Working With Lilith

Much of the work dealing with Lilith pertains to the exoteric wisdom of her contemporary mythology. Here we see the two recurrent themes of sexuality and what some critics would call a masculinization of the feminine, or a demonization of women who are aggressive (read masculine) sexually. I disagree with that interpretation; in keeping with the lore of Lilith as Adam's first wife I interpret Eve to be the symbol of the masculine idea of female sexuality, and Lilith to represent a more primal feminine sexuality. Looking at these two figures together both in mythology and archetypically you'll start to see an interesting relationship between the two which offers some good insight into the feminine as an occult force as a whole.

Given societal gender roles I think that this kind of work will have very different effects on male and female magicians, so if your primary goal in working with Lilith as an avatar of anima I'd highly suggest you work with Eve as well. I bring this up because, while my goal is to elucidate on a specific esoteric magickal formulae relating to Lilith, it is worth noting that unless you have given consideration to the themes relating to gender roles inherent in the Lilith mythology they may end up causing issues for you as a sort of side effect to working with the above mentioned formula which is really the focus of this piece.

So before getting into this formula if you don't have a real grasp on Lilith I'll suggest you look into these sources:

http://www.autonomatrix.org/guild/corpus/lilith_1.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith

Working with Lilith for any amount of time will reveal the esoteric magical formula of incest. Far from being a gross out or conjuring images of trailer trash, incest in this case is best understood as a magickal formula, relating to the theme of autonomy, self creation and rejection of the paternal roles. Keep in mind that many of these darker workings are ultimately about redeeming negative icons, and indeed redeeming our own demons. Some of this formula is revealed in part toward the end of a post I made on the T5A, which you can read here:

http://www.chaoscurrent.com/experience/blacklodge.html
(this is long; the pertinent info is toward the end)

I think, however, it is worth exploring a bit more fully and in plainer language than you're likely to get in most texts dealing with this issue all of which in my experience are insufferably thelemic.

Those seeking to or who have sought a magickal relationship with Lilith have, in my experience, noted an almost maternal quality to her. This quality is of course borne out in parts of her mythology as well. Sex as ritual is almost always incorporated in the relationship as well. Very few seem to notice this juxtaposition, or if they do notice, discuss the ramifications.

Really anyone in any kind of romantic relationship should understand the paternal/maternal aspects of their relationship. This is the beginning of the magickal formula which should if followed to fruition result in equality, replacing the mother child role with a sibling like relationship. Again it's important to note we're talking more about emotional and mental roles than we are about biology, which is primarily why I ask you to note how subtle variations of these themes color our relationships.

While going through the child/mother process; encounters will start off with what may seem to be perversions of motherly acts. This can be seen in my own experience where I am nursed on her menstrual blood. Those interested in that encounter are directed here:

http://www.chaoscurrent.com/experience/lilithencounter.html

From the earliest stages of this relationship right until the completion of the formula encounters are themed with your submissiveness and her dominance. Sometimes this is a playful exchange but often it is a very strong and violent dominance. She likes to be on top in every sense of the phrase.

A precursory glance into the realm of bdsm reveals that it is often those wearing the role of slave are in charge. This is an important thing to understand, because contrary to those kinds of ego games this is actually about you being subservient in totality and giving her control. During this time it is important to explore and consider your own issues with dominance, specifically in being dominated. I feel that ultimately to progress to the next stage of the equation you must allow yourself to be ridden by Lilith, a total possession where you submit the entirety of your will and body to her.

I have found that after the total submission to Lilith which is nothing short of traumatic for most people as most have not ever dealt so fully with submission especially from such an unabashedly female concept/energy, that Lilith will start to treat you more gently like a much older sibling, looking after you, serving as a role model. Though again the sexual themes will still be present.

During this phase you should be concentrating on what it is to be a much younger sibling, which especially if you're an oldest sibling might be harder than you expect. There is adoration implicit in this relationship though one starkly different from the child mother relationship. Worth noting here is that if you are feeling any resentment toward her as the older sib, you will be unable to progress to the final part of the formula.

The final portion of the formula results in you becoming the older sibling of equal age. I myself noted that at this stage she alternated between calling me her little brother, and referring to herself as my little sister. Likewise I found my vision work with her swinging between a relationship where I was either the elder or younger brother, though in this case the age difference is slight, where as in the middle stage the implied age difference is large, more like a very young child with a sister in high school or even college. Sexual exchange and information transfer via intercourse makes up a large part of this relationship.

During this phase it is important to consider the responsibility of equality and authority, the give and take of autonomy. The primary consideration here is unconditional love, and what it means to love yourself and others that way. Understand that this is not a touchy feely condition; this sort of love is not easy. The redemption of this icon does not turn her into some white light concept. Rather it helps us to understand the power, beauty, and goodness of the darker side of nature, rather than have it be something that is purely entropic, or something we struggle against. The switching between being the older and younger sibling signifies this lesson, understanding that one aspect may take the lead as needed, not as wanted. Love often says no when we wish the answer would be yes, to paraphrase Madeleine L'Engle. All aspects of ourself can be allowed to find expression without becoming self destructive, this is the power we gain from redeeming our personal demons.

With this work complete we can not only apply the lesson to our personal relationships, but apply the formula to servitors and personal demons; it is far better to have an ally than a servant waiting for its chance to rebel.

So with all of this in mind I present a rather simple visualization/ritual to get you started with this work. The central image below:

This image is designed to be evocative of a window or gateway which the magician can invoke (or transvoke, if you will) themselves into. I personally find listening to one or all of these songs during or before this visionary process helpful:

Under Her Black Wings- Danzig
Lyrics: http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/danzig/lucifuge.html#6

She Rides- Danzig
Lyrics: http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/danzig/danzig.html#3

Lilin- Danzig
Lyrics: http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/danzig/666satanschild.html#3

A state of arousal is often conducive to working with Lilith, so you may wish to stimulate yourself sexually while gazing at the image. You'll want to avoid orgasm right off, instead building up and then backing off until you have profoundly entered your state of consciousness. Visualize yourself leaving your body and entering the picture, Find yourself in a vast desert, and if Lilith is not already waiting for you, seek her out in a near by cave. Lilith is by nature very aggressive and so from this point on it is likely she will take the initiative, you have only to go through the process described above. Though if you have no interest in going through this kind ofwork, you can still use this image to acess her for any other kind of working, or even just because it's something to do.

"Darkness was and darkness was good. As with light. Light and Darkness dancing together, born together, born of each other, neither preceding, neither following, both fully being, in joyful rhythm." -L'Engle