The Truth About the “Black Mass”, one of the esoteric occult world’s greatest kept secrets, full of deception and hype, is just one of the many facets explored in the Arcanum notebooks of Joshua Free — Available as the Arcanum Epica trilogy or in the combined anthology A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick.“The Black Mass is an obscure rite emerging from French occultism during the Dark Ages, particularly the period of the Crusades. Although commonly associated with Satanism, suppressed Hermeticists like the Gnostics and Templars have used some versions of this ritual. It parodies the Catholic Mass and was originally performed by a real member of the clergy. Rather than being an actual mystical working of evil, the Black Mass is a psychologically dramatic means of a practical (perhaps misguided) antithesis or remedy to the Church during the Elven Holocaust. Some versions of the Black Mass still exist today, though other scholars suggest that the ritual text is simply the Catholic Mass spoken backwards.” (From Arcanum Epica I or A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick by Joshua Free)
“The most famous use of the Black Mass occurred during the 17th Century as overseen by a witch named Catherine Deshayes Monvoisin (better known as LaVoisin). LaVoisin was a fortune-teller and abortionist who employed Catholic priests (including the documented Abbe Bourgeois and Etienne Bourgeois) to add a new dimension of mystical authenticity to her rites. Since the commonly used version of the Black Mass is derived from the “Rituale Romanum,” a connection to a clerical origin of the rite has been suspected. We can be less certain of what texts were used by the Cathars and Templars, and whether or not they were so diabolical.” (Liber-A)
“The color theme of the Black Mass is obviously black, with a sub-ordinate emphasis on purple and sometimes red. The candles are black as are the robes and altar-dressings. A mattress is placed under the cloth since a nude female usually serves as the altar. She lies down with arms outstretched (sometimes holding candles in her hands). Her legs are spread and the chalice (or an inverted cross) is placed between them filled with liquor. According to rumor, sacrifices were prominent. Legend has it that LaVoisin used aborted fetuses as offerings. All of this is speculative.” (From Arcanum Epica I or A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick by Joshua Free)
“While formalized ritual texts labeled “Black Mass” or “Le Messe Noir” exist, many
believe that much less formal gatherings ensued for the purposes of indulging in hard
drugs and sexual gratification. The famous stories of “ritual abuse” occurred with
children who were raised in such environments, or worse, forced to participate. The
driving purpose behind the more formal operations mirror that of common spellcraft
and have no ceremonial or high magickal value. Any “invocations to a devil” are
purely for the benefit of the psyche and possess no other power except that which is
normal to polarized vibrations of thought and speech directed via visualization.
However, the incorporation of an ordained Catholic priest may add a more significant
power to the workings.” (Liber-A)“Many Christian denominations exist today, all being protestant faiths. This means all of them split or protested against the Catholic Church. In spite of the grim history of the Church during its rise, it remains the original mainstream Christian faith with an emphasis on ceremonial magick, high magickal mysticism and Rites of Pass-age (sacraments) complete with relics, talismans and evocations of the saints. In fact the exorcism (dealing with the Devil) and demonic possession are matters only significant in Catholicism. Without the incorporation of the power and wealth of the Roman Empire via the alleged “donation of Constantine,” the religion would have probably remained one of many pan-European cults.” (From Arcanum Epica I or A Complete Course Curriculum in Magick by Joshua Free)
“The following ritual excerpt is based on the version employed by the French “Luciferians” in the late 19th Century. It is a corruption of the Latin liturgy employed by the Catholic Church. The complete version calls on infernal names of “Satan” borrowed today by practitioners of a left-hand path: Abaddon, Asmodeus, Astaroth (Ishtar), Baalberith, Beelzebub, Belial (Enlil) and Lucifer (Enki).” (Liber-A)
The priest begins: “In nominee Magni Dei Nostril Satanas. Intoibo ad altare Domine Inferi.” The deacon or assistance answers: “Ad eum qui laefificat meum.” The priest continues: “Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini Inferi.” The deacon responds: “Qui regit terram.” After declaring Satan (or an appropriate name) as Ruler of the Earth and pledging a promise of service (or continuing service) the priest says: “Domine Satanas, tu conversus vivificabis nos.” The deacon answers: “Et plebs tua laetabitur in te.” The priest continues: “Dominus Inferus vobiscum.” Answered by: “Et cum tuo.” The rite continues in this fashion for the entire length of the Latin Mass.
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