The occult technology of power refers to the hidden and esoteric knowledge, practices, and techniques used to acquire, maintain, and exercise power. Occult, derived from the Latin word occultus, means hidden or secret, suggesting that such techniques are often concealed from the public eye or only known to a select few. Power, in this context, can refer to various forms of influence, control, or authority. Throughout history, individuals and groups have sought to harness and wield power for their own benefit. In some instances, this quest for power has involved the use of occult knowledge and practices. The occult technology of power encompasses a wide range of teachings, rituals, and systems that are believed to enhance one's ability to manipulate outcomes, exert control over others, and influence events.
I pose the following question: "Why do we still celebrate harvest festivals like Lammas, now that we get most of our food from grocery stores and much of that is grown many hundreds of miles away from where we live? Are they really still relevant to our lives as modern pagans?"
We may not be as obviously dependent on the land as our pagan ancestors, but Lammas is a good time to be mindful of our continuing debt to our mother the Earth, and to say thank you out loud. When Davina told Elijah her story about the Harvest in the present day, she admitted that while she knew she needed to die in order to complete the ritual, she was still afraid that the Elders were lying about the girls being resurrected after they had made their sacrifice, just as they had lied about the girls being killed in the first place.
The occult technology of power encompasses a wide range of teachings, rituals, and systems that are believed to enhance one's ability to manipulate outcomes, exert control over others, and influence events. Occult technology of power can be found in various cultural and historical contexts. From ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Babylonians to mystical traditions like Hermeticism and alchemy, the pursuit of power through arcane means has left its mark on human history.
Onset of the witch harvest
This is one of my favorite times of year. Like me, most Witches observe the Wheel of the Year—eight Pagan holidays, or Sabbats, that follow the ebb and flow of the changing seasons. Starting with Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh), on August 1st, we celebrate three harvest festivals, culminating with Samhain on October 31st.
Each of these holidays focuses on a different aspect of the harvest season and each is associated with a new phase of the journey that the god and goddess travel in their changing forms throughout the year. But they all celebrate our gratitude for the abundance and joy in our own lives, and signal the wrapping up of that year's magick efforts. After all, we are harvesting the fruits of our spiritual endeavors now too, not just the vegetables we heap on our tables.
The harvest festivals are one of the most important traditions handed down to us from our earlier Pagan ancestors. These holidays may seem irrelevant to the modern Witch, who often doesn't even have a garden, but I actually think that they serve an important purpose. In my book, Everyday Witch A to Z, I talk about the importance of harvest festivals to today's Witch.
I pose the following question: "Why do we still celebrate harvest festivals like Lammas, now that we get most of our food from grocery stores and much of that is grown many hundreds of miles away from where we live? Are they really still relevant to our lives as modern pagans?"
And here is my answer: You bet your bippy they are. Not only do they serve as a connection to the Witches who came before us, and in whose path we follow, but they also remind us to be more mindful of where our food comes from and what it goes through to get to us.
We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who labor to grow the food we pick up so effortlessly at the store and to remember that it wasn't always this easy. And those of us who do grow some of our own food happily share it with those who don't.
We may not be as obviously dependent on the land as our pagan ancestors, but Lammas is a good time to be mindful of our continuing debt to our mother the Earth, and to say "thank you" out loud. We eat, drink, and are merry, but we also say a prayer for the health of the Earth, because it is still true that if the land fails, so do we all." 1
The harvest festivals are more than a time for celebration—although they are certainly that as well—they are holidays that remind us to appreciate all that we have, and to focus on the many blessings that the gods have bestowed upon us.
Lammas, or Lughnasadh, is observed on August 1st. Named for Lugh, the Celtic god of the sun, Lughnasadh celebrates light, food, and life. This Sabbat is centered around the grain harvest, and Witches often bake bread (or at least buy some nice artisan bread from the store) to share with their Witchy friends.
If you are going to have a ritual to celebrate Lammas, you can invoke one of the goddesses associated with growing things, like Demeter or Ceres. Since it is His day, you might want to call on Lugh, but other sun gods like Apollo or Ra are equally appropriate. Make sure that you have some form of grain for cakes and ale (yes, cookies count), and you may want to check in on the progress of your magickal goals for the year, since they should be nearing completion by this point.
Next comes Mabon. This Sabbat, which falls on or around September 21st, is also known as the Autumnal Equinox. On this day, the light and dark are in perfect balance, with the day and night exactly equal. Mabon is often referred to as the Witches' Thanksgiving, and it is the perfect opportunity to say a heartfelt "thank you" to the gods, and to those people who bring abundance and joy to your life.
In some traditions, the god sacrifices himself willingly to bring fertility to the Earth; some lore says this happens at Lammas, and some says it happens at Mabon. Either way, I often like to do a ritual at the Equinox in which I choose some aspect of my life that no longer works for me, and symbolically sacrifice it so that the other aspects of my existence can prosper and grow. (This can be done at Lammas instead, if you prefer.)
It is also a good time to do magickal work for balance and harmony—and which of us couldn't use more of that? If you want a nice easy ritual for this purpose, you can check out the one in my first book, Circle, Coven & Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice. Or you can simply walk out into a field and stand under the stars, if that suits you better. Just make sure, however you celebrate, that you remember to say thank you. After all, it's only polite.
The last of the three harvest festivals is Samhain, on October 31st. Most people probably don't think of this holiday as a harvest celebration. We tend to get caught up in its darker aspects, since it is the night on which the veil between the worlds is thinnest, when we say goodbye to all those we have lost during the previous year.
But don't make the mistake of seeing this as a sad occasion. Yes, it certainly has its shadowy side, but it is still a time for celebration, too.
Samhain is my favorite holiday for many reasons. It seems to me to be the most "Witchy" of all the Sabbats, and it was at a Samhain ritual that I discovered my own identity as a Witch, so it holds a special place in my heart. But more than that, Samhain is the perfect symbol of all the Witchcraft stands for—dark and light at the same time, an acknowledgement of the inevitability of sorrow and loss, and a celebration of life in the midst of death.
Fittingly, Samhain is known as the Witches' New Year. It is a night on which we observe both the end of the old year (and admit to the goals we never did accomplish) and the beginning of the new year, full of the potential for all that lies ahead. We mourn and rejoice all at the same time, because life is neither wholly dark nor wholly light, but rather an ever-changing mixture of them both.
I like to call on Hecate at this particular Sabbat. In Everyday Witch A to Z, I talk about her in detail, since she is one of my favorites, and the following description will probably explain why I see Samhain as Her holiday:
"Hecate guards the border between life and death, but also officiates at births and watches over women and children. Perhaps what draws me to Her the most is this balancing between the light and the dark, the physical and the spiritual. She seems to me to embody the essence of what Witchcraft is—mysterious and beautiful, capable of great acts of kindness but shadowed with darkness. As human beings, we are wonderful but often flawed—I'm sure that the Queen of Witches understands that, and loves us anyway." 2
The world we live in can be dark and frightening, but it is also full of wonder, magick, and joy. So during this harvest season, do your best to make your peace with the shadows within and without. Then set aside some time to celebrate the bounty of your life, the gifts the gods have bestowed upon you, and all those who walk the path beside you. Let the harvest festivals remind you of your connection with the Pagans who came before us, and the Earth that feeds and sustains us. Eat, drink and merry meet!
In Rebirth, though Cassie had been resurrected, Esther now possessed her body and made an alliance with the werewolves while Davina denounced the covens again.
In more recent times, occult practices have been associated with secret societies, esoteric orders, and fringe religious movements. One of the central aspects of the occult technology of power is the idea that hidden forces or energies can be tapped into and harnessed. This might involve working with symbolic systems, such as astrology or tarot, to gain insights into the hidden patterns and influences shaping events. It could also involve ritual practices, such as spellcasting or invocation, to connect with supernatural entities or tap into supernatural powers. The occult technology of power is not limited to mystical or supernatural realms. It also encompasses psychological techniques and strategies that leverage the power of the mind. For example, visualization, affirmation, and mental programming are common practices used to manifest desired outcomes and shape one's reality. While the occult technology of power has its proponents and practitioners, it also has its skeptics and critics. Some dismiss it as mere superstition, pseudoscience, or charlatanism. Others view it as a dangerous and exploitative means of manipulation and control. Ultimately, the occult technology of power represents a complex and multifaceted subject. It encompasses various practices, beliefs, and philosophies aimed at unlocking hidden potentials and mastering the forces at work in the universe. Whether one sees it as a legitimate path to power or as a mere illusion, the influence of occult knowledge and practices on human history cannot be denied..
Reviews for "The Occult Code of Power: Decoding the Technology"
1. Kevin - 1 star
I was highly disappointed with "The occult technology of power". I found the book to be overly complex and filled with convoluted theories that were difficult to understand and apply in real life. The author seemed more concerned with sounding intellectual than actually providing practical knowledge. Additionally, the book lacked any clear structure or organization, making it even more challenging to follow. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for straightforward and useful information on the occult.
2. Lisa - 2 stars
"The occult technology of power" was a frustrating read for me. While I found some interesting concepts sprinkled throughout, the majority of the book felt like a disjointed collection of ramblings. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without any clear connection, leaving me confused and unable to grasp the main message. Furthermore, the writing style was pretentiously verbose, often using unnecessarily complex language that served only to obfuscate rather than clarify the ideas presented. I expected more from this book, but sadly, I didn't find it engaging or enlightening.
3. Mark - 2.5 stars
I struggled to find any practical value in "The occult technology of power". The book delves into esoteric theories and philosophical ideas without providing any concrete examples or actionable advice. While I appreciate the author's attempt to explore the occult from a different perspective, I ultimately found the content to be too abstract and detached from reality. It would have been helpful to see more relatable examples and cases to illustrate the concepts being discussed. Overall, this book was a miss for me, and I'd advise readers to look for more practical and accessible resources on the subject.