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CARDS & LETTERS

Psychic Counseling by Kyler James

Do you believe that psychic energy is transmitted from person to person only in close proximity? (Or do you believe in psychic phenomena at all?) Well, here’s a story proving that psychic vibes can travel overseas.

During my last trip to England, I visited the Warburg Institute at the University of London. It’s very difficult to gain access there; you need a special reason to enter. I was determined, as usual, and succeeded in convincing the strict librarians on the importance of my mission. Within the secret confines of the institute are hidden many documents, letters and manuscripts of the late Aleister Crowley, the great magical genius of the 20^th Century.

Initially I was disappointed because the 78 original paintings of the Crowley Tarot Deck, which I use for this column, were under lock-and-key; no one was allowed to see them due to some publisher’s dispute. But the material I eventually held in my hands was the highlight of my trip.

There were original letters to Crowley from the likes of Dion Fortune (another great writer/occultist), Somerset Maugham and the sculptor Rodin, who wrote dozens of letters. There were magical diaries, scrapbooks, original manuscripts (including the sublime Liber Aleph, hand-written in red ink) and many sensationalized press clippings. I thought, “If the folks in New York could see this!”

After returning home, I went straight to Enchantments, my favorite magical shop, to tell what I’d seen. Carol, the owner, happened to be “visible” that day and told me she had just dreamed about an institute with Crowley documents and manuscripts! Although it was a vivid dream, she was puzzled by its meaning.

“When did you have this dream?” I asked. “Tuesday morning around ten,” she recalled. “Carol!” I exclaimed, “Add five hours for the time difference and that’s exactly when I was there—Tuesday at three!” We howled with amazement, realizing we were involved in a magical connection across the Atlantic Ocean!

Here’s a fax that traveled a shorter distance, across the Hudson River:

Dear Kyler—It was great meeting you in person at Caffé Sha Sha. From my perspective I see you as a Shining Star full of Divine Good. Here is my question. I was in a relationship for three-and-a-half years and was betrayed. As the song from the group Talk Talk goes, “Why is it so hard” to meet someone that is faithful? Leonardo G.

Leonardo—thanks for calling me a “Shining Star.” Careful about “Divine Good,” though. For me, it’s important to balance the “love and light” stuff with the deep and dark stuff often missing from New Age philosophy.

Let’s try something different and ask the I Ching your question. The I Ching (Book of Changes) is an ancient Chinese font of wisdom, praised highly by Jung and used daily by Crowley. You toss three coins six times and look up the answer. Jung’s principle of synchronicity, meaningful coincidence, works the same as with the Tarot.

You have a very encouraging answer, Leonardo. Since I don’t have much space, I’ll be concise. The I Ching deals with elements of nature—and I tossed water over thunder, creating the hexagram “Difficulty at the Beginning.” It’s quite optimistic, saying that this time of growth will create “supreme success”—and that you, the “superior man,” will bring “order out of confusion.”

You really need to hear these wonderful words yourself. Visit any bookstore and ask for the Wilhelm/Baynes translation. Read hexagram 3, plus lines 1, 4 and 5. The gist of these “moving lines”—each representing a toss of three heads (yang) or three tails (yin)—is for you to find the right partner and to “strive for union.” The text answers your question (Why is it so hard to meet someone who’s faithful?) by explaining your inner and outer obstacles.

There’s a future, too—and the entire situation changes into hexagram 16, “Enthusiasm.” After a summer thunderstorm, “a prolonged state of tension is resolved. Joy and relief make themselves felt.” And once again you will feel enthusiastic about love.▼