Damned By Light Review of New Aeon Symbols V - The Pentagram

From: http://www.damned-by-light.com/reviews/086.html

Nimheil's track is again some harsh, droning ambient, but with a good amount of twists and "additional" metallic and even space-esque sounds here and there amidst the droning to keep your interest up. A truly enjoyable piece.

Purchasable via: http://www.quartier23.dk/index.php?Rubrik=main&Inhalt=artikel&det=445

Was given 9 out of 10 (for the whole compilation)

Idle Thoughts : Formula of Incantation

Whilst reading the book Chaldean Magic : Its Origin and Development (1878) by François Lenormant, I came across a number of early Egyptian formulas of incantation used to protect the user of them from harm (the first from Crocodiles, the second from more Crocodiles, and the third, here, against general harm) and it made me think a little and contemplate much:

O thou that bringest back the voice of the guardian
Horus has pronounced in a low voice the incantation:
“Country!”
May Isis, my kind mother, pronounce the invocation for me, as well as
my sister Nephthus,
May they remain in the act of greeting,
on the south of me,
on the north,
on the west,
on the east!
In order that the jaws of the lions and the hyenas be sealed,
the head of all the animals with long tails,
who eat flesh and drink blood ;
that they may facinate (me) ;
to lift up their hearing ;
to hold me in darkness ;
to make me avoid light ;
to render me invisible,
instantly in the night!

What caught my attention is Lenormant's analysis demonstrating that the Egyptian spells had the enchanter identifying him or herself with the God-figure, and thus becoming divine as suggested by the Thelemic quotes:

There is no god but man.¹

and

Every man and every woman is a star.²

Of course, there are other portions mentioned futher along in the same chapter, that refer to other spells that call down Gods directly, to which the text gives suggestion that they answer if their true-and-proper-name is used within the ritual or spell.

However, at this point I realised I should read the book from the beginning rather than starting at a randomly selected page. And upon first investigation, starting at the beginning and moving towards the end is rewarding. One of those gems that availed itself to appear was a comparison between the Egyptian techniques and the Chaldean techniques. The Chaldeans, Lenormant suggests, used prayer, and incantations to communicate with an intermediatory spirit or god, who then took their request to a higher god, which used words-of-power to enact their Will. The Egyptian magicians, as a contrast, were documented using spells and words-of-power to raise themselves to divinity and to even directly command the gods at times.

I can see valid comparisons to both of these within the Themelmic magical doctrines. The Chaldean method of an intermediatory spirit has resonance in the Holy Guardian Angel. After the Knowledge and Conversation, your HGA guides you until the point where you Cross the Abyss. As a result, the HGA is the spirit that is initially in between yourself and communicating with the divine within the Supernals.

A comparison (at least from what I can find in publicly available material and to the best of my knowledge) to the Egyptian words-of-power exists in Liber DCLXXI vel Pyramidos where the initiate recites the word of power during an invokation:

Asar Un-nefer! I invoke
The Four-fold Horror of the Smoke
Unloose the Pit! By the dread Word
Of Power – that Set-Tyhpon hath heard -
SAZAZSAZAZANDATSANSAZAZ³

And in some instances, in the grade of the Magus of the A.A., pronouncing a Word of the Æon elevates them to that divinity. And this then leaves me with the idea to explore historical methodologies that The Prophet may have read about and experienced and then potentially used in his development of his working system. So by reading through a book written 131 years ago, I found pieces of translations from material much older again, that gave me a small glimmer of insight into things that were perhaps the intent of Crowley in his work, and at theleast gives me more insight into my own magical actions.

1 Liber LXXVII , 'OZ'

2 Liber AL vel Legis, Chapter 1 verse 3

3 Commentaries on the Holy Books and Other Papers, Equinox Volume 4 Number 1, pg 65

On a new compilation - THE PENTAGRAM - NEW AEON SYMBOLS V

I have a track on this compilation, although this is the special edition there is also a normal edition, and can be pre-ordered via this address:

http://www.quartier23.dk/index.php?Rubrik=main&Inhalt=artikel&det=451

The fifth album: THE PENTAGRAM - NEW AEON SYMBOLS V iz an international R.I.T.U.S.*-compilation scheduled for April 30th, 2009. It includes thee musick ov ...

• Akoustik Timbre Frekuency (UK)
• Aleph-Naught (HN)
• Bethlehelle (US)
• Flat Affect (US)
• :Igniis: (AR)
• Kristus Kut (NL)
• Merankorii (PT)
• Nimheil (AU)
• Ouroboros (IT)
• Paregorik (CZ)
• Praying For Oblivion (US)
• Temple Music (UK)
• The Plague (DE)

ED.AMULETT: Limited edition of 23 copies. Black disc comes in box with a silver amulett of the pentagram (true silver, aprox. 30mm diameter + leatherstrap)

Kind Words

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Good evening readers that are not reading.

Quiet on this front here, as there has been a lot going on locally that won't make sense to anyone that is not a Thelemite. But it is all quite interesting. However, I found the following:

Sv039 Nimheil / Ctephin - The Harrowing Of Irem (2x3"CDR)

(Australia/USA, six songs of dark ambient / droning noise, 38 minutes - 2008)

"The second appearance of Ctephin on Svartgalgh, this time with a full set of numbers. We literally begged them to release the Descended To The Dead track and it has paid off. Three droning noise tracks will convince you of their power. And then Nimheil: seriously haunting dark ambient, top quality! Makes our skin crawl everytime we listen to it."

I had forgotten to check the Svartgalgh Records catalog page after they released the split between Ctephin and I. And the wording they have offered to describe my small contribution to it made me smile in the most deliciously dark way.

Love is the law, love under will.

Current releases requiring support and purchase

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Nimheil has a number of releases or contributions to releases out at the moment, and supporting these releases by purchasing the very affordable products would be beneficial for Nimheil (as far as being slightly more recognised) and would help support the labels that are doing the releases, so they can continue providing underground sounds and visuals to the world.

NIMHEIL / CTEPHIN - The Harrowing Of Irem
3 tracks of haunting dark ambient / 3 tracks of dark droning noise, double 3"CDR

‡

Noir du'Soleil - Into the Sky (Deluxe Edition)
Sinking ~Falling~ (Call to Prayer Mix) on the CD.

‡

Deserted Hospitals II

A really good photo-documentary about abandoned mental hospitals, hotels and childrens hospitals from America. Nimheil provided the entire sound score for DH II. Trailer on youtube

‡

Nimheil - And upon her forehead was a name written (Full length album)

Over 50 minutes of dark and black ambient inspired by Our Lady BABALON.

Presented in a jewelcase with inserts, minimalistic artwork in CDR format professionally printed and shipped on demand.

Love is the law, love under will.

Padraig Mac Iain // www.nimheil.org

CD Release: And upon her forehead was a name written...

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

And upon her forehead was a name written.. has been finally released.

Over 50 minutes of dark and black ambient inspired by Our Lady BABALON.

Presented in a jewelcase with inserts, minimalistic artwork in CDR format professionally printed and shipped on demand.

This CD can be purchased via vanity printing services for approximately $20.

Samples of the music contained can be listen to on this profile.

Love is the law, love under will.

Padraig Mac Iain // www.nimheil.org

Rumination on releases

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I suspect most 'underground' artists ruminate now and again on how to best do releases. I suspect starvation whilst saving funds is the best solution, although that is somewhat harder when one has a child that needs feeding and unholy debts left by previous partners. Oh well, that aside.

This is purely here for my own laying down of thoughts, rather than a cry-for-help or asking advice. Although should any generous benefactor wish to step in, or a world-weary traveler wish to offer their thoughts, I will not complain.

I have two releases that I want to get out.

The first, 'Upon her forehead was a name written...', my epic ode to BABALON. Originally picked up by a restarting-label in the UK who decided that they may have bitten off more than they can chew, and dumped a lot of their upcoming lineup. At least they released a few things, one or two of which I bought and found to be the highest quality.

The second, the soundtrack to the urban exploration movie / documentary 'Deserted Hospitals II'. Due to the audio licensing, and the director not having the money to pay me for it, I have full rights to release the audio as I see fit. It looks to be basically (at this point) a double-disc type release.

I think my first step is to get out this creative funk, and get both of them out there to be heard by a number of suitable labels and at least try to see if anyone wants to pick it up. Fortune isn't required, just some product time with fairly industry respected venues (At least in the dark ambient field. I doubt EMI would be interested).

At the worst they can say "...this is really bad, go away...", but based on past (positive) experience, it will most likely be "This material is quite good, but at the moment our roster is full, but we'll happily do distribution..", which goes back to the original rumination of releasing the material.

Other alternatives is self release, which is becoming viable, in a way. Pressed CD is not really an option, unless my lotto tickets give me a couple of thousand dollars. One never knows, I suspect. The other option is professional printed CDRs, which personally I don't mind, and own quite a number from underground labels. Kind of like the tape culture of the 80s. Some of which I have (as a side note) picked up from auctions, giving me some nice and rare hand prepared Tapes.

Professionally printed CDRs. 49 of the Babalon epic, and 49 of the double disc. 150 discs in total more or less. At about 3$ production per disc, give or take. It is do-able. But not for a few months.

Of course, then there is the horrible bit of selling. But I am sure distribution deals will be a bit easier than label deals in themselves.

Sometime back, I did ask for donations. Total received, $aus20. Which would pay for some postage. I think I may have to return that donation, whilst appreciated, is unfair of me to accept.

Decisions decisions.

Love is the law, love under will.

Padraig.