Archive for Dragon

The Dragon of the Sky and Stars: Drawing Down Ziz

Posted in Occultism, Paganism, Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 18, 2021 by Sypheara

So the last few months have been exceptionally interesting, bringing with them very large amounts of spiritual, mental and physical empowerment. It feels like there has been a completing seal pressed onto various strands of work – the first being that of the Dragon workings, and the second to do with the reopening of Qayinitic lines within my personal practice.

The latter is one that I’d like to quickly detail, as it is something unexpected that happened within the last few weeks. This took the form of two rather interesting dreams; the first was a sabbatic dream, involving a gathering of spirits and a drawing in of Belial. This was performed through a totemic book that was found somewhere within the Mirrorworld; this being a term, as readers may remember, I use for a certain kind of lower astral because I find it the most descriptive term of its nature.

This in turn lead to a full plane possession by Belial, upon which I took charge of a celebration – not so much a ritual, and afterword’s I awoke feeling full of power and rejuvenated. This was much needed given the journey I had just been on. I took a note of it in my personal working journal, and thought nothing more of it. These kinds of journeys are important, but are generally too frequent or non specific in nature to note as having particular theurgic significance other than for enjoyment.

However, the following night, a similar, linked journey also occurred. Not long after falling asleep, I found myself in an old, abandoned brick building deep within the Mirrorworld. There, I had found a dark spirit – one that I was contending with, in some manner. I instinctively knew that I had been sent to find it, that doing so had been some sort of charge given to me at the end of the previous nights celebrations.

After some time, contending with it both energetically and physically, its shadowed form collapsed into the tiny form of a vampire bat. It attempted to escape along the floor, which at this point was covered in slick, thick blood. I was unsure at this point if this blood belonged to me or the spirits. I knew intrinsically that to let it to escape would be wrong – that somehow, its power had to be taken and internalised. I picked up this creature, and, asking Belial to protect me through the merging, allowed it to sink its tiny fangs into my neck.

I awoke, but not to our physical plane. I again was still in the Mirrorworld, again Elsewhere. I found myself in an old, and abandoned, hotel. I got up and wandered towards the bathroom. The door was opened and I looked in, onto a cracked mirror. A dusty ceiling light flickered intermittently. In between the flashes I could see that my left side, the side where the bat had bitten, was riddled with marks and sigils. The lower most sigil was etched just above the elbow. It depicted a crowned skull that seemed to morph from itself, through that of the primary seal of Arkos, through to that of the Qayinitic Eye Seal of Flame and Sulphur. From here, it returned and to its original form and repeated this in slow, drifting sequence.

Above this I could see the sigil of the winged Ankh bone key, and above this, the sigil of the Trident. Black, snaking lines and marks traced my entire skin, conjoining these parent sigils in a tapestry of black conduits that seemed to flow with power. They extended, covering my entire body. This wasn’t painful – instead it was an ecstatic pleasurable sensation, as it spread across my entire form, leaving me dripping in venomous energy. I remember getting dressed and leaving the room to ‘check out’, and after that last memory, recall waking up vividly into the physical world as if I had stepped simply from one room to another. I felt empowered, alive, more than I had felt since coming down off the mountain (to be described next). I was convinced I had undergone a fresh, qayinitic initiation.

Why now? It could be a combination of things I have thought. With the year turning dark, combined with my own personal loss a year ago, and the timing of the pandemic and full unfolding of the Qayinitic line within my parent tradition, this work comes at a powerful, liminal time. With the work done by the Gatekeeper of the Four Pillars of Fire, fulfilling a decade of prophecy regarding the Qayinitic line, I believe it was inevitable. The exact nature of this gift itself is less obvious in many regards – so far my aura has felt very armoured, something very much needed due to the immense level of Death energy that is surrounding both me and the Temple here at this current time. Energy not to be wallowed in, but to powerfully transmuted -for I feel great things are to be birthed from this. I can feel this, deeply, and it is this that keeps the work going; albeit with some days it feeling like swimming through treacle at times.

So a gift from Qayin perhaps for work done with him in devotion all those years ago; and also perhaps a recognition of the patient promise I made him to go no further until that prophetic work was delivered. Whether this work is something for me to actively pursue physically, or instead simply explore what I can on the inner worlds with the given key rather than dedicate myself to a new, active practice is something I will have to carefully consider. Qayin is not someone one can pick, and choose with, once a promise is made. That said, I feel it would be impolite to spurn exploring the power at least on some level, especially that which was given as a gift.

Vampire Bat, photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic

With this interesting incident covered, I now go to the main meat and potatoes of this article. In the last few postings, I detailed the upcoming rite of the Stellar Dragon. I can now fully confirm that this was a great success, with the Dragon contacted and the energy / gifts received. This coming full moon, they will be fully drawn out, and the final seal entered into the Temple Books. This paves the way for opening Lucifers Stellar Pillar Gate.

The actual journey to the mountain to conduct this rite was a heavily interesting one. I had initially wanted to document the entire trip – from near base camp, up to the actual location that I was guided to and conducted the rite. However, post rite, I have come to personal realisation as to how both powerful and sacred that portal I opened is – and thus, I have decided to only talk about this trip in a more vague manner. Every time I attempted to put this experience into words, I felt like I was failing it – or even worse, exposing it to profanation. Those who wish to retrace my footsteps, and potentially find the working spot, will thus have to read heavily between the lines. As such, I must immediately say that some of the pictures below, do not depict the actual trip nor even the locations I visited. They serve only to give clue and indication of the landscape to those who have never had the pleasure of travelling to the Lake District, UK. As well as to throw in a little bit of misdirection as is tradition. I have included a few original images – where I felt it was justified and where they do the trip justice. Anyone who puts the pieces together, and who truly wants to retrace these steps, are welcome to try – putting the pieces together being the test in itself.

The entire trip, both there and back, took around four days. The first day was pretty arduous – and it was not to get easier i’d find – with a pack weight of around 20-23kg. Being not the fittest of people, I set off relatively early in the morning to reach the first waypoint. This waypoint would be a town some 17 km away – where I would stay overnight, before taking a boat to the foot of the mountain I would be scaling.

I hadn’t slept the night before – both the planning, nor the excitement of finally being able to go off on this pilgrimage, did not aid me in anyway in getting a good rest. I had some breakfast and set off, through the woods that bordered my families cabin, making towards the moors. On the way I came across something that made me pause for thought. A dead amphibian stretched out perfectly across the path out of the woods. This is often a path I had walked, at night, looking for a similar sign to begin the work of the Sacred Waters of the Moon.

Seeing this dead creature seemed almost like a test in itself. To continue my mission, or try to take this offer. I ignored it, but made a mental note in my mind. It would become very relevant later on.

Leaving the woods behind, I made good going, passing the old mausoleum and church and its neighbouring, sleepy little town without issue. But when I began the uphill walk into the moorland proper, I knew I had my work cut out for me. The initially fair, walking weather had turned into full on sunshine. Great for a lay about, not so much for making good time with the least physical exertion. I was VERY happy I had prepared for this potentiality – having a very good hat and sufficient sunscreen but I was still to get significantly burned.

Heather Beetle – Comment From The Moorland Association

Moorland, photographer unknown

On my way over the moors, past the fields of heather in full bloom, I stopped at a quite remote stone circle to have my lunch. This was a planned stop – about halfway between my initial starting point and that days finish point. The stone circle was only small – but absolutely packed with power. I admired a tiny, beautiful spider that had climbed onto my bedroll, as I tucked into some extremely basic provisions with my back against one of the stones – it felt inappropriate to eat within the circle itself. Sadly, despite it being remote, on a summers day it still had too much footfall to do anything but walk the inner perimeter and soak in some of the power there. Unlike many places that are ‘take, take, take’ drained dry by tourists and other visitors, this place did not feel like that at all. But rather a wellspring of power that commanded the landscape.

Spider of the Circle, self taken image

After finishing up, I grabbed my kit and continued on. Passing a cairn, a way marker on my route, I looked down over the large lake below in the distance, and to the mountain range ahead. It was about this time I started to realise what I had actually embarked on to do – and although overshadowed as a feeling later, it did make me pause for thought.

Treated to a lovely display by military aircraft (from what I could see, F-15 fighters), I descended into the town in search of a place to sleep. Whilst the initial plan had to been to wild camp at every leg, I decided getting some good food in, as well as a night of sleep before going up the mountain proper, would be a good idea. I managed to find the last room in a local pub – one that did decent food I would later realise that night. Fed and watered, I turned in early to sleep.

The next morning I had breakfast and gathered my things. In order to get to the town at the start of my route into the mountains, I had two options – I could go by bus which was cheaper, or the more direct route by boat across the lake. I opted for the latter option – more for the experience than convenience, but it would turn out to be quite efficient as well as enjoyable. I didn’t have to wait long on the dock – perhaps half an hour at most, and soon the ship was alongside the pier and taking on passengers. The weather was again lovely, and as I boarded I got a great view of the surrounding landscape, kept cool by the light breeze that drifted across the lake. This would continue for the rest of the journey, as the boat gently rocked from light waves on the lakes surface.

image of the

MV Tern, built 1891, photographer unknown

It took around an hour to get to the opposite dock at the foot of the mountain. This was not to the liking of a fellow passenger, who remarked to her husband that the boat was not going quick enough and was rather ‘dull’. I laughed at this reply, telling her it wasn’t a speedboat, in a very sarcastic manner to say the least.

I disembarked and headed to get some food at another local pub, and consulted my map whilst tucking into a sandwich. I gathered it was around 7 – 9 km to the target site – but that this was likely to take as long as the previous 19 – 20km walked up to this point of the trip. The spacing between the contour lines was telling me a story I didn’t really want to hear. Putting the map away, I thanked my server, and headed to the start of the path up into the mountains. I had to double back here, past a very old and charming church to where I had crossed a little bridge. As is said in the Lake District, half-jokingly – ‘all roads lead to Helvellyn‘, – and sure enough, at the three way crossroads, a somewhat ominous wooden sign pointed forth. I took a wrong turn in the snaking path that it indicated at one point, but a quick check of the compass and cross referencing the map, put me back on the right path. Sure now that I had the right way, I set off uphill.

At this point I realised the physical effort of what I was undertaking fully. I was already very tired from taking the entirety of the wild camping gear, and was having to take quite frequent stops for water / rest. Looking back on it this was probably a good thing – as I slowly, but surely made my way up the valley towards my destination.

The first part of the walk was wooded, but this soon gave way to a mixed terrain of fields, and lightly wooded areas, and I got the first glimpse of the ritual site. At this point, I would be lying to say that I felt very outmatched by what I was about to do. Up to this point in my life, I’d never properly wild camped on my own. Only when I was much, much younger, some twenty odd years before when I was barely even a kid. Never mind wild camped at at least somewhat decent elevation. with exposure to take into account. I felt very much, out of my depth. However I had no choice then, but to carry on. Quitting would have been unthinkable.

I tightened by straps and carried on along the path into the mountains. After coming past two, fenced off areas of mixed woodland (which would have been ideal places to camp, what with a stream running down and through them off the mountains) the path ceased to really be a path – converting into just a load of stones, that I realised also doubled as riverbed in poor conditions. At this point, I was starting to flag and it was reaching around 6pm. Thinking hard, I decided that to push on would not be a great idea – with only two hours of light left, and a bit of a climb to where I needed to go, it would be easy to be caught losing the light. Checking my water provisions, I also realised I had run low. As such, I thought it best to put down for the night rather than push on. I still had days to use if needed – and enough food to extend the trip, if not comfortably.

From one side of the valley, a stream poured down into the river that snaked along not too far from the path itself. I could see that area wasn’t particularly enclosed, nor did it appear to be overly marshy. I chose a slightly elevated position, due to lack of wind, so that I wouldn’t awake to lying in a pool of water.

I fired up the Trangia stove, and after I had fed it enough alcohol, enjoyed my evening meal and a good cup of instant coffee. With the light finally failing me, I lit the storm lantern and enjoyed simply listening to how soundless everything was. Other than the wind, almost nothing stirred in the dark. Eventually, I got tired, turned the light off, and attempted to get some sleep.

The Lamp in the Valley, self taken image

I would not be very successful in this. I may have gotten at most one hour sleep – but woke up for unknown reasons. I wasn’t cold – I had a sufficient sleeping bag and it was incredibly mild for the location at least, and the tent proved itself to be far better than expected and ones I had used in the past. It may have been the sheer power of the full moon – for I was somewhat late in getting to the meeting point for the dragon. I went for a walk to clear my head, leaving the storm lantern to guide my way back to the tent when needed. The air was beautifully fresh – but eventually began to work its way in through my clothes. As such, I eventually went back to the tent and awaited dawn.

This is the only clear picture I will share of the valley itself – because it is simply magical. Waking up to see the fog rolling over the lake and into the valley was something special indeed. The tent can be seen in the background of this image, almost looking like a rock, blending in well with the surrounding environment. The morning was VERY fresh – and after a quick bit of breakfast, I cleaned my things in the stream then packed up to begin the walk towards the tarn itself.

Waking in the Valley, self taken image

I got back onto the path and began the walk deeper into the valley. Climbing up the broken stone path. Even with my walking stick (a consecrated blackthorn stick, empowered with Hecates blessing) it was slow and tedious going. As I rounded the corner, I could see the old climbing lodge far in the distance, further up the valley. This lodge would mark where I had to leave the path and begin the climb up the tarn itself.

I continued on, trying to keep my mental reserves, if not physical ones, topped up by thinking of the benefits of performing the rite. Looking at the climb up, I can’t say at that point I had no doubts that I was capable of doing this – as I got closer I could see just how steep it was. Without any indication of how to climb the somewhat acute slope, with significant load, I knew it would potentially be touch and go for someone with as little experience as myself.

I was about halfway to the lodge when I came across a small bridge, that crossed the river that went across the valley. The weather again was good.. possibly too good for a climb. So I took some time to first collect some more water, before having a refreshing paddle in the stream. It was so clear – almost impossibly so it seemed. I came across a few others hiking here – I had a conversation with a few of them, but almost none seemed to know of my destination, pushing onto another, well travelled tarn further along the path. Despite my destination, for all intents and purposes, being just over the next ridgeline.

River Esk - Picture of Lingcove Bridge, Cumbria - Tripadvisor

Lingcove Bridge, photographer unknown

I reached the hiking lodge probably around midday – the exact time now eludes me. I had take it somewhat slowly in getting to this point, and looking up at the slope that now towered over me, I was very, very thankful I had decided NOT to climb into the cove the previous night. In low light, it is very likely something would have gone very wrong. I stopped at the Climbing Lodge to actually have lunch – a pre-packaged affair of chicken curry. This tasted far better than it had any right to, and it was just enough calories to get me up to my destination. I hadn’t packed copious amounts of food – certainly on the lighter end, and not enough to replace energy used to get up here I realised. My entire plan was to go as light as I could, get the ritual done, then come back.

At this point, it is probably a good idea to review what the aim of all this was. It is to be noted, that I was carrying the six anchor stones from the sea, up to elevation, as part of the formula to open the necessary Dragon gate. These were not particularly light, make up at least a fifth of total pack weight. The sea stones, were absolute required in order to unite with the heights and draw down the dragon – this was part of the formula sent, by Surgat, in close work. As such, not taking them was not an option and other sacrifices needed to be made in regards to gear and provisions.

Once I had prepared myself, I set off back behind the lodge for the climb. It was initially hard, but quickly got worse. The cove was a primary source for the now somewhat small stream – and much of the slope was very boggy. It also possessed holes between the foliage which would easily snap an ankle, even when wearing good boots – channels that they had grown over and hidden. The stave came in great use here, checking to see if ground was firm before I stepped onto it.

Spotting a ridgeline which may be shallower, I decided to make for it. But the slope had now gotten so steep, I felt like to stand with such a heavy pack (which was shifting weight despite my attempts) may cause me to be pulled backwards and cause a nasty, potentially life threatening fall. As such, I decided to do the next leg on my hands and knees. This is how large periods of this climb now went – crawling, at times swearing to myself and cursing my stupidity at how this whole endeavour was a bad idea. One that was probably going to get me injured or worse, killed.

I made the ridgeline, and by Hecate, I could see that there was indeed a path that went up into the cove at the foot of the tarn – at least a way that was far easier in terms of foliage and slope, than the one I was at first forced to utilise.

This ridgeline was still quite precarious, leaving not much room for error. The final part sloped down to meet a waterfall in the distance, where it was evident any fall would result in a good 50 foot drop to my probable immediate misfortune. I pushed past this part, and identified another ridgeline that may take me into the cove itself. The other potential avenues into the cove were all scree slopes – not a great idea to avoid an incident. By this point I decided to just go for it. I put all the remaining power in my legs and went for the final ridge. I got near the lip when they failed me and it had to stop, making sure to fall back up, rather than down the slope.

At this point I looked back and down the valley and realised how high up I was. As someone who does not have a well documented history with heights, I will concede certain parts of my anatomy decided to go on a prompt vacation. The next lip seemed so close and so far. Even as I was getting my heartrate back down to sensible levels, a mountain goat decided to come see what I was up to. It snuffled its way towards me, seemingly completely unbothered by my presence. It got a little bit too curious, and I needed to shoo it away with the stave. I laughed as I collected myself, and realised that for the first time in some twenty four hours I had signal. I needed to share it with someone, as well as my current predicament as my boots pointed down slope and made my call.

Having finished, I told myself I had come this far. Failure was not an option. It was either do – or die. I absolutely refused to give up, stood up, and made the lip of the next ridge.

I emerged into the boggy cove, and broke out into both elation and despair in equal measure. I could see where the tarn was – another 2km across intensely broken, boggy ground and I had used up all my physical and mental resources to even get where I was! I sunk down on my knees and realised that, in some way, I had failed. It would be impossible to make the tarn. With the sun beating down heavily on me, even covered again I was very sunburned and had ran out of water. Part of me wanted to ignore this fact and just push on regardless. But something deep in me cautioned to do so would be to truly screw myself. To cross a boundary beyond pushing my limits into folly. I reached out with my mind toward Hecate and asked her to be present. I initially got no reply. Eventually I got a reply.

‘I have brought you to where you need to be’.

I looked around and laughed. Of course I was. The fresh mountain stream, bursting forth from the spring I could visibly see just a little further up the slope to the peak of mountain, flowed down through the cove and formed a perfect, pool of water. It lazily swirled here, where at one end it cascaded down to tumble over the side of the cove in the very same waterfall I had passed on my way up. This would be a perfect, powerful would-be gate for the ritual. I laughed aloud, and began looking for a place to put down camp. It took awhile to find a space that was remotely acceptable – due to the sheer waterlogged terrain which surrounded me.

Note the above description may come across as overly dramatic, but is an authentic account of my own perceptions. I am sure a more experienced hiker would have still had a hard time, but probably not anywhere near as a hard time as myself. But I had truly felt coming up, that I had to place my life into the hands of my Gods, where one wrong move could have seen a very different outcome to the whole story. With this thought in the back of my head, I set up camp and promptly had a good few hours rest. I got some food in me and awaited the sun to go past the ridgeline that surrounding me on three of four sides.

The Marked Stellar Stones, self taken image

With the hour approaching , I began the setup for the rite itself. I took out the stones, and placed them in a hexagonal formation within the pool itself. Six was a major component in this work – and for these protective stones to do their job it was necessary for them to be placed in such a configuration; that being to both anchor and protect from the Dragons energies.

The light from the storm lantern danced on the pool in the twilight. It was so stunningly beautiful as the sun begin to down, the gold of the sigils reflecting up through the water, bathing me in their light. Using the lantern as anchoring point, I began the ritual creation of circle at twilight, as well as the required evocations of the Trident, in their entirety. Also evoked was another angelic guardian of the highest order – one armed with a lightning-dripping sword. This indicated ward of the rite, being granted in direct work with Lucifer, was to play a centre role in balancing the rite as the Angel of Time linked to Saturn. This was to be specific to this particular performance of this specific rite.

With these ritual actions performed, I summoned the dragon itself. On the opposite cliff face, the dragon answered, relatively rapidly. It appeared as an immense body of light that danced across the entire opposite cliff surface. For a split second it was entirely, physically visible, as a pure body of light until it swept up and over the mountain top. It disappeared then, physically, but etherically assumed a position above the circle itself.

The Dragon by Vera Velichko

With the ritual actions performed, I opened the path in blood. I left the circle of night and descended into the pool itself until, in full possession, I called down the dragon to merge with my own form. This was far more subtle than I expected at first, as it hovered above me. It hung there like a coiled, white mass, its form silvery white in contrast to the being of golden light I had first perceived it as. The sight was regal beyond comprehension, and at that moment as I looked up into the sky, the dragon descended and attempted to swallow my etheric form. Thankfully I was prepared for this – with markings I had drawn onto my flesh, and practiced with Surgat prior to commencing on this adventure.

With one hand I held energetically onto the floor, and with the other, reached inside the dragon itself. With some resistance (surely little from the dragons perspective), I wrapped my hand around something ‘fleshy’ and pulled. The Dragon withdrew, and in my hands I perceived a beating heart or seed. Wordlessly, the Dragon of the Sky told me I had succeeded in a test of strength – not just with it, but in the entire performance of the pilgrimage to this very pool. He had known I would come. There was but one thing left to do. I put my hands to my mouth and consumed the etheric flesh. It felt very real, bloody and rich. As I swallowed I tried not to gag, and it was with conscious effort my body did not immediately reject it into the pool. As soon as I had done so, I felt my form absolutely fill with fire. A series of voces magicae issued forth from my mouth, and the Dragon withdrew a little bit more, to give me more space. We were fully separated now – for what it was worth, due to its energies now surging through my blood.

At this point, the light was getting extremely dim. I spent a few minutes in the presence of the Gods and Dragon in ecstatic victory. I had managed. I had completed my task. I closed down the ritual, gathered my things. As I did so I disturbed something. A frog leapt up, bounded away, and headed down towards the star pool. I remember the dead amphibian, I had seen on my way here two days prior, and laughed at the obvious, on the nose symbolism. Retreating to my tent, it didn’t take too long for me to fall soundly asleep. My dreams were vivid – of flight, of journey. I remember waking up the following morning, wrapped in my sleeping bag, feeling like I had slept for a thousand years – in reality, probably all of nine hours.

The Morning on the Mountain, self taken image

I looked out over the entrance to the valley, and took in the sunrise, as I packed my kit. It was beautiful to see, and I felt at peace. The return journey down the slope, whilst in no way easy, was far easier now I knew a somewhat acceptable route to take up and down the cove entrance. The stones I left in the pool, and the gateway slightly ajar – as a permanent, stellar temple gateway to the Dragon of the Sky. This is what the Dragon had requested, it its own, wordless intuitive way. Only now did I realise that, unlike the others, this Dragon had not at all, uttered communication in what could even inwardly be described as formed words. In time, the stones will undoubtedly be washed down into the stream and by extension the valley below. Anyone wanting to evoke the dragon fully should carry a new set after all, as is fitting sacrifice, and to maintain the space. But the gate now stands open on the inner planes, and will for a long time allow for stellar ingress and egress for those who have the sight to see and the training to fully utilise such a gate. In future, I may again make this journey- to maintain and reconnect with this stellar entity – but it is unlikely to be anytime soon.

The walk back was made far easier by no longer having the weight of the stones, and I treated myself to a hearty dinner when back in civilization before heading back to my starting point. There I relaxed, so thoroughly elated that I had completed my mission, and revealed I had made it back to tell the tale without incident.

I will end this entry there. This full moon, there is more to do, as eluded to in the opening few paragraphs. More to decode, to write, to draw, to experience, before the Samhain season hits in full and work and attention needs turning to the next initiation here. But to all that has read the above, I hope it has served as both entertaining tale, as well as informative piece, on the Rite of the Stellar Dragon, who is named in old tales and myths as Ziz.

‘To You,
O Stellar Dragon of the Sky,
Coiled Serpent of Prismatic Light
Ye who dances upon the Peaks of Eternity
Given praise by an Echoing Song,
Which travels on an Endless Sea of Shifting Stars
I lift now my voice,
I beseech you now,
In Love,
In Honour,
Reveal to the Race of the Self Cursed,
The Path to the Endless Heavens
O Great Magnificent Scaled One
Ophidian Child of The Great Witch Queen
Show the Way to the Bountiful Fruit of the Gods,
To the Shining Celestial Tree
And Pour Forth Thy Healing Waters,
That which you righteously command,
In the name of the Firstborn of the Great Goddess,
Send now, O Fanged One
The Power with which to to break our Cycle of Fate.
In the name of the Most Holy,
The Queen of Heaven,
So shall it Be.’

~S~

Leave a comment »

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,
Whose Jaws holds the Cosmos,
Hear my Prayer,
Pour out your Starfire onto the Earth
Fill us with your Divine Light
Heal our souls,
Relieve our burdens,
And set us free,
O Green Eyed Queen,
Of Highest Heaven
~S~

Leave a comment »

Daybreak: Return to the Light and the Foundation of the Stellar Temple

Posted in Stellar Gnosis, The Path of Flames with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 14, 2021 by Sypheara

So it has been all quiet on the blog front. In order to get through a very long winter, it has been necessary to turn inward to focus on mundane life and concerns. Whilst the occult work hasn’t stopped, it has also taken a turn to be far more introspective and personal than can necessarily be shared in public. That said, I thought a small post was in order.

I think that these circumstances probably reflects a lot of our collective experience at the moment. But here at least, there is finally signs of things picking up. The return of the light and warm weather here has been quite abrupt, and I feel that this year will open up to be a great one for the current and the work of the temple here. With the publication of the upcoming Qayin work by MAS, I can see many new faces being drawn into working with our gods. Exciting times, given the last year we have all had to suffer through.

Due to this, I thought it would be good to put down my (very) long term intentions for the work here, that runs parallel to my own theurgic work. It is to be noted that these plans are just that very long term and up in the air, but are important I think to get out there. Especially as I have had some people asking me personally to clarify.

A tarn in Norway, Photographer Unknown

I plan to do the next ritual in the dragon workings between May and August;  the initial anchor stones for the outside working were collected this weekend, and will be blessed tonight, in preparation for their marking and empowerment at the next full moon in preparation for their use in this evocation. Surgat will be worked with heavily to understand this formulae that is similar to the stellar anchors used in previous evocational work, but different in intention. To create a bridge for the dragon to ride down, is the most vital element to the entire working. This is something I’m deeply looking forward to – the most powerful work is always done in the wild, in connection with the elemental forces. The inner temple work, whilst very powerful, is unsuited to such works of grand evocation necessary for the next stages of soul evolution. I have a plan as to what and where – it is going to involve a bit of wild camping, at elevation, so it is going to need a proper plan and preparation to pull it off somewhat safely. I may document the trip as I go, as it is likely going to take a few days to get to the wilderness location where I’ll be carrying the rite out.

In other news I have gotten back into transcribing all the writing from the physical volumes into electronic format – into a more cohesive edited work. All of this task is mostly thankless and goes unnoticed, as it’s nature but it’s crucial as anyone who documents their own work knows. It is currently not my plan to ever publish this publicly – things could change, with a variety of internal, external factors coming into account (and protocol to be followed as is honourable) – but instead the current intention is to focus on creating a master copy temple book, as part of founding a real, physical working group here. This work can then be given to the initiates, in a format suitable to their level of development.

A lot has been worked on in this regard since I last tackled transcribing and editing (the work referred here to simply as The Book of the Ivory Spider), not least the Lucifer aspect which turned out to be far longer, and more involved, than I had anticipated. More direction has come through, but until I bust through this particular gate that has had me working years longer than expected, the full extent of the remaining Belial and Ivory Spider work is difficult to see. I doubt that before full outer and inner plane construction is finished, I’ll be able see the complete picture to put everything into perspective. This lull however does make for a perfect time to get caught up in anticipation of more gnosis that needs to be brought through, decoded, and recorded.

To give people an insight, below is a picture of the journals covering the last few years of work. There is a lot of material – most of it being quite specific to myself – but that still leaves a lot to be extracted, rewritten, detailed and placed into context which is not always obvious immediately after performing a rite and documenting the results.

A stack of Temple Books, self taken

It is not just text either. Within these works are the various sigillic diagrams, spirit seals, and other such details via which to create the necessary gates opened in blood. Many of these ways for now need to be solidly guarded until they can be possibly passed on. Below is one of the diagrammatic seals / sigils reflecting the poison that runs through the blood, upon accepting the blessing and curse of the guardian of the stellar webway upon ones own soul, body and mind. This is only the outer seal or mark of a very real occult transformation which happens within the blood, that puts a significant strain upon the body initially. If pushed through, it allows for great works of healing conducted through direct blood work – especially at removing, destroying, and cleansing works or after effects of a malefic or abusive nature.

The Seal of the Healing Venoms, self created and taken

To return to the topic of the group work to detail that further, if anything of the last few years has taught me, it is the value of physical covens. The one that I work with for an arguably related but separate current, has taught me the great value of shared history, gnosis, and of an implicitly trustworthy magickal fraternity. Devoid of drama, it has focused strongly on the rites and power and has reaped the fruits of such. This experience has also conversely taught me of the many shortfalls that come through online teaching and learning. Simply put, what I want to achieve with the Stellar Temple that is slowly forming, is not possible outside of a cohesive magical group working intimately and closely in the real physical world. This is where I want to focus my efforts, and thus produce a strong line of stellar initiates within a lived and deep tradition. This is how I see my own work developing, and the best of way of safeguarding and cherishing what was passed down to me from the Mother Temple, as well as other treasured lines of initiation.

2020 taught me the seriousness of such a charge and simply cemented my conviction to build this and disseminate it in the way that achieved the best results for individuals and the world soul. One can say my mind was focused. As to the exact form this will take, it is up to much debate, but both organization and makeup of the working group here is still be decided. Initial formulation of three working degrees, based around alchemical principles, will be the primary means of testing and preparation for initiate work. The actual passing on of any prince of fire empowerments will be reserved for those who excel and pass in physical dedication passed those three degrees. Whilst superficially similar to traditional wicca, and no doubt inspired by my work within that related current, the content of the rites are specifically Primal Current in both method and design. The first of these initiations at Black Degree have already been performed. There is however, a lot of remaining work to develop the personal cultus of the Temple and ensure it is both consistent and correctly understood to be properly revealed and transmitted. I’m looking forward to doing this work immensely.

Scene of Rising Energies from Amenta, self created and taken

Some may contrast this approach with that taken by the Mother Temple itself for disseminating work. There is reason why the works of the mother temple were made public, that have been discussed at length by its gatekeeper. Sometimes the time is right to make something more widely known, important to make something public. For the stellar work done here, that time is certainly not yet – and it may be simply that it is never for wide dissemination.

The blog is probably not going to have lots of updates this year – unless it is to update on the Dragon Rite and or the construction of the inner temple. I have seemingly lost my appetite right now for public discourse and the tide turns inwards to give birth to something new and deep. It would be easy to do updates on common affairs topics – like the current Hecatian communities general attitude, the attitude of witchcraft community to its teachers and its all take, no give solipsistic practice and approach. But I have so far decided to simply stay off these topics here and focus on the  work. I think that is what is most beneficial for the long run, as the rest is really just monkey noise getting in the way of progress on the theurgic path. Somethings should be self evident, and not need an essay.

I may in the near future finally get a review up for Jack Grayles Hekateon, as well as Liber Khthonia by Jeff Cullen at some point. We will see. The first is quite belated – the quick summation are both are worth reading, and enough is easily syncretised with the Primal Current to make them worth it for the Trident devotees as secondary sources. The last one in particular in its reclamation of the devotional aspect I feel is very important and very good to be seeing in new material as emphasis.

I hope this insight has given people something to look forward to re the writeup and a bit of reassurance that good work is still ongoing here.

Illuminated by the Black Sun,
We Carry Her Torches,
Now and Forever,
~S~

Leave a comment »

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~

Leave a comment »