5 posts tagged “devoted”
Scarlet Imprint has done it again. Another ravishing text which combines tasteful production with quality writing. Bound in saffron coloured book cloth with a cut back design which, depending on how you look at it, is either a chalice or two faces about to kiss. By all means judge this book by its beautiful cover.
The collection of essays found in Devoted are tales of the bhakti yoga of modern magick. Levannah Morgan described her allegiance to Inanna. Stephen Grasso leads us into the society of the Loa. Peter Grey reveals more on his worship of Babalon. In total fifteen essays, which provide an excellent range, both in style of writing and of the diverse of spirits to which the contributors are consecrated.
In common with previous productions from this energetic publishing house, we have not only quality and substance but also novelty, for these are quintessentially modern practitioners of the arcane arts. If nothing else this book demonstrates successfully that prayerful, even 'religious' praxis within occultism is thriving. Through these essays we are introduced to fourteen occultists who have a living relationship with their gods. This makes a pleasant change from the model that presents spirits as being endogenous psychic productions.
My only reservation is that I want more! (But perhaps that is the doom of those who are devoted!) Not merely more details about methodology (some of the writers in this collection are painfully honest about their techniques). I guess it's that Devoted left me hungry for more of the intensity of experience that our authors have found in their adorations.
In Devoted we hear voices that speak directly from the visionary state. This book is a poetic download from magicians living in the rapture of their gods, and their hymns of praise are quite intoxicating.
-Julian Vayne
Available from www.scarletimprint.com
DEVOTED
Scarlet Imprint, London;
Winter Solstice, 2008; limited edition of 814 copies.
This
is not a book about dark deities, or a volume of ready-made incantations
and rituals. So many occult volumes published these days continue
to be instruction manuals, rehashing of established systems or new ones
created from whole cloth. At best, we are treated to a few anecdotal
stories from the authors if they have in fact worked the systems they
write about. All in all, the magick books of the 21st Century
are cast from the same mold that was used a century ago.
This
book is different: it throbs with passion, blood and divine intoxication.
It is personal... even intimate, because it is essentially a collection
of lovers' diaries. The Beloved, in this case, is the goddess
or god that has chosen each of the 14 writers to be hir suitor.
This is bhakti yoga, the path of Devotion, in action. Here are
the piquant fruits that come after all the theory and practice, after
long years of penetrating a Mystery.
Evocation
is one thing, invocation is another. Evocation is calling in Merry
Maids to tidy up your house and then sending them on their way; invocation
is inviting one woman or man to move into your house and become your
partner -- devotion. Invocation involves surrender, and trust,
and the willingness to share one's darkest dreams, fears and desires
with the Other. It is an opening of the heart and the shedding
of blood and essence. A relationship always requires sacrifice,
and in the case of the God/esses, the sacrifice is all-encompassing:
body, mind, and heart.
Some
of the devotees in this volume do risk their health and sanity in the
name of Love. Skin is flayed, pierced and tattoed. Poisons
are injected. Possession is invited. The sense of separate
self -- obliterated. Risking All "for love's sake; for the
chance of union." None of the writers express regret or disappointment
for their efforts; all feel they have been richly rewarded, and that
the relationship and rewards will only grow.
Subscribers
to Babalon.nu will find much of value in this book, I think; its focus
is mostly on the Dark Goddess, whether in the form of Ishtar, Babalon,
Lilith, the Yoginis, Tiamat or Hecate. The re-arising of the Sacred
Feminine is well represented. But Dionysos, Loki, the Lwa and
the spirits of the Goetia are here as well.
Another refreshing thing about this volume is, like a previous Scarlet Imprint title -- Howlings -- you get to hear voices from the many traditions that make up the 21st Century magical revival. Thelema is, at best, tangential to these discussions. Most of the authors are followers of the Witch Craft, tantrika, Voodoo, sorcery or are simply eclectic magicians, and in one case, an academician. The public face of magick is only a small part of the picture. I believe the de-centralization of magick is what will ensure its survival as the walls of civilization come tumbling down.
www.scarletimprint.com
Dear Friends,
Devoted has been sent out to all those who have pre-ordered.
The saffron book cloth came in a week late, it seems that this book wanted to wait for the New Year to be sent.
It has surpassed our expectations.
The pictures do it some justice, but as with all books, you need to feel it in your hands.
We collected the books from the printer two days before Solstice.
On the way we stopped at a Stonehenge owned by corvids, safe behind English Heritage fences.
No pagans allowed to walk on the grass. The moorland bare. Sacred geometry now carved up by a triangle of roads.
It makes what we do with Scarlet Imprint seem all the more relevant, making books for those who are connected to the animating
spirits of magick and witchcraft. Neither gazing back at a lost megalithic past, or slackly staring at the mass-produced spectacle.
We are not interested in a magickal revival, we are creating a magickal revolution Now.
Howlings, The Red Goddess, Voudon Gnosis and now Devoted has made this quite a year.
Scarlet Imprint are not only here to stay, we are here to go.
We offer up profound gratitude to our readers for being an inspiration to us, for your support and letters.
We thank those writers who have made this past year such a whirlwind.
Libations are poured to Babalon for Love, and the Spirits of Goetia for making themselves known to us.
We are in voluntary exile in the mountains for the Winter now.
Much Work to do this year, and plans are very much in place.
Our replies to emails may be a little slower over the next two weeks with Saturnalia and limited net access.
Expect some spectacular books to be born in 2009 starting in the Spring, not Lambs but Lions.
Much Love
In Nomine Babalon
Peter and Alkistis x
DEVOTED New Scarlet Imprint title available to order
Scarlet Imprint are pleased to announce that our newest title Devoted is now available to pre-order.
Devoted is an octavo book of 173pp, bound in saffron book cloth, black chalice stamped and finished with night black endpapers.
It is being prepared in a strictly limited and hand-numbered edition of 814 copies.
Devoted comprises fifteen essays by fourteen writers on their devotional practice.It is a bloody and passionate blend of primal gnosis and poetic expression.
These essays reveal and revel in powerful applicable magickal practice.
They are suffused with the living experience of the Spirit world.
A copy can be yours for thirty-one English pounds plus postage.
http://www.scarletimprint.com/devoted.htm
This title will be dispatched to you shortly before the Winter Solstice.
Devoted provides indepth essays on working with:
Babalon
Ishtar
Hecate
Lilith
Loki
Tiamat
Dionysus
The Yoginis
The Lwa
The Spirits of goetia
Our writers are a chorus of powerful new voices and established practitioners whose Work has often been overlooked:
Full biographies can be found at http://www.scarletimprint.com/devoted_biogs.htm
Devoted will enrich your own work, whether you are witch, magician, heathen, thelemite, or sorceror.
From possession work, to blood letting and fetishes, to sabbatic dance, there is a wealth of experience to explore within these pages.
In Nomine Babalon
Scarlet Imprint x
(UK orders placed before Saturday 13 should reach you in time for Xmas)
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to announce a new title for Scarlet Imprint, Devoted.
A
powerful new essay collection from some of the most striking modern
practitioners of magick and witchcraft. A truly enthralling book.
Devoted will be available for subscriber pre-order late November.
This title will be released for the Winter Solstice.
First details are being sent to our subscribers this weekend.
Our best to you all, this Samhain.
In Nomine Babalon
Scarlet Imprint x
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