Here we are, going into Samhain, and I am still playing catch-up! The midsummer solstice, and the impacts of the work coming out of that time, knocked me for six. In a very good way – so much has changed, altered, opened for myself and temple since then that every time I’ve sat down to write this entry, something else would occur which necessitated deep work and reflection to tackle and integrate it. Whether this was work for the current, for myself, or the initiation candidates, something would come up meaning the blog posts came bottom priority. Many of these events have been very profound – the kind of experience where writing about them seems almost exhibitionist. As such, I’ve chosen to focus on purely the more ‘formal’ rite which was carried out earlier this year for this belated blog post.
For context – the above was not entirely unexpected. Opening each stellar gate, has been an increasingly complex process up to this point. The opening of the first gate, with the Temple Familiar gifted by Belial through the Seal of the Ascending Winged Skull, took a matter of months – albeit the physical effects took years to both integrate and fully recover from. Hecate’s Stellar Gate similarly came through relatively quickly, to balance the initially unexpected black stellar energies released via the Ivory Spider.
Lucifer’s was more of a slow burn – requiring the evocation and integration of all three great elemental dragons – something that could be done fully only in the places where they most strongly reside. This required roughly two years of work and planning. As such, when contrasted with the Lilithian build up, I knew that opening this particular gate would be very demanding.
In total, no less than three wood cuts, and one full wood engraving block would be used in opening this gate at the temple here. The gate stele itself was cut into an engraving woodblock, made of birch. On one side, the temple specific channelled variant of the Seal of the City of Pyramids was inked, on the reverse, the specific key to unlock that seal fully given through the work with Lilith. The remaining four sides of the wood blocks were filled with Theban script – three sides, the formula of the synchronomicon, the final word being one of draconic origin released in the final work.
Each wood cut was adorned on one side with its related draconic seal, and on the flipside, its related draconic key.
Fomalhaut, the Royal Star of the South, by Davide De Martin
The ritual to open the gate was a strenuous one. Donning the ritual mask of Lucifer, firstly, each dragon gate was opened within the circle itself. This was possible thanks to the power already granted in previous possessions – without which none of this would have been possible.
Each opening necessitated each front seal being covered in blood, following a formal unlocking at blade point and subsequent blooding of the rear key sigil. As each was completed, the power of the corresponding dragon flooded into the circle. The feeling that accompanied these steps was not initially one of ecstatic empowerment – instead this initial, preparatory stage felt more like wading through a liquid. A liquid that simply grew in viscosity as more power was drawn into the working space as each woodcut was worked through individually, each power point and line receiving the necessary attention the act required.
The final quarter to be opened would be different. Here, stood the clear mirror of the arte used at the temple for a variety of rites. In front of it, the stele of Lucifer’s gate was placed, flanked by candles, leaving space to carry out the needed ritual operations. To the left, a blooded sigil of Surgat lay, and on the right, the physical skeleton key empowered by Lilith in the previous working. Both Witch Gods were called to lend their power to the rite.
When the time felt right, the front of the stele, as well as surrounding words of power were blooded. Lilith’s key was then utilized on the gate seal, to open it in widdershins fashion. With this prepared, the gate was turned and the key seal of the stele blooded. Finally, it was necessary to repeat the last two steps on the mirror itself. With each symbolic act, the locks placed on the soul were also released, and with words of power, the mirror gate came alive.
Formal request of Lucifer, through the opened mirror gate, to release the power of his stellar gate thus prepared, began a series of possessions. Like sunlight filtered through a lens, the power surged through the mirror and into the body. Strangely, it was not Lucifer who came first – but Vassago, coming clean out of the mirror. His silvered body glowed with such intensity, as his appearance took me entirely off guard – it was not the horned god I had initially expected! His chosen form so mercurial it seemed to flood out the clear surface, which in turn, now rippled like the surface of water.
Now behind him came Lucifer, appearing in horned, reptilian form – his energy in comparison was darker, more red and black, and in swirling kaleidoscopic currents the possession intensified. It was in this act that the necessary alchemy was completed, and the resulting completed stele marked.
The traditional goetic appearance of the daemon Vassago. Very different from the mercurial visions this spirit often gives me!!Artist unknown.
I lay there for awhile, just recovering from the energy release. In many ways I was still in shock, as the process was very different to what I had initially expected – this was a great learning exercise. Even with all the gnosis processed as to how to perform a rite, only by actually doing it is full understanding gained – something which cannot be guessed going in without the potential for being humbled by the experience.
With the above done, this marks the end of a cycle of intense workings. I don’t expect these to get any easier, but I must now for a little time, turn my attention to my initiation candidates. I have been blessed with two candidates of strong potency and devotion – and both are at a stage where initiations could be reasonably performed into the Black Degree.
As the year dies, my mind goes towards the blogs future. As more and more work intensifies, as alluded to in the opening, my view on many things has changed. Next year will mark the ten year anniversary of me starting this blog – what was meant to be only a small little working curio diary, has grown far beyond what I had initially planned. We are a full ninety posts in at this point, and many of the goals I initially set have either been met, or I have simply grown beyond. As my more work becomes Temple based, more intimate and deep, I do anticipate that there may be many necessary changes yet to come.
I will update people as I go, regarding any plans. I hope everyone a fantastic run up to Samhain, and thank you for reading.
May the Lord of Light, Show you the Way, Back to the Stellar Paths, Long forgotten by the Race of Man,
It has been awhile!! Back end of last month, I finally ended up catching Covid. It gave me a kicking but two and a half weeks later I feel for the most part pretty well recovered. Mentally and spiritually I feel in a good place, and the above notwithstanding, it has been a pretty productive period since the last entry here.
The main working since the previous blog post was a ritual I carried out with the goddess Lilith. Lilith is very misunderstood in the modern occult scene – ironically by the supposed LHP practitioners as much as anyone else. Thus they miss the forest for the trees – focusing on her shallow aspects rather than the transformative power she and her realm, Gamaliel, brings.
One of the things Lilith gifted to me, coming up to two years ago now, was her key. This was given with crystal clarity in astral travel. This key, referred to as simply The Key of Night, is a required component in unlocking Lucifers Stellar Gate. At the time, I was not ready to make use of it – the final dragon rite had not been completed and blocked its use in full. As such, there could be no approach to actually unlocking the gate, and thus no need to physically embody this tool.
However with the completion of the last Dragon Rite, it became imminently important that this Key was to be physically created. It would be necessary to properly do this so that it could be used as a tool in the opening of the gate itself, a required step on the theurgic path.
In order to do this, I got myself ahold of an antique skeleton key – one that was quite substantial, and made of iron. This would be a fitting, physical seat for the power to be brought through. From this point, it was therefore all about how to correctly pull through the required essence, and ensoul it into the chosen object. I.e. How to pull that energy from her, permission to do so which she had already granted me, in a way that would make it useful for what was to come. This was eventually accomplished; the final method not being unlike the usual method of these things, but with some needed modifications.
Firstly, the key was adequately cleansed to ensure it was rid of anything that would interfere, as well as being brought correctly into the service of the Arte. Then, the working area was prepared and the circle itself was brought up to full power using the necessary calls. In turn, this preliminary work was followed by focused invocation to possession up to Triformus level.
From here, both Hecate and Lucifer were evoked, in order to properly moderate the influx of energy. This was in turn required to stabilise the focal point that would be opened to call Lilith through. The tool utilised for this was my clear, full length mirror – something I have used the stellar rites here before.
Meanwhile, I burned powerful loose incense on coals in front of the mirror gate as both offering, and to empower this already sanctified tool further. This incense blend is one of my own, a mix of benzoin, myrh, frankincense and various herbs sympathetic herbs. This helped to greatly intensify the coming work.
Key picture by OrianaNiChearnaigh
The mirror, placed within the east, was where Lilith was transvoked. The placement of the mirror in the East of the circle was done on pure intuition – something I have learned to trust on this path. Lilith was then evoked through the mirror, using both call, smoke, and blooded seal – the one that had been originally granted in dream.
With her present, and the initial groundwork contact made, she was invoked into the body. This was done using the key itself. This act was one of the components of the formula as whole, so that when combined with spoken pact, the link would be made in full. The possession that followed was difficult, more taxing, than I expected. Whilst sexual in nature, there was an element of resistance, which had to be overcome on my part. Working in such a way is not what many people envision – sometimes this process can be pure stellar bliss, other times it can be a dark and trying experience. This was the latter – with invasive imagery resplendent, which I realised quickly was a test. It was vital that I pushed through, claimed what was given, and completed the merge in full. Anything else would be to fail in pulling out the required energetic link buried deep within the subtle body. Eventually, much to the amusement of the other party it seemed, everything fell into place. After recovering, in front of the mirror, the key was anointed with the resulting possessed blood, elevated by the energy of the collapsed waveform. Note, those who can read between the lines can guess how else the key was further empowered.
Holding it aloft in both hands, I immediately utilised its form to request from Lucifer the final, inner seal required for opening his stellar gate. This was delivery quickly, and automatic writing used to commit it to the working temple books. Once complete, the key itself was lovingly wrapped up and placed in the northern quarter of the circle. The energies of the self and circle were allowed to stabilise, before being lowered and eventually brought down to baseline with the closing of the rite itself.
With the key empowered, it now falls on me to burn the required dragon seals into prepared pine disks, before completing Lucifers stele itself in the birchwood blocks. Once this is complete, disk, block and key will be utilised to complete the final working in this series. This will make a longer period of working on this specific gate than I could ever have expected – a more complex series of working being sent than I anticipated. With it complete, the road to Belials Stellar Gate will be open. All that is left, is to try and draw this all together. I wanted to do this on Beltane, but with that date being too unrealistic thanks to my illness, I expect the next attempt to be around midsummer.
I am excited to finally be able to tackle this, and feel like I’m making very real progress. I will hopefully have an update re that work around then.
One of the other things I wanted to mention in this post may seem small, in comparison. But it seems an important message to relate. In dream, the other night, Sepheranz came to me and told me something important. This plays into the previous theme above – about creation of working tools and devotional items. She showed me a particular number, and told me to avoid having a slavish devotion to perfection. Upon waking up I pondered what this might mean – personally for my own practice. In some ways, I think it is that sometimes the fear of failing can stop us in some ways tackling stuff we are less confident with – but without doing so, we will never grow and learn. It has certainly made me want to really tackle the burning of these new seals in full, without overly worrying about result. Materials are not impossible to come across and replace anyway. Being afraid of taking considered leaps, in this path, isn’t really an option if you want to succeed in Theurgy.
Recently, the primal craft instagram has recently putoutsomewonderful images of devotional items created by a dedicated devotee. I’d like to highlight these as well, as the groundwork (by both devotee and Magister of the Mother Temple) has finally been done to enable them to be shared to the wider public. May they serve as an inspiration to other devotees to give things a shot. Whilst the person who created these items is very skilled, the connection forged by working with your own hands is second to none where it can be carried out. My wood blocks look, artistically, as if a child had created them in comparison with this devotees work. But the power that exudes out of those blocks, that is foundation for the temple here, is enormous. Take the leap. Do your best. Enjoy the process, and the great results will inevitably follow. For in that work, there are a lot of great rewards to reap.
I will leave this post here, as it has been difficult to get formulated and out. I hope you all had a wonderful Ostara period, and are looking forward to Beltane which is soon arriving.
With Torch, With Knife, With Key, A Goddess of Hell, Opens the Gateways of Heaven For those of Brave Heart, And Committed Soul ~S~
Just a small update from myself, as we come into the new year proper. It has been a bit quiet here lately – some family things have needed attention, and I have also been taking some time to myself to simply enjoy life; mainly focusing around having gratitude for what (and who) I already have and how far I’ve come. This has not come easy for me, as someone whose mind is always focused on aiming for the next goal. But being present in the now is something I have learned to embrace within the last few years. To stand aware, at the Crossroads, centred, empowered and without distraction is a power in itself.
This breather has been pretty useful in terms of recharging – and I expect February / March to pick up in terms of Occult practice as well as finally beginning physical work on the space here.
Cover of Middle-Earth Quest: A Spy In Isengard, Angus Mcbride, 1988
It hasn’t been all quiet though. I have used the recent full moon to correctly pull through the final seal required to complete the set of six required to open the Stellar Pillar Gate of Lucifer. This marks the culmination of the Dragon works I began with Leviathan back at the end of 2019, and puts me firmly on track to explore opening that come Beltane at the latest. This would only leave Belials to complete, before the Planetary Work, and then the preparation for Abyss Crossing can be finally tackled. For this, I estimate a further three to five years will be required.
One of the tools necessary to carrying out the opening of Lucifer’s Pillar Gate is a crystal sphere. This is required to focus, amplify and direct the energies brought through in possession. It is the glue for all of the Dragon Gates in this working. The Eye of Lucifer is the counter-part to the Eye of Hecate within the circle as well. I’ve wanted to get a sphere for Lucifer for sometime – at least a year – and finally I went searching for one. I was aiming to find one similar in diameter to the obsidian sphere I already have for Hecate, and one that I could scry that would be suitable for the job. Only a crystal with natural alignment would do – reconstituted quartz would not do – and ideally for this, one that was also not lab produced. Even with all these boxes ticked, that still didn’t necessarily mean it would have the ‘feel’ and thus be suitable for the job.
Finding a crystal that fulfilled these requirements took some doing – and it certainly did not come cheaply. But I finally managed to find a perfect sphere for this work – one suitable for Lucifer. The sphere I found is one made out of White Petalite, a lithium ore, and was a very lucky find. Upon its arrival here, it was consecrated in the Eastern Quarter with the energy of the Perfect Red King of Sulphur. This involved the use of a full ritual circle, with the energies raised within it to as high level as I am personally capable. The consecration was done using transvocation – with Lucifer first invoked into the body, then evoked into the sphere itself. This ensured that the eye was opened fully, without any room for an incomplete job.
The Eye of Lucifer, before empowerment, self taken
The resultant Eye of Lucifer is in actuality slightly larger than the Obsidian Sphere I have for Hecate. This is likely due to measurement errors on behalf of sellers, as both are approximately 160mm, the newer trending towards 165/170mm. Already naturally quite powerful in terms of solar energy, the amount of power that can be drawn through after consecration feels extreme. It also must be kept in mind this is even before the empowerment has had time to fully settle… it not even being one lunar cycle since the above work was conducted. Just looking upon it I feel like my power is amplified, with images swirling into my minds eye through the powerfully opened vortex. This increases even further by simply placing ones hands upon it and staring deeply into it.
I look forward to experimenting with not just Lucifer’s Eye, but also using in conjunction with Hecate’s, whilst projecting outwards (or peering inwards..). This should make for very, very powerful results. With the left hand on Hecates Eye, the right hand on Lucifers, this will be something to really experiment with to go Beyond.
The Eye of Lucifer in the Mirror, before empowerment, self taken
There are still a few none trivial details to pull through next – and that is how to formulate the given seals, the given key, and other necessary ingredients to effectively open the gate. This is what I’ll be working on within the next six weeks. This may require additional wood to burn to physically create the dragon seals, as well as a potential special oil formulation. This oil may be needed to dress and thus anoint the physical representation of the Key of Lilith – that which was given after completion of the Earth Dragon rite – and seems to play some form of role here.
More channelling work will be required to digest all of this. I am going to leave this small entry here, and I wish everyone a very happy if slightly premature Imbolc.
And as such, better get working on those Brigids Cross skills (something I was never particularly great at!!!).
Adder, by pronature
‘Thig an nathair as an toll Là donn Brìde, Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd Air leac an làir.
The serpent will come from the hole On the brown Day of Bríde, Though there should be three feet of snow On the flat surface of the ground.’
It is that time of year again, arguably the most sacred of cross quarter holidays in our witches calendar. It is a very busy one here – just last night, I was supporting the other half who led the local moot here in performing our first, group ritual since January 2020.
That ritual was a very powerful and emotive one. Seeing people I have been unable to meet up with even for a coffee, like I would in more normal times, was magical enough – when paired with a powerful, evocative rite involving the dead, it was something very special.
Reflecting on that ritual, I thought it would be great to put a post up for our dear devotees, to help with clarification on one of our newer, yearly rites, as well as share a funny little tradition that seems to have started here.
Some spoopy skeletons and stuff, photographer unknown
With that intention lain out, I’ll continue saying last nights ritual had a special poignancy.
It felt like the start of the end for a very bad time in my life. Although I mentioned it in passing in last years post – the death of my father just over a year ago today – was something that I didn’t delve deeply into. That said, it did affect me more deeply than I was willing to admit at the time. The Gods had not lied in their warning of that period… At the time I decided that that to speak on it at any length would be generally unnecessary, unwise, and self indulgent. I still feel that to an extent – there is much I would love to say, to give testimony on, that I simply can’t. What I can say is it will colour my experience of this month for the rest of my life – change is the only constant – and Samhain for me will forever now be attached to that loss.
As such it was a very intense time – much altered dramatically for myself, and the temple, and it was a very real loss that I needed to take time to process. Even with Hecate’s help – in both process and healing – it was very hard to drag myself to the altar in Samhain 2020, and do what needed to be done. Just doing the tearing down and rebuilding of the space felt like swimming through treacle – but is a duty that needed to be done. It was also whilst feeling metaphysically ran over by a train, that I decided to put together a devotional rite for the Trident – taking a leaf out of a dear mentor and guide of mine Sorita D’Este.
I had always been inspired by ‘The Rite of Her Sacred Fires’ which is conducted around Beltane (full moon in May). I wanted something similar that devotees of the Trident could also do, yearly, to both deepen their connection with their gods as well as grow a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood between people in shared sacred space. It seemed just good logical sense.
I am so very glad that I did. Many people took part last year – and shared wonderful testimonials in our Facebook group. It went so well I decided to rerun it this year – and I hope to continue it with peoples support into the year ahead.
Since I am unable to provide advice via facebook (Zuckerberg has decided I am decidedly too spicy to be allowed to post in the month of the Pumpkin Spiced Lattes), I advise anyone who has any questions over the rite to directly message me. Either by email, or by messenger if they require any guidance. The main two questions I have seen posted are to do with the following: timing and hand position, especially during the bow after the Sepheranz devotional piece. The other, often asked question by people who are not in the group is: where do I find the Rite to perform it? I will answer all three succinctly now, in a manner I hope is easy to follow.
The Timing of the Samhain Eves Rite of Trident Devotion
The timing of the Rite is that it should ideally, be performed on the night of the 30th. However there is no strict timing for the rite. Anytime between 29th-30th, before commencement of the night of the 31st, is entirely acceptable. This is a rite for the Devotee – to connect them to the Gods and other devotees around the world. Because the Current is so geographically widespread, it would make no sense for a rite such as this to be set at some strict time.
Like many older witchcraft rites, when things were done when ‘the season was correct’ and things ‘felt right’, so should intuition guide the devotee when to do this ritual, as well as in its performance. You will be connecting to the Gods and other Devotees in Mythic Time at the centre of the Circle. As such, exact timings for this particular rite, do not matter.
The event on facebook is usually therefore set at the start of the 30th Day to reflect this flexibility. Choose what works for you, when you have maximum quiet time to enjoy the ritual.
The Positioning of the Hands in the Sepheranz Devotional
The positioning of the hands in the bow to Sepheranz, is similar to a bow as performed in many schools of Iaido / Aikido. I.e. it is very similar to this video (6:40). I tend to interlace the thumbs for more stability and safety than the example here, but this comes from a martial arts background and is somewhat an irrelevant point for devotional purposes. The reason for these hand movements are entirely symbolic – feel free to adapt them to what works for you. I use the ones as lain out because, they are relatively simple once you have the hang of them. I did not want overly complex, yoga like components in the rite, but something simple to reaffirm the spoken words. If anyone has issues, feel free to message me as above and ill explain as best as I can.
Acquiring the Ritual Text
I have shared many documents in the last few years of this blog. So why not this ritual? This is mainly because I want it to be for active devotees of the current, who are interacting on a regular basis. However, those who read the comments on the blog will know I am more than happy to provide the text to anyone who wishes to perform it on an individual basis – the very act of reaching out to me means a lot in this case. If you are reading this, and are a devotee not in the social media group who wants to perform the rite, please email me by midnight tonight and ill make sure you have what you need.
I hope this has helped anyone who might be struggling and needing some clarification. I look forward to your experiences shared in the group and I’ll be able to hopefully reply in full on the Fifth of November!!
When life gives you melons..
Not everything was doom and gloom, and I want to share a small, funny story and the start of a potentially peculiar new tradition over here in very rainy England. I hope this story brings a bit of daft joy to those who read it.
Last year, there was a Pumpkin shortage in Britain. Getting any of the desired, spooky orange fruit was not possible. A week before Samhain 2020 I tried desperately to get one, and was unable to source one. This was, as they say, a bit of a problem.
Someone familiar with folklore would probably now pipe up, ‘what about a Turnip?’ Even finding a humble turnip proved harder than anticipated.. and for anyone who has had the sad, forlorn experience of actually carving one, I’ll admit the thought did not fill me with joy. They are incredibly hard to shape – being in no way hollow, and having a body that is hard and resistant to being shaped even with a good knife. My mind went back to when me and my mother tried to carve one when I was nine, and it took literal hours. A tedious experience to say the least.
Standing there, I saw another fruit. The humble watermelon. And like that it was decided. It was a non traditional choice.. for sure.. but certainly easy to carve, very tasty, and the end result I thought, looked rather good!
ACarved Watermelon, self carved and taken.
It looked fantastic on the altar, and I thought it had worked out! It served its purpose – being a lantern to keep away the malign spirits of the dead, and offer a waylight and warmth to the benefic dead who wanted to hang around the altar space and temple room. It worked far better than I expected. I gave it no further thought..
Of course, until this year. And again, there is even a worse pumpkin shortage. Feeling a bit whimsical, and again being unable to find one never mind two pumpkins, this year I have bought two of the cheery, non traditional green boys. Both of which we will be carving up for the Sabbat!
Witchcraft need not always be super serious – especially on the Sabbats which are in many ways celebrations of existence – of the lockstep of life and death – of the gift of joy and the turning of the wheel. That said as well however, on the surface what was just a bit of fun, does hold deeper meaning. The first time I made this substitution was out of desperation really – due to circumstances shooting any plans to observe the turning of the seasons to ribbons. Something had to be done.
I had to ensure that the cycled would be observed, that it would not be missed, that the dead would have their way lit, and that real healing would be conducted through the observance of the Sabbat was of primary importance. So in that way, the good old watermelon took on more personal significance than just an in joke, or just an ‘easy way out’.
Merging the Joy of the Dance with the Deep Meaning of the Cycle is the best way any of us can truly hope to both celebrate and mark our most important times of the year. And the lives of those we love, and those who we have loved, and lost.
The Lit Watermelon, self carved and taken.
I hope the above silly story also imparts the deeper lesson I had painfully reinforced. And that is where you have the will, never give up. This doesn’t mean the futility of a pointless struggle. Accept, adapt, change, undergo renewal. You will come out far stronger than how you went in – one way, or another – if in a very different form.
This is the promise and power of the Cauldron of our Great Triple Faced Goddess.
I will end this here. Things here will get busier still for me and Temple – with 30th, 31st celebrations and the initiation to be held on the 4th. This will mark a turning point for the Temple and there might be a few announcements to make – of both personal and temple nature. The latter if I can get together the required art assets over the next few months.
‘In the season leaves should love, since it gives them leave to move through the wind, towards the ground they were watching while they hung, legend says there is a seam stitching darkness like a name.
Now when dying grasses veil earth from the sky in one last pale wave, as autumn dies to bring winter back, and then the spring, we who die ourselves can peel back another kind of veil
that hangs among us like thick smoke. Tonight at last I feel it shake. I feel the nights stretching away thousands long behind the days till they reach the darkness where all of me is ancestor.
I move my hand and feel a touch move with me, and when I brush my own mind across another, I am with my mother’s mother. Sure as footsteps in my waiting self, I find her, and she brings
arms that carry answers for me, intimate, a waiting bounty. “Carry me.” She leaves this trail through a shudder of the veil, and leaves, like amber where she stays, a gift for her perpetual gaze.’
-Annie Finch, “Samhain” from Eve, published by Carnegie Mellon University Press.
I wish you all a beautiful and bountiful Samhain and Year to Come, In the Arms of Our Mother.
So the last few months have been exceptionally interesting, bringing with them very large amounts of spiritual, mental and physical empowerment. It feels like there has been a completing seal pressed onto various strands of work – the first being that of the Dragon workings, and the second to do with the reopening of Qayinitic lines within my personal practice.
The latter is one that I’d like to quickly detail, as it is something unexpected that happened within the last few weeks. This took the form of two rather interesting dreams; the first was a sabbatic dream, involving a gathering of spirits and a drawing in of Belial. This was performed through a totemic book that was found somewhere within the Mirrorworld; this being a term, as readers may remember, I use for a certain kind of lower astral because I find it the most descriptive term of its nature.
This in turn lead to a full plane possession by Belial, upon which I took charge of a celebration – not so much a ritual, and afterword’s I awoke feeling full of power and rejuvenated. This was much needed given the journey I had just been on. I took a note of it in my personal working journal, and thought nothing more of it. These kinds of journeys are important, but are generally too frequent or non specific in nature to note as having particular theurgic significance other than for enjoyment.
However, the following night, a similar, linked journey also occurred. Not long after falling asleep, I found myself in an old, abandoned brick building deep within the Mirrorworld. There, I had found a dark spirit – one that I was contending with, in some manner. I instinctively knew that I had been sent to find it, that doing so had been some sort of charge given to me at the end of the previous nights celebrations.
After some time, contending with it both energetically and physically, its shadowed form collapsed into the tiny form of a vampire bat. It attempted to escape along the floor, which at this point was covered in slick, thick blood. I was unsure at this point if this blood belonged to me or the spirits. I knew intrinsically that to let it to escape would be wrong – that somehow, its power had to be taken and internalised. I picked up this creature, and, asking Belial to protect me through the merging, allowed it to sink its tiny fangs into my neck.
I awoke, but not to our physical plane. I again was still in the Mirrorworld, again Elsewhere. I found myself in an old, and abandoned, hotel. I got up and wandered towards the bathroom. The door was opened and I looked in, onto a cracked mirror. A dusty ceiling light flickered intermittently. In between the flashes I could see that my left side, the side where the bat had bitten, was riddled with marks and sigils. The lower most sigil was etched just above the elbow. It depicted a crowned skull that seemed to morph from itself, through that of the primary seal of Arkos, through to that of the Qayinitic Eye Seal of Flame and Sulphur. From here, it returned and to its original form and repeated this in slow, drifting sequence.
Above this I could see the sigil of the winged Ankh bone key, and above this, the sigil of the Trident. Black, snaking lines and marks traced my entire skin, conjoining these parent sigils in a tapestry of black conduits that seemed to flow with power. They extended, covering my entire body. This wasn’t painful – instead it was an ecstatic pleasurable sensation, as it spread across my entire form, leaving me dripping in venomous energy. I remember getting dressed and leaving the room to ‘check out’, and after that last memory, recall waking up vividly into the physical world as if I had stepped simply from one room to another. I felt empowered, alive, more than I had felt since coming down off the mountain (to be described next). I was convinced I had undergone a fresh, qayinitic initiation.
Why now? It could be a combination of things I have thought. With the year turning dark, combined with my own personal loss a year ago, and the timing of the pandemic and full unfolding of the Qayinitic line within my parent tradition, this work comes at a powerful, liminal time. With the work done by the Gatekeeper of the Four Pillars of Fire, fulfilling a decade of prophecy regarding the Qayinitic line, I believe it was inevitable. The exact nature of this gift itself is less obvious in many regards – so far my aura has felt very armoured, something very much needed due to the immense level of Death energy that is surrounding both me and the Temple here at this current time. Energy not to be wallowed in, but to powerfully transmuted -for I feel great things are to be birthed from this. I can feel this, deeply, and it is this that keeps the work going; albeit with some days it feeling like swimming through treacle at times.
So a gift from Qayin perhaps for work done with him in devotion all those years ago; and also perhaps a recognition of the patient promise I made him to go no further until that prophetic work was delivered. Whether this work is something for me to actively pursue physically, or instead simply explore what I can on the inner worlds with the given key rather than dedicate myself to a new, active practice is something I will have to carefully consider. Qayin is not someone one can pick, and choose with, once a promise is made. That said, I feel it would be impolite to spurn exploring the power at least on some level, especially that which was given as a gift.
Vampire Bat, photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic
With this interesting incident covered, I now go to the main meat and potatoes of this article. In the last few postings, I detailed the upcoming rite of the Stellar Dragon. I can now fully confirm that this was a great success, with the Dragon contacted and the energy / gifts received. This coming full moon, they will be fully drawn out, and the final seal entered into the Temple Books. This paves the way for opening Lucifers Stellar Pillar Gate.
The actual journey to the mountain to conduct this rite was a heavily interesting one. I had initially wanted to document the entire trip – from near base camp, up to the actual location that I was guided to and conducted the rite. However, post rite, I have come to personal realisation as to how both powerful and sacred that portal I opened is – and thus, I have decided to only talk about this trip in a more vague manner. Every time I attempted to put this experience into words, I felt like I was failing it – or even worse, exposing it to profanation. Those who wish to retrace my footsteps, and potentially find the working spot, will thus have to read heavily between the lines. As such, I must immediately say that some of the pictures below, do not depict the actual trip nor even the locations I visited. They serve only to give clue and indication of the landscape to those who have never had the pleasure of travelling to the Lake District, UK. As well as to throw in a little bit of misdirection as is tradition. I have included a few original images – where I felt it was justified and where they do the trip justice. Anyone who puts the pieces together, and who truly wants to retrace these steps, are welcome to try – putting the pieces together being the test in itself.
The entire trip, both there and back, took around four days. The first day was pretty arduous – and it was not to get easier i’d find – with a pack weight of around 20-23kg. Being not the fittest of people, I set off relatively early in the morning to reach the first waypoint. This waypoint would be a town some 17 km away – where I would stay overnight, before taking a boat to the foot of the mountain I would be scaling.
I hadn’t slept the night before – both the planning, nor the excitement of finally being able to go off on this pilgrimage, did not aid me in anyway in getting a good rest. I had some breakfast and set off, through the woods that bordered my families cabin, making towards the moors. On the way I came across something that made me pause for thought. A dead amphibian stretched out perfectly across the path out of the woods. This is often a path I had walked, at night, looking for a similar sign to begin the work of the Sacred Waters of the Moon.
Seeing this dead creature seemed almost like a test in itself. To continue my mission, or try to take this offer. I ignored it, but made a mental note in my mind. It would become very relevant later on.
Leaving the woods behind, I made good going, passing the old mausoleum and church and its neighbouring, sleepy little town without issue. But when I began the uphill walk into the moorland proper, I knew I had my work cut out for me. The initially fair, walking weather had turned into full on sunshine. Great for a lay about, not so much for making good time with the least physical exertion. I was VERY happy I had prepared for this potentiality – having a very good hat and sufficient sunscreen but I was still to get significantly burned.
Moorland, photographer unknown
On my way over the moors, past the fields of heather in full bloom, I stopped at a quite remote stone circle to have my lunch. This was a planned stop – about halfway between my initial starting point and that days finish point. The stone circle was only small – but absolutely packed with power. I admired a tiny, beautiful spider that had climbed onto my bedroll, as I tucked into some extremely basic provisions with my back against one of the stones – it felt inappropriate to eat within the circle itself. Sadly, despite it being remote, on a summers day it still had too much footfall to do anything but walk the inner perimeter and soak in some of the power there. Unlike many places that are ‘take, take, take’ drained dry by tourists and other visitors, this place did not feel like that at all. But rather a wellspring of power that commanded the landscape.
Spider of the Circle, self taken image
After finishing up, I grabbed my kit and continued on. Passing a cairn, a way marker on my route, I looked down over the large lake below in the distance, and to the mountain range ahead. It was about this time I started to realise what I had actually embarked on to do – and although overshadowed as a feeling later, it did make me pause for thought.
Treated to a lovely display by military aircraft (from what I could see, F-15 fighters), I descended into the town in search of a place to sleep. Whilst the initial plan had to been to wild camp at every leg, I decided getting some good food in, as well as a night of sleep before going up the mountain proper, would be a good idea. I managed to find the last room in a local pub – one that did decent food I would later realise that night. Fed and watered, I turned in early to sleep.
The next morning I had breakfast and gathered my things. In order to get to the town at the start of my route into the mountains, I had two options – I could go by bus which was cheaper, or the more direct route by boat across the lake. I opted for the latter option – more for the experience than convenience, but it would turn out to be quite efficient as well as enjoyable. I didn’t have to wait long on the dock – perhaps half an hour at most, and soon the ship was alongside the pier and taking on passengers. The weather was again lovely, and as I boarded I got a great view of the surrounding landscape, kept cool by the light breeze that drifted across the lake. This would continue for the rest of the journey, as the boat gently rocked from light waves on the lakes surface.
MV Tern, built 1891, photographer unknown
It took around an hour to get to the opposite dock at the foot of the mountain. This was not to the liking of a fellow passenger, who remarked to her husband that the boat was not going quick enough and was rather ‘dull’. I laughed at this reply, telling her it wasn’t a speedboat, in a very sarcastic manner to say the least.
I disembarked and headed to get some food at another local pub, and consulted my map whilst tucking into a sandwich. I gathered it was around 7 – 9 km to the target site – but that this was likely to take as long as the previous 19 – 20km walked up to this point of the trip. The spacing between the contour lines was telling me a story I didn’t really want to hear. Putting the map away, I thanked my server, and headed to the start of the path up into the mountains. I had to double back here, past a very old and charming church to where I had crossed a little bridge. As is said in the Lake District, half-jokingly – ‘all roads lead to Helvellyn‘, – and sure enough, at the three way crossroads, a somewhat ominous wooden sign pointed forth. I took a wrong turn in the snaking path that it indicated at one point, but a quick check of the compass and cross referencing the map, put me back on the right path. Sure now that I had the right way, I set off uphill.
At this point I realised the physical effort of what I was undertaking fully. I was already very tired from taking the entirety of the wild camping gear, and was having to take quite frequent stops for water / rest. Looking back on it this was probably a good thing – as I slowly, but surely made my way up the valley towards my destination.
The first part of the walk was wooded, but this soon gave way to a mixed terrain of fields, and lightly wooded areas, and I got the first glimpse of the ritual site. At this point, I would be lying to say that I felt very outmatched by what I was about to do. Up to this point in my life, I’d never properly wild camped on my own. Only when I was much, much younger, some twenty odd years before when I was barely even a kid. Never mind wild camped at at least somewhat decent elevation. with exposure to take into account. I felt very much, out of my depth. However I had no choice then, but to carry on. Quitting would have been unthinkable.
I tightened by straps and carried on along the path into the mountains. After coming past two, fenced off areas of mixed woodland (which would have been ideal places to camp, what with a stream running down and through them off the mountains) the path ceased to really be a path – converting into just a load of stones, that I realised also doubled as riverbed in poor conditions. At this point, I was starting to flag and it was reaching around 6pm. Thinking hard, I decided that to push on would not be a great idea – with only two hours of light left, and a bit of a climb to where I needed to go, it would be easy to be caught losing the light. Checking my water provisions, I also realised I had run low. As such, I thought it best to put down for the night rather than push on. I still had days to use if needed – and enough food to extend the trip, if not comfortably.
From one side of the valley, a stream poured down into the river that snaked along not too far from the path itself. I could see that area wasn’t particularly enclosed, nor did it appear to be overly marshy. I chose a slightly elevated position, due to lack of wind, so that I wouldn’t awake to lying in a pool of water.
I fired up the Trangia stove, and after I had fed it enough alcohol, enjoyed my evening meal and a good cup of instant coffee. With the light finally failing me, I lit the storm lantern and enjoyed simply listening to how soundless everything was. Other than the wind, almost nothing stirred in the dark. Eventually, I got tired, turned the light off, and attempted to get some sleep.
The Lamp in the Valley, self taken image
I would not be very successful in this. I may have gotten at most one hour sleep – but woke up for unknown reasons. I wasn’t cold – I had a sufficient sleeping bag and it was incredibly mild for the location at least, and the tent proved itself to be far better than expected and ones I had used in the past. It may have been the sheer power of the full moon – for I was somewhat late in getting to the meeting point for the dragon. I went for a walk to clear my head, leaving the storm lantern to guide my way back to the tent when needed. The air was beautifully fresh – but eventually began to work its way in through my clothes. As such, I eventually went back to the tent and awaited dawn.
This is the only clear picture I will share of the valley itself – because it is simply magical. Waking up to see the fog rolling over the lake and into the valley was something special indeed. The tent can be seen in the background of this image, almost looking like a rock, blending in well with the surrounding environment. The morning was VERY fresh – and after a quick bit of breakfast, I cleaned my things in the stream then packed up to begin the walk towards the tarn itself.
Waking in the Valley, self taken image
I got back onto the path and began the walk deeper into the valley. Climbing up the broken stone path. Even with my walking stick (a consecrated blackthorn stick, empowered with Hecates blessing) it was slow and tedious going. As I rounded the corner, I could see the old climbing lodge far in the distance, further up the valley. This lodge would mark where I had to leave the path and begin the climb up the tarn itself.
I continued on, trying to keep my mental reserves, if not physical ones, topped up by thinking of the benefits of performing the rite. Looking at the climb up, I can’t say at that point I had no doubts that I was capable of doing this – as I got closer I could see just how steep it was. Without any indication of how to climb the somewhat acute slope, with significant load, I knew it would potentially be touch and go for someone with as little experience as myself.
I was about halfway to the lodge when I came across a small bridge, that crossed the river that went across the valley. The weather again was good.. possibly too good for a climb. So I took some time to first collect some more water, before having a refreshing paddle in the stream. It was so clear – almost impossibly so it seemed. I came across a few others hiking here – I had a conversation with a few of them, but almost none seemed to know of my destination, pushing onto another, well travelled tarn further along the path. Despite my destination, for all intents and purposes, being just over the next ridgeline.
Lingcove Bridge, photographer unknown
I reached the hiking lodge probably around midday – the exact time now eludes me. I had take it somewhat slowly in getting to this point, and looking up at the slope that now towered over me, I was very, very thankful I had decided NOT to climb into the cove the previous night. In low light, it is very likely something would have gone very wrong. I stopped at the Climbing Lodge to actually have lunch – a pre-packaged affair of chicken curry. This tasted far better than it had any right to, and it was just enough calories to get me up to my destination. I hadn’t packed copious amounts of food – certainly on the lighter end, and not enough to replace energy used to get up here I realised. My entire plan was to go as light as I could, get the ritual done, then come back.
At this point, it is probably a good idea to review what the aim of all this was. It is to be noted, that I was carrying the six anchor stones from the sea, up to elevation, as part of the formula to open the necessary Dragon gate. These were not particularly light, make up at least a fifth of total pack weight. The sea stones, were absolute required in order to unite with the heights and draw down the dragon – this was part of the formula sent, by Surgat, in close work. As such, not taking them was not an option and other sacrifices needed to be made in regards to gear and provisions.
Once I had prepared myself, I set off back behind the lodge for the climb. It was initially hard, but quickly got worse. The cove was a primary source for the now somewhat small stream – and much of the slope was very boggy. It also possessed holes between the foliage which would easily snap an ankle, even when wearing good boots – channels that they had grown over and hidden. The stave came in great use here, checking to see if ground was firm before I stepped onto it.
Spotting a ridgeline which may be shallower, I decided to make for it. But the slope had now gotten so steep, I felt like to stand with such a heavy pack (which was shifting weight despite my attempts) may cause me to be pulled backwards and cause a nasty, potentially life threatening fall. As such, I decided to do the next leg on my hands and knees. This is how large periods of this climb now went – crawling, at times swearing to myself and cursing my stupidity at how this whole endeavour was a bad idea. One that was probably going to get me injured or worse, killed.
I made the ridgeline, and by Hecate, I could see that there was indeed a path that went up into the cove at the foot of the tarn – at least a way that was far easier in terms of foliage and slope, than the one I was at first forced to utilise.
This ridgeline was still quite precarious, leaving not much room for error. The final part sloped down to meet a waterfall in the distance, where it was evident any fall would result in a good 50 foot drop to my probable immediate misfortune. I pushed past this part, and identified another ridgeline that may take me into the cove itself. The other potential avenues into the cove were all scree slopes – not a great idea to avoid an incident. By this point I decided to just go for it. I put all the remaining power in my legs and went for the final ridge. I got near the lip when they failed me and it had to stop, making sure to fall back up, rather than down the slope.
At this point I looked back and down the valley and realised how high up I was. As someone who does not have a well documented history with heights, I will concede certain parts of my anatomy decided to go on a prompt vacation. The next lip seemed so close and so far. Even as I was getting my heartrate back down to sensible levels, a mountain goat decided to come see what I was up to. It snuffled its way towards me, seemingly completely unbothered by my presence. It got a little bit too curious, and I needed to shoo it away with the stave. I laughed as I collected myself, and realised that for the first time in some twenty four hours I had signal. I needed to share it with someone, as well as my current predicament as my boots pointed down slope and made my call.
Having finished, I told myself I had come this far. Failure was not an option. It was either do – or die. I absolutely refused to give up, stood up, and made the lip of the next ridge.
I emerged into the boggy cove, and broke out into both elation and despair in equal measure. I could see where the tarn was – another 2km across intensely broken, boggy ground and I had used up all my physical and mental resources to even get where I was! I sunk down on my knees and realised that, in some way, I had failed. It would be impossible to make the tarn. With the sun beating down heavily on me, even covered again I was very sunburned and had ran out of water. Part of me wanted to ignore this fact and just push on regardless. But something deep in me cautioned to do so would be to truly screw myself. To cross a boundary beyond pushing my limits into folly. I reached out with my mind toward Hecate and asked her to be present. I initially got no reply. Eventually I got a reply.
‘I have brought you to where you need to be’.
I looked around and laughed. Of course I was. The fresh mountain stream, bursting forth from the spring I could visibly see just a little further up the slope to the peak of mountain, flowed down through the cove and formed a perfect, pool of water. It lazily swirled here, where at one end it cascaded down to tumble over the side of the cove in the very same waterfall I had passed on my way up. This would be a perfect, powerful would-be gate for the ritual. I laughed aloud, and began looking for a place to put down camp. It took awhile to find a space that was remotely acceptable – due to the sheer waterlogged terrain which surrounded me.
Note the above description may come across as overly dramatic, but is an authentic account of my own perceptions. I am sure a more experienced hiker would have still had a hard time, but probably not anywhere near as a hard time as myself. But I had truly felt coming up, that I had to place my life into the hands of my Gods, where one wrong move could have seen a very different outcome to the whole story. With this thought in the back of my head, I set up camp and promptly had a good few hours rest. I got some food in me and awaited the sun to go past the ridgeline that surrounding me on three of four sides.
The Marked Stellar Stones, self taken image
With the hour approaching , I began the setup for the rite itself. I took out the stones, and placed them in a hexagonal formation within the pool itself. Six was a major component in this work – and for these protective stones to do their job it was necessary for them to be placed in such a configuration; that being to both anchor and protect from the Dragons energies.
The light from the storm lantern danced on the pool in the twilight. It was so stunningly beautiful as the sun begin to down, the gold of the sigils reflecting up through the water, bathing me in their light. Using the lantern as anchoring point, I began the ritual creation of circle at twilight, as well as the required evocations of the Trident, in their entirety. Also evoked was another angelic guardian of the highest order – one armed with a lightning-dripping sword. This indicated ward of the rite, being granted in direct work with Lucifer, was to play a centre role in balancing the rite as the Angel of Time linked to Saturn. This was to be specific to this particular performance of this specific rite.
With these ritual actions performed, I summoned the dragon itself. On the opposite cliff face, the dragon answered, relatively rapidly. It appeared as an immense body of light that danced across the entire opposite cliff surface. For a split second it was entirely, physically visible, as a pure body of light until it swept up and over the mountain top. It disappeared then, physically, but etherically assumed a position above the circle itself.
The Dragon by Vera Velichko
With the ritual actions performed, I opened the path in blood. I left the circle of night and descended into the pool itself until, in full possession, I called down the dragon to merge with my own form. This was far more subtle than I expected at first, as it hovered above me. It hung there like a coiled, white mass, its form silvery white in contrast to the being of golden light I had first perceived it as. The sight was regal beyond comprehension, and at that moment as I looked up into the sky, the dragon descended and attempted to swallow my etheric form. Thankfully I was prepared for this – with markings I had drawn onto my flesh, and practiced with Surgat prior to commencing on this adventure.
With one hand I held energetically onto the floor, and with the other, reached inside the dragon itself. With some resistance (surely little from the dragons perspective), I wrapped my hand around something ‘fleshy’ and pulled. The Dragon withdrew, and in my hands I perceived a beating heart or seed. Wordlessly, the Dragon of the Sky told me I had succeeded in a test of strength – not just with it, but in the entire performance of the pilgrimage to this very pool. He had known I would come. There was but one thing left to do. I put my hands to my mouth and consumed the etheric flesh. It felt very real, bloody and rich. As I swallowed I tried not to gag, and it was with conscious effort my body did not immediately reject it into the pool. As soon as I had done so, I felt my form absolutely fill with fire. A series of voces magicae issued forth from my mouth, and the Dragon withdrew a little bit more, to give me more space. We were fully separated now – for what it was worth, due to its energies now surging through my blood.
At this point, the light was getting extremely dim. I spent a few minutes in the presence of the Gods and Dragon in ecstatic victory. I had managed. I had completed my task. I closed down the ritual, gathered my things. As I did so I disturbed something. A frog leapt up, bounded away, and headed down towards the star pool. I remember the dead amphibian, I had seen on my way here two days prior, and laughed at the obvious, on the nose symbolism. Retreating to my tent, it didn’t take too long for me to fall soundly asleep. My dreams were vivid – of flight, of journey. I remember waking up the following morning, wrapped in my sleeping bag, feeling like I had slept for a thousand years – in reality, probably all of nine hours.
The Morning on the Mountain, self taken image
I looked out over the entrance to the valley, and took in the sunrise, as I packed my kit. It was beautiful to see, and I felt at peace. The return journey down the slope, whilst in no way easy, was far easier now I knew a somewhat acceptable route to take up and down the cove entrance. The stones I left in the pool, and the gateway slightly ajar – as a permanent, stellar temple gateway to the Dragon of the Sky. This is what the Dragon had requested, it its own, wordless intuitive way. Only now did I realise that, unlike the others, this Dragon had not at all, uttered communication in what could even inwardly be described as formed words. In time, the stones will undoubtedly be washed down into the stream and by extension the valley below. Anyone wanting to evoke the dragon fully should carry a new set after all, as is fitting sacrifice, and to maintain the space. But the gate now stands open on the inner planes, and will for a long time allow for stellar ingress and egress for those who have the sight to see and the training to fully utilise such a gate. In future, I may again make this journey- to maintain and reconnect with this stellar entity – but it is unlikely to be anytime soon.
The walk back was made far easier by no longer having the weight of the stones, and I treated myself to a hearty dinner when back in civilization before heading back to my starting point. There I relaxed, so thoroughly elated that I had completed my mission, and revealed I had made it back to tell the tale without incident.
I will end this entry there. This full moon, there is more to do, as eluded to in the opening few paragraphs. More to decode, to write, to draw, to experience, before the Samhain season hits in full and work and attention needs turning to the next initiation here. But to all that has read the above, I hope it has served as both entertaining tale, as well as informative piece, on the Rite of the Stellar Dragon, who is named in old tales and myths as Ziz.
‘To You, O Stellar Dragon of the Sky, Coiled Serpent of Prismatic Light Ye who dances upon the Peaks of Eternity Given praise by an Echoing Song, Which travels on an Endless Sea of Shifting Stars I lift now my voice, I beseech you now, In Love, In Honour, Reveal to the Race of the Self Cursed, The Path to the Endless Heavens O Great Magnificent Scaled One Ophidian Child of The Great Witch Queen Show the Way to the Bountiful Fruit of the Gods, To the Shining Celestial Tree And Pour Forth Thy Healing Waters, That which you righteously command, In the name of the Firstborn of the Great Goddess, Send now, O Fanged One The Power with which to to break our Cycle of Fate. In the name of the Most Holy, The Queen of Heaven, So shall it Be.’
The last few months have been powerful ones from a personal and spiritual perspective, to say the least. All in a positive manner I may add, helping to ground and earth the work going forward.
Within the last two weeks, me and the other half disappeared off into the woods of the Lake District to call up the Gods and Spirits of our craft, because we felt a need. Taking the oil lamp, we ventured to a place we had found earlier in the week; a small island in the middle of the river, forming a crossroads of sorts that would be ideal for our rite.
The countryside there is a beautiful place to do true magick. The first journey to scout out the woods at night saw us basically tripping over frogs / toads, who were making short work of the slugs and other critters that had crawled out to enjoy the damp English weather. That night was also so very quiet, one could hear the deer moving through the vegetation, curious as to who had decided to enter their home in the odd hours.
The night of the actual working, the sky was overcast, but overall it was thankfully dry, and we managed to get to the site undisturbed and without incident. What can be told of the ritual is unfortunately little as it has to remain somewhat secret, as it had profound personal impact. But what can be shared follows.
When the invocations to construct the circle was given, Belial physically manifested in the east end of the circle, briefly. This took me by surprise – the ritual was not led by myself but her, with me essentially fulfilling a support role. As such I had expected something more subtle. On reflection, this was a rather silly presumption given the sheer energy on the walk there and my knowledge of her prior working history. But still, Belial came, in a strong fashion. His host themselves arrived when the full invocation was given, post circle construction, in old English. These spirits were not easily visible in the dark. But their voices could be physically heard as a vast murmur, awaiting answer. All around the circles edge they seemed to swarm – individual voices could not be discerned. Bats swarmed around the circles edge as well, making audible clicks, the energy of the ritual having also seemed to increase their number. When Belial was satisfied, the unexpectedly theurgic work was closed, and devotionals performed.
The amount of energy, for what we had anticipated, came as a big shock. This small ritual proved to be far larger of a bigger occasion than expected. But the amount of energy it brought, and the amount of both healing and empowerment it bestowed, were sorely needed I believe for both of us.
Forest at night, Unknown
Writing this now, I can remember the feeling of the night vividly. To walk into the dark, away from civilization, and to call up those forces is for me THE fundamental part of witchcraft. To exercise the inner fire, to have that bravery to call out to the Gods in that space were one cannot control all the variables – but instead communicate and if needs be, contend with primal forces to reach beyond the veil – is the Arte. It highlights the weakness in modern forms of craft, done nice and safely in the warm comforts of the home, in a sharp contrasting light. Whilst there is nothing wrong with that, there is a certain level of frustration watching ‘experts’ speak on the craft, when they have never once set foot outside of their bedrooms to risk anything. To experience the raw reality. As if they are afraid of confronting magickal truth. This stunts growth – as one can only grow magickally by pushing ones own boundaries and taking (sensible, considered) risks.
This brings me onto my work with Surgat, which has been most rewarding on this front. He is a being that continually challenges me to push boundaries. The first was the taking of his mark, as mentioned in a prior blog post. But convincing him to actually give the necessary keys, and required gnosis for this particular upcoming dragon working, has not been easy. Even with the pact sealed, Surgat does not particularly care for our Race. The depiction of him as given in the The Red King by Mark Alan Smith is accurate – but nothing except seeing him face to face as it were will do him justice. Surgat appears as what can only be described as cold fire, that drips with a certain authority that can not be described but only experienced.
That said, with persistence, the initial six keys for the current dragon work have been successfully obtained. In addition, Surgat gave two other marks, that are to be drawn on the hands. These will allow for the currents to be better directed whilst calling down the Sky Dragon, ensuring that the possession itself will be successful. Without these quasi-wards (albeit that is an oversimplification), one would be at risk of being overwhelmed when standing in the wild waters and earthing its current into ones own form.
Black fire, Unknown
Surgat I feel is vastly underestimated, even in our own work. As designated gatekeeper of the current, I feel that few people have done much demonstrable work with him – other than those who I know who have worked specifically through The Red King. This is in despite of him coming through in the original Queen of Hell and being highlighted with some importance. I know that he will play an important part in my own work, and the work of the Stellar Temple here going forward. I’d urge that feel like they can take that extra step, aware they will be challenged, to explore this avenue with Him.
Much more work is still to be done for this rite. The work this coming full moon will hopefully bestow upon me the opening seal, which is required to correctly carry out the ritual – without this, the path into the vortex to be constructed cannot be opened. There is still much to do for the physical planning of the ritual as well. At the moment, I hope to have it done around the end of August, giving plenty of time for acquiring some more equipment to make the hike to and from the site more manageable. It is a long time since I’ve gone even anything close resembling wild camping, and in a country where there exist no inherent right to wild camp, I’m expecting it to potentially ‘get interesting’. But the chosen site (or sites, as there are in fact two candidates) are both remote enough that shouldn’t be a problem upon reaching them. Both are at elevation and considerable distance away from anything of ‘interest’ to most normal people in the small hours.
Outside of the above it has been a particularly interesting month for certain types of.. dissuading work. Time was given over to working closer with the Chimera contained within the spirit box. Via intuition, methods of commanding the Chimera to deal with an arising situation was given. The command and binding sigils used in this work, pierced with the holy blackthorn, was more than effective enough to accomplish this. The use of these tools caused the Chimeras attention to be turned to two individuals who had caused significant problems for a good friend of mine. A situation they had inflicted upon her, of no fault of her own, including getting physical with her without provocation. The Chimera affected almost instant poltergeist activity against the offenders – this occurred the following morning whilst I was talking to her, much to her delight. This shows the physical effectiveness of such actions, when correctly carried out with support of the witch gods. What can be shared of this further is obviously little until the situation has fully resolved – if anything – but as of last speaking, both these people were going far, far away. A successful result if ever there was one.
Lastly, the week has seen the start of a full reorganisation of the Temple texts. The initiation of a new black degree candidate this coming Samhain has necessitated a overhaul of both the process and teaching material documents, with many new texts being written. I hope to build on these going forward, so that I can build a solid process to help train future stellar initiates. This however, takes a backseat to the personal work as my primary aim remains the completion of the Dragon Workings.
Hopefully this gives an insight into the activity here. Still kicking – still going – after a very challenging year and a half, which I feel has certainly been felt by all. I hope that by Samhain, both the dragon rites are all polished off and we will be welcoming a new black initiate.
Hail to you Hecate, Lord of the Dragon of the Sky, Whose Tail coils in the Depths, Whose Body encircles the Earth, Whose Jaws holds the Cosmos, Hear my Prayer, Pour out your Starfire onto the Earth Fill us with your Divine Light Heal our souls, Relieve our burdens, And set us free, O Green Eyed Queen, Of Highest Heaven ~S~
A lot has happened in a year… if 2019 was the zenith, 2020 has certainly been the nadir. I feel that many of us feel that way – having dealt with (and continue to deal with) the fallout the pandemic has brought to our personal, professional, and spiritual lives.
So this year, Samhain is a difficult one to celebrate. How do we dig deep and perform our devotionals in a year such as this? It is simply because we must. Regardless, the wheel of the world turns, and the only route forward is upwards and onwards. This is not something that is easy for me to say, for the year has cost me dearly.
I can now state publicly that my father died around two weeks ago, which came as a difficult shock to say the least. Hecate heard my prayers, and a situation that could have been long and drawn out was thankfully, and mercifully, brought to a swift close.
For the temple it has been a rollercoaster as well. This year marked the temples first full Black Degree initiate, as well some of the most powerful rites performed (in regards to the dragons) and in regards gnosis granted from such. However, the pandemic slowed down construction work on finalising the interior space and altars, and has created some distance between me and the initiate (albeit, they are still involved with the Temple and myself, in a different capacity).
That said, Samhains Eve has blown me away. The Facebook group for the current carried out a powerful devotional rite, and I’ve been really touched and impressed by how people have taken to it – with very physical results for many of the rites. We have also had many long term neophytes finally initiate. To all of these people I extend a warm hand of welcome, I hope Hecate takes you in hand and delivers you to where you need to go on this path and current. You do not walk alone.
I have also gone ahead and offered another devotee the chance to initiate at the Stellar Temple.. something I hope he is able to pursue in the future. Seeing beyond this turning inward, I can see an explosion of growth. The future for the current and stellar way is bright – I can see it in the loving hearts of its devotees, in the stillness of night.
Whilst I decided to not share the full devotional rite, as I want to keep it specifically for those actively involved in the current who could get direct feedback, I wanted to tonight share the devotional prayers we utilised for our group working with the wider community. I hope they are a blessing in dark times…. with adaptation they could be used in any Sabbat or Esbat working, but I feel they are particularly powerful at this time of death and renewal. A short post but one I wanted to very much make.
Blessed be to all on this, our most hallowed of nights. Let our minds turn to the Old Gods and our Dearly Departed, as we celebrate and journey to the Sabbat Mount…
So it has been a quiet but quite productive last few months. Planning for the next and final dragon ritual is well underway, and I’m hoping that the climate as it were will be conducive for its performance as required on this part of the path: under the open sky, in a remote high up place of power. Only this will be suitable for the calling in of the next dragon, communing with it in the hopes of acquiring what is necessary, and thus opening the way to the completion of Lucifers Stellar Pillar Gate.
In the meantime, the state of the World Soul has been quite difficult to navigate. On the immediate astral or mirror world, and the the deeper inner planes, the turmoil of the above is reflected on the below. This can cause the effect of feeling as if one is swimming through a thick soup – and generally is something hard to deal with. That is not saying anything of the additional stresses that the current situation has brought upon everyone that can tangibly felt.
This is the perfect time to take solace in our work and our patrons, and do work which can help alleviate this somewhat. Hecate and Lucifer have given us the tools to connect to them, and find the strength we need. In the primal craft group on that social media site(tm), I decided to ask the following which got a great response.
‘How much does song / music play into your devotional or ritual work with the Goddess? I know that there are some wonderful musicians in here, but not just music, but as in devotional song or prayer. How do you fit it in to your practice? Do you find it helps revitalise you given the current situation? And have any of you used it in inner planes work?’
I got an absolute deluge of fantastic answers from the very talented people in the community, as to what worked for them or conversely, what didn’t (just as important when it comes to solid connection during ritual and devotional practice).
For my own part, I have used song in devotional practice for awhile now. This is one of the ways in which I connect to and draw down Hecate, in preparation for greater work and simply as a form of worship. A term some might not be comfortable with, but which I see as important when our path is a devotional one. I have used select songs for initiation and ritual work at the temple, and although i’m not particularly musically gifted, have utilised instruments in ritual to some potent effect.
Hymn to Hekate, by Magin Rose, an excellent modern contribution for devotional work.
In particular, and the reason for this post formulating in my mind in the first place, was the occurrence of the use of song not on the physical, but on the astral planes, and the potential for vast changes it instilled upon me as a possibility. This is something I have done for awhile on a very low level, but I only saw the true power of it whilst journeying the other night. What happened seemed to be on a whole other scale, an incident which I will now relate.
Whilst travelling, I had penetrated into a dark, expansive plain of grey that was mostly featureless – just dust swirling around me in all directions creating a fine mist that made it difficult to see. It tasted like fine cement or ash, as if it was what remained after a huge fire had swept through the area. At the time , I felt strangely disorientated, lost, and lacking power. One of the ways to earth in such a situation is to use the sigil of the three crossed staves, or if wanting to return immediately, the sigil of universal gateways to return without disorientation to ones body. Both of these did not seem appropriate – it felt like I was in this place for a purpose. That I could not leave until someone had been done, enacted, architected, built.
So I tried something new. I simply began singing, directed at Hecate, to bring in as much power as I could to this otherwise empty and desolate place. It felt like only her power, brought into where I was, could change the landscape before me and knit together what I felt was missing. Fill what was hollow. I began singing.. a simple hymn of the temples own devising here (written by the initiate), and felt the dust begin to swirl. Over time i could feel it whipping up in a roar, and started to change colour. First, it slowly transformed into dull yellow as colour bled in. It seemed to intensify, coalescing into a shape or figure, and the glow became a mix of deep oranges. This soon solidified into intense, rich golds as the form of Hekate Phosphorous appeared, blazing from head to foot. The harmonic resonance of the plane seemed to match that of my own voice, as warmth and colour bled outwards back into the entire area. The song evolved, flowing naturally.
Hekate Phosphorous by Hellfurian-Guard
This elevated to a merging of myself and the plane with Hecate herself, a sort of planar transvocation. The sheer stellar and empyric power that poured out of her and into and through me was of a level I have not experienced with her in this form up to this point. As the crescendo built to climax, I returned to my body suddenly, bolt awake. There was no boundary at all, as if it was completed with the snap of someones fingers. I felt intensely energised, the waves of stellar energy still vibrating up and down along the spine. I let the energies calm before getting on with the rest of my day, mentally filing away the occurrence as something to detail when possible.
The exact nature of what permanent change may or may not have occurred is not yet apparent, nor have I been able to identify the plane where this occurred with any certainty. I feel it was a subplane connected to the world soul, that part of the near astral. It is something I look forward to exploring further, especially now the efficacy of performing magic with song on the planes has been revealed to me. I would be interested, as to if anyone else has had any experiences doing similar whilst travelling in such a manner.
Wrapped in the Flames of the Goddess, We walk in and by her Light, Through the Dark Places Of Old Witch Night
An interesting and much needed topic to address, on a very dreary, wet and windy day over my way. As a quick aside, I wish everyone well in the current turbulent times and hope everyone is well and prepared. On to the post.
There were recently some unfortunate circumstances in the wider Primal Craft community – and I think that some of the lessons learned there would be of benefit to others who read the blog. As such ill jump straight into it. This may seem a little preachy – but it is vital that people reflect on the concept of taboo and how it applies to witchcraft practice as its a vital part of our praxis.
Taboo is a word that entered the english lexicon from the Tongan word ‘tabu’, and means in both languages that which is ‘set apart, forbidden’. In witchcraft practice, and especially Primal Craft practice, knowing about this concept and where it is applies is extremely important.
This goes doubly so, when there are no ‘formal written rules’, like much of witchcraft, but instead where the practitioner must use good common sense based on a relationship with their fellow craft members and the Spirits and Gods of the current.
In the ‘witchcraft’ community these days, there is a tendency to overshare all aspects of the craft. From ‘instagram’ witches to televangelist style ‘LHP’ youtube channels, unfortunately the last few years we have seemed to hit peak ‘pop exposure’. In my mind, none of this serves to further the actual craft – all of it being mostly for self serving ego trips, or simply a quick buck. Even amongst genuine practitioners, it is sometimes hard to know what should be, and what should not be, shared. It is something I personally struggle with – wanting to illustrate and share the stellar, primal magick I practice, whilst at the same time leaving enough occulted to protect both myself and others and to keep to my understanding of magickal taboo. Looking into the history of the craft can help illuminate the way forward.
‘Sabbatic Goat’, original artist Eliphas Levi, print artist unknown
The famous occultist Eliphas Levi, was the first to articulate what would become known as the Witches Pyramid. This became woven into the magickal practices of the Golden Dawn and thus into many Modern Witchcraft practices which were heavily inspired by western ceremonial magic. This list of four principles, sometimes expanded to five by some, is described in Levis book ‘Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual’, as follows:
“To attain the SANCTUM REGNUM, in other words, the knowledge and power of the Magi, there are four indispensable conditions an intelligence illuminated by study, an intrepidity which nothing can check, a will which cannot be broken, and a prudence which nothing can corrupt and nothing intoxicate. TO KNOW, TO DARE, TO WILL, TO KEEP SILENCE such are the four words of the Magus, inscribed upon the four symbolical forms of the sphinx.”
This witches tool is where we can begin. As we can see, Levi used the words ‘TO KEEP SILENCE’, but many witches today replace this with the much improved sounding ‘to keep silent’. Silence can mean many things when we look at it – not only is it about keeping literal silence, but also is about discernment – knowing when to speak – and when to instead, focus on listening. This is something lost in our modern social media world – many are only interested in speaking. This holds them back and leads to grave mistakes. Thinking one holds the answers all the time is not conducive to further learning. Instead, silence encourages us to listen to our internal voice of discernment, rather than rushing and making mistakes, and that of others who are knowledgeable where they they offer wisdom and guidance.
In Levis day it also had another meaning – witchcraft was looked on as extremely socially unacceptable and that came with in many cases, severe repercussions not just from the community, but from the judicial system. This is still the case in many parts of the world, where ironically witchcraft itself is a taboo, and punishments can mean death for practitioners. There they do not have our freedoms to plaster up calling cards to dangerous entities as tweets, without getting hauled off to a very real dungeon.
In regards to magickal taboo, we can see the echos of the witches pyramid within it. There is a power in silence – ‘power shared is power lost’ and other sayings found in even wider culture reinforce this.
When it comes to Trident Craft, there are certain elements that are certainly taboo for me. Sharing full altar images publicly is one of them – there may be sigils that are not meant for the eyes of the profane, those who are not initiated into the current. As a meeting point between the worlds between me and the Gods, contamination from outside is not acceptable when performing the higher theurgic rites and can have severe consequences. The only time ive shared such images was is one of a torn down altar as it was a requirement to join the Covenant of Hecate – the altar having been ‘sanitised’ of anything sensitive – or between close working initiated witches who I was demonstrating particular setups and the reasoning behind it for learning purposes.
For similar reasons I won’t share pictures of certain sigils, or even publicly available sigils blooded these days. That work is sacred and not for display on the internet, and is debatable to share even within an outer court group where everyone may not be self initiates. There are real energetic links there that can be significantly disturbed if shared inappropriately.
The risk in certain cases can be even worse, at least someone who believes like me that the Gods do not take kindly to those who profane the work. This doubly goes where such profanation is done to rake a profit at the expense of the gullible. For example, maybe someone new to occultism will see a sigil and try to activate it in blood, causing them severe issues as they have not done the needed preparatory work, up to and including an early death. That mistake, would be to an extent on the person who shared the original sigil, so it is something I just try to not court.
Silence,” by Igor Stevanovic
This amplifies when dealing with the Atlantean current, which is incredibly heavy and raw. There is a reason that there exists many pass me knots before serious work with it can begun, and why it is reiterated time and time again it is not for the initiate but the adept. My experience at the Temple of Four Pillars of Fire and subsequent small encounters with Sepheranz has taught me to show nothing but the deepest of respect to her, with the healthy dose of fear that does accompany such work. One should know ones place, when working with such Gods, to an extent. Only from this position can the work be effectively approached. This is again something that has been lost in modern magick – leading to an explosion of ego and bad practice. Missteps with those beings can be permanent and see destructive soul change that cannot be repaired.
This is also the reason I have uploaded fewer and fewer PDFs in recent years. The current ‘route’ I am taking is quite untraveled – until i have reached to a safe plateau where I can detail the route in full, it would be idiotic to encourage others to climb that exact same route without a proper map. Therefore only sharing the more exoteric aspects, I am able to keep people informed and guide without revealing anything that could cause potential issues. The work I am doing now is simply not for sharing in full at this time. Whenever, and if ever, the gnosis is released from the temple here it will be in a complete form that guides the seeker to the correct stellar gates and work.
As such these taboos exist within our craft to separate the mundane and the magickal, and to protect non initiates. It is also used to correctly teach the principles that are expressed through the current – diligence, devotion, love, and a balance between a certain selflessness coupled with a desire for self perfection. What they are not is arbitrary rules that aren’t based on solid foundations – but instead based on occult logic that has always persisted in the oldest mystery traditions, all the way back in human history. Unspoken but ever present rules of conduct that we can find echoed through Levis words and our practice today, having survived as magickal axioms. By following and understanding them, especially the rule of ‘TO KEEP SILENCE’ in modern times, we are able to find the correct balance between disclosure and logical secrecy.
This balance is what alot of what calls itself ‘Left Hand Path’ has seemingly lost in the west. Caught up in race to the bottom wrapped up in their money making egregores, it is not a surprise that many of these adherents are also gear using junkies who have made very little progress and have no sense of any kind of moral compass. It lays itself bare in most cases as simple juvenile delusion.
Instead, we should be following the examples of the Magi of old and the principles passed down by them, the natural principles of magickal logic. Give me a handful of witches that truly understand these axioms wrapped so succinctly by Levi; for I am sure they would produce far more valuable work than 100 times the number ignorant hylics could produce in my estimation.
‘Ave Hecate, Ancient and Unconquerable One, In Whose Abyss the Stars Strive Drawing Trails of Fire in the Nights Sky To Know! To Dare! To Will! To Keep Silent! This is our witches way, Guide us forever onward, Let us not wander lost, Let us not stumble and fall, Like the corrupt Atlantean Priests of Old Guide us forever onward True as the hunters arrow, Until we reach your silvered throne, O Green Eyed Queen of Heaven’
With Samhain now receding (although that said, a truly cunning witch knows how to make this blessed Sabbat extend for quite a while into November!), I want to make the post I alluded to in earlier entries.
This is a difficult one, to the point that is almost impossible to put to paper. Only those who have invoked Lucifer in high levels of possession will be able to truly understand the content here at an emotional and spiritual level, but it is one I want to try to convey.
Lucifers current is the lifeblood of mans universe, and can be physically experienced inside and outside of ritual in various forms. It can be felt as an electricity permeating the body, and can be raised to extremely euphoric levels by those who have become sufficiently tied to him via theurgic work. A side effect of this bringing closer of this current is that it can start to be Heard. This starts as a simple rhythmic pulsating beat as it animates the flesh lent to us by Belial, which becomes detectable when doing higher level workings. As one becomes more sensitive, one can begin to tune into it on an audible level – where it can be perceived as a persistent high vibrational tone, changing between consonant and dissonant tones constantly, both a chorus and drone lain out over the other.
This current is extremely empowering and life giving. Channelled in and outside of ritual it can be used to create extremely strong circles of power, even outside of any corresponding ritual action. Part of this is alluded to in the entry on the Synchronomicon. It can renew physical and mental exhaustion, and has positive healing effects on the entire body. That said, I want to talk about its counterpoint in the main today. This is where this entry comes into its own, for Lucifer also has a ‘dark side’ – and in no way is this the one that is often presumed and presented by juvenile minds. This is the current which I now detail.
The Laughing Jester (15th Century, artist unknown)
This particular current is overpowering. So strong in fact, that it can push well beyond euphoria into a manic sort of madness, and threatens to overcome all sense and reason when encountered. This is the black solar force that contrasts Lucifers bright side – the sinistral side of the Lord of The City of Pyramids. It would be foolish to think that this force can in anyway be controlled when channelled if it was not moderated in some fashion in it’s flow. Even when allowed to come through in a filtered way within the circle, the mania induced can sometimes threaten to divert or derail the operation being performed, and only experience can allow for the thin line to be rode in this regard to produce the desired theurgic effects.
In this way Lucifer reveals the other side of him that I’ve simply come to call the Laughing God aspect, for lack of a better description. In this aspect Lucifer becomes the Fool and The Emperor combined, and everything seems to descend into chaos without rhyme or reason – in this aspect the universe of man appears a sheer force of uncontrollable competing will without governance, any concept of ‘good’ or ‘evil’ melts away accompanied with really any objective sense of reality. The vibrational tone mentioned before becomes maddeningly loud, threatening to overcome the self and shatter the mind like a mirror exposed to a sharp blow. This reveals Lucifers destructive and decomposing aspects which rend all structures into their components, returning them to their most base form. This drone at this point becomes almost indistinguishable with the droning of the Great Abyss – not surprising when we consider his relationship to it and one of the highest works of theurgy, the Rite of the Phoenix.
This is the necessary balance inherent in Lucifers divine form, and is the force which prevents stagnation in the great cycle. It is perhaps better if it is not perceived as a dualistic force at all – as I suspect that perception itself results from our unique position as incarnated beings existing primarily within a particular point in spacetime. For example, just as heat gives life but at high temperatures it breaks down bonds of molecules, so does Lucifers energy act on everything. The souls of our universe paradoxically rely on Lucifers energy – for without it they would not be able to exist – but at the same time in this state they are always on the verge of being overcome by the very energy that empowers and grants them the power inherent in divine will. In this form Lucifer becomes the master of the Great Dance of the Sabbat, but it its most wild and unrestrained form. He becomes the Eternal Dance, over which Hecate alone seems to have control and direction, whilst simultaneously being an ever present and active participant herself.
2017 Totality by John Christiansen
The devotee who is able to understand and tap into this power with Lucifers help and channel it successfully (by no means an easy feat) will truly begin to work with this great entity at the level required for the deeper work of this arte. Whilst he is best approached by many through his lighter aspects (in my opinion), facing and assimilating the gnosis of his full nature allows for a transcendent understanding and experience, which takes the great work much further for the individual concerned. It is exactly this innate understanding of his dissolving force which is needed to truly appreciate, understand, and process the nigredo stages of alchemy and survive it successfully.
As stated at the beginning, most of the above is truly impossible to relate with words alone. It must be felt, and experienced, through many repeat occurrences of successful possession work. I hope this small detailing of this aspect gives enough context and contrast with previous posts to help those who are working with him get orientated if nothing more.
From myself and the spirits here, I wish you all a productive dark half of the year as we go towards the winter solstice. May you work be beneficial and fruitful in the nights to come.
Ave Lucifer, Laughing God! Lord of Madness! Master of the Dark and Light of the Sun!
Pour forth thy Poisons of the Highest and Lowest Paths Dissolving all which stands in Our Way, We shed ourselves of False Ego,
Like the Sacred Serpent As we journey this Road Beyond, We walk In Love and Devotion Unfailing, Yearning, Following, The Sunset of Amenta
~S~
The Luciferian Revolution 