Revered Elder Mech

The first volume of the Consolamentum will simply be a collection of all of my previously published articles; around 40-50 of them, grouped into topics with commentary and some updating of content.  I chose the title "The Maelstrom" because that is what that whole period of the 1980's and 1990's felt like...a whirlwind of drama and revelation.  I think that the perspectives of time will allow me to place that whole period into a new level of understanding and closure that I need to move on into deeper and deeper waters.  The articles from "Apocalypse Culture," "Popular Alienation,"  "Occulture,. "Gnosis," "SOMA" and "Secret and Suppressed" will form the backbone, but it will also include all of the articles from "UnSound," "Another Room" and "Leonardo:A Journal of Science and Art" as well, since I want to work on the place of esoteric doctrine in the arts, history and science.  The goal date for completion is Christmas and I expect it to run 250-300 pages with illustrations done especially for this edition!

The"Consolation" was the sacramental acceptance of the holy life as practised by the Cathar Perfecti, the Good Men and Good Women of Southern France during the 11th through 13th Centuries who lived out a gnostic and dualist doctrine of great power and wisdom in the midst of hostile and ultimately deadly forces surrounding them.
 
My own "consolation"  or healing of the soul, consists of five large boxes of journal-books, articles, writings and documents which I have generated over my life and which will be collected into a series of volumes explaining the truths that I have won.

  My paintings, music, performance and creative documentations are a key part of the Consolamentum and will round out the story of a life devoted to Wisdom and Her peregrinations through the vales of pain.  There is an aspect of this project which is therapeutic in the self-healing of deep wounds and traumatic experiences accumulated over six decades of living on the edges of the Outside trying to save the Forgotten and Rejected Wisdom. 

The Outsider sees things from perspectives that no one could possibly imagine imagine and that is the source of power in living outside.  I can empathize with one of Clive Barker's infamous cenobites who utters the phrase: "We have such sights to show you."

   

The journey to the Holy Mountain, Abiegnus, begins wherever you are sitting and ends at the summit, wherein the twelve-gated Holy City of the Sages, there sits a run-down and presumably ancient structure.  The building is made of rough-cut stone, about twelve feet on a side, sitting on a three-step base with a pryamidal roof of old and worn copper, green with patina.  On top of the roof is a weather-vane...a black rooster...a pullet-noir perpetually pointing North.  The door of this small house is oak, stained dark with rain and disuse.  The area around the house is surrounded by a worn-down stone wall, about three feet high. 24 feet on a side..  The ground inside the wall is covered with grass grown out and uncut.  There are stepping stones leading to the door from the small iron gate in the wall that is the only opening into the compound.

It is deepest night in the Holy City at the summit of the great Mountain of the Philosophers, Abiegnus,  You walk through the swinging iron gate and down the short walk of stepping stones to the three steps at the base of the house.  You pause at the top of the third step and then gingerly reach toward the handle of the door.  It opens easily, without a sound and then you step into a small lighted vestibule, large enough for only one or two people at most.  Stained glass windows, depicting the five elements shed a gentle light into the vestibule from unknown sources and two small candles provide the only direct light.  There are two red velvet curtains at the end of the vestibule, leading into the innermost area of the house. You take a deep breath and step through the curtains...

The sight that greets you is an incredible vista of infinite dimensions...a beach, at night with gently lapping waves.  In the sky, there is a single star. You may have entered the vestibule with a friend and you may have both walked through the curtain together, but here, you are absolutely alone in the silence and peace and beauty of Nature.  The Star is a Mystery, not a mere thing to contemplate, but something to enter into a deep relationship with.  As you walk toward the waves, you will see a beautiful bronze chair, ornately decorated with the signs of Gemini, Cancer and Leo, the three signs of the Gate.  sit down in the chair, place your hands comfortably on your lap and simply gaze upwared at your Star.  Be mindful of your breath and focus all of your lifeforce from the magnetic force in your lungs toward the Star.  Feel a deep and satisfying sense of ecstatic peace as you begin to slowly and surely understand what the Star is and how it fits into your lfie.

In our next mediation, we will begin the ascent of Abiegnus, in order to enjoy the entire journey of the Mountain.  We will also learn to practice the circular and spherical circulations of the Mysteries as we ascend the Mountain.