Discovering The Slimy Realms, The counter-culture of the darker magicks Options

One of the most fascinating facets of the occult community is the diversity of its members. People come to the tradition from a variety of perspectives and with a wide variety of ideologies. One thing though seems to be certain; occult practice tends to leave a profound mark on the consciousness of the practitioner. One of the most difficult aspects of a serious study of occultism is overwhelming presence of material which can be studied and practiced to mastery. Further the many methods of magick do not readily resolve themselves into a coherent system of practice. Inevitably, we are inclined to discover and practice a system is natural to our liking.

Thus, it has always been a curiosity to me, how people may be drawn with such rapidity and frequency to the evils of Satanism, Chaos Magicks, Necronomicon, Demon Magicks and Sorcery when there is such an abundance of paths to take ?! Generally (in the west) people have a strong aversion to Satan, demons, and sorcery (despite the fact that Satan and his fellows "are the best friend(s) the church has ever had; after all (they) have kept the church in business all these years" A.S. LaVey).

What is the draw to the dark side ? Why must we venture into the slimy realms in search of our true selves ?

Perhaps it is the fact that these paths (esp. Satanism) define themselves in the shadows of such "benevolent and divine" institutions as the established churches. In some manner - they serve as "negative religions" where in participation strengthens identity. Perhaps the spiritism of these religions and practices resonate with the quest for self awareness. I invite your comments on this fascinating topic !!

666-Sirius-666

For me, it just resonates with me better. Of course when I first got into the Occult the veil of Christian indoctrination had to be stripped, because any mention or sight of a demonic sigil sents shivers down my spine. Now I like them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thus, it has always been a curiosity to me, how people may be drawn with such rapidity and frequency to the evils of Satanism, Chaos Magicks, Necronomicon, Demon Magicks and Sorcery when there is such an abundance of paths to take ?! Generally (in the west) people have a strong aversion to Satan, demons, and sorcery (despite the fact that Satan and his fellows "are the best friend(s) the church has ever had; after all (they) have kept the church in business all these years" A.S. LaVey).

What is the draw to the dark side ? Why must we venture into the slimy realms in search of our true selves ?

There are probably as many reasons as there are people on those paths. But I think one very attractive element is that these traditions often address what it feels like and means to be human. These paths usually accept and condone our very human impulses - we want creature comforts, we want sex and fun and to sate our appetites. There isn't (always) some assumption that you have to live this and such a virtuous lifestyle to get this and such reward. We want to do magic for ourselves for money and power or whatever we want, without some authority over our head saying "if you do that, you'll be sorry." Now, these are shallow reasons, maybe, but it reflects most of what I've heard from people who actually take that 'darker' path.

On the other hand, there are some who genuinely feel that on a deeper, philosophical level, the spiritual world is just as cutthroat as the material one, and that having a 'service to others' and 'white light goodness' approach to spirituality and magic means you are a meal to the strong in that world, and that to attain spiritual mastery you have to bring that spiritual will to survive down (or up) into the material vessel. This is, to me, truer to the nature of the 'myth' of the First Born angel waving his fist at God's authority and being cast down for it - here is a magician who is going to pick a fight with God because he really believes God is unjust, and that in the Fallen World you have to be strong to survive.

And there are those that just believe there is the path to power. Why invoke angels for their vague protections, or pray to benevolent gods who might give you cryptic omens, somehow for your own greater good, when taking this path means I get these and such material and temporal rewards? In a world where the needs of the individual are becoming less and less important than the needs of the whole, there's a sense of security in knowing that you're practicing a path that offers to fulfill your needs, and everyone else is on their own.

Then there is the 'light' 'dark' side - Satan isn't really evil at all, he wants to awaken human consciousness, and brings enlightenment, etc. I think that a lot of this comes from people who want to rebel against christianity, but don't want to really get into the 'slimy realms' at all. I can't say what the long term rewards of a self-proclaimed 'evil' path is, most people are scared to be evil in the eyes of society, much less their own eyes. At least scared to be chaotic evil. We're all a little bit lawful evil on some level, at least at first. So being able to devote yourself towards a path that offers personal individual reward, but not at the expense of your morals, is comfortable. "I'm still a good person, I just have an alternative path that other people don't understand."

The reward of being truly absent of morals, being able to make and execute decisions purely on the basis of "What will this get me?" without any regard for, "What will it cost someone else?" is a sure path to temporal power. Freed from the restrictions around you, in that way, you can achieve anything if you're smart enough to act within the system but purely on your own behalf. And I don't mean wanton destruction, murder, rape (chaotic evil), but the calculated "screw everyone else" pure service to self attitude.

The droves of individuals who do it because it's alternative and they just want to be in that 'oppressed' minority aren't worth mentioning really, suffice it to say that for some it's really just a phase, and all they want is attention, but those usually don't last.

In any case, I believe we can find ourselves everywhere, on any path. Maybe not necessarily all of yourself, maybe only a part, but there is something to find none the less. Maybe these people want to find the part of themselves that our world has convinced them isn't worth knowing about, and rightly so - who can tell you what part of yourself you should and shouldn't know and accept, and even use to its fullest potential? It's fair to say that our world becomes more collective over time, groups are generalized because with so many it's hard to assess and meet the needs of individuals, and as a result that world tells you "The part of you that want to fulfill your own needs is less good than the part that wants to fulfill others' needs." not because it really believes that, but because it's easier to manage everyone if they all think that way. Don't, and you're now a problem element (or a future political leader).

Anyway, that's some of my cents.

peace

It seems to me that there may be something more to this idea of "embracing the material". In some sense, the core values of Satanism revolve around the ego (particularly the strengthening of the ego). For the great many people who have been oppressed by "exoteric Christianity" (here I with to differentiate the Christianity of mass practice and Christian mysticism) a little bit of Satanic ego strengthening may do some good :-). However, when ego strengthening becomes ego worship, a person may lose their sense of equilibrium.

Moving towards a critique of Satanism now - turning first towards LeVey's "Satanic Bible" are relatively simple to understand. In the "Book of Satan" we are presented with a perfectly crafted and energizing monologue with a ferocious ego. Moving towards the "Book of Lucifer" we gain insight into LeVey's motivations and ideology. This section clearly outlines HOW to be a Satanist and elucidates some very fascinating philosophical ideas regarding the "meaning of Satan". Next we venture into the Book of Beliel in which LeVey provides some (actually very sound) magical advice with a satanic twist. Finally we are provided with the Statanic enochian keys for the purpose of ceremony. Although its rituals may be quite effectual, I would have a difficult time accepting the satanic system as a complete system of magick. It certainly does though seem to draw heavily from ceremonial (which is, historically a complete system of magick). Bear in my that I am using the word "complete" rather loosely.

Finally I would like to answer to your comments regarding "good and evil" and its role in peoples arrival to Satanism. It may be argued that the functional purpose of exoteric christianity is to instill a strong sense of morality (i.e. good and evil) in its practitioners. Occultism is generally lumped into the latter of these categories as it is typically painted to be the practice of the heathens destined for hell. It seems natural then, that upon rejecting this system of spirituality, one may gravitate towards one which is repudiated by that system. As LeVey states in his text, Satanism was almost created for these people as being explicitly the most anti-christian religion possible an thus the most "evil" from the christian perspective.

666-Sirius-666

What is the draw to the dark side ? Why must we venture into the slimy realms in search of our true selves ?

Demon est deus inversus.

"God" is generally made to represent only certain parts of the nature of the universe. Including the "darkly splendid world" as part of God's cosmology allows the occultist to have a deeper connection with existence than would have been possible otherwise.

LeVey's brand of Satanism is a bit different. The gain is to exalt and gratify the self as a counter-position to denying the self utterly, which some religions have suggested as the true way. Again though, it seems that the result is a connection with new parts of the self and of existence.

I think one of the biggest reasons for going for the dark stuff in the west is the prevailing indoctrination of 'none-violence' we experience throughout society.
Religion and magic aside people are continually persuaded not to carry weapons, to only solve troubles with words and to accept others as our moral superiors.
All of that is quite demeaning to an individual, why must a man intentionally make no use of his strongest tools?
Violence is a powerful tool that can be used for much good and bad and even the threat of it is incredibly effective at changing peoples behavior.
So is 'Black' Magick.
The simularitys between them are obvious and far reaching.
Both the two cultural taboos of black magic and violence are linked because both are repressed by the people who use them the most.
policeman says 'don't hit that man for doing a bad thing or i will throw you in jail'
priest says 'don't curse that man for doing a bad thing because god will condemn you'
Hypocrisy.

Be the strongest person you can be and those around you will become strong.
If you fear your own strength you are really fearing the strength of others.

Having said all that i'd like to point out that nurturing the strength of these taboos is doomed without nurturing your own ethics in equal measure.
The worth of a mans power only becomes present when he knows what to do with it.

In the East they have ninjas

I thought the satanic bible should have been called 'Stop doing what people tell you to do! p.s. Don't do Drugs!'
It lacked content and focused almost entirely on rebelling against dogma and orthodox thinking.
What you expect really, still a good read though.

This post has been edited by Draw: Feb 17 2011, 05:01 PM

All of that is quite demeaning to an individual, why must a man intentionally make no use of his strongest tools?
Violence is a powerful tool that can be used for much good and bad and even the threat of it is incredibly effective at changing peoples behavior.

Because violence presumes an authority that most consider no one individual has. For instance, if I argue with you, you are free to disagree or leave; if I punch you, I have limited your freedom to act (and caused you discomfort and trouble) as if I am your master.

This post has been edited by Vilhjalmr: Feb 17 2011, 09:28 PM

Idk, I often alternate between them to better increase confusion and resettle where I always do after a while, why they attract things is a matter of who. It will never be of agreement what is the truth because their just isn't one, their are too many, the attraction then becomes evident differently for others. They see the any as positive, I see it as negative, they share and grow, I keep and lessen to now.

Their isn't a point, that isn't in that shadowy night, that may sound bright, but the expanse is larger, to cross those stars.

Some people just got lost in the shade bath between. Because they were drawn to it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/zomby.gif)

What is the draw to the dark side ? Why must we venture into the slimy realms in search of our true selves ?

The reason for curiosity is less important than curiosity itself. I ventured into slimy realms because I had and still have a burning desire to know something which was hidden from me. The relevance of who I am in my practice, while once of critical importance, has diminished to little more than a passing thought. These days, my fascinations are in greater things.