The Gnostics

By Anders Sandberg

The Gnostics are a very old group. Once they were a tradition in their own, but today they are almost extinct. Most of the remaining Gnostics are members of the Celestial Chorus and other traditions. Some Gnostics even argue that the Gnostics founded the Celestial Chorus. They have influenced several other traditions deeply during the last 2000 years.

The Gnostics have a long history as the enfant terrible of the Celestial Chorus. They have contributed to more schisms and strife than anybody else inside or outside the tradition. The Celestial Chorus have in fact spent much time and energy in eradicating this sub-tradition to the brink of extinction. At the same time the Gnostics have paradoxically helped create the modern teachings of the Chorus, and influenced the Order of Hermes and Cult of Ecstasy profoundly.

History

The Gnostic cults were most active in the first and second centuries in various parts of the Roman empire, most notably Alexandria, the melting pot of peoples and cultures of the empire. Such notable mages as Simon Magus, the philosopher Valentinius and Apollonius of Tyana are said to have been Gnostics. The Gnostics borrowed ideas from almost every tradition or culture, creating a weird amalgam of early Christian, Greek and Egyptian philosophy and magick, combined with the ideas from the Hellenic mystery cults. They influenced (and was influenced by) the Cabalists, Order of Hermes, Cult of Ecstasy, Celestial Chorus , Euthanatos and many other groups.

The Gnostics were a loose collection of cults, with seemingly no connection. These cult ranged from orgiastic sex-cults which would have shocked even Cult of Ecstasy, to groups of ascetics more strict than even the strictest Akashic Brotherhood. They all concerned themselves with the mystical experience, Gnosis, as opposed to mere faith, Pistis. This led them to mock all organised religions, by writing parodies of their holy writings, infiltrating them and spreading misinformation and by breaking the taboos of the religions. The Gnostics were true anarchists of the spirit. They saw all other religions as encouraging enslavement to priesthoods and secular powers with their legal and moral strictures. Against these things they ranged their cosmological jokes, their anti-morality and their magick.

As Christianity rose to power a great struggle began between the Gnostics and the Christian mages. They used every available mean against each other, both mundane and magickal. Slowly the Christians gained the upper hand, by using the secular powers of the East-Roman empire against the Gnostic sects, removing Gnostic parts of the scriptures and killing the Gnostics as heretics. Soon the Gnostic movement was almost crushed.

Many Gnostics fled to Order of Hermes, Cult of Ecstasy and the Cabalists. Some repented and joined the Celestial Chorus. But many went underground, and continued to spread their teachings in secret sects. These sects spread to every part of the empire in spite of persecution by the authorities. Gnostic thoughts infiltrated other sects and groups. Gnostics are rumoured to have infiltrated the Templars.

During the middle ages some of the Gnostics began to work more openly again. They thought that the days of persecution was at an end as they saw how the Celestial Chorus began directing its forces against the Order of Hermes instead. These Gnostics were behind the Cathars and the Albigensians. For a while they were left alone, and began to feel secure. But then the Church attacked with full force, and they fled or were destroyed. The same thing happened with the Templars and countless other groups. This was the last time the Gnostics tried to work openly, and the end of their infiltration.

The Gnostics Today

Today there are very few true Gnostics left. The Gnostic tradition has been assimilated into mainly the Celestial Chorus and somewhat into the Order of Hermes, Euthanatos and Cult of Ecstasy. Most Gnostic mages outside these groups are solitary, working alone outside the Traditions with small groups of acolytes. Some Gnostics are rumoured to have fled into the Umbra or to secret strongholds in inaccessible locations. Lately, some Gnostics have begun adopting orphans into their tradition, with mixed success.

Still, the Gnostics have had a very real influence on magick today. They have subtly influenced the traditions they have been assimilated into. Even if many mages in the Chorus will not admit it, the Gnostics have influenced their thoughts very much. The Cabala is filled with Gnostic ideas and symbols. And the Cabalists have in turn influenced most of Order of Hermes, especially the Enochians who use a very Gnostic worldview.

There are still small sects around the world influenced by Gnostics. Hermetic-Gnostic ideas are common among occult groups today around the world. Gnostics may have influenced the Islamic mystics and some sects in the middle east. Pure Gnostic groups are rare, and in Western Europe the sects have been almost completely crushed.

In eastern Europe the Gnostic thoughts still flourish among some religious sects, as they have done for a long time. Most of these sects belong to the lunatic fringe, and have forgotten most of the Gnostic teachings. The Skoptsers castrated themselves to show their denial of the flesh, while other sects celebrated orgies. It is possible that Rasputin was a Gnostic, or influenced by them.

Gnostic Philosophy

To the Gnostics, no conception of God or the ultimate or whatever was infinite enough. They considered that the supreme being was completely ineffable and beyond anything that could be said of it. They laughed at the anthropomorphic ideas of the Absolute other religions put forward, and endeavoured to say as little about it as possible, save that it was too immense to have ideas about. To them, it was like the Tao or the Void. They did, however, consider that there was a small fragment of this infinitude in man and every living being. Gnosis meant experiencing this primal spark within oneself. This may be the oldest idea about the Avatar in Western Civilisation.

Exactly how the Infinite fragmented itself and descended into existence with matter was the subject of unending debate among the Gnostics. They had many theories; Some were allegories of the process in sexual terms. Some were allegories for human psychology. Some were excuses to heap ridicule on other religions. Some were attempts to ridicule the idea of understanding the process with the mind at all. In constructing these theories, they produced a varied and colourful intermediate magickal world of various Aeons and Archons between this world and the Ultimate.

The Ultimate gave rise to a number of Aeons, usually thirty. These Aeons are sometimes regarded as periods of time, sometimes as worlds surrounding the physical universe, sometimes as spiritual principles or principalities, and often as all three at the same time. The Aethers of the Enochians correspond with this idea, as does the Sephiroth of the Cabala. Each Aeon has its Archon, or ruler, created by internal tensions in the Aeons. In other systems, ultimate reality itself is the First Archon and from this a number of Archons, usually seven, the Hebdomad, evolved by a process called Ennoia. Ennoia means that each Archon creates another, lower Archon by projecting its thoughts into the lower planes consciously or unconsciously, creating an inferior image of itself ("And God created man in His image")

Somehow from these cosmic principles the force responsible for this world arose. This is variously called the Demiurge, Ialdaboath the blind god, Sabaoth, Iao and many other names. Sometimes this principle is sevenfold and identified with the astrological planets. This force was often depicted as androgynous with an animal head. Ialdaboath was often identified with the horned god of the witches, known to the Templars as Baphomet and to the Christians as the Devil. It created the material world and the living beings, into which the Highest breathed the spark of life.

The Gnostics sometimes contradictory attitudes to material life were a direct result of their Gnosis and their cosmological speculations. Having experienced the spark of infinite within, they realised that they could not be touched by anything, and that they were free to do anything at all. Some considered some forms of activities more likely to obscure the vital spark and other forms more likely to liberate it. Some were libertines, some ascetics. Often they chose to be the opposite of the prevailing customs. The material world was considered evil, corrupt and imperfect because of its impermanence. Only the vital spark was immortal and would reincarnate until it achieved union with the Infinite, either at the end of the universe or by liberating itself in the meantime.

Many Gnostics believed that they had to understand the deepest depths of human behaviour in order to ascend. No act should be too vile to do for a true mage. It is possible that some of the crimes the inquisition accused heretics for, was in fact distorted descriptions of actual Gnostic practices. And since the Gnostics always thumbed their noses at authority, they tried to make the Church even more upset by actually doing some of things they were accused of.

Many Gnostics believed in personal ascension, like the marauders (This have led mages to accuse the Gnostics of being crypto- marauders) The mage should devote himself completely into The Great Work, to free the Infinite inside him. The rest of humanity was unimportant or a hinder for this quest. Other Gnostics argued that the whole of mankind would ascend together, and the role of the mages was to prepare the way for this joyful event.

Philosophy

You believe you know the Truth, just because I told it to you a moment ago. But that was a lie. And this is also a lie. Everything I tell you is a lie. Paradox is everywhere, and there is no way out. In the world of dust and mud, only contradictions are certain.

Now you are confused. That's good. The next step towards true gnosis is to understand that you are living inside a great illusion, which you call the universe. If you could open your eyes, you would see what the world *really* look like, not just some second rate imitation like this world. We are prisoners in a prison made of mirrors and smoke. If you could only for an instant see the Truth, the whole world would crumble into dust and you would ascend into Infinity. Or you would go comfortably insane.

When you have understood that everything around you is a bad imitation of the higher planes created by a incompetent god, you will be able to enjoy it. To ascend, you have to descend. Descend into the nethermost depths of pleasure, pain and degeneration, and you will find the most sublime truths. Ascend into the highest aethers, and you will find rude jokes scrawled on the walls.

Organisation and Writings

The Gnostics were never a organised religion, but functioned instead as a series of elitist cults lead by a teacher. Each teacher spread his gnosis by word of mouth, couching the message in a form suited to the local beliefs, adapting Gnostic practices to local need. They also wrote down much of their theories, partly to remind particular teachers what they had thaught, partly to sow confusion and dissent in the ranks of the organised religions. Several alternative parts of the Bible were written to put forward some of their speculations (Like the Gospel of Thomas). Some Gnostics joined other groups just to sabotage them from the inside, or try to convert them.

Meetings

The Gnostics don't have any mutual holy days, but sometimes agree to meet in small groups. These meetings can happen anytime anywhere, and tend to become informal discussions about philosophy, magick and religion. Some may last for weeks as the participants become involved in heated arguments. Today meetings are very rare, due to the lack of members.

Initiation

Gnostics often choose the most promising of their disciples to undergo a initiation rite, which varies depending on teacher, initiate and culture. Some teachers force their initiates to participate in orgies involving sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, violence and gluttony, trying to make the experience as shocking as possible. Other teachers let their initiates fast and torture themselves almost to death. And some teachers take their initiates on mind-blowing visionquests, showing them a part of the infinite, and then showing them how tiny that part really was compared to another part, and how tiny *that* part really is, and so on. The goal is to force the initiate to Awake by shocking his sleeper mind and body, a bit like waking someone up by hitting them or by pouring cold water over him. If the initiation succeeds the initiate will achieve true Gnosis, a moment of true Infinity and become Awakened.

Chantry

None known. There are rumours about secret chantries hidden in the Umbra, in underground cities in Tibet or old monasteries in the mountains of the Middle East, but these rumours seem unfounded.

Acolytes

Cultists, Seekers of Truth, Ascetics, Insane people, Libertines.

Sphere

Prime. Gnostics tend to study Spirit to understand the nature of the universe, Matter to understand the work of the Demiurge and Mind in order to influence people. The Gnostics have a tradition of excellency in Mind, which they use to gather followers, infiltrate other groups and to achieve gnosis. Matter is often regarded as a very unclean sphere, which many Gnostics avoid.

Foci

The Gnostics have never standardised their foci, and most mages have their own ideas. Some foci are quite common:

Gnosis is used for Spirit, Prime and Life. The mage must achieve an altered state of consciousness to use these spheres. Gnostics use extreme pleasure, pain, concentration, fasting, suffocation, fear, anger, sleeplessness, drugs, magick or other means to achieve this state. Most methods are quite drastic. The most important thing is that the mage can achieve gnosis, not the exact method.

The other spheres are represented using small statues or symbols, depicting different gods, powers and spirits. These may be common in the culture of the Gnostic, or by a purely Gnostic symbol. Correspondence may be represented by a statue of Hermes, Time by an amulet with Ourobos (The snake that bites its own tail. A very old Gnostic symbol) , Forces by a statue of Abraxas (A god with lion-head, wings and a snake coiled around his body) and Matter by a statue of Ialdaboath the horned god. Clay is sometimes used for Matter instead of a statue. The mage forms the desired thing out of clay, like the Demiurge who created the world.

Concepts

Holy madman, Philosopher, Sect leader.

Quotes

"I have come from the light and the gods. Now I am an exile, separated from them."
Fragment from Tirfa'n manuscript 7.

"Our cause is a secret in a secret, the secret of something that is concealed, a secret which can only be explained by another secret, it is a secret about a secret which is satisfied by another secret."
Jafar al-Said, the 6th Imam

Stereotypes

Akashic Brotherhood

They seek true gnosis, but are too ascetic to achieve it. A few good orgies in their dojos would do them good. If we burn down their monasteries and make confetti of their holy books they might understand what Do *really* is.

Alchemists

Wonderful. At least *some* hermetics have understood at least *something*. While bound to the material world, they have realised the need for evolution to higher levels. Too bad they try to do it by mixing things together.

Cabalists

Our friends have understood some of our ideas, but tend to be too formal to understand the really important lessons. If they burned their books and temples, threw away their foci and blinded themselves, they might see the real truth. Or just become poor.

Celestial Chorus

They have persecuted us the last 1700 years. They have burned us as heretics, enslaved the minds of millions and covered the light of the Infinite in layer upon layer of rituals and dogma. And yet they believe almost exactly the same things as we do. The longer they fight us, the more they become like us. Soon they will have become Gnostics completely. Wonderful. Who will we fight then? Perhaps we should become like the Celestial Chorus.

Cult of Ecstasy

They seek true gnosis, but are too wild to find it. If they tried the joys of fasting, pain and humility they might find it.

Discordians

Are we the founders of this tradition? Or, perhaps they founded us in our misty past? Or maybe we have founded each other. The snake Ourobos bites its own tail, eternal just like the Sacred Chao.

Dreamspeakers

Primitive and too involved with the world of matter and the lower Aeons. They do not even realise that their dear Goddess is the Demiurge, who have imprisoned them. Instead of struggling against Her, they worship Her instead.

Euthanatos

Interesting ideas, but far too dogmatic. How do they really know who is ready? And does their victims really reincarnate? Does the Kia really exist? They have taken us too seriously. Get a life, preferably with the owners permission.

Hollow Ones

The primal spark shines in unexpected places. Perhaps a sign of a new dawn, or the last sunlight before the great night. These mages are interesting, but unfocused and without any real drive.

Necromancers

They don't know it, but Abd Al Azrad was probably one of us. An interesting question: Is his book a big joke on the poor necromancers, or does it really contain any truth? After all, he had a really warped sense of humour.

Order of Hermes

Our friends the Cabalists have thaught them a lot, but nothing useful. The try to understand how magick and the universe really work. Good, we try to do that too. But we also use our knowledge outside the dusty library. The Hermetics, followers of the Thrice Damned Hermes, should get some fresh air.

Sons of Ether and Virtual Adepts

Petty demiurges. They rule their own toy-worlds of matter and illusions, believing themselves to be gods. They are completely ignorant, and have sunk into the mud too deep to be saved.

Trenchcoaters

Gnosis may be achieved in many ways. They are a living proof of that, by becoming mages against their wills. Too bad they do not use their power for much else than protection of "normality", instead of trying to liberate themselves and the world.

Verbena

The are so delighted with the world of matter that they try to drag everything down into it with them. And they are good at it too.

Rotes

See the Infinite (Correspondence 3)

This rote is used to achieve gnosis. It works just like Co-locality perception; the mage successively sees more and more of the whole universe. Instead of instantly seeing everything (which even the Gnostics acknowledge would be disastrous), they start with the things in the vicinity, slowly expanding their vision outwards. The mage sees more and more, and will hopefully begin to understand something of the idea of the infinite as they expand their vision. Many Gnostics meditate using this rote, trying to expand the vision just a little bit more. This practice is of course dangerous, and countless Gnostics have become insane or died after accidentally seeing too much. Some Gnostics defend themselves by combining this rote with Mind 3 and projecting the Infinity into the head of an attacker. [ Many Gnostics combine it with other spheres, depending on knowledge, to achieve a even more complete vision. ]

The Voice (Mind 2)

The mage give his voice a tone of authority and power, making it hard to resist orders or suggestions made. Whatever the mage says, it will be remembered. Many Gnostics use the Voice in teaching or to gather followers. [ Each success add one dice to social rolls. To resist an direct order from the mage the victim must succeed in a willpower roll with a target number equal to the mages willpower (suitably modified. A direct, simple order as "drop it!" will increase the target number, while a complex or dangerous order will decrease it) ]

Visionquest (Mind 3 Spirit 2)

(Also known as Vision Thing among the Hollow Ones). The mage puts himself into a state of gnosis by intoxication, fasting, pain or pleasure. As the mage sinks into a trance, he will begin to see visions of the world around him, the Umbra and his own mind. The world seems to become fluid in the perception of the mage, constantly changing and reforming. If the mage concentrates on a problem or a question the visions will begin to reflect this. Using a visionquest, a mage can understand the secret connections and symbols he normally wouldn't understand. Unfortunately the mage seldom remember anything about what he saw afterwards, and becomes very incoherent during the quest, which severely limit the use of the rote. Many Gnostics use their acolytes to write down what they see during their visions, and afterwards try to understand what they discovered. A mage undergoing a visionquest is in serious danger from his subconscious, which may erupt into his visions if it contains strong negative emotions, traumas or illnesses. Some spirits may also seize the opportunity to enter the mages consciousness as his defences are down. [ During the vision the mages dream, intuition, enigmas, cosmology and occult are increased by the number of successes. On the other hand, willpower and all social and mental attributes are halved (round down). This should really be roleplayed. ]