Liber Null and Psychonaut

1. Magic is a Practical, Personal, Experimental Art

The magic of the IOT is an intensely practical, personal, experimental art.

Beyond Mystification. The essence of magic, as presented in Liber Null and Psychonaut, is not about dusty books or arcane rituals for their own sake. It's a hands-on, deeply personal journey of exploration and experimentation. This approach emphasizes direct experience and tangible results over blind faith or adherence to tradition.

Personalization is Key. Each individual's path in magic is unique. The book encourages readers to develop their own methods and techniques, tailored to their specific needs and abilities. This personalization ensures that the practice remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Experimental Mindset. The book promotes a scientific approach to magic, where practitioners test and refine their methods based on observation and experience. This experimental mindset allows for continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that the practice remains dynamic and relevant.

2. Altered States of Consciousness Unlock Magical Abilities

Two major themes run through this book: that altered states of consciousness are the key to unlocking one's magical abilities; and that these abilities can be developed without any symbolic system except reality itself.

Beyond the Mundane. The book posits that the gateway to magical power lies in transcending ordinary states of awareness. By entering altered states of consciousness, practitioners can access hidden potentials and abilities. This concept is central to many mystical traditions.

Reality as the Only Symbol. The book challenges the reliance on complex symbolic systems, suggesting that reality itself is the most potent source of magical power. This approach encourages practitioners to engage directly with the world around them, finding meaning and inspiration in everyday experiences.

Methods for Alteration. The book explores various techniques for achieving altered states, including meditation, trance, and sensory deprivation. These methods provide practitioners with practical tools for expanding their awareness and accessing magical abilities.

3. The Order of the IOT: A Tradition of Constant Revelation

The mysteries can only be preserved by constant revelation.

Illuminati Heirs. The Illuminates of Thanateros (IOT) are presented as inheritors of ancient magical traditions, particularly the Zos Kia Cultus and the A.'. A.'. This lineage suggests a deep connection to the roots of Western occultism.

No Formal Hierarchy. The IOT eschews rigid hierarchical structures, emphasizing individual development and ability. This decentralized approach allows for greater flexibility and innovation within the order.

Focus on the Future. The IOT's primary purpose is to shape the emerging fifth aeon, a period of profound transformation for humanity. This forward-looking orientation underscores the order's commitment to actively influencing the course of history.

4. Mind Control: The Foundation of Magical Trance

To work magic effectively, the ability to concentrate the attention must be built up until the mind can enter a trance-like condition.

Stages of Concentration. The book outlines a series of exercises designed to cultivate mental focus, progressing from physical stillness to thought cessation. These stages provide a structured approach to developing the ability to enter a magical trance.

Motionlessness and Breathing. The initial steps involve achieving absolute physical stillness and regulating the breath. These practices serve as a foundation for quieting the mind and preparing it for deeper concentration.

Not-Thinking. The ultimate goal is to silence the internal dialogue and achieve a state of mental quiescence. This "not-thinking" is considered the gateway to magical trance and the key to unlocking magical abilities.

5. Metamorphosis: Willed Restructuring of the Mind

Even a slight ability to change oneself is more valuable than any power over the external universe.

Beyond Duality. The book challenges the conventional pursuit of virtues, recognizing that every positive quality has a corresponding negative aspect. Instead, it advocates for the ability to adopt any perceptual perspective at will.

Laughter and Non-Attachment. Two key mental states are cultivated: laughter, as an antidote to the seriousness of magical trance, and non-attachment, as a means of acting without lust for results. These states promote balance and flexibility.

Habit Disruption. The book encourages practitioners to disrupt their everyday habits, both minor and major, to break free from the constraints of personality. This practice fosters adaptability and expands the range of possible behaviors.

6. Ritual, Sigils, and Dreaming: Tools of the Magician

With all techniques, aim to silence the mind and let inspiration provide some sort of answer.

Banishing Ritual. The book emphasizes the importance of developing an effective banishing ritual to prepare for magical work and protect against unwanted influences. This ritual serves as a foundation for all other magical practices.

Sigil Magic. Sigils are glyphs of desire, created to bypass the conscious mind and stimulate the will subconsciously. The process involves constructing, losing, and charging the sigil at moments of heightened emotion or trance.

Dream Control. The dream state is presented as a gateway to divination, entities, and out-of-body experiences. The book outlines techniques for gaining access to and controlling the dream plane.

7. Gnosis: The Key to Magical Power

Altered states of consciousness are the key to magical powers.

No-Mind. Gnosis, or "no-mind," is the state of consciousness required for magical power. It involves silencing the internal dialogue and achieving a state of one-pointedness.

Inhibitory and Excitatory Modes. The book describes two primary methods for achieving gnosis: inhibitory, which involves progressively silencing the mind, and excitatory, which involves raising the mind to a high pitch of excitement.

Methods of Attainment. Various techniques are presented, including the Death Posture, sexual excitation, emotional arousal, and sensory deprivation. These methods provide practitioners with a range of options for accessing the gnostic state.

8. Evocation: Summoning and Commanding Entities

Evocation is the art of dealing with magical beings or entities by various acts which create or contact them and allow one to conjure and command them with pacts and exorcism.

Entities Defined. The book explores the nature of magical entities, including elementals, familiars, and demons. These beings are presented as semi-independent forces that can be summoned and commanded.

Sources of Entities. Entities can be discovered clairvoyantly, drawn from grimoires, or created by the magician. The book outlines the process for establishing a relationship with entities from each of these sources.

Control and Termination. The book emphasizes the importance of controlling and, if necessary, terminating entities. Techniques for banishing and reabsorbing entities are presented.

9. Invocation: Temporary Possession by the Divine

The ultimate invocation, that of Kia, cannot be performed.

Psychocosms. Invocation involves temporarily uniting with a god or principle to gain insight and power. The book explores various psychocosms, or mental maps, that can be used as a basis for invocation.

Total Immersion. The method of invocation involves immersing oneself in the qualities of the desired form, using sounds, smells, colors, and symbols to create a powerful connection.

Practical Ritual. The book provides examples of practical ritual invocation, including the invocation of the war god Mars and the Great Mad Goddess Chaos.

10. Liberation: Expanding Possibilities for Future Action

Liberating behavior is that which increases one's possibilities for future action.

Choice of Duality. The book recognizes that freedom from duality is impossible on this plane of existence, but advocates for the ability to choose one's duality. This concept emphasizes agency and self-determination.

Techniques of Liberation. Various techniques are presented, including sacrilege, heresy, iconoclasm, bioaestheticism, and anathemism. These practices are designed to weaken the hold of society and convention.

Omnivorousness. The book encourages practitioners to become "omnivorous," mastering a variety of skills and perspectives to expand their possibilities for future action.

11. The Double: Projecting the Astral Body

The double is described in all magical traditions from ancient Shamanism, through the Egyptian "Ka" and the "Ki" of occult martial arts to ideas of the soul or ghost and in the modern occult concept of the astral body.

Aetheric Form. The double, or astral body, is presented as an aetheric duplicate of the physical body. It can be projected beyond the body and used for various magical purposes.

Techniques of Projection. Various techniques are presented, including narcosis, visualization, and dreaming. Dreaming is considered the most challenging and complete method of freeing the double.

Dream Control. The book outlines a step-by-step process for establishing the double in a real dream, starting with seeing the hands and progressing to visiting specific locations.

12. The Aeons: Cyclic Evolution of Consciousness

Humanity has evolved through four major states of consciousness, or aeons, and a fifth is on the horizon.

Four Aeons. The book outlines four major aeons in human history: Shamanistic, Pagan, Monotheistic, and Atheistic. Each aeon represents a distinct state of consciousness and a corresponding set of beliefs and values.

Fifth Aeon. The book suggests that a fifth aeon is emerging, representing a return to the consciousness of the first aeon but in a higher form. This new aeon will be characterized by Chaoist philosophy and the widespread use of psychic powers.

Illuminati's Role. The Illuminati are presented as playing a key role in shaping the fifth aeon, guiding humanity through a period of profound transformation.

Last updated: April 10, 2025