Secret Societies: An Obsession.

Green man is obsessed and fascinated with secret societies, brotherhoods, hidden meanings, codes, rituals and any other occult learning. Yet, I do not believe in the conspiracy theories that swirl around them. on how they are planning to take over the world. A plan that nefarious and global in reach would have been leaked by some disgruntled member by now. It seems they are more interested in improving themselves through hidden knowledge and sacred rituals, and the betterment of mankind than world domination. I am interested in the knowledge, mysticism, pageantry, ritual and mystique of it all. That said, of course I would be interested in learning any occult theories for bringing about an increased, socially liberal societal structure that is modernist and open-minded in its vision.

Being an historian by education, I have great appreciation for the traditions of these organizations. I am a scholar who wants to understand the importance of these traditions. I am a man of learning who is a great admirer of the celebrated thinkers of the enlightenment, and feel that humanity should always be in a constant state of improvement through pursuing enlightened ideas in society. We should constantly be challenging ourselves to make sure that we are pursuing the light of wisdom; as well as the freedom of men and women everywhere to live as they may and do what thou wilt as Mr. Crowley said, so wisely a century ago.

I have been studying these brotherhoods and societies for years upon years and am familiar with many of them. I was raised Mormon and am thus aware of some Masonic rituals, as Joseph Smith once was a Mason. However, I found Mormonism to be toxic to my mind, so I my opinion of Freemasonry is a bit tainted. It seems too "Christian" for where my spiritual and mystical motivations lie. I am less interested in the Judeo-Christian schools of mysticism and prefer ones aligned with pagan or a non-traditional ethos; such as organizations that celebrate sexuality and free minded approaches to the world. So long as I get to wear a hooded robe and/or other regalia of a secret school of learning--Ha!! I enjoy discussing little understand, and talked about ideas--ideas that might seem radical or strange to those with a conservative minded view of the world. In short, I am interested in pursuing illumination of the mind and body.

I dig through countless documents, discussion boards, blogs and books about these secret societies and have to laugh over the some of the conspiracies thrown around about these groups. For example, the fear some conspiracy theorists have over a one world government. I am not against a "New World Order" in the sense that I think a global community where knowledge and honoring our animal instincts while always being tempered by the honed mind is welcome. The idea of one giant country sounds pretty cool, actually. The same is true with the one world currency that conspiracy theorists dread. Perhaps it would help stabilize this world that has gotten, so far from the light of intelligence and reason. I am for anything that ushers in a less primitive way of thinking about others and man's potential in this world.

So, to any secret orders out there--I'm interested in speaking with you. Contact me: jaymur@gmail.com To the rest who fear the unknown? Try opening up your mind for once, you'd be amazed at the wonderfully interesting world it will present for you. That's all for now...(Green man makes the sign of the pyramid with his two hands and then bows before publishing this post).

PHOTO: A UV ink tattoo of the "All-Seeing Eye" on the pyramid, which is a common symbol of occultists and secret orders. These type of tattoos can only be seen when placed under UV light or black light, so they'd be great for secret societies--and I'm sure some use them. However, there are some drawbacks with them; such as too much sun exposure causing them to appear visible over time.

~The Green Man has Spoken~

Sacred Sexuality.

Perhaps one of the biggest crimes in human history has been the imprisonment, control and demonization of sexuality by the world religions. As children of our great Mother Earth, we have been blessed with beautiful sexual organs but rather than celebrate and treasure them we have for too long shackled them from performing their magical powers. It's very tragic and sad that modern religions have strayed from seeing sexuality as a gift to be used to transcend consciousness and merge with the great ecstasy of the divine consciousness.

There are those who call it, "sex magick" because it has such a powerful ability to change states of mind. In times of depression, sexuality can lift one's spirit and consciousness to a healthier state of confidence and empowerment. In times of anxiety and stress it can be a spell that transforms that toxic energy into sexual energy, which is a healthier form of pent-up energy that can be released in powerful, torrents of orgasmic, sexual release. It leaves one's body relaxed, light, emotionally calm and full of loving joy. How could that not be a good thing, and something to celebrate from the rooftops of civilization!! Well, since not everyone is as enlightened about sexuality, I'll keep the celebrating to the blog.

Masturbation, for example, is a great way to feel better about yourself in a environment controlled by you that is a safe and fun way to get to explore your sexuality. It is tragic that we brainwash our children through religious fear to avoid touching their bodies and to see their sex organs as tools of the devil unless used properly. I was one of those kids. I was raised in a very strict, conservative household where masturbation was a sin and a sign of a bad child. So, I am on a mission to liberate masturbation from the closest of forbidden lusts; because one of the reasons masturbation is so beneficial to teens and adults is that it improves self-esteem.

One of the ways that masturbation can be transcendental is through orgasm control. In guys, (I'm focusing on guys simply because that's who I know best) this if often referred to as, "edging" which means building the sexual energy and enjoyment of your phallus to the "edge of orgasm" without cuming. It intensifies with each stroke of the hand as your ride just along the edge of sexual release; but just as important is backing off before you release your sacred seed too soon. This can be hard when you are in the moment but be patient and practice because once you can build your orgasm for an hour or so the explosion of pleasure is beyond this world. It'll be the hardest, longest and most ample orgasmic emission that you'll ever experience. The closest I have experienced this kind of transcendental pleasure outside sexuality is the drug ecstasy, which I think everyone who is of sound mind and body should try once in their lifetime--(just make sure you drink plenty of water if you do. But not too much--a tall glass of water every hour should do).

Anyway, for guys, be careful you don't edge to the point of blue balls because then you have over-shot the peak of spiritually orgasmic union with the ultimate Consciousness. Thus, the power you feel will be decreased. This is the Cosmic Consciousness referred to by all the great occultists. The Cosmic Consciousness is the idea that universe exists as a interconnected network of consciousness that permeates all things: us, animals, rocks, water, air, earth, fire, etc. This is best described I think from the Indra's net example. Indra's net is a cosmic metaphorical net that permeates the fabric of space and time; each node where the net connects together being a different consciousness/sentient being (us) or any other type of spacial, elemental and material form.

Therefore, if we can tap into the network more fully and experience the collective Cosmic Consciousness then we will get a glimpse of what it feels like to experience total transcendence of suffering. This is what I think is going on at the moment of orgasm. It is tapping into that vast network where a pleasure in one's mind-body is multiplied by accessing the collective energy of the net or grid. So, if we can engage in sexuality that is combined with a type of meditative centering and letting go of boundaries we can experience a near out of body orgasm that allows us to see the greater potential of the spirit--of the Cosmic consciousness. A spiritual orgasm, if you will.

Tapping into this grid through sexuality is, so powerful and explosive that it's like crossing a power-line with a metal rod--it sends electric pulses of power rushing through your body until near physical collapse. But, just like any spiritual tool, sex mustn't be viewed as the goal but rather a tool to access the ultimate goal of merging one's consciousness with the Cosmic Consciousness, so we are always at one and at peace with all things. This is a glimpse of one aspect to the "Great Work" that occultists like Aleister Crowley and those in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn taught/teach and spoke/speak of. It is our inheritance to be liberated through sexuality, so cherish it and practice, practice, practice!!

P.S. - I don't hear any masturbatory groans and moans, yet--so, get to it!! Ha!!

~The Green Man has Spoken~

The Green Man's Curse Part II.

[If you missed part one of this three part series then just click on this sentence to start from page one]That opened my eyes to the world of the occult for the first time but it wouldn't be the last time during my two years in that surreal region of the world. It also began to fill in the picture as to why this place had a palpable energy to it that saturated everything as if it were brought in by the heavy, moisture drunk morning haze. I knew that I had to play by Mother Africa's rules or I might never be the same again but my stubborn teen-age faith in my "God" was too indoctrinated to admit that I was already forever changed. I was aware that Africa was certainly going to be one of the pillars of the temple that is my unfolding life as it continues to be built with each searing disappointment and every drug rush of success. However, unbeknown to me it at the time it was also changing me in ways that stalk the darkest, coldest, corners of my consciousness to this day.

It wasn't long after my encounter with the priest that I began to unravel mentally as I was assaulted with one barely surmountable wave of stress after another but time has a way of pouring away from one's consciousness while one is consumed with missionary zeal. So, within what seemed like days I was informed that I was to be transferred to a new village further north into the interior of the Ivorian jungle. I road upon a bus crammed with people and a small farm of chickens and goats. Our driver did some Indianopolis 500 style driving to avoid killing us all in the chaotic streets of the capital city, Abidjan but finally we were out on a thin concrete vein of a road funneling us deeper and deeper into the green heart of the Ivory Coast. We drove past countless long-haul truckers heading to Burkina Faso or Mali with dangerously overloaded cargo, which often toppled a truck over. Reaching the medium sized village of Yamoussoukro was a bit like going back in time to discover a land frozen in time.

Yamoussoukro is the home village of the first president of the Ivory Coast after their French Colonial masters couldn't steal, enslave, extract or develop anymore resources from the country. Only then did they "graciously grant" the Ivorians independence. At the time when the country was little more than a French outpost, the village of Yamoussoukro was a small, cocoa producing collection of huts and colonial buildings. Once the first president took power though things drastically changed. He spent obscene amounts of money trying to turn it into the new capital city as the recently independent country stretched its long shackled arms. He bulldozed good farm land to make way for 4 and 6 lane highways that he expected the new growing capital would need but like with many African countries the money became scarce. So, despite a few parliament buildings and a very out of place, modern European-style hotel the development came to a stop. Those main traffic arteries built went no further and newly build modern style neighborhoods were cut off from the rest of the village. It was strange to walk a deserted major highway and follow it until it just ends at a wall of jungle.

So, there I was in this odd, part traditional, African village that was also a part semi-modernized city with roads that go nowhere, and parliament buildings that stand unused (except for a few days a year when the leaders convey up there). The rest of the time they keep those fancy buildings pumping out the air conditioning for the "tourists" that show up--all 3 of them a day. All of these buildings are massive in scale; think the Lincoln monument or the Jefferson memorial in America. Yet just behind them lie shacks with dirt floors where average Ivorians scratch out a meager existence. At this time we were living in an old second floor building at the corner where two of these roads to oblivion intersected but no cars ever drove it. In fact, it was so quiet that when we did see or hear a car coming our direction we knew they were coming to our place.

So, one night I'm out late with my companion missionary (we went in twos) and we rise up to the crest of this hill to rest and replenish our lungs. Well, as I'm standing there I can see the local graveyard that has been there probably since man first walked the Earth, and it's partially exposed by an old lamp post. I blink my eyes a bit to focus and here comes this parade of people (four or so) carrying this dead cow upside down by it's four hooves. They are led by a lady dressed all in white with her face and arms painted with white paint. She's ringing bells and singing while clearly in a state of a possessive trance as she jerked her body and head around in a dizzying tornado of limbs and white cloth. I lock eyes with my Congolese friend and then look back at the cemetery where the entourage has now stopped.

The lady in white pulled out a long knife and began to behead this poor animal. They knelt down at this point in what looked like prayer before getting up and walking off with the headless carcass. The lady in white had just stepped into the shadow outside the range of the circle of light poured down by the lamp pole but the cow and two others visible in the pool of light. Suddenly before I could breath they disappeared. As in they vanished from my vision. They where half way through this spot light caring the sacrificed animal and then gone like a dream after waking up. I was paralyzed with fear but somehow I gurgled in French, "Did you see them disappear too?" My friends' eyes were as big as the white eyes of the Easter Island statues and all he could muster was a rapid barrage of nods. That's it, I said and we took off as fast as we could to get back to our upstairs haven, which we assumed was "protected by God." As it turns out, that assumption was more of a delusion (to be continued...)

The Eye of Horus and Liber Oz.

(Above: The Great Occult Beast, Aleister Crowley)

Humans are very visual creatures and many of us learn best visually. Thus, symbols have been used for eons to convey important messages without having to read long essays and books, which was quite useful during the time when most humans were illiterate. They can be very effective in impacting a wide range of people because regardless of their "official meaning" they are interpreted by each person somewhat differently. Therefore, they can have a deeper, broader and more personal impact than just repeating a bunch of words. It is with that understanding that I write today about two important symbols in my life: The Eye of Horus or All-Seeing Eye" and the "Liber Oz" symbol created by Occultist Aleister Crowley. I have put up both symbols in the right-hand column of the blog. So, first up, The Eye of Horus (picture left):

Traditionally, it is an Egyptian symbol of protection representing the deity of Horus who is one of the oldest and most important ancient Egyptian deities. Click on the name Horus (above) for additional information on him. However, now I'd like to focus on what this symbol means to me and why I find it important. In my mind, The eye represents the "ONE" the "Self" or "Higher Self." The Third Eye of Enlightenment. For Theists it would be "God." It represents the union of all that exists in what we know as our Universe. Thus, it represents perfection, balance and strength. Especially since the triangle is considered the strongest geometric shape. It is the oneness and interdependence of consciousness that the Buddhists speak of.

In my own life it is also the eye of knowledge peering through the darkness, which is thus symbolic of the triumphs of science. It represents the Great Mystery starring back at us, beckoning us to discover the clues that will lead to it's treasure, which is nothing short of full understanding of our Universe and how it works. As well as representing the hope that the answers to the questions and missing knowledge in our personal lives are out there. The rays emanating from the Great Eye represent the transmission of that understanding radiating into our lives. It is the bright sun of enlightenment warming up and melting away the cold hardness of our fears and doubts. It is a comforting and inspiring symbol, which I have tattooed upon my shoulder. Now we come to the last one, which is the "Liber Oz" symbol:It is a septagram/heptagram, or seven-pointed star, which was created by Occultist Aleister Crowley resting inside a unifying circle. The seven points represent many things but the one I prefer is that the the four points atop represent all the matter of Earth and life in total (Fire, Water, Earth and Air). And we know Earth is the realm of man, and thus science. The three points represent for me the spiritual, which is just as important as matter. Together the represent the union of everything. As I'm sure you've noticed, that collection of circles and semi-circles at the top of the star looks like an erect phallus leveled right at you. In this regard the "Liber Oz" also celebrates the penis and masculinity, which is important to me being a bisexual man.

The Bible will have you believe that "666" is the sign of "the devil" but in reality the "Great Beast" was most likely the Romans. However, because of the superstition of "666" being "Satan's" telephone number or something, and wanting to avoid stupid comments claiming I worship, "the devil" (I don't even believe in "him" so how could I worship, "him?") I've decided to erase the numbers from the symbol as it appears on this blog.

I don't want a bunch of jumping Jesus freaks coming around, harassing me with their silly exorcisms. Nor is "666" really that important to me either way -- I avoid either side in the monotheistic "death match" between "God" and "Satan." So, I have edited it to personalize the symbol for me and plan on having it tattooed on my upper thigh. Omitting the "666" in the design is also meant to cut-off any stupid remarks upon showing the tattoo to others who might not understand the deeper meaning of how I interpret, "666." Here is the final product:Surely you can see the big, black, bold letters, "Oz" surrounding the symbol. It represents Aleister Crowley's, "Liber Oz" manifesto. I will leave you with a good description of what Aleister Crowley's "Liber Oz" statement actually means. Read it here. As for the exact words of the, "Liber Oz" you can read them here.