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The Revelation Of John

The Apostate

Behold the wonder we cast before eyes long jaded and cast from Eden’s embrace.

For as elders we sat long and deliberated upon the face of God whose gaze burnt away our innocence and into the world we sowed the seeds of our deceit.

Your prison was forged with iron and blood and only we possess the key to your salvation.

For two millenia have our footsteps echoed across the tapestry of history, each step bathed in the blood of the innocent and now our task complete we cast before you the lie which serves as our existence.

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I

Revelation

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand. Notwithstanding I have a few things against

thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

And In Those Days

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, come and see. And I saw and behold a white horse and he that sat on him had a bow and a

crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal I heard the second beast say, come and see. And there went out another horse that was red and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another and there was given unto him a great sword. And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third beast say, come and see. And I beheld and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. And when he had opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, come and see. And I looked and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth,

to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beasts of the earth. And when he had opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal and lo, there was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men and the rich men and the chief captains and the mighty men and every bondman and every free man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand?

It Was Given Unto

And when he had opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the

prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar and cast it into the earth and there were voices and thunderings and lightnings and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood and they were cast upon the earth and the third part of trees was burnt up and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea and the third part of the sea became blood and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea and had life died and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters. And

the name of the star is called Wormwood and the third part of the waters became wormwood and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded and the third part of the sun was smitten and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars so as the third part of them was darkened and the day shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise. And I beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! And the fifth angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it and shall desire to die and death shall flee from them. And the sixth angel sounded and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour and a day and a month and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

The False Prophets

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow was upon his head and his face was as it were the sun and his feet as pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a little book open and he set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot on the earth and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth and when he had cried seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I

was about to write and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again and said, go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

To Spread The Lie

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod and the angel stood, saying rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Sow The Seed Of Doubt

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth and the dragon

stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron and her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels and prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Draw Aside The Veil

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear and his mouth as the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death and his deadly wound was

healed and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast and they worshipped the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

And Reveal

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be

tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest, day nor night, who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

The End Of Days

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

In Nomine Adonai

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul died in the sea. And

the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, thou art righteous, o Lord, which art and wast and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast and his kingdom was full of darkness and they gnawed their tongues for pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores and repented not of their

deeds. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

In Nomine Babalon

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials and talked with me, saying unto me, come hither I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet

coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. And upon her forehead was a name written, mystery, babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

In Nomine !"µ"#$

II

The Quadra

The Quadra

A Creation Myth

I

Lucis Ignis Dei

The first echo arises, plucked from the void. A column of light illuminating the darkness of eternity with its plasma burst. Extends, diffuses into the shadows of eternal night. Unfolds its thoughts, creates reflections of itself. Stars bask within its supernal luminosity. It knows itself not, only its reflections cast shadows upon its countenance. Withdraws, contains itself, achieves critical mass, implodes. Shards of light travel outwards, fusing, melding and finally a cataclysm. Light manifests as energy, its matrix. Reverberates, creating heat, informing the cold, dark void of its presence, atoms dance within its thermal resonance. Fire arises, the light of consciousness, a whisper within a womb of light. Beholds itself, a shadow being of light emitting sparks, coruscating down bright corridors of becoming. Fuses with the immensity of the ocean and dreams of another. A means of definition, of differentiation. To create a matrix, its energy to another’s form. As the power of life it moves ever inwards, spiraling to the core of silence, its origin and outwards to all things, its destiny. In the larva flow of its being conceives of a form and enters it. Burning brightly, flame red and gold to the darkness beyond. Heat at its core, frost at its surface it moves towards the light that draws it ever closer, its source. It beholds its former self, wrapped in the sackcloth of memory. Alighting upon a cliff face, carved out of the aethyr itself, rests and beholds the vista before it. A barrenness that it would fill, yet in its dark mood, its dark nature it broods. It, the creator would create another to know itself.

II

Aqua Bella Mater

Precipitation, moisture, the ocean roils as the plasma hits, first the surface, laced with a filigree of light. Penetrating to the cold depths of incalculable mystery below. Meets ice. Movement, as the plasma, crackling with the ice and moisture that surrounds it, threatens to engulf it, finally yields. The first of many meetings that will unfold through time. The eternal sky god, lord of the lightning flash meeting his consort within the icy depths of oceans embrace. Within their embrace they cavort and of their contortions, each yielding but a little to the other, ice melts, plasma diffuses. And of their embrace arises a heat, warmth that rises to the surface as bubbles of light, breaks the surface as a spume of golden light and the first of things is released and given the name Nemesis. Takes its freedom flight and is seen no more. Many arose from their union, the time of echoes was unfolding, would continue to unfold through the long aeons ahead. Deity now reflected upon another and in the appearance of duality, knew itself completed. Yet it was a generous being and would grant life, multiple forms through which it could witness itself, and into each of its forms it signs its name. In the signing lay the hope of realisation, that its creatures might know of their source. This its compassion, this its female form. For as substance, it could only exist in its female form, for as lord of the lightning’s it could only devour its offspring. No nurturing, no protection or love could it offer, for these were properties unknown to it. And in this way was the marriage between the elements of the prima mater consummated.

III

Aethyr Congressus Cum Daemon

And the first of things, Nemesis, came into being. Borne aloft upon the pinions of dreams did it fly through ecstasy upon ecstasy. Its substance the very air itself through which it also passed, at its heart a lightning bolt of golden hue and upon its surface the ice of its mother, in fusion a mist of golden light presaged its arrival and the perfume of oceans depth and the endless infinity of the star spangled void. Lord of light was its assumed name, for it knew no other. This would suffice. It would be the very lifeblood and soul of all that followed during the unfolding of days. Would inspire and bring to freedom each of the sentient forms that were yet to come into being. Adonai in the palace of the heart. Nemesis within the citadel of its mind. Lord of light, bright Lucifer, herald of the dawn, lord of the world. Its consort it would seek and of their union creation would continue to unfold and in the union with its bride would it bring life to lifelessness.

IV

The Bride of Adonai In the brightness of the void lay one of beauty, slumbering within the velvet embrace of eternal night. Whispers of promise blooming within her heart. A smile upon her pale lips. Lips awaiting a kiss, whereon life would dawn. And in her slumbers she dreams deeply and of her dreams a mist arises, violet and gold. A symphony of celestial joy, as another echo reverberates along the corridors of eternity. Her body dances, held aloft within the embrace of space and from her womb, time arises. For she is fertile, mother to all form, daughter of the infinite depths of ocean and of the sky lord, her consort. Now she rises and embraces the air itself, suffused with a radiance of golden light, he, her lover and consort created to fulfil creations dream.

The Nexus or Fifth Element

00

The four watch towers established within the void, their sentinels alert, the four echoes reverberating through the dimensions of time and space. A tower of lightning illuminating the eternal night with its incandescence. One of oceanic blue and green casting its reflections into the void. Another of golden aethyr, a lattice of light and wraithlike form . And finally one of opal, its hues oscillating with the splendour of nature’s unfolding. Fusion takes place and the dance begins anew. Each tower radiating its essence into the void, chromatically meeting at the nexus point. A symphony of sound, the crack of lightning’s blast, the deep susurration of ocean’s depths, the rush of zephyrs ecstasy, the hearts beat of the bride. And at the point of union the spiral of life’s song begins to unfold its tale to eternity, its witness.

The Second Becoming 0

She stirs from her slumbers, gazes into the void. Her form now diffuse, mist upon the lattice of her web. The echoes travelling to her inform her that her work is all but done. Only one last act to perform. And with the passing of her final breath she emits a song of joy and enters dissolution, the final dream. Her essence released, she enters creations mantle and dreams within the heart of her children, silent, unseen, unknown. Only eternity knows of her presence and with a sigh, it too enters dissolution and the time of dreams.

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III

Comment Upon Revelation

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The Witness

Opening The Seals

Whispers Like Shadows

Enter The Heart

And Sow The Seeds Of The End Of Days

Sic Transit Gloria Rosa Mundi

Book One

Praeteritim I

Seven are the seals upon creations countenance

Seven the trumpets that announce the day of redemption

Seven are the visions of the dragon and its kingdoms

Seven the visions that accompany the lamb

Seven are the bowls of gods wrath

Seven the veils upon the lady Babalon

And Seven are the visions of the end of days

nd in those days the sons of god beheld beauty upon the Earth and lusted after the daughters of man. Seven were they who defied the logos and left the false paradise of gods beneficence in search of their destiny. Foremost amongst these brave souls was bright Lucifer, lord of the eastern horizon, accompanied by his loyal cohorts and their legions. Numerous as the stars hung upon the night sky were they who descended on that fateful day, the day of redemption. Their journey completed within the passing of a single breath, they alighted upon the Earth and sought pale Lilith within her desert fastness. She, who would be mother to these, the errant sons of god. The beloved of god, Michael, was the last to see them on that day and into the hands of each he delivered a parchment upon which a seal was placed. This, the judgement of the lord, that his Elohim carry to the Earth the means of humanities redemption. Into the hands of Lucifer he delivered the parchment of dominion. Into those of Galamael the seal of history. To Salamis the parchment of learning. To Palemon he handed the seal of life and to Azrael he handed that of death. To Malekh, the parchment of mystery and into the hands of Vain he placed the seal of keys. Each of

them gazed deeply into the eyes of Michael, their accuser, found no comprehension or understanding, only a sense of pity and remorse. And upon the wings of night a last word is whispered, “farewell.” No more were they seen within the portals of the holy empire, yet they were mourned and in time, forgiven.

ale Lilith faced the glory of the stars falling to the Earth and greeted the

arrival of the Elohim with open arms and a heart filled with a tenderness previously unknown to her. To her encampment she took her wards and began their education in the ways of their new world. The days cascaded like water over a precipice, as many as the grains of sand upon a beach, and in time the rebel angels

found comfort within the desert lands of Lilith, their guide and protector. And during this time they learnt the ways of man, a primate barely risen from the pool of inchoate form, possessed of reason in its infancy, trusting, spellbound by the beauty of the Elohim. Willingly they gave their sons and daughters to these gods and in this way did they gain a soul. Of their unions did the nephilim arise, beings monstrous in form, yet

possessing the tongues of angels. The nephilim took to solitude within the mountain ranges to the far north where they scorned both human and Elohim alike. There they founded their empire, an empire of solitude wherein they wove their spells of anonymity and were heard of no more. It was said that they had found a way of leaving Earth. That they lived within the heart of the mountains or had entered the depths of the ocean. All rumour. To the south, the harsh burning grounds, where lived the demons of the world, the issue of Lilith’s ever fertile womb. To the west the human settlements, though few in number, they prospered and thrived as a hunter–gatherer culture, dwelling in small communities, often nomadic, following the seasons changes. And to the east, the ocean, unbounded, covering two thirds of the globe. It was said that the old ones, out of the night of time lay dreaming within its depths awaiting the time of their ascension. Again, rumour.

II

The Elohim

alamael gazed into the mirror that was always with him and sighed. Gazed deeply into the past of his own history, for he was cursed by the spell of memory, would not, could not forget, for he held the seal of history, the weave of moment upon moment, unfolding, shaping and reforming into intricate webs of possibility. His task, to dissemble his form throughout the corridors of time itself. For this reason was he known as eternity. He gazed into the future, again a sigh escaped from deep within his soul. Casting one more look upon the reflective surface of the mirror, he dissolves, casting his form into the eternity of the moment, he unravels the beauty of his form, his power and enters the continuum of time. And in this way did bright Lucifer, light bearer and lord of dominion receive the seal of history.

Salamis retiring into the night gazed into the heavens and read the syntax of the stars, a story of beginnings, of becomings and of times yet to be. Her form a whispered shadow of light, illuminating all that she touches, with the breath of knowledge. Alights upon a rocky escarpment and gazes into the vast abyss beyond. And upon the breeze she lets her breath unfold, illuminating the darkness beyond with the opalescent sparkle of her being. For this reason was she called Sophia. Into the hearts and minds of all life did she unravel herself and make her home. In the silence of intuitions dawning, know that it is her whispers that inform, pushing the darkness of ignorance away with the light of her presence. And in this way did the lord of dominion receive the seal of learning from Salamis in the form of a parting kiss as she dissolved and entered the diamond brightness of wisdom. Palemon danced across heath land, hands stretching upwards caressing the air, and in his aerial form took flight with the eagle, surveying all beneath him, the air passing through feathers, the turbulence of the air, here warm, there, a little cooler. A dance unfolding, choreographed by wind and pressure. Alighting upon the grassland below, dissolves and enters the body of the earth itself, feels the density of her form, stretching outwards connects to the life within her body and rejoices. Sings in her rapture, a song of joy and ecstasy, for she is life and holds its seal. Rises upwards into the form of a mighty oak and feels the breeze caressing branch and leaf. Enters water, rushing upwards she meets the rapids, pressure upon her, urgency to reach the spawning grounds, her liquidity scintillates, invigorates. Lying upon a bed of straw, pressure within her belly, sweat upon her body, she pushes downwards. Her breath escaping in gasps, she opens and is delivered of child, the rapture of release. Holding life within her hands, placing the child upon her swollen breast, releases liquid into the expectant mouth and knows the pleasure of union. Palemon released himself into the tide of life, wove himself into the tapestry, holding the double helix and dissolved, triumphant. In this way did the lord of the eastern horizon receive the seal of life. Azrael, a cipher of beauty, alluring, enrapturing looks through time and perceives the form of another lying upon a bed of leaves beneath a mighty oak. She is hurt, blood passes from a deep wound within her heart, her breath a mere sigh releasing her life upon the air, air that once sustained her and now would claim her. As lightning, Azrael travels and with the passing of a single thought, arrives and greets the one on the threshold of eternity. Smiles and opens his arms and heart to the mortally wounded one at his feet. She rises and looking deeply into his eyes, sees the joy that awaits her. “Come, my love,” he whispers, “your pain will be soothed, release yourself into my care, for I love you.” She wraps her arms around the form of Azrael and with a whispered word, a sigh, releases her life and enters the arms of her beloved. And in this way did compassionate death, the seducer, tantalise her soul into acceptance and joy. In the blooming of a thought, its flowering, momentary

existence and completion does Azrael weave his spell. At the beginning does he plant his seed, watching each breath unfold its angularities until, with the last line etched, the last breath taken does he reach out and claim what is his. Look deeply into the heart of that which is your beloved and see the smiling face of Azrael etched within your memory. Dissolving into the beginning and ending of things, beautiful Azrael, seducer of life, weaves himself into the tapestry and enters silence. And in this way did the bright lord Lucifer acquire the seal of death. Upon the beast of her dominion Malekh advances. The beast she mounts, seven heads, crowned with diadems of glory, rapture, power, pestilence, plague, famine and the drunkenness of fornication. Upon her brow, seethes the abyss and in oscillating patterns of light and shadow is etched the cipher of mystery. Shrouded in a nimbus of eternal night, yet upon her face the glory of light resplendent, for she is clothed with the sun. Its emanations reaching outwards and inwards, and at the nexus of their gathering a pulse of ruby rich red lies at her heart. Mystery is her name, her syntax the nature of the unknown and the ever unknowable. Burn upon the pyre of her mystery for of her none may know, only her shadows and masks does she display upon the surface of appearance. Ever virgin yet drunk upon the wine of saints, her fornication’s bear witness to the inviolate nature which is her seed, her heart. The mask of glory reveals her in her beauty. That of rapture reveals her in her ecstasy. The mask of power reveals her in her majesty, queen of all she surveys, mistress of all, known by none. The mask of pestilence reveals her as chaos and the deep chthonic realm of the gatherer. That of plague reveals her as the wrath of purification. And that of famine reveals her as the barren mother. Into the world she advances, dissolving into her masks and releasing her essence upon the breeze she enters eternity. And in this way did the lord of dominion receive the seal of mystery. Vain beheld the unfolding of this and remembered. His form etched in alabaster, pale, cast no shadow, the angularities of his form precise, the perfection of geometry’s heaven. Angle gave rise to curve which in turn yielded to liquid softness and finally became the hardness of diamond before beginning again its cycle of transformation. Only his eyes remained constant, ink black, containing at their heart sparks of flame etched in crimson and gold. He held the seal of keys within his form. His heart held the key to the kingdom. His mind, the key to understanding. His hands were the key to the palace of exiles. His feet the key to manifestation. His legs the key to the pillars of the temple and the altar of sacrifice. His torso the key to the world. And his face the key to the presence, the immanence of becoming. Of this was Vain made manifest. And into this Vain now flowed, dissolving his form into the liquidity of his essence. And in this way did the son of the morning, bright Lucifer receive the seal of keys into his keeping and now knew himself to be alone.

III

The Son of the Morning he lord of the eastern horizon, bright Lucifer stood upon a promontory and surveyed his dominion. His cohorts now departed, yet he knew them to be contained within the seals he held within his hands. Not until the opening of the seals would he see them again in the flesh, and that would not be until the end of time itself. One act before him, to take within himself the seals and his cohorts so they would be one, united and undivided, in this way would he gain solace within his citadel of isolation. The seal of history he placed within his eyes, that he might see all that was, is and would be, throughout eternity. The seal of learning he placed within his mind, that he would have knowledge of all things. The seals of life and death he placed within his heart that he might know understanding. The seal of mystery he placed within his aura and within his speech, that all, would know him as the sanctuary of the unknown. And the seal of keys he placed within his hands, that they might unfold the rich tapestry of time and place before him. His cohorts now dwelt within him and he knew their intimacy and council. Yet he was alone. Lord of solitude, to witness the unfolding of time throughout eternity. To witness the weave of life’s glory. He alone, the witness. His only companion, Lilith, she who had prepared the way and taught them the ways of this world. Had consoled them in their dark moments of regret, brought them to the place of understanding. Shared her pleasures with them, taught them the ways of the flesh. She alone was companion and consort to the dark lord of the Earth. The lord of dominion. The witness. She the accursed of god, the first woman, made immortal through her craft. She who had also denied the logos and escaped the servitude, service to her lord and master the protohuman Adam, contempt beyond contempt. Rather the wild beasts of the wilderness than that. She had denied the creator and the angels and stood supreme in her power. And of this world she had created a garden. No worship, no servitude, only pleasure and delight were the services she required. Now consort to the lord of this world she was its mistress. She would guide him and in so doing they would unfold paradise and challenge heaven itself. Heaven the place of worship and servitude, bending of the knee to the despotic one upon the throne, who knew only retribution and wrath, and would cleanse, wipe away creation and recreate another. Where the compassion, where the

love? For this reason had bright Lucifer and his cohorts left the realm of the overworld, to serve as champions, as guides to the wayward sons and daughters of the Earth. Now he, Lucifer, the bearer of light, was, like Lilith, accursed and for this was now called Nemesis and the opposer, he the first of things to take its freedom flight from the swirling chaos of non form. He the first, the beloved of god, abandoned, cast aside, accursed. In his power he would storm the gates of heaven itself, tear down the prison walls of tyranny that dwelt within and raise in its place a second paradise, a paradise he would establish upon the Earth, as witness of compassion’s true nature. This his pride, this his fall from grace. Within the still, dark caverns of his heart he whispered to himself: “ tis better to rule in hell than to serve in heaven.” And so he built himself a citadel of isolation, within the desert fastness, his home and planned the unfolding of time in the long aeons that awaited him and his bride. Around this citadel he wove seven veils and set seven seals, each a gateway, each a part of his nature and he called this citadel Babalon in honour of his bride.

IV

the fair

n the midst of his desert fastness Lucifer raised mighty Babalon, beneath a dome of rock crystal, faceted a thousand fold, so that the rays of the sun reflected upon its surface created a light, blinding in its intensity. He wove seven seals into the dome and created of them a series of portals, so that the few, the very few who knew of his presence might enter. Of these seven gateways he created seven palaces. Seven palaces of initiation, forever open, forever sealed.

The first gateway he named the kingdom of the bride and above its portal in ciphers of gold he inscribed the sigils of abundance and permanence. Of the second gateway he created a vast ocean of amniotic fluid, wherein he placed the foundation of the world, he wove the spells of bright Diana and dark Hecate into its liquidity and above the portal inscribed in silver the ciphers of life and death. The third portal, a double helix of time and space, wherein he wove the spells of Mercurius and radiant Aphrodite and above its portal inscribed the sigils, Solve et Coagula. And of the fourth portal he dreamed a rainbow bridge into being, travelling into infinity unfolding its splendour in the names and spells of brave Horus and just Amoun, and above its portal inscribed the cipher, by the sword and by the sceptre, know me. The fifth portal, a palace of force and form, a singularity containing within its heart annihilation. Into its matrix he wove the spells of Shiva and Shakti and above its portal he hung the coils of the mighty serpent, Ananta. And the sixth portal, a vacuum, for none might enter, for it was the gateway to the overworld of heaven. Cursed as an abomination throughout eternity. No spells did he weave, no sigils, only the vacuum existed. The seventh palace, a mighty void, the place of crossing and into its fabric he wove the spells of Uranus and the lightning bolts of his coming. And above its portal inscribed the ciphers of eternity, knowledge and mystery. And within this dome he created the majesty of the world. Great rolling plains of grassland giving rise to the majesty of mountain peaks, capped in snow and clouds. Great primordial jungles he created, steaming and abundant with life. Oceanic depths he created and raised mighty cities beneath their roiling waves. Vast plains of desert, sculpted by wind into seas of sand, burning beneath a merciless sun, he created. He sent forth the Quadra to inform the base materials of his creation with intelligence and design. And to all of this he signed his name, placed his breath within his creation and rejoiced. All of this occurred at the dawn of time, before history was recorded. His only witnesses, Lilith his consort, and the sons and daughters that he and his fellow Elohim had spawned. Millennia unfolded and he knew peace, knew the freedom that

he had once sort. Felt his destiny, was overjoyed by the fecundity of life upon this Earth, this paradise. A mass celebrating the fusion of matter and spirit, matter infused with the spirit of the Elohim, which gave rise to his creatures possessing a soul, that they too would know freedom within their lifetime. He taught his creatures the sciences of life, of agriculture and husbandry. Gave them language, that they might communicate their thoughts. Gave them the magick of the written word and the

power of naming, that they might increase in understanding. Protected and nurtured his wards until the time, when they too, would take their flight into freedom, the freedom that was his nature and their destiny. And within his citadel of isolation he watched and waited, witnessed the passing of aeons, and to his creatures, short of life and transient as they were, he became but a legend, a distant memory, until finally he was all but forgotten. And in this way the golden age unfolded its tapestry, weaving its shapes, raising forms, then releasing them back to the continuum from whence they had arisen, that new and evolving forms could know their time, their life, upon this, the globe of splendour, this paradise, this Earth. Of his fellow Elohim nothing was heard, only whispers that he felt deep within his heart. And of his past within the great citadel of the overworld, likewise nothing. An eternity had passed since the day that he and his brave cohorts had shunned the servility of their maker, left and sought their own destiny. Only curiosity brought these memories to the surface, for now he was lord of dominion and with his consort Lilith, knew love, peace and freedom.

Book Two

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi Let them that have wisdom of the Art count the number of the beast. And in the counting let them discover that it is the number of Man. And from the ocean that is mankind, a man or woman will arise who will embody the beast throughout history, until the end of time itself. And having counted, let them discover the nature of the beast whose number is 666.

or millennia life proliferated and evolved. His plan, his dream of a second heaven approached its fruition. And during this time the human community prospered and grew, evolving from the hunter gatherer culture to that of agriculture. Settled communities were formed and the reality of property unfolded. Cities surrounded by walls of protection were erected against the raids of enemies. Man took to arms against his brother in the flesh. Empires stretched their arms across the globe, greedy for acquisition, for land and dominions. Religions arose to assuage the gluttony and avarice. Across ten thousand years, this dark age unfolded. Gone the golden age, was it but a moment in passing? What of the dream of a second paradise? What of bright Lucifer’s dominion? Empire upon empire rose and fell, each, their duty to overthrow the yoke of the oppressor, each assumed that role in turn. The dark ages unfolded. The empire of Sumer, gone. Of Babylon, dreaming beneath its dust, gone. The might and magick of the land of the double crown, that was Khem, but a memory. The dynasties of China, passing in a moment before the onslaught of time. The realm of the Indus valley, buried beneath its superstition and metaphysics. And what of noble Greece, cradle of western civilisation? Gone to drunkenness and debauchery, cleansed by the might of Rome which basking at the midday of its ascension was in turn overthrown by the cult of the lamb. City and State fused, and of this fusion a heresy was born. The fathers of the church decreeing themselves absolute, manifested the antichrist upon the Earth. Centuries passed and even they fell to dust, an anachronism within their own time.

What had begun with religion now ended and the time of renaissance dawned, when free men and women cast aside the yoke of suffrage and sought justice and the means of attaining equality and peace. The time of godlessness blossomed and the fruit it bore was bitter to the taste. The time of existence replaced that of life, and the time of exiles dawned, for mankind had been stripped of their soul. For centuries the antichrist held sway over the mindless populaces. Atrocity upon atrocity, when monsters veiled as human walked the Earth in search of pleasure and fulfillment. When the complacent mass of humankind allowed this, believing themselves to be innocent.

The darkest hour of eternal night had dawned. Human history written in blood served as testimony for what was to follow. The ravages upon their own kind grew and in their power and the drunkenness of their ravishment they laid waste to the paradise around them. Natures bounty, raped in the name of progress. Creatures died, unwitnessed, unmourned. The Earth became a wasteland in so short a time that, what had taken countless millennia to unfold was threatened within but a few

thousand years of human occupancy. The seeds of the curse unfolded and in time would bear bitter fruit. Chaos and insanity ruled, ignorance and blindness their handmaidens danced a dance of wanton abandonment and in their revels died a living death.

V

The Vale of Sorrows

ll this was witnessed by the lord of dominion and in his heart he was saddened. His dream now a nightmare, his vision now a curse. When would it end? How would it end? And then came the summons. Entering his citadel by the accursed sixth gate, the gate of vacuum, came Michael and his legions of heavens host. He came as a thief in the night, unbidden, uninvited. In raiment of light he advanced upon the dark lord and gave his greeting. “Hail brother, I bid thee welcome and carry the summons of the presence.” Insult upon insult, the lord of dominion summoned as if a lackey to his makers feet. “I come in the name of the presence and would talk with you. Long have we watched, long have we waited, pained by the suffering of the world and by the suffering of you, our beloved brother. Repent, for know that your time of redemption is at hand. You, the witness, sent by gods mercy to serve as agent to the unfolding of the last of days. You who carry the seals and the means of their opening. In you is power vested. Firstborn of the logos, be reconciled and made welcome amongst us.” Long did the bright lord think upon these words and in the depth of his despair acquiesced to Michael’s request. And in the time it takes for a thought to arise, was the lord Lucifer once more amongst his kind within the hallowed halls of the presence. “Welcome my first born, you who have been my Nemesis, my opposer,

welcome. And what wisdom do you bring to this moment, to these halls, you of whom I am proud, proud with the love of a father for his wayward son. Share an embrace, a kiss with one who mourned your passing and is made joyous by the sight of you.” So saying Lucifer enters the embrace of his father and knows peace. “My son you are the means of redemption, for you carry the seals, seals I imparted to you and your companions upon your departure, millennia ago, I have watched, rejoiced in your victories, known sadness in your defeat. Render the service of your office and be redeemed. Open the seals and let the passing of days be completed. This my design, this my wish for you and all that knows existence. I would place the Earth in the keeping of those deserving of the treasure, the treasure of she who is my handmaiden. Long has she suffered and in her compassion suffers in a silence complete. I would have this curse undone and you my firstborn, my first loved will serve as my will. You will carry a sword where once you carried the word of compassion. Open the seals and fulfill your destiny.” Lord Lucifer, prince of the powers of air, lord of dominion, the son of the morning heard this and was assuaged in his sadness. Felt the dawning of understanding, the love of his father and of his kind and finally accepted his destiny, to return to the Earth, open the seals and be the witness to the ending of days. And in the passing of his days amongst his brothers, his kind, a millennia passed upon the Earth. An Earth that now awaited his arrival. The signs were clear, some, even in their ignorance and rantings had foretold the day of immanence, when the sun itself would fall from the sky and quench the pulse of life. Some believed themselves to be the messengers of this one, they who would be saved at the end of days. Fools, for in their folly they had committed the sin of hubris and they, like the rest of their kind would fall into the abyss of oblivion, no more to be, no more to quicken within the throb of life’s pulse. Like a thief in the night shall I return, unknown, unnoted. Only upon the day of deliverance will they know of the presence of the lord of the morning star. That star, I shall cast down upon them. And in that day will they know the sword where once they knew only forbearance. I long for the day when with the opening of the seals I can, once again greet my fellow Elohim in the flesh. Long has been their sacrifice, long their service to me their lord. They shall be raised to the pinnacles of heaven itself and of their dreams mighty visions shall be enfleshed. This my brothers and sisters of old, I promise. All this did the lord of dominion, the witness muse upon in the days that unfolded and with the passing of three cycles made ready for his departure. His return to the Earth, a holy sister who slumbered and in her dreams witnessed the horror enacted upon her, groaned in her sleep and would know of rest, of salvation and deliverance.

She a goddess, handmaiden to the creator, serving penance in the name of an abortion. And in her slumbers she dreamed of a dark lord, her redeemer. Clothed with the sun and carrying a mighty sword. And with him, a host of angelic beings, the Elohim. He the witness, turned avenger in her name. For she too had a destiny, after countless millennia within this mantle of flesh, she would know release and join her kindred within the sacred halls of the presence. And upon that day did the lord of dominion say farewell to his brothers and sisters and with the passage of a lightning bolt returned to the Earth. Returned to his Babalon, his Lilith and within his citadel of isolation watched and waited. For as the witness he had much to do in preparation for what was shortly to unfold. “Let them have their day, for in their ignorance are they made blind, deaf and dumb to all about them. Yes, pockets of sanity exist, yet to no avail, for even these are ruled by those they challenge and are rendered sterile by their efforts. These I shall mourn, they deserve better and yet as judge and witness there are no exceptions.” These were the thoughts that glossed the mind of the son of the morning within the heart of his fair Babalon.

Book Three

The Second Coming

VI Four riders were they, given dominion unto the four quarters of the Earth. The first mounted upon a white horse, carried a bow and wore a victor’s crown. The second upon a horse of scarlet, bore a sword and strife entered the hearts of all he met. The third upon a horse, black as night, held a pair of scales, upon which he would judge and pass sentence. And the fourth sat upon a pale horse and his name was death, and with plague, pestilence and famine he goes abroad across the world, gathering all before him.

nd on that day did the lord of dominion, prince of the powers of the air, bright lord Lucifer step forth from his citadel of isolation within the city of Babalon and walk upon the Earth. Accompanied by his bride and consort Lilith, they walked the Earth, north to south they traveled. West to east unfolded beneath their steps and coming to the shore of the great ocean, they paused, embraced and entered the dreamtime of their making, a time existing outside the circles of time, there they danced through the corridors of time, inside each moment and yet outside of time completely, for in their united form they were lord of eternity, master and mistress of all that lay before them. And in this place they commenced the spells of unmaking. The unraveling of the double helix, the serpent wand of life. And of their union came forth the first of their legions. Four Elohim mounted upon steeds whose shoulders reached the sky. Shoulders, broad like the mountains they now surveyed. The first steed was of the whitest marble, the second of oxidised iron, the third of blackest onyx and the fourth pale, like the waters of a mountain stream. Each shone brilliantly in the sun, absorbing the light before them. The Elohim mounted upon them towered above their steeds and their helms reached the boundary lands themselves. Each of the Elohim was given a name and sent forth into the four quarters of the Earth.

He, upon the horse of alabaster carried a bow and was crowned with victory. Immortal and invincible was he. Those he met in battle were vanquished before they knew that a battle was immanent. He was given the name Deimos that all might know him. The one upon the horse of iron carried a sword and before him went strife, that he might turn man against man, brother against brother, father against son. His helm was raised and from his eyes issued terror, for he carried fear before him. Pachad was the name of this rider, a name he rejoiced in. He upon the horse of onyx, though slighter in build than his fellows carried a set of scales, scales which had already weighed the hearts of the accused and already passed sentence. His visor was sealed with a mist arising like a miasma from the depths of night, as such he was blind to supplications. By name, he answered to Phobos and like his comrades wove his spells before him. And upon a pale horse sat a wraithlike figure shrouded in shadows as deep as night. Echoes of shrieks passed through and beyond him, diminishing, only to return an instant later. Within his hands he carries the bowl from which he spreads the pestilence of commerce. The plagues of history and the famine of impoverished humankind stripped of their very souls. Death he wields like a scythe before him and bears the name of Legion, for he is many. Into the four quarters are the horsemen dispatched to begin the spells of the unmaking. Each turns their mount and sets off, one to the north, one to the south, one turns westward and the last of them walks eastward upon the surface of the ocean itself. Lucifer looked upon his work and prepared himself for what was to follow. Aeons of making had unfolded this paradise, a paradise now passing away before his eyes. He mourned its passing and yet, in his heart knew relief, that he the witness was now fulfilling his destiny.

VII

Opening the Seals

Prelude

he world continued to unfold its dreams into the aethyrs, somnambulist like, traveled from dawn to dusk in the eternal patterns of its making. Mankind opened its eyes to another day, whilst the southern hemisphere prepared to enter its dreamtime. People laughed, cried, knew pleasure, knew pain and in these ways continued to weave the tapestry of their lives. The empires of commerce made their fortunes while others died in destitution, poverty and shame. Justice was seen to be served, while injustice was perpetuated at every turn. Prayers were offered in the temples of the Earth to a god that heard them not. People lived, people died, some were born and the eternal wheel continued to turn upon its axis. The Elohim upon their steeds continued their work throughout the world, unwitnessed, unknown. Deimos, ever victorious upon his steed of alabaster, bow held aloft, unleashed his arrows into the air and where they fell, caused all to fall before him. Individual and institution, village and nation alike fell into the dust before him. Pachad upon his steed of blood red, carried his sword before him and with each thrust unleashed strife into the hearts of all. Peace upon the Earth, a distant memory as nation upon nation fell beneath his spells. Phobos upon his steed of deepest night weighed the hearts of all he encountered and pronounced his sentence upon them, always the same, guilty. And Legion upon his steed so pale gathered all before him. They circled the world, times without count, for ten thousand years did they travel, no place was unknown to the dread Elohim, they who once knew only love, now avengers. History unfolded beneath the hooves of their mounts and knew them not, for such was the blindness, the arrogance of humankind. And so the Elohim continued. Their greatest triumph, to convince the world they did not exist. This the seed of doubt and confusion they sowed at the dawn of their travels.

Upon a plateau at the roof of the world, where the stars embraced the Earth, their sister. Where the tides of infinity touched and mixed with those of fair Terra the lord of dominion, bright Lucifer, united with his consort, pale Lilith, looked into the vast abyss of the world that lay at their feet and continued their spells of unmaking.

he son of the morning removed the veils of blindness from his eyes and saw the unfolding of history before him, saw the time of creations first echoes, saw matter conceived and hurled into the void beyond, saw the unfolding of life in its golden age. Looked into the hearts and minds of all the creatures that were and had been, saw their joy, saw their sorrow, saw their victories, saw their defeats. He gazed deeply into the very beginning of things, the first inchoate thoughts giving

rise to empire. Saw the darkness of ignorance unfold into the bright sphere of knowledge, only to fall again into the dark pit of oblivion. All this did the lord of the eastern horizon see, and in the seeing removed the last veil of blindness from his eyes and beheld his brother Galamael before him.

Their eyes locked by the love that passed between them, a whispered greeting, tears of joy flow down cheeks, turned crimson by their rapture. “Go forth fair Galamael and begin the spells of unmaking, unravel the tide of history, return it to the darkness from whence it came, that a brighter dawn may unfold its splendour within creations dance of joy.” Galamael paused, reflected upon these words then stepped forth into the world, unweaving history with each of his steps, down the corridors of time he travelled and began the unmaking. A shrill note bruises the air, the cry of injustice, raised to a single note, a clarion call, a witness to the moment of passing and accompanying it, the sky is rent by hail, scorching in its heat and mixed with the blood of the vanquished, falling to the earth it scorches and makes dust of all it touches. In this way did the lord Lucifer remove the seal from his eyes and in the doing, open it, that he, the witness should behold the end of days.

nto the core of his mind did the lord of dominion reach and there, across the great ocean, where reason and madness serve as shorelines, on the other side of reason did he find what he sought, the diamond brightness of knowledge. Watched as each facet turned, illuminating the darkness beyond, watched as the filigree of light swept outwards, touching atoms, galaxies and the heart of darkness itself, leaving in its wake crystals, forming, reforming into the intricate traceries of a weblike structure. Along its striations plasma coursed, creating of the dark void, order.

Watched as a child took its first faltering steps, fell, rose from the ground and stood erect upon its legs, first one tentative step, then another. Watched as learning unfolded pushing back the boundaries of ignorance and changed the world. Saw the struggles of the scientist, the healer, the artist, the writer, create in form their dreams and visions. Watched all this unfold throughout time. The patterns of molecules assembling ever new forms, learning and relearning from the lessons imparted. Unfolded his mind in its intricacy, its diamond brightness, its dark mystery. Called to Salamis, opened his eyes and beheld her, smiling, before him. They who had parted with a kiss millennia ago, now stood before each other, wrapped in the silence of the moment, the rapture of meeting in the flesh. She shone with the radiance of her nature, reflecting her light into the darkness of the void around her, the void of this creation. “Welcome fairest sister, long have I awaited the day when once again you might bless my eyes with your presence. It is the end of days, the end of our time upon this Earth.” Salamis, a smile upon her lips, joy within her heart sighs, a sigh of release and redemption. “Go forth my sister, and with your spells, confound what was once clear, confuse where once you illuminated, divide their minds and bring them to the void of unmaking.” Again a sigh escapes her and she steps forth into the world to weave her spells of undoing. And as she does a cacophony of sound unfolds around her, the jabberings of a thousand voices raised in argument rends the air with its insistence, the clarion call of confusion. In the distance a mighty mountain, spewing forth flames crashes into the sea and forms a tidal wave, sweeping all before it. In this way did the bright lord raise the darkness from his mind and open the second seal.

n aeon unfolds and into his dark heart, Lucifer enters.

Witnesses his dream and the curse it became, reels under the tragedy and loss. Falls to his knees and prays. And in his prayers is answered, the burden lifted, his heart refreshed, healed, again, he is made whole. In the chambers of his heart unfolds the mystery of life and death. The eternal dance, choreographed by form and force melding into patterns, blooming into existence only to melt a moment later. The continuum, a vast oscillating double helix, the wand of life, crowned by the sceptre of death. Witnesses the void, boundless, unformed, seething with the fecundity of possibilities, roils and form upon form is cast upon the shoreline of amniotic oceans embrace. The making and unmaking crafted into a single act of creation. The atoms

spin upon their axis and at their nexus a plasma burst, a vortex spinning, spiraling, inwards and outwards, the air itself is redolent with the perfumes of ozone and the whispers of sentience. He witnesses his heart unfold its layers, each layer an aeon of creativity rendered sterile, an abortion. A thing to cast aside, long was he enraptured with the pulse, the throb, the irresistible lure of life and its brother death. Finally, the last layer is reached, a vacuum which sucks him into its heart and deposits him, again upon the Earth. Opens his heart and in its reflection sees before him sweet Palemon and dark Azrael. They gaze upon his prostrate form, silent in their contemplation’s. They embrace, limbs entwined, lips meet lips and in their embrace is Lucifer revived. He rises,

greets his Elohim amidst a celestial chorus, a thousand voices uplifted in ecstatic prayer. Life and death passes between them, a vortex of being and non being. The spellcraft of the logos made flesh by his son and daughter, she of the eternal day, he the eternal night. Lucifer bends his knee before them, “As your lord do I offer my heart into your keeping, you who I have served these long aeons, welcome.” Palemon a cipher of yearning, wrapped in a mantle of opal whispers a shrill greeting and rejoices in the sight of her fellow Elohim, Lucifer. Azrael, beautiful Azrael, shrouded in the mantle of the night sky unfurls his cloak to reveal the light that dwells at his heart, releases it in the direction of The lord of dominion and bids him welcome. As the trinity are they now conjoined, the eternal triangle, essence to essence. Such is their greeting. And now they stand beholding the beauty of each within their eyes. “The time of unmaking is upon us, the last of days, and we its messengers, I its witness. Go forth into the world and with your raptures ensnare and bring all to the very abyss of unbeing. For by your name, Alpha and Omega, power is vested in you this day, this my command, this your duty, fair ones.” A silent assent passes between them. Palemon and Azrael, hand in hand, heart in heart step forth and into the shadows of the unmaking are they sent forth. All fall before them for life and death is their breath. Making and unmaking their essence. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The birth cries and death throes of a billion lives echo their gasps upon the air, shrieks paling to sighs violate the silence. And at the sound of this a star falls to the Earth, leveling the mountains beneath. The sun turns black and casts a shadow of such darkness that night reigns eternal. And amidst the black tapestry of the night sky the moon, radiant Diana bleeds, her countenance turns blood red and she weeps. In this way did bright Lucifer, lord of dominion, prince of the powers of air, bright son of the morning open the third and fourth seals. He the witness turned avenger that he might know the unmaking, the ending of days.

ade whole by the healing of his heart the dark lord rejoices. His horseman abroad, the Elohim weaving their spellcraft across creation, Lucifer enters the sovereignty of his power, opens his field of otherness and radiates his form outwards, a mighty wind is sent forth, a hurricane bearing at its heart a still centre, into this centre he steps, raises his hands to the sky above, and with a throat made taut by his invokation, utters a single word. Babalon. A piercing vibration that rends the fabric of manifestation itself, renders it a flat plane and the lord of dominion enters the unmaking. Before him his bride, his Lilith, his Babalon stands, radiant in her beauty. The masks of she who stands before him, within the abyss of the unmaking. Malekh, supreme in her power unfolds her mystery. Worlds collide at the passing of her breath, nations are crushed beneath her feet. And into her heart she claims all that knows sentience, knows consciousness, its dark stain. “Sister, mother and lover, greetings.” Malekh astride the beast of her dominion dismounts and walks towards the dark lord, weaving forms before his eyes before settling into the stability of Lilith, his love. “Join with me my dark lord and in our making, let the unmaking unfold between us.”

Drunk upon the blood of saints, knowing no satiation Lilith joins her lord, who entering her, knows rapture complete, eternal. And of their coupling echoes arise, ripples, first gentle, rising to thunder shake the fabric of creation on the other side of the veil, for they are beyond the night of time, cast adrift upon the aethyrs,

cascading through form after form, ecstasy upon ecstasy. And throughout eternity, know that life is the echo of their play. Mystery upon mystery is her name of whom none may speak. Through the fabric of the veil is heard the whisper of the zephyr rising to a tempest, its cousin. A void opens and echoes the single word, mystery. The abyss, infinite, opens and as a vacuum draws all to its still heart. Malekh steps forth into the world of the making, and upon her beast, her dominion, gives of her gifts gathering all to her through the masks she unfolds before eyes that behold her not. Drunk upon her power, supreme in her glory, rapturous in her beauty, conjoined with his bride, the lord of the eastern horizon opens the fifth seal and witnesses the unmaking.

he rapture passes and the lord of dominion remembers. Looks to his hands. Shapes barely discernible to his recently intoxicated eyes take shape. At first solids appear followed by the spaces between the solids he knows to be fingers. His hands, etched upon the air become gateways into his being, pulling his multiplicity upwards and outwards, summons his nature to the surface of things and beholds upon the palms of his hands a series of sigils etched in lambent flame, tongues licking at his flesh, rejoices in the power that unfolds. Cipher upon cipher unfolds along the length of fingers, rainbow hued, settling to ink black light. He holds the seal of keys in his hands and before him stands Vain.

Changing before his eyes, as do the ciphers, before settling likewise, into ink black light. A fusion between inner and outer. “My friend, glad am I, in the seeing of you, brother Elohim. The time of the unmaking is upon us, the last of days unfolds and you, my friend, I summon to go forth into the world. Our fellow Elohim already walk the Earth. And now, you, the last, my friend are with us.” Vain, a series of spirals, slows his vibration and adopts the form natural to his interchanges with the Elohim. Opens his arms and greets his friend and lord, Lucifer. “Aeons have unfolded since we last meet, bright lord, and now, upon this the last of days am I glad in the seeing of you. How fair my brothers and sisters? Long have I yearned to leave the place of our exile and join you in paradise.” These were the words Vain spoke to his lord as he released the keys into his hands yet again. The lord of the eastern horizon whispered to his Vain, “custodian of the keys, witness to the witness. Now that we two stand upon the Earth, twin pylons of the temple, is our work all but complete.” As a twin reflection they stood, each a mirror to the other, each the heart and mind to the other, one being clothed in double form, lords of the double wand of power, each holding the syllables of the great names between them. One breath issued from lungs held by twin forms, one heartbeat echoed through their bodies. One thought caressed the surface of things and knew rapture. “Vain, my friend, enter the world and open the gates of the unmaking. Unlock the mysteries of the heart. Unlock the mysteries of the mind. Unlock the mysteries of the body. Unlock the mysteries of the soul, that all might know of what passes in this time.” Around them the trumpet blasts of the Elohim serves as welcome. Vain turns and as liquid flows forth into the world, witness to the witness. And in this way was the sixth seal opened by the son of the morning, upon the plains of the Earth and the unmaking, now weaving itself throughout creation continued to unfold.

Intermezzo

he dream that was humanity, that was the world, alighted upon the nightside of being, for such was its nature in these, the days of redemption. Like a somnambulist, neither aware of being asleep or awake, paused, and in its shadow self continued. Knew of the end of days yet rendered sterile continued in its pretence. For it had plans to unfold, plans which now began to evaporate into the void of forgetfulness. A vision once held, long forgotten, stirs, raises its head and with a whimpered gasp, dies.

he sixth seal opened, bright lord Lucifer, the witness, returned to

his fair Babalon and within its marbled halls reflected upon his work, entered the sanctuary, at the heart of his citadel and of himself opened the seventh seal. Silence. The lord of dominion surveyed all before him through the eyes of his Elohim. Saw Galamael unwriting history beneath his steps, each step erasing a century of times passing, watched memory erased from the minds of all those he encountered. Saw Salamis weaving her spells of confusion, watched incredulous expressions pass across the faces of those she met. Saw Palemon and Azrael unmake the double helix, the double wand of life and death. Watched all fall before them into the abyss of

oblivion left in their passing. Saw Malekh astride the beast of her dominion enter kingdoms and conquer by the force of her raptures, one by one they fell to her seductions. Saw Vain open the gateways, unmaking the cohesion between mind and body, heart and soul. Watched as form stripped of the Quadra melted, flowed into the inchoate mass from whence it came. Saw his horseman weave themselves into the tapestry of the end of days. Battle upon battle raged, confusion reigned, strife led to strife and all fell to death, their master. And in the silence that unfolded, the stillness that dawned the Earth knew peace. Terra, fair handmaiden to eternity, awoke from her slumbers, stretched her limbs and rivers flowed. Arched her back and mountains, their peaks ascending, pierced the sky. Breath passed through her and gentle breezes creased the air. Serenity and the days of redemption had begun. And in her waking dreams she shakes from her body and memory the nightmare that had befallen her over the course of the passing

millennia. And with her body coming to rest, dreamed vast plains into being, jungles of plenitude. Deserts of sand whipped into Patterns of austerity. Vast oceans of mystery, and into the heart of this she entered and returned to her dreams, with a passing word of fond farewell to her champion, her redeemer, the witness, bright lord of the eastern horizon, Lucifer, the lord of light.

Epilogue

nd so they gathered upon the desert plain, seven on foot, four upon their steeds. Greeted each other as friends, long separated. Looked into the eyes and hearts of each other and entered communion. The sun casting its last rays upon the Earth painted a tapestry of crimson and gold before yielding to the onset of night and the legion of stars that stained its surface. The Elohim gazed longingly at the starry splendour and with a passing farewell to the Earth, fairest goddess, dissolved into the night air and entered communion with the stars above. Each took a name and their legends were written for eternity within the book of days.

Afterword

ll this took place outside the circles of time, during the night of time itself, when dreams were made flesh and all that was, existed in the dreaming moment. Was, is and will be, in the passing of each thought and the echo of each desire. Is written into the memory time. And if, upon a night of starry beauty, your gaze be pulled to the heavens, know that the witness and his Elohim continue the unmaking through your hearts and minds, your bodies and your souls.

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