The Gnostic Church of L.V.X.

Subdue

 

Subdue thy fear and thy disgust. Then -- yield! LXV 1.46

In the Gnostic Mass, Abrasax (or Abraxas) is invoked as a name of God. This is Greek in origin and the equivalent of Pan - the `all-begetter' and `all-devourer'. Abrasax was and is considered God as the totality of existence including all the good and all the evil that exists in the Universe.

With this in mind, the above quote from Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente offers a certain lesson by which we might differentiate Gnosticims from the Christist Roman Catholicism. With an attitude of self-righteousness one may see Christists reeling away from the devil or from evil as they strive towards the good. The expression of their faces in light of this evil/devil being invoked is always one of fear and disgust. Indeed also, they are taught the 'fear of God' and cower before [him].

Such fears in their hearts have made them slaves to their own dogmas. They have not the ability to pour outside of their beliefs and examine the world around them in any honest, open light. Nay, not that we who are Gnostics don't have our own `devils' to contend with; else the line quoted above. However, we must learn to face them.

To live life with fear or disgust is to limit ourselves. Hence, we can not achieve the freedom that we espouse. Therefore, "Go thou unto the outermost places and subdue all things." LXV 1.45 Man was given dominion, according to the bible, over all things of this world. One may draw interesting parallels with the quotes form Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente.

Later in that same chapter we are admonished to "Intoxicate the inmost . . . not the outermost." This completes an important idea. To subdue thy fear and disgust, one must not indulge in that which is horrid and ugly. Yes, it has been said that to overcome the fear of snakes, one should jump into a pit of snakes. That doesn't mean that one should dwell permanently in that pit. Merely seek to learn and to understand. It is well-known that knowledge is the key to freedom.

Remember, magick and mysticism traverse the middle road. In the Mass of the Phoenix, Aleister Crowley writes `Save me from evil and from good.' Both are not founded upon the middle way which is neither or both. And here we are back to Abrasax once again.