Music Theory - "M"Theory -

This won't be a post about chord construction or the applications of the circle of fifths; it's going to be about how i connect to the world around me and, by that virtue, to magic, to god, and to the great web that encircles us all.

I've always fancied myself a musician. i can play the piano, and sing, and even my latest love, the violin, i play fairly well, but its the reason that im drawn to music that is the topic of discussion here. I believe that in the beginning god, whatever god is, (lets look at the divine here as simple a sentient power in the void) reached out and in doing so sent out a ripple of power, a vibration in the stillness, a sound that would condence and be modled by new sounds, some its own, some its echo, some likewise from the divine. this this would have been the first song, the first chorus, from which the Creation myths of the world are derived. The voice of god manifest as the physical universe. Now, bear with me, in christianity, the christ is considered to be the word of god (who was present in the beginning). note that words are by definition constructs of the will, shaped by power, and directed by sound to become understood.  This is how i believe the divine functions in the physical universe; by way of song.

Thus it stands to reason that each aspect of creation is composed, of at least, one piece of a greater composition, each new aspect coming into existence to subtly or magnanimously alter the tonal quality of the whole. Now you may be wondering how this applies to the topic at hand and its actually quite simple for anyone who's read sheet music. You can call out the beauty, sadness, jubilation, or frenzy of a composition if you have the skill to do so, and likewise i believe that every aspect of creation has a corresponding musical value. By tracing tonal paths along the web of life, and connecting to those aspects which are involved you can draw their influences closer to you. This is simple form of magic, the power of words, of vibration. But it's more than that as well.

I seek out the divine in beauty, which in and of itself is a complicated discussion, but suffice it to say i find music to be beautiful. it is our small, sometimes futile, sometimes exceptional means of magnifying the chorus that surrounds us. Music, you must understand, in connecting to creation, in adding to its beauty, is to me, the most perfect form of prayer ever conceived of. God is above all else a grand architect and composer. we are all instruments in that way being led, and leading off in new directions. Entropy is after all another from of beauty. The harmony of dissonance. none of us can truly know the mind of god, and truly i dont think i would want to. But still, i find it funny, that even now as i type, these worlds which i derive in my mind are turning and becoming real, and even before i post this a new strand of music is calling out. this my creation, to be read and understood, or be tossed aside. either is beautiful, one is preferable. The choice is yours and yet it isnt, because either way your reaction will ripple in the ether as a new note in the grand chorus. In this way i think that god fixed the election. no matter what we do, and this is the dangerous part of my theory, could be considered beautiful by the mind of god. because there is beauty of creation and destruction, and all of it adds to the chorus which ultimately is praise to god. In this way i believe that Anne Rice got it right in Memnoch the Devil  , i cant seem to find the quote but it was something to the effect of, [the universe is being run by madmen..] i really have to find the rest of it. Lestat was explaining his experiences of having traversed between heaven and hell. maybe ill look for it again in the morning; these late nights are not my favorites.

Pleasant Dreams All,
Solstice                 

The Circle: On Constructing Sacred Space

Well, I'm back in Florida and can I find the essay I wrote up for this post...

Anyways, the circle is a basic component of magical systems derived from the western traditions and can be broken down into several layers of corresponding depending on the tradition you are working in. As i see it, the basic circle has three functions; 1. to provide a place within which to focus, raise, and ultimately direct energy back into the universe. 2. as a place of protection, cut off energetically from whatever might cause you harm or interfere while working, and 3. as a place set "between the worlds" where you can commune with the divine. I'll begin next with a break down of its physical construction followed by its psychological underpinnings.

To clarify i should state that i generally don't construct a circle for ritual purposes but on occasion will if i need the extra focus or protection, either way I use the East South West North : Air Fire Water Earth alignments. Begin with physically cleaning the area, a besom is best i think, especially if it was a gift ( i don't believe in having things if you cant use them for a practical purpose), but i use an old orange dry mop and a dust cloth. you want to cleanse the area and stir up any stagnant energy and blockages in the room. Having a window open is always a plus, as well as a door.  Similarly, you can use floral sprays (florida water) to much the same effect. 

With the room ready, gather any tools you need and place them on your working table. 

(disclaimer: this is one of my methods and is not in any way the only way)

Once grounded, the basic circle, often called walking the compass, three or more times deosil (clockwise) around a central fire. the number three because its the number of manifestation being the sum of power, wisdom, and understanding which we will investigate further in a later discussion involving Kabbalah. The central fire relates to the place of the hearth as a seat of protection, energy, and light.  It is the energy of the hearth that we channel initially to construct the shape of the circle and sustain it. 

It's sometimes called walking the compass because you are symbolically creating a miniature of the universe, demarcating the 4 cardinal directions and becoming the axis mundi of a microcosm (insert scan here). In essence you are becoming the world tree Yggdrasil, your roots reaching down to tap the wisdom of your ancestors, your mind reaching out to the heavens and the realms of the divine, and your trunk, your arms reaching out to the four corners of the universe and connecting to the web of creation. In doing this you center your physical and spiritual being in preparation for your working.   

Once grounded and centered, this is then proceeded by a ritual purification of the circle, usually by smudging with sage or using salt water.  Calling quarters, beginning in the east, and inviting the guardians of each quarter to attend aid and watch over your work. And finally by calling upon the divine and consecrating the circle to the task at hand.

As a tradition, the circle is ceremoniously taken apart in reverse to release the energies gathered and ground any excess that may be present. I should not here that ultimately the purpose of ritual is to achieve an altered state of consciousness within which we can tap into the web more effectively. this is also why it is a good practice to do something entirely physical afterwards, usually eating or drinking something to reassert yourself in the physical; otherwise you end up a bit like someone half awake and not really all there. So with that in mind i put emphasis on the "cakes" in what we affectionately call the cakes and ale portion of post ritual celebrations. its like a buffer between working in the physical and spiritual worlds... Think of coffee hour after church.  Even if you don't fall into the shamanistic side of things and remain firmly planted in the psychological underpinnings of ritual, the donut is still a nice way to tell your subconscious its over, time to take a break.   

As Always,

Solstice