was found thatSabazius and Helena were to leave
early for Darkwood the nextafternoon�a Mass was scheduledfor that time! Something had tobe done, and that something wasplaced in the ever-willing hands ofHiram�s reincarnation BrotherSteven. A Mass temple had to beerected that night so we could haveMass early next morn. Steve�sMcGyver-like qualities shone forthand those who have never set up aMass temple witnessed what couldbe done with a paperclip and a post-it note.
An on again-off again pub runeventually happened much to thedelight of all those awake.��eat richfoods and drink sweet wines andwines that foam!�� We did and Ilost a game of outdoor chessbecause of it! Damn it was cold at4am.
Bleary eyes greeted the lastmorning of our stay. The caretakerhad probably taken solace inflagellation and prayer for ourdamned souls and thankfully left usalone. The Mass was something wewere all looking forward to, evenconsidering our condition. AndBrother Kon and Sister Michelletheir team pulled it off beautifully.We rose from the ashes as thePhoenix does and our hearts wereuplifted. Soon after we cleaned up,packed our belongings said ourgood-byes and left knowing wewere never to return. We realisedthat the bonding ritual was theRetreat itself and was powerfulmagick indeed.
Love is the law, love under will.Frater ShAIB
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The Science in Art Pt 1.The Geometry of the Point
and the Circleby Sr. HANH
�Infinite space is called theGoddess NUIT, while the infinitelysmall and atomic yet omnipresentpoint is called HADIT. These areunmanifest. One conjunction ofthese infinites is called RA-HOOR-KHUIT, a unity which includesand heads all things.�1
1.Geometric Construction1.1. The Point (Fig.1)
�1. Had! The manifestation ofNuit.� Liber CCXX Vol.I:1.2
Mathematically, defining theterm �point� can only be attemptedby replacing it with equally undefinableterms or by merely describingcertain properties of the figure.Thus the term �point� is undefinable.It can be simply described as an�existence� in time and space. It hasno dimension or direction. No fixedposition with which to constrain it.Let us call this �Point A�.
1.2. The Line (Fig.2)The path �AB� could then be
thought of as the path of a movingpoint, �A� towards �B�. If thismovement were followed by stop-motion photography, there wouldshow a series of points, overlappingto create the �blur� of a �line�.
A line can be considered toextend infinitely in either directionand can be terminated at any point.Thus achieving expansion into the(x) plane or length.
To give the �Point A �some
definition, we must observe it fromthe perspective of another point, �B�,thus giving �A� some relative positionin space that can be perceived byanother.
1.3. The Angle or Arc (Fig.3)An angle is a figure formed
by two �straight� lines that meet,where a straight line is the shortestpath between two points, �AB� andsay, �AC�, incorporating a newperspective point, �C� with which toview point �A�. Thus achievingexpansion into the (y) plane orbreadth.
1.4. The Circle and Sphere (Fig. 4)If this �Arc� is positioned at
point �B� (a distance from point �A�)and extended to point �C� thenthrough 360º, until it returns to itsorigin point �B�, one can create fromit, a Circle. Thus a circle is derivedfrom the point �A� and a radius �r�and is the set of all points whose
A
A B
A B (x)
(y) C
Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3
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distance from �A� is �r� in 2-d (planar)space. The extension of thesepoints of radius �r� in any directiongives rise to a sphere or depth in3-d space. Thus giving rise to aconcept of �universality�.
�1. Nu! the hiding of Hadit.� LiberCCXX Vol.II:1.3
2.Synopsis of Ideologies2.1 The Point or Microcosm.
The geometric structure of�the Point� can be seen to embodythe undefinable essence of �existence�,the basic unit, 1 dimension or finitespace. It is from the point that allother geometric constructionsinitiate, whether as a building blockfor more complex forms (ie. lines)or as a position of reference.
In Hebrew an ALEPH is apoint (microcosmos) that somehowcontains or reflects the entireuniverse (macrocosmos). Supposedly,someone standing at one of thesepoints could hear or see anythingor perhaps everything at once.There are also phrases that can beattributed here. Such phrases likeAHYH AShR AHYH, �I Am That Am�,Existence of Existences and is title
of Kether, the first Sephirah of theTree of Life, or AChD RAShAChDVThV RASh YChVDVThMVRHZV AChD, which means:�One is His beginning, one is Hisindividuality, His permutation isone.� ARARITA is an acronym forthis Hebrew phrase and is frequentlyused as a name of God.
The Hebrew word YECHIDAH�Only One� or �Unique One� is alsoattributed to Kether, and is the partof the soul corresponding to theatma (SKT), and is equivalent to thesahasrara chakra of yoga. InSanskrit ATMA means literally�breath� or �soul�. In Vedanticphilosophy the atma is the oneomnipresent universal spirit, withoutand condition or attribute, becauseit is all things. The true self. Themahamantra, or root-sound ofcreation is AUM. The primordialvibration. The word is attributed tothe Trimurti and embodies theentire cycle of creation (Brahma),preservation (Vishnu), and Destruction(Shiva). The word AUM (Om) is theroot of the Hebrew word Amen, theEgyptian Amon, the Tibetian Hum.2.1 The Circle or Macrocosm.
Again within the Sanskritmysteries, as Bindu refers to thepoint, so SUNYA is �The Void� orZero, which represents botheverything and nothing. Roughlyequivalent to NIRVANA (from nir-va, �to blow out�). �The Great Void�is MAHASUNYA, that which isbeyond all manifestation and iseternal. �The Universal Void� ofMahayana Buddhism is SUNYATA.The Supreme Reality beyondmanifestation. According to theteachings of Nagarjuna, �Nothingcomes into existence, nor does
A B (x)
(y)
C
Fig.4
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anything disappear. Nothing iseternal, nor has anything an end.Nothing is identical, nor is anythingdifferentiated. Nothing moves inone direction, nor in any other.� Bytranscending paradox, one mayattain awareness of sunyata.Realisation of sunyata grows out ofthe awakening of prajna, which iswisdom or spiritual understanding.NETI NETI is literally, �not this, notthat�. It refers to the idea of thatthe supreme godhead is transcendentand cannot be described orunderstood.
2.3 The Union of Point and CircleThe UNION of the Point and
Circle can be seen to be appliedthrough many philosophies. TheJapanese ZEN is a system of mentalstillness originating in India, whereit was known as dhyana. It wascarried to China by the Buddhistmonk Bodidharma, where it wascalled ch�an. From China it travelledto Japan as Zen. Styles of Zen differ,but there are primarily three meansused to attain release fromattachment to the objective world:zazen (wall gazing), the mondo (asudden illogical question demandingspontaneous answer), and the koan(a riddle or paradox requiring anintuitional leap beyond rationality).The goal of Zen is to permitexperience by direct perception orintuition. This lightning-flash sort ofawareness is called satori and issaid to be equivalent to prajna orsamadhi. MUSHIN means literally,�No-Mind�. A Zen Buddhist termmeaning action or consciousnesswithout cerebration or intellection.
The Sanskrit SAMADHImeans literally �together with�
(sam) �the Lord� (adhi), and is thehighest of the eight angas or limbsof yoga. Samadhi is a state of totalinvolvement, unwavering awareness,and complete stillness of mind. Thecontent of the meditation and themeditator are one. There are manydifferent kinds and levels ofsamadhi. The meditation may bedeveloped with a mental image,concentration upon a specificprinciple, or with consciousnessitself as the object of meditation.Samadhi is the principle of totalabsorption in meditation. Theculmination of samadhi is sahaja-samadhi, which is not a trance statebut a condition of permanentawareness.
In the Tao Te Ching it iswritten, �The Tao which can bespoken is not the true Tao.� TAO
means literally �way�. The Absolute,or noumenal reality. The One whichbrought forth the Ten ThousandThings. The union of yin and yang.Beyond attribute, the Tao isdescribed, at best, in mysteriousterms. Lao Tze is credited withwriting the main text of Taoism, theTao Te Ching, or �Way of Changes�.The essence of Tao is TAO SHU. Thepoint at which all attribute anddistinctions (the Ten ThousandThings) disappear. WU is the Eternalnon-being and WU WEI is No-activity.Spontaneity. Non-interference withthe Tao. TUN WU is a Ch�an Buddhistterm for satori. An important Taoistconcept is HSU meaning �emptiness�or �non-existence�, in the sense ofstillness and receptivity. HSUAN TEis Virtue through emptiness. Thecultivation of one�s original nature.
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3. Bibliography
3.1One should consult The Book ofthe Law for further study on thissubject, but also see:¤ Liber 418, The Vision and theVoice, 30th Aethyr.¤ Berashith¤ Liber Aleph �Book of Wisdomor Folly�¤ Soldier and the Hunchback¤ The Book of Lies3.2. Reference MaterailsX Liber AL vel Legis, The Bookof the Law. A. CrowleyX The Magician�s Companion: APractical & Encyclopedic Guide toMagical & Religious Symbolism. B.Whitcomb. 1993. Llewellyn Publications,St. Paul, MN, USA.
1 Aleister Crowley. 1997. Liber ABA,Magick, Book 4, Chapter 0. p. 137
2 Nuit is matter, Hadit is motion, intheir full physical sense. (Theproton and the electron, in ametaphysical sense, suggest closeanalogies, or the noun and verb ingrammar.) Aleister Crowley. 1988.Law is For All, p. 70
3 Nu conceals Had because He iseverywhere in the Infinite, and Shemanifests Him for the same reason.Every individual manifests thewhole; and the whole conceals theindividual. The soul interprets theuniverse; the universe veils thesoul. Nature understands herself bybecoming self-conscious in herunits; the consciousness loses itssense of separateness bydissolution in Her. Aleister Crowley.1988. Law is For All, p. 155.
AUSTRALIAD i r e c t o r ySERPENTE et ASTRUM CAMP
PO Box [email protected]
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EnmoreNSW 2042
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Oaklands ParkSA 5046
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Web LinksSerpente et Astrum Camphttp://www.otoaustralia.org.au/serpente
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Alpha & Omega Oasishttp://www.chariot.net.au/cryjas/
U.S. GRAND LODGE O.T.O.http://otohq.org/oto
LORELEI
bySoror Phoenix
Serpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampSerpente et Astrum CampOrdo Templi OrientisToongabbie, Australia
