While this was a side-rant of yours, it's funny as I have bought from Kill Star in the past. I see exactly what you mean and I do not disagree with that annoyance from the perspective of a serious occultist, but I really have always known them to just be taking advantage of occult symbols for fashion reasons - the edge and all - I take them as tongue in cheek or coming from a theatrical impulse which can be ritualistic in itself.VanNocturne wrote: ↑Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:03 am
Side rant; this is why I become annoyed at companies such as Kill Star (for example). I was browsing their website for one of their plus sized hoodie/cloaks, when I stumbled upon their plush toy line, and their "evil devilbaphomet" doll. Now I know why many in the gothic subculture don't like Kill Star. I also tend to do a "chuckle/grunt" when the black metal and death metal bands I go see throw Baphomet/Belial/Lucifer/Satan out there to be scary or edgy. (NUNSLAUGHTER is guilty of that, though I know bands such as NEXUL actually practice what they prea-err scream-about, but now I'm rambling.)
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I think we on the occult path need to lighten up enough to embrace that these symbols, even when used with misaligned context, are given power when applied in the natural world and that all power = good power when it can be channeled by the individual.
So I see the point of those that avoid these brands, but I also see the hidden advantage of those supporting them and spreading the message of symbols that can still be harnessed respectfully on sight or by frequency.
It brings me to consider the god Loki, one of my patrons. The Marvel comics-now-movies have brought him great popularity in this 'form' and while he is far more complex than that could ever portray, it is recognizable how this has brought him power. I dislike the Marvel stuff but I appreciate how it has furthered his influence, and at the very least I think we can find this in modern organizations which capitalize on ancient, pagan forces. We need not support them ourselves if it feels off, but we need not be too bothered at the same time.