What is an Ophidian Current?

[mr tree]

The stuff on the Internet has only fragmented descriptions and without references.

[Jim Eshelman]

The stuff on the Internet has only fragmented descriptions and without references.

As Crowley wrote in Magick Without Tears, which I think is the only one time he ever used the term in print:

"...the thaumaturgic engine disposes of a type of energy more adaptable than Electricity itself, and both stronger and subtler than this, its analogy in the world of profane science. One might say, that it is electrical, or at least one of the elements in the "Ring-formula" of modern Mathematical Physics.

"In the R.R. et A.C., this is indicated to the Adept Minor by the title conferred upon him on his initiation to that grade: Hodos Camelionis:—the Path of the Chameleon. (This emphasizes the omnivalence of the force.) In the higher degrees of O.T.O.—the A∴A∴ is not fond of terms like this, which verge on the picturesque—it is usually called 'the Ophidian Vibrations,' thus laying special stress upon its serpentine strength, subtlety, its control of life and death, and its power to insinuate itself into any desired set of circumstances.

"It is of this universally powerful weapon that the Secret Chiefs must be supposed to possess complete control."

[Alias55A]

The stuff on the Internet has only fragmented descriptions and without references.

As Crowley wrote in Magick Without Tears, which I think is the only one time he ever used the term in print:

"...the thaumaturgic engine disposes of a type of energy more adaptable than Electricity itself, and both stronger and subtler than this, its analogy in the world of profane science. One might say, that it is electrical, or at least one of the elements in the "Ring-formula" of modern Mathematical Physics.

"In the R.R. et A.C., this is indicated to the Adept Minor by the title conferred upon him on his initiation to that grade: Hodos Camelionis:—the Path of the Chameleon. (This emphasizes the omnivalence of the force.) In the higher degrees of O.T.O.—the A∴A∴ is not fond of terms like this, which verge on the picturesque—it is usually called 'the Ophidian Vibrations,' thus laying special stress upon its serpentine strength, subtlety, its control of life and death, and its power to insinuate itself into any desired set of circumstances.

"It is of this universally powerful weapon that the Secret Chiefs must be supposed to possess complete control."

Is it an "engine" or something we can tune into with our minds? And also what you describe sounds similar to Reich'es Orgone energy, possibly.

[TheSilent1]

I believe that the term is analogous to the awakening of the kundalini "serpent power"

[Jim Eshelman]

Or, more broadly (less specifically), what is historically called "the Great Magical Agent."

(If we're using the word "kundalini" carefully, the thing it describes doesn't per se accomplish everything described.)

[TheSilent1]

gotcha

[Frater LA]

Personally, it helps me to remember that not only the Kundalini is represented by a serpent.

On the caduceus, where the Kundalini is instead represented by the staff, the Ida and Pingala, representing the oppositely flowing currents, are also represented by snakes.

One is the power itself. The others are the balancing influences on that power, a slightly different meditation. But I think the key term in any idea of an Ophidian "Current," psychologically speaking, is "identification with the snake" as a means to understand the "vampiric" quality of early human psychological development, inherent to the qualities described astrologically as Neptune.

Sorry, I just got finished reading Taking the Kid Gloves off Astrology, by Garth Allen, and it may give you some clues as to why I'm feeling so inspired at the moment that I decided to bust out in song when I should be working on my thesis...

[TheSilent1]

I wonder:

The further my pursuits in Magick lead, the more it seems that my life is being propelled or even carried by some great force. This force seems to, for lack of a better word, "quicken" experiences, and it also seems to come in "tides" and these tides seem to coincide with astrological occurrences. I find that I have to catch the wave (either by will or by circumstance) and ride it out no matter how turbulent knowing that eventually it will even out until the next wave.

Could this be more akin to the Ophidian Current?

[Jim Eshelman]

It is an example of why the current is sometimes called ophidian.

You should be able to track these waves astrologically BTW - mostly from simple transits to the natal horoscope.

[TheSilent1]

Thanks Jim,

That is my next goal after I finish riding out the crest of this current situation. I have learned a great deal from this last wave especially in my home life and attempting to create a form a stability for some time. Looking back, I am starting to believe that I have been subject to the Will of the current my entire life and have now become aware of it and am able to steer my little boat.

This last "wave" has been a great initiation: my probationer period has begun, I did my first successful evocation of a goetic spirit with full visible manifestation (using a synthesis of Bardon and GD), and had completed a 6 month long alchemical experiment. The result: a 700 mile move to a town with montains and trees (from the florida swamplands) and a major promotion in my job=more money less work! Feeling a like a real magician for the first time since I started down this path 4 years ago.

72

[Alias55A]

Or, more broadly (less specifically), what is historically called "the Great Magical Agent."

(If we're using the word "kundalini" carefully, the thing it describes doesn't per se accomplish everything described.)

Soooo... ok I'm still a bit confused. Kundalini but not the kundalini in a sense of what it does? Or does it have to do with kundalini energy and the manipulation of some force there of, the serpent power? Or the complete control of sexual energy?

@TheSilent1:
Thats awsome to here your success, especially with the fully manifested spirit. Currently my goal after I get out of school here in florida is to get the hell out of dodge, to a place with BIG rocks and BIG trees . Just a question, how long did it take to accomplish what you did out of the goetia?

[Jim Eshelman]

Or, more broadly (less specifically), what is historically called "the Great Magical Agent."

(If we're using the word "kundalini" carefully, the thing it describes doesn't per se accomplish everything described.)

Soooo... ok I'm still a bit confused. Kundalini but not the kundalini in a sense of what it does? Or does it have to do with kundalini energy and the manipulation of some force there of, the serpent power? Or the complete control of sexual energy?

Though we often use "kundalini" casually, it more rigorously refers to specific manifestations of energy through specific channels, more than the underlying broad category of energy. I was saying that this term isn't referring to the former per se. Also, one shouldn't limit kundalini to sexual energy as such, since that's only one form (of many) that the energy takes.

I'm not trying to be obscure. It's that this specific category of energy doesn't have a conventional term for it other than the one I used before: "the Great Magical Agent." Levi spent several books describing its behavior under that term.

[TheSilent1]

@TheSilent1:
Thats awsome to here your success, especially with the fully manifested spirit. Currently my goal after I get out of school here in florida is to get the hell out of dodge, to a place with BIG rocks and BIG trees . Just a question, how long did it take to accomplish what you did out of the goetia?

Well, I can't give a direct answer to that question. First off all, I have been practicing the MP approximately 3 times a day for 3 years. I have been meditating and practicing yoga for about 7 years. The specific technique of creating a material basis for manifestation I have been told to keep it a secret. I can tell you what books to read that hint at it: Franz Bardon's Initiation Into Hermetics and The Practice of Magical Evocation, you should also read Regardie's Eye in the Triangle about Crowley's first goetic evocation, and also read the Taphthartharath evocation. It's all in plain sight you just have to be clever enough to figure it out.

I should also add that the goetic experiment was the crown of an alchemical working. I became the God of the sphere of the spirit so it made the whole evocation quite simple.

Good Luck,
72

[Jim Eshelman]

I should also add that the goetic experiment was the crown of an alchemical working. I became the God of the sphere of the spirit so it made the whole evocation quite simple.

That's definitely the secret! <g> - Evocation pointers are in Sample Ritual No. 8 of 776 1/2.

[TheSilent1]

I should also add that the goetic experiment was the crown of an alchemical working. I became the God of the sphere of the spirit so it made the whole evocation quite simple.

That's definitely the secret! <g> - Evocation pointers are in Sample Ritual No. 8 of 776 1/2.

I was speaking more specifically of a particular type of material basis, but yes, I totally concur with you Jim that one must have mastered the techniques of liber o.

[Jim Eshelman]

I was speaking more specifically of a particular type of material basis, but yes, I totally concur with you Jim that one must have mastered the techniques of liber o.

Liber O wasn't what I was talking about, but... close enough