The Maat Continuum

                                  BETA
                       A Comment on Communications
                          From the Aeon of Maat
                              by Sor.'.Nema
         published in "Cincinnati Journal of Ceremonial Magick"
                        Volume I, Number 2, 1977
                             with permission
                
    
 Beta is a commentary on the Book of Maat (Liber Pennae Praenumbra),
 also to be found at the main page on the Typhonian O.T.O.
       Nema is very interested in reactions to the Book of
       Maat. All communications may be sent via the
       hypertextlink at https://www.parareligion.ch/staley.htm to
       the Musical, Magical, Mystery Farm.


 This commentary cannot be completely satisfactory to all. A certain
 level of background knowledge is assumed; it is inevitable that some
 will see a belaboring of the obvious, while others will find a great
 deal of it incomprehensible. To the former, I pray patience; to the
 latter, I recommend an intensification of study. It will refer to the
 text according to concepts, although the main referents are sections
 and paragraphs. To begin:
 1. "By the same mouth" is the first statement of the formula of the
 Word of the Book. The speech and reception of nectar, creation and
 destruction, the cycle of Brahma - are conducted by the same mouth.
 "Mother of the Sun" - Maat is the Upper Air, wherein rides the Solar
 Barge of Ra. "Counterweight of the Heart" - the feather is in one pan,
 the heart of the dead is in the other pan of the scales of Anubis,
 judge of the dead in the court of Osiris.
 2. The "nine gates" are the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, anus,
 genitals. The senses and organs of eating, elimination, copulation, and
 excretion, are one, in that they are the interface between "self" and
 "Universe".
 3. 2= 0. The Alchemical formula of Heru produces a Superconsciousness,
 the Zero. The Black Flame, a contradiction in terms, is the Zen reality
 that moves Hadit (the observer-point) from Hod to Da'ath, outside the
 Tree. Pra-NU is Prana, Prakriti and Nuit - the Universe expressed as
 breath, matter and stars - in short, the Creating Act of Brahma.
 Title - "She-That-Moves". Presented as neuter-female motion, Maat's
 balance is dynamic, not static. She remains upright because of motion.
 4. This refers to the Isis-Osiris-Horus legend. As the Aeons progress,
 the Magickian has at his disposal the formulae from previous times in
 addition to the working formulae of his own incarnation-period.
 5. The "promised land of milk and honey" is the outer reference; in
 addition, the Hindu "Ocean of Milk" or primeval matter, is refered
 to. The Gynander is the female emphatic of Androgyne. Magickally
 speaking, there is no difference.
 6. The lord of Parts, Osiris, was installed as King of the Dead by his
 son, Horus, who is the Bird (Hawk) referred to herein. The Beast is
 Therion, who superseded the Aeon of Osiris with the Aeon of Horus by
 the writing of Liber Al.
 The Kingdom of the Sun is the territory of the Crowned and Conquering
 Child.
 The Eternal Child is Lao Tzu, and his way is the Tao.
                                DIALOGUE
 Since an AEon supposedly endures for two thousand years, the Voice
 naturally questions the presence of Maat in the AEon of Heru, which is
 only seventy years old.
 Her reply indicates that there is no hard-and-fast distinction between
 these two AEons - that Maat is Heru's vehicle, both as Feather (truth)
 and Air (prana/life). The course of the ages is well-established by
 Set/Shaitan.
 The triple Veils of Maat are the forms of lsis, Nuit, and
 BABALON - different aspects assumed according to circumstance.
 Maat is lady of space and time - Prakriti Herself. None can fix limits
 to her manifestation, since She is the totality of manifestation. The
 mouth is her instrument - inhalation, exhalation, breath and speech.
                           THE WORD OF FLIGHT
 Gods are not do-ers, but be-ers and go-ers. Balance is maintained by
 onward motion, such as the balance of the bicyclist, the airplane or
 the gyroscope. Hesitation, cowardice, indolence, distraction, or
 diverted direction all lead immediately to the Abyss and a plunge
 therein.
 The brake - the fatal flaw of god-consciousness - is the Egoself. Gods
 doubt not their powers, nor pride themselves upon their virtues. When
 Ego transforms into pure forward motion, motion without object or
 subject, then has the Magickian become a god. When motion is
 transcended, the Magickian no longer exists, is nothing.
 1&2. The bird-images are according to the Tree of life as follows:
 The Swan is Kether, as it is a glyph of Aum. The Heron as Chokmah is
 a symbol of ancient and paternal Wisdom. The Owl denotes Binah, being a
 bird of night and darkness. Also the connection with Athena is implied,
 the stern patroness.
 The Raven is the bird of Odin, assisting his rulership in Chesed. The
 Cockerel is a symbol of the warlike nature of Ceburah, in terms of
 duel-to-the-death cockfights. The Hawk, Heru, is Tifhereth.
 The Peacock is Venus' bird, the singular image for Netzach. The
 Hummingbird is a type of Mercurial swiftness for Hod. The Loon cries at
 dusk, and is a dreamlike, haunting factor of Yesod.
 The Eagle represents Malkuth in Alchemical workings. In union with the
 Lion, she resolves Malkuth again into Kether. The Ibis of the Abyss is
 Thoth, giver of Knowledge to Man, and representing the non-Sephora
 Da'ath.
 3&4. The one who snares is the Ego-self. Whether it be the Ego of
 another or the Ego of the self, the leaden results are the same. One
 cannot fly as long as one is bound to an identity. The balance of
 Anubis determines the purity of the heart-the heart versus the feather
 on the scales. Anything weighing more than Maat. Truth itself, cannot
 progress nor cross the Abyss.
 5. None can restrict the Magickian save himself.
 6. The form of the Black Flame, while having overtones of Binah, is the
 image of the Ain Soph Auer. Black is not, in this case, the absence of
 light, but the cancellation of it. The radiance and absorption is so
 finely balanced that the Astral vision percieves black as the color of
 the Flame. This is limitless light because its operative ecology
 constantly recycles all radiance without energy-loss. Matter/energy
 can only be changed, not anihilated.
 7. This is the chart of the flow of the ninety-three Current. Maat
 here declares Herself to be the Current itself - and so She is, in the
 highest form of Prana. The Andromeda Galaxy is the proximate
 large-scale focus of the Current: Sirius and So] are the small-scale
 foci. The Current's generating origins are not yet stated.
 8&9. This is a recapitulation of the godforms of the AEon of Heru.
 "Passing beyond" indicates the level of consciousness wherein the
 Magickian transcends the practice of Magick. When one ceases to exist,
 there is no possibility of "doing" anything. The veil of the
 "existence" of the Magickian is but an earthing-vehicle for the
 Current. Ritual may still be performed, but there is no-one performing
 it; it simply happens.
 10-12. Chthonos is matter-energy. Ychronos is time. Together they
 constitute the space-time continuum, and are reciprocals. The works of
 Albert Einstein are perhaps the best reference to the nature of this
 relationship; the Magickian will find himself using these supraelements
 before completely comprehending the theories. They are not
 necessarily amenable to an intellectual approach.
 13.- The remainder of this section is self-explanatory in the light of
 current historical trends of sexual equality.
                       THE SHOWING OF THE IMAGE
 The consciousness of the human race is moving toward the state which
 will signal the advent of the AEon of Maat. This is a type of
 Gestalt-Persona, wherein the individuals will share, in addition to
 their unique consciousnesses, a planet-wide awareness and empathy of
 being Man. The long-dreamed-of Utopia of the race will manifest soon.
 There does already exist small instances of this group-consciousness.
 The gestalts are not yet stabilized in the Kingdom as of this writing.
 but those working with the Current 93 in proper fashion will have
 experienced the Gestalt.
 The vulture-image is shown to demonstrate the proportionate nature of
 Death in this consciousness. The lovers of Fire are the Parsees,
 descendants of the ancient Zoroastrians.
                          THE GIVING OF THE WORD
 1-8. Again, a recapitulation of what exists.
 9-10. The reality of the Abyss, the "crossing" of which is a
 prerequisite of Maat-consciousness, is more textured than the term
 would imply. Only through the persistent exercise of the total
 individual Will, can the Abyss be transcended; the illusion of Ego is
 constantly being regenerated by the play of Nuit. The initial leap of
 accepting one's individual non-existence must be followed by continuous
 acts of death; only when the acceptance becomes an habitual mode of
 awareness at all times in the waking consciousness can one begin
 operating in terms of Maat.
 11. In operating from the dynamic equipose of Maat, the Magickian
 achieves mastery of the Compieat Transmutation. He wills the generation
 of any Ego-mask needed for the Great Work, and employs it with
 consummate artistry. Only the purely ego-less may achieve the fullness
 of Maat; and only those firmly centered in Maat may use this technique
 of Ego-generation safely and successfully.
 The ordinary human consciousness needs familiar appearances in another
 with which to relate and interact. Therefore, the Magickian becomes the
 needed person at the proper place and time for those the Current
 directs his way.
 The Dance of the Mask begins with the invocation of a suitable godform.
 From the godform is taken the essence of the Mask, which is then
 methodically brought down the Tree via each Sephora until it is
 enriched and balanced with all the subtle nuances of a
 "Nature-generated" personality. It is then earthed in the Kingdom
 through action, social intercourse, and acceptance by other "Natural"
 personalities.
 Herein lies the danger: the play of Nuit (or the veils of Maya) are so
 subtle, persuasive and convincing, that a moment's lapse of control
 renders the Mask a "reality." Then, the process of Ego-death must begin
 again... and with greater difficulty, for a perfectly-constructed
 Ego is much stronger and resistant to destruction than a "Natural". The
 greater the care and craftsmanship that went into its making, the
 stronger is its will-to-live. Also, given the nature of the Race of Man,
 the Ego-masks that are most effective in changing the consciousness of
 the "Naturals" tend to lie in the extreme ranges of the illusion of
 "good" and "evil".
 An "evil" Ego-mask is easier to control and recall to non-existence,
 generally speaking, for the subconscious pressures of the "Naturals"
 acquainted with it tend to push it into oblivion ... except in
 cases where the Magickian is working with "Naturals" who are of similar
 predisposition. A "good" mask receives the subconscious support of
 its Natural fellows, and thereby requires the utmost delicacy and
 control on the part of the Magickian. It is advisable not to
 undertake the Mask of a saint unless there is physical access to one's
 Magickal peers.
 12. A point is made here regarding the Mass of the Holy Ghost, as a
 preparation for the further instructions regarding the Mass of Maat.
 Indeed-the M.H.G. is most effectively performed by Magickians of equal
 ability who share in the Gestalt. The Eagle, having contributed her
 share of essence in the making of the Elixir, should participate in the
 consuming of it - otherwise a serious energy-imbalance results. For the
 Lion to be the only priest in this ritual is nothing more than psychic
 vampirism.
 13-15. Herein is the procedure of the Mass of Maat given. Begin with
 the statement of Thelema. Banish, then meditate, using the Word of this
 Book as mantra. This will bring to the conscious minds the reality of
 bisexuality, regardless of physical form. The Lion becomes lunar, and
 the Eagle is the active, Solar agent for the first part.
 Maat is invoked. (551)
 The lion (Air) concentrates prana in the two lower chakras as Eagle
 (Feather) stimulates his Muladhara centre and receives the first
 flowing of the Swadhishatana chakra.
 Air rises on the planes. Feather, having received the Nectar, absorbs
 it at the Anahata chakra and moves it through the Vishuda, Ajna,
 Sahasrara (where it unites with the Current), down to the Bindu and
 back through the Anahata. This is repeated, with increasing intensity
 until the Prana "fountains up" through the Sahasrara and "rains" down
 through the persona, wherein it collects in the inmost of the
 triple-chambered-shrine. (The three chambers being vulva, vagina and
 uterus.)
 This pooled Prana is the combination of the initial Prana of Air and
 the essences of the five upper chakras of Feather. Moreover, by the
 circular process described above, it is in the utmost distillation, and
 is the "gold" referred to in the text.
 Feather awakens Air in the subtlest manner possible, again assuming the
 active mode of Nu-Kali. Union follows-the outer release being
 paralleled by the Pranic union of the Nectar of gold with lion-blood
 and Eagle-tears.
 Following this, Air becomes the Solar agent and Eagle is Lunar. "By
 the same mouth" is the Elixir obtained and shared. Some may be left for
 the charging of talismans, weapons, etc. The most effective mode is
 in the Moon-time, wherein the added vibrations of chthonos-ychronos are
 manifest.
 Thelema presently operates 2=0. The Mass of Maat uses this in the form
 2+x=2/0 wherein the impossible manifests. It is a unisex working;
 role-reversal is carried to the extent of physiological possibility
 without resort to artificial implements.
 The Elixir is not a simple Alchemical combination, but is a triplicity
 (x=Maat) and, by extension, infinite. Dichotomy no longer applies.
 Energy is now a vector-function of motion, generated by three
 infinity-sources. Maat, priest and priestess are
 hermaphrodite-gynanders. By extension and in varied format, the
 Maat-working is valid for an individual or a group. The number and type
 of physical vehicles makes no difference. The homosexual possibilities
 are obvious.
 IPSOS = "IPSE" + "OS" = "the same mouth."
 Experience in its use has varied from the silent mantra-repetition to
 full-voiced vibration of it. It has moved physical objects when used
 aloud; in silence, it dissolves the self. It cannot be adequately
 discussed, only experienced.
 5. Herein is named the source of the magickal Current, first mentioned
 as coming through Andromeda. "By the same mouth"...
 Man is the source. Our children's children, unknown generations
 hence, the true Magi of the AEon of Maat, are sending us the means of
 evolution.
 They, masters of the space-time continuum, are aiding us to evolve. We
 also are the children of ourselves. Each time we venture past-wards
 into the Akasha, our presence effects a consciousness-change in those
 we observe, especially ourselves in prior incarnations.
 Past, present and future are but reference-points in the organic
 development of the Race. Entropy is a constant, physically, and
 consciousness-development is its reciprocal.
 After we have achieved the race-consciousness, we shall join the
 Comity of Stars. This is a marvellous Intelligence that has existed
 from the beginning of this cycle, and shall endure to the end. The
 youngest members are those planetary races that have achieved global
 consciousness. There are those whom we see as stars ... plasma-beings
 whose race-consciousness form the galaxies. There are the absorptive
 ones whom we percieve as masses of interstellar dust and gas, such as
 the Horsehead Nebula. There are those who are willed supernovae,
 "quasars" neutron-stars, pulsars and "black holes". The ones who are
 composed of contraterrene matter (reversed atomic charges) were the
 origins of the concept of the Qlipoth, although their natures are most
 benign.
 These Brethren await our development patiently ... when all sentient
 beings have achieved complete awareness, we unite, and transcend the
 space/time continuum entirely. This is the essence of the
 Boddhisattvic Vow. Those of us who have willed to take the
 Vow are committed to the furthering of evolution toward this Unity.
 At the Heat-Death of the Universe, Or the Night of Brahma, we will
 again form the Ylem and allow creation to occur.
 The reason for the Dance is the joy thereof ... that, and no more.
 TAT TVAM ASI.
 Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law; love is the law,
 love under will.
 By the hand of Nema.