#right hand path
And Middle Hand Path.
For witches, a question that can get often asked is what path you’re on, usually the answers being a Left Hand Path (LHP), Right Hand Path (RHP), Middle Hand Path (MHP) or you simply just say “I don’t know.” If you don’t know what these terms mean, I listed them below and will further explain them. These terms are not void of controversy and bias, however.
The Left Hand Path
The left-hand path is considered to be about the elevation and centrality of the self as well as the rejection of religious authority and societal taboos.
The left-hand path focuses on the strength and will of the practitioner. It downplays the need for intercession by any high power although some may believe that a higher power exists.
Satanism (both LaVeyan and Theistic) and Luciferianism are considered left-hand paths. Followers of Thelema disagree whether it is a left- or right-hand path.
The Right Hand Path
The right-hand path, in the words of left-hand path follower Vexen Crabtree, “concentrate[s] on the symbols of goodness, of the sun, of herd mentality and submission to god(s) and religious authority."
To put it a little more diplomatic, the right-hand path can be thought of as one of dogma, ritual, and a belief in the community and formal structure as well as a higher power. Though each of those can also be found in left-hand path religions, there is less focus on indulging the self in the right-hand path.
The vast majority of religions are considered part of the right-hand path, from Christianity to Wicca.
In my own words…
Usually the left hand path is viewed as “bad” and right viewed as “good.”
With your LHP being demons, Lucifer, Hades, Anubis, satanism, and black magick
And your RHP being angels, Apollo, Archangels, Ra, and white magick
Yin and Yang type situation.
Limitations and Biases
One very large limitation of this terminology is that it is primarily used by followers of the left-hand path. Satanists commonly describe their path as that of the left-hand. However, Christians, Jews, Wiccans, Druids, and the like do not identify themselves as being of the right-hand path. As such, definitions of the right-hand path tend to be phrased in fairly derogatory terms as Crabtree demonstrated.
The Origin
The terms left-hand and right-hand paths in Western occultism is commonly attributed to Theosophy founder Helena Blavatsky, who borrowed the terms from Eastern practices.
The West has a history of associating the ‘right’ with goodness and correctness and the 'left’ with inferiority.
The left side of a shield is known as the sinister side, which is based on the Latin word for "left.” This later became associated with evil and maliciousness.
Middle Hand Path
Both the left hand path and the right hand path can often have extremists and see things in linear shades of black and white if they aren’t looking deeper.
Middle path is about moderation and about having empathy to understand who is next to you. Anything in excess will have a negative effect. While spirituality and occult can be helpful, we need money to buy the clothes we wear, pay the internet we view this on etc.
It’s all about moderation and also seeing things objectively. To view the world in black and white can be rather limiting. Every story changes depending on who tells it.
Sources:
https://www.learnreligions.com/left-hand-and-right-hand-paths-95827
Spiritual Paths and The Ego
Since the ego is a constant force of opposition in regards to a spiritual path and self-transformation, one often seeks ways to overcome it when beginning their Path. One of the common things that may come up is the “ego death”, but it is often misunderstood that complete ego-destruction is necessary. So I will explain a bit about what the ego is, some of its dangers to be aware of, and how each spiritual path approaches this issue. As a note, none of these Paths are superior to the others, as they are equal. All that matters is what your goal is for yourself, and how you wish to be when you die.
The Ego: This is the Self, our own identity. Without the ego, we wouldn’t have any sense of who we are or what we want, so it’s generally important to have. However, the issue comes when the ego is inflated, which often begins developing depending on how a person is raised and their mindset. Some signs of having too much ego include: paying attention mostly to one’s own self interests, disregarding the advice of those who have better knowledge or wisdom on a topic, refusing to acknowledge responsibility for mistakes, expecting to have things handed to oneself, seeing oneself as more important than everyone else, unable to handle constructive criticism, and so on.
We all have to deal with bad parts of the ego, but what matters is how we deal with these things and if we actually try to change. If your ego is too large, you won’t be able to go very far on any path of spirituality, especially since the deities and other spirits will end up leaving. So self-work is extremely important; make sure you Know Yourself.
The following briefly describes how each Spiritual Path handles the ego. Be certain to choose whichever you can handle, as each one will be challenging to some degree. The Middle Path is very challenging, but not as challenging as the Right Hand or Left Hand. And the Left Hand Path is the most challenging of the three due to its severity and strong value of transformation through Adversity. If any Path ever becomes too difficult for you, you are free to either change Paths or leave the Spiritual Paths behind all together if you cannot handle their challenges. However, if you make a wrong decision by thinking you can handle more than you thought, it won’t be the spirits’ fault for this.
Right Hand Path
This is the Path overseen by the Angels, not the way Christianity or other religions are, as it is most similar to Buddhism instead. This Path focuses on oneness with the supreme deity- The Source, and also strongly honours other gods as well, such as the Queen of Heaven. Due to the goal of oneness, this Path teaches an individual to undergo the Ego Death, which is the full shedding of the ego (self identity), so that the person can act as an extension of the divine plan, with no ambitions of their own. These people are extremely humble and serve others above themselves, and also praise the angels for their ability to purify and show mercy. When an Illuminated individual of the Right Hand Path dies, they either become absorbed into the vastness of The Source (like an atom), or they become a Bodhisattva, where they remain around Earth in order to help other humans leave reincarnation.
Middle Path
This is the Path overseen by the majority of Dragons, who act as balanced sages. This Path is most similar to Taoism, and also connects very well with Hermeticism (although these teachings can be used for any Path). The Middle Path’s goal is to remain in harmony with the Earth and to keep social unity. It also allows someone to be spiritual and live a life with some human comforts at the same time; though because of this, one who follows this Path cannot transcend at death like the other two. Since the Middle Path focuses on Balance, the dragons and deities will teach the person to remove the toxic parts of the ego so that the person becomes humble, and will continue training this person to remain serene and disciplined. They will not be overly humble, like the Right Hand Path, nor will they be driven towards self-empowerment. There are challenges in this Path still, as the Dragons utilize Arenas in their training, but the challenges are not as severe as the Left Hand Path, nor is the ego completely destroyed (like in Right Hand Path).
Left Hand Path
This is the Path overseen by the demons, who are the pedagogues of transformation, self-mastery, and dark wisdom. These beings are the most severe and will target the toxic parts of the ego in a variety of ways. Often, the demons will be blunt towards the individual, pointing out their weaknesses and arrogant behaviours in order to challenge the person to rise against these things. This is difficult though, since the ego will try to prevent the person from listening, as the individual will become insulted. This, however, is not a wise response and must be fought against. Truth must be valued above the ego’s wishes, and this will bring painful realizations. But by doing this, the demons will begin to respect you and will teach you further, testing your limitations until you break past them.
As the toxic parts of the ego die, the demons will empower the healthy ego since the goal of this Path is to preserve the individual, allowing them to become a strong entity when life ends. This requires many challenges over the years, with much discipline and struggle in order to change for the better. This does not mean they will make you like a god, but you will be empowered as a more evolved being. The demons’ wisdom must be listened to, as they can see your faults and how you need to change. If they are disrespected, the training will be jeopardized. So anyone who believes they are strong and disciplined enough to go through this Path is welcome to try, as they must enter the Arena of Black Flame and lose everything that holds them back, so that they can rise.
If you would like further information on the three Spiritual Paths, please consider reading my post here.
Introduction to the Spiritual Paths
This is a basic introduction to the three paths of spirituality: Right Hand Path, Middle Path, and Left Hand Path. After a study into each branch, and speaking with the spirits who oversee each of them, the following documentations have been made. This can be used to help an individual discover their own path in life, to see which one would be best for themselves. As a note, all of these Paths will challenge you to various degrees, and each one has its own methods of teaching based on the ultimate goal of the Path.
Brief Guide:
Right Hand Path - Overseen by Angels. Values include mercy, compassion, selflessness, temperance, non-attachment, union with divine plan, order, honesty, good-will, and inner-serenity. Ultimate goal of this path is to lose identity of self in order to unite with The Source.Middle Path - Overseen by Dragons. Values balance, harmony with nature and community, sage wisdom, honour, justice, knowledge, and being spiritual while remaining a normal human at the same time. Ultimate goal of this path is to embrace the cycle of reincarnation, not to transform.
Left Hand Path - Overseen by Demons. Values self-empowerment, Illumination, questioning tradition, dark wisdom, all knowledge (including forbidden), rebellion, self-mastery, retribution, and challenging oneself through adversity. Ultimate goal is to overcome all human limitations in order to transform into an empowered spirit upon death.
