Post by Empress Palpatine on Dec 30, 2009 13:22:57 GMT -6
Before you read this, be sure to read parts I and II. The physics of the electro-magnetic force belongs to no one belief system. It is a known reality and various belief systems have used it. Most of these belief systems did not know that this was the force they were using. As far as they were concerned, they were using invisible mystic powers. Only in the last 150 years or so have we found out about it in science.
In certain practices of witchcraft, they speak of a dark and invisible energy of a god and a goddess. The god and goddess are + and - polarities. They cast a circle to make their sacred space, which in a way, is a way to make a field. The god forms called on and the ritual performed is their way of contacting the energy. I suppose one could evoke electrons because in many a book about witchcraft that I have read, they admit that the gods are only devices to call up the energy. If they do not choose to use physics terms to call on energies, it would be more due to the fact that it does not feel right to them as far as mood. That is the down side of of physics or science. It does not feel mystical to most people. The up side would be this: Science is solidly proven real. Science has that strength; whereas, there may be some corner of one's mind that is filled with doubt as regards magick.
This creeping doubt could be a problem to all practitioners of magick of whatever school. There could be that split second moment where one feels like they are doing something that is fictional and unreal. That shadow of doubt could dilute the power one is trying to wield. If science is behind you, your confidence in the power is more secure. Knowledge is stronger than faith. I do not have to try to believe in an electro-magnetic field. It is a fact. I may not understand the complex math behind it, but knowing that someone proved it mathematically and by experiment gives me more than just faith.
Whether or not the electro-magnetic field can be controlled by the human will is outside the world of physics. The physicists are way too cautious to go that far. One would have to take a leap that such could be true. It is not likely that any physicist would admit such. They have to see some math before they will even begin to give an idea credibility. But many things have been true and people have felt it to be true long before someone proved it in science.
Many magickal practitioners like to use gold and silver, which are conductive materials. Gold and silver have been given mystical meanings. Even many descriptions and visualizations of the energies sound like it is electrical or magnetic in nature. Remember part II of this essay where I mention how electricity and magnetism "coils" or "curls?" The energies move in a coiling fashion around the wire. There are many ancient religions that used snake symbolism. In many the snake is a symbol of vital force. Freemason Albert Pike says:
"The Egyptian priests fed the sacred serpents in the temple at Thebes. Taaut himself had in his writings discussed these mysteries in regard to the serpent. Sanchoniathon said in another work, that the serpent was immortal, and re-entered into himself; which according to some ancient theosophists, particularly those of India, was an attribute of the Deity. And he also said that the serpent never died, unless by a violent death." p. 495
"The Egyptians, Sanchoniathon said, represented the serpent with the head of a hawk, on account of the swift flight of that bird: and the chief Heirophant, the sacred interpreter, gave very mysterious explanations of that symbol; saying that such a serpent was a very divine creature, and that, opening his eyes, he lighted with their rays the whole of first-born space: when he closes them, it is darkness again." p. 495
"The Egyptian Goddess Ken, represented standing naked on a lion, held two serpents in her hand. She is the same as the Astarte or Ashtaroth of the Assyrians. Hera, worshipped in the Great Temple at Babylon, held in her right hand a serpent by the head; and near Khea, also worshipped there, were two large silver serpents.
In a sculpture from Kouyunjik, two serpents attached to poles are near a fire-altar, at which two eunuchs are standing. Upon it is the sacred fire, and a bearded figure leads a wild goat to the sacrifice." p. 495
"Serpents encircling rings and globes, and issuing from globes, are common in the Persian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian monuments." p. 500
"The Caduceus, borne by Hermes or Mercury, and also by Cybele, Minerva, Anubis, Hercules Ogmius the God of the Celts, and the personified Constellation Virgo, was a winged wand, entwined by two serpents." p. 502
All the above quotes are from MORALS AND DOGMA, chapter 25, Knight of the Brazen Serpent, by Albert Pike.
What stands out is the fact that the serpent was such a common symbol all over the ancient world. Notice that often times two serpents are mentioned. This fits the description of the two energies electricity and magnetism coiling about each other.
The religions of India referred to the kundalini energy which was described as a coiled snake at the base of the human spine. When awakened, it moves up the spine and out of the top of the head where it is represented as a multi-headed cobra. Kundalini is described as a strong flow of energy up through the body. It is said Shiva and Shakti unite (god and goddess), a union of polarity + and -.
"However, what allows us to mention the mythic serpent in relation to Kundalini is the adoption of this symbol within the Saiva system itself. As we shall see, in the highest of the initiations by piercing, that which is precisely called 'of the serpent' (bhujangaveha), the energy ascends with lightning speed to the top of the head and blossoms into bliss in the form of a fivefold-hooded cobra intensely vibrating with life. Thus, outstretched above the head, he symbolizes the cosmic dvadasanta; all of the yogin's energies, at this stage, are all-pervading and spread out to the entire universe." p. 17, KUNDALINI ENERGY OF THE DEPTHS by Lilian Silburn, 1988.
The oriental chi/qi/ki practitioners refer to that same kind of energy. This is used in many of their practices such as Tai-Chi, Qi-Gong, and others. They describe a circulation of energy that goes around a loop, usually up the spine, out through the head, and down the front of a person. Dr. Yang Jwing Ming in his book THE ESSENCE OF SHAOLIN WHITE CRANE MARTIAL POWER AND QIGONG is quite blunt as to what sort of power this is. He says:
"In ancient China, people had very little knowledge of electricity. They only knew from acupuncture that when a needle was inserted into the acupuncture cavities, some kind of energy other than heat was produced which often caused a shock or a tickling sensation. It was not until the last few decades, when the Chinese people were more acquainted with electro-magnetic science, that they began to recognize that this energy circulating in the body, which they called Qi, might be the same thing as what today's science calls 'bioelecricity.'
It is understood now that the human body is constructed of many different electrically conductive materials, and that it forms a living electromagnetic field and circuit. Electromagnetic energy is continuously being generated in the human body through the biochemical reaction in food and air assimilation, and circulated by the electromotive forces (EMF) generated within the body.
In addition, you are constantly being affected by external electromagnetic fields such as that of the earth, or electric fields generated by clouds. When you practice Chinese medicine or Qigong, you need to be aware of these outside factors and take them into account." p. 46
It would seem that Chinese science will come to this conclusion faster than western science.
As one can see, there is strong evidence to suggest that electro-magnetism is the Force used by various practicioners. How to apply this knowedge is up to the individual. That I leave to the reader to find his/her path. Conduct your own experiments.
It is an easy leap to make that this is the same Force as the one referred to on Star Wars. The dark of the Dark Side of the Force may merely mean "unseen," a reference to the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible. This "larger view of the Force" as referred to by Palpatine may be about these invisible aspects. Palpatine may have thought more like a scientist when he saw no "good" or "evil" side of the Force. The scientific view is devoid of any moralizing. The electromagnetic field just is. The two sides are + and -, and both are used. I guess one could call physics a "Sith science."
In certain practices of witchcraft, they speak of a dark and invisible energy of a god and a goddess. The god and goddess are + and - polarities. They cast a circle to make their sacred space, which in a way, is a way to make a field. The god forms called on and the ritual performed is their way of contacting the energy. I suppose one could evoke electrons because in many a book about witchcraft that I have read, they admit that the gods are only devices to call up the energy. If they do not choose to use physics terms to call on energies, it would be more due to the fact that it does not feel right to them as far as mood. That is the down side of of physics or science. It does not feel mystical to most people. The up side would be this: Science is solidly proven real. Science has that strength; whereas, there may be some corner of one's mind that is filled with doubt as regards magick.
This creeping doubt could be a problem to all practitioners of magick of whatever school. There could be that split second moment where one feels like they are doing something that is fictional and unreal. That shadow of doubt could dilute the power one is trying to wield. If science is behind you, your confidence in the power is more secure. Knowledge is stronger than faith. I do not have to try to believe in an electro-magnetic field. It is a fact. I may not understand the complex math behind it, but knowing that someone proved it mathematically and by experiment gives me more than just faith.
Whether or not the electro-magnetic field can be controlled by the human will is outside the world of physics. The physicists are way too cautious to go that far. One would have to take a leap that such could be true. It is not likely that any physicist would admit such. They have to see some math before they will even begin to give an idea credibility. But many things have been true and people have felt it to be true long before someone proved it in science.
Many magickal practitioners like to use gold and silver, which are conductive materials. Gold and silver have been given mystical meanings. Even many descriptions and visualizations of the energies sound like it is electrical or magnetic in nature. Remember part II of this essay where I mention how electricity and magnetism "coils" or "curls?" The energies move in a coiling fashion around the wire. There are many ancient religions that used snake symbolism. In many the snake is a symbol of vital force. Freemason Albert Pike says:
"The Egyptian priests fed the sacred serpents in the temple at Thebes. Taaut himself had in his writings discussed these mysteries in regard to the serpent. Sanchoniathon said in another work, that the serpent was immortal, and re-entered into himself; which according to some ancient theosophists, particularly those of India, was an attribute of the Deity. And he also said that the serpent never died, unless by a violent death." p. 495
"The Egyptians, Sanchoniathon said, represented the serpent with the head of a hawk, on account of the swift flight of that bird: and the chief Heirophant, the sacred interpreter, gave very mysterious explanations of that symbol; saying that such a serpent was a very divine creature, and that, opening his eyes, he lighted with their rays the whole of first-born space: when he closes them, it is darkness again." p. 495
"The Egyptian Goddess Ken, represented standing naked on a lion, held two serpents in her hand. She is the same as the Astarte or Ashtaroth of the Assyrians. Hera, worshipped in the Great Temple at Babylon, held in her right hand a serpent by the head; and near Khea, also worshipped there, were two large silver serpents.
In a sculpture from Kouyunjik, two serpents attached to poles are near a fire-altar, at which two eunuchs are standing. Upon it is the sacred fire, and a bearded figure leads a wild goat to the sacrifice." p. 495
"Serpents encircling rings and globes, and issuing from globes, are common in the Persian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian monuments." p. 500
"The Caduceus, borne by Hermes or Mercury, and also by Cybele, Minerva, Anubis, Hercules Ogmius the God of the Celts, and the personified Constellation Virgo, was a winged wand, entwined by two serpents." p. 502
All the above quotes are from MORALS AND DOGMA, chapter 25, Knight of the Brazen Serpent, by Albert Pike.
What stands out is the fact that the serpent was such a common symbol all over the ancient world. Notice that often times two serpents are mentioned. This fits the description of the two energies electricity and magnetism coiling about each other.
The religions of India referred to the kundalini energy which was described as a coiled snake at the base of the human spine. When awakened, it moves up the spine and out of the top of the head where it is represented as a multi-headed cobra. Kundalini is described as a strong flow of energy up through the body. It is said Shiva and Shakti unite (god and goddess), a union of polarity + and -.
"However, what allows us to mention the mythic serpent in relation to Kundalini is the adoption of this symbol within the Saiva system itself. As we shall see, in the highest of the initiations by piercing, that which is precisely called 'of the serpent' (bhujangaveha), the energy ascends with lightning speed to the top of the head and blossoms into bliss in the form of a fivefold-hooded cobra intensely vibrating with life. Thus, outstretched above the head, he symbolizes the cosmic dvadasanta; all of the yogin's energies, at this stage, are all-pervading and spread out to the entire universe." p. 17, KUNDALINI ENERGY OF THE DEPTHS by Lilian Silburn, 1988.
The oriental chi/qi/ki practitioners refer to that same kind of energy. This is used in many of their practices such as Tai-Chi, Qi-Gong, and others. They describe a circulation of energy that goes around a loop, usually up the spine, out through the head, and down the front of a person. Dr. Yang Jwing Ming in his book THE ESSENCE OF SHAOLIN WHITE CRANE MARTIAL POWER AND QIGONG is quite blunt as to what sort of power this is. He says:
"In ancient China, people had very little knowledge of electricity. They only knew from acupuncture that when a needle was inserted into the acupuncture cavities, some kind of energy other than heat was produced which often caused a shock or a tickling sensation. It was not until the last few decades, when the Chinese people were more acquainted with electro-magnetic science, that they began to recognize that this energy circulating in the body, which they called Qi, might be the same thing as what today's science calls 'bioelecricity.'
It is understood now that the human body is constructed of many different electrically conductive materials, and that it forms a living electromagnetic field and circuit. Electromagnetic energy is continuously being generated in the human body through the biochemical reaction in food and air assimilation, and circulated by the electromotive forces (EMF) generated within the body.
In addition, you are constantly being affected by external electromagnetic fields such as that of the earth, or electric fields generated by clouds. When you practice Chinese medicine or Qigong, you need to be aware of these outside factors and take them into account." p. 46
It would seem that Chinese science will come to this conclusion faster than western science.
As one can see, there is strong evidence to suggest that electro-magnetism is the Force used by various practicioners. How to apply this knowedge is up to the individual. That I leave to the reader to find his/her path. Conduct your own experiments.
It is an easy leap to make that this is the same Force as the one referred to on Star Wars. The dark of the Dark Side of the Force may merely mean "unseen," a reference to the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible. This "larger view of the Force" as referred to by Palpatine may be about these invisible aspects. Palpatine may have thought more like a scientist when he saw no "good" or "evil" side of the Force. The scientific view is devoid of any moralizing. The electromagnetic field just is. The two sides are + and -, and both are used. I guess one could call physics a "Sith science."