DNA Clears the Fog Over Latino Links to Judaism in New Mexico

[OnyxCougar]

I found this on the same site, and I'm struck by it's resemblance to some pagan rituals.

The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram
This ritual can be done to purify a room for further ritual work or meditation and can be used for protection. Its effects are primarily on the Astral (IMHO) though it uses the Earth pentagram. It also promotes a still mind, free of outside influenes which is a useful aid in meditation. It is therefore recommended that the ritual be used as part of a daily meditation work.

Stand facing East.
Perform the Qabalistic Cross
Touch forehead with first two (or index) fingers of right hand and visualizing a sphere of white light at that point, vibrate: Atah (translates roughly - Thou Art)
Lower hand to solar plexus and visualize a line extending down to your feet, vibrate: Malkuth (the Kingdom)
Raise hand and touch right shoulder visualizing a sphere of light there. Vibrate: Ve Geburah (and the power)
Extend the hand across the chest tracing a line of light and touch the left shoulder where another sphere of light forms. Vibrate: Ve Gedulah (and the glory).
Clasp hands in center of chest at crossing point of horizontal and vertical lines of light. Bow head and vibrate: Le Olam, Amen. (for ever - amen.)
Facing east, using either the extended fingers or a dagger, trace a large pentagram with the point up, starting at your left hip, up to just above your forehead, centered on your body, then down to your right hip, up and to your left shoulder, across to the right shoulder and down to the starting point in front of your left hip. Visualize the pentagram in blue flaming light. Stab you fingers or dagger into the center and vibrate: YHVH (Yod-heh-vahv-heh - which is the tetragrammaton translated into latin as Jehovah)
Turn to the south. Visualize that the blue flame follows you fingers or dagger, tracing a blue line from the east pentagram to the south. Repeat step three while facing South, except vibrate: Adonai (another name for god translated as Lord)
Turn to the West, tracing the blue flame from south to west. Repeat step 3, but vibrate: Eheieh (Eh-hay-yeah more or less - another name of God translated as I AM or I AM THAT I AM.) (Or "I will be" - Ed.)
Turn to the North, again tracing the blue flame from west to north. Repeat step 3, but vibrate: AGLA (Ah-gah-lah - a composite of Atah Gibor le olam Amen - see step 2)
Return again to the east, tracing the blue flame from North to East. Stab the fingers or dagger back again into the same spot as in step 3. You should now visualize that you are surrounded by four flaming pentagrams connected by a line of blue fire.
Extend your arms out to your sides, forming a cross. Vibrate (visualizing each Archangel standing guard at each station):
Before me RAPHAEL (rah-fah-yell)
Behind me GABRIEL (gah-bree-ell)
On my right hand, MICHAEL (mee-khah-ell)
On my left hand, AURIEL (sometimes URIEL aw-ree-ell or ooh-ree-ell) for about me flames the Pentagrams, and in the column stands the six-rayed star. (Alternatively the last two lines can be: before me flames the pentagram, behind me shines the six-rayed star)
Repeat the Qabalistic Cross (step 2). As can be seen, Raphael is in the East, Gabriel in the West, Michael in the South and Auriel/Uriel in the North.


For more detailed information I refer the reader to: The Practical Qabalah by Charles Fielding Ceremonial Magic by Israel Regardie, The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic also by Regardie The Golden Dawn as well by Regardie

Welcome for the link, Garnet. There is a WEALTH of information out there for the curious.

[Elspode]

The similarities between Qaballah and modern Wicca are probably due to Gerald Gardner having been heavily influenced by Aleister Crowley, who in turn had numerous elements of Qaballistic mysticism incorporated into the Ritual Magick that was practiced by The Golden Dawn.

[Troubleshooter]

Religion was the first strong political structure. A tribal chief could just cave your skull in, but the shaman could make your life a living hell and keep you out of the afterlife.

Religion strengthened the viability of groups by bonding them together. It's hard to give up the inertia of believing in something that isn't necessary anymore.

To quote Ghandi, "Someone who doesn't believe that religion and politics aren't related doesn't understand either."

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by Troubleshooter

Religion was the first strong political structure. A tribal chief could just cave your skull in, but the shaman could make your life a living hell and keep you out of the afterlife.

Religion strengthened the viability of groups by bonding them together. It's hard to give up the inertia of believing in something that isn't necessary anymore.

To quote Ghandi, "Someone who doesn't believe that religion and politics aren't related doesn't understand either."

I like this point. The mere thought of someone 'powerful' enough to able to exert control over you even after you've died can make for a good nightmare.

[Troubleshooter]

Originally Posted by Cyber Wolf

I like this point. The mere thought of someone 'powerful' enough to able to exert control over you even after you've died can make for a good nightmare.

Imagine trying to motivate people to not eat their cow because they'll need the dung and the milk down the road, as opposed to saying that you can't kill the cow god because you'll miss out on heaven...