To: alt.magick
From: tyagI@houseofkaos.Abyss.coM (tyagi mordred nagasiva)
Subject: _Black Magick and the Left-hand Path_ (LONG) (blkmgk.h)
Date: 49940728

BLACK MAGICK AND THE LEFT-HAND PATH
By Haramullah

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
La ilaha illa 'Llah.  Assalam alaikum, my kin.
______________________________________________________________

Introduction

A shroud of mystery, suspicion, and heresy hangs over the subjects of 
Black Magick and the Left-Hand Path.  Those who travel in such ways are 
often greeted with a mixture of fear and trepidation, especially where 
they profess association.

It is the purpose of this essay to relieve some of the unnecessary fear 
associated with them, not to dispell the mystery upon which their 
foundations rest (which alone would be quite an impossible task!).  
In many cases the reaction people have toward aspirants who walk the 
Left-Hand Path becomes a discipline for those that tread them.  In some 
small measure I do a disservice to explore them.  However, aversion and 
antagonism can be inspired in many people, and there are alternatives 
to these methods of austerity.  Let those who would retain their 
antisocial shroud seek alternate methods of inflaming the 
insecurities of others if this essay reveals too much.

There is no doubt that certain individuals within society exhibit 
sociopathic behaviors and some of these claim their actions to be in 
accord with an anti-spiritual path (e.g. Satanism).  This is said 
especially about 'black magick' (with or without the 'k', which serves 
to separate it from stage magic).  

There is supposed by many to be a smattering at least, a network at 
most, of black magicians who work at great cost to society at large 
and to the safety and health of those individuals who cross their path.  
Their way consists of an egocentric accumulation of power (say many) 
at the expense of others, for the sake of power itself or in order to 
feed the ego of the mage.

It is the purpose of this essay particularly to argue against the 
accuracy and efficacy of these notions and to propose alternate meanings 
for the terms 'black magick' and 'left-hand path' such that better 
than an insecure, warrior mentality may be an option for serious 
mages in their studies.


Part One: Unjustifiable Moralism

Given serious investigation, no extensive organization formed for 
the purposes of malevolence has yet been discovered.  At times small 
groups of people have banded together with an intent to harm, yet 
this has been done under many proffered labels, including those of 
major movements ostensively dedicated to health and balance 
(cf. the Christianity taught by Christ as compared to the 
Inquisition).  

What can be established at most is that some individuals and small 
groups do experience popular antisocial images (e.g. Satan) as 
personally meaningful when they are manifesting their psychotic and
destructive desires.  This does not mean that all who appreciate or 
use these images are involved with the same sociopathic activities.  

The sequence of cause and effect has not been established.  With 
respect to Satanism, for example, it is not known that devotion to Satan 
necessarily leads to dementia or violence.  Popular media publicizes 
antisocial acts, but fails to investigate or make known any socially 
uplifting results of this activity (by 'Satanic' organizations for 
example).
 
Such is also the case with those involved in black magick.  Where 
Satanism arises in Judeo-Christian cultures which partake of this 
great mythological symbol (largely Christian or Muslim), black magick 
spans the many cultures which accept the premise of magick generally.  
These are largely technologically undeveloped cultures whose ideas 
about spiritualism and psychic power have become infused throughout 
the society, rather than held solely by an esoteric elite (Voudoun or 
Yaqui are good examples here, especially as portrayed by popular texts).

Typically, magick is said to be a focus of psychic power, perhaps 
through formulae, in order to affect an environment.  At times this 
may involve an interaction with noncorporeal or other-worldly 
entities (the dead, nature spirits, or powerful 'deities').  The 
relationships vary from a mage's humble appeal to a powerful being 
to their concerted enslavement of or by a demon or spirit.

Regardless of power source, often magick is divided into two or three 
categories: black, white, and sometimes gray.  Recent occult 
practitioners have further divided it, classifying it by color in 
accordance with its intent, source energy and style.


Labels and Categorization

Whatever the label, the classification scheme follows a system of 
moral values for the culture of its origin.  Therefore, in speaking of 
magick, one would call a magical act 'malevolent' (often 'black') 
when it intends a 'harmful' result.  When the intent is of a 
'beneficial' nature, then it is called 'white magick'.  

It is of no consequence, for the purposes of this essay, whether or 
not the forms of the magical enactments are qualitatively similar 
(and in some cultures this is the case - i.e. the magical processes are 
the same for white and black yet the two have different objectives).

Many of these ideas about magick are commonly accepted within the 
occult community.  That magick can be a science of cause and that 
the intent of such cause determines the 'color', if you will, of said 
magick, are two of the major themes.  Different ideas about magick do 
in fact exist, yet these two seem extremely popular.

It is argued here (as in many modern tomes which discuss the ethics of 
magick) that morality varies from culture to culture and that ethics 
vary from person to person, based on subjective standards and desires.  
Note that this does not rule out a broad correspondence between 
ethics, making democratic laws possible.  

What are being challenged, however, are any 'black' and 'white' 
categorizations of motive and action beyond this correspondence.  
The meaning for the term 'harm' varies tremendously and this is in 
no way clarified by temporary harm which makes further healing 
possible (e.g. surgery or immunization).

What most modern, literate mages classify as 'black magick' are those 
forms which are coercive.  Those which do more than bind manipulative 
or destructive energies are considered destructive in themselves and 
are often rejected.  

The problem with all of this is that when speaking of these subjects one 
cannot make accurate generalizations about actions and their 
classification.  It is impossible to condense from these abstracted 
ideas any concrete knowledge concerning specific people engaged in 
specific activities, especially when using subjectively-interpreted 
evaluations of 'good', 'evil', 'black' or 'white'.  This is precisely the 
mistake made in all travesties of society in the name of 'cleansing' or 
'spiritual purgation' (The Inquisition, Holocaust, Red Scare and Japanese 
Internment are a few good examples).

While we may classify certain actions within our culture as 'illegal' 
through social agreement, extensions or presumptions about the 
absolute value of any action requires a degree of knowledge which cannot 
be obtained.  We may see immediate harm (e.g. the surgeon's incision) yet 
be unaware of the overall healing effect (the removal of diseased tissue).  
Thus, absolute labels without delineation concerning the nature of our 
judgement (e.g. 'black magick' rather than 'harmful magick') are 
misleading and inefficient.

Note also that these terms are most often used in their negative sense.  
A black magician does not often announce or display this label or quality.  
If she did so it might forewarn prospective victims....


Effectiveness as Criteria

There is a need for effective labels (when we must apply any) and there 
is a shortage of positive aspects of those labels we do use.  In describing 
magick, the term 'black' is inadequate when we wish to indicate that a 
specific quality about the magick is abhorrent, rather than indicating 
the attitude of whoever may be using the term.

To begin with, simple labels inspire abuse through their inadequacy.  
Eliminating them or expanding them toward precision can only help to 
increase communication and understanding generally.  The same is true 
of the label 'left-hand path'.  It is inadequate to describe the 
activities of those involved with groups that are classified in this way.  
The decision about whether or not labels themselves are desirable is 
left for the contemplation of the reader.

Secondly, some self-described members of these groups (followers of 
the left-hand path, or satanists, and black magicians) behave in ways and 
express ideas which do not suggest the stereotypic behaviors attributed 
to them (usually violence and abuse).  Thus, the label fails again 
to distinguish those that adopt it who are violent from those who are not.  
Most likely those who are violent receive a majority of the attention 
and people generalize in prejudice thereafter.  

In sum, the two main arguments presented here are that the phrases 
'left-hand path' and 'black magick' are inadequate to describe the 
activities or character of particular mages, and, of those who adopt 
these labels, some or many do not fit the stereotype with which they
are commonly associated.


Part Two: Reclaiming the Terms

Part of the problem with these terms is that there is no popular, 
positive meaning for them.  This can be remedied through careful, 
imaginative expression.  One may derive a useful meaning by examining 
many occult tomes in which they could be used effectively.
  
The current, popular interpretation follows a narrow, fundamentalist 
character that accepts moral absolutes and authoritarian biases.  
Stripped of any symbolic value they ever had, they have been applied 
in judgemental categorization.  Rather than retain moralistic meanings 
for the labels 'left-hand' or 'black', a mythological substitute is 
more appropriate and meaningful.  


The Left-hand Path

The left hand has quite a history, ranging from a specific position in 
Tantric ceremonies involving ritual sex magick, to its association with 
the word 'sinister'.  Our Western society discriminates against 
left-handed people in its mass-production and mass-education systems.  

The left side of the body is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain.   
The left hand is also popularly associated with: emotional, fantastic, 
intuitive, nonlinear, simultaneous, diffused, integrative, timeless, 
imaginative, inductive, tacit, receptive, synthesizing, analogous, 
experience-centered consciousness.  Activities associated with this 
consciousness include: seeing metaphors, unifying concepts, combining 
ideas or objects in unusual ways, exploring feelings, wondering, 
creating, dreaming, drawing and singing.

This is the mode of consciousness of the Dreamer, the Artist and the 
Visionary.  It has often been associated with the feminine.  This is 
certainly supported by the popular stereotypes of the 'emotional 
woman' and the 'intellectual man'.  In many symbolic systems the 
feminine is linked with the receptive, the intuitive, and generally 
with 'right-brain' qualities.  Reclaiming the left hand is an important 
step in realizing the value of not only the entire body (through 
revaluing the feminine), but the many modes of consciousness which 
we may experience.

This association constitutes an effective meaning of 'left-hand' 
without morality.  It describes a way that is based on intuition 
rather than on logic, on imagination rather than on verbal knowledge, 
and on dreams and feelings rather than on plans and goals.  It is the 
way of the natural mystic; less structured, more attuned to 
spontaneous rather than artificial organization; less born of regimen 
and more attuned to receptive intuition; less involved with 
bureaucratic business progress and more akin to cyclic, artistic growth.  

Magicians on the left-hand path practice for pure enjoyment, inner 
experience, or no reason whatsoever.  The activity expands to become 
the goal.  Even the illusory 'enlightenment' or 'transformation' is 
abandoned in a spirit of pure play.  The left-hand path is an art rather 
than a science, arising on its own rather than as a preplanned, 
intellectual project.


Black Magick

Black and the Dark have been maligned and shunned prior to and since 
the dualism encouraged by Manichaenism, and were redressed little by 
Judeo-Christian mythic and political teachings.  Largely equating 
Light with being, wisdom, intuition or awareness, the Western Mystery 
Tradition has done little to help the situation.  Intellectually and 
symbolically, Darkness has been associated with ignorance, 
malevolence and deception.

Occasionally mystics have divulged the esoteric significance of 
Darkness, yet they have often identified it with a lacking (i.e. of image, 
certainty, or psychic strength). In very few Western writings 
(e.g. some Hermetic or Gnostic) and in some Eastern traditions (notably 
Taoism and Neo-Confucianism) do we encounter any useful positive 
meaning for Blackness or Darkness.

Thus, to redefine the significance of black magick is to defy much 
traditional symbolism based on cultural bias.  However, not to do so 
jeopardizes our potential understanding of Death and Mystery.  

Black is associated with negative things.  Negation is quite valuable 
in our world.  It is part and parcel of Nature.  The destruction of waste 
and form allows the recreation of All.  While many see negation as a 
force to be combatted, avoided or destroyed, the value of embracing 
negation and negativity as valuable and integral elements of universal 
flux can never be over-estimated.

Darkness is often associated with the unconscious mind.  Light, as 
the symbol of conscious illumination, is often contrasted with this 
directly.  Rather than the traditionally popular black = negative = bad 
perspective of fear, it seems both wise and instructive to associate 
Blackness and Darkness with magick that originates in the unconscious
mind.

'Black magick' therefore becomes a description of occult practice with 
respect to the source of its form.  To intellectually predesign, plan, 
control and consciously arrange ritual is white magick, while to enjoy 
unconsciously-guided ritual is black magick.


Source and Type

Combining the expansive meanings of both 'left-hand path' and 
'black magick' allows us to describe various mystical and magical 
practices more effectively.  Comparing the source of magical style with 
the type of path, we obtain a more descriptive and less biased 
evaluation.  Morality ceases to be an issue.  Instead, we can use 
descriptors which reflect the activities of the mage.  These terms say 
nothing about the value of either evaluative pole and do little to bias 
our view.  

Black magick need only mean that its origin is the unconscious mind, 
regardless of any structure it may have.  A left-hand path can mean 
that it is emotive and artistic, whether arising from conscious or 
unconscious sources.

For example, black magick of the right-hand path would describe a very 
structured path which has its origins in the unconscious mind (and so 
might prove very unorthodox, though no less organized).  A left-handed, 
white magick would include an emotive and preplanned practice.

This language serves the purposes of both scholars of magick and 
networkers in the field of the occult.  The scholar can more clearly view 
the differences in structure and method among the many occult and 
religious practices.  The networker can decipher similarities among them 
so as to appropriately guide a client and more quickly satisfy their needs.


Conclusion

It is both ineffective and foolish to relegate the descriptors 'black' 
and 'left-hand' to the criminal, the deviant or the psychotic.  This is 
an association too extreme to be of any real use to the serious mage.  
There is far too great a depth of meaning in these terms to accept them as 
moralistic adjectives.  

Regardless of any alternatives to those suggested above that one might 
use for the task, it is time to transcend this extremity and move toward 
unifying, elaborative associations that will promote a synthesis of mind 
and body, intellect and emotion, self and society, Microcosm and Macrocosm.

_____________________________________________________________

*References*
_____________________________________________________________

Black Magick

_Book Four_, by Aleister Crowley.
_The Black Arts_, by Richard Cavendish. 
_Cults of the Shadow_, by Kenneth Grant.
_Liber Nigris_, by Frater I Nigris.
_Liber Qliphoth_, by Frater I Nigris.
_Magick Without Tears_, by Aleister Crowley.
_The Nightside of Eden_, by Kenneth Grant.
_The Secret of the Golden Flower_, Transl. by Richard Wilhelm.
_Taoist Mysteries and Magic_, by John Blofeld.
_Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation_, Transl. by W.Y. Evans-Wentz.


Left-Hand Path

_The Art of Sexual Ecstasy_, by Margo Anand.
_The Book of the Goddess_, Edited by Carl Olson.
_The Book of Secrets_, by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho).
_Kali, The Feminine Force_, by Ajit Mookerji.
_The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment_, by Thaddeus Golas.
_Liber Conjunctus_, by Frater I Nigris.
_Liber Practicus_, by Frater I Nigris.
_Nature, Man and Woman_, by Alan Watts.
_Only One Sky_, by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho).
_The Satanic Bible_, by Anton LeVay.
_Satan Wants You_, by Arthur Lyons.
_Strange Loves_, by Dr. Eustace Chesser.
_Tantra of the Great Liberation_, Transl. by Arthur Avalon.
_Tantric Sex_, by Robert K. Moffett.
_The Tantric Way_, by Ajit Mookerji and Madhu Khanna.
_Tao Te Ching_, by Lao Tsu, Transl., by Gia Fu-Feng and Jane English.


General

_Mindways: A Guide for Exploring Your Mind_, 
	by Louis M. Savary and Margaret Ehlen-Miller.
_Passages: A Guide for Pilgrims of the Mind_,
	by Marianne S. Andersen and Louis M. Savary.

============================================================

Haramullah rasulu 'Llah.  Alaikum assalam, my kin.
Love is the law, love under will.

Haramullah
Tyagi Nagasiva
(C) 1993
Tyagi@HousEofKAos.Abyss.com (THE KA'AB)
House of Kaos
871 Ironwood Dr.
San Jose, CA 95125-2815

---------------------------

"Behold!  the rituals of the old time are black
Let the evil ones be cast away; let the
good ones be purged by the prophet!  Then shall
this knowledge go aright."  _Liber Al vel Legis_

-----------------------------