This month, we're starting a discussion of the Hieros Gamos,
an ancient magical practice that cultivates and uses sex energy for
a defined, intentional purpose. Within the realm of magical arts, this
is one of the most powerful rituals. At the same time, it makes use
of "basic" sexual energy. Thus, it is not reserved for a few
highly-trained occultists. Rather, it is something that each of us can
do -- and to some extent, probably have done and are doing now.
Thus, this series of Letters focuses on clarifying what the Hieros
Gamos is, what it is not, how it relates to other "magical"
sex energy practices, and how it relates to "normal" life.
The last point is most important: My primary intention in starting this discussion
with you is to get the entire realm of "sex magic" out of the arcane and
misunderstood, and much more into the realm of something that is part of our
commonly-expected life experience.
Note that I'm not saying "everyday" life experience. Much
though we're going to demystify this ritual - and make it much more
accessible - let's be clear that this is ritual magic of the highest
order. We can (and often do) broach on this spontaneously; when we have
extended sexual experiences, particularly when we are open to sharing
energy. But while this is "normal," it is not "everyday."
High-voltage sex magic is not in the same category as stopping by the
grocery store of a jug of milk and a dozen eggs.
I'm also promising
to show a connection between the Hieros Gamos and belly dance. This will come about over time.
Allow me the grace of a teacher who wishes to build the pedagogy of a subject carefully and
thoroughly.
Many of you will be studying with me "at a distance." You may not have
access to a teacher with whom you can discuss such things. You may be
in an environment that is religiously restrictive, one that would regard
your understanding (much less practice) of this art with something like
horror.
So think of this, please, as the introduction to a new level of course
material. In fact, the best approach I can suggest is to treat this
like an upper-level college course. There will be recommended reading.
(Lots of it!) Some will be available on the web, and for some,
you will have to order some books. (I'll provide links when possible.)
And as with any good, "discovery"-oriented college course, there will be a
laboratory. This will not (necessarily) involve sex! Let me be real clear on this.
Years ago, a dear friend of mine, Donald Kraig, told me that he was writing a book on Tantra.
He mentioned that it was possible to do Tantra as a solo practitioner. I was surprised, and said,
"Isn't that a lot like trying to learn the piano without a keyboard?"
He got a good chuckle out of that one.
"No." he said, "Tantra is an energy practice; you can do it alone or with
a partner."
The Hieros Gamos is very related to Tantra. It is also related to Taoist sexual
energy practices.
The role of belly dance is not simply to add a little "sex boost" to an existing ritual. Nor is it even to use
your (exceptionally strong!) abdominal muscles to make your sexual experience so much richer.
(Of course, belly dance does this for you, and if you have a partner, you should already
be experiencing these benefits.)
Rather, the role of belly dance comes through what I call our Level
2 work. In order to become truly physically and emotionally expressive
in dance, we need to release a lot of stored energy that typically congeals
as tension spots in our sacrum, pelvis, diaphragms, shoulders, and spine.
The real role of belly dance is to provide us with a body/mind/spirit/psyche
pathway through which we can become aware of, release, and
integrate this "stuck energy". This is something that can
take years. (At least, I've been doing it for years, and am
by no means done!)
As we release stuck physical and emotional tension / blockages, we make it possible for energy
to circulate throughout our physical and energy bodies. (Yoga has the same purpose, and internal
martial arts also do the same.) Once we can circulate energy, then - and only then - can we
effectively do any form of "sex magic" that requires energy circulation.
Thus, our focus first needs to be on clearing out old, stuck, energy
blockages. (Level 2) Then, independent of any partner or any
particular "magical intention." we learn to circulate energy.
(Level 3) Then, we are able to effectively bring up and direct
this energy with intention. (Level 4)
Of course you can do rudimentary versions of this, inspired either by
the moment, by lover's passion and deep devotion, or even drawing just
on your strong desire to create this experience.
Remember, though, that this is an art.
By way of example, you can play a simple but pleasing (and satisfying!)
piano piece after praticing for as little as a year. But to become a
concert master, to move audiences to the greatest depth of feeling with
your music, takes years of practice and devotion.
As you prepare for the Hieros Gamos, or any similar ritual,
keep in mind that as you practice energy circulation, and as you release
blockages - at all levels - your effectiveness and joyfulness
in this experience will increase over time.
