/lit/ - Literature

>>12022574
I'm most partial to Anathema Publishing. Their stuff is consistently great, in my opinion. Beautiful bindings and some really great art that blows a lot of the rest of the list out of the water.

Scarlet Imprint does some great stuff as well - especially Peter Grey. I guess most of what I've read from them has come from Peter Grey or their At The Crossroads joint-effort book. Guess I can't speak to their overall quality, but I've really liked what I have read from them.

Ixaxaar - haven't read enough of their stuff but what I have read (bits of Fosforos and the Sitra Achra) has been good, but I feel like I need to dig in a bit more before I have a coherent picture of their internal structure. I don't know about Liber Falxifer - I'm intrigued by it but don't want to drop the cash on them.

Xoanon Publishing - I've read interesting excerpts (I believe I read one full text, Qutub?), and never in a way that would allow me to properly study and cross-reference it. Still, their stuff is interesting if you can get your hands on it. You might find these works being referenced heavily in other works.

Three Hand Press - I've only read bits of Daniel Schulke's work with them but that's been pretty good. Their dust jackets are a bit lack-luster. Honestly most of their books look way better without the jacket, but that's a really minor note.

Primal Craft - I haven't read any of their stuff yet but I hope to read Queen of Hell before too long. I hear good things?

Ouroboros Press - I've only got one of their books (Old Tradition Crafte) but the leather binding is beautiful and the book itself was quite good, despite being essentially just a translation of three older books.

I haven't read anything from Troy Books though I hope to pick up some of their stuff in the near-ish future.

Aeon Sophia publishing - makes some pretty decent looking books, and I actually have a standard copy of Scaredotum Umbra Mortis, I just havn't had a chance to crack into it yet.

Protogonos Distribution - I think they only have three books - stuff from the Star of Azazel and Nefastos. Decent binding on the only hardcover they offer, but their prices are pretty reasonable for the very limited edition paperback-only copies of Unseen Fire. Interesting perspectives if you're into Ixaxaar-like content or really enjoyed Fosforos.

I know there's more out there but that's a lot of the main ones. 'Best' will ultimately come down to what you're looking to achieve by reading them.

Cheers and happy Samhain.

Just read Plotinus, nigger.
>>12022884
Please tell me you've read Plato and Aristotle, and are not some kind of mentally ill schizo who will believe anything they come across if they happen to find it to their liking.

>>12022898
What other way is there?

>>12022574
Starfire is the only one an adept practitioner needs, all the rest is vanity and glamour.

>>12022898
Of course. My philosophy shelf is still a good bit thicker than my occult shelf, believe it or not.

My occult shelf is just more interesting to look at.

>occult
>books
Pick one. If you're not receiving your information through remote viewing and contact with astral entities you're a LARPer.

>>12022901
You can:
a) Be a highly educated, well-dressed gentleman who can actually keep a job and present himself before society, keeping mysticism as his secret hobby, being wise to not take everything he reads as true, but only accepting what is coherent both inside of itself and with his knowledge of the outside world, and most likely to be true. He might read Echkart or Adi Shankara, and even express profound respect for men like these, but never accept their claims solely becasue they happen to come from old books. He is more likely to be a Hegelian or Whiteheadian in terms of his philosophical beliefs.
b) Be a trashy, drug-using NEET who lives in a filthy apartment paid for by his parents who does magic rituals and probably suffers from several mental disorders. Read Blavatsky, Gurdijeff, and the Hermetic Corpus as if they were some kind of unquestionable Quran-like sacred scripture. Believe that stuff can be fixed just by summoning demons and using magical spells, and that somehow you will be able to get friends and a girlfriend.
c) Be a 300lb atheist who masturbates to le kawaii anim girls, plays video games or watches anime, and posts on r*ddit. Probably have a job as a programmer or some other boring shit like that. Accept no claims that haven't been reviewed in a peer-reviewed natural sciences journal. Probably suffer from depression, often constantly wondering whether or not there is a meaning to life, and use meds prescribed by a psychiatrist.

>>12022952
what the fuck anon

How do I get into the occult?

>>12022946
This is partly true. The original secrets, from metallurgy to astronomy to medicine to cosmetics, all kinds of crazy stuff, generally comes as a result of sexual congress with mythical beings in most forms of mythology.

The benefit of books is that you can take those lessons, even if imperfect in form, and apply them in your life without having to fuck angels and snake-people.

>>12022884
I feel sorry for people who waste thousands of dollars/euros to buy these books, rare editions, "Enochian Diaries of Dee" and stuff by Chumbley etc. by these publishing houses

Of course, aesthetically, they are pleasing to look at. High quality bindings and spooky looking covers; but make no mistake, most of them offer as much "occult" knowledge as cheapiest and trashiest Harry Potter books.

Like René Guénon´s correct observation was: that a truly occult organization, no matter what its nature, never leaves behind written documents or books, or some secret manuscripts.

>>12022972
>without having to fuck angels and snake-people.
That doesn't sound so bad though

>>12022946
Imagine being so stupid as to mistake a lucid dream state with reality.

>>12022952
A) is mostly me, except I dress fashionably trashy and am a woman.

>>12022987
>implying there's a difference

>>12022972
What kind of secrets can there be to life besides:
1) Bear with your own problems and don't bother other people too much with them
2) Stand up for yourself
3) Don't be a slob
4) Be open to listening to other people's ideas, but never take any man's word for granted
5) Make a goal for yourself in life, preferably an alturistic one, becauee you know that your actions will impact many others besides yourself, and it is better to leave a positive legacy than a negative one.
6) Concern yourself with the present and the future, not with longing for or regretting the past.
?
I really can't think of anything else.

>>12023004
Number two can probably be substituted for "Be respectful, but never sink down to bowing down before someone so as to make yourself look like a pushover".

>>12022975
I stopped worrying so much about the money after I got my student loans paid off. For me it's a fun academic hobby that I don't have to take too seriously, but do enjoy taking seriously, if that makes sense. (Plus, idk about you, but I've had way more expensive hobbies than book-buying... You ever play Magic: The Gathering? Sheesh, I've got one page in an old binder that's worth more than my entire occult book collection.).

>make no mistake, most of them offer as much "occult" knowledge as cheapiest and trashiest Harry Potter books.

I suppose that depends on what you mean by 'occult'. My favorite books are the ones that deal with the history of other people's practice of the occult and the way that religious myths transmogrify over the centuries as different groups get hold of them and mold them to fit their contemporary politics. If you take that knowledge and apply it to something that's trying to be a sort of 'book of initiation into the sacred order of -blank-' it actually becomes pretty fascinating. The way that truly ancient myths and stories get reused and rehashed and reapplied over and over makes for an interesting sort of story-behind-the-story in the undercurrent of the book. That's kind of what 'occult' is to me. The hidden story behind the books, the practice, the ritual - how it all ties back together.

When you look at the books as art and analyze how well the authors use the traditions it becomes an interesting bit of work.

Realizing I'm an academic of the ancient memes, as it were.

>>12022980
Generally the people involved enjoy it very much - it's just what comes after that is unpleasant.

That's less true with the Greek myths now that I think about it, Zeus coming down, turning into a swan or a bull, and then kidnapping you and fucking you on an island somewhere with his animal cock is probably a lot less enjoyable than getting pooned by the angels of Enoch, but all the same, the consequences are usually not great for the practitioner in the long run, at least in the myths themselves.

>>12023054
>Zeus coming down, turning into a swan or a bull, and then kidnapping you and fucking you on an island somewhere with his animal cock

>>12023031
>it's a fun academic hobby

>>12022989
will you be my gf

>>12022952
B) is me
>>12023004
Personal advice and inspiration? Some people need a spirit guide to kick their ass into shape.
>>12023031
Woke and redpilled.
>>12022975
>Guenon
Cringe and bluepilled.

>>12023102
Sorry love, already married.
Best of luck out there.

>>12023099

One can be a student of art and of history, can they not?

Studying 'the occult', for me anyway, is basically comparative mythology that brings in the realpolitik and zeitgeist of whatever era/system/culture you're studying, and then applying that to what are essentially (and in a lot of cases surprisingly creative and in their own way beautiful) art-pieces that people in both the modern era and in the ancient past create for themselves and for a group of people whom they trust very much.

Studying the occult is, in a sense, like studying the -way- that a flower blooms - except it's not a flower, it's a religion, a culture, an esoterically-inspired esprit de corps within a group of individuals, a personal philosophy, that binds its practitioners together under some kind of familiar pattern using modifications of old stories, our collective, global, ancient human myths - and it's a little bit different every time. I couldn't tell you why, but this fascinates me.

Or... Maybe I misread what you were intending - that one can have an 'academic' 'hobby' and that it could be 'fun'?

History, mythology, politics, philosophy, religion - it's all represented in 'the occult'. You just need a bit of a background in all of these things to begin appreciating it.

In any case, I enjoy it.

>>12023178
Just because you read systematically doesn't mean you are doing anything academical you cunt

>>12023193
Does it only count if I publish content related to my notes, studies and analysis? Is having them not enough? Do you need to see some citations?

In a way, these few shitposts reflect an understanding and perspective on an often misunderstood artistic medium. This encouragement of others to see an avenue of historic/religious literature in a different way is in some way academic in nature, is it not?

Or is what is 'academical' so strictly held? Does it need to be published in a journal of some sort for you to think critically about it? Is reading and analyzing history and art not an academic study?

What is the bar for 'anything academical'? And why did you call me a cunt just for asking?

Maybe you should check out >>12023004
>Bear with your own problems and don't bother other people too much with them, Don't be a slob, Be open to listening to other people's ideas, but never take any man's word for granted, it is better to leave a positive legacy than a negative one.

Truly, these are words of wisdom.

>>12023004
>what kind of secrets to life can there be beside these banal platitudes
Really makes me think.

Brill is good on an academic level btw. Most of the other major ones have already been named. Fulgur is good. Hadean. Starfire. Scarlet. Numen. Rubedo. Ouruburous. Sophia Perennis. Inner Traditions. Theion. Three Hands. Xoanon. Maybe Weiser and Lewellyn too if you can sift through the fluff...

>>12022574
Agrippa. He feels like a wacky teacher with a mild sense of self awareness especially in that his "magic" is pretty much appropriated Kabbalah.

>>12023220
>The Virgin Rick
>The Chad Xavier

>>12022898
I'm not OP. Is it really strange for an agnostic to have an interest in theology and the occult? I'm not exactly stable but I wouldn't really believe magick is real. It's just this intense attraction I can't really explain. I wish I was a religious man so I could truly indulge myself and go down the rabbit hole.

>>12023510

>>12023524
>Is it really strange for an agnostic to have an interest in theology and the occult?
Nah, bro. We out here.
>I wish I was a religious man so I could truly indulge myself and go down the rabbit hole.
Based on your post on an anonymous Persian elitist board, I think we have similarities in our mindset. You've got the right attitude; what did it for me was experiencing things that truly felt 'other'. You'll get there, man. Just be perceptive and you'll form your own relationship. Or, you won't. That's fine, too.

>>12023628
Based

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=binN-lTcmyU

>>12022574
Why is Thomas the tank engine above the Teletubby sun?

>>12022884
make an occult chart pls :)

>>12023524
It's not that strange I don't think. I've never been a religious or faith-based person but I love myths and legends and human stories. If anything my connection to -otherness- comes from psychedelics and psychology. Seeing different ways that the brain can create or experience stimuli and sensations - things not -there- in one sense but are clearly visible, tangible, real for all intents and purposes to the one experiencing them in the moment (and then the memory of the experience thereafter) makes for sussing out the 'real' to appear to be less important than examining the experienced.

Some people are really into magick and the gods/goddess and stuff of that nature though. It's a bit... weird... for me at least, to be around hard-core true believers - but sometimes they write or say things that really are insightful and wise, and without them we would almost certainly not have as many great stories, so I go along to get along as best I can.

>>12023719
Look up the enter the esoterica charts if you want serious academic level discussion.

>>12022975
Which Guenon book should I read?

>>12022574
>occultism
>larpers larping gnosticism when they had no idea what true gnosticism (valentinus) was

>>12023719
I wouldn't really know what to chart it out as...

Like, art and binding quality can vary from book to book from the same publishers, and there can be a lot of variety of subject matter and treatment of subject matter within the same publishers as well, and then it's like, do you differentiate between standard, deluxe and fine/artisan copies and that just becomes a big project that I'm not even the best equipped to tackle it.

Sorry anon. If in ten years I'm still reading occult stuff and have deep experience with all these publishers I may come back to the idea.

ninebandedbooks.com

bridgepub.com

>>12023114
wanna have an affair with a handsome young twink

>>12023719

>>12023719
>>12023745
>>12023838

>>12023786
What's yr praxis?

What's the best edition of the Corpus Hermeticum?

>>12023858
I don't have one proper. I'm more of a student than a practitioner.

Though I'm open to trying new things. If you've got a recommendation or two for something that works well for you I'd genuinely be interested in hearing about it.

>>12023899
Copenhaver for English commentary. Salaman for poetry. Scott if you know ancient languages.

>>12023956
And in French ?

>>12024016
I'm not a dirty francophone!

>>12024016
Probably whatever Tomberg uses.

>>12023932
why would somebody use gay porn as reference

>>12023932
The best advice I can give one is openness. I am of the mind that each individual has their own way. My progress might be your regress. I do not encourage others to do anything but experiment, meditate, investigate, etc. or not... if your path does not include it. The very study and reading and writing about magic is a magical act.

>>12024179
Pretty good advice.
Thank you Sensei.

>>12024179
>>12024193
An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded. Blessed is the mind too small for doubt.

Bumping with content. Who here knows a thing or two about Lucifer?

>>12024218
Sometimes we want the divine invasion of the outside...

>>12022884
Had no idea /lit/ had enthusiasts for this kind of shit. It's a shame the more influential works by the publishers you mentioned are impossible to find (your pic). I have most of Ixaxaars books, and trust me, the two books you listed are really the only ones that are worth reading. In fact, even the Sitra-Achra book and other works by the TotBL are mostly unnecessary to anyone interested in the esoteric tradition. If you want to learn Qabbala, there are litterally hundreds of better sources than the Qliphoth meme thats been spreading around the past decade or so. Great reads if you're into Lovecraft and Kenneth Grant, but useless if you're looking for a magical system that won't endanger you.
Scarlet Imprint has produced some excellent and scholarly texts. The books written by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold have been a great aid in my understanding Congo-originated magical systems (such as the Qayinite system found in the Liber Falxifer books).
>>12022975
Much truth to this. Contemporary texts are excellent, aesthetically speaking, but older teachings hold much more light to the chaos of modern living.

Anyone here interested in the esoteric arts would do well to listen to the audio lectures of Manly P. Hall. There's a treasure trove of information to be found there that could take you years of research to find otherwise. The information-age has made the work of the seeker much more daunting. The shear amount of bs found under the title of "esoteric" is quite mesmerizing. You have to be able to filter the shit from the gold. Hall's lectures are straight and to the point, no bullshit, and above all, no sales pitch. Remember that anyone trying to sell you something isn't your guru.

>>12025412
>>12025412
How can anyone take Grant seriously?

Do not get me wrong, I enjoy reading his books, but all the wild claims he makes, historically inaccurate claims, his lousy qabalistic values full of errors, his Qliphoth-obsession etc.

Not only his first 3 books (Magical Revival, AC & Hidden God, Cults of the Shadows) were somewhat coherent: he ditched all of this

He went full insanity mode: from trying to treat UFOs, Lovecraft as metaphors: he goes on to say: It is all real! I have seen it!

I still love the works of Grant (as I do love the works of Lovecraft), but not because of the information they offer, they are more of reading insane ramblings of a madman. Kenneth Grant, quite frankly, probably lost his mind at some point in his life.

>>12025443
Found the uninitiated!

Grant's books are the most powerful magical tomes published in centuries. Even if a single word of them fails to make sense to you, any magician worth his salt can use the books to accomplish his will.

>>12025443
I get what you mean. I don't think Grant was a moron or lunatic though. He appears to have been very well-versed in the occult to have written so many books on the subject. I think to take his works seriously, would be the same as taking Crowley's works seriously. To say any of this is objectively real is asinine, as "real" is completely subjective, in this instance.
I've so far only read parts of Nightside of Eden and can easily see the parallels between his (an others) visions of the "other side", the tunnels of Set, ect, and my own visions of this layer of reality. Again, to claim it *literally* exists isn't of any value. But to have seen, or otherwise experienced it in dreamstates or on psychedelics and compare this to what others have also experienced is quite humbling. It's even possible to find these parallels within the visual arts and music. The same goes here for Qaballah as for Qliphoth. Both are very unique in their own right, but very similar, as they are polarities of each other.

>>12025356
your "divine invasion" deserves to be turned into pigs and drowned in the sea, heretic

>>12025412
Ah, I'm glad to hear that I might not be missing much by skipping the Liber Falxifer volumes. I wasn't able to easily find any PDFs of them, which I thought was odd - many of these books have PDF copies online if you don't mind doing some digging.

Also bumping for Manly P. Hall lectures. They're quite good.

>>12022946
>Buy occult book
>Don't read it
>Eat 2 handfuls of benadryl
>Try to read it
WOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

>>12023628
Frittata

>>12023524
You sound like you're on you way to a shrooms n' acid phase

>>12026238
Don't get me wrong, the Falxifer books are great, they're what got me initially interested in the left hand path (along with the original EA Koetting books before his silly online ventures), and in time, the esoteric path. I think I heard about the first one when I was heavily into black metal and found out about Ixaxaar publications. Not the best place to start one's path, it took me years of stumbling around in the dark to find out what was really going on.
If you do your homework and find a little bit more about the author of the Liber Falxifer books, you'll get a rudimentary view on how it is he came up with his tradition. It is my opinion that there are no more than 20 individuals total that are active within the inner circle of the Temple of the Black Light, and the Templum Falcis Cruentis. The books publicly published by these orders shouldn't be seen as some secret system of initiation, as they present themselves to be. Both are a hodge podge of various other traditions, which one can learn to identify and truly understand if they wish to. The TotBL has, since the last decade, evolved quite a bit. This is apparent in overall differnce seen in their initial online doctrines, and the recently published Book of Sitra Achra. The latter is based on a fairly specific and cryptic form of Jewish Mysticism, the prior is, in my opinion, all over the place.
The Templum Falcis Cruentis is where one can find the incorporation of many different forms of folk magic, found all around the world. Back when the Calvary Cross Botanica was in operation they offered for sale a wide variety of occult relics from various traditions. Traditions that you'll find incorporated into the Books of Falxifer. I think it's important to understand the author's knowledge of and involvement in the cult of Quimbana which connects to the Cult of Senior la Muerte. He authored the book Quimbanda - Vägen till det Vänstra Riket years before the book of Falxifer.

All three of the Falxifer books are uploaded in pdf. They should be on scribd or 4shared.

>>12022574
read plato, then plotinus and then gnostic philosophers

>>12027005
Interesting input! Thank you for that.

I have to admit ignorance of most of Ixaxaar's work and internal philosophy, though I did manage to get in on the recent Sitra Achra republish pre-order, so I'll hopefully be able to expand my knowledge base a bit in the coming weeks.

I am curious - because you seem to know a bit about the Ixaxaar group and their mythos - do you know anything about the Star of Azazel or the people that run it? I've been reading through their forum on and off over the last couple weeks trying to get a more solid grasp of their philosophy (and especially their history) - and they appear to have some overlap with Ixaxaar, even only if as far as as Ixaxaar published Fosforos, which seems to be a pretty central book for the SoA people.

There are spiritual forces to interact with and spiritual powers to potentially be gained if you really are dedicated to learning about the occult, mysticism, spirituality or what have you.

Yes, they are real. They are difficult to understand. Most of humanity cannot understand them. They can drive you insane. They could be quite malevolent and not have your best purposes in mind. If you talk about this to people, they will think you’ve lost it, are joking, have misinterpreted something which could be explained skeptically, or pulling a hoax on them. This is actually good for them, because if they admitted the existence of these powers and really understood it, it could cause a major paradigm shift and cause them to go a bit bats. If you want to hear a tale of a modern seeker coming in touch with some of these faculties and entities, Robert Anton Wilson’s “Cosmic Trigger” is actually not that bad, even if you think RAW is a very kitschy and too-modern-style occultist.

If you’re interested in studying the occult and mysticism, really ask yourself, “For what am I interested this? Is my heart in the right place? Do I want to learn to serve humanity and be a better person? Or am I just a bored weird person dissatisfied with life looking for something weird, new, and cool? Am I psychologically stabilized enough for this? Will I go crazy if I actually start experiencing paranormal phenomena? Will I be able to hide my beliefs and experiences from other people so they don’t think I’m crazy or learn/see something too soon? Am I coming at this search egoistically, and will I use powers I gain for selfish purposes, to harm or manipulate people?” I think there’s no doubt that magic is real and that it’s morally neutral — you can use it for well or ill. I also have no doubt that, once you really get into it, the stakes are much higher. I think there’s a life after death, and for those who’ve gotten deep into this, their fate now has a different quality from normal people’s. They can go to the deepest abysses of hell if they fall.

Those who are destined to learn from this post, will learn from it. Those who are blind, will think I am being a melodramatic LARPer. That’s OK.

>>12027137
The book Fosforos has been probably the most inspiring philosophical text that i've read coming from any modern occult group. What's interesting here, is that the SoA are not Left Hand Path whatsoever. In fact, in his book Fosforos, Nefastos rejects both paths and offers a third perspective, which is for me the true answer to the question of duality within these other systems found in today's darker texts. They're system of believe, if i'm not mistaken, is based on the pre-socratic philosophy of oneness, as well as various eastern philosophies. Starting with the Greeks comes into play here, in more than simply a meme, it's where most of the theological systems today have found their inspiration. The SoA presents their texts in what would appear to be left hand path oriented imagery, but in the core of the philosophy, it's not. Nefastos' other book, the Catechism of Lucifer, represents the dual shadow of the Christian's Catechism. Working with polarities in this way, one begins to see the point of ingress between the two seemingly conflicting polarities. If you study the Hermetic philosophies, you'll see this as well. There is an interconnection at work in the undercurrent of all knowledge. I'm not sure of the SoA history at all. I myself have browsed some interesting threads on their forum though.
If you can, get a copy of Fosforos. I'm not sure how much it's going for on the scalper market and i'm afraid to look. Perhaps look for a pdf, though i'm not sure if one exists yet.
They also have the Unseen Fire series which is still readily available for a reasonable price. I just got my copies in about a week ago and haven't read them. I did read one article by Nefastos concerning vegetarianism that I found pretty intriguing.

I'm still aesthetically attracted to Ixaxaars publications. I also placed an order for the new Sitra-Achra book. From the introduction of the first edition, the author points us to this tidbit of information: http://www.kheper.net/topics/Kabbalah/treatise_on_dragons_ET.htm
I'm not sure if there is a full English translation of Nathan's works yet, but it seems this is where the Temple got their inspiration. I only just noticed it a few days ago while flipping through it in anticipation for the new edition. Jewish Qabalah is quite labyrinthine. With so much information out there it's difficult to tell where to begin. I'm thinking in just investing in the proper translation of the Zohar.

I've been out of the occult for years now, but used to be heavy into Kabbalah. Wish I remembered more of it.

>>12027414
I'm in a mild-yet-enjoyable state of shock - we're in a very similar boat it seems.
I was able to pick up a physical copy of Fosforos (my most expensive book by a fair margin...) but I was also able to find a PDF of the work in English - it is out there.

I also picked up Unseen Fire I and II, as well as Argarizim at around the same time. They're all currently on my shelf waiting for me to finish Fosforos, which itself is waiting for me to finish Lucifer: Princeps and The Devil's Supper. I wanted a better understanding of the historical context of the Lucifer stories before going into Fosforos to hopefully help me interpret it a bit better. This might not be strictly necessary but I had very little understanding of the subject matter before doing some introductory background work.

I also read that Nefastos thread on SoA's board concerning vegetarianism. Indeed, it was quite intriguing. I'm continually surprised by the content on their site. Unfortunately it's a bit slow. I suppose that's the trade off.

>What's interesting here, is that the SoA are not Left Hand Path whatsoever.

Indeed - I didn't understand that until I read Nefastos' description of Argarizim in relation to another unpublished piece of work of his. If I'm remembering correctly, he made the case that the Left Hand Path was respective of Truth and that the Right Hand Path was respective of Ethics, and that a synthesis of the two was... Here's I'm unsure - where the essence of the divine resides? I confess ignorance here, as I haven't read the books, just the author's forum posts. However, he seemed to make the case that the merger of the two paths is the goal of the practitioner, in any case, which definitely separates it from the tradition conception of Left Hand Path philosophy.


>The book Fosforos has been probably the most inspiring philosophical text that i've read coming from any modern occult group.

I've heard this sentiment from a surprising number of people.

I suppose since I've still got the ear of a kindred spirit, would you recommend reading the Catechism of Lucifer before Fosforos? Is there anything that you read prior to Fosforos that really helped in your understanding/interpretation of the work?

/mu/ here, checkout Coil and a book called England's Hidden Reverse

It's easy to appreciate neat aesthetics, but can you separate the trash from the legitimate teachings? Because most of it is trash.

>>12027698
Trash: ixaxaar
Legit: xoanon

>>12027705
pee pee poo

Was the spell in this movie actually from an occult book?

>>12028259
what's the difference?

>>12028292
If you've gotta ask, you'll never know.

>>12028331
Where do you think spells come from? Somebody just makes them up, who cares if it's a screenwriter, larper or some demented demon worshiper

>>12027584
>the Left Hand Path was respective of Truth and that the Right Hand Path was respective of Ethics
Basically yes. The variations of this concept are innumerable, but the core of this concept is the understanding of duality, and the synthesis between thesis and antithesis. This core concept is the key to all the subdivisions in the esoteric arts, found in alchemy, astrology, qaballah, ect. Getting better acquainted with this mindset will allow you to see through the limitations set by this or that Order or Temple.
>would you recommend reading the Catechism of Lucifer before Fosforos?
It's not necessary. The book is aesthetically one of the most visually pleasing pieces of literature I own, but the information presented isn't necessarily mandatory for understanding the philosophy of the SoA. Everything you need to know about them is more or less presented in Fosforos and Argarizim (I myself haven't gotten to finish reading Argarizim quite yet).

I think the best place to start in terms of preparation for understanding would be to study the hermetic principles which are presented quite clearly by Manly P. Hall.
There is also another obscure text that for me was EXTREMELY insightful called The Challenge of Fate by Thorwald Dethlefsen. Quite an unlikely source of inspiration but I consider it one of the crown jewels of my collection. There's a pdf available, don't spend the ripoff amazon prices because it's only a 100 or so pages long.
Nefastos often refers to eastern concepts in his works, so perhaps a rudimentary understanding of buddhism in general would also be a big help. I suggest the audio lectures of Alan Watts, but I know he gets a lot of shit on this board for whatever reason.

Another point that I think is necessary to address, is that most people become mystified by the occult and esoterism in general because of their disconnection is dissatisfaction with the culture around them. This gap that exists between modern culture and the desire for simplicity was what initially was driving me deeper into this stuff. Books like Prometheus Rising, The Language Crystal, Ride the Tiger, ect, have also been of great help to me. Have fun with The Language Crystal, it's one of those books that after you've read it, it's too late to turn back.

>>12023004
Hello petersonfag

>>12023004

>>12022952
I'm mostly A with a little bit of B thrown in

Hyperreality books

>>12027698
>Because most of it is trash.
Actually all of it is trash.

>>12028348
Easy - the screenwriter's would be shit and the demented demon worshipper would make it good

>>12029969
The best occult press on the planet.