I See Your “Apollo Agreed So Easily Because He Doesn’t Care About Odysseus” And Raise You “the

The Science of Magick: Implicate Order

“What is, is always a totality of ensembles, all present together, in an orderly series of stages of enfoldment and unfoldment, which intermingle and interpenetrate each other in principle throughout the whole of space.” David Bohm

Spooky Action at a Distance

In the 80s, theoretical physicists first observed the paradoxical behavior of subatomic particles known as quantum entanglement, or “spooky action at a distance” as Einstein called it.  This phenomenon has been observed whereby the properties (quantum states) of a set of particles will never be independent of each other, regardless of distance, after they have interacted. This observation would be like taking a set of twins, dying one’s hair black, and then discovering that regardless of where the twins were located, the other’s hair turned black instantaneously as well. Spooky! This property of non-locality could not be explained by the current theory of quantum mechanics, so many physicists proposed their own respective models to explain the observations.

The theory of implicate order, and its counterpart explicate order, were detailed by physicist David Bohm in his book Wholeness and Implicate Order in 1980. Implicate order theory provides a model of the universe as an “unbroken wholeness of the totality of existence as an undivided flowing movement without borders" in which space and time as we observe them are merely derivatives (unfolded, explicate order) of the deeper reality. It sounds complex, but Bohm provides an illustrative example:

Imagine a fish in a tank with two separate cameras recording from two separate angles and projecting onto two separate screens. Now imagine you can only see the tv screens and not the actual fish; two 2D models (explicate orders) of a 3D objective reality (implicate order). By observing only the 2D models, one can discern that the “two” fish are somehow interrelated: when the fish on screen A moves 90 degrees, so does the fish on screen B, etc. It is not that one screen is causing the changes on the other screen, just that all of the image content on one screen correlates with the other.

If we scale up the fish example to our observed universe, we might say that our 3D world defined by space and time is merely a lower dimensional model of a higher dimensional reality ie. the implicate order. What if the twins were never really twins? The “two” particles we compare in the quantum entanglement experiments may simply be an artifact of how our current explicate reality has temporarily unfolded, leaving us looking at one deeper reality on two screens.

The Quantum Observer Effect

Along with observations regarding quantum entanglement came other observations about… well… observation itself. The classic example of this is the double-slit experiment, in which single photons are allowed to pass through two parallel slits in a screen and the resulting pattern formed is recorded. This experiment is best known for its conclusion of the particle-wave duality of light:

“Sending particles through a double-slit apparatus one at a time results in single particles appearing on the screen, as expected. Remarkably, however, an interference pattern emerges when these particles are allowed to build up one by one.” The Fabric of the Cosmos, Brian Greene

When behaving as waves, single photons simultaneously pass through both both slits and then meet again (interfere) at the other side of the barrier. 

In one variation of this experiment, conducted by the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1998, researchers built a tiny detector which was able to observe which one of the two slits the particle went through. And here’s where things get interesting for us (my emphasis added)…

“Once an observer begins to watch the particles going through the openings, the picture changes dramatically: if a particle can be seen going through one opening, then it’s clear it didn’t go through another. In other words, when under observation, electrons are being “forced” to behave like particles and not like waves. Thus the mere act of observation affects the experimental findings.”  Source 

By observing the photons as they pass through the two slits, we are forcing the collapse of the wave function itself, turning a wave of probability into a point of certainty.

Holonomic Brain Theory

When we combine David Bohm’s Implicate Order and the nature of wave interference patterns, we come to Holonomic Brain theory of quantum consciousness developed in collaboration between Bohm and neuroscientist Karl Pribram. As opposed to Conscious Mental Field theory, which I discussed in my previous Science of Magick post here, Holonomic Brain theory models the brain as a holographic storage network. In this framework, the non-locality of memory is viewed as an inherent property of the system, since all parts of a hologram contain the whole of the stored information.

“Holography relies upon wave interference. If two wavelengths of light are of differing frequencies, they will interfere with each other and create a pattern… The hologram illustrates how “information about the entire holographed scene is enfolded into every part of the film.” It resembles the Implicate Order in the sense that every point on the film is “completely determined by the overall configuration of the interference patterns.” Even a tiny chunk of the holographic film will reveal the unfolded form of an entire three-dimensional object. Source

In essence, this theory proposes that the totality of human consciousness is enfolded into a neural hologram, making it a sub-implicate order of reality.  In fact, Bohm posits that there are infinite sub- and super-implicate orders, where higher orders organize lower orders and are also influenced by them. 

To summarize the main conclusions under these frameworks thus far:

1. Implicate Order is a hidden, all-encompassing, higher-dimensional reality which we observe only through a lower-dimensional projection (explicate order) dependent on space and time.

2. Events that are observed can be changed by the act of observation. In choosing to observe one possible quantum state, the observer defines it as such. (It’s our choices, Harry….)

3. Consciousness exists as a sub-implicate order, which is organized by and exerts influence on super-implicate orders.

Conclusions for Chaotes

Implicate Order provides a mechanism for magick. The basic definition of magick within the Chaos paradigm is the act of imposing one’s will on reality, ie. using your mind to create change in the world around you. Sorcery is performed using visualization techniques to focus the subconscious mind on a desired outcome, such as in Austin Osman Spare’s sigil methods. The practitioner, in an altered state of consciousness, visualizes the reality they desire and manifests it into reality.  Using the frameworks we have discussed, we can translate this definition into the following statement: Magick is the practice of defining a certain state of reality by encoding observational information within the sub-implicate order of consciousness which is then decoded within the Implicate Order and manifested in the explicate order of our observed reality.

It is interesting to note that David Bohm himself experienced a paradigm shift during his career. The results from his own work lead Bohm down a rabbit hole into the realms of spiritualism and philosophy, which drew criticism from his contemporaries regarding his reputation as a physicist. However, as a chemist and a chaos witch, I find his embrace of the overlap between hard-science and metaphysics relatable and inspiring.

“Consciousness is much more of the implicate order than is matter… Yet at a deeper level [matter and consciousness] are actually inseparable and interwoven, just as in the computer game the player and the screen are united by participation.” David Bohm

There are two elements in the magical act - the Spell and the Rite. The spell is the uttering of words according to a formula; the rite is the accompanying set of actions by which the spell is conveyed to the object it is desired to affect. The sprinkling of water on the ground, for instance, is the rite for rain, and the leaping of the dancers in a field is the rite for making the corn grow high. The spell, which is of major importance, was known only to the esoteric circle of practitioners; the rite was public.

F. Marian McNeill, The Silver Bough, Vol. 1

BIG shoutout to those who are practicing in secret

y'all don't get enough recognition because leading a double life is exhausting (i know because i'm one of those people leading that very same double life)

shoutout to those who can't tell anyone about their practise

shoutout to anyone who can't own tarot or oracle decks and so use household items to do divination

shoutout to those who can't have candles or fancy altars

shoutout to those who practice in secret.

Devotional art of grand Lady Leto and Her blessed twins (inspired by Her statue)

I need you to understand and to really listen when I tell you that the land knows you.

If you have spent months, years, decades living in the same place and exploring the same land I can promise you that the trees, the plants, the lakes and rivers, and the spirits will know and remember you.

You can call out to them and they will call out to you because they know you - they have for so so long, my love, and they love you, so much.

Trust me.

a couple new enamel pins! really excited about this series - eda, raine and more to come soon!

garden variety conservative transphobia is going to get worse but radical feminism is also going to get worse. if youre a cis women terfs are going to try to recruit you and make you believe that the reason your rights are at stake is because of trans people. they're going to tell you that all men are your violent oppressors and they're going to include trans women in that category. they're gonna tell you about women who are gender traitors and joined the enemy and they're going to point to trans men. don't believe them. trans people are not your enemy, we have no power over you, and we desperately need your support and your solidarity.

be aware of radfem pipelines and dog whistles too. be skeptical of anyone that talks about the divine feminine or correlates birthing, menstruating, or female reproductive organs with womanhood. be especially skeptical of people who use those biological things as reasons to why women are more spiritual, or more in tune with nature, or just that they're better than men (read: anyone they decide is a man)

radical feminism is an expected reactionary outcome from cis women who are being oppressed by conservatives, especially when all they practice is ciscentric, liberal, white feminism. they feel the need to be radicalized but don't have the experience and information to pinpoint the true source of their suffering. trans people are not your enemy, AMAB people are not your enemy, anyone who identifies as a man is not your enemy. we're all being crushed under the same stone

Daimones Part 2: Children of Nyx

In Greek mythology, there are various personified spirits called daimones. Eventually this word evolved into what we now know as “demon” (a word with negative connotations), but daimones weren’t necessarily “evil” spirits. Most of these daimones are the children of Nyx, Eris, or Zeus. In general, the daimon children of Zeus are personifications of morally good concepts, while the children of Nyx and Eris represent the malevolent forces which plague humans. Some daimones (like Hebe, the goddess of youth, or even Eris herself) were full fledged gods, while others were mere personifications with no mythology or cult.

According to Hesiod

Moros: the personification of doom (the force which drive humans toward inevitable death). Prometheus saved mankind from misery by taking away the foresight of our own doom (Moros) and replacing it with Elpis (hope).

Keres: female spirits of violent or cruel death. One of the Keres, Akhlys, was the goddess of deadly poisons and the death-mist which clouds the eyes of mortals before death.

Hypnos: god of sleep, husband of Pasithea (relaxation)

Thanatos: god of peaceful or non-violent death. As the twin brother of Hypnos, he represented the eternal slumber of death.

Oneroi: spirits of dreams, they were sometimes considered the children of Hypnos rather than Nyx. Their leader was said to be Morpheus, a man who appeared in the dreams of kings bringing messages from the gods.

Nemesis: goddess of righteous indignation and deserved retribution against those with too much good fortune. She represented the balance of good and bad fortune.

Hesperides: spirits of the evening sunset. They were sometimes called the daughters of Atlas.

Momos: mockery, blame, complaint, and harsh criticism. Zeus expelled him from heaven for criticizing the gods.

Oizys: female spirit of misery, woe, distress, and suffering

Apate: female spirit of deceit, guile, and fraud

Philotes: friendship and affection. She may have also been the spirit of sexual intercourse.

Geras: male spirit of old age

Eris: goddess of strife. She is the mother of a host of malevolent spirits of war.

Moirai: the fates were sometimes called daughters of Nyx, although more often they were the daughters of Zeus and Themis.

Likely Children of Nyx

Anaideia: ruthlessness and unforgiveness

Adikia: injustice and wrong-doing

Adephegia: gluttony

Aergia: idleness, laziness, and sloth

Alastor: counterpart of the Erinyes who punished the family of murderers

Aporia: powerlessness

Lyssa: mad rage, fury, rabies

Epiales: nightmares

Dolos: trickery, cunning deception, and craftiness

Koalemos: stupidity and foolishness

Kakia: vice and immorality

Epiphron: prudence, shrewdness, and careful consideration

Phyge: flight, escape, retreat, and exile

Phrice: horror, she is a more severe counterpart of Deimos and Phobos.

Phthisis: wasting away, perishing, and decay

Hubris: insolence, violence, reckless pride, arrogance, and outrage. Her son, Koros, represented insolence and disdain

Dyssebia: impiety, sometimes called the mother of Hubris.

Amekhania: helplessness and want, sister of Penia and Ptokheia

Ptokheia: beggary, sister of Amekhania and Penia

Penia: poverty and need, sister of Amekhania and Ptokheia

Eleos: mercy, pity, compassion

Sophia: wisdom

Elpis: hope. She was the last spirit that remained in Pandora’s box, representing humanity’s hold on hope in the face of all of these terrors. Her daughter, Pheme, was the personification of rumor, report, and gossip.

Sophrosyne: moderation, self-control, temperance, and restraint

Phthonos: jealousy and envy, especially in the context of love

Nosoi: male spirits of plague, sickness, and disease

Maniai: spirits of madness, insanity, and crazed frenzy

Arai: female spirits of curses (this is where I got my URL)

Poinai: spirits of vengeance and punishment