A quote from an interview given by Austin Osman Spare (a must read). Magicians in London: A Recollection by Oswell Blakeston.This extract was first published inThe Uncertain Element, [1950]:
“He despaired of me. “I’ll have to ask you to go,” he said crossly. “There is an inner rite I must perform. But before you go, I wonder if you’d mind giving me a hand to rig up this box camera?”
“Elementals, you know, walk in straight lines. You must know that – the Chinese knew it millions of years ago. Well, there’s a demon due to haunt my room tonight. But no elemental can bear to have his photograph taken. That only happens under the pentagram of compulsion. When my haunt sees the camera he’ll automatically turn round. Then he’ll have to walk in a straight line all round the earth before he can get back to my room. It ought to keep him quiet for a bit.” I did my best to help with the camera, and as I was about to leave the black magician relented. “Come back one day,” he invited, “and I’ll show you all your future in a vision on the wall. You’ll like that, won’t you? All your future spread out like a map before you”. Yes, do come back. I think D.P. has taken a fancy to you.”
- Does anyone know what kind of device the box camera was? Inner rite, box camera, no elementals can bear to have his photograph taken, which only happens under the pentagram of compulsion. Doesn't sound like the conventional camera, if you ask me. He mentions the camera in Zos Speaks! which also has the properties of a projector/magical lantern. I've always read it metaphorically. It seems however there existed a device which he used metaphysically.
There's a painting which depicts two griffins with their wings towards each other, a reference to the Arc of the Covenant. Above the griffins there's a circle with the alchemical motto: “Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem” written in Enochian around a circle. And the pentagram and hexagram are conjoined within this circle (utilized by Goetia practitioners as portals). Do you think the Almadel fits the description of this box camera? The crystal ball has some common properties with the camera lens and the crystall ball is surrounded by four pentagrams. The composition of the Almadel is very similar to the Arc of the Covenant's also (they are both square, The four wings on each corner vs. four candles on each corner).
How would a painting take a photograph? Why would the interviewer not mention that the "box camera" was nothing of the kind, but actually a painting?
Why can't the "box camera" that would take the elemental's photograph be a simple box camera, sold in the millions at that time? Isn't this yet another early 20th century example of "the method of science" applied to magick? Efforts to photograph various sorts of spirits, fairies, etc were commonplace in this period. A box camera does indeed have "the properties of a projector/magical lantern".
My question is, how did he know which direction the elemental would approach from? Do they automatically come from their assigned cardinal direction?
"update: the name of the artist is Zbigniew M. Bielak"
- Thank you for the information The HGA of a Duck, that was exactly the painting I had in mind
"My question is, how did he know which direction the elemental would approach from? Do they automatically come from their assigned cardinal direction?"
- Good question Ignant666. It sounds like Austin Osman Spare talks nonsense, but as pointed out in the Black Terra Project Blog, he may have spoken in "code". Let's say the guy who interviewed Austin Osman Spare, Oswell Blakeston, asked unrecorded questions about The Book Of Pleasure (like Kenneth Grant did in the letters, but recorded:=), which would have been inevitable if he ever read this enigma of a book. “Elementals, you know, walk in straight lines. You must know that – the Chinese knew it millions of years ago" almost sounds like an answer to a question. Does he refer to the rectangle in the Book Of Pleasuere or in the magical steles (not circle) or does he mean that the elementals travel around the the earth/circle one time only to turn around going the other way, line for line (serpentine-circle-motion-wise)?
"update: the name of the artist is Zbigniew M. Bielak"
- Thank you for the information The HGA of a Duck, that was exactly the painting I had in mind. Strange how coincidences open up to new discoveries. Check out how similar the illustration of the Camere (Zos Speaks!)
is exactly the same as the Ossuary on the Arc of the Covenant
is that a coincedence?
"My question is, how did he know which direction the elemental would approach from? Do they automatically come from their assigned cardinal direction?"
- Good question Ignant666. It sounds like Austin Osman Spare talks nonsense, but as pointed out in the Black Terra Project Blog, he may have spoken in "code". Let's say the guy who interviewed Austin Osman Spare, Oswell Blakeston, asked unrecorded questions about The Book Of Pleasure (like Kenneth Grant did in the letters, but recorded:=), which would have been inevitable if he ever read this enigma of a book. “Elementals, you know, walk in straight lines. You must know that – the Chinese knew it millions of years ago" almost sounds like an answer to a question. Does he refer to the rectangle in the Book Of Pleasuere or in the magical steles (not circle) or does he mean that the elementals travel around the the earth/circle one time only to turn around going the other way, line for line (serpentine-circle-motion-wise)?
- John Dee used his setup with the Crystal ball to project the letters on the wall, if I'm not remembering wrong, to decipher coded messages written in Enochian (same principle as Davinci wrote from right to left with the letters mirrored). The Almadel could possibly serve the same pupose as well as being used as a scrying device. It's an enigmatic device. But it's strange if Oswell Blakeston didn't comment on it if it wasn't an ordinary box camera, as Ignant666 pointed out.
I'm not all that familiar with AOS but having read that passage in the OP again I'm imagining what he's saying is intended with a dark sense of humour. It sounds to me like just wants a good night's sleep and is using this "box camera" as a talisman of sorts to ward off any elementals that might disturb him.
Check out how similar the illustration of the Camere (Zos Speaks! is exactly the same as the Ossuary on the Arc of the Covenant. Is that a coincidence?
It's not "exactly the same". There is a bit of a likeness in composition, that's all.
Why does the word magician often appear after the word "black," even if there's no indication that the subject is doing "black" work?
(a rhetorical inquiry)
- It's as arbitrary as symbolism otherwise - relative to culture and traditions. And the discussion becomes meaningless without any references, so yes, I'm glad you added "rhetorical inquiry".
- The elementals moving around a quadriga in straight lines could produce a quadriga similar to this (the self to the left tilts the wrong way though). The letters are from the middle column. The intervals varies from column/layer to column(layer):
I must underline that it's probably not the solution. The theta for instance indicate a horizontal line and doesn't fit at all. But the letters with a ring around them illustrates how the letters are used as cues/vectors in geometric constructions.
“Elementals, you know, walk in straight lines. You must know that – the Chinese knew it millions of years ago. [...] When my haunt sees the camera he’ll automatically turn round. Then he’ll have to walk in a straight line all round the earth before he can get back to my room. It ought to keep him quiet for a bit.”
I have never come across these allegations anywhere before - has anybody else, and would also be able to provide a (reliable) source? It seems rather suspect to me, like an occult 'urban myth' that either AOS has mischievously come up with by himself or - more likely, with the impression given of its being fairly ubiquitous general knowledge which (any)one "must know" - was passed on from someone else.
I'm imagining what [AOS is] saying is intended with a dark sense of humour
especially with regard to the camera-shy:
Attributed to: Austin Osman Spare
But no elemental can bear to have his photograph taken. That only happens under the pentagram of compulsion.
"Compulsion" is not widely known as an Elemental Sign (like Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Spirit), however.
The presumption of a high level of factual accuracy on AOS's part is by no means encouraged by his preposterous allegation that the sentient human race - not to mention the Chinese in particular - was around "millions of years ago", either. Also, on the curved surface of the Earth at least there is technically no such thing as a straight line, nor (apart from speediness) is there any reason that one can intimate why elementals should customarily only wish to travel in such a restrictive fashion anyway.
I have never come across these allegations anywhere before - has anybody else
Not I. Let's remember we're looking at Spare quotes, like his assertation that his magic technique was infallible ... yet it didn't work for him. There's a long discussion of this in some "Does Sex Magic Work" thread.
“Elementals, you know, walk in straight lines. You must know that – the Chinese knew it millions of years ago. [...] When my haunt sees the camera he’ll automatically turn round. Then he’ll have to walk in a straight line all round the earth before he can get back to my room. It ought to keep him quiet for a bit.”
I have never come across these allegations anywhere before - has anybody else, and would also be able to provide a (reliable) source? It seems rather suspect to me, like an occult 'urban myth' that either AOS has mischievously come up with by himself or - more likely, with the impression given of its being fairly ubiquitous general knowledge which (any)one "must know" - was passed on from someone else.
"Quick, what do you think of when I say, "Chinese architecture"? The first thing you probably think of is that the doorways don't need to be as high, and then the second thing is probably those weird curvy roofs like you always see on pagodas.
Why do they build them that way? Because of ghosts. Did you know that spirits can only travel in straight lines? Well, according to Chinese tradition, anyway. Sure, they might be evil spirits, but they're Chinese evil spirits, dammit, and they are going to do things by the book. None of this individualistic zigzagging and newfangled "turning." No sirree, we're just going in traditional straight lines like we've been doing for thousands of years, thank you very much.
That's the explanation given formany curvy roads and paths in China, and the fact that it's easier to curve the roads to follow the contours of hilly terrain is probably just a coincidence. And that's why Chinese roofs are curved, supposedly. I'm not sure what happens when the straight-line spirits hit the curvy roof but I like to think they slide along the curve and fly right off the end, and also that they go, "Wheeeeeeeeeee!" while doing it."
"Quick, what do you think of when I say, "Chinese architecture"? The first thing you probably think of is that the doorways don't need to be as high, and then the second thing is probably those weird curvy roofs like you always see on pagodas.
The first thing is (was) a pagoda itself, specifically the one in resplendent isolation in London's Kew Gardens (which I've always been attracted to since a young tyke). The second thing is (was) those idiosyncratic red telephone booths in Gerrard Street's Chinatown, which do have funny red roofs on them. (Have I failed? I never was very good with rorschach testing sadly).
Why do they build them that way? Because of ghosts. Did you know that spirits can only travel in straight lines? Well, according to Chinese tradition, anyway
No, I most certainly didn't know that. Blow me down and stripe me stark-bollock naked with the proverbial feather duster, this must be the 'something new' for me today that we're all supposed to learn an instance of every day. Well I'm jiggered, mon ami.
Hmm, but now I am wondering why they do? (=only travel ramrod straight). A pity that doesn't seem to be explained. I have the feeling there's the glimmer of the punchline of a joke floating somewhere around the borders of my perception, but can't think of it (one) now at the moment, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately).
Sure, they might be evil spirits, but they're Chinese evil spirits, dammit, and they are going to do things by the book. None of this individualistic zigzagging and newfangled "turning." No sirree, we're just going in traditional straight lines like we've been doing for thousands of years, thank you very much.
So it would appear - and for millions, not paltry thousands of years!
And that's why Chinese roofs are curved, supposedly. I'm not sure what happens when the straight-line spirits hit the curvy roof but I like to think they slide along the curve and fly right off the end, and also that they go, "Wheeeeeeeeeee!" while doing it."
Yes, you're probably right. Like the littlest piggie in the nursery rhyme, in fact: going wheee, wheee, wheee! - all the way home....
Why do they build them that way? Because of ghosts.
Um. I see you are mixing up ghosts with (elemental) spirits. The same principles apply, and the two forms share the same plane, but they are different beings.
I am certified in Feng Shui. I never kne about this straight line deal. It's probably not mainstream Chinese superstition though ... but there's all kinds of stuff those heathens know that I, a mere infidel, never heard about ... being a gringo, that is.
Perhaps we should call the game and ask to see the card. You know, the proof that Chines thinks sprits (ghosts?) are linear-bound.
It might be because they're "blind" forces (pre-programmed for a single function ... no wavering or looking around. Like a bullet. Bullets rick-o-shay off those curvy roofs.
The Zhenren above the xian "transcendent immortal" taught the upside down man supernatural awarenesses and how to deflect energy back to its source. Now if you come back; there haunting your future cycle ; Captured and projected.
After reading AOS' words again I think the banishing fundament is quite clear. In this context, my guess is that the camera would serve as a magical weapon of sorts to protect the operator from the elementals, while the source or point of reference from where the elementals make their whole cycle would be the operator itself.
But this would leave the habitation open to the risk of being flooded, and the dwelling cut off. So that only the Triangle would then remain on the face of the Great Water.
This leaves the sole question: whether there is a boat (canoe) in the attic?
You want both the boat in the attic, and an axe to chop a hole in the roof to get the boat out of the attic (or at least a roof-hatch), in these flood plains.
open to the risk of being flooded, and the dwelling cut off.
Only the most primitive and stupid people, or person, would build a house in the "Jade Belt," (the inside curve of a river), without assuring that said pad was above the flood line.
You want both the boat in the attic, and an axe to chop a hole in the roof to get the boat out of the attic (or at least a roof-hatch), in these flood plains.
Yes, agreed, once we have established there is a bat boat (kayak) in the attic, an axe would come in useful to make a hole in it (the attic, not scuppering the boat). Unless the inhabitants were to lower said vessel out through the enormously wide (for panoramic views?) window on the floor immediately below, at the first sign of extreme flooding.
(I was wondering where the door was, and whether the inhabitants might have to use a ladder to get in through the window, that is until it occurred to me they might have a door round the other side.)
Only the most primitive and stupid people, or person, would build a house in the "Jade Belt," (the inside curve of a river), without assuring that said pad was above the flood line.
Ah, but we're taking it these are exceptional, if not interesting times (which they are), and that a particularly "great" flood would smash thorough and inundate all previous records & defences.
Maybe it was caused by a nearby minor asteroid/ meteorite strike?
No matter how unprimitive or unstupid, not to mention industrious and ever-prepared the inhabitant/s might in fact be, they wouldn't be able to stand up to that. But I accept that in normal (rather than exceptional) times there would be no useful need for a boat or an axe in said attic, that the boat at least would be unnecessarily taking up valuable storage space, and that ordinarily I suppose it wouldn't be there. Maybe it's (there's one) tethered round the river bend?
Say, I'm having so much fun discussing this I've almost forgot we're supposed to be talking (writing) about Austin SpareAleister Crowley Austin Spare?
It is apparently quite common for folks in the hurricane flood plains of Louisiana and Texas to have both an inflatable dinghy and an axe in the attic.
Checking amazon, an inflatable dinghy that would hold three persons and two dogs (such as i might need if i did not live 157 feet above sea level) costs about $100 (most come with free paddles), and a good axe can be had for $25.
So it may be that folks are neither primitive, stupid, or unaware of their elevation, but are just poor enough that $125 is a lot more affordable than moving to somewhere less aqueous.
Of course, Shiva referred to those who would build houses in floodable locations, not those who live in them, and they are most likely not primitive, stupid, or unaware of elevation either, but rather just greedy and evil.
Smugly,
ignant157
[revised after realizing the $50 dinghies were all actually too small for more than 2 persons and one dog]
It is apparently quite common for folks in the hurricane flood plains of Louisiana and Texas to have both an inflatable dinghy and an axe in the attic.
that folks are neither primitive, stupid, or unaware of their elevation, but are just poor enough that $125 is a lot more affordable than moving to somewhere less aqueous.
Of course, Shiva referred to those who would build houses in floodable locations, not those who live in them, and they are most likely not primitive, stupid, or unaware of elevation either, but rather just greedy and evil.
A vital distinction, in these avaricious and materialistic (end-)times, with "those that live in them" not greedy and evil themselves, but rather conned, unlucky and put-upon!
Do you at least live on the second floor (aka "first floor" to you illogical Brits), or above?- that'll get you another 12 feet or so per story. When i still lived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (elevation 16 feet), i was happy indeed that i lived on the third (aka "second" in UK-ese) floor, and considered buying a dinghy.
Might want to hit amazon.co.uk and start pricing out dinghies, and perhaps axes depending on window/roof configuration!
Well, then, at least you get your chance to swim for it.
Another alternative to the whole dinghy/life-jacket plan, is, of course, joining the E.'. O.'. D.'., and becoming, um, Innsmouth-y. There is the risk that one may become a tad bit squamous, but at least you won't drown. And there is the whole immortality thing too.
I had no idea there were ever hurricanes in the UK, but with the last two in 1987, and 1968, you are in better shape than most coastal Americans. For comparison, New York is pretty far north of the tropics, and not very hurricane-prone. Since 1968, there have been 14 hurricanes that killed people in NY state, most recently this week.
Yes, hurricanes are as mysterious as the roses on the rose crux. I wonder if they may have some sorts of structuring function also, for instance lowering crime for a time.
I had no idea there were ever hurricanes in the UK, but with the last two in 1987, and 1968, you are in better shape than most coastal Americans.
Yep I can vouch for that. After spending the last 20 years mostly in Florida on the east coast, I can attest that 'canes are a royal pain in the ass. Been through several of 'em, and a few of those came close to doing us in. Oh and they got my book collection all soggy. 😭 That's why I'm moving back up to Detroit next week, for good. Between 'canes, extreme heat, and the virus, I'm done with this hell-pit.
BTW Crowley did visit Florida for a minute or two -- I think he had relatives in Clearwater -- but he had the good sense to get out. Anyone living in England and thinking of visiting: you're better off staying put. Nothing here but old people, mosquitos, gators, snakes and storms.
Nothing here but old people, mosquitos, gators, snakes and storms.
I thought you had Miami Vice and ruthless drug runners. Has the pipeline swung away from FLA?
The glory days of Miami Vice are long gone, dude. This virus killed all the good parties. It's pretty boring here these days. And besides, recreational weed isn't even legal yet here as it is in Detroit! Old people don't vote for anything fun.
In this version I've used one half of the middle column and most of the fifth column. Starting at the bottom I worked my way to the top and decided to turn there to get the gemini in the "right place" in relation to Leo. It seems like the crosses and X's position them selves between the four cardinal points quite nicely, but it's very troublesome to compile everything so that it fits together. I think the second column also is meant to be dealt with in the same manner as the fifth column. Time will show.
The quadriga from The Book Of Pleasure (The Psychology Of Ecstasy)
You might be hanging out with normal old people. They are subject to the Law of the bell-shaped curve.
You (anyone) may find their grade, level, or degree of evo/devo-lution with this interesting chart. The highest point (in the green zone) represents age 40, but most folks can stretch it to 50 without anyone catching on. The first red zone (child-hood), and the red portion of the crashing spiral (vacated), represent people who should not be allowed to vote.
The cannabis laws vary in in/con-ception. To start with, "the people" had to get signatures on a reefer-endum paper.Since almost everyone ignores the restrictive, Deep State laws against reeferism, the sigs are not hard to collect. Then THE PEOPLE vote, and this usually results in the restrictive rules being inserted up the lawmaker's behind part, and THE PEOPLE then get to practice reeferism. Medical grass usually comes first ... it is the Trojan Cow Horse.
But then, sometimes, the lawmaker's act for THE (Sick) PEOPLE, especially when they get a look at the potential tax income. Here in New Mexican, the lawmakers themselves enacted the COMPASSIONATE CARE ACT for Medical Cannabis. As you know, Compassion is the Vice of Miami Kings and Potentates, everywhere..
I (we?) look forward to an account of your interstate flight to avoid the reptiles, the wet winds, and the elderly. If you had consulted me before you left Detroit, I would have consulted the Yi on your behalf, and it would have said, "I furthers one to not dwell in the swamps next to the great water." But I guess, for some unknown reason, the universe decided you needed a taste of what will happen if you don't repent.
I (we?) look forward to an account of your interstate flight to avoid the reptiles, the wet winds, and the elderly. If you had consulted me before you left Detroit, I would have consulted the Yi on your behalf, and it would have said, "I furthers one to not dwell in the swamps next to the great water." But I guess, for some unknown reason, the universe decided you needed a taste of what will happen if you don't repent.
I look forward to being home again after so long. I grew up right on the Huron River, and I miss it dearly. But the ordeals I suffered through in Florida and Alabama really taught me a lot about myself and humanity. Seeing the ways in different parts of the world, back in the 1980s when I traveled the world in the Navy, showed me differences abroad, and taught me culture and appreciation for history. But my trials and tribulations in the Deep South of the USA showed me a whole dark side of humanity that I had no idea about when I was confined to New York, Chicago and Detroit.
I certainly lost a lot, financially and materially. I mean, priceless books, antiques - and much more importantly, thousands of pages of brilliant stuff I wrote back in the 80s and 90s, just blown to oblivion by storms. I'd need a time machine to get it back. I had this really clever and effective magical adaptation of the rites of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, which I don't think I could ever redesign quite right. I used these rites to open magical portals, using Crowley as a nexus in place of Osiris, then opening the door through Crowley to Aiwaz, in a certain manner. I had a tiny (mostly) nationwide thing going with that magical engine, with around 150 or so others (over time) working along those lines; it was known as the Temple Order Teitanas. I wish I could find someone who worked with that magical engine, to find a single copy of those rites. I have found a couple of individuals, but only one of those is still alive that I know of, and he lost his copies to a mugger back in the 90s.
Anyway, I have something much better going on now. And without all those bad experiences, I wouldn't have gotten stronger-willed, wiser about the ways of the world, or more advanced in various respects. And I wouldn't have met the love of my life - so there's that too!
BTW I apologize to the rest of the forum for going so far off-topic. Obviously none of this has much to do with Spare's camera.
I certainly lost a lot, financially and materially.
Yes. It doesn't matter where the loss takes place, it merely confirms that you were smart or stupid enouch to put your foot on the spiritual Path. It is a self-confirmed fact that everything on the physical plane is not taken away - only that to which I was I was attached or reliant upon. (I'll keep that in the first person - someone else might have secretly kept some important item and want to argue if I proclaim it as a universal principle).
Relationships are almost always doomed to the shredder (intimate, friends,, associates).
After the typhhoon (Tai Feng, in Chinese pinyin) blows out (Nirvana = "to blow out"), then things become stable. Sometimes old associates become associated again.
"Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go - after the blow?
You know, and I'm sure you agree with Mr white who said, "Go where you feel most comfortable. That is where you will be most receptive."
I had a tiny (mostly) nationwide thing going with that magical engine, with around 150 or so others (over time) working along those lines; it was known as the Temple Order Teitanas.
"He is stripped of all his attainments and of himself as well, even of his Holy Guardian Angel ..."
Obviously none of this has much to do with Spare's camera.
Spare's camera was apparently a painting of a box camera. Now i can agree that elementals travel in a straight line, if by that we mean "they are single-minded, blind forces." So how do they see the camera (painting) and change course? With Chinese roofs we can invoke physics (... "in a straight line unless acted upon by some outside force" or curvy roof). But the camera concept involves the spirit seeing the camera and changing course to avoid it.
Also, I know some cultures believe one is stealing their soul (or a part of it) when one takes their photo. Some cultures allow this, but one must pay for the part stolen. But I never heard that elementals hated cameras. It's true, we don't have a lot of their pictures. I wonder if it's just a matter of them being in another dimension? A dimension that anyone (conditions apply) can see with a legal chemical boost. I never had much luck getting photos of anything in those extracurricular dimensions. I have "made up" pictures and videos. Is that like a painting of a box camera?
- The illustration from Zos Speaks! deals with the senses camera (the eye and the visual cortex), the picture probably the memory. I think it's a joke too with fun facts. It may be another way of saying that the demon don't want to manifest physically detectable to the senses, and that it usually only happens under the pentagram of compulsion. A nice parallel to your funfact: "Also, I know some cultures believe one is stealing their soul (or a part of it) when one takes their photo", although I don't know what danger a demon faces by manifesting physically :=)))
"Karkir throws cold water on Aleisterion for going too far off topic."
the demon don't want to manifest physically detectable to the senses
Well, yes. We know that spirits don't want to manifest. This is the most difficult part of an evocation. Demons that won't obey are to have their sigils placed in black boxes with stinking substances, according to our textbook. This is why people don't see them regularly and pictures of them are rare or non-existent. I would think attributing "they don't want" to them is misleading. They are blind forces, part of our subconscious magical engine system. They get seen by folks who have a natural vision in these other dimensions, or by those who develop such an ability.
