Archive for the The Temple of the Ivory Spider Category

Under the Rays of the Goddess – Souls immersed in Kalas

Posted in Primal Craft, Publications, The Path of Flames, The Temple of the Ivory Spider with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2023 by Sypheara

So, very good news here from the burgeoning temple group in the north of the UK. Today, under the glow of the moon, the commencement of the formal training of two initiates, and one dedicant began. Whilst the coven here has been carrying out workings since the winter solstice of last year, this marks the commencement of actual teaching independent of the coven rites of celebration and practical witchcraft.

It is a great honor to be able to work with these dedicated individuals. They who have throughout all their time knowing me personally, have shown themselves to be people who will not fall short of the tasks ahead of them. The first matter of course will be teaching the basics and essentials of witchcraft, before easing them into the work contained within Queen of Hell and the temple specific stellar work. The work, formulated mainly on open exercises to help tailor it to the individuals progress, I expect to be of much benefit to them. Putting this together has, and is quite difficult, as I try to both guide but also not dictate – something important in the Primal Craft ethos of teaching. I look forward massively to seeing how things develop for our tight knit group.

In addition, personal circumstances have also opened further ways of working in the wilds. Places that are beyond warm and cosy rooms, that accelerate the work and provide direct access to the gods and spirits of the craft in Their World. One such location is primed for potential further outer gateway work. I am very excited to see where those possibilities take us in the near future.

Work with spirits of land and plant familiars also return to the coven power that was stolen and appropriated during the lockdowns. This will allow for the full return of connection to powerful genius loci, allowing its energy to flow unheeded despite the weak wills of others who seek to interfere with the craft of the wise to their own detriment.

Picture of the Full Moon, Photographer Unknown

It was also this week that there was an announcement from the Mother Temple of a new edition of Queen of Hell, containing previously out of print material as well as new essays to further expand on the original content. This has been awaited by many people – such material seen in earlier anthologies such as Devoted (I believe) finally being placed back within the Primal Craft umbrella and back in print. This will be of much help to ALOT of people – and ironically comes at a perfect syncretic time for my own group providing information with working with this material – this will be invaluable in ensuring that, on my end, nothing is missed as I facilitate learning the material and polish off my own training.

I didn’t intend to originally make this post, but the synchronicity was such I felt it would be nice to share a small update, as well as to assist the important dissemination of the work. May those who feel threatened by the success of Hecates Primal Current be silenced by the material, which speaks for itself. I feel highly blessed, and privileged, to be surrounded by Devotees who love and immerse themselves in this current!

In Hecates Name,
Bathed in Lucifers Flames,
~S~

Mailshot from the Mother Temple, released 3rd March

‘NEW RELEASE: EXPANDED, ENHANCED. SEMI-DELUXE, LEATHER-BOUND LIMITED RUN, PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED, AND OUT OF PRINT, MATERIAL.

Dear Devotees,

We are creating new and beautiful devoted offerings in an affordable semi-deluxe category. These hand-bound tomes will not only contain material that is long out of print – they will also contain previously unpublished essays detailing work within the Mother Temple, its members, and the Primal Craft Path of Flames. See below for details and purchase/reservation options.

Returning The Primal Witchflame Gnosis in Full

I have been aware for quite some time that many of you would like to acquire the now long out of print essays – those detailing the path and giving overviews of my own work, as well as those which grant a greater understanding of not only my own journey, but the Path of Flames as a whole. For a time, a separate volume containing these and other works was considered. However, a book solely containing such work, without actual ritual application, did not sit well with anyone at the Mother Temple. What we needed was a suitable vessel in which to ensorcel these now out of print works.

In considering the above I did also take note that many people are unable to find a space on the Inner Subscriber Deluxe database.The deluxe solander boxed, millboard-bound books are made with the finest and most expensive materials in the publishing world. Added to that, many people, although they would like to, are unable to pay 600 Euros for such a book.

To that end we wished to create something that was both different, very special, and also a higher calibre than our standard Devotee Editions (classed by many as deluxe level in their own right) but considerably more affordable than the 600 euro 24 Carat Gold Leaf Super Deluxes of which there are normally only 36 copies.

SPECIAL LEATHER-BOUND ENTHRONED BEYOND AKASHA SERIES

The important aspect was reintroducing the out of print work within the Primal Craft fold and, of course, releasing it in devotional hand-bound Grimoires. During communion with Hecate, the instruction to create The Special Limited Enthroned Beyond Akasha Editions was received. These Special Expanded and Enhanced Limited Number Hand-made editions, bound in leather, would be the magickal vessels into which the out of print work would be ensorcelled. They will also contain previously unpublished material in the form of Work from The Mother Temple and Essays detailing the personal path of those inner temple members. The books will also include some previously released tutorials that we believe assist and compliment the work within them. Including, in the case of Queen of Hell, a 6 month ritual instructional template guide to releasing the power and accessing the gateways woven within the book.

The First of these Expanded and Enhanced Enthroned Beyond Akasha Editions:

Queen of Hell – Dark Moon Huntress Edition

This beautiful grimoire is our devoted offering to Hecate in Her role as Queen of Hell. The leather is the colour of the Bloodstone, attained beyond the Gate of the Silver Star. It is also the colour of the Red Andalucian (Atlantean) earth within which the Mother Temple rests, secreted in a forest grove. Lastly, it is reminiscent of the Dragon’s Blood incense used to ensoul the Books with the Bodies of the Gods. As soon as the test binding arrived – we knew this was the perfect cloak in which to ensorcel this body of work. The quality of the artisan binding is nothing short of exquisite. I have included a few photographs to illuminate its beauty, but we are not revealing the actual seals and sigils just yet.

The Special Dark Moon Huntress Edition of Queen of Hell – the First of the Enthroned Beyond Akasha series – will be Hand-Bound in a limited run of only 333 editions, fully bound in Bloodstone Leather. Heavy boards. Silk Book marker. Printed on the finest most luxurious paper in the publishing world. Quality, thick black endpapers – stamped in gold foil. Outer covers stamped front and back in gold foil with the Sacred Seals of The Primal Witchcraft. Gilded pages. Spine stamped in gold with name, title, Primal Craft Seal. Spine stamped with 3 double gold spine bands (6 gold lines) Price 140 Euros plus shipping.

PUBLICATION DATE AUGUST 13TH – PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN – Limited to 333 copies – single run

We expect this edition to sell out. Pre-order your copy to avoid disappointment

Click the link to reserve your copy of this luxurious tome:

CLICK TO PURCHASE QUEEN OF HELL

SPECIAL DARK MOON HUNTRESS EDITION

Contents:

Full Queen of Hell Grimoire

Additional Contents:

1. Two previously out of print essays (out of print circa 2008 and 2009 respectively) detailing overviews of my own Primal Craft Path.

2. One New Previously Unpublished / Unreleased Essay

3. Ritual Template Guide to employing the work within the tome. This explanation will aid your understanding of the work within the tome and guide you over a 6 month period – allowing expansion of magickal abilities and elevation upon The Path of Flames

4. Two Previously released – now reworked – tutorials that we believe vastly compliment and assit the work within Queen of Hell:

Sexual Magickal Possession – The Key to unlocking power within the Primal Craft Grimoires.

Godform Assumption – Trance Mediumship and Communion with the Beloved.

Price 140 Euros plus shipping.

PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN!

Reserve your copy of The Dark Moon Huntress Edition of Queen of Hell by clicking the link:

CLICK TO PURCHASE QUEEN OF HELL

SPECIAL DARK MOON HUNTRESS EDITION

Details of The Enthroned Beyond Akasha Editions

This is a one off edition strictly limited to 333 Hand-bound lether bound, page gilded copies.

There will be no standard version of this tome. We have a Devotee Edition of Queen of Hell. If you wish to collect and own the Full Body of Primal Craft Work – the essays, tutorials and ritual guide – in special edition books; it is recommended to acquire this edition.

There is no limit on the number of copies you may purchase. However, this limited edition will be sold on a first come first served basis. Those devotees who acquire the Dark Moon Huntress Edition will be given first refusal upon release of The Enthroned Beyond Akasha Special Editions of The Red King and The Scorpion God.

The cost of using such beautiful materials is relatively high. I have kept the price of the books as low as possible whilst sustaining the release of the full Enthroned Beyond Akasha Series. To that end we are not making presentation boxes – that would push the cost to high. It is our aim that those people who seek the full body of work – the out of print essays and those who wish to own a special book that is treasured above their working devotee editions – may be able to to acquire all the above with these special edition grimoires.

Despite the many worldwide changes and the extra weight of the books we have opted to keep our postal costs frozen – they remain the same as they were in 2012.

Publication Date: August 13th – Pre-order now open.

We expect this edition to sell out. Pre-order your copy to avoid disappointment

Reserve your copy by clicking this link:

CLICK TO PURCHASE QUEEN OF HELL

SPECIAL DARK MOON HUNTRESS EDITION

Each Book will be Hand-numbered, Signed, Sigilised and Individually consecrated as The Dark Moon Huntress aspect of The Body of Hecate. Woven within the consecrations and into the pathways within the book is the Gateway to the Queen of Hell’s Throne.

The Legacy of Primal Craft

Right now every aspect of our lives is immersed in digital technology. But mark my words, one day it will all be gone. several large blasts of EMP or a sufficiently large cataclysmic event (be that man-made or ELE via the rebalancing of World Soul) – and that is it! Books however, will always survive. Not all of them – but enough. Come fire, flood, quake. There will always be surviving people and there will always be books. For the continuation of its praxis, the Current, and the Understanding of The Primal Craft as a whole, this is extremely important. Be it descendants of collectors or practitioners, that which is ensorcelled within printed, hand-bound books, will support the legacy of the Primal Craft – aiding those who pass the praxis on to their kin; awakening those who rediscover this Arte. This was at the forefront of our minds when we sought the requisite vehicle through which to return the gnosis in the essays and place into the grimoires some of the tutorials and guides.

QUEEN OF HELL – ENHANCED, EXPANDED DARK MOON HUNTRESS EDITION

Price 140 Euros plus shipping.

PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN!

Reserve your copy of The Dark Moon Huntress Edition of Queen of Hell by clicking the link:

CLICK TO PURCHASE QUEEN OF HELL

SPECIAL DARK MOON HUNTRESS EDITION

Immerse the Soul. within the Current, in Truth,

Cross not, the Scythe Lord, Qayin,

Break not the Pact,

Betray not the Emissary,

Drink Deep of Sepheranz’ Grail,

Hold Fast to the Path of Flames,

In the Shadow of Belial’s Trident,

Cast By Lucifer’s Fire,

In Nomine Hecate.

Mark’

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Success through Putrefaction – Third Initiate, Black Degree

Posted in The Path of Flames, The Temple of the Ivory Spider with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 27, 2022 by Sypheara

It is with the utmost pleasure that I make an announcement in regards to the Temple work here.

Those who follow the blog may remember that, this time last year, one of our initiation candidates passed their ordeal and was initiated fully into the Black Degree.

Well it is again a great joy to confirm that another candidate has been successful at passing their ordeal, and acquiring the black degree as part of our ongoing work.

This particular candidate I have worked with on and off for over seven years now, and always pondered whether our work would eventually dovetail within the same house, as it were. I would never have believed that this would be the year they would undergo the Trial of Putrefaction – going on to succeed above and beyond my expectations. This period of work follows a time of very intense, close workings with the Trident – work that was carried out over the preceding last three months.

This, as always, was required to assess whether they were both suitable and ready to take this large step. These rites needed to be performed by the seeker, as well as verified by me as Magister to ensure that everything aligned properly and that it was right to continue.

This comes after a year of hard work, trusting in the Gods to ensure that the temple plan unfolds as it should – directed by our growing, collective will. The candidate made the leap with committed heart and devoted soul – bringing the alchemical change required. This was no small task – the initiation rite is designed to test, push and break the candidate where it can.

I was in no real worry that this candidate would fail however – the signs bringing them firmly onto the Primal Current were not subtle ones – waking visions of Belial physically showing the Trident being just one obvious manifestation of their will and intent. This was confirmed with a series of divination and evocational works – some completed individually, some with me being present within the rites to facilitate as well as simply enjoy the ritual.

Fire Covenant by Rovina Cai

Physical manifestations, such as fire turning vivid green without any tainting of the fire with the likes of copper, as well as powerful animal possessions sealed the deal in regards to the initiation going ahead. Such invitation by the gods made it clear to me as to the direction it would go and it became undeniable in how it unfolded – these instances were all startling in their potency, if not surprising considering the depth and power involved in both their nature and surrounding circumstances.

With all of this this now reified with the initiation itself, I now turn my attention to completing the write ups of three, major theurgic rites conducted over the Samhain period. It is my intention to rest on my laurels a bit – just a bit – to allow for the task of getting resultant gnosis pulled out and put onto paper. Without this, there can be no expansion to push further myself whilst also giving attention to the initiates who will now need direction and assistance to make the most of their path. Going into the new year, I hope to turbocharge things a little bit.

I will end this post here, but it is with joy i’ve been able to type the above and make this known to the wider primal craft community.

Many Blessings,
In the Name of the Trident,
Carried on Lucifers Flames,
~S~

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Portals of Flame – Earthing the Current of the Stellar Temple Gate of Lucifer

Posted in Luciferianism, Occultism, Paganism, Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames, The Temple of the Ivory Spider with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2022 by Sypheara

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,

In Lucifer’s Name,

~S~

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The Key of Night – Opening the Way of Stellar Fire

Posted in Luciferianism, Necromancy, Occultism, Paganism, Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames, The Temple of the Ivory Spider with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2022 by Sypheara

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.

Lilith by Anato Finnstark

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.

Reaper by BuraKulker

Recently, the primal craft instagram has recently put out some wonderful 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~

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Success through Putrefaction – Second Initiate, Black Degree

Posted in Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames, The Temple of the Ivory Spider with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 10, 2021 by Sypheara

It is with great pleasure that I make this very small, but nevertheless, important post.

A promising, long term candidate has undergone the Trial of Putrefaction for the status of Black Degree Initiate here at the Temple. This person has worked with me since around 2013 in various capacities – intensifying over the last five. I have long wanted to offer them initiation – but they were up to now, not ready to accept it. That time finally came on the night of the 4th of November.

It was not without trepidation that I opened up the initial proceedings that evening; not because I doubted my talented and dedicated candidate, but because each initiation is precious. Having already initiated one person, I know intimately the process that must be undergone – but each initiation is its own thing, a unique special moment in time for both Magister and Candidate. Success can never be guaranteed – nor can the Trial be fully predicted. Ritual is not theatre – when done properly in possession with the Gods of the Trident.

I should not have worried however. The candidate passed the Trial splendidly, with a sound leap of faith – and following on from this, the oaths were taken in full love with committed heart. The empowerments then went well – the witchbody of the successful candidate vibrating strong and powerfully after the work was brought to a finish.

For myself, the work was quite strenuous – more so than even the previous candidate. After coming back to full awareness, I was exhausted – and it took around three full days to recover. This consisted of copious amounts of sleep. Such fatigue is unavoidable -it is the payment given by the Magister in work with the Gods. It is what is gifted on the candidates behalf for all their hard work. It is a sacrifice that I enjoy making. But that does not mean it is done without significant effort on my part.

The fruits however, are great. This particular initiation marked the full formulation of the preliminary and post-ritual steps that help round out the black degree process as a whole. Building on the first initiation, which dragged this format out into the light, a refinement was conducted on its structure. Now in the study here, the first physical black degree book sits, three months of work between me and the new initiate. The text compiled, reviewed, completed and hardbound. Within its pages are declarations, blooded and sigilised, post rite.

Philosophia Reformata (Johann Daniel Mylius)

I feel that these are the bones of the Temple being built, on the back of two years of difficult, at times heart rending work. Alot has changed since that first initiation in 2019. This is just the beginning – there are more good things to come. I have on the downlow been preparing a website specifically for the Temple, to explain its purpose and mission, its methodology, and to show our existence to the world. This still requires heavy work – not just in creating the content, but in creating specific artwork that embodies the temple itself, containing its spirit. It will see the light of day, when it is ready.

Let me clarify immediately on the above. I do not seek the creation of an ‘online order’ for easy remote joining – the site will exist primarily as a ‘we are here’; for the benefit of other devotees and working primal craft covens that might want to reach out, but be unaware of our existence. It is my intention to build up a working stellar coven – and initiate those special select candidates who grab my attention. These will be composed of candidates who intend to work on a regular basis as part of the physical coven, or those who are simply guided by Hecate for stellar initiation in real, physical travel for required empowerment here.

It is to be noted here that initiates do not necessarily have a coven position/seat. This is something I am still working on formulating – alongside the general personal theurgic work. It has to make practical, as well as Occult, sense. But the Temple work grows – line by line, ritual by ritual. Having these things in place in a concrete, more finalised way is still a way off – it will also require a lot of organic rather than forced growth. But it is finally gaining momentum. Further discussion with the successful initiate will determine how this proceeds in the short term as their input will be crucial.

As far as future candidates go, I already have further potentials – people who have shown years long dedication to the work of the current. Whose dedication and devotion are beyond question. One is someone I have known going back a decade, who has spent the last few years working in the current in-between mundane responsibilities. This person has already been offered initiation – personal circumstances willing, and considering world affairs, local sensibilities, and working commitments. To say more would be a breach of privacy – as always, I leave it up to individual candidates and initiates as to whether they bring themselves ‘into the light’ or continue working in privacy.

It is not my intention to chase numbers. I have no interest in quantity over quality. That said, there will be more. Once I have reached certain thresholds of personal development and practice, further degrees will be opened up to existing initiates and more energy put into specifically growing the working coven and relevant stellar rites.

I will leave it there. Except to say, that I am very proud of my initiates for the love, devotion, and hard work they have shown both to the Gods and Temple. I look forward to working with the new initiate to build on this success, where it coincides with their own personal development and growth within the Current.

For myself, I intend to take a good period of time to finish off records, as well as deal with administrative matters and personal occult development. A rest is also in order! I hope to return to make another posting probably in the latter half of December.

Through Black,
Through White,
Through Red,
Through the Power of the Trident,
We Become.
~S~

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