Dark Ages Mage

World of Darkness -- Medieval ~&~ Mage Information

Pillars ~ Forma

Forma was a term used by the mages of the Order of Hermes during the Dark Ages, to collectively describe the four Pillars of their magick: Anima (Command of Life), Corona (Command of the Mind), Primus (Command of Quintessence ), and Vires (Command of Elemental Forces). It should be noted that the Craftmasons eschewed the use of Primus, and instead practiced a Pillar known as Materia (Command of Material Substances).

Overview

Each Pillar of the Order of Hermes is a Forma. Each Forma embodies a fundamental aspect of Creation, a pillar that shores up the world itself. These four ancient Forma are: Anima (the "Breath of Life" that flows through every living being), Corona (the "Crown" which grants control over the working of the mind), Primus ( the raw power of magic itself) and Vires ("Forces", mastery over the energies of the Universe). Although the four Formas encompass a great many potential powers, in no case can current Hermetic theory violate certain precepts set forth by the Church (precepts which Bonisagus himself subscribed to and set forth in the founding doctrine of the Order): The resurrection of the dead, the creation of true life and travel beyond the Lunar Sphere. Further, though many scholars of the Order have truck with various spiritual entities, both benign and malefic, their control of those beings hinges mostly upon mastery of the energies that sustain those beings, rather than power over ephemeral matter (spirit).

Sample Foci: Conjunctions or other astrological phenomena, Enochian language (chants, recitation or text), numerology

•  : Anima -- Command of Life
•  : Corona -- Command of the Mind
•  : Primus -- Command of Quintessence
•  : Vires -- Command of Elemental Forces

•  : Materia -- Command of Material Substances

Backgrounds

•  :Atheneum
•  :Chantry
•  :Cray
•  :Destiny
•  :Familiar
•  :Fount
•  :Sanctum
•  :Servants
•  :Talisman

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