Re: Challenges in the Star of Azazel's International Presence
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:55 am
I very much appreciate this thread, and I do have a few thoughts. They are kind of muddied, and I'm fumbling a bit to figure them out, but they've been bouncing around in my head for some time now.
Absolutely this is true, but I do believe we've been doing our best with our resources, as challenging as it is. Last year Silvaeon and I did travel a long ways to spend a short but sweet time together, which was wonderful. We wanted to do it again this year, but the state of the world didn't permit it. We even went as far as a few of us international brethren tentatively planning a trip to Finland for 2021, but again, so much right now as uncertain. But in Phanes we do try to keep checked in with each other, especially on important days. Perhaps it's my imagination which has always been healthy and active, but I seldom do anything without feeling the collective energy of the SoA. It's as natural to me as breathing. Whether this phenomena is extrinsic or intrinsic, I welcome it fully, for this is an important reason why I'm able to continue without feeling too desolate.
One reason for a drop in my forum activity is also due to editing for UFIII, as well as editing brother Smaragd's finished translations, and finding the balance is sometimes very difficult. I am hopeful that soon the fruits of labour will be visible.
I agree, but I am so grateful for those who choose to communicate on this forum in English with those of us who cannot speak Finnish. I can't always participate, because the subject matter is sometimes so out of my element that I can barely grasp it, but the fact that it exists for a time in the future when I can come back to it with more knowledge and understanding is very comforting to me. I do think that the world of occultism is saturated in many parts with superficiality, which is one of the reasons why the SoA is so very dear to me. I think the biggest challenge lies within the shrouds of occultism in itself. When things are hidden, it is up to the specific individual to decide how far through the veil they want to go. Our world is plagued with vanity and ego, and nothing exemplifies that more than social media, so unfortunately a hashtag search on the occult will bring forth a paltry amount of beneficial occult information, and an entire universe of occult fashion and makeup tutorials, etc. Some would argue that the occult world has no place on something like social media, but I would say that using those channels wisely could help be a piece of the puzzle to rising to this challenge.
Absolutely this is true, but I do believe we've been doing our best with our resources, as challenging as it is. Last year Silvaeon and I did travel a long ways to spend a short but sweet time together, which was wonderful. We wanted to do it again this year, but the state of the world didn't permit it. We even went as far as a few of us international brethren tentatively planning a trip to Finland for 2021, but again, so much right now as uncertain. But in Phanes we do try to keep checked in with each other, especially on important days. Perhaps it's my imagination which has always been healthy and active, but I seldom do anything without feeling the collective energy of the SoA. It's as natural to me as breathing. Whether this phenomena is extrinsic or intrinsic, I welcome it fully, for this is an important reason why I'm able to continue without feeling too desolate.
Nefastos wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:03 am
There have been no new English publications for some time, which also might make one feel the association thin. Even though the Unseen Fire III is in the process of making, brother Smaragd has been extra busy in translating English articles and important correspondence, and English translations of books have been waiting editing for some time, these things are like distant echoes from the depths until their publications will be achieved. One must be carefully tuned indeed if one is to hear what happens in the English part of SoA under the vast & mostly silent waves.
One reason for a drop in my forum activity is also due to editing for UFIII, as well as editing brother Smaragd's finished translations, and finding the balance is sometimes very difficult. I am hopeful that soon the fruits of labour will be visible.
Nefastos wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:03 am
It sometimes seems a bit weird to visit this English forum & see mostly us Finns talking here with each other. Is there really not in this wide & nowadays magnificently open world more interest for this approach of uniting occultism that seeks ascension instead of thrills & magic spells, pictures of one's altar & what new grimoires we have shopped lately? Is the occultism today really that shallow? Or are there some other challenges, more acute, that I have not taken seriously enough? That is, can I do something more, or should you, dear reader, do something more? For I believe that our cause is wise and important, and should receive more dynamic response.
I agree, but I am so grateful for those who choose to communicate on this forum in English with those of us who cannot speak Finnish. I can't always participate, because the subject matter is sometimes so out of my element that I can barely grasp it, but the fact that it exists for a time in the future when I can come back to it with more knowledge and understanding is very comforting to me. I do think that the world of occultism is saturated in many parts with superficiality, which is one of the reasons why the SoA is so very dear to me. I think the biggest challenge lies within the shrouds of occultism in itself. When things are hidden, it is up to the specific individual to decide how far through the veil they want to go. Our world is plagued with vanity and ego, and nothing exemplifies that more than social media, so unfortunately a hashtag search on the occult will bring forth a paltry amount of beneficial occult information, and an entire universe of occult fashion and makeup tutorials, etc. Some would argue that the occult world has no place on something like social media, but I would say that using those channels wisely could help be a piece of the puzzle to rising to this challenge.
I have visions of many beautiful things. Lodge Phanes is starting to bloom as we find our footing, and I think some of the things we have in the works will send some beautiful veins into the world and hopefully reach others like us with a little more ease. We have talks of a music cell once UFIII has been completed, and I think that will be very fruitful in many ways.