It is worth here attempting briefly to differentiate Right Hand Path and Left Hand Path magical systems.
There are two explanations for the terms Right Hand Path and Left Hand Path. One is that they represent the two methods of attaining enlightenment among the Hindu religious class. Most monks or sadhus take the Right Hand Path. Their path is one of virtue, of community, and of obedience to wise teachers or traditional precepts. They seek enlightenment beyond this world. A few, however, are drawn to Left Hand Path practice, and they tend to be individualistic and antinomian, turning away from social norms and focusing on individual power. I think of these paths as two ways up the mountain; same mountain, but with the choice of a broad, sociable, light-infused way versus a way that is obscure, solitary and dangerous.
The other explanation for the terms traces them back to the quirks of Roman urban planning. There was a dualistic element to Roman spiritual thinking, which possibly hearkened back to the earlier inhabitants of Italy, the Etruscans. They wanted to divide civic activities into those that occurred on the right hand of the citadel, and those that occurred on the left. On the right hand were government buildings, theatres, and the architecture of public life. On the left hand, outside the city proper, were the necropolis and other structures that were associated with the dead. Thus the left side was seen as wild, dangerous, and sinister. It is where our word sinister comes from. It is no coincidence that the left hand path is associated with the dead. Where the dead are, magic is. Those who work with the dead, sorcerers or necromancers, or even those who undertake more mundane pursuits with the dead, are othered as dangerous outsiders who are consulted only when necessary. Magic has always been associated with the dead and has often been the preserve of the outsider.
Much high Right Hand Path magic takes its cue from the ontological framework of religion. It employs techniques such as yoga or meditation, in order to gain power in the sense of vitality and understanding. Its aim is to change reality in accordance with will, but it bounds itself by morality and the consideration of the welfare of others. Pagan magic is sometimes bounded in this way, for example when Wiccans claim that if you do a bad thing it will come back to you threefold. Most practitioners of magic work on the RHP even if they see themselves as subverting dominant systems of power or embracing marginalised people and ideas. Famous transgressors such as Aleister Crowley and Jack Parsons were teleologically RHP. Their goals were to gain enlightenment, to merge with the Divine and to subsume their egos or ordinary selves. These goals are remarkably similar to the religious mystic.
RHP magic is often aligned with the New Age/New Thought ideas mentioned above. Here is a very typical example that might come across your Facebook newsfeed at any time:
‘Witch tip: Wash your front door with warm water and essential oils of rosemary and spearmint to invite good vibes, love wisdom and protection into your home’
I can’t find the source of this ‘witch tip’ I am afraid. But it is a nice example of contemporary low or folk RHP magic, in that it is relatively easy, harms none, and is aimed at generalised goodness rather than anything specific. You don’t have to stretch yourself psychically to achieve it. It is not dangerous or confronting. It is in tune with the age, and with most other practices including religious ones.
The Left Hand Path is the form of magical and other spiritual work that embraces the Nightside. Conventional magical experience exists in a consensual bubble. The Nightside is all that we fear, all the dark and glorious power of the forbidden that we must experience and understand in order to gain power and understanding. It is thus a very individual and mostly solitary path. There are many ways into the Nightside, possibly as many as there are LHP practitioners. However, there are also acknowledged experts who possess proven wisdom and whose advice is sought. LHP thinking includes forms of Satanism both theistic and non-theistic, Luciferianism and Dark Paganism. There are also LHP elements within the great religions. For example, some Hindu Sadhus such as the Aghori undergo rituals that deliberately subvert religious practice. There is often a ‘dark’ kernel within the usual mystical traditions. LHP is teleologically different. The aim is not oneness with reality or death of the ego, but to attain enlightenment and then swerve away from it, to say no to union with the divine and become a god instead. It is a captivating idea that an adept may have to do dangerous and terrible things in order to speed their way to enlightenment. It is also captivating to think there is a way to kick yourself out of the whole shebang, to use your own power to transcend karma or causal reality, and to become a god or godlike.
Techniques for RHP and LHP magic can often be the same, especially at the beginning. Meditation, memorization, ritual discipline, visualization, chakra work, yoga, study, all are germane here. It is the goal that is different.
I have a feel for the Left Hand Path because it is where I started, and I have great respect for those who manage it safely. I now think the goals of magical practice evolve as the magician does, and the distinctions collapse in the final moment.
And, blessings on you, gentle reader, or Ave Satanas, whichever you prefer.
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