Frequency Fundamentals

"Frequency is the heartbeat of the arcane, the undercurrent upon which all magical energies ebb and flow. To understand and master frequency is to hold the very essence of spellcasting in one's hands. Without this knowledge, a spellcaster is akin to a musician devoid of rhythm—possessing the tools but lacking the foundational skill to weave them into art."

— Kilroy Bisset, Arcanum Frequens, Chapter 4, 'The Symphony of Frequencies'

In the arcane realm, many theories have been posited to explain the inner workings of magic, but few have been as influential and groundbreaking as Bisset's theory of frequency in spellcasting. Bisset introduced a paradigm shift that linked the outcomes of spellcasting not just to the caster's intent and will but also to a tangible, measurable entity: frequency.

At the core of Bisset's theory is the belief that every spell, at its essence, operates on specific visual and audible frequencies. Just as sound waves and light waves in the natural world operate at discernible frequencies, spells too resonate at particular frequencies in the magical spectrum. The potency and direction of a spell, according to Bisset, are greatly influenced by these frequencies. Misalignment or discordance in these frequencies can lead to unintended consequences, emphasizing the need for a mage to be attuned to the right vibrations when casting. 

Bisset's emphasis on the role of knowledge in understanding these frequencies was paramount. He believed that to truly master spellcasting, one had to move beyond mere practice and delve deep into understanding and experiencing the intricacies of these magical frequencies. One such resonance, deeply embedded within ancient traditions and yet profoundly relevant to modern spellcraft, is the sound "AUM", often revered as the primordial sound of the universe.

To understand the profundity of AUM, one must first grasp its cultural and spiritual significance. In Hindu cosmology, the entire universe was birthed from a singular sound, and that sound was AUM. Each component of this trisyllabic sound - the 'A', 'U', and 'M' - represents a different state of consciousness and a phase of life, encapsulating birth, existence, and death. This cyclical representation aligns seamlessly with the cyclical nature of energies used in spellcraft.

But beyond its spiritual connotations, AUM is also a powerful audible tool for those practicing the arcane arts. When chanted correctly, AUM produces a series of overtones, which are harmonic or tonal resonances that linger as the sound reverberates. These overtones, with their unique frequencies, hold the potential to align and fine-tune one's internal energies with the energies of the universe. By mastering the art of producing and recognizing these overtones, a practitioner can, in essence, 'tune' themselves, much like one would tune a musical instrument.

First exercise: The Sound Of The Universe 

(1) Set an alarm for fifteen minutes.

(2) Sit comfortably in a quiet space, allowing yourself to be present in the moment. Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, make the sound "A-U-M", ensuring each syllable flows into the next. Feel the vibrations begin from the base of your throat, moving through your palate, and ending on your lips. 

(3) Continue until the alarm goes off

Do three more fifteen minute sessions, then proceed to the second exercise.

Now that you are familiar with the entire tone, you'll need to learn how to identify harmonics. Harmonics are overtones that emerge as a natural part of the vibration of any musical instrument or voice when a note is played or sung. From a physics standpoint, harmonics are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency (or tone).

To put it simply, when you play or hear a note (let's say on a guitar string), what you're primarily hearing is the fundamental frequency, which is the lowest, loudest tone. However, at the same time, the string also vibrates at higher frequencies, producing additional, quieter tones. These are the harmonics.

For example, if you have a string vibrating at 100 Hz (this is the fundamental frequency), it will also produce harmonics at 200 Hz, 300 Hz, 400 Hz, and so on. These are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc., harmonics. 

The 2nd harmonic (or the first overtone) will be an octave above the fundamental. The 3rd harmonic will be an octave and a fifth above the fundamental, and so on.

In many musical instruments, certain harmonics are emphasized more than others, giving the instrument its distinctive sound or timbre. This is why a note played on a flute sounds different from the same note played on a guitar, even if they're at the same pitch—the mixture and prominence of the harmonics are different.

Second Exercise: Overtone Isolation

(1) After you begin your practice, focus on the octave of the fundamental. These are the 1st, 3rd, and 7th overtones. Once you are aware of them, work on isolating them starting with the fundamental, then going to the 1st, back to the fundamental, then to the 3rd overtone.  The 7th overtone is quite high and likely will not be identifiable until you've undergone substantial practice.

(2) Once you can isolate the 1st and 3rd overtones, focus on the 2nd and 5th overtones which are complementary to the fundamental. They are also an octave apart which allows you to go between them. Note, however, that since you won't have the fundamental as a base it is more difficult than the 1st and 3rd overtones.

(3)  The 4th and 6th overtones are quite difficult to ascertain, let alone isolate and amplify. It is possible with practice, however.

The marriage of sound and silence, particularly through the practices of overtonal chanting and Anapanasati, opens pathways in the brain that few other combinations can achieve. When these practices are combined, they can induce a synesthetic response—a blending or overlap of sensory experiences. 

Overtonal chanting produces a cascade of harmonic frequencies that can resonate deeply within our being. These harmonics create layers of sound that, when listened to with deep concentration, can be individually distinguished. The very act of distinguishing these subtle layers requires an acute awareness, comparable to that achieved during Anapanasati. As one progresses in this form of chanting, they become more adept at discerning the distinct harmonic tones, effectively training the brain in auditory differentiation. This is crucial for mastering spellcasting.

Anapanasati, on the other hand, is a meditation practice rooted in mindfulness of breathing. Its core principle lies in cultivating heightened awareness of the present moment, specifically the subtle nuances of one's breath. As practitioners delve deeper into this meditation, they become attuned to the intricate details of their inhalations and exhalations, the sensations they produce, and the silent spaces in between.

When one combines overtonal chanting with Anapanasati, a beautiful and complex sensory dance unfolds. The focus on breath in Anapanasati grounds the practitioner, while the layers of harmonics from the overtonal chanting flood the auditory system. This combination can stimulate regions of the brain responsible for interpreting both sound and sensory feedback. As these regions become more active and intertwined, the potential for synesthesia—a condition where one type of sensory input triggers another—increases.

For some, this can manifest as "seeing" sounds or "feeling" colors. The harmonics from chanting might be visualized as waves of colors, each with its unique hue corresponding to its frequency. Similarly, the rhythmic pattern of breath might evoke auditory sensations, with each inhale and exhale resonating like a soft melody. This synesthetic blending heightens the overall experience, enabling practitioners to perceive their environment in a more interconnected manner.

Moreover, the synesthetic connections formed during this combined practice can enhance the depth and richness of both overtonal chanting and Anapanasati. The enhanced sensory feedback can make the practitioner more receptive to the subtle changes and nuances in their environment, thus deepening their meditative state and strengthening their connection to the present moment.