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LUX HAERESIS The Light Heretical
The principal concern of the work is the Arcana of the Witch's Eye and its mutual interaction with Sentient Luminosity. Treating the twin mysteria of Ocular Malediction (the so-called Evil Eye), and Seership or ‘The Sight', the book proceeds beyond this duality unto the realm of Telaesthesis --the unique perceptual modalities of the Witches' Sabbath, grand abberator of the sensorial field.
Explored in detail is the magical relation between Hand and Eye, the Body of Void, and the vivification of the Magical Image. As a magico-poetic cartography of the illuminant metaphysic present in the folkloric strata of traditional witchcraft, The Light Heretical serves as both homage and grimoire to its Luciferan arcana.
Explored in detail is the magical relation between Hand and Eye, the Body of Void, and the vivification of the Magical Image. As a magico-poetic cartography of the illuminant metaphysic present in the folkloric strata of traditional witchcraft, The Light Heretical serves as both homage and grimoire to its Luciferan arcana.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 22, 2023
As far as Schulke's works go, this is arguably the weakest of his I've read- though it does have some interesting bits here and there in regards to the second sight. It was also interesting in regards to the process of initiation he experienced, as detailed within... Mostly, however, I just found myself bored a lot while reading it.
If I hadn't been explicitly instructed to read it by "the power that be", I'd've probably continued ignoring it on my book shelf, to be quite honest. And outside of what I was explicitly instructed to read if for, I don't particularly feel like I gained anything useful from reading it- which is a stark contrast from Schulke's other works, to be sure; even when Veneficium and I didn't vibe, I still walked away feeling as if I'd read something valuable. Walking away from Lux Haeresis, however, just felt like I'd wasted most of my time.
If I could make one suggestion o anyone considering this book: If you're not a terribly huge fan of sexual occultism, you'd do well to steer away from it; while there's always an undercurrent of sexuality to Schulke's work in general (as such is, unfortunately, the constant nature of this brand of occultism as a whole), this is arguably the most sexual in the roster so far. To the point I found myself skipping over entire sections and chapters completely, and skim reading the majority of the book, as someone who generally has zero interest in the stereotypical frat-boy sexuality of male dominated occultism (just as it has zero interest in the "womb mother earth goddess" sorority nonsense of female dominated new-agery). So if that's not your jam, you'll likely find it as boring and disinteresting as I did, save for the few blips here and there.
If I hadn't been explicitly instructed to read it by "the power that be", I'd've probably continued ignoring it on my book shelf, to be quite honest. And outside of what I was explicitly instructed to read if for, I don't particularly feel like I gained anything useful from reading it- which is a stark contrast from Schulke's other works, to be sure; even when Veneficium and I didn't vibe, I still walked away feeling as if I'd read something valuable. Walking away from Lux Haeresis, however, just felt like I'd wasted most of my time.
If I could make one suggestion o anyone considering this book: If you're not a terribly huge fan of sexual occultism, you'd do well to steer away from it; while there's always an undercurrent of sexuality to Schulke's work in general (as such is, unfortunately, the constant nature of this brand of occultism as a whole), this is arguably the most sexual in the roster so far. To the point I found myself skipping over entire sections and chapters completely, and skim reading the majority of the book, as someone who generally has zero interest in the stereotypical frat-boy sexuality of male dominated occultism (just as it has zero interest in the "womb mother earth goddess" sorority nonsense of female dominated new-agery). So if that's not your jam, you'll likely find it as boring and disinteresting as I did, save for the few blips here and there.
June 2, 2014
The first advise I give to anyone intent on reading this text is to be prepared.
This book deals with the Light Heretical, the formation of image and its praxis within the mind and eye of the witch. This book is written in a manner that intentionally aims to have you really think through what is being said. It makes a refreshing change to read a book that challenges how you think.
This book deals with the Light Heretical, the formation of image and its praxis within the mind and eye of the witch. This book is written in a manner that intentionally aims to have you really think through what is being said. It makes a refreshing change to read a book that challenges how you think.
September 29, 2024
LUX HAERESIS is a grimoire that ventures into the mysterious realms of Sentient Luminosity—the metaphysical light that bridges the sensory and the supra-sensory in witchcraft. Daniel A. Schulke’s work is an intricate tapestry of visionary magic, dealing explicitly with the mysteries of the Witch’s Eye, or what he calls the twin modalities of Ocular Malediction and Seership. This is not a simple examination of the famed "Evil Eye" or clairvoyance, but a sophisticated and dense text that delves into the role of the Eye as a magical organ capable of perceiving, transmitting, and altering the very fabric of reality. For those who walk the path of Traditional Witchcraft and seek a deeper understanding of the mysteries of perception and vision, LUX HAERESIS is a rare and challenging guide.
The book’s subtitle, The Light Heretical, speaks to the Luciferian thread that runs through the text. This is no ordinary light—it is the lumen tenebris, the heretical light that blazes from beyond the mundane senses, offering visions of worlds usually hidden from human perception. Schulke positions the Witch’s Eye as a tool that accesses this light, enabling the practitioner to traverse both the physical and aetheric realms. Through his highly symbolic language, he maps out the Arcana of the Eye—concepts that are layered with folklore, mythology, and occult philosophy. The dual aspects of the Witch’s Eye—Seership and Malediction—are explored in a way that reveals them to be complementary rather than opposing forces. The same Eye that can bless with visionary clarity can also curse, distort, and disrupt.
One of the most compelling aspects of LUX HAERESIS is its examination of Telaesthesis, a term Schulke uses to describe the unique perceptual shifts that occur during the Witches’ Sabbath. Telaesthesis is a state of being that alters the very nature of the senses, breaking through the boundaries of ordinary sight and hearing to reveal the hidden, vibrating essence of reality. Schulke describes this as the Grand Abberator—the point at which the sensorial field is bent and twisted, where what is seen is no longer limited by linear perception but unfolds in myriad directions. This perceptual aberration is both a blessing and a burden, as it can lead to profound mystical insight or descent into madness, depending on the practitioner’s ability to navigate its shifting landscapes.
The book’s language is, as expected from Schulke, dense, poetic, and highly symbolic. It is a text that demands the reader’s full attention, inviting a deep meditative engagement rather than a casual perusal. Each paragraph is laden with meaning, often doubling back on itself to reveal hidden layers of interpretation. Schulke’s style is akin to an alchemical puzzle, where the very act of reading becomes a ritual in itself. His use of terms like the Body of Void and the Hand and Eye Interrelation—where the tactile and the visual merge in magical practice—offer a glimpse into the esoteric complexity of his vision. This is a work for those who are comfortable with ambiguity, who understand that the true secrets of the Witch’s Eye cannot be grasped through surface understanding but must be penetrated through inner vision.
The interplay between vision and creation is another focus of LUX HAERESIS. Schulke explores how the Eye serves not just to perceive but to shape and vivify the Magical Image. The practitioner, through gaze and intention, can bring spirits, thought-forms, and even entire landscapes into being. This vivification is described as a process that involves both The Hand—as a tool of manifestation—and The Eye, as the seat of sentient perception. The interrelationship between these two magical organs is central to Schulke’s praxis, revealing a philosophy in which magic is enacted through a blending of vision, gesture, and will.
The Luciferian aspects of the text are subtly woven through the entire book. Rather than focusing on Lucifer as a deity or entity, Schulke positions the figure of Lucifer as a symbol of this heretical light—the bearer of the forbidden knowledge that disrupts mundane perception and reveals the hidden currents beneath the surface of reality. LUX HAERESIS thus serves as both a map and a warning, guiding the practitioner through the arcane territories of illuminant metaphysic while reminding them of the dangers that accompany such explorations.
The book is not without its practical components. Though primarily a work of theory and poetic exploration, it contains rituals, meditations, and exercises designed to train the Witch’s Eye. Schulke outlines techniques for developing Telaesthetic vision, crafting ritual gestures that align the Eye with the Hand, and invoking the Sentient Luminosity that forms the heart of his magical system. Yet these practices are not spelled out in a step-by-step manner—they are presented as keys, waiting for the reader to unlock them through their own inner work.
For those already familiar with Schulke’s oeuvre or the deeper currents of the Cultus Sabbati, LUX HAERESIS will feel like a natural extension of his ongoing work with the Green Arte and the Sabbatic Mysteries. But even for newcomers, the book offers a profound, if daunting, initiation into the hidden dimensions of the Witch’s Craft. It is a text that invites readers to gaze not just outward but inward, into the depths of their own sight and beyond, toward the Light Heretical that both illuminates and obscures.
The book’s subtitle, The Light Heretical, speaks to the Luciferian thread that runs through the text. This is no ordinary light—it is the lumen tenebris, the heretical light that blazes from beyond the mundane senses, offering visions of worlds usually hidden from human perception. Schulke positions the Witch’s Eye as a tool that accesses this light, enabling the practitioner to traverse both the physical and aetheric realms. Through his highly symbolic language, he maps out the Arcana of the Eye—concepts that are layered with folklore, mythology, and occult philosophy. The dual aspects of the Witch’s Eye—Seership and Malediction—are explored in a way that reveals them to be complementary rather than opposing forces. The same Eye that can bless with visionary clarity can also curse, distort, and disrupt.
One of the most compelling aspects of LUX HAERESIS is its examination of Telaesthesis, a term Schulke uses to describe the unique perceptual shifts that occur during the Witches’ Sabbath. Telaesthesis is a state of being that alters the very nature of the senses, breaking through the boundaries of ordinary sight and hearing to reveal the hidden, vibrating essence of reality. Schulke describes this as the Grand Abberator—the point at which the sensorial field is bent and twisted, where what is seen is no longer limited by linear perception but unfolds in myriad directions. This perceptual aberration is both a blessing and a burden, as it can lead to profound mystical insight or descent into madness, depending on the practitioner’s ability to navigate its shifting landscapes.
The book’s language is, as expected from Schulke, dense, poetic, and highly symbolic. It is a text that demands the reader’s full attention, inviting a deep meditative engagement rather than a casual perusal. Each paragraph is laden with meaning, often doubling back on itself to reveal hidden layers of interpretation. Schulke’s style is akin to an alchemical puzzle, where the very act of reading becomes a ritual in itself. His use of terms like the Body of Void and the Hand and Eye Interrelation—where the tactile and the visual merge in magical practice—offer a glimpse into the esoteric complexity of his vision. This is a work for those who are comfortable with ambiguity, who understand that the true secrets of the Witch’s Eye cannot be grasped through surface understanding but must be penetrated through inner vision.
The interplay between vision and creation is another focus of LUX HAERESIS. Schulke explores how the Eye serves not just to perceive but to shape and vivify the Magical Image. The practitioner, through gaze and intention, can bring spirits, thought-forms, and even entire landscapes into being. This vivification is described as a process that involves both The Hand—as a tool of manifestation—and The Eye, as the seat of sentient perception. The interrelationship between these two magical organs is central to Schulke’s praxis, revealing a philosophy in which magic is enacted through a blending of vision, gesture, and will.
The Luciferian aspects of the text are subtly woven through the entire book. Rather than focusing on Lucifer as a deity or entity, Schulke positions the figure of Lucifer as a symbol of this heretical light—the bearer of the forbidden knowledge that disrupts mundane perception and reveals the hidden currents beneath the surface of reality. LUX HAERESIS thus serves as both a map and a warning, guiding the practitioner through the arcane territories of illuminant metaphysic while reminding them of the dangers that accompany such explorations.
The book is not without its practical components. Though primarily a work of theory and poetic exploration, it contains rituals, meditations, and exercises designed to train the Witch’s Eye. Schulke outlines techniques for developing Telaesthetic vision, crafting ritual gestures that align the Eye with the Hand, and invoking the Sentient Luminosity that forms the heart of his magical system. Yet these practices are not spelled out in a step-by-step manner—they are presented as keys, waiting for the reader to unlock them through their own inner work.
For those already familiar with Schulke’s oeuvre or the deeper currents of the Cultus Sabbati, LUX HAERESIS will feel like a natural extension of his ongoing work with the Green Arte and the Sabbatic Mysteries. But even for newcomers, the book offers a profound, if daunting, initiation into the hidden dimensions of the Witch’s Craft. It is a text that invites readers to gaze not just outward but inward, into the depths of their own sight and beyond, toward the Light Heretical that both illuminates and obscures.
June 1, 2021
Although I am more interested in Schulke’s occult herbalism writings; this book did not disappoint. Schulke always leaves me thinking, re-reading, and wanting more.
Read
March 21, 2016I will not rate this yet as I have not read it in its entirety(I made it about halfway through). I had to put it down; as it is to scholarly for my currently level of occult education right now. It is written as a work to people who are already Adepts. You must have extreme in depth knowledge and study before I recommend picking up this book. I can read between the lines and kind of get a idea of what the author is hinting at. But, in the end; I currently have to much stuff going on in my life to give this work the attention it would deserve before I can honestly rate it. On a positive note, the artwork in the book is awesome (as is all of Mr Schulke's art).
November 21, 2013
Remarkable. A short, but in-depth work on Sight. Obtuse but clear enough to be deciphered.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews