The Eight Kriyas

The Eight Kriyas (“actions”) are simple, meditatively performed breath-patterns, believed to precipitate a substantial accumulation of Prana (the Life Force, also known as “Ki” and “Chi”) while nourishing, expanding and balancing the one’s Subtle-Body Energy System (the Aura, Chakras and Nadis).

Because this simple practice nourishes us energetically,  I find it an excellent means of grounding, rebalancing and refreshing myself in anticipation of, and especially after performing Magickal Acts.

BREATHE!

~ Some Guidelines ~

* The Kriya~breaths are best performed slowly and gently, in a relaxed physical and mental state … with all eight Kriyas being completed in a single sitting.


* Some Kriya-breaths are shallow upper-chest-only breaths, during which the abdomen is not involved. Others are deep, full-lung breaths, during which the abdomen is involved, as directed below.


* One session of Kriyas a day is sufficient for ordinary health maintenance. Up to three sessions per day can be practiced to maintain health, as well as before and after Magickal practices. More than 3 sessions a day can “over-amp” the Subtle-Body Energy System.


* Blowing one’s nose before beginning a session can help to open the nasal passages for easier nasal breathing.


* Inhalations and exhalations through the mouth are always completed through slightly parted lips.


* Every breath consists of four stages:

•  Inhalation
• Pause at top of Inhalation (as breath “turns” and reverses in direction)
•  Exhalation
• Pause at bottom of Exhalation (as breath again “turns” and reverses in direction)

* With one exception, the Ratio for Kriya-breaths is  - 8 : 4 : 8 : 4 -

• Inhale for a slow count of 8
• Pause for a slow count of 4
• Exhale for a slow count of 8
• Pause for a slow count of 4

*The single exception to the above-described ratio is for the 6th Kriya, which has no specific depth, rate or ratio. Those breaths are passively taken and released “naturally”.


* Begin your Kriya practice with 5 breaths for each Kriya, slowly and gently increasing to 10 breaths per Kriya over time, as you’re comfortably able to do so.


* If your Kriya-breathing becomes uncomfortable, take several “ordinary breaths” before resuming that Kriya-breath pattern to completion.


* Pausing for a few moments, breathing naturally, between Kriyas for your comfort is also acceptable.

~ THE KRIYAS ~

1st Kriya:
-  Inhale through nose (into upper chest, only).
- (pause)
- Exhale through nose.
- (pause)


2nd Kriya:
- Inhale through nose (into upper chest, only).
- (pause)
- Exhale through mouth (with lips slightly parted).
- (pause)


3rd Kriya:
- Inhale fully into lungs through mouth (with lips slightly parted), by expanding the abdomen outward.
- (pause)
- Exhale fully through nose (by contracting the abdomen inward).
- (pause)


* The 4th and 5th Kriyas – performed consecutively, complete one full “Alternate Nasal Breath”.

– Repeat the entire two-part breath-sequence 5 to 10 times, as usual.
– Inhale fully into lungs, expanding the abdomen – and exhale fully, contracting the abdomen.

* Position of Right hand:  Fore- and Middle fingertips lightly touch Ajna (“Third-Eye”); Thumb at right nostril; Ring- and Little fingers at left nostril.*

* If a nostril is not opening fully, it helps to slightly drag the thumb or fingers outward, to enlargen that nostril’s opening slightly.

4th Kriya:
- Close right nostril with Thumb.  Inhale fully into lungs through left nostril (expanding the abdomen outward).
- (pause)
- Close left nostril with Ring- and Little fingers.
- Move Thumb aside and exhale fully through right nostril (contracting the abdomen inward).
- (pause)

5th Kriya:
- Keeping left nostril closed with Ring- and Little fingers, and inhale fully through right nostril (expanding the abdomen).
- (pause)
- Closing right nostril with Thumb, move Ring- and Little fingers aside, exhale fully through left nostril (contracting the abdomen).
- (pause)

* Repeat 4th and 5th Kriyas sequentially a total of 5 – 10 times, as usual.


6th Kriya: These are “ordinary” (nasal only) breaths, with no specific depth, rate or pause-ratio.
- Begin by first forcefully exhaling through your nose, completely emptying the lungs.
- Then passively allow “your breath to breathe you” – as you simply observe your body’s natural, reflexive response to its impulse-urge to breathe.


7th Kriya: 
Inhale and exhale fully, through mouth (with slightly parted lips), expanding  and contracting abdomen.
- pause at top and bottom of each breath


8th Kriya:
- Inhale fully into lungs (expanding abdomen), by taking 8 equal “sips” of breath through nose.
- (pause)
- Exhale fully and smoothly through mouth (slightly parted lips), contacting abdomen.
- (pause )


Finally, relax for several minutes, breathing normally, before resuming ordinary activities, to allow the accumulated Prana to distribute and balance throughout your Subtle Body Energy System.

If you'll take the time and effort needed to learn, practice and make the Eight Kriyas a regular part of your daily routine, it can enhance your health ... and increase your ability to receive, channel and project the manifestive energies from the Magickal World into this world exponentially!

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"



Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

The Unicursal Hexagrams of Magick

The Unicursal Hexagram is a six-pointed Star that can be drawn with a single, continuous line ("Uni" = one;  "Cursal" = able to be drawn).

Although popularly believed to be the invention of the Great & Wonderful Wizard -  Aleister Crowley - it was already in occult use by the Roman Catholic Ordre Martiniste in the early 1880s, when Crowley would have been about 7 or 8 years old.  

Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Saint, Blaise Pascal alluded to the Unicursal Hexagram in his Hexagrammum Mysticum Theorem, sometime in the early 1600s.

The Thoth Tarot deck did not include the above image until 1977 - eight years after the deck was first published.

Taking a little sidestep, we come to "The Hexagram"...

Once thought to be the only possible form, and still known today simply as "The Hexagram" (aka "Star of David") is composed of two interlocking triangles.

I've posted a more recent commentary on the Magickal use of this Hexagram, which I call the Bicursal Hexagram.

Like the Pentagram, the Unicursal Hexagram has infinite layers of metaphysical meaning and value.

 And like the Pentagram, the Unicursal Hexagram can powerfully Invoke specific Magickal energetic forces - in particular, the influences of the Planets, Sun and Moon.  I generally use Unicursal Hexagrams when performing Planetary Magick.

Drawing the Planetary Unicursal Hexagrams

You may notice that I consistently trace these sacred symbols in a Clockwise (Sunwise) direction when Invoking, and a Counter-clockwise (Anti-Sunwise) direction when Releasing. This is akin to the Solar-associated Setting and Releasing of the Circle in Wiccan and Ceremonial Magick rites.

Unicursal Hexagram of the Sun

Astro Sign: Leo;
Chakra:  Sahasrara - Crown 

Tarot Trumps: VIII/XI - Strength/Lust
                                 XIX - The Sun

Solar Influences include: Joy, Happiness, Contentment, Celebration, Potency, Success, Fortune, Renown, Ambition, Pride, Tyrany

Invoking:  Begin and end drawing  at Center Point. Line meets the Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing:  Begin and end drawing at Center Point. Line meets the  Top Point while moving counter-clockwise

Universal Hexagram of Mercury

Astro Signs: Virgo, Gemini
Chakra:  Svadhisthana - Lower Belly
Tarot Trumps:  I - The Magician/Magus
                          VI - The Lovers
                          IX - The Hermit

Mercurial Influences include:  Communication (including media and means), Good Fortune, Gratitude, Gain, Memory, Understanding, Divination, Dreams. Selfishness, Poverty, Forgetfulness.

- 

Invoking:  Begin and end drawing  at Lower Left Point.  Line meets Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing:  Begin and end drawing at Lower Left Point.  Line meets Top Point while moving  counter-clockwise.

Unicursal Hexagram of Venus

Astro Signs: Taurus, Libra

Chakra: Anahata - Heart
Tarot Trumps: III - The Empress
                             V - The Heirophant
                   VIII/XI - Adjustment/Justice

Venusian Influences include:  Taurus, Libra  -  Love, Friendship, Connection, Compassion, Peace, Agreements, Cooperation, Fertility, Joy,  Can ameliorate jealousy, strife, and promiscuity.

Invoking:  Begin and end drawing at Lower Right Point.  Line meets the Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing:  Begin and end drawing  at Lower Right Point.  Line meets the Top Point while  moving  counter-clockwise.

Unicursal Hexagram of the Moon (Luna)

Astro Sign:  Cancer

Chakra: Ajna - Third-Eye
Tarot Trumps:  II - High Priestess
                          VII - The Chariot

Lunar Influences include:  Psychism, Intuition, Gratitude, Safe Travel, Physical/Mental Health, Protection from enemies, Mental/Emotional Disorders.

Waxing through Full = Works of Receiving/Magnifying;  Waning through Dark = Works of Releasing/Diminishing.

Invoking: Begin and end drawing at Bottom Point.  Line meets the Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing: Begin and end drawing at Bottom Point.  Line meets the Top Point while moving counter-clockwise.

Unicursal Hexagram of Mars

Astro Signs: Aries, Scorpio
Chakra: Muladhara - Spinal Base
Tarot Trumps:  IV - The Emporer
                         XIII - Death
                         XVI - The Tower

Martian Influences include: War, Male Potency, Victory, Legal Judgements, Submission of Enemies, Bleeding. Barreness, Discord, Conflict, Cognitive disorders/dissonance.  

Invoking: Begin and end drawing at Upper Left Point. Line meets the Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing: Begin and end drawing at Upper Left Point.  Line meets the Top Point while moving counterclockwise.

Unicursal Hexagram of Jupiter

Astro Sign: Leo
Chakra: Manipura - Upper Belly
Tarot Trumps:  X - Wheel of Fortune
                        XIV - Art/Temprence
                     XVIII - The Moon

Jovean Influences include: Gains, Riches, Favor, Peace at home, Cooperation, Appeasing Enemies, Dissolving Enchantments, Recognition, Councils, Obtaining employment, Success in Court cases.


                                                                           

Invoking: Begin and end drawing at Upper Right Point. Line meets the Top Point while moving clockwise.

Releasing: Begin and end drawing at Upper Right Point.  Line meets the  Top Point while moving counter-clockwise.

Unicursal Hexagram of Saturn


Astro Sign:  Capricorn
Chakra: - Visuddha - Throat
Tarot Trumps:  XV - The Devil
                         XVII - The Star
                         XXII - The Virgin-                                              The Universe

Saturnian Influences include:  Safety, Power, Success, Binding, Protection,  Intellect, Discord, Melancholy.

Invoking:  Begin and end drawing clockwise at Top Point.

Releasing:  Begin and end drawing counter-clockwise at Top Point.

I hope you'll find these techniques of my simple Magick useful and satisfying.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"




Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

Magick Now & Then

We are certainly in a time of Great Change!

You've probably heard the once-popular song from the musical Hair - first produced in 1967 - that begins: "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius".

Back then, we all knew it to be true, because it was.  And it's still true now.

The shift from one Age to the next ... well, it's not really a "shift" at all:  It's a "shifting"... the Age of Aquarius didn't happen on any human-calendar date.  It's happening.  Still happening.  Now.

Aleister Crowley skillfully conveys the enormity of Age shifts in his brilliant book, Thoth Tarot.  There, he gives the Minor Arcana Cards' Astrological influences in degrees ... passing into and away from each Sign ... from one Card to the next.

And that's just how the Astrological Ages affect this little ball of dirt we call Earth  -  in degrees.  As one Age gives-way to the next, its influence diminishes over time - and the coming Age's influence increases.

And that's exactly where things are now, as the diminishing influence of the Age of Pisces gives-way to the increasing influence of the Age of Aquarius.

So for the purpose of this thesis, "Magick Then" refers to the ways and means, etc, of Magick in the Piscean Era, and "Magick Now" denotes the ways and means, etc, of Magick in the Aquarian Age.

All things of Spirit manifest differently in each Age.  

I''ll not go deeply into all the astrological nuances of these two Ages in question - mainly focusing on their influences on the Then and Now of Things-Spiritual and the practice of Magick (as a spiritual discipline).

How Things Have Been

Energetically, the activities of Aquarius are quite different from those of Pisces. 

Magick in the Piscean Era has mainly been enacted within the principles of hierarchically-structured initiatory Orders and other, often religious organizations.  As members, individuals are  subordinate to the beliefs, symbology and works of that group.

Piscean Humankind has believed itself to be at a low, dependent spiritual level-of-existence.  Thus much Piscean Magick has been of a supplicatory nature ... a pleading for the wisdon, judgement and actions of  (a) specific, often engendered Deity(ies).

How Things Are Becoming

As the influences of the Age of Aquarius increase, folks are gradually experiencing a sense of unique individuality.

Therefore, we are more able to achieve success in Magickal pursuits through our own inspirations and efforts ... the results manifesting proportionally to the Intentioned effort invested.

As Mercury's influence transitions from being a Picean detriment to becoming an Aquarian enhancement, we are more able to access our inherent understanding and knowledge of the intricacies of the Magickal World and its relationship to our ordinary, mundane reality.

One facet of this that I have joyfully observed is the enormous,  burgeoning production and availability of Tarot decks of every kind.

This - and the ever-increasing love of The Master's Thoth Tarot ... feared, not so very long ago, to the point of absurd paranoia - makes it apparent that Magick is, indeed, afoot.

Discovering what our individual Will is (and with the help of instant mass-communication via the internet) we are increasingly able to form connections with each other, potentially giving and receiving Knowledge and Understanding without the rigidly structured organizations (and their fabulously-expensive buildings) of the past.

A Cautionary Observation

Of course, for every new wave cresting, there is an equal backwash ...

This is becoming progressively evident in the anger, frustration and demands for Instant Mastership sprouting-up in every avenue of Magickal (and thus all Meta- physical/spiritual) - venues.

This became most apparent to me during my Reiki career...

I observed the pattern:  from one Reiki - the laying-on-of-hands healing procedure, to hundreds of Reikis - many promising results from Instant Enlightenment to Immortality. 

I think the largest contributing factor to the present confusion is the unfortunate growing demand for quick and easy Initiation into "Mastership" ... and the (backwash) diminishing number of folks actually GIVING Reiki - along with the equally-diminishing effectiveness of Healings manifesting with Reiki.

We Are The Sign Of Hope

The backwash to which I'm referring is no more than a nagging little itch in the Great Scheme of things.  An itch that can be healed and vanished by our authentic individuality, and the courageous, intelligent application of our ever-inceasing Magickal & Spiritual Knowings and  Abilities.

As we become more aware and adept at harnessing our Knowledge and Abilities, we can contribute to the amelioration of the negative backwash aspects of the birth of Aquarian Magick in our own lifetime!

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"


Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

Bad Grammar Can Be Good Magick

Legend has it that King Arthur's Merlin the Magician made his home in a cave in the Hollow Hills.

So, someone recently asked why the name of this blog is Merlin's Hallow when Merlin's Hollow would "be more appropriate."

It's an appropriate question...

And admittedly, the word Hallow has come, essentially by default, to be used in modern English as a transitory verb defined as  "paying homage to holiness" (as in "Hallowed be Thy name")...

But me being me - being a linguistically-symbolic kind of guy - I've been using Hallow in the archaic sense, as a noun - a Sacred Thing - in Magickal charms and incantations for nearly 30 years.  I became enamored of the profound meaning of the word, studying the brilliant Arthurian/Hallowquest Tarot, and it still works quite well for me.

You see, there are two Essential Truths in Magick ...

1.)  In the Ordinary World, Things are Symbols -
(Cars, clothes & sometimes spouses are an excellent examples of this: easily becoming Status Symbols for many folks.)

2.)  In the Magickal World, Symbols are Things -
(Example: in Hinduism a Deity can be ritually invited to cross-over, entering into a statue, painting or other iconographic symbol - which becomes that actual Deity present in the ordinary,  Material World.  A similar process takes place when ordinary reality becomes affected Magickally-produced influences.

Thus, Magickal Rites & Spells utilize Thing-Symbols (objects, words, movement, etc) to coax the desired Thing/Personality/Idea/Event into crossing-over from the Magickal World, materializing as intended, in our Ordinary World.

~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ) ( ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So you see ... sometimes what appears to be a mistake in grammer, or antiquated terminology can best convey the Thing Intended, itself.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"



Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

You Say Voodoo, I Say Voodou

While I still practice Western (European) Magick,  As an American Bokor ("Sorcerer") Voodoo (actually "Voodou" - see below) is my central religio-magickal focus ... tho' some facets of both forms integrate into the other quite nicely.

I expect that I'll occasionally l refer to Voodoo concepts and practices in this blog, so here are some ways of spelling the various forms of such cross-overs.

There are many different spellings and delineations of the word most folks know as Voodoo.  I use the following  several spellings:

Voodoo - once upon a time, the literary spelling encompassing all forms of Voodoo including  African, Haitian and American practices. Within the past few decades, African and Haitian manifestations of this religious science have taken-on their own unique spellings.  Most recently, another unique spelling is taking its place in references to the practices introduced by Marie Laveau, the foremost Queen of New Orleans, and her present discipes.  These unique spellings are noted below.


I continue to use this spelling as a generic label, encompassing any and all forms and practices of the religion as a whole.

Voudou - the most recently reclaimed nineteenth century spelling now coming back into use denoting the tradition as it first manifested in Creole New Orleans mainly through the efforts of Queen Marie Leveau, and is now being practiced to an increasing degree throughout America. 

Vodou - refers to the practices and beliefs indigenous to the Haitian manifestation of the religion - very much tradition-bound, often with an underlying tenor of fear and anger: facets that once contributed positively to the rebellions, revolution and eventual comparative freedoms of enslaved and oppressed Africans populating that beleaguered island.

Vodun / Vodoun - refers to the indigenous religion in Africa, yesterday and today.

*Voodou* - A personal neologism I use when writing about the combined and integrated beliefs and practices of New Orleans Voodoo and Haitian Vodoun that is the Magicko-Religion in which I was trained and now practice as an American Bokor.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"




Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

The What, Where, When and Why of This Blog

What, Another Blog?

I'm an eclectic Western (European/American)  Wizard with 50+ years under my belt.  

Added to that is 20+ years training/experience as a Voudou (American Creole) practitioner ... and more recently as a Voodou (American Creole and Haitian) Bokor (Sorcerer).

Having casually taught and guided folks in the precepts and practices of Western Magick, I thought it prudent to put together a venue in which some of these practices can be available for my Magickal Family and interested friends. 

This Blog, unlike my Voodou Blogs is specifically a Western (European/American) Book of Shadows.  Much of it is basic process and procedure - yet I've tired to give important, but often glossed-over details  to assist folks to more consciously enact  the Magicks contained herein.

I am essentially a recluse.  And I have no interest in conducting personal Instruction (or Intiations).  So don't ask, please & thanks.

This, and my Voodou Blogs will serve such purposes quite nicely, I think.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"

Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

Ah, so there you are...

I've been wondering when you'd drop in.

Did you know? ... everywhere you go - any place you are - becomes imbued with a subtle memory-form of your presence.

So that, even when you leave - you're still there.

And the more often, and the longer you stay in a place, the more filled-in - the more fully-dimensioned - that implication-manifestation of you becomes.

~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ) ( ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Today being my 69th birthday, and my still being here now, I  thought it may be good to jot a few thoughts on Magick - especially for my dear  brother in Magick, Eric Chu, and you too.  Hence, this humble little Blog.

*Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"

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The Fine Print

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