Eroto-comatose lucidity

Last updated

Eroto-comatose lucidity is a technique of sex magic known best by its formulation by English author and occultist Aleister Crowley in 1912, but which has several variations and is used in a number of ways by different spiritual communities. [1] [2] A common form of the ritual uses repeated sexual stimulation (but not to physical orgasm) to place the individual in a state between full sleep and full wakefulness as well as exhaustion, allowing the practitioner to commune with their god. [1]

Contents

History

Aleister Crowley documented the ritual. [1] However, Crowley may not have been the originator of the rite, and may have learned about it from a female student first. [1]

Crowley wrote in his work De Arte Magica that eroto-comatose lucidity is also called the "sleep of Siloam" [3] and Newcomb notes that this rite preceded Crowley. [3] He points out that Paschal Beverly Randolph ("arguably the single most important figure in the rise of modern sexual magic") [4] called this ritualistic state the "sleep of Sialam." [3] Randolph first discussed the "sleep of Sialam" in his 1873 work Ravalette, but described it at the time as a once-in-a-century prophetic trance. [5] In later writings, Randolph used the term as a more general form of clairvoyant sleep used to understand spiritual things. [5]

Helena Blavatsky may also have taught the technique, calling it the "Sleep of Siloam." [3] [5] In her 1877 work Isis Unveiled , Blavatsky wrote that the trance must be induced through drugs rather than sexual exhaustion. [3] [5] Later, Blavatsky altered her understanding of the rite to mean that drug-induced trance-like state in which a new initiate first comprehends spiritual things. [5] This was described in Blavatsky's 1888 work Secret Doctrine, [3] [5] and she taught that the ritualistic state allowed the individual to either commune with the gods, descend into hell, or perform spiritual acts. [3] Blavatsky taught this was a deep sleep, but Newcomb notes that modern ritualists do not enter sleep but rather a state between sleep and wakefulness. [3]

Sexual practices used for spiritual purposes are not new. Eastern traditions within Taoism and tantrism also incorporated sexual rituals. [6]

Process

Crowley first described the rite in a tract titled Eroto-Comatose Lucidity. [7] The ritual as described by Crowley involves one "ritualist-seer" and several aides. [1] [8] Donald Michael Kraig advises that the more sexually experienced the aides are, the better the ritual works, [1] and that the aides be members of the opposite sex. [1] Religious scholar Hugh Urban, however, concludes that, for Crowley, aides of the same gender as the ritualist (e.g., homosexual activity) was the highest stage of practice of this ritual. [8]

In the first part of the ritual, the aides seek repeatedly both to arouse the ritualist sexually and to exhaust her or him. [1] [8] The ritualist is generally passive in this regard. [9] There is disagreement over whether sexual arousal is enough, or sexual orgasm must be eventually accomplished. Crowley and others argue that orgasm must be avoided. [1] [2] [10] Although later practitioners conclude that orgasm does not need to be avoided, that was how Crowley originally formulated the ritual. [2] Most practitioners agree with Crowley that every means of arousal may be used, such as physical stimulation, genital stimulation, psychological stimulation, devices (such as sex toys), or drugs (an entheogen like hashish, marijuana, or other aphrodisiacs). [1] [8] There should be enough aides so that if one aide tires another may take his or her place. [1] Eventually, the ritualist will tend to sink into sleep due to exhaustion. [1]

In the second part of the ritual, the aides seek to come close to awakening the ritualist through sexual stimulation alone. [1] [10] The goal is not to fully awaken her or him, but rather to bring them to the brink of wakefulness. [1] Not all authors agree that the ritualist seer will be in a state between sleep and wakefulness, instead asserting that exhaustion will lead to a trance, or "sleep of lucidity". [11] The ritualist should be neither too tired or too uncomfortable to aid in the trance-like state. [10]

Once the ritualist reaches a near-waking state, sexual stimulation must stop. [1] The ritualist-seer is then permitted to sink back toward (but not into) sleep. [1] This step is repeated indefinitely until the ritualist reaches a state between sleep and wakefulness in which communing with a higher power may occur. [1] [10] [12] Some say a goal during this time is to not become "lost" in the trance-like state, but to remain open without directing an outcome. [2] The ritualist may also conduct spiritual work while in this state, or witness mystical events. [3] Exhaustion may not be necessary for the ritualist who is "bodily pure," Crowley writes. [3]

Endings

The rite may end in one of two ways. The ritualist may simply sink into total sleep, [1] or he or she may achieve orgasm and then sink into a deep and "undisturbable" sleep. [1] [8] Jason Newcomb, however, concludes that sexual exhaustion achieved through repeated orgasm may also lead to the ritualistic state and does not necessarily end the rite. [3] Frater U. D., however, has argued that the orgasmic moment should not be lost and that the individual should strive to use the moment for spiritual or magical purposes. [2]

Upon awakening, the ritualist seer could, for example, write down everything he or she has experienced, witnessed, or been told. [1] At least one author concludes that what is desired should be focused on throughout the rite, and that the individual should not be distracted from it or free of desire. [10]

Crowley also intended that when men do the ritual, any semen (or "elixir") produced by orgasm must be consumed by the ritualist, possibly in a Crowley inspired "Cake of Light". [2]

Similar rites

A similar rite of sexual exhaustion described by Crowley leads not to spiritual communing but a sort of vampirism. [13] In this rite, the aides use only the mouth to sexually exhaust the ritualist, and the intent of the aides must not be to assist the ritualist but rather to transfer the ritualist's own magical strength to themselves. [13] Crowley claimed that when the ritualist is pushed to the point of death from sexual exhaustion in this way, the ritualist's spirit is enslaved by the aides and his or her power transferred to the aides. [13]

Michael W. Ford has argued for alternative rites as well. His concept of Luciferianism incorporates Crowley's ideas about sexual exhaustion, but concludes that the ritualist's will is what sends the spirit forth to bond with higher power. [14] Ford argues for two methods of attaining sexual exhaustion and ascension: "Via Lilith" and "Via Cain." In the Lilith ritual, the room should be draped in crimson and black; music which inspires dark emotions, contains chanting, or contains horrific sounds should be played; and images of Lilith, Lilitu, and succubi should hang in the room. [14] In the Cain ritual, both the room and ritualist should be adorned with fetishes of the Horned God and symbols of Cain, and Middle Eastern music should be played. [14]

The rite and other sex magic practices have had a limited, marginal influence. Crowley's concepts have been seized on by the bands Killing Joke and Psychic TV. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleister Crowley</span> English occultist (1875–1947)

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, philosopher, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life.

A magical organization or magical order is an organization or secret society created for the practice of initiation into ceremonial or other forms of occult magic or to further the knowledge of magic among its members. Magical organizations can include Hermetic orders, esoteric societies, arcane colleges, and other groups which may use different terminology and similar though diverse practices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thelema</span> New religious movement founded by Aleister Crowley

Thelema is a Western esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy, as well as a new religious movement that was founded in the early 1900s by Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician. Central to Thelema is the idea of discovering and following one's True Will, a unique purpose and calling that goes beyond ordinary desires. Crowley's system begins with The Book of the Law, a text he said was dictated to him by an entity named Aiwass. This foundational work lays out key principles, including the central axiom "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law". This principle emphasizes personal freedom and the pursuit of one's true path, while being guided by love and finding one's authentic purpose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordo Templi Orientis</span> International fraternal and religious organization

Ordo Templi Orientis is an occult secret society and hermetic magical organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The origins of O.T.O. can be traced back to the German-speaking occultists Carl Kellner, Theodor Reuss, Heinrich Klein, and Franz Hartmann. In its first incarnation, O.T.O. was intended to be modelled after and associated with European Freemasonry and as such in its early years only Freemasons could seek admittance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ceremonial magic</span> Variety of rituals of magic

Ceremonial magic encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic. The works included are characterized by ceremony and numerous requisite accessories to aid the practitioner. It can be seen as an extension of ritual magic, and in most cases synonymous with it. Popularized by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, it draws on such schools of philosophical and occult thought as Hermetic Qabalah, Enochian magic, Thelema, and the magic of various grimoires. Ceremonial magic is part of Hermeticism and Western esotericism.

Coitus reservatus, also known as sexual continence, is a form of sexual intercourse in which a male does not attempt to ejaculate within his partner, avoiding the seminal emission. It is distinct from death-grip syndrome, wherein a male has no volition in his emissionless state.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to spirituality:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Left-hand path and right-hand path</span> Dichotomy between two opposing approaches to magic

In Western esotericism, left-hand path and right-hand path are two opposing approaches to magic. This terminology is used by various groups involved in the occult and ceremonial magic. In some definitions, the left-hand path is equated with malicious black magic, while the right-hand path is equated with benevolent white magic. Other occultists have criticised this definition, believing that the left–right dichotomy refers merely to different kinds of working and does not necessarily connote good or bad magical actions. Other practitioners state the difference between the two is that the desired outcome of the right is to be beside God and to serve him, while the left believe in self-deification and bow to no one.

Victor Benjamin Neuburg was an English poet and writer. He also wrote on the subjects of theosophy and occultism. He was an associate of Aleister Crowley and the publisher of the early works of Pamela Hansford Johnson and Dylan Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Grant</span> British occult writer

Kenneth Grant was an English ceremonial magician and advocate of the Thelemic religion. A poet, novelist, and writer, he founded his own Thelemic organisation, the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis—later renamed the Typhonian Order—with his wife Steffi Grant.

Sex magic is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result. A premise posited by sex magicians is the concept that sexual energy is a potent force that can be harnessed to transcend one's normally perceived reality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Kellner (mystic)</span> Austrian chemist, inventor, industrialist, Ordo Templi Orientis founder

Carl Kellner was a chemist, inventor, and industrialist. Born in Vienna, Austria, he made significant improvements to the sulfite process and was co-inventor of the Castner-Kellner process.

<i>Moonchild</i> (novel) 1917 novel by Aleister Crowley

Moonchild is a novel written by the British occultist Aleister Crowley in 1917. Its plot involves a magical war between a group of white magicians, led by Simon Iff, and a group of black magicians, over an unborn child. It was first published by Mandrake Press in 1929 and its recent edition is published by Weiser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babalon</span> Goddess in Thelema

Babalon is a goddess found in the occult system of Thelema, which was established in 1904 with the writing of The Book of the Law by English author and occultist Aleister Crowley. The spelling of the name as "Babalon" was revealed to Crowley in The Vision and the Voice. Her name and imagery feature prominently in Crowley's "Liber Cheth vel Vallum Abiegni".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body of light</span> Hermetic starfire body

The body of light, sometimes called the 'astral body' or the 'subtle body,' is a "quasi material" aspect of the human body, being neither solely physical nor solely spiritual, posited by a number of philosophers, and elaborated on according to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings. Other terms used for this body include body of glory, spirit-body, luciform body, augoeides, astroeides, and celestial body.

In the religion of Thelema, it is believed that the history of humanity can be divided into a series of aeons, each of which was accompanied by its own forms of "magical and religious expression".

Within Thelema, the Great Work is the spiritual endeavor aimed at realizing one's True Will and achieving a profound mystical union with the All. This path, crafted by Aleister Crowley, draws inspiration from Hermetic alchemy and the Hermetic Qabalah. The cornerstone of Thelema is the Book of the Law, received by Crowley in 1904 through a communication with the entity Aiwass. This text became the central scripture, heralding a new Aeon for humanity and outlining the principles of Thelema.

<i>Magick (Book 4)</i> Book by Aleister Crowley

Magick, Liber ABA, Book 4 is a book by 20th-century occultist Aleister Crowley. It is widely considered to be his magnum opus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magical formula</span> Words expressing a process in ceremonial magic

In ceremonial magic, a magical formula or a word of power is a word that is believed to have specific supernatural effects. They are words whose meaning illustrates principles and degrees of understanding that are often difficult to relay using other forms of speech or writing. It is a concise means to communicate very abstract information through the medium of a word or phrase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dianism</span> Sexual practice consisting of "sexual satisfaction from sexual contact" but without ejaculation

Dianism is a 19th-century American spiritual sexual practice consisting of "sexual satisfaction from sexual contact" but without ejaculation. The practice was named for Diana, the Roman goddess of chastity, by American court reporter and astronomer Henry M. Parkhurst in his 1882 pamphlet Diana. In the 1890s, sexual mystic Ida Craddock included Dianism as part of her teachings. In the 20th century, the practice found favor with American followers of Aleister Crowley, most notably C.F. Russell.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Kraig, Modern Sex Magick: Secrets of Erotic Spirituality, 1988.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Frater U.D., Secrets of Western Sex Magic: Magical Energy and Gnostic Trance, 2001.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Newcomb, Sexual Sorcery: A Complete Guide to Sex Magick, 2005.
  4. ↑ Urban, Magia Sexualis: Sex, Magic, and Liberation in Modern Western Esotericism, 2006, p. xi.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Deveney, Paschal Beverly Randolph: A Nineteenth-Century Black American Spiritualist, Rosicrucian, and Sex Magician, 1997.
  6. ↑ Bhattacharyya (1999) pp. 294, 296-7, 423-25.
  7. ↑ Martin, Art, Messianism and Crime: A Study of Antinomianism in Modern Literature and Lives, 1986.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Urban, Magia Sexualis: Sex, Magic, and Liberation in Modern Western Esotericism, 2006.
  9. ↑ Martin, Orthodox Heresy: The Rise of "Magic" as Religion and Its Relation to Literature, 1989.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Carroll, Liber Null & Psychonaut, 1987.
  11. ↑ See: Newcomb, Sexual Sorcery: A Complete Guide to Sex Magick, 2005, p. 71; Frater U.D., Secrets of Western Sex Magic: Magical Energy and Gnostic Trance, 2001, p. 130.
  12. ↑ Walker, Encyclopedia of Esoteric Man, 1977.
  13. 1 2 3 Belanger, Vampires in Their Own Words: An Anthology of Vampire Voices, 2007.
  14. 1 2 3 Ford, Luciferian Witchcraft, 2005.
  15. ↑ Reynolds, The Sex Revolts: Gender, Rebellion, and Rock 'n' Roll, 1996.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.