Following the author’s previous book, 7 Faces of DarknessUncle Setnakt’s Essential Guide to the Left-Hand Path provides an unmatched introduction to left-hand path philosophy. Packed with practical exercises and coherent explications, the book takes the reader on a quest for Sovereignty and self-empowerment. Through this, it helps understand fundamental principles of magick and life.

Right of the bat, the book clarifies the kinds of people it’s intended for. Not fearing hard work, rigorous thought, the future, and neither themselves, those genuine seekers strive to integrate philosophy and Magic and approach life, obtaining Sovereignty.

Cover

Simple yet eye-catching, the beautiful cover immediately communicates 4 key symbols. Found in the top right corner and sometimes associated with Timothy Leary‘s 8 circuit model, the first is of Chaos magic. Influenced by Austin Osman Spare and popularized by Peter J. CarollChaos Magic is a more modern method prioritizing practicing and obtaining results vs. memorizing sophisticated concepts. Also called “success” or “results based,” chaos magick doesn’t recognize an absolute truth. Instead, it borrows from various systems employing the belief as a primary tool.

Underneath, on the same side, appears the essential-to-Gurdjieff‘s cosmology, Enneagram. This symbol is a powerful tool through which one not simply becomes more familiar with oneself but also finds one’s place in the Universe, learning more about the things belonging to one’s True Will. That being by revealing one’s personality type and True Self.

Placed in the left upper corner is the Symbol of the Temple of Set. Representing individuality and the Isolate Intelligence principle, this substantially differs from the standard Wiccan or Magickal pentagrams. Unlike those, its rays don’t touch the circle. According to James Kirby, who, besides being an incredible artist, was a magician of this nature, the symbol also displays that the Magic and transformation are all internal, “not touching the outer world.” 

The symbol in the lower right represents the black flame, i.e., the individual self-aware, self-directed consciousness. The same also stands for the “law of the trapezoid” and angular Magic, which apparently deals with angular time.

Chapter 1: The Nature and Goals of the Left-Hand Path 

Introducing the Left-hand Path, this chapter discerns the 4 types of rulership to achieve. While that might happen simultaneously, it usually does in the following order: (1) Rulership of the Inner World; (2) Rulership of the Outer World; (3) Royal Power in the Outer World; and (4) Royal Power in the Inner World;

Rulership of the Inner World

The basis of the Left-Hand Path is that humans are but machines, but may in potential become gods…”
“The first aspect that a human has to change is their inner world…”
“They have been taught — or rather acquired — a series of randomly assorted thoughts, notions, and behavior, most of which either actively hinder them or at best lull them into a sleeplike state. These stultifying forces mainly group themselves into forces that oppose the body, the mind, the emotions, and the Will. Each of these must be overcome…”
P.3

Sucking the life out of a person and damaging the body, those forces include various drugs, junk food, blue light, environmental contamination, sedentary living, etc. After identifying those, the student has the critical task of substituting them with a health-promoting and self-empowering diet and lifestyle.
Having the former aligned with one’s aspirations, the initiate must repeat the procedure with his informational diet. This boils down to two things. (A) Eliminating junk information from newspapers, TV, and the internet, which supposedly includes social mediа. And (B) adding content to challenge your current thinking.

Here, I believe RAW‘s fans will recognize this as very similar to an exercise outlined in Prometheus Rising‘s chapter 6 — The Time Binding Semantic Circuit. While that’s deliberately challenging yourself with materials opposing your beliefs, there’s a thing both Webb and Wilson recommend to all occult and paranormal enthusiasts. That’s reading the Skeptical Inquirer for some time. 

I also firmly believe all these instructions greatly compliment the defined-by-N.Hill as mastering the three basic appetites and obtaining self-mastery. Perhaps it’s also similar to getting your Nephesh or animal soul under control, in more Qabalistic terms — something with which my book OMAD GAINS can definitely help.

Webb explains that by gradually mastering your emotions and thoughts, in this manner, you become capable of having specific ones at your Will. You also prepare to adopt the antinomian stance, liberating yourself from worshiping various cultural norms, brand logos, and obedience symbol systems. Freed from all those, you ought to form your own cosmogony. This is achieved by letting your no-longer wrecked emotions, body, and mind create a sense-making picture of the Universe.

Rulership of the Outer World

Conveying the integral formula that changing the objective reality or outer world is only possible after changing your subjective reality or inner world, this section provokes to dig deep within, determining what you genuinely like and is “good” for you.

“Knowing what we like is a tougher question than most people realize. Our likes have been prepackaged and sold to us for many years. We are taught to feel anxiety if our likes are different from those of our neighbors. Discovering what one likes, standing up for one’s right to like it and pursuing that Desire is the most sacred of tasks in second phase of Initiation…”
P.4 

Through this, the book inspires the readers to face the dilemma of what they’re willing to sacrifice to obtain the desired freedom and way of living. Being perfectly transparent about your desired future reveals the price you have to pay now to have it. Also included is a refreshing perspective on a notion found in many self-help classics. Namely that deliberately embarking on reasonably challenging tasks is a magical act in and of its own.

“The secret of sacrifice of Self to Self is a magical one. Beyond the obvious rational truth that hard work and preparation pay off, there is a subtle magical truth: consciously putting yourself in difficult situations to obtain magical Force of Being. If you really want the Force, you must do very difficult things. The simple act of doing what is hard merely to gain power over yourself creates a true Power…”
P.5

Royal Power in the Outer World

Here the chapter communicates that to never stop improving oneself, one should help others achieve the same. Being the third task, this is triggered by two innate human desires. Weak and vain, the first is that to show off. The second is because of compassion and caring for others. Properly understood, this couple could be a source of great pleasure, aiding in becoming a more Sovereign Being. It also helps to be surrounded by people with more equal intellectual abilities.

Next, the section explains how blending, balancing, and reconciling those desires with the previously obtained wisdom increases magnetic power, furthering Initiation.

“By initiating others, self-initiation is furthered both by articulation and seeing whether or not one’s theories work in the world. The magical name for this state is the Practice of Alchemy…”
P.7

Royal Power in the Inner World

By stimulating one’s own talents and improvement through learning, growing, and teaching, one inevitably faces the defined by the book as “outward-directed” fears. Those are the ones of want, violence, and abandonment. This brings a necessity for dealing with the still remaining “inward-directed” fears. Enumerating 4, those limit Sovereignty by paralyzing actions and altering one’s life.  

Inward-Directed Fears

The first is that of unknown impulse or Imp of the Perverse. Overcoming it transforms the perception of all seemingly haphazard and perhaps meaningless coincidences. Then the person begins recognizing them as somewhat divinely orchestrated synchronicities and a source of great mystery and being. 

The second fear is that of the future. Making one master of one’s destiny, conquering this breaks the grip of one’s own self-hypnosis or cognitive dissonance. Extremelly challenging, when accomplished, this task reveals that the future isn’t just unknown but also the Great Darkness from which all things can manifest. And this partially reminds me of the Thelemic goddess Nuit and the sphere of Binah of the Qabalistic Tree of Life.

The third fear is that of wasted time. Utilizing the formerly accumulated Sovereignty, the person learns 2 crucial lessons: (1) It really isn’t that much about finding the “right thing to do,” but more about the proper attitude toward anything. (2) Unconditional self-love and forgiveness are absolutely essential when looking and moving into the future. 

“The experiences of the three types of Sovereignty gained so far must be used now to Learn the life lesson, that if you continue to act with an Initiatory attitude, all life experiences can be used in the Quest for Sovereignty. The choice is not finding the right thing to do but finding the right attitude that informs your actions…”
P.8 

Last on this list comes the fear of the unverifiable. Being the Quest of Sovereignty’s fourth stage and reachable only after accomplishing the former three, handling, this unlocks a new level of clarity not by an external force but by one’s own inner voice. 

“Unlike a Right-Hand Path prophet who must imagine that he hears a voice in a burning bush, we hear our own voice explaining our lives to us…”
P.8 

Proceeding further, the book reveals that those having this level of development are regarded as the “True Black Order.” Through their work, such individuals created historical conditions, bringing some of man kind’s greatest virtues.

The Nature of the Self and the Cosmos

The Surface Level

Next, chapter 1 explains the 4 levels of dynamism of both the Self and the Cosmos. Symbolized by the Enneagram, the first is the surface level. Providing freedom, this one encompasses all activities in the mundane/here-and-now world. From totally inconsequential, those could be crucial and possibly detrimental/fatal, causing your life. Effecting the surface level is achieved via the Awaken, See, Act formula, which introduces a perception integral to Gurdjieff and Qabalah’s teachings.

“The first part of the formula Awaken assumes two things. One, that I have fallen asleep (and need to refocus my mind/body/soul). Two, that since the Subjective Universe has no location in time and space — any moment and any place can be a launching pad both to and from it. See assumes that I don’t really know what is going on, and that surface appearances are misleading (i.e., the smiling man from the insurance company isn’t really interested in my well being). The third term Act means that I must, in my quest for Sovereignty, Do something…”
P.9

Providing energy, the macrocosmic surface level is only those aspects of the objective reality interacting with you at a specific moment. It’s represented by a triangle touching the inner side of a circle. And the author regards it as the training facility for exercising and getting stronger. 

Since dealing with the physical, I believe this can be seen as partially corresponding to the Qabalistic world of Assiah.

The Medial Level

Most subjected to programming and symbolized by the Jungian Mandala, the second is the medial level. Containing goals, wishes, desires, habits, etc., this one provides context. It’s also where one’s notions, delusions, and shoulds are held. Working on it is possible through Self-Knowledge and Magic. The first clarifies your talents, limitations, genetic predispositions, etc., supplying a clear perspective of who you are. The second, Magic, has various applications. While that includes forming new habits, breaking free from others to be destructive, obtaining resources and information, the most important is changing perception. Here, the author also includes a wisdom gem to meditate on, not just for Magic but for life in general.

“Magical happiness is not mere gratificaton, it is that which engages the greatest parts of your being. It is not the result of Indulgence, which is the state granted by those things with which we can temporarily gain union; magical happines is the state of knowing who you are by what has made you happy…”
P. 9-10

Represented by the 8 rayed Chaos Magic sigil, externally, the medial level grants the student various artistic, political, and social allies. Commonly regarded as the “World Soul,” or “zeitgeist,” it encompasses historical forces, different thought systems’ semiconscious remnants, advertising, and herd prejudices. Permanently in a conflict, those forces enter one’s mind as hypnosis.

Once freed, the student realizes a vitally important piece of truth some might recognize from the author’s appearances in podcasts. Namely that those forces are Neutral. Besides being harmful, they can also work to one’s own advantage. And IMHO, they can supply inspiration and ideas. I believe the medial level partially corresponds to the Qabalistic World of Yetzirah

The Core Level

Symbolized by the surrounded-with-a-circle inverted pentagram, the core is the 3rd level of dynamismPrecisely what makes a person unique, it’s not directly observable despite its presence in the Cosmos. Providing individuality, the same is regarded as the Self’s unchangeable part and absolute pattern for potential. The development of the core level is achieved via the methods of the Left-Hand Path. 

Providing the model of divine independence and individuality, the core level of the Cosmos is the ultimate source of patterns and potentialities. For this, I think it could be seen as having some of the characteristics of the Thelemic goddess Nuit, especially if we also consider that Set is a son of hers. Based on the culture and context, the cosmic core level is represented differently. Through this concept, Don Webb outlines likely the best basic introduction to the Prince of Darkness. 

“The symbol of the Prince of Darkness is culturally determined. In a society ruled by the Right-Hand Path paradigms, the Prince of Darkness is the rebel against cosmic injustice, Satan. In a society where the release of energy from dissipating patterns is revered, yet feared it is Shiva. In a society that stresses the role of LHP magician as a culture hero, it will be supreme god of the pantheon like Odhinn or Tezcatlipoca. In a society where there is no central paradigm but many competing at the same time, it will be Set, the god against gods…”
P.12

The Daemonic Level

Directly interacting with Cosmic forces and entities, the daemonic is level 4 of dynamism. Having access to data, none of the other parts have, the daemonic Self, corresponds to what’s more commonly regarded as Holy Guardian Angel, or HGA and the Self and Neshamah in Jungian and Qabalistic terms. Symbolized by a Mirror, this part of the soul provides Magic. 

Arising from past Formulas for what has worked (and how), the external daemonic level is represented by a Scroll. As said in the book, it’s the sum total of all magical activity that shaped the world how we see it today. This includes the workings of John Dee and Crowley’s influences on hippie culture. 

Somewhat similar to the Qabalistic worlds depicting the segments of one’s soul and Deity’s parts, the 4 levels of dynamism explain the totality of the human being and Cosmos itself. Though not corresponding at 100 percent, both systems aim to reconcile all those aspects within the practitioner. By achieving this equilibration, one can actually change the external world via Thoth’s maxim: As Above So Below, As Within So Without.” 

“Each of these parts must be awakened, it’s subcomponents harmonized, its place in the personal ecology controlled and regulated. Each of these parts is fed by and feeds the other parts…”(…)
“By changing the four levels of yourself, the Microcosm, the Cosmos may be effected by Resonance.”
“By studying the four levels of yourself, you may learn about the four levels of the Cosmos, and by studying the levels of the Cosmos, you may learn about yourself…”
P.11

Showing how to look at outstanding magical achievements, this section gives practical instructions on working with each of those realms. And then it ends by revealing what joins all those together…

“These eight levels of being, four internal and four external are joined together by the act of Perception.” “This process requires not merely “looking” at things, but preparing yourself to see them — which may mean education, or getting rid of emotional baggage, or learning occult techniques. Perception beckons energy from the outer realms and directs it into the inner realms. It is the source of nourishment, and it improves by practice and the removal of delusion, it becomes the basis for unifying the Self in such a manner that a coherent afterlife states are possible…”
P.13

Knowing that as young, Don Webb was influenced by Carlos Castaneda, I feel this significantly adds to a piece of wisdom found in Separate Reality.

“Looking referred to the ordinary way in which we are accustomed to perceiving the world, while “seeing” entailed a very complex process by virtue of which a man of knowledge allegedly perceives the “essence” of the things of the world…”
Carlos Castaneda — Separate Reality

Psychology of Initiation

After Initiation’s 7-stage self-change process involving discovering and developing the Self’s dormant aspects, this section addresses the vices and virtues on the path. 7 in number, the first are narcissism, hubris, forgetfulness of orthodoxies, despair, attachment to another’s thoughts, obsession with magick, and emotional servitude. Also, 7 the virtues encompass magical curiosity, quantifiable pride, sense of humor, openness, moderation, synthesis, and cunning. Next, the book goes through its section on Magick’s nature.

Nature and Types of Magick

“Magic consists of pulling things from the Darkness into the light. Darkness is the realm of potential existence. It may be understood as the future, the repressed, the hidden or the forbidden…” (…)
“Magic is the art or science of causing change in the Microcosm so the proportionate change may occur in the macrocosm, depending on the precission and passion of the magician…”

P.19

Perfectly resonating with the said on the 8 levels of existence and Initiation’s psychology, this proceeds by discerning several types of Magic.

Metacommunication

Being the first, Metacomunication is virtually any sending of a message that’s more than what it seems. The same is used for several purposes: (1) To achieve a goal that normal communication channels won’t allow us; (2) To enchant our lives; (3) To lessen the effects of Metacomunication on us; And (4) to produce internal friction and Awareness of Purpose.

Sorcery

The second type of Magic the book recognizes is sorcery or “the manupulation of words and matter to effect change in this world…” Here, two things appear as handy. The first is Native talent, the second, studying chaos theory to learn why things with spells can go really bad, real quick. Practical instructions on sigil construction are also covered. What I find pretty interesting is Webb’s definition of Native Talent.

“Native Talent is the expression of your daemonic Self. If you have ever had a “miracle” that pulled you out of a bad situation, you have talent for sorcery…”
P. 20

To me, this definitely brings clarity on why it’s often said that talented artists and writers communicate with their daemonic selves via their work.

Divination

The third type of Magic is Divination. Along with explaining the purposes of this method, Don Webb offers some tools for its practice. Among those being Crowley’s Thoth deck, the Runes, and the Ogham. Acknowledging that most people use Tarot, the author presents a coherent procedure to utilize whenever doing reading. Besides somewhat common-to-most practitioners stuff, that encompasses a beautiful invocation of one’s future Self. The last I believe anyone could benefit from by incorporating it in their workings.

Initiation

The 4th type of Magic is initiatory. Creating or preserving a specific perception, the same is regarded as the “secret of the Magi.”

“Initiatory Magic is changing oneself to give the desired traits a foothold in the Darkness of the psyche. It is like planting a seed…”
P.26

After defining the 2 kinds of initiatory Magic, Don Webb eloquently advises a sober and healthy approach toward each. Related to social events like weddings, funerals, graduation, etc., the first is external. Essentially, this represents how culture, society, and family programmed one’s perception from the moment of their birth. Rather than despising and denying all that, the author offers meticulously availing of it. That’s by (1) taking control over your conduct, eradicating any hindering-your-growth aspects. And (2) by reinforcing the stuff appropriate for the sovereign being you’re becoming. I suggest meditating on this segment after examining the 4th social-moral circuit in Prometheus Rising. 

Inner-directed, the second kind of initiatory Magic is internal. Either performed in a group or by oneself, this changes perception on one or more micro and rarely macrocosmic dynamism levels. It’s also the kind of work to be taken with great caution and utmost seriousness.

“Internal initiatory Magic needs to be viewed as very serious and productive of unknown conscequences…”
P.26

I don’t know about you, but to me, this definitely adds a layer of understanding to some examples I know from other occult authors. The first is of Lon Milo Duquette regarding Hermetic Qabalah and Magick. In his Fort Worth 148 podcast interview, he notes those really aren’t a drug you just take and have identical results with everyone else. The second is from the same podcast and Sandra Tabatha and Chic Cicero. The couple shares that it wasn’t a single initiation they stopped to prevent something terrible from happening. And the third is from Regardie’s Ceremonial Magic, mainly where he talks about numerous candidates getting a mental breakdown. Supposedly, this also reminds us of D. Echols’s second book, where he describes crossing the abyss likely isn’t for all people in this life. 

Later, chapter 1 gives some eye-opening insights into the opportunities offered by the current age and how to fully avail of them. Lastly, it finishes with a small passage to distinct the Left and Right-hand paths, their noticeable similarities, and how religions like Taoism and Thelema appear beyond that paradigm.

Chapter 2: Practice

Offering nothing but practical exercises, these 14 pages outline 19 methods to maintain self-awareness while promoting one’s development.

Diary

Besides the more common, i.e., magical workings and dreams, the book prescribes that a diary should include your most considerable virtues/talents, weaknessеss, hunches, breakthroughs, and your material, career, and magical goals.

Learn To Take Care Of And Train Your Body

Stressing the removal of autopoisoning activities while telling that “addictions must die,” the second method is all about optimizing your body. Besides nutrition, adequate rest, and enough training, this encompasses researching hereditary weaknesses and meditating on your life plans. 

Master A Traditional System of Magic

Extremely important, the third is something some tend to underestimate or neglect. That’s mastering an actual magickal system. Apart from defining the segments of this, Don Webb advises picking something resonating with yourself. 

“If you’re a wild man, biker dude, don’t learn about the Golden Dawn. If your favorite magical chamber is your library, with a roaring fire beside you don’t investigate shamanism…”
P.34

Whatever the system, the least this gives you is the ability to test yourself against something. Plus, you’ll have an indispensable skill set when later creating your own. 

Create Your Own System

“All your life, you have certain things that worked your soul. They are yours and yours alone…”
P.34 

Advising to feed off of the stuff that inspired your occult studies, this method is all about building your own rituals, meditations, etc. The same you analyze through anthropology and further fine-tune their values, trends, weaknesses, and strengths. Besides priceless information about your core self, this also unfolds hidden truths and mysteries to only convey to a selected few by mouth-to-ear.

Write a Magical Autobiography

Now, this is about creating 2 books/journals. Called Book of Freedom and written early on the path, the first allows coming to terms with the past. Besides utilizing a practice similar to some stoic meditations, this shows how to remove guilt because of people and things you’ve done wrong. The second book is that of Secrets. The same must include all your life’s bizarre synchronicities and changes and others that really opened doors for you. Later-revised, this provides priceless insides about your true nature and place in the world. 

Practice Self-Sufficiency

Self-explanatory, that’s also all about two things. (A) Learning as much stuff as possible on your own, depending less and less on people, services, and corporations. And (B) Doing the former while not forgetting this brilliant wisdom…

“In an age of Dependency, the antinomian action is independence…”
P.35

Do a Yearly Inventory

Including observation and accurate recognition of your progress compared to others wasting their life, this method starts with evaluating where you are in all areas of your life, celebrating your successes, and forgiving your failures. Then it removes not just grudges to possibly hold against anyone but also toxic people from your life, adjusting those belonging to it. Immensely improving life quality, doing this grants a clear perspective for two kinds of individuals. (A) Your actual loved ones, friends, and allies to bless. And (B) Your threatening enemies to curse. There are rituals provided for both purposes.

Lastly, the same section advises examining your life from the perspective of your magical unfoldment, possibly recognizing repeating patterns.

“Finding those patterns is finding your true Will. Learn how the Will feels and resolve to let it have more of a voice in planning next year…”
P. 36

Discover Your Roots

Reminding some of Dion Fortune‘s teachings, this one exemplifies a 5-stage process for getting acquainted with your roots. It also covers the value of knowing where your genes come from. And it includes something I believe anyone should consider.

“Your physical inheritance is your biggest and best tool for self-development. The need to know yourself, your limits, and your possible skills begins with knowing your body…”
P. 37

Resonating with some of the covered in chapter 1, this also adds to a piece of wisdom I learned from one of Dr. Christopher Hyatt’s interviews. Namely, that (paraphrasing) “Your True Will really is your genetic predisposition…”

Discover Your Location

Complimenting the former, this task is about becoming well acquainted with your destination. Starting with a thorough examination of your local area/hood, it proceeds with getting familiar with the local subcultures, politics, and any magical lore or practices to possibly exist. 

“All of your region is magical labyrinth for your benefit. Remember this and Practice it…”
P.39

Join a School

Comparing three levels of human effort, this advises joining a school. Besides some of the benefits of doing so, the section addresses “one of the reasons” why many people wouldn’t…

Learn to Sing and Tell Jokes

Frequent hardships and ordeals caused many to built some of a character wall or armor standing between them and the world. Apart from preventing the free flow of magick, this also stops external forces from stimulating and nurturing one’s Sovereignty. To fix the issue, Webb advises fully trusting yourself, and in a sense owning/being perfectly comfortable with who you are. To achieve that, the author recommends eliminating the stiffness with the aid of singing and telling jokes. Alleviating anxiety and charming people, humor as written reminds us of the world’s chaotic nature and can gain us friends and/or deflect anger.

Learn Philosophy

“The Left Hand Path initiate studies philosophy so that he or she can articulate (both for him or herself as well as for others) what he or she knows and what he or she holds True, and by what standards. Philosophy is the best tool for acquiring meaning…”(…)
“Only when you can express your own ideas without reference to magical systems and exotic words can you be said to have mastered the path…”
P. 41

Emphasizing the importance of studying philosophy, logic, and epistemology, Webb reveals that merely reading such texts isn’t enough. And good understanding requires both discussing and writing on those. He also recommends the works of Plato, Nitzsche, and others.

Learn a Psychological System

Similar to Regardie emphasizing psychoanalysis’ benefits for magicians in the Middle Pillar book, Don Webb advocates learning a peculiar psychological system. Regarding psychology as the study of the “clay you’re working with,” which is your mind, he offers one, not encouraging, “victim mentality,” i.e., explaining all of one’s issues with childhood traumas, but rather recognizing those while emphasizing positive self-change. While the two examples given are those of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Roberto Assagioli, I believe that Carl Rogers‘ Self-Actualization might be a good option too. 

Do the Grand Initiation

Here the book prescribes that to really get the most out of it, you should first succeed with its practices and then embark on the Grand Initiation, filling the entire 3rd chapter. This approach ensures a proper activation of all the book’s concepts within the psyche. More on that in a moment.

Plan For Your Retirement

Emphasizing self-love’s significance for both healthy life and as a fuel for personal development, this section goes far beyond saving money for your retirement. It also discusses how (on the left-hand path) estate planning is just as crucial as learning rituals. Next, it stresses controlling your temper and building loyal life-long relationships with friends and allies. Equally inspiring is the advice to create or put something in motion to continue after leaving this world. Whether magical jewelry for your descendants or an organization carrying a name and legacy, this should proceed after death. 

Practice an Art

“Play an instrument, sculpt, write poetry, landscape — something. In artistic creation a moment comes when the artists feel as though the are one with their instrument and the work of art they are creating…”
P.43

Producing potent magical effects, practicing an art form is a genuine experience of godhood despite one’s skill level. Moreover, it furthers one’s Initiation and is regarded by Nietzsche as proper expression and will-to-power to the world. Unlike DJ Qbert, the best scratch DJ to ever live, Webb doesn’t define playing an instrument as becoming one with the Universe, nor being played by it as a one.

“This is not a union with the Universe, it is the moment that you are actually acting on the Universe without the opinion of yourself that is part of your medial level being in the way…”
P.43

I guess it really isn’t by chance that so many great magicians are also artists, poets, and musicians. Some examples include Lon Milo Duquette, Aleister Crowley, Rodney Orpheus, Chic Cicero (the earlier mentioned James Kirby), and Austin Osman Spare. 

Master the World Wide Web

This has two main focuses. The first is learning how to distinguish the actually valuable from the crap on the internet. The second, to avoid beefing with keyboard warriors and trolls. By accomplishing this, we automatically get access to the world’s most excellent libraries and sources of information. Calling the web a manifestation of the world’s medial level and part of its nervous system, the author also notes the internet’s utility for connecting people and finding proper associates. 

Go on Pilgrimages

We work better upon the galling limitations of time and space when we know that we are in part and potential not wholly native to the mechanistic Cosmos. One of the best ways to remind ourselves of this is travel…”
P.43

Whether to spiritual significance-possessing exotic places, your home town, or areas in your country, going on trips appears beneficial for enriching life experience and is regarded as a Play on the Left-Hand Path.

Stand up for the Path

“There is a basic magical principle, that if you want your Magic to work, you have to affirm it. This is especially true of the Left-Hand Path, affirming it is always an act of antinomianism that helps break the fetters that bind you to the herd mentality…”
P.44 

With this, the author offers that educating and helping people break free from common misconceptions about the left-hand path, and I’d say occult in general, augments your practices’ effectiveness.

Guiding Principles Behind The LHP

Trust

While in more traditional systems, higher adepts display a possession of power and skill that a beginner starts craving, Don Webb reveals that the same isn’t true for the Left-Hand Path. Quite interesting, this shows that though some Left-Hand Path enthusiasts tend to have an affinity for liking LHP to Star Wars Sith philosophy, particularly The Rule of Two, where the master embodies the power and the student craves it, that not necessarily resonates with reality.

“In the Left-Hand Path, it is necessary to experience your own miracles first, so that you can Trust that you have powers and potentials that simply aren’t at your command. Your Desire to have these things at your command will pull you along the path, and the fact that sometimes you have such abilities and sometimes not will Teach you a great lesson: that you are as Mysterious as anything else in the Cosmos…”
P.44

Meaning that the only power there is to crave is your own.

Honesty

Adding to some of the sad in chapter 1, this teaches achieving the difficult task of eliminating any assumptions or untruths one consciously or unconsciously keeps feeding their minds with, to sustain such and such perception of their own selves. Only through brutal honesty and asking series of uncomfortable questions can one get the truth about what exactly to work on to efficiently self-actualize. 

Forgiveness

Applicable to both Magick and Life, this one advocates accepting the possibility that you may fail or take a loss. Whatever the case, that shouldn’t become an excuse for beating yourself up. Instead, it must be acknowledged as a golden opportunity to exercise forgetfulness and self-love.

Growth

In a nutshell, this is all about understanding that growth really isn’t linear. Some of the provided exercises may appear like a piece of cake, whereas others are more difficult. The key is to never stop striving, attempting more and more challenging tasks as you progress. 

“Тrue self-change occurs by upping the ante each month, each year, each decade…
P. 45

Artistry

To prevent fear of the outlined exercises, this one exemplifies how to practice unconventionally, doing things out of the box. Summing up some of the already-given instructions, that’s by incorporating exciting trips and activities, doing art, and meeting people with similar paths. Said differently, it’s by living a genuinely compelling life while really embedding your magical work in it. 

Extraction

“The practice of the Left-Hand Path is one of extracting the essences and structures of phenomena within and beyond one’s Self and working directly upon them. This will-to-knowledge evolves in many areas but slowly pervades one’s life…”
P. 46

Involving the discovery of what is actually true and “real,” basically vaporizing common delusions, through this one eventually starts getting a “strong” and accurate sense of how everything operates, i.e., the mechanics of life. Developed as an organ, that sense doesn’t only grant Power and Knowledge. Moreover, it allows deriving the very essence from any situation and activity. An ability that I believe corresponds to the examined-in-chapter-1 perception. 

Chapter 3: The Grand Initiation

The culmination of the whole book, this chapter contains a sophisticated initiatory rite, sequencing in 7 stages. Requiring “basic paraphernalia,” those procedures follow an identical structure and have similar segments. The last includes day and night taking phrases, thoroughly depicting one’s results and impressions in one’s diary, deeply mindful questions to meditate on, actual rituals, daily tasks, and profoundly philosophical essays to definitely consider even if not following this path or agreeing with everything written. 

Inspired by various traditions, this ceremony is defined as producing results identical to those of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, most commonly known as the Abramelin Operation, which is to become one with one’s Holy Guardian Angel or Daemonic Self. Unlike more standard, however, Webb’s approach doesn’t require living like a hermit. Instead, the author actively engages the initiate’s daily life and even acquaintances. That being through various tasks actually including meeting with people and visiting exciting places. After the last stage, where the HGA’s invocation takes place, chapter 3 finishes with a piece of wisdom, I believe the occult students should never forget:

“You may copy out ideas from your diary for other magicians, but do not let them read it while you live. After your death you should will it, along your magical estate, to another magician, and then they can read it. It will be a special boost for them, as well as giving you power to act in this world, if you desire…”
P. 94

Supposedly this can be seen as perceiving your journals as some of a Holocron.

Chapter 4: Resources

Divided into 5, chapter four starts with a lesson that’s a very moving story. Perfectly depicting how awakening one’s latent abilities always starts with first recognizing one’s already present resources, these 3 pages teach priceless lessons about life, epic transformations, Magick and its actual results, and self-image. Whether they convey the story of the wife’s author and him, I really don’t know. What I do know is that it can definitely make a compelling movie many occultists would gladly watch. 

As second, chapter 4 offers a three-dice oracle to help to get guiding answers for any situation. Then, it jumps into Uncle Setnakt’s FAQ, answering questions many are likely burning to know the answers to. Among those are: Why not everybody follows the LHP, whether LHP is satanism, whether Magic is required for Initiation, and does being a lord of the left-hand path give permission to become a jerk doing all sorts of crap, etc. Next is a list of movies, books, and tapes to foster your Magic and self-improvement by furthering your studies and understanding. 
Next is a list of movies, books, and tapes to foster your Magic and self-improvement by furthering your studies and understanding.

After some background about the Temple of Set as a neo-platonic organization and how it differs from most LHP orders, chapter 4 gets into some basics of Setian philosophy. Through, this the author explains why Setians believe in Being and Desire, despite the inevitable suffering, as oppose to Nothingness like Buddhists.

“We see Being is Knowing: the ethical imperative is to further permanence of the Self by embracing the pleasures and pains of existence. We exalt and revel in the disharmony our Desire brings; we accept the pains that come from trying to make our dreams come true; we realize that the absolute responsibility for our actions is our own…”(…)

“The Temple of Set views life as the process of the psyche coming to know its own existence and to expand that existence in as many realms as are open to it…” (…)

“We see Satanism not so much as getting humanity to accept a guy with a pair of horns but to accept their own (Forgotten) better natures; and the method that lets people find this remembering is through antinomianism — not merely rejecting the spiritual traditions of our society, but critically rejecting most of society’s programming methods from advertising to superstition. The mission of the Temple of Set is to recreate a Tradition of self-deification that was once respected by the wise, as can be seen in Plato’s Symposium…”

P. 106, 107, 108

Greatly matching with some teachings of Dr. Chrystopher Hyatt and Robert Anton Wilson, this proceeds with more about SET’s origins as an Egyptian Deity, antinomianism, urban folklore, and another story depicting how an initiate of this nature progresses on her path. After all this, Don Webb kindly appreciates all groups of his readers, saying something to each. And then the book ends. 

Final Words

Saturated with profound wisdom, practicality, and lots of answers and information, USEGTLHP, is a gnostic gem any true seeker should obtain. Written for intelligent and emotionally stable adults, the book goes far beyond ritual techniques and theory. To me, it’s not just magical but also a very high-quality personal development book. Providing the tools for reaching one’s full potential, Don Webb masterfully inspires to search deeply within, re-examining one’s life story, genes, and Self.

Not intended to replace your thinking, the book encourages living life to the fullest, actively making it part of one’s Magic. Apart from granting another perspective on, or perhaps even a layer of understanding of concepts you’re inevitably studying and dealing with, it helps optimize your life on so many levels. I believe it can also help comprehend more sophisticated LHP books like Dr. Michael Aquino’s MindStar. Incorporating Magic and philosophy, it takes you on your own quest for Sovereignty and the Graal. And while the author warns it won’t make you a better person, I believe you should definitely get a copy, despite the path you follow.

Thank You For Your Time!