~ Preface ~
While our views on theology, philosophy and spirituality are represented here we want it known from the onset that we respect the beliefs of all others who are non-evangelical, support the rights of others to believe as they see fit and cause no harm to any entities in the practices of their faiths. Surely our Order is comprised of those who adhere to doctrines of several dieties and, as such, bring diverse strengths and wisdoms to our Order.
A common question to those new to us is, "Why call your group an Order?" While many titles were discussed long ago and, while it was understood the limitations any 'label' may have on any entity, Order was arrived at for its historical application to academic mystic societies and foremost because the very name suggests what we attempt to achieve: Order out of Chaos.
If you would like to see the original postings go to The Collegium Magicka Chambers. Feel free to join so ye may post, joining the Club has no bearing on our Order membership. We are entirely nonevangelical but any who are interested may petition to join us either locally or on the net. Also we welcome comments and feedback...just be ye as tolerant of us as we be of thee!
L S Montahon
~ Preface by Monty ~
~ The Nature of All ~
~ Introduction to our Order ~
~ The Ways of the One ~
~ Further Mysteries of the Three ~
~ Wonders of Our Order ~
Related Texts:
The Universal Alliance Realms Map
The Nation of Union: Declaration of Universal Entity
* Our Order: Monty's Magicks *
+ Our Order: Flame's Rages Pages +
~ The Nature of All ~
From a Chamber post 6/29/01 11:46 AM EST to 'Sugar':
Sugar cries to me and I hear! I will as such begin a discourse here of writings that will later be published after editing...I simply feel it needs to be said now!
Our view on the universe is a simple one. We are all a part of a beautiful All which is a part of us and is forever intertwined in a loving dance, sometimes glorious, sometimes mischievous, sometimes tragic...but ever magic!
We call this All simply that and at times, as a means of definition only, the Godhead. We are not here to argue whose god can beat up whose and leave the argument at our doorsteps...using no other names for the Supreme to avoid any debate, derision or dissention. These we consider vexations to the Spirit and, besides, a great waste of our precious short time in this glorious dance we call Life!
I will leave this discourse a time to reach out to any who are new, who are suffering and also to emphasize the importance of solitary practice and meditation. There is power in numbers granted but the Whole is never greater than the sum of its parts in our view...seeing they are one in the same!
The All has granted us each 'powers' that range from the most modest mundane to the awe inspiring arcane. These are as unique to each of us as are they to all of all lands, realms and dimensions. It is through these strengths we grow, find ourselves then eventually find others. It is through these gifts we give, love and 'make the universe go 'round'!
Before any real 'magickal' study ye should find those mundane gifts and practice them! Cooking, writing, poetry, singing...washing dishes if it be thy call! Ye know these by their ability to take ye to the realm of the All...make you at one with the Universe. Herein lies the key to the meditative state which brings us closer to the All and grants us great personal growth.
A gift we all share but sadly too seldom use is simple kindness and generosity. If you pass a hungry man on the street and offer no aid, are you not starving yourself? If a soul cries for suplication and ye turn a deaf ear are ye not also barren? Herein is the greatest magick ye shall ever possess for surely the strength of love ye create in the bellies ye fill and the hearts ye heal will empower ye evermore!
Consider these things and act on them...be at peace and strive to meet the All. I shall be with thee and love thee always!
I shall return soon to add to these postings...please let me know of your progress and be ever patient...with me and all others but mostly thyself!
~mage~
~ Introduction to our Order ~
from a Chamber posting dated 6/30/01 12:26 EST:
Ah, the wonders and terrors of technology! Poor Monty is a slave to it it seems but is a loving slave, as all true masters are to their arts!
Here I need add that Monty and I are not one in the same. He created these glorious webpages as is his calling and now does the same for us and the All...as well as types these missives as this art also eludes me! Truly his many magicks are but a part of these and his love of improving is ne'er ending!
Henceforth all postings I make shall be enclosed as is my signing of them so all may see who authors each. This I hope will waylay any confusions which may arise from our sharing this name.
I need now offer further explanation of our Order...that which I am allowed by the All for there is much power and protection in knowing the unknown and being a part of those unseen.
We have no 'ranking system' for certainly our greatest in stature are our greatest servants, our highest in 'rank' are the first to hear the call of the least. Our terms for our members are as such only a means of describing their advancement in our Order and has no bearing on any others or in any way grants real authority within.
Sugar, ye be a Neophyte now, simply by showing an interest and continuing upon the path you have already chosen. Learn well Love! In brief time ye shall be ready for thy next transformation within our fold and as a part of All!
A time shall pass when our Order shall feel the Neophyte is worthy...trustworthy and of needed temperment to join our fold. Allow the All to bring ye here...for the true of heart the path be clear and a pleasure to follow!
Upon the end of this path ye begin another, that of the Acolyte. In a secret ceremony I may not divuldge in great detail ye will meet with a mentor (Sugar, at this time it appears this duty shall become Monty's...a task he looks forward too with great enthusiasm!) and participate in a rite ye will help design of thy own gifts of the All, as well as those of thy mentor.
The Acolyte then progresses in study and meditation, heeding the call of the All and uncovering the skills they already possess. At a time the All will tell the ~Acolyte~ they are ready and another ceremony needs be held, that involving as many of the Order as are able to attend. The All has been true...never has one of our Order as yet heard the call and not been proclaimed a Master.
Here is a title to fear for much is called upon of these as stated earlier. Also the very title has lead to stagnation in many...none are ever as great as the All and no one should ever suppose there is not more to learn. Many who hear the call postpone knowing the grave dangers the very title imposes.
We then have a board of Masters elected to the posts of Council by Council, of which Monty and I now share the seats with four others. As ye have seen from Monty these require the greatest of service and a commitment to do whatever is needed for our Order, as a whole and for each individual Neophyte. The Council takes great care to look over the needs of each in every way possible but have great patience...each of ours at this time spend near all their free time (and, in the case of Monty, ALL his time I must add!) seeing to the betterment of our Order and ministering to others who may never even know we exist.
There is much more I could add but this is a very busy time for us...may the Light of All shine ever upon thee and the Love of All hold thee safe Always!
Love to All and All of You!
~mage~
~ The Ways of the One ~
from a Chamber post dated 7/02/01 9:14 AM EST:
A fine morn and a new week...the promises of all the ages set before me and thee! This shall be my last entry for a time for much may be said by Monty that needs not my attendance any longer. Long has he been a Lord in lands of the 'fantastic'...which exist as real to many of us as this page before your eyes...but now moves on to this realm of our reality (and who proposes to know the 'real' nature of this?) as a Lord in his own right of an Order that will find strength and love by the guidance of this faithful follower!
What needs be added to complete my first trilogy of teachings to thee be the nature of the All and the mysteries of the Three. Monty has taken a fantastic approach to creating the first texts of this in his world which are at once entertaining and informative. Much may also be gleaned from the readings of it!
(This is a reference by Mage to my Book of All, a fantasy representation of his teachings I began incorporating into 'my universe' shortly after our meeting. *monty*)
The All, the One by Monty's poetic terminology, is Amoral. Many may show disdain for this concept but take this querry into consideration: what loving 'godhead' could see the suffering and anguish present in our realm alone, not to count the myriad in existance through the galaxies and dimensions there be? Arguments may abound on this matter but none shall we accept. The All has but one goal in the universe and that is the Universe should unfold according to the Godhead's Will. Every entity therein is a vessel of the One, experiencing all there is to experience as is the living dream of the All.
Consider ye this with boldness a moment: were you the One in the Darkness before time began what would ye seek? To mire alone in the majesty of your omnipotence? Surely not! Each of us, every grain of sand, every entity, every galaxy, every eternity is a vessel of the All, a means to gain the the living experience of what the All ordained would be and as such proclaimed it should be so!
The All is Asexual. In many doctrines gender is given the godhead, historically this is often presented as a means of deifying the more poweful sex of the time. In ancient days the supreme was of female form, particularly among fertility cults, because the very existence of mankind (so to speak) depended on women to be fruitful. As men gained dominance in the establishment of societies the shift to male godheads began, largely so that men could master the wonders of their newfound unity.
This, of course, is a fallacy, a heresy and a tragedy. Surely, if the One is truly the All, there would be no limitations imposed upon it as the sexes are upon humans and earthly beasts. The One is of both and loves all creation for it is certainly a part of Him/Her!
At that ye will often hear gender pronouns used by ours as they see fit in describing the All. If a person prefers goddess worship he will undoubtably refer to the One as 'She'. Someone who sees the All as a pillar of society may call the All 'He'. We disdain the use of 'It' for, while the One would surely find no offense in this, we feel it is unworthy and misrepresentative of the true nature and wonders of the One.
The All is Omnipresent. Everywhere and in everything. I say this as an axiom but also to bring faith and hope in your times of darkest despair. Surely at your worst ye be your best in the fulfillment of the universal design of the All. He feels your pain exactly as ye do for ye are but an extension of Him!
The One is Omnipotent. She has all power over all things, at all times and in all dimensions. Her power is pure, everpowerful and knows no boundaries. Her greatest desire is the fulfillment in each of us the destiny so preordainded before the beginning of time!
Freewill exists in us but all to the ends of the prophesies of the All. To exemplify this, turn the page you are now on then back again. Was this not an act of will? True, but if the One is truly omnipotent it was known this would transpire before the first star twinkled in the heavens!
This is not to say ye may be complacent and await the goodness of the One to shower the gifts of the universe upon thee! All this shall prove is your destiny was to accomplish nothing, your fate was to be soon forgotten in the passages of time. Be ye ever diligent then and work every day with each breath to make yours a path of example for others and to forge a destiny that is truly worthy of any of the All as ye surely be!
Finally, the One has a sense of humor! A great gift of His is that to entertain others and create an air of lightness, frivolity and togetherness! Think not these discourses ever suggest otherwise...beyond all the riches and all the glory that one may attain in this life the simple gifts of joy in creation and unity will for always surpass wealth and fame!
I go now to another reality...that of my daily requirements imposed on me by this realm. I go with a lightness of heart knowing my place in the One and by yet another of my desitinies having been fulfilled in this writing.
Those who read look over Monty and cast and pray for his continued success and well being, as well as all of ours and everyone everywhere as we surely do for you!
Peace and Happiness to You Always!
~mage~
~ Further Mysteries of the Three ~
From a Chamber post 7/17/01 1:47 PM EST from Monty's notes:
These are rewrites of notes I took from Mage as we sat and discussed my writings of the Three on Saturday. While primarily in 'outline' form I believe I remember enough to do what he said some justice. Still, we agreed on this as an 'experiment' of what happens when the 'philosophies' of one are rewritten by an 'enlightened' other...not to worry, if I was off base even a bit Mage will correct me! Also this gives us the opportunity to observe an interesting phenomenon...here in terms of days, not years...sound familiar?
Refer to Our Order: Monty's Magicks for my beginning entry on the Mysteries of the Three.
Even in adding this I want you to note where Mage and I 'agree to disagree'. We are by no means monotheistic and try to see what spirituality means to each individual, for reasons of understanding and not condemnation. It is with that spirit I will also add a bit to my preface of Mage's writings.
I also encourage each of you to post your beliefs and views here. It is by this sharing we are all able to learn and grow!
With that, on to the notes...Blessed Be each of Ye!
*monty*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monty, ye handled the telling of the Three as I knew ye would...magnificently and in your own way! Allow me though to expound a time and show others my views on this important topic.
First I agree emphatically on your assertion we are of the neutral. My one point of departure from your philosophy is in the area of war. While I see the rights and needs of each should be protected I would be one to defend by castings of protection and, as we must in our situation, simply remain in hiding.
My age is a factor here: I have lived a long a fruitful life but now would be of little good in physical fight. I also believe more strongly in the fates than thee: what is meant to be shall be!
Still, I must say I am thankful for those of your metal. May the One forbide it be ever so, I could imagine a situation just as in the Fantasy Festivals and in RPG's...I'd be casting for ye as you and your Knights fought the front line battle!
As for the rest I must say ye have covered the Mysteries of the Three quite well. Now we shall go over the additions I feel shuld be included.
When ye combine all the colors of light from the spectrum ye have pure, white light. Contrarily, when ye mix all colors of the palette ye have pure black paint. Herein is a Mystery of the Three that is given meaning by the physical laws the One has set forth in Nature: surely one color is by some means a mixture of others and so are philosophies, realities and even dieties!
Gray and the neutral is in the perfect center of each spectrum. Still, can any claim a 'perfect' theology or god? Proclaim perhaps but maintain I think not lest they do heed the amoral call to the One.
Still there exists great pantheons of gods, each possessing their own powers and wonders. There is no denying the miracles abundant in each and therefore to question their existence is futile and only adds to the derision we try so hard to avoid!
Our Order is neutral but anything but 'grey'. I see a multitude of colors and a great deal of white in our fold! I will agree the very declaration of being 'good', or worse 'pure good' has dangers and pitfalls I'd never see us involved with. Monty, ye covered these quite well and little else need I say!
The claim of good leads to stagnation as those so proclaiming narrow in mind and learnings. Good becomes 'right' then takes the hideous form of the 'only right', an evagelical monstrosity which accounts for the vast majority of the suffering of humankind throughout history!
Obvious parallels may be drawn to this in the religions of the western world by western minds but take this as empirical fact: no religion in any culture has ever taken the stance of being the 'only right' one without bringing much harm to its members and all they make contact with!
An Order Master who sees auras puts it best in saying she so loves to attend our Rites because of the 'rainbow' we produce. Surely the One has blessed our Union for each of us is very unique and the skills we possess are complimentary to say the least! Let us rejoice in our differences and praise each for being a an irreplacable, one of a kind creation of the One, never before seen and never to be again throughout all galaxies and realities!
Monty rests in Flame's arms and we give a fine example of this. Flame uses here nurturing skills, Monty that of scribe and I in my role as teacher. We are here even now a complete Union, each doing a part which brings us together as one. In this fellowship we are at peace and know a joy many may never come close to in a thousand life times!
Learn well your skills, practice your gifts and devote your heart, mind, spirit and soul to whatever diety be your call. But ever remember there be other gods, other realities and there be no need for strife among any of us...we all are One...any who deny this deny their place in creation!
Blessings and Good Fortune to Ye All!
~mage~
~ Wonders of Our Order ~
From a Chamber post 7/28/01 PM EST:
Ahh, a magnificent experiment completed with astounding results! Not only has the student in Monty become a teacher but, as Flame has said, his eloquent and often elaborate retelling of our thoughts are both entertaining and directly to our points! If only other philosophies had the benefit of scribes as he be!
Monty has asked for my enlightenment for those who would seek the path of our Order or any like it which may develop as a result of these writings. Several topics has he suggested and I will now disclose those I feel are of greatest import and return with more at a later time.
Arguments abound over many areas of our works and this is as it should be. We seek in no way to alter the beliefs of any unwilling and, given the proper forum, might even invite healthy debate were we all not so involved each with the paths before us and finding our place in the One.
Also, as Monty agrees, some arguments are so self serving and of little real substance that even their mention is a waste of our precious time in this existence and will be dealt with accordingly...by our silence! Thankfully none of these have yet been presented in the Consortium or Alliance but this text will exist for any which will certainly come!
Any of any faith may be a part of us as is the nature of the One but we will not nor ever allow any who would break the Wiccan Creed or Law of the Three in any way, shape or form. While we are not all Wiccan we use these as the best and most readily obtainable source of the basis for our laws as well. We all agree upon this without question and as an axiom. Order out of Chaos is our goal and any who promote anything else may do so elsewhere!
Keep ever in mind that we are not the Consortium or Universal Alliance. These are very normal and, as we see it, much needed developments of Monty and all who may enter. Monty has agreed to allow no innately 'evil' texts in our Library but will admit those of dark nature into the Consortium and even its Collegium and Chambers so long as the Laws of such are not broken. He has the ability of a very real 'casting out of demons' in this forum and any who should find one among you should contact him forthwith!
This also brings to light the role-playing aspects of the Union Alliance and Galactic Federation. With so many children and even others of limited spiritual development ('children' being used here as a relative term) who may happen upon us there are many options available those who would want to portray themselves as such but also a structure which severely limits any real damage they may cause or even seek to. We hope by that realm so provided many of these may see the light or at least the error of their ways!
As was expected, Flame's Rages has brought about great debates and, of these, I will say all that needs be said and put an end to these issues for all we shall ever be concerned:
Nudity be our natural state and nakedness be our preferred one for the majority of us. Still, even among us there are those who have never exposed themselves beyond a toga and will never be required to do so. For those who so desire they may even leave our rituals near its end where many will pull back their robes as a display of both strength within our ranks and vulnerability before the One or their chosen deity.
Now this is and ever will be a requirement of our Order Masters who would lead a Ritual. This exposure signifies the release of the powers built during the Ritual itself and has always been our way. An argument may be justly presented that if the One is all powerful then no such display is needed. To this we will reply with in resounding agreement but, beyond any other of the reasons we might give, this we do not for the One but ourselves...it is a testament to our innate weaknesses and our willingness to openly present them before the One!
Festivals are not for all nor do all attend. These are simply our means of getting to know each other, trading information and yes, dear friends, satisfying each others needs whatever they may be! Flame has covered this topic well and I see no need to repeat anything she has said but do offer these additions:
We cast off completely the 'morality' imposed on us by this society and most of its religions. We are proud of our bodies and any who would attend our Festivals must share that pride regardless of age or body structure. We are as those who would often find themselves at nudist retreats or even clothed beaches...whatever the basic design the One has given us we seek to make it its best for our pleasure and well being as well as any we might 'share' it with!
Our anonymity and 'masks' are by no means an act of hiding our faith but rather a culmination of beliefs and situations. The masks first and foremost represent we are not who we are in the 'real world' but someone, something much different. Above the neophytes first and very basic mask much care is taken in their choosing and these are chosen as such to portray ourselves as we might wish to be on that particular occasion. As such, I myself have over twenty of them!
Secondly we each have no concern of who we must be in the 'real world' for, to us, this is the greatest of illusions there be! Consider how many 'masks' ye must wear in everyday life and how often these are contortions and even contradictions of who ye truly be!
Finally this is again a personal belief we most share and that is much power is gained by 'knowing the unknown and seeing the unseen'. The most practical demonstration of this is if one of us were to be found out even in our current, continually less hostile environment he could not expose the entire Order and, as such, cause minimal harm.
As founder of this Order I have chosen to allow six of our twenty five to know who I am, more out of necessity than any real calling to do so. Trust abounds in our Order but my anonymity stems from my belief that our powers are multiplied within each of us for the simple fact I exist to ours as a being 'not of this world', no deception intended or even needed!
And so we are exposed while we are hidden away! We withhold nothing of ourselves but are truly known by none! Such are the mysteries and magicks of our Order and as such shall be so of Monty's and any others which may follow if they truly abide our simple wisdoms!
There is much more that remains to be said but the day grows ever closer Monty will take up where I leave off in these writings. Pray and cast for his and our continued well being and good fortune as we surely shall for you all!
For the Love of the One,
~mage~
� Copyright 'Nation of Union' 2002. All rights reserved.