I would like to start a discussion on the Kybalion and Hermes Tris. in general.

One saying attributed to him that has always intrigued me is:

"As above, so below; as below, so above."

It has so many applications in Magick, that it is endless!

For example, concerning the Tree of Life:
Kether is in Malkuth, and Malkuth is in Kether, but after another manner.
Each sepirot has attributes related to the sephirot it has spawned from.
The paths, of course, are exemplary of this statement.

And, the fact that you can affect the physical plane from the astral plane.

But it goes even further.  For example, the G.D. has some interesting texts
about man being a microcosm of the Universe.  In which case, man must contain
all elements of the universe (angels, demons, shells, etc.).  However, Ain,
Ain Soph, and Ain Soph Aur are without the Universe (Lord of the Universe?)
therefore man does not contain them, but still emenates from them.

So where does the "above" end for the "below" in this case?

Well, there are a couple of topics that this can be applied to.  I hope we
can pick up a discussion on this.  It truly fascinates me.  To be honest,
I like Magickal philosophy discussions more than ritual.  I know, I know
"then you aren’t a true mage!"  Crap.  Affect the intellect of the below, the
microcosm, and you affect the intellect of the above, the macrocosm.

Know thyself.

Louis Giliberto
lou…@vpnet.chi.il.us

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!       "As above, so below; as below, so above" — The Kybalion          !
!       "I don’t trust him; he has dark hair" — My girlfriend’s mother   !
!       "So I’m stupid; what’s your point?" — Me                         !