By John J. Coughlin

It has been decades since I first released Out of the Shadows: An Exploration on Dark Paganism and Magick.  Since then several authors  have tackled the subject in their own ways.  Some were aligned with my perspectives and others, well… they are entitled to their own opinions, and you can decide what is of value for your personal path.

I have been entertaining writing a new book on my take on it now, especially since over the years I have found better ways of articulating these ideas, but since I am horribly slow to put books together, I wanted to share some key items which I feel such a book would cover. 

The Principles of Dark Paganism

While I never intended to portray Dark Paganism as a specific tradition, I do feel as a spiritual path or leaning, there are certain core principles which would be reflected in some manner by such a path.

These core principles are:

• Shadow Work/Integration: This is essentially a practice of discovering, confronting and ultimately embracing one’s “darker” and unconscious aspects for the sake of one’s personal growth. 
• Self-Empowerment: This means taking responsibility for one’s actions and fate to choose one’s own direction, working with what is available to them at any given moment.
• Authenticity: This is living true to one’s nature and values, not catering to the expectations of others. This also means freeing oneself from the fixation of labels (even the ones we identify with) since they confine us through the expectations those labels set. 
• Transformation: This means using one’s challenges as opportunities for one’s personal evolution. It involves changing oneself and one’s environment to support the process of becoming or creating something more than what is now.
• Balance: This is recognizing the necessity of both “light” and “dark” in spiritual life and finding a balance that works for oneself. This concept of balance applies to many things in life and has nothing to do with morality.  There is no such thing as a balance of good and evil (i.e. live with respect and dignity, avoid causing unnecessary suffering), but there may be times one needs to apply aggression or even violence to protect oneself and those we love.

The Practices of Dark Paganism

There are no official “dark pagan practices,”  but there are certain types of practices which align with such a path which one could consider exploring. They typically focus on self-discovery, transformation, and connecting with more subtle and numinous realms.

These can include:

Shadow Work Rituals designed to confront and integrate one’s fears, traumas, or darker aspects of Self. For example confronting and banishing a manifestation of one’s trauma such as an inner voice, giving it visualized form and space in order to face it head on. (especially handy in combination with therapy since we may need help getting to a state where we are ready for such a confrontation – be kind to yourself).

Moon and Seasonal Rituals, invoking lunar phases (like the dark moon) or seasons (such as autumn and winter) to connect with the shadow side of nature and harness those energies for personal transformation.  For example, dissipating the grasp of bad habits or the negative influences of toxic people in our lives. Also good times to take stock of one’s life – where they are and where they want to be – in order to prepare and then set things in motion when the time is right.

Ancestral and Spirit Work, honoring ancestors or spirits/deities for guidance and wisdom, particularly focusing on darker energies and numinous experiences (profound, often spiritual, experiences that evoke a sense of awe, wonder, or reverence, typically in the presence of something transcendent or divine.)

Self Discovery through journaling, meditation, pathworking, or other practices which allow one to better understand who they are and what drives them.

Ultimately this is a very personal path which will be unique to the individual.  I encourage keeping an open mind, and to avoid judging the path of others.  As always, I encourage hearing from you about your practices.  I may not always respond quickly, but I do read your messages and I have learned much from all of you over the decades. I am honored to still see the influences of my work in newer authors and practitioners.

Dark Blessings,

John J. Coughlin, October 2024