In with the old, in with the new!

I don’t see any problem with creating your own form of Demonolatry and / or using Traditional methods.

Traditional Demonolatry could be considered a perfected free-form Demonolatry. If you think about it, it had to start somewhere. Someone’s ancestor worked hard, wrote information down, and passed it on. Some families probably died out or lost interest, but others picked up the work, tried it, found more things that worked, and passed it on. This continued for years until the things that worked became traditional. We’re very lucky that Generational Demonolators share their traditions with us, because it’s something special to their family. The fact that families like this exist at all is something to be revered and cherished. It’s not a bad thing, or something to turn your nose up at out of jealousy.

Then again, change is equally valuable. If things stagnate they may become irrelevant or worse, die out. I highly doubt that the forefathers of Demonolatry did everything exactly like the Demonolators of today. Hecatean Magick by B. Morlan is an amazing book and a perfect example of how change can breathe new life into traditions. The author describes his family as a blend of Demonolatry on his maternal grandfather’s side and Traditional Witchcraft on his maternal grandmother’s side. The melding of those two sets of knowledge created a system unique to his family. For all I know right now, some of those rituals could become staples in my practice and be passed on to my potential future offspring (with credit, of course).

There’s also another option available. Perhaps you don’t like the idea of being traditional or blending two different paths. No one says you “have to” do anything. I’m still young and haven’t found my niche, maybe I’ll decide I want to try something completely different and add new avenues for people to consider when paving their own paths. If you use what you learn from tradition and push the limits of your creativity there’s no telling where you’ll end up. Spirituality is a very personal journey where there are no right or wrong answers. Maybe thinking outside of the box will lead to something your family will treasure generations from now? You never know unless you try.

Whether you stick to a traditional path, blend two paths, or create a third path is entirely up to you. I’d also like to point out that I think this is a great time to be a young Demonolator. We have wonderful authors and resources available to us and our entire lives ahead of us to help keep the magic alive for future generations…as long as we don’t drop the ball.

Your Spiritual Journey

I’ve always found it fascinating how our culture has turned something as unique and sacred as personal spirituality into some sort of bizzare competition where the “loser” is everyone but ourselves. Perhaps it’s the human need to be “right” or somehow “special” and to have others validate that, that causes the “who’s right and who’s wrong” and “which way is right, which way is wrong” debate. That ever pervading human ego.

Just like in Qabalah where each man’s tree is his own, each man’s spirituality is his/her own as well. Nothing is, technically, right or wrong. It’s either right for YOU or not. Demonolatry isn’t right for everyone. Some people take it to a dark place and it destroys them from the inside out.

Now before certain friends of mine have a complete fit and start bitching me out for promoting “Do-what-you-want-and-call-it-Demonolatry”, let me start out by saying that I am a firm believer in foundation. Those of you who know me should know this.

Look, I will not admonish people outside my denomination for working outside my own beliefs and structures. I might cringe on the inside when someone stabs a ritual dagger in the air while invoking Anubis, but that’s my problem, not theirs. These days I keep my mouth shut because I realize just because I choose to practice a certain denomination of Demonolatry does not mean everyone else should or has to.  Spirituality is not one size fits all. Anyone who thinks otherwise is foolish.

We don’t have to agree.  I have specific practices etc… that I adhere to out of respect to the traditions I’ve incorporated into my own spiritual practice.  It works for me. I also believe in foundation and teach from a place of foundation, write from a place of foundation, and usually only practice with those who also come from that same foundation. If you find me talking about gendem type stuff in my books it’s because that’s the place I come from and I write for both them AND everyone else. Not an easy task, I assure you. It’s hard to keep my personal practice out of what I write. ::shrug::

But that is my choice as it’s my practice and I can do what I want. Other people’s opinions do not validate or invalidate my spirituality or my practice. Why? Because I’ve grown past needing validation from others.

Do I think my way of working is superior? For myself, yes. As I am sure everyone reading this article finds their method of work superior for them as well (or you should – otherwise you need  to keep searching). That’s just how it is.

As for foundation I will say this: There are a few things that, while you can just make it up as you go along, are foundational to all of Western Magick as a whole. If you practice any of the following things and follow the “traditional” ways of working within this foundation — your work is not only based in Western Magick, but it has some sort of foundation.

  • Planetary  – the nature of the planets does not change. It’s a constant. This includes planetary hours, days, and symbols.
  • Astrology – I’m talking the standard zodiac, not sidereal astrology.
  • The basic premise behind each sphere of the tree of life or qlippoth.
  • Herb lore, including medicinal and magickal uses (as well as alchemical uses). Lemon balm, for example, will always be refreshing in teas and represent knowledge and truth (among other airy qualities). I did recently make a post about my thoughts on what makes me respect herbalists and alchemists HERE.
  • Base Daemonic attributes. Okay, this one might be debatable, but I do believe the base attributes have stuck with the Daemons for centuries for a reason.
  • Applications of certain things in magick. And by application I mean that we already have agreed upon meanings of colors, stones, etc… in Western Magick and all of that is part of our shamanic tradition and seems to overlap into most, if not all,  Western traditions that use stones or colors etc…
  • Agreed upon symbolism. For the most part, many  spiritual folks and magicians have agreed upon certain spirit sigils and symbolism to identify processes, spirits, planets, etc… This doesn’t mean the individual can’t create his/her own symbols. It just means a lot of the existing symbolism has a great deal  of meaning and a lot of thought was put into it. It’s just as valid as a personal sigil.

There may be more than this, but I think this is a good foundational list. Feel free to add more in the comments if you feel I’ve missed anything imperative.

But all in all, no matter who disagrees with you or snarks at your personal practices or beliefs, your spirituality is your own. If you think throwing a sprig of chamomile down a well at the stroke of one a.m. will keep you from getting a cold – more power to you. If it works for you, great! Who am I to judge?

Does it annoy me when people make stuff up and call it Demonolatry? No. Demonolatry means Demon Worship. So as long as you’re being respectful to the Divine Intelligences, I see no problem with you using the label. Demonolatry is a broad term and there are literally hundreds of “denominations”. It is what it is.

And for my friends who disagree with me and really do hold to the stance that there really is only one way to practice Demonolatry, that’s why you practice the denomination you practice.  Some people will find your denomination inferior (there is a group of folks out there who HATE gendems, though I’m not sure why since the beliefs and traditions of the gendem folks has nothing to do with anyone outside those groups), others will find it right for them.  We must accept that fact and move on.  Other people’s beliefs (or validation or invalidation of your beliefs) have nothing to do with your spirituality or your connection to the divine.  Once we all figure this out, maybe it will put a stop to the “My spirituality is better than yours!” schoolyard behavior.

This Month’s Blogging Topic

I was so wrapped up in the contest earlier this month that I forgot to mention this month’s blogging topic.

This month the bloggers talk about Traditional vs. Free Form Demonolatry – Perspectives on staying completely traditional vs blending demonolatry with other pagan beliefs vs doing whatever the hell you want and calling it demonolatry.

Looks like an interesting topic. I look forward to hearing what our bloggers think. Speaking of bloggers, we always welcome new bloggers. Some of our bloggers get busy and can no longer blog.  If you are a practicing Demonolater and want to blog here at demonolatry.org, contact me at [email protected] and I’ll get you set up.

A Thinning Veil & Necromancy

The following blog post is from my personal website. I thought I’d share it here, too, as it’s relevant.

I was having a conversation with a friend last week about necromancy and the thinning of the veil. He made a passing comment about how October 31 is when the veil is thinnest. I had to stop and correct him because that’s not entirely true.

The reason October 31 is often celebrated as when the veil is thinnest is because Saturn in Scorpio (October 23- November 22) is the right combination that causes thinning of the veil to begin with, and October 31 is kind of right in there. But that’s the key phrase right there. Saturn (planet ruling Death) in Scorpio (the most psychic of the sun signs).  Genuine Saturn in Scorpio cycles  happen about every 28-30 years and last for about 2-2.5 years. Sure, you’ll get Saturn influence in Scorpio every year, but it’s nothing like a true Saturn in Scorpio transit.

So while the veil may always thin a little bit around October 31, it actually peaks around the second week of November and is really only at its thinnest point every 28-30 years.

And guess what? This year we entered a Saturn in Scorpio cycle (transit)! It started around October 5 and it will last until 2015.  Yep – that’s right! Saturn is currently in Scorpio! So for those necromancers who are really feeling it this year – this is why.  While a good necromancer can do his/her work at any time, the next three weeks will be prime for it.  Not just tonight. You’ll also enjoy this influence over your necromantic work until [January of] 2015! 🙂

Good luck in all your work and may the Death Daemonic be friendly unto you!

Religion and Spirituality

This months topic is religion and spirituality. First off, it is my belief that religion is not necessarily spiritual. Many people claim to be of various religions but are about as spiritual as a dog turd (obviously I have no knowledge that dog turds aren’t spiritual, but hopefully you get my meaning !) People can on the other hand be spiritual but of no religion.

Religion is essentially a belief system, usually constrained by rules and regulations. These rules and regulations are usually enforced by a ruling class within the religion. For instance, the Vatican is the ruling class of the Catholic Church.

Religion is supposed to be a pathway to spiritualism from what we are lead to believe. Religion is based upon a set of rules and beliefs dating back many millenia. True religions stick by their governing orders and instructions. Hokey religions simply keep changing their fundamental beliefs to cure favour, the case of homosexuality in the Church of England being a prime example. Islam sticks by its fundamental beliefs, which is why it is gaining followers and Christianity loosing. Demonolatry is lucky in that we are generally left to work things out for ourselves and have very few  fundamental orders  – we all know what we are about anyway, so stuff those who don’t !

Spirituality simply requires an honest practitioner who is not afraid to believe that there is more to life than X Factor and the gathering of money and material goods. Be at peace with yourself and your beliefs. Believe not for what you can get out of it,but because you can. Spiritual people are usually far happier than non spiritual people. Religious but non spiritual people are usually angry souls. Where and what are you ?

Nuctemeron Gates

Nuctemeron Gates discusses the Nuctemeron of Apollonius of Tyana as a full path-working ritual for the adept and as a complete gate opening ritual to bring the “light of the world” manifest into the magus. Please note that this book is meant as a supplement to Infernal Colopatiron : A Manual of Daemonic Theophany. However, Infernal Colopatiron is not necessary for the practicing magician to find this chapbook useful. It can be used alone and it can be used by Daemonolaters and non-Daemonolaters alike. Currently in Paperback on Amazon and  Hardcover at Lulu. eBooks are also available for NOOK and KINDLE.

Spiritual, Religious, Both, and Neither

This month’s topic can actually be somewhat of a challenge to write about. There is a great deal of ambiguity in today’s society regarding religion and spirituality. Some people use the two words interchangeably, while others hold them as two very different things. A great example of this is the ever-popular phrase, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.”

In truth, this kind of scenario would be wonderful, if it weren’t for the fact that most people are still using the two words interchangeably. By using this phrase, they mean they still believe in or follow some sort of higher power, without being associated with one particular religious organization or another. They are using spirituality to describe a state of belief. But a person can be extremely spiritual without any belief in a higher power whatsoever. This conflict is cause by, once again, the misuse of the word spiritual in our common culture. And that’s sad considering all you have to do is look at the word to figure out it’s meaning. Spirituality has nothing to do with belief. It has to do with the spirit. One’s own personal soul and spirit. And so it is possible to be “spiritual, but not religious”, but only if it describes a way of life or a spiritual system, and not simply the belief in a higher power.

Spirituality is something that is entirely personal. What one person finds to be extremely spiritually fulfilling, could mean absolutely nothing to another person. No one can tell another person what is spiritual, and what is not, because each person is unique and individual. And it is the personal impact upon the spirit, or the soul, that makes an act spiritual. The peace and contentment that comes from spiritual fulfillment can come from any source, and so each person will have specific things that they find to be spiritual. Some may overlap or be common amongst many people, but that doesn’t necessarily make that particular act spiritual. Again, it is the impact upon the individual and the fulfillment that is gained from the experience, that makes an act spiritual. Some people employ meditation, ritual, and other methods in order to directly influence the spirit and soul. To empower and strengthen them beyond the normal range of human ability. And while these activities are specifically meant to influence the spirit and soul, they could not be considered spiritual, unless the person performing them gained fulfillment and contentment from the experience.

This does not mean however, that religions and religious activities cannot be spiritual. All that is required is that the person performing them be fulfilled by the experience. If a person finds their religious duties extremely fulfilling, and becomes a healthier and happier person by doing them, then those duties are spiritual as well as religious. However, it is just as easy for secular activities to be extremely spiritual. A person who finds complete satisfaction and fulfillment from their craft or trade, can be living a spiritual life simply by getting up and going to work in the morning. A musician can be engaging in a spiritual endeavor simply by strapping on their instrument and allowing the music inside them to be released. Picking up a favorite pen and opening a worn notebook can be one of the most spiritual things a writer can do. The most important factor in spirituality, is the impact on the individual spirit.

Contrarily, it is just as easy for religions, religious activities, meditation, ritual, magic, and absolutely every other supposed “spiritual” thing in the world to not be so. And quite unfortunately, many people hop from one spiritual gimmick to the next, in the hopes of finding the right “fit.” What these people are truly looking for, is that special thing that makes them feel spiritual. That special impact on the soul. And without that feeling or that impact, all of these activities become about something else. Religion becomes about belief and faith. Meditation becomes about “unlocking the mind.” Magic becomes about “special powers.” And none of them are doing what they were intended to do.

This will continue to happen until people take their spirituality into their own hands. People have to stop looking for others to show them what spirituality is. What it means. They need to go out and look for what brings them personal fulfillment and satisfaction. And once they have found what they are looking for, it is their responsibility to keep that fulfillment in their lives and live a spiritual life, if they choose to do so. I leave you all with one of the many small decoration I have made to hang on my walls. When I see them, I feel spiritual, and therefore they help me lead a spiritual life. Enjoy, and may Lucifer light your way!

Lucifer Wall Decoration

October Spiritus

Welcome to October, People of the Org.

This month the bloggers take on the topic of spiritual Demonolatry. What does it mean to live a spiritual life? How does one deepen their own spiritual connection to the Demonic Divine?  What practices do very spiritual people uphold? All of these questions are fair game this month.

Also, for those of you solitaries looking for an opportunity for group worship, see the OFS’s first ever experimental online public ritual via a live video conferencing feed through Any Meeting. It’s a public Rite to Eurynomous. While it will cost a little to attend (unless you have a scholarship or discount code) to keep the meeting ad free, it should be fun. I might be there myself. Afterward, S. Connolly will do live readings for those who have requested them and a discussion of the ritual will ensue. All you have to do is log in, in front of the computer, and watch. There will be a chat box available, but please know that all participants cameras and microphones will be disabled so there is no noise feedback and so the ritual won’t be interrupted by technical difficulties (hopefully). It’s the next best thing to attending a live ritual. There was talk of having two cameras set up so that you can get different views of the ritual chamber. Also, several experienced attendees will be there so if you have a question during the live ritual you can type them into the chat box and one of those participants might be willing to answer, though you can hold your questions to the end.  There are currently over fifteen people signed up to attend.  Please go to Any Meeting first to learn how to use the online interface  in advance and to find out how to get help if your video freezes etc…  While the ritual is in progress there will be NO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. For best results, use a wired connection and make sure you have a cable modem or a very fast connection. The better your computer and the stronger your connection, the fewer issues you’ll likely have. Also, Chrome users might have to disable their Flash plugin if they are getting screen freezes.  Those who experience severe technical difficulties may be eligible for a refund. If you do find yourself logged out at any time during the event, just log back in.

If you have questions about the above this event, contact me at [email protected]. Put OFS Rite to Eury in the subject header.   Watch for more live streaming video events including both free and paid webinars.

Frank F. Domovoi

September Babble

It was a free choice this month about what to talk about, and I know I am late with this, but it has been a busy time. This month I apologise for not discussing Demonolatry, and deviating onto ethics etc.

I am of the opinion that the human race has lost its direction in development. Ethically, we treat animals with disgrace, we treat the third world with disgrace, and we treat mother earth (for want of a better term) with disgrace. All those in charge are interested in is making money. That is it. It doesn’t matter what hardships are enforced on those not in positions of power. Neither does it matter what irreversible damage is done to the planet. Just as long as profit is made and the shareholders are kept happy, then that’s alright and all is fine.

The hunger for material possessions has hit an all time high. The more we have, the more we want. We have people sitting outside Apple stores for 5 days (if not longer) waiting to be the first to buy an iphone 5 while at the same time people are having to sell their possessions to cover medical expenses for ill relatives. We pour money into third world countries via organisations like Save The Children etc. If saving the children was so important, then why do they pay their chief executive what they pay him – circa 120,000 US$. Governments spend billions on foreign aid, yet none of the money goes to help the general populous. Rather it tends to find itself spent on arms (generally bought from arms dealers approved, if not owned by the very governments who gave them the foreign aid money in the first place). Its all a complete sham.

The same goes for the so called idea of western democracy – total sham. The freedoms that we in the west are allowed are simply present to divert our attention from what is really going on. Do we really have any influence on what happens ? I don’t think so. Even though we are allowed some degree of free speech, it is not as free as once thought. We have to be VERY careful what we say or put up on facebook. You are allowed to have your own opinion, providing it agrees with the  government approved opinion on the subject currently in favour at the time you make your opinion. Examples include immigration, gay marriage, illegal wars etc. Dr Kelly in the weapons of mass destruction court case is a prime example.

That’s enough from me. I would be interested to know what other peoples thoughts are.