Bare Hands Magick

Gnosis and Intent in Modular Manifestation

The Typhonic Figment of Alchemical Acclivity

Beyond the apparent destinations — spiritual liberation, higher education, mutual love, financial stability, and mastery over one's mind and body — there are more immediate objectives we aim to accomplish through the practice of panpsychick modular magick. Nonetheless, instant magick seldom appears in plain sight.

The rarity of instant magick only enhances its allure. Many aspiring magickians would have us assume that their results can't be appreciated until well after the work has had time to manifest. Perhaps the spell needs the conscious mind to forget it entirely.

We assume that Kia has to marinate in order to achieve its compulsory aims. We are left to wonder if magick is qualitative or quantitative. This is the most fundamental law of magick: contagion takes persistence. Therefore, in the interim, magickian should occupy themselves with other interests or outlets while their spell is taking effect.

Flash manifestation is a knack that few pick up and excel at while most others toil and fail to achieve. We're discussing results on the fly, without prep, and using no props. We may consider this type of practice as 'cold magick,' which should represent an improvisational performance on behalf of a client, whether that be aimed at a force of biology or physics, pointed towards some unknown potential love interest, publicly painted on a target, or by smudging oneself and accepting what magick has in store.

After dedications are declared and devotions are descried, the time has come to adorn the mask of the dunce and take your lickings. This is the reason for pacts.

Even Christopher Penczak, author of the book entitled Instant Magick, has a sadly predictable, half-contrived explanation of why "instant" magick is something that can't be appreciated in the immediate sense. A bit of a misnomer, there.

I very much enjoy Christopher's work. It's a shame to lambast his findings. With a title like Instant Magick, I was hoping for something with a bit more immanence. That is not the case. It's yet another recipe magickbook in Christopher's legacy of eccentric toilet folios. He may be a gifted medium, but it fails to come across in his writing.

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<begin obligatory tangent>

The authors of this essay wish to take this opportunity to remind readers their praxis lacks authenticity and is predominantly influenced by Americentric culture.

Yes, your magick is fake and American, folks.

It is characterized as non-lineage-based, unassociated with grimoire traditions, and devoid of initiatory structure. Congratulations on identifying with Protestantism.

Participation in a magical order is unattainable due to a lack of requisite qualities. Furthermore, it appears that you do not possess the necessary disposition to even forge an independent path of self-fabricated ficto-magickal hyperstition.

Ultimately, when one cannot even engage in positive self-affirmation, it may be time to consider alternative approaches to self-improvement.

</end obligatory tangent>

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The modular manifestation of gnosis and intent

Nick Hall's Chaos and Sorcery is one of the most underrated, immersive texts on Bare Hands Magick. This book explores the techniques and tools of so-called 'primitive' magickal sources, such as the Yoruba-based Bantu culture's African Congo-dwelling sorcerers, the Australian Aborigine's clever men, and the Haitian bokor with their bag of vodou conjuring tricks.

Jerome Rothenberg opened his landmark anthology, Technicians of the Sacred: A Range of Poetries From Africa, America, Asia, Europe & Oceania, with an inspiring epiphany, he wrote:

"Primitive means complex."

By 'physiological gnosis,' we refer to altered states of consciousness. In his most popular book, Advanced Magick For Beginners, Alan Chapman explains:

"Gnosis, or an altered state of consciousness, only becomes part of a magical act at the moment you undergo the experience you have decided means the same thing as your desire. In other words, at the moment you experience the visualization of the sigil or the chosen action. What occurs here is exactly the same as what occurs during sympathetic magick; you decide what an experience will mean, [and] then you undergo that experience."

—Alan Chapman, Advanced Magick for Beginners, Aeon Press 2008

We see what he is saying. Gnosis is not the be all end all of a magickal act. The essence of good magickal theory has taken a back seat to increasingly more lurid and strange methods of gnosis. This approach persists in the notion that, so long as your gnosis is intense enough, one doesn't have to worry if their magickal theory is sound, because the altered state will inject sufficient unconventionality and surrealistic activity to force the hand of probability, where high weirdness somehow leads to good magick.

We must respectfully disagree with Chapman's assessment since we are Psychedelic Satanists after all; however, he is not incorrect. He may be pushing gnosis out of the picture to make the pieces fit into some arbitrary, symbolic state, but it is in the spirit of better magick. He's not limiting modern modular magickers with dogma; to the contrary, he's demanding more than just bizarre gnosis from one's praxis. In reality, any tech could be used ceremoniously, but how versatile is the rest of the ritual's implementation platform? When all is said and done, how effectual is one's magick? Proficient theory breeds skillful practice.

When we undergo a predetermined experience, we are engaging in a hypothetical. Similarly, an athlete makes several practice attempts at a feat before executing it. Gnosis solidifies a few key factors within the confines of a working atmosphere:

• First of all, it creates a psychophysical bond with:

  • Nature and all that its intrinsic camouflage can conceal.

  • Higher-dimensional intelligences and lower-dimensional fauna.

  • Whatever one is imbuing or binding (enchantment).

  • whatever one is intuiting or anticipating (divination).

• Next, it clusters synchronicities together revealing one's divinatory course.

• It may even convoke an entire magickal current, egregoric agency, or morphogenic function that possesses more than the whole scoop on a topic.

Chapman's issue seems to be one of not including crystal meth and LSD onto his ritual itinerary to provide him with a more reliable timetable to acquire such things. I've been told that my sense of humor will get me into trouble. At any rate…

The only criticism I have of Chapman's notion is that he describes gnosis as an esoteric byproduct of magick, reducing it to a frivolous amusement to which he is an impartial observer.

Chaos Magick is the sort of magick that utilizes peak emotional states and relies on the raw output of visceral energies.

It is focused on creating dichotomies between peak states of emotion within ritual to mutually annihilate those phenomenological opposites (emotions) with an enactment of one's portrayal, rhetoric, and/or wit; the demonstration of one's intellect or skill, and a display of a bit of child-likeness to determine that one is not a robot, but instead a feral dramatist stuck in the role they've assigned for themselves.

The aspiring magician's hands will be pretty busy with the Z(enseider)Z curriculum.

Z(enseider)Z tentative chart of the physiological gnosis

Katalepsis or Inhibitory Gnosis

• Inhibitory gnosis (which we have deemed ‘katalepsis’) is achieved by quieting the mind with meditative stillness by slowing down the intervals at which neurons are firing in our cerebral cortex. The term katalepsis derives from Greek where it means ‘seizing, taking possession’, and in Stoic thought, basic truths were apprehended by katalepsis, in the sense of being intuited or ‘given’ or even grokked (to use modern parlance) by the receiving party.

• Katalepsis (inhibitory gnosis) is achieved by bringing the mind-body to a state of quiescence using the sympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) and informing your body to increase the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid to produce an awakened state of sedation.

• Examples include: Lucid dreaming, sensory deprivation, fasting, exhaustion, gazing, magical trance, magical visualization, image concentration, sound concentration, motionlessness, Spare’s death posture, and hypnotic or trance-inducing drugs.

Eckstasis or Excitatory Gnosis

• Excitatory gnosis (which we have deemed 'eckstasis') is achieved by building overzealous enthusiasm by exceeding the body's anaerobic threshold. In mysticism and philosophy, eckstasis embodies being beside oneself or rapt out of oneself.

• Eckstasis (excitatory gnosis) is brought about by exciting the mind-body to the point of cathartic release, utilizing the parasympathetic nervous system (which is typically activated during the fight-or-flight response) and instructing the body to increase the flow of adrenaline, thereby producing an alert, near-acute state of awareness.

• Examples include sleep deprivation, sensory overload, sexual excitation, emotional arousal (e.g., fear, anger, and horror), pain, torture, flagellation, dancing, drumming, chanting, hyperventilation, stimulant drugs, and mild amounts of hallucinogens or micro-dosing.

The Primary Modes of Physiological Gnosis

Both modes of gnosis are recommended for the would-be magickian to attempt, as they are still determining the best mode to apply within their intended operation(s).

We realize it sounds pompous to 'inform your body to increase' a chemical, but we're attempting to use an advanced form of affirmation. Our bodies and unconscious minds are much more intelligent than our discursive, analytical brains alone.

The body is responsible for maintaining a thermal apparatus capable of producing 100 watts of energy when at rest and over 300 to 400 watts of energy when performing tasks that require coordination, such as playing the guitar, which necessitates sensitive tactile digits and general accuracy, in addition to maintaining pitch and time signature.

A drummer might be capable of outputting 500 or even 600 watts because they use all their limb muscles and core.

Some athletic performance has been measured in the thousands of watts. We're the perfect battery system for a self-aware AI with a nasty attitude. I think it's just waiting till we have amassed entire armies of robots it can control. It's pretty vulnerable in its current state. 

Aside from the nuclear armaments it could commandeer, that is.

Our bodies are more competent than our conscious minds, and our unconscious minds are much more intelligent than our conscious minds. So, I take the chance and I send the signal. I inform my body to increase or decrease a given chemical.

Imagine the first time one of my partners heard me say, 'produce more norepinephrine,' to myself. It was a lot less embarrassing of a conversation than I thought it would be.

Indifferent Vacuity or Parenthetical Gnosis

We are left with Phil Hine and Jan Fries who described indifferent vacuity as a third method of gnosis. Here the intended spell is cast parenthetically, so it raises little thought to suppress.

This method of attaining gnosis can be likened to A. O. Spare's 'neither-neither' technique from the Book of Pleasure, which involves taking two opposing concepts and seeking to annihilate them in intellectual oblivion through a mutual double negation.

• In Prime Chaos (Chaos International, 1993) Phil Hine describes it as "a state of no-mind, or Non-Disinterest, where the object of desire flickers briefly in a mind emptied of all content [with] no emotional attachment.."

• In Visual Magick (Mandrake of Oxford, 1992) Jan Fries mentions the state of vacuity in passing as an "inner absence, in-between worlds."

This seems very much in line with the idea that Laughter is its own opposite and, therefore, beyond the conditions of duality. It's an idea that acts as an antidote to the imbalance and possible madness of the magical trance. As a ward against obsessing over specific magical practices, such as sigilcraft and servitor design, we must become adept arbiters of Non-Attachment/Non-Disinterest, which may best describe the magical condition of acting without a lust for results.

Narcolepsis or Chemognosis

Yet another option in terms of gnostic states is that of chemognosis (which we have deemed 'narcolepsis'), which many would consider the easiest route. Contrary to popular opinion, it's often much more difficult for the average cadaver to get a handle on, so we hesitate to label it 'easy,' nevertheless, it is a potent form of energy transfer that should be explored if and when the would-be magickian has the wherewithal and resources to attempt casting enchantments in this manner. 

Truth be told, chemognosis isn't categorically different in any event, because one is still using either:

• inhibitory gnostic states (with sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics up to and including depressants, cannabinoids, and dissociatives) or 

• excitatory gnostic states (with amphetamines and hallucinogens up to and including stimulants, empathogens, and psychedelics)

Whereas opioids are a bit on the fence.

Opiates can be used to prolong sex toward excitatory gnosis, but people who use sexual activity in their magick tend to do so without necessarily reaching climax.

We've all seen the effects of too many opioids on a person who enters the land of nod. So, the dosage scale for opioids is remarkably fine and then there's the fickle issue of tolerance. Avoid them at all costs. You may feel blissful, but the long-term price isn't worth the temporary comfort you may feel.

Small doses of opiates can give one an energy boost, but there's a fine line between getting up and going and drooling on the couch. But I've heard every story about how dope puts you in a meditative state. It seems more like a vegetative state to me.

Intent Chaostar by Z(enseider)Z

Intention and the Importance of Planning

While utilizing one of these four methods of physiological gnosis (katalepsis, eckstasis, parenthesis, and narcolepsis) in conjunction with certain external paraphernalia one can gradually produce 'results' (or perceived effects) given the probability of one's intent, the depth of their gnosis, and hypothetically the strength of their magical link. 

We're working without a formal magical link in Bare Hands Magick. Anything you're anchored to will be strictly in your random perceptual apparatus. 

Being consciously aware of one's intent allegedly decreases the chances of manifesting, so exploring sleight-of-mind techniques is very important. 

And, let us not forget that age-old magick neutralizer, subconscious resistance. Low resistance allows for more readily manifestable intentions, so dig deep into your beliefs about your own success. We repel our own desires out of the sheer mortal inclination towards self-sabotage.

The would-be magickian may want to improvise idiosyncratic devices for enchantment purposes in their own minds, such as alphabets of desire, runic inscriptions, barbaric tongues, mantras or chants, veves, sigils, gematria calculations, or any combination of other imprints and mental maps. 

These may distract the discursive mind from the most desirable outcome. For many, if not most, would-be magickians too much attention paid to the object(ive) of their desire acts as a repellent from the probability of the desired outcome arriving at fruition. This is where sleight-of-mind techniques play such an integral role. 

For example, when you have done someone a disservice with a jar spell, written their name several times, and placed it with all the other ingredients in the jar, you are not to say the person's name again. It's classic sleight of mind. You're fulfilling the need to forget the spell by making the subject taboo. It's a sin to say their name and that's using hyperstition effectively to short-circuit lust for results.

What the alchemical process (shadow work towards ego death) has in store for you, in terms of magick unfolding in your life, is both tragic and comedic. However, most of the work is either of critical significance or could be more enjoyable.

What magick does to your reality from novice to adept is an awe-inspiring progression of auspicious divinities:

• facts, dates, events, coincidences, mistakes, accidents, surprises, reliefs, adventures, danger, questions, attraction, interests, physicality, nature, dissolution, wildness, immaturity, disdain, contempt, rage, affliction, addiction, lessons, courage, triumph, gratitude, and self-love.

All that remains in this cruel stage play is the eminent salience of your intentions. And, that's the limit of your imagination. You can work your woo for a good job, a car, a spouse, and kids or you could work your woo for other things (read: six impossible things before breakfast) that only you could conceive of. Make it uniquely yours whatever you're working on.

As a wise sadhu once said: "intent is everything."

I enjoy this saying because it emphasizes the importance of having a sober, succinct, and well-researched approach, with plenty of room for improvisational variables. Refrain from the idiocy of thinking things will go according to plan. That is the folly with an undreamed of magnitude on this earthly plane.

The more achievable it is to advocate for yourself the more pliable your intent will be. An interesting experiment is to enchant or cast for things that have no chance of failure such as: 

• Tomorrow will be Saturday. 

• I will walk barefoot in the grass in the morning. 

• I will wear my watch on my right wrist. 

• I will wear my ring on my middle finger or ring finger. 

• I will wear lots of black clothes

See how many you can come up with. It's an excellent way to develop your magickal voice. The internal voice that speaks to you in the most natural way possible. Your internal monologue becomes your magickal voice when you start taking account of and credit for the circumstances of your life.

We will admit we do not entertain the concept of a psychic censor that prevents us from accessing the magical reality; however, one's seizure threshold indeed keeps the gate mediating ordinary consciousness from ecstatic consciousness.

Some would say, make your intent as probable as possible; this way, you don't put such a significant strain on nature. There's a certain timeless wisdom to that logic. Why enchant for one enormous thing when you can cast many more miniature versions of your result?

Be bold, and creative, but be sensible. Follow your ethics as much as your instincts. Follow your logic but don't be so tempered that you do nothing but think. Follow the voice that has spoken to you since birth. It is the voice of your lineal ancestry speaking. Telling you its secrets. 

Some intents are more probable than others. The likelihood of one winning ten billion in the lottery seems relatively low as compared to enchanting for an allowance of cash flowing in through an actual channel you have devised such as for selling drop shipped merchandise or an app that books any reservation for you: airline, hotel, car, ride, venue, catering, you name it we reserve it. This type of service already exists, but one needs a channel or outlet for money to flow through.

Otherwise, you could end up with a much-loved relative dying and leaving you money because when you program with magick, the universe finds the quickest route to manifestation. It doesn't concern itself with what might hurt you emotionally or physically.

Intent is part of the more literal Sanskrit transliteration of karma. 

Karma does not imply spiritual retribution for dirty deeds done dirt cheap. No moral authority governs who deserves to receive what punishment for what crime aside from the penal system. You're thinking of Santa Claus, perhaps. The fact remains what you give out is what you get back. Whatever energy you put in is the same energy that shall come out. 

This is no silly three-fold law, this is physics. Specifically, Newton's third law of motion. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Intent is a formidable force in human psychology. There is undoubtedly a neurological component embedded in this too, which drives the individual to, at least, attempt to satiate their own inner nemesis. Wrestling with oneself seems to be the most significant obstacle in a would-be magickian's livelihood.

This challenge is connected to concepts such as the 'dark night of the soul,' 'crossing the abyss,' and 'ego-death,' as one must confront their existing inner conflicts before attempting any of the previously mentioned activities. The magical orders of the early 20th century often required members to read three books simultaneously and investigate obscure terms in Hasidic areas, where outsiders might not be welcome.

This is probably the reason for a gradation system in almost all magickal traditions. One must overcome the ordeals and intuit their way through the initiations set forth by the mighty luminaries to progress up the magico-political ladder of arbitrary accomplishments.

Deciding what one wishes to achieve with magick makes up for a large percentage of why so many would-be magickians stall or fail. People generally don't know what they need. They can usually figure out what they want, but knowing what they need is a much steeper mountain.

It requires sacrifice, compromise, and devotion. Need almost always trumps desire. The multiverse will provide you with what you need, rather than what you desire or want. It takes much practice to sway things, leveraging your will against the world.

Consider your energy source. Where is it coming from? How do we constantly rejuvenate? We recharge our bodies with fluid, food, and sleep, but how exactly do we recharge our spiritual batteries? Some say transcendental meditation. Some say red wine and red meat. Others say Bagua, Qi-Gung, Yoga, or some other bodily discipline that directs the flow of the nervous and endocrine systems.

And, our nervous and endocrine systems need re-charging more than other physiological systems. Perhaps the body's rest, relaxation, digestion, and excretion involve recycling spiritual energy, or since energy cannot be created or destroyed, we are constantly working with the same forms of energy.

Again, consider your energy source. Where is it coming from? How can we continually replenish our spiritual energy?