RiverSnake

Just finished the SS course so thought it would be fitting to create a review for a course which i deeply enjoyed. For a list of all the lessons and when the next cycle begins click on the link below: http://www.inominandum.com/blog/may-1stnew-cycle-of-strategic-sorcery-kicks-off-with-global-juno-rite/ ------------------------------------ My Favorite Things The following were my personal favorite attributes of the course: 1. Each lesson is dense with info and practical magical tech. There is no fluff and no time wasted in getting to the meat of each topic and how it is applicable to you as a practitioner. I learned more in this year long course than all the books on magick i have read combined. 2. The system has a Holistic approach to magick. He covers each topic with a broad sweeping brush that attempts bring many ideas and techniques into the fold, yet at the same time stays practical and grounded. The "system" he creates is not really a system....in the sense that it is not binding with many hard and fast rules. If you practice another style of magick then you will undoubtedly find his approach to be highly complimentary and enhancing to the work your already doing. 3. Behind the Strategic Sorcery Course there is an underlying theme of "Creativity". In the sense that the author acknowledges that magick/sorcery is always evolving and that its not your job to become stifled with mindless repetition. What the course gives is various fundamental principles and techniques of magick so that you can work with them in a way that suits you and your creative faculties. That attitude of "keep playing, keep exploring, keep refining" is something very important in my own practice and was happy to see it present in this program. 4. The course itself is balanced. There is an emphasis both on spiritual growth and practical sorcery to help push you where you desire to be....so your living a happy, balanced and true life. Gnosis isn't enough if your flat broke and living in your mothers basement. The emphasis in the course is that your level of gnosis should shine through in your mundane affairs. 5. The SS Discussion Group is a valuable source for information and tech from other practitioners of highly varied backgrounds. I personally learned a great deal from others in the group and its fun to hear of other peoples experiences good/bad with magick and learn something from it. 6. One of my favorite parts of the course was the HW assignments that are given. They gave me an excuse to do magick . Often most of my magical work is focused on mystical/ascension endeavors. But the assignments gave me the opportunity to get my hands dirty and at the same time deeply contemplate what i truly want as part of my life and the best magical and mundane approach to achieving said goal. 7. The emphasis in the course is on taking physical action along with magical. If you try casting a spell for a million dollars to show up on your front porch its very unlikely to work. Magical action and well planned actions on the physical plane must go hand and hand. 8. The course itself was not difficult time-wise. I was worried going in that i would be overwhelmed by the lessons and that i would not have enough time for other practices that i am currently doing before. This was not the case, the weekly lessons are convenient and were timely enough that i didn't loose a step with my other practices. 9. The Rites that he organizes are quite powerful and enjoyable form of magick. I got a great deal form them. You can also continue to do each rite even after you finish the course. Cons The following are things i didn't like about the course. To be honest there were very few and the ones i mentioned are me just being nit-picky. 1. If you already have some background in magick then some of the lessons are gone be on topics you are already well versed in and may feel boring at times. Going into the course i already had a strong background in meditation so while i appreciated his emphasis on this, (because it is enormously freaking important) it was a simple review for me. Though, if your completely new to this field of study then every single lesson will be valuable to your foundational understanding and practice of magick. 2. There are some spelling typos here and there in the lessons. None of them inhibited my understanding of the material, but i still noticed them. That's all i can think of. Besides those 2 nitpicks i greatly enjoyed the course and highly recommend it. An additional review that i found insightful is here:

The next cycle of the SS course is coming up. Never done the rite of Mercury before and am really looking forward to it. Kudos to anyone whom is able to jump in on the course, it's good stuff. http://www.inominandum.com/blog/

Look forward to the post. Thanks for the additional excerpts Daeluin. I love that book by Eva Wong.

My understanding is that astral projection is simply a portion of your energy/awareness leaving your body so you can go exploring. It makes sense to me that if you have reached a level of detachment from the body and mind....then one would only need to muster the necessary intent and shoot oneself out of there body in one foul sweep. If you can leave partially then you should be able to leave fully. Though that's me thinking theoretically. Obviously i've never tried it before, but it makes practical sense. In the 8 Yogas of Naropa i believe there is an actual exercise for this of forcefully leaving the body in case of emergency.

Also this guys talks a bit about enlightenment, the relationship it has with death and leaving the body:

At 35:39, Jason Miller talks a bit about death in the tantric current and Powa: http://deeper-down-the-rabbit-hole.com/2014/11/episode-130-crucible-panel-2014-role-dead-magic/

Sounds like your in a tough place Unseen. Hope things improve for you. Remember to practice some kind of internal work daily.

Lots of different ways to ground. 1. Eat some meat 2. Have Sex 3. Go out side and stand on the earth 4. Connect with the earth element 5. Reverse the Gyan mudra so the palm faces the floor ....etc For working specifically with the LDT, many Taoist practices focus on this area. I personally enjoy Stillness Movement and GOT.

There are many methods for circulating and alchemically transmuting the energy of the body. My favorite is Chi Kung.

Hey Wade, sorry to hear your having such negative experiences. Think the energy may be be hitting blockages in your body or becoming stagnant, but that's just a guess. How much time do you spend doing meditation and internal work daily?

Welcome to TTB. I look forward to you contributions.

Welcome to TTB. Hope you may find something of value in advancing your practices here.

Welcome to TTB.

I think Daoism originates from The Dao. So you could say that Daoism originates from many sources. The Trees, Birds, Land, Deer, Void....etc

1. Some kind of meditation/exercise that circulates and alchemically stirs the energy of the body 2. Some kind of stretching to keep the body supple and toned (I like sun salutations). 3. Some kind of stillness meditation for calming and focusing the mind

Funny thing....the OP never came back to the thread or forum after he posted this. Ironic given the very nature of this topic. Asked for advice then didn't hang around to pick it up.

A quick search will yield much. Plenty of threads on this topic.

It may sound a bit brutal....but some cord cutting may be in order. Use your best judgement in these matters.

Currently reading Spirit Speak by Ivo Dominguez. This book is badass. It's fleshing out a ton of my own experiences and teaching me a great deal.

Balance is key.

Sometimes when you fall down the well....despite the pain and sorrow you may feel at the bottom....it can turn into a strange and twisted bed of comfort to stay their and not try and climb back out. Been there a couple of times myself.

Found several videos of qigong routines by him on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559Iw6Tvt8U&list=UU_6yacg_HKgZeqbWR91q-MA

1. Father of Wands: this card suggests that you will have many powerful energetic experiences with these methods but that you may also experience some burnout from the practice and get a bit fried. 2. Death: practicing SFQ may bring about some deep and powerful transformations of your sense of self. These transformations may be quite difficult at times as you gradually shift into a new state of Being, but will be beneficial in the long term. 3. Father of Wind: These techniques will facilitate powerful meditative states and assist you in developing concentration and mental mastery. 4. Two of Wands: Will serve as a connection for basic methods and direction in your practices. -Lot of Fire energy in this divination 3/4 cards were emphasizing fire (1,3,4) and even the death card often springs from a certain level of intensity. Hope this was helpful, best of luck.

Internal work is a pretty generic phrase. My intended usage of it was to signify cultivation methods that focus on circulating Chi/Qi in the body. My favorite of these methods being Qigong or Chi Kung. You can find many a variety of styles that people will recommend on this forum.