#surrealitch

I wrote this for my other tumblr. This is the complete and beautified version.

Free Download.

Last week I spent hours listening to old Genesis P. Orridge interviews.

Frater U.D. comments that when performing cyber-magical operations there is a reported feeling of coolness or tingling on the top of the head. He also mentions that the mage should have a working understanding of kundalini. That means you need a working understanding of energy modalities to effectively work cyber-magical operations and may just be a refined form of energy or spirit magic. This is not a criticism, but an observation.

It takes computers and wi-fi for information to pass from one data base to another. It is more or less an electrical action, such as psi moving from our spine to our brains effecting change. He admits cyber magic has been around for centuries albeit in different terms. That suggests I can learn this modality with less computer oriented terminology. Austin Osman Spare is a good example of a cybernetic magician as his sorcery took place in the mind with the help of trance through the semiotic web.

What we learn from Spare is the art of simplicity. An artistic rendition of a desire creates a trance effect that can be used for magical purposes. Art is information, trance is a way to integrate that information into the subconscious, sigils are how the subconscious connects that flow of information to create a magical effect. Spare was said to be able to change weather and summon and banish elementals with pen, paper, and vacuity. That is information magic at its finest from a proper cybernetic foundation.

Words and Images, Songs and Effigies

Words and images, songs and fetishes, have been part of the magical world as far back as history and anthropology can trace its roots and becoming. The concept started as a spirit then an energy model, but as our concepts of spirits and ideas of energy evolve so does magic. Sadly, not so much for religion.

An easy way to differentiate the spirit, energy, and information models is through the power of an effigy with sympathetic magic. In the spirit model the effigy is representative of the target and upon burning it the spirits are sent forth to actuate the curse. In the energy model the creation of the effigy creates a sympathetic link to the target and through the burning of it there is a transfer of energy. Those models assume you have blessings from a spirit, or a host of them, or are skilled in the art of sensing, directing, and overall managing, various types of energy. Both models suggest the world is teeming with variety of either concept.

Animism is a belief that the world is animated by spirits existing in every little and large thing, from dirt to mountains. Animism is a dance of spirit and energy because the animist has to understand the gross and subtle elements of their spirit and how it effects their energy and what that energy does to the living world around them. The information model is much simpler, almost childlike. The effigy works because the magician intended it for it to work.

Conclusion

Magic at the level of information is magic in it's simplest form, almost as if a thought itself can be magic. That is true to an extent, but that thought still needs juice behind it. Spare used sigils and the Death Posture, Frater U.D. talks about a working understanding of kundalini, and Anton Channing talks about a magical force called the cybermorphic. Because early chaos magic was inspired by chaos mathematics and theoretical quantum physics it makes sense that an advanced form of magic would now utilize machine theories. There are even magicians tinkering with AI.

In conclusion, 'cyber magic' intrigues me. I am finding ways to understand and utilize this method but away from scientific, mathematical, and robotics jargon. My backround is very down to earth and humble so I approach my magic from that angle. While I believe it is good to learn and adapt, which is why I started to focus on the information model and cyber magic specifically, magic is always more powerful when you follow your intuition and do what works.

Cyber magic is really just a theory on how magic works because you are essentially doing the same things mages have been doing for thousands of years, just using the materials and technologies available at the current zeitgeist. It so happens to be a time of exponential growth rather then one of hunting and gathering.

What I've come to understand about cyber magic is the concept that thought itself can act as a sigil and with enough focus can effect change on a target. It's 'empty hand magic' at its finest.

Frater U.D. mentions that it takes a new pracitioner of cyber magic maybe 2 minutes to cast a spell and a seasoned pracitioner about 30 seconds, or less. If you can really cast a spell in 30 seconds, you can do hundreds of spells a day. To be honest, it seems a little far fetched and over simplistic, but there's no reason not to dive in and try it. The worst thing that happens when we try new things is the same as the best possible outcome - we learn something new.

If I say I'm a Satanist, three things come to most people's minds and I have issues with all three and it's not that important of a label for me anymore. The Devil is tempting me away from human concepts of his philosophy and majesty. I love the Devil, but the modern interpretations, omit much of the beautiful and influential literature, are horse shit.

1. Am I a member of the Church of Satan? No, because all I have ever done is argue with members that cannot admit fault. Even if you point it out in their literature, they always have an argument. Sometimes it makes sense and I understand better, but often it's just because they have brainwashed themselves into believing their own drivel. Sounds a lot like zealot Christianity.

2. An I a member of The Satanic Temple? Also, no, I am not. Lucien Greaves has a backround in Far-Right ideologies and even prompted the ACLU to defend a known White Supremacist in the early 2010's because, "Freedom of Speech." Well, Hate Speech is not, nor should be, protected under law because it's very existence is about taking right away from minorities, even to the point of violence. He did 'apologize' but, well, watch the video. It will point you to some nasty truths of the Temple.

You don't even have to watch the entire thing to get the point, but probably should to show support to the creator.

They are also based on double standards, much like their forefather, the Church of Satan. "We're atheists and we don't believe in magic!" Then why is Shiva Honey making money off selling magical products? They consider it ritual for psychological purposes... in chaos magic we call it the Paychological Model of Magic.

Just to be nitpicky, they sued Netflix for having a similar statue of their Baphomet in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. That's a waste of money and time for the causes that matter. I guess we should just conjure Eliphas Levi and have him sue the Satanic Temple!

I'm also not an athiest.

3. Then I'm a Devil Worshipper! Not exactly, because I don't believe in gods in that way. They are not anthropomorphic creatures, ancient ancestors, or any such thing to me. Gods, in my practice, exist much like consciousness does. We don't know what it is, how it is, why it is, or it's full potential, we just know that it is. It is also amorphous and abstract, no face, no body, no emotion, just something that exists and from time to time interacts with our objective universe.

Maybe I should use a rock as an example. It exists. It has no real purpose. Much like a god, it is damn near eternal, hard to break, and observes and remains until someone moves, buries it, or breaks it. Maybe a mountain or the ocean are better examples. Vast, myth inspiring, but they are not conscious like humans are, but they are powerful generators of myth and magic.

What if our drive to call upon devil kind is them calling upon us as well? What the exorcists termed 'possession' is really no different then being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Experience life. Push past your comfort zone, take risks, and learn from your failures. We are not born perfect, there is no divine plan, and the universe doesn't care about you. It's your choices that determine your life. Your perspective, perceptions, and how you treat others all reflect on the life you live. You can't control everything but that doesn't mean you can't control anything; you have more control then you think. Decide what you want and go for it. Just as important, don't blame other's for your shortcomings. You made a choice so deal with it.

Read. A lot. Read several subjects. Fiction and non-fiction, history, science, occultism. Learn how to draw and play music. Join a gym or get on an exercise program and eat nutritionally balanced. Learn to comnunicate and learn to fight. Sounds a lot like a healthy lifestyle? Because it is. Being a Satanist isn't about being edgy, it's about self expression, education, and a hands on approach to everything you do.

Apply yourself. Satanism is the philosophy of self reliance ('isolate intelligence') and responsibility. You can't get through life on handouts if you ever want to be successful in your own unique way.

Enjoy art and create art. Write, draw, learn to play an instrument, learn a martial art. Self expression is more then fashion, it is your soul screaming for freedom from the cage of your flesh. Art is the outlet for these screams. Art teaches resourcefulness, adaptation, out of the box thinking, and a hands on approach to symbolism. Let art devour you so you can devour life.

Responsibility isn't giving into the system. Giving up is. Reliance on strangers that would rather spit on you then give you spare change. These same assholes spend $100 on food at my restaurant yet don't tip. Some of them even piss on the toilet seats and don't wash their filthy hands. Adults, by the way, not children.

Sure, I suffer for a dollar, but I also work in a local chain rather then a corporate chain. It's not ideal but it's a good job.

"Drunk and quiet, there's no future for me!" Rotton Future, composed by Anti-Flag

Here's the thing, I still drink and live my life, but I also have responsibilities. That's punk. My house is my community. My partner and my cats. My mental and physical health are important to me. No job means no roof over my head means no good mental or physical health.

"Richard hung himself, it happened just the other day." Richard Hung Himself, composed by DI

We can still fight the system even after we grow up. How can you be a good ally and protester drunk all the time or down on your luck? You can't. So pick your ass up out of your self loathing and make some noise. Do your job, and do it well, bring home that money and save for your future. Punk doesn't mean poor, punk means self reliance, community effort, and freedom. We aren't all anarchists and we aren't all addicts, we are humans and we must stand up for one another.

"I was a teenage anarchist, but the politics were too convenient." I Was A Teenage Anarchist, composed by Against Me!

Making noise doesn't mean staying up drunk and pissing off the neighboors, it also means speaking out against work place abuses, standing up for mental health, and speaking your truth. It is also sticking up for yourself and getting help. This can be reaching out to friends and family and seeking therapy. Nutrition, exercise, and self expression are all self love, and we must love and nurture ourselves if we want to love and nurture our causes and planet. Not all our views of punk are the same, and that's punk as fuck. Think for yourself.

"At the shows and on the streets, Some punks just won’t accept you think differently, The way you live, it was the wrong way to be, Vegetarian or not; drug-free or drunk, There's always somebody who says you're not a punk, They're always somebody who tells you that you're wrong!" Young and Dead, composed by A Global Threat

Raising Hell by Robert Masalo. It is an historical account of Satanism and dark magic through the ages. It talks about the origins of the obscene kiss (osculum infame), black mass, the evil eye and the horned fingers (the Metal hand sign). It also delves into grimoire tradition magic and goetia.

Rebels and Devils edited by Christopher S. Hyatt. Philosophies and practices from Luciferians to Chaos Magicians, this book is an excellent anthology for Satanists that follow a chaos magic based philosophy of magic.

The Invention of Satanism by Asbjorn Dyrendal, James R. Lewis, and Jesper Aagaard Petersen. A very well written academic and sociological look at Satanism, particularly the modern movement.

Paths to Satan by Martin McGregor. A short read on the various philosophies and practices of Satanists.

Spiritual Satanist Prayer Book by Venus Satanas. If you are theistic, it is a chapbook with prayers and poems dedicated to the various forms of the Devil, particularly Lilith, Lucifer and Satan. Belial makes a guest appearance as well.

Out of the Shadows by John J. Coughlin. This is a book on dark neopaganism and witchcraft. He goes through ethics, Jungian Archetypes as well as shadow work and a touch on the fundamental aspects of magic.

Dark Archives by Emily Rosenbloom. An excellent book about the history of anthropodermic bibliopegy, or books bound in human skin. It's well written, well researched, and personal anecdotes are wonderful. Just enough humor to go with such a macabre subject. She is a member of the Anthropodermic Book Project, so it is an insiders account of the research.

Nocturnicon by Konstantinos. A simple grimoire for the modern dark arts practitioner. The rituals are simple and to the point. It's the third and final book of the Nocturnal Witchcraft Series, but is perfectly good as a stand alone book.