In honor of one of the great world teachers, I’d like to share some info with you regarding Amithaba Buddha (also known as Amitayus). Amithaba is a form of the Buddha which is the considered the main Bodhisattva form, and equates with the element of Fire, and the Lotos (Nectar-Vase) family.

The greater number of mandalas use the color red to symbolize the element of fire, which is represents the Western region of the Universe, and also uses the Lotus (or nectar vase) as it’s symbol. The lotos itself symbolizes pure intentions in all activities. The nectar vase, (filled with subtle life-energy/nectar) symbolizes the immense power of the element of Fire.

According to popular belief, the life-extending energy and the possibility to gain rebirth on a lotus flower in one of his beautiful western paradises, Amithaba is considered the most popular Buddha in all of Asia.

There are countless forms of worship dedicated to Amithaba/Amitayus. In Japan, Amithaba is associated with the Sun, and so is honored with special ceremonies at sunrise and sundown.

Aspects of his many peaceful and wrathful aspects (some of which are extremely popular), are Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) whose mantra is the most well-known as Om Mani Padme Hum. The Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are both considered personifications (emanations) of Amithaba. In particular, the Dalai Lama is considered a form-emanation of Chenrezig. The Panchen Lama is considered to be a form-emanation of Amithaba/Amitayus.

According to Western metaphysical traditions, the Fire element is associated with the Zodiacal signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

Take time to do a small meditation today upon the idea of Buddha, and his teachings.

Today is Beltane, one of the Witches’ Sabbaths which marks the last of the three Spring fertility festivals. It is the second Sabbath of the New Year, coming between the Vernal Equinox (Ostara), and the Summer Solstice (Mid-Summer). Beltane is equated with the arrival of Summer since ancient times.

The Sabbath of Beltane (also known as May Eve), is also known in Germany as Walpurgisnacht, (which translates as the “Night of Walpurgis”). In the lore of Witchcraft (before it was renamed “Wicca”), and was often depicted as the night when all the witches and their familiars rode their brooms through the sky.

Interestingly, Beltane happens today on the near-full Moon in Scorpio, which adds just the right amount of spiritual lunar energy to the holiday. Interesting how the Pagans chose the Astrological placement for this holiday, as the Moon in Scorpio relates to Sex, Death and Rebirth. Also, at the time of this holiday, the Sun is in sensual Taurus, which is ruled by Venus the planet ruling love and beauty.

Below are some helpful and interesting links for you to read about the history and practice of Beltane.

I will be celebrating tonight, and will meet all my magickal friends no doubt — out there on the Astral Plane.

Remember that Beltane is a magickal time wherein the veils between the worlds are lifted. Go outside tonight and see if you can see the Green Man, or the lovely Queen of the Fairies, Mab. Enjoy yourselves! Id’ love to hear any of your stories or magickal experiences you have tonight. Blessed Be!

Beltane Fire Society: Unbelievable pictures show how modern Wiccans and Pagans continue to celebrate this ancient holiday — truly amazing!

Myths Associated With Beltane: A great site containing lots of additional links regarding Wicca and Beltane.

A Witch’s View of Beltane: More on the traditions of Beltane written by a Wiccan practitioner.

Celtic Traditions of Beltane: An historical account of the Celtic origins of Beltane written by a male Wiccan.

In honor of the great Goddess, Gaia — I offer a poem in her honor.

Gaia

From the depths of Chaos, born
Unexplained, your origin
Bringer of first Earthly morn
Offspring of what has never been

With a consort, Love — his name
A child to fill Eternity
Brought forth Uranus to tame
A cosmos emanating forth from Thee

Creatrix of the Universe
By celestial intercourse
Thus were Earth and Heaven made
From strange start, Foundation laid

Birthing Pontus, her own mate
Cleaving mountains, forests wild
in Lovers’ bliss, Uranian fate
gave life to scores of godly child

Uranus, stung by what he’d wrought
Decided to destroy the life
Of what Gaia’s love begot
He sought to wield Atropos’ knife

Gaia begged the Titans give
Their help that all her children live
Thus, she gave the sickle to
Young Cronos, his own father slew

When Cronos gained his father’s age
Just like his father, he too grew
To despise the young gods, rage
The curse of Uranus came true

Like his father, soon exiled
His sibling gods to Tartarus
In jealous rage, he slew his child
As prophesied by Uranus

Time and again, the father tries
To destroy Gaia’s gift
Casts down the child, who fearfully cries
The one divine love tries to lift

Oh, jealous gods and men beware
Of Gaia, have a care
To respect our earthly home
the only one we’ve ever known

And on this special day give praise
To Her upon whose face you gaze
For ’tis truth, these words I say
One day within her arms we’ll lay

(Voxx Voltair © 2007)

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful Mother in the Universe. Literally!

Please take care of our Mother, Gaia! Let’s do what it takes to honor our home, our planet. There is no place like Earth anywhere else in the Universe.

Yes, there may be planets with water, with life, with an atmosphere — but it will never be like Earth. This is the place we were all born … where we’ve experienced, joy, laughter, childhood. Where we’ve gained experience as to what it means to be human.

So, even though there may be a myriad of other planetary places to exist, we will never experience being human, anywhere but here. Take a minute to say a prayer of thanks for all that you’ve been privileged to experience on our fair, majestic planet. Let’s do what we can to ensure that our beautiful planet will heal from all the injustices we’ve perpetrated against Her.

Whatever religion you are … even if you don’t believe in any particular faith, you certainly must admit that this is the best place to be. I’m sure even Richard Dawkins would agree with me on at least this point. Do what you can to make this world a more beautiful place. Io Gaia!

Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law!

Today, Thelemites are celebrating the Feast of The Third Day of the Writing of The Book of The Law, which was channeled by The Master Therion (aka Aleister Crowley), by his Holy Guardian Angel, Aiwass — the Messenger of the current Aeon of Horus, The Crowned and Conquering Child.

History of the Book of The Law: See the previous entry for the history of this prophetic book.

The Book of the Law, Feast of the 3rd Day of Writing: The Book of the Law was written in three consecutive days, starting on April 8th, 9th and 10th, in 1904, e.v., and was psychically dictated to Crowley between the hours of Noon to 1:00 pm, during that 3-day period. Today, on April 10th, is celebrated as the Third Day that Crowley channeled the first Thelemic Holy Book. On the First Day, Crowley channeled the words of the Egyptian Sky Goddess, Nuit. On the Second Day, Crowley channeled the words of the Egyptian God, Hadit. Today, is the anniversary of the day that he channeled the Third, and final chapter, whose words were inspired by Ra-Hoor-Khuit, the God of War.

Suggested Thelemic Rituals: Some suggestions for attuning yourself to the 93rd Current would be to perform the listed Thelemic Rituals during this extra magickal time of the Thelemic year:

• Reading and/or Writing of Chapter 1,2, or 3 (depending on the day);
• Liber Resh (Four times per day, for all three days);
• The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (before “Resh”);
• Reciting “Will” at each meal;
• Greater Invocation of the Pentagram (once per day)
• Liber Reguli (at least once per day, for all three days);
• Mass of the Phoenix (once per day, or at least once on Day 3);
• Practice of Liber E and Liber O.
• Sex Magick (all three days, and then some!)

How I Celebrated Today: Personally, I spent the hour between Noon and 1PM typing out the entirety of Chapter III. I do this every year, (sometimes writing the chapters out in long-hand), and it really gives me a magickal charge. It seems going through the action of writing this book for myself, really lets me feel and see for myself what Aiwass is really trying to communicate through the writing of this Book.

Read the The Book of the Law in its entirety on my Magickal School Site by clicking the link. It’s also a great idea to just simply buy a copy by using the Amazon links above, at the beginning of this entry.

More Celebrations: Tonight at midnight will conclude my celebration of the three Feast Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law. Please visit my Magickal Forum, where I will be posting special Astrology Charts and Articles about Thelema, and the work of The Master Therion.

Love is the Law; Love Under Will!