Chapter 1: The Proposal

CyberCraft, An Interpretative Metaphor

Welcome to the CyberCraft Manual. We hope you will enjoy and benefit from this little exploration into the majikal mind-body complex. Our purpose is to help others operate at higher levels on all planes of life. It isn't our purpose to help them just feel better. Witchcraft has some very positive and life affirming teachings. The authors of this document hope to interpret those metaphors bringing them into a late 20th century framework from which we can springboard into the 21st century.

However we have strong forces to compete against. The first struggle we are involved with is one of the mind-body complex. Who will control our mind-bodies? Will it be the Aspirant, the one looking for a better life, or will it be the Controllers, the ones with the power and monies to mold our minds to their purposes? And will we nurture the emerging Changelings? Or do we let the Persecutors administer the Last Rite to our offspring?

CyberCraft is not meant to be an end in itself. CyberCraft is the art of living smart. We hope that it will offer the Aspirant the options needed to create a better world to live in. Additionally CyberCraft is a psycho-spiritual metaphor for the 21st century. This metaphor is based upon embodiment spirituality whereas others are based upon disembodiment spirituality.

CyberCraft is the art of living that integrates rational and irrational process through mythopoetic structures primarily from Wicca, then neo-Paganism and other related religious belief systems. It should incorporate knowledge from newer and emerging humanistic sciences. Principles of ethical self-programming as written of by Timothy Leary, John Lilly, Robert Anton Wilson, Antero Alli, and Christopher Hyatt should be incorporated into the relational processes; those setting between solar and lunar knowledge. CyberCraft is a self-modifying tradition. It will change as culture changes. CyberCraft is also a psycho-spiritual metaphor which will generate, sanctify and venerate the necessary tools for enjoying a healthy mind and body.

The above mentioned authors are helping to shed light upon our thought processes. The terms and structures they use should be considered metaphorical. But they provide a viable framework from which to build a newer, more appropriate belief system for our times.

Humans seem to have a need to be both rational and irrational at the same time. In doing so we generate quite a few problems and reap some benefits. At this point in human time we are not able to measure magik, nor are we able to measure or sense the so called etheric or astral. Providing that we are given time and if the interests are still mounted, we may be able to invent measuring or sensing devices for such indeterminate quantities.

Further the practice of dividing the mind from the body has broken sunder the human even further. For the purposes of CyberCraft the mind-body is one complex, one swirl of energy. The mind and body are one entity, undivided, inseparable, and indivisible.

It is the opinion of this author that many features of the powers are misunderstood. Over the centuries and in various cultures humans have overlaid folk fables and their personal expectations of what the powers are into the framework of human abilities. And in doing so needless baggage has crept into the consensus framework. It is time that we looked at our human nature without the clouded and marred lens of binary, Christian, Ceremonial and patriarchal expectations.

At the base of the concern humans are animal by definition. Human magik should firstly be animal magik. But does that mean we should be satisfied with an animal expectation of what our abilities can be? Should we push back the normal or natural boundaries? How far?

The first order of business is to know ourselves. Does this mean know just our bodies? How about desires? How about hopes, dreams and aspirations? How about our minds? Why should we remain ignorant of why and how we think? Do we know now? Or do we think we know without really knowing? What part do preconceived concepts play in the formulation of that sentiment? How do our respective cultures help us define our consciousness? Are these definitions useful? What can be replaced? With what?

It is useful to frame these questions in the milieu of the human mind. Everything we can think of is thought with the bio-computer we term the brain. How does the brain work? Research effort is still in progress but at the core we find that the brain is composed of billions of cell bundles called neurons. Each neuron could have as many as 10,000 gateways to other neurons. We know that information is transmitted electro-chemically at about .07 volts. But we don't know everything yet. And least of all we don't know why we think what we think.

CyberCraft should be a psychological-religious-political thought system to meet and support the needs of individuals who feel both a romantic and classical approach is needed in their life. These needs should be formatted into solar and lunar knowledge bases, ie., rational and irrational modes with relational processes sitting midway betwixt them. These should be used to a maximal degree.

Humans are discovering that there is pity poor little difference between political and religious systems. In fact religious systems replace the tribal chief or monarch with a discarnate chief or monarch. This eases the task of governing the populace through the revelations and commandments of the discarnate and absent ruler from on high. Humans always fear most what they cannot see, understand or comprehend. And we always fear the invisible punisher; the inner punisher who knows our greatest fears. Consequently religious systems are political systems of a supplementary order. Political systems should be considered metareligious systems in that political concerns lay at the base of or stand behind religious concerns. Religious systems are political systems of an inner nature.

Understanding our thoughts should become a little easier in the solar (daylight consciousness) and lunar (twilight consciousness) framework. Additionally many other modes of consciousness could be mounted which straddle these tropes. These should be termed the relational or relative processes.

Electronic and chemical assistance for modifying consciousness might be useful in helping to determine how individuals might drive ethically chosen programming deep into the psyche. But once the message is received we should hang the phone up on chemical boosters. A new generation of brain machine is on the market today. Recently we have had the opportunity to test drive a model of the audio-visual and suggestion type. The experience was positive.

CyberCraft should incorporate many of the concepts contained in Humanist Manifesto II.

Secular humanists have pioneered many valuable ideas needful in today's ever evolving political and social environments. CyberNauts should augment some humanistic concepts with high technology answers to pressing personal questions. And in applying technology to human service systems we might make a difference not only in our little corner of the planet but elsewhere.

CyberCraft should foster a new class of technology termed GreenTech. GreenTech should be those technologies which recycle and/or conserve the Matrix's natural resources.

CyberCraft is a new psycho-spiritual system that is more importantly a mode of thinking. Smart thinking usually leads to smart living. Additionally the application of CyberCraft to mundane life should be easy and seamless. Instead of taking the individual out of the social complex it should enable them to integrate easily with the social composite.

All human structures spawn from the human mind. More powerful modes of thinking are needed to help us along our way in an ever increasingly propaganda polluted knowledge environment. We should take into our own hands the facilities to make rational, relative and irrational decisions void of fear of the outcome and infatuation of the process.

CyberCraft should appeal to the atheist as well as the religionist as it focuses upon mythopoetic stories and structures and the mystical connections between what is and is not seen, as opposed to dogmatic theoretical structures. CyberCraft emphasizes relationship over religion. This author believes that most of the world's religions are based upon self-deception. These self-deceptions are usually meant to smooth difficult passages in life. But we should be honest with ourselves. To know ourselves we have to cope well with those human events that cause us much pain. Instead of telling ourselves pretty fairytales we need to work in harmony with our natures. But first we need to know what our nature is. And then with greater understanding we can modify that nature.

The archetypes of Wicca, paganism and other systems should be thought of as patterns usefull for programming the human experience and the relationships between the various existant lifeforms.

In Scott Peck's book A DIFFERENT DRUMMER he surmises the following transitions for the religiously oriented.

First is a stage of naivete in which the human mind/body complex is not programed.

Then follows a phase of organization in which the mind/body complex is programed by an acceptable religious structure. Over time the individual discovers that the religious structure is focused in ways undesirable to the follower. Stick is mounted upon stone until a way of escape is formulated which provides an honorable withdrawal.

Sometime afterwards the individual discovers they are bitter because of some single or multiple set of experiences. This stage is marked by some form of agnosticism or atheism. It's a rejection of the organized systems which tend to exploit the seeker, the single, the separate and lonely for financial and political gains.

Still the seeker needs to feel they are a part of something greater than the individual alone. A mystic phase encroaches whereupon a glimmer of hope is seen in the natural intricacies of life. Generally the mystic phase has an eclectic twist as the bio-computer selectively compares, accepts and rejects concepts and structures which are useful or not. This experience is intensely personal. In many cases the experience is not expressible as words to describe the framework are found wanting.

Theoretical structures should be included as long as they are considered metaphorical structures or models existing within the human mind first and foremost. These structures can then be used to ferret out deep personal meaning.

The paragraph above is the patented anti-dogma catma. The catma is needed to remind us the menu is not the meal; that mental apprehensions of a reality are not the realities themselves. Meow! A valuable demonstration of this is the simple exercise of saying aloud the word pinch. Then give the your arm a good pinch. Think about the difference.

External Faces - Public

Domains

Domains are used metaphorically. More properly they represent areas of interest. Higher and lower relate to density more than social, cultural or ethical placement. However higher and lower still display some cultural heritage. Higher should normally refer to more dense, and thus would usually be considered the Lower Kingdoms in most disembodiment or spirit focused theoretical structures. For the purposes of CyberCraft solar processes can be considered High Domain Processes, the relational processes as the Mid Domain processes and the lunar processes as Low Domain Processes.

This is a reversal of the usual spirit based structures which drive the initiate into seclusion and poverty. CyberCraft need be neither ascetic nor bothersome. If CyberCraft arrives at a framework which is not enjoyable the CyberCraft needs to die and be reborn.

Higher refers to the relative density of matter. The human sciences are more appropriate for humans, the spirit sciences more appropriate for spirits. In the high domains herbal lore and self-help topics are more the rule than the exception.

Religious Aspects - Low Domain

The metaphorical Low Domain is the domain of Relationship. It's the basis of the religious belief system should reflect WoMankind's ethical relationship to their home planet and humanity. Depending upon personal focus the Earth can be personified or considered the Grandmother or Mother of WoMankind. It should be called Gaea, Gaia, Mom, Mother or the Matrix, the space enabling the existence of all physical and non-physical local planetary lifeforms. The involved solar processes should consider this a 'self check' to prohibit WoMankind from polluting their environment to the detriment of all lifeforms.

Other Matrixes may exist. CyberCraft should be concerned with local planetary manifestations without denying the existences of other Matrixes.

The Matrix is paired with Patrus, which is symbolic of everything which has happened to and upon the Matrix. Included phenomena are geologic events, meteorological events, intrusions from outside the Matrix, meteor impacts, panspermia arrivals and direct interventions of space faring races. In a sense the Patrus can be thought of as the evolutional processes or history of all life on the Matrix. Where the Matrix and Patrus overlap, intersect or connect, life forms.

Other personified or romantic entities should exist within the matrix. These should be the Lady and Lord and be more important or of a relatively more immediate nature being seen as doorways to other entities, other spaces, physical energetic natures or psychic spaces. Frequently the Lady and Lord should be celebrated as the perfect patterns of WoMankind. Matrix and Patrus along with Lady and Lord should be remembered at every fullmoon celebration.

Working of the Craft - Mid Domain

The metaphorical Mid Domain should be the workings of the Craft. At first the emphasis should be upon physical representations of the Mid Domain. Special tools should be selected for an individual or group. These tools may or may not reflect traditional usage but should be more appropriate for a culture and/or geographical locale than for a traditional usage.

Special robes may be appropriate. Nudity should be more useful for metaprograming. The individual's background should be considered before choosing tools or coverings. If the individual were normally a naturist the metaprograming tool could be robes, etc.

Tools and rituals should be used for immediate metaprograming efforts. Dramatic ritual should be used to advantage for both individual programming or group alignment.

Experiments in communication with non-physical or discarnate entities should be a focus. New modes of relationship in sexual or emotional life should be incorporated providing members feel comfortable with the activities. Safety, both physical and emotional, should be paramount. Training of individuals for incorporation may be needed to assist them in their growth into unknown areas.

An important focus of the Mid Domian is the creation and maintainence of Will. Today's human has been robbed of Will. Cybercraft hopes to generate and utilize appropriate ritual and programming techniques to accomplish this goal.

Incorporated Physical Sciences - High Domain

The metaphorical High Domain should be the human and physical knowledge systems, ie, health (birthing, child care and physical health), nutritional, exercise, cosmetic and creative knowledge systems, ie. sewing, cooking, building sciences, gardening and organic farming techniques, and personal defense techniques.

CyberCraft should initially provide the framework for immersion in a Domain. The individual or group should decide for themselves what extent they need to go.

Organization

CyberCraft should attempt to incorporate proven techniques of cell or smaller group management while retaining intimacy. CyberCraft leaders could be of either sex, of any sexual preference, but must be emotionally sound. They may choose their own names and titles. Or CyberCraft may assign a title in order to establish a somewhat formalized but unrestricted tradition. We suggest these classifications:

Aspirant

an inquiring mind of reasonably good health

CyberNaut

a human moving from Four to Eight Circuits, an apprentice CyberPriest/ess

CyberPriest/ess

a fully functioning Eight Circuit human

Transitioner

a young or eight circuit human showing signs of physical metamorphosis

New Human

a fully functioning transitioned human

Cyberim

the total complex of those practicing CyberCraft.

Group or cell size should be held to about 2 to 15. However any number of cell members may be used providing genuine intimacy is maintained.

CyberCraft should attempt to meet the economic and political needs of its members. Resources are available that address political activities in cells. An economic infrastructure must be established in CyberCraft method. Should a social threat arise individual members may need to support themselves in a strange or difficult environment. Personal enrichment and empowerment as opposed to personal aggrandizement should be the focus enabling the member to live well in any difficult or strange economic or political environment.

Emotional Requirements

What part does love play in CyberCraft? Love in its various shades and flavors permeate CyberCraft. From love of Mother and Father, to love of knowledge and wisdom, to the lust and love of ones lover, on to love of pleasure of the mind-body complex, love of the patterns one manifests through, including the love of changing one's world to finally the love of navigating the non-local passages between the worlds. Yes love plays a vital part. But we are not so naive to assume that only one type of love exists. Many different shades and flavors make up this rainbow of emotion. CyberCraft should experience and emphasize as many different forms of love as possible.

Internal Faces

These are internal considerations not usually presentable to the public at large. Pearls are delicate. We need not dirty them. Internal faces can be determined at a later time.

CyberCraft is a game; the game of Life. Play it!

Thinkers and Provers: the Care and Feeding of the Human Bio-Computer

Editor's note: The following is a loosely paraphrased summary of Robert Anton Wilson's first chapters in PROMETHEUS RISING, (Falcon Press 1983)

Introduction To CyberCraft

Next Chapter - The Circuits