Course teaser: Back to Hermes with Andrew Sweeny

This new course from PARALLAX ACADEMY’s “Rebuilding Spirituality” curriculum - starting March 5th 2023, aims to explore comparative symbolism and examine the differences between eastern and western arcane symbol systems. We will ask ourselves: what is true in magic and mysticism, and what is new-age bullshit? How can we practice symbolic contemplation without self—delusion and fantasy, or falling into various states of 'egregore possession' or ego inflation?  What exactly is gnosis, magic, and mysticism and how to distinguish between them?  What are the practical uses of symbolic contemplation and work with archetypes?   How do we become symbolically literate?   

We will begin by exploring the so-called 22 "arcanum" of the Tarot card deck from diverse perspectives, such as Valentine Tomberg's Christian Hermeticism, Alister Crowley's Magick, and Alejandro Jodorowsky's psycho-magic.  We will then explore what Dion Fortune called the 'yoga of the west'  or the Tree of life or Sefirot.  We survey some of David Chaim Smith's ideas in his book "The Kabbalistic mirror of Genesis" and his non-dual and "non-emanationist" view of symbolism.   Finally, we will look at symbolism from the point of view of Buddhist tantra, my own tradition of practice.
There will be lectures and dialogue, readings and meditation. For those who subscribe to the complete package, I will offer one-to-one 'meaning coaching' sessions, which include symbolic exploration, dialogues, and self-inquiry—and even Tarot readings!  Please join us for some illuminating and radical fun!