A Naive Knave?; Or a Silly Snake?
October 21, 2006
10:01 a.m., MT

Not so deep in the comments on yesterday's item is a cut and paste of an invitation from a couple going as Knave and Queenofhearts, which I repeat for convenience here:

If you oppose tyranny and value freedom, and if you wish to take part in a ritual that will return freedom to the United States, while banishing tyranny from its borders, please click here.

Spread the word, before it is too late. Post it on your journal. E-mail the link to friends. Get the word out however you can. Everyone who may want to participate should be made aware as soon as possible.

At the stroke of midnight on the Fifth of November, Justice returns to our great nation. May she stay long.

The more interesting aspects of the exercise are to be found in the text below the tease, which I'll briefly quote so that my comments in response are easier to follow:

Sentence for Justice


a V for Vendetta ritual by Knave and Queenofhearts

Justice is a fickle mistress. When scorned, she may desert a country if not quickly appeased.

When Queenofhearts and I started ORCA (the Organization for Raising the Consciousness of All) only a few months ago, we thought its growth and development would be gradual things. But a few days ago, we found ourselves in our local Halloween stores and stumbled upon a V for Vendetta mask... and then we had an idea. As far as we know, no large-scale ritual for bringing change to this country has ever even been attempted, and we've decided that now is the time – now, before things become any more frightening than they already are. We may not have been prepared for spreading this ritual to so many people so quickly, but we hope you will help us. Our main web site is still under construction, but feel free to email us at knave_foolish@yahoo.com and we'll let you know when other ORCA things happen, if you want to see other things like this ritual in the future.

We've chosen to work this ritual using the thoughtforms from V for Vendetta because, thanks to the recent film, these same thoughtforms have been firmly and deeply embedded in the popular consciousness (particularly in the U.S.), and since we are working on behalf of the People of the U.S., this fact is decidedly a Very Good Thing for our cause. This ritual certainly draws upon the chaos magic practice of using fictional thought-forms in magical workings, but as long as that doesn't bother you too much (or you're willing to set aside that it bothers you, for an hour or so, for the public good) you're welcome to participate whether you're a chaos mage (or any kind of mage) or not.

It's worth pointing out here that we are law-abiding citizens, and we would not even consider advocating any material action against anyone, or specifically against those who have chosen in recent years to turn our government to malicious ends. However, we do firmly support and advocate ideological action, especially through magic, as we find it is the most effective legal means of producing change; indeed, it is not only our right, but our duty as citizens, to spread what we feel is true to as many other citizens as possible, for the benefit of all, whether or not they happen to agree with us. The First Amendment says so very plainly. We know, as you most likely do as well, that in this world, what goes around comes around; it is simply our view that now is the time to ensure that the "coming around" occurs as quickly as possible, also for the benefit of all, as the string of abuses cannot be allowed to escalate toward theocratic fascism any longer. In occult circles, a ritual like this is often known as a "karma dump".

Even if you've never taken part in a magical ritual before, and even if you don't believe such a thing will work, we ask you to consider participating anyway. As long as you're able to keep an open mind, you will probably surprise yourself – and either way, your voice will be one more voice in the chorus of concerned citizens making a statement against tyranny through this ritual. You might find yourself feeling a little ridiculous, and that's understandable – but your willingness to let yourself feel ridiculous for half an hour or so, in the service of your country, and as a political statement, is one we appreciate even more for the fact that it was hard for you to do.

You might be thinking at this point, Has Sunni gone off her nut? I don't think so. I remain firmly skeptical regarding the existence of magic, spirits, psychic powers, and other such ideas. And yet ... And yet I've seen, time and again, what appears to be karma working its way around in my as well as others' lives. And yet I've experienced the power that comes from a shift in thinking to focusing on the good and the positive instead of lingering in doubtland and focusing on negatives. And yet I've seen my—and others'—positive energy radiate outward to buoy others, including complete strangers. (And yet I also know about confirmation bias and other scholarly terms that boil down to seeing what one wants to see too. I haven't forgotten that.)

I've been reading a bit about energy flows in and between people. We operate on billions of jolts of minute electrical charges ... and it seems reasonable to me [if not completely explainable yet] that rather like static electricity can build up and discharge between a person and some other object, our energy fields can interact and influence each other. In this week's Ender's Review, Tom posted a link to an intriguing article that addresses this idea, in a somewhat different way and in a much more limited context. I don't know nearly enough about all this, and my hope is that others who've done more studying than I have [that'd be your cue, Dr. Lenny and Mama Liberty, along with any others I'm unaware of who've been learning about this stuff] will contribute thoughts and/or links to other resources in the comments.

Maybe the Knave and his Queen are naïve in thinking that their ritual will make a difference to the USSA's current political course. It's possible I'm being quite the silly Snake in giving serious consideration to the ritual. But what if what they're calling magic, and what others label psychic or spiritual power (and by spiritual I mean religious elements, not just occult ones), is really a channeling of energy flow? If that's what's going on, isn't it worth giving their approach a try? As they point out, one needn't believe in order to participate; one must only want justice.

Liberty is already actively curtailed in this country. People are already being tossed in jails for politically unpopular beliefs and actions. Isn't it preferable to try something like this than to wait until the shooting starts? If they're wrong and there's no effect, what harm comes of it?

I haven't decided if I'll participate, and if so, in what way. My mind is a jumble of thoughts, as the above rambles should make clear. The truth is I've been wanting a V mask ... and this gives me a potentially more useful justification for the purchase than just wearing it when taking the snolfs trick-or-treating. I'm interested in considering any and all thoughtful, civil comments on the matter ... including telling me I'm off my nut, and why.

Sunni

Comments: 8 people have contributed to the conversation

On Saturday, October 21st, at approximately 11:45 a.m. Mountain time, Jorge said:

OK, you are off your nut

That having been said, I hope a lot of people do participate in this ritual, not for the "magic" aspects of it, but purely for the psychology.

Right now I am sure that most who value any aspect of freedom and are living in what was formerly known as the "land of the free" must feel despair. They are completely powerless in front of the Leviathan. Not only that, but all their neighbors did was yawn at the news that habeas corpus was dead.

Everyone who cares even a little bit about even a tiny part of freedom in the US today, is, for all practical purposes, alone.

This ritual, as purely symbolic as it is, is something positive that people can do for themselves. It is saying "I do not accept this situation". It is an active first step on the road to taking back freedom.

Will it change the political landscape? Will it awaken the overwhelming majority of American sheeple?

Of course not. But by doing this the person are saying no to tyranny, and maybe, just maybe, doing this will spark something that will actually have a real effect.

And besides, it should be a fun thing to do with the kids.

On Saturday, October 21st, at approximately 10:35 p.m. Mountain time, NeoWayland said:

Well, I might be just a tiny bit biased...

Seriously though, Jorge has a point. The psychology is probably the only benefit will get from the ritual.

That being said, psychology can be pretty potent under the right circumstances.

If you haven't yet, you might want to take a look at Napoleon Hill, the usually unacknowledged source of most modern self help stuff. And better written too.

This is the second time I have run across this specific site in the last couple of days. I haven't decided what I think of it yet. Been a little busy to give it my full thought. I'll probably will sit down and write on it Sunday afternoon or evening.

On Sunday, October 22nd, at approximately 3:34 p.m. Mountain time, Kirsten said:

If this can really work, why must we be so vicious about it?

Therefore, We the People sentence you
To reap what you have sown,
And reap it, and reap it, and reap it;
Your weeping shall be without end,
your tears flowing as rivers;
Your lives and fortunes shall fall into ruin;
Your friends and allies shall denounce you;
Your families shall forsake you;
All things you value shall crumble to dust;
Nothing shall comfort you,
And your suffering shall be unequaled.
All these sentences shall continue to afflict you,
Until you come to see not only that they are just,
Nor only that these misfortunes are far less than you deserve;
No, your torment shall not cease,
Nor shall it lessen one iota,
Until you cease to shed even a single tear for yourself,
But weep instead for the scores
Upon scores
Of Afghanis,
Iraqis,
And innocent Americans
Whose Lives,
Liberty,
And Property
You have destroyed without just cause
Or due process of law.

Why aren't we just wishing that they all just resign their jobs or that they stop or undo the damage they've done insofar as it can be stopped/undone (e.g. repealing laws, getting out of Iraq, etc...) or something like that?

On Sunday, October 22nd, at approximately 4:44 p.m. Mountain time, NeoWayland said:

I put up my comments on the ritual on Pagan Vigil.

http://www.paganvigil.com/C49491493/E20061022151701/index.html

As Jorge said, the psychology is probably the only benefit most people will get from the ritual if they try it.

Personally I think it is a sloppy ritual and it would need some major tweaking to do more than than make you feel good during the ritual itself.

On Monday, October 23rd, at approximately 9:49 p.m. Mountain time, Shaun said:

I agree with Kirsten. I don't like where our society is heading (or where it is now), but embracing such negative attitudes seems to make us more like 'them'...True, I write fiction that comments on our modern consumer driven society, with its RFIDs, and erosion of freedom, but once written, I try to let go of it all, not chant it again and again. Education through art and humour (and discussion on boards like this). But for me, that's where it stops. I have no desire to encourage others to hold onto negative thoughts, or to wish negative things on others. (and I do acknowledge it IS hard, in the world we live, where even just discussing freedom issues can be difficult, not just because of any threat from 'outside', but from feeling down after realising how things could be).

On Tuesday, October 24th, at approximately 7:41 a.m. Mountain time, dr. lenny said:

check out what vache has to say about consciousness - http://emergencybackupdog.blogspot.com/

i'll comment at the zone, when i can find time.

On Saturday, October 28th, at approximately 3:40 p.m. Mountain time, The one who knows said:

To those who think that just wishing people to resign will work as well desire is the engine to all esoeric work, a weakly phrase let them resign will not create results, it has to be something that one can put all of their mind and heart into. If you do not think this would work you do not realize you been hit with magic everyday under the headers "marketing" "advertising" and "entertainment" Look how many people give their hard earned money to buy 100 Nikes made for about 10 dollars. Look at what happening when the working class votes GOP against their best interest. See what I am getting at? This ritual is designed to subliminally change the collective unconscious of the nation so these damn dolts no longer rule. They have FOX and Hollywood Babylon on their side, we have this. We have to change the mass mind of nation otherwise we are sunk

On Saturday, October 28th, at approximately 3:47 p.m. Mountain time, One who knows said:

Correction esoreic is esoteric work and I meant to say weak phrase
cherrio!

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