CELESTIAL CHORUS PARADIGM

By Anders Sandberg

Author's notes

Some parts (especially the descriptions of Mind, Time and Life) have been borrowed from "The Celestial Chorus" by Paul Strack.

The Paradigm

The Song: The whole of creation is one great Song, sung by everything that exists in praise to the Highest. Every event bears witness to the greatness of the One, although our limited understanding does not always make this apparent. What appears to be evil, disharmonies or errors in the Song are really a necessary part of the music, forming dark counterpoints and contrasts to the beautiful themes. We must strive to sing with the Song, harmonize the different voices, and help all of creation unite harmoniously into the glorious finale.

Magick

Miracles: Although the great Song follows its own laws, the One loves us so much that we are allowed to improvise ourselves, within certain restrictions. A person with enough faith can overcome the normal rules and perform miracles. Did not Jesus say "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)?

Spheres

Correspondence: Omnipresence. Distances are an illusion. Everything exists at the same point, in the total unity of the One who is omnipresent. In the same way we can perceive or become present at distant places to spread the faith.

Entropy: Disharmony. Although most of the world is in almost perfect harmony, disharmonies are everywhere. When something is not perfectly harmonious, the disharmonies will slowly grow until it is destroyed. But we can heal such damage, or direct it at targets which should be removed for the greater good.

Forces: Light and Fire. Light was created first of all creation, to uphold it and manifest the power of the One. The great forces of nature are reminders of the enormous power wielded by the Highest, and how tiny we are in comparison. But at the same time, they light up and warm us, showing how much the One loves us. Through faith and discipline we can be given some measure of control over these forces, to spread the faith and protect the faithful.

Life: Healing. All life was created in the image of the One. As the universe is the house for the soul of the One, the body is the house for the soul of creatures and plants. As we work to heal the universe, we learn also to heal our own bodies, and others. Do not engage in the false creation of life, however. This is the domain of the One. Such poor creatures are at best soulless, and at worst a house for malignant spirits to enter.

Matter: Creation. The world is the artwork of the great Creator. In the same way as it was created, we may attempt lesser creations as long as we remain humble and realize that our works are nothing compared to the great Creation.

Mind: Will. Just as we bend ourselves to the will of the One, we may bend the will of others. Only by surrender to Divine Will can one increase this power, for it is truly the will of the One they surrender to. Do not abuse this power, however. Choice is the gift given to all the One's creatures, for only by choice may one come into grace. It is not our right to take it away.

Prime: The Presence. This is the ultimate sphere, the sphere which encompasses and perfects the other spheres. Without the approval of the One, no miracles would be possible. All we do, we do on the sufferance of the One. Some traditions erroneously believe that they control the Essence flowing through the world; theirs is the sin of Pride. It is impossible to control the Presence; it acts with love of the One.

Spirit: The Messengers. Besides mankind, there are other beings, many of which serve the One and act as messengers to us from the Highest, helping us and showing us the way towards harmony and unity. But there are also misled beings who don't understand their part in the Song and false messengers who serve the dark forces of disharmony and destruction. By purifying our souls we may reach into the higher worlds and contact the messengers, or even actually travel there. By keeping the wisdom and purity of the messengers in our hearts, we can overcome the dark forces and cast them out.

Time: Omniscience. The One is all-knowing, and all that has happened, both past and present, lay open before it. In times of need, she can grant us visions of the future or past. Do not think that this invalidates our free will, for though the One knows us so well that she knows all that may come to pass, the choice is still ours.

Arete

Faith. All magick stems from faith. Faith in yourself, faith in magick and faith in the One. Some say the One gives the faithful greater insight as their faith grows. Others say faith grows as the mage understands creation more, and comes to realize how all-powerful and everpresent the One is. Both explanations are of course just rationalizations; faith itself is beyond logic.

Quintessence

The Essence. Everything that exists is made of the divine Essence. In order to create the world the Highest had to shape it out of Itself, infusing it with divine power. This Essence is hidden inside everything, giving it existence and beauty.

Paradox

Doubt. Doubt is all too present in the world today. A mage who doubts his magick will lose control over it, and doubting witnesses can similarly disturb the singing of the song. When doubt has appeared, it can often be used by dark forces seeking to harm the doubter or lead him astray. However, this is just another necessary test of our faith.

Awakening

The Vision. To fully come to faith, a person must have the Vision of the One. There is a great difference between believing in the Highest and actually experience It. Afterwards, the mage will constantly be aware of the Divine Presence in the world.

Mage-specific Backgrounds

Arcane: Protection. The One protects his followers, not through violence or cunning but through humility. A protected mage will be ignored, unseen, yet able to act and work.

Avatar: Guardian Angel. Some mages are blessed with greater power of their Guardian Angels than other mages. They are in closer contact with the higher realms, and can both give power and wisdom to the questing mage.

Destiny: Chosen Ones. These are people chosen by the One to sing special parts of the Song. Some will perform glorious deeds to introduce new themes or resolve apparent disharmonies. Others will sing in the background but still influence the course of the Song.

Dream: Gifts. Sometimes the One sends visions or help to faithful in need, like the Gift of Tongues which was given to the apostles.

Node: Holy Place. The One is present in everything, but in certain places the divine power is more evident than others. Such holy places serves as sanctuaries for the faithful and inspiration to the mystics.