In my exploration, I've come to recognise a profound link between various spiritual traditions, including Santeria, Palo Mayombe, Catholicism, Judaism, Voodoo, and Haitian Vodou, all tracing back to the ancient Babylonian religion. This connection extends to Kabbalistic magic, the belief in spirit possession, sacrifices, and the symbolic significance of the Tree of Life.
*N.B Navigating discussions involving Judaism requires caution, as the mere mention of the topic can sometimes lead to unwarranted accusations of anti-Semitism. It's intriguing to note the paradox that while I hold no animosity towards anyone, as a believer in Christ, certain others may harbor less favorable views towards "Gentiles". This subtle irony underscores the intricacies of racism being a human construct and not one of the Divine.
However, Kabbalistic magic, with its mystical teachings and esoteric practices, shares parallels with the ancient mystical traditions of Babylon. The belief in accessing divine knowledge and power through symbolic interpretation and spiritual ascension is a common thread that weaves through both traditions.
Furthermore, the concept of spirit possession, evident in Voodoo, Santeria, Palo Mayombe and other Afro-Caribbean religions, resonates with ancient Babylonian beliefs in spirits and supernatural entities. Practitioners in these traditions often act as vessels for spiritual forces, channeling their energies for various purposes.
Sacrificial rituals, whether animal or symbolic, play a significant role in many of these spiritual traditions, echoing the ancient Babylonian practice of offering sacrifices to appease gods and spirits. This ritual act symbolises a connection between the material and spiritual realms, facilitating communication and interaction with divine forces. Note that in the Babylonian religion child sacrifice was prevalent in their worship of Baal.
The Tree of Life, a potent symbol found in Kabbalistic teachings and other spiritual traditions, holds deep significance reminiscent of the sacred trees revered in ancient Babylonian cosmology. It represents the interconnectedness of all existence, the path to spiritual enlightenment, and the divine source of knowledge and wisdom.
By acknowledging these shared elements across diverse spiritual traditions, we gain a deeper understanding of the universal themes and symbols that have shaped human spirituality throughout history. It highlights the enduring influence of ancient Babylonian religious beliefs on the development and evolution of spiritual practices across cultures and civilisations.
During spiritual rites of initiation in the Babylonian religion, the practitioner may undergo possession, surrendering to the influence and control of otherworldly forces. Similarly, within Voodoo, Haitian Vodou, Santeria and Palo Mayombe, adherents who delve into the occult practices may experience spiritual exercises where they become vessels for otherworldly entities,. Yesterday I discussed how Kabbalistic magic had spread to Europe, Brazil, South America and the East and West Indies.
So what connections exist between the Babylonian religion and the Kabbalah?
Both the Babylonian religion and Kabbalah incorporate mystical elements and practices aimed at exploring the divine and spiritual realms. Some potential similarities between the two traditions include:
1. Symbolism: Both traditions utilise symbolic language and imagery to convey complex spiritual concepts and insights. Symbols such as sacred numbers, divine names, and cosmic diagrams are used to represent aspects of the divine and the universe.
2. Cosmology: Both traditions present elaborate cosmological frameworks that seek to explain the nature of existence, the divine hierarchy, and the structure of the universe. These cosmologies often involve intricate layers of reality and spiritual realms.
3. Divine Emanations: Both traditions may describe the emanation of divine energy or aspects of the divine into the material world. These emanations, often depicted as Sefirot in Kabbalah, or as divine beings in Babylonian religion, play key roles in the workings of the universe.
4. Mystical Practices: Both traditions may involve mystical practices such as meditation, prayer, visualisation, and ritual, aimed at attaining spiritual insight, enlightenment, or communion with the divine.
5. Quest for Spiritual Knowledge: Both traditions share a common emphasis on seeking spiritual knowledge and understanding, often through the study of sacred texts, contemplation, and spiritual discipline.
It's important to note that in various mystical traditions, symbols can serve as a means to conceal or convey magical knowledge. These symbols often carry layers of meaning and significance understood only by those initiated into the mystical teachings. In some cases, symbols may be used to encode spells, rituals, or metaphysical concepts, protecting them from being understood by the uninitiated or profane. This use of symbolism is a common feature in esoteric practices, where hidden knowledge is guarded and transmitted through symbolic language and imagery.
Curiosity led me to ponder: Are there any parallels between Catholicism and the ancient Babylonian religion? Here are my findings:
1. Hierarchy and Ritual: Both Catholicism and ancient Babylonian religion have hierarchical structures with priests or religious leaders performing rituals and ceremonies on behalf of the community.
2. Sacrificial Rites: Both traditions include sacrificial rites, although the nature and purpose of these sacrifices differ significantly. In ancient Babylonian religion, sacrifices were offered to appease gods and ensure fertility and prosperity, while in Catholicism, the Eucharist is seen as a reenactment of Christ's sacrifice.
3. Use of Symbols and Iconography: Both traditions employ symbols and iconography in religious rituals and practices. Ancient Babylonian religion used symbols such as the winged disk and the bull to represent deities, while Catholicism uses symbols such as the cross, crucifix, and images of saints to convey religious meaning.
Why Did Pope John Paul ll and other Popes carry the bent crucifix: the perversion of sacred imagery associated with malevolent forces or demonic influence. Supposedly the mark of the beast.
4. Emphasis on Divine Intervention: Both traditions place a strong emphasis on divine intervention in human affairs, with prayers and rituals seeking divine favor and protection.
5. Cosmology and Mythology: While both traditions have their cosmological and mythological frameworks, the specifics of these differ significantly. Ancient Babylonian religion had a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses, each associated with specific domains and attributes, while Catholicism centers around the Holy Trinity and the stories of Jesus Christ and the saints. Or so they say.
Additionally, the development of Catholicism was influenced by various factors, including Judaism, Hellenistic culture, and early Christian traditions.
Amidst the theological debates and varied interpretations, one can't help but question: Who among us truly worships Christ and faithfully follows his teachings. It's a perplexing inquiry in a landscape cluttered with doctrinal discrepancies.
Both Catholicism and the symbolic representation of Babylon emphasise the role of human effort and ritual in attaining salvation, and believe in seeking divine favour through priests. Priests acted as intermediaries between worshipers and the divine realm, offering sacrifices, performing ceremonies, and conveying prayers on behalf of the people. Today they sit in confessional booths.
But ah, the direct line to the divine—no middleman required!
Following on from that I discovered that Irenaeus, an early Christian theologian and bishop of Lyons in the 2nd century AD, best known for his writings Against Heresies, believed that Valentinus (a prominent Gnostic teacher and theologian who lived in the 2nd century AD) was smuggling elements of Babylonian religion and Judaism into Christianity via Rome by incorporating Gnostic teachings into Christian doctrine. He accused Valentinus of distorting Christian beliefs with his Gnostic interpretations and blending them with pagan or Jewish mysticism, thereby leading Christians astray from orthodox doctrine. Irenaeus saw this as a threat to the integrity of the Christian faith and sought to combat Valentinianism through his writings and teachings.
And as Easter quickly approaches I discovered that in the ancient Babylonian culture, eggs were sometimes associated with fertility and renewal, particularly in springtime rituals to worship the pagan Goddess of fertility, Ishtar.
Once more it is that special time of year when the streets come alive with religious processions, each one adorned with statues depicting heavenly figures in all their sculpted splendor. Ah, the second commandment, that timeless rule about steering clear of graven images and false deities—until someone decided to switch things up randomly!
Intuition led me back to Voodoo where, as in many other spiritual traditions, symbols play a significant role in conveying meaning and facilitating magical practices. These symbols often hold deep cultural, spiritual, and mystical significance, serving as vehicles for communication with spiritual forces or as tools for focusing intention and energy during rituals.
One way in which magic is hidden behind symbols in Voodoo is through the use of veve, intricate symbols drawn on the ground or other surfaces during rituals. These veve are believed to represent specific Voodoo spirits, or loa, and are used to invoke their presence and blessings. Each veve is unique to a particular loa and carries symbolic elements that reflect the loa's attributes, preferences, and powers. By drawing the appropriate veve and performing associated rituals, practitioners can establish a connection with the loa and seek their assistance in various endeavors.
Additionally, symbolic objects such as ritual implements, amulets, and talismans are often used in Voodoo magic to channel spiritual energies and influence the outcome of rituals. These objects may be inscribed with symbols representing protective spirits, blessings, or intentions, and are believed to possess magical properties that can aid practitioners in achieving their goals.
Furthermore, the use of symbolic gestures, chants, and prayers is common in Voodoo rituals, with each word and movement imbued with symbolic meaning and spiritual significance. Through the careful manipulation of symbols and symbolic actions, practitioners of Voodoo seek to harness the power of the spirit world and bring about desired outcomes in the material realm.
Overall, symbols play a crucial role in Voodoo magic, serving as conduits for spiritual forces and facilitating communication between the human and spiritual realms. Through the careful interpretation and manipulation of symbols, practitioners are able to access hidden layers of reality and wield magical power in their rituals and ceremonies. Basically magic hidden in plain site.
In ancient Babylon, initiates would undergo rituals through which they believed they could become possessed by spirits or demons, thus gaining access to supernatural powers.
In Matthew 7:15, Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." This warning emphasises the importance of discernment and vigilance against those who may appear righteous outwardly but harbor deceitful intentions. Or possessed of an evil spirit, devil or jinn.
*Jinns are supernatural beings and are associated with devils due to their ability to cause mischief or harm. Jinns are believed to have been created from smokeless fire, possess free will, and can interact with the physical world, able to mimic voices, cause disease and torment victims. In some practices Jinns are addressed in exorcisms to expel them from possessed individuals.
Jinns, with their supernatural abilities, are thought to be susceptible to manipulation by individuals practicing witchcraft or sorcery. This idea is found in various cultural and religious traditions where Jinns are seen as entities that can be invoked or commanded to carry out malevolent deeds on behalf of a practitioner.
How do I know all this? They were in my home!
As we delve into the mysteries of ancient texts and mythologies, one cannot help but wonder: Could there be a lineage, born from the union of fallen angels and humans, silently maneuvering through the shadows of history? The idea that this clandestine bloodline wields influence over humanity, steering it through the tumult of societal vices, false doctrines, and witchcraft might just hold a kernel of truth. It's a thought that lingers, leaving us to ponder the depths of our own understanding.
Is the conflict truly a spiritual battle between the children of God and the children of Satan?
Babylon, the source of all evil, leading people to damnation through witchcraft
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel
Seed as in offspring perhaps
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