“The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants.” – Master Funakoshi – #Tangsoodo
“The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants.” – Master Funakoshi – #Tangsoodo
“Our work is therefore historically authentic, the rediscovery of the Sumerian tradition.” – Aleister Crowley – (From the unpublished introduction to the new commentary to Liber Legis) Today “Angels & Archangels: A magician’s guide” is released. Since there are no book signings or talks happening due to the pandemic, I’m going to be doing a couple of virtual ones – the first of which is tonight. If you want to join me, I’m going to post the link in my stories, along with other books on the subject of the angelic intelligences in magick for those who want more resources. My favorite part of doing talks is the Q & A with the audience, so that will be an important part of the virtual events – have your questions ready! A quick fact about magick/astrotheurgy…..the adding of the “k” to the end of the word magick was started by Crowley for two reasons – the first of which was to distinguish the spiritual science from sleight of hand/stage magic. The second reason is to signify a very specific initiatory current which reaches back through history to ancient Sumeria. I hope I see you tonight (link in story!)and thank you for your continued love and support.🖤 #highmagick #magick #astrotheurgy #damienechols #93 P.S. Link to order book in bio. Link for event in stories.
Currently the students of the Magnum Opus school of High Magick are working their way through the grade of Earth for three months. During this time, part of their homework assignments are to take up new things which will strengthen their connection to and understanding of the material realm – as well as improve their earthly lives. They are encouraged to begin a new routine that will strengthen their physical bodies, such as martial arts, gymnastics, dancing, etc. We also ask that they spend time in nature – hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, or practicing traditional taoist energy circulation techniques with an evergreen tree. They’re also instructed to choose a plant which appeals to them, and raise it while invoking the proper planetary or elemental energy over it daily. Eventually this plant will be used in a future alchemical experiment. I’ve been going through the curriculum along with the students, and chose several plants: Tomatoes for Venus Lavender for Mercury Basil for Mars Rosemary for the sun. We are also making plans for the very first Magnum Opus retreat, which will take place in the Hudson Valley region of New York in October. It will be open to those who want to come learn and practice ceremonial magick, alchemy, and astrotheurgy. It’s going to be both fun and informative, as well as a good chance to practice as a group. I’ll keep you posted as more details are available, but the dates will definitely be Oct. 13th, 14th, and 15th. More details to come. That’s Spider Jenkins, watching over her crops in the French Quarter.
Currently the students of the Magnum Opus school of High Magick are working their way through the grade of Earth for three months. During this time, part of their homework assignments are to take up new things which will strengthen their connection to and understanding of the material realm – as well as improve their earthly lives. They are encouraged to begin a new routine that will strengthen their physical bodies, such as martial arts, gymnastics, dancing, etc. We also ask that they spend time in nature – hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, or practicing traditional taoist energy circulation techniques with an evergreen tree. They’re also instructed to choose a plant which appeals to them, and raise it while invoking the proper planetary or elemental energy over it daily. Eventually this plant will be used in a future alchemical experiment. I’ve been going through the curriculum along with the students, and chose several plants: Tomatoes for Venus Lavender for Mercury Basil for Mars Rosemary for the sun. We are also making plans for the very first Magnum Opus retreat, which will take place in the Hudson Valley region of New York in October. It will be open to those who want to come learn and practice ceremonial magick, alchemy, and astrotheurgy. It’s going to be both fun and informative, as well as a good chance to practice as a group. I’ll keep you posted as more details are available, but the dates will definitely be Oct. 13th, 14th, and 15th. More details to come. That’s Spider Jenkins, watching over her crops in the French Quarter.
Currently the students of the Magnum Opus school of High Magick are working their way through the grade of Earth for three months. During this time, part of their homework assignments are to take up new things which will strengthen their connection to and understanding of the material realm – as well as improve their earthly lives. They are encouraged to begin a new routine that will strengthen their physical bodies, such as martial arts, gymnastics, dancing, etc. We also ask that they spend time in nature – hiking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, or practicing traditional taoist energy circulation techniques with an evergreen tree. They’re also instructed to choose a plant which appeals to them, and raise it while invoking the proper planetary or elemental energy over it daily. Eventually this plant will be used in a future alchemical experiment. I’ve been going through the curriculum along with the students, and chose several plants: Tomatoes for Venus Lavender for Mercury Basil for Mars Rosemary for the sun. We are also making plans for the very first Magnum Opus retreat, which will take place in the Hudson Valley region of New York in October. It will be open to those who want to come learn and practice ceremonial magick, alchemy, and astrotheurgy. It’s going to be both fun and informative, as well as a good chance to practice as a group. I’ll keep you posted as more details are available, but the dates will definitely be Oct. 13th, 14th, and 15th. More details to come. That’s Spider Jenkins, watching over her crops in the French Quarter.
With the release of both my previous books on magick, I did a week end retreat at the Joshua Tree retreat center. It’s become a tradition. We’re doing the retreat to go along with our latest book, “Ritual: An essential grimoire”, this September. This is by far my favorite place to do gatherings like this – the grounds are beautiful, the food is excellent, and everything is professionally run. And if you can’t be there with us in person, you can still get the livestream feed and join with us that way. You also receive a recording, which you can watch later. The link for any and all of this can be found in my bio. This is the second book Lorri and I have done together, and we’ll be doing this retreat together as well. Two of the big focal points will be ways to do ritual with others to increase it’s effects, and how to use these techniques in normal, everyday life for practical purposes. The point of the weekend is to learn, have fun, and socialize with people who have common interests. We hope to see y’all there. P.S. The paperback edition of High Magick is out now, too.
With the release of both my previous books on magick, I did a week end retreat at the Joshua Tree retreat center. It’s become a tradition. We’re doing the retreat to go along with our latest book, “Ritual: An essential grimoire”, this September. This is by far my favorite place to do gatherings like this – the grounds are beautiful, the food is excellent, and everything is professionally run. And if you can’t be there with us in person, you can still get the livestream feed and join with us that way. You also receive a recording, which you can watch later. The link for any and all of this can be found in my bio. This is the second book Lorri and I have done together, and we’ll be doing this retreat together as well. Two of the big focal points will be ways to do ritual with others to increase it’s effects, and how to use these techniques in normal, everyday life for practical purposes. The point of the weekend is to learn, have fun, and socialize with people who have common interests. We hope to see y’all there. P.S. The paperback edition of High Magick is out now, too.
A few shots from yesterday’s tournament in Texas. I snagged a couple of new medals to add to my collection – one for staff and me for sparring. Thank you to @austinkarateacademy for hosting an amazing event, and to all the other schools for competing and making it an overall great day. Now it’s back home to start practicing for the next one. One of the things I love about martial arts is how it emphasizes that everything is training – just like in zen. That it’s not something we do just on the mat or in the ring – it’s all of life. Training to reach greater states of mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity, as well as physical fitness. It trains you to look at every activity – as well as every difficulty and hardship – as a way to continue refining and purifying ourselves in order to reach our full potential.
A few shots from yesterday’s tournament in Texas. I snagged a couple of new medals to add to my collection – one for staff and me for sparring. Thank you to @austinkarateacademy for hosting an amazing event, and to all the other schools for competing and making it an overall great day. Now it’s back home to start practicing for the next one. One of the things I love about martial arts is how it emphasizes that everything is training – just like in zen. That it’s not something we do just on the mat or in the ring – it’s all of life. Training to reach greater states of mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity, as well as physical fitness. It trains you to look at every activity – as well as every difficulty and hardship – as a way to continue refining and purifying ourselves in order to reach our full potential.
A few shots from yesterday’s tournament in Texas. I snagged a couple of new medals to add to my collection – one for staff and me for sparring. Thank you to @austinkarateacademy for hosting an amazing event, and to all the other schools for competing and making it an overall great day. Now it’s back home to start practicing for the next one. One of the things I love about martial arts is how it emphasizes that everything is training – just like in zen. That it’s not something we do just on the mat or in the ring – it’s all of life. Training to reach greater states of mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity, as well as physical fitness. It trains you to look at every activity – as well as every difficulty and hardship – as a way to continue refining and purifying ourselves in order to reach our full potential.
A few shots from yesterday’s tournament in Texas. I snagged a couple of new medals to add to my collection – one for staff and me for sparring. Thank you to @austinkarateacademy for hosting an amazing event, and to all the other schools for competing and making it an overall great day. Now it’s back home to start practicing for the next one. One of the things I love about martial arts is how it emphasizes that everything is training – just like in zen. That it’s not something we do just on the mat or in the ring – it’s all of life. Training to reach greater states of mental, emotional, and spiritual maturity, as well as physical fitness. It trains you to look at every activity – as well as every difficulty and hardship – as a way to continue refining and purifying ourselves in order to reach our full potential.
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. -Socrates –
The Great Work (Latin: Magnum Opus) is a term used in Hermeticism and ceremonial magick. “Accomplishing the Great Work” is a phrase which symbolizes the freeing of the human soul from the unconscious forces which bind it – “to break the chains which bind us to the stars.” You can find me on Patreon, link in bio. And thank you all so much for your support throughout the years. Magnum Opus logo designed by @vixintheshadows
“Training isn’t just for physical strength. It forges a resolute spirit that can vanquish the self.” – Mas Oyama – One of the things we’ve been talking about on Patreon lately is karate as a spiritual path – just like Tai Chi or Qi Gong. The two things common to spiritual paths or traditions are: 1 – Aligning the individual Will with the Universal Will and 2 – obtaining spiritual sustenance. Literally feeding the soul, in order to strengthen it and crystallize the energy system so that it becomes a vehicle for consciousness beyond the death of the physical body. And karate is a tradition which embodies both of these things. When you look at certain forms – like Bassai of Naihanci Cho Dan – you see that both begin by drawing in chi/spiritual energy – and expelling stagnation. Karate is usually looked at in the west as just being a form of self defense…but it’s so, so much more than that. It is a rich tradition of spiritual development and a practice which can help us reach our full potential in this lifetime. If you want to join us for livestreams where we discuss this and many other connected topics – you can find the link in my bio. And if you’re already there – just want to say thank you for the love and support of my work. I appreciate it more than I can articulate.#tangsoodo
“A life without purpose and conviction, is a mere shadow of existence, as if one was aimlessly wandering with the dead.” – Oda Nobunaga – One of the things we’ve been talking about on Patreon is your life’s task – doing what it is that fills you with passion and excitement while making you grow and evolve. Reaching our full potential. We’re having a whole series of conversations on how to realize what your life’s task is, and how to wring every ounce of soul growth and development out of it that you possibly can. This is what gives us a focus, a purpose, and meaning in life, so that we no longer wander aimlessly among the dead. The third part of these talks is upcoming, the first two are still available to watch anytime. If you want to join us for the next one live, you can find the link in my bio. And if you’re already on Patreon – thank you for supporting my work. It is greatly appreciated. Talk to you soon! #tangsoodo
While Buddhism declined in it’s homeland of India,Buddhist missionaries carried their beliefs and the Buddha’s teaching all over southern Asia and east across mountains and deserts to China, Korea, and Japan. A different type of Buddhism, called Tantric Buddhism (after the Sanskrit word for magical practices) was brought from eastern India to the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Tantric Buddhist images incorporate several Hindu deities, like Shiva and Kali, the death goddess. Many Himalayan holy images appear violent or frightening to our eyes, but they are protective figures who help Buddhists understand their fears and detach themselves from them.
While Buddhism declined in it’s homeland of India,Buddhist missionaries carried their beliefs and the Buddha’s teaching all over southern Asia and east across mountains and deserts to China, Korea, and Japan. A different type of Buddhism, called Tantric Buddhism (after the Sanskrit word for magical practices) was brought from eastern India to the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Tantric Buddhist images incorporate several Hindu deities, like Shiva and Kali, the death goddess. Many Himalayan holy images appear violent or frightening to our eyes, but they are protective figures who help Buddhists understand their fears and detach themselves from them.
While Buddhism declined in it’s homeland of India,Buddhist missionaries carried their beliefs and the Buddha’s teaching all over southern Asia and east across mountains and deserts to China, Korea, and Japan. A different type of Buddhism, called Tantric Buddhism (after the Sanskrit word for magical practices) was brought from eastern India to the Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Tantric Buddhist images incorporate several Hindu deities, like Shiva and Kali, the death goddess. Many Himalayan holy images appear violent or frightening to our eyes, but they are protective figures who help Buddhists understand their fears and detach themselves from them.
“You must advance daily. Become stronger than yesterday, more skillful than today. This path is never ending.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo – In martial arts the staff is known as “the grandfather of weapons”, and is the first tool you learn to use after the basic open hands techniques. It was also called the most “compassionate weapon” of traditional martial arts, because it can be used in combat without mortally wounding everyone who gets hit with it. #tangsoodo #tangsoodokarate
The virtues of Tang Soo So (Excerpt from essay) When people think of Tang Soo Do, they usually think only of the external, martial aspects of it. But there’s actually far, far more to this art and practice than simply knowing how to defend yourself. Tang Soo Do is a path of self development. It’s a tradition that focuses on the refinement and cultivation of our entire being and provides a framework that allows us to reach our highest potential. It is an alchemical process through which we become something more exalted. It not only helps us to develop physical strength, discipline, and will power….but also aids in cultivating an awareness of our internal world and energy system. Through it we learn to strengthen our chi, or life force energy. Good health, peace, happiness, and self mastery are just some of the side effects of our journey on the path of Tang Soo Do. If you’re interested in magick, meditation, and martial arts you can join me in livestreams on patreon – link in bio. And if you’re already there – thank you so much for supporting my work. It is greatly appreciated. (Pic from our school promotional poster) #tangsoodo #karate
Still doing the 100 day challenge. “The movements of the staff have originated some legends. It is said that when spinning the staff very quickly, with the right movements, you can create a sort of shield that will protect you. That is, since the staff spins so quickly in every direction, there is no way to go through it without being hit. It is said that even when the enemies threw rocks or objects to attack the monks, they could not reach their target. They were repelled by the staff. The saying “Feng Yu Bu Tou” means even wind and rain can’t get through. Legends tell of a monk you could throw water at, and he would not get wet. He would repel all of the water – “Po Shui Bu Tong”. This belief or philosophy is what really defines what the staff practitioner must have in mind when practicing. You must push yourself to the limit, reaching what may seem like myth. This constant challenge is in itself what confers mastery of the staff.” – Shi Yan Ming –
There’s a tradition in karate of practicing kata barefoot in snow. It’s a practice in non-attachment and self mastery. What it does is trains you to be unmoved by either pleasure or pain. To keep moving forward despite either temptation or hardship. I didn’t think I’d get to do it this year, since we’re already well into Spring….but when I woke up this morning there was a light covering on the ground. It was wet and sludgy, but better than nothing. Speaking of Spring…Lorri and I are doing a class via zoom on April 12. It’s all about the astrological energies that are pervasive right now, and how we can utilize them in our lives. There will be meditation, guided visualization, and a Q&A. You can join us from anywhere in the world. If you’re interested, the link is in my bio. See you soon – and as always, thank you so much for your support. #tangsoodo #tangsoodokarate #karate P.S. Don’t judge my form too harshly – it’s difficult when you can’t feel your feet!
As a child, I dreamed of being able to take martial arts classes. It was one of the only two things in the world I wanted to immerse myself in – the other being magick. However, my family lived in abject poverty. We could barely afford groceries, much less “luxuries” like martial arts classes, so karate remained a dream. As I rapidly approached age 50, I realized that if I didn’t start down the path of martial arts, it would soon be too late for me in this lifetime. So, I started taking classes at Church’s Karate Academy in New Orleans under the instruction of Master Jason Church. I just received my brown belt in October. Now, we want to help kids like me who dream about taking classes but don’t have the means to afford lessons. Tang Soo Do is about more than just kicking and punching. It’s about learning self-respect and respect for others. It builds character, discipline, and commitment, which ultimately contribute to success in every aspect of life. We’ve added new merchandise to the store and will donate the proceeds from these items to Church’s Karate Academy. Know that when you purchase a hoodie, long-sleeved t-shirt, short-sleeved t-shirt, and water bottle, you’ll be helping to make a kid’s dream come true. Thank you, as always, for your support. You can find the link in my bio. LVX, Damien
