Sign of the Man in Black:
The Witchfatherâs Crown
This is a sigil I devised within my Craft, upon the request of another to create a symbol for The Witchfather. Given that the role of âWitchfatherâ is one attributed to many different figures, I was asked to specifically forge a sigil for the Witching God as Luciferâthe Usurper, the Bringer of Light, and the Man in Black.
Various practitioners of traditional and folkloric magic, across cultures, believe in the concept of Spirit Initiation. While the subject of Spirit Initiation is diverse and nuanced, it generally pertains to the attainment of psycho-spiritual metamorphosis through an utter dismantling of the self. This ruination is necessary for personal transformation and initiation into power, and itâs usually instigated through the aid of a non-corporeal entity who is often known as a Witching God, or in the case of the Man in Black, the Witchfather. Many practitioners willingly subject themselves to this spiritual rebirth, which is frequently depicted as an ordeal or set of trials facing the Seeker, while others are seemingly âfoundâ by the Witching God they are meant to work with. A variety of entities are known to supervise this pivotal initiation, ranging from faeries, to deities, to ancestral spirits and, of course, the Witchfather known as The Man in Black.
He is frequently described as a mysterious, slender man, dressed all in black, and crowned with the horns of a Goat or Buck, who approaches certain individuals with the offer of a new and better life. If one accepts this offer, they would be granted new heights of power and wisdom in exchange for their Fealty. However, if a person were approached by the Man in Black and declined his offer, it was often said that they simply went on with their lives, ignorant of their otherworldly encounter and missed opportunity. He has been known by many names, such as Akerbeltz, The Horned One, Herne, Black Donald, Azazel, and Old Scratch, among others. But, perhaps best known of all his names, is Lucifer. For, although the Dark Man cannot be succinctly and exclusively defined as the Abrahamic Devil, he also canât be separated from the figure with any degree of ease.
The Man in Black is seen as being at the very heart of the Liminal Rend in the veil between the Mundane World and the Otherworld / Realm of the Dead, and as such, he is intimately connected to the Wild Mysteries and Chthonic forces of the universe. He is the Limitless Light and The Endless Darknessâthe Miraculous Birth and the Ferocious Huntâ the Untamed Sensuality and the Glorious Restraintâfor he is the Shining Paradox. He is a Trickster, a Seducer, a Warrior, and a Teacher, but most importantly of all, he is a Liberatorâfor he is revered as the very harbinger of the Cunning Flame on Earth; the spark of Divine Wisdom, once denied this World and its children.
The Cunning Flame, sometimes called Witchâs Fire, serves as a wellspring of power and connection for an initiated practitioner, and as such, it is frequently considered one of the Great Sources of a witchâs might and influence over the world. Some are born to the Flame (though they may not know it,) as it was first bequeathed to humanity in an age immemorial, but while some lay in waiting for the âignitionâ of this power, others choose to set themselves ablaze with the Torch he bears (frequently depicted as a fire burning brilliantly between his horns/antlers.) Whatever the case, he is the Holy Vagabond who Conveys the Cunning Flame, and sees to it that others may have the chance to partake of this same freedom.
While the idea of a witch selling their soul has been largely popularized as a method by which a practitioner attains their power, it is far from being the only way a person might establish a pact for access to the Cunning Flame. Rather, innumerable methods and prices might be sought when seeking the Man in Black and his aid, though the most common across traditions is the idea that a witch binds themselves to the path offered them, as well as the forces associated with that path. While this might not sound as dramatic as the selling of oneâs soul, it is still a major responsibility and one that can get a person into trouble, all the same, if they enter into the pact flippantly. Additionally, the idea of bartering with a soul is likely connected, in part, with the fact that the Dark Man is widely believed to âeat awayâ at a part of who you are. But rather than a loss of your true self, this initiatory process signifies the carving away of those parts and pieces youâve learned to identify with yourself, but arenât really you. They are the psycho-spiritual detritus youâve accumulated in your life as a result of society, trauma, and any other number of factors that have muddied the waters of your identity. It is an excavation of the Psyche, helping you to excise the bits of âyourselfâ that get in your own way and prevent you from fully embarking upon the path of your Awakening. That isnât to say, however, that itâs meant to be an easy task. In fact, it is one so solemnly undertaken that it is generally likened to the Seeker experiencing a symbolic Death. The shapes this âDeathâ can take, though, are personal and countless.
Use the Witchfatherâs Crown to aid you in calling upon the Man in Black. Inscribe your body and/or materials with it to focus your intention and expand your willingness/endurance in dealing with him, as many recount experiencing waves of extreme emotion when encountering himâespecially for the first time. Inscribe it upon the ground in the place of your working to help consecrate the space for your purpose, and to aid you in drawing the attention of the Witchfather. Common locations associated with his presence include Crossroads, Cemeteries, and the Deep Wilderness, and offerings associated with entreating his aid include (but are not limited to) Alcohol, Blood, Snakeskin, Black Feathers, Bones, and Poison Plants. Possibly of the greatest importance though, is a willingness to experience and embrace whatever he may inspire within you.
snowghoul
izzy806
blakekathryn
vaporwave
origamiaround
romaincrisis
areudirty
