New Isis Lodge System of Magick

[merlin]

I think that what follows is far from obvious... It should be interesting to know what was the New Isis Lodge system of Magick... In other words, what rituals did they perform? Did they practice evocation? And, if so, in what ways? (Did they use the Goetia? Or else?) And so on... Are there any references or insights about this topic in Kenneth Grant’s works, or elsewhere?

[stephen]

This post really makes it easy for me to visualise you in your Merlin avatar: "I think that what follows is far from obvious...Come on now, Wart! clear your mind and try to explain what you are wanting to say."   

In his excellent and informative essay "Foundations of the Typhonian Trilogies" (to be found in SERVANTS OF THE STAR & THE SNAKE) Michael Staley references a note by KG giving a list of ten rituals that he has formulated for New Isis Lodge; see the paragraph spanning pages 211-212. Pages 210-211 give information on the symbolic context from which the rituals emerged. These rituals are extant.

Otherwise, you might care to have another look at HECATE'S FOUNTAIN and contemplate the vividly described episodes from the annals of NIL (a topic which I am sure has been discussed in previous threads to be found here.) On page 222 of his essay, Michael states:

"The accounts of workings which are interspersed throughout Hecate's Fountain give a picture of a subsequent, less formal phase, of loose groups of occultists working with other, visiting groups. Many of the workings were astral, with some props to engage the imagination; others appear to be group dream workings..."

 This is a bold attempt by Michael to put some of these fantastic episodes into context and thereby put a lid on the perennial speculation of whether they were "real" or not. It does not entirely fulfill such a purpose. I would say that it was far from obvious.

  

[merlin]

First off, I don’t identify with the legendary merlin in any way, I simply thought it was a funny nickname, especially for such a board, nor with the avatar. It is just a nice picture. Then, thank you for the information. Assuming that this is all fact and not fiction, it’s not easy to understand what the NIL was about, especially for an outsider like me.