I want to address the specific elements of such attainment and some very important moments in the sadhana of an aspirant that may make a huge difference in the process of attainment.
Therefore, I shall avoid rambling on and on about the history and theory behind the K&C of the HGA concepts. A lot of other texts have been dedicated to that; no need to repeat it here. I will also refrain from conveying my thoughts through complicated symbolism, as there is no need for that either. No more secrets. :)
It is my observation that many sincere and dedicated individuals I have met personally might simply be wasting time and energy with things and rituals that are never ever gonna produce the attainment of the K&C of the HGA. That is the main reason for writing about this rather important topic: hearing and following the inspiration of my own HGA.
Having said that, and on a more personal note, this specific process of attainment is by far the most subjective and individual. Therefore, I invite you to view this text as my subjective reality - my aim is to share, not to educate or teach.
Setting the scene
Attainment of K&C of the HGA in this context means conscious, real, deep, utterly intimate, and clear awareness of the contact with the transpersonal (meaning transcendental, non-material, and non-elemental) being that is separate (possesses separate identity) from the aspirant and is not her higher self or the soul or atma or paramatma or monada or star, etc...
So, in a way, we can write an occasional looking in the mirror and seeing the HGA right off.
The K&C of HGA in this context, therefore, means the complete non-material and trans-personal state of consciousness where the adept leaves behind his/her mundane and relative personal (material) identifications and fully embraces 'new' and eternal Identity through 'melting' his/her innermost being with the HGA (in intimate exchange of Love or on the wings of Wisdom).
Individuality is inherently present in every single unit of consciousness, and each identity is eternal. Maybe qualitatively speaking, we really are all one with all the Gods and Goddesses, but at the identity level, we are separate. Every man and every woman is a star. So, the HGA is different from the aspirant at all levels of existence (this allows HGA to be within or without, that is, to perceive HGA within us or on the outside). And that's a very good thing, for it allows a love exchange, among other things.
Wasted years?
I have a dear friend whom I have known right from childhood. He is a good friend, and I respect him, but on the other hand, for me, he is a fool (and I usually tell him as much, maybe not in those exact words). He is spending all of his time learning scriptures by heart, performing various elemental, zodiac, and other rituals (he is in O.T.O.), happily (and probably unaware) avoiding facing deeper reality in both his personal and magickal/mystical life. And this has been going on for decades now.
Of course, he is, like many others, I assume, only following the prescribed curriculum of his Order, never questioning its true face value, I guess.
When it comes to the attainment of K&C of the HGA, there are important things to consider, not just a priori following some instructions, in my experience.
The level that HGA dwells on is NOT material or elemental. HGA is a fully transpersonal being, living and breathing in a different reality from ours. And if we are to make contact with Him/Her, we ought to play by His/Her rules, not by material or elemental or zodiac ones.
Magick without tears, p. 496 shares (emphasis mine):
"But you must remember that your Holy Guardian Angel is not only far more fully instructed than yourself on every point that you can conceive, but you may go so far as to say that it is definitely his work, or part of his work; remembering always that he inhabits a sphere or plane which is entirely different from anything of which you are normally aware."
So, taking the above notions into consideration, my point is that executing planetary, elemental, or zodiac rituals with the hope of attaining the K&C of the HGA can fall short.
In my experience, one really has to raise his awareness ABOVE the planetary, elemental, and zodiac levels, for the transpersonal being dwells therein not. How?
What are you focusing on?
This is very important, I feel: investing energy into material (elemental, or zodiac) rituals may be an obstacle in itself. Our focus determines our reality, and focusing on those non-transpersonal levels is really not so efficient a strategy. Such rituals and practices might change planetary, elemental, and zodiac parts of awareness of the individual, BUT they will NOT help in attaining the K&C of the HGA by themselves.
By studying the Buddhist (or Thelema or any other, for that matter) scriptures, one may become a Ph.D. in Buddhist literature (a very learned individual by all known standards), but it will not produce a Buddha, the Awakened One.
Yes?
You don't have to earn a Ph.D. in any tradition to attain permanent and truly transpersonal experiences. Quite the opposite. The more one is attached to the material (elemental, and zodiac) stuff, the harder the advancement.
Look at and invest in impermanent planetary, elemental, and zodiac parts of awareness, and only that is what will be seen. Dreaming instead of awakening:
“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
- C.G. Jung
Furthermore, I think it was Crowley who said that attaining the K&C of the HGA is the single most important thing in the life of a person. I agree.
So what's the point in focusing on anything else, really?
Think about it, if you will:
The level from which we perceive a problem or a challenge can never be efficiently used to bring forth the solution to that problem/challenge.
So, we can never ever attain something that is beyond our current level of awareness by employing this exact same level of awareness and tools therein.
Granted, the rituals and various methods may help in the process of attaining K&C of the HGA on the intellectual or maybe energy levels, but they WILL NOT produce the attainment itself.
Nothing can.
The attainment of K&C of the HGA is a process that is totally beyond our control. It is quite the same story with intimacy, isn't it? Can you force an orgasm? Can you make it happen using only your effort, your will, right now?
No amount of rituals and any other deeds can ever directly produce such attainment, simply because the attainment of the K&C of the HGA is transpersonal in nature. And that being the case, surrender is needed.
The Being one is trying to attain is beyond elemental, planetary, and zodiac spheres of awareness. S/he is completely and totally transcendental. S/he is trans-personal, above personal. S/he is eternal, whereas all other parts of awareness are impermanent, fleeting, and ever-changing.
And that being the case, the Being that is perfect by itself needs nothing from an aspirant.
The attainment of the K&C of the HGA in hermetic traditions IS the result of unconditional mercy. It is a gift, and it is a huge gift, actually. You can not make it happen. It is impossible to force it. It is the gift of intimate Love.
What then?
So, what to do?
Whatever you want, whatever you like :)
My unsolicited proposition, however, is this:
1. Realize first that your personal efforts alone will produce no real attainment of the K&C of the HGA.
Admit to yourself that you are not at all capable of attaining the K&C of the HGA on your own.
Admit that you actually need help from Above, from the Being you are seeking contact with.
Loosen up the grip upon the material, elemental, and zodiac rituals, let them go. Tune down the (material) efforts a bit, and let go of the control and intellect!
Depend only on the Being you are seeking Union with. Open up and surrender to Him/Her. Forget the darn material rituals and literal knowledge. The intellect can't really help here, not even in a trillion years.
2. Having done the above,
try to notice that there is a need present in you. There is a sort of lacking present in your heart of hearts.
There is a quality present in all of us, some sort of longing, a yearning. Become aware of it. Now, today.
People try to fulfill this inner need by oh so many things on the outside (by magickal rituals, too). Humans have unlimited creativity for distractions, it seems. Waste of time, in my opinion.
Also, try to understand that everything that has been happening in your life (after you have decided to embark on this mystical/magical path, and even before that) is just a way of your HGA trying to bring you closer to Him/Her. So do trust in Him/Her.
This is crucial:
Now open up and set your inner orientation, and your intention to get closer to your HGA. Open your heart and reach out NOT by action but by intention.
Reach out ONLY for the Light, only for Him/Her. Pray to Him/Her, intend for Him/Her to open your eyes and your heart, and bring you closer. Surrender as much as your current state allows you.
Do this frequently.
Realize that everything that is happening in your world is controlled by your HGA. Link every thought you have, every emotion you feel, and every event that occurs in your life to your HGA.
And inflame yourself in setting the intention, inner yearning ONLY for the HGA, ONLY for the Light from WITHIN. In other words, invoke often, not by performing ritualistic drama, but by making a space in your awareness for your HGA, not with some action but with pure Intention.
Do that, and in no time, you shall be brought into direct contact with your HGA. Even combining the above steps with your current practice will yield fast and lasting results.
Intimacy is the key here. Surrendering and opening up to an intimate relationship or love affair with your HGA is the key.
And that is a gift. It is the one result of a causeless mercy.
To sum up:
"It is the truth that liberates, not your effort to be free."
- J. Krishnamurti
