Hey BALG,
This past year I 've been diving pretty heavy into runes and the elements to better understand the magic of the Here and Now.
In 2015 I am turning my attention to the Planets to better understand the macrocosm and its forces. Along with my elemental and rune work I have been studying both the Hermetic view of Planetary Magic (Governors of Spheres, Intelligences…etc) and the Gates of the Necronomicon, as both fascinate me.
My readings on both paths show that there is no clearly better path for me. Both will help me incorporate the energies into my sphere.
So with no clear “winner” I thought I would do a little test. As I am sure most of you know, the NEC. Current has a book designed for practical magic known as “The Necronomicon Spellbook” and is basically sigil magic with 50 names of Marduk (A god who oversees the Sphere of Jupiter)
While the closest thing I can find that would be comparable on the Hermetic side is The New Avatar Power. (I have done some research and I noticed that a few people place all of the spirits listed in NAP in the Sphere of Mercury.)
So I have two books with similar styles of practical magic. Both have a planetary correspondence, both rely on minimal tools, both rely on gaining an altered state of mind, raising power, and then speaking barbarous words of power to get the spirits attention and cause change.
So here is what I am going to do. I am going to find 10 things (of varying difficulties) I want changed in my life and then split them into 2 groups of 5. I will then over the course of a few months use one of the systems to attack my problem(s).
The only change I will make is to light a candle for the spirit whose help I asked for. I read that on Brother Moloch’s blog as he described doing so during some of his early work with NAP. I will follow suit as to honor the spirit and remind it of its task.
What ever system gets me the best results wins, and I will presue planetary initiation through that current.
I welcome any suggestions or critiques. I also welcome you dear reader to watch as I either find my path with the Angels …or get possessed by an Elder God.
Thanks for reading,
L