Tales from the Infinite Staircase [Part 2]

If you have not read the first article, you can find it here, might be worth your viewing before getting started on this continuation. Dungeons & Dragons RPG game books "appear" to be ladened with esoteric teachings and/or ancient sigils and runes. A new reader or investigator that find themselves "Pssshhht!"-ing me and laughing may do well to research and cross reference some esoteric works with some of the D&D manuals of the 1990's era. As I have stated here in my blog extensive times, don't take my word for it, sometimes the best way to find these things out, is to do your own legwork. I know it's done wonders for me.

Upon some recent investigation into Enochian magic here at my blog, I have also seen this layered hidden esoteric teaching permeated in these "gaming RPG" manuals too. I know this has also spread to a variety of comic books and movies, but the fact of the matter is, it's there. Why? I don't think that question will ever truly be answered, so let's forgo the why, and check into the "where" and "how" for now.

Another relevant question is "has the reader of these RPG manuals, participants of "player characters" or perhaps another example is "has a Hollywood movie viewer", been initiated into the "rites" of esoteric secret societal beliefs? Is that not a possibility too? People should keep this in mind when symbolisms are abound, another hidden layer perhaps could be "initiatory rites" that unless you were specifically involved with, an unknowing reader/viewer might miss.

Let's continue our ascendence or descendence [whichever route you prefer!] with "Tales from the Infinite Staircase"...

Once a "body's" found a place like the Infinite Staircase, she can forget about mucking around with all those sodding portals and their thrice-damned keys.

The Infinite Staircase

Deep within the palace of Selune herself, the Infinite Staircase rises up and stretches into myriad worlds. The palace itself, called Argentil, is gigantic. Its entire surface, inside and out, glistens with polished silver. Most of its long, echoing halls stand empty with only an occasional shardor lillend carrying out a task for the mistress.
Entrance into the palace isn't as hard as a newcomer might think. The entrance is watched by a single "golem" [think Crowley's golem] made of whitish silver. A shard or lillendi escort can get anyone inside. Further, the golem stands aside for anyone who simply states he has business with Argentil or seeks the staircase. Only those with no obvious business in the palace--sightseers, for example--are turned away. Even people with foolish requests, such as those seeking an audience with Selune, are permitted inside, although they'll never actually be able to accomplish such a task, unless Selune wishes it. See, this is a place of "a god", and so security really isn't an issue Selune knows all that transpires in her realm at all times and anyone meaning her ill gets the fate he deserves. That is to say, anyone stupid enough to enter the Gates of the Moon seeking to attack, steal from, or even spy on Selune is instantly and automatically destroyed--a fate one should expect in a god's own realm.

Once the PCs [Player characters for those not attune with D&D or RPG games!] move beyond the entrance, a shard escort appears to take the PCs where they wish to go. The path through the palace is long and awe-inspiring, as only the home of a deity can be. Finally, their escort brings the "characters" [Enochian characters? Maybe.] to a set of huge intimidating doors, in the silver surface of which is carved the symbol of infinity. [or a sideways 8? perhaps.] When someone approaches the doors and comes within 25 feet, the symbol leaps off the surface. A lillend with a "golden mask" that shows no facial features materializes behind the symbol, so that the symbol now appears to be etches into the mask. She welcomes the visitors, asking them their names and intentions upon the Infinite Staircase. There is always one lillend stationed here.

The lillendi serve as the guardians, custodians, and managers of the Infinite Staircase. Complex and sometimes perplexing, the lillendi appear to be human or elf women or rarely men, with the lower torsos of the multicolored serpents and the wings of some strikingly patterned bird. Each lillend belongs to one of more the the various mysteries of their kind [oh my word, wait for this!] these operate more or less like secret societies, or from a Sigillian point of view, factions. Each with its own bit of eternal wisdom or knowledge. The more mysteries that a lillend belongs to, the greater her status, which is then reflected in the mask that each wears. All of those immediately around the Infinite Staircase wear "faceless masks of infinity", although the lillendi stylize them in different, subtle ways--the variations only hold meaning for the lillendi. [Wow, that paragraph should have spelled out what's layered in this book.]
As lovers of music and art, nothing is more dear to the lillendi than creativity. Thus, the Infinite Staircase is their most sacred site. [Now, if I am interpreting this as lillendi = illuminati, I beg to differ here, I think what they are using their creativity for is mass manipulation of your consciousness or your connection to the infinite staircase if you get my meaning.] To harm, malign, or even threaten the Staircase is to do the same to them, and while the lillendi are generally peaceful [oh o.k. guess I missed that over the past TWO THOUSAND years or so], that doesn't mean that they're not dangerous. Once angered, these chaotic beings hold a vicious grudge. They seek blood as payment for all transgressions. [That sounds more like it now.]

Their respect for artistic expression means that while gold and even food mean little to them, a song, a poem, or a piece of artwork hold for them great value and meaning. Canny characters would be wise to learn this fact, because a some point in the adventure, they might find it useful to give the lillendi what Cagers call "garnish"--bribes.

Climbing The Infinite Stair

The bottom of the Infinite Staircase is a large [200 ft. diameter] circular chamber. The room rises up like a shaft as far as anyone can see, with a singular spiral staircase made of silver winding up the center, seemingly unsupported except at its base. Green tendrils of ivy hang from the silver stair at irregular intervals. The curious will find it impossible to determine where exactly these vines originate--they entwine this entire potion of the staircase needing neither rain nor sun. Many assume that they are somehow rooted on a plane where the staircase reaches at some point. The stairway is 20 ft. wide and the rest of the chamber the subsequent shaft appears empty.

[for some reason, that "silver shaft" statement resonated another "silvery" idea I had read about before -- The Silver Cord.]

Description of the Silver Cord in the Literature:

Robert Crookall: "The Techniques of Astral Projection", The Aquarian Press, Wellingborough, GB, 1981, page 49:
"The silver cord is not a physical feature. lt was likened by Bertrand to "a kind of elastic string", by Muldoon to "an elastic-like cable", by Turvey to "a spider's cord" which was "silver" and which "extends and contracts as an elastic cord", by Gerhardi to ,,a coil of light", "a lighted cord", "a thin ray of light" and ,,the silver cord" (which he observed was behind his Astral Body as he moved forward). Home likened his to ,,a silvery-like light", Huntley described "a feeble thread", Miss ,,P.L." ,,a cord", Mrs Larsen "a current of mysterious influence", Sigrid Kaeyer "a connexion".
Rebell described "a thin luminous ribbon", Mrs Boorman "a stream of light", Wirt "a silver cord or chain", Mrs. Gilbert "a cloudy-looking cord", the Tibetans "a strand or cord", Mrs Cripps ,,a shaft of sunlight"', Stuart-Young ,,a thread", the Anon. lady "a beam of light", Mrs "T.D." "a smoky string", Mrs "Prothero" "a slender, slightly luminous cord", Dr Simons "an elastic force", etc.
These people who independently gave such similar descriptions of what they saw include Britons, Americans, Frenchmen, Tibetans, Latvians, etc., clergymen, doctors, authors, musicians, etc. Many of them had never heard of the Astral Body or of astral projection."

Function of the silver cord (theoretical considerations):

The etheric "substance" penetrating the physical body has been experienced (by occultists) as connected to vitality. A lack of etheric substance in human body is postulated to cause weakness or sickness. On the other hand an accumulation, induced by a number of exercises in Yoga, Taoism, Kung Fu etc., seems to lead to mediumistic and paraphysical abilities. While OBE-ing (etheric OBE) a part of the vital body separates, forming a fog-like double, the etheric body. To prevent a permanent loss of etheric substance, bound to the double, there seems to be a "saving" mechanism, in which the silver cord takes part, connecting the dissociated ektoplasm to its source in the physical body. Thus a separation of etheric matter with no return is prevented.

[When reading this next part, one might consider replacing "Lillendi" with "Illuminist" or "Illuminati" or "Mason" or whichever your favorite Secret Society hero/villain might be.]

The Lillendi use the vines on this lower portion of the staircase for many purposes. Using their magical abilities, they can speak with the ivy and even use their 'transport via plants' powers [hmmm, is this like blue apples or magic mushrooms perhaps? Maybe.] to travel from one large clump to another. Further, lillendi with the "faceless masks of infinity" [Illuminati MK/Monarch masks I am sure! *laughter inserted here because this can be quite fun where appropriate*] can magically "hide" themselves within "infinity symbols" just as did the guardian at the door. This is a special form of "improved invisibility" [or brain wash, your choice since you do still have free will, or do you?] that they can access [wait for it...] "three" [3] times per day. Whenever a lillend vanishes, an infinity symbol marks the location; however, lillendi are clever enough to make sure the symbol is difficult to spot [did you get that?], which is not a hard task here among the ivy, when they truly wish to remain unnoticed. once hidden in a symbol, a lillend cannot move, but can use spells and spell-like powers. The power works only for lillendi and only for those with those specific "masks". [Oh Ben from Pseudo Occult will have a good chuckle on that!]

Thus, while the room appears empty, it almost never is; Lillendi reside here at any time, albeit hidden. These illendi spend most of their time silently attuning themselves to the essence of the Infinite Staircase. They hope to gain energy and awareness from the creativity that flows through the staircase from all the other planes that it joins. They will show themselves if the single guardian of the doors requires assistance, but rarely at any other time.

[if these passages are read with "new eyes" or "esoteric filters" it seems to resonate a different angle/angel on the subject!]

Before any newcomer begins to ascend the Infinite Staircase, the guardian Lillend instructs them briefly on the ways and the dangers of the stair. Specifically, she tells them that the stair is a magical pathway that is drawn to great concentrations of creativity. Thus, the Staircase mystically joins with any area on any plane where intelligent beings have expressed some sort of creative spirit. While some might simply say that the staircase just goes to where intelligent beings dwell--and others say it goes to cities-the lillendi are very specific about the Staircase's link to creative enterprise, thoughts, and ideas. "Rising out of the day-by-day, well-ordered sameness, a creative idea is something that from nothing. It is new and different. It is the ultimate expression of beauty and chaos." Or so the lillendi say, when they're feeling loquacious.

As the stair winds and twists to reach each of these places, accessed through doorways found on numerous landings, a wise traveler can tumble to--figure out--a bit about where the doorways go. Stairway portions that lead to evil planes are thick with shadow and spine-chilling cold. Those leading to one of the Upper Planes appear generally clean, bright, and warm. Connections to other planes are not so easily ascertained.
A side effect of the power of the Infinite Staircase is its ability to sense a "body's heart's desire". Further, the Staircase can take someone directly to "his heart's desire", for it lies on the other side of the one of the many doors leading off the stair. This can be dangerous, in a manner of speaking, because once a person finds his heart's desire, he's not likely to ever leave--he's happy, but any other plans or destinations that he had while on the stair are for naught. He's gone for good. [I'm not so sure I can relate to that statement, I think those that are in control of themselves through Balance would find a way to integrate that heart's desire with Balance.]

This danger only rears its head when a planewalker travels the Infinite Staircase alone. If this happens, he suddenly finds a path on the stair that he probably didn't notice before. He finds himself presented, at the end of this new branch of the staircase, with what is obviously his heart's desire. Once a character resists accepting his heart's desire, the Staircase will never take him there again. If he wants to one day reach the place he saw, he'll have to use some other means to get there.

When someone first begins an ascent, the Infinite Staircase appears as a spiraling silver stairway [as described above] entwined with ivy. The first landing waits over a thousand feet above the level of the base, which is no longer visible at that point. The landing is a 200 ft. disc, with numerous other staircases, all of different appearance and composition, extending off it like "tentacles". [I knew it! LOL] Walls are no longer visible; instead, each stair simply disappears into hazy darkness.

[People may say 'hey this is put here to help people evolve and be creative' yada yada yada sure it may help some, but it's still a form of control, you may think its here to help you, but essentially, your being manipulated in a direction chosen for you--perhaps for a "future
sacrifice"? Who knows really, but I dare question it.]

As characters follow the lillend's directions and proceed up the Staircase, they traverse many different stairs and many different landings. Often, they can see flights of stairs other than the one that they tread. Sometimes, these staircases are oriented in different directions from one that the viewer stands upon--up, down, left, and right are not the same for travelers on those stairs as for the PCs. Nevertheless, a traveler never notices a change in his own orientation, although it does happen, as the Infinite Staircase impossibly turns back upon itself like some sort of optical illusion.

[I had cut & paste a picture from the infinite staircase book, here, and then applied a "mirror" effect to it, creating a sort of optical illusion on the staircase, which was pretty neat.]

[Here is the same picture with another Mirror filter applied, so double up that mirror and see some amazing results! Since the blog sphere has run across multiple "mirror" symbols-- as above so below reflecting pools to MK/Monarch 'shattered mirrors', I decided to run with that filter.]

[Now how about the same picture with a Kaleidoscope filter applied several times? Fractal lovers will see what this did. You'll have to click on the pic for the full effect. Neat huh? This reminds me of fractals combined with archetypes. And this statement from earthsoulscience.com sums it up nicely I think:]

"We have understood from previous pages that there is much observable evidence in Nature that manifestation of form happens according to precise mathematical and geometric principles, in patterns that endlessly repeat themselves (fractals). This is the tangible world. We are also able to observe that there are identifiable patterns that enliven or animate form. We call them the archetypes. This is the intangible world. We might even go so far as to fantasise that the tangible world is the world of The Master Mathematician and the intangible world is the world of The Superior Imagination, and that both are interwoven as One. We might also see the fractal pattern of this in the human brain with its left and right hemispheres having different functions of logical and creative thinking, but working together as one brain.

The panel of images above can be understood as having the same dynamic energy blueprint or archetypal pattern. The spiral waves that meet and wrap together in the heart centre of the human energy field when a person experiences ecstasy or bliss have been mapped by computer by Dan Winter, and are shown above forming the 2D heart-shaped image ( 2nd from right in the panel). In 3D, the image becomes that of a cup shape with a smaller cup shape in the centre (fractal). The cup has long been the symbol of the Holy Grail, that mysterious epic journey of mythology that we now understand as being the metaphor for self-actualisation, becoming real, maturing in wisdom, getting into the heart of things and surrendering to Love with a big L, unconditional Love.

When the two opposite spin spirals meet, they wrap together with the bonding of attraction that exists throughout the Universe. We call this implosion or fusion. It locks in an amazing energy. It stimulates the kundalini effect in our bodies. The same thing happens in microcosm, when water flows around a stone in a stream. The water meets on the opposite side of the stone in two spirals of opposite spin, locking in the bonding of Love with a big L, the energy that bonds the Universe. When water flows across an area of stones, you can see the “braiding” or weaving pattern in the water. Water from such a place in a stream is highly energised. The pattern that is repeated in the form of the human heart and the cup of the Holy Grail is the same pattern that the opposite spinning whirlpools make in the braid in the water. It is a primal pattern. We dream up a cup shape to symbolise our quest, our journey home to the heart, because that shape is already embedded in our unconscious as a primal pattern of the heart. It is there in the very physics of the energy that gives rise to matter, in the wrapping spiral waveforms. There is a heart-shaped form within a cup-shaped form."

These sights emphasize the sheer size of the place. It may very well take a "body" two or three days of climbing or possibly descending, depending on where you start, to get where one is going. Considering that the terrain is stairs the whole way, this can be an exhausting undertaking. If a character climbs the Infinite Staircase for more than one day, you will be making a Constitution check [Stamina check for those uninitiated in D&D/RPG games]. People can literally climb themselves to death. A full days rest eases the strain. [Good advice! As I know many bloggers out there that find they need rest after diving into the deep dark recesses of the net from time to time, including myself!]

All Right, so there I am, lookin to get to Tir Na Og on the Outlands, and so this Berk tells me to travel YGGDRASSIL, so I climb the sodding tree, fine. Then, I'm looking to get to some prime world, and discover the only path there is on Mount Olympus--more climbing. A few months later, I gotta deliver a package to some bashers on Mount Celestia. I shoulda figured it out by the name alone, that ones my fault.

Now I'm looking to join up with the Planewalker's Guild, and you're telling me its located in the middle of a huge staircase? This is a joke, right?

---A Disgruntled Planewalker

[On the above statement, any bloggers or readers care to help out with linguistics? For instance, Aferris care to take a stab or Wise at YGGDRASSIL for me? I think there is much there, but I am missing it.]

During the course of a "trip" [mushrooms again? Maybe.] between two points on the Infinite Staircase, a planewalker cross over many types of stairs--straight, wooden staircases, spiral stairs made of metal, winding curved stairs of stone, and more. Landings are frequent, and they usually have other stairs connecting to them, so it's easy for a basher to get lost if he doesn't know what he's doing. Obviously, focused adventurers [bloggers? I think so.] will resist the urge to explore every branch of the Stairway and each door. However, they might peek through the occasional doorway to see what lies beyond or even pass through to rest for awhile in the place on the other side. [that statement made me think of bloggers and chasing "synchs down rabbit holes", the more we "adventure" and become more "focused" the more we resist the urge to chase those elusive synchs down those rabbit holes--or through those doorways as alluded here.]

Each door opens into an unobtrusive area in the location beyond. Many are doors in some forsaken cellar, or doors to abandoned buildings. In any case, it's not a door anyone pays much attention to. The vast majority of people on the other side have no knowledge that a link with the Infinite Staircase is nearby. Most don't even know it exists at all. [meaning the connectiveness of all things? Perhaps. Speaking of connectiveness, here is another person with an interesting interpretation of the D&D Planescape series.]

[Now let's get into the meat of this shall we? One of the creative focuses of the Infinite Staircase is that it leads to different "planes of existence", hence the term "Planewalker" given to those that travel the Infinite Staircase. The staircase is where the planewalker begins his or her travels, the doorways lead to infinitesimal locations within those "planes". Let's take a quick peek at a map from "The Planewalker's Handbook", which may or may not come in handy someday.]

[So why bring up the Planes you ask? Well, it appears that Enochian magic revolves around this belief as well--I believe those "planes" in D&D are the 'Aethyrs'. I am pretty sure the Book of Enoch and John Dee and Edward Kelley's works were around prior to the D&D series we're looking at here.]

The Enochian Tarot Handbook put out by Gerald & Betty Schueler and distributed by Llewellyn Worldwide [who also published some of the Golden Dawn's books], defines Aethyrs as "also called Aires (n.) Thirty distinct and contiguous subtle regions of the Magical Universe. They range from the spiritual through the mental and astral to the etheric". The tarot deck itself was rendered by Sallie Ann Glassman, an artistic member of the O.T.O. The manual also goes on to state "Since Dee's original notes,t his magical system was expanded and elaborated by the Golden Dawn and by Aleister Crowley to include astral travel, called traveling in the spirit vision, to the regions described on Holy Tablets by the Angels to Dee. The Schuelers have now expanded this system to include a Tarot deck of 86 cards, each card containing a portrait of symbolic representation [archetype] of one of these regions."

This from Schuelers Enochian web site:

The Tablet of Union:

The Tablet of Union presents us with 20 regions in the spiritual planes that lie above the Abyss. There are also 9 Aethyrs in this region, and 3 Sephiroth (Kether, Chokmah, and Binah).

The Great Outer Abyss:

The Abyss is the home of Khoronzon [lucifer], shown above as a protective dragon. This is a Ring-Pass-Not for the human mind--we cannot conceive of the planes above the Abyss, and there are no words to describe them. In Enochian Magic, the Abyss is identical with the Aethyr ZAX.

The Watchtower of Fire:

The Watchtower of Fire is located in the causal plane along with the Sephiroth Chesed and Geburah and 6 Aethyrs as named above. It has 156 regions.

The Watchtower of Air:

The Watchtower of Air is located in the mental plane along with the Sephirah Tipareth and 7 Aethyrs as named above. It has 156 regions.

The Watchtower of Water:

The Watchtower of Water is located in the Astral plane along with the Sephiroth Hod and Netzach and 5 Aethyrs as named above. It has 156 regions.

The Watchtower of Earth:

The Watchtower of Earth is located in the etheric plane along with the Sephirah Yesod and 2 Aethyrs as named above. It has 156 regions.

[Again from Schueler's Enochian Web site:] "They are in serial order (Earth, Water, Air, and then Fire). The "top" face is the Tablet of Union, and the bottom face (not shown) is the Tablet of Chaos. Please excuse the artwork as I admit I am not an artist. Hopefully, you get the idea though. The Tablet of Union is complemented by a Tablet of Chaos. The Enochian Cube really is a good model, and helps put the whole Enochian Universe into a three-dimensional perspective."

[I seem to remember seeing 'cubes' pop up in the blog sphere awhile ago..let's see, OH yes, Celtic Rebel had a post here, though be prepared for the Adult themed content. I had a playful one here with Futurama and The Farnsworth Parabox. Hence the term "living in a box?" Or maybe the cube that Hellraiser is really holding is an Enochian one...Hmmm.]

[So the Enochian magic/belief system contains "Aethyrs" while Dungeons & Dragons Planescape has "the Planes". We'll do a little word association with this, have a little fun per se', and say that "Aethyrs = Planes of Existence" o.k.? Let's see what TSR Inc. has 'created' within the "manuals".]

From "Vortex of Madness":

Planar Travel

The easiest way to travel the planes is through the use of spells or magical items. An astral spell can transport a party to the Astral Plane, which connects to all of the Outer Planes. Plane shift can carry them to any of the planes. A number of magical items also allow planer travel, such as an amulet of the planes, cubic gate, oil of etherealness, and the fabled well of many worlds.
Dimensional rifts offer another convenient type of planar access. Elemental vortices are wormholes between the Elemental Planes and the Prime Material Plane. Similarly, astral conduits connect the Prime worlds with any of the Outer Planes. Both may be temporary or permanent, but often present some peril that must be overcome.
Lastly, there are magical gates or portals, mystical doors that open elsewhere. The city of Sigil is the best known place to find gates to any other world, but the planes are vast and contain still unknown points of access. Some may offer only one-way travel, so users need to be wary. Each gate requires some key or key event [Enochian Keys perhaps?] to activate it. Keys may be specific items, a lotus from the Lake of Serenity for example, or a general class of items, or they may be linked to a ritual or specific celestial event.

From "The PlaneWalker's Guide 2nd Edition":


[Again we have resident expert Monte Cook appearing as he did on the cover of the Infinite Staircase, perhaps a creative writer merging Enochian, Esoteric, and D&D systems just for fun? Anything's possible.]

[Now, I went and did it again, took this picture into photoshop and played with "mirrors" and kaleidoscopes with it...and I weirded myself out with this one! Now people are going to say 'you can do that with any picture' and you know what? Its not true! I tried it with other random pics, and could not produce the effects that happened almost seamlessly with these!! I know, Twilight Music now...]

[Here is the above image off the cover of the Planewalker's Handbook, I cut the image just below the "H" in handbook. I applied a "Mirror" filter, and what do I see? Does that NOT look like a Masonic Compass held there in those hands? For those of you that are newbies here is what a Masonic Compass looks like:]


[Alright, now that your laughing and saying "WTF?", we can have a, as Jake would say, 'galactic giggle' now at the scope of it. How about some more fun with that same picture shall we?]

Applied Kaleidoscope once to Mirrored Effect

Applied Kaleidoscope again for 2x

and since everything comes in 3's, one more application

[O.K. I think I've had enough fun for one post, because it's extending out further along the Infinite Staircase then I had anticipated! I'll let that soak in for now, but don't fret, I will continue the journey with a Part 3!]

~~Enjoy your day, Peace, Wisdom, and Joy to All!~~