[quote=“Blazewind Bluebird, post:1, topic:5134”]A couple of questions to consider here. Firstly, what, in your opinion, is the real difference between and angel and a demon? I was always taught the most basic idea that angels represent everything good and demons represent everything evil, but obviously I’ve since realized it’s hardly that simple, or that entirely always fully true. Then of course there’s the common idea that demons were once angles themselves, who were kicked out of heaven, but then I’m not sure that isn’t just part of the biblical myth either.
There seems to always be this constant idea of a direct opposition in any case, that one force is the enemy of the other, that they are either other’s opposite, and that we are human beings must pick a side to align ourselves with. But I understand that many magicians work with both forces, both sides, for different reasons. It may not be nonsensical to do so. I am myself now sure that I have no need to pick a side either. I can do both. I mean, why not. Is it all just mostly symbolic then, in some way, the whole battle between good and evil, between light and dark? [/quote]
The angel is,IMO,by definition,an entity with no free will who’s primary goal in existence,is serving the Will of the Divine.In the act of Evocation,the Will of the Divine,is YOUR WILL.
The Demon is much more free.He has power,he embodies it,but seeks nothing more than to exert it on this world.You have desire,but may not have enough power.The Demon has power,but no attachments,and no desire.
Ergo,the angel seeks to do things,and to teach you things,because he wants your will brought about in the world.The demon,seeks to do things and to teach you things,because he wants your power to be brought about in this world.
Ultimately,in the same manner that White Magic and Black Magic are flawed ideas because magic is…magical,so too is the idea of Angels and Demons slightly flawed.
In EA’s experiences,the more it resists classification,the more demonic it is,and that any entity when looked at deeply enough is demonic.
But even this is not sufficient enough to draw a clear line.
In non-Abrahamic sources,the demon is the adversarial figure,and the angel is the subordinate of the mightier entities…
However,the word demon,comes from the Greek word daemon which signified any more powerful spirit,and these spirits served Olympians and Titans alike…they were executing the will of the Divine…ergo,daemons are angels,and titans are demons.And the protogenoi are…um…something.
And in reality,I see,and feel a strong difference between those two,but can’t put my finger on it.
And in the end,I feel spiritual light and spiritual darkness,yet at a primal level,both light and darkness are nothing more than the clear evanescent progeny of the Eternal Source.And yet we think of light and angels,and darkness and demons.Evoking demons leaves astral residue that’s dark,evoking angels leaves warmth…
Right…well,this is getting confusing,isn’t it?
Well,I’m just here to make it more confusing.
For starters,not all demons tie in with darkness and vice-versa.Samael does execute a higher will,he brings death and plague,and pestilence,and forbidden knowledge,and death,and saturian stuff,and more death.
But does he really light up the room with a raw sense that you’re with the nicest most benevolent entity ever?
And Lucifer,he’s a demon,right?Well,he is a demon…of light.Not just physical light,also spiritual.And while this can be applied to glamour magic(Lucifer-Venus-Copper-Glamours) or something like that,it also means he can teach you to banish,and do all that stuff.
So does he really feel like he’s a dark and evil guy,even though he brings such an air of light to the room?
And not every angel I evoke is Deggal,or Derdekea,who turn the entire room into a pool of positive energy.And not every demon I evoke is Belial,who shows me how I can literally use darkness as a manifestation base for the Devil’s Stone ritual.
And there is no such thing as an intrinsic good and evil.There are things that we are programmed to think are evil,and good,does that make them intrinsic because they come as a consequence of nature?
Or does that not make them intrinsic because they are not set in stone and wouldn’t exist without us?
And while we’re at it,if you are the master of your own subjective reality,does that mean if you think homicide of both culpable people and innocents is PERFECTLY OKAY,then does that make Glasya-Labolas an angel?
I mean,your will is the higher will,and your will defines ethics,and your will defines homicide as OK,and your will is executed by Glasya Labolas who readily kills.
Is the President of Hell an angel?
Now,let’s listen to other people and stuff.According to many evocators,demons are demons because they are pure power that don’t care about the morality behind an action.
And angels are angels because they want to do stuff only if it helps you in personal ascent or others.
The angel will readily kill an obstacle in your path,but not fight some squabble that will only keep you busy on pointless stuff.
Except…I’ve had Uriel help me understand the beautiful depths of relationships with my family members,I’ve had Raphael mending ties that would clearly keep me away from magical ascent,and I’ve had Derdekea ease my conscience so I could keep on making more mistakes:being more human.
Likewise,I have had Balaam telling me that he’d rather not bring me the money,because what I intended to spend it on was pointless,and gave me a big lecture on my immaturity.
So,honestly…it’s confusingly ambiguous,lol.Not the most fruitful message,perhaps,but that’s my two…err…three…um…five…um…way too many cents.