The Fundamental Propositions:
What Started the Guardians of Darkness.
by Guardians of Darkness
RC Priest (and some rewritten by RCPriest from notes)
What Do We Mean by "Guardians" of Darkness?
Of course, Darkness of any kind, especially the Abyssal, Original, One-Darkness we speak of, needs no "guardian." However, this concept is misunderstood, maligned, seen as evil and shunned due to misperceptions. The true meaning of just what this Darkness is, is what needs to be guarded, preserved, if you will, and explained. It is out of this One-Darkness that the Flame first arose, and from that Flame all else came into Being. Without this Darkness, there is no Flame! Other names for the Flame are Vajra, Dorje, Logos.
Proposition I: The Emanated Universe
Creation, as it is understood today, posits the pre-existence of a "creator," which formed the universe out of nothing. In other words, creationists believe that at the beginning of time there was an uncreated being who made everything, including people, planets, rocks, trees, everything, out of absolutely nothing by some fiat of omnipotent power. Creation doctrines also teach a linear view of time, that is, that time progresses in a straight line from beginning to end, there being nothing before or after the duration of the timeline. The Guardians of Darkness rejects the theories of creationists.
The doctrine of emanation holds that universe is a cyclical (coming and going forever) event, periodically entering into dormancy or "sleep," and re-emerging into manifestation (appearance). The view of time in the emanation doctrine is cyclical, meaning, for the most part, that while there are relative "beginnings" and "endings" of certain and particular phases or periods of activities and states within the boundless expanses of space/time, including the bang/crunch of galaxies, there is no absolute beginning or end before or after where nothing exists.
Therefore the Guardians of Darkness hold as our first Fundamental Proposition that the universe and all contained therein is not the creation of any "god" or individual entity, but is the product and fruition of its own inherent forces and principles interacting upon one another throughout infinite duration, and that the quintessential reality within all manifested appearance is eternal and unchanging in nature, while its many forms never cease to change. Our view is called "emanationism" with regards to the origins of the universe. This view might, today, agree with modern cosmogony, e.g., the Big Bang, but the doctrine that explains this is very ancient.
Proposition II: Darkness Paramount
The second proposition holds that all ordered manifestation appearing in the universe possesses an inherent tendency towards Darkness and Chaos as its natural and primordial state. This is expressed scientifically in the second and third laws of thermodynamics, also known as entropy, which states that all physical matter inevitably evolves towards an undifferentiated state of inert uniformity. All states of existence, therefore, which depend upon order or established measurable patterns inherently contribute to the increase of entropy in the universe. For the technicalities and the actual formula, see http://www.satanicreds.org/satanicreds/entropy.html
In other words, since it is shown by science that everything in the universe naturally moves towards a state of disorder, or what may be termed "universal non-identity," it is our proposition that all things naturally seek to return to their original and primordial state of Dark Oneness.
Proposition III: Universal Divinity
The Guardians of Darkness reject all notions of an external, anthropomorphic (human-like) deity. In other words, there is no "personal god" presiding over the universe dispensing rewards and punishments to those whom he deems fit to receive them, and this also includes the savior "god-man" idea held by Christianity and other religions.
We hold that every single entity in the universe, everything which has a recognizable form, everywhere and at all times, is infused throughout every fiber of its being with divinity, and that there is nothing whatsoever in existence that is outside of, or is not utterly infused with, divinity. By this proposition we do not mean to say that there is a form which contains a divine principle, rather we say that the form and that which it contains are equally divine. By "divine" we mean oneness with the eternal and parentless essence of reality and existence.
Again, these fundamental propositions presented here are the basic outline of our beliefs. Within these basic concepts inheres an immense number of individual doctrines and ideas which may be fully explored and interpreted by the individual.
The Nature of Doctrine
A doctrine is, in the simplest terms, a teaching. Anything that is communicated from one person to another in any form or media that is intended to educate or inform the recipient regarding any particular subject, and in which the communicator wishes or intends the recipient to believe or accept as true, may properly be called a doctrine.
Whereas dogmas consist of morals and/or ethical matters, such as those taught by a religious institution or group, which are to be accepted by the faithful as absolutely true.
Doctrines differ in that they may treat a much wider subject matter and are not set forth as absolute or immutable truths, but merely statements of facts from a given perspective. (E.g.: "Turn on the lights." "Bombard the room with photons." Both are achieving the same thing, they are the same statement, but they are stated from very different perspectives.)
Certainly the meaning of this word "doctrine" has undergone contextual changes in usage and varies slightly in particular groups, however, for our purposes we adhere to the original and most widely accepted definition of the word: a doctrine is the explanation of truth as seen from a certain perspective and conveys the facts from that perspective. The individual is always free to form his or her own opinions based on his or her unique and individual view of the facts.
Satanism, (Sat and Tan variety) as a philosophical school of thought, has its own set of doctrines unique to itself, which express a view or perspective of the world in words and terms often equally unique. Most casual readers of Satanic literature may discover words and phrases that may at first appear archaic, confusing or even illogical, yet a deeper investigation into their context will invariably reveal a more intimate truth than that of which the reader may initially be aware (see below for Clarifications).
Every philosophy, discipline, or belief system has its own language, so to speak, by which it communicates itself to the world, and through which its members understand each other as a whole. (For instance, the word "plasma" means one thing in the discipline of physics. But it does not mean the same thing or anything related in the discipline of medicine.) It is to be expected, then, that if one wished a truly accurate understanding of Satanic philosophy that one will make some effort to familiarize oneself with at least the basic semantics and grammar of the Satanic parlance.
Hence this article, which is intended to act as a bridge of sorts between the casual or somewhat inquisitive inquirer and the core philosophy of Satanism, a kind of hermeneutical approach, if you will, to uniting the researcher with the essential basics of reading Satanic literature. The newcomer must also realize that not all organizations professing to be "satanic" are the same, or even have the same definitions of "satanic."
Escaping the Judeo-Christian Paradigm
If there is one major obstacle to an accurate grasp of the Satanic philosophy (what we are calling Satanic philosophy), it is the Judeo-Christian paradigm. To employ analogy, one would not ask a male to explain the experience of carrying and giving birth to a child, as only a female could have the necessary wisdom gained from the experience to give an accurate answer. In the same way, while one may ask a Christian for his or her particular definition of Satan, it would not be conducive to real understanding to ask a Christian to explain the Satanic philosophical school of thought, even if that Christian called himself a Satanist and still maintained the Judeo-Christian definition of Satan, as most Satanists actually do, since most can't really escape their backgrounds and cultures.
The present author has heard the accusation many times, "How can you be a Satanist and not believe that there is also a God?" Or, "How can you be a Satanists and not also see this Satan in opposition to God?" More important than answering this charge is it to point out that the questioner himself is within the Judeo-Christian paradigm, and has already assumed that his or her view represents the only one possible. For such a one, no answer can be persuasive or convincing, as the person asking already has a preconceived notion of what the answer is supposed to be. The present author usually answers this charge with, "How can you believe in an omnipresent God and yet hold that Satan, a being who in your view must occupy some space, is not a part of that very God or perhaps the same as that God?" If God is One, then how can there be two?
The Judeo-Christian paradigm is wrought with contradictions, and its adherents have somehow achieved the ability to believe in two opposing concepts simultaneously. As long as this condition remains present in the mind, what we call authentic Satanic philosophy can not possibly be rightly understood.
We do not, however, attack those who think within this paradigm, nor do we have any real desire to change their way of thinking. The single most difficult struggle of the Satanic movement has been simply to be left alone and allowed to pursue its own aims.
In our ongoing efforts to educate the world in regards to our unique philosophy we do not attempt to impose our doctrine on any other, and we certainly do not go about seeking converts to our beliefs, rather, we intend only to see our world view allowed to circulate openly and freely, without hindrance, so that those who find themselves in agreement with us may be directed to the resources and groups wherein they can find the most beneficial interaction. Those who find themselves at odds with our philosophy may simply disregard it, much like one would do when an undesirable program comes on the television set - one changes the channel and that is that.
When one who is part of the Judeo-Christian paradigm decides that he or she desires a clear understanding of our philosophy and is willing to set aside whatever preconceived notions may be present, then such a one is sincere and is in that sense deserving of our attention and time in explaining these things. As it has ever been in the Esoteric Traditions of the world, the door will always be opened to one who simply has the right knock. The present author knows of not a few so-called occult authors who have been turned away at every step from the doors of the true Esoteric school because their intentions were not pure, a situation easily and clearly perceived by even the most unlearned initiate of our Community, and consequently what has come forth in their writings is often bitter, confused or at best simply incorrect.
Satan as a Symbol
Satanism as a school of thought has developed primarily in the west and is often immersed in Judeo-Christian terminology, but this should never be confused with being caught in the Judeo-Christian paradigm. It so happens that Satan has always symbolized those areas of nature and humanity that the institutionalized religions shun as taboo or regard as "sinful" in the west. It is also a fact that any philosophy that does not agree with the established norms of western society is ultimately always labeled Satanic, and even the deities of non-Christian religions have been considered nothing more than Satanic minions in disguise, and thus the great wisdom and truth present in many of these religions has gone unlearned by the Christian west, out of fear, piety, or countless other excuses.
As such, the Satanic philosophy we represent represents all that is truthful, beneficial and tending towards the evolution of the human spirit within religions that the west often calls Satanic. Satan, precisely because the name is used in the Christian west to indicate those things that are against the Christian concept of the one absolute God, a view already shown to be contradictory in itself, is the symbol of free thought, liberty, true justice, equality and the universal peoplehood of humanity. If Satan is to be seen at all through the Christian paradigm it must be in this way.
Satan as an Historical Reality
Satan, however, does not have its origins in the Judeo-Christian philosophy. We may point out the fact that Satan is found in pre-Christian literature, such as the Hebrew Torah (Old Testament) as "ha stn," (the satan), but even then we are still only seeing the tip of the proverbial iceberg, since "the satan" only meant any adversary, anyone opposed to the Hebrews of old. What today is known as Hinduism was in ancient times known as Sanatana Dharma, a term coming from the Sanskrit word Sanat, meaning "ancient" and ana, meaning roughly "without end," in conjunction with Dharma, meaning "way or path of truth/wisdom." Since the earliest monotheistic religions held a linear, temporary view of time, and also that deity was personal and absolute, the view of Sanatana Dharma, that time is cyclical and eternal, and that deity is impersonal and non-centralized, became anathema. Satanism today holds similar views as the Sanatana Dharma in that there is no centralized or absolute, monotheistic deity, and that the individual is responsible for his or her own life and progress.
In Vedic Sanskrit, possibly the oldest language known to humanity, also known as Devanagari or the "language of the gods," the word Sat means "eternal truth" or "Being," and the word Tan means "stretching forth or unfolding," or "Becoming." Thus, Satan can be viewed as a kind of catchword for the doctrines of cosmogenesis that convey the idea of an emanated universe rather then one created, as held by many monotheists. The Cosmos is understood in this way as unfolding, or stretching out, from the Eternal causeless cause, in cyclical (appearing, disappearing and reappearing) activity.
It is in this way that many Satanists understand the concept of Satan as being far older than anything Judeo-Christian, and expressive of ideas with which the common western mind is very unfamiliar, the word having changed slightly in pronunciation or spelling, yet still retaining all of its original meaning if rightly understood.
Matter and Spirit
A central element of Satanism (as we see it) is Tantrika, or Tantra, insofar as Tantra is a doctrine of the flesh in the truest sense, and not in any kind of mytho-poetic, negative connotation. Satanism is a philosophy of clarity, and when we say "flesh" that is precisely what we mean, it is not to us another way of saying "sinful nature" or any other such nonsense. We mean, of course, the body with all its organs and biomatter. In the Satanic philosophy flesh is not at war with spirit, nor is there any kind of dualism wherein we must struggle to overcome some part of ourselves. Satanism holds that if anything is truly known by a person, it is known through the flesh, that is, through actual and physical experience, and not by some method of mystical contemplation of nice ideas, or from dry academic teachings or formula memorized by students. One does not truly know anything until one becomes the object one wishes to know, or to put that in modern slang, "through the school of hard knocks," or "hands on." Only then are all biased or preconceived notions dispelled. It is rather like the old proverb, "never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes."
Even more than this, however, Satanism is a philosophy of self knowledge and even self conquest in a certain sense, to experience the world as the person that you inherently are, and no other. To see through your own eyes as opposed to those of another, and to formulate your own opinions and thoughts about everything you perceive and experience. A Satanist, therefore, is always examining, always questioning the why and wherefore of things, seeking to penetrate into the heart of every matter and discover its true essence.
Spirit in the Satanic philosophy corresponds roughly to any extended perception beyond what is immediately apparent, the inner substance or force that motivates or impels things to be what they are, to become what they are inherently designed to be by the forces of nature and reality. This is often referred to as the "Dark Force" in nature, and is understood as the impetus behind all things, that which is truly occult and esoteric. This Boundless Darkness is viewed in the Satanic philosophy as the original and primordial source of all that exists everywhere and at all times, the Primum Mobile of Cosmos, the Grand Architect of the Universe, and represents practically the only notion of deity that can be said to subsist within Satanism. It is never centralized or anthropomorphized into some personal being existing outside of nature. It can not be said to have emotions or any attribute other than simply BEING itself alone, it never manifests, and yet it is infused within all things and permeates the entirety of manifested reality.
Individual perceptions of this Boundless Force certainly do vary, some Satanists may conceive of it as a kind of personal being, yet if they understand it accurately then they also grasp that this concept is entirely their own personal creation, simply a way of providing the mind with something to represent this incomprehensible idea.
The common depiction of Satan as a beast-like entity with horns, cloven hoofs and a forked tail (the image of Pan) is hardly one that authentic Satanism espouses, and if an individual Satanist chooses this particular representation for his or her own purposes it is always with the above mentioned understanding at the forefront, namely that this is not what the Boundless Darkness looks like, but merely a convenient symbol based on Pagan deities of old, such as Pan.
Summary
Briefly stated, the core doctrines of Dark Tradition Satanism can be summed up as follows:
a. Emanation rather than creation from nothing.
b. Boundless Darkness as the primordial source of Cosmos containing a point of Light or Flame within.
c. Non-centralized deity
or "dark force" infused within and permeating all of nature, perceived
as a force or as Beingness or as a being of some kind by adherants. See: Asat,
Sat and Tan.