The Name Janutica 01/16/2011
Ja=nu=ti=ca \,ja-‘nu-ti-ke\ n [fr. L Janus] (ca. 2006) Janus is the name of the Roman God of the past and the future, doorways and gateways, beginnings and endings. Our month name January is derived from Janus, being the first month of the modern Gregorian calendar. The Latin word janitor is also deriving from Janus as the gate keeper and key holder. Janus is presented to us from antiquity as a man with two faces or heads looking in opposite directions. This is symbolic of looking into both the past and future at once, as well as inside and out. As a result, images of Janus were hung over doorways and gateways to offer blessings, while the deity was worshipped during the start of important events or times. The process of Janutica is the stepping through of a doorway in the mind. The seeker is encouraged to undergo a process of self initiation for which there is never any end. Every life choice is a stepping through, and each step is as if the first, always a new beginning, and the end of something before it. You are your own gate keeper. Every choice must be a conscious step through the doors in your mind to your higher self. We live stepping through. Only at death do we finally pass, and then who knows how many more steps await? Because of this, we choose Janus as a figure of reference for our process. The image of Janus helps us remember what we are undertaking. There is another, more sinister aspect to the word Janus which has crept into modern English. In common usage, the phrase Janus-faced depicts a dishonest or deceitful character. It should however be seen simply as a term of contrast, or at worst, contradiction. Contrast describes a completeness, a fully realized whole being as the Alchemist’s hermaphrodite, or more abstractly as in the yin-yang of the East, a perfect unity. A contradiction can be called also a paradox, which some ideas can not be understood without, though this concept is incomprehensible to vulgar minds. Janutica works to assist individuals find this balance of contrasting principles within themselves and to become the complete and full idea of themselves. Attention should also be given however to the areas where one half of certain opposites are not desirable, and should be eclipsed and consumed completely by their superior counter parts. Occasionally, there is no true valid opposite for a thing, though the modern mind may think so. These invalid opposites must be expunged. This is the removal of false reflections. This is the paradox of balance. Janutica should not be confused with the cult of Janus, or as a Greco-Roman Pantheistic religion. Janus to us is simply a convenient symbolic literary tool that describes so perfectly this system of thought, a system of thought that is not new, but descended from antiquity and has worn many faces and taken on many names along the way. Add Comment THE EMERALD TABLET 10/26/2010
THE EMERALD TABLET OF HERMES TRISMEGISTUS (Theoretical Janutica Translation) That which is above is liken to & of that which is below. That which is below is liken to & of that which is above. Such is The Work of The One Thing. From One emanates The Word that is unity. It’s Father is The Sun & it’s Mother The Moon. The Wind has borne it in it’s body. It has been nursed by The Earth. The Father of All Things, The Eternal Will is Here. A Fire that becomes Earth. Ascended to Earth, separate Earth from Fire, the subtle & thin from crude & coarse, prudently, with modesty & wisdom. Arise from Earth, descend from Heaven, coagulating unto the power of the high & low. Possessing The Light of Lights, thus does darkness flee before it. Force above all force, able to transmute all what is fine & is coarse. Thus was the world created. Hence works are instituted according to the same mode. One in essence, three in aspect: In this trinity is The Universal Wisdom. Recommended Realities 09/06/2010
Reality is relative. Following is a list of people and works which describe reality in novel ways: PEOPLE
WORKS
ALCHEMY 09/06/2010
The ancient system of knowledge and practice known as Alchemy remains today as relevant and useful as ever it was. The history of Alchemy is incomplete and has often been intentionally encoded to remain a mystery to the uninitiated. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus is sometimes considered to be the oldest, of Alchemical texts, though it’s origin and age are debated. Regardless of these questions, The Emerald Tablet is widely accepted as a valid and authentic foundational statement on Alchemical Philosophy. Over time, The Emerald Tablet has been studied and translated by many influential intellectuals and scientists, with many others being influenced by general Alchemy. A short list includes Sir Issac Newton, (who wrote more words on Alchemy that on physics.) Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, Copernicus, Johanus Kepler, Heisenberg, Trithemius, Aristotle, Martin Luther, Thomas Aquinas, Paracelsus, Plato, Decartes, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangello, Jabir ibn Hayyan, Michael Maier, Roger Bacon, Albertus Magnus, Madame Blavatsky, and The Master Therion - Frater Perdurabo: Aliester Crowley. From The Tablet comes the axiom: “That which is above is like that which is below.” It is important to understand that The Emerald Tablet belongs either included or alongside the Corpus Hermeticum, that collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is the Greek counterpart of Thoth of Egypt, and the Hebrew Enoch. The esoteric school of Hermeticism teaches the interconnectedness of all things, and it is from the word Hermetic that today we derive the term “hermetically sealed” containers, meaning: sealed airtight, or completely contained. Alchemy proper has roots in China, the Middle East, and Europe, though it can be argued that every culture has at some time developed and practiced their own Alchemy. Those unstudied in the esoteric systems may never have heard the term Alchemist, or might flash on images of primitive scientists working futilely to turn lead into gold, or worse, charlatans claiming to be able to do such, so as to gain the employ of some wealthy king or emperor. These things undoubtedly occurred, but The Great Work of Alchemy reaches far beyond worldly riches. The transmuting of base metals into gold was perhaps a side project, or an analog of the true Alchemist, or even entirely an allegorical description of their goal used to hide their actual undertaking from vulgar minds and the persecution of the religious authorities of the time. A short and complete description of The Great Work of Alchemy is impossible, and unavailable through the exclusive use of words. It is for this reason that Alchemists used an intricate system of procedures and symbols to communicate their knowledge. (Also again, to hide that which should be hidden from the naïve, and from aggressive religious zealots.) Alchemy is best thought of as something that is learned by doing, not simply by comprehending. The Great Work involves the joining of opposites to attain a complete whole (The Alchemist’s Hermaphrodite). The base metals, often lead, makes reference to the state of the uncultivated human soul; low. The transmutation into gold describes the process through which one is raised to a pure and perfected state. Gold does not rust or tarnish, and is soft, malleable and beautiful. Gold has also been a highly valued and desired substance for peoples all over the world and for as long as we know history. Interestingly, being so soft, gold has little utilitarian purpose as a metal (tools, weapons etc.). It is only valuable as ornamentation or use as currency until a culture becomes technologically advanced enough to use it in electrical, radiological or other such applications. An intriguing theory on why it has nonetheless been sought and horded is available to those interested, but deserves, requires, and exists in entire other works. As the etymology implies, Alchemy exists as the precursor to modern chemistry, and laid the foundation for today’s scientific laboratories and procedures. The Alchemists isolated, identified and experimented with a vast number of substances, many of which are included in the Periodic Table of the Elements. Though modern chemistry has progressed to concentrate on matter devoid of spirit, Alchemy can still be applied to all aspects of life by it’s practitioners. Carl Jung saw many of the universal archetypes in Alchemy’s symbols and concepts. With his contribution to modern psychology we know that the Alchemical process can take place within the individual not only as the lifelong pursuit of self mastery and understanding, but also in the daily choice to transform negative thoughts and stimuli into positive and beneficial energies before they are released back into the world. We can also consider the choice and subsequent actions taken to strengthen and enliven the health of ones body as a work of Alchemy, for this is true physical transformation. The Alchemical laboratory exists within each individual. The result of The Great Work is: The Philospher’s Stone. Again, the meaning is multiple. The Stone is described as a substance which can turn the base metals into gold by a method of exposure to it. Also, The Stone is described as a substance which extends the lifespan of any who take of it, in this sense referred to as the Elixir of Eternal Life. Another explanation is that The Stone, when taken as a sacrament acts as a catalyst within the individual to promote the Alchemical process of raising awareness and spiritual refinement towards the highest goal. Within this description, indigenous peoples have been concocting their own Alchemical brews for thousands of years. Finally The Stone is referred to as all things to all people. If you are hungry it will feed you, if you are cold it will warm you, if you are sick it will heal you. The Stone becomes not only the end goal of the process, but the thing which gets you there. We might think of it as Living Will. This has been an extremely brief and simplified explanation on the topic of Alchemy meant only for those otherwise unfamiliar with the concept. Extensive literature exists explaining in depth the history, theory and practice of Alchemy. The reader is invited to pursue this and other related topics by exploring our “Recommended Realities” list. Thank You Blessings, The Janutica Foundation Daniel Nunez and Ghost Town 06/02/2010
Janutica Foundation member Daniel Nunez has decided to show his custom made clothing to the internet public for the first time with us! Mr. Nunez is a good man, and a maker of truly unique apparel. For a brief introduction by Daniel himself watch this video. Home Spring 05/22/2010
Surely the most spiritual experience I am fortunate enough to participate in regularly is done from the chair in which I am writing this. I have positioned my computer station in a corner of my living room with myself next to a window from which I have removed the screen. I open the window fully and hike up the blinds during the day, and sometimes at night. From my favorite spot I watch as the shadows and colors in the yard change with the turning of the planet, and the atmospheric conditions. I listen to the wind and the sounds of birds and neighbors. I watch as rabbits forage, and play, chasing and jumping with each other. I see the birds that come to visit and loiter or pick at seeds and bath themselves in the sand. I watch lizards scurry from one bush to another, sometimes pausing to soak in the sun. I witness the adult quail leisurely leading their procession of almost intolerably cute chicks across the desert plane. Sometimes the smell of Sonoran flowers glides in through the window. The road runner inspects things and poses its tail and head plume with snake like precision. My old dog Solstice hangs off the edge of the porch taking in the beauty as well, occasionally coming to my window to check in, give a smile, and get a little affection. The critters don't mind her, or each other for that matter. They casually pass each other on their way to wherever they are going. A pigeon who allowed me to take some blurry close up pictures of it nested about ten yards from my window, but has now moved on. The humming bird who licks at the nectar of the desert flowers I wonder at has nested at the place where my porch swing chain meets the porch roof. I can walk over to my kitchen window for a close up view of its child and watch as the adult regurgitates nutrition and injects it with a tongue which appears to be as long as its body. The humming bird hovers outside my window and chirps while it looks at me. They have been using that same small nest for years now. I wonder if they are the same descendants of the original creators? Some large paper wasps have built a small hive just above my front door. They don't seem to be irritated by my walking past, though they may become more aggressive as their larvae approach maturity. Little moths and bugs unknown to me flutter in and sometimes land on my hands and arms giving me a brief close look at their intricate bodies. Spiders come and go. Ants steadily clean up the little things I am not thorough enough to do myself. Flies buzz and tickle my skin and I shoo them off hardly perturbed. I am calm, relaxed, and in love. Blessings, C.W. Arvidson ECKANKAR 05/21/2010
Yesterday I attended a meeting and discussion group with representatives of the Eckankar religion. The facilitators of this meeting were pleasant and friendly people who shared their message casually and courteously. Half way through the meeting however two new individuals joined our small group of seven, one of which seemed to have arrived for the purpose of philosophical debate intended to discredit the Eckankar religion. This individual is well entitled to his opinions, however his persistent verbosity ended the process of group discussion and interrupted the explanations of Eckankar dogma as he demanded that the unexplainable be explained. The session quickly regressed into semantic rhetoric, though the facilitator was polite and patient. Perhaps this made the disrupter feel intelligent, but it is no huge intellectual feat to point out that religion is often silly, or to reveal that it does not follow the limited linear logic of the scientific process. This much is obvious thank you. This person showed himself to be the one demanding that others see the world as he, instead of the religious representative he tried so clumsily to debunk. People drove miles to discuss, while this one strolled in late looking stoned and disheveled to argue... What a jerk. Blessings, C.W. Arvidson Brimstone & Damnation 05/20/2010
Yesterday I attended alone a "Study Group" at a certain Tucson place of worship that will remain unnamed, as I do not care to disrespect though association the entire institution. In this room of eight people I experienced a wonderful display of brash condescension, and surely unenlightened oral broadcast. The person leading the study group mumbled quickly and inarticulately through the very Holy Book which we had assembled to study, skipping entire phrases as they went, finally slowing to a natural pace at the end of each verse to give their own watered down, yet arrogant interpretation of the teaching through vulgar analogies best suited for someone with an eight year old's understanding of the world. Though not a Christian representative, this person exhibited the same hostile, vainglorious demeanor of a cliche-hellfire and brimstone televangelist, all while assuring us of their knowledge on the way to happiness. When a question was finally asked after the evening's section of the book was "read" to us, this person quickly spoke over the visitor before they could complete their question, seemingly to address their inquiry, but in no way making a relative statement. I went to learn what the beliefs of this group were, but instead I met someone who presumed to tell me what I should believe. It is people like that who make people like me not want to go to churches. (On a side note, I was a bit entertained to hear one of the other attendees state, and I paraphrase "Knowledge has to be handed to you, you can't just sit at home, and come up with answers in your head!" Well, maybe that person had never succeeded in it, but I've heard of this mystical, Herculean feat being accomplished by others. They call it thinking.) A bit unfortunate, yet comical in retrospect, the experience was disappointing, uninformative, and generally unpleasant, but it was not a waste, for it gives me the opportunity to tell you dear readers that unequivocally: JANUTICA IS NOT THAT!!! Blessings, C.W. Arvidson ISKCON 05/17/2010
Yesterday myself and a friend visited The ISKCON temple in Tucson Arizona and attended their Sunday service. It was a beautiful time with a group of lovely people. As Seekers of wisdom, we work to understand our fellow spiritual beings, this means the study and participation in experiences available to us. Contact us if you are interested in joining us on one of our outings! 14 Points 05/14/2010
To satisfy any entity interested in the use of the terminology "church" being utilized by The Janutica Foundation, here is our response to the 14 point system used by the United States Internal Revenue Service to determine whether a group exists as a church or not. Not every point is needed to be met to qualify as a church, this is rather a guide of general definition. 1. Distinct legal existence We are yet to posses the 501c3 IRS status, however it is first and foremost in our list of priorities of how to spend money collected. 2. Recognized creed and form of worship Our creed can be simplified to the phrase: “Honor The Self” The complete meaning and understanding of this phrase can only be grasped through a thorough study of our literature. Our form of worship is fourfold: Study, Meditation, Discussion, and Action. 3. Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government An active member may progresses as: 1)Member 2)Neophyte 3)Priest 4)High Minister 4. Formal code of doctrine and discipline Our doctrine is extensive, including the ideas of many historic figures. Our discipline is for each individual to follow their personal virtues. 5. Distinct religious history Our history can be traced to ancient mysticism and occult philosophy. 6. Membership not associated with any other church or denomination Our members are not denied or dissuaded from affiliation with other churches or denominations, however the priesthood is required to make Janutica their main method of spiritual pursuit. 7. Organization of ordained ministers Presently, membership in Janutica is small. Our founder and president Rev. C.W. Arvidson is a legally ordained minister. 8. Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of studies Ordainment in Janutica comes only after passing through the ranks of member, neophyte, and priest. Prescribed courses of study are required, however do not guarantee advancement. Promotion decisions are made by church ministers and are based on merit. 9. Literature of its own We utilize The Tritameron by C.W. Arvidson as our holy book of literature 10. Established places of worship We currently have a single place of worship known only to initiates. 11. Regular congregations Our congregation currently consists of a few committed individuals who meet to hold religious services. 12. Regular religious services Our religious services are held on Saturdays. 13. Sunday schools for religious instruction of the young A separate group will be made available for young children to learn the most simple of teachings from Janutica while being guided by one of the congregation members. 14. Schools for preparation of its ministers No formal schools are yet functioning as a result of lack of funding and resources, however informal instruction is available by contacting The Janutica Foundation. |  CategoriesAll ArchivesOctober 2011 Friends of the FoundationHEART ATTACK SHACK!!! |