On Guard at the Gates

The notion of the Threshold — the Limit that separates energies in their differentiated existence and their complexes, as vessels for the actualization of the potencies of the Great Spirit— is one of the key notions of the Magical myth.

On the one hand, maintaining the firmness of the Threshold is a mandatory condition for any manifested individual existence. On the other, the Great Spirit is one and universal, and any delimitation within It is conditional and secondary.

This binary is reflected in the system of the gods-Gatekeepers: one of them maintains the Threshold as unshakable, while the other drives a Current of Power through it.

Naturally, the microcosmic mind also contains these principles.

When the inclusion and assimilation of energies takes place, the mind must be maximally self-centered and self-accentuated; that is, it must be guided by the Velesian principle in its functioning.

At the same time, before and after this assimilation — first, to seize new elements, and then, to expand itself — the mind must cross the Threshold; that is, it must employ the Semarglian component.

If the Threshold becomes excessively stable — insurmountable — the mind will suffocate in its own rigidity. This is common in the human world, where people in effect remain almost constantly in a hunted, hypoxic state of mind, deprived of the living Current of Power and blinkered within their own limitation.

If, however, the Threshold becomes excessively thinned, a mixing of energies will occur, and individual existence will cease before completing its realization: the vessel will shatter without fulfilling its task, and thus the Monad will not receive the necessary realization and will be compelled to begin the process anew.

The discernment and actualization of the Veles–Semargl binary is the key task in forming an effective Psychocosmos.

On the one hand, the Magus must cultivate his separateness, the purity of his energies, and not allow them to mix with what is disharmonious to him. Neglect of this principle leads to an accumulation of mutually weakening elements within the mind, a reduction of its effectiveness, and loss of Power.

On the other hand, the magical Way as such begins with the opening of the Vessel, the establishment of a link between the actual and potential states of the Psychocosmos.

Moreover, all active actions of the Magus are “raids” into the darkness of the Unknown — that is, the overcoming of the Threshold.

The Magus must not destroy, shatter, or perforate the Vessel of his mind. On the contrary, he must keep it whole and strong. Yet at the same time, the vessel must, from time to time, be opened in a controlled manner — expanded and developed.

Myth never speaks of the destruction of walls. It speaks of the necessity of Gates — that is, of control over crossing.

Magi not infrequently fall into the trap of one pole of the binary: either they close themselves off excessively and ossify, or they do not watch the gates of their mind attentively enough and lose its self-identity.

Each outward exit must be followed by return and closure of the gates. Each new element must not merely be perceived and brought into the mind; it must be assimilated — that is, incorporated into the overall system as a harmonious, useful component that aids further development.

The Magus must not take the next step until the lessons of the previous one have been fully learned; yet neither must he delay when the system is ready for further expansion.

A high degree of control over the Gates of the mind is an absolutely necessary condition for development, ensuring the most effective use of the opportunities and resources available in the current incarnation.

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