Volume I
Chronicle Ten

How to Battle a Demon

When I was a young boy, the very first movie I have ever seen that portrayed what a demon was supposed to be was The Exorcist. It was a scary movie for a boy of my age, and I recall that it frightened me for a very long time. For years, I perceived demons to be vile creatures that invaded people's bodies and made their heads spin as they levitated in the air.

In our society this is how people are taught about demons. Children do not learn this in school or at home. They learn this at the movies. Hollywood teaches us that demons are these hideous creatures intent on destroying the human race with incredible power. The hero of these movies will almost always pale in comparison to the power of the villain and it is usually through luck or by the slimmest of chances that Good prevails over Evil.

Needless to say, Hollywood is not a good place to learn about magic. It is a great place to be entertained because that is their business, but when it comes to magic; the category "fiction", fits more than appropriately.

The unfortunate result of this psychological detour is that many have these Hollywood style preconceptions of what demons are supposed to be. Essentially by perceiving demons as such, they are placing them on a pedestal and praising the demon's power and superiority over them and they are unaware that they are even doing this. To believe the Hollywood fairytale is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There are also those that have made a philosophical U-turn straight into denial. They say that demons are nothing more than forces of energy and as such are not as dangerous as they are made out to be. The attempt here is to take away any power given to the demon and by doing so minimizing it's ability to be a threat.

What such people overlook is that everything is a force of energy and as such it is irrelevant should demons exist in this manner or not. To base the level of danger to something irrelevant also does not apply.

In order to understand what is a demon, you must first realize that angels and demons are in fact a part of the same group. The words "angel" and "demon" are labels that we have placed upon these entities in order to differentiate between them for obvious reasons. As in the physical world, the other worlds consist of a wide variety of entities that cover the spectrum from good to evil.

The mission of demons is to serve the forces of darkness, in the same manner that angels serve the forces of Light. The only difference is where the task of angels is to promote the Cosmic Evolution what is referred to as the Grand Scale Enlightenment; the task of the demon is to reverse this process. In their eyes (as well as all who dwell in the dark), they perceive the evolution process in reverse and feel that it is the forces of the Light that is going backwards.

In this dispute there is no right or wrong, there will only be winners and losers. It was Voltaire who once said that God is always on the side with the Heaviest Battalions. The victor of this war will say that the Lord (or Lady) was on their side because their cause was right and just.

My opinion is this. Darkness can not exist in the presence of the Light and this has not changed since the beginning of time. The forces of Light has always been stronger than the forces of darkness. The forces of Light shall prevail.

In order to defeat a demon, you must call upon the Light Divine. It is this plain and simple. The process of receiving the Light means that you have earned this right. The darkness can not touch you as you stand within the Light. Yes, it is true that some demons are very powerful, but no matter how powerful they are; the Light is stronger.

Divine intervention shall be your salvation.

Dancing with the Devil
The above approach is great when dealing with quick, hit and run, situations where the incident unfolds in a matter of minutes and then fades away.  On the other hand, what if you have a problem, a really big problem and it has to do with a demon that just doesn't want to go away.

First and foremost, one must face the demon. I don't mean calling it by name and inviting it to dinner, especially considering that you are his main course meal. To face the demon, you must see the demon for what it really is. It maybe a figment of your mental health, but it could also be a projection from a free willing living human. It could just be a lesser spirit, an elemental, or a many other things that we become sensitive to as we become ever more magical. And off course it may be exactly what it is, an actual bonified demonic entity.

Once you have ascertained that it truly is a demon you are facing, what does one do to remedy this situation? One does this. You stomp on it and make it wish that it never had met you and cast it back to where ever it came from.

This is how it's done, and kids? Don't try this at home unless a competent and advanced practitioner is there to bail you out.

1. Know thy enemy and if you have already faced the demon, you should know enough about it to fight it.
2. When ever it shows itself, attempt to consciously memorize what it's like to have this demon show itself.
3. Perform the MSID at this time.
4. Once you have mastered the mindstate. Perform the following ritual. You must have all your tools and a ritual sword is also recommend. You must also have a consecrated bottle and the consecrated bottle cap that goes with the bottle.
5. Open your circle and banish all forces. Invoke the Light Divine and perform the Middle Pillar.
   
   For those of you that are unfamiliar with these rituals, the Charge and Invocation of the Goddess and knowledge of Chakras may be used to create an appropriate equivalent ritual. My suggestion to you is to read about the Middle Pillar Ritual before attempting to replace it.
   
6. Rules to abide by while in this ritual.
   
   Never allow yourself to fear. You are fighting this demon on your home field and according to your terms and you call all of the shots.
   
   Never break the circle until the ritual is over.
   
   Most importantly, if the ritual should fail, big deal it failed. This should not be a reason for you to become worried or fearful. You are just as powerful exiting the ritual as you were entering it. No more no less, and nothing has changed and you are not in any additional danger. Always remember that you always have the ability to bonk the demon on it's head every time it pops it's head out by invoking the Light Divine. No reason to fear.
   
7. Place the bottle on top of the alter and the bottle cap next to it.
   
8. Achromate the mind state of the presence of the Demon. What will usually occur next is what I call the childish games. The demon will try to pretend that it's not there and try to make you think that the ritual had failed. Then it will try to scare you and force you to lose control of the ritual and the circle. Once you are certain that the demon has arrived, ignore it. What it does and tries to do is irrelevant and of no concern or consequence to you.
   
9. More rules. The demon can not enter into the circle without your permission, so don't give it permission.
   
   The demon can not co-exist with the Light Divine, so should it try to attack you, invoke the Light Divine. Usually the simple threat of this will deter it from attempting this. By the way, you threaten this by simply knowing that it is an option and one that you are willing to use.
   
   As you have attained God-Head (the invoked state of drawing down the Light and maintaining it), anything that you command of the demon, it must comply. After all you are the one that is at One with the Greater Universe; not it. Make sure your commands are just! If they are not in accordance with the Universe (God or Goddess), in that instance you are no longer in tune, thus you are no longer at One. That means the demon does not have to obey and it wont. Your ritual would then have failed.
   
10. Command the demon into the bottle and tell it to remain there until released. If it resists, repeat your command in the Holy Name of your God or Goddess. If it still resists, pick up your ritual knife (your tool of magical change) and repeat your command. If it still resists, pick up you wand (the symbol of your Will) and repeat you command. If it still resists, pick up your sword (the symbol of your Will enforced by your Power) and repeat your command. If it still resists, then you have failed and it is time to close the ritual.
    
11. If the demon complies and enters the bottle, cap the bottle then charge the bottle with the Light Divine.
    
12. Run the scale at least thrice. To remove the achromated mind state.
    
13. Close your ritual and immediately bury the bottle in a hole atleast 18 inches deep.
    
14. For the next month or so, do a lot of white achromation, LBRP, BRH, Light Divine. It is important to forget the demons mindstate.

One more note about demons. This ritual is not one that has to be done very often. In most cases as you gain in strength while working with white magic, these type of entities will start to avoid you. If there is one hanging around you, it will decide to leave as you progress in white magic.

Will such entities try to prevent you from progressing? They don't have that kind of ability to overpower your Will. Simply do not allow it to do so. In other words, stand firm with your convictions and it can't stop you.

The truth about Demons

Let it be known that there is no such thing as Good or Evil but rather that we all exist in a mixture of both. Also consider that if we are the microcosm of the macrocosm then somewhere within each of us is the connection to all things to include that which is dark.

As you battle demons, always keep in mind that they are a part of you as are angels. Demonology is nothing more than a mystical form of psychoanalysis. We all have issues and as these issues manefest, it is either through our connection with the macrocosm or with our own perception of our microcosm through the reflection of ourselves that we cast this reflection upon our enviroment. Either   way, it is us that create these demons. Sometimes it is your demon and sometimes you are observing anothers, but one thing you can be sure is that if you look around at your family and friends; you will find the source of the demon.

The bottomline of battling demons is not to purge the world of evil and it is not to go on a holy crusade. The bottom line of battling demons is to improve yourself and to help others.

Reincarnation
The belief that we are all born again is a controversial topic within the magical community. Many firmly believe in reincarnation, while others are equally as passionate against it. There are those on both sides who have made their decision and are committed to their own opinion. This section is for those of you who have not yet come to a decision and for those of you who have the confidence to maintain an open mind.

This section will present a new perspective    on reincarnation. A perspective that may answer many of the common questions and opens the door to new possibilities. Reincarnation is a reflection of the universe. The cycle of life is a representation and symbolic of the cycle of nature. The cycle is not a circle, but rather a spiral, because it is an evolution and as such symbolic of the evolution of nature.

Many believe that they will be reborn as another life form. In the context of the macrocosm, it is arrogant of us to believe that our contained identity (i.e. our soul) is so important to the Universe that it must remain intact and be reborn as the same contained identity. That is like saying that if a drop of water hits the earth, it will evaporate and reassemble in another cloud and fall as the exact drop of water that fell before. Nature does not work in this way.

When nature produces rain, the clouds gather water molecules that just happen to be in the neighborhood. Turns them into raindrops and dumps them on our heads. This is also how the Universe produces life. It gathers bits and pieces of ethereal energy and turns it into a life form and it is born. This process also works in relations to death, but in reverse when something dies. When a person passes on, the energy that was the essence of this person is then returned to the ethereal. That which was good in this person becomes one with the forces of Light. That which was bad, rejoins the negative forces. That which worshipped Elvis becomes one with the King himself.

This would explain why reincarnation is possible even though there so many people living in the world today than have ever lived in history. The explanation is that the ethereal energy that has created these souls is infinite, therefore the finite soul quantity theory does not apply. This would explain past life regressions that overlap. It would be very probable that parts of different identities were assembled to produce the next life form.

This would also explain why there are so many people claiming to be the reincarnation of Aleister Crowley. He was a very powerful magician and there was a lot of ethereal energy to pass around. They are probably all in part a reincarnation of Aleister Crowley. It wouldn't surprise me if the surge in metaphysics in the Western Hemisphere is because we're all reincarnated from Aleister Crowley only if in tiny itty bitty pieces.

The Meaning of Life
The simple truth is that even though we are indeed connected to the Universe and who or what we are effects everything through this connection; we are still a very tiny portion of the Universe and individually we are insignificant. The salvation of our soul is not the issue, how this salvation impacts the Universe is.

In order to understand the meaning of life, you must first understand the Tree of Life and how it relates to existence. 

The Story of Existence (high magic version)
In the beginning there was nothing and out of nothing, something was born. It was a tree, the tree of life. It was a living tree, conscious of itself and of it's surroundings. It could operate and function in 3 dimensions from within it's own existence.

It  was intelligent and it is known today as our Universe. Upon it's creation this tree came to a revelation. "I am, therefore I exist." the tree proclaimed, as within itself the tree contained all that is required to exist. Yet, as the tree looked around, it realized that it was alone, and it was but a point surrounded by non-existence.

It was then that the tree had chosen to divide. Each part became two parts and a perfect reflection was created. As both contained all that is required to exist as one unit, they separated. Where there was one point, there became two, yet both retained the knowledge of being one.

With this new existence came the ability to distinguish here from there but the next question to arise was, "Where is there?". And so was born the 3rd point, which brought with it the ability to gauge distance. It became once again a happy existence, as they reminisce of their lonely beginnings as one.

Eventually they would outgrow their existence and required an even higher form of existence. Where there was three points of existence, there became four and these four points reveled in this three dimensional world they have created on their very own. After a while, three dimensions became rather boring, as nothing ever changed. Distances remained the same. Nothing was allowed to happen. So the four point joined forces and created a fifth and sixth point. The fifth point promised, "I can make things happen." and the sixth point would always add, "But not without me to elapse time".

The six points were very satisfied about what they have created, but eventually they needed for what they created to be appreciated. A lesson they remembered when they were only one. Something exists only if it is believed to exist. In order to complete their existence, they must be recognized as such outside of their six point existence.

A seventh point was born, but it could not sustain itself. Much like the fifth point could not exist without the sixth, the seventh point which was life did not know how to survive.

The seventh point required the assistance of two more points. The eighth point was born and gave the seventh point the ability to think and to know how to survive. A ninth point was born to give the seventh point the ability to perceive and experience it's surroundings so that it had information for the eighth point to process and think about.

And so was born the physical world as we perceive it to exist today. We are the 7th, 8th and 9th point. The 7th point is our existence in this physical world. The 8th point is our existence in the ethereal world and is the embodiment of our will. The 9th point is where our survival instinct come from and where our emotions stem, after all it is through experiencing what is beyond ourselves that triggers our emotions and instincts. The 9th point is where magic comes from. The 1st point (Kether) is where we were created.

The 9th point (Yesode) is where we create. We create with our creativity which is our splendor. The forces of Light strives for the completion of the 10th point (Mahlkoot). The forces of darkness are striving for the very same thing, but in reverse. Only one side may prevail and all that exist will be one with the forces of the Light or of the dark. 

When this occurs and we are all one, together we shall have a revelation and that revelation shall be, "Eh-Heh-Yeh, I am that I am. I am therefore, I exist.". Together in perfect harmony and existing as One, we are the first point in the Tree of Life. This is the evolution of the Universe and the meaning of life as perceived by the Shepherd Mage.

Departing Thought

Lately many have approached me perplexed about their magical state. Often they wonder why is magic so difficult for me? I have often heard the words, nothing is happening. Is that really what is happening? Nothing?

For those of you that are experiencing this, please look at your lives at this moment. For those who have progressed past this stage, please recollect at this moment. Is karma currently (or back then) slamming you as if one after another it just keeps coming at you? Does it seem like no matter how good a person you are, people seem to misjudge you and you seem to always get the blame? Does things seem tough? That's because something is happening.

What happens when you attempt to perform magic while you are karmically challenged and may be attempting more than you deserve is what I call the quickening. When you do this, the Universe doesn't punish you and that's not what it's doing, but on the same note, it won't give you what your asking for either.

By attempting magic, etherically what you are actually saying is that you wish to exist in a state that you are able to do magic. The Universe is simply giving you what you ask for by moving you to this state. The catch is before you are able to exist in this state, you must first clean up your karma.

Your karma is hitting you as fast as you can handle it and it's all part of becoming a magician. The faster you clean up your karma, the faster you progress in magic.  Isreal Regardie called it the Great Work and cleaning up your karma is part of earning the right to do magic.

Don't worry, it doesn't last forever. Eventually it will be done. Look around you. Every proficient magician has gone through this. Every Wiccan, every Shaman, every magical person that has become proficient in his or her craft has gone through this. You are certainly, not the first and you wont be the last.

Always remember that the Universe does not give you a challenge that you can not handle, but rather spoon feeds you what you can.

Departing Thoughts

Recently, I was approached by a person to join his Circle. Repeatedly, he insisted that it was not a training Circle. Nevertheless, the focus of the Circle as explained to me would be on the basic of the most basic of rituals. From my perspective, it sure sounds like a training Circle to me.

The topic of this section is the duality of existence as it applies to proper social behavior. Society dictates that we all must respond properly to only what is perceived in the physical and the physical only. What we perceive magically, does not count.

However, we are still magical beings, and we would be fools not to take into consideration what we perceive magically. We react to the physical, but every action we take is based on the magical.

As a magical person, you must never forget that you can no longer hide behind the physical when dealling with other magical people. They will see right through the charade as if it was made of glass.

The high school tactic of building up your image, putting on that cool or in this case wise appearance? That doesn't work and they will see you for exactly what you are. You simply can not lie to another magical person. You'll end up looking like a fool. Be true to who you are and you will get the respect that you are seeking.