Sorry for taking so long to give an update on the progress of these ideas. So far seven people have expressed varying degrees of interest in using Barbelith to effect changework. I'd like that number to increase, and this post is one of several I'm undertaking to ensure that more people can become interested in how this works.
The following will be another long post. Please take the time to make sure you fully understand it. There's room for any number of questions, and I'd like to actively encourage a critique of what I'm proposing. Part of the reason for the way in which I'm approaching communication with the board is to encourage people who aren't currently involved with magic to take an interest. Because of this, I want to ensure everyone is comfortable with the working before contributing.
USING BARBELITH IN CHANGEWORK
What is Barbelith?
Barbelith is an egregore founded on the principles of agape, education and transformation, capable of releasing ideas and assisting in initiation, individuation and self-development. It acts as a placenta, providing the developing human race with the nourishment necessary in order to grow into its full potential. This global working is accomplished by its capacity to engage with an unlimited number of people simultaneously.
Barbelith was originally part of The Invisibles, a comic series by Grant Morrison. This work was has been called a narrative hypersigil: in other words, a magical working intended to bring about changes in its author and readership. A large body of anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that the intentions of the working were successful, although these effects are not easily quantifiable (they rely on the subjective experience of those involved). As the methodology of the working involved the way in which our personal realities and world models depend on fiction for their existence and maintenance, it's reasonable to suggest that the egregore has received sufficient empowerment to be used in workings which are independent from (albeit ideologically linked to) the original text. Furthermore, there are already accounts of Barbelith interacting with a number of individuals connected to this site.
The egregore is capable of working in synergy with the existing world model of those it interacts with, ensuring that progress is not carried out against the flow of belief. It educates and transforms the individual using the principles of agape, never constricting the freedom of the individual to choose. Rather, it presents alternate options and encourages the subject to develop their understanding of the world until inconsistencies are tackled and disregarded where necessary. It never coerces, never dominates, never imposes one person's will on another.
There are numerous precedents for Barbelith. It has been remarked that it is similar to Valis (from a P K Dick novel that I have not read). In The Invisibles it assumed the form of initiatory archetypes - well documented by scholars of of comparative religion - which were expanded upon to include accounts alien abduction (as they conform in many ways to the components of classic initiation accounts). It has been compared to Christ, largely due to its mission to sacrifice itself to save the subject. It is easy to extrapolate further to suggest connections with the Lapis or Philosophers Stone, a mystic transformative substance used by alchemists (many of whom believed there was a deeper psychological strata to their methods), which in turn suggests that Barbelith can be seen as a crystalisation of Jung's theories of the Individuation Process. None of these comparisons are intended to be complete: they are merely examples of ways in which the ideology behind the egregore is already widely disseminated. Barbelith uses the wealth of this material in fulfilling its goal. It is not restricted to any one ontology.
Why work with Barbelith, not the Transducer?
The principle theoretical flaws of the Transducer have been described in detail earlier in this thread. Using Barbelith as a substitute carries a number of the same risks, with the exception that it does not involve the transformation of *negative energy* into *positive energy.* These terms are highly subjective, relying on the belief system of the practioner as opposed to any pre-existing values. Barbelith overcomes this by operating from agape. It is self-sacrificial, and encourages the practioner to change us much as the subject. It is reasonable to assume that workings which run against this core principle will not work, minimising the risk of damage.
Barbelith also operates with the intention of developing and evolving humanity into the form best suited to fully realise its future potential. While such a broad perspective is reassuring (particularly considering its founing on the principles of self-sacrificial love), it is a matter of some debate as to what this form might be. Possible answers to this may be understood from speculative fiction, which could be seen to be the most adapted form of modern scripture, seeking to provide a symbolic illustration of the further development of mankind (examples may include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Akira, The Invisibles, Neon Genesis Evangelion).
The remaining risks are still valid. However, Barbelith has not been tested in any situation which does not directly involve those who have experienced The Invisibles. It is therefore recommended that localised testing is carried out in order to minimise the risks in a larger scenario.
Strategies for Testing Barbelith
- Barbelith workings should effect the practitioners as much as the subject. It is therefore recommended that the first test should be carried out purely with the intention of working on oneself. Anecdotal evidence should be supplied to this thread, protecting privacy where necessary. This could consist of accounts in other states of consciousness (trance, meditation, dreams, journeywork, etc); synchronous events (meeting people, overhearing conversations, experiences of art, music, literature, etc); changes of ones mindset (providing a better perspective on difficult situations, development of problematic world models). The practioner should be observant of any unusual activity which be used as anecdotal evidence, no matter how unexpected. Honesty should be a key factor, including situations in which one feels as though no contact has been established.
For example: I'm sitting in my local pub while I'm typing this. I've been drifting between writing and eavesdropping on the conversations around me. These have touched on dream interpretation, past life experiences, the therapy industry, ghost encounters, the current American government's corrupt actions in coming to power, No Logo, chaos theory, global geo-politics, the Mayan Calendar (coupled with the feeling that history is building to a climax), Rage Against the Machine lyrics. This is not an exhaustive list, and it is culled from conversations being held between only two groups of people (with whom I have no prior relationship). It's interesting that such disparate Invisibles-related phenomena are discussed in such close geopgrahical and temporal proximity while I'm working on a report to encourage people to use Barbelith to effect change in the world. A synchronous occurence, not conclusive, but worth including as an example of the anecdotal evidence I'm looking for.
Of course, this methodology is subject to the same risks as any magical working. As with all experiments of this nature, results may be explicable by other means. It is not within the mandate of this proposal to consider the complex questions of the reality of magic. Start another thread if you want to re-open that can of worms!
- Barbelith workings should then be tested in a small scale, localised environment, depending on the success of the initial personal experiment. This could be an issue of local government, or a minor news story. It is therefore recommended that specialists from the relevant area (likely to be the Switchboard forum) are consulted in order to track the progress of any given news story over a number of sources. This will be the major test to see whether the risks of using Barbelith as a platform for global change are outweighed by the potential benefits, and will also establish the feasibility of the performing changework in situations that have no true connection to the original Invisibles casting. It is recommended that more than one test be carried out, and that a modified methodology is employed. These should be decided depending on the outcome of the personal working.
- Should the second localised experiment be successful, Barbelith should then be employed in a similar manner in progressively larger scenarios, each time taking account of the potential risks. Methodology may also require revision as the scenarios become more complex.
Methodologies
This section is restricted to discussing methodologies used when working with Barbelith in a personal context. Other techniques should be decided upon dependingon the situation and the outcome of these initial experiments.
Barbelith should be able to accomodate the working methods of any existing practioner (assuming it conforms to the pattern detailed in the Invisibles). The initial experiment will entail personal change only, so it is recommended that each practioner uses the methods with which they feel comfortable. It is hoped that Barbelith will be capable of interacting with any individual regardless of their background or level of development - in any case, the ontological flexibility of the egregore will be one of the main factors measured by the initial workings.
Barbelith already has an established inconography should one be using a visual method to establish contact. Its form in the Invisibles was a simple mandala, extrapolated to three dimensions, a central circular point surrounded by a larger circle. In many cases this appeared as an object with three dimensions, often appearing with lines across its circumference. It is depicted as pinkish in colour, but at other times has appeared as a bright red or green sphere or circle with no central point. It is worth noting that its form is often identical with near universal symbols of the self, or of a supreme being. It is my belief that the circle within a circle depicts one of the simplest and most pervasive maps of reality, although a detailed discussion of this should be left to another thread. It is down to the practioner's discretion concerning the use of these symbols, as many who construct sigils prefer that the design bears no obvious resemblance to the intention.
It is also hoped that board members who do not regularly (or deliberately!) practise magic will express an interest in participating. The following methods are only a few ways you may want to try. It is hoped that such a direct involvement with message board will enable with a higher "charge" than if one were coming to the experiment blind. There's also an argument for suggesting that one's involvement with the Barbelith community is an indication that this working has already been commenced in some manner, so that all you'll need to do is apply a conscious harness.
- Dream incubation: As you relax to go to sleep, form a relaxed intention to have a dream which relates to Barbelith. Each time your attention wanders, bring it gently back to your intention. Do not concentrate too hard: it'll prevent you from getting to sleep! Immediately upon waking record everything you can recall in a journal, even if it doesn't seem to relate to Barbelith at all. A few tips for journalling; record everything in precise detail (sights, sounds, smells, emotions, unusual phenomena or inconsistencies, people, places, destinations, tacit knowledge, associations); write in the present tense, staying as true to the sequence of events depicted as possible (without exerting any conscious control of the order if possible); write honestly, and keep the journal secret if the accounts are too personal to share; if a full account is not possible immediately upon waking, try to at least write some notes (sufficient to aid in recall at a later time). If you have no recall, write down the feelings you had when you woke up, as to begin with it is better to maintain a routine of journalling even if recall doesn't come straight away. The simple act of deciding to record dreams is often enough to provoke increased recall in many cases, and establishing a routine will help considerably.
- Creating a sigil (a graphic coded intention, which is then charged and forgotten). The intention could be, "I will have a powerful experience of the Barbelith egregore within the next three days." Write this setence down, then remove all vowels and repeating letters. Arrange the leftover consonants in a design or symbol. This can be as simple as a line drawing in biro. The sigil must then be charged, usually by visualising it at the point of orgasm (although there are many other methods to acheive the necessary state). Think about something else as soon as the sigil is charged, and if you find your thoughts wandering back to the working ensure that you have something else with which to occupy yourself. Record any experiences that relate to the intention.
- Repeat this paragraph (or one of your own) at least three times a day, gently exterting your will:
"I will establish contact with Barbelith on a greater level. It's happening right now. It's capable of contacting me at any time, in any manner. I ask that my internal resources become mobilised for the purpose of noticing when contact occurs. I ask for the co-operation of my senses, my consciousness, and the resources that I'm not yet aware of. When contact is established a part of me will be changed for the better."
These methodologies are not intended to be exhaustive, and I'd welcome any other simple techniques to help non-regular practioners to get involved. The fact that I don't use sigils is probably obvious from the text, so please feel free to correct any mistakes I've made with that section.
Deadlines for the First Phase
I'm allocating an entire month to this first working, ending 14.02.2003. Please given as many reports as you can, whether you establish some form of contact or not. If you'd prefer not to post your results on the board then you can e-mail or PM them to me (if you think I'm any more trustworthy!).
I've also taken the liberty of putting together a PM mailshot to the other moderators, whether Magick forum related or. I'd particularly like involvement from those who are related to either the Headshop or Switchboard.
Finally, I'm also going to send Grant Morrison a second e-mail. Not that he'll respond, the haughty bitch  |
