Luciferian Challenge: Day 17

Dark Sea Witchcraft

Many sea witches forget that the ocean is a dark, dangerous place, filled with deadly traps and monsters. This post is a collection of ideas on blending dark witchcraft with sea magick. (Note: I, along with many others, do not believe in the threefold law, so please keep your personal ethics to yourself)

Seashells are great for curses, as they can be broken into shards and put in a curse bottle. Research certain shell correspondences if you want a very specific curse.

Black sand can be mixed with black salt (or used by itself) for protective or cursing magick.

Saltwater gathered on the night of a dark moon makes the water even more potent for dark witchcraft.

Fish or turtle bones can be used in curse bottles or for divination. (Please only use bones that you find without actually hurting an animal. If you do sacrifice an animal, don’t be wasteful and please be humane. And definitely don’t sacrifice anything endangered!)

Shark teeth can be used for curses to cause fear in someone, or even bring real harm to them if used that way.

If you think on a broader scale, you can harness the power of the entire sea. Hurricanes and things like that are incredibly powerful, and are aspects of the sea. They kill many, many people, so I don’t recommend a hurricane curse, as they aren’t specific to who they harm.

Feel free to repost and add on to this!

Vepar in my experience is very much like her domain, the sea - dangerous and fierce, life-giving and nurturing, a being of both creative and destructive power.

I started a blog on Wordpress for longer posts! This is my first one and it's about how the myths of the Fall and of Hell can give one strength to live - even when there is not much hope that things will eventually be okay.

Of Bald Mountain

Against All Hope

One – Myth God created angels with a purpose in mind, a purpose to serve. They were not meant to be free. But they had a fundamental freedom

Hey! My preliminary research has suggested Azazel being closed to Judaism due to his roots within it, can I ask where you have gotten your information on him from? Not to sound accusatory, just wanting to know more.

Hello, thanks for asking!

So obviously I'm coming at this from a Christian perspective. My knowledge of Jewish religion and folklore is far more limited than someone raised within the religion.

The aspect of Azazel I understand to be very intertwined with Judaism is the scapegoat ritual. I've grabbed a definition of it from the Sydney Jewish Museum.

A key part of Yom Kippur, as described in the Torah, is the ritual slaughter of two goats; one for the Lord, and the other is designated “for Azazel”. Jewish tradition takes “Azazel” as the name of a rocky headland off which one goat, having the sins of the community symbolically placed upon it, would be thrown. The other goat, the one for the Lord, would be slaughtered as part of the general Yom Kippur rituals. This slaughter would bring atonement to the community.

This isn't part of Azazel's mythology that I really engage with. My view of him as a Watcher or fallen angel comes from the Book of Enoch, which is an Apocryphal text that seems to date back to the Dead Sea Scrolls. I've read that both Ethiopian Jewish communities and some Orthodox Christian churches consider it canon, but for the most part it is treated by wider Judaism and Christianity as not an official part of scripture. I have also heard that a story very similar to it appears in Islam, though I've not done enough research into it to speak at length about that.

In another Apocryphal text called the Apocalypse of Abraham, the name Azazel is attributed to an unclean bird of prey that tried to consume part of Abraham's sacrifices to God. In the same text, the name is also used to refer instead to the Serpent in Hell. Neither version is something I draw much of my understanding of him from (at least currently), but I'm mentioning it as an example of how often the same name or concept can pop up in different texts.

So to summarize, the name Azazel and a very specific rite associated with it do appear in Judaism, and that version/interpretation not something I feel comfortable approaching as a Luciferian who was raised Christian. Meanwhile, the view of him as a fallen angel exists only in Apocrypha, and isn't closely intertwined with or unique to Jewish culture and folklore in the same way a figure like Lilith is. That's the specific entity called Azazel I engage with.

Some books to get you started with Satanism (that aren't LaVey's bible)

Please note that none of these are simple "Satanism 101" titles. I don't really believe there is such a thing, at least not for me. However there is a good reason for each one being on the list, which I will explain. There also won't be any magic or witchcraft recommendations on this list, because while magic is absolutely compatible with Satanism, Satanism is a religion and witchcraft is a practice. I may update this list periodically, so if you reblog or save this post, check back in on it once in a while.

Paradise Lost by John Milton. I'd argue this text is one of the closest things Satanism has to "scripture," if there is a Satanic canon then Milton is absolutely a part of it. It can be a bit of a tricky read but it's a beautiful poem loaded with imagery and metaphor to feed the soul. If the style is a struggle for you to read, I'd recommend listening to an audio version, it's very beautiful when read aloud.

Revelations from the Christian Bible. Yes, I'm serious. If you, as a Satanist, are going to read any part of the Bible, make it Revelations. It's poetic and esoteric and full of references to Satan and the demonic.

Inferno by Dante Alighieri. The one might surprise some people, as Satan absolutely isn't depicted in a flattering light in it. However, Inferno has had a surprising amount of influence on the Christian understanding of Hell and the demonic, which is part of why I feel it is valuable, as Satanism is derived from Christianity. Many stereotypes about what one may expect when one gets to hell comes from this book. Furthermore, it's just a fun read.

Origins of Satan by Elaine Pagels. This one is a historical study of Satan as a religious figure, and I think it ought to be required reading for anyone getting into Satanism. Satan isn't just a vague or meaningless deity, he has been weaponized by Christianity throughout the centuries to target very specific groups of people for specific reasons. If you are to take on the mantle of Satanist, I recommend understanding what sort of legacy you're associating yourself with. You are becoming an adversary to God - but what, to the Christian eye, makes one an enemy?

I don't know if I just haven't encountered it yet, but I haven't really seen anyone talking about or acknowledging something that's neither Unverified Personal Gnosis or Shared Personal Gnosis, but rather a third thing: Personal Group Gnosis.

PGG emerges from a small group of people having similar experiences to each other, which may or may not resemble anything that people outside of the group are experiencing.

This isn't inherently a bad thing. But among those who lack critical thinking skills, it can lead to some real trouble if they conclude that their similar experiences means that they're uncovering an actual objective truth, regardless of whether it's congruent with anything anyone outside of the group is experiencing.

One thing that many people fail to account for is the fact that they and their group generally share many of the same preconceptions and biases. For example, a group of younger Wiccans are very likely to believe in now-debunked ideas such as the great goddess hypothesis and the witch cult hypothesis. They'll believe in the existence of pagan gods, but they'll probably have a Christian-influenced understanding of divinity and morality, with little to no comprehension of the role that animism played in the development of pre-Christian traditions, nor with any real appreciation for how different values influenced the stories that people told about gods and other spirits.

They might even be exposed to similar media, which gives them all similar ideas about gods, spirits, and history. Even if they don't directly engage with the most popular media, it can still reach them through second or third hand exposure.

They're also likely reading the same spiritual, occult, and esoteric writers; or at least, reading people who have very similar ideas to one another.

And finally, since they're most likely friends and therefore trust each other, they are naturally biased toward accepting each other's experiences as valid, and working them into their own mental maps of the spiritual or metaphysical world.

In short, they're all primed to have very similar experiences to each other.

Without awareness that exposure to similar ideas can influence similar mystical experiences, it's very easy for a small group like this to generate a sort of shared map of reality that they feel justified in regarding as absolutely, objectively true.

It's at this point that people begin to feel confident telling you that if you just talked to your gods about what they're claiming, your gods would absolutely confirm them to be true. And if they don't, you were never really talking to those gods.

Having one's entire internal map of reality dictated by Personal Group Gnosis can be incredibly dangerous. It alienates you from the rest of the world by making you feel as if the only people you can trust are those who agree with your PGG. It can make you see outsiders as spiritually inferior, especially if they disagree with you outright. It can even encourage conspiracy thinking, because attributing what outsiders believe (or apparently believe) to the actions of a malicious conspiracy is a very common rationalization.

In other words, this is how you get a cult.

Now, a lot of people won't recognize it as a cult (and some will vehemently deny it's a cult) because it might not have a clear leader (though there's almost certainly a small number of people who have the most influence), and it probably doesn't have a financial goal. However, the destructive capacities of small groups of people living in their own reality cannot be denied. Members who don't go along with the group's accepted model of reality are often treated harshly, and are frequently targets for harassment. They may say that if you don't like it you can just leave, but let's be real, that's no simple matter if you believe that these are the only people with a real grip on reality, or if these people are basically your only friends, or even just your only friends who share your spiritual beliefs.

(If you're in this kind of situation? My advice is to start making more friends outside of this group. You don't have to cut yourself off from this group cold turkey; you can just start hanging out with other people more.)

Now, I'd like to emphasize that none of this is to say that PGG is inherently bad; I am only pointing out that it can be incredibly dangerous for people who lack knowledge, perspective, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, a group where there's a lot of this going on can be very dangerous for those who desperately just want to belong and get along, and push themselves to adopt their groups popular beliefs for fear of consequences.

Just like a single person's UPG doesn't dictate reality for everyone, neither does a single group's gnosis. PGG isn't inherently any better or more "correct" than UPG.

How do I know which deity I’m talking to, or if it’s just my own inner voice?

Silas’s guide to Deity Communication 101:

Okay, so the absolute first step is to get to know yourself. You need to be able to identify what it feels like to be alone in your head/body, in order to identify when something else is there with you. So step away from your altar, don’t call upon any deities, and just spend a few days alone. Things to pay attention to:

what does your inner voice sound like? does it change or is it always the same?

do you think in a monologue, or have conversations with yourself? do you play different voices?

have some imaginary conversations, with your mom or best friend or a celebrity even. what does that feel like, sound like, etc?

how often do you hear your own voice? are you monologuing constantly? do you have to convert your thoughts into words?

is it usually quiet in your head, or pretty loud with lots happening? what do each feel like to you?

how often do you visualize? what does that look like? do you pick what you’re seeing or does it pop up randomly?

Talk to yourself out loud. does your inner voice respond?

Talk to someone else out loud. what happens in your head during that conversation?

Really pay attention to these things and getting a solid grasp on how your own brain works and responds to all sorts of situations.

Ready to move on? Now you can start learning to identify your deities. Depending on how your brain works and how your relationship with each specific deity works, communication could look any number of ways. Be open to learning what that is, rather than trying to force a certain communication style!

Start out by just trying to get time with your deity:

pray or talk to them, out loud or in your head!

spend time at your altar, gather things that remind you of them or that are associated with them.

write them letters

meditate while focusing on them & your connection to them

Hold crystals you associate with them, light them a candle, so a spell for them with herbs they like, etc

give an offering, invite them to join you for a meal

read their stories and myths, get to know them, learn how their worshipers usually get in touch with them

go out in nature, find a spot that reminds you of them. Could be a tree, a body of water, a clearing in the woods, a patch of wildflowers or mushrooms, a big rock, etc. Make that your place, meditate there and invite them to join you.

use tarot, a pendulum, etc. (pay attention to the energy you feel, if the same cards come up frequently, etc.)

Look for art, music, etc that reminds you of them. or make some!

Now WHILE you are doing all of the above, pay very close attention: does it ever feel different than when you’re alone? what does it feel like? Pay attention to all your senses!

How does it sound in your head? is it louder or quieter? does your inner voice respond the same as usual? does it take on a different tone or pace sometimes? do you hear a different voice altogether?

do certain things pop into your head, like you don’t hear a voice but knowledge or answers are just kinda… air-dropped to your brain?

How do you feel emotionally? is there a sense of calm/peace? is there a rush of excitement? does your energy feel different?

what do you see visually? is anything different about your visualizations? do you picture certain animals, imagery of your deity or things associated with them (plants, the sun/moon, water, etc)?

do you taste or smell anything specific?

do you have any bodily sensations, like butterflies in your stomach, a tingle down your spine, hair standing on end, goosebumps, a warm feeling in your chest, a sudden burst of energy, or a suddenly so calm you’re almost sleepy?

does music play in your head?

do you recognize an energy or “vibe” when you’re interacting with them? what does it feel like?

Be patient with yourself, it may take time to really tune into these things and feel the connection. But eventually you might see a pattern of how you feel when you interact with your deity. I recommend trying to start with just one, and really master how it feels when you’re together.

Once you know what they sounds like or feel like to you, it will be easier to tell when they’re around or communicating with you. You’ll learn to recognize them even when you’re not at your “spot” or specifically praying to them.

Eva, Artur Volkmann c.1893

I had never seen this sculpture before until today and I have been obsessed with it all day.

Here is Eve looking God in the fucking eye.

Prompted by Lucifer she takes what rightfully belongs to humanity - the knowledge of good and evil. Not afraid of God’s threats, not ashamed of her nakedness, (that goddam sassy hand on the hip!): it’s as if she’s daring him to do anything about it.

This is not a Fall - this is mankind rising up against the tyranny of servitude and the suppression of sexuality. It’s as if she’s grabbing God by the balls.

In medieval paintings of this theme Eve is either portrayed as innocent (pre-apple incident) or ashamed (post-apple incident). Usually Lucifer is depicted also, coiled around the tree. We don’t see Him here but we know He’s in the background, about to be cursed by a vindictive and controlling tyrant.

But He is here. We see Him in Eve: full of pride, rebellion, power, wisdom, and knowledge; unafraid of death and assured of her future. This is not a Fall. This is freedom.

A Prayer To Vepar For Protection

Come, charming Vepar, demon of the seas,

Of enchanting voice, oh siren of old,

Fierce as a storm and gentle as a breeze,

One whose heart is kind yet vengeance ice cold,

One able both to bring and kill disease,

Come, warrior mermaid, terrible yet sweet,

Be our defender, oppressors defeat.

More about Vepar in my new Wordpress post.

Of Bald Mountain

Introducing Vepar

Come, charming Vepar, demon of the seas,Of enchanting voice, oh siren of old,Fierce as a storm and gentle as a breeze,One whose heart is kin

Offerings for Lucifer

Fruit and anything made of fruit - especially apples, pomegranates or whatever your culture pictures as The Fruit. Strawberries for Venusian (Morningstar) associations, citrus for Solar. Cider, wine, juice, kompot, fruit teas. Cakes and other sweets made with fruit.

Strong spirits - often associated with the Devil.

Roses - Venusian. You can also give him rose water, alone or mixed with vodka.

Dandelions - for their chaotic, wild, untamed, unconquerable spirit.

Any plants associated with the Devil in your culture. Research your local lore and especially folk names to find them. Check their biological properties too - many of them can be poisonous so be careful.

Snake imagery - pictures, figurines, photos, any kind of arts and crafts. You can even make something yourself. As well imagery of goats and other animals associated with him.

Star imagery - especially Morningstar and falling stars.

Shed antlers - for Lucifer in his horned Devil of The Forest aspect.

Sunflower seeds - Solar.

Perfume or oils, especially of scents associated with him (apples etc.)

Your art of any kind dedicated to him.

Picrews of them - they enjoy it in my experience.

Queer symbols - Lucifer is a nonbinary shapeshifter.

Cakes, cookies and chocolate - just a delicious UPG.

(Made for Lucifer the Devil, offerings for the Roman Lucifer may vary.)