Shadow Magick Compendium
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Table of Contents There’s nourishment to be found in the shadows… Praise About the Author Title Page Copyright Page Acknowledgements Dedication he Tao Te Ching: Section 52 Alone Introduction I - The Internal Shadow Understanding Negative Behavior Cycles Internal Shadow Magick: A Self-Evaluation Purging Negative Shadow: A Ritual Meditation Mystical Experience: The Paradox Behind the Veil II - The External Shadow Invocation and Godform Assumption Fasting and Self-Sacrifice Ritual Sacrifice: A Ceremony of Silence The Art of Sigilry Divination: Reading the Signs III - The Astral Shadow Astral Projection and the Etheric Planes Shamanic Soul Retrieval: A Ritual Meditation Dark Animal Guides and Helpers Discovering Your Spirit Animal: A Ritual Meditation Spirit Guides: Summoning Our Allies - An essay by Estha McNevin IV - The Shadow of Nature Romancing the Moon Connecting to the Eclipse: A Ritual Meditation Black Sun: The Dark Part of the Solar Year Herbcraft and Wortcunning A Darkly Herbal V - The Shadow of Society A Tainted World Scrying the Telly: A Ritual Meditation Fantasy Magick: A Shadow Side of the Occult Scene Deconstructing the Burning Times: The European Witch Hunts Conclusion Au Lecteur (To the Reader) by Charles Baudelaire Translation by Kate La Trobe ... Bibliography Index To Write to the Author There’s nourishment to be found in the shadows… • Explore the magickal potential of poisonous and maligned herbs • Experiment with fasting and other forms of self-sacrifice as a spiritual act • Navigate the danger and intensity of ritual invocation and godform assumption • Study the significance of Da’ath, the “hidden sephira” on the Qabalistic Tree of Life • Delve into cross-cultural forms of mysticism, including the Qabalah and Sufism • Discover how the shadow is a platform for spiritual manifestation • Analyze negative behavioral cycles that can impede spiritual development • Find out how shamanism corresponds to shadow magick • Practice soul retrieval, astral travel, sigilry, and obscure methods of divination • Learn about dark animal helpers and spiritual guides • Tap into the power of lunar and solar eclipses • Explore the deeper meanings of autumn and the dying season • Read an in-depth history of the European Witch hunts • Learn about so-called “fantasy magick” and its potential danger to Neopagan spirituality Praise for Shadow Magick Compendium “Shadow Magick Compendium opens the way for us to reconcile our visible self with our shadow self ... Once a lamp is lifted into the darkness, there is nothing left to fear.” —Leilah Wendell, author of The Necromantic Ritual Book “Many mainstream spiritual texts limit themselves to working the ‘light.’ Raven’s approach, however, is to embrace the shadow self so as to attain self-awareness and balance, rather than focusing on pure light or pure darkness. The meditations and rituals allow readers to experience Raven’s approach in a very real, practical sense.” —Tony Mierzwicki, author of Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment “Raven joins the writers and authors giving the world workable occult technologies—systems of understanding to prepare individuals for the dangerous journey to wisdom and fulfillment. Shadow Magick Compendium is a treasury of resources for just that.” —Robin Artisson, author of The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill “Combining extensive research with clear instructions, Digitalis draws on sources ranging from E. A. Poe to Christopher Penczak, from Deepak Chopra to Dead Can Dance. Those seeking to explore their inner darkness will find an invaluable roadmap here.” —Kenaz Filan, managing editor of newWitch magazine and author of The Haitian Vodou Handbook “This important book belongs in the library of any serious student of magic, self-evolution, and spirituality ... Amid a wealth of fascinating information and inspiring exercises, Raven not only covers the psychology of magic—perhaps its foundation stone— but also the history of modern magical practice, in terms of the Shadow . It’s truly refreshing to find a book on magic that has new things to say, as well as including thoughtful interpretations of existing beliefs and practices.” —Storm Constantine, editor/founder of Immanion Press and author of the Wraeththu novels “To recognize the Shadow and embrace it is the first step in learning to harness its limitless potential.... This book shows that the dark side of our inner nature can illuminate and liberate just as readily as it can curse.” —Donald Tyson, author of Necronomicon “A guide to unearthing the darker aspects of our self as well as a guide to integrating them in both the beginning and advanced practitioner.” —David Allen Hulse, author of The Western Mysteries and The Eastern Mysteries “By examining how magic works in various realms from the internal to the external and beyond, Raven shows how Shadow energy can be tapped as a positive force in bringing balance back into one’s life ... this book is a wellspring of information that competently transcends all religious and spiritual paths. Well done!” —Ann Moura, author of the Green Witchcraft series “According to Jung, children become adults through a process called individuation. As the world of magick moves boldly into the twenty-first century, it is time that magick, too, individuates from its eighteenth- and nineteenth-century parents and its twentieth-century childhood. Part of this maturation is the realization that wherever there is light, there is also shadow ... Jung pointed out that our most famous myths are variations of a universal “Hero’s Journey.” Shadow Magick Compendium doesn’t merely share this mythic Journey, it gives you keys and guidance to follow it yourself.” —Donald Michael Kraig, author of Modern Magick “Each of us responds to the darkness in our soul differently—some with fear, avoidance, and denial; others with courage, curiosity, and sorrow. For the courageous, this book provides strategies, ideas, and knowledge ... Digitalis draws from the wisdom of older cultures and religions as well as from younger, radical cultures.” —Gail Wood, author of Rituals of the Dark Moon and The Shamanic Witch “An exceptional guide to exploring the shadow side for a fully integrated path of magickal and spiritual enlightenment.” —Rosemary Ellen Guiley, author of The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca “One of the most basic tenets of Witchcraft is also its most challenging: Know thyself. Raven Digitalis, author of Goth Craft, gives us a new tool for this important task . a ‘must have’ for White Witches, Dark Witches, and everyone in between.” —Deborah Blake, author of Everyday Witch A to Z and Circle, Coven & Grove “Embracing and exploring what society codes as ‘dark’ can lead us to discover the light that resides within. In this ambitious yet practical guide, Raven Digitalis gives readers an array of tools for doing just that and provides valuable insights into the shadow’s role in everyone’s spiritual evolution.” —Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson, authors of Tantra for Erotic Empowerment “Full of inventive rituals, meditations, exercises, and practices, this book can help guide readers into a fuller understanding of their own dark natures and provide them with grounding, balance, and healing.” —Timothy Roderick, author of Wicca: A Year & A Day and Dark Moon Mysteries About the Author Raven Digitalis (Missoula, Montana) is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of the “disciplined eclectic” shadow magick tradition and training coven Opus Aima Obscuræ. He is also a radio and club DJ of Gothic, EBM, and industrial music. With his Priestess Estha, Raven holds community gatherings, Tarot readings, and a variety of ritual services. From their home, the two also operate the metaphysical business Twigs & Brews, specializing in holistic bath salts, herbal blends, essential oils, and incenses. Raven holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and is also an animal rights activist and black-and-white photographic artist. He has appeared on the cover of newWitch magazine, is a regular contributor to The Ninth Gate magazine, and has been featured on MTV News and the ‘X’ Zone radio program. He can be found online at www.RavenDigitalis.com and www.myspace.com/oakraven. Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality © 2008 by Raven Digitalis. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Edition First Printing, 2008 Book design and format by Donna Burch Cover design by Kevin R. Brown Interior illustrations by the Llewellyn Art Department Llewellyn is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Digitalis, Raven. Shadow magick compendium : exploring darker aspects of magickal spirituality / by Raven Digitalis.—1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7387-1318-2 1. Spirituality—Miscellanea. 2. Magic. 3. Occultism. 4. Witchcraft. I. Title. BF1999.D486 2008 299′.93—dc22 2008019702 Some of the activities described in this book may be dangerous or illegal. None of its guidance should be considered a substitute for the advice of a health care practitioner. Please exercise responsibility, and remember that what works for some may not work for you. As you proceed, use care, caution, and common sense. Neither Llewellyn nor the author will be held responsible for personal actions taken in response to this book. Llewellyn Worldwide does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public. All mail addressed to the author is forwarded but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number. Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources.