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CHAPTER FOUR<br />
RITES OF CONSECRATION <br />
The Sorcerer exists as two separate beings, one which is the willing<br />
and oft sadistic vessel for the Powers of Darkness, and the other who<br />
continues in a career, shops at the supermarket and even may hold<br />
religious or political positions. As Carl Jung might say, his life and self<br />
operate with two individual personae, working cooperatively in order<br />
to both Ii\'e in the world as a man and to rule the world and its<br />
inhabitants as a God dwelling in the shadows of the human race.<br />
Even while the Adept may enter into a state of self godhood at<br />
will there is still a divide between the normal and the miraculous.<br />
While the demons and the darkness are his constant companions and<br />
servants, the Sorcerer knows that they are separate from this plane<br />
and will not confuse the two. He lingers on the edge of insanity,<br />
struggling not to fall to one side of the fence or the other, endeavoring to<br />
keep a perfect balance between his selves.<br />
A psychological or Magickal division needs to be made between<br />
the things of the flesh and those things of eternal Darkness. Such a<br />
partition in the compartmentalization of the dark mind is the first<br />
function of rites of consecration, to create in the Magician's awareness<br />
a separation between the two. When an object, place, or action is ritually<br />
consecrated to the Works of Darkness, a grand distinction is made<br />
between that particular thing and all others like it.<br />
The psychological value of the consecration ritual can be likened<br />
unto the use of military uniform and insignia, representing honor,<br />
integrity, and a general elitist standing. The discipline, courage and<br />
commitment that is both needed for and acquired during Basic Combat<br />
Training serves· as a lengthy rite of consecration, creating an undeniable<br />
identification between the uniform and the characteristics of honor,<br />
integrity, duty, and the general warrior ethos. After the consecration<br />
rite of Basic Combat Training, the individual soldier will not be able to<br />
wear the "consecrated" uniform without his mind being drawn to these<br />
attributes, or others with which he has associated the military uniform<br />
during the consecration.<br />
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