Barbelith
Encyclopedia
Barbelith is an online forum, named after an element in the comic book series The Invisibles
by Grant Morrison
, initially conceived of as a space for the discussion of Morrison's works.
In The Invisibles, Barbelith is the name of the "placenta
" for humanity; a satellite-like object located on the dark side of the moon. It recurs throughout the story as a supernatural moon seeming both intelligent and benign. Barbelith's role is like that of a placenta in that it connects the hologram of our subjective reality to the realm outside of our space-time, the domain of the magic mirror
, and helps humans to realize their true nature beyond the subjective concept of "self".
Prior to contact with Barbelith, most characters undergo some sort of trauma or intensity- an alien abduction or shamanic initiation, for example. A sort of cosmic "stoplight" is also present in some instances, though also seems to precede any sort of contact with the "healthy" dimension of The Invisibles binary-based paradigm; the realm of the Invisible College
.
The word first appeared on a sign post in House of Heart's Desire, a short story published in 1989 within the pages of A1, with art by Dom Regan. It has also cropped up in other comics Morrison has written. Doom Patrol
#54 in particular goes into more detail.
Grant Morrison describes its origins as follows: "The word 'BARBELiTH' is derived from a dream I had when I was about 20 or 21 and coincided with my first structured 'magical' experiences and a minor nervous breakdown (in the dream, BARBELiTH was the name of some higher dimension or alternate reality
)."
Barbelith also has obvious origins in VALIS
, a sort of information-satellite for humanity in the Philip K. Dick
novel of the same name.
The Gnostic Borborites
were also known as Barbelites and shared a similar philosophy to that espoused in The Invisibles.
annotation site The Bomb. Over time, topics of discussion moved beyond the comic book, especially after the series came to an end in 2000. As the forum's subject matter expanded, it was renamed Barbelith Underground and eventually moved to the front page of the barbelith.com domain. It is run by Tom Coates
and its code was written by Cal Henderson
.
Its sub-forums are:
The Invisibles
The Invisibles is a comic book series that was published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics from 1994 to 2000. It was created and scripted by Scottish writer Grant Morrison, and drawn by various artists throughout its publication....
by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, initially conceived of as a space for the discussion of Morrison's works.
The Invisibles
Placenta
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
" for humanity; a satellite-like object located on the dark side of the moon. It recurs throughout the story as a supernatural moon seeming both intelligent and benign. Barbelith's role is like that of a placenta in that it connects the hologram of our subjective reality to the realm outside of our space-time, the domain of the magic mirror
Magic Mirror
Magic Mirror is a lithograph print by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher which was first printed in January, 1946.It depicts a mirror standing vertically on wooden supports on a tiled surface. The perspective is looking down at an angle at the right hand side of the mirror. There is a sphere at each...
, and helps humans to realize their true nature beyond the subjective concept of "self".
Prior to contact with Barbelith, most characters undergo some sort of trauma or intensity- an alien abduction or shamanic initiation, for example. A sort of cosmic "stoplight" is also present in some instances, though also seems to precede any sort of contact with the "healthy" dimension of The Invisibles binary-based paradigm; the realm of the Invisible College
Invisible College
The Invisible College has been described as a precursor group to the Royal Society of London, consisting of a number of natural philosophers around Robert Boyle...
.
The word first appeared on a sign post in House of Heart's Desire, a short story published in 1989 within the pages of A1, with art by Dom Regan. It has also cropped up in other comics Morrison has written. Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
#54 in particular goes into more detail.
Grant Morrison describes its origins as follows: "The word 'BARBELiTH' is derived from a dream I had when I was about 20 or 21 and coincided with my first structured 'magical' experiences and a minor nervous breakdown (in the dream, BARBELiTH was the name of some higher dimension or alternate reality
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
)."
Barbelith also has obvious origins in VALIS
VALIS
VALIS is a 1981 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick. The title is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Dick's gnostic vision of one aspect of God....
, a sort of information-satellite for humanity in the Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
novel of the same name.
The Gnostic Borborites
Borborites
According to the Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis , and Theodoret's Haereticarum Fabularum Compendium, the Borborites or Borborians were a libertine Gnostic sect, said to be descended from the Nicolaitans...
were also known as Barbelites and shared a similar philosophy to that espoused in The Invisibles.
The forum
The forum was originally named The Nexus, created in 1998 as a part of the The InvisiblesThe Invisibles
The Invisibles is a comic book series that was published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics from 1994 to 2000. It was created and scripted by Scottish writer Grant Morrison, and drawn by various artists throughout its publication....
annotation site The Bomb. Over time, topics of discussion moved beyond the comic book, especially after the series came to an end in 2000. As the forum's subject matter expanded, it was renamed Barbelith Underground and eventually moved to the front page of the barbelith.com domain. It is run by Tom Coates
Tom Coates (technologist)
Tom Coates is a technologist and early weblogger based in San Francisco, California who has been writing plasticbag.org since 1999...
and its code was written by Cal Henderson
Cal Henderson
Cal Henderson is a British computer programmer and author based in San Francisco. He was educated at Sharnbrook Upper School and Community College....
.
Its sub-forums are:
- Conversation ("For off-topic discussion, introductions and chatting"),
- Policy & Help ("Board policy, technical errors & problems about trolls"),
- Head Shop ("Philosophy, Cultural Studies and Identity Politics"),
- Laboratory ("New technologies, pure science, medicine and medical ethics),
- Switchboard ("Politics, activism and current affairs"),
- Temple ("Faith, magic and mysticism, bodywork, and applied psychology"),
- Art, Fashion and Design ("Fine art, high fashion, product and graphic design"),
- Books, Criticism & Writing ("Novels, periodicals, short stories and the literary world");
- Comic Books ("Graphic Novels and Comics - superheroes to social-commentary");
- Film, TV & Theatre ("Movies, Television and on the stage");
- Games & Gameplay ("Videogames, board games, RPGs, sport - the mechanics of play");
- Radio & Music ("From Bowie to Britney, punk to Daft Punk");
- Creation ("Collaborative or individual creative projects")
- Gathering ("Organising gatherings - unlawful or otherwise").