#Cultus Sabbati

[noise-vs-signal]

“Szethah” by Andrew D. Chumbley (1986)

[barncultus]

I think everyone should read Chumbley.

I do not think everyone should be a Sabbatic witch. I often see new magicians/witches/occultists overlook philosophy when studying or preparing for the practice of magic, when in truth they are in areas deeply intertwined. This is not to say all "real" magic is some lofty, philosophical construct that requires ritual of Golden Dawn complexity to wield. Magical philosophy can be subtle, moral, intuitive.

At its most core, I have found, magical philosophy is complex. Not necessarily in practice, not in every spell, but often enough it demands the mind to stretch, to labor, to seek understanding of impossibilities.

This candle is a person, lighting the wick to enchant them with happiness. Why? Is the wax the body, the flame your spell? Is the wick a sorrow? Sometimes these things don't have answers, sometimes they just work, but more often than not magic will demand you ask the question.

Chumbley as a writer I think conveys this idea clearer than most, in his own philosophical framework, in his own time.

[thewatersandthewilds]

Azoetia article - Andrew Logan Montgomery (2013)

A great read for anyone considering trying to purchase and work with the Azoetia.

[banecraft]

Why I won’t buy, read, or review “The Green Mysteries” by Daniel Schulke

Three Hands Press has become an untrustworthy print on demand grift and Daniel Schulke, its sole proprietor, is as equally terrible at indie publishing as he is at writing intelligible books. A lot of people don’t know Daniel Schulke is the only person behind Xoanon and Three Hands Press. There’s no companies, no offices, no warehouses, no employees, and no cultus sabbati group, it’s literally just a dude. Despite claiming it was founded in 1992, Xoanon didn’t exist until post 2000 and it was just Chumbley self-publishing. After his death Schulke used it for self-publishing. Despite claiming it was founded in 2003, Three Hands Press was founded after Chumbley’s death in 2004 with its first book not published until 2009. I doubt Chumbley was ever involved. The press ran smoothly for a few years until Michael Howard (the anonymous unnamed partner who was the money and the publishing expert) died in 2015 and then it started to fall apart. Chumbley and Schulke are windy trash bags and always were. Stop listening to traditional witch influencers who make you think you have to have certain authors on your shelf to be legit. Neither has given anything back to the community. They never created community. Exclusion was their marketing ploy and it worked. Everyone wants into the exclusive club. It was always about book sales and the email list. Just an occult bro mlm. And y’all fell for it. Eight years to publish just one book and y’all still kissing Schulke’s ass after he spent all the preorder money, wouldn’t answer emails or give refunds, and then the book sucks? Insane.

Sources:

“Navigating the Crooked Path: Andrew D. Chumbley and the Sabbatic Craft “by Ethan Doyle White, 2019.

Video: “Why I won’t buy books from Three Hands Press anymore”

https://youtu.be/-abIFwGxWuQ?si=x3vK7Rrv0ayNYDfy

Three Hands Press’ Better Business Bureau complaints:

https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-pablo/profile/online-shopping/three-hands-press-1116-925897/complaints

[tyetknot]

Andrew Chumbley lived in his parents' house until he was like 35, was a weirdo who was, in addition to many other cringe activities, into Thelema, and had dreadlocks. In my futile attempt to imagine what he would have done in his real mundane life to support himself and keep the freezer stocked with chicken tendies I can conclude only that he would have been some kind of low-grade retail peon, similar to King of the Hill's Ward Rackley. This is giving me a Major Problem, as the resemblance is uncanny.

Separated at birth??

[ivy-kissobryos]

The Sun Reborn: A Devotional Rite

Below is a ritual I have devised, whose words are taken from The Azoetia: A Grimoire of the Sabbatic Craft. Although the rite is intended to be performed during the winter’s solstice, it could also be adapted to be used whenever one feels like the fire of their spirit needs a rekindling.

1. The Winter’s Eve

During the sunset of the eve of the winter’s solstice, recite the Proclamation of the Living Temple whilst facing west. Then, whilst bathing yourself in the light of the setting sun, recite the Adoration of the Setting Sun. Imagine the light of the setting sun becoming one with the light of your soul.

PROCLAMATION OF THE LIVING TEMPLE

I go forth in mine own Chosen Body, the Temple of all Gods. Crown’d am I with the Stellar Fire entwined about the Horns of the Ancient One. There is no part of me that is not I. My Hair is of the Cords that bind, scourge and bless: the Sheaves of the Harvest and the Serpents of Fear; the Crown of the Fields, of Flower and Leaf; the Crown of the Sky, the Threads that join the Stars, fair as the silk of the Moth and fine as the Spider’s strand. My Face is the Sun and the Fullness of the Moon, the Circle of the Horizons and the Black Mirror of the Depths: Masks beyond Number concealing the Face of I. My Skull is the Conclave of the One Spirit; mine is the Blessing, mine is the Curse. For I am the Voice of the Oracle. My Eyes are the Twin Shewstones of Twilight, the Dawn and the Dusk. Bright as the Star of Morning, bright as the Star of Evening. Their Gaze, sharp as that of any Bird, pierceth all things. Unto I is the Offering: the Sight of Virgin Beauty never-fading. My Ears are Witness to Truth, attentive to them that speak it. Unto I is the Offering: the Rhythms of Power and the Words of Calling, the Voice of the Ancestors, the Oracle of the Mighty Ones. May the Musick Celestial be heard and Inspiration given. My Nose is the Guide of the Great Hunt, Keen as that of the Stag and the Dog. Unto I is the Offering: all Scents that please and rouse the Heart. My Mouth is the Temple of the Serpent’s Tongue, a Devourer of Souls and a Receiving Chalice. May I drink of the Muses’ Fount and taste of the Feast Divine; may I partake of the first-fruits sacrificed unto the Gods. My Hands are the Shrines of Creation and Destruction. My Skin is the Vestment of Priest and Priestess. My Blood is the Ink of the Book. My Shadow is the Twin. Goddess and God am I, conjoined in their Shadows: the Double Twin Image of the Quintessential and Primeval I.

ADORATION OF THE SETTING SUN

Hail to Thee, O’ Mighty Sun at Thy Setting! Aged art Thou and grown in wisdom. Joyous is Thy twilight hour in the Palace of the Day. Joyous is Thy Heart at the Gates of Death and Sleep. stick, Joyous is Thy descent into the Palace of the Night. Thus am I grown in age and in wisdom. Joyous is this twilight hour in the Palace of the Day. Joyous is my heart at the Gates of Death and Sleep. Enduring is my strength, Joyous is my descent into the Palace of the Night. Hail to Thee! Ancient Father and Ancient King.Crowned art Thou with the Splendour of the Dusk. Adorned art Thou with the bountiful riches of Autumn. Guardian art Thou to the Gate of the Oracle. Blessed art Thou that Thy Light sustaineth the Life of the Earth. Hail to Thee, O’ Mighty Sun at Thy Setting! By the Power of all Thine Ancient Names.

2. The Winter’s Solstice

On the night of the winter’s solstice (ideally at midnight), recite the Proclamation of the Living Temple whilst facing north. Then, under the shadows of the night sky, light a candle and recite the Adoration of the Sun of the Deep. Imagine the light of the candle being akin to the light of your soul, enduring and bright in spite of the darkness around you.

ADORATION OF THE SUN OF THE DEEP

Hail to Thee, O’ Mighty Sun of the Deep! Most Holy art Thou in Death: A Mighty God in the Company of the Ancestors; A Concealed God in the Palace of the Night. Enduring is the Light of Thy Spirit. Thus I am strong in Death. Mighty am I in the Company of the Ancestors. Concealed is my Spirit in the Palace of the Night. Enduring is the Light of my Soul. Hail to Thee, Heart of the Earth, Kindred of the Imperishable Stars! Crowned art Thou with the Splendour of the Midnight Hour. Adorned art Thou with the nakedness of Winter. Robed art Thou with the mantle of the Night-sky, Blessed art Thou, that Thy Light hath strength in the midst of Darkness. Hail to Thee in the Congregation of the Holy Stars! By the Power of all Thy Secret and Unknown Names.

3. The Dawn After

At the first light of dawn — the first break of daylight after the winter’s solstice — stand outside and face east. Recite the Proclamation of the Living Temple whilst greeting the rising sun. Take a jar of honey with you and catch the sunlight in the jar of honey. Recite the Adoration of the Rising Sun and then swallow the honey, imbued with the properties of the sun reborn.

ADORATION OF THE RISING SUN

Hail to Thee, O’ Mighty Sun at Thy rising! Newborn art Thou into the Palace of the Day. Replenished is Thy Strength as Thou risest from Death and the Palace of the Night. Thus newborn am I into the Palace of the Day. Replenished is my Strength as I arise from sleep and the Palace of the Night. Hail to Thee! Child Eternal in Thy Beauty! Crowned art Thou with the Splendour of Dawn, Adorned art Thou with the Blossoms of Spring, Holy art Thou in Divine Innocence. Blessed art Thou that Thy Light sustaineth the Life of Earth. Hail to Thee, O’ Mighty Sun at Thy rising! By the Power of all Thine Ancient Names.

This ritual is inspired by PGM I. 1-42 which tells the practitioner to “take the milk with the honey and drink it before the rising of the sun, and there will be something divine in your heart.” The purpose of the Proclamation of the Living Temple is to remind the body that it comes from the same dust as the stars, that everything from its hair to its skin to even its shadow is sacred. In essence, the Proclamation of the Living Temple serves as a way to sanctify the body. The Adorations of the Sun, consequently, act as a way to sanctify the soul by drawing parallels between the sun and our very soul.

This ritual is quite experimental and I confess that I was unable to perform the ritual in full during this year’s winter solstice due to physical exhaustion and work obligations. Nevertheless, I am confident that the ritual will bring rejuvenation to all who perform it. Regardless, please do perform some divination on whether you should perform the ritual or not, just in case there may be some unforeseen side effects.

To read the original blog post that this ritual originally appeared in, click here.

[lailoken]

'Concerning The Powers and Virtues of Pine, Rustic Lord of the Lonely Places'

"The Pine stands as the ally of the Wayfarer upon the Path for its many uses, both practical and magical. The presence of Pines is an indication of life, as the Trees tend to grow in community and attract diverse beasts and worts to their domains. Dead wood provides excellent kindling for the fire, and live wood cut for timber is one of the most versatile and workable of woods. Nuts found within the cones provide a wholesome food to sustain the body; all species are edible. Its sap is both nutritive and medicinal, and, should additional sustenance be needed, the green needles may be brewed into a nourishing tea. Thus, though often found spreading its branches in the wild lands, the Pine-forest serves as a place of Sojourn and respite whilst walking the path in pilgrimage.

The Genius of the Pine, despite its preference for wilderness, is on the whole friendly toward man, hence its adaptation in many circumstances to domestic existence, and bestows the virtues of ingenuity and adaptation. In species it numbers almost one hundred, widely distributed throughout the world, and some kinds, such as the Bristlecone, may attain ages in advance of 4,500 years. Though numerous exotic conifers have come forth unto Albion in recent centuries, its principal Pine-warden is the magnanimous Pinus sylvestris or Scots Pine, which may be seen in its truly wild state now only in isolated places in the Highlands, however in certain hedges in East Anglia it curiously makes a home among the more usual hardwoods common there.

With most Pines, trunks of larger trees reveal sap-flows where the fragrant resin has hardened; this may be collected and used for varied purposes of Art, such as for fumigation or for making varnishes. However, not every Pine species produces resin of good and wholly aromatic quality, thus it is a matter of discernment which the simpler must arrive at by cunning and diligent investigation. Where a certain pine resin is left wanting with regard to its aromatic properties, it may still be used as an agent of binding.

Needles harvested and dried green will retain aromatic virtue and may be burnt, together with resin and cones, as a suffumigant strong in powers of earthing, and keeping haunting shades of the dead at bay. This power of removing ghost-infection is doubly potent in the resin.

The cones, after having expelled their seeds, serve as encharmed vessels for the work of thaumaturgy, each of the numerous hollows capable of being filled with a different enchantment. Likewise, the hollows of a cone may be packed with flammable unguents, aromatic resins and powders, and the whole set to roast slowly upon the hearth-fire of working as a splendid perfume. Such aromatic ingredients may be derived from the Pine direct, in the form of resin, ground bark and needles, and twigs, or from other worts and trees as dictated by Ingenium."

—

Viridarium Umbris:

The Pleasure Garden of Shadow

3: ‘The Book of Going Forth into the Field of Cain’

by Daniel A. Schulke

[thesaturnianwife]

[musingmelsuinesmelancholy]

“Deeds of the Art Magical may forge, intensify, differentiate, or disrupt the bonds o f phantasmal emanation, thereby re- presenting their sentient qualities. Where Will, Desire and Belief perfectly frame the emanant trajectory, enchantment achieves realisation in the form o f hypostasised Eternity. This is accomplished by the congressive formulae of Light oo Void, the particulars of the Grand Triangulum, and the manifest strength of the Phantasmal Body.”

“Implicit within these maxims is the principle that every successful enchantment of the Art Magical produces a distinct emanation of Light, Shadow, and Void interweaving Totality. Knowledge of this maxim assists the Wise in determining how the Magical Fire is to be kindled, what serves as its best fuel, its immolative nuances, and its ultimate duration. This principle also embodies the mindful considerations o f magical trajectory and perpetuity. Accordingly, Operations of the Art are formulated not merely by need, inspiration and ingenium, but also in consideration of their radiative proclivities and points o f reception. This encompasses the knowledge that the light so produced exists not only as a presently-manifest form, but also as a distant artifact in futurity.”

Daniel Schulke, Lux Haeresis

[witchcraftingboop]

Currently (finally) reading Holy Heretics, and this quote in particular, as well as quite a few statements before this point, have really highlighted for me the pursuit of Chumbley & Co. and led me towards finally organizing my thoughts on certain aspects of their final products that I've mostly kept to myself hitherto.

I've read quite a few books by the Cultus Sabbati group now, as well as plenty of others such as Paracelsus and Alm, and while I'm reading Acher's work, I find myself reflecting, even without intentionally doing so, on the chthonic Greek initiation rites I had put together. Perhaps due to the non-dualistic perspective on cosmology I have, after their first draft, I started unraveling those rites and leaving almost "placeholder slots" in them where I had previously affixed Greek-specific rivers, deities, and mythological references. Now, when I'm reading this book in particular, it becomes even more obvious 1) why I was so intent on unraveling my own views on those rites and my cosmology in general (and in turn, how useful that ended up being), and 2) how Chumbley's works, and a few of his peers, appeared to crumble in their pursuit of a homogenous, one-size-fits-all-or-does-it concept.

"But now, to the best of our ability, we use symbols appropriate to the things Divine, and from these again we elevate ourselves." This sentence in particular feels like a perfect summary of where/why the Cultus' books fell short for so many I've seen attempt "decoding" them.

In the pursuit of transcending and "encoding" their work, a lot of the symbols, names, and concepts they latched onto and blended lost their ability to be used effectively in their presented form. Often, my peers would relate back to me that DBoE rites, if worked through to the letter, took many more hours than anticipated and that time seemed to just fall away and be absorbed into the working, and then when they inevitably restructured and reworded them to their needs/desires, they had an increased impact, reliable results, and took a significantly less amount of time. Truthfully, Chumbley & Co.'s works are the outer emanations of an inner, closed group, so it can, and really imo should, be argued that those extra bits and bobs and the declared so-called "ciphered" way of writing is done intentionally and that these results may in fact be what they'd intended all along. There can be a multitude of reasonings attached, but my ending note is the same:

The symbols used, in any system, must be adequate to the practitioner's understanding and relation to the divine in order to be usable in the pursuit of transcendence and unity with that which is beyond.

Cultus works just so happen to be the first that come to mind for me, especially given how quickly I have seen folks discard them entirely. A mish-mosh, rushed undertaking of DBoE will likely leave you in a room surrounded by just thoughtforms and archetypes rather than with a powerful eminence of divinity. And while this was more than likely the intended affect, it is still worth reflecting on for those like me who seek out experience with multiple different paths and systems.

It is something I have seldom verbalized, but that I carry with me when developing or seeking the understanding and knowledge necessary to undertake new ways of thinking and organizing the world around me. And, quite honestly, I think it is better put in this way than in the multitude of articles and entries I have seen that cryptically and obliquely describe Chumbley's works as "ineffectual" or "overhyped."

It is a matter of perspective, at the end of the day. Perspective and perhaps willingness to embrace the essence, rather than the presented, Crooked Path around you.

[noise-vs-signal]

“The Light Heretical” by Daniel A. Schulke.

[theredpharaoah]

I’m about to try and read Chumbley for like the 4th time, cuz I’ve been leafing through The Book of Q’ab iTz By David Herrerias recently and am intrigued again. But before I delve into the Azoetia(AGAIN), I’d love to know if there’s someone around who could just explain it in plain English? Chumbley writes like Austin, and it’s just a lot. I hate when occult authors feel like they have to write in the most flowery language possible. I mean Alexandra David-Neel was translating her material from a completely different language, and somehow it’s still basic English that’s easy to understand. And she wasn’t even a native English-speaker(if she did the English translation)! I just feel like there’s better ways of gatekeeping. I mean most people aren’t stumbling across Chumbley to begin with, so do you really even need to do all that? It’s most likely just how he talked, but damn. I’ll take

[barncultus]

In the hopes of getting better acquainted with the spirits of Daniel Schulke’s The Green Mysteries I would like to temporarily offer bibliomancy readings on this blog. Send in your questions through my ask box and I will pull from the book one verdant numen from its in depth encyclopedia of plants both medicinal, baneful, and sorcerous.  I will also attach a brief clipping of Schulke’s writing on the matter which feels most relevant to your question. 

[blackthornwren]

@neptunianvenusian So here's the thing, Chumbley (even in death) can't really escape this criticism because it was Xoanon that kinda set the ball in motion for this ridiculously exploitative business model of "fine edition" occult books that sell for more than your soul (general you, not specific you). Chumbles is always going to be inextricably linked to Schulke, because that's his protégé.

Chumbley himself was your basic white dude with dreadlocks, living in his parent's basement. His work isn't new, the foundations are tech that was already laid out by other occultists who actually explained it better and made it more accessible. In retrospect, it's very funny that he said this as he was guilty of the same behavior.

Chumbley's claim to fame always has, and always will be, a purple prose writing style and books that resell for the same amount of money as the down payment on a house. I don't say this to throw you off of his working grimoires, but more as a word of caution. The only book of his that would actually be worth acquiring a physical copy of, is the Dragon Book of Essex because it's easier to work the system when you have the book - jumping through the pdf for relevant sections is very counterproductive. For the rest of his work? The pdfs are readily available and easily acquired.

“There is a tendency to make Magic inclusive of far too many things - Philosophies, theories, and attitudes; some people seem to want Magic to include everything in its vast field of Knowledge. I am of the opinion that Magic is a Universal Power, but it is a Secret Power of Mystery, and that there are secret means of using it. Magic is not for All. It is to be respected and guarded, and not generalized to the point of becoming lukewarm; it is of no use to make magic popular if it weakens its power, cheapens it, and only increases its commercial value.”

— Andrew Chumbley, Opuscula Magica, pgs 19-20.

[loveframe]

Happy Sabbath Wishes

The Sabbath, a day of rest and spiritual renewal, invites us to find solace in the midst of life’s hustle. Sabbath is the seventh day of the weekly holiday as per the Jewish community.

Jews enjoy this Sabbath holiday from Friday night till Saturday night. This holiday is spent with peace, workship and relaxation. This is an important day as per their traditional rituals as it strengthens the bond between the families and friends.

[elegantshapeshifter]

On this Night of the Dead I would like to remember Michael Howard, a prominent figure in the Cultus Sabbati tradition.I would also like to take the opportunity to give attention to some very important figures in Traditional Witchcraft who gave their lives so that the cult would continue: Isobel Gowdie, Bessie Dunlop, Andro Man, Sibillia Zanni, Pierina de' Bugatis, and Bellezza Orsini.

Isobel, who died in 1662, is one of the witches who left as much detail as possible in her process, she influenced Margaret Murray's work the most (and the parts she influenced are the only parts of Murray's content that are worthy!), who in turn contributed to the birth of Wicca and the latter to the rediscovery of Traditional Witchcraft. We are all infinitely indebted to Isobel for being here to worship our beloved Gods. Thank you, thank you very much Isobel.

Bessie Dunlop was a woman whose Familiar Spirit was Tom Reid, a ghost of a soldier who died in battle, and who had a vision of the Queen of Elphame, the Domina Nocturna worshipped in British lands.

Andro Man was a man who had had visions of the Queen of Elphame but also of an angel her partner: Christsonday. Thus, in his vision there was a very strong connection between spirits of the Other World (fairies) and angels.

Sibillia Zanni and Pierina de' Bugatis, on the other hand, were two women burned in Italy, Milan, in 1390, for confessing to worship Madonna Horiente, a Goddess who taught them the properties of herbs. Sibillia died without trying to distort the content of her worship; she died out of love for Madonna Horiente.

Pierina, on the other hand, because of unspeakable tortures could not make it and said she worshipped Lucibello, as the inquisitors had forced her to do, but they still sent her to her death. But it does not matter, because they both showed courage above that of anyone else, and we remember them as martyrs of our Ancient Tradition, a tradition that some would like to induce us to forget, because "reconstructionism is dead paper," but we do not forget the blood, nor the tears that spread on the ground mark the history of our worship.

Finally, we remember Bellezza, from Collevecchio, who in the first half of the 1500s was tried and committed suicide in her cell with a nail driven into her throat. Thanks to her we know the connection between Epiphany and witchcraft; thanks to her the cult of Befania has come down to us.

A thought to them and the other women (and other men, to a lesser extent) martyrs of Witchcraft, on this Night of the Dead.