Comparisons
Routledge eBooks July 13, 2023 DOI: 10.4324/9781003405009-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the magician's access to different planes of perception is structured through cosmic levels and controlled invocation, illustrated by Castaneda's 'spot,' the Golden Dawn's Tree of Life path, and the shaman's contact with the Ally and Mescalito, with the Ally characterized as a latent force within the hallucinogen and don Juan's pantheon described as necessarily restricted. |
Abstract
The magician has access to different planes of perception. In mythological terms these are often represented metaphorically or diagramatically in a cosmic system as levels. As an apprentice sorcerer, Carlos Castaneda’s first requirement was to find a special ‘spot’ on the floor inside don Juan’s house. The temple in essence is nothing other than the location of the magical encounter. However, as we have indicated, the magician himself must remain in control of what he invokes, for this is what he wishes to become. In the Golden Dawn, the magician followed a path of development based on the structure of the Tree of Life. The shaman has within his magical universe means of contacting the Ally, and Mescalito. The Ally is on the one hand a type of latent force within the hallucinogen itself. The pantheon of don Juan is and needs to be a restricted one.