Christian Magic and Thaumaturgy, part 2.

As with all religions and metaphysical systems, a belief in the existence of a supernatural realm is essential. 

Within the Christian paradigm, the following components articulate a particular theology and a particular belief in the supernatural. I apologise beforehand for the large amount of biblical quotes that follow but as Aleister Crowley is alleged to have said, the last and best book of Magick in existence is the Bible.

THE TRINITY

The Triune God of which much has been written by theologians and which comprises God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit or Paraclete. This concept stems from Greek Philosophy and has lost its accessibility today somewhat. Dogma and doctrine make it even more unpalatable for today’s average secular person in the West. It is essential to seek a manageable understanding for us who are not theologians always bearing in mind the proviso that the Trinity is a mystery. Fray Ramon from the Discalced Carmelites of the Monastery of Las Batuecas in Spain describes God as the Silence, the ultimate and deepest Mystery and a Silence that is eloquent. Christ is the Logos, the Word of God that can only be listened to in relation to God who is Silence. The Holy Spirit is the empty Space where this word resonates and can be therefore heard. The Trinity is about relationship. The Trinity is about love.  

But there are many more Spiritual Hierarchies in Christianity:

ANGELS  

It seems that mainstream Christianity and its clashes with twentieth century positivism has resulted in a situation in which Angels and other Spiritual Hierarchies have been put aside and ignored. Angels are the Messengers from God and there are three Orders of Spheres of Angels:

The First Sphere is made up of the Seraphim which are described in Isaiah as fiery beings with six wings whose job is to protect and serve God in the heavenly realm.  

The Cherubim are also part of the First Angelic Sphere and are described in several passages of the Bible such as in Chronicles where a good description of these Angels is provided:

2 Chronicles 3:7-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 So he lined the house with gold—its beams, its thresholds, its walls, and its doors—and he carved cherubim on the walls.

8 And he made the Most Holy Place. Its length, corresponding to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and its breadth was twenty cubits. He overlaid it with 600 talents[a] of fine gold. 

9 The weight of gold for the nails was fifty shekels.[b] And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

10 In the Most Holy Place he made two cherubim of wood[c] and overlaid[d] them with gold. 

11 The wings of the cherubim together extended twenty cubits: one wing of the one, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and its other wing, of five cubits, touched the wing of the other cherub; 

12 and of this cherub, one wing, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and the other wing, also of five cubits, was joined to the wing of the first cherub. 

13 The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. The cherubim[e] stood on their feet, facing the nave. 14 And he made the veil of blue and purple and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and he worked cherubim on it.

The Cherubim are depicted as having four faces, that of a man, lion, eagle and lion which were later adopted to depict the Four Apostles. 

The Cherubim are the protectors of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. The significance here is that the Cherubim protect either the Torah in the Jewish tradition or the Cross and Christ Himself in the Christian tradition.

The Thrones are also part of the First Angelic Sphere and are mentioned in Colossians briefly by Paul:

Colossians 1:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

In his book Ritual Magic for Conservative Christians, Brother Ada explains that the Thrones carry the Throne of God and impart justice and wisdom.  

Another class of Angel is usually associated with the Thrones, the Ophanim or Galgallim which means spheres or wheels and refers to Ezkiel’s vision as described in Daniel:  

Daniel 7:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Ancient of Days Reigns

9 “As I looked, thrones were placed,

   and the Ancient of Days took his seat;

his clothing was white as snow,

   and the hair of his head like pure wool;

his throne was fiery flames;

   its wheels were burning fire.

The Ophanim or Wheels are mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Second Book of Enoch as the ‘many –eyed –ones’. Their function is to literally act as the wheels of God’s Heavenly chariot.  

The Second Angelic Sphere is made of Angels called Dominations which according to Brother Ada ‘may be called upon to ensure obedience to legitimate authority and to cultivate conscientiousness in ourselves’. The Virtues or Strongholds also pertain to this Sphere and represent strength, courage and determination.  

The Powers or Authorities also belong to the Second Sphere and are warrior Angels who fight against evil and also ensure that the Cosmos is in order.  

The Third Sphere is the one inhabited by Angels who are concerned with human beings and their affairs.  

The Rulers or Principalities preside over other Angels and observe human beings. They are said to inspire creativity in artists and scientists.

The Archangels are perhaps the most important spiritual hierarchies within the context of Theurgical and Thaumaturgical operations in Christianity but also in the Cabbalistic and Hermetic traditions.  

Cassiel is described by Brother Ada as the Archangel who can be called upon in ‘works of binding and loosing and in putting an end to unfavorable circumstances’. Cassiel is linked to Judaism and not referred to in the Bible, although he is one of the Seven Archangels. Cassiel has strong links with Western Occultism and features in Peter Abano’s Heptameron. He appears in the Sigilium Dei among other works.

Because of his association with the planet Jupiter, Sacchiel is linked to matters pertaining to money, business, politics and religion. Sacchiel also features in the Heptameron and other grimoires.  

Camael is described as an Angel of war, power and strength. In Judaism, Camael is mentioned in the Cabbalistic sefirot Gevurah meaning strength and can be called upon, according to Brother Ada, in matters of ‘law, justice, war, dealing with competition and victory over negative influence.’

Saint Michael is the Patron Saint of the Church and also the leader of the Archangels. He can be called upon to aid in all battles against evil in all its guises. Michael carries the soul of the dead to the Heavenly Realm and weighs the souls of the deceased. He combines the roles of Charon in Greek Mythology and Anubis in ancient Egyptian religion.  

Revelation 12:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 

8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 

9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth,and his angels with him.

His feast day is Michaelmas on the 29th September in the Roman Catholic Church and the 8th of November in the Eastern Orthodox Church.  

Anael is associated with Venus and thus with matters related to love, friendship, work and family. In Judaism he is linked to the sefirot Netzcha meaning love and kindness.  

Raphael is the Archangel in disguise who heals and helps Tobit in the Book of Tobit. He can be called upon in all matters regarding health and healing. Raphael is the Patron Saint of Travelers, of the blind, of health workers, conviviality and married couples.

Tobit 12:15  

“I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him.”

His Feast day is the 24th of October in the Roman Catholic Church.

Gabriel makes his appearance in the Gospel of Luke in the Annunciation with which most readers will be familiar with. But Gabriel features in the Cabbala as the sefirot of Yesod, through which endless creation is achieved. In Christianity he represents communication for he announced the "Divine Will" to Mary and also, with his Horn, he will announce the return of God. Gabriel also represents spiritual strength. His Feast Day is celebrated on the 24th March in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches do so on the 8th of November with the Coptic Church celebrating the feast in the summer and the Ethiopian Church on the 28th of December.  

Daniel 8:15-26 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Interpretation of the Vision

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

18 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end ofthe indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. 20 As forthe ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the goat[a] is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his[b] nation, but not with his power. 23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 24 His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. 26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”

Uriel is the Angel of poetry and represents Divine wisdom. He was the Angel who checked which doors had been painted with Lamb’s blood during the plague in Egypt. In the Book of the Watchers Uriel forewarns Noah of the flood. His Feast day in the Anglican and Episcopalian Church is the 29th of September. He can be called upon for matters related to wisdom and introspection.  

THE SAINTS  

Saints are those persons or beings who have achieved a great degree of closeness to God. In Buddhism the concept of Arahat and Boddisathva are similar. There are equivalents in most religions. In the Christian religion there are thousands of Saints which can be called upon for different purposes.  

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL

According to the Church the Holy Guardian Angel is an Angel allocated by God to each one of us to protect and guide us through life. These beings are referred to in Judaism and Islam as well as Christianity. In the Roman Catholic Church it is said that Pope John was inspired by his Guardian Angel to open the Second Vatican Council. In an address made recently, Pope Francis exhorted the faithful to build a relationship with their Guardian Angels

In occultism the Book of Abramelin the Mage written by Abraham of Worms in the 13thC and translated by McGregor Mathers in the late 19thC and partially worked by Aleister Crowley in Boleskine, aims at meeting one’s Holy Guardian Angel through a long process of purification consisting of fasting and prayer. The ritual can last up to six months and concludes with the summoning of demons in order to gain control over them.  

Job 33:23-26 New International Version (NIV)

23 Yet if there is an angel at their side,

   a messenger, one out of a thousand,

   sent to tell them how to be upright,

24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,

   ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;

   I have found a ransom for them—

25 let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;

   let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—

26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,

   they will see God’s face and shout for joy;

   he will restore them to full well-being.

It is important to understand what is the Church in this context or what should be understood by this term . The first thing to be aware of is that the Church is not a building or temple. Well, yes it is technically. But the word church is derived from the word ecclesia which means assembly or congregation, i.e. the people who actually practice the faith and spirituality rather than the building in which they carry this practice out. This idea of Church is divided into three: Ecclesia militans which is the believers fighting against evil on this plain. Ecclesia poenitens is made of the Christians in purgatory and finally the Ecclesia triumphans formed by those in the Heavenly Realm.  

The reader who isn’t versed in the occult is invited to suspend his or her belief which may be an odd thing to say in an article about Christian Magick, but of course what we are referring to is belief in reason, science and positivist thought. For only through magic thinking can matters of faith and spirituality be comprehended.