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Voice of the Imagination, whole no. 23, June 1942
Page 7
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IMAGI-NATION who required symbols. The conventional pulp fictional handling of Satanism is obviously untrue and much distorted. " The philosophy requires very many years of specialized training for any sort of understanding of its practical application. Tigrina speaks of the powers of performing spells, reciting incantations, etc., and that in order to do that one requires a strong will. I fear I must differ with her. One does, however, require determination and ability to work hard in order to devote one's self to Satanism in toto. There are many dilettantes, but one cannot call these Satanists--they are either unstable emotionally or mentally, require psychological compensation, or are looking for the sensational side of the matter. In view of Tigrina's letter, I judge that she is sincere, but I also judge that she has not been able to get in touch with any Satanist blocs. That's fairly obvious, for she speaks of Devil worship and black magic in the same sentence though Satanism completely disavows so-called black magic, calling it, indeed, a fake. Again, this business of performing spells. It is in a class with om mani padme hum, simply an auxiliary means of focusing and sharpening the mind. " Tigrina must not expect that Satanism will enable her to perform spells. There are no miracles involved. I cannot repeat too often that Satanism is a philosophy, pure and simple, to be classed with any of the other great philosophies. It is certainly not the degenerate, criminal cultus of such men as Alastair Crowley, nor is it a group of magicians, either black or white. " I have not followed the critics Tigrina mentions, but I assume that they, too, misunderstood the basic nature of Satanism. I'm sure they would not cavil should they realize that Devil-worship is, in its purest form, not harmful, gives no powers of magic, and actually improves mind and body through a series of vigorous mental and physical exercise. It is a health-cult of sorts, coupled with a fundamental psychological readjustment which goes on over a period of years. The same end is reached by certain other methods which are looked on with more favor by the public, but these have not the complete mysticism of Satanism, though this is coupled with a soundly sane material attitude toward material things. " I merely mention all this because I do feel that Tigrina is sincere, and also that she has rather got off on the wrong foot, so to speak. Also I'm a little dubious about her expressed motives--revenge and power and so on. I have no personal criticism to make, but I feel it advisable to say that if these are Tigrina's chief and only motives, she should consider carefully before investigating the real Satanism. Such motives as she expresses are, as of course she knows, compensatory for psychological difficulties, which are encountered by most people who, at an early age, are sufficiently 'different' to become interested in fantasy and science-fiction. You know that, Forry, and so do I; we all do. And it is natural enough. Moreover, over a period of years, readjustment takes place and the psychological handicaps are overcome, though I'm glad to say that in most cases the liking for fantasy remains. " But in view of Tigrina's letter, I thought it advisable to write her through Madge, in view of the always possible danger of an amateur student being victimized by fake cults. And, too, I was slightly annoyed, as I always am, by the confusion of Satanism with black magic, spells, and such silly legerdemain. Still I realize that Tigrina erred through ignorance rather than intent--so I have taken time from a rather arduous program of writing to tip her off to the real dope. Hope it'll be of some assistance to her should she continue her professed plan of embracing Satanism." Bfor fandom becomes "too wrapped up in its various theories of" What Makes Tigrina Tick, the broomstick girls wishes "to disillusion of some of the opinions concerning me. Some have evidently been under the impression that I believe implicitly in the existence of ghosts, vampires, etc. Let me say once and for all I am definitely not a spiritualist and I am not superstitious. I try to keep an open mind and try never to scoff at anyone's beleifs and theories, yet I do not accept everything I read about the Occult as true facts. It is true that occassionally I dabble in the Black Arts (what person does not who is interested in that sort of thing?) but only as an experiment or as a harmless (?) manner to give vent to my injured feelings. And I do not limit myself to experimenting with evil spells against those whom I dislike! But if there are truly such opposite beings as god and Satan, if such opposite beings do exist, I think that you know which deity that I would accept as Master!" Tigrina [Cartoon: Halo Book Co. salesman facing woman in witch costume with black cat.] "Could I interest you in our de Luxe, leather bound edition of the Bible?"
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IMAGI-NATION who required symbols. The conventional pulp fictional handling of Satanism is obviously untrue and much distorted. " The philosophy requires very many years of specialized training for any sort of understanding of its practical application. Tigrina speaks of the powers of performing spells, reciting incantations, etc., and that in order to do that one requires a strong will. I fear I must differ with her. One does, however, require determination and ability to work hard in order to devote one's self to Satanism in toto. There are many dilettantes, but one cannot call these Satanists--they are either unstable emotionally or mentally, require psychological compensation, or are looking for the sensational side of the matter. In view of Tigrina's letter, I judge that she is sincere, but I also judge that she has not been able to get in touch with any Satanist blocs. That's fairly obvious, for she speaks of Devil worship and black magic in the same sentence though Satanism completely disavows so-called black magic, calling it, indeed, a fake. Again, this business of performing spells. It is in a class with om mani padme hum, simply an auxiliary means of focusing and sharpening the mind. " Tigrina must not expect that Satanism will enable her to perform spells. There are no miracles involved. I cannot repeat too often that Satanism is a philosophy, pure and simple, to be classed with any of the other great philosophies. It is certainly not the degenerate, criminal cultus of such men as Alastair Crowley, nor is it a group of magicians, either black or white. " I have not followed the critics Tigrina mentions, but I assume that they, too, misunderstood the basic nature of Satanism. I'm sure they would not cavil should they realize that Devil-worship is, in its purest form, not harmful, gives no powers of magic, and actually improves mind and body through a series of vigorous mental and physical exercise. It is a health-cult of sorts, coupled with a fundamental psychological readjustment which goes on over a period of years. The same end is reached by certain other methods which are looked on with more favor by the public, but these have not the complete mysticism of Satanism, though this is coupled with a soundly sane material attitude toward material things. " I merely mention all this because I do feel that Tigrina is sincere, and also that she has rather got off on the wrong foot, so to speak. Also I'm a little dubious about her expressed motives--revenge and power and so on. I have no personal criticism to make, but I feel it advisable to say that if these are Tigrina's chief and only motives, she should consider carefully before investigating the real Satanism. Such motives as she expresses are, as of course she knows, compensatory for psychological difficulties, which are encountered by most people who, at an early age, are sufficiently 'different' to become interested in fantasy and science-fiction. You know that, Forry, and so do I; we all do. And it is natural enough. Moreover, over a period of years, readjustment takes place and the psychological handicaps are overcome, though I'm glad to say that in most cases the liking for fantasy remains. " But in view of Tigrina's letter, I thought it advisable to write her through Madge, in view of the always possible danger of an amateur student being victimized by fake cults. And, too, I was slightly annoyed, as I always am, by the confusion of Satanism with black magic, spells, and such silly legerdemain. Still I realize that Tigrina erred through ignorance rather than intent--so I have taken time from a rather arduous program of writing to tip her off to the real dope. Hope it'll be of some assistance to her should she continue her professed plan of embracing Satanism." Bfor fandom becomes "too wrapped up in its various theories of" What Makes Tigrina Tick, the broomstick girls wishes "to disillusion of some of the opinions concerning me. Some have evidently been under the impression that I believe implicitly in the existence of ghosts, vampires, etc. Let me say once and for all I am definitely not a spiritualist and I am not superstitious. I try to keep an open mind and try never to scoff at anyone's beleifs and theories, yet I do not accept everything I read about the Occult as true facts. It is true that occassionally I dabble in the Black Arts (what person does not who is interested in that sort of thing?) but only as an experiment or as a harmless (?) manner to give vent to my injured feelings. And I do not limit myself to experimenting with evil spells against those whom I dislike! But if there are truly such opposite beings as god and Satan, if such opposite beings do exist, I think that you know which deity that I would accept as Master!" Tigrina [Cartoon: Halo Book Co. salesman facing woman in witch costume with black cat.] "Could I interest you in our de Luxe, leather bound edition of the Bible?"
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