Drawings

Painting and Peace – February 2019 Domagick Week 1

I’m seven days into February Domagick challenge and enjoying this month’s work far more than I thought I would. I had expected my planned artistic meditations on the Daemonic Divine to supplement my daily morning pages, further loosening me up creatively and energetically before any other work I had scheduled that day. I had anticipated that the art would feel much the same way the pages did–occasionally enjoyable, but just as often like drudgery, a necessary chore meant to organize my mind for the day ahead. They help me purge and order my thoughts, hopefully getting whatever might hold me back from out of my brain.

In theory, anyway. If I have a problem I can solve, I find the morning pages extremely helpful. I’m a proactive person. I can only whine about a situation for so long, even to myself, before I have to take action to change it. Unfortunately, some issues will always remain beyond our control. No matter how long we complain or what solutions we try to put in place, we may not be able to effect change simply because it isn’t our problem to solve. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us, of course. When I journal about such things in my morning pages, my lack of agency sometimes frustrates me enough that it puts a damper on my mood afterward, and I have to work to pull myself back up. It’s annoying, and often feels counterproductive for a method described by its author as a meditation.

My artistic meditations feel utterly different. There’s little sense of getting the garbage out before I start creating for the day with these. Instead, I get lost in the moment, and in the Daemonic itself, never worrying about the long-term consequences of what color I’m laying down or the lines that I am making. It is as if I am filling myself up rather than purging. My mood feels better—brighter and calmer—after this work. It may not produce as much written material, but in terms of shifting mental states it is quicker, longer lasting, and more effective. That’s something to remember and keep in mind for future use.

I split my artistic meditations this week between three daemons. First, I spent time with Unsere, who I venerated February 1-3 for what many would traditionally consider Imbolc. To me, she represents motherhood and familial happiness, so growth, bounty, and nature figured symbolically in the marker sketches I did for her.

unsere daemon demon demonolatry daemonolatry dukante goddess demoness daemoness

From there, I moved on to three days with Lucifer, who I associate with knowledge and illumination. My love of abstract art began to peek through when I tried to convey what I saw in my meditations with him through the use of shape and color. Somehow the shift in style resulted in a change in mood as well, and this was when I began to honestly look forward to the art sessions each day.

lucifer daemon demon demonolatry daemonolatry dukante sigil satan satanism

Lastly, I spent a day with Astaroth. This was the lone piece I used the computer to create. I could not get the colors I wanted otherwise, hot and searing to the eye. I saw it my mind before I created it, and it came of the closest to what I wanted of all the pieces this week. Strangely, I enjoyed creating at least. There’s something to be said for the energy of making drawings by hand, I suppose.

I’m already looking forward to the next week’s meditations. Are you participating in this month’s Domagick challenge? How is it treating you?

Here’s to next week being even better!

Vepar Has Your Order

Vepar is the 42^nd spirit listed in the Ars Goetia. This demon, which is often perceived by today’s practitioners as female, is said to appear as a mermaid. She rules over the seas and will guide the ships sailing upon it as well as fill them with weaponry and armor. She can make the oceans stormy at the magician’s request. On a smaller but no less destructive level, she can cause wounds in others. At her urging, maggots will breed in these sores and your enemy will die within three days.

Modern occultists such as Ford and Connolly indicate the Vepar can sway the seas of human emotion as well. In particular, she is a good daemon to invoke if you wish to deal with your own toxic emotions. A daemon that can create wounds must have a good understanding of what causes us dis-ease, after all. I’ve had good luck working with her in this context over the last week.

This is Vepar’s sigil.

Personally, I see the flow of water in its shape, as well as the belly of a ship heavy with weapons. Three daggers thrust downwards perhaps indicate the toxicity she can cause—and remove.

Drink with Me: The Rite of Imbibement

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY 30

Welcome to my last entry for the March Domagick Challenge. Honestly, I’m glad it is over. Blogging on a daily basis has taken up too much of my time. No offense! I prefer to spend more time living life than writing about it, and this month the balance tipped too far the other way for my liking.

I made sure to start today off right, however. As soon as I was dressed, I chanted the Five Warrior Syllables 21 times. From there, I moved into intoning the Five Elemental Words and the enn of Crocell. I left for my errands today feeling much more centered than I have been as a result. This means that I must continue this practice regardless of whether or not the challenge has come to an end. It’s simply that important to my well-being.

"Anointment" by William Briar, watercolor marker on illustration board. #demonolatry #demons #domagick — “Anointment” by William Briar, watercolor marker on illustration board. From a memorized and meditated on reference photo.

Once home from my errands, I gathered my art supplies, sat down at my desk, and tried to capture a couple “snapshots” of a ritual I was simultaneously conducting in the astral. Crocell had suggested a couple of days ago that I host a Rite of Imbibement for disliked parts of myself. I’d had my doubts but Crocell’s sigil kept popping into my mind. In my opinion, it resembles a winged chalice atop the alchemical symbol for fire—which makes sense since he is a daemon that is supposed to warm water. I thought it was highly likely that he might warm the hearts of those willing to share ritual wine with one another too, so I decided to go through with the ritual.

Through the Tarot, I asked Crocell afterward how the rite had gone and pulled the Knight of Cups in response. I sensed this meant I have taken a step in the right direction and made a great start, but there is still work to be done. My quest is not yet over.

When I asked him if I had grown thanks to the Domagick Challenge, I received a similar response. I turned over the Three of Wands. In other words, I completed this month of work but it is just the beginning of the work ahead of me. I agree with this assessment. I’ve discovered the main triggers feeding my anxiety yet I haven’t “cured” it, if such a thing is even possible. Then again, I said I would be satisfied with a reduction in the amount of anxiety I feel. I suppose I must keep that promise and not feel disappointed that I haven’t discovered a magickal pill that makes it go away overnight.

Conversely, I have pushed my own boundaries repeatedly this month. Whenever I’ve realized I’m holding myself back for no good reason, I’ve done the thing I was afraid to do. I don’t like seeing myself as a coward, so I’m determined not to be one. I also had a serious discussion about finances with my partners this morning and how to resolve our issues with them as a team. That is also a huge step towards lessening my anxiety, and I believe things are truly looking up.

The Star of Hope

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY 25

Since I found it successful yesterday, I started my work with a Tarot reading again today. This time, I asked Sitri if a specific endeavor would reawaken my passion for writing. She responded with the Star. This card is a symbol of hope for me. It also represents the goals we strive to attain, and that we need to keep our spirits up when they seem beyond our reach. The Star means inspiration, rejuvenation, and a new burst of energy. If felt extremely comforted by her answer.

I created a picture for Sitri in thanks. Pastels are a new medium for me—and a challenging one. I is difficult for me to depict the kind of detail I want with them. Even so, this is the first piece I have felt truly happy with in as long as I can remember. I wanted to capture the joy I felt dancing with her yesterday as well as the meaning of the card I’d turned over today, the Star. I think I did that.

While I drew, I repeated Sitri’s enn in my mind. I may or may not get around to working with the Five Warrior Syllables today. The rest of my day is slated as family time, and I mean to enjoy it thoroughly. May the Star of Hope light your way!

Praying on Paper

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY 21

I started today off with a visit to a trusted advisor and laid out what’s been going on in my life since the Domagick Challenge began. I talked about how it has made me think again about going back to school, as well as how my diverse interests and skill sets could lead me in a variety of different directions. Concentrating on just one of them feels impossible, thus my frustration and restlessness. I feel like I need to do something but I can’t figure out what that is.

Continue reading Praying on Paper

Satan as the Fifth Element #domagick

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY 10

My entry today will be extremely short as the majority of my practice will occur too late in the day for me to write about it until tomorrow. After dinner, I will be attending the first part of the Five Warrior Syllables workshop, and that’s where I’m focusing the majority of my energy. I may have to play catch-up all weekend, if not right a huge entry on Monday with very brief ones in between.

Continue reading Satan as the Fifth Element #domagick

Anubis – The Holy Jackal #domagick

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY NINE

Last night’s sound healing class was as fantastic as the first. I found it easier to open up this time around than I did previously, possibly due to having met each of the participants once before, but more likely because we spent a portion of the evening sharing: song, stories, and tea. I was in a good mood when I left—and intrigued but a new idea. We’d talked about how the word ‘holy’ connects to the concept of ‘wholeness;’ in some traditions, healers do not consider their patients broken at all. It’s certainly something to ponder in regards to my personal domagick challenge.

Continue reading Anubis – The Holy Jackal #domagick

Come Into the Light #domagick

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY SEVEN

I continued today with the five warrior syllables but did not feel any tingling in my third eye. This might have been because I vibrated the syllables in front of my partner, which made me feel somewhat self-conscious. He didn’t care what I was doing, yet I remained aware someone else was in the room who wasn’t taking part in my spiritual practice. This continues to be a problem with having downsized our apartment; we pay less rent, but I also have far less space within which to work. So far, I can’t see any way around it except moving my practice from place to place so I can be alone. With my fibromyalgia, I find this sometimes tires me out so much that I then don’t want to practice magick at all. I know I will find a solution, but one just hasn’t come to me yet.

Continue reading Come Into the Light #domagick

Approach Darkness with Love #domagick

DOMAGICK CHALLENGE DAY THREE

There are innumerable ways to work with daemons. Often magicians command daemons to obey their will and try to force them to do what they want. As a Daemonolater, I believe daemons are divine intelligences and prefer to treat them more respectfully.

This morning, for example, I reached out to the daemon Salleos by singing his enn, a short phrase which acts as a daemon’s calling card and can be used as focal point just like a sigil. Later in the day, I concentrated on his seal until my eyes grew heavy, and then drew a tarot card for guidance.

This is the sigil of Salleos. His enn is SERENA ALORA SALLEOS AKEN. Salleos is also known as Sallos, among other names.

When I asked Salleos how I could treat myself in a more loving and compassionate manner, the Two of Cups fell out during my shuffling. In the Thoth deck, this card is literally titled ‘Love,’ and can mean a union of two people as well as uniting with neglected parts of yourself. Since I’d drawn a picture earlier called “Romancing My Shadow,” I believe I’m on the right track.

You see, Salleos is best known for causing men and women fall in love, but I don’t need romantic help right now. However, I’ve practiced core-shamanism for twenty years now, and shamans are known to marry spirit helpers of the opposite sex in many traditions. Once I applied some outside the box thinking to how scared I am of my being myself, especially my artistic self, I realized I could work with Salleos to reconcile with that part of me. I spent a good portion of my day setting up an art studio in my house to woo “her.”

As per my agreement with myself, I also:

Listened to the soundtrack from the novel I’ve decided not to work on this month. No anxiety came up except the feeling, again, that I should be working on it. I chair danced it away.
Took two photos as part of my decision to make art every day. These were taken in response to the “water” prompt in the WordPress #developingyoureye challenge.

Flow

Shimmer

With a Song in My Heart, I Look Fear in the Face #domagick

In the past, many people have said, “music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.” That’s because they got the quote by Congreve wrong. I understand why, too. The phrase “savage breast” brings such strange images to mind nowadays. Maybe the public chose to go with the sentence which made more sense to them, quote be damned. After all, what parent hasn’t tried a lullaby at least once when their child started crying for no reason?

In our infancy, we are at our most primal—driven entirely by our needs without thought for what society says we should want. Those worries come later, when we learn how to be civilized. Sadly, the better we become at fulfilling others, the worse we tend to be at fulfilling ourselves. If we’re taught to fret about the opinions of others too early, we might not even remember the goals and desires we left behind. This leads some of us to search outside ourselves for missing pieces that aren’t really gone at all, only suppressed and ignored. I believe music has the power to lure the angry and wounded parts of us back into the light for healing.

Previously on my blog, I talked about a novel that scared me so much that I couldn’t finish writing it, and how my fear blocked me from nearly any writing fiction afterward. Since posting how I’d decided it’s time to tackle the project again, I’ve had nightmares frequently. Some are truly awful, others merely nonsensical, but a good deal of them feature labyrinth symbolism I can’t ignore. The book is obviously weighing on my mind although I haven’t started it yet.

But I didn’t want to go in unprepared. First, I wanted to work with the daemon Malphas to build myself a place of safety and creativity in which to write. The old books magicians are supposed to care about say he can strengthen our defenses. The grimoires also depict Malphas as a giant, humanoid raven. Considering that makes Malphas look like the long lost, twin brother of my novel’s monster, I figured I could face a fear or two when I contacted him.

Few people know that ravens are our largest songbirds. Of course, their love songs sound a little like gargling rocks, but so do mine on most days. That’s why I chose to invoke Malphas with song this week. I sang his enn whenever I invited him into my circle, occasionally adding the beat of my rattle as a counterpoint.

It was difficult for me to open up that way. I know each spirit-song was meant to be a conversation between me and the Divine, but I remained keenly aware of the size of our new apartment. My family sat just down the hall every time I worked with Malphas, and I was certain they could hear me crooning and cawing away. It was nerve-wracking until the rites gained momentum. Then it was just… me and Spirit. I didn’t care who heard.

I hope that I will feel the same way throughout March. To support the work that I will be doing on the novel, I’ll be integrating sound into my life in the following ways during the #domagick challenge:

EVERY DAY – I will write my novel for one hour, without planning anything in advance, using a soundtrack I created for inspiration. I will not judge or even looking back at the work until the end of the month.

EVERY DAY – I plan to make some new art, even if all I do is photograph or draw something I love. If possible, I will listen to upbeat music while I work.

EVERY DAY – At minimum, I will sing the enns of the daemons I’m working with and run their energy through my chakras. This month I’ve chosen Salleos (for love), Ose (for self-understanding), Sitri (for a passionate life), and Crocell (to soften hard emotions).

EVERY WEDNESDAY – I am attending a sound healing class here in my city.

MARCH 10 to 12 – I am attending a workshop on the how to use the 5 Warrior Syllables.

In short, I aim to use music and sound as a method of lessening my anxiety and improving my confidence level throughout March. Whenever I feel particularly stressed, I hope to use vibration as the reset switch for my mood. If nothing else, I am learning two new sound-based techniques that I can add to my shamanic practice and Reiki repertoire.

Wish me luck. Now get out there and #domagick!