“Due to the might of the Sun, all the elements appear, and all the powers, which exist today. It is as a result of his words that they came to be. It is through speaking that he created every thing that there is. And so there is: Lushfé, the bonfire that’s always consuming, and Tefnuth whose slothfulness tames every power; Hebé, the tempest who bellows all over, and Nuthkí the essence that both feeds and kills; Wezir, the void-space who’s ceaselessly boiling, and Isheth, the energy filling all nooks; Nebesh, the river that cannot be halted, and Swtakh the desert, who covers his face. And the names of the Seven Sorcerers are Lushfé and Tefnuth, Hebé and Nuthkí, Wezir, Isheth, and Nebesh. But about Swtakh the rebel, I cannot speak further, only to say that he became bond-servant to the others by trying to dominate them illegally. For, as it has been written: ‘Trough winning one loses; and he who fails shall win’.”

 

Inscription in the House of Rebirth, from

"Exsecrātiōnēs Gentium Innumerābilēs Profānārum"

("Countless Curses of the Profane Peoples"),

translated by Dá·hwyth Oh·fé and edited by Hlothrig Faland·ashé.

In Tall Tales Chapter 27 (Sleeping)

 

 

 

"A musical scale has seven notes, and it could be said that everything was created by music, or from music, or rather in the form of fundamental oscillations. And there are Seven Sorcerers, too, and each one of them has a particular planet in the solar system, namely Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, the Moon, and the Sun. They gave to humankind the ancient metals which they needed to fashion civilization, that is, gold, copper, tin, lead, iron, and mercury, that the modern world was forged with. And then again there are seven basic units in the international system used to measure physical attributes, namely metre, kilogram, second, ampère, kelvin, mole, and candela. The Sorcerers rule over the seven liberal arts, that is, grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astrology, and it is they who are the masters of the seven basic types of catastrophe. They have taught humankind that the regular heptagon cannot be drawn using a compass and straight-edge only, and that it is possible to define a cross-product in seven dimensions as well as in the three usual dimensions. But by doing all this, the Sorcerers have also given to the inhabitants of the Eyrth the power to commit the seven deadly sins, namely possessing wealth without work, over-indulging in pleasure without pangs of conscience, seeking knowledge without strength of character, conducting business without morality, using science without fellow-feeling, celebrating faith without sacrifice, and playing politics without principles. And thus they catch the unwary, and corrupt the strong, so that they can feed on the souls of the great and the small alike in the end."

 

From "Dirgelion Tywyll ac Erchyll"

("Terrible and Dark Mysteries")

in Tall Tales Chapter 51 (Materializing)

 

 

 

"It’s the Seven Seraphic Sorcerers who give seven years when the cattle look healthy and well-fed, and the grain healthy, followed by seven years when the thin grain shall be scorched by the south wind, and then the cattle shall be ugly and gaunt. And as a result, the rulers of the Eyrth shall have to pay tribute to the Old Masters of the Nw Yrth, shedding the blood of innocents seven times as the sword sings loudly in recompense for their weaknesses, and for the sins of all the planet. Because of them there are seven pillars to the House of Wisdom, seven Days of Mourning after death, seven Gates which lead to the Nw Yrth. And it is they who own the seven orifices of the human skull, namely the eyes, the nostrils, the ears, and the mouth, and the seven chakras, and through them, claim the right to control the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of their ministers, using seven candles. But the frontal suture, the eighth orifice on the head, belongs to the Unnameable One."

 

From "Dirgelion Tywyll ac Erchyll"

("Terrible and Dark Mysteries")

in Tall Tales Chapter 53 (Battling)

 

 

 

"When the Seven Seraphic Sorcerers are invoked at the Day of Judgement, when the seventh seal is opened, then they shall come, like seven kings and queens, each one with seven eyes and seven horns, wearing a starry diadem, and carrying a flaming torch. It is the Seven who own the seven families of the Delkurí: Ampashu, Azarié, Eldo, Namana, Nekendu, Silba, ac Ulkru. They rule the seven torments of mortal existence: burning, blinding, releasing, winning, living, filling, and creating. It is these who steer the seven stages of mourning: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, acceptance. And their servants shall be there, blowing seven trumpets, before they bring seven candelabras and seven golden dishes. And then every secret of the human heart shall be revealed by Swtakh Lord of the Wilderness and Master of the Unknown. And with seven peals of thunder the seven last plagues shall be released. And so shall Mawdryn Undead awake after his long sleep, to sing his Seven Songs once again. And by that time the Seven shall have become One."

 

From "Dirgelion Tywyll ac Erchyll"

("Terrible and Dark Mysteries")

in Tall Tales Chapter 56 (Finishing)

 

 

“Of necessity I operated on my own initiative, as soon as I decided to travel where so few have travelled before. Where would the unique event take place? I thought about the Hall of the Images below the clock tower, one of my favourite places. That’s a locus that’s seething with curious energies. But it would be necessary that every thing in the consecrated space be kept pure, without traces of snot, and sweat, and tears; and without desecration by normal folk, until the moment of the ceremony, “lest the whole dread power do turn against the seeker.” In particular the scryer would need to be very familiar with the appropriate chants. All of this was according to the instructions of Brother Johann Woodswurch in his terrifying Grimoire called ‘Zleba Hava·róth’ or ‘The Book of Mirrors’ which was written in the fourteenth century.

 

“So, in the cellar o the old Blue House it would happen, that cottage built of sacred rock brought from Prysfenni, on a Keltic burial-site where there is an ancient entrance to the Underworld, guarded by Mawdryn, the undead lord of time, while the light of the full moon glinted outside. Some describe it as a mansion for the restless deceased, and there I made for by night with the usual equipment – a purified, much-used dagger, two rag-dolls, a bottle of fresh, running water, collected from a stream on Lammas Day, a tin of red paint (or blood), and a dog-fur brush – in a hessian sack. Furthermore, I brought the magic mirror in which to see the things that should not be seen by living eyes. I built a substantial pyramid in the middle of the earthen floor as a symbol of rebirth, and to act as a lighthouse to guide me back, baptizing it with blood which poured from a gash in my left arm. I pronounced the appropriate spells, and painted the secret signs, even the Scarlet Seal which all are forbidden from fashioning on the face of the Eyrth. And last, I downed the special draught. Easy is the descent to Heli-hrelí...” 

 

 

Dr David Balrog Procter, The Youngest Magus,

in Tall Tales Chapter 16 (Initiating)

(antiphon)

 

Listen. Oh Watchers!

In the deep forest,

A woodsman spits on his blade,

Swiftly sings the axe —

Oh Watchers, come! (‡)

 

 

(Wezir)

Dally, O Wezir!

O Dark, revolving in roiling activity, 

Unseen from within your torturous passions, 

Come then, O self-regarding Shadow, 

Which constantly satisfies labours abysmal, 

Bringing unknown enchantment terrible!

O Wezir, obey! 

"In the middle of the forest in the Other World, near the stinking river, the forester has spat on his axe, before the sharp tool descends for the last time, as the cabal of expectant entities watch astutely, lurking so eagerly on the trembling doorstep. And then, from the utter, boiling darkness, comes Wezir, the spectre who is always working exceptionally keenly, paying detailed attention to his all-important tasks. And where ever he goes, in his wake he leaves a trail full of terrible and nameless enchantment, to tempt the weak, corrupt the strong, and so overcome the Eyrth." (*)

 

 

(Tefnuth)

So good-looking is Tefnuth!

Oh Tefnuth, leader of the spirits,

I bring you dry gin with herbs in!

Tefnuth, Oh, who loves riches,

Open the doors, let me speak to them!

Fine Tefnuth, she who cares for all the dead,

Oh, will you heal me?

Tefnuth owns all joy!

"Tefnuth, so beautiful, vivacious leader and carer for all the dead, who loves wealth, appears next, tempted by the taste of strong drink containing all kinds of herbs. She’s itching to open the Gate between the Two Worlds so that the spirits can chat and dance with the living, hurting them or healing them, as appropriate. And once they’re totally exhausted by the Dance of Death, she shall conduct them all to the Nw Yrth’s Asphodel Fields, to Elfan, where the terrifying tarantella, enslaved to the Old Masters, shall never cease." (*)

 

 

(Lushfé)

Great thanks be to Lushfé!

By·elzebub, come! Your heart is black!

Come, Azazel! Your wounds are red!

O, Lord of Flies with fiery flame,

Burn not your slave in this Blue House!

To the Morning Star, all praise!

"Third comes Lushfé, By·elzebub, Azazel, the united trinity who bears the title Lord of the Files and the Morning Star, as he leads the Sun and follows the Moon, flying without wings on the prayers of the living and the screams of the dead. He is the Divinity who died and was reborn through the strength of his sister. By him was bound Swtakh who possesses myriad slimy tentacles, in the excruciating blue hive. And the pupils of his eyes are horizontal, and his fur is red, and his horns are sharp, and he wields his sword of incandescent flame to seal those who deserve a particular prize, sending them to the Bottomless Pit, be they justified or sinners." (*)

 

 

(Nebesh)

Look, Nebesh!

Oh, water of the Great River, in that land

Where a mother knows not her child,

Awaken Nebesh!

Oh, water of the Swift River, underwater, 

Where a brother remembers not his sister, Oh,

Summon Nebesh!

Under the water,

Even a wife loves not her husband, Oh, so

Bring Nebesh!

Oh, water of the Weeping River,

Beneath the Eyrth, in the cave of the River of Tears,

Compel Nebesh to visit me!

Nebesh, appear!

 

"In that region, deep below the ground, where a baby doesn’t know his own mother, where no sister remembers her brother, where a husband no longer loves his wife, there, in the cave of the Teary River, that enormous stream that flows so quick and sad, a sour, inquisitorial wind is picking up. And there Nebesh, who usually sleeps peacefully, awakes, to visit her grieving family. And in her presence, and in the wake of her ceaseless weeping, the whole Eyrth will drop blood-tears as well." (*)

 

 

(Nuthkí)

Nuthkí, bestir!

Father of all,

Your servant calls!

Queen of the corn

Who treads the world,

Giver of life, 

Notice my voice!

Bringer of death,

Come to me now!

Nuthkí, set to!

"Nuthkí also is listening and obeys. And here's the one who is Mother and Father to everyone living and dead, Queen of the corn and King of the ocean, strolling through the primal gardens distributing existence and death, sustenance and famine, understanding and confusion, contentment and despair, wealth and poverty, causing some to flourish whilst others wither. For Nuthkí represents the power of cosmic balance, as even the Seven Seraphic Sorcerers are subject to the laws of nature, indeed that is why they itch, in their fear and their frustration, to govern every aspect of existence so strictly. But whoever receives the prize will also therefore receive the punishment in his turn, in accordance with the Great Order, and through Nuthkí’s work, everyone, willing or unwilling, will reach the incredible kingdom of the Seven in the end." (*)

 

 

(Isheth)

 

Isheth who rent the veil before!

You who turn the void before sowing seeds of chaos,

You are the Most Ancient, Lord of the Old Ones;

You who are composed of myriad glowing spheres,

You are time's uniter under the Scarlet Seal;

You who lurk on the threshold, knowing the gate,

You are the keeper, the gate, the silver key;

You who gobble souls with your slimy tentacles,

You are the place where reality melts.

Pierce, Isheth, the veil once more!

"Then again, in this place, where reality melts, behold Isheth who has torn the veil before, slashing through the curtain again. And here’s the Ancient of Days, Lord of the Ancestors; who ploughs the void prior to planting all the seeds of disorder; who is composed of millions of brilliant globes; who unites every instant by means of the Scarlet Seal; who’s always waiting on the threshold since it is he who guards the door, and he who is the porter, the gate, and the silver key. And he can scarcely restrain himself now before pouring himself across the unsuspecting Eyrth to grab everyone’s souls with his uncountable mucoid tentacles. And then he’ll devour their essence, and digest their desires so that he can grow, and multiply, and expand himself. And Oh, here he is materializing!" (*)

 

 

(Hebé)

Oh, Hebé the Grey!

Well here I stand,

Oh, skeletal mare,

Spirit so guileful,

Betrayer of the living,

And of the dead too!

To demand my right,

The Eyrth's old Mistress,

My right to command you!

Grey Hebé, hush!

"Then some really cunning spirit in the form of a mare that’s skin and bone arrives, prancing wildly but silently on a hurricane from the Well of Souls. It is Hebé, the Eyrth’s Old Mistress, who shall be galloping uncontrollably through the Two Worlds in due course, betraying both the living and the dead into the grip of the Seven with her half-truths, and her broken oaths, and her lies containing a chunk of truth. But, also, too, the Agent of Utter Darkness will tell the whole truth about trivial things, to gain trust, prompt rash and ill-considered actions, and then cause serious damage. Then those who have been ensnared shall all be pursued by the Wild Hunt until their flesh melts and their blood boils, although they shall never rest in peace. But even she has been silenced at the moment because of the fake-Wizard’s command." (*)

 

 

(binding)

Shudder, O Powers!

Pure is a man’s soul, 

Life, nought but a trembling flame,

Which dies as it rises,

O Powers, qu — !

 

 

 

 

(‡) From "Exsecrātiōnēs Gentium Innumerābilēs Profānārum"

("Countless Curses of the Profane Peoples"),

translated by Dá·hwyth Oh·fé and edited by Hlothrig Faland·ashé.

In Tall Tales Chapters 40 (Venturing) and 42 (Discovering)

 

(*) From “Dē Khan·ōkh  Invocātiōnibus" ("Concerning  the Invocations of Khan·ōkh"), in 

a creative reading with allusive commentary by Elfan Baldrog Bacster.

In Tall Tales Chapter 51 (Materializing)

"And the ancient powers of the Nw Yrth, all the Seven Seraphic Sorcerers, have gathered together, shuddering from hearing the summons. They understand that human existence is nothing but a trembling flash, which perishes as it rises from the altar, but that the pure soul is full of spiritual energy, that will keep them alive for ages. And one of these essences has been consecrated to them since time immemorial, and when the sacrifice has been completed, when the shadow departs, then so much power will be released that they shall escape from their exile in the Hazy Dimension once and for all." (*)

 

 

"The Seven Seraphic Sorcerers who dwell in the hidden gaps beyond normal comprehension are waiting impatiently, distorting all the angles, and turning colours into sound. [...] The Seven howl expectantly as if their own wails would open the Painful Path to the Other World, whilst the Vexatious Voice commands: 'Kill the sacrifice with a knife of metal, and dismember the body, and place it to burn in the fire as a fire-offering to the Old Masters, that they may come to feast on the tasty flesh of the whole Eyrth forevermore.' [...] The Gate between the Worlds opens. And it’s so difficult. As hard as it could be. Laboriously slowly it happens [... creating] an enormous, bloody caldron of sound, and image, and feeling, in which exalted hymns are mixing with the worst foul language. And [...] the Seven Seraphic Sorcerers of the Yrthians’ Extremely Exalted Empire have become one, and that they are rejoicing uncontrollably. The dull scrying-glass explodes for the last time, to scatter fragments to the four corners of the Two Worlds..." (**)

 

(*) Tall Tales Chapter 51 (Materializing)

 

(**) Tall Tales Chapter 56 (Finishing)

"Only the terrible Book of Mirrors containing techniques belonging to Wezir, the legendary shape-shifter, can allow one to become a master of the craft of constant transformation. And having done that, one will be able to disappear from within the magic whirlpool of pictures, personalities, characters, masks, and illusions which surrounds us and besieges us every second of every day.”

 

"Zleba Hava·róth" by Brother Ioan Llwynlesg (c. 1350)

quoted in Tall Tales Chapter 47 (Choosing)

 

Tha la safe fahe tha furulu;

Sizeni la ra nara la sifi;

Thuri the thi ropupaha hapi lisapa;

E thi tha a thi sali la lenithe;

Poru punu ele tha ua la thi aha;

Afi ra seho uro uhufi life sesiha;

Filisi tha hui hafa tha leri thehe lo.

 

 

O hear these words of fire, this is my voice –

That my great work shall have all due power now,

And the chaos-river mix both dark and light!

Let no needful tool be absent here!

Then this life of sharp pain shall yield real enduring release,

When the vessel has the courage to break himself, making a world,

Where the loser is the winner, and dying is but another change!

 

Tall Tales Chapter 54 (Blogging)

 

 

 

[Glyphs and text from

"Cariad, Colled, Chwilod: Nodiadau gan Dai Baxter"

("Love, Loss, Coleoptera: Jottings by Dai Baxter");

deciphered by Elfan Baldrog Bacster;

edited by Pjetêr Mamrick]