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

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 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 Self-
deification - 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
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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.

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 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

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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.

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 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.
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 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.

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 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

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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.

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 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.
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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,
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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 roller-
coaster" 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:

19
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 chain-
reaction (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.119-
120). 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.

20
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.

25
 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.

27
Supplementary Images

28
29
 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.

30
 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.
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 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

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 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 non-
comprehensive 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.

37
 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,

38
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.

39
 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.

40
 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.

41
 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,
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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 inner-
consciousness 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 leviathanite@gmail.com, 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

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