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Volume Three: Walpurgis 1992
![[front cover]](images/cover3.jpg)
"Every Lock has a Key. Every Key has a Lock."
FERAL METTLE is a publication of @PRESS for the
Empirickal Pragmatick Idealist's Coalescent, a PacTemple of the
Illuminates Of Thanateros. It is produced and written solely by Pact
members and novices. Any inquiries about our guild of chaos
magicians can be answered (or at very least pondered over!) by
writing us at
EPIC
Post Office Box 1533
Morro Bay, CA 93443
U.S.A.
FERAL METTLE is published approximately four times
per year, at the mid-points between the Equinoxes and Solstices.
Submissions are welcome, and should be typed, recorded onto a disk
in ASCII format preferably, or uploaded to the PsyberNet BBS,
provided that you have contacted us to set up an account. All
subscriptions for the FERAL METTLE, supplies, and publications can
be purchased through this PacTemple by cash, or checks made out to
E.P.I.C. Write for current listing of offered paraphernalia, or ask
about anything you may need via post.
Volumes One and Two are available from the address
above.
Contents of
Vol. 3:
AN IDEA
FOR THE CREATION OF PATHWORKINGS
(a subversion of bibliomancy) by Soror Severian.427
A pathworking is a sort of map for a journey. It can contain
setting and/or plot. In main it is an audial script - make of it what
you will. It is an important method for it allows one to explore and
work with symbols and actualities in a way that i s impossible to do
physically. Imagine how your body would complain if you threw it into
the Pit of Choronzon.
However, a problem arises with this type of magick. You want to
plan the pathworking but you want to make yourself (and/or others)
achieve something new; i.e. you don't want to do pathworking #99 where
you go through the planetary symbols. On the other hand, you don't
want to spend three weeks writing the thing, it is usually not
something you can use every day. Also, one tends to get locked into a
certain style of imagery, a certain way of putting things together.
I was ruminating over this when an idea came to me. Why not use
random images, and put them together towards my purpose? And how about
randomly picking words from books? Being the sort of person I am, I
proceeded to do this. I was strict and when writing the pathworking I
kept the words in the order I had picked them. The results? Very
interesting: I found not only was I creating new and powerful images,
but that the pathworking was creating its own purpose, its own 'plot'.
This method seems to cause a strange breed of automatic writing. And
it did not take a lot of time, blood, or sweat! It needed a little
taming and organizing, but the product was very useful. That's all,
just perverted bibliomancy. I suppose any other random symbol method
would work (though try to stay away from systems that are too ordered,
runes or tarot cards might not be so helpful). 
![[Baphomet - In the first Aeon, I was the Great Spirit]](images/baphomet.gif)
THE VERNAL
EQUINOX RITE
By Soror Morgana.365
At the Vernal Equinox, we are gathering for the saying good-bye to
winter and the death and submissive time of the year. We all say hello
to the joy of rebirth. A time to celebrate on the 21st of March. The
purpose of the Vernal Equinox gathering is to ritualize the beginning
spring season.
The traditional practices on the feast day of the Vernal Equinox
was to paint eggs, a tradition later picked up by Christians, known as
Easter. Although the egg painting is not the primary rite, it may be
done later for fun. In the rite we will experience the death/rebirth
process by planting the death and watching the rebirth of spring in
the months to follow.
During the ritual, when it is time to stir the dirt in the bowl, it
is important to imagine the phallus of life penetrating into the dirt
of the earth. Then the seeds will be planted properly. If all is
successful, the sigils of inspiration and the joy of spring will occur
in a few months. It is also important to remember that the seeds have
meaning to them. Whatever sprouts in your bowl can be used for further
divination.
It is suggested that the seeds to be used for this ritual are mixed
in a bowl together and that each person randomly chooses a combination
of seeds to plant.
Needed for this rite are: Small pots in which to plant the seeds
(one per person). One stick for each person (to be gathered during the
preparation). A small pitcher of water. Dirt. A bowl of mixed seeds. A
sigil of what you wish to grow.
PLANT RITE:
Step 1: Banishing by GPR.
Step 2: Prepare for rite. At this time you should be gathering a
stick to be used for mixing of the dirt, drawing your sigil, and
setting up your planting equipment.
Step 3: Statement of Intent: "It is our will to experience the
Death\Rebirth process of the Spring Equinox and gather inspiration for
the coming months."
Step 4: Invocation: "The death and darkness of winter are at
our backsides. The time to put forth a new and rejuvenating spring is
upon us now - front and center. Plant these seeds and give us
inspiration unto the birth of spring."
Step 5: Place the sigil at the bottom of the bowl. When finished,
fill the bowl halfway with dirt.
Step 6: Everyone pick up their stick and stir the bowl of dirt
slowly, rhythmically, and thoroughly.
Step 7: When the time feels right for you, choose randomly the
seed(s). When the seed(s) are properly placed, fill the rest of the
bowl with dirt. Then visualize putting life into the bowl while
watering it from the pitcher.
Step 8: When the birth has taken place - Laughter.
CASHING
IN FOR CHAOS
By Damien.939, novice
On the turn of the new-year ('92), I noticed the only thing I
managed to do successfully the previous year was collect bills that
ranged in everything from owing friends money, to unpaid phone bills,
to giant (no, monster) loans for college. This mad e me start to
wonder about my 'Magickal Abilities' as well. And just what did I do
about all this?
I started to dust off the old books that I'd collected over the
years which - ready for a good laugh? - contained such notables as
Donald Michael Kraig, Aleister Crowley, I.F. Regardie, and just about
every other Main-Stream Magickal book on this twisted market we have
today.
I began to work on talismans, sigils, Colour Magicks, and several
other methods of acquiring success by the authors mentioned above... I
even tried a ritual that was in Chapter 11 (I don't have the book in
front of me so I'm not sure if it was that chapter or not, but it was
close enough) of Modern Magick by that butter-bowl named D.M. Kraig; I
did one of his Tantra rites, which failed miserably! After reading one
of Crowley's books to find a rite, he seemed too concerned with the
"Knowledge and Conversation of His Holy Guardian Angel" to
be concerned with material affairs. He was born rich so why should he
care? My research shows he was a good con man too. Donald Tyson's
"Rune Magic" did not work very well either, but I do think I
found loose change in a pay phone after I did that one.
Did I give up? No. I purchased several green-blue candles. I also
started to work on a series of rites. For seven days I used two
candles a day and engraved my full legal and Magickal name and my SSN
(The reason for my SSN? There are probably 1000 people with my name,
by only one with my SSN, just to be on the safe side!) on every
candle. I simply lit the candles and called on "Animal
Helpers" for each direction, visualized them strongly and told
them their job, which was mainly to obtain some money for me.
On the seventh day, I was walking to the local Convenience Store;
my neighbors were having a garage sale, and although I don't pay much
attention to these things, I saw a giant candle for $1.00. It was
still in the wrapper and I did pay about $18.00 for one that size
about a year ago, so it went home with me.
I carved. I did the same thing I did before, only the wax from this
candle started to melt everywhere. I could only find a big lid of a
butter bowl to catch all of this wax. After it was over, I popped the
wax out. Holy shit! I thought, this will make a great pentacle! Again
I carved, but onto the pentacle. I went out to a corn field and did an
invocation using money as a Godform. The invocation was just off the
top of my head.
Two days had passed and I'd completely forgotten the whole thing,
in fact, I was thinking "what a stupid rite and what a waste of
time" while falling asleep. I even laughed about it! But when I
was awakened, it was to pleasant news that I'd just received a large
sum of money in the mail, which paid every one of my bills except for
one.
The whole point is: I did a rite that was genuinely mine and it
worked, and I did others which did not work.
And I can finally "put my money where my mouth is".
STONES
AND THINGS
by Frater Dracoarte.024
In EPIC Temple we have experimented with creating temple
"stones" which we have charged for general use. It started
as a experiment in making a stone that we could use as psychic tie
with each other. We obtained a number of stones equal to the number of
temple members. The first time we choose the stone known as Tiger's
Eye. They were consecrated in ritual. We experimented with different
uses for these stones. The first were a series of exercises to divine
information on each other at a distance . We would all at a pre-agreed
time perform a "tuning-in" exercise where we would stare at
our stone in the middle of a placard with a circle drawn within a
square. The square represented the qualities of earth and the circle
those of the sun. The stone would form the dot for the sun sigil. We
associated these qualities based upon the colors and what we felt the
stones should mean to us. Each of the Templars has a personal sigil
for themselves, we use this to key into each other by visualizing it
on the stone during the "tuning-in" exercises. This has led
to many different experiences between the members of the Temple. The
stones lately were used to bind the Temple during a mantric chant. We
recited the mantra and at the same time passed the stones to the
person next to us. This was used as a warm up for a major ritual aimed
at shared dreaming. At each Temple meeting we will randomly exchange
stones, so in time the bond between us grows stronger. Also once when
charging our Temple servitor we used the stones in conjunction with
the aethyric container of the servitor for the main basis of the rite.
At various times we randomly change the stones to a new type, the last
type of stones we chose to engrave a particular sigil. We often carry
the stones on our person as a form of protection. So try your luck
with a mineral of your choice.
![[postcard insert]](images/postcard.jpg)
ATTENTION INSUBORDINATES
It occurred to me one day that we Insubordinates do not communicate
to one another in any organized manner. It is my desire to see a
networking start up between the various Temples in the Pact. There is
a lot of information, techniques, and methods w e could share with
each other (especially on those ever urging and present MTs). The lack
of communication is abysmal to say the least. I volunteer to be the
point of contact and organizer of this network. We can operate through
the mail system and/o r through the EPIC Temple BBS, PsyberNet. What I
need from you, the Insubordinates of the Pact, is to write me in care
of EPIC Temple's address and we will start up the network. We
Insubordinates will be self-defining our role and duties as we do
this. There is a lot more we can do with our role and office.
ONE MORE TIME
This is a follow up request. In issue #2 of Feral Mettle myself and
Soror Cyllan put out a general request to all members of the Pact. We
desire to catalog and collect all the different exercises that
everyone has created for Trance (Liber MMM-like) in their various
Temples. After we collect this we would like to put them into a easily
readable format and provide copies to all the temples. We believe that
this could be a very useful tool for the training of Novices,
Neophytes, and general members at large. Once again myself and Soror
Cyllan extend that you all send in your various methods and techniques
used in Liber MMM training. Thanks... signing off from the Fringe of
reality in Amerika...
LUCID
DREAMING WHILE AWAKE = HYPNOGOGIC SLEEP
By Soror Cyllan.771
The term "hypnogogic sleep" refers to the state entered
just before actual sleep. Experience has shown that the period of time
between retiring and actually entering the first stage of sleep is
conducive to a kind of "hallucination" which comes close to
dream. During this period of time, the mind, having begun to let go of
conscious control of thought, is filled with images. As the mind comes
closer to complete sleep, the conscious mind continues to let go to
the subconscious, and the images become more and more random. The
difference between this and dream-sleep (excepting various scientific
facts regarding brain waves, etc.) is that the person is relatively
conscious and therefore in control of the images; the person is aware
that they are not fully awake. During this state, however, people
rarely take advantage of the control option, the intent being to let
go of that control and slip into sleep. To make use of the control
option is a delicate matter, because the control automatically leads
one back to "consciousness"; the more control exercised, the
less one is actually in a subconscious state.
![[the more chaotic - the more complete am i]](images/spare.jpg)
This state can be of help in the learning of Lucid Dream, however,
if the magical techniques of mind control are used and the level of
control is dealt with carefully. Soror Severian and I stumbled upon
the uses of this state quite by accident (perhaps the best way!), by
having the tendency to discuss the images that enter our minds while
drifting off to sleep. This habit eventually led us into a period of
matched hallucinations, where we were basically getting the same
images in slight variation; we were in the same pseudo-dream. Once in
the dream, we began to use the option of control, interacting with the
images as we willed to. This "dream" state became so strong,
in fact, that it was extremely difficult to get out of it. Even after
get ting up, switching on the light, having a cigarette and all that,
we still had the intense feeling of being in a dream (kind of like
those annoying dreams where you keep thinking you're awake, but guess
what!). We finally had to do a long, labored banishing to lessen the
effect.
Since then we have both worked with this pseudo-sleep state and
have found it extremely helpful in training the mind to take control
in actual dream. This technique could also be employed as a Temple. A
suggested working would be to have all participants lay down, close
their eyes, and begin to move themselves toward sleep. It might help
to actually get pillows and blankets to aid this effect (the mind
likes to be tricked into doing what you say!). A chosen beginning of
the dream may be employed , but should be very simple if used at all.
One person may say something like "We're in a room. It's cold, I
can feel a breeze. There is a window with light coming through
it." That should be plenty of information if everyone is
imaginative! Alternatively, someone can just choose to mention the
first image that comes to them. Even if everyone starts out in
different dreams, it is likely that they will all get together before
long, with everyone else's images being fed to them. If the pre-chosen
beginning is employed, I would strongly suggest staying away from
things which can be highly symbolic (such as colors, shapes, etc.).
As the images begin, everyone should share them. When you begin to
find yourselves doing things you had not planned on doing with the
images (as in dreams, the action just happens), then it is probably
safe to begin consciously manipulating the "dream". Here
everyone can begin to do what they choose with the images. After that
is done successfully for a while, you can start bringing chosen images
into the "dream". It is suggested that these steps be taken
relatively slowly; from the dream having control, then you doing
things willfully in the dream, to bringing in chosen images. Moving
through these steps too quickly can jolt the mind back to total
consciousness. And by all means, continue to share your visions!
Periods of silence, while interaction is happening, are not uncommon
and no attempt should be made to "fill the silence". This
can create, along with some powerful image-bonding, an ability to
eventually join each other in actual dream. Other surprises are bound
to happen too, if this technique is employed consistently. Perhaps its
strongest and first effect is the aid in Lucid Dreaming. Sweet dreams!
THE SUMMUM
BONUM IS BOREDOM
by Frater Warp.711
The well-read Gonzo mage is familiar with the common
misunderstanding concerning the Cabalistic concept of the progression
of ain> ain soph> ain soph error. Traditionalists (and we all
know who you are) will explain these terms by mumbling some in effable
nonsense about pre-existent limitless light somehow weaving its
nonexistent non-self into an existent limited (but not too much)
"somethingness". This is the kind of theological mislogic
that would cause Anselm to napalm his necrotic knickers.
Gonzos, of course, know better! Existence all began with the
following flow of ideas: boring> really boring>so goddam boring
I'm going to create something! The last of those three cognitions
contained the primal gaffe of identity--the first appearance of
"I" as in "...I'm going to...," and "...I'm
screwed!" Compare this offensive capital to the innocent
"i" of "boring " or "blivets." Notice
how the transflaggelation of "i" into "I" shoots
the theory of evolution in it's partially articulate d hoof. None
would call this pratfall progress. Not only did the cosmos, in a
moment of utter boredom, forget itself into existence, but the
mistaken manipulation of the case of a single little letter resulted
in the regrettable collection of aberrations we know as "be"
verbs, ego structure, and TOPY. Go figure. It's hard to imagine the
creative whatever getting so bored as to forget that it didn't exist,
but then I guess every true Gonzo can recall at least one mistake
they've committed on par with accidentally burping the entire cosmos
into being.
Continuing with our kamikazmology, now that the creator created
itself, it must continue on and create something else in order to
avoid being considered a real jerk by any other nonexistent beings
that might be hanging around (by now you're beginning to suspect that
the creator is whatever gender you are not, and is probably blonde).
From primordial soup to M*A*S*H reruns and math co-processors would
be but a miniscule series of foul-ups for a being capable of this
original primal gaff--A being whose first work of art was a self with
which to feel insecure. This is why most Gonzos, rather than being
deists, a philosophy concocted by old white- wigged fathers who went
around and found things like America then died before they could
really explain why, are adherents of the "flatulist"
philosophy.
Flatulism is based on the obvious fact that the universe does not
resemble a cosmically wound clock nearly as much as it does a
theologically indiscreet fart. In other words, by the time the creator
was aware of the impending cosmos, it was too late to do anything
polite about it. If any of you non-Gonzos doubt the veracity of the
flatulist school of thought you need simply take a long deep fragrant
breath. Perhaps now we have divined another mystery--the origins of
the ancient sacred syllable "oops."
![[invocation]](images/invok.gif)
THE FOUNDING
OF A PACTEMPLE
by Frater Psyber-Kia.995
The purpose of involvement in the Magical Pact of the Illuminates
Of Thanateros is simple: the Pact exists to encourage, support, and
form the basis of a user-defined network of creative, well-
intentioned, dedicated, and fun-loving Chaos Magickians. Liber
Pactionis dives into the nitty-gritty; the structure of the network
and its individual temples, as well as rituals and protocol functions
as a Constitution for the Guild. In the form of a Declaration of
Independence, Position Paper 127 provides an easy-to-understand modus
operandi. Once you have decided to interact with the Pact, here are
some things that need to be considered:
1. The Novice must choose hir Mentor. The position of Novice has
been added to the Pact as a preliminary screen. It involves the
keeping of a detailed Magical Diary, and a synopsis of the same to be
sent every two weeks to the Initiate of hir choice. This diary will
show the level of consistency in practice and record- keeping, and a
six month's record is the average time chosen by Initiates of the Pact
to do this. The maintenance of an accurate Magical Memory cannot be
over-estimated.
There are basically two types of memory: short and long-term.
Short-term memory acts much like a RAM buffer in a computer, and we
can store six or seven items of information at any one time. However,
if we try to store more, or if the bits of information aren't
transferred to long-term memory in a short period of time, inevitably
some of it will be lost to easy access.
Writing information down is one of the best ways of retaining it -
not because you'll have a permanent record so much, but because the
very process of writing will help the information flow from short-term
to long-term memory. Monitor yourself constantly to avoid
distractions, mind-wandering or inattentiveness when these are not
your intent. Note the times when your conscious mind seems most
concentrated and especially note when it strays easiest during your
waking hours. Verbalizing thoughts can help you remember better too
(just watch out doing it in public - giggling at one's own jokes, for
example, can be confusing to bystanders). And what about sleep-time?
Note any recurring archetypal images or events remembered from dreams.
Be specific and detailed in recording rituals. We are fun-loving
Scientists - we seek to re-discover and invent Magical Technologies to
further ourselves and others in pursuit of the great work of magic,
and in this aeon no weakness is spared. Is i t not the task of every
Chaoist to produce the most effective rituals - practical rites - for
the fuck of it, and what the hell, for the fruition of hir desires?
Once mutually accessed and sponsored for initiation into the Pact,
the candidate must make arrangements with hir Mentor to carry out the
ritual - in person - of the Neophyte. This Ritual of the Neophyte, if
done by a creative and caring magician, should be tailored to the
strengths and weaknesses of the candidate. The oaths are printed; they
form the climax of the ritual. What can't be printed is by far more
important - it is the foreplay which empowers the novice and provides
a personal test or ordeal to surmount in a constructive (and de-
constructive) imprint.
2. Members of the Pact in geographically isolated areas remote from
any PacTemples should retain an active correspondence with one or more
members on at least a quarterly basis. Pact membership is here defined
as active collaboration and interaction with the Pact.
Both of these processes may be maintained by post, electronically
via the PsyberNet BBS, or by voice-telephone.
Now how does one begin to form a Novice-group, or PacTemple? A
minimum of three candidates are needed to fill the offices of Magister
Templi (s/he who administers to all the activities of the group),
Archivist (the keeper of records for the meetings and correspondence),
and Insubordinate (the skeptic -questioning the decisions of the MT,
and providing a dark mirror to contrast the confidence of the group)
in a PacTemple. Novice groups are made up of Novices.
The people you choose to work with is paramount! Not everyone you
run across in the local bookshop, no matter how interested, is going
to be a creative and constructive force in your group. Even if your
only idea is to start the "Clan Of Clever Kaotick Youth",
you might sit down together, pick up a piece of paper, and define the
following things at the onset of the formation of your clan:
1. Goal(s) - what is your primary focus for activities?
2. Roles - who is responsible for what at this time?
3. Rituals - what are the rituals of the group going to consist of?
Will there be cyclical investigations into different traditions, the
development of new and practical workings, or?
4. Policies - what are the rules that group members will adhere to,
and what will be done to members who knowingly violate the same? Be
explicit in the areas of responsibility, communication, and money.
5. Autonomy - the group will need a name by which other groups will
address correspondence. You are defining the Pact itself by your group
- how will it be? What is the group uniform? What separates the group
from the whole, and holds together its members?
This will form the Manifesto of the Temple. A guidepost. Your own
Declaration of Independence, able to be re-written a thousand and one
times, if you like.
(There are as many different definitions of "Chaos Magic"
as there are people with an opinion about it. Not all of them however
are willing to actually DO magic, correspond and collaborate
researches, and constantly re-define what it means to themselves.
Those that do are always welcome in the Pact, and will benefit from
interacting within its structure as we will from our interaction with
them. Chaos Magicians are self- starters; they don't require a push to
get moving, the push is already t here. As I said above, you define
the Pact by your actions and ideas as a member.)
POSITION PAPER 127 The Pact: Aims and
Organization As agreed Plankenstein Aug. '88
0) The Pact exists to promote technical excellence in magic and for
mutual support, encouragement, and social interaction between it's
members.
1) The creation and discovery of theoretical and practical ideas
and practices is encouraged in all members.
2) Members are encouraged to experiment at their own discretion
with ideas and practices that other members create or discover.
3) Members are encouraged to organize gatherings of members. Any
members who organize meetings and can get other members to attend have
the right to chair such gatherings and to control the general format
therein.
4) Any member may raise any person to a grade below that which s/he
holds. However, in practice, consultation with one's peers is
recommended.
5) Grades are solely a mark of recognition of effort, commitment,
perseverance, technical abilities, and organizational abilities.
Grades are not marks of spiritual superiority or badges of rank or
command.
6) A request is the greatest demand that any member can put on
another.
7) The Magi of the Pact are available, as indeed are all members,
to offer suggestions in case of irreconcilable dispute between
members.
8) Excommunication of a member requires a majority decision by
members of that person's temple or by the Pact membership as a whole.
Appeal may be made to the Magi of the Pact for a decision by the whole
Pact and possible placement within another temple. In the event of a
member enrolling a large number of members in a short space of time
for the obvious purpose of destroying or usurping the Pact, the Magi
of the Pact may declare that member and those persons s/he has
enrolled as excommunicated.
General Matters of Policy
a) Publication of Rituals and Practical Work. Untested material
should be clearly marked "Untested". Notes on the effects of
tested material should be provided if possible.
b) Archives of Chaos. It is resolved that the council of the first
degree shall select material for addition to the Archives of Chaos.
Such Archives will be kept in each Section and Satrapy in a form to be
decided. The Archives will exist in two forms. The Canonical Archives
will contain material which may also be available to the public. The
Apocryphal Archives will contain material private to the Pact and not
for public availability.
c) Security. Members should not record the names and addresses of
other members in a way that reveals those members membership of the
Pact.
d) No person may have any grade of the Pact conferred on them from
henceforth except through personal meetings. Novices may be accepted
by post however.
e) Members who have agreed to perform six months of Liber MMM and
have not done so must complete this as soon as possible plus an
additional two weeks of Chaos Monasticism or their membership will
lapse.
f) Members are strongly encouraged to establish a connection to the
electronic mailbox or to provide a good reason why they cannot do so.
PsyberNet: An electronic Bulletin Board System of the Pact.
Access via modem: (805)772-ASIF [(805)772-2743]
CONTACT ADDRESSES IN AMERIKA Novice Groups;
founded & forming
The North West Territories:
WARP c/o Rick
137 SHIRLEY STREET
MOLALLA OR 97038 |
URAEUS c/o Yraina
POST OFFICE BOX 85146
SEATTLE WA 98145-1146 |
The Mid Western Territories:
OMEN
POST OFFICE BOX 8135
SPRINGFIELD MO 65801
The South East Territories:
REGEN GUSS
POST OFFICE BOX 1872
STONE MOUNTAIN GA 30086-1872
The North East Territories:
PIVOT c/o J.E. Seever
POST OFFICE BOX 4096
ST PAUL MN 55104
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