Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Convictions, morals, other societies and religions.
Angolmois

Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Angolmois »

There are nowadays many schools of western LHP and satanism / luciferianism around. What schools do you know and what is your opinion on them? What are the pros and cons?

Here are some schools I have met in the almighty internet:

Temple of Set: a left hand path organisation focusing on the Egyptian god Set, divided into transcendentalists and immanentists
Church of Satan: the most famous satanist organisation of the western hemisphere, materialist/atheist/nihilist
Temple of Black Light / MLO: syncretic chaos-gnosticism, eso-terrorism
Dragon Rouge: Swedish order of LHP headed by Thomas Karlsson
The Black Order: Seems to be an offshoot of ONA, combines Paganism, Satanism and NS
Diane Vera's Theistic Satanist school: I don't know much of it, but they seem to focus on Satan as the liberator and enlightener of humanity
Joy of Satan: White supremacist UFO occultism
Greater Church of Lucifer: Michael Ford's luciferian organisation focusing on spiritual and wordly empowerment
Satanic Temple: secular and rational satanism focusing mainly on human rights

I don't really have a very good opinion on any of them based on what I've read, but maybe there are bits and pieces there that one can agree with.
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Kenazis »

I know most of them either well or somehow. I have read a lot of material from and about of Temple of Set, Temple of Black Light, Dragon Rouge and Ford's stuff. Church of Satan is pretty familiar also. The Black Order, Diane Vera's Theistic Satanist school, Joy of Satan and Satanic Temple are least familiar. Text of ONA however are somehow familiar. Like you Rúnatýr say, there are bits and pieces there that one can agree with. Main problems with all of these are for me the lack of holism, seriousness/deepness, and often the lack of empathy/love. Pro's are mainly the empowerment of individual, but these times this is not the most needed thing to concentrate, and often without the empathy/love, this path goes nearly narcissistic. I however feel some connectiong to Temple of the Black Lights cosmology and ideology, even I go very different direction from there. Dragon Rouge is interesting, but it goes less interesting every day I know more of it. Temple of Set has some interesting ideas, and I think "Temple of Set is Church of Satan grown up" like somebody said (Lilith Aquino perhaps?) is valid point. ONA like Temple of Black Light is interesting for me, but has also some horrifyingly wrong things in it. Ford and all his stuff are pretty simple and superficial (I have written even a Critique of Ford's idea(s) called A Crititique of Predatory Spirituality).
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Polyhymnia
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Polyhymnia »

I've heard of the first four you listed and the very last. I personally know several people affiliated with the Satanic Temple, and yes, secular for sure. At least over here there seems to be a heavy movement towards the Satanic Temple as total rejection of the religious tenets many people were raised on, but still upholding moral "goodness", and true equality for all. I don't think there's much in the way of spiritualism, but I do know several members who identified as witches, pagans, atheists, agnostics, and then adopted the identity of satanist after joining. I think there's some delight that comes with that label for many within this organization, as I often see it used as a grand unveiling and embracing the stigma around the word "satanist", utilizing some of the shock factor in various ways to serve the individual on a very public level. This isn't meant to be a derogatory description, just an observation.

Doesn't Lavey's daughter have much to do with the Temple of Set?

I know some people within Temple of Black Light, and they're all quite focused and intense individuals. I don't know much about their study, same with Dragon Rouge. I recall Obnoxion saying individuals within DR bought the first degrees and then had to be invited in to the more esoteric parts of the order. I haven't delved much into ONA, but yeah, there seems to be some tenets there that don't sit too well with me personally. There was someone who came to the forums who spoke of being involved, or wanting to get more involved with the ONA, but I don't think they've updated that. I can't even find the thread.

Hey Kenazis, is your critique available to read somewhere?
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Angolmois

Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Angolmois »

I would also like to read your critique, Kenazis!

I must also add that the main reason I find all these schools not my liking is that they focus solely on the LHP, since I think it is integral that the RHP methods and principles are tirelessly linked into LHP esoteric practice of individual elevation, otherwise the structure will fall in some point. One of such "methods of great fall" is to try to separate oneself from the great whole, which is a ridiculous idea even if one would learn to twist nature's laws in the short run. The focus should be first in the great universal solvent and the uplifting of all creation and humanity before any of the LHP practices can be useful in the long run. "Before one is an idealist of buddhi, all paths are inadequate and lead to short term goals."

I actually think that from the schools I mentioned, I like Diane Vera's the most. Also I can find good points of view mixed with grave errors in all of them. LHP organisations have done in my opinion mainly good in the social level in upholding individualist principles and the path of "freedom" from social constraints. In general I find those schools I mentioned also a very good "sign of the times" both in good and in bad.
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Kenazis »

Rúnatýr wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:18 pm I must also add that the main reason I find all these schools not my liking is that they focus solely on the LHP, since I think it is integral that the RHP methods and principles are tirelessly linked into LHP esoteric practice of individual elevation, otherwise the structure will fall in some point. One of such "methods of great fall" is to try to separate oneself from the great whole, which is a ridiculous idea even if one would learn to twist nature's laws in the short run. The focus should be first in the great universal solvent and the uplifting of all creation and humanity before any of the LHP practices can be useful in the long run. "Before one is an idealist of buddhi, all paths are inadequate and lead to short term goals."
This is pretty much what I meant with holism. LHP without including the essential core ideas of RHP is doomed to fail.

I haven't published that text. It is about two years old (if I remember correctly). I read it first and then I can send it to (both of) you. I can read it tomorrow and send it at the evening. Just send your email addresses to kenazis@azazel.fi
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Angolmois

Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Angolmois »

Also I must add that I don't like any kind of direct political statements conjoined with Esoterism nowadays, only in a general way in the sense that "Everything is political" And that stresses non-violence and humane principles.

But in state of anomie we are where the state and society gives very little ethical guidance to the people, and even More moldy moralism and petty arguing, it is time for responsible individuals take the reins of their Destiny into their own hands, and this is what I call one of the essences of LHP practice and the justification for the diversity of different schools.

I'll start my deeper analysis of those different schools as soon as I can.
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Kenazis »

Polyhymnia wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:44 pm Doesn't Lavey's daughter have much to do with the Temple of Set?
She was member of it about 1997-2002. And 2002 She became the High Priestess of ToS, but almost immediately she left the organization - in similar "bridge burning way" she left Church of Satan earlier, and formed her own Sethian Liberation movement. I don't know does this SLM exist anymore. Now she's associated with Tibetan Tanric Buddhism (Nyingma lineage).

Edit:typo
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Polyhymnia
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Polyhymnia »

Ah, thanks for the clarification! I used to have very intense dreams about meeting her. It lasted for a period of about 2 weeks and then never happened again. I wonder what that was about.

polyhymnia@azazel.fi and many thanks!
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Nefastos »

I really liked the way Diane Vera handled her Theistic Satanism mission, and was in some contact with her when the Star of Azazel was not yet officially founded. I would have liked to be in more connection, but either she grew skeptical about the more religious, zealous parts of the SoA faith, or perhaps she just had enough work on her hands (her closest associate was just converted back to Christianity at the time, I think). Whatever reason, we haven't been in contact since the outer founding of the brotherhood. But her way of phrasing her Satanism was the most important reason why the Star of Azazel was also phrased to be mainly "Theistic Satanism" – a somewhat bulky term. It is nice to see that those same nostalgic web pages (just red & white text on black background, a lot of articles and no gimmicks – i.e. quite similar to ours) are still available. Later, when we had an active brother present in the New York Satanist circles, there was some plans to try to make living contact again, but the said brother parted ways with us, so this did not lead anywhere either.
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Re: Different Schools of Western LHP, pros and cons

Post by Angolmois »

Ok, so I already said about the ToS that in their ideology there is this idea that one could separate oneself from the great whole / unity / oneness, and I see this as a false idea that crumbles down in time. It is seems to be a confusion of the infinite / indefinite, in which the last one is seen as an attempt to achieve immortality in time.

From the Laveyan Satanism I criticize whole-heartedly their atheism, materialism and nihilism. If I could somehow twist my mind to believe that "the true nature of man" is a "carnal beast living in a cosmos indifferent to our existence", I'd go searching for nukes or try to build an empire based on social darwinism. No need to dwell on specifics or the so called Satanic laws, sins etc. since the whole structure is false. Individualism, liberty (in spiritual terms) and productive pride I see as good things also, but I don't believe in "symbolic satanism", nor do I see hedonism as a viable path.

Temple of Black Light / MLO: I don't know enough of their cosmology or ideology in general but I understand that it started out as a prison gang of outlaws, and there is the idea of a "lawless chaos" and a total annihilation of the being in return to primordial chaos that is acted out violently and in ways that increases the chaos of this world, which I meant with "eso-terrorism".

Dragon Rouge: Again, I really don't know enough of their inner workings, but in Karlsson's books there is also found an idea that "a dark adept" is one who separates him-/herself from the oneness for eternities. Again, a false idea. Seems to be all about the veneration of the Dragon archetype as the embodiment of power.

The Black Order: seems to be an order of counter-initiation that seeks violent extremists, radicals and fanatics. No real spirituality.

Joy of Satan: all kind of hotch-potch ideas based upon demonology, UFO's and national socialism. Satan is seen as an alien.

Greater Church of Lucifer: Some good and rational ideas in their statement, but boils down to Ford's pseudo-spirituality and americanism.

Satanic Temple: there seems to be no spirituality or esotericism involved. As said, they seem to focus on social issues and human rights based upon atheism and rationalism. They may do some good on these areas but I find the lack of spirituality just that. I don't like their all-american aesthetics.
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