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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 13, 2012 17:43:28 GMT -6
Just finished reading the Cthulhu Cult by Lord Satanis. Found it very much to my liking. I am a Satanic Gnostic, and so the view presented by this line in the book resonates with me significantly. Here are a few quotes from this excellent tome which and my reflections upon them:
"The Godlike potential residing deep within all human beings threatens the universe, threatens the natural order. Therefore, we are trapped inside the shadow of a near impregnable conspiracy."
This passage harmonizes nicely by the worldview put forth by many Gnostic sects: That the world that we live in is largely a lie, created to imprison and enslave those of us who possess a spark of pneumatic essence. In Gnostic parlance, the warden of this prison-universe was known as the Demiurge, and his prison guards were the archons(usually 7 in number, each associated with one of the 7 planets). These beings, in my understanding, would be roughly equivalent to the "Lesser Gods" in the CoC paradigm.
"Behind this phony, sideshow world there is something transcendent: a vast glittering darkness, an effulgent void, a nigrescent abhss beyond time and space."
Beautiful words by Lord Satanis. The phrase "glittering darkness" is one that resonates with me especially. The idea of a "foundationless foundation", in the words of mystic Jacob Boehme, a substratum to the universe in which older, stranger gods dwell-An uncreated abyss of limitless freedom in all its inherent possibilities, both wondrous and horrifying.
"A sliver of this transcendent black abyss dwells in the darkest part of man's being, Yes, a fragment of this demonic God lives inside every man, allowing him to be part of Greater Reality."
It occurs to me that this Black Essence takes on a nature which is inimical to the created cosmos(i.e. the "sideshow world". By cultivating this essence and projecting its energies outwards, we exert a destabilizing influence on the cosmos, breaking down the structures of consensual reality and liberating the unholy essence contained therein. This action is somewhat akin to the digestive process of certain species of spider: They inject their prey with a venom which liquefies its entrails, rendering it into a form which is more easily consumed-A sort of pre-digestion. Through the magico-religious work of the adept, the universe is corroded, liquefied, and ultimately consumed to nourish the adept and further his/her sinister evolution.
Hail Satanis! Cort Williams
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 13, 2012 22:23:34 GMT -6
Haha, yes! Cultists have to consume the universe before it consumes us. We're on the same page.
I like the "foundationless foundation". I'm not familiar with Jacob Boehme... what has he done or written?
Thanks for the praise, brother. Very much appreciated (BTW, no harm in posting a review on amazon). If you enjoyed those passages, then I'm certain you'll resonate with the short fiction of Thomas Ligotti. Read Ligotti's weird tales as you would Lovecraft.
By His loathsome tentacles,
VS
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2012 9:24:49 GMT -6
Beautiful words by Lord Satanis. The phrase "glittering darkness" is one that resonates with me especially. I love it, too. You'll appreciate this :
There is only the void. Dwell in it, cherish it, and most of all… remember it. Because it is the beginning; it is the end. It nullifies any and all illusions. Such an abyss contains nothingness itself, yet it is not empty. The void contains, or rather is, a lawless, shadowy field which is as close to the Formless Black Essence as we can imagine. The void is the very edge of that obsidian threshold. Its purity… clear, clean, and empty is perfect for Cultist’s to emulate. The void is sacred to us; it is the nigrescent key to it all. Such emptiness is without false personality, without negativity, and without identification. A Cultist’s potency flows from the living darkness.
Liber A:O
Remember yourself, for the emerald kingdom is at hand !
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Post by sin on Sept 14, 2012 11:23:21 GMT -6
It makes me wonder, why people believe we are separate from what constitutes the cosmos. The essence is always right beneath the skin trying to claw its way out. The trouble then, is what you do with this beast once it's penetrated the external reality?
Do you let the beast walk you, or do you walk it?
CS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 14, 2012 12:07:45 GMT -6
@ Master Cora'Sahn: The theme of separateness, or alienation, from the cosmos is prominent both in Gnosticism and in many models of Left-Hand path ideology. It refers, I think, to a sense of being apart from the world known as "Generally Accepted Reality". This feeling of alienation results from the awareness, if only a half-realized awareness, that(to quote Lord Satanis, page 53): "Man is an outsider in the natural universe. His consciousness makes him alien.", that we (quoting again from Cthulhu Cult, p. 49) "are trapped in the shadow of a virtually impregnable conspiracy", that "Generally Accepted reality is the illusion which masks our prison". That we are in this world, but not of it.
Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 14, 2012 12:21:04 GMT -6
@lord Satanis: I will definitely have to check out Ligotti, it's not the first time I have had his work recommended to me by someone whose perspective on esoteric matters I value highly Boehme was a 17th century Christian mystic, though I feel some aspects of his writings transcend religious categorization. His concept of the foundationless foundation, or"ungrund", a sort of primordial freedom underlying existence, inspires me greatly. I was introduced to him and it by a medium-length essay by philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev: www.berdyaev.com/berdiaev/berd_lib/1930_349.html@master Yrreiht: A beautiful quote! Especially this bit: "The void contains, or rather is, a lawless, shadowy field which is as close to the Formless Black Essence as we can imagine. The void is the very edge of that obsidian threshold." I'm starting to read Liber A:O as we speak. Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by sin on Sept 15, 2012 11:40:47 GMT -6
Demonic as a way of being ultimately evil, is what alienates man from the fiber of reality. This is when a veil is placed over your eyes. If you juxtapose aether demons with subconsciousness and then with man's consciousness, it's also a way of being. If you could pull the subconscious into the conscious, its like pulling yourself inside out.
R'lyeh is the battlefield, the Old Ones can rise from the depths of subconsciousness into the conscious; and this is when you make real world progress using your true will vs. mechanized will.
"...fear that is overcome! Inside the unknown is our salvation, if we have the courage to look..."
Page 54
What do you see in a mirror? Is it your conscious self, subconscious self, both or neither?
CS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 16, 2012 10:50:31 GMT -6
Master Cora'Sahn wrote: "Demonic as a way of being ultimately evil, is what alienates man from the fiber of reality. This is when a veil is placed over your eyes."
Interesting-Though I'd perhaps argue the opposite-When man is alienated from the fiber of (generally accepted reality/the world of the lesser gods), this is when the veil can be lifted.
Master Cora'Sahn wrote: "If you could pull the subconscious into the conscious, its like pulling yourself inside out."
Indeed-And to journey into and/or summon forth the primordial daimonic realms found in the depths of the subconscious, wherein the fragment of the Formless Black Essence within us lies, is to no small extent I think, the goal of the sinister adept.
"and this is when you make real world progress using your true will vs. mechanized will."
Hmm...I must admit I find this term "real world progress" somewhat problematic. What is meant by the "real world"? The world of generally accepted reality? If so, equating this with the real world would seem to be a tacit acceptance of its greater import than the worlds of the daimonic, when in fact I'd argue the opposite is true.
Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by sin on Sept 16, 2012 12:29:07 GMT -6
Master Cora'Sahn wrote: "Demonic as a way of being ultimately evil, is what alienates man from the fiber of reality. This is when a veil is placed over your eyes.
General accepted reality, as in? The sky is blue and the trees are brown? Material reality will exist whether we humans are here to observe it or not. It's really about the place you fit in the world. And what I mean by that...(the world) a system of people. What do you want to do? What do you want to be? What do you want to have?
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Post by boksmutant on Sept 16, 2012 13:13:16 GMT -6
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this site for a long time. How do I post a new subject/thread? Can't remember & it's been over a year!? Thanks:)
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 16, 2012 13:35:58 GMT -6
There is generally accepted reality (also known as consensual reality), and then there is objective reality or as close as we can get to it. Objective reality is free of all subjective debris; naked. It's the material version of the void, empty and pure.
Real world progress is achievement within or upon objective reality... like voting in an election. Working with or on generally accepted reality, full of its own importance and blinded by countless subjective filters, can only yield the illusion of progress, such as complaining about X, Y, and Z on Facebook.
The fact that you're thinking about specific Work ideas and how they mesh with your current understanding and our emerald paradigm is commendable and definitely the way forward. Exalt! Start thinking about a topic for your Ascension essay.
Welcome back. Go to whatever board you want to post in and click on the "new thread" button in white letters.
Awake!
Venger As'Nas Satanis Ipsissimus Cult of Cthulhu
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 16, 2012 17:11:58 GMT -6
@lord Satanis and Master Cora'Sahn: Valid points and thanks for the feedback! So, I suppose I see here one potential distinction between the CoC paradigm(as I understand it) and that of, say, some of the more radical Gnostic sects: The latter would argue that the material universe itself is part of the illusory construct produced by the demiurge(roughly akin, perhaps, to the lesser gods), and that the nature of objective reality is so far outside of the understanding of those of us trapped in the material universe that we can only glimpse it by trans-rational means(visions, magical workings et al). This, of course, lends itself to solipsism. And I must admit I am a rather day-dreamy solipsistic sort-Though I cannot carry my solipsism quite so far as the Gnostics and dismiss the material world altogether. Still, I do have my questions as to what extent the spiritual reality of the Formless Black Essence is reflected in or dependent upon the material universe and our actions within this sphere-In other words, are real-world accomplishments necessary to set in motion the events which bring about the awakening of the Elder Gods, or do these methods partake of a more purely magico-religious character? I could see that depending on how this question is approached, one could arrive at a paradigm which emphasizes real-world accomplishment almost exclusively(at the expense of the magico-religious element perhaps), one which emphasizes the magico-religious element almost exclusively(ending up with something akin to the traditional model of the mystic, perhaps), or something in-between.
Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 17, 2012 10:58:37 GMT -6
Great questions, brother!
I would not go as far as those radical gnostics who believe that our universe and everything we experience, aside from trans-rational perception, is nothing but illusion. Some Cultists may pursue that line, but for all my insanity I consider myself more of a moderate. And a realist, too. Although, that might come as a shock to conventional realists.
If we were to dismiss the real world altogether, then our goals and methods of achieving them would be quite different. We wouldn't make efforts to control our centers, consider our fellow man, nor heighten our attention; preferring instead to close ourselves off from naked reality in favor of traveling astral realms in mauve, amethyst, and lavender hues. The Work is, for the most part, practical; not magico-religious. However, the Fourth Way teaches us that Higher Forces (which can also be thought of as higher energy) exist and function in concert with universal or lower cosmic elements such as human beings. So, in that way, the Work supports magical/religious beliefs.
Mystics and their otherworldly insight are valuable, but not at the expense of manifested will. The Cult of Cthulhu emphasizes real world accomplishment, yet we must be ready to (re)define both "real world" and "accomplishment". I've already discussed the real world. But what about accomplishment? What does the word accomplishment mean to each individual Cultist?
Is material, actual, or objective reality based progress necessary to Awaken the Great Old Ones? I believe so. Not every conscious action draws the Dark Gods nearer, nevertheless there is something powerful in what we do here and now.
Awake!
VS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 17, 2012 19:19:30 GMT -6
This makes sense, thanks! I might be a little closer to the mystical/magico-religious end of the spectrum than some, perhaps. However, I am interested in finding ways of bringing forth some of my magico-religious energies into the material universe as well. One benefit of so doing, perhaps, that by the process of observing/enjoying the effect of doing so, I might enhance my own subjective magico-religious experience as well and take a step forward on my own vision of the sinister path.
So one question that occurs to me in connection with this is: What sort of actions in the sphere of the material universe can I take which are resonant with the ideals of my own paradigm-which is perhaps not too far from the "Gnostic nihilism that lurks in hideous gloom"(Cthulhu Cult page 75). It would seem to me that Gnostic nihilism tends to eschew, rather than embrace, traditional notions of self-improvement, for instance. And yet...I don't reject the notion that action is possible, desirable, and perhaps even necessary for spiritual evolution. But it would seem to me(and perhaps this reflects reading a few too many Decadent poets and/or nihilistic 20th century Japanese novelists), that such a course of action would tend towards something quite outre and/or transgressive in nature. So, how to find a course of action which is both authentic in regards to my paradigm, and yet not excessively perilous to my own existence on this plane-These are the questions which I find myself pondering.
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Post by sin on Sept 17, 2012 19:48:12 GMT -6
This was the point I was making about being *only* a day dreamer. Our imaginations are a way to see ourselves succeed in our ambitions. Visualizing yourself achieving it, but also recognizing human beings as creatures of habit. We can exceed our compulsions, impulses, and mechanical way of being, but especially in lieu of personal achievement.
The chaos element is useful when considering that one doesn't have to abandon personal paradigms and replace them, but perhaps they might be polished, refined and you may be made aware of flaws in design...If its the very thing holding you back.
Reflecting on short term and long term goals is a way to analyze method, theory and practice.
CS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 17, 2012 23:15:16 GMT -6
@master Cora'Sahn: Yes, I concur in that I use chaos magic theory primarily for the understanding of the subjective and individually constructed notion of the paradigm, rather for its advocacy of "paradigm swapping", which I think risks a certain dilution of magical focus and personal belief. And certainly, the paradigm(s) adopted by a magician are dynamic in nature, altering in accordance with changes in the perspective of the magician in question. Regarding imagination: I might use the term magico-religious experience(of a subjective and experiential nature) in place of or in addition to imagination as a reflection of my view that such experiences possess a value independent of their potential application in actions and achievements in the material universe and/or generally accepted reality. The relative value accorded to either sphere, as I present it-The internal/subjective sphere of mystical and/or magical experience on one hand and the external experience(also potentially magical) in the material universe on the other, is also, I think, subjectively defined and a contested point to some degree. The nature of the boundary between these two category of experiences would be another point to consider I suppose.
Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 18, 2012 11:04:01 GMT -6
This makes sense, thanks! I might be a little closer to the mystical/magico-religious end of the spectrum than some, perhaps. However, I am interested in finding ways of bringing forth some of my magico-religious energies into the material universe as well. One benefit of so doing, perhaps, that by the process of observing/enjoying the effect of doing so, I might enhance my own subjective magico-religious experience as well and take a step forward on my own vision of the sinister path. So one question that occurs to me in connection with this is: What sort of actions in the sphere of the material universe can I take which are resonant with the ideals of my own paradigm-which is perhaps not too far from the "Gnostic nihilism that lurks in hideous gloom"(Cthulhu Cult page 75). It would seem to me that Gnostic nihilism tends to eschew, rather than embrace, traditional notions of self-improvement, for instance. And yet...I don't reject the notion that action is possible, desirable, and perhaps even necessary for spiritual evolution. But it would seem to me(and perhaps this reflects reading a few too many Decadent poets and/or nihilistic 20th century Japanese novelists), that such a course of action would tend towards something quite outre and/or transgressive in nature. So, how to find a course of action which is both authentic in regards to my paradigm, and yet not excessively perilous to my own existence on this plane-These are the questions which I find myself pondering. Transgression and being "out there" is a useful tactic in order to get the ball rolling.
At the beginning, gentle reminders, subtle hints, and positive affirmations aren't enough. We need to break from GAR at the outset. The "densely coiled layers of illusion" are too strong, too compelling, too real for us to escape. In the cave, it doesn't matter which shadows we're looking at. It's all fake.
Shock forces us out of the cave, and into the open air. Our natural buffers absorb shocks, so we must take away those buffers. Once we've managed to stumble outside, the terror of our situation isn't quite so terrible because now there's a chance to Awaken and use that exalted state to manifest our will.
Let's take a look at a few statements. Those who are following along with this thread can check the boxes which affect objective reality (OR) rather than GAC. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer for most of these. This is not a test to see how many correct answers you score, but a test to see if you're thinking about concepts in the right way... or at all.
[ ] Getting pregnant / impregnating a woman.
[ ] Watching Teen Mom on TV.
[ ] Performing a ritual.
[ ] Doodling in a sketchbook.
[ ] Making a piece of art.
[ ] Starting a journal
[ ] Showing your support.
[ ] Hanging out with friends.
[ ] Getting drunk.
[ ] Doing your taxes.
[ ] Spending time with family.
[ ] Reading a book without taking any kind of notes.
[ ] Playing the slot machines.
[ ] Smoking.
[ ] Taking a class to further your education.
[ ] Protesting.
[ ] Going to church.
[ ] Writing an essay, article, blog post, etc.
[ ] Letting our anger loose on someone.
[ ] Holding our anger in check / not expressing it.
[ ] Developing a natural talent.
[ ] Opening up a checking account.
[ ] Seeking validation.
[ ] Getting a decent paying job.
Did you see some grey area? A few where "it depends" might best suit the statement? OR and GAR aren't black and white. The onus falls upon the individual. Ask yourself, "How am I going to alter reality, and by what method will that change manifest as either objective or generally accepted?" Sometimes, an activity must be activated by conscious intervention, propelling it from ordinary (GAR) to extraordinary (OR).
As stated earlier in this thread, progress is subjective. Each Cultist must determine what accomplishment means to him or her. Create goals and examine why you chose them.
Awake!
VS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 18, 2012 12:15:16 GMT -6
@lord Satanis: Yes, indeed. Looking through that checklist, I can see how in a few cases at least, it is to a certain extent a "judgement call" as to whether one of these actions affects the objective or material universe and/or could legitimately be called accomplishments. For instance, the performance of a magical ritual: Does this affect the objective universe? If it is an effective magical working, than I would argue that it does. From the perspective of someone who doesn't believe in magic, the answer would be no. Somewhat similarly, the question of reading a book: Does this directly impact the material universe? Only so far as it affects the person who does the reading, who is of course a component of said universe. But I would categorize this as an accomplishment regardless of the somewhat ambiguous nature of its real world impact(in proportion to the quality of the book and the inspiration it provides to its reader, perhaps).
So the question of the transgressive/outre: So, to me, it would seem that as one who believes in and acts as a vessel for the Elder Gods, one must find a way to "take the fight" into the material universe-Not necessarily in a coarse anti-social sense, but in the sense of using one's life as a means of manifesting the adversarial energies of dark godforms, destabilizing Generally Accepted Reality(and, for me, this might include destabilizing the material universe, at least on a certain level of understanding-I am thinking of the apocalyptic sort of awakening described in "Nyarlathotep"), and making the presence of the terrifyingly wondrous energies of the Elder Gods felt in this world. In a sense, this might be likened to a sort of esoteric anarchism-To quote Hans Jonas regarding the Gnostic Simon Magus, a sort of "revolt against this world and its god in the name of absolute spiritual freedom". So-I have some experience with enacting these goals in the magico-religious and, perhaps, the artistic sphere-But how to find exoteric ways of furthering these rather esoteric goals-That is the question I find myself wrestling with to some degree.
Hail Satanis! Cort
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Post by I AM the Way on Sept 19, 2012 6:18:19 GMT -6
Regarding the exoteric, ask yourself the following questions: "What is going to make my life better? What should I be doing? How does this benefit me?" As long as your mission is to destabilize GAR, why not do so in a way that improves your life? Don't close your exoteric self off from your esoteric self, nor the material from the extra-planar. They are related.
As for anarchy, even the void is political.
By His loathsome tentacles,
VS
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Post by cortwilliams on Sept 19, 2012 13:14:54 GMT -6
Valid points! I agree regarding not closing off the esoteric and the exoteric off from each other. It's just a question, I suppose, of finding ways that my emphasis in destabilizing the GAR and bringing forth the subcthonian energies of the Elder Gods can be reflected and served in the process of improving my material circumstances. The political sphere is an interesting idea-I describe myself as a "left-leaning freedom lover", some sort of synthesis of anarchistic and liberal political views. Though occasionally I do find myself dreaming of Satanic shadow-empires deftly manipulating the strings of world affairs to further unspeakably loathsome goals
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