FUN GUYS FROM YUGGOTH:
Ronald Shearer

Issue 002

copyright © 1981 by Robert M. Price
reprinted by permission of Robert M. Price

THE OCCULT RELEVANCE OF LOVECRAFT

I am an ardent reader. An ardent reader of the stories of H. P. Lovecraft. I also have more than a passing interest in the Occult --- one might even say a workable knowledge. And for me, the Occult and the stories of H. P. Lovecraft have managed to entwine rather gracefully. Surprisingly, I have found that a lot of Occultists enjoy Lovecraft's work for both the horror and occult aspects of his writings.

Many religions and occult traditions have their cherished Holy Books. One is no better than the others, for all will lead to the Truth. The Christians have the Bible. The Jewish People, the Torah. The Witches, The Book of Shadows. The Ceremonial Magicians their grimoires. The ardent disciples of Lovecraft have their "Holy" book --- the Necronomicon. For we gleefully delve into this book, this Necronomicon.

It is disturbing to speculate whether future archaeologists might label TV Guide or Mad Magazine as the Holy Books of our culture! Are they not found in most every home? Imagine a religion based on TV Guide or Mad Magazine! The sacramental wine could be Pabst Blue Ribbon beer or (horrors!) Coca-Cola. In this light, perhaps the fictional Necronomicon of Lovecraft is not so poor a candidate for a Scripture.

In The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Lovecraft has a character warn his fellow necromancer: "Do not call up What ye cannot put down." This advice can profitably be taken in our everyday life.

How much more so in the Occult, where we may be dealing with forces that could do harm if not used properly. We should know what we are dealing with. We must show respect for Powers greater than we. We should be aware of these things, and not merely dabbling. The Occult is dangerous for dabblers.

In each of the mystical chants (like those quoted by Lovecraft), proper intonation of the words is most important. The way one voices the words could mean the difference between success and failure, since words are the key. They can summon up one's innermost being.

It is my opinion that Lovecraft knew more about the Occult than he let on in his stories. It is apparent that he read through several Occult texts. But it is sad that he simply skimmed through the texts, not choosing to read them fully and carefully. And, as is the case with many writers of today, he mixed Witchcraft and Satanism together. In fact, they are totally different modes of worship.

Many authors incorporated occult themes in their stories. Among them are Aleister Crowley, Arthur Machen, Gerald Gardner, and Stewart Farrar. The list is too long to continue. Some, like Crowley, were actual magicians. Others, like Machen, flirted with the Occult. Lovecraft is believed by most to have been an atheist. But I should point out that Lovecraft used several authentic invocations in his works. In his story "The Horror at Red Hook", he mentions the invocation for the Goddess Hecate. The invocation here is a true and valid one which is used in the Celtic New Year, Samhain, or Halloween, as it is better known. The chant is indeed solemn as befits this Great Sabbat. However that maybe, all kinds of readers continue to read and enjoy the stories of Lovecraft. For he was a master at his craft, able to combine both the aspects of the Occult and horror. He sought to avoid fashioning the stories in the traditional horror story style. He employed comparatively modern locales and characters. In doing so, he not only brought his horrors home to the modern reader in an acute manner. He also gave them special relevance to the occultist who must practice his ancient art in the modern world.