Sufic symbolism in Qutub

[2109]

Besides the concept of Qutub that Chumbley uses in this work there is a lot of other sufic imagery and symbolism. I´d like to open up a conversation about it. Besides the obvious references to Mansur Al-Halladj and Sheikh Adi there are aswell some that are a little bit more obscure. The concept of the Perfect Man for example  comes directly from Ibn Arabi´s doctrine about the prophet Mohammed. Perhaps if Chumbley´s book would have been published one or two years late he would aswell have used Kreyenbroek´s standard work on "Yezidism - Its Background, Observances and Textual Tradition".

 

[N.O.X]

What a very interesting thread topic, 2109!  I regret that I cannot add much to the discussion, at the moment, as Sufism is not my area of expertise.  I do look forward to reading others' contributions to the thread. 

[2109]

Thanks N.O.X

I can add one thing myself to my post. An excellent book which can be found on Cultus Sabbatis reading list is Man of Light in Iranian sufism by Henry Corbin. In this book Corbin masterly shows how gnostic and hermetic symbolism and imagery can been found in persian sufism. It aswell discusses Qutub as the Northern star to some extent. I think that Chumbley found inspiration in this work since (the book) Qutub is based both on sufism and gnostic themes from the Middle east.

What parts of Qutub does attract your own attention?

         

[N.O.X]

Specifically, The Perfect Man, and Muse, which I view in the context of the H.G.A.  Also, the aspects of the Draconian Current prevalent throughout the work.

[N.O.X]

I'm also very intrigued by his encypherment of the text.  I've yet to study all of the source material, like I have mentioned above regarding Sufism, so I've not made a serious attempt at decoding the text, yet.

[N.O.X]

2109,

I'm curious as to what attracts you to Qutub, besides the Sufi imagery and symbolism.  Also, have you attempted to decode the text?


With the Witchblood flowing, in the Night of Pan,
N.O.X

[2109]

There is certain symbolism within Qutub which is highly relevant in relation to the esoteric tradition I myself work in.

For me it is not about decoding it at all. I think there are two thing which makes one see "through" a mystical text, initiation and work. Initiation in this case is only available for CS members which makes esoteric work which is close to what Chumbley himself did the remaining way.

I have not done any work in relation to Qutub at all. Rather for me it is a beacon of light which I can relate to and a either agree or disagree with its standpoints. Either way it for me personally becomes a kind of dialectic with a esoteric work and esoteric predecessor which makes part of my own work evolve.

 

[N.O.X]

You say you have not done any work in relation to Qutub at all.  Does this mean you haven't performed the Rite of the Opposer, The Prayer of the Design, and the Formula of the Opposer? 

[2109]

Well, if I say that I have not done any workings in relation to Qutub that should include the workings included in the book.

[N.O.X]

Fair enough.  No need to get snappy, a simple "no" would have sufficed.  I only asked as, frankly, there were multiple parts to your post  that were not exactly clearly written and ambiguous. (You said "work" not "workings", and we were discussing decoding it so can't you see where I was left with questions?) They really are phantastic rites though, perhaps you should give them a go.

[2109]

I experienced my post to be clear. Yet I do see that we read my post in different lights. At the moment I don´t have any desire to do so. I am more interested in the book as a source of inspiration then as a guide for actual workings.

     

[Kharlatan]

Have someone seen the Qutub (tower)? Is it white covered with enochian letters within grids?

[Kharlatan]

correction: not ... within grids, but ...within a grid

[2109]

Another thing how the sufism of Ibn Arabi can be seen in the work of Chumbley, and possibly in the CS itself, is the relation between the arabic letters as waymarks (maqamat) on the Way towards Qutub. Ibn Arabi speaks about how these letters correspond to the 28 lunar mansions, something which Chumbley in Qutub aswell points towards. The understanding of the letters as waymark can be seen in Ibn Arabi in Al-Futuhdt al-Makiyyah. This hints towards how the Way and the Waymarks might be understood.


 


 

[N.O.X]

2109,

Thanks for the further information regarding Suifism and the Arabic letters as waymarks.  I'm finding this very interesting.  I do appreciate this new avenue of research into Qutub that you've given me.

There is a line, in your post that we had a misunderstanding about, that I'm still a bit unclear on, and interested in understanding.  You write: "Initiation in this case is only available for CS members which makes esoteric work which is close to what Chumbley himself did the remaining way."

Please write this "in whiter words" for me.  Thanks.

In the Night of Pan,