The Holocron of VixensVengeance - Part One

THE NATURE OF THE SITH
Every human that has ever lived has had a fascination with, and a terror of, the dark. This dissonance with the darkness often creates guilt and shame in the psyche. One wants to see what is in the dark, but they are told by others that it is evil and forbidden. So, they drive those dark feelings deep inside and ignore that curiosity in order to be accepted and conform. The result is the creation of the shadow self. The Shadow is what is perceived as the dark side or weak parts of the self, and they are disconnected from the conscious psyche and shunned.

Unfortunately, the result of this is a “less than whole” sense of self awareness. A Sith realizes this fact and instead of shunning that dark self, seek to put themselves inside the mind of the monster within to view the world from its point of view. The monster wants to be viewed as good but it is misunderstood and a source of fear. From the monster’s point of view, it is not evil, it is just following its passion. So, it can’t be good according to any external standard. In understanding this a Sith realizes the monster is not evil. Instead it is simply conflicted in expressing its nature.

This conflict becomes an internal struggle to shed those artificial boundaries dictated to it by outside sources and in doing so cross the threshold of choice. Crossing that threshold requires strength. On the other side is true will, personal power and consequence. The monster is the source of passion that evokes this struggle. Its need to build is supreme. But it can’t sustain its construction. It takes the rational component of the psyche in order to refine and detail and uphold what has been built. A Sith faces this choice every day. That choice to pursue that passion each day conflicted against her own insecurities. Strength gives her the ability to overcome that. It is in the consistency not intensity of that choice that brings growth.

Now take that one step further in an example like the movie Alien. One I am particularly fascinated with because when I watch that movie, I don’t put myself in the mind of the prey. I put myself in the mind of the predator and I try to view the world from its point of view. It has one passion – to serve the hive. That is what it’s designed for and that is what gives it purpose and it does this without remorse or moral ambiguity. And it will fulfill its need for this passion even when it means committing violent acts or even its own death. There is a beauty in the purity of this. A Sith recognizes this destructive yet beautiful aspect of nature.

It has been said that every villain is the hero of their own story and every hero is a villain to someone. Some of the most popular television of recent decades has focused on the anti-hero and the Villain. Men like Jax Teller of Sons of Anarchy, or Walter White of Breaking Bad. These individuals allow people to safely explore the dark from the comfort of their couch without ever having to take the risks involved. It’s fun but ultimately, it’s not real. But people are still drawn to the dark in this way. They are fascinated with real life villains like Jack the ripper, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Bonnie and Clyde, Charles Starkweather or men like Ted Bundy. This is because they have something that is tangible and desirable. A level of freedom that most yearn for deep down inside but will never allow themselves to explore or experience because even though they are fascinated by this darkness they are also repulsed by it.

But a Sith will openly explore this darkness because they are able to admit they want to feel that freedom. I dismiss nothing as “outside the wheelhouse” of a Sith. I want to live my life genuinely and really explore how far I'm willing to go for my passion. Even if that means my own death. Consider if you will, the passing of a law that suddenly outlawed the pursuit of your passion. What would you do? This has happened a lot throughout history. Socrates was put to death in the pursuit of his passion, Galileo was very nearly executed and instead confined for the remainder of his life simply for his pursuit of astronomy. Would you risk death for your passion? Would you defy that law to feel freedom; to pursue your purpose? This is what a Sith would consider. Is it something worth dying for?

The answer to this question is really one of morality and how that defines freedom. How far is an individual Sith willing to risk the undertaking of a passionate pursuit? In examining this idea, one must face the implications of an implied universal moral standard, an absolute ethical boundary that would ultimately limit the individual and thus make them a slave to it. A Sith will explore this boundary and then strive to shatter it. It is a chain, binding the individual Sith, that they may decide needs to be broken. When these artificial concepts of morality are shed the purity of the concept becomes one of beauty. And just like any work of similar measure, needs no external justification for its creation. As Springsteen says, “There is just a meanness in this world.” ... How do you rationalize that?

A Sith seeks to integrate and embrace those dark aspects mentioned above in the pursuit of becoming more whole in this way. The problem for many in this idea is their need for control. For example, I do not try and control my emotions or view some as good and others as evil. As a Sith I realize this ill-conceived dichotomy of good and evil as opposites does not actually exist. But people will use this idea to set artificial limits for themselves all the time. All these limits really end up being are places where they can allow themselves to quit. However, I see these forms of control as illusion and I will strive to break down those barriers by tearing down those preconceived notions and then seeing how far the pure emotion will carry me. My ambition is to allow my emotion to take me further than I ever believed imaginable. I want to break my imagination at least once a day!

So, as a Sith I strive not tame my emotion but only to compel them to become “agreeable” to my goals. It is how they are used in this way that creates the difference in my life. I embrace them and yet still allow them to remain wild. This is not a place of balance but one of equilibrium. To try and tame them would be like owning a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle and only ever driving it the speed limit. Driving the speed limit is balance but this is not what it was intended for. If you have ever been on a fast bike or in a fast car and just opened it up to see what it could do, you know the rush of adrenaline and excitement and joy you have felt at the experience. And you know the danger and risk involved. This is equilibrium, accepting consequences for action taken in pursuit of true will.

In this pursuit to justify my existence and my choices I must consider the concept that all life is connected. That there exists some concept of a unifying dynamism called "The Force" and I must weigh these decisions against the striving of self-satisfaction verses self-improvement in a prime mission of service to others and environment. I must consider certain so-called universal absolutes in morality. Such ideas as the belief that Rape, or Murder is always wrong. I must conclude that I can’t see myself accepting these absolutes. This is not to say that all Sith follow these inferences. Some will and some will not but that is ok as none of those things are a unifying theme among us. What does unify the Sith mentality is the concept of the individual, the pursuit of that individual’s passion and the shedding (freeing of chains) of systems of control - i.e. the pursuit of freedom to practice this mindset. For me the primary goal is not self-improvement, it is to enact that specific action (pursuit of my passion) and the self-improvement simply becomes a consequence of that.

That is the darkness calling to you. It is not something that you control. It is something that takes you and something you must surrender to in order to understand its power – That power you now have access to. Emotions are the same way. If you never let them run, how do you ever know what you are truly capable of? My goal is to push the dark as far as I can. Interrupt its flows, corrupt them, redirect them and bend them to my will using this power. No act of construction can be achieved without a complimentary act of destruction. The two together simply complete the process. This is a place where I embrace what I was born to be, not what society deems as worthy. This idea is the doorway to the source of power! And through that power anything can be done.

And a Sith will not study this pursuit of power in a shallow manner. Mundane’s consider power to be manifest in the corporeal aspects of life. A Sith knows better. Power is not about money or control of people or ability to manipulate. Those things can become tools used in the pursuit of freedom, but they are never the end goal of passion. The pursuit of power is about personal mastery of one’s self and one’s life. Although I look to certain supreme standards when I undertake my passions – for example Arnold Schwarzenegger when it comes to body building – I will probably never be famous like him because that is not my goal. Becoming famous or rich is not a goal, pursuing my passion without limits is my goal. And for a Sith, that pursuit is all there is.

Because of this worldview, some say Sith are cruel. This is not true either. Sith have families and loved ones and friends just like anyone else and so if my pursuits elevate another I care about, that is great. The difference I see is in how we interact with those people. A common line among Sith is the phrase “I will be your villain”. What it really means is that I will call you out if you’re messed up. I am capable of unconditional love but to me that still does not mean the person I love gets to do whatever they want. If someone I love is on drugs that are killing them. I’ll call them out on it and consequences of my actions will be accepted. If I didn't love unconditionally, I would not care enough to confront them and risk ending the relationship.

Compassion is a similar concept to a Sith. If my grandmother is on her death bed dying of cancer, in pain and on life support. I will pull the plug on her. It may seem cruel to some because she probably had many more days to live. To my relatives and loved ones I may be perceived as a villain, but I don’t see it that way. For me the truly compassionate thing to do was let her go. It’s also the harder thing to do to let her go and free her from that life that no longer provides any quality. It is actually a selfish act to keep her here in pain so I can spend another day or two with her.

Morality goes the same way. What if the police came to you one day and told you your spouse or sister, or someone else incredibly close to you had possibly committed a murder? Would you lie for them or withhold information to keep them out of jail? Maybe provide an alibi? Would you risk your own freedom to help them? What if it was the other way around? What if you were going to jail, would you “rat” on a close friend to get immunity and stay out of jail? These are questions (moral dilemmas) of the Villain archetype that most probably can’t answer until they find themselves in the situation. They believe they know who they are and what they would do, that they have "control"... but find themselves doing just the opposite when the chips are down. As a Sith I study these things and I try to discover that true self inside so I know exactly how I would react and so who I am becomes no surprise. If I am a rat, then so be it. I shall be the best rat I can be.

Most people bury that dark side and pretend it does not exist and when things happen and that darkness emerges, they are ashamed and disgusted by what they were capable of doing. I will never be ashamed or disgusted by anything I have done or will ever do because I know that dark side of myself that is always there and can never be eradicated. I ask you; how can you know yourself in this way if you pay so little attention to that dark side?

One must also know there is a difference between exploring the dark freely and being drug into the dark unwillingly. Therefore, the freeing of chains is so important to the Sith concept. If you are a slave to something, say drugs or alcohol or sex, gambling, a bad relationship or whatever, you will experience the darkness but that is not a Sith darkness. That is just unnecessary suffering because you are bound by chains and those chains will drag you under. The power is not yours, it is something else’s and you have surrendered to it.

ARCHETYPES

The Sith mind is one of sacrifice in the service of their Passion. Passion is any great, strong, powerful emotion such as love or hate of an object or interest so intense one is willing to pursue it with absolute fervor and daring determination. Suffering and sacrifice of lesser things in this pursuit is inherent because the pursuit is what defines meaning in the individual’s life. As a Sith people have asked me what if ones passion is helping others. On the surface this seems to go against the selfish nature of the worldview. However because of this relation I described above I see no hypocrisy in it. This is because Sith are natural leaders and one of the hallmarks of any great leader is submission.

No Sith will stand alone as an island and still be successful in their passions. For this reason alone, the life of a Sith is rife with opportunity to share their pursuit of excellence with others, to suffer with them and allow them to suffer with us. These choices should never be taken lightly but deeply considered as an aspect of the compassion I feel for others who choose a similar form of suffering. For me as a Sith I choose to suffer for my passions. I choose to overcome fear and turn it to challenge. And as a Sith I have little room for any other that does not dare undertake the challenge of life under these conditions. There is nothing I can’t do, no limit to my potential, no trama or fear or failure I can’t weather before coming out the other side in victory. Those people that do not choose to step into the unknown in this way are traitors to their own pursuit of freedom. They have decided that other factors external to them need to take up that accountability for their wellbeing. By assuming this position in life, these cowards reduce themselves to simply “the sum of their experiences” and they are destined to allow external circumstance to drive their lives.

But the Sith mindset is quite different than this. A Sith will not simply react to the world around them using only past experience. Instead they are a proactive forward thinker that is constantly predicting and constructing their experience of the world and in this process, they use past experience only as a reference. Because of this I, as a Sith, have control over how I perceive the world around me and can adjust that perception based on similar situations of my past. As I move forward it is important to maintain a high self-awareness because that leads to higher self-control over this as my perception will be.

In the pursuit of the mastery of this skill one must utilize every aspect of their psyche, that readily available and that not so readily available. Such things as emotions, feelings, beliefs and thoughts in both the conscious mind and the subconscious mind all must work in intentional conjunction to achieve the execution of desire. In this regard it’s vitally important to know how these things operate as a part of the self. Emotions are “built-in”, but feelings are not. Emotions are physical reactions to a situation that can lead to feelings. These feelings are built dynamically by the individual from their emotions. Because of this, they have that control over their feelings and that makes them responsible for their actions. For example, fear is an emotion, a physical reaction in the body to an external stimulus, a perceived danger or threat. Fear of the unknown is an irrational emotion which arises from anxiety. A natural instinctive reaction to this would be for one to generate feelings of dread or apprehension which leads to avoidance of the situation, task or event that is generating the emotion. This is caused by negative thinking, basically giving in to the fear.

But if I can consider this process for what it truly is, I gain the ability to change my behavior by changing my feelings about it. Through practice of self-awareness and taking extreme responsibility for self I can go from feelings of stress and apprehension to relaxation and confidence. This can be done by shedding the need for approval from others or Social Pathologies (The dominant moral concerns, behaviors and values attributed to particular social categories) and then rationally evaluating the worst and best things that can happen. It is this change of attitude that allows me to move forward and engage in the activity as a challenge to be embraced not a danger to avoid. I refuse to live in the dull prison of avoidance ruled by fear. I evoke the courage to step out and practice mastering presented challenges in my life until I have victory. This is how I take control of my life and live my passions.

In this process, my perception of self, as a single entity sitting in the middle of my head, is but an illusion. In reality my experience of self is not one thing but a subjective and irreducibly complex array of phenomena and algorithms all working in simultaneous concurrence. No single voice exists that is my singular self because who I perceive myself to be is actually a multifaceted machine made up of countless components and interactions both internal and external. Emotions and feelings are but two components of this intricate arrangement of processes. My psyche is the construct in which the components of this complex machine reside. These components include things like my conscious mind, which contains my persona, and my unconscious mind, which includes my shadow and my collective unconsciousness where my archetypes reside. The most basic Sith pursuit is the mastery of this machine to its greatest effect.

If I were to break this down further, I consider my persona as a construct of my conscious self. It is the person I present to the world, the person I want people to believe I am and it can be divided further into a false self or a true self. The false self is an artificial persona that can be created very early in life to protect oneself from re-experiencing developmental trauma, shock and stress in close relationships. It is used by the individual to hide, even from themselves. For me it is an image of myself I have that is not real. It is the mask I put over the things about myself that I am ashamed of or don’t like or have been told are bad.

Those pieces get tucked away in my unconscious and form my Shadow self. The Shadow consists of the things I or others have deemed evil, inferior or unacceptable and I deny them in myself. It is the unknown ‘‘dark side’’ of my personality that tends to consist predominantly of the primitive, negative, socially or religiously criticized human emotions and impulses like sexual lust, power strivings, selfishness, greed, envy, anger or rage. The shadow is the ‘‘sum of all personal and collective psychic elements which, because of their incompatibility with the chosen conscious attitude, are denied expression in life.

My shadow shares the space of the unconscious with a collective unconscious in the form of archetypes. There they take on two forms. First the archetypes are evolutionary representations of collectively inherited ideas, patterns of thought or images that are universally present in my individual psyche. These have been passed down through my ancestry lineage. There they exist as Gods and Demons, Hero’s and Villain’s in all their grandeur and monstrosity as aspects of the Self. They are integrated into my psyche and function as the secret forces behind my behavior. They influence everything I do, think, and feel, often without me even realizing it. When my instincts or biological urges are triggered these archetypes guide my behavior. The emotions I feel are the emotions of these archetypes. In this form they are a universally transcendent form and are few in number.

The second form these archetypes take on are as representations of people I have allowed into my life and my experiences. These factors combine with my universal archetypes, causing those archetypes to multiply and personify into a myriad of forms. This melding of ideas, experiences and internal makeup cause the continual evolution of who I am. Armed with the vast imagination inherent in the human species, I can create worlds where these archetypes thrive. These become the personified realms of the ethereal and even the supernatural and these archetypes become the epitome of how I view life.

If I have experiences and influences where I am protected and nurtured, I may form a specific hero archetype and apply that to future interactions. If I have desires and experiences as a rule breaker or thoughts of mischievousness, I may form a particular personification of the trickster in my mind. Same goes for any archetype – victim, predator, prey or warrior, and so on. All of these are applied to my feelings and actions. These archetypes are the source of the subjective reality of my inner world and as a result provide personal meaning in my life just as I continue to provide them with meaning. In this form they are broken into a vastly diverse range of personifications that I construct according to my personal experiences and they are many in number.

The idea behind understanding these parts of myself that I keep hidden in the dark places of my mind is so that I can get connected with them. When I can observe an archetype operating within me, I can differentiate myself from the archetype. This differentiation is important because when I can separate myself from an archetype, it’s less likely to influence my behavior in deleterious ways. Instead I can gain control of these archetypes and use them as a powerful tool to understand the operations of my mind. I begin to see the hidden and often opposing forces that influence my behavior. The goal in this is to bring the forces of the unconscious into stability with the conscious mind. I can then take on the shadow, the perceived worst parts of myself, because I am now armed with the tools and skill to confront it and learn how to understand and accept it, to make it agreeable. It is a process where my self is reformed by integrating elements of the conscious and unconscious mind into one entity to achieve psychic wholeness. Alchemic Ritual is the process by which this these things are explored and wholeness is gained.

This is the journey into the dark. The challenge I take on to face the monster inside, gain control of it and integrate it into myself. To come to terms with the idea that these parts are not actually an evil entity existing apart from the person, nor an invading alien force. My shadow is just another archetypal feature of my psyche for which I bear full responsibility to cope with as creatively as possible. When I can integrate my shadow into my conscious working mind in a healthy way the mask of the false self falls away and my true self begins to operate. In turn my true self can take on the challenges presented externally. My fear is mastered and my passions enacted. This spurs me toward new growth, maturation, greater integration and individuation. This integration allows me access to all archetypes in my being.

As I Sith I have developed a specific group of these Archetypes that I primarily work with in the pursuit of excellence in my passions. Each one is described in some detail below but keep in mind that the study of these things alone will not afford the seeker much progress. They must be placed in a context and examined for their pursuit of True Will within that context. Their application in this context is a place of equilibrium with environment. This sort of equilibrium is different than simple balance. Balance implies an equal share of both sides. However, Equilibrium is a place of harmony with that context that provides the necessary power to be applied in the environment to achieve a desired result. In other terms equilibrium indicates synchronization with the environment that best suites the preferred end goal.

Each of us have dominant and recessive archetypes as well. I am one that naturally manifests the archetype of the Prey. Now this may seem counter intuitive for a Sith to say but I have found that even the Prey archetype has as powerful a role to play as the predator, the Icon and the Villain. From the combination of these basal archetypes emerge such heterogeneous archetypes as the Rider in the forms of the hunter, the warrior and the soldier. This rider takes on the Dragon, a wild and dark raging beast within. But instead of killing or banishing this beast the rider simply finds equilibrium with it in the pursuit of common goals. These amalgamations must be fluid and dynamic enough to morph as the environment develops so that I may continue to use these to manifest my will as I desire.

At the end of this writing is a diagram that depicts this equilibrium I describe in graphic form. In referring to this diagram I use my gathered strength to overcome the threshold of fear in decision. Once that decision is made to proceed into the dark it becomes a pursuit of equilibrium in dominion to remain within my bubble of personal power. This bubble of power for me is that which best aligns myself with my environment, so I get the most effective pursuit of my goals. It consists of the ongoing interaction and dynamic deployment of an amalgam of my internal architypes to guide me in dynamic fashion as I continually move forward to my goals. This is my process to utilize the power available to me to its greatest effect while also sustaining the most longevity in my pursuits in life.

Keep in mind that Sith is not the only dark side philosophy. There are many other paths one could follow in the dark. Some will succumb to the abyss and nihilism will be the result. This is a path beyond the personal bubble of power into a greater darkness that is rules by greater freedom but also greater chaos and much less longevity. A spree killer might be a great example of this sort of path. A killer such as this on a rampage still has an equilibrium with the environment to achieve a goal. This is done by exercising a greater amount of control with unlimited use of power in violence. This is a place that exists outside that bubble and much closer to the Abyss. As well it is a place of much greater conflict with the environment where the predator reigns supreme in the intense chaos. For the spree killer this place drives the intensity of his passion to a place required for his goal. However, it is also very short lived as the consequences for such actions in retaliation to his efforts will be extreme.

THE DARK ARCHETYPES
(Version 2)


Basal Archetypes:
These are the Archetypes of Sensation and Reason. These Archetypes exist as fragments of the Psyche and draw upon aspects of both the true self and the shadow self in various configurations to form the Archetypes of the Rider or the Thrall.

Archetypes of Sensation:

• The Prey Archetype –
o Manifests Desire and Opportunity –
 The Prey, is that which protects. This is the anticipation of the challenge. The Prey represents intuition. This is the warm embrace of the darkness, the guardian that creeps in ever so slowly with the loss of the light. It is the awareness of the danger beyond but also the daring to defy the danger, and to hunt. The prey outwits the enemy with superior insight and awareness in the pursuit of its objective. Sometimes the fear of being prey confines them to remain in comfort zones or contributes to obsessive-compulsive patterns. But when manifested positivity the instinct to overcome overshadows the unease and drives them towards winning the object of their desire. Resourcefulness and aspiration are the tools of their trade.

• The Predator Archetype –
o Manifests Option and Choice –
 The Predator inside is that which drives one forward. It is the beginning spark of passion, the rolling clouds before the storm, the yearning. The predator is that ache that cannot be denied. This is pure instinct – they must act on it but it does not come from intelligent thought. It comes from the animal need to pursue their prey, as is the natural order of things. The predator is externally threatening and dangerous and internally treacherous. Predators seduce the target of their desire into a false sense of security. Sometimes the desire to seduce in this way is an urge out of the predators control and results in them becoming hunted themselves. But properly manifested they patiently wait, allowing their quarry to stray into perilous situations under their control. They are manipulative and take advantage of the weaknesses of others. Lust and ferocity are the tools of their trade.

Archetypes of Reason:

• The Icon Archetype –
o Manifests Altruism –
 The Icon is the lucidity inside that sustains the creation and gives it refined form and purpose. The Icon is the heroic aspect of the psyche that excels at overcoming obstacles and enacting clear paths to goals. Wisdom and persistence manifest here. The Icon is the embodiment of the anima, introspective and inward looking whose demeanor is emotionally grounded. The Icon is the protector of their realms of creation and the wielder of the weapons of logic and reason.

• The Villain Archetype –
o Manifests Malevolence –
 The Villain is the monster, the outlaw inside that needs to create no matter the cost. The villain is the enactor of tangible results in their passionate pursuit outside the restrictions of society, gender norms, communally accepted behavior, moral paradigms and even included law systems as required. The Villain can be a challenger to victim mentalities and confronter of destructive behavior in others. They are the embodiment of the animus, interrogative and outward looking whose sensitivity is often repressed. They accept consequences for their actions and take extreme responsibility for them.


Amalgam Archetypes
These Archetypes are amalgams of the basil archetypes that become the Dark Rider or the Thrall. The Riders are a balanced amalgam that partners with the Dragon in perfect harmony to effect true will in the pursuit of passion. This is the core of the Sith Mindset. The Thralls are an un-balanced amalgam of the basil archetypes that exist in realms both within and outside the dark. The live in fear of the Dragon or have been consumed by its power and have become slaves to it.

Archetypes of the Dark Rider:

• The Hunter Archetype –
o Manifests Perseverance and Patience –
 The Hunter is strength. It is the intensity needed to never give up the pursuit of the goal. It is the thunder clap of excitement, the emotion of the chase. Heart pounding, nervous excitement, complete focus is their world. The hunter overcomes fear, stepping alone into the forest in pursuit of desire by choosing to confront conflict. The hunter is the epitome of “I shall”. The constant threat of failure is a component of this but that only quickens their pace even more, pushing them forward in pursuit of victory. The Hunter is the outlaw, the anarchist, the outcast. They are the anti-hero that strikes in the black of night and are gone before sunrise. They do not need open battle to prove their courage and they have no loyalty to any laws. The Hunter did not create the law so they feel no need to live by them. Their morality is fluid and can be paradoxical. The hunter chooses to choose based on individual circumstance.

• The Warrior Archetype –
o Manifests Conflict and Sacrifice –
 The Warrior is power, the clash of steel against steel. It is the lightning strike of destruction that brings forth new growth. Sheer will pushing forward, blood is shed in sacrifice to attain the goal. Here victory or death is achieved. Leadership is an instinctive element of the warrior, allowing them to separate from the pack to make the decisions and sacrifices inherent of battle that are necessary to achieve the victory. Compassion is often an overlooked component of the Warrior. Those elements lost in the fight are mourned. Even more importantly sometimes it is themself that they will sacrifice in empathy for a cause or for others – family or brothers in arms. This is why they are. In the book “The Art of War” Sun Tzu, wrote “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war”. This statement succinctly quantifies this idea that warriors create choice.

• The Knight Archetype –
o Manifests Honor and Code –
 The Knight is disciplined and has ultimate loyalty to a specific foundation or goal. Honor to the code is paramount. However, this is not a personal code, but one of an institution. Their honor is also not a personal one but one bound to this idea as well. The Knight is willing to lose everything, fame, power and wealth for a cause greater than them. Their will cannot be broken by external events. A Knight forges his spirit according to the ways of his code. For the Knight, their code goes beyond anything that is spoken or can be described. The code is the very soul of the Knight, the catalyst that instills power into their every action. A Knight is no different than any other Dark Archetype. The only difference is that to them life is not worth living without honor. They demand of themselves a pursuit of perfection that goes beyond human limits. They shed justifications and abandon security to follow their passions. They will follow their vision at any price and with a dignity beyond words. Those on their path willing to befriend them gain an ally willing to die in return for this favor.

• The Soldier Archetype –
o Manifests Duty and Devotion –
 The Soldier is regimented and militaristic in their pursuit and tends to prefer conflict and intensity as tools of their trade, always pushing themselves forward in the face of dire odds. The Soldier is a romantic depiction, a member of a band of mystic hero’s on an impossible quest. A soldier is united with his passion in a pact of spiritual brotherhood. This Archetype is nameless and faceless and yet legendary in the intensity in which they undertake their mission. They are fighters on dual fronts, both internally in the quest for personal enlightenment and externally in a fight for self-perfection that pushes them forward toward goals normal persons never dream of. The soldier is driven by a sense of divine involvement that can give them great power or if misinterpreted can lead them astray. The soldier walks the fine edge between Rider and Thrall because of this.


Archetypes of the Thrall:

The Mundane Archetype –
o Ruled by In-consequence and Ignorance –
 The Mundane can be referred to as the non-Archetype. They are described as average, typical or normal. Many have no sense of passion in their lives and are content as they are. They spend their lives in a drab circle of uninteresting work instead of career, a cyclic repetition of comfort zone play and are bound to a safe routine of social and psychological attitudes that reflect the prevailing moral paradigms and rules of the cultures they inhabit. They are oblivious to the existence of the Dragon inside.

The Victim Archetype –
o Ruled by Suffering and Excuses –
 The Victim is aware of potential and is desirous of transformation and personal empowerment but fear that they will not survive holds them back. They dread the loss of the sense of self to be replaced with the monster. Instead of walking into the dark they superstitiously scream and plead at the unknown to be spared this pain. The Victim manifests only a passive control over their life and feels a great sense of entitlement. They feel they have been unfairly denied what they are due or that others have unbreakable control over their circumstances and they are powerless to change it. They fail to take personal responsibility and instead give in to the ideas of persecution in their lives. They are progenitors of their own sorrowful fate and feel they have no control over their destiny.

o Ruled by Violence and Raw Aggression –

The Destroyer Archetype –
o Ruled by Coercion and Intimidation –
 The Destroyer is a psychopath and a liar, the opportunist, watching and waiting. They do not see others as human beings but as human-objects, as trophies, and mechanisms to boost their own sense of self. They watch with the silent yellow eyes of the predator, examining their surroundings for vulnerable flesh. The destroyer lurks in the shadows at midnight seeking the defenseless. They have mastered the skills of affableness and are well spoken, but also deadly.


Archetype of the shadow self - The Dragon:

• The Dragon Archetype –
o Manifests Potential and Capability–
 The Dragon is the shadow self that is also called “Monster” by those that don’t understand it. The monster is not bad, it is misunderstood. (Think Frankenstein’s monster) The very reason a shadow self is developed is because one pushes undesirable thoughts, feelings and traits beneath the surface of the psyche. In effect one rejects those parts of themselves they are ashamed of or that society or moral systems tell them they should be ashamed of, the “monstrous” parts of themselves that disgust them or that they despise. And they cage that part of themselves or want to ignore it or wish to destroy it.

But Sith actually seek to free that monster from the cage! The Sith wants to understand that part of themselves, accept that part of themselves, nurture that part of themselves and then partner with it to become more effective in life. When this is done the monster becomes the dragon, a creature of great power and effectiveness that is to be admired for the purity of its spirit. The partner to the dragon is the rider; that civilized self that works together with the power of the dragon to both destroy and build as the partnership sees fit.

Sith understand that the dragon will always be a dragon, its nature cannot be changed and thus the concept of integration with the civilized self is not an option. It will only serve to weaken both the dragon and the rider. Symbiotic partnership is the only answer to this dilemma. Sith do not control their dragon as a master controls an obedient dog. Instead they train themselves to come into agreement with the dragon and find the common goals in their life. This is true will.

The Dragon is the functional culmination of desire and will that is carved from the aspects of reason and sensation. This is the equilibrium in the pursuit of passion tempered and directed by the rider. The dragon is what gives the rider freedom and the power to enact will as it sees fit. This sort of power should never be abused however, or the Dragon will turn on the rider and devour them and the individual will become a Thrall.

THE THIRTEEN RITES OF PASSION

This series is a magically energetic approach to passion that utilizes the disciplines of dark alchemy and Chaos magick. The names of these cycles are magical names utilized for transformation work in ritual as a Sith alchemist. Actual energy work will accompany any deep study into these rites. However, the depth of such a study is beyond the scope of this writing as this is just an introductory series to the principles described below. Any in depth studies would require an intimate student/mentor relationship.

Every individual will experience these rites differently but generally this is a natural process of self-awareness designed to guide one through the development of an effective and robust set of strategies and habits that will most successfully allow them to naturally pursue passion. It is divided into three major subsections. The first part of this series are energetically projective types. It is based on building strength to persevere through conflict that may get in the way of the pursuit of passion. The second part is a natural transformation that begins to occur as one progresses from a place of strength to a place of power. This can be considered a first step into the darkness. The third part depicts a series of energy cycles that build on the previous two and these become a place where the passion becomes a second nature pursuit.

There is no set time that one must remain in any one of these Rites. This series could be enacted in a few months, over a year, or even over several years. It is also important to note that each individual will travel through this series many, many times over a lifetime. In this idea do not consider it a circular path but a spiral of pursuit in which each return to the starting point is actually a place higher (or lower) than the previous starting point. So each new beginning is a place where a new deeper understanding of the energy unfolds like a new layer peeled from an onion.

Keep in mind that there is no set boundary between each of these Rites either. Each of these energies flows into the others near it. They meld at the edges and blend seamlessly, influencing those around it subtly. Also, do not feel as though you must have a perfectly clear understanding of any of these, especially the first time or two through them. One must let them flow naturally and grasp what can be comprehended in their season, knowing that they will come around again and again. Also take care not to rush through them. Each energy will come in its appropriate time and will be felt and experienced naturally as you live within the system. It will take many years of study to comfortably acclimate to and then master them. But also remember that this can only be accomplished through continual, steady focus and immersion. The key is to be aware of your own energy flows and use them to their greatest effect that is in harmony with your personal goals. These are the very building blocks of True Will.



PROJECTIVE ENERGIES

BEH INCEPTION
Beh is the decision to proceed and it is the protection of this idea. It is a place where conflict is overcome in order to commit to action and then follow through with that action. It is a place where fear is overcome. It is a place of inception and beginnings. It is intention to build on the pursuit of your passion. Once you start this process it becomes hard to stop so be sure of your intent and that it is valid before you begin because this is the beginning of your passion that will yield specific physical results.

LOUSH PROTECTION
Loush begins the growth of motivation through the act of the struggle forward. It is a place where initial success in your endeavors is felt. It is a time to further protect what you have begun to build. It is a time of cleansing your concept and refining it through personal reflection as well as the council of others. The passion begins to permeate here and the job you must take on is to direct that energy, building it stronger and thus driving urgency to achieve.

KNEEUN JUSTICE
Kneeun is an energy where you begin to call on a level of stamina inside yourself that you didn’t think you possessed. It is a perseverance to carry on even though you may be tired, sore, hurting or mentally weary. This is a place where you must begin to cut aspects of your passion that are not serving. Judgement must be enacted and justice served. This reveals the truth of your desires, and often times these are things you will not want to admit about yourself. It begins to peel back the layers of your true self. Are you lazy or weak in some area?

FAIRIN RESOLVE
Fairin is a place where the first milestones are reached. You have seen some serious tangible results of your efforts. It is a place where success has been accomplished but the road ahead is still long and you must make decisions about the future. Will you carry on or give up here? Your passion is in your blood now but you must evoke the will to carry it forward by learning to use all parts of yourself to embrace it. Allow it to grow and further integrate.

SAHLYEH CONSEQUENCE
Sahlyeh is a protective place where a rhythm is found to prevent burnout. Consistency not intensity is the key here. It is a place where strength is built steadily. It is a place to find the beauty of the rose but also experience its thorns so time must be allowed for some frivolousness and some play time. A steady pace must be carved out that can be maintained because costs for the decisions you have made will begin to manifest here. Time must be taken to address them as it’s important to allow these difficulties to come and be what they may.



TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGIES

HOHUH ASPIRATION
Hohuh is where things start to get more serious again. You will feel a total immersion start as you begin to actually embody the objects of your desires. It is a time to prepare for the envelopment of the darkness that is coming. Clarity and attention to detail is paramount here. You must get specific and further refine your actions through practical and physically goal oriented plans.

DUIR TRANSFORMATION
Duir is the door. It is the terminator that is crossed over from cautious exploration to devoted commitment. You begin to possess a command of the power the darkness brings. It is a time of transformation where the struggle becomes second nature, a part of you that you can no longer deny. It is the threshold from outer projective aspirations to inner introspective dedication. The passion becomes who you are, not what you do. It is a time of fledgling power and you begin to feel this. This shift to internal aspects signals to you that nothing can stop you now.

CHUNUH REALIZATION
Chunuh is the second wind. A time of newfound reignited passion. This is action without thought. It is your new immortal self that gives of itself in blood to the power of the dark. In return the darkness becomes agreeable. Take inventory of how far you have come and how far you yet still must go. What is working in your life and what is not? Protect those functional aspects of your life as you prepare for the work ahead. Reward has been harvested but the true sacrifices are yet to come.







INTORSPECTIVE ENERGIES

COLL WISDOM
Coll is the envelopment of your very life force in service to your passion. This becomes why you exist. It is your meaning, your purpose for living. You now understand and know this to be true. It is a place of wisdom attained that does not come from knowledge but from experience. It is this wisdom is the beginning of personal Power in your life.

MUIN CONSUMATION
Muin is exhilaration, a quickening within you. The physical need for your passion as the very thing that keeps you alive. Here concepts of balance become a lie. Only the equilibrium of you and your passion exists or matters to you now. It is a time to revel in this idea. Give yourself to it. It is almost a sexually wanton and brazen act, a loss of control that you surrender to completely. However always be wary of unwise actions and the wrath that will surely follow.

GOERT CAPITULATION
Goert is the time to banish all things that no longer serve you or your passion. Sacrifice is necessary, it is a ridding of toxic influences in your life. The dark is now fully in your grasp and you are now able to see in the dark, becoming one with its power. You have become comfortable with yourself and your dark aspects. Fear becomes challenge. There is nothing that will hold you back. This is a time to surrender those last parts of your life that hamper you, no matter whether its habits or functions that you still desire to have but that no longer serve your pursuits.

NYETTLE REMINISCENCE
Nyettle is a time of reflection on how far you have come and a time to be warry of what is yet to come. Your commitment is full, there is no turning back. It is a time of final sacrifice. Relationships must be considered at this time. Are they moving in the same direction as you? If not, they must be forfeited. This is the final blood harvest of yourself. Realize that all things run in a spiral and they have a beginning, a middle and an ending. It is ok to mourn for these things you may have lost and this is the time to do so, but you must also celebrate what those things have meant in your journey as well as the victory in your life that you have achieved.

ROOESH ABYSS
Rooesh signals the ending of mourning. This is resolved acceptance of who you truly are now. A time of rejuvenation and completing the transformation into your new self. A time of final death of the old and acceptance of the new. You no longer need to defend your decisions. You have stared into the void and made peace with who you truly are. The energy cycle is complete and nothing can touch you now. The darkness is now complete and you will experience true freedom in your life. But be warned. If you have failed to cull that which does not work in your life you will feel that wrath here. The darkness is a powerful ally when amenable, but it is also unforgiving of duplicity. Fail to heed this warning and the void will consume you like a ravenous beast without mercy.

SITH ALCHEMY


THE USE OF ALCHEMY
The use of Alchemy in the Sith path has a multifold use. First it is the use of passion to power ones internal “engine of desire”. The use of this passion and desire is designed to discover ones true destiny in life. (Different than fate). Destiny is shaped by the individual to create meaning in one’s life. This is an esoteric magical process of aligning one’s self to the power of the internal force within, otherwise known as True Will.

Second it is a delving into the depths of the dark through magical practice and seeking out that monster or villain that all house within themselves. These parts are primal instinct, lust, hate, and anger, anything that has been deemed evil or shunned as undesirable. Then embracing those parts of the self and making them agreeable in order to develop wholeness of self as a means to build strength and thus be able to act on the desire above.

Third allowing that monster to build as it desires, allowing the decision to actively pursue Freedom, Success, Influence, and Passion while the disciplined side of the self takes what is built and sustains it, shapes it, refines it and carries it forward. This is a place of complete ownership of decisions, consequences, failures and successes utilizing the tools of the Magical Forge.

Finally realizing the core component of alchemy, transformation in your physical life, your holdings, your ideals and your moral standing. This is a place where the energy flows freely and you are the master of it in such a way as you have the power to manipulate the flows of the external force. This is a place where influence is enacted one realizes the only real crime a Sith can commit, is to act in a way that limits their ability to act on their Passion.

All of these things culminate in the 13 rites of Passion. A magical process that will spiral the alchemist through several evolutions of power manifest, each time gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to have power and be Sith. In this way the Sith utilize the Dark side of the force to corrupt external flows of the force, distorting it and using it for their own ends. It is an ebb and flow of energy and power. All power taken must be returned. This is the concept of equilibrium. (Different than simple balance)

In my magical work I have seen the abyss, even beyond the chaos, and there is absolutely nothing there. I have seen why people like spree killers do what they do and the beauty of their pure intent is intoxicating. This is the dark side of the Force, absolute and unyielding. It is ravenous and it wants to devour everything. But it will afford me a taste of its power if I have the strength. The strength to allow myself to be lain bare, everything stripped away. Emotion, thoughts, reason, feelings, my very sanity. What is underneath all that is not self, it is nothing. I realized that my sense of self was really just an intricate and ever-changing arrangement of essential properties, none of which could be removed without the destruction of this very “self-entity” I had sought.

The Force is a living paradox. You can’t describe it, only your experience of it. The Force is just The Force. It is how it is approached that changes it. There is plenty of power there in the dark. But the Abyss is not someplace you want to visit often. The process leaves me alone, desperate, panicked and in that state it comes… the darkness. And I delve deeper and deeper into that unholy pit. And I find myself repulsed and yet incredibly aroused. That slick, black spirit caresses and seduces until I brazenly give myself entirely over to the warm, enticing touch; no longer caring, even begging it to consume me for the return to permit me just one more taste. That one more taste of passion, of Power. This is The Dark Side of the Force, it is my home and it is where my magick comes from.


ACHEMIST AS ICON
I dont think any of us can speak for all Sith in any aspect of a universal attribute except for one. Sith always strive for their passion. This pursuit is so fanatical that they will become icons in that pursuit. This is different that the term “famous” or popular. While a Sith may achieve such a label, the average life in pursuit of popularity is typically left to the mundane. In contrast, icons are the defacto standard that others will reference in describing that pursuit. A Sith that has a passion for acting does not pursue it for fame but the perfection of his craft. Chesty Puller was one of the most famous United States Marines to ever wear the Eagle Globe and Anchor. He once said "“Retreat! Hell, we’re just attacking in a different direction.” He said this after being surrounded by Chinese at the Chosen reservoir in Korea. Outside of the USMC community he is not known. But among Marines he is an Icon of excellence and this statement perfectly describes the necessary worldview required of not only a Marine but I believe a Sith as well.

Everyone starts in a similar position in life, a place that seems overwhelming in a system out of their control. But working within that system is not surrendering to it. Not to say that can’t be the case. But the difference in approach is that a mundane will spend their life complaining about it. A Sith will get busy changing it. For a Sith it is a matter of finding the advantages of that system that furthers the Siths passion and manipulating them to become agreeable to their pursuit. The conflict that is inherent in this is also welcome for a Sith, because that builds strength.

Encased within this is the idea that one must search for a system to become an Icon. But this very idea of a "good system" is a limitation you just put on yourself. Sith don’t deal in limitations. My approach is to be able to take any system and corrupt it to my advantage. There are no limitations to that and it affords me the opportunity to gain the power I desire. This takes time however and the requirement to learn how to use the system to insert myself as an icon of a position I desire. At that point I have the power to decide my fate. And I have done that to great advantage by working these pre-existing systems.


THE LEFT HAND PATH OF SITH ALCHEMY
It should be understood that the Sith path is only one in a variety of conduits that comprise the journey into darkness. The terms Sith and Jedi are really just reconstructions of real-world esoteric practices and knowledge put into a fictional universe. As such their expression is really just a new name held within a very old paradigm. Much of that paradigm entails the search for and application of moral principles either as an absolute or as a limited product in the collective construct of a particular society.

Within these societies there evolves the obligatory dealings with others through the construct of systems of good and evil. However, Sith take a defiant approach to these concepts as they view structures of morality as nothing more than illusions of control designed to limit individual potential. This is the difference between having to face the dark and actually becoming the dark. Once you step past that terminator into shadow there is no going back. It then becomes only a matter of how deeply you want to go.

For the Sith this entails an equilibrium with the darkness. This manifests as an exploration of dark philosophy in the assimilation of the two halves of the psyche, the external civilized self, shown to the world, with the internal shadow self or monster that is otherwise denied a voice. Sith are generally regarded as believers in a spatial cosmos and seek power within that domain. It is a path of finding true will and then enacting that by the burning down of artificial limitations and moral paradigms of the self, others and of society. The focus is living life to the fullest in their passions while they can. Other flavors of this path include traditions like Leveyan Satanism and Crowley’s Thelema.

Equilibrium in the darkness requires only taking from the dark what is needed for the pursuit of passion. However that can be taken even deeper. A deeper exploration becomes one of chaos and nihilism. A natural disorder in the desire to stare directly into the abyss itself. This often involves the belief by the individual in true supernatural evil where the monster inside, as void, is all that exists. The focus becomes one of ultimate power of the mind to evoke confusion, disunity and turmoil which is used to destroy or impose ones will by malevolent or violent means to return power to the true dark master. These individuals actively seek to bring about a return to the void and the darkness that was before the void by the primal power of chaos. Paths like these include Lucifarianism (belief in living demons), Chaos Gnosticism, Voodoo and Sitra Achra.

Sith will touch on many of these paths or have been affected by them in some way. However they typically do not dwell there. As a Sith Alchemist I take a greater interest than most in all these aspects of the dark. Gnosis of every expression of the dark affords me a greater understanding and control of my environment. This implies something greater than simple information. True knowledge of the dark is not something that can ever be taught or learned in a book. It is sought through the process of direct experience and only attained through explicit realization in gnosis.

The magical state of alchemy in which this can be achieved is one of altered consciousness. It goes beyond the minds level of thinking and reasoning. It is a state of paradox in which the filter of the conscious mind is bypassed. These altered states can be obtained in a variety of ways. In addition to meditative trance practices, there are also many states of exhaustion, arousal or inhibition that can be used in Alchemy. Methods may include inhibitory gnosis using meditative states or vision questing combined with breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, sensory deprivation, and hypnotic states or trance inducing substances; ecstatic gnosis by obtaining a state of mindlessness through passionate sexual arousal, intense emotional states, trance dancing/chanting or sensory overload. These altered states allow the Alchemist to sidestep consciousness, however briefly, to attain the power to gain gnostic revelation. In these states, the operational working of actual magical processes can be utilized in a variety of ways based on the alchemist’s personal training and experiential preferences.

One must keep in mind that this Holocron is not a “Dummies guide” to all things magical. It takes years and decades of dedicated work to become a skillful and talented user of magic. The systems presented here are but an overlay that can be utilized and integrated into an existing system of magic. One should be proficient in at least one system before trying to take advantage of the information presented here. Shamanistic practices use the spirit model in which the shaman communicates their intention to spirit helpers who work magic on their behalf. A witch may use an energy model where they direct their energy towards specific aims. A high magician may use a physiological model in which Sigils and symbols are used to condition their unconscious to work towards their goals. Others may use an information model such as an underlying matrix or field, such as The Force, to transmit information to in order to produce specific effects. Any of these ways and means can be utilized in Sith Alchemy, however they take years of dedication and effort to master any one.

Living Life as the Myth

Entropy is the process that is The Force.

The Use of Energy in the Sith Alchemal Practice
Sith are very tangibly based and so I take a very practical approach to energy work in my Sith practice. Learning to work with energy in this way is the first step to mastering any of the above principles. I am not a believer in the supernatural and so I don’t see a distinction between mundane and ethereal energy. Energy is just energy, it is how it is applied that makes the difference. I see the force as the personification of this idea. It is the perception of tangible results. I want something (desire), I focus (intent), and then I execute (action). It’s silly to think I can affect anything I do not tangibly take control of through this process. This is the entire drive of a Sith mentality, the producing of measurable results in a time based parameter. For the Sith Alchemist this is accomplished through the focus on perceptible energy work.

The amount of energy an object has refers to its capacity to cause things to happen (do work). This goes for the human body as well. I am the only thing under my direct control and the energy within me is what I have available to influence or manipulate my environment. This energy is not a single “thing” existing in or around my body though. Like the self, the concept of Chi or Prana or subtle energy is an illusion. In fact the concept referred to in the term “energy” is actually a system of intermingled processes. These processes are impersonal forces that interact within the body. Physical, emotional and mental potencies that I take control of and master in order to enact my will in pursuit of my passion.

Physical expressions of energy in the human body only makeup 30% of the actual energy consumed. The rest is used in mental and emotional forms. These are the types an alchemist is interested in. These forms of energy makeup the purposeful internal spirit of the Sith and are the precondition to passions. Their use in this pursuit can very much be improved and even mastered. Concepts such as mentalism, seduction, placebo, persuasion, hypnosis, wisdom, awareness, knowledge and the art of deception and misdirection. If you can't describe what you're doing as a process such as this, you don't know what you're doing. The mundane knows little of this mastery but the Sith alchemist understands this mystical art to the extreme.

So how does one “raise energy” in a magical setting? In order to act the alchemist needs not only physical energy for a vigorous body but also an energetic living mind, a heart that seeks engagement and a spirit that is purposeful. What one thinks of as emotion in these contexts is the experience of these energy processes moving through the body. This is generally felt as sensations of contraction or tension or expansion such as calm, hope, resilience, fun, lust, hate, love and enthusiasm. This emotional and mental energy is the precondition for everything that an individual cares about. Everything worth doing that is difficult gets lost without every one of these systems powerfully and seamlessly interrelating. Mastery of this idea is the true meaning of power for a Sith.

Control is an illusion. This is why seeking external power for powers sake is not a Sith preoccupation. Sith realize they only have true power to control themselves. Beyond that it is not control but manipulation of the energy of events and others in my environment that I influence to be something favorable to my pursuits. This is not a static aim but a dynamic process. Raising energy through the ecstatic states of ritual facilitates this capability by creating changes in my internal emotional and psychological states. This process of awakening emotional energy and bringing mental energy to a state of alpha trance brings the subconscious forward and allows the invocation (an indwelling of spirit) of desirable archetypes and/or the evocation (a manifesting from yourself) of the rites of passion.

Ritual tools help get us there through a saturation of our senses. Sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste are all utilized to put us into a state of heightened emotion and meditative or trance brain states. Love, lust, trust, confidence, are enhanced to master fear and turn it to challenge. These tools are not the source nor do they carry any potential on their own. But they can be a source of indirect influence through you as focal points used by the individual as reminders of intent. They help set connection points with your passion, can be used as builders of resolve in your actions as well as yourself and they become objects in common used for bonding with others. The practitioner dynamically builds a correspondence meaning and intent in them to solidify directed action.

In these directed actions a Sith does not rely on ideas like the “law of attraction” or “The Secret”. These are false rabbit trails. A Sith deals only in the tools that produce tangible results and in this nothing is left to chance. Keep in mind that even these tools are not the progenitors of energetic transformation but simply points of focus. The energy that is raised and transformed is always within the individual. Also keep in mind that these methods discussed here are basic and only a baseline. They serve as a set of methods that others may find valuable in studying under the guidance of critical thinking. Skeptical and critical thinking is a critical component of rational magic and when used correctly anything within the laws of physics can be accomplished. It is these tenets and methods that can also be used as reference to build your own. This development of the individual in their distinctive method is the cornerstone of growth from which the mundane will progress to initiate, knight and then master. Allister Crowley described the magical process as the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will. Don’t ever get hung up on one aspect, science or art, so much so that you neglect the other.


Ritual
These concepts that I’m describing in briefest form take years to master. It takes dedication and serious study to get beneath the surface of what is being discussed in these pages. And still these concepts will never be yours to master simply from the instructions found in a book. Instead they take hands on work and through that, realization. I can’t emphasize this point enough. It takes the ability to access the state of being that exists below the psychological states and mental processes. One of the most effective methods to achieve this condition continues to be Ritual. This can take the form of simple spell work to the most dramatic of enactments to a quiet meditation between kindred spirits. In these ideas many will become fascinated with deciphering the logical aspects of it all. But ritual is not a place of logic nor is it a place of thinking or of time. It is a place of being.

The nature of consciousness is something humans have little idea of. We don’t know what it is, where it comes from or how it works. This is what is called “the mind” and it is a function or an emergent property of the physical processes of “the brain”. The psychological aspects of the mind deals in feeling and thinking but the mystical aspect deals in the experience of emotion and being. Emotions are physical and instinctive. They have been programmed into our genes over many, many years of evolution and are hard-wired. They are complex and involve a variety of physical and cognitive responses. Many of these are not well understood but their general purpose is to produce a specific response to a stimulus.

Feelings then play out in our heads. They are the mental associations and reactions to an emotion that are personal and acquired through experience. The emotion comes first and is universal but the kinds of feelings that are generated as a result will vary enormously from person to person and from situation to situation. This is because feelings are shaped by individual temperament and experience. It is this aspect of being, the very core of who one is, that can be transformed. This is the process of spiritual energy transformation.

And once again, like the self or the concept of “spirit” as an energy force is also not just a single thing nor is it some ethereal subtle energy beyond our ability to detect. It is a complex array of energy processes all working in conjunction in the body that can be collectively referred to as spirit. And it does not matter if you consider spirit as natural or supernatural. What matters is that it be considered a tool of transformation of the self. I personally believe I carry within me ancestral and collective archetypes inherent within my DNA. They live inside me, buried deep in the darkness of my mind. And they are there for me to access and use in various ways to enact my will.

By utilizing this unique amalgam of energy forms I call spirit in my ritual work I can delve deeply into my mind. I can bypass logic and thinking to that part of me that is being and becoming utilizing deeply meditative brain states (see below) where I can substantiate my experience of self. Here I take control of imagination, inspiration and intuition to reprogram and regenerate the conscious self. To literally enact transformation that spreads throughout my subconscious and conscious systems. Once complete, I no longer just believe I am X but I actually become X. Dealing with the subconscious in this way is the art of magic, Understanding what it means and how it can be applied to the conscious self is the science of magic. Together they make up the whole of the purpose of ritual.


Brain States for meditation and ritual
(Taken from Brothers of the Sun, by Terry Riley)

Beta – Alertness, Concentration, Cognition
In the Beta state you are in a state of mind where you are conscious and alert. Your mind is capable of sharp, focused interactions. You are able to make associations in real time and you can complete tasks requiring your fully undivided attention. In the Beta state, neurons will fire in ample rapid succession to achieve highest performance. The mind functions at its peak in problem solving capabilities as new ideas abound. This state is ideal to take tests, engage in physical activities or perform at work where the analysis and organization of data is critical. In a nutshell engaging activities that require mental alertness, high levels of concentration and hand-eye coordination are done in this state. Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ.

Alpha – Relaxation, Visualization, Creativity
The Alpha state is when you are tranquil and relaxed as the activity of the mind reduces from the intense patterns of the Beta state into a calmer series of waves. Awareness in the mind increases as refreshing and creative energies flow forth. A sense of peace, comfort and security come about as fears dissipate. This is a state where the mind is able to access its creativity through imaginative visualization, also known as a day-dream state, in which new ideas can be formed. This state facilitates a function that is vitally important to physical health as well, as you are able to attain profound levels of relaxation that are just short of a meditative state. Alpha waves function as a gateway to deeper states and resonates at wave ranges between 7-12 HZ.

Theta – Meditation, Intuition, Memory
The Theta state is a state of mystery. This elusive brain activity is a state in which you slow to a point just before sleep. This is the threshold of the internal magickal realm. It is a state of intensely heightened receptiveness where misplaced memories may flash through the mind’s eye in the hidden forms of dream like imagery. It is a place where meditation abounds, and the body seems to disappear to be replaced by the ability to travel astral and other dominions. The Theta state is the threshold of the subconscious that allows for trans-mutative capabilities to begin of the self. It is one of the most extraordinary and fascinating aspects of the psyche to explore as it opens the door to the potential of the supernatural. Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ.

Delta - Detached Awareness, Healing, Sleep
The Delta state is where sleep and deeply healing processes begin. It is a methodical and deliberate state of undulating happenings that include deep and REM sleep at the brain’s slowest frequencies. It is the state best suited for restorative and regenerative effects. The subconscious is fully accessible here and it is the place from which intuition arises. It is the conduit in which information can flow from the subconscious to the conscious mind. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ.