Archive for Alchemy

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~

A Transformational Samhain: Nigromantia Verum

Posted in The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 1, 2022 by Sypheara

When deep down in the work, it can be difficult to come up for air. The work itself becomes all consuming and instinctual – and in that moment, the deepest of magick is carried out. Due to that, this will be a very short entry. However I felt no entry would be doing Samhain a disservice – a time when I have always tried to post something in solidarity with other people enmeshed in the work!!

This is usually where I launch into a post on something whimsical, to celebrate the Sabbat. Even though, admittedly it would be a little belated this year.

In previous years, I’ve gone into little traditions developing in my own practice.. small things or something such. This is usually accompanied by a drill down into important work that the temple is necessarily up to. Those years, the Sabbat was a celebration – at time for deep work yes, but also celebration.

There has been none of that this year. At least, not that could be shared – things I cannot really bring myself to detail – it just hasn’t been one of those years. Instead, this period has just consisted of very intense, deep, instinctual work with Belial. Working with this great lord, to do what needs to be done. Through the Paths of Grief and Faith, the way to the road of the Stellar Gate of the Prince of the Earth has been blow open. Falling through the tunnels, one perceives the gifts of the gods, granted in inner transmutation.

Concept Art, Scorn

There comes a time when conventions must be broken – not out of desire, want, or even reason – simply because it is needed. What the Gods urge, what animalistically is felt to be what the soul craves. This was one of them. Sometimes in magickal work, workings ‘grip the gut’ and compel the witch to enact them, to play them out, to ride out the storm they bring. These are some of the strongest rites one can carry out. The rite alluded to above could only be successfully done via taboo breaking work, utilising the Elemental Gate of Southern Fire, in conjunction with the wooden Steles of all, previously opened Stellar Gates.

This was a very necessary step, to cut away all that remained and solidify the formation of the previous gates into the soul form. The appearance of an unexpected totemic animal, given in direct work with Belial, shows this work was completed and well received – despite it being far from smooth sailing.

One may wonder why I even relate this. The answer is simple – it is to gift some of the received light onwards. The Gods rewards those who step forward, when it would be so easy to step back. When things seem overwhelming – do your best to take the leap. Endure, survive, find your light. Do what needs to be done. Lean into your practice, not away.

This Samhain season, may we all find our inner strength – what we require to take the steps we need to go forward. In this way, we move – avoiding stagnancy. Whether those steps are fighting tooth and nail, or simply letting go, matters not. Whichever and whatever it is, may it be a transformational move, serving us in good stead. Thus, like the sun, we chart out course and fall deeper into the Underworld to be renewed and reborn. This is the time for the performance of the nigromantia verum. There can be no other way.

Samhain, Unknown Artist

With the above related, I now have less than a week to prepare for an important event to be undertaken at the Temple here. This involves both further heavy ritual, as well as the creation of new temple works. I will post about that, when the time comes, depending on outcome and appropriateness. Nevertheless, I am excited to see the temple strengthen noticeably from what now rapidly approaches!!

I would just like to thank everyone who has read my work, and supported me over the years in one facet or another. You know who you are.

Greatest of Samhain Blessings,
In the Shadow of the Trident,
Bathed in Their Flames,
On the Path of the Setting Sun,
Black Turns White,
White Turns Red,
And All is Reborn.
~S~


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~

Update on Looking Forward: Tool Creation and Other Matters

Posted in Occultism, Other with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2014 by Sypheara

Updates have unfortunately been sparse to the blog lately, but that has  not meant things have been moving along quite nicely on the personal front. Whilst this is not directly relevant to the  content of this blog, I thought it was all worth a mention because, hopefully, this change in my circumstances will facilitate an increased level of practice in the future.

I have recently  acquired a job which has enabled me to have the funds  to finally get a place of my own. This will hopefully provide both the space and privacy to to do necessary workings with the appropriate tools, and I am looking forward to having my ‘walking rate’ on the path accelerated at a rapid pace.

As such, I would like to touch on some coming potential subjects that the blog and myself will cover over the coming weeks and months.

Tool Creation and Acquisition

Over the coming few months and weeks, I hope to be building up a set of tools for use in a ritual context. This includes a myriad of things, and therefore could be on a variety of topics.

For example, I will be creating an altar, which will require significant work. This altar i hope to follow a fairly complicated process under the watchful eye of Hecate to ensure it is properly enlinked to the current. This will include numerous esoteric workings, as well as physical modification of the table i use itself, perhaps even entering the wood etching and pyrography departments. Which for me would be highly interesting and challenging, as it would be my first attempt to incorporate such things into my own work.

As an additional, I will be making a wands for my own personal use, and helping a friend acquire wood in a correct manner for their own. This tool will be one of invaluable help, and since this involves working with the spirits of plants and trees, I want to ensure that taking the wood for its construction is done in as proper a manner as is possible.

The above are limited examples, as I have more planned and hope to detail what I can (ie where its appropriate) as I go forward. Hopefully, this will help me work with Hecate and the other Gods on a much closer level without undue interruption.

Cherry.Tree.full.97728

Cherry Tree, Artist Unknown

Familiar Work

A year or two back, I did some workings with my primary familiar, aimed at establishing a greater connection to it. These for the most part, only met with limited success, and unfortunately, due to other issues arising, I was unable to continue those set of workings.I now feel again it is time to concentrate on this aspect as I move into a space where I feel more comfortable doing larger workings.

Whilst I have, and am capable of talking with this spirit rather infrequently through vision and dream, a closer, a more bonded and intimate connection is sought than is currently present. To this end I will be creating a body for it which is not only a tool but a gift to reward is positive presence and influence in my work and life up to this point and to ask for its continued assistance.

This body will probably be an enspirited doll. This doll, like the spirit box was and is for the mighty dead, will act as a focus point that offers a physical housing which will help it to manifest in the physical world.  The dolls body will probably be based on an existing ball jointed doll, which will be loaded with specific elements and undergo a series of workings that will encourage the spirit to accept it as a potential body.

Over the coming weeks, I hope to ask my familiar for its permission  to continue this work, and if given, whats its preferences are to body gender, type etc are to ensure maximum compatibility.

porcelain_ball_jointed_dolls_argentina_by_fernandoartesano-d5vudvf

Porcelain ball Jointed Dolls,  Fernandoartesano 

Five Elements and their Synchronicity

I have been meaning to write a small entry about the importance of numbers, and the interesting parallels between the modern concepts of fundamental physical forces and that of the classical elements. Whilst this may have been touched on before, I haven’t seen anything on it recently and thought it might be good to put forward my own perspective on it as I find it quite interesting.

Fotothek_df_tg_0007129_Theosophie_^_Alchemie

Theosophische Darstellung zur Alchemie, Deutsche Fotothek

For now however, it still remains for the relocation to be seen through to the end, and for existing work to be written up in physical format and other correspondences to be completed.

Thanks for reading as always, and a very happy Ostara everyone!

~S~