#occult studies

[alephskoteinos]

Give it up for one of the strangest (possibly problematic) unwitting consensuses in history.

[crowpixels]

how did you find yourself here?

it’s dangerous.    you shouldn’t be here. 

for your own safety... we think you should leave.

[witchcraftingboop]

Currently (finally) reading Holy Heretics, and this quote in particular, as well as quite a few statements before this point, have really highlighted for me the pursuit of Chumbley & Co. and led me towards finally organizing my thoughts on certain aspects of their final products that I've mostly kept to myself hitherto.

I've read quite a few books by the Cultus Sabbati group now, as well as plenty of others such as Paracelsus and Alm, and while I'm reading Acher's work, I find myself reflecting, even without intentionally doing so, on the chthonic Greek initiation rites I had put together. Perhaps due to the non-dualistic perspective on cosmology I have, after their first draft, I started unraveling those rites and leaving almost "placeholder slots" in them where I had previously affixed Greek-specific rivers, deities, and mythological references. Now, when I'm reading this book in particular, it becomes even more obvious 1) why I was so intent on unraveling my own views on those rites and my cosmology in general (and in turn, how useful that ended up being), and 2) how Chumbley's works, and a few of his peers, appeared to crumble in their pursuit of a homogenous, one-size-fits-all-or-does-it concept.

"But now, to the best of our ability, we use symbols appropriate to the things Divine, and from these again we elevate ourselves." This sentence in particular feels like a perfect summary of where/why the Cultus' books fell short for so many I've seen attempt "decoding" them.

In the pursuit of transcending and "encoding" their work, a lot of the symbols, names, and concepts they latched onto and blended lost their ability to be used effectively in their presented form. Often, my peers would relate back to me that DBoE rites, if worked through to the letter, took many more hours than anticipated and that time seemed to just fall away and be absorbed into the working, and then when they inevitably restructured and reworded them to their needs/desires, they had an increased impact, reliable results, and took a significantly less amount of time. Truthfully, Chumbley & Co.'s works are the outer emanations of an inner, closed group, so it can, and really imo should, be argued that those extra bits and bobs and the declared so-called "ciphered" way of writing is done intentionally and that these results may in fact be what they'd intended all along. There can be a multitude of reasonings attached, but my ending note is the same:

The symbols used, in any system, must be adequate to the practitioner's understanding and relation to the divine in order to be usable in the pursuit of transcendence and unity with that which is beyond.

Cultus works just so happen to be the first that come to mind for me, especially given how quickly I have seen folks discard them entirely. A mish-mosh, rushed undertaking of DBoE will likely leave you in a room surrounded by just thoughtforms and archetypes rather than with a powerful eminence of divinity. And while this was more than likely the intended affect, it is still worth reflecting on for those like me who seek out experience with multiple different paths and systems.

It is something I have seldom verbalized, but that I carry with me when developing or seeking the understanding and knowledge necessary to undertake new ways of thinking and organizing the world around me. And, quite honestly, I think it is better put in this way than in the multitude of articles and entries I have seen that cryptically and obliquely describe Chumbley's works as "ineffectual" or "overhyped."

It is a matter of perspective, at the end of the day. Perspective and perhaps willingness to embrace the essence, rather than the presented, Crooked Path around you.

[annafromuni]

A New View into Dark Academia with The Cloisters

The Cloisters by Katy Hays dips into a new side of dark academia for me, one which has spurred a wave of curiosity from deep within, and that is art history. Art history is one of those subject that I wanted to take at school but my subject choices didn’t align right for that to happen so getting that art history immersion through Ann (just one letter off!) and this mesmerising read was truly a…

[readings-in-the-dark]

12.10.23 (thursday) - finished some posts today and decided to get ahead on my reading for the next book club entry that I'm making for patreon - we're finally going to be talking about tarot cards after reading through the introductory section of the Pictorial Key To The Tarot!

i wish that i had the stamina for note-taking and referencing that i did even a year ago; I've got a headache after only 3-4 hours work (with breaks) when I would have been able to be do way longer before T_T

currently reading: Pictorial Key To The Tarot by Arthur E. Waite

[anarcho-occultism]

Today I learned the 79th Psalm is insanely OP.

[xthewhiteravenx]

Hell Week Celebration: Dark Occult Studies Academia x Sam Golbach

“Hell is empty And all the devils are here.” -- William Shakespeare

TW: character death mentioned and explicit language (including the use of triggering names of individuals)

They call him insane. They call him punk. They call him rebel. They call him a clown, a weirdo, a nobody. 

But, Sam knew he wasn’t crazy. 

That face in the fire that took his best friend haunted him. Sam knew he wasn’t at fault for the fire or the death of Colby. Something else was controlling him. 

He dived into biblical mythology, folklore, demonology-- anything to figure out what that face was that he saw as Colby screamed and burned to death.

The slam of a large manila folder startled Sam and the handcuffs jingled around his wrists. The attorney representing the State of California stared down at him with beady brown eyes and a smile that made Sam recall the images of the angel Gabriel (mischief and maker). 

“You’re in deep shit, Golbach.”

“Let me go,” he snarled, pulling at his handcuffs, “I need to stop Him!”

“The only one you need to stop is yourself,” the attorney sneered, “Why did you kill your best friend, Golbach? Jealousy? Rage? Lover’s quarrel?”

“Colby and I never saw each other that way,” Sam answered quickly, “and I didn’t kill him. He did!”

“That’s not what witnesses say! You killed Colby, and to cover your tracks you set the house on fire.”

Sam began to laugh, rolling his eyes back in his skull, “You cops have no idea what is in this world and that will limit your perspective on every murderer, rapist, and pedophile who walks through these doors.”

“Counting yourself in that Golbach?”

“And the sinner shall inherit the earth, Mr. Attorney Man.”

[pathofregeneration]

Those who think they can become great Adepts and Magicians wielding what they imagine are occult 'powers' in a few short months are unlikely to have the stamina, faith and determination needed to master the TRUE arcanum of Occult Science. No, REAL progress requires consistent effort, continuity and dedication, both in our occult studies, exercises, and in our meditations upon them.

Occult Studies and Meditation (via Occult Mysteries)

[alchedemia]

we havent used this account in years

reintroduction i guess. were austin, were 18, were a did system interested in alchemy, mythology, anthropology, occult studies, writing, nautical science and history, and honestly just about everything else. my name personally is rand and im especially interested in occult studies, d&d, writing, and mythology. others in the system have different specific interests.

collectively were reading flatland: a romance of many dimensions and bowie (someone else in the system) just finished treasure island and phantom of the opera. if anyone has any good occult study books or stories with interesting occult elements i would love recommendations!

very interested in meeting other systems in academia, or other people who understand systems in academia, or things like that. excited to be here

[alephskoteinos]

Look what we're cooking

[exoflash]

a concerning amount of witchblr will be like "um actually new years was stolen by europeans from the ancient god scroobus mcdoobus" and then you actually try to research scroobus mcdoobus and it turns out he was invented in the 1940s by a conspiracy theorist who powdered every meal with ketamine and thinks that queer people are reincarnated fish

[little-laughing-alligator]

What is Gnosis?

gnosis is an altered state of consciousness that allows you to bypass the limitations of your rational mind and tap into the raw power of your will to achieve a desired outcome. It's a state of focused concentration where all your attention is narrowed down to a single point, shutting out distractions and amplifying your intention. Chaos magicians view this state as essential for working magick because it allows us to bridge the gap between will and results. We of course employ various techniques (potentially limitless in number) to achieve this state.

Sensory deprivation is a method where one deprives the senses of external stimuli to achieve a state of deep focus. This can involve practices as simple as spending time in a darkened room while wearing a blindfold and using earplugs, or as deep as you want to take it. As all distractions fade, your inner world becomes amplified, creating a space for gnosis to emerge.

Emotional Ecstasy is a technique that creates a heightened emotional state through activities like drumming or dancing. This intense emotional energy can act as a gateway to gnosis.

Inhibitory gnosis is a technique that involves entering a meditative state akin to a trance. Utilize slow, rhythmic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to quiet the mind and body. Techniques like self-hypnosis and visualization can also be employed. In this deeply relaxed state, you become more receptive to gnosis.

Indifferent Vacuity is a method that involves performing a magickal working in a detached, almost nonchalant manner. The idea is to minimize the focus on the desired outcome itself, allowing the subconscious mind to take the lead and move into to gnosis. This generally requires one to be experienced and proficient with performing said ritual.

Approaching gnosis with a trickster mentality. Employ absurdity or silliness to disrupt your usual patterns of thought and open yourself to the unexpected. This can lead to a state of gnosis by breaking down rigid mental barriers.

Examples of a few more complex methods involve achieving gnosis via channeling a servitor's experiences, or via lucid dreaming in tandem with Dream Incubation techniques.

I would go so far as to say it’s a necessary study and essential skill when it comes to being a practicing occultist/witch/chaos magician/ceremonial magician et el

For context, a practicing occultist is one who has taken their work beyond study and into performing the acts themselves.

[allaboutparanormal]

Unveiling Ars Goetia of the Lesser Key of Solomon: Secrets Revealed!

  Have you ever been intrigued by the ancient texts and mystical entities that have captivated humanity for centuries? 

 The Lesser Key of Solomon offers a unique glimpse into the arcane world of demonology, with Ars Goetia standing out as a prominent chapter.   

  Ars Goetia, a section of the Lesser Key of Solomon, introduces us to powerful demons each with unique attributes and lore. 

 From King Bael, the first spirit mentioned, to Marquis Ronove, these entities have fascinated scholars and occultists alike with their mysterious nature.  

  But these demons are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the rich tapestry of the Lesser Key of Solomon. 

  Join me as I delve deeper into the realm of Ars Goetia, exploring its history, the significance of each demon, and the enduring impact it has had on the world of occult studies.  

    “As an Amazon & Ebay Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

  Your Donations Are Graciously Accepted To Help Me Keep All About Paranormal Online! All About Paranormal is not intended to be for profit, but does carry expenses with domain cost, books, decks, etc. The links I use are affiliate links, I earn a commission for referring you, and the price you pay doesn't change. If you liked my work, please buy me Coffee.

 

[satanicinclinations]

The biblical creature Leviathan, summoned forth by god at the end of days just so he can smite them to show off. He made this big beautiful serpent, great and mighty, so that he can slay it and show that he is greater; mightier. Not cool dude.

Leviathan falls into many interesting categories of Satanism and, surely, D(a)emonolatry; a demon of the sea or element of water, the Prince of envy among the Seven Deadly Sins and each prince presiding over them, or perhaps another form and facet of Satan himself.

A lovely being; one to fall down a research rabbit hole about at the devil’s hour.

[blueheartbooks]

"Alchemy Unveiled: Navigating the Mysteries with Dr. A. S. Raleigh's Philosophia Hermetica"

Dr. A. S. Raleigh's "Philosophia Hermetica" serves as a captivating portal into the enigmatic world of alchemy, offering a profound exploration in the form of ten enlightening lessons. This course masterfully introduces readers to the intricate philosophy behind alchemy, unraveling its secrets and guiding them through the labyrinth of hermetic wisdom. Dr. Raleigh's narrative is both scholarly and accessible, making complex concepts comprehensible to novices while still offering depth for seasoned seekers.

The lessons delve into the historical roots of alchemy, connecting its rich tapestry to broader philosophical frameworks. Raleigh skillfully navigates through the symbolic language of alchemy, demystifying its arcane symbols and cryptic manuscripts. The course not only serves as an intellectual endeavor but also as a spiritual quest, inviting readers to contemplate the profound interplay between the material and metaphysical realms.

The author's meticulous approach, coupled with a flair for engaging prose, makes "Philosophia Hermetica" a valuable resource for anyone intrigued by the mystical arts. Whether you're a seasoned alchemist or a curious mind, this course promises a transformative journey, providing a nuanced understanding of alchemy's role in shaping the philosophical landscape. In a world where ancient wisdom meets modern intellect, Dr. A. S. Raleigh's work stands as a beacon, illuminating the alchemical path with scholarly brilliance and spiritual insight. Embark on this transformative odyssey and unlock the secrets of "The Philosophy of Alchemy."

Dr. A. S. Raleigh's "Philosophia Hermetica" is available in Amazon in paperback 11.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 167

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat