Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The left hand path involves the ritual transgressions of social taboos and ritual sex. Now we're going to get into the full description of the history of the left hand path. But it's important to remember the right hand path was about the learning and about the purifications of your spirit. What we learned last time was that the right hand path is joining your mind and spirit to the godhead. This, the left hand path is about making yourself the godhead." — Marcus Parks
"The term left hand path comes from the tantric term Vama Marga, which means left hand path. Now the core practices of the left hand path and tantrism are the five... The five M's. Madhya. Mamsa. Matsya. Mudra. And Mithuna." — Marcus Parks
"Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-defeat." — Ben Kissel (quoting Anton LaVey)
This episode delves into the historical evolution and philosophical underpinnings of the "Left Hand Path" in occultism and magic, presenting it as a counterpoint to the more conventional "Right Hand Path." The hosts begin by defining the Left Hand Path, originating from the Tantric term "Vama Marga," which emphasizes ritual transgression of social taboos, including sexual practices, with the ultimate goal of self-deification rather than union with a divine entity. This path is contrasted with the Right Hand Path, which focuses on spiritual purification and alignment with the divine. The discussion highlights how the term "left" has historically been associated with negative connotations, citing religious interpretations where the left side represents the path to hell.
The conversation then centers on Aleister Crowley, a pivotal figure in the exploration of the Left Hand Path and the founder of Thelema. Crowley's early involvement with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and his subsequent schism are detailed, illustrating his independent approach to magic and his focus on personal empowerment. The episode explores Crowley's development of sex magic as a core component of his philosophy, derived from his experiences in Cairo and detailed in "The Book of the Law." This section also touches upon the historical use of sex magic and ritualistic practices involving bodily fluids and symbolic acts, tracing precedents back to ancient groups and forward to modern interpretations.
The latter part of the episode examines the evolution of the Left Hand Path into modern Satanism, primarily through the Church of Satan founded by Anton LaVey and the subsequent splinter group, the Temple of Set. The hosts discuss LaVey's Satanic Bible and its satirical yet philosophical approach to organized religion, emphasizing individualism and self-indulgence. The divergence with the Temple of Set, led by Michael Aquino, is explored, highlighting their more esoteric and potentially more serious interpretation of Satanism, which seeks a return to ancient Egyptian deities and the concept of Set as a divine entity. The episode concludes by noting the spectrum of belief within these movements, from philosophical satire to the literal pursuit of esoteric knowledge and power.