Specula is a contemporary occult tradition developed in Brazil during the 2010s by Lua Valentia. It integrates principles from chaos magic, witchcraft, and postmodernism to manipulate magickal energies to effect change both personally and globally. This guide aims to introduce beginners to the core concepts and practices of Specula, helping them to unlock their potential and deepen their understanding of magick.

What is Specula?

Specula is a 21st-century occult framework significantly influenced by Tommie Kelly's The Forty Servants. Its primary goal is to achieve change in alignment with one’s Will, emphasising the natural flow of change as an alignment with one’s true intentions. The system encapsulates the belief that external changes reflect our inner transformations and that our reality is shaped by our dreams and conscious thoughts.

Community and Environmental Consciousness

Specula follows the Current 108 movement, which promotes a love of life through solarpunk values of sustainability and inclusion. This aspect of the practice emphasises the importance of community and environmental stewardship, reflecting the belief that nature, too, is a vital participant in our magickal practices.

Core Concepts

At the heart of the system is the concept of Specularis, a vast array of astral beings and an astral city named Liran Van Garden. This egregore was established to foster the creation and freedom of art and magick. Each Speculari within the system possesses a unique sigil and mantra, fulfilling distinct astral functions, accessible through the Specula website.

Activating an astral being

Activation of the Specularis involves a sequence of intentional practices:

• Banishing: Perform a preliminary banishing to clear unwanted energies, ensuring a pure space for magickal workings.

• Invocation:  invoke or evoke a Speculari using their unique mantra to align with their specific energies and capabilities.

• Goal Setting: Clearly define your intentions and what you seek to achieve through your magickal practice. We often use a contract to help us with this task.

• Continued Practice: Regularly engage with the system through banishing, invocation, and goal-oriented practices to deepen your connection and efficacy.

Living as a Neophyte

To embody the principles of Specula fully, one must embrace personal freedom and responsibility. This journey involves continual self-discovery, growth, and the realisation that true change comes from within. Aspiring Initiated are encouraged to explore beyond their comfort zones, experiment with their beliefs and practices, and ultimately, find a stable grounding in Specula that resonates with their personal magickal journey.

Training and Development

The Specula training is a structured program that spans from January 23rd to December 23rd, involving intensive practice of foundational magickal disciplines and engagement with each Speculari’s specific energies and teachings. This training not only enhances one’s magickal skills but also fosters a deep, personal transformation aligned with the principles of Specula.

Safety and Ethical Practices

Specula's safety and security protocol consists of: Cleansing; Sleep hygiene; Banishing; Energisation; Sealing; Shielding; Visualisation & Grounding. In other words, the magician should banish 2x per day; should cleanse their space and themselves everyday or at least during the decrescent moon; should take care of their sleep hygiene everyday; should take care of their levels of energy; should seal their house and themselves; should shield the exterior of their house (once a week); should work on their visualisation techniques and should ground after every spiritual work.

Ascending to the Throne of Chaos

The core of Specula lies in its fundamental objective: to create changes in harmony with the Will, allowing the practitioner to ascend to the Throne of Chaos. In this context, practitioners of this path firmly believe that change is an intrinsic process of the True Will; our task is to synchronize with this inner cosmic flow. The initiates, known as Erox - a word meaning “Chaos Star” -, are guided on this path of enlightenment and power.

The journey to ascend to the Throne of Chaos is more than a spiritual path; it is an odyssey towards the pinnacle of magickal and spiritual mastery. The Erox, at their core, do not aspire to submission before deities or superior entities. On the contrary, they seek mastery over the primal forces. The Throne of Chaos transcends the notion of a physical space - it represents a state of being, an incarnation of the divine power inherent in creating, dominating, and transforming reality.

Ascending to the Throne of Chaos symbolizes metamorphosis into a Creator God, a being capable of shaping the universe according to their own vision, language, and True Will. In this elevated state, the Erox transcends to become a monarch, not in terms of social hierarchy, but as a dominator of cosmic forces. The key to this ascension does not lie in submission to astral servants, gods, or demons, but in sovereign command over them, a true demonstration of the power and autonomy that Specula seeks to instil in its practitioners.

"Specula," a Latin word rich in symbolism and meaning, interconnects the concepts of 'mirror' and 'moon' in its historical and cultural context. In ancient Rome, 'specula' referred to a watchtower or lookout point, offering a place for reflection and perspective, much like a mirror that provides a reflective surface for introspection and understanding. This concept of reflection extends to the moon, a celestial body renowned for its reflective brilliance, casting the sun's light back to Earth in a serene, contemplative glow. The moon, often associated with mystery and the unseen aspects of life, serves as a cosmic mirror, reflecting not only the sun’s light but also offering a metaphorical reflection of our inner worlds and hidden truths. The interlacing of 'specula,' 'mirror,' and 'moon' thus embodies a profound symbolism, highlighting the importance of observation, reflection, and the deeper understanding of both the world around us and our own inner selves.

According to Specula, eight distinct paths lead to the Throne of Chaos, each corresponding to an element, a gate, and a set of focused skills:

Vespera

     Element: Shadow

     Gate: West

     Focus: As "astral vampires," Vespera practitioners excel in the art of subtle energy manipulation. They feed on the magickal energies of other astral beings, honing their skills in etheric manipulation and spells. Shrouded in shadows and seduction, they can transform into the appearance of a target's deepest desire, becoming both irresistible and mysterious.

Loremage

     Element: Air

     Gate: East

     Focus: Loremages are intellectuals and scholars specializing in knowledge-based spells and divination. They explore ancient texts, unravel esoteric wisdom. Their understanding of language and symbols is unparalleled.

Technomage

     Element: Metal

     Gate: Southeast

     Focus: Combining technology with arcane knowledge, Technomages are specialists in technomancy and cybernetic enhancements. Their spells interact with machinery, allowing them to manipulate or even become part-machine. The fusion of science and magick makes them unpredictable and ingenious.

Etherwolves

     Element: Earth

     Gate: North

     Focus: Guardians of the natural world, Etherwolves have an innate ability to manipulate the elements, whether for protective amulets or control of natural phenomena. They are deeply connected to the earth, often drawing their energy from it.

Necroscribe

     Element: Spirit

     Gate: Southwest

     Focus: Necroscribes are masters in spiritual communication, ancestral magick, and necromancy. They serve as intermediaries between the incarnate and astral beings, possessing the power to invoke spirits for guidance or assistance. Intricate rituals and talismans are their tools of the trade.

Healer

     Element: Water

     Gate: South

     Focus: Specializing in the arts of healing and purification, Healers wield water magic to cleanse, restore, and rejuvenate. Their spells range from healing physical wounds to purifying negative energies. The ripple effects of their magic often bring balance and harmony.

Draconian

     Element: Fire

     Gate: Northeast

     Focus: Embodying the fierce energies of dragons, Draconians specialize in draconic magic. They seek to master the raw elemental forces, using them in spells of destruction or transformation. Ancient draconian wisdom enriches their practices.

Timekeepers

     Element: Time

     Gate: Northwest

     Focus: Timekeepers possess the rare ability to manipulate time, delve into precognition, and traverse astral realms and multiverses. Their magick allows them to glimpse alternative timelines and even travel between them, informed by a deep understanding of cultural dynamics and histories.