[Review of
'Whisperings from the Void: The Amaranthine Arcanum of Holy Image and Revealed
Exegesis',
from Patrick John Larabee. -- By G. McCaughry (Anathema Publishing) - MMXII]
Introduco:
How does one quantify personal experience? - Well,
somehow, 'Whisperings from the Void: The Amaranthine Arcanum of Holy Image
and Revealed Exegesis', Patrick John Larabee's first published manuscript
in the form of a whole book (courteously released via Aeon Sophia Press), attempts
and aims at answering this sempiternal question and proposes a thorough and
undeniable observation concerning that which is the Witch's only true salvation
and key motto; in essence, the Ways, Wants and Woes of the Wayfarer treading
the Hermitical Path of Mysteries... And Mr. Larabee does so with the
care and attention of a true believer, or better yet an astute student and
researcher.
'Whisperings from the Void' is not a Grimoire per se,
even if there is enough Gnosis within to readily constitute various components
of a Greater Grimoire (perhaps in time?). The crux of the oracles
here-presented speaks about the results of various devotional
operations/prayers and is an authentic outlook into the Magickal Arte, moreso a
direct and heartfelt access into one's own private praxes and syncretic
relation with the Wyrds of Umbris.
In many ways 'Whisperings...' stand as an
initiatory/introductory work into the Arte, however, some parts are clearly
meant for those already in the "Know", as some invocations will often
not be accompanied by any explanatory texts, forcing you to experiment on your
own instead.
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'Book I: Hermitus Pathos', is in itself a motivator,
oiling the engine of the Adept and sparking the Flame; with invigorating
essay-like texts and litanies helping us to renew with the Arte and generate deeper
interest, therefore helping us remember why we came to answer The Calling in
the first place, realizing the potential lying dormant inside, and supporting
our very foundations and layers as Will-full Individuals.
In Mr. Larabee's words:
A huge emphasis has been put on the role of the
"I" within the Cosmic Order and the Demiurgic Schema, and thus what
constitute our Inner and Upper Self, as a reflection from behind the Void's
ghastly shroud. The fascination for the "Eye" throughout the Book is
another indicator that the words offered within aren't plainly spell'd to be
read but are purposely meant for us to "see" &
"behold".
Simply put, the book doesn't need to take you by the
hand to show you the (or a) way to go about the Path. It rather opens a door
and lets you in for a peak, leaving you wanting more. (If you catch my drift.)
There is no pretension to educate here, nor even a deliberate attempt at any
spiritual guidance really, so long as the Absolute portrayed within these pages
remains apparent and flowing seamlessly out from the various texts and
illustrations. (The illustrations, by the way, are honestly wonderful.)
Texts of particular interest within Book I., to my
own humble opinion, are: “Seeing the Unseen: being beyond the self: The Eye of
the I” (also featured in PILLARS I - “Psychopompos”), “The Emanation and
Inheritance of the Sorcerous-Fire”, “Corpus-Cask of the Dynamically Aqueous
Soul” (love the title!), “And the Shadow is cast...”.
* I think I may have this one
inked as a tattoo someday...
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'Book II: Libra Ab Sanguis' truly stand as a
monumental acknowledgement of both the Spirit of Truth and the
Truth-in-Spirits, of the HolyMost-"I" and of Mother Nature combined,
and it is an especially vivifying pact of devotion, for care has been put into
every small poetic oraisons and I am glad this "part" made it whole
into 'Whisperings...'. (The "Invokations of the Watchtowers of the
Universe" are especially poignant.)
This, is a work of close-proximity, I'd even say
intimacy, as if this work is at arm's length in terms of accessibility, being
of malleable and adaptable content, which is somehow contre-courant to
certain books focusing more on astral soaring and ascent, this one has instead,
a more terrene and solemn overall tone.
Of the numerous pictographs:
In many ways this tome could also serve as an
artist's portfolio (in this case the author's). Mr. Larabee's sigil work is
always very-well woven together, cohesive and stunning by the effectiveness as
you can literally feel the energy speeding through them. Given, his artistic
style and fashion may not be to everyone's taste, but it is certainly always
on-point and moreso exude a tangible passion for the portrayed Daimon and its
concordant seal. There is a certain innocence of character in the way he goes
about his drawing and painting, and I mean that in the best possible way, for
here Innocence is synonymous with Purity; a style untainted by the popular way
most come to expect the Veiled Masters to be depicted.
My personal coup-de-coeur certainly goes for
the various sigils and illustrations done for the 'Book of Emanations' ('Book
II: Libri Ab Sanguis', of 'Whisperings...'), to me, they are the most evocative pieces within The
Book; actual, embodied manifestations of the Dark Shadows-Made-God since times
immemorial, and are very powerful symbols in-deed.
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Conclusio:
I started this review, or rather mere stating of
facts (albeit from a subjective standpoint), with a Question and I shall try to
conclude by suggesting an answer, or perhaps a hypothesis. - There is no need
to neither quantify nor qualify personal experiences. Nor is there any actual
obligation when it comes to the sharing of these. But when One goes about to
let the words bleed honesty on paper, the cautious reader should definitely pay
attention, for this is a rare gift nowadays.
This offering from Patrick J. Larabee is a balm on
the Souls walking the Path of Revelations, barefooted on the burning ambers of
the charred and dying presumption that a book of such magnitude shouldn't be an
enjoyable and easy reading from the get-go.
On a slightly bitter note, I wouldn't be honest with myself
if I would not mention that one thing that kind of marred the reading
experience at times, is the sheer amount of typos throughout the book. Of
course, there is always a lot of these getting left behind in any books, but I
guess a more thorough review of the manuscript first could've easily prevented
the ones I noticed from making it into the final printed version. Same goes
with the handling of some of the technical graphic specifications needed to be
observed when including images that are bound to go to print. (Such as to
include illustrations at a high enough resolution to make sure it doesn't come
out pixelated or not "sharp" enough.) - I believe the actual size of
the book itself isn't the best of choice when it comes to format, for me, it is
simply too large, which makes for a slightly difficult handling when reading
and forcing a bigger typefont size that I would have normally deemed fitting
for such a book.
(Also, some of the
Illustration's names are sorely missing from the List of Illustration at the
end of the book... strange?)
It is my most sincere hope,
to a fellow occultist and friend, to see this tome soar past the first edition
and thus see it eventually revitalised with some of the technical aspects of
the product itself, enhanced and rectified. But despite these few flaws,
'Whisperings from the Void' is a strong and solid first entry in the domain.
The Hermetic Realms are indeed vast, and Mr. Larabee,
with his 'Whisperings from the Void', proves that an additional soldier-soul in
the foray against the ignorant minds of our time trying to shield the Many
against the Truth delivered by the Few, is always a very welcomed present for
us all who are genuinely interested in the matter.
Gratitude & Benison.
-G. McCaughry
O'
Secret Light cast by the Witche's Fire,
O'
Secret Light cast by the Sorcerer's Pyre,
Burn
bright, grow high, forever alight in the Mind's Eye.
[-
Patrick John Larabee]
