TANTRIC LUNAR RESONANCE MEDITATION:
            ITS LINKS WITH TAROT AND THE WESTERN TRADITION

                        by  Philo Stone, c1981


We have admired the writings of Dr.  Charles M.  Muse's,  particularly
his  works  from The Journal for the Study of Consciousness.   In  the
interest   of  spreading  some  of  the  more  important  concepts  of
meditation,  we  thought  to westernize his works.   Since it was  not
widely circulated,  we have borrowed freely from his work in Volume 5,
No. 2 (1972-3), titled "A New Way of Altering Consciousness: Manual of
Dynamic Resonance Meditation."


During  Vedic and pre-Vedic periods [1],  there were certain times  of
each  month when the priests would meditate on specific symbols.   The
belief  was that if one meditated in synchronization with the  phases,
it could be compared to riding on a swing.   A kick at the right point
put  more  energy  into the swing than at any  other  point.   It  was
believed  that meditation on certain symbols at specific times related
to  phases  of the moon would add soma to the body more than at  other
times of the month.  This produced optimal spiritual growth.

Farmers   and   gardeners  have  for  centuries  known  the   profound
differences in weather,  plant growth, and seed-timing associated with
lunar  phases.    Newer  research  shows  the  moon/s  effect  on  the
electromagnetic  fields of the earth,  and their subsequent biological
influences.   Specific examples can be found in the lunar sex cycle of
the  female,  and the insomnia and unstable mental states during  Full
Moon.

Less  well-known is that the moon may be used as a means of  spiritual
regeneration and the accelerated growth of the "diamond body."   There
is  a  higher  spiritual aspect to the Moon Goddess  than  Yesod,  the
'personal  anima.    Anima  Mundi,  or  the  Divine  Inspiratirix,  is
represented  in the Tarot by II.  High Priestess,  the crescent  Moon.
This  Goddess  not  only  confers immortality,  but  also  wisdom  and
inspiration.

Myth  states  that inspiration of the moon comes from the dark  phases
and from the soma drink which is brewed from the moon tree.  It is not
embodied  in rational thought but lies in the dark obscure  movements,
thoughts,  and  impulses of darkness.   It manifests as an intoxicant,
producing an enthusiasm which may even lead to madness.

Soma  was  considered  a  universal  life  power  dispensed  in  great
abundance  during the waning moon.   It could be absorbed directly  by
man  in  meditative states without having to ingest any plant at  all. 
Certain  plants  were  held particularly efficient in  collecting  and
storing soma.  Those eaten with the power to change consciousness were
held sacred as embodiments of deities.

Psychologically,  the  ritual  for  absorbing  soma  is  designed  for
relating  oneself properly to the feminine principle.   Then one gains
access  to  the eternal,  immovable aspect of psyche,  the reality  of
Self.   When  drinking in soma,  the initiate becomes filled with  the
god.   The  inner voice of the daemon speaks,  uncensored,  and  takes
control for a time.  In Magick this is called "assuming the god-form."

                                                                       
[1] Satapatha Brahman and Taittireva Sanhita.
                                                                page 2


Through  communion  in the meditative process,  an individual  becomes
acquainted  with his own limits,  depths,  and ultimate reality.   The
highest  incarnation of the female form of the Holy Spirit confers the
deepest revelation [2].

There  is a familiar passage from the Hermetic texts called The  Veil.
It  states that the veil signified the Veil of the Universe or Robe of
Isis.   Crowley said this Veiled Isis "is clothed only in the luminous
veil  of light.   It is important for high initiation to regard  Light
not as the perfect manifestation of Eternal Spirit,  but rather as the
veil  which  hides that Spirit."   These passages might be read as  an
exhortation to penetrate past the brightly lit region of Tiphareth and
solar consciousness.  Lunar consciousness is a more diffuse awareness,
an ability to discern in the dimly lit regions of the unconscious.

True initiation implies breaking through the veil of the Virgin.  This
veil  is  the spiritual nature of man himself;  to raise it  means  to
transcend  the limits of individuality and become consciously immortal
(or, rather, conscious of immortality).  The soul is released from the
constraints of time, space, and ego-orientation.

Turning   psychological   energy   inward,   by   meditation,   is   a
characteristically feminine process.  This produces the psychic child,
which  corresponds to Jung's concept of individuation.   It's greatest
value  is attached to an activity of the creative imagination known as
'soul-making'.   Careful  aesthetic  elaboration  of an event  is  its
significance.   There  is no separation,  in soul-making,  between  an
event and its meaning.  A sense of the sacred is, thereby, returned to
daily activity.

This  inner marriage of masculine and feminine components gives  birth
to  the inner child and release from the power of death.   This child,
the Self, is the fruit of psychic development.

Soma  is  also associated,  in yogic practice,  with the 'inner  moon'
chakra,  analogous  to the pituitary and pineal glands.   This  'inner
moon'  is  said  to shower subtle secretions,  or  soma  drops,  which
nourish   the  psycho-organism.    These  glands  directly   influence
physiological  processes.    The  pituitary  regulates,   among  other
functions, sex hormones, metabolism, and growth and development of the
individual

Richard  Wurtman  of M.I.T.  states that stress activates  the  pineal
gland.   This then exerts an inhibitory influence on the body's stress
mechanism  (the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis).   In view of  the
pineal's  sedative effect on the Central Nervous System,  "the ancient
mystics  may  have  had  something when  they  attributed  effects  of
meditation to the pineal gland."

Plate 55 (page 88) of TANTRA ASANA [3] shows a leaf from a seventeenth
century Kashmiri tantric manuscript:

A  female figure illustrating (the 9 + 9) positions of Amritakala [4],
which  have to be energized on respective dates of the white and  dark
halves of the month for successful tantric asanas.   The eighteen (9 +
9) focal centers in


                                                                       
[2]  The goddess is a powerful psychological force having the power to
mold destiny.   In Tarot, she is represented as II. High Priestess and
corresponds with Isis,  Artemis,  Sophia, Shakti,  Psyche,  and Virgin
Mary.   These  are  common forms for women's experience of the  higher
Self.
                                                                page 3


the  female  body mentioned in the Ratirahasya can be excited  by  the
adept when harmonized with the exact location of the "chandrakala"  on
the  respective  days of the white as well as the dark halves  of  the
month.

This   quote   shows  the  relationship  between  the  pre-Vedic   and
Indo-Iranian  immortality  teachings  and  phases  of  the  moon.   It
specifically  divided the lunar month into 9 special days in both  the
waxing  and  the waning halves,  a cycle composed of 18 days  in  all. 
There is a striking correspondence between the two-fold cycle of lunar
phases  each  month  and the hypernumber w,  a  lunar  elliptic  orbit
function developed by N.A.S.A. for the space program.

This  hypernumber  w and it's phases of the elliptical orbits  provide
the   only  available  mathematical  paradigm  corresponding  to   the
anomalies  distinct to the waxing and waning lunar  fortnights.   This
striking  relationship  indicates that,  during pre-Vedic  periods,  a
system  of highly developed sets of mathematical descriptions  existed
for the movement of the moon about the earth.

Hyperdimentional  mathematics  is  a  system  or  field  developed  to
encompass   a   body  of  complex  universes.    An  example  is   the
hyperdimentional  number  "i"  which is the square root  of  -1.   The
square root of -1 has several solutions, some of which  are applicable
to  the  physical world,  some of which are not.   These  non-physical
solutions relate to other universes.   These other worlds  are created
primarily to solve problems not solvable in the physical world.

The  hypernumber w has the remarkable property that,  when  multiplied
successively  by  itself,  all the resulting numbers lie on a  certain
ellipse.   The numbers resulting from multiplying the square root of w
successively  by  itself also lie on the very  same  ellipse;  exactly
twelve distinct points are generated by both these processes.

There  are three principle irregularities in the lunar orbit that have
been known since Ptolemy of Alexandria.  They were rediscovered by the
famous 16th century astronomer, Tycho Brahe, a student of Kepler.

These  three irregularities together furnish a set of eight places  in
the  lunar  orbit where these reflecting configurations of  force  are
maximum.   These eight places map on the eight points furnished by the
integer powers of the hypernumber w.   W was conceived by 20th Century
mathematics to describe these irregularities of the moon.

This  seems to indicate that the pre-Vedic periods had mathematics  or
observations  which  counter  some of our most  advanced  concepts  in
mathematics  today.   It is also known that the various phases of  the
moon  affect  a number of biological cycles.   Therefore,  it  is  now
possible to adapt these equations to the meditative process of (9 + 9)
phases of the moon.   This Tantric tradition for marimal absorption of
soma,  using  these  key  points  in the lunar  cycle,  leads  to  the
immortality of the soul.

There  are  fundamental  points  which  are  important  in  the  lunar
tradition.  First quarter to the Full Moon is generally related to the
unstable  mental states.   The first quarter to the Full Moon are when
most magical rituals are practiced.  One very


                                                                       
[3]   Edited and compiled by Ajit Mookerjee,  published by Ravi Kumar;
Basel, Paris, and New Delhi, 1971.
[4]  Literally, the times of immortality.
                                                                page 4


rarely uses a waning moon,  preferring a waxing moon for ceremony.   A
waning  moon  generally symbolizes soma going into the  body.   Waxing
indicates  energy  coming  out of the body,  usually  via  expression. 
Waning  periods,  then,  are generally when one meditates and  absorbs
energy.   Waxing periods use that energy as an expression for invoking
a given archetype, or god-form.

Spiritual  regeneration also occurs during certain phases of the moon. 
Even, today, the ascending and descending nodes of the lunar orbit are
termed  the  Dragon's Head and the Dragon's Tail.   This dragon  is  a
time-honored  symbol  for the goddess,  the Great  Mother.   The  time
intervals  taken by the moon in returning to its given node is  termed
the Dragonic month even in modern astronomy.  The ancient Indo-Iranian
lunar traditions ascribe that the "holiest power" of the month happens
in the dark of the moon.  In terms of Indo-Iranian tradition, the soma
(energy  for  spiritual regeneration) most fully saturates  the  earth
during  the  waning moon,  when the "invisible"  (or higher) light  is
brightest [5].

At  its dark phase,  the moon is conjoined with the sun  itself,  even
though  we see only a dark moonless night.   This is possible  because
the relative distances of sun and moon makes the size of their visible
disks  the  same size.   It is at this point that the moon  physically
effects the central nervous system the most.   In both traditions, the
pre-Vedic  and Indo-Iranian,  the dark of the moon is associated  with
maximum life elixir flow.  The waning or putrefying, fertilizing moon,
culminated  in  the dark of the moon and was associated with the  male
powers.   The  waxing,  or developing,  gestating form of the moon was
associated with the female powers. [6]

Through  this  meditation  and absorbtion of  soma,  the  mystical  or
Diamond  Body  (created  by  the  harmonization  of  male  and  female
principles),  may  be built up for the consciousness to inhabit.   The
soul becomes refined and finds unity with Spirit.  This occurs via the
image.   In  Tantra,  this  imagery  was associated  with  the  female
partner,  as  representative of various forms of the goddess,  Shakti. 
Correspondence  with  Tarot  and  the  paths  of  the  Tree  Of  Life,
incorporate western imagery into the meditation.

The  pre-Vedic  technique  was  designed as  a  system  for  achieving
immortality.  This exercise is also known as Circulation of the Light. 
The meditation exercise is designed with this circulation, or exchange
between  the  masculine  and feminine poles,  as  the  central  focus. 
Indo-Iranian  immortality  teachings state that growth of  the  higher
body  during  life  allowed full consciousness to  remain  even  after
physical  death.   They derived the lunar month into nine special days
in  both waxing and waning halves.   These divisions are identical  to
the  famous equation and the solutions of the hypernumber "w";  9 +  9
going to 18. [7]

As with everything,  ther are certain rules which must be practiced in
order  to  obtain  the  maximum  benefit.   These  rules  appproximate
hypernumber w solutions or lunar phase points:


                                                                       
[5]   The new moon is the period when Sun and Moon are in conjunction. 
This symbolizes the alchemical
     Coniunctio, or Divine Marriage.
[6]  The Rule:  Waning moon, the male; waxing moon, the female.
[7]    Numerological  implications  are  interesting.    Some  obvious
correspondences are 18 = XVIII, The Moon;
     also (DNA = 10) + (RNA = 8) = 18.
                                                                page 5


RULE  1:  The first day after the full moon is Session One.   The  day
after the full moon begins the cycle of this meditation exercise.

RULE 2:  The Outline:

Session   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9 
                                                                       
Waning    1    2    3    5    7    8    9    11   13

Waxing    16   17   18   20   22   23   24   26   28

RULE 3:  Face west during waning meditation periods.

RULE 4:  Face east during waxing meditation periods.

RULE 5:  If a session is skipped, do not omit Sessions 1, 4, 5, 8, and
9  of  each  fortnight.   This holds for both the waning  andd  waxing
periods.

RULE  6:   If for some reason the cycle is interrupted for some  time,
resume Session One of each fortnight.

RULE  7:   Full  moons  which  occur between  midnight  and  dawn  are
considered  as  occurring  one  day earlier than  the  calendar  date. 
(Example:   if the full moon occurred this morning at 3:00 a.m.,  then
start Session One today.)

RULE 8:  It is best to meditate at Sunrise.

RULE 9:   There is a special resonant peak which occurs after the 13th
lunar  cycle  and  six sessions,  (one year and  three  monthes  after
onset).

If  one  does  these meditations correctly,  as  in  the  Indo-Iranian
periods,  one  may achieve immortality with this soma that is  pouring
into  the  body.   This  is the formula for immortality of  the  soul,
according to pre-Vedic traditions.

The  table  listing  the sessions and the days is more or  less  self-
explanitory.  You do not do this meditation every day, but only on the
days  indicated.   Returning the attribution of a diety via imagery is
paramount to attaining full benefit from the sessions.  To incorporate
the   meditation  practice  into  the  tradition  of  QBL,   we   have
corresponded  the Sessions with appropriate paths of the  Tarot.   The
key  imagery  for  the nine sessions for the waning fortnight  are  as
follows:

1. Session One:  XXI, THE UNIVERSE
The  first  Session rekindles the flame of inspiration.   One  chooses
voluntary  rededication  to  the work of the  soul,  the  Great  Work. 
Rededication is returning attention to archetypal processes; attention
is  equivalent  to worship.   This reorientation is  attained  through
perseverance  in  the use of the creative  imagination.   It  produces
synchronization of the body, mind and emotions.

2. Session Two:  XX, THE AEON
This  session  is  designed to develop access to the contents  of  the
unconscious.   This  resurrection  or  re-membering  of  pre-conscious
information  is  involved with one's modes of perception.   An  access
state involves a broadened field of perception, where
                                                                page 6


one  sees through the metaphorical presentation to the archetypal core
of situations.

3.  Session Three:  XVIII, THE MOON
This session provides the power to remold or reprogram the emotionsand
beliefs  in  the subconscious mind.   The cerebellum has the power  to
initiate  profound changes in the body,  the organ-I-zation.   It  can
create a stabilized center or homeostasis.   This is an important time
to record dreams.

4. Session Four:  XIII, DEATH
One  prepares for freedom,  for the time when the physical body is  no
longer  an appropriate vehicle,  by building the diamond body.   Entry
into the subtle body is more easily achieved at this time eacch month. 
Temporary seperations between super-physical and the physical body are
possible  by  the Magickal exercise known as "rising on  the  planes." 
Death  may  be viewed as a profound change in one's old conception  of
personality.   The responsability is to re-vision oneself able to move
consciousness  into  the  mystical body.   Kali is worshipped  in  the
cremation  groundds,  symbolizing  burning  away of  the  dross  which
inhibits spiritual progress.

5. Session Five:  XIX, THE SUN
This session is one of uncompromising self-analysis and inner honesty. 
Through  examining your innermost heart,  you may align your physical,
mental  and  spiritual goals.   Enlightenment or  solar  consciousness
consists  of  perpetual  conscious observation of the  imaginal  life: 
behavior fantasies,  dreams,  thoughts, emotions, etc.   This session,
like the first,  is linked with the two following ones in an operation
group of three.

6.  Session Six:  XV, THE DEVIL
The  power that flows now enables us to bridge intellect and  profound
intuitive  insight.   From this marriage,  genius is born.   This path
connects the logic of Hod with the intuition of Tiphareth.   It may be
viewed as a test of one's personal integrity.

7.  Session Seven:  XVII, THE STAR
This  third  session  of  the  group of three  confers  the  power  of
clairvoyance,  clearness  of  vision.   In sight is  possible  through
cultivation of the subtle senses.  Creative imagination (consciousness
cooperating with subconscious) leads,  via Netzach,  or Aphrodite,  to
growth and artistic inspiration.

8. Session Eight:  XIV, ART
This   session   pre-figures   the  victorious   and   fully-conscious
transcending  of  physical death.   The keywords are  immortality  and
liberation.   This is the climax session of the waning phase.  Climax,
in Greek, means "ladder".  It is precisely use of the sexual climax as
a  ladder for mystical attainment that is fundamental to the  practice
of  Tantra  or  sex  magick.   There is value  in  the  ascending  and
descending  of the soul upon this ladder;  building up and holding off
are  inherent  in  this  sense of  the  word.   A  "climax"  does  not
prioritize orgasm,  per se;  as Crowley said.  "Be strong,  then canst
thou  bear  more joy."   This day is superior for doing Middle  Pillar
Exercise,  or  Invocation of the Holy Gaurdian Angel.   These forms of
building   the   diamond  body  create  a  liberating   paradigm   for
immortality.   Soma  is distilled into the alchemical elixer vitae via
sex  magick,   regenerate  love.   The  return  of  these  sex  magick
proceedures  to  the  QBL  tradition  has  been  responsible  for  the
resurgence of vitality in the western tradition.

                                                                page 7


9. Session Nine:  IX, THE HERMIT
Mercury,  as Logos and Phallus, preserves both the Light and the Life. 
As  "messenger  of the gods,"  Mercury fosters multiple  perspectives. 
The  union of opposites of Session 8 necesitates tolerance.   Remember
the  virtues  of silence and secrecy.   Perservere in the  meditaitons
without  lust  of  result.   You may wish to observe a day  of  ritual
silence.   This  session  consolidates the development gained so  far;
grounding force.


This concludes the sessions of the waning, or male, fortnight.
                                                                       


During  the  sessions  of the  waxing,  or  feminine,  fortnight,  the
priestess becomes the living representative of the lunar goddess:

1. Session One:  XVI, THE TOWER
The   waxing  moon  has  to  do  with  physical  expression,   dynamic
engagement.  It produces an influx of energy which yeilds increases in
health,  vitality, and effectiveness.  Ares marshalls in discipline in
the  physical  body.   Physical disciplines,  such as yoga or  martial
arts,   improve  breathing,   vitality,  disposition,  etc.    Dynamic
engagement with life could be corresponded with Horus.   The key words
for  this session are engaging light,  or tuning in.   Since Pe',  the
Hebrew  letter  for  this path means 'mouth',  it is a  good  time  to
formulate  and  declare one's oath.   Speaking ability is enhanced  at
this time.

2. Session Two:  IX, THE HERMIT
This  is  a period to link the concious functions with the  unconcious
(i.e.  Tai  Chi).   In the eastern traditions,  monks were trained  in
martial  arts  to connect body movement with medatative awareness  and
control.  Every motion is motivated by archtypal patterns, producing a
state of connection to power.  This type of total involvement develops
patience and lends an increased ability to meditate.

3. Session Three:  XVIII, THE MOON
In   this  session  the  physiological  benefits  of  meditation   are
incorporated  into the body.   Unconscious processes have the power to
effect  change  in such functions as the  heart,  digestion,  kidneys,
ductless  glands,  and  the  brain.   Circulation of the Light  has  a
psychological  healing  effect  which influences  the  cerebellum  via
symbolism.  The key word is doing better than I know.

4. Session Four:  XIII, DEATH
This   session   represents  the  perpetual  movement   of   creation,
destruction,  and  renewal.   It is the time for shedding unwanted  or
hindering  desires,  patterns,  situations,  or habits as old skin  is
shed.   For  those  who "die daily"  every morning is a  resurrection,
awakening soul to new possibilities.  The beginnings of victory lie in
proper revaluation.

5. Session Five:  XX, THE AEON
To facilitate transmutation,  this session is aimed at outer and inner
cleansing  and  purgation.   Medicines,  herbs,  and  baths  are  most
effective,  now.  Review your journal and conscientiously examine your
thought  processes  and motivations.   Once the accumulation  of  body
waste  are  metabolized,  there is a surplus of energy for living  out
spiritual principles.

                                                                page 8


6. Session Six:  XVII, THE STAR
The  love  power  enters and transfuses the body until  it  begins  to
literally  shine.   The image of a beatiful naked woman is the shining
vision  which  presages  individuation.    Grace  pervades  all  event
formation.   The  refining power of love is the key to eternal  youth. 
Refinement, or clarification is linked with discernment.

7.  Session Seven:  X, WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Health,  luck and power are absorbed during this period.   Beneficient
Zeus  bestows his gifts,  enabling you to complete difficult tasks  or
overcome  obstacles.   Be  alert for opportunities.   The key word  is
extra power.

8. Session Eight:  XIV, ART
This  is the key session of the waxing phases and is used to help  the
body  and outer life with "power for accomplishing".   This is not the
power to fulfill desires, but to fulfill one's True Will.  This is the
power  that  confers harmony with one's environment.   It is  truly  a
blessing.   Grace descends,  via the activated Middle Pillar,  through
the  imagery  of the Holy Guardian Angel.   Participate freely  in  an
internal dialogue.   In this Knowledge and Conversation is equilibrium
that  the  consummation of the Royal Marriage of Sun and  Moon.   This
fusion   generates   the  internal  union  of  subject   and   object;
consciousness and being merge into bliss.   In alchemy,  this state is
known as the Unus Mundus, or One World, were there is no seperation of
an act from its significance.

9. Session Nine:  XXI, THE UNIVERSE
This  final  session of the waxing fortnight is a  grounding  session. 
The  position of the ego in the psychic economy is  relativized.   The
ego realizes its subordinate position to the Self.  As the keywordd is
preservation  of achievement,  we might recall Vishnu,  the Preserver. 
The role of Saturn in the preservation of tradition is fundamental.


The  banishing  Ritual and Middle Pillar Exercise enhance any  of  the
sessions.  They are useful in calming the mind and focusing attention. 
They   clear  the  confusion  of  psychic  imagery  away  and  prevent
distraction.  Then one psychological state may be differentiated.

There are a few extra hints that might be of help:

     a)  If you should find it necessary to interrupt this cycle,  try
to do it after a session #9, and preferrably after a session #9 of the
waxing fortnight.

     b)   The  time used for these meditations is  totally  arbitrary. 
Use as much time,  or as little time,  as you feel necessary.   On the
average,  10 to 15 minutes a day is a realistic goal;  focus attention
on an image or god-form.

     c)   No  matter what the meditation time is,  dedicate that  same
amount  of  time  each  special day  specifically  to  this  exercise. 
Cultivate consistency to improve your ritual practice.

     d)   The  Spring  Equinox  is  a fitting  time  to  commence  the
resonance  meditations.   There are certain harmonics which are struck
with the Solar cycle.