(FRAGMENT #97)
The cultist, on the other hand, becomes more frenzied and unrestrained. This manic energy only increases their capacity to serve their master. The sorcerer, being a solitary creature however, need not worry about how sane his is, so long as he can keep his composure during short appearances in public. He has likely always been an outsider, and is regarded as eccentric, and what signs of madness he may show will be ignored due to the prejudice caused by his reputation. Both are likely to experience a substantial number of supernatural phenomenon, and the culmination of these things is a loss of sanity from which no remotely human mind can return. Many consider it a descent into madness, but the few see it as ascension divine. The main difference between these two and The Sword Against The Outer Dark - the warrior mystic, is that he learns about The Powers because he hopes to combat, or at least contain, those darker forces and hopes that madness can be staved off until the threat has been dealt with. The cultist, on the other hand, wants the knowledge of the The Powers so that he can better serve that Being that is his master. Sanity becomes just another barrier that must be overcome to better serve the The Abyss. As for independent sorcerers, they want the knowledge and power for it's own sake.
(RITUAL FRAGMENT #211)
- VI. An odd number of sheets of clean white parchment shall be laid out. These are the pages the work shall be written on. The act symbolizes the pure, laid bare to be defiled.
- VII. One shall strip oneself nude, and sit in the prepared space in the dark. The door if any shall be locked, and if disturbed one must not willingly answer.
- VIII. One shall take up the prepared writing instrument in the left hand and a bell in the right hand. The instrument needent be lifted except to dip it in the prepared ink, but the bell must be held raised at all times.
- IX. In the dark one shall begin meditation -with the eyes wide open. One may perform any chant or mantra one wishes as long as it is not of the ordinary world. One may also burn incense if one desires. Should one by chance fall asleep and close the eyes one will drop the bell and awaken to begin again. The goal is to be neither alseep nor awake, but dreaming awake.
- X. In the dark one shall continue this meditation, refusing all food or drink until the work is done be it hours or many days. Given enough time of fasting, meditation, and darkness one will inevitably have visions. Using the instrument and the ink, one shall draw whatever visions or write whatever symbols one sees in the darkness. It matters not ones natural artistic ability, allow the forces to flow through one and guide ones hand.
- XI. Continue this until the ink is gone, or the paper is gone, whichever proves to be the limiting factor.
- XII. Place the dried pages in a scroll case or some appropriate container. DO NOT willingly look upon them. The work is not for the author but meant to be seen by another, be it the next day or another age, be it in the next room or another nation. Destiny shall carry it through time and space. If one likes, one may insert also an introduction and afterword - but these ought to be placed into the case before the work is composed. SEAL IT in the dark and swear not to willingly upon it except on threat of death. DO NOT guard it from any that might wish to steal it, let it be taken by those who might and let them open it if they wish. DO NOT give it away, DO NOT willingly put it in anothers hands. Instead, let it be TAKEN, or placed where it may be found by any. Let fate be your guide. When light shines upon it, its revelations or cryptic signs shall become the blessing or curse of he whom opened it. It is theirs. Upon sealing it in the dark, it stops being yours.
- XII. Leave the room for whats should be the first time. Let your eyes adjust to the light, breathe deep of the air, and enjoy the open space. Go outside.Then take a bath and wash yourself of the work.
- XIII. Revel. Feast upon daintities especially meats cooked rare and sweets. Drink strong spirits. Smoke strong tobacco, hashish, opium, or strange drugs. Dance, shout, and partake of other gayities. Indulge in masturbation, wild sex or sodomy. Take in the ordinary world and worldliness, and know how good it is. This period can be as long or as short as you wish, but absolutely no longer than it took you to create The Work and no shorter than a single night. Do whatever you wish or do not wish.