Archive for Belial

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~


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~

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~

The Gatekeepers of the Arte: Cold Fire

Posted in Luciferianism, Occultism, Paganism, Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames, Traditional Witchcraft with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 9, 2021 by Sypheara

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,
W
hose 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~

Until The Light Takes Us: Samhain Blessings

Posted in Occultism, Paganism, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 31, 2020 by Sypheara

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…

Samhain, Photography / Artist unknown.

First Prayer of Devotion – Hecate

‘Hecate, Hecate, Hecate,

I call to you in the Stillness of Night,

On Hallowed Samhains Night,

With steadfast mind and committed heart;

‘Hecate, Hecate, Hecate,

Hear my prayer,

O Mighty Queen of Deepest Hell!,

O Fertile Mother of the Green Earth!,

O Beautiful Empress of Highest Heaven!

Source of of All Elven Blood,

She who holds the Nine Universes in her Hands,

And who with a whisper

Can even command Atlantis to kneel,

Hecate, Hecate, Hecate,

Accept my love,

As I give my thanks and praise to you,

O Mighty Imperishable One,

I request of thee,

Take my hand,

Forever be by my side,

Mother and Lover Divine,

By the Power of your Holy Words

Askion, Kataskion, Lix, Tetrax, Damnameneus, Aisia

So it will be.’

 

Second Prayer of Devotion – Lucifer

‘Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer,

I call to you in the Silence of Night,

On Hallowed Samhains Eve,

With steadfast and committed heart,

Lucifer Lucifer Lucifer,

Hear my Prayer,

Lord of the Necromantic Black Sun,

Ruler of the Life Giving White Sun,

Master of the Rubric Gem of All Creation,

Laughing God Supreme,

Lord of Death, Life and Illumination,

Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer,

Accept my love,

As I give my thanks and praise to you,

O Laughing God Supreme,

All Glory to the Peacock of Paradise,

Brilliant One,

I request of thee,

Soothe my Pains,

Empower me with thy Essence,

And forever illuminate my Path,

Father and Lover Divine,

By the Power of your Holy Words,

Lu-Thay-Ce-El, Ash-Teh-Ray, Lucifer’

 

Third Prayer of Devotion – Belial

‘Belial, Belial, Belial,

I call to you in the Soundlessness of Night,

On Hallowed Samhains Night,

With steadfast and committed heart,

Belial Belial Belial,

Hear my Prayer,

O Keeper of the Flesh of the Earth,

Ruler of the 72 Spirits of Goetic Might,

Lord of the Devils Throne,

Scorpion God Supreme!

He whose words Create and Destroy

Whole Worlds of Existence.

Belial, Belial, Belial,

Accept my love,

As I give my thanks and praise to you,

Pathfinder of the Ways of Amenta,

Lord of Compassion and Malice,

Of Blessed Beast and Field,

Blood and Bone,

I request of thee,

Guide and Protect Me,

Arm and Armour me in your Sacred Flesh,

Preparing me for the road ahead,

By the Power of your Holy Words,

Vel-Hayla-Anti-Ock-Serash-Seh-Haylish-Belial’

 

Fourth Prayer of Devotion – Sepheranz

‘Sepheranz, Sepheranz, Sepheranz,

I call to you in the Solitude of Night,

On Hallowed Samhains Night,

With steadfast and committed heart,

Sepheranz, Sepheranz, Sepheranz,

Hear my Prayer,

O Apocalyptic Goddess Supreme,

Ruler of Atlantis,

She who brings Kings to their Knees,

She whose Word lays Nations low,

She who wipes away All Corruption without Mercy,

Sepheranz, Sepheranz, Sepheranz,

Temptress and Seductress,

Accept my love,

As I give my thanks and Praise to you,

Oh Beautiful Orb Weaver Goddess,

Who spins the Web of New and Old Creation,

I request of thee,

In the Name of Hecate First Goddess,

Cut away all that is unneeded,

Freeing me to do what is needed,

What is right,

On this Path of Ascension and Devotion,

As I whisper your name,

Sepheranz.’

 

Hecate, Queen of Hell, Mark Alan Smith

Devotional Sealing Prayer of The Trident

‘Here I kneel (stand),

On Hallowed Samhains Night,

Before and Embraced by the Power of the Trident

At the centre of All Worlds,

Where All Begins,

Where All Ends,

Where even a Whisper changes Fate itself,

Here Within the Cauldron of the Dark Goddess

I am Reborn

All Weariness is cast from my Body,

All Doubt is cast from my mind,

All Weakness is cast from my soul,

In Love and Honour,

Here my Sacred Promise, O Mother,

For I am a Child of Fiery Hell,

For I am a ChiId of Bountiful Earth,

For I am a Child of Starry Heaven,

Your child goes forward Now,

Unafraid,

In Love,

In Honour,

In Devotion,

I will walk your Path to its completion,

Beyond the Gates of Death itself,

O Green Eyed Queen of Hell’

~S~

 

 

Behemuth: Earth Dragon Supreme

Posted in Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 17, 2020 by Sypheara

Well the world has certainly erupted into even more of a shitstorm – the powers at work coil around everywhere and agitate the systems of man from both ends. The rot at the very top, and very bottom, of the world soul are exposed. In the hearts of individual men and women, on all sides of the political spectrum, we see a regression to violence as the powers that be whisper words into their ears. It is in this context I now relate the working of Behemuth that happened around a six weeks ago now. After all… this is not a political blog.. and as someone who believes a political solution is pointless to seek amongst reactivated Atlantean curse, dwelling further would be a pointless waste of effort. All praise to Sepheranz and Belial.

The moon before last we gathered up our things, the essential tools of the trade, and set out under cover of darkness during our countries strict quarantine period with one goal. To raise the power of the great earth dragon, and make contact with this entity itself. All with the goal of unlocking the second set of dragon gates within the soul, opening the way to completing Lucifers Pillar after a series of difficult years and deep work.

This involved as usual, a hike across the countryside at dusk. There is something about the twilight hours which make them quite special, and on this night magick seemed to hang in the air. There was quite a bit of farmland to cross to get to where we were going. Our destination? A small but powerful little waterfall that earlier research and recon mission had identified as being a potent gateway for the work to be conducted.

Behemuth is the Earth Dragon in our witchcraft, and powerful spirit who is raw primal force under the command of Belial. He is more ideally worked with in a location within the wilds – rather than an indoor temple. As such, like the Leviathan rite it was deemed necessary for the theurgic work that this ritual was conducted at a relevant place of power; A place where the veils are so to speak, thin.

Examples such a place would be the intersections between the dragon lines, which can be doused or otherwise sought via intuitive walks and other methods. Alot of caves, waterfalls and other locations have the correct energy to draw him out, if the genius loci is in alignment with the work at hand.

Tom Gill Waterfall, Cumbria, by David Stanley

This area was one such place. A gem of a location hidden in the countryside (note: not the one pictured above, to keep its location secret), not too far from our small cottage base here in the countryside. Brought to it via intuition, we had already been here by this point. Our initial first visit was purely to establish working contact with the spirit of place. This went very well.. the strange energies of the guardian spirit being like lashes of purple energy that flickered around the soul. It felt dormant, appreciative, but also possessive of it’s space when roused. It took some time to truly settle everything and make the necessary mental pact which would secure this as the place for Behemuths summoning.

With the acquired gate sigil already given by Belial in intuitive work, what remained to be done was similar to the original Leviathan working detailed previously. The power of the circle was taken as high as could be managed, to triformus level. Hecate, Lucifer, Belial and Surgat were directly summoned to full evocation and the trees opened fully.

The power of the rite was such that Belial was physically and clearly seen.. at the south of the circle overseeing the work. I locked eyes with his black hooded and cloaked form, before he stepped back evaporating into a dark cloud that shrouded the work from interlopers.

As before, the initiate was responsible for the evocation of the fifth element – a lord of the angelic hosts, who brings the balanced empyrean force to help stabilise the raw power vacuum that is felt when the circle is torn open to walk beyond. With this done, Behemuth himself was invoked directly into the roaring waters of the waterfall. Its huge form could be seen coiling around the rushing waters and the whole area throbbed with such warmth on what was otherwise a mild night.

It is to be noted the ritual to evoke him here was similar, but still quite different from that given in the QoH. That is because of the necessary differences and aims of this rite, when worked with on the Stellar Path of Ascent. The main overseer is still Belial, and it is he who holds the full control of the Earth Dragon in this rite. Hecate and Lucifer balance, Surgat opens the way, and the Angel provides the energetic stability to the injured circle.

With the ritual actions performed and a path opened in blood, I left the circle of night and descended into the cool waters until, in full possession, i stepped entirely into the summoned form of Behemuth.

The reaction was immediate, similar to that of Leviathan. Whole body electricity wracked my form and caused me to physically groan. There was no use fighting the great serpents possession, as its coiled around me and placed its head over my subtle bodies. As it bit me, our forms became one, its shell dissolving and merging through mine. Unlike the combining with Leviathan however this did not feel alien.. but wholly terrestrial, like something experienced before but forgotten. As the snake energy rose along the spine, I could feel my aura growing serpents that pushed upwards and outwards of our conjoined form. Some broke away, slithering down into the rocks. As I dripped with Ophidian energies, Behemuth sent a strong thought impression, not unlike that of Leviathan. This was more nurturing and less harsh, albeit one said with force and power that in no way was dwarfed by that entity. Whilst it was not really said with words, but again pure thought, I can best translate it as follows.

Earth Dragon by Esther Remmington (above)

“I welcome you Home, Creature of Earth.
Long you have travelled,

But you have found what you seek,
In the Embrace of the Dragon.”
Behemuth

At this time I let the merging continue until it hit a equilibrium of power. The heat was immense, and despite being immersed in the waterfall, I felt incredibly warm. As things worked themselves through, Behemuth eventually withdrew. Unlike Leviathan this was less harsh, and less rapid, but as with Leviathan once communion was done, he made it clear to remain was folly. The waterfall became seemingly stronger, and I slowly returned to the circle to close down the rite.

As I lay there in the circle before full closing, panting with the exertion, the black initiate facilitated in balancing the work. Once this was done, everything was closed down and communion was held until it was time to leave. Liberal amounts of hard spirit were left for the genius locii and the Gods, we returned with our way again lit by the small oil lantern. On the way back the moon was giant, pure illuminating rays of light dancing out across the fields. An owl seemed to follow us home. All good omens on our way back to our lodgings.

It would be several nights of sleep until the gate fully unlocked. In full lucid dream state, I was awoken by Hecate, her form draped in flowing black robes, on an unknown rocky beach. A harsh sea licked the shore, and she directed me to a waiting Lilith who stood atop a pillar of interlocking basaltic columns. Here, Lilith gifted me with something unexpected.  A large key, which seemed to the sight to be emblazoned with power and one large, central searching Eye. She placed it around my neck, and drew me in close. At this point, the scene dissolved into inky waters and various explorations of the world soul commenced. So intense in bilocation were these that even while experiencing them, I could feel and hear the rapid eye movements of my sleeping body.

These explorations have left me to consider the nature of the last ‘seal’ given by Leviathan. Is it a seal alone or is it also a shield? How does this relate to the key? I feel only working further with the Sky Dragon will finally reveal the full nature of these gifts and pave the way to opening Lucifers Stellar Pillar Gate. Thus, the way to the final construction will be laid bare and the completion of the Four Pillars of Belials Stargate and the full commencement of the work with the Hidden Planetary Gods. This is I feel going to be an important few years for my work and the completion of the first part, the part I have termed The Work of the Ivory Spider. Only further internal workings after this to establish the spirit familiars of the underground caverns will expand this to a level I am happy to call this work in anyway complete.

On that note, I leave you all hopefully in good spirits. Everything is difficult right now. Put yourselves, your loved ones and your Gods first. Put trust and love in the divine and not in the myriad lies of man that seek to divide and bring to ruination at all turns. Thus will the world soul be healed and saved.

All Hail the Great Dragon,
Who Worms his Way around the Earth
On whose Backs we have Grown,
In Love and In Honour,
In Blood Tooth and Claw,
Nurtured by the Keeper of the Forest,
The Prince of the Earth,
The Lord of Eternal Fire
And the Empress of the Fathomless Heaven
We accept our Birthright,
As Children of Hell Heaven and Earth,
Nothing will prevail against Us,
Until the World is Healed
And our Duty is done.
~S~

Leviathan: Sea Dragon Rising

Posted in Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 14, 2019 by Sypheara

It’s been just over three and a half weeks now since me and the new initiate set off with one goal in mind. The raising up, and working with Leviathan. This mighty sea dragon has a rich and interesting history. The name Leviathan (לִוְיָתָן – ‘Livyatan’) literally translated from Hebrew apparently has the meaning of ‘wreathed, twisted in folds’. This is an excellent description of this great creature, as we will go on to see. This is a direct continuation of an older root name derived from the Amorites, who had an identical sea serpent within their teachings who was known as Lôtān. The belief in great dragons plays into the motif of the Chaoskampf,  which occurs again and again in cultures world wide. I leave the mythological / legendary information to be passed on by those far more knowledgeable than myself. Here, I will concentrate on a very personal account of working with this entity.

The Destruction of Leviathan by Gustave Doré

The approach and understanding of Leviathan within Trident Witchcraft has only barely been explored. So for our own meeting with the Great Dragon, to say I undertook the operation with anything but great trepidation would be a complete lie. If one believes as trident witches do in the actual existences of these entities, then meeting face to face with an entity with the power to create walls of broiling water and drown one without the slightest compunction should be one approached with utmost caution. Doubly so when the intention of that rite is to walk into an open vortex within the very element that makes up the Great Dragons body.

We arrived on the chosen beach earlier in the day of the full moon, at high tide in order to observe the seas motion. There could be absolutely no complacency here – the last thing we wanted to do is underestimate the power of the ocean. This was just one beach of several we had inspected, but this one seemed relatively ideal. A small spit of land jutted out into the water, protected from the full force of the tall 18 foot waves by a wave cut platform. It was here we decided the rite would be conducted. The energy of the place felt extremely raw and elemental, but right. Despite the weather being customarily foul, one cannot expect sunshine and rainbows in November on this bleak but beautiful coast, we decided to go ahead with the ritual at around 11 pm.

We waited until close to that time, and set off as warmly wrapped up as we could. The beach wasn’t too far from where we were staying – but far enough it would take a least a reasonable amount of time to get there in the dark. We took the necessary equipment – the stellar amulet  of Lucifer, a small obsidian keystone empowered in Surgats energies, the stave and a small kerosene lamp being the primary but not only tools of the work.

One of the markers was still there – a dead and decaying seal a reminder of the primal power of the ocean. We passed it and found the spot, that perfect little piece of land that jutted out bordered on three sides by the sea. The ritual began as the water begin to come into the bay, under the beautifully clear starlight. Orion hung majestically in the sky, the raw power of Betelgeuse evident as it hung like a jewel some seven hundred light years away. It felt as if the entirety of the heavens rotated around the ritual point, for that brief moment revolving around the axiom of the crossroads we were to open. The omens seemed good and the wind had calmed, so we decided to proceed.

The circle itself was anchored utilising the kerosene lamp, and the area prepared for the ritual with the stave. To digress slightly, the fluid nature of water means a static circle is insufficient for working with this element in many cases. Invocational possession was affected to triformus level, and Hecate, Lucifer and Belial all evoked to the circle edge. Working with Surgat, the required formulation on the edge of the circle was carried out. Next,the obsidian stone was blooded liberally to act as the stellar key to enact the necessary transition safely.

With the temple initiate of the black degree anchoring the working with the help of an attendant celestial entity sent by the Gods as a fifth pillar of the work, I walked to the waters edge and carried out the final evocation of Leviathan. The act of casting the obsidian stone into the onrushing waters, was the sign the call itself was complete. I waited until the moment felt right and walked into the freezing waters at the point of manifestation of the vortex. The serene moment was suddenly shattered by an immediate on rush of pure power, that was akin to being electrocuted. My entire body went rigid in the water as it felt like powerful shocks ran rampant throughout my body. I was unable to move for what felt around five minutes as the serpent held me in its grip. At this moment its serpentine energy flooded me and I got a glimpse of Leviathan itself. This flickered between two forms. The first was a large silver scaled sea serpent with vestigial wings, of such pure stellar beauty that it is difficult to describe with words. The second appeared as a gigantic deep sea creature, looking similar to a eel-like version of a dragonfish, complete with distended jaws and bio-luminescent skin. It’s body was arrayed with a series of eyes that ran the length of it’s body. These two forms overlaid each other and switched rapidly like an flickering old television screen tuned to conflicting channels for around ten or so seconds.

Leviathan, artist unknown

This vision calmed and I felt Leviathans energy moving within me. The possession had come on quickly and suddenly, and in the powerful hold of it I was driven to a fresh sacrificial offering of blood. As it spilled into the water, I was compelled to partake of it directly. Leviathan imparted to me via impression that drinking some of this blood during this stage of the work was a seal upon the possession itself, the snake eating itself to become whole. As I began to assimilate the energies of this union, it calmed to a more subtle level. I saw flashes of the seals actually breaking, and a new mark being placed upon the subtle body.

I let the experience slowly subside until Leviathan let me know the work was complete. He withdrew quite rapidly, almost as quickly as the possession arrived. The way in which he made clear the rite was over wasn’t so much as done with spoken word but instead something indicated by ‘psychic impression’. There was no voice but almost a feeling that formed almost visible words in the minds eye with their forcefulness. ‘Your work is complete, and your offering received. Now leave this place, lest you be devoured by my waves. For my sea yields not for any man who stands foolishly in it’s way.’  This repeated in my mind – inescapable, raw, forceful and pressing. I returned quickly to the circle and with the invaluable help of the initiate closed up the rite quickly and effectively as demanded by Leviathan. We left the beach quickly and headed back to immediately get warm and recover from the experience.

The aftermath was one of quite honestly, serious exhaustion. The ritual had the effect of stressing the physical and astral bodies after its performance which has meant I’ve had to rest up considerably for the last few weeks. This is the less ‘glamorous’ side to this form of possession work. This working also capped a period of very intense rituals, and was by far the the strongest, meaning I was pushed to my current limit in this timeframe. In the time since, I have had a strong visitation from Leviathan via the lunar gates indicating that one full lunar cycle later, the gnosis could be extracted in full re the seal granted to me for full recording in the magickal records that are kept here. That work is to be done tonight via dream work, and tomorrow as follow up work and proper documentation of what is sent as energy allows.

The observant will have noticed I have only given very general formula for the working above. That is because this ritual is dangerously close to a circle breaking rite and involves working within active vortices – both of which could go very wrong if not approached right. Those who are not properly initiated run extreme risk in these workings, and even those properly prepared can have quite serious issues integrating the risen energies. As such I do have to put a sensible caution out there to anyone expecting to work with him in this identical way. It is also note to caution that similar to Surgat, he is difficult to work with and not particularly fond of our kind, especially due to current circumstances.

From here on out I’ll be focusing on the initiates training and growth as well as preparing for the following rites with the other great dragons. I hope to complete the work of the dragons, and Lucifer and Belial’s Stellar Gates by the end of 2020, gods willing. This is ambitious but achievable. I feel it is time to get onto the workings of the stellar whirlpools and the planetary gates themselves. As until this work is done, the stellar temple cannot be formed.

I hope this has been an interesting introduction to Leviathan, albeit one that I feel barely does this great entity justice. I feel this is just the start of a long working relationship with this spirit, and a healing / empowering of my own inner / outer landscapes for whats to come.

To you who encircles the Earth,
Oh great dragon of Chaos,
Beautiful radiant serpent of Light,
Dark nebulous serpent of Dark,
O Great and Terrible Ophidian One,
In Love and Honour we call to you now,
To he who nurtured us,
To he who strengthened us,
To he who sent us forth,
Wrapped in the scales of Young Creation,
In Primal Times forgotten by Man,
We give to thee our eternal thanks and devotion,
We ask of you now,
Send us your strength, 
To fortify our bodies,
To ready our minds,
To prepare our Souls,
To do what needs to be done,
In the Aeon of Lucifer,
In restoration, hope.
In destruction, damnation.
Let the judgement of the gods be delivered,
By the guardian of the waters
Of She who came First. 
~S~

Of Rising Flames: The Macrocosmic Apocalypse of Man

Posted in Publications, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 14, 2019 by Sypheara

October is shaping up to be a very interesting month.

Work with Surgat on the Hunters Moon has revealed the necessary Dragon Gates for accessing Leviathans powers upon the shores of the sea this coming Samhain, and this paves the work of two further workings with the great dragons to correctly open the correct stellar pathways. It is not without some trepidation that this new work is embarked upon – it seems to be some of the strongest workings up to this point. I must now undertake these in direct contact with the elements outside of much of the formal ceremonial ritual trappings I have gotten used to up to this point in my work.

Nevertheless its one I hope to face head on and receive the correct empowerments in response, and have made the formal pact with Surgat to pursue such in full knowledge of what must be done and endured.

In addition to this, I will be performing in the temple space the first initiation into the current of a new devotee. Whilst not a full temple initiation, for the gates for that are yet to be lain down, this is nevertheless an important introduction to the current for them. Hecate and Lucifer have made it very clear this individual is to receive the empowerments of the Gates that have been opened here thus far, and have directed the formation of an initiation rite to that effect. I hope that this is the first foundations of the stellar temple – itself still likely many years from formation – that will be set down.  It is now for the hard work between myself and this other devotee to see how this is to develop.

Precursor by Wayne Barlow

Outside of the above, I also had the excellent opportunity to read a rather stunning essay by a fellow devotee, who originally shared it in the primal craft facebook group. This essay, titled ‘The Macrocosmic Apocalypse of Man’ details the roles played by the Witchgods, as indicated by the Goddess Sepheranz in the current global transformation of The Age of Lucifer. This is an excellent introduction to those involved in the current who might not have touched on or explored this gnosis, whilst also explaining it simply for those who are outside of the current in a digestible but also inspiring manner. I contacted the author, who wishes to be identified as Ryan SK, to ask if he would allow me to kindly share his work on the blog. He accepted, and I thought that the time around the Hunters Moon would be the perfect time to share this beautiful work.

The essay can be accessed below via clicking the title link and contains the following sections; It can also be found in the resources section of the blog.

The Macrocosmic Apocalypse of Man

by Ryan SK

I. Introduction

II. THE UNION OF HECATE AND LUCIFER TO USHER IN NASCENT COSMIC ENERGIES 

III. SEPHERANZ AS THE APOCALYPTIC DAUGHTER OF FLAME 

IV. THE UNION OF SEPHERANZ AND BELIAL AND RETURN OF THE ATLANTEAN CURRENT

With that I wish everyone a beautiful waning moon period up until the arrival of our most blessed of sabbats and the turning of a new cycle at Samhain. May it be a productive one bringing you all the blessings and empowerments of the Gods as befits your own path.

In Love and In Honour,
In the Name of She Who Came First,
Bathed in Rising Flames

~S~

 

The Stars of the Hunter: The Constellation Orion

Posted in Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2019 by Sypheara

Going into the new year has been a powerful time here, bringing many changes to my mundane life for the better. I truly feel blessed by my Gods, who have made themselves known in sometimes frighteningly, powerful ways on the physical plane as of late in the strength of signs and synchronicities sent forth.  It is hard to talk of the love and appreciation I have for them, and what they have brought me these last few months, so ill suffice to say I finally feel the previous trials have borne their fruit in their entirety. This has put me in a good place for forthcoming work in 2019 – which will involve again, some strict theurgic work to open the next set of stellar pillars.

Surgat has finally been contacted over these last few months, and successful pact has been entered. This will be sealed by taking his mark over the coming weeks – at which point the correct empowerment and protection will be in place to open his lock on the Ivory Path. I am heavily looking forward to kick starting this process – hoping to work through this quickly and then by summer, have Lucifer’s stellar pillar fully opened. This should hopefully pave the way for the work with Belial, the spirits of the stellar caverns, the Ivory Spider and finally, of what is making itself known as the rite of ‘lesser whirlpool’. Full understanding of this process will be unveiled in time, as  individual works are completed, which should allow for rapid assimilation of the dependent gnosis.

One of the side affects of this work is expanding awareness of the great stellar spirits that ply their way through the heavens. Greater knowledge of the stars reveals just how much has been lost, from a magickal perspective, in regards to knowledge of working with these entities. Even old magickal systems that are often relied on, whilst arguably more dependable than modern systems, are also shown to be greatly lacking – most of them being invented thousands of years after the majority of the truly wondrous stellar magickal lore was lost.

In many cases, the stars became subservient to the planets or worse. This is strongly demonstrated by modern astrology – taken to extremes in popular, shallow, banal sun sign fixation – which has withered to the point of being unusable outside of as a dubious self help tool. Here, Alan Leo and the Theosophical Society have a lot to answer for.

These systems would have been entirely alien to the stellar priests of the past, where the stars were exalted as powerful beings of their own whose portents could be read to accurately predict the streams of fate and complement soul travel through the heavens.

There is a rather good article on this, that can be found here by Ida C. Benedetto, which covers this in some detail. My own goal with this entry is a little different.

What is important from a modern stellar gnosis perspective is direct contact with these entities where possible. To be able to accomplish this, one must have an appreciation and knowledge of the physical structures on which our Magick is based. Thus, we must turn away from overly abstract, simplified models back to complex and deep investigations that lead to a living star praxis.

One of the greatest collections of Stellar Entities and Formations, can be found in the constellation of Orion, which is a great starting point to investigate this expansive field. Being one of the most easily recognised constellations, it is a veritable powerhouse of stellar power than lies along the celestial equator making it visible throughout the world. The picture below shows Orion in incredible detail, including several important deep sky objects. Learning about this area of space would be of great benefit to someone who hopes to gain Stellar Gnosis and work it into their practice.

Photo taken by Rogelio Bernal Andreo in October 2010 of the Orion constellation showing the surrounding nebulae of the Orion Molecular Cloud complex.

The ‘main’ stars that make up the constellation are full of power and history. The top most star, an orange giant named Betelgeuse, is very dominant. Betelgeuse is expected, within the short stellar timeframe of two million years, to explode as a giant supernova. Going clockwise, we have Bellatrix in the top right, Rigel in the bottom right, and then Saiph in the bottom left. The belt asterism is made up of the stars Altinak, Alnilam, and Mintaka.

Below, a basic table of the statistics of these stars are displayed along with relevant links to further information on their physical makeup. It should be noted that some of these stars are in fact binary stars – meaning that the system is in fact made up of two stars in close orbit, that appears as one point in the sky. This has an effect on the energies that are drawn through when working with them.

 

Proper
name
Apparent
magnitude
Approx. distance
(Light years)
Radius
(R)
Betelgeuse 0.0–1.3 643 887
Rigel 0.05–0.18 860 78.9
Bellatrix 1.659–1.64 250 5.75
Mintaka 2.23 (3.2/3.3) 1,200 16.5
Alnilam 1.64–1.74 2,000 42
Alnitak 1.77 (2.08/4.28/4.01) 1,260 20
Saiph 2.09 650 22.2

Orion, is traditionally associated with the huntsman of the same name from Hellenic Myth. Plenty of other cultures have a similar, martial theme to describe mythologically this constellation, and the surrounding stellar structures. Personal experience has led me to utilise these stars in powerful rites of stellar purification and earthing – in fact they played a major role in the ritual to earth Lucifer’s stellar energies, and uproot the entity from the cursed earth that was encountered in earlier workings detailed on this blog.  Specific gnosis shows indeed, Betelgeuse is the ruler of this constellation, when they are worked together, with Alnilam being the lens and mediator in which its power is directed down into the constructed stellar gates.

This current is incredibly electrifying – of such benefic power that it really does bend the mind to experience it. When directed in the name of Hecate, Lucifer, Belial and the Lord of the Dark Star, it can be used to create stellar anchor points of such strength, drawing in a quickening and empowering current into the flesh of the Earth. This is something i hope to detail in full at some point in the future – this ritual, that was the sealing of Lucifer’s promise and gift of the Phoenix fire. The amount of energy that is able to be channelled should not be surprising – with this being an active, physical birthing ground of new stars in the many deep sky nebulae that can be observed here. Here, the hearts of new stars are forged, within the winding strands of the Orion, Horsehead and Flame Nebulas that make up the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.

Orion is also a useful pointer to other, powerful stars in that region of the sky. This can be of most use to a witch making use of stellar power.

Orion as a navigational aid, by Mysid

Firstly, Orion’s belt points to both Sirius and Aldebaran. Sirius is the brightest star in the night’s sky, and as part of Canis Major, is also known as the Dog Star. This has long been considered to be ‘Orion’s Dog’, that follows him through the sky. The Greeks believed it to have a baleful influence on dogs, driving them to frenzy. This is contrasted by Persian star lore, which assigns Sirius to Tishtrya, a divinity of rain, fertility, and the antagonist of the demon of drought.

To the opposite end indicated by the belt, is the star Aldebaran, one of the Persian Royal Stars, which lies in the constellation of Taurus. In this system Aldebaran was seen as the Watcher of the East.  The Persian Royal Stars were seen as the Guardian of the Skies, and were made up of Aldebaran, Fomalhaut, Antares and Regulus. The implications here for those who are clued up on the identity of the Princes of the Quarters should be obvious. That will be an interesting avenue to pursue, especially from a primal craft perspective. It bears mentioning that three of these match with the Behenian Fixed Star list, with Fomalhaut being the exception. It is interesting to note that the Hyades lie directly behind Aldebaran – distinct from it, but easily noticeable, with that great star seeming to act as their current gatekeeper due to it’s position and prominence.

Procyon can be found tracing a line from Mintaka through Betelgeuse. This star is seen as a companion of Sirius, falling in the constellation of Canis Minor, and is also seen as a ‘Wolf’ star. Following a line through Rigel and Betelgeuse, the stars Castor and Pollux may be found, mythological twins which lie within the constellation Gemini.

Finally, those powerful, luminous, class B stars of immense stellar power that make up the sacred Pleiadean Gate may be found by following the path towards Aldebaran but continuing slightly further along the imaginary path. Here they appear as a dense cluster of stars, easily visible to the naked eye. These beautiful stars, who make up the circle of the sisters, are important for their protective powers that feature in the basic circle construction ritual that primal craft utilises.  These stars could form a whole entry on this blog themselves, so I will leave it by simply saying that, with Taurus / Auriga lying at the galactic anticentre, these stars lie directly in the path that takes us outside of our galaxy. As such, they therefore form a magickal channel of great power, to the interstellar void that lies beyond them. This lies in contrast with the power emitted from Sagittarius, where lies the pulsing heart of our Galaxy and that great stellar portal over which the Lord of the Dark Star holds claim.

Drawing a line from Betelgeuse through Aldebaran, the Pleiades are easily found (top right)
Photograph by Panda~thwiki

The Pleiades, photograph by David Martin

I hope I have instilled in the reader the desire to explore this area further. The ease of which identification of these stars can be made lend them well to being a springboard for further investigation and work, especially when we consider how densely packed this area is with stellar lore and power. Thus we become blessed with greater knowledge of the stars, thus re-birthing our relationship with these stellar entities.

I end this entry with a single image that details the evolution of Orion. For the stars are not static, but are living breathing beings, which only an active approach can seek to reach with genuine and long lasting success.

The Evolution of The Hunter, animation of Proper Motion by Tony873004 

 

Ave Hecate Asteria,
Queen of the Stellar Torches
Ave Lucifer,
Master of the Living Starfire,
Ave Belial,
Lord of All Flesh,
Ave The Lord of the Dark Star,
Keeper of Sagittarius Alpha
Ave the Stars of the Hunter,
Ave the Pleiadian and Hyadean Gates,
Through Which the Stellar Currents are Delivered,
Into the Heart of Our World,
In Loving Stellar Evolution,
Let our Paths be Elevated,
O Silver Tongued Lords

~S~