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The Altar of Sacrifice
The first Volume of the trilogy, The Way of Sacrifice.
The Altar of Sacrifice is the first of "The Books of the Way of Sacrifice." The first volume in this closely woven trilogy consists of three inner books, each revealing legendary power of the Olde Ways, attained through the Arte of Bloody Sacrifice. The Path of the Devotee is illuminated from the initial Gift and Pact that opens The Way of Sacrifice, to the formation of the Mother Temple of Four Pillars of Fire through Vortices of Death and Gnosis of the Apocalyptic Keys. Glyphs filled with sacrificial blood open the Backward Atlantean Path of Hecate. The bodies of forest beasts of modern and ancient worlds are entered, with the Formula of Soul Inversion. Knowledge of the Atlantean Priests is revealed. The Elemental Temple Dragon is awoken. The Chalice of Sacrifice, the Grail of Sepheranz, is created as the gateway through which the soul is drawn to bathe in the Blood of the Gods. In an age of restriction and taboo, engineered to hide the true carnage of man’s occupation of this world, the destruction of the planet itself, this is not solely a book of the Sacrificial Arte. It is the first gate, manifested and opened in blood, through which the Trident Kin reveal the Apocalyptic Keys. Created from flesh in bloody sacrifice, these keys unleash the Wrath of the Gods. The Volumes of Sacrifice are forged from a practice that was born of gnosis received beyond the Gates of the Final Judgement of the Soul, a pact undertaken in free will by the author with Lucifer, in the name of Hecate.
Standard Blood Pact Edition: 999 Handbound volumes of superior quality to all previous standard editions. Bound in luxurious Lynnel Tan Charbon. Finished with Peregrina Majestic Bronze endpapers. Blocked and stamped in deep copper foil with the Sacred Seal of Flesh and Fur.
The Altar of Sacrifice is the first of "The Books of the Way of Sacrifice." The first volume in this closely woven trilogy consists of three inner books, each revealing legendary power of the Olde Ways, attained through the Arte of Bloody Sacrifice. The Path of the Devotee is illuminated from the initial Gift and Pact that opens The Way of Sacrifice, to the formation of the Mother Temple of Four Pillars of Fire through Vortices of Death and Gnosis of the Apocalyptic Keys. Glyphs filled with sacrificial blood open the Backward Atlantean Path of Hecate. The bodies of forest beasts of modern and ancient worlds are entered, with the Formula of Soul Inversion. Knowledge of the Atlantean Priests is revealed. The Elemental Temple Dragon is awoken. The Chalice of Sacrifice, the Grail of Sepheranz, is created as the gateway through which the soul is drawn to bathe in the Blood of the Gods. In an age of restriction and taboo, engineered to hide the true carnage of man’s occupation of this world, the destruction of the planet itself, this is not solely a book of the Sacrificial Arte. It is the first gate, manifested and opened in blood, through which the Trident Kin reveal the Apocalyptic Keys. Created from flesh in bloody sacrifice, these keys unleash the Wrath of the Gods. The Volumes of Sacrifice are forged from a practice that was born of gnosis received beyond the Gates of the Final Judgement of the Soul, a pact undertaken in free will by the author with Lucifer, in the name of Hecate.
Standard Blood Pact Edition: 999 Handbound volumes of superior quality to all previous standard editions. Bound in luxurious Lynnel Tan Charbon. Finished with Peregrina Majestic Bronze endpapers. Blocked and stamped in deep copper foil with the Sacred Seal of Flesh and Fur.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published October 31, 2013
1 person is currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Mark Alan Smith
11 books112 followersMy name is Mark Smith. I am a writer and practitioner of Primal Witchcraft. Throughout my entire life I have been a dedicated student of the Goddess of Witchcraft, Hecate. Primal Craft is the foundation through which I am able to assist others who wish to walk the path of the Dark Queen.
Since childhood I have heard Her call. Though I was at that time unaware of Her true identity, my connection to the Witchflame Goddess goes as far back as I can remember. There were others who came with Hecate during these infant years, but they remained in the background at that time. It is with the Queen of Hell that I have always had the strongest link. This was the beginning of my re-awakening; in this incarnation at least.
As I grew and my horizons expanded, so too did my practice of the Ancient Craft. There were obviously times when my focus would shift, as required, to various aspects of mundane life; such is the necessary balance of the incarnate form.
After thirteen years in the military and several years in a certain private enterprise sector, to which I was drawn by the money on offer, I became wholly dissatisfied with my life and moved to Southern Spain. Here I found that the climate and pace of life agreed not only with my physical being but also the intense spiritual practices so regularly brought forth through my contact with the Dark Goddess. It was at this point that I was ready to give myself over fully to my greatest passion, and what I know to be my true calling, in the Ancient Craft of the Wise. In love, honour and total commitment everyday of my life is now dedicated to the pursuit of spiritual ascendance and the acquisition of the deeper hidden gnosis which lies, waiting to be discovered, along the Dark Path of Hecate.
I do not claim any ancient lineage through my ancestors, nor do I claim heritage through coven initiation. The consumate journey upon this path is taken at the level of the soul, far beyond the ego and politics of human minds. It is for this reason that direct contact with the spirits and Gods of the Ancient Arte, both Empyrean and Infernal, is essential for those who wish to truly advance upon the path of the Dark Queen.
Since childhood I have heard Her call. Though I was at that time unaware of Her true identity, my connection to the Witchflame Goddess goes as far back as I can remember. There were others who came with Hecate during these infant years, but they remained in the background at that time. It is with the Queen of Hell that I have always had the strongest link. This was the beginning of my re-awakening; in this incarnation at least.
As I grew and my horizons expanded, so too did my practice of the Ancient Craft. There were obviously times when my focus would shift, as required, to various aspects of mundane life; such is the necessary balance of the incarnate form.
After thirteen years in the military and several years in a certain private enterprise sector, to which I was drawn by the money on offer, I became wholly dissatisfied with my life and moved to Southern Spain. Here I found that the climate and pace of life agreed not only with my physical being but also the intense spiritual practices so regularly brought forth through my contact with the Dark Goddess. It was at this point that I was ready to give myself over fully to my greatest passion, and what I know to be my true calling, in the Ancient Craft of the Wise. In love, honour and total commitment everyday of my life is now dedicated to the pursuit of spiritual ascendance and the acquisition of the deeper hidden gnosis which lies, waiting to be discovered, along the Dark Path of Hecate.
I do not claim any ancient lineage through my ancestors, nor do I claim heritage through coven initiation. The consumate journey upon this path is taken at the level of the soul, far beyond the ego and politics of human minds. It is for this reason that direct contact with the spirits and Gods of the Ancient Arte, both Empyrean and Infernal, is essential for those who wish to truly advance upon the path of the Dark Queen.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 13, 2021
Melkoinen kasa black metal -lyriikkaa á la Dark Funeral eli mitä luultavimmin kirjailijalla on murtunut muutama kynsi laarinpohjaa raapiessa. Teoksen kuvituksena käytetty digitaide on myös sillä tavalla laittamatonta, että oikein pahaa tekee katsoa.
Jos kirjasta haluaa jotain myönteista sanoa, niin periaatteessa hieno sidos ja tyylikäs etukansi mahdollistaisi sen käyttämisen sisustusartikkelina. Siitä yksi tähti.
Jos kirjasta haluaa jotain myönteista sanoa, niin periaatteessa hieno sidos ja tyylikäs etukansi mahdollistaisi sen käyttämisen sisustusartikkelina. Siitä yksi tähti.
September 5, 2023
The Altar of Sacrifice is a pretty special book, both inside and I would argue, outside of the Authors 'Primal Craft' tradition.
This book deals with one of the greatest taboos that can be found in magick today, in the west at least. That is the practice of Sacrifice. This is not meant in an allegorical fashion, but in a way that is very literal.
The Altar of Sacrifice is the first of a trilogy of such books that covers this topic explicitly, and the rituals that requires its use. This subject it must be pointed out, is treated in a serious and respectful manner by the author. Those who are looking for sensationalism will be disappointed as Smith makes it very clear as to how this is to be approached. It is refreshing to see an author not use this topic for shock value but approach it with the seriousness it deserves. The author addresses the moral concern and burden such work entails, and contrasts it against, in his own words, against the 'Bloodless Path'.
For this reason alone, I would recommend it. But the contents of the book are actually quite varied. Ostensibly, it deals with primarily how such methods were used to construct the authors temple in Southern Spain, the occult results and consequences of such and how this process can be replicated by those who feel the call to construct similar gateways. In many ways, this book details the 'bones' of this process which is further built on in Smiths later works
That shouldn't be taken to mean that this book is 'sparse'. It feels as packed, if not more so, with occult gnosis than its predecessor (The Scorpion God). It goes into great ritual detail, stressing that earthing the currents, necessitates individual theurgy and practical application of sacrificial technique without cutting corners.
This book is also the first in the series by this author to really delve deep into the revelatory witchcraft prophecy of the here, now and to be. Whilst the prior books touched on this, in Altar of Sacrifice we finally begin to delve deep into this. The material becomes staggeringly complex and profound, as gnosis and resultant praxis is lain bare.
Some may not like this - this work more than any other in the series up to this point, starts laying out the currents worldview in a very non ambiguous direct fashion. Smith is not out to cater here, and puts this plainly to paper. Here it really begins to coalesce as a full, mature current when contrasted against the prior material - and I can see that making or breaking people when it comes to wanting to work the material even outside of its core subject matter.
I can see this being a very polarising tome - but for me, I personally found it an excellent look into something especially sacred. Anyone who has read the three prior works and enjoyed them (Queen of Hell, The Red King, The Scorpion God) will love this book as it puts a lot into greater, wider context outside of individual soul evolution. In many ways, it acts as a key to really understand the prior material in a way that isn't so 'self contained'.
For those who are looking to create their own temple of a potent nature, it also holds many keys that be utilised and adapted. By describing the exact spiritual, and physical makeup of both temple and 'organisation', it offers an excellent map for such a project. For those who are wanting to know the core workings of the current, it is also indispensable for the reasons outlined above.
This book deals with one of the greatest taboos that can be found in magick today, in the west at least. That is the practice of Sacrifice. This is not meant in an allegorical fashion, but in a way that is very literal.
The Altar of Sacrifice is the first of a trilogy of such books that covers this topic explicitly, and the rituals that requires its use. This subject it must be pointed out, is treated in a serious and respectful manner by the author. Those who are looking for sensationalism will be disappointed as Smith makes it very clear as to how this is to be approached. It is refreshing to see an author not use this topic for shock value but approach it with the seriousness it deserves. The author addresses the moral concern and burden such work entails, and contrasts it against, in his own words, against the 'Bloodless Path'.
For this reason alone, I would recommend it. But the contents of the book are actually quite varied. Ostensibly, it deals with primarily how such methods were used to construct the authors temple in Southern Spain, the occult results and consequences of such and how this process can be replicated by those who feel the call to construct similar gateways. In many ways, this book details the 'bones' of this process which is further built on in Smiths later works
That shouldn't be taken to mean that this book is 'sparse'. It feels as packed, if not more so, with occult gnosis than its predecessor (The Scorpion God). It goes into great ritual detail, stressing that earthing the currents, necessitates individual theurgy and practical application of sacrificial technique without cutting corners.
This book is also the first in the series by this author to really delve deep into the revelatory witchcraft prophecy of the here, now and to be. Whilst the prior books touched on this, in Altar of Sacrifice we finally begin to delve deep into this. The material becomes staggeringly complex and profound, as gnosis and resultant praxis is lain bare.
Some may not like this - this work more than any other in the series up to this point, starts laying out the currents worldview in a very non ambiguous direct fashion. Smith is not out to cater here, and puts this plainly to paper. Here it really begins to coalesce as a full, mature current when contrasted against the prior material - and I can see that making or breaking people when it comes to wanting to work the material even outside of its core subject matter.
I can see this being a very polarising tome - but for me, I personally found it an excellent look into something especially sacred. Anyone who has read the three prior works and enjoyed them (Queen of Hell, The Red King, The Scorpion God) will love this book as it puts a lot into greater, wider context outside of individual soul evolution. In many ways, it acts as a key to really understand the prior material in a way that isn't so 'self contained'.
For those who are looking to create their own temple of a potent nature, it also holds many keys that be utilised and adapted. By describing the exact spiritual, and physical makeup of both temple and 'organisation', it offers an excellent map for such a project. For those who are wanting to know the core workings of the current, it is also indispensable for the reasons outlined above.
June 18, 2024
I follow and practice the Primal Craft but have not practiced any rites of sacrifice. However, I wanted to leave a comment based on my understanding of sacrifice and its importance in the current state of the world. Today, thousands are killed in the name of religion, politics, money and greed. Blood is shed in vain, death is a common game and it is shed to fuel the desires of the mundane. In the act of spiritual sacrifice, life is treated as holy once more and must be set aside as sacred, as dedicated to the Creatrix, the source of creation. The book explains the need for sacrifice and the reasons for the return of this Arte in much greater depth. I would advise someone to read this only after having read the first trilogy of Primal Craft, namely Queen of Hell, The Red King and The Scorpion God: Forbidden Wisdom of Belial in order to understand the context in which it takes place. Amongst other things, this book explains the nature of the Mother Temple, a hidden stone temple vortex of Primal power located in Spain, and the mode of initiation within the Primal Current into the Witchcraft of Hecate, as well as a glimpse into the future of Primal Craft and its practitioners.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews