Session 73: what is the "evocation of the great cross of life"?

[volicon]

I've been reading the LOO book 3, and is currently at session 73. This is the quote of interest:

73.7 Questioner: Would you please do that?

Ra: I am Ra. There are two concepts with which you deal. The first is the great way of the development of the light in the microcosmic mind/body/spirit. It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working. All magical workings are based upon evocation and/or invocation.

The first invocation of any magical working is that invocation of the magical personality as you are familiar with this term. In the working of which you speak the first station is the beginning of the invocation of this magical personality which is invoked by the motion of putting on something. Since you do not have an item of apparel or talisman the gesture which you have made is appropriate.

The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator. Again, all invocations and evocations are drawn through the violet energy center. This may then be continued towards whatever energy centers are desired to be used.

The first 2 paragraphs, I can understand. But at the third one, the line that I've made bold, there is this mention of "the great cross of life." Google returned no satisfactory explanation on what that cross is. Also, what is the "evocation" of that "great cross of life"? Is that a ritual? If so, google also could not help I really would appreciate it if anyone can shed light on this "evocation of the great cross of life" thing for me

Second question: This is a minor one. Is the "magical personality" in some way similar to the concept of the "higher self" or the "holy guardian angel"? Or is it something else entirely? If so, can I be given pointers as to where I can find out more about this "magical personality"?

Thanks for your time spent on reading these words

[AnthroHeart]

I think the cross of life is referred to as the crux ansata or ankh.

Yes, the magical personality is referred to as the higher self in the Ra material.

[I_Am_The_One]

love/ light light love

[Spaced]

I think the Great Cross of Life is also referred to as the Kabbalistic Cross (you might get more google results for that name ). It's a ritual practice meant to align one's energies with the infinite whole.

As for your second question, I believe the answer is covered in the material

75.32 Questioner: The three aspects of the magical personality are stated to be power, love, and wisdom. Is this correct and are these the only primary aspects of the magical personality?

Ra: I am Ra. The three aspects of the magical personality, power, love, and wisdom, are so called in order that attention be paid to each aspect in developing the basic tool of the adept; that is, its self. It is by no means a personality of three aspects. It is a being of unity, being of sixth density and equivalent to what you call your higher self and, at the same time, is a personality enormously rich in variety of experience and subtlety of emotion.

The three aspects are given that the neophyte not abuse the tools of its trade but rather approach those tools balanced in the center of love and wisdom and thus seeking power in order to serve.

75.36 Questioner: How does the use of the magical ritual of invoking the magical personality aid the mind/body/spirit complex totality? Could you expand on the answer you gave in the last session with respect to that?

Ra: I am Ra. When the magical personality is properly and efficaciously invoked the self has invoked its Higher Self. Thus a bridge betwixt space/time and time/space is made and the sixth-density magical personality experiences directly the third-density catalyst for the duration of the working. It is most central to deliberately take off the magical personality after the working in order that the Higher Self resume its appropriate configuration as analog to the space/time mind/body/spirit.

Here Ra tells us why it might be useful to invoke the magical personality:

73.10 [...]More importantly, the time/space mind/body/spirit analog, which is evoked as the magical personality, has its only opportunity to gain rapidly from the experience of the catalytic action available to the third-density space/time mind/body/spirit. Thus the adept is aiding the Creator greatly by offering great catalyst to a greater portion of the creation which is identified as the mind/body/spirit totality of an entity.

If I understand this correctly, it would mean that invoking the higher self in 3rd density is useful for the because it allows your Higher Self to engage with catalyst and gain experience.

[I_Am_The_One]

I will also offer my thoughts on the magical personality. The magical personality, is you in a much less distorted form. The magic personality is 6d. I believe mid 6th density. Sooo..They are close or on par with Ra's own evolution. You can invoke. (bring in, to become) this magical or higher self. For just that magic, or to work with conscience.

---

-time is just potentials being spun out, from your own creation-

[JustLikeYou]

Spaced is on point here.

The magical personality is invoked because it is, in its relationship to the self, other than or beyond the self.

The "great cross of life" is evoked because it is the self in its grand wholeness.

The difference here is the same as the difference between the Higher Self and the Form-maker or indigo body. The benefit of performing these two rituals in succession is that it is effectively a ritual uniting of the highest and most expansive present self with the future self.

[I_Am_The_One]

that last sentence really nailed it all together thank you. May I also state, that any and all material I post, is merely my belief/understanding. I love all you , and I have truly read some deep and inspiring things here. thank you very much!




One day we will all dance with the creator in his infinite love, understanding, and power!

[volicon]

Thank you all for your replies! They are all very helpful!

[I_Am_The_One]

I will also offer my thoughts on the magical personality. The magical personality, is you in a much less distorted form. The magic personality is 6d. I believe mid 6th density. Sooo..you can understand it as your future self, your spiritual development is, close or on par with Ra's own evolution, at this point. You can invoke. (bring in, to become) this magical or higher self. For just that magic, or to work with conscience.

---

-time is just potentials being spun out, from your own creation-

[Ankh]

I've been reading the LOO book 3, and is currently at session 73. This is the quote of interest:

73.7 Questioner: Would you please do that?

Ra: I am Ra. There are two concepts with which you deal. The first is the great way of the development of the light in the microcosmic mind/body/spirit. It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working. All magical workings are based upon evocation and/or invocation.

The first invocation of any magical working is that invocation of the magical personality as you are familiar with this term. In the working of which you speak the first station is the beginning of the invocation of this magical personality which is invoked by the motion of putting on something. Since you do not have an item of apparel or talisman the gesture which you have made is appropriate.

The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator. Again, all invocations and evocations are drawn through the violet energy center. This may then be continued towards whatever energy centers are desired to be used.

The first 2 paragraphs, I can understand. But at the third one, the line that I've made bold, there is this mention of "the great cross of life." Google returned no satisfactory explanation on what that cross is. Also, what is the "evocation" of that "great cross of life"? Is that a ritual? If so, google also could not help I really would appreciate it if anyone can shed light on this "evocation of the great cross of life" thing for me

If I were you and would be interested in that, I would ask this question on the radio show with Carla and Jim. Don was very much into magics, so this might as well be a magical ritual with which Don was familiar. Perhaps some sort of ritual with its origins in magics practiced by Golden Dawn. Since Ra used these words "evokation of the great cross of life", it might as well be something more specific than just a general "extension of the magical personality to become the Creator". Maybe Carla and/or Jim remember what exactly this was?

Second question: This is a minor one. Is the "magical personality" in some way similar to the concept of the "higher self" or the "holy guardian angel"? Or is it something else entirely? If so, can I be given pointers as to where I can find out more about this "magical personality"?

As Ra states in 73.10 magical personality is the time/space mind/body/spirit analog. As Ra further states in 75.38 the invocation of magical personality is done in degrees or percentages as the neophyte becomes more adept. And as it is stated in 75.36, when the invocation of the magical personality is properly and efficaciously done, the adept has invoked its Higher Self.

Good luck, buddy!

[JustLikeYou]

Ankh, Ra was unequivocally referring to the Kabbalistic Cross which is traditionally done at the beginning and end of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.

[Adonai One]

Magical personality, higher self, and other mystical concepts are all veils for what is simply one being that is yourself.

[AnthroHeart]

Is there a reason we can't tap into the magical personality at will?

[Ankh]

Is there a reason we can't tap into the magical personality at will?

There is more than just the will that you have to have in order to invoke the magical personality. For instance, except will there are two other key factors in this process: desire and polarity. Besides this, Ra also said:

"The three aspects of the magical personality, power, love, and wisdom, are so called in order that attention be paid to each aspect in developing the basic tool of the adept; that is, its self. It is by no means a personality of three aspects. It is a being of unity, being of sixth density and equivalent to what you call your higher self and, at the same time, is a personality enormously rich in variety of experience and subtlety of emotion.

The three aspects are given that the neophyte not abuse the tools of its trade but rather approach those tools balanced in the center of love and wisdom and thus seeking power in order to serve."

There is of course so much more. As Ra said, this is a study in itself.

[Rake]

Relative Reality and Ultimate Reality.

Relative as in here now what we are currently experiencing.

Ultimate as in the oneness of all.

Relative Reality can be the horizontal line and Ultimate Reality the vertical line. Where these two intersect is where it is most advantageous to live our lives. Our feet are firmly planted within Relative Reality whilst knowing that all is one.

Edit:

This is my viewpoint from reading Quo at the moment. Potato Potato.

[kycahi]

IMHO, this type of magic, i.e. the "white" kind, is for those well on the STO path. This implies to me that the adept seeks to develop it well in order to improve the effectiveness of STO, as opposed to one wanting to be adept in the black sort just for the sake of increasing personal power over others.

Be clear about this going in or subject yourself to much frustration. Ra taught this mainly to the "Founding Three," so didn't dwell on the purpose of this magic.

A simpler idea of "magical personality" would be the self who has attained a level of purity through meditation and focused intent. Maybe this approach will be of help to someone here.

Best wishes to all on this quest.

[John Traffas]

"The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator." -Ra

It seems to me that Ra answers the question with the second statement. What does Ra refer to by "This" if not the great cross of life? These two stations of this process (particularly the second) provide a gigantic boost altering consciousness during meditation and I have placed it (when used) next to last subconscious suggestion/step prior to silence/drift toward sleep.  One would do well to keep one's socks on! This is a very high level suggestion. In preparation one may do well to heed this thought of Ra, " It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working." For those suggesting this great cross of life is the kaballistic/qabalistic cross, I think that may be an educated guess, but if that is true, why does Ra suggest an evocation of the great cross of life? One does not need to evoke a ritual. One may use ritual to evoke a higher power such as an angel or the magical personality as in this case. Anyway, it is my belief that Ra is saying the great cross of life is "an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator." Why does Ra call this a great cross of life? Well, other than placing it in high regard, I do not know... I think it would have made a great question for Ra though.

[flofrog]

IMHO, this type of magic, i.e. the "white" kind, is for those well on the STO path. This implies to me that the adept seeks to develop it well in order to improve the effectiveness of STO, as opposed to one wanting to be adept in the black sort just for the sake of increasing personal power over others.

Be clear about this going in or subject yourself to much frustration. Ra taught this mainly to the "Founding Three," so didn't dwell on the purpose of this magic.

A simpler idea of "magical personality" would be the self who has attained a level of purity through meditation and focused intent. Maybe this approach will be of help to someone here.

Best wishes to all on this quest.

I so agree kycahi

Also,  Indigo to your question  "Is there a reason we can't tap into the magical personality at will?"
I think we can tap into the magic personality much more easily when some balance of centers has been created.

[Highrculling]

//It is most central to deliberately take off the magical personality after the working in order that the Higher Self resume its appropriate configuration as analog to the space/time mind/body/spirit.//

This is a stretch and unimportant but, why can't the Higher Self knock itself out if/when somebody left it hanging? o.O

[Sacred Fool]

Ankh, Ra was unequivocally referring to the Kabbalistic Cross which is traditionally done at the beginning and end of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.

"Unequivocally" seems overstated considering that one could argue that, if Ra meant to refer the Kabbalistic Cross, then that specific term would have been used.  Alternatively, Ra may have used a more general term to account for the fact one need not necessarily use that specific artifact of ritual to accomplish the larger purpose.

The "Great Cross" could be interpreted a reference to the following.  The lateral arm represents the time-bound world of everyday life, and the vertical post represents eternity upon which the time-bound is loosely hung.  To evoke the Great Cross, then, would be to harness the temporal to the eternal (at the point of origin, if you will) so that the moments spend therein were spent in both worlds simultaneously.  This construction comports nicely with Ra's description of so-called magical working and, again, that specific ritual is not indispensable to the act.

I'm posting this simply to add some food for thought for the next person who wanders across that phrase and wonders about it.

  

[Merrick]

I have a feeling Ra was not referring to a specific ritual like the Kabbalistic Cross, which is tied to a specific belief system associated with a person Ra described as confused (Crowley being oriented positive while taking STS actions). More likely Ra was talking about a general evoking which was not tied to one specific ritual, but could be achieved through multiple means.

[BastionPath]

I've been reading the LOO book 3, and is currently at session 73. This is the quote of interest:

73.7 Questioner: Would you please do that?

Ra: I am Ra. There are two concepts with which you deal. The first is the great way of the development of the light in the microcosmic mind/body/spirit. It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working. All magical workings are based upon evocation and/or invocation.

The first invocation of any magical working is that invocation of the magical personality as you are familiar with this term. In the working of which you speak the first station is the beginning of the invocation of this magical personality which is invoked by the motion of putting on something. Since you do not have an item of apparel or talisman the gesture which you have made is appropriate.

The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator. Again, all invocations and evocations are drawn through the violet energy center. This may then be continued towards whatever energy centers are desired to be used.

The first 2 paragraphs, I can understand. But at the third one, the line that I've made bold, there is this mention of "the great cross of life." Google returned no satisfactory explanation on what that cross is. Also, what is the "evocation" of that "great cross of life"? Is that a ritual? If so, google also could not help I really would appreciate it if anyone can shed light on this "evocation of the great cross of life" thing for me

Second question: This is a minor one. Is the "magical personality" in some way similar to the concept of the "higher self" or the "holy guardian angel"? Or is it something else entirely? If so, can I be given pointers as to where I can find out more about this "magical personality"?

Thanks for your time spent on reading these words

Your magical personality is you, but in a state beyond ego. The term 'ego death' reached through various meditative and drug induced states is highly appropriate. The "great cross of life then" is the life lived beyond the death of ego. (basically a stance that invites negative attacks, but then pulls energy from the attacker, balancing the energy voiding out that point of contact)

I would assume that there would be a third form beyond this. Probably the point at which the etheric body negates all causal and vital energy loss. A kind of divine-avatar-like state.

[Nau7ik]

Yes the magical personality is likened to the invocation of the higher self / Holy Guardian Angel.

The evocation of the Great Cross of Life, I think of the Crux ansata. Which is a spiritual symbol of transformation.

93.24 ▶ Questioner: I am assuming that you mean one full question, and I’ll make that question: I’d like to know the significance of the shape of the crux ansata, and if that’s too much of an answer I will just ask if there is anything we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?

Ra: I am Ra. There are mathematical ratios within this image which may yield informative insights to one fond of riddles. We shall not untangle the riddle. We may indicate that the crux ansata is a part of the concept complexes of the archetypical mind, the circle indicating the magic of the spirit, the cross indicating that nature of manifestation which may only be valued by the losing. Thus the crux ansata is intended to be seen as an image of the eternal in and through manifestation and beyond manifestation through the sacrifice and transformation of that which is manifest.

[Nau7ik]

IMHO, this type of magic, i.e. the "white" kind, is for those well on the STO path. This implies to me that the adept seeks to develop it well in order to improve the effectiveness of STO, as opposed to one wanting to be adept in the black sort just for the sake of increasing personal power over others.

Be clear about this going in or subject yourself to much frustration. Ra taught this mainly to the "Founding Three," so didn't dwell on the purpose of this magic.

A simpler idea of "magical personality" would be the self who has attained a level of purity through meditation and focused intent. Maybe this approach will be of help to someone here.

Best wishes to all on this quest.

I so agree kycahi

Also,  Indigo to your question  "Is there a reason we can't tap into the magical personality at will?"
I think we can tap into the magic personality much more easily when some balance of centers has been created.

I agree! The magical personality can be invoked at Will. It needs to be developed though. There are simple exercises, if consistently practiced, that will aid in the realization of the magical personality. Then invocation can be as easy as donning a robe or a ring. It acts as a signal to the deep mind. It’s invoking one’s “highest and best self”, which we can only sustain for a little while at a time at first. If the energy centers are all balanced in the lower triad, then this will be a lot easier to accomplish and sustain.

[Dtris]

I've been reading the LOO book 3, and is currently at session 73. This is the quote of interest:

73.7 Questioner: Would you please do that?

Ra: I am Ra. There are two concepts with which you deal. The first is the great way of the development of the light in the microcosmic mind/body/spirit. It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working. All magical workings are based upon evocation and/or invocation.

The first invocation of any magical working is that invocation of the magical personality as you are familiar with this term. In the working of which you speak the first station is the beginning of the invocation of this magical personality which is invoked by the motion of putting on something. Since you do not have an item of apparel or talisman the gesture which you have made is appropriate.

The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator. Again, all invocations and evocations are drawn through the violet energy center. This may then be continued towards whatever energy centers are desired to be used.

The first 2 paragraphs, I can understand. But at the third one, the line that I've made bold, there is this mention of "the great cross of life." Google returned no satisfactory explanation on what that cross is. Also, what is the "evocation" of that "great cross of life"? Is that a ritual? If so, google also could not help I really would appreciate it if anyone can shed light on this "evocation of the great cross of life" thing for me

Second question: This is a minor one. Is the "magical personality" in some way similar to the concept of the "higher self" or the "holy guardian angel"? Or is it something else entirely? If so, can I be given pointers as to where I can find out more about this "magical personality"?

Thanks for your time spent on reading these words

Don was a practitioner of the Golden Dawn system of magic. This answer was indeed given regarding the ritual known as the kabbalistic cross.

The first gesture and station as Ra puts it is to reach up and bring down light onto the crown of the head while intoning "Atoh", which means "thou art" in Hebrew. This is invocation of the higher self which is learned through practice and repetition.

The second station involves the remaining gestures. The hand moves down to the abdomen or breast, while envisioning a solid beam of light forming from the crown to the feet, you intone "Malkuth", which means "kingdom". The hand moves to the right shoulder and "Ve-gedulah" is intoned while light begins at the right shoulder, the hand moves to the left shoulder and the light forms a solid ray across, "Ve-geburah" is intoned. These mean "and the glory, and the power," respectively. The hands are clasped and you intone "le olam, amen." Meaning, "for forever,amen."

The cross formed is the cavalry cross which is symbolic of everlasting life due to the sacrifice of Christ and his resurrection. Which Ra most likely referred to as The Great Cross of Life for two reasons, one is to obscure the specifics so as to maintain the first distortion, and secondly I believe it had to do with Carla and her devout Christian faith.

[John Traffas]

"The second station is the evocation of the great cross of life. This is an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator." -Ra

It seems to me that Ra answers the question with the second statement. What does Ra refer to by "This" if not the great cross of life? These two stations of this process (particularly the second) provide a gigantic boost altering consciousness during meditation and I have placed it (when used) next to last subconscious suggestion/step prior to silence/drift toward sleep.  One would do well to keep one's socks on! This is a very high level suggestion. In preparation one may do well to heed this thought of Ra, " It is assumed that an adept will have its energy centers functioning smoothly and in a balanced manner to its best effort before a magical working."  For those suggesting this great cross of life is the kaballistic/qabalistic cross, I think that may be an educated guess, but if that is true, why does Ra suggest an evocation of the great cross of life? One does not need to evoke a ritual. One may use ritual to evoke a higher power such as an angel or the magical personality as in this case. Anyway, it is my belief that Ra is saying the great cross of life is "an extension of the magical personality to become the Creator." Why does Ra call this a great cross of life? Well, other than placing it in high regard, I do not know... I think it would have made a great question for Ra though.

After some further thought and research, I would guess that the reason this second station is called the great cross of life, signifying a great sacrifice is that to become the Creator there is the sacrifice of one's personality or loss of individuation. Yet to become the Creator is also to gain the greatest joy, which would be another potential point to emphasize... I would still like to see a Confederation answer to this question.