Yesterday was the first official Ultraculture Ritual. I would have written sooner about why I decided not to participate (so that someone could try to talk me into it), but I’m on vacation right now and didn’t have time.
The intention of the ritual was “Manifest Ultraculture as a working, open magickal collaboration, empowered to create positive change in the world, without causing suffering to any, and completely protected from misuse, corruption or interference from ill-meaning or self- serving forces.”
But… doesn’t the ultraculture already exist? From Jason’s first ultraculture manifesto:
Ultraculture is a term I (Jason Louv) coined during the process of editing the Disinfo anthology Generation Hex in early 2004, in order to connote a cultural movement I was witnessing based around the mass interest in magic and the concordent need to apply it to improving our thoroughly disturbed world.
And from the second: “Ultraculture is a word for a social movement that is quite merrily occurring all on its own.”
After this dream, I’m especially wary of trying to do a ritual to manifest something that has existed for years.
“All those who wish to participate will from thereon be considered aligned with the Ultraculture.” I thought I was already part of the ultraculture, so again, I’m not sure what the point is. It just seems like a waste of time to initiate myself into something I’ve been a part of for several years.
This is by no means an indictment of Jason Louv. I think he’s a good guy, and I hope to participate in future Ultraculture Sundays. But this one just rubbed me in the wrong way, and I just didn’t feel like participating.
12 responses so far ↓
1 lvx23 // Aug 8, 2006 at 1:01 am
Klint, the idea wasn’t to initiate people into the Ultraculture current/theme/genre/whatever. It was simply the first coordinated working to bring efforts towards the basic goal loosely defined under the Ultraculture banner - IE directing our “magickal” energies towards positive adaptive strategies (and let’s not get rat-holed into debating what a “positive adaptive strategy” is - we all have an innate feeling of what is good and just). You don’t have to be a card carrying member to participate in such a thing but it’s helpful to have a shared descriptor such as the UC meme to coordinate efforts under. Think of it as a budding servitor committed to bringing people together and defending the health and well-being of our communities.
2 Klintron // Aug 8, 2006 at 4:05 am
I guess I just don’t see any necessity in trying to manifest that which already exists (and I’ve been warned against it). All “ultraculturalists” have been trying to create positive change in the world anyway.
And if the idea wasn’t to initiate people into the ultraculture, then perhaps “All those who wish to participate will from thereon be considered aligned with the Ultraculture” should have been omitted. It makes it sound creepy, sorta new age culty.
3 ultra-ass // Aug 8, 2006 at 4:31 am
it is creepy culty and new agey
in order to be effective, psychic activism must not be a public affair
share philosophy
share debate
keep the details of your working to those that need to know
4 ? // Aug 8, 2006 at 5:18 am
“keep the details of your working to those that need to know”
why?
5 Brenden Simpson // Aug 8, 2006 at 6:33 am
“why?”
It only works when no one else can see if it works.
6 michael // Aug 8, 2006 at 8:30 am
In Catholicism, you are baptized into the faith at birth by your parents. When you reach about 13 - 14 years old you go through another initiatory rite called a Confirmation, which affirms your faith and represents your decision as opposed to your parents. Just because you already belong to something doesn’t mean that you can’t confirm your stance on it.
In addition, Louv’s “manifestation” is more like a tightening of the vision rather than an initial birth. It’s a manifestion of this current incarnation, not the initial idea that was birthed some time ago.
7 Alan // Aug 8, 2006 at 9:46 am
I too did not participate in the Ultraculture rite, simply because I feel ‘the movement’ is a sham. Genuine movements are recognised after the fact - e.g. Chaos magic is not mentioned in Liber Null. You cannot manufacture a movement (even if you give it a trademark). I do not see any substance in UC. There is nothing new in the UC altruism - Magicians have performed rites for the benefit of humanity/community at large for as long as humans have been around (indeed, is that not the function of the shaman?). We are sold the idea that the majority of chaos magicians stay at home whacking off over sigils for selfish ends, yet I know from experience that we have a lot to thank organised Chaos Magicians for in the fight against AIDS. I maybe speaking out of place, but I believe Klintron feels the same way I do. It’s a shame so few people will say what a lot are thinking.
8 Klintron // Aug 8, 2006 at 1:05 pm
@Michael - My parents didn’t baptize me into the ultraculture. And if ultraculture is anything like Catholocism I DEFINENTLY don’t want a part in it =)
(gotta love those straw-man arguments). Seriously though, I don’t see how this equates. Ultraculture isn’t supposed to be a “faith” it’s supposed to be a cultural movement. I’d laugh at a bunch of punks going out and doing a concert that was meant to “manifest” punk culture and where anyone who showed up would from there-on be aligned with punk.
Alan - I’m not sure I’m saying exactly the same thing that you’re saying. Jason did name a movement not after it happened, but after it emerged. I agree that people have been practicing magic for the betterment of humanity since the dawn of time. No one’s saying that’s new.
9 michael // Aug 8, 2006 at 3:07 pm
I was drawing a comparison based on your use of “initiation” and “manifestation.” The key points reside in how those terms are used. They are the basis of the example, not Catholicism. Catholicism was used as an example of how those terms can be applied in a way that you initially thought was contradictory.
You could also draw a comparison with the initiatory rite of marriage, which some people do twice in a lifetime to the same person to reaffirm their commitment.
10 ultra-ass // Aug 9, 2006 at 4:49 am
in my experiences with psychic activism and group ritual, the key to success has been in developing a model of reality and intensely focusing
I have not once seen a benefit from public discussions of ritual, in fact such bahavior has everytime brought with it a wave of negative reaction - something which damages the potential of the model and also makes focus more difficult
if there are forces who would like to avoid such as the stated intentions of ultraculture - why give them a heads up about what you are going to do
unless there is a need to garner approval I see no point in divulging ones intentions publicly - especially when its done prior to the act
11 Ceilede // Aug 17, 2006 at 2:21 am
Wow, that was an intense dream. I can totally understand why you’d be hesitant after that. I would have been too.
12 Yogaboy // Sep 2, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Remember “the Invisibles”?
Part of the sheer philanthropy of that book was the fact that it made me ,at least, feel included and active in The Great Work (or whatever) without feeling pressured into overt group activity. Not that I feel pressured by Jason Louv and company. I salute their efforts and might join a ritual at some point. No blame.
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