Austin Osman Spare - Sigil Magick in Theory and Practice - The Origins of Chaos Magick

ESOTERICA2 minutes read

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a revolution in Western magic as psychology intersected with magical theory, with Austin Osmond Spare playing a prophetic role with his theory of sigil magic. Spare aimed to overcome alienation between the primal reality of Kia and the human organism Zos through his magical practices, focusing on compressing one's will into sigils to access primal powers.

Insights

  • Austin Osmond Spare introduced the concept of sigil magic, compressing one's will into symbols to access primal energy, aiming to overcome alienation between Kia (primal reality) and Zos (human organism).
  • Spare's magical practices involve implanting sigils during states of vacuity, like physical exhaustion or extreme despair, to bypass the ego's defenses and access the subconscious, emphasizing regression through sentience to tap into primordial powers in a unique approach to magical practice.

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Recent questions

  • What is the basis of Austin Osmond Spare's magical philosophy?

    Austin Osmond Spare's magical philosophy is rooted in his theory of Kia and Zos. Kia represents a primal energetic vortex of reality, while Zos is the human organism alienated from Kia due to societal factors like social conventions, morality, and religion. Spare aimed to overcome this alienation between Kia and Zos through his magical practices.

  • How does Austin Osmond Spare's magical system differ from traditional sigil magic?

    Austin Osmond Spare's magical system differs from traditional sigil magic by focusing on overcoming alienation rather than manipulating occult sympathies. Spare's theory involves compressing one's will into a sigil, implanting it into the subconscious to unlock the power of Kia, empowering the practitioner in a unique way.

  • What techniques did Austin Osmond Spare use to implant sigils into the subconscious?

    Austin Osmond Spare used techniques like the death posture, involving staring into a mirror until the ego breaks down, to implant sigils into the subconscious. He believed that implanting sigils during states of vacuity, such as physical exhaustion, orgasm, or extreme despair, bypassed the ego's defenses and accessed the subconscious more effectively.

  • What is the significance of active forgetting in Austin Osmond Spare's magical practices?

    Active forgetting is crucial in Austin Osmond Spare's magical practices as it allows the sigil seed to become part of the organic totality of Zos. By connecting back to Kia through atavistic resurgence, practitioners can access the vital powers and memories of all living things, enhancing the effectiveness of the magical practice.

  • How did Austin Osmond Spare's ideas influence contemporary esoteric practices?

    Austin Osmond Spare's ideas, popularized posthumously by Kenneth Grant, laid the foundation for chaos magic, influencing contemporary esoteric practices with individualized and subject-oriented approaches. Despite his underappreciated life and art, Spare's unique approach to magic continues to impact modern magical practices.

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Summary

00:00

"Sigil Magic: Unlocking Kia's Power"

  • The history of Western magic has seen significant shifts, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where psychology and psychoanalysis intersected with magical theory and practice.
  • Austin Osmond Spare, an Edwardian artist and occultist, played a prophetic role in this magical revolution, particularly with his theory of sigil magic, now a popular practice in chaos magic.
  • Spare's theory of Kia and Zos forms the basis of his magical philosophy, aiming to overcome the alienation between the primal reality of Kia and the human organism Zos.
  • Kia represents a primal energetic vortex of reality, while Zos is the human organism alienated from Kia due to various factors like social conventions, morality, and religion.
  • Spare's magical system focuses on compressing one's will into a sigil, which, when implanted into the subconscious, unlocks the power of Kia, empowering the practitioner.
  • Spare's philosophy incorporates elements of Western occultism with Hindu and Taoist thought, diverging from traditional sigil magic by aiming to overcome alienation rather than manipulate occult sympathies.
  • Spare's magical practices involve implanting sigils during states of vacuity, like physical exhaustion, orgasm, or extreme despair, to bypass the ego's defenses and access the subconscious.
  • Spar's preferred technique, the death posture, involves staring into a mirror until the ego breaks down, allowing the sigil seed to be implanted into the subconscious.
  • Active forgetting of the sigil seed's implantation is crucial, as it becomes part of the organic totality of Zos, connecting back to Kia through atavistic resurgence, accessing the vital powers and memories of all living things.
  • Spare's philosophy emphasizes regression through sentience to access primordial powers, rather than ascending, offering a unique approach to magical practice.

19:11

"Spar's Sigils: Chaos Magic's Foundation"

  • Spar developed sigils to access the power of kia without initiations or props, aiming to overcome alienation and tap into primal power, creating the alphabet of desire in chaos magic.
  • Spar's occult theory balanced psychological aspects with the ontological reality of kia, rejecting a purely psychological view of magic while emphasizing psychic drama as central.
  • Spar's ideas, popularized posthumously by Kenneth Grant, laid the foundation for chaos magic, influencing contemporary esoteric practices with individualized and subject-oriented approaches, despite his underappreciated life and art.
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