Suggestion for Working Together

[Tehiru.Chalal]

I feel that there is a considerable division on intent here on the board and I thought I would explore it a bit as well as provide a suggestion. Some of us here view Cthulhu and the GOO as deities in their own right and are working in a theistic/theurgic frame of mind, while others of us view the GOO as ideals or "patrons", and some of us view the Cthulhu pantheon as a fascinating approach to magick. Great, but with us all moving around in our own patterns we lack cohesion and so we get a lot of material on a thousand subjects but no common reference.

What I propose is that Venger (or others) devise some common rituals, practices or whatnot. Specifically, that these practices be undertaken every three days for a month as an example. So if Venger had a specific pathworking or meditation, a number of us would volunteer to perform this on a specific schedule (like the example above). In this way, these practices would not only give us something to talk about because we have had the practice and experience in common, but these shared practices would enable us to actually develop operations that are designed to be more than personal variations.

I imagine that there would have to be some development of these, probably with ongoing feedback from us. However, I think the outcome would be worth the effort.

[jasmine]

I agree with your ideas. I am aware that there are rituals in the CoC Bible. Are these the ones you are referring to? Or the creation of new ones....designed to pull us together in some way?

In my experience I see Cthulhu as very individualistic in nature. In other words (please bear with me I have a head full of liquid) I think what I am trying to say is are we all that capable of pulling together?...think of the Discordian philosophy "we Discordians stick apart!".

How would we propose overcoming the highly individualistic nature in the interpretation of the Cthulhu mythos in the first place?

Don't get me wrong here, as I said initially I like this idea....I think it has great merit. I will think on it more and return hopefully with a better answer.

[Yahn'ikthorn]

Being a Cult loses much of its meaning and potential unless we have this kind of preset common practices available, I think. I want to hear what the High Priest says before suggesting anything, his words usually stir my wiser side from slumber. ;D

[Tehiru.Chalal]

jasmine said:

I agree with your ideas. I am aware that there are rituals in the CoC Bible. Are these the ones you are referring to? Or the creation of new ones....designed to pull us together in some way?

How would we propose overcoming the highly individualistic nature in the interpretation of the Cthulhu mythos in the first place?

The rituals and exercises in the CoC bible may or may not be the answer. However, it seems that we are so individualistic that we run the risk of losing focus or even cohesion. I think some common practices will help us to keep "sticking apart" as you mentioned. I'd like to hear Venger's take as well.

[Tehiru.Chalal]

takuan said:

Being a Cult loses much of its meaning and potential unless we have this kind of preset common practices available, I think. I want to hear what the High Priest says before suggesting anything, his words usually stir my wiser side from slumber. ;D

Glad you feel that way! I'm not looking for a set of rules and regulations here. I am just looking to make sure we have some common ground and practices to keep us moving more or less in the same general direction.

[I AM the Way]

you bring up an important concern. how much is enough and how much is too much? i think it's possible to have certain default settings (if you will) while leaving individual programs (or paradigms) up to the Cultist himself.

what we have to start with... the rituals, meditations, and practices in Cthulhu Cult and a few scattered here and there on the CoC website:

www.cultofcthulhu.net/baptism_jade_ichor.htm

www.cultofcthulhu.net/cthulhu_oaths.htm

www.cultofcthulhu.net/ritual_of_the_old_ones.htm

www.eldritch-infernal.com/metasigil.html

or adapt the 2005 Walpurgisnacht ritual for your own uses... at the bottom of this page:

www.cultofcthulhu.net/convention_page.htm


if forum members would post about their own experiences with the above rituals (on the magical practice or results board), then i think we could find more consensus and cohesion.

beyond that, i would suggest diving into other magic books for ideas and coming up with your own unique rituals. also, with a year's time there will be a wealth of new insane rites squirming inside the next Cult tome.


Venger As'Nas Satanis
Cult of Cthulhu High Priest

[sin]

So, the 'common ground' would be ritual performance or meditations?

Wait, how does that get people working together or unite thought? Seeing that interpretation is individual, you are still going to see a division of thought based on the cultists understandings, and connections to these symbols.

Say if 5 people do this on a regular basis, and discuss it on a thread - I would think the 'discussion' of the topic is the common ground. Everyone on the forum has an intellectual interest in all things related to the mythos and the COC. While we all have our own thoughts and opinions, the commonality is the willingness to share and discuss in a public forum such as this.

[Madguten]

I totally think its a great initiative (the commen practices thing).

I wonder though, how does one create such a thing without it eventually becoming a pre-programmed school that in the end may hinder more than aid due to restrictions of the self. Its a pickle. I believe that all truth ultimately come from within as a reflection of what one perceives. Guidance is great and often very beneficial, but it is never enough in itself in the ultimate sense (or so i speculate).

I think that Cthulhu can do this though (Guide us all as one), but what IS Cthulhu?

It is not a question that should be taken lightly (in my opinion).

I think that first and foremost as an ignition point, Cthulhu is a realization.

But that is barely the beginning of endlessness in regards to WHAT Cthulhu is.


Ia! Ia!
Cthulhu fhtagn!

[Jiggsaw]

I'm interested in the idea, but I too see some disadvantages. I trust that Whatever guided us here will tie us together. I think there is a link, stronger than any ritual, binding us on the path of Awakening.

I'll give an attempt at some of the rituals that are given on the site, and will post my results. Unfortunately I have limited supplies currently,so if it requires more than a few candles, chalk, and a handful of salt, then alas it'll have to wait.

Maybe if we want to use rituals to gain a sense of cohesion, then Grottoes should perform a group ceremony or something.

[Xor'Nefthrahm]

We are as different from eachother as each of the A:O are from eachother, yet we all share the same basic goals.. the same covenant as the Old Ones.. The Ancients dont always see eye-to-eye, but under the tides of war with the Elder, they unite!

[I AM the Way]

I'll give an attempt at some of the rituals that are given on the site, and will post my results. Unfortunately I have limited supplies currently,so if it requires more than a few candles, chalk, and a handful of salt, then alas it'll have to wait.

that's one of the beautiful things about our magical paradigm. nothing is essential except the magician's will. you don't need any of the window dressing.


VS

[Shaz'rahjeem]

AS long as the rituals or practices hold enough freedom, then theres no problem. I was looking into Druidry, their stuff was so rigid, it put me right off, it now only sits as side practice.