Transcendental magic, as conceived by Eliphas Levi, is a philosophical and esoteric system that seeks to explore the hidden dimensions of reality and harness the power of the supernatural. This form of magic is rooted in the idea that there are profound spiritual and metaphysical truths that can be discovered and utilized for personal growth and transformation. It combines elements of ceremonial magic, Kabbalah, astrology, and mysticism to create a comprehensive and practical approach to magical practice. At the core of Levi's philosophy is the belief that true magic is not about performing tricks or manipulating the physical world, but rather about connecting with the divine and aligning oneself with the universal forces that govern existence. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with correspondences – the connections between different aspects of reality – in order to access these higher realms of consciousness and tap into their limitless potential. One of the key concepts in transcendental magic is the idea of the microcosm and the macrocosm.
D&D 5E Shield Guardian
Bound: The Shield guardian is magically bound to an Amulet. As long as the guardian and its Amulet are on the same plane of existence, the amulet's wearer can telepathically call the guardian to travel to it, and the guardian knows the distance and direction to the Amulet. If the guardian is within 60 feet of the amulet's wearer, half of any damage the wearer takes (rounded up) is transferred to the guardian.
Regeneration: The Shield guardian regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit. point.
Spell Storing: A spellcaster who wears the Shield guardian's Amulet can cause the guardian to store one spell of 4th level or lower. To do so, the wearer must cast the spell on the guardian. The spell has no effect but is stored within the guardian. When commanded to do so by the wearer or when a situation arises that was predefined by the spellcaster, the guardian casts the stored spell with any parameters set by the original caster, requiring no Components. When the spell is cast or a new spell is stored, any previously stored spell is lost.
Multiattack: The guardian makes two fist attacks.
Fist: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Shield: When a creature makes an Attack against the wearer of the guardian's Amulet, the guardian grants a +2 bonus to the wearer's AC if the guardian is within 5 feet of the wearer.
Size Large
Type Construct
Alignment Unaligned
AC 17 (Natural Armor)
HP 142 (15d10+60)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 18
DEX 8
CON 18
INT 7
WIS 10
CHA 3
Senses Blindsight 10 Ft., Darkvision 60 Ft.
Passive Perception 10
Languages : Understands Commands Given In Any Language But Can't Speak
Immunities : Poison
Condition Immunities : Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Challenge Rating : 7
If you would, would you let it have its own turn or take the wielders bonus action?
Also would the amulet need to be attuned?
Im asking cause im curious. Based off what i know, this creature isnt used a lot even for the enemies
Shield Guardian
Created by spellcasters to be bodyguards, shield guardians are constructs that protect their masters with spells and stamina. When it is fashioned, a shield guardian is keyed to a particular magical amulet. Henceforth, it regards the wearer of that amulet to be its master, protecting and following that individual everywhere (unless specifically commanded not to do so).
A shield guardian obeys its master’s verbal commands to the best of its ability, although it is not good for much beyond combat and possibly simple manual labor. It can also be keyed to perform specific tasks at specific times or when certain conditions are met. The wearer of the amulet can call the shield guardian from any distance, and it will come as long as it is on the same plane.
A shield guardian is some 9 feet tall and weighs more than 1,200 pounds.
Shield guardians cannot speak, but they understand commands given in any language.
One of the key concepts in transcendental magic is the idea of the microcosm and the macrocosm. Levi posits that human beings are microcosms that mirror the larger macrocosm of the universe. By understanding and harmonizing the different aspects of our being – the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – we can achieve a state of balance and unity that allows us to transcend our limitations and connect with the divine.
Combat
Shield guardians are straightforward in battle, bashing with their heavy stone fists. They are made for defense and are not particularly impressive on offense.
Find Master (Su)
As long as a shield guardian and its amulet are on the same plane, the shield guardian can find the amulet wearer (or just the amulet, if it is removed after the guardian is called).
Guard (Ex)
If ordered to do so, a shield guardian moves swiftly to defend the wearer of its amulet, blocking blows and disrupting foes. All attacks against the amulet wearer take a -2 penalty when the shield guardian is adjacent to its master.
Shield Other (Sp)
The wearer of a shield guardian’s amulet can activate this defensive ability if within 100 feet of the shield guardian. Just as the spell of the same name, this ability transfers to the shield guardian half the damage that would be dealt to the amulet wearer (this ability does not provide the spell’s AC or save bonuses).
Spell Storing (Sp)
A shield guardian can store one spell of 4th level or lower that is cast into it by another creature. It "casts" this spell when commanded to do so or when a predefined situation arises. Once this spell is used, the shield guardian can store another spell (or the same spell again).
Levi also explores the power of symbolism in magical practice. He argues that symbols have a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries, allowing them to communicate esoteric truths and provoke profound spiritual experiences. By meditating on and understanding the symbolism inherent in various religious and mystical traditions, practitioners can gain insight into the nature of reality and cultivate a deeper connection with the divine. Ultimately, the goal of transcendental magic, according to Levi, is to achieve self-realization and spiritual transformation. Through the diligent study and practice of magical techniques, individuals can rise above their material concerns and connect with the eternal and infinite aspects of their own being. This transcendence allows them to access higher states of consciousness, tap into their inner power, and manifest their true potential in the world. In summary, transcendental magic, as expounded by Eliphas Levi, is a comprehensive and practical system of esoteric knowledge and practice. It encourages individuals to explore the hidden dimensions of reality, connect with the divine, and cultivate self-realization and spiritual transformation. Through the careful study of symbolism, correspondences, and the harmonization of the microcosm and macrocosm, practitioners can tap into the boundless power of the supernatural and manifest their true potential in the world..
Reviews for "The Alchemical Aspects of Transcendental Magic Explored by Eliphas Levi"
1) Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Transcendental Magic" after hearing so much about it, but I was pretty disappointed. The writing style was incredibly dense and hard to follow, making it difficult to grasp the concepts being discussed. Additionally, I felt that the book was often repetitive, with the author rehashing the same ideas over and over again without providing any new insights. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and confusing read.
2) Michael - 2 stars - As someone who has an interest in the occult and esoteric subjects, I was hoping that "Transcendental Magic" would provide me with some valuable information and insights. Unfortunately, I found the book to be lacking in substance. It seemed to be more of a rambling collection of the author's personal beliefs and theories, rather than a coherent and informative exploration of transcendental magic. The writing style was also quite convoluted, making it difficult to even understand what the author was trying to convey. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
3) Emily - 1 star - I really struggled to get through "Transcendental Magic". The author's writing style was extremely dry and scholarly, which made it feel like a chore to read. Additionally, I found the content to be outdated and irrelevant. It felt like I was reading a book from a different era, with little connection to the modern understanding and practice of magic. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a practical or accessible guide to transcendental magic.