#botbd

[blackthornwren]

One of the biggest complaints I've heard in conversations about Book of the Black Dragon is that people often say it doesn't make sense, they hate the writing style, or it's too convoluted.

Yes, yes, yes, and also no. That's the problem. It is and it isn't and it's completely intentional. Obfuscation is the name of the game. The ambiguity of the texts is intentional. They are written in such a manner that forces the practitioner into devising their own way forward. This creates the opportunity for tailored and unique incorporation.

It can be annoyingly vague, because it isn't really meant to be understood immediately. Lightning strikes, and with the illumination comes the understanding. This is a path that favors the creative, and it focuses heavily on the notion that there is no real right or wrong approach as long as you're engaging with the material, with the spirits, and getting something from it.

Unfortunately, the drawback to this is feeling like you don't have a compass for finding true north. It's incredibly frustrating. It's also exciting and challenging and one of the main reasons I decided to do this.

[blackthornwren]

Walking the Dragon’s Head – Part 1

The tongue, the fang, the eyes. These are the points to be walked by the seeker; the pathways by which the Black Dragon manifests through the vessel of the adept.

Remember: the transgression, the imbalance, is the entire point.

The Tongue: This journey begins with the tongue. The immaterial breath, and the humming prescience of space before it gives life to word. This is where the serpent rests; and while power lies in knowing what words to speak, it is more important to know when to utter them.

The words spoken here are a betrayal; an upheaval. As it is said, they must “seethe with treachery”, in direct opposition to the silence of these spirits.

To defile the silence with sound.

The emissaries hold their place as the keeper of all sorcerous words ever uttered from the tongue. In temptation, the seeker is lured to dance upon the word – however, it is this betrayal of silence which entices the emissaries to steal the breath and let the seeker become the sacrifice.

[blackthornwren]

Aperi Circulus Draco

[blackthornwren]

May 3, 2025 - Retracing my steps to delve deeper into this current has led to some new methods in how I approach these spirits and some unusual experiences.

[blackthornwren]

I wanted to share some thoughts on my ongoing work.

Pictured above is the Apotropaic Chamber Vessel that features in my work through the book of the Black Dragon. The vessel serves to function as a lantern, drawing in the spirits that engage with aspirants of the books.

The Black Dragon itself encourages the aspirant to forego all expectation. In doing so, we begin to accept the unexpected as the work begins to take on a formless shape and go beyond the known norms that one could expect with spirit work. And so, by striking down the demarcation between mundane and liminal, the Black Dragon encourages the aspirant to live and work within contradictions; not least of which is understanding that a bodiless corpse can also be the host of hundreds of spirits.

This contradiction has been especially relevant in the last few months as I deconstruct my basics and rebuild while integrating the new lessons learned.

[blackthornwren]

To gaze through the key hole with a closed eye. Seeing what must not be seen, while consciously blinding yourself to matter. Turning outward, turning inward. Transmission through transgression. I am that which I am not.

[blackthornwren]

[blackthornwren]

Blackthorn and flannel, black walnuts and buckeyes, and sweetgum balls.

Endless possibilities ✨️