“Chemognosis”, drugs and magic
by Michael Robin Cooke on Apr.14, 2009, under Kitschchaos
Business culture and the drug culture don’t often meet, with the exception perhaps of alcohol and stimulants like cocaine. But drug culture and the occult do meet in Chaos magic for some Chaos magicians.
There is a rationale to ‘chemognosis’. ‘Gnosis’ in Chaos Magic refers to a single minded state of consciousness that is magically empowering. The theory being such a state of consciousness gives access to a critically powerful unconscious mind, perhaps even a collective unconscious. Very commonly the moment of sexual orgasm is used as an example of such gnosis, and is used for purposes of gnosis in magic. There are other ways of achieving ‘gnosis’, through meditation or extreme states of consciousness (tremendous emotion, great boredom, sleep deprivation..etc). Of course, since drugs definitely affect our consciousness, it’s theorized drugs can be used to create magically potent ‘gnosis’ as well.
The idea of ‘chemo-gnosis’ has pedigree in history and different cultures. The Greek cult of Dionysus may have been magically potent and was certainly soaked in alcohol. It’s well known that many forms of Shamanism intentionally use psychedelic drugs for purposes of achieving enlightenment or gaining power. The Zen idea of interrupting logical thought to realize enlightenment certainly can suggest a drug that interrupts logical thought could be of utility.
Now, as some of you can easily imagine, the idea of chemo-gnosis does exist for some magically inclined addicts as cover for their addiction or simple indulgence. So is this an excuse? Should any magician try drugs?
Here’s what I believe. Human being is complete and everything necessary at his or her disposal to gain enlightenment and work powerful magic, without drugs. That said, I have to confess that I have used drugs and specifically with LSD, I’ve retained a magical insight that has been very meaningful and powerful to me.
Now I’ll share some ‘preaching’ because I am clear that very routine use of mind altering substances is never good. Even if the drug is something I’d agree is a fabulous recreational fun, there’s a law of diminishing returns and to really enjoy any drug to its fullest, it should be used occasionally. Otherwise it’s being used to avoid something, escape something or postpone a feeling. And as a magician, you should be taking on life’s challenges head on. Reality hacking isn’t for the timid.
So, to cut to the chase – I don’t believe in ‘chemo-gnosis’. You should have a way to reach gnosis using only the resources of your own mind and body. Exploration of drugs that are established to not be physically addicting is okay, and it is possible to get some benefit from that. But be careful.
Now to be complete, I now do use supplement and drugs for my brain. I use fish oil, flax seed and hemp seed to supplement my body with brain healthy omega fatty acids, I supplement with choline, a brain fuel. I also use nootropic drugs, popular in europe for treating Alzheimers, specifically piracetam and aniracetam. The ‘racetams’ are drugs that improve communication between brain hemispheres, and have shown no evidence of harmful side effect or property of addiction. Indeed the racetam drugs may prove to retard the onset or optimistically, the development of alzheimers. The fact my father has lost his mind to alzheimers is part of my motivation. I like the aniracetam very much, my experience is that it helps me be aware, alert and remember things. Such supplements are affordable bought online at http:www.bulknutrition.com.
Oct 16 2009, Bulknutrition.com seems to no longer carry racetam nootropics and only carries herbal nootropics, wellness powders and body building supplements. A new website carries such nootropics, I’ve not used them yet, but they have some positive reviews and I will be purchasing from them next time I purchase some aniracetam :http://www.smartpowders.com
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June 8th, 2009 on 11:49 pm
Thank you.
What a strange and delightful synchronicity. My grandmother died last weekend after suffering with Alzheimer's for three years.
I was unable to get to the funeral because of cross-boarder issues (Canada to US) so it was the first time in a long time that I decided to use chemognosis for a working to honor her. Good results, another line painted on the canvas of the Great Work.
I'll be getting myself some of that aniracetam for sure.
Cheers.
June 9th, 2009 on 1:21 am
As an American I apologize that our country did not allow you to attend your grandmother's funeral. I'm happy your working to honour your grandmother had good results, ideally that you are complete and she is at peace.
The 'racetams are a subjective experience, they affect different people differently. The Piracetam is the least expensive (bought in bulk at the website I mention), and is the most studied, different people find different 'racetams work best.
But as or more important is to supplement with omega fatty acids, the research demonstrates people with alzheimers have deficits of Omega fatty acids.
October 14th, 2009 on 4:13 am
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October 17th, 2009 on 12:03 pm
I agree that you should be able to reach this state of gnosis using only the resources of your own mind and body. Drugs seem like such an intrusion in the bodies natural processes that the resultant created state may be artificial as well.
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October 21st, 2009 on 5:54 am
hello,
thanks for the great quality of your blog, each time i come here, i’m amazed.
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February 1st, 2010 on 4:29 pm
We use fish oil for my son – he’s 5 with a learning disability – I swear omega works like crazy. When we go thru stages of making sure he has plenty of fish oil we see periods of what seem like almost miracle inteligence advancements.
February 1st, 2010 on 8:50 pm
Yes fish oil is very rich in the omega fatty acids a brain needs. If you’re worried about contamination because fish very often are contaminated, black currant seed oil is also very good and has a comparable amount of the valuable omega fatty acids. Other good sources include flaxseed and flaxseed oil and hemp seed and hempseed oil.
April 12th, 2010 on 1:29 pm
I love Smart Powders! They’re the quickest and most professional nootropic vendor I’ve bought from so far.
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