Satanic references in the occult not so satanic
Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:00 pm
Ok, I'll start off the list. I thought it might be cool since we can all agree Bree's religion is occultic to blow up some misconceptions concerning the occult. So, I'll start off a few and we can all discuss and add others.
1. 666
This one is actually misunderstood by most. It comes from a verse in Revelations in the Bible that says:
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
In ancient Hebrew, they didn't use numbers. Each letter had a number associated with it. So, if you wanted to write a specific number, you just wrote the letters and people read them as a number. One side effect to this is that you could add up the letters and come up with a number for a word or for a name.
In hebrew gemetria, which deals with this practice, words that enumerate to the same number are related in some way. Gemetria is a practice devoted to finding these relations and discovering deeper meanings in text. It, of course, influenced Revelations and most of the Bible.
By taking it out of historical and hebrew context, we don't understand the significance. However, by placing it into context, we see that every name literally has a number. Now, it was a practice by jews when they spoke out against a figure in the ruling roman party to use the number of his name instead of his actual name. Using his name might land you in prison. Using his number meant only those that also knew gemetria understood you. So, it might be quite notable that the Caesar for the time had a name that enumerated to 666.
But, what else enumerates to 666? One thing is "Shem Yeheshuah". That means "The name of Jesus". So we find that Jesus himself can enumerate to 666. So, obviously, the number itself has no evil connotations attached to it.
Another thing that enumerates to 666 explains some of Crowley's insights: http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/666
Also, I don't think it's mentioned there, but in the solar square...which is a square composed of smaller squares with magickal significance meant to identify a particular thing, the sum of the numbers add up to 666. So, Crowley saw 666 as indicative of a solar diety.
2. Enochian
People refer to enochian as satanic. They do so without any basis in fact. They don't know anything about enochian, so assume it is satanic.
In fact, Enochian was given to Dr. John Dee in the 16th century. Doctor Dee was Queen Elizabeth's personal astrologer. He was also a very pious Christian.
The main use of enochian is actually to summon the angels of God. As a matter of fact, if you read the interpretations of the Enochian keys, they sound almost biblical. Translation of the first key:
I reign over you, sayeth the God of Justice, in power exalted above the firmaments of wrath: in whose hands the Sun is as a sword and the Moon as a through thrusting fire: which measureth your garments in the midst of my vestures, and thrust you together in the palms of my hands: whose seats are garnished with the fire of gathering, and beautified your garments with admiration. To whom I made a law to govern the holy ones and delivered you a rod with the ark of knowledge. Moreover you lifted up your voices and swear obedience and faith to him that liveth and triumpheth whose beginning is not, nor end cannot be, which shineth as a flame in the midst of your palace, and reigneth amongst you as the balance of righteousness and truth. Move, therefore, and show yourselves: open the mysteries of your creation: Be friendly unto me: for I am the servant of the same your God, the true worshipper of the highest.
3. Occult orders
As a matter of fact, most occult orders were pretty much Christian organizations based upon freemasonry. The most famous occult orders: The Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians would actually fall into this category.
So...there is my start. Discuss, prove me wrong, or add your own. I think the problem is that when people think of the occult they think it's diametrically opposed to christianity. That's just not the case. Most of the occult isn't only not opposed to christianity, but has been brought down through the centuries by christians.
1. 666
This one is actually misunderstood by most. It comes from a verse in Revelations in the Bible that says:
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
In ancient Hebrew, they didn't use numbers. Each letter had a number associated with it. So, if you wanted to write a specific number, you just wrote the letters and people read them as a number. One side effect to this is that you could add up the letters and come up with a number for a word or for a name.
In hebrew gemetria, which deals with this practice, words that enumerate to the same number are related in some way. Gemetria is a practice devoted to finding these relations and discovering deeper meanings in text. It, of course, influenced Revelations and most of the Bible.
By taking it out of historical and hebrew context, we don't understand the significance. However, by placing it into context, we see that every name literally has a number. Now, it was a practice by jews when they spoke out against a figure in the ruling roman party to use the number of his name instead of his actual name. Using his name might land you in prison. Using his number meant only those that also knew gemetria understood you. So, it might be quite notable that the Caesar for the time had a name that enumerated to 666.
But, what else enumerates to 666? One thing is "Shem Yeheshuah". That means "The name of Jesus". So we find that Jesus himself can enumerate to 666. So, obviously, the number itself has no evil connotations attached to it.
Another thing that enumerates to 666 explains some of Crowley's insights: http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/666
Also, I don't think it's mentioned there, but in the solar square...which is a square composed of smaller squares with magickal significance meant to identify a particular thing, the sum of the numbers add up to 666. So, Crowley saw 666 as indicative of a solar diety.
2. Enochian
People refer to enochian as satanic. They do so without any basis in fact. They don't know anything about enochian, so assume it is satanic.
In fact, Enochian was given to Dr. John Dee in the 16th century. Doctor Dee was Queen Elizabeth's personal astrologer. He was also a very pious Christian.
The main use of enochian is actually to summon the angels of God. As a matter of fact, if you read the interpretations of the Enochian keys, they sound almost biblical. Translation of the first key:
I reign over you, sayeth the God of Justice, in power exalted above the firmaments of wrath: in whose hands the Sun is as a sword and the Moon as a through thrusting fire: which measureth your garments in the midst of my vestures, and thrust you together in the palms of my hands: whose seats are garnished with the fire of gathering, and beautified your garments with admiration. To whom I made a law to govern the holy ones and delivered you a rod with the ark of knowledge. Moreover you lifted up your voices and swear obedience and faith to him that liveth and triumpheth whose beginning is not, nor end cannot be, which shineth as a flame in the midst of your palace, and reigneth amongst you as the balance of righteousness and truth. Move, therefore, and show yourselves: open the mysteries of your creation: Be friendly unto me: for I am the servant of the same your God, the true worshipper of the highest.
3. Occult orders
As a matter of fact, most occult orders were pretty much Christian organizations based upon freemasonry. The most famous occult orders: The Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians would actually fall into this category.
So...there is my start. Discuss, prove me wrong, or add your own. I think the problem is that when people think of the occult they think it's diametrically opposed to christianity. That's just not the case. Most of the occult isn't only not opposed to christianity, but has been brought down through the centuries by christians.
. Thanks for pointing those facts out.