The Left-Hand Path

A symbol that boldly embodies the core-attributes of the Left-Hand Path (LHP).

It is one of this world's true epitomes of forbidden territory.  The Dark Mountain is the black stone altar of ancient mystery, incomprehensible power, and the great barrier of the unknown.

 Gaze deep into the jagged shadows of the ascending slopes, and I’ll ask you… does anything gaze back?  Do you see anything beyond the obvious?  Do you hear anything from the caverns within?  Does an indefinable essence whisper, or beckon to you in a communion beyond the senses?

Beyond the clouds where High meets Low... reside the door-less Temples of Black Flame.  The snow-capped monasteries of godhood lie in reserve where most dare not to look, and almost none commit to explore.  The true Left-Hand Path is that of the existential pioneer bound by nothing except the Will to persevere, evolve, and overcome against the impossible.  Beyond the debilitating comfort of the village, and warmth of the herd… is the vast unknown and uncharted territory of the Unfathomable Mountain & its unseen bounty.

The expanse of the Dark Mountain translates into the jaggedly ascending kingdom of the Infernal Empire.  The secret in discovering the path to its forbidden summit... is in the realization that there is no path, and that it’s only created with the consecrating conviction of each courageous step planted forward on its untrodden stone of transfiguration.  Only the traveler legitimately equipped for the journey deep into the heart of the Unknown stands a fighting chance of securing their own transcendent salvation.  Past the surface allure of hidden mystery, paramount discovery, and an adventure in conquest… lies a perilous journey into the borderlands of Reality.

The traveler’s journey from the sleeping village of Maya may include others awakening to the magnetic pull of the Dark Mountain and its power.  The truly called will not only learn from the triumphs and tragedy of others making the pilgrimage into darkness but will learn from their own transforming symbiosis with the Dark Mountain itself.  As the expedition embarks forward and penetrates the initial sentry ranges of the Mountainous Empire… the unspoken race against the setting sun tacitly begins, as well as the progressive shedding of those inadequate.

The torrential current of Magick itself is an exalting river of alchemical power.  It's a surgical hack to the obstructing illusions and governing laws of this dimension.  It is a river with uncharted undercurrents, rough rapids, and deep veins of unfathomable wealth.  It carves a secret passage into the Dark Mountain Range of Existence for the pioneering that tread with lanterns of courage and conviction.  The only way to conquer the Great Barrier of the mountainous range before the sun sets is through… not around.  Some roads do eventually lead to "Rome", but on this journey… time is of the essence, and valuable resources must be used wisely to reach the great summit before each one’s nightfall.

If the faces of fortune favor anyone, it is the bold.  The journey upon the Left-Hand Path is the forbidden trek into the isolation of darkness unknown, and into the bottomless depths of the Self in search of The Grail.  The false safety and security of the shepherd’s herd is left behind by the aspirant of Black Flame in the quest for true, personal transcendence.  As the explorers venture further upon the ascending grade and hidden mouth-shadows of treacherous rock… new companions of the icy cold slowly introduce themselves to the diverse travelers – Pain, Fatigue, Loneliness, and Hopelessness.  As the truly dedicated venture forward and conquer the rising tiers of unmapped stone, they will survey from the momentary precipice on their ascent, back down into the lower canyons of ice and deadly pools of disorientation… to see the weakened, and the frozen deceased who were unequipped to face the Mountain and its timeless sentries of Darkness.

The Ancient Mountain will relentlessly teach the pioneer forging their path upwards, and will continuously test the resilience of their knowledge gained… transfiguring the seeker and transforming that knowledge into valuable wisdom and independent power.  Soon, the direct route will reveal a near-impossible climb of sharp, broken stone and narrow crevices on incomprehensible walls of infernal rock.  It is here especially, where so many try, that so many fall victim to the elements of the forbidden path itself… and the unforged Self within.

The only way out is through.  The traveler must climb onwards and upwards, for there is no turning back from the tacit pact to Ascend the Immortal Throne.  Every move and action must be weighed, yet determined swiftly as necessity dictates in the committed climb of jagged ascent.  Situations such as missed opportunity, lingering sentimentality, or excessive contemplation without action… can be fatal on the dangerous venture towards the Impossible Summit.