Challenge entry!
My magickal traditions
I often find inspiration in the rich tapestry of Greek and Slavic traditions, owing to my family’s origins in the historical regions of Maceon and Thrace. In ancient times, these lands were steeped in Greek polytheism, a belief system that left a lasting mark on the culture and spirituality of the region. For instance,
Renowned Classical Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides recorded a captivating legend: the Macedonian kings of the Argead dynasty proudly claimed descent from Temenus, the King of Argos. This ancestral lineage bestowed upon them a connection to the legendary Heracles and a direct link to Zeus, the chief deity of the Greek pantheon.
As I delved deeper into my spiritual journey, I discovered an affinity for Luciferianism, although it was a path that required some time to fully embrace. I’ll delve into that in just a moment.
My quest for spiritual knowledge extends beyond Greek and Slavic traditions. I’m currently immersed in learning about Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian traditions. I totally embrace eclecticism, drawing wisdom and insights from diverse sources and weaving them together like a form of magickal alchemy.
My philosophical influences
Interestingly, at my core, I align with philosophical materialism. It can be summarised as my belief in “I am; therefore I think,” rather than the more traditional “I think, therefore I am.” In other words, I perceive my existence in the material world, within this physical body, as the foundation for experiencing consciousness and living out my life in a linear fashion. 
I use the phrase “interestingly” because materialism often stands in contrast to spiritualism, which falls under the umbrella of philosophical idealism. However, materialists like me acknowledge the presence of contradictions as an inherent aspect of existence. These contradictions are not negative; they resemble a balanced tug-of-war, with opposing forces tugging us in different directions, ultimately helping us find, define, and understand our positions in the world.
Additionally, in classical antiquity, the term “religio” had a broad meaning, encompassing conscientiousness, a sense of what’s right, moral duty, or obligation to various aspects of life. Interestingly, this term laid the foundation for the word “religion” as we know it today. In the ancient world, philosophy was a holistic study, covering virtually everything. While modern times have segmented it into numerous specialised fields, its core remains rooted in logical reasoning. Similarly, religion addresses morality, which is also a domain explored by philosophy. These different paths, at their core, attempt to convey the same fundamental truths.
A significant part of my approach revolves around dialectical materialism. I seek to uncover the synthesis between opposing ideas, each represented as a thesis and antithesis. This synthesis isn’t merely a compromise but rather a way to navigate towards the truth or the correct path forward, drawing insights from both sides to construct a more comprehensive understanding. This doesn’t imply that both sides are equally valid, but rather that sometimes, a kernel of truth can be found even in the wrong approach.
Hence, I’m on a quest to discover how to harmoniously blend the spiritual aspects of humanity with rigorous scientific principles. This stems from my deep interest in paving the way for a future characterised by equality and post-scarcity, where everyone’s needs are met, and the fear of basic survival is eradicated.
As a communist, it’s evident that I’m not a supporter of individualistic, competition-based innovation and societal structures. These beliefs significantly influence my practices; I aim to give, share, nurture, and cooperate.
In any case, I firmly believe that a harmonious synthesis can be achieved, and my ongoing search is a testament to that belief.
My journey so far
Sorry for repeating this so much, but it’s worth mentioning that my initial quest was to connect with Lilith, as I felt an undeniable pull toward her. Her energy, strength, charm, and beauty held a profound fascination for me.
Lilith is an enigmatic figure, often described in various and sometimes conflicting ways — as Adam’s first wife, a demon, a sex goddess, and more. She possesses versatile powers, although her specialities lie in witchcraft and matters of sexuality. She is the personification of the night, bearing distinctive features such as black hair and piercing red eyes.
My exploration persisted until I stumbled upon a specific reading that struck a deep chord within me. To put it in perspective, it resonated so profoundly that it brought tears to my eyes, a rarity for me. Let me share a snippet from that reading of my last past life, which I’ve edited slightly for spelling and grammar:
In your previous life, she says that your death was caused by another and a surprise, and so you were not ready to leave your body when you did and because of this you remember factors, such as your interests or calling. You are being called by her, and others such as Lilith to help you remember and consider exploring this so much more in this life.
Hekate says you lived a tragic childhood and were left literally homeless and with little support, and you did pass away very young, 18/19. You performed magic, worked with Hekate, and helped manifest things such as money through a lost wallet or places to live with others, and it happened you all could manifest these things to you. And naturally wanted stronger magic knowledge to help you improve your lives in a big way.
My philosophical background plays a crucial role in my journey because, at its core, my motivation stems from a deep desire to assist others. If my efforts don’t contribute to helping others, I tend to lose interest, and this situation is no exception.
So, when I read that I had discovered a sense of purpose and motivation in joining forces with others to benefit “us” instead of just “me,” it filled me with warmth and renewed motivation.
For example, in another thread, I wrote this about “miasma”:
Considering my philosophical background, it’s evident how the communal aspects of these beliefs deeply resonate with me, from the emphasis on collective collaboration to the recognition of how our actions can ripple through our communities.
Moreover, while I have yet to give many offerings of the sort, these statements about Hekate provide further insight into how and why she fits perfectly with my personal philosophies:
Lucifer
Now, you might be wondering how I ventured into the realm of Luciferianism. While one could jest about it being the “left-hand path” and the term’s relationship with communism, the actual path to Luciferianism was paved by Lilith. I believe she recognised the alignment between my philosophical views and where I find myself now. With Lilith’s guidance, I discovered Hekate, and I believe she also led me to Lucifer.
My journey involved finding solace and strength through both Hekate and Lilith. I explored various facets of my evolving spiritual practice through small rituals and spells while devouring all the related knowledge I could find. Strangely, every time I intended to focus my studies, I was irresistibly drawn to materials about Lucifer and various demons.
Then, I stumbled upon something that resonated profoundly with my philosophies, particularly the one asserting that life is inherently a struggle. Instead of passively accepting this, it encouraged embracing and confronting that struggle head-on. Well, the book I was reading explained that people are naturally drawn to demons because they refuse to accept a life devoid of desires. They find it impossible to be content with the monotonous routine of daily life in a world filled with struggle.
The book asserted that Luciferianism is a faith centred on truth, enlightenment, knowledge, and responsibility. Lucifer, the Light Bearer for humanity, was unwavering in his commitment to safeguarding mankind’s free will, which ultimately led to the schism between the opposing forces we recognise today.
Naturally, I began to contemplate how the concept of hell fits into this belief system. It dawned on me that the notion of hell as a nightmarish realm doesn’t trace its roots to the ancient polytheistic religions but rather to the Abrahamic faiths. Additionally, the text I was engrossed in clarified that Lucifer chose to depart from heaven willingly. This revelation transformed hell into a place designed not only for punishing the wicked, as conventionally portrayed, but also into a realm of boundless prosperity, security, love, and joy for his devoted followers. It was a reassuring realisation that we wouldn’t face torment for collaborating with demons or Lucifer.
A prominent distinction between Luciferianism and Satanism lies in our rejection of the “do what thou wilt” philosophy. We firmly believe in your freedom to shape your desired life, but we also acknowledge that you cannot escape the consequences of evil actions. This resonates deeply with my personal philosophy, which emphasises the importance of distinguishing between the ability to do something and whether it should be done, i.e. just because I can get away with murder, doesn’t mean I should.
Anyway, I’ll delve deeper into Luciferianism at another time.
Hekate
So, let’s return to Hekate, a deity who resides within the abyss, deep within the darkness of the underworld. She assumes the role of a catalyst, adept at removing the barriers that often obstruct our choices. At the crossroads of our lives, she grants us the power to choose our path, fostering transformation and preventing stagnation. While she serves as the driving force behind these processes, the ultimate decision lies with us — whether to allow her to absorb our sins and carry them into her enigmatic realm. Much like Hekate’s guiding Persephone, she can only illuminate the path; she cannot traverse it on our behalf. However, as she remains a steadfast guide through the shadows, she not only serves as my mentor but also ignites the inspiration within me to become such a guiding presence myself.
Hekate’s mastery of plants and her deep understanding of their magical and healing attributes have made her an invaluable guide in my exploration of herbalism. For example, her temple in Colchis, situated on the Black Sea (now in modern-day Georgia), was once accompanied by a famed magical garden. Some scholars suggest that an ancient Greek women’s guild, devoted to Hekate, held the responsibility of gathering and preserving visionary, hallucinatory, and poisonous plants. In Greek, the same word refers to a “pharmacist,” a “poisoner,” and a “witch.”
Furthermore, Hekate, the Queen Witch, possesses an extraordinary capacity for shape-shifting. While she frequently appears as a black dog or a woman, she is not limited to these forms. On occasion, she transforms into a mermaid, black cat, snake, or even a dragon. Her versatility is emblematic of her multifaceted nature, often symbolised through her depictions as the virgin, the crone, and the mother.
Depending on the specific insight or guidance I seek, she may reveal herself in various forms. For instance, when I yearn for protection and nurturing, she may manifest as the caring mother. Alternatively, when I require guidance in the realms of witchcraft, she may take on the guise of the wise crone. Additionally, I keep three Hekate coins close to me, and from time to time, I draw one to discern the type of guidance I currently require the most, allowing her wisdom to illuminate my path.
As I recognise the need for substantial shadow work in my personal journey, I turn to Hekate. While my partner takes pride in my resilience throughout the challenges I’ve faced, there have been moments when I’ve struggled immensely and inadvertently caused emotional harm to others. With awareness of Hekate’s guidance, I aspire to navigate and transcend the hurdles I’ve encountered, gathering the strength to not only help but also fight for those around me.
Under Hekate’s wise guidance, I’ve not only harnessed and embraced my intuition but also uncovered hidden reservoirs of inner strength, enabling me to chart a course towards a brighter future. Additionally, she has bestowed upon me a means to forge deeper connections with others, extending her support and facilitating opportunities for collaboration. In this way, our shared spiritual journey as human beings on this planet becomes more profound, strengthening the bonds that tie us together.
In any case, I could delve into this topic endlessly, and I haven’t even begun on Lilith, so I’ll pause here for now. Thank you for making it this far if you’re still with me. 