Hail Mary, Empress of Hell

Ave Maria mater Domini nostri Iesus Christi regina cœli domina mundi imperatrix inferni misere mei & totius populi Christiani Amen.

–Antiphon from the Saltair Mhuire, attributed to Domhnall Albannach Ó Troighthigh, in manuscript dated 1477.

Hail Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, Queen of Heaven, Lady of the World, Empress of Hell, have mercy on me and the whole of Christian people.

To speak of Mary as Empress of Hell may sound surprising and even confusing. But St. Alphonsus explains.

“Not only is the most Blessed Virgin the queen of heaven and of all saints. She is also queen of hell and of all evil spirits. For she overcame them valiantly by her virtues. From the very beginning God foretold the victory and empire that our queen would one day gain over the serpent, when he announced to him that a woman would come into the world to conquer him: “I will put enmity between you and the woman. . . . She will crush your head” (Gn 3:15). And who could this woman, his enemy, be but Mary, who by her fair humility and holy life always conquered him and beat down his strength?”

The most famous and enduring example of this, and possibly the source of the Queen of Heaven/Empress of Hell dichotomous terminology, is variations on the Theophilus legend. This is especially interesting because Theophilus is the forerunner to one Herr Doktor Faustus. In this legend/miracle story, Theophilus makes a transaction with the devil for the rights to his soul. Near death, he comes to regret his decision, and begs Mary to help him. As Mary is infinitely merciful, she does. She girds her loins for battle, descends into hell, and steals back the charter conveying Theophilus’ soul to the devil!
Possibly the most interesting part of this miracle story is Mary’s mission to hell is portrayed as warfare. The tales evoke the devil’s anger, and use language of violence and theft to describe Mary’s actions. In her guise as empress of hell–that is, more powerful even than Satan–she is not the mother of mercy, she is the “queen of vengeance.”

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A Heretic’s Creed

A Work In Progress, informed by my Mystical Experiences and Gnosis.

I believe in God Hirself, the Father-Mother Almighty, maker of the Heavens and the Earth and in Hir Son, the Morning Star, who in one incarnation was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, the human incarnation of the Divine Mother.
I believe in Jesus, the Christ, God made manifest in the flesh, our Example, our Teacher, our Redeemer and our Liberator.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, She who maintains all of Creation, She who is ever present with us for guidance, for comfort, for purification, for strength and for inspiration.
I believe in a life of prayer balanced with service. I acknowledge that my response to my obligations is a measure of my growth in the life and nature of the Christ.
I believe that the Word of God is eternally revealed in the nature of the Morning Star, Whom Jesus made manifest in his life, and Whom I seek to manifest in mine.
I believe that truth, harmony and balance shall prevail, resulting in a dynamic quality of life, beginning here on Earth, and continuing throughout all eternity.

An Evening with Anima Sola

“On ghosts which appear at the crossroads, or souls from the spirtual world, who on a mission from God come to this corporeal world in search of orisons to be purified from the mistakes they committed in this world against the Lord our God” – On Ghosts from the Book of St. Cyprian, translated by Humberto Maggi.

I began with Psalms 68 verse 1-5 and 134 for the Exorcism & Blessing of the Working Area, fumigating with frankincense, and asperging with holy water. For “the Opening of the Rites & Workings of the Wise” I prayed Psalms 141 verses 1-2 & 104 verses 1-9 (as per the Charmer’s Psalter by Gemma Gary) followed with the fifty-first Psalm as confession (as per the Grimorium Verum). Lighting the candles upon Saint Cyprian’s altar, I prayed the Lord’s Prayer, then knocked 9 times on the altar, each time calling out “Saint Cyprian”. I then proceeded with the Sorcerer’s prayer to Saint Cyprian, with my San Cipriano amparo between my hands, asking him to guide me and protect for the work ahead. I took my amparo, as well as my Exterminator Talisman from the Book of St Cyprian: the Sorcerer’s Treasure, and placed them in a red flannel bag attached to a cord so it could be worn in the style of a lamen. I constructed a ward with St Michael the Archangel, asking him to only allow the named spirits through.

I began the chaplet for la Anima Sola at midnight (it being the hour of Saturn no less, an appropriate for contacting spirits as per la Vèritable Magie Noire) and I had Mattie’s box open on the shrine for it. (Mattie’s box being a box of grave dirt from a young lady who was killed by a drunk driver on prom night. A precious gift from my dear friend Jack Grayle, author of the Hekatæon). I began the prayers, devoutly kissing my Pardon Crucifix before each Lord’s Prayer, as to earn an extra indulgence for the dead. As I prayed, the atmosphere began to change very quickly. There were tons of chills and thumps in the room, while getting a very hot feeling inside myself, along with bursts of severe hunger pangs. As the chaplet progressed I felt her cool, and by the end she no longer felt upset about having her sleep interrupted.

As I prayed and scryed the candle flames, I had a few vivid visions of a young woman in fire, alternating with visions of Maria. The flames were the most persistent image in the ‘visions’, these visions being in the mind’s eye more so than appearing ‘externally’.

After completing the chaplet and prayers, I sat and meditated, the atmosphere haunted yet not menacing. I thanked Mattie and gave her a dismismal from the Book of Cyprian for human spirits, then closed the ritual with prayers to Maria, then Psalm 150 as thanks for blessings and answers recieved, ending with three Lord’s Prayers.

I then cleansed with a previously prepared bath of rue, basil, rosemary, hyssop, sea salt, holy water, flordia water, and cascarilla; reciting Psalm 101 “Against Evil Spirits & People” (again, the Charmer’s Psalter by Gemma Gary). I did the Holy Rosary before bed, my sleep still rather restless although dreamless.

The Book of St. Cyprian: the Sorcerer’s Treasure

“Maybe there never was a a book so coveted and searched for, neither one which arose more passions and desires to be possessed…we are talking about the Book of Saint Cyprian, popularly known as Ciprianillo.” – El Libro der San Cipriano by Felix Castro Vicente.

The Black Books of Cyprian, many of which arose from Spain and Portugal, were popularized and spread throughout the New World. Their influence ranged from North America to as far south as Brazil and would come to influence a variety of practices from traditions found there.

However the Libre de San Cipriano: Tesoro del Hechicero is considered to be a talisman in of itself, in folklore merely by possessing it one can become a sorcerer. Indeed, a brujo friend of mine has commented often on the strange synchronicites that happen more often than not from happening to own the book or from begining a devotional relationship with the sorcerous saint. I shall offer an example from my own life.

I recently ordered Humberto Maggi’s translation of the Book of St. Cyprian (which among others, contains an English translation of Tesoro del Hechicero) and recieved it on a Wednesday, along with a package of Santisima Muerte supplies from a brujo friend. I went to show it off to my friends at the Botanica Macumba. They were unfortunately closed so I went up the street a bit to a different botanica to stock up on some needed supplies. I was close by a spot were black nightshade grows so I decided to go over there and see if I might harvest some to replant. This was a spur of the moment decision, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing nor actually equipped for it. Still felt like it was ‘the right time’ to do this so I went along with it.
I get to the spot, an abandoned lot. I find they have been doing construction to the lot, there’s a large dirt mound that catches my eye. I proceed to the nightshade, noticing an empty bottle of Miracle-Gro Liquid Plant Food I can put a cutting in to take home and do so. That dirt mound kept catching my eye however and when I wonder why aloud… crow cawed thrice. I go over and find sticking out of the mound an elder tree… well what is left one the leaves still green, the tree stubbornly clinging to life. Its Wednesday, the day of Mercury. The Grimorium Vernum calls for an elder wand cut in the day and hour of Mercury. I check my planetary hours phone app. It is not the correct hour, and I find myself lacking any offering for the tree spirit. A thought occurs and I speak it aloud “I could cut it to size in the day and hour of Mercury”, crow cawed thrice again. “This piece is the perfect size, it has two small branches growing out… I could offer to transplant those as a pact to harvest it now…” again crow cawed thrice. I went to work without hesitation, pulling dirt chunks out of the way, I get to the branch I wish to harvest and in the name of the Trinity by the power and intercession of San Cipriano I broke it off stating my promise to transplant the two small branches and transfer them to the wild one day if they made it to be strong trees.

A Chaplet for Anima Sola, the Lonely Soul

The Anima Sola, Italian for “Lonely Soul”, is an image used in Italian style folk Catholic worship of the dead in Southern Italy, that has become popular in many cultures and spiritual traditions, especially Hispanic and South American ones. The image represents all the lone souls who have died in venial sin and therefore after death atone for said sins in the flames of purgatory. These poor souls are too good for Hell and are destined for Heaven, however they must suffer in fire so they can be purified before entering Paradise, as there can be no bad things in Heaven.

This chaplet is based upon the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, also known as the Chaplet of Seven Sorrows or the Servite Rosary, a Rosary based prayer that originated with the Servite Order. This rosary was granted indulgences by Bendeict XIII in1724 and Clement XIL in 1734. These indulgences were confirmed by a decree of January 17th, 1747 and rendered applicable to souls in Purgatory. This chaplet for the Anima Sola follows this rosary closely, with the main addition being a prayer containing the Requiem Aeternam (which carries an indulgence for the dead) after each Lord’s Prayer.

This chaplet can be used as a focus for pretty much any petition to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Suffering the intense flames of purgatory The Poor Souls welcome all prayers and in return bestow large favours and graces in gratitude for those willing to trouble themselves with prayers to cease their suffering and get them into Heaven faster.

A Suggested Basic Set Up
Print out a nice picture of the Anima Sola and frame it, or get an Anima Sola statue. Lay out a white cloth and place a crucifix at the back and place the image in front of it. You may also put images of St Michael, Madonna del Carmine,San Nicola da Tolentino, Santa Rosalia, San Padre Pio, and Santa Caterina da Genova on the space (all associated with assisting the Poor Souls). Place a white candle on the shrine along with a cool glass of water to soothe the spirits sufferings and give them a medium to travel through.

The Chaplet for Anima Sola

One begins and ends this chaplet with the De profundis (Psalm 129)

Then pray 1 Lord’s Prayer, 3 Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Following this, you pray the Prayer for the Anima Sola and the Orison of Anima Sola.

You are now ready to begin the chaplet proper.

Holding the medal: Sign of the Cross, then Introductory Prayer

3 beads: Hail Mary

On the connector: Announce the first Sorrow, then say the Lord’s Prayer followed by the Prayer for the Anima Sola

On the 7 beads: Hail Mary

On the remaining medals: Announce the next Sorrow, then say the Lord’s Prayer followed by the Prayer for the Anima Sola. Continue with Hail Mary on each set of 7 beads

On returning to the connector: the Lord’s prayer, followed by the Prayer for the Anima Sola.

On the 3 beads returning to the medal: one Hail Mary each, in remembrance of Her tears.

Close with Orison of Anima Sola, the Memorare, Sign of the Cross, De Profundis.

The Prayers

De profundis
(Psalm 129 Out of The Depths)

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication:
If you, O Lord, mark iniquities,
Lord, who can stand?
But with You is forgiveness,
that You may be revered.
I trust in the Lord;
my soul trusts in His word.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the Lord;
For with the Lord is kindness
and with Him is plenteous redemption;
And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be

Glorybe to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayer for the Anima Sola

O Lord, I offer my prayers for the salvation of the Lonely Soul. With your Divine Majesty and Love direct your Merciful Eyes to the Loney Soul, Amen

Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord
May they rest in peace.
Amen

Orison of the Anima Sola

Hear mortal men, the cries of the imprisoned soul, alone and abandoned in a dark prison.O Anima Sola, soul of peace and war, soul of sea and of land. I desire that all that I have lost be returned.

O Anima Sola, you who are alone and abandoned, I accompany you in your grief. I take pity upon you. For I know of the grief and suffering you must endure within your harsh and long imprisonment.

I offer you this prayer and glass of water because I desire to lessen your pain and quench your thirst. Sad Soul, Lonely Soul, no one calls you, But I call you. No one looks for you, but I seek you out. No one loves you, but I adore you.No one remembers you, but I keep you in my heart.

I offer you this lit candle so that you may find your way into the light. In this moment I offer to you my meritorious labour, and all that I have suffered, suffer and will suffer in this life, even though it can never compare to yours. I humbly pray that you finish paying for your mortal sins of the flesh so that you may find the grace of God, and be lifted from your imprisonment, with your grace you shall be my benefactor.

Amen

Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord
May they rest in peace.
Amen

Sign of the Cross
By the sign of the Cross (sign of cross over forehead), from our enemies (sign of cross over lips) deliver us O Lord (sign of cross over heart), through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Introductory Prayer

My God, I offer You this Rosary for Your glory, so I can honor your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg you to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility, so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer. O Lord, I offer this rosary for the salvation of the Lonely Soul. With your Divine Majesty and Love direct your Merciful Eyes to the Loney Soul, Amen

Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord
May they rest in peace.
Amen

The Seven Sorrows

The First Sorrow The Prophecy of Simeon.

When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a “sword” (of sorrow) will pierce Mary’s soul.

The Second Sorrow The flight into Egypt.

When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.

The Third Sorrow The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple.

Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding Him at last — after agonizing sorrow — in the temple.

The Fourth Sorrow Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross.

As Jesus makes His way to Calvary, condemned to crucifixion, He meets His mother, Mary. He is bruised, derided, cursed and defiled and her sorrow is absolute as Jesus drags His own cross up the hill of His crucifixion.

The Fifth Sorrow Mary at the foot of the cross.

Mary stands near her dying Son unable to minister to him as He cries “I thirst.” She hears Him promise heaven to a thief and forgive His enemies. His last words, “Behold your mother,” charge us to look on Mary as our mother.

The Sixth Sorrow Mary receives the body of Jesus.

Jesus is taken down from the cross and His body is placed in Mary’s arms. The passion and death are over, but for His mother, grief continues. She holds His body in her arms.

The Seventh Sorrow Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus.

The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb. Mary is alone in sorrow, awaiting the Resurrection.

the Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I kneel, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen

A Protective Ward with St Michael the Archangel

Here is a simple protective spell, with layers of protection and plenty of tools to feed the spirits to work their roles.

St Michael’s candle is surrounded by a base of a trio of cleansing/banishing herbs as well as the materia for fiery wall of protection. The candle is anointed with Abramelin Holy Oil and dressed with fiery wall of protection. Pslam 92 verses 12-15 and the Prayer to St Michael the Archangel are prayed over the candle to bless it and charge it Michael’s protection.

The idea behind this is as you light the candle and say your prayer to Michael, you are essentially asking Michael to “guard the gates”, with the spell staying active so long as the candle is lit. I typically use this an extra protective measure when doing work with Santisima Muerte or the Dead.

Recipes

Cleansing/Banishing: Rue, basil, rosemary

Fiery Wall of Protection: sea salt, frankincense, myrrh, dragon’s blood, ginger, cinnamon

Heretic’s Prayers

Garden of the Nightside

It must be noted that these prayers are pulled from The Book of Cyprian:The Sorcerer’s Treasure and is not to be credited towards me as the author of them instead it should be credited towards the long and beautiful history of the Cyprian folk-magic tradition in Portugal. I offer them here to show the long and beautiful tradition of mixed faith paths that the Craft arose out of.

Prayers for the Liminal Hours

These hours are also called the “Open Hours” as these are when the doors are open between the spiritual realm and the material and as such prayers should be said during them for protection. It is also customary to perform rites and spells during these hours.

Prayer for the Trinities (Sunrise and Sunset) 

May the Holiest Trinity

Always accompany my steps,

And open friendly arms to me

In the hours of sorrow.

May the Eternal Father aid…

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