Community Highlights: Meet Naha Armády

Today we’d like to introduce you to Naha Armády.

Hi Naha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from LA, my parents moved from Reseda to Seattle in 1980 when I was five. Growing up there during the 90s was one of the best places to be as a person who loves things on the fringe, and the underground music scene and culture that went along with it shaped who I was. After dropping out of college, I became a dj, a bartender, and eventually a poker dealer. I always had some kind of hustle going on, and though it was a great time for the most part, I had no sense of a “purpose” a path, or a future. At the same time, I developed an independence that meant I could rely upon myself, my instincts and my street sense, and I was very interested in creative opportunities on the outskirts of normalcy. Thus my love of the esoteric, especially the tarot. In 2004, I had reached both the apex and nadir of my lifestyle, running on empty spiritually and physically. It was in this moment I met my teachers. I accredit them now with saving my life. Unexpectedly, I started training and studying what is known as the Western Mystery Tradition, a magical and spiritual philosophy which stems from Hermeticism, Neoplatonism and mysticism, specifically of the Kabbalists and Gnostics. Within this practice, I learned ceremonial magic in the style of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. My teachers taught me alchemy, ritual, and the correspondence of the Tree of Life.

Finally, I found something that put me on a path and lit a fire to work on myself beyond meeting my basic needs. I no longer saw the tarot as an occult curiosity but as a guidebook for how to live and took up a great interest in what is known to alchemists and philosophers as “The Great Work”; a focused dedication to the improvement and evolution of self through awareness, self-control and self-initiation. Eventually, I had no choice but to get sober and make a drastic change, so I moved back to Los Angeles in 2010. After many years of study and work with my teachers, I was finally ready to step into that role myself, and I began by teaching the Tarot and a form of healing known as the Middle Pillar Ritual. For the next nine years, I developed my curriculum and expanded my circle of students, and built 22 Teachings School of Hermetic Science and Magical Arts. Today, the school exists as a brick and mortar location in the Arts District, with in-depth training in the Western Mysteries and an emphasis on High Magic. This is not stage magic, spell-casting or witchcraft, but ritual practice designed to bring students closer to their own higher version of themselves. While the roots of the practice are ancient and I appreciate doing things in the classical way, there is also a need for evolving the tradition to make it relevant in today’s culture and to counter the current of fear-based societal programs. A large focus of my work involves the innovation of the tradition while being a steward of ancient wisdom.

In 2020, I was forced to create an online version of the classes, which turned into the greatest blessing, as it opened the door for students all over the US and countries around the world. We now hold hybrid classes as we were able to keep our school location throughout the pandemic. My training, my mission, my hobby, my work, my livelihood, and my future goals are now all interwoven, and my guides keep pushing me toward the next stage as I keep saying yes.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
At this point in my life, I view challenges differently. It is hard to separate the struggles from the blessings. Challenges lead to breakthroughs. Issues expose opportunities for change. With the dedication to my work and my trust in the process, I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to live a fulfilling life where I do what I love and I feel I’m making a difference in those who find their way to me while navigating all of the bumps and bruises along the way. Facing the reality of my addictions and substance abuse was a humiliating and humbling process but no other choice has had greater benefit to my overall existence. Beyond that, what can I say, I’ve been jumped, assaulted, betrayed, faced illness, lost loved ones, overworked, been lazy, and made mistakes, and things I think most people can relate to because that’s the mundane reality we live in. But I’m alive. And with my purpose, I have something that keeps me going. Then there’s the fact that most of society might think what I do is ridiculous. People love to criticize how others choose to live, especially how they express their faith. Metaphysical topics are judged as charlatanism, snake oil, or downright demonic.

Yet modern science stems from the natural sciences which lie at the root of magic; chemistry from alchemy, religion from ritual, medicine from talismanic prescriptions (the father of modern pharmacology – Paracelcus was an astrologer and occultist), and although quantum physics may prove many metaphysical concepts, hermetic sciences such as astrology, alchemy, and alternative healing practices are thrown out as quackery. I don’t get bogged down in what others think. I know magic is real. I see it every day, and my students experience it, and it can’t be explained or proven to anyone who has already made up their mind, to them, the vault of mysteries remains closed. There have also been plenty of un-grounded, mis-informed and unethical magical practitioners across time that don’t help the cause. But work done in greed, ignorance or corruption never ends in any good. I’m not looking to convert any non-believers, and I don’t want to promote magic to those who want a quick fix or those who think they can bend the will of others or the world to meet their lower urges or desires. My goal is only to have the door open for those willing to work on themselves and step over the threshold to higher learning.

We’ve been impressed with 22 Teachings School of Hermetic Science and Magical Arts, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our school exists to present magical philosophy and practice as a viable road of self-improvement and by this, the impossible becomes possible and one can create a fulfilling and synchronistic life. The existence of our school is evidence enough, as I would never have been so bold as to think I was capable of pulling off everything that we have built. 22 Teachings uses an academic model for coursework with standard semesters and programming such as Ritual training, Roundtables, Book Club, Study Hall, and a weekly occult Lodge. On-site, we have a mercantile for students to buy ritual supplies, a printed newspaper and a beautiful temple and classroom. Yet when it comes to the structure of my business, I throw out the book. Sure, I abide by the law and pay my taxes, but I don’t adhere to the capitalistic how-to’s of running a small business. But I don’t believe in hiding any pricing or requiring registration to see exactly what we offer and how much it costs. We don’t buy ads, and we don’t have any sign on the street that points to our location. We are here if you can find us. In turn, our student body is comprised of seekers, those who are willing to put in the work, as opposed to dabblers, or those who stumble in. I’m not interested in analytics, trends, or promotional lingo. Just sincere, authentic and quality training by teachers who walk the walk.

Any big plans?
At this time, we have a great library of recorded classes as well as ongoing live classes, and I have plenty of ideas in the pipeline for courses that I look forward to presenting in the coming years, including magic modules on planetary, elemental, zodiacal and archangelic magic. With over a decade of teachings, I am very interested in publishing, and so far, I have authored one book Crystal Rituals and co-produced another with my mentor William Kiesel “On the Tarot – Le Monde Primatif” the first fine-bookarts publishing in English of the very first essays on the arcana. I have many more topics that I would like to write on, and a lot of my existing work is begging to be translated into book format, especially that of the Arboretum Mysticum, our weekly occult Lodge which is now in its seventh year and which has made a great contribution to the modern esoteric landscape. Research is one of my favorite pastimes as well as putting theory into practice, and I look forward to sharing my findings and teaching new techniques to my students for years to come as the reputation of 22 Teachings grows and also hosts the brilliant minds of metaphysical science and art.

In addition to this, one of my favorite aspects of this work is bringing people together to experience and share topics that they may not have much opportunity to chat about otherwise. While many who find us are solo practitioners, they soon discover the value of working with a group, and so many friendships have blossomed out of the community of the school, and I aim to offer more opportunities for convergence. At the end of 2022, I took 40 students to Egypt for a life-changing journey through the sacred land and temples there, and I am now planning our next overseas trip to Prague in 2024 for our students to visit the city of the medieval and renaissance alchemists. Magical destinations are certainly in my sights for the future.

Finally, I hold a vision of our school acquiring a property where we could establish a more extensive campus – think “Xaviers school for higher learning” with a metaphysical focus, with an alchemical laboratory, temple sanctuary, occult library, garden, residency accommodations, chamber of mysteries, you get the idea.

Pricing:

• Donation-based (weekly Lodge)
• Sliding Scale (Pathworking)
• $132 – $250 6-week courses
• $350 9-week courses
• $10-$44 One-off events

Contact Info:

• Website: www.22teachings.com
• Instagram: @22teachings
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/22teachings
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NahaArmady
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/22Teachings
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/22-teachings-school-of-hermetic-science-and-magical-arts-los-angeles

Image Credits
Tree Crown Dreams