The LVX Signs and A.'. A.'. Grade Signs

[RegentLynx]

Thanks for this great book, "Pearls of Wisdom", Jim, you have a real talent for stripping away the obscurities and getting to the essence of the teachings, thanks for your efforts. Reading Chapter 7 on The Hexagram Ritual reminded me of something I have never been able to understand. The section I am particularly talking about is the one beginning on page 84 where you discuss the Analysis of the Key Word. Here you say, "Because this...formulation is based on the exact resurrection myth of Osiris that Thelema rejects...most Thelemic magicians reject this formula". Then you offer three solutions to this problem, i.e. 1.) Discover and Use a New Formula 2.) Substitute and use the Qabalistic Cross instead 3.) Use the traditional Osirian Formula anyway since it does represent some apparent facts of nature, for example, your example of the Stages of Loss and Grief. I certainly too can see and feel the outdatedness of the Osirian World Myth, especially the concepts of the Glorification of Suffering and Vicarious Atonement. Ok, I'll quit rambling about all of these things which seem self evident. What has always puzzled me is why The LVX signs which are so tied up with this Dying God Formula are yet in fact the A.'.A.'.'s 5=6 Grade Signs?

[Jim Eshelman]

The simplest, unromantic answer? The Founders didn't change any of the GD signs.

A deeper answer, though, is that it's possible to look at these signs in different ways. Meaning isn't intrinsic, it's something we bring to things. There isn't an official teaching in A.'.A.'. on this, so I won't give you one... just invite you to find your own understanding in the signs. One hint (or, rather, something to play with): Consider that there is some pattern wherein these four signs relate to the four quarters of the Sun. Another hint: How does the same myth cycle look from the p.o.v. of some other character besides Osiris.

PS. Thanks for the kind words on Pearl

[RegentLynx]

Wow, thanks for the reply, that was really quick

Ok, I'll play around with your "hints" and see what I can come up with. Your welcome , for the "kind words on Pearl"...As I said, you have a real talent for teaching, it's always appreciated.

[RegentLynx]

After ruminating a little on your first hint the most obvious answer is that this cycle could easily relate to the Sun's Diurnal Solar Course as it appears in Nature. Osiris being a Sun God represents just that, however he seems to be "slain at eventime, which could be represented by "L" The Mourning of Isis (sunset), at last the Darkness seems to entirely overtake the "Light" which could be represented by "V" Typhon-Apophis (midnight), then after everything runs it's natural course, their is the Sunrise which seems to naturally be attributed to "X" Osiris Risen (dawn).

Does anyone else have any further insights into the LVX Signs? If so, I would love to hear them.

[Hermitas]

My own...

L the Love of Nuit (contorted in ecstasy)

V the Victory of Hadit

X the crook and flail of Heru-Ra-Ha

[Jim Eshelman]

Excellent, guys. Since this is now a discussion rather than one-sided, I'll share my own way of relating the four signs and three magical images to the quarters. (Sign names and gods attributed are used only for identification purposes, not because they necessarily have anything to do with the sign.)

Osiris (slain). Sunset, Slain God image. Cross sign as phallus, erect & proud.

Isis. Midnight. Swastika includes the cross within it (the phallus deep within her). Copulating & fertilized feminine as (say) spiral galaxy within the midnight sky.

Apophis. Sunrise. Solar child image with upreaching arms bursting into life at sunrise.

Osiris (risen). Noon. King image. Pentagram, mature responsible for all. "The Ling & the Land are one."

As adepts of Temple of Thelema know, there is much more sitting underneath this pattern, a distinctive myth cycle of its own.

[RegentLynx]

Thanks, these attributions give me quite a bit more to meditate upon.

[Hermitas]

Yes, I appreciate all the thoughts as well.

I left off the Cross earlier. I struggle to put words to it that fit with the de-emphasis of Osirian suffering.

I was thinking, though, of something like, "The Cross - the Crucible of Will."

As crucible - "a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development"

...indicating the cross of the elements and the rose that blooms upon it.