Notes to Cindy: The Archives

Welcome to the Book of Shadows. 

To truly comprehend the text that follows, one must clear their head of all stereotypes, stories, fictions, religious and cultural biases, and the like of centuries past, in regards to creation, the "divine", the afterlife, the supernatural, human grandiosity, human dominance, natural laws, and so forth. Read with the mind of a toddler- ready to believe and accept absolutely anything- but, with the recalcitrance of a teenager- questioning everything and standing firm in your own convictions- while keeping in mind that this is a work of personal speculation, as it is with any other philosophical piece.  

I am about to take you behind the scenes of The Witch's Strain in order to make an attempt at separating fact from fiction. By the time you are reading this, I will have been waiting over half my life for this moment. So read on in appreciation, whether for insight, curiosity, entertainment, boredom, a classroom assignment... Shit, I don't know. Whatever the reason is that this text is in your hands, I am in your debt. 

~ A.P.3.7.9. 

Winter and Spring of 2009 and 2010. 

My beliefs are extremely unconventional to most. What is known in our modern times as "witchcraft" is an affront to our traditional culture. Wicca is known as a modern sorcerous cult notorious for it's worship of nature. This contemporary dogma is ditheistic and seems to rely heavily on these gods, not unlike Orthodox Christianity, as parental figures, or creators. However, the "wicca" is a traditional term for "witch" and cannot be associated with any religious lifestyle, as Gerald Gardner has created. 

We are not the liberal environmentalists known as "hippies" and the true meaning of our practices has become exaggerated over time. Meditation has become a way to connect to the gods, when it was originally a way to connect to ourselves. The alter has become a place for worship when it began as a place to center our energy. Every tool must now be "blessed" and "cleansed" when it is only necessary, at most, for them to at least have some connection to our spiritual energy, or at most, to be forged by our own hand. We gather our energy through and intimate connection with nature and the energy around us, and therefore, hold a certain respect towards life in all forms. 

Unfortunately, though my beliefs are popular enough, they have become relatively esoteric and are frowned upon, laughed or scoffed at, and disregarded as the fiction they have become. Even more taboo is the belief that Wicca is a bloodline; even more so, and evolution specific to the human species. Though the evolution of mankind is undeniable, the extent of such changes is still open to debate. There exists no consensus within my "faith" reagarding the length of time which the Wiccan, as a "race", have evolved and dispersed. Some believe we have been around for only centuries, while others believe we have been around since long before history was ever recorded. What every last one of us knows for sure, however, is that we are different from those around us. We share the same space, yet we live on another form of oxygen... like aliens. I think everyone has experienced a moment where they just didn't feel human, but I personally have always felt a harrowing detachment. 

scribed circa eighteenth century, somewhere in North America....vicar unknown....

The covenant Rite of Bonding, Heiros Gamos, involves meditation, spiritual connection, and - in the case of Blood Bonds- the merging of open wounds. This rite is most often carried out by a third party who dictates the ceremony and acts as a conduit for the two or more energies being bonded. 

She refers to herself with the pseudonym of "Arya." She informally attached the surname of "Prince" shortly after the date of our bond. Arya was a disciple of the prophet "Andreis," a legendary sage from an unknown time and dimension. After the bond, Andreis removed himself from the vicarious relationship he had with Arya and transferred this relationship to me for almost exactly one year, before his influence was taken over by Lilian. 

Meanwhile, Lilian extended herself to Arya for a short while. At the time, I thought that Arya was Lilian incarnate in this time, or at least a vicar. It was only in hindsight that I realized that her awareness of being a vicar negated the possibility, as well as her separation from Lilian shortly after my separation from her. Still, she often spoke of Lilian as if she and herself were but two separate identities of the same person.  She also spoke of Lilian's brother, Marcus, as if he were her own. Most thought provoking of all is that she referred to Andreis as her "father." She did, in fact, bring up my "imaginary friends", as I was conditioned to perceive them, in reference to "Angels," long before I had ever spoken of them. Many years later, I learned that her mind was attempting to explain what was happening to her with fiction while Lilian attempted to override this with fact. Her mind, too weak to handle the conflict, eventually surrendered to delusion. 

My birth name is Christopher Jay Atkins. In the seventh grade, I became interested in incognita. Pseudonyms flew through my mind, but none of them had that certain flair that I felt I needed as a writer. Finally, I settled on a name consisting of two words that would represent my queer obsession with both fire and death: Arson Pyre. I added in the middle name, "Michael" for a new and strange admiration of it. For a short while, I used this as nothing more than a pseudonym for my song lyrics. 

Eventually, this identity took on a sort of mind of it's own, growing into more of a way for my mind to cope with life than just a name to put on poetry. Within two years, it became a separate personality, and I was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. 

No longer able to use this as a mere pseudonym, and no longer able to write without it, I came up with the only solution I could: another personality. I thought to myself, "I created one before. I can create one again." This time, however, it came with limitations. Afraid of losing his control, Arson limited this new personality to only be able to create, but not to make decisions or communicate verbally. This new personality became a distorted reflection of my current self, "Chris," and who I would eventually become, "Arson." Therefore, I took four letters out of each name to create: Aris Pine. He was given the name Jacob, at the time, for the same reason as Arson was given Michael. 

Not long after, I realized that the more that Arson took control, the less Chris was able to remember. As I was attempting to chronicle my life at the time, this proved to be a major problem. Thus, the final personality was formed without my will. Acting as a spectator, this new personality became a close friend of Arson's behind the scenes, as evidenced by Aris's later writings, and allowed Aris to better draw from both Chris and Arson, as well as the inner dealings of my own subconscious, where this new personality seemed to live. 

As a reflection of all other personalities, it created a temporary balance within my mind, while simultaneously opening up my subconscious to new information and connections, giving Aris everything he could ever need to draw and write as much as he liked, while keeping Arson entertained and giving Chris a sense of control again. Therefore, his name became an anagram of Aris's to symbolize his connection to all of us.  I situated the first name on top of the last like so:

Then,  connected the letters from top to bottom to create the following:

Rearranging the letters one more time, from left to right: 

In Greek, the name Alex means "Defender of Men." As my defender, A. Prince was given this name and "Prince" later became the pseudo-surname for anyone in my coven. Thus Alex Prince was born and named. He was given the name "Evan" after the character from the movie, "The Butterfly Effect."

Later, for organizational purposes, Arson was used for poetry, Aris for letters and art, and Alex for literature. This became interchangeable after a short while, as each personality developed more will after Chris was "replaced" in my mind by Arson.

Upon integration of my personalities, Arson and Alex traded places and Aris stayed where he was. Actual integration failed. 

Due to the numerology of family names which will be explained later, the spelling of all middle names were changed as follows:

After integration, Alex took on a different last name signifying his newfound control over my mind. That name was Halter after the character Miles "Pudge" Halter from John Green's "Looking For Alaska," and also for it's meaning: to stop, or lead, to hold in place. This would later become my legal name and the name given to my children and my spouse, as is old tradition for the firstborn son to begin a new dynasty under a new name. 

All names took on the initials "AP" in reference to Edgar Alan Poe's one and only novel: "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket "

All of the below also have the ability to "turn". This ability is the first and defining quality of a witch: To shift reality in their favor. The following gifts are inherent to the individual, often before they are trained, or discover the ability, to turn. 

Turning will be discussed more later, in the section labeled "Covenants"

Healers can mend, naturally, but that which is responsive to their talent varies greatly to the individual. 

Seers, in addition to clairvoyance, can visually perceive auras, as well as entities beyond our tangible plane. 

Mediums are thought to communicate with the dead, but this is only in a sense. It is more accurately a connection through which the individual finds a trace left behind by the departed- not a spirit, but a trace, like a residue, a tough stain on the world- and pries into it's lineage. What most don't know about Mediums is that some can communicate with "Angels" and some have even been given "Divine" status. 

Drifters are by far the biggest mystery of the gifted. This is because our own understanding of them "drifts" almost as much as they do. Their abilities, as well as reality, are constantly changing and shifting. Their cognition extends beyond the limits of time, space, and even dimension. Unfortunately, most eventually suffer from dementia and are usually put in psychiatric care long before this happens. 

Alchemy, on the other hand, is the "science" of our world. 

Paracelsus, I've found, said it best. 

This man believed that the Universe in its entirety is but one being, as if we are all but individual parts of a single cell in the body that is simply "existence", and that, ergo, poison could be fought with poison. That is the foundation of modern medicine, and- in an abstract sense- of chemistry. But then, if all things are connected, the the ridding of poison must therefore be done with not only what is tangible, but also with our own energy, nature's energy, the energy that unites all that we perceive and otherwise. 

As I matured, so did evolution. The traits for my former hybrid species began to surface. Instinct led me from here rather erratically. My main mentor through this transition was Arya, speaking for Lilian, as usual. It was Andreis's responsibility to "raise" me as an apprentice, with Arya working as his protegee. Her and I performed Heiros Gamos, and she took the last name of Prince for the time that Lilian used her. 

Guardians speak through other humans, animals, and sometimes entities, to guide you through spiritual transition. These people and entities are known as Vicars. When through an animal, they are known as Familiars. When Guardians take Human form, one can build a direct relationship with their Guardian, resulting- usually- in a more fluid fate, with more control. 

As seen in Son of The Witch Part I: Lilian, Lilian had a brother named Marcus. Both of them followed me and communicated with me when I was a child in the form of "imaginary friends." I have spoken to both of them through entities, other humans, animals, my subconscious, and once through a Drifter who shall remain anonymous. With Vicars, it is often difficult to realize you are talking to a Guardian until after the event, so it is advisable to keep your inner ear open. 

It is not always a Guardian, obviously. Sometimes, it is Divine Protection through a Guardian; sometimes, it is simply mortal compassion. One would be wise not to ponder too much on distinguishing the two. I've personally made that mistake all too many times, and there are instances when it is neither Divine Protection, nor Mortal Compassion, rather misdirection from malevolent beings- mortal or otherwise. Trust your instincts. 

While Arya took on the last name of Prince, I decided to give my hybrid life an identity of its own. This part of me became known as Aris Pine, after my expressive personality, symbolizing the reflection of humanity in animals, and the reflection of animals in humans. 

The more I learned about the Gifted and the Hybrids, the more I met. We were drawn to each other like a herd. This observation led me to creating a coven which I came to call Coven XVI. 

At the time of it's creation, it was simply a gathering of Hybrids and Gifted, including myself, Arya, a healer named Sanara, and the Drifter with whom I spoke to Lilian. Later, I began including "normal" humans to create awareness of the coming Esoteric Revolution, and to attempt to create a future alliance against those who will oppose us. 

This list is not all inclusive, but instead is restricted to the "species" that I have actually encountered. I will update this section as well as others as I attain more information first hand. 

Vampires: They named as such due to their connection to blood, and are not to be confused with the "Vampires" of fiction and lore. "Blood Lust" is apparent in Vampires, but only on the spiritual level. Attributes include heightened reflexes, a strong immune system, environmental adaptability, clairvoyance, and resistance to mortal/paranormal manipulation. They have an ability to turn by emanating and manipulating chaos energy. They are talented in the art of psychological manipulation. All of this is powered by blood connection, either through blood rite or consumption. Without blood connection, all attributes have a negative effect; for example, reflexes are lower than average and the immune system crashes. Persistent physical symptoms include: headaches, vertigo, indigestion, poor circulation, night tremors, and trouble breathing. 

Werewolves: Named such due to there demeanor, attributes, and connection with canines. Demeanor is usually stocky and muscular. They have a natural musky smell. Most are athletic and all are extremely competitive. They are more likely to make family- or pack- bonds than spiritual or love bonds. Unlike Vampires, their need to be around others in their own species often causes them to prefer to be alone for lack of a pack to cling to. Attributes include a predatory instinct and heightened sense which makes them better hunters and investigators. Although lean, they have great strength for their size. They have swift reflexes and precision speed on rough and unpredictable terrain in any climate. They produce more adrenaline than most, and therefore can often be violent in nature. 

Shifters: Often called "shape-shifters", although they do not actually change shape. They are very fast an agile and can change your perception of them in passing, tricking you into thinking they were never there at all. They usually have a higher aptitude for technology and weaponry. They are master infiltrators as they can contort their bodies and move without a sound. Excellent strategists. Their ability to read patterns allows them to find the best entry or escape and allows them to easily break through encryptions. I have never actually seen it happen, but it is rumored that they are able to manipulate high frequency wave-forms, granting them control over radio and satellite signals. 

The Number 3, in most religions, corresponds to some divine power. For instance: In Christianity, it is the Father (God), The Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost (God's intervention- psychologically related to the conscience.) 

It is, if you look deeper, even more omnipresent of religions, and of general philosophy, in the aspect of the 3 States of Being. Like elements can come as a liquid, a gas, or a solid, a life can come as a body, a mind, or a soul. These are the Physical, the Psychological, and the Spiritual states of being. Also like the elemental forms, these states have varying degrees of permeability. The elemental states in order of increasing permeability are firstly solid, secondly liquid, and thirdly gas, whereas the states of being are in the same order that they were introduced: Firstly Body, secondly Mind, thirdly Soul. It is also in this order that the states leave the present life after death: First, the organs lose function, second, the brain activity ceases, and finally, the soul loses it's bind to the other states- and in speculation, moves on. 

Blood, it is also speculated, is one of the binding factors of the states, such as temperature might be considered a factor in the states of a given element- although, not so directly. The factors are alike not in how they influence the states, but rather the concept that they have an influence at all. These factors influence and maintain the conditions of the states, as well as the conditions also inflluence and maintain the factors. This is an easier concept to grasp in chemistry, as in regards to the states of being, it becomes much more abstract, and- like most philosophical concepts- almost poetic in nature: 

Blood (Temperature), in essence, binds (links), the soul (gas) to the body (solid), the body to the mind (liquid), and the mind back to the soul. Ergo, Blood is the substance (factor) of inter-state unity (transformation). 

Looked at more bluntly, no matter what the present form is, they are still only different perceptions of the same thing, and these factors allow them to be so, by being present in all of them, as a higher or lower temperature, blood, a synapse, or even some "divine" power. 

The states are best imagined as the vertices of a triangle. Whether the triangle is equilateral, isosceles, or scalene; right, acute, or obtuse; depends on how close of a connection (the measure of any one line in comparison to the other two lines) the individual has between and two of these states (or vertices), at a given time. Meditation and exposure to higher energy (magykal experience) can bring balance to these connections. With this balance, the triangle can be rendered as an equilateral. Meditation slows the blood flow and calms the mind, allowing the senses to become hyper-aware and the lines extending from the spiritual vertex to shorten. A perfect balance of connection is considered a state of Divine Mortality- a state sought after by many philosophical and pagan lifestyles across the world and timeline. Those who achieve this state, by one standard or another, are referred to as "sages", "saints", "spiritual leaders", at least twice as the "messiah" in Christianity and Islam, and on a few occasions "Buddah." Prophets are also thought to have experienced this state, and thus obtained their wisdom. 

Temperature, Blood, Synapses, and Divine Power, as discussed, can all be seen as factors in the Unity, as well as the Manipulation, of the levels of permeability in a given object- in this particular instance, life and the elements. Also discussed, were the balance of these levels in regards to life, as well as a brief- but noteworthy- mention of their breakdown after death. Throughout the documents, as a whole, there has also been a repeated emphasis of the avid use of speculation in a philosophical piece, in regards to the warnings about assumption, epiphany, and personal bias, as stated in the Forward. This being said, I want to consider the most basic denominator common to all topics I have just recalled. As a point of interest, I might mention that this thing I speak of is truly the basis of every topic in this book- as well as the reason this book is in your hands, as well as how it is you are reading it in the first place, and how you are here in this Universe at all. The answer is nothing more simple, or more ironically complex, than this six letter word which we have always known, or used, on some level. The answer, my dear reader, is "Energy". 

Energy is everything, everywhere, every time. It is the building block in which all three states, abiotic figures, biotic figures, the elements , the planets, light, darkness, and everything in between is created and destroyed. It is not my intent to ramble on in a comprehensive, in depth, lecture about energy and it's relevance to math, physics, biology, engineering, zen, philosophy, and so on. This book is dry and tedious enough as it is. However, I do mean to emphasize, perhaps even overly so, it's importance to life and the validity of Magyk, because with our extremely recent understanding of it, humanity may expand upon its mystery and perhaps, one day, prove the "improvable" and end- at least on some level- the debates of creation, mysticism, theology, and science, as well as all the other mysteries of life, reality, and the divine, that have plagued humanity since the beginning of recorded history. 

The Number Seven comes from the Seven Centers of Energy throughout the Physical Body. Called "Chakra" in the Hindu religion, these centers are often symbolized by wheel-like, multi-petaled, Circles. It is not unianimous on how many Chakra there are or where they are found in the body. The standard Chakra are located in the Crown, the Brow, the Throat, the Heart, the Core, the Sacrum, and the Base. Belief in these centers are, of course, strictly subjective, but they symbolize an ancient devotion to the balance of energy, and are here referenced with the utmost respect. The Number Seven may also derive from the Seven Spectrums of Light, as divided by Isaac Newton. 

This is an extremely brief synopsis of what we are dealing with when considering the mystery behind energy. Think about it. Almost immediately above and below our own physical, tangible, octave, we become- for the most part- blind to our own environment. This concept leads Mercier to later muse: 

And, so it seems that on this level, science is already closing in on the significance of Energy as a grand factor of reality. 

It is the practice of manipulating this energy with one's own raw energy, or will, that defines Magyk. Almost everything you use stems from this, indirectly, through the process of invention. But, Magyk, as it is- once again- raw, dilutes that process to three steps: Thought, Unity, and Sacrifice. 

You begin by conjuring a Web of Thoughts, in which you must concentrate all of your energy on what you wish to conjure. This is most often done through meditation and intense commitment. Then, you proceed by Unifying yourself with the Energy that flows in and around you. Meditation begins this step. To conclude, the Circle is drawn, the Elements are utilized, and the Connection must be made. Finally, there must be a Sacrifice. This does not, necessarily, have to be a Sacrifice of Life. Throughout the process- prior, during, and after- Time, Thought, and Energy must be Sacrificed, lest the  power accumulated proves insufficient. 

You may have heard through books and movies that Blood has a lot to do with the Power behind Spells. I am sorry to confirm this belief. However, a Sacrifice of Blood is only necessary in Rites of Bonding, Rites of Initiation, and in rites dealing with the manipulation of Negative Energy, which is commonly known as Black Magic, and is obviously often fictitiously exaggerated.