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Black Magic 101 History, Definitions, Metaphysics, Science, Ethics, Risks, and Applications

Order of the Serpent

© Order of the Serpent 2019 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Stellar Tradition and the Left Hand Path ................................................................................................................ 3 Solar Tradition and the Right Hand Path ................................................................................................................ 5 Stellar/Black v. Solar/White Magic ........................................................................................................................ 6 Exoteric Black Magic ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Esoteric Black Magic .............................................................................................................................................. 9 The Metaphysics and Science of Black Magic ..................................................................................................... 10 Ethics of Black Magic ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Dangers of Black Magic ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Introductory Guide to Greater Black Magic ......................................................................................................... 16 Magic Askew 3.0............................................................................................................................................... 16 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Law of the Trapezoid ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Thoughts on Magic ........................................................................................................................................ 18 Nostalgia ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Sample Ritual Outline ................................................................................................................................... 19 The Gate of Darkness .................................................................................................................................... 21 Ultraviolet Lighting ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Other Lighting ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Optics ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 UV Reactive Materials .................................................................................................................................. 23 Noise .............................................................................................................................................................. 24 Themes........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 26 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 Supplementary Images .................................................................................................................................. 28 Pyramid Texts Reading ..................................................................................................................................... 30 A Setian Rite ..................................................................................................................................................... 31 Invocation of Set ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Satanic Invocation ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Princes and Princesses of Darkness .................................................................................................................. 36 Order of the Serpent Founders’ Statement ........................................................................................................ 44 2

Introduction “Stellar Magic”, more commonly known as “Black Magic”, is the tradition practiced by the Left Hand Path. Commonly “black” here is associated with things which are evil or wrong, but this is simply a misconception and propaganda promoted by a much more widely accepted point of view, as we will see. In reality, the term is used because of its association with the Stellar Tradition, the darkness of the night sky illuminated by only the stars. This was our first esoteric tradition, our concept of immortality coming from the Northern Circumpolar Stars themselves, which have always been associated with the Prince of Darkness. This article will define Stellar/Black Magic and the Left Hand Path compared to Solar/White Magic and the Right Hand Path, investigate both esoteric and exoteric forms of Black Magic, dive into why magic works at all from the views of both philosophy and science, cover the ethics and possible dangers of Black Magic, and provide a detailed and practical starting point for practicing Greater Black Magic. It is written to be applicable to all Left Hand Path traditions and give an objective overview of this tradition.

Stellar Tradition and the Left Hand Path “Stellar Tradition” refers to the original religions of ancient humanity, which were based around the cycles of the Stars, and most importantly of the Northern Circumpolar Stars. To human beings above the equator, including the earliest civilizations like Egypt and Sumer, the Stars in the North never sank below the horizon, no matter what time of night or what time of year. All the other Stars, all the observable planets, and all of the zodiac (the Gods) rose and fell beneath the horizon, except for the Stars in the North. Most specifically these Stars were what are known today as Draco, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor.

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Due to the fact that these Stars never set they came to be known as “The Imperishable Stars” or “The Undying Stars,” and were associated with the concepts of Eternity and Immortality. This meant they were also the center of the earliest human views on the afterlife. The original central deity of this tradition was the Egyptian god Set, the “Prince of Darkness”. However, the Prince/ss of Darkness appears in all traditions, including as Satan in the Judeo-Christian traditions, and there will be an appendix of numerous examples at the end of this text. The Left Hand Path in the West, which descends from the Stellar Tradition, has evolved over time into many different and unique spiritual and philosophical paths. These paths all share certain common traits – apathy towards cultural norms & values, a high respect for subjective experience, an avoidance of dogma, a focus on the individual Self, a use of pragmatism, an investment in modern objective knowledge, skepticism, and Selfdeification - whether that means becoming metaphorically Godlike in this life, or literally continuing as a Godlike being after death. The Left Hand Path is apathetic to values in the sense that, rather than strictly behaving in taboo or “scary” ways (going against norms just to spite them and break the norm), individuals do what is best for them and those they love. After all, basing one’s behavior on “upsetting the status quo” still makes one bound to the status quo, for the status quo is defining those behaviors. In some Left Hand Path texts, for instance, it explicitly explains that sometimes teaming up with authority can be a means to success and power. A walker of the Left Hand Path will obey State laws not because they accept the authority of the State or necessarily agree with the laws, but because the punishment is not worth the reward. Just try getting a meaningful job with multiple felonies! Understanding how the system works and playing the game does not mean one agrees with or supports it. The Left Hand Path is pragmatic in the sense that what works is equally important to what is true.

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Solar Tradition and the Right Hand Path The Solar Tradition first rose in popularity due to the fact that, under the Stellar Tradition, the divine King was expected to give up his position every seven years, whether through ceremony or death. Under the Solar religion the same people could remain in power for the entirety of their lives – in this sense the move was done specifically to strengthen political power. Solar religion was based on uniting the Self with the Divine, in which, after death an individual would either become identified with a God, such as Osiris in Egypt, or would live a very similar life in a land still ruled by the Gods. The physical body slowly became more and more important, as it was created by the Gods and had to remain pure, and was required for life after death. Obeying the rules was how one received acceptance into the afterlife – being judged by the Gods in the end to see if the dead was “worthy”. The focus of thought was on the Sun’s cycle through the sky and the cycles of Nature that affected daily life. Darkness became a threat, later to be demonized and shunned, and representative of all that went against the Solar theology. This is where Western religion stems from: obeying the rules for postmortem rewards and hoping to not upset the Gods, as well as the clear Solar/Light symbolism that permeates Western religions. For the Right Hand Path, embodied best by religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the focus is on something external and perceived as superior to individual human beings – generally a God or State. It is a path of submission and obedience, and has been a prevalent aspect of human ideology since at least the religions of Ra and Osiris in Ancient Egypt, though possibly earlier. The Right Hand Path is classified by a focus on the external, submission to the rules and ideas of superiors such as priests or rabbis, the demonization of individual conscious will, a spreading of dogma, the crusades and inquisitions, destruction of opposing ideas, etc. When we are asked to see non-harmful natural behavior as evil, are told to put the church or state above the self and what we hold dearest, or are promised an afterlife spot in the same hierarchy after death if we “just obey” or “just repent”, one can be sure that they are dealing with a Right Hand 5

Path ideology. Pragmatism is also shunned because there is only room for the “truth” preached by that one sect. A Christian who invokes Satan or demons because they are simply inspired more by that symbolism will certainly be shunned or feared by their Christian community. This is because there is seen to be an objective truth behind Satan and Satanic imagery with no room or concern for “what works”.

Stellar/Black v. Solar/White Magic White Magic, in line with the Solar and Right Hand Path traditions, is mainly focused on concepts such as submission, control over others, manipulation, self-delusion, and so forth. As examples, we see the submission in the constant need to appease some higher power, or assigning all one’s own power to that external being. Getting down on your hands and knees bowing before god, even in Solar occult religions like mainstream Thelema and Wicca which seek dissolution and acceptance from deities respectively. Control over others is one of the main goals sought by high-level practitioners of White Magic, such as priesthoods and leaderships. The Catholic Church is one of the best examples of this out there – seeking to control every aspect of their followers’ lives and even thoughts, dictate what they are personally allowed to feel. This goes hand in hand with manipulation, such as the same church convincing its followers to give them money for “god” and using it to build megachurches and clothe the pope in gold. Islamic extremism is another illustration as it seeks to use fear and violence to force its way upon others. As for self-delusion, all the main Right Hand Path traditions, even including materialism, require some type of self-delusion to accept. Buddhism and Materialism require rejecting the self/mind (which axiomatically exists) as a real thing, Christianity convinces itself of some all loving/powerful god that apparently doesn’t care enough to or cannot do anything to help us (i.e. problem of evil), or that set up a massive catch 22 to force worship out of us, and Judaism teaches a completely fabricated history. 6

In contrast, Black Magic is about freedom and evolution of the Self, taking control of one’s own destiny, creating one’s own meaning, accepting the power within oneself, and being prideful of doing so. Rather than “thy will be done” of the Right Hand Path, Black Magic is “my will be done”. Does this make the Left Hand Path a negatively selfish tradition? Many have had such individuality and Self-focus demonized throughout their lives, and surely to them the Left Hand Path seems like a path where one cares about themselves with no regard for others. Yet this is absolutely not the case. All acts are selfish in a way, it just matters if the intent and outcome are positive or negative. We care for loved ones specifically because of our “selfish” love for them and desire to see them be well and happy. We help a stranger in a parking lot and inevitably it causes a positive feeling of oneself. As Magister Doug Pridgen of the Temple of Set once said, would you really want to hear a significant other loves you as a “disinterested act of self-sacrifice”? Of course not! They love you for selfish reasons, and they should. Further examples of Black Magic include the Existential nature of it. Unlike Right Hand Path traditions which see meaning as something assigned by some external force, the Black Magician understands that there are many opposing forces at play with no one set “purpose” and that purpose must come from the individual. The Black Magician cannot let their lives be determined by ministers or authority figures, parents or peers. It is also accepted that the power of magic comes from each individual, and not some external force like a god. The walker of the Left Hand Path may believe in gods but not that magic is somehow getting a god to do your dirty work for you, which would be prayer. This also means it takes dedicated effort to succeed at Black Magic, the power cannot be bestowed upon you by anyone or anything else. Contrast this to simply praying or meditating problems away, or taking the stance that everything is deterministic anyways, whether due to mindless matter or a god. Rather than seeking to delude the self into believing what it wants to, the Black Magician seeks to confront the truths of reality no matter how ugly, including/especially the reality of their own being and nature. Introspection is key, and the central components 7

of Left Hand Path magic have already been covered above: “apathy towards cultural norms & values, a high respect for subjective experience, an avoidance of dogma, a focus on the individual Self, a use of pragmatism, an investment in modern objective knowledge, skepticism, and Self-deification.”

Exoteric Black Magic The simplest but no less important form of Black Magic is Exoteric Magic, more commonly known as “Lesser Black Magic”. This is defined as magic relating to how you appear to and interact with the outside world on a base level. How one speaks, what one wears, who one associates with, where one works, how one spends their time, even what tattoos and body modifications one chooses – all these are acts are Lesser Black Magic if addressed consciously and willfully, and they have an impact on the external world and those in it, including how they perceive and react to you. The key is “consciously and willfully”, as the vast majority of people go about these things rather mindlessly, especially related to the long term and big picture. Exoteric Black Magic is by no means easy, but it is certainly a simpler place to start for a new practitioner. Sometimes new Black Magicians do not understand the importance of Exoteric Magic, going full out with body modifications and an image that turns a great many people off without reason. Generally as the walker of the Left Hand Path matures this tends to be toned down. This also includes more complicated Exoteric Magic such as navigating social situations and workplace environments. When you are speaking to your supervisor about a raise, you need to be able to read the room and drive the conversation exactly where and how you want it to go. Even just explaining your beliefs to others requires a bit of a mastery of Lesser Black Magic. At least a basic understanding of oneself and human psychology is an absolute necessity to start down the path of Lesser Black Magic, otherwise one is simply floundering in the dark. 8

Esoteric Black Magic The more complicated and arguably important kind of Black Magic is Esoteric or Greater Black Magic. This is magic that focuses on transforming the individual at a fundamental level, as well as interacting with the Princes and Princesses of Darkness. One can choose to learn about any particular subject, form any particular argument, and imagine virtually anything. One can, at least to an extent, learn to self-regulate, to be aware of and redirect one's subconscious thoughts and bodily reactions, and to engage in therapy and other services to help whatever may be ailing them. Doing this changes the individual at an esoteric and fundamental level, which in turn impacts the universe and other individuals in it. This text is one such example of Greater Black Magic, both for the author and, hopefully, the audience. One way this may occur is simply an individual diving into esoteric texts and changing their understanding of the cosmos. This is generally the most basic and first type of Greater Black Magic the practitioner engages in. Another could be the practitioner participating in activities they generally would not be comfortable in, such as an introvert public speaking in order to become more extroverted. A third is evidenced in things like cognitive therapy and placebos without deception – which will be discussed later – in which the individual willfully and consciously controls their behavior and reactions against biological determinism, and the body can be improved simply by belief respectively. Due to this, Free Will is a central concept to Greater Black Magic. Free Will is something attainable, but not something inherent. Children do not have much if any Free Will or free thought until 7 – 12 years of age. Free Will must be worked for and managed. Constantly your body, other people in the world, the universe itself are trying to crush your Free Will and bring you under their Order. The Right Hand Path individual seeks to fall in line with this seemingly omnipresent crushing Order (“God”/Brahman/The All/Matter). Those on the Left Hand Path do not. With (great) effort we can question, manipulate, and even go against this Order, as we will discuss below. 9

The other side of Greater Black Magic is ritual and ceremony, the actual act of doing a magical ritual and invoking or communicating with the gods of the Left Hand Path. Some groups may see these as simply archetypes or symbolic tools, while others believe these beings to exist in a very literal sense. Authentic Left Hand Path esoteric experiences, especially the first ones, are often paradigm shattering and life-changing, opening up entire new vistas of reality to the practitioner. This is covered more in the appendix with “Magic Askew” and examples of Greater Black Magical ritual.

The Metaphysics and Science of Black Magic The metaphysics and science of Black Magic and the Stellar Tradition can get rather complicated, but we will take a shallow dive into it here. Black Magic works because consciousness and matter are two ontologically different things, allowing the conscious individual to actually overcome material nature. We can start by showing this philosophically and move on to proving it scientifically. To start, the existence of one’s own mind is an axiomatic fact, meaning it cannot be rejected or even reasonably questioned. “I exist” can never be false and is also the greatest and most direct certainty we have. All knowledge of matter or anything else depends on us being conscious and processing that information, and we cannot reject the certain and directly known for something uncertain we only know through it. Further, consciousness clearly and demonstrably has different properties than matter. Some of these include consciousness and matter respectively being nonspacial v spacial, wholly personal v accessible to others, subjective v objective, having aboutness v lacking it, being inaccessible to the senses v being accessible to them, and so on. The Law of Identity, the second most fundamental axiom after your own existence, is that “A is A”, or a thing is identified by its properties and if two things have different properties they cannot be the same. As matter and consciousness have not only different, but mutually exclusive properties, shows that they are two ontologically separate things. 10

Moving over to science, the first aspect of magic to investigate is the human ability to question the natural, deterministic world. This entire PDF is a testament to that ability to question Nature, investigate it, test it, and come to learn about it as something apart from the system itself. All science and metaphysics is an achievement unmatched in any known corner of the universe, or even in any known species with higher intelligence like dolphins and elephants. Nothing else can provide such objective knowledge of the cosmos, build such massive libraries of philosophical and scientific knowledge, or feel so removed from Nature that existential crises plague the species through history and across cultures. Another piece of empirical evidence is the ability for the human mind to manipulate Nature. This can be seen in examples such as using advanced chemistry to make highly complex medication that would never arise in Nature without such a mind, or in our ability to level mountains for cities and roads, to stop up rivers and obliterate (or regrow) forests. It's true that certain animals change their environments and use natural medications, but nothing even close to the level at which human beings have willfully done with an organized plan in mind ahead of time. It's in the biology of the beaver to make a damn out of wood, but only in the mind of a human being that we could come up with something like the Hoover damn, filled with technology, built out of solid materials, or the Egyptian pyramids which still stand the test of time. The human mind also has the ability to go against the flow of Nature. This is massive even next to the previous two points. Self-regulation is a well-known aspect of the human mind which requires us to be aware of our deterministic Nature, control it, and act differently. To illustrate, surely everyone reading this has felt that desire to yell at a sales associate when the proper context arises. This is the brain, the body, the nervous and adrenal system, all driving the animal Nature of the human being to yell at the person standing before them, possibly even just for a minor annoyance! Yet thanks to our consciousness and free will we can self-regulate – we become aware of this natural desire, the response our body is making towards our coworker or stranger, and then… we can simply choose not to follow it. To walk away, take some deep breaths, move on. Can one 11

really imagine an animal encroaching on another's territory, and the other simply realizing "meh, he probably didn't know this was my territory, let's go talk it out," as opposed to simply attacking the encroaching animal? If I put my dog’s favorite treat in front of him without saying anything and leave him to his devices, he is going to eat the treat. It does not matter if he is overweight or I have him on a diet, he will eat it anyways. A dieting human can have their favorite food in front of them, the physical drive desiring the sweet goodness, and choose not to eat it when left to their own devices. This is empirical proof of a Separation between mind and body/brain. Another example of this is Cognitive Therapy. Something like depression or anxiety works within the deterministic system of the body. The individual doesn't choose to have random drops in serotonin or whatever their specific issue may be, it simply happens the same as breathing happens and your heart beating happens. But with things like Cognitive Therapy, humans are able to recognize these coming changes, learn their triggers, and hopefully be able to pull themselves out of their episode with their own conscious willpower. Placebos are further evidence of this, where you are given something that explicitly causes no change to the deterministic system (placebos by definition do not cause physiological change). However, the mental belief that one is being aided can cause actual, objective change in the physiology of the body, such as with pain. The mind causes physiological change to the system, rather than the other way around in this case. The other important point to touch on for metaphysics is the tie between how Black Magic works and how others view it. For instance, why is Black Magic so often seen as something “against god” or “against nature”. This is because, well, it is, at least where “god” is the “Creator” of so many Right Hand Path traditions. This creator god, whether literal or in mythology, set up the deterministic material world we exist in. It is the creator and definer of nature. Black Magic is explicitly about not getting swept up in the predetermined plan, whether it be from a god or mindless material nature. In this sense it truly is against god/nature, it just realizes those things are not the be all end all of order and morality. 12

Eastern religions with their divine underlying of this illusion, Western religions with their monotheistic creator God, and even modern and growing materialism with its deterministic, natural machine – we can see where this Order comes into play with all of these. Many philosophies like Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism attempt to align themselves with this underlying reality, most even believe that it is going against this Order which causes suffering. Groups like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism believe that this Order is more or less identical with God, who created the cosmos in a specific way, and whose blueprint should be followed. It is going against this blueprint that led to the fall of mankind, sin, suffering, and the need for salvation. Materialism is even more nihilistic, only able to find meaning in the Order because there will simply be so much time for nonexistence later. Externally all these seem so different, but really they fit well into this very ancient, archetypal mythos. It is this which generally tends to define a religion or ideology as “Right Hand Path.”

Ethics of Black Magic Despite the endless propaganda and misinformation about the Left Hand Path and Black Magic being immoral, it is not only moral but far more moral than Right Hand Path Solar traditions. In fact, the morality of the Left Hand Path can be summarized quite easily:

1. Individuals are discrete beings with Self-ownership. 2. Because of this, individuals are free to choose what to do with their own Self. 3. Acts that interfere with #2 are unethical and violate morality.

The conclusion of this is things like rape, murder, indoctrination, brain washing, theft, and anything of the sort become unethical and illegal, without the need to appeal to some greater authority like a deity, nor the need for the State to limit individual freedom. Murder, for example, takes away an individual's right to choose whether they live or die. 13

Theft dictates what someone else can or cannot do with their property. Rape does not allow one to choose what to do with their own body. It is a simple form of morality to enforce which does not rely on any sort of non-human entity or inherent divinity. It also does not allow for fascist corruption in a justice system, governments passing invasive laws, or violation of citizens will. This can be easily contrasted to the Right Hand Path traditions, which since the beginning of time have sought to convert the “other” through fear and violence. In the modern western world Christianity is so enforced that we still fight over something as harmless as gay marriage. Christianity converted so many by the sword and perversion of their ancient traditions. It and Islam led crusades and inquisitions that destroyed uncountable lives. Right Hand Path political ideologies find their horrifying peak in fascism and totalitarianism, and the constant violation of church/state separation. It would take us years to discuss all the lives controlled and lost to the Right Hand Path, while in contrast there is not one single such event in the Left Hand Path. Satanism has never led crusades, Luciferians don’t seek to enforce their values on you through law, Setians have never tortured non-believers, never in the history of the world.

Dangers of Black Magic There are several dangers of Black Magic that should be touched on as a part of this introduction. First and foremost this touches again on the practice of Exoteric, Lesser Black Magic. In our world it is dangerous and can be against our best interests to present oneself in certain ways. Not even talking about face tattoos and horns on the head or anything like that, a simple inverted pentagram can ruin a conversation before it starts, lose you a job before you’re even judged as an individual. Situations must be read well when addressing Lesser Black Magic. It is even worse in right-to-work states where you could be straight fired for wearing anything remotely “Satanic”. On a deeper level, Esoteric, Greater Black Magic can bring to light things the practitioner may not be ready to or want to face. One must confront their very shadow, 14

their worst and darkest influences, and their most traumatic experiences to succeed at Black Magic. Unsurprisingly there are many people, likely most, who cannot handle this and simply do not want to. Ignorance can truly be bliss, and many traditions ride on the back of that bliss. Not the Left Hand Path. It must be eased into, not jumped into, so one can be prepared for the discoveries to come. In some contexts it can utterly obliterate a person’s understanding of the cosmos and their place in it. Perhaps the most intense for some is that Black Magic forces one to take responsibility for not only their own power but their own destiny, something most people fear. Finally, there are cases where the successful practice of Black Magic can more or less cause the universe/God/nature to react. Like the body attacks a virus, nature/God attacks things which work to go against it and outside of it. Due to this the success of Black Magic may actually come with problems like chronic physical illness, depression and anxiety, even what we may call “bad luck” related to non-esoteric life. This means that to set upon the path of Esoteric, Greater Black Magic, one must be truly committed to the esoteric and spiritual side of things, more so than their natural material life here and now.

Conclusion This has been a brief but complete introduction to Black Magic in the 21st century. We have laid out what Black Magic actually is as opposed to centuries of propaganda and misinformation, explained the Exoteric and Esoteric forms of Black Magic, looked into how and why Black Magic works, the morality that comes with a Black Magical lifestyle, and finally, the dangers of Black Magic. This should be enough for interested individuals to understand what is being discussed and practitioners to set upon their path with certainty that it is for them.

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Introductory Guide to Greater Black Magic Magic Askew 3.0 Onyx

"Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I have really worked, is mine." -Nikola Tesla

Introduction I’ll begin with some words from Aleister Crowley (Crowley, 1912): “Frater Perdurabo is the most honest of all the great religious teachers. Others have said: “Believe me!” He says: “Don’t believe me!” He does not ask for followers, would despise and refuse them. He wants an independent and self-reliant body of students to follow out their own methods of research. If he can save them time and trouble by giving a few useful “tips,” his work will have been done to his own satisfaction.”

In that spirit, this is a cursory guide* on how to create "trapezoidal" (or "angular") environments for ritual workings, inspired by Anton LaVey's Law of the Trapezoid. It is one of the foremost Satanic concepts as it forms a solid foundation for all Greater and Lesser magic. My main motivation here is to suggest trappings and techniques that lend themselves to working in a dark environment (which is my preference). But it is my opinion that the Left-Hand Path should be approached in practical and useful ways whatever works (Scott, 2019, p.12).

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I wrote this essay with the intent that even people who don't engage in ritual might find it useful toward making life a more magical one. Though these ideas are largely based on LaVey’s Satanism, this effort is focused on the practical aspects of magic rather particular belief systems. To follow is a collection of ideas related to Trapezoidal Magic, use them to your advantage as you may. * The original version of this document appeared in The Imperishable Star IV.

Law of the Trapezoid In The Theory and Practice of Satanic Magic (LaVey, 1969, p.110), Anton LaVey used the term "Command to Look", presumably inspired by the famous book about photography of the same name, which stresses the effect of four geometric shapes to the subconscious mind because of their relationship to ancestral fears (Mortensen, 1937, p.26). He proposed a fifth shape, the Trapezoid, which through its acute and obtuse angles symbolizes anything perplexing or irregular. The Die Elektrischen Vorspiele ritual (LaVey, 1972, p.113) is the de facto primer text, followed by additional explanations of the concept in The Devil's Notebook (LaVey, 1992, p.111). The Ceremony of the Nine Angles (LaVey, 1972, p.179) mentions low-key/ultraviolet illumination and trapezoidal symbolism. And its Lovecraftian themes are a perfect match for those inspired by the mythos. From The Haunter of the Dark: "These people say the Shining Trapezohedron shews them heaven and other worlds, and that the Haunter of the Dark tells them secrets in some way." It was also called a "crazily angled stone" and a "window on all time and space" (Lovecraft, 1935). The future-mindedness of the late 19th and early 20th centuries also offers an ideal magical paradigm to work within. In all its possible manifestations, the Trapezoid is an ideal gateway into non-Euclidean magical realms.

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Thoughts on Magic More words from Crowley (Crowley, 1954): “Magic is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.” Research has indicated that the brain stores memories in locations aroused by the five senses. Therefore actually doing something may have a more profound effect on the subconscious mind than merely fantasizing about it. Nevertheless, the unique subjective experience of Trapezoidal Magic is effective in removing one from the everyday mundane routine, a bit of self-trickery which helps one to remain focused. Grimoires may make for interesting reading and inspiration, but tend to be full of long-winded recitations and unnecessary intricacies. It can become more about performances, reaching a magical state of mind doesn't necessarily require a complicated game of Dungeons and Dragons. The Black Magician may also safely dispense with cliché Satanic imagery altogether or combine various forms of symbolism to their satisfaction. The keys to the endgame are planning and ability to adjust so "Satan's rollercoaster" doesn’t get derailed. Make things as simple or as complex as you wish, but also make every attempt to control the business instead of allowing it to control you. Lesser Magic exists in tandem with the Law of the Trapezoid, as it involves taking the ordinary rectangle of everyday life and skewing the sides toward gaining immediate control of a situation or initiating a process which achieves a desired outcome over time. Subtle approaches are often the most effective: be the sneaky serpent who is clandestine in its ways. If one is viewed as blatantly manipulative, any reputation gained is likely to be lost.

Nostalgia A person tends to live in their own time, or others which are appealing. One would be remiss not to read Anton LaVey's take on that matter, which I understand to mean 18

that there is a "third-side perspective" when it comes to keeping with the times without rejecting one's truth of being (LaVey, 1998, p.29, p.108).

Sample Ritual Outline The original version of this document did not include a ritual outline, as my goal was to keep the information more generally applicable. While there is no set format for a diabolical service, below is one example with additional commentary.

I. Sound the bell/gong nine times. Some rotate 90 degrees with each sounding to symbolize the four cardinal directions, in doing so one faces the altar again at the end. This step "clears the air". The choice of bell or gong is important and should be majestic and pleasing to the ear. Hitting the side of my rather large white-brass goblet with the back of the ritual dagger makes for an excellent resonant tone... the "bell" can be anything that works.

II. Ignite the Black Flame. How one chooses to represent the "fire within" runs the gamut, from a single black candle to more elaborate electronic setups. I recommend being cautious around open flames (don't accidentally knock a candle over into the black curtain). Be prudent and keep a small fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

III. Invocation.

There are many options available. One might use one from a book like The Satanic Bible or other source, perhaps alter the wording, or even formulate a new one altogether. A simple example:

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I, the Black Magician, Beckon the Gates of Hell to upon wide! Woe to the Cosmos, As my Will comes Forth into Being.

IV. Drink from the Chalice. This represents Ecstasy or Knowledge. A pleasing beverage should be used.

V. Summoning. The final part of establishing the ritual setting is to call forth the various names of things to be controlled or reflected upon during the ritual.

VI. The Main Working. An "illustrative" working is about understanding something better, while the goal of an "operative" working is to initiate a change in the psyche which produces a chainreaction (or domino-effect) in the real-world toward obtaining one's desires (Aquino, 2010, p.116). Goals should be kept reasonable as it’s intractable to control a large number of factors at once. Therefore a more surgical approach is more likely to succeed. The trappings and psychodrama form what Anton LaVey called an “intellectual decompression chamber” where the “whole will must be employed” (LaVey, 1969, p.119120). Regardless of one’s choice of paradigm, his brief explanation of this is well worth the time and the power of the aesthetics suggested in this guide will become obvious.

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VII. Quench the Black Flame.

The effect of the working is now absorbed into the psyche and the physical representation of the Black Flame has now served its purpose.

VIII. Sound the bell/gong nine times again in closing. This step may be skipped entirely if an “open working” is mandated. Otherwise, patience is a virtue, allow things to sink in a bit before proclaiming:

IX. "So it is Done!"

The Gate of Darkness A five-pointed inverted and encircled Pentagram is common, usually centered above the altar. Many use either unadulterated versions, or the head of a goat inscribed within the shape. Occasionally it is surrounded by or merged with a trapezoid in various ways. Though the inverse Pentagram is portrayed as a symbol of evil in movies such as Metropolis (1927), it was used sporadically in conventional religion, one example being its incorporation into the seal of the city of Jerusalem in the 4th century BCE. Therefore basic shapes are only worth the symbolism one chooses to associate with them. Other variations with additional trihedrals are possible. As nine is a magical number, a regular nonagram star could represent something like the Nine Satanic Statements (LaVey, 1969, p.25) among many other things. However it is used, my opinion is that a star properly hovers with a single point facing down toward the Realms of Darkness and Selfhood. This orientation can also represent Balance. Other things such as the Sigil of Lucifer, the alchemist’s symbol for Sulfur, and statuettes or images of various sorts may also be employed. Whatever choice of symbolism is found favorable, the Gate serves as a locus of power for the Satanic service. 21

Examples:

Ultraviolet Lighting The trichromatic nature of human vision is incapable of perceiving ultraviolet frequencies. Its effects are only seen indirectly through the phenomenon of fluorescence. A black light is able to reveal the unseen. While not mandatory, I cannot stress enough the usefulness of a black light. It ensures that words can be read in the dark without resorting to huge fonts and excessive ambient light from candles. An inexpensive 25-watt fixture above the altar is probably enough unless more coverage is required. Compact-fluorescent screw-bulbs are also available that work in any ordinary lamp. It doesn't take much UV to allow reading text on small sheets of bright white paper, so there is no need to go overboard.

Other Lighting If an actual flame is desired, it's hard to beat Sterno. The resulting flame is rather dim but broad and active, and safe to use indoors. It is also a gel which can be applied to 22

surfaces, for example I often use a small amount on the ritual dagger to ignite the Black Flame, and extinguish all other candles once it is active. Examples of low-key electric lighting include plasma globes, Jacob's ladders, Tesla coils, laser shows, LED strips, planetariums, strobe lights, lava lamps, etc. High-voltage apparatus tends to produce a lot of ozone - the signature aroma of the Mad Lab. If safer forms of lighting are preferred, one might consider using an ozone generator to mimic the effect. However, exposure to ozone should be kept to a minimum, as it is known to cause various health issues.

Optics Visual distortion may be obtained in a number of ways. A flexible Fresnel lens assists in the "bending" of reality, while the chromatic aberration of a prism offers unique perceptions of otherwise ordinary things. Projectors and 3D glasses also come to mind. Optical illusions of any sort are also welcome, from the geometric representations of Vasarely to the realism of Escher. And don't forget that a picture is worth a thousand words, and a well-chosen one can serve as a "Rorschach Test" for the mind.

UV Reactive Materials Inexpensive UV flashlights are available in finding reactive objects and materials. Here are some known examples: - Fluorite: Not every stone is reactive, so check with the vendor first. And some glow more than others, for example I have an obelisk that glows but is rather dim in its response. - Lacquer: Glows a greenish color which is similar in hue to uranium glass, and is easy to apply. Linseed oil is similar in nature. - Neon Colors: Think highlighter markers, "hot-pink" fabrics, etc. Some specialty shops sell paint in a complete array of reactive hues. 23

- Plastics: Blue plastic in particular, or neon-colored. - Tonic Water: Some brands of tonic water glow under a black light.

Noise One definition of noise: "A musical sound or note is a continuous, uniform, and pleasing sound, such as is given out by one string of a piano; while a noise is an irregular, fitful succession of shocks to the ear..." (Gage, 1902, p.189-190). Discordant noise may be achieved in a variety of ways. One might set up a couple of audio oscillators to produce an eerie ambient tone, like the resonant gateway in the movie Phantasm. An improperly tuned radio is an easy way to obtain background static, which is particularly interesting if an old one prone to superheterodyne howling is used. It's easy t find old analog radios at antique junk stores on the cheap. Noises are not required, I prefer things rather quiet most of the time. But if you're going to make a bit of a ruckus, make it count. Of course, a computer can be used to generate any number of sounds, but there is something special about having real objects in the room doing the work.

Themes Here are some scientific, pseudo-scientific, and fictional themes one might use in designing the psycho-dramatic elements of a working. I chose a few which hearken back to an era of both scientific evolution and new inventions of fantasy:

Time-Travel: Obtaining a sense of time-travel is not that easy, and requires a lot of imagination. Use objects or symbols from the desired period, set clocks to the wrong time, enter into a "Tardis", etc. 24

Psychotronics: The study of currently unexplained interactions which occur at a distance (Zdeněk, 1977, p.42). One must be prepared for any "extraordinary manifestations of the human psyche" (Ostrander and Schroeder, 1970, p.418) or "supranormal" results of their magical efforts.

Architecture: One example of a trapezoid-shaped building is the John Hancock Tower in Chicago. Reportedly, Anton LaVey and Dr. Michael Aquino did a working there to commemorate the Church of Satan’s Order of the Trapezoid.

X-Ray Vision: Few phenomena reveal the unseen like X-Rays, first researched by WilhelmRöntgen. (Gage, 1902, p.342). X-Ray Vision would be more of a psychic phenomenon though, perhaps aided with special glasses.

Luminiferous Aether: Before Einstein, physicists accepted the notion of an incompressible, absolutemedium through which electromagnetic energy propagates (Gage, 1902, p.206; Martin, 1893, p.148-149). Sir Issac Newton also spoke of an "aethereal medium" (Newton, 1704, Qu. 19).

Psychokinesis: In Stephen King's Firestarter, the girl (and her father) possessed incredible skills of mental domination over both people and things. In the real world, many frauds have surfaced over the years and you can be the next.

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Fields: The Imperishable Star III contains an extensive paper on Life Fields, a concept which was later extended to Thought Fields (Aquino, 2016, p.70, Future Science, 1977, p.57). Fictional fields are numerous: "walls of resistance", "tractor-beams", etc.

Chemistry: Test tubes, flasks, and the like. As mentioned tonic water glows under UV light to good effect. As one of my graphic design teachers once indicated, presentation is ninety percent of the sale. Cybernetics: The science of cybernetics includes the study of the relationship of man and machine. We have created machines to extend our capabilities, which ones do you employ?

Strange Gadgets: Just as humankind has created its own religions, we've also created plenty of machines which are often equally as ridiculous. One humorous example is included in the image supplement at the end of this essay.

Electricity: Antique books are fascinating sources of symbolic imagery, and many were written for laymen who were interested in the radio and television technologies of yesteryear. "Action at a distance".

Conclusion You can get away with a lot in the dark, therefore bringing excellent and unusual aesthetics to the altar or ritual chamber need not be a difficult or expensive pursuit. The 26

surface has barely been scratched, and there are no rules for how to apply or build upon these ideas. Step outside of the ritual box, enter through the gateway of the Trapezoid, and may the future be yours.

References Aquino, Michael (2010). Black Magic. Aquino, Michael (2016). MindStar. Crowley, Aleister (1912). Book IV Part I. Crowley, Aleister (1954). Magick Without Tears. Gage, Alfred Payson (1902). Introduction to Physical Science. LaVey, Anton (1969). The Satanic Bible. LaVey, Anton (1972). The Satanic Rituals. LaVey, Anton (1992). The Devil's Notebook. LaVey, Anton (1998). Satan Speaks! Lovecraft, H.P. (1935). The Haunter of the Dark. Martin, Thomas Commonford (1893). The Inventions, Researches, and Writings of Nikola Tesla. Mortensen, William (1937). The Command To Look. Newton, Sir Issac (1704). Optiks. Ostrander, Sheila and Schroeder, Lynn (1970). Psychic Discoveries Behind

the Iron

Curtain. Scott, Ryan (2019). Behold, The Prince of Darkness. Zdeněk, Rejdák (1977). Future Science.

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Supplementary Images

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Pyramid Texts Reading Xepera maSet

Greetings to Khepri who created himself, who comes into being in thy name of Khepri. I have come into being. Nephthys praises me: “you have equipped yourself as the Great-in-magic, Set. Nothing is lacking in thee, nothing ceases with thee. You are more glorious and powerful than the gods of Egypt and their spirits. You are equipped as Set, who mightily broke forth. Set, who is more powerful than his father. If you go Horus goes, if you speak Set speaks.”

Horus has caused me to recognize Set in myself without him getting away, To seize the hand of Set without him escaping. My arms are like those of Set when he ascends and lifts himself to the sky. I have escaped the day of my death as Set escaped the day of his death.

I am as Set, who once suffered want and decided to live on the being of every god, Who ate their entrails when they were full of magic. I send Khonsu to slaughter the gods and bring me their entrails, Khonsu is the messenger I send forth to punish.

I have thrown Osiris to the ground, I have left Horus behind me. Nuit opens the heavens to me and places me among the imperishable stars. I look down upon Osiris, I stand far from him. I am not of them, I shall not be of them. Let not Osiris come in his evil coming, do not open your arms for him, let him be gone.

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I ascend to the heavens and the heavens rejoice for me. The earth quakes for me, the storm roars for me. I howl like Set and the doors of heaven open for me between the two thighs of Nuit. Set and Nephthys announce me to the gods: “he has come as an imperishable spirit, if he wishes your death you shall die.”

A Setian Rite Setamontet

I. Decompression

II. Ring the bell 9x

III. Light the Black Flame/Open the Gate

IV. Invocation of Set:

In the Name of Set, the supreme manifestation of the Prince of Darkness, I summon the Black Flame into my midst that I may Work my Will upon the warp and weave of the world. O Majesty of Set, hear me, look upon me, and enshrine within me the essence of the Highest of Life. Open wide the Gates of Infernus and come forth from beyond the Abyss to greet me as a Brother and kindred Spirit. Enshroud me with the Powers of Darkness; let Them become One with me as I am become One with the Eternal Set, whose Throne is within the darkness behind the Constellation of the Seven Stars. As I send forth my most exalted and sublime Self, arm it with the Shining Pentagram of Set, and with the sceptre called Giver of Winds, that it may slay the cosmic stasis, dismay all challenges, and cast down all that is moved to appear against it. 31

Let, then, my eyes become the Eyes of Set, my strength become the Strength of Set, my will become the Will of Set! From the primordial depths I am risen up and am become transformed like the mighty Khepera, with the Wings of the Falcon I soar the Infinite. I dwell in the Fane of the Eternal Flame of Ba. Space and time bend to my Will, and I am Lord of Life, Death, and Life beyond Death. Hear then this Doom that I pronounce, and beware the Ka which now Comes Into Being through that ancient Art which is mine to command!

V. Summoning of the Four Elements:

South From the South I call to Sekhmet, beautiful Lady of Flame, supreme goddess of creation and desolation, thou wanderer of the wastelands, Lady of the Waters of Life, and Destroyer by Fire. Come forth and enshrine within me your divine essence.

East From the East I call to Lucifer, the Morning Star and Bearer of the Dark Light, thou Spirit of the Air who rideth the whirlwinds of the Abyss. Come forth and enshrine within me your divine essence.

North From the North I call to Setamontet, dreaded Lord of the Realm of Darkness, thou Overpowering One, deathless in majesty and strength. Come forth from thy celestial solitude, behind the Constellation of the Seven Stars, and enshrine within me your divine essence.

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West From the West I call to Leviathan, the Eternal Serpent of the Abyss, the surging sea, and Dragon of perpetual Remanifestation. Thou who art the Absolute and the living principle of continuity and ageless existence. Come forth from the depths of infinite darkness and enshrine within me your divine essence.

VI. Graal Invocation:

By the Symbol of my Creation I have sworn to be an eternal disciple of the Dark Lord Set, who’s holy Name I have taken as a part of my Self. I have pledged to forever walk the Path of the Left Hand in search of the knowledge, truth, and undefiled wisdom of the Prince of Darkness. Open the portals of the Abyss that the Black Light may illuminate the Way and guide me in my quest for the Infernal Graal.

Hail, Set! Faithfulness beyond Death! [Drink from the Graal]

VII. The Working Selected Magical reading – Author recommends the first part of the Word of Set which cannot be quoted here due to copyright.

IX. Extinguish the Black Flame

So It Is Done! /Setamontet\ Magister Ordo Serpentis 33

Invocation of Set Onyx

By the most Ancient Name of Set I enter into the Realms of the Prince of Darkness And shall Drink from the Grail with Impunity As I become One with the Eternal Master I, Chosen of Set Renounce all Fear and Doubt And Reclaim that which is Rightly Mine The Gift of the Black Flame

I, Mindful of Set Shall Inherit Wisdom of the Master My Higher Self shall be made Manifest And become Unlimited in Potential

I, Brother of Set Do not Kneel or Bow For We are Kindred in Spirit And Unnatural in Essence

I, Honored of Set Have Risen above the Mundane My Altar of Glory has taken Form In the Shadow of the Great Pentragram

I, Black Magician of Set 34

Beckon the Gates of Hell to Open Wide Woe to the Cosmos As My Will Comes Forth into Being

Satanic Invocation Xepera maSet

I sink from the surface of the Earth, where all stands forth in the Light of constant laws, To the Pits of Hell, so I may order my own Destiny. I am a child of Satan and have the potential to become like Him, The Adversary. I walk through the demonic gates unheeded, for I am one of Them. I reject the arbitrary laws of God and choose the reign in Hell, My throne appears before me. [VISUALIZE TAKING YOUR THRONE IN THE KINGDOMS OF HELL] I take the Black Flame of Satan which brings meaning to all God’s hollow creation. Black Flame, give me powers over this impotent creator, and the powers of the Prince of Darkness. Yahweh, you do not rule over Satan, nor does your Son rule over him. I come as a Daemon, what I will to live lives, and what I will to die dies. I ride upon the Seven Headed Serpent, which was there at the Great War. Hell speaks! The Earth quakes on account of your fear when I ascend, Yahweh! I will not be resisted at any place where I will go, I will not be hindered and any place I desire to be. 35

My strength is great that I will conquer the heavens! Like the soul of Satan, Arch-demon, may my soul burn for eternity!

Princes and Princesses of Darkness Xepera maSet

These are all very brief introductions to some Princes and Princesses of Darkness throughout history and across cultures. It is simply intended to give the most basic synopsis and spark inspiration for whichever you may connect with most. It is also a noncomprehensive list, as such a list would be likely impossible to create. Much of this information is easy to locate and will require further experiment and research, but this is more a map to point the way.

Anansi - Akan Anansi was a spider deity responsible for knowledge. He was a trickster deity that was associated with the freedom of his people from slavery. Anansi can be identify with Br’er Rabbit as well, another folklore trickster.

Andarta - Celtic Very little is known of this Princess of Darkness who was associated with Ursa Major and The Imperishable Stars. She is the Celtic adaption of this deity and can be interpreted accordingly. Angra Mainyu – Persian Also known as Ahriman, he was the Persian God of Darkness. As part of the Zoroastrian religion he was a direct prototype of The Devil. “Mainyu” translates to 36

“mind” or “spirit” and is considered to be an “abstract entity”. Like most Princes of Darkness he was considered to be Evil for being against Nature, and yet was still capable of creating great beauty in the Natural world. When challenged, it was Angra Mainyu who created peacocks, a common sign of the Prince of Darkness.

Astarte - Semetic/Egyptian Astarte was a Goddess of war and sexual love. She was honored in Egypt as wife to Set. In most cases she was depicted fully naked and associated with fertility as well. Astarte was also associated with Venus, the morning/evening Star. It is believed that Astarte was the Semetic version of the Babylonian Ishtar, both descending from the Sumerian Innana. She has also been associated with the Minoan snake Goddess.

Azazel - Semetic Azazel was a goat deity/being to the semetic people. Once the Dead Sea Scrolls came around, Azazel became more solidified as the demon we know today, being seen as one of the fallen angels. Azazel represents the scapegoat, something the Prince of Darkness has been for far too long. The Book of Enoch ascribes all sin to Azazel. To the Yazidi he is one of the angels helping Melek Taus.

Coyote - Native American In Native American myths Coyote is a trickster deity. Similar to other Prince/sses of Darkness, Coyote steals the fire of the Gods and brings it to mankind. He exists outside of conventional morality but generally ends up working in favor of humanity. Once Coyote stole the Stars and Sun and held them for ransom. He is also a cultural hero. Coyote also acted as a spy for the Horned Serpent.

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Crow - Australian Adding more trickster deities to the list, the Crow brought fire to mankind in a way similar to that of Coyote. It was associated with intelligence, magic, and knowledge, and was thought to carry people knowledge from previous lives.

Daucina - Fijian Another light-bringer and a God of the Sea. He was also a trickster deity and was associated with sexuality, specifically in the cases of cheating and seducing. The Devil – Christian The Devil is associated with all things Dark and Evil in Christian culture. He was responsible for bringing Free Will to human beings, giving us higher consciousness and the ability to reason. This was the ultimate sin to God who had sought a slave species in humanity. The Devil and his companions have sought to enlighten and free humanity through time, much to the frustration of God and his companions. He is a tragic hero.

Erlik - Turkish Erlik is the Turkish and Mongolian God of Hell and Death. He was the first creation of God similar to Lucifer, but his pride led to his banishment. Erlik was deeply connected to the concept of Darkness. Like many Princes of Darkness, he was associated with illness as illness was thought to be Unnatural. We now know, of course, that illness is actually Natural, and not the realm of the PoD.

Heyoka - Lakota The Lakota saw Heyoka as something separate from Nature which did things against the Natural and Social Order. He is also a deity who tells half-truths if not outright lies. In many stories he was used as a form of satire. Heyoka was also a mentor,

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but not a God to be bowed to or worshiped in a RHP sense. Like several others on our list, Heyoka was a storm deity as well.

Huehuecóyotl - Aztec Another coyote trickster God, Huehuecoyotl was a God of celebration, music, and sexuality. His name literally translates to “Old Old”, otherwise “Very Old”. Coyotes were also a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Huehuecoyotl embraced Pragmatism as a way of life and represented immortality. Neither good nor evil, Huehuecoyotl was seen as a neutral deity who often played jokes on other Gods.

Inanna - Sumerian Inanna was a Goddess of sexuality, love, justice, and power. She is likely identical to Ishtar, Astarte, Lilith, and more versions of her throughout history. In English her name means “Queen of Heaven” (the Stars). She is the most commonly appearing deity in Sumerian mythology, and was often seen taking over the realms of her fellow Gods. She was also associated with the Morning Star Venus. The oldest known myth of Inanna was her complaining to Enki about his created, Ordered universe, and asking for a realm of her own. Ishtar – Babylonian A central Goddess, Ishtar was able to descend into the underworld and return from imprisonment there. She was closely associated with the sky and the planet Venus. She was also a storm Goddess as well as fertility and prostitution. Ishtar represents sexual freedom and was another prototype of the Hebrew Lilith. Eventually Ishtar was seen as the literal queen of the Universe, and absorbed the powers of the other Gods.

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Jiutian Xuannü - Chinese The name translates to “Dark Mysterious Lady.” She had the power to obscure both the day and the night, and was associated with the Imperishable Stars. She was a Goddess of War, Magic, Sex, and Immortality, which she taught to her initiates. Jiutian was associated with the Void and Nothingness at times.

Kaulu - Hawaiian A trickster deity known for murdering several of his fellow Gods. Kaulu was known for his extensive power and capabilities with magic.

Kutkh - Russian Kutkh was a Raven responsible for helping to create mankind and the cosmos in general. He is a trickster who was self-created and pridefully taunted the other deities about his independence and Separateness. He was associated with the night sky and once took the Sun and Moon hostage. Kutkh also brought fire and knowledge to mankind. He can be compared to Coyote and Crow.

Lilith - Hebrew Lilith appeared around the time the Jewish people were in Babylon, beginning to record their traditions. She is identical to Inanna, Ishtar, Astarte, etc. Lilith only appeared at nighttime and and was associated with sexuality. The story goes that Lilith was actually Adam’s first wife, his equal, both created from clay. When Lilith refused to be treated as lesser to Adam, Adam threw a hissy fit and Lilith was kicked from the Garden. She then met the angel/demon Sammael, who she has demon babies with, while Sammael also tricks Eve into eating from the Tree, then impregnates her with Cain.

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Lucifer - Roman Lucifer was a Roman sky deity associated with the planet Venus, specifically in its form of the Morning Star. Lucifer is another Bringer of Light similar to Prometheus and Coyote. Through the mis-association of Lucifer with Satan due to the KJV Bible, Lucifer is also seen as an aspect of The Devil.

Maui - Polynesian Being a trickster Maui was similar to most on this list (they are all Prince/ss of Darkness after all, a point that should be quite proven at this point!). Maui stole fire from the Underworld and gifted it to mankind. In some cases he was actually seen as a deified human being. [Author’s note: I first geeked out to my love about Set when she showed me Disney’s Moana. Hopefully some Disney conspiracy theorist sees this one >:-)]

Mephistopheles - German Romanticism Mephistopheles first came from the Faust legend, a work of German Romanticism. He makes deals with human beings and allows them to enjoy their end a while, then he collects his payment in the form of one’s soul. However, rather than giving the souls to the devil in a malicious ways, it is believed Mephistopheles does this only to people who are already damned. In other words, he helps the friends of Devil. He also acts as a gate keeper, turning away individuals who are not “damned” by society’s Christian standards.

Nanabozho - Anishinaabe Add another trickster to the list, Nanabozho was a rabbit similar to Coyote, Crow, Kukth, and so forth. He was a great teacher and bringer of knowledge, including language. Nanabozho helped to create the universe.

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Odin - Norse As a Prince of Darkness Odin is mainly associated with inspiration and creative activity. Odin was not bound to traditional values, even practicing forms of magic reserved specifically for females. Dr. Stephen Flowers describes the Norse tradition as the one true Left Hand Path tradition throughout history. Odin “sacrificed himself to himself” in Order to obtain the Runes, the Mysteries of the Cosmos.

Pomba Gira - Afro-Brazillian Pomba Gira is the Goddess of witchcraft, mystery, and magic. Sometimes she is seen as the mistress of the Devil, and she is a Goddess of the Crossroads. Like the majority of the Princesses of Darkness, Pomba Gira is a highly sexual Goddess and represents sexual freedom. She is considered an initiatory Goddess of extreme difficulty.

Prometheus - Greek Prometheus was a Titan, Trickster God, and a Hero God to the Greeks. Prometheus created the human species from clay in myth, and wanted to share the fire of the Gods with his creation. Zeus, being selfish and desperate for power, refused and so Prometheus stole the fire, giving it to humanity. For this he was eternally tortured by Zeus. Prometheus is also responsible for things like cutulre, writing, math, medicine, and so forth.

Sauska - Hittite Another Princess of Darkness among the lines of Ishtar, Inanna, Lilith, Astarte, etc. Interestingly Princesses of Darkness seem to be more consistent across cultures than their male counterparts. So she was also associated with fertility, sexuality, war, magic, and so on.

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Set – Egypt Set is the oldest solidified version of the PoD in history. He was well established by the time of the first human religious texts – the pyramid texts. Set was associated with the northern Circumpolar Stars, specifically Ursa Major and Draco. Originally Set was a benevolent deity leading the dead to an immortal afterlife where they themselves became a God, superior to and separate from all the other Gods. Some of the greatest Pharaohs, such as Seti I and Rameses II, were dedicated to Set. Throughout and at the end of Egyptian history, Set was demonized by the Solar religion of Osiris, which perverted him into the being now commonly known. Set represented that which was apart from Nature and the rest of the Gods, including the higher consciousness possessed by humanity.

Sun Wukong - Chinese Sun Wukong led a rebellion against heaven and was locked away for it. Sun Wukong does this because he is humiliated in front of the other deities despite deserving a far higher rank and superior treatment. He was known mainly for strength, shapeshifting abilities, magical powers, and Separation from other parts of Nature and the Gods. Sometimes Sun Wukong was thought to be an immortal human being rather than a deity, sometimes a demon. Much like Set he burst forth from the womb. Sun Wuknong stole the peaches of immortality from Xi Wangmu.

Veles - Slavic Veles was a deity associated with the Imperishable Stars, specifically Ursa Major. He brought magic, change, and wisdom to the Slavic people. Similar to deities like Crow and Coyote, Veles was a trickster deity. He was sometimes associated with the Serpent Zaltys, a Chaos Serpent, who contended against the Gods above. Slavic culture was highly iconoclastic, refusing Christian symbols into their most holy places and openly practicing the old was while pretending to accept Christianity (double faith).

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Order of the Serpent Founders’ Statement The Order of the Serpent (O.S.) is an esoteric school of the Western Left Hand Path. It is comprised of unique individuals and philosopher-Magicians, dedicated to the study and practice of Self-Directed Self-Evolution (also known as Xeper, Black Magic, or other terms). The Order is dedicated to the accumulation and preservation of the knowledge and undefiled wisdom of the Prince of Darkness and the occult/Black Arts. The focus of the O.S. is the Individual Self, both as in one’s personal development and the concept or Form of the Individual Self. The O.S. founders believe that we all have individual hidden truths within ourselves, and our goal is to uncover, and ultimately become the perfect and complete manifestation of these truths. The O.S. is rooted in extreme individualism, and its members are capable of working with a concept and forming their own thoughts, ideas, and understanding of them. Discussion and rational debate are both welcome and encouraged. Those involved are able to form their own belief systems, tools of initiation, and are able to forge their own unique path. Unlike most other metaphysical ideologies which seek to dissolve the self, subjugate it to questionable beings, or even deny its existence by reducing it to pure matter, the O.S. seeks to increase its own freedom of Mind and Will, and that of others. It recognizes the Self, the one thing each being can truly know to exist, as the center of reasoning, as well as the center of society. Rather than seeing humans as deterministic slaves, fallen beings in need of saving, or creatures meant to serve the State, the Order believes that Self-Actualization at the individual level is the key to human advancement. In a world where humans are little more than statistics, the Order of the Serpent recognizes that all change, as well as all knowledge, begins with the individual Self. Unlike a symbolic occult organization, some sort of statement, or simply a self-help group, the O.S. is an esoteric organization, founded upon the metaphysical position that there is something beyond the simple world of matter and psychology. Whether the creator God of the West, the mindless Nature of materialism, or flowing Way of the East, 44

the Order of the Serpent recognizes these as one in the same, an order imposed upon chaos that underlies, creates, and drives the entire cosmos. The difference with the Esoteric Western Left Hand Path, the O.S. included, is that we do not accept that this order is complete, wholly deterministic, or even necessarily “good.” It is what leads to cancer and depression, starvation and war, whether it allows this to happen, determines it, or is un-intelligent and cannot do otherwise. Yet in the individual we have free will, the ability to go against this Natural Order or malevolent God. This ability has been demonized, described as an illusion, or even completely ignored specifically because it can go against Nature/God, which is why “self-directed self-evolution” has been associated with “black magic” for so long in Western society. The name for the Order of the Serpent comes from the Northern Circumpolar Stars, specifically the massive constellation Draco, which never sets below the horizon. To the earliest human religions, these were seen as being free from the cycles of the moon, sun, planets, and even constellations and stars. Separate from the ebb and flow of Nature/”God”, those associated with the Imperishable Stars were free to permanently exist, to forge their own path free from those cycles. It was only later on that world religion began to dissolve into its current Solar form. The Order of the Serpent hopes to remanifest this ancient, Pre-Solar metaphysics in the modern day - within the 21st century. The insignia of the Order is a pentagram, representing that point of innerconsciousness where the individual Self exists. The pentagram is within a circle representing the physical shell of the Self, but the points of the pentagram do not touch this circle, symbolizing the continued separation between Self and Body. The separation of the metaphysical (pentagram) from the physical (circle) exists because the elements of both are independent and distinct from one another. Stemming from this pentagram are five symbols, from Norse, Sumerian, Egyptian, Chinese, and alchemy. It is meant to represent the diversity of interests within the O.S. We are not simply a Setian, Thelemic,

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Asatru, Hermetic, Luciferian/Satanic, or any single approach, but a place for such individuals to help each other grow, and help share useful information. The Order of the Serpent provides such resources currently as the Library of the Ancient Serpent, the O.S. forums, and the Order newsletter "The Imperishable Star". The forum is meant to provide a Left Hand Path online community focused on rational, esoteric discussion. The Imperishable Star provides essays written by members in order to share esoteric knowledge with the outside world. Both are open and free to all. The O.S. does not have any initiatory hierarchy, all members are equal, from the founders to someone on day one. There are no membership fees, but we simply ask members to provide and discuss esoteric information, such as for publication in the newsletter. We do not believe in hoarding occult knowledge behind closed doors and paywalls, and try to keep the occult community updated on our progress. The application process is simply an email discussion with the founders, and an essay on pretty much any relevant topic of the applicant’s choosing. We hope that you benefit from these resources, and encourage both followers of the Left Hand Path, and respectfully interested individuals, to join the forum absolutely free of charge and without membership. Those interested in aiding with our goal advancing and sharing esoteric knowledge, in and for the modern age, please feel free to send an enquiry email to [email protected], to start a thread on the forum, or to private message Xepera maSet, Setamontet, and Onyx on the forum.

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The Path of Darkness leads to Enlightenment. Like the Ancient Serpent, so too may You Endure.

Xeper, Setamontet, Onyx, and Xepera maSet Order of the Serpent Co-Founders 47