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The Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Term: first matter

DEFINITIONS

First Matter: The original, unpurified material that is transformed in an alchemical operation. In physical alchemy, the first matter is lead; in spiritual alchemy, the unenlightened human.
source: The Thoth Companion, by Michael Osiris Snuffin

First Matter: A mixture of the Serpent and the Menstrum. Used in alchemy and sex magick.
source: Modern Magick, by Donald Michael Kraig

First Matter:

Together, the effluvia of the Lion and the Eagle, is the "First Matter," the original Creation. This First Matter is to be transmuted by the magickal imagination, by aspiration and inspiration and by the "Fire" which is the ecstasy. Ecstasy is, as it were, the magickal fire for transforming all into inspiration and aspiration.

 

Carl Llewellyn Weschcke


ARTICLES

The Two Vibratory Formulae
There is a physical phenomenon known as "harmonic resonance." This simply means that if one object vibrates powerfully enough, another object nearby will start to vibrate (or resonate) with the first if the second object has a natural vibratory rate ...
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Going to a Psychic Reader
NervouslNuy, you approach. "I’m a fool," you think. You know that psychics and readers are just a bunch of hokum. And yet. . . maybe . . . maybe . . . You’re not crazy, you know that. But there are so many problems in your life right now, and you ...
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Review of Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn
Summary: Although it doesn’t live up to its name as the Initiatory Tarot of the Golden Dawn, the brilliance of the art and the deck’s adherence to the concepts of the Golden Dawn make this the ultimate deck for doing readings according to the ...
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Manipura - The Power Chakra
Element: Fire Color: Yellow Verb: I can Attributes: Power, will, energy, transformation Earth, water, fire. With our bodies grounded and our emotions flowing, we now move on to power, energy and will. This is our third chakra, a yellow lotus of ...
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Tarot of Metamorphosis Review
Tarot of Metamorphosis Review Summary: We are constantly going through various changes in our lives, but for the most part, that are beyond our conscious awareness and control. The Tarot of Metamorphosis aims to change this. Following the ...
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Shamanic Healing
Shamanic healings have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding, and superstition. Still, as we learn to better understand the shamanic philosophy of life, we can begin to have clarity about this special form of healing. Basically, the shaman ...
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Neo-Druidism Since the 1700s
The last vestiges of the Filídhecht schools were stamped out in the 1600s as Elizabethan English conquered and destroyed most of Ireland’s remaining Gaelic culture. The "plantations" of Ulster, and the extension of the Pale beyond Leinster into ...
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Review of the Tarot of the Elves
Summary: The Tarot of the Elves creates a new and different world. And yet, we humans still relate to the inhabitants of this fantasy realm. This innovative deck explores and conveys the archetypal meanings of the cards through story. McElroy spins ...
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Review of the Tarot of Jane Austen
Summary: The Tarot of Jane Austen beautifully blends Tarot and the beloved characters and stories of Jane Austen’s classic novels. The marriage of this theme with Tarot is elegantly mastered without feeling forced or contrived. Within these cards, ...
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Review of The Witches Tarot
Summary: A deck with magnificent art that will specifically appeal to both ceremonial magicians and Witches, Pagans, and Wiccans. It will introduce many people to Kabalistic concepts that are associated with the Tarot. While great for magickal and ...
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Lughnasadh Ritual
Setup Items needed for this ritual include: Six pieces of fruit, vegetables or a combination placed in a basket near the altar; Chalice; A wand or athame can be used to cast the circle; Honey mead or other honeyed drink such as chamomile tea; ...
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Whatever your background is, it's bound to happen to you: the scary paranormal case. We're not talking about your run-of-the-mill haunting here. We're talking portal hauntings, negative entities, and bad earthbound spirits—in a nutshell, things that scare us! These cases usually start out as a seemingly routine investigation; then, somewhere... read this article
Evolutionary Astrology: How Our Nodal Axis Defines the Soul's Path
The Mibramig Magical Tarot
Cultivating Bliss: 4 Ways to Explore Your Inner Garden
Exercise: Asking for a Dream Visit from a Loved One in Spirit
The Final Secrets of Enochian Magick

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Last November, I made a post about Wikipedia. Entitled "Wikipedia's Dirty Little Secret," my post had a couple of things to share. My first point...

Sun Enters Gemini 2013: Forecast for the Year Ahead
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One of the questions I often receive is a request for contact with an occult group, order, coven, etc. As a policy, I don't recommend such...



Llewellyn's 2013 Moon Sign Book Llewellyn's 2013 Moon Sign Book
Conscious Living by the Cycles of the Moon

By: Llewellyn
Price: $10.99 $5.50 On Sale!
Llewellyn's 2013 Witches' Datebook Llewellyn's 2013 Witches' Datebook
By: Llewellyn
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Llewellyn's 2013 Witches' Calendar Llewellyn's 2013 Witches' Calendar
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Llewellyn's 2013 Magical Almanac Llewellyn's 2013 Magical Almanac
Practical Magic for Everyday Living

By: Llewellyn
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Llewellyn's 2013 Astrological Calendar Llewellyn's 2013 Astrological Calendar
Horoscopes for You Plus an Introduction to Astrology

By: Llewellyn
Price: $13.99 $7.00 On Sale!