The Dark Circle: A Black Magic Story

By Paul J. Keeble

The novel The Dark Circle is the classic story of light versus dark, good versus evil. The evil is represented by a Satanic coven but in the present day. It's a fictional story of romance, sex, suspense, and horror but with a background of religious history going back hundreds of years. Writing this book necessitated careful and painstaking research into religious history, but it also involved research into the activities of Satanic covens. Readers have reported that the fictional story is addictive, and they didn't want to put the book down once started. They have also reported that the history and current practices of Satanic covens are informative but also frightening. The story builds to an unexpected climax at the end. Because of the researched background to the story, readers interested in religious history also find the book interesting, informative, but also controversial. Due to the nature of the subject of Satanism, there are references to sexual practices and demonology, so the book has been written specifically for an adult readership.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jan 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514464540

Paul J. Keeble

The author writes that he is a pagan high priest, having studied and practiced pagan worship for over thirty years. He believes in several gods and spirits and worships the goddess. He believes in the beauty of nature and the care and preservation of all living things. The author has observed but never participated or assisted in black magick worship or ritual. The author can only speak for himself and does not represent other pagans. However, neither he nor his close associates believe in Satan as a deity, believing that the evil comes from within us. However, this evil can be born, nurtured, and grown from our actions, our experiences, and what we are exposed to in life. The author has had to heavily research the subject of black magick for over five years to enable him to write this book and from his findings. He strongly advises that readers do not become involved in black magick or any of the black arts as this type of participation can encourage the very evil that is personified by the symbol of Satan.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Paul J. Keeble.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015918927

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-6456-4

                Softcover        978-1-5144-6455-7

                eBook              978-1-5144-6454-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 12/30/2015

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

724462

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Illustrations

Chapter 1 The Pinnacle

Chapter 2 The Temple

Chapter 3 The Gift

Chapter 4 The Preparations

Chapter 5 The Dedications

Chapter 6 An Uninvited Visitor

Chapter 7 A Light in the Dark

Chapter 8 The Protective Circle

Chapter 9 The Demon Returns

Chapter 10 The Demon of Lust

Chapter 11 Living with a Demon

Chapter 12 The Initiation

Chapter 13 When we least expect it

Chapter 14 Gwendoline’s Preparation

Chapter 15 The Feast of Fire

Chapter 16 The Consequences

Epilogue

The Dark Circle is a black magic story by Paul J Keeble.

The author writes that he is a Pagan High Priest, having studied and practiced Pagan worship for over 30 years. He believes in several Gods & spirits and worships the Goddess. He believes in the beauty of nature and the care and preservation of all living things. The author has observed but never participated or assisted in black magick, worship or ritual. The author can only speak for himself and does not represent other pagans. However, neither he nor his close associates believe in Satan as a deity, believing that the evil comes from within us. However this evil can be born, nurtured and grown from our actions, our experiences and what we are exposed to in life. The author has had to heavily research the subject of black magick for over five years to enable him to write this book and from his findings he strongly advises that readers do not become involved in black magick or any of the black arts, as this type of participation can encourage the very evil that is personified by the symbol of Satan.

This book ‘The Dark Circle’ is the first book of a trilogy, by this author. The Dark Circle does conclude in a climax at the end and can therefore be read in isolation but the characters, relationships and challenges explode in a new and continuing story ‘The Clash of the Circles’.

If the author had written a murder mystery it would not mean he approved of murder, likewise it must be said that the author does not agree with the views, beliefs or actions of Satanists. In the story the author has portrayed the Satanists as they see themselves, so neither the Satanists nor their actions are being justified by the author.

The views and opinions expressed in this book are expressed by the characters and are therefore not those of the author himself.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Paul J. Keeble asserts the moral and legal rights to be identified as the author of this work.

Main roads and areas in southern England are genuine but some of the properties, roads, villages and towns are fictitious.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Without the love, support and encouragement of my family, Sandra my understanding and patient wife, Joshua and Matthew my wonderful sons, who were being continually told to be quiet as ‘Daddy is writing’, this book would never have been possible.

During my research I found that some of the written and documented information both in books and on the web was highly questionable and in certain cases totally inaccurate. However my research included the privilege of being invited to Satanic covens where I was able to talk to the members and observe some of their rituals and workings. Readers must remember that this detail was subjective and word of mouth and the story is totally fictional, so the information cannot be relied upon academically. Unlike most authors I am unable to give the names of these co-operative people as they have all insisted they remain anonymous, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless they know who they are and without their advice, guidance and information this novel could not have been written.

Paul J. Keeble

ILLUSTRATIONS

Sketches marked * are by Dannii. L, a valued friend and based

upon the author’s descriptions. All rights for the book and

all future publications have been passed to the author.

Symbols & signs marked ** have been created digitally

by the author with the assistance of his two sons

Joshua & Matthew.

Images & pictures marked *** have been taken from

Google search as they were labelled as

‘for reuse commercially’.

CHAPTER 1

The Pinnacle

image%202.jpg

* A Griffin

Peter Houston really wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing. In fact deep down he was almost sure he wasn’t. However his life had been so unrewarding over the last two years he had to do something to change his luck. The Medium seemed convinced this group would improve his luck, even bring him power and wealth. It had to be worth a try, he was 31 yrs old and had absolutely no prospects. It was Friday evening, he had no date and he could always walk away if he didn’t like it.

Peter lived in Brighton and responding to the invitation he was driving to a village called Bridlington. He had taken the A27 from Brighton and then at Polegate joined the A22 going north away from Eastbourne. He saw the sign to Stone Cross. He didn’t have a sat nav but the man who had telephoned him had given him detailed directions. He found the cross roads with the big old Celtic cross (the cross with a circle at its centre) directly ahead in front of the church graveyard and the name of the town on a large sign on his left by the traffic lights. He was in the right place. He followed his instructions and turned left at the lights and drove up the country lane. He passed the pub on the left that advertised value for money carvery lunches and knew to take the next right. Sure enough the sign said Bridlington and as he came out the other side of the village he started to slow down looking for the large house. He found the sign The Pinnacle on the left and turned into the entrance of the driveway.

It wasn’t at all what he was expecting. He had sussed this group was some form of religious cult, possibly even Satanic (hence his doubts and worries). So he was expecting a house that was from the ‘Adams Family’ or the ‘Munsters’ or from the set of a ghost story in a 1950s black and white film. What he was presented with, was a pair of beautiful ornate green metal gates that stood about twelve feet high. On the left and the right were two stone pillars from which the gates hung. Peter climbed out of his car and immediately saw that there were stone walls the same height as the gates on both sides of the entrance. He guessed the wall probably encircled the property. When he looked up he saw the pillars were about three feet shorter than the gates and wall, and that was because both pillars had an amazing sculpture of a griffin on the top. (The griffin has the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. Sir John Mandeville wrote about griffins in his 14th century book of travels that A griffin is more strong than eight lions. For one griffin will bear, flying to his nest, a great horse. More significantly John Milton, in Paradise Lost II, refers to the legend of the griffin in describing Satan.) When Peter looked at the griffins he noticed that both griffins had eyes that didn’t match and then to his shock he suddenly noticed that one of the eyes on each griffin was moving. As the shock passed he came to realise that the griffins were elaborate CCTV cameras. Although the gates were closed he could see through them as they were an open metal lattice and a wide sweeping driveway stretched ahead and curved towards what could only be described as a mansion. He found an intercom mounted on the right hand pillar. On request he announced his name and the gates started to swing open.

image%203.JPG

**An Inverted Pentagram

He climbed back into his car and drove slowly up the driveway noticing how the driveway didn’t have a weed and the lawns either side were so trim they could be astro turf except the colour and sheen denoted the real thing. As he approached the house the driveway opened out into a large circle with parking behind, and in the middle stood a pond with a fountain, but what a fountain. It was a statue of a young woman that poured water from a jug under her arm, but the statue was spectacular. The girl looked real, alive. He expected her to turn towards him as he circled the pond and looked for parking. In the parking areas behind the pond and either side of the entrance steps there were about twenty cars parked. Peter wasn’t normally ashamed of his little five year old Vauxhall Corsa but it seemed very out of place here. With one exception all the parked cars were recent models of very expensive cars. They included two new Jaguars, a Porche and an Aston Martin. The exception was a small white Suzuki parked at the end. He found a space, parked up and as he got out the car the cold reminded him it was now December. He could see his breath as he made his way up the steps towards a pair of imposing large wooden entrance doors.

Before he even reached the doors they started to slowly and silently open inwards and a man appeared in the arched entrance. Peter felt uneasy as the man was tall and looked down on him as Peter climbed the last few steps. The man was probably in his sixties with short but distinguished silver hair. He was dressed casually but wore an expensive purple shirt and a silk cravat around his neck. He would have looked at home walking into the bar at St. Andrews Golf Club. He held out his hand, You must be Peter he said Can I take your coat? As Peter removed and passed his coat to him he knew he hadn’t met him but he recognised the deep rich voice of the man who had telephoned him and invited him to meet his friends. He passed Peter’s coat to a waiting servant. Welcome to my home, please come in. My name is Aleister. He stepped back and ushered Peter in through the entrance.

The entrance hall that greeted Peter was large and grand. The hall was circular and had two staircases, one on the far left and the other on the far right. They curved inwards and upwards in a semi circle to meet the two ends of a balcony. At the centre of the balcony was a large pentagram, a five pointed star that looked down on the guests arriving. A pentagram is usually shown with the single point upwards in most pagan environments. Here however, it was shown with the single point downward. This meant there were two points at the top of the pentagram and this often signifies Satan. The two points are representing the horns of the Goat of Mendes also known as Baphomet. Although it didn’t make sense to have two staircases going to the same place, it looked totally right, balancing the amazing effect of the hall. There was a sweet smell in the air that Peter couldn’t place, like violets but not violets. A few guests were still in the hall greeting each-other as they slowly made their way through another double door on the right. This is only a meeting not a celebration Peter, but the meeting itself is for members only, so I am afraid I will have to ask you to leave, when we are ready to start our meeting. However I wanted to meet you and introduce some of my friends.

As Aleister spoke he led Peter through into a large room that had tables on the right with drinks and canapés. As the guests were chatting to each-other three aproned servants were offering drinks and snacks. Peter noticed another symbol on the wall above the drinks table. It was another pentagram but larger and ornate. It was a black circular plate with a white circle drawn near the edge and the five pointed star or pentacle inside the circle, was inverted, as before. However this time a goats head was drawn inside the pointed star and strange symbols were drawn on the edge of the plate, outside the white circle. Peter didn’t recognise it but it was The Sigil of Baphomet, the official insignia of the Church of Satan. Peter did nevertheless find it un-nerving.

Aleister led Peter towards a stunning young lady who was standing on her own and dressed as though she was going to the proms. Peter guessed she was about twenty five. She wore a beautiful figure hugging cream dress that nearly touched the floor. Her blond hair hung down to her shoulders and her eyes were a mesmerising blue. This is Caroline, likes to be called Carrie Aleister said. We only use first names here and if you are fortunate enough to be invited to be a member, you will be allocated a new name. Privacy is very important to us all. Aleister turned and looked at Carrie, This is Peter, Carrie, he is just visiting to meet some of our friends. Will you look after him, I need to make arrangements for our meeting? Of course I will Carrie said. At that Aleister turned and walked away, back to the hall. Carrie looked at Peter, This is your first time here then? I haven’t actually met Aleister before. Peter said. After my Mum died I missed her so terribly I agreed to see a Medium for a Tarot reading and she was the one who spoke to Aleister and asked him to contact me. The Medium said after all the disappointments in my life I could do with some success and she said these people could bring me success. As Peter said this, he suddenly realised what smell it was that pervaded the air in this house, it wasn’t violets as he thought, it was the sweet smell of success! He had no idea how he knew that. He looked around him and saw that all the guests looked well dressed, even wealthy and they all talked with assurance and confidence. Is Carrie your real name? Aleister said everyone is allocated a new name. Yes it is my real name, but that’s because I am not a proper member yet. As Peter talked to Carrie he found out she was also new to the group. She was only allowed at certain meetings. Carrie said she had to be sworn to secrecy, dedicated and initiated and her new name would be given to her then. Peter realised as they chatted Carrie was also attracted by the wealth and success.

I am not allowed to tell you much, as you are not part of this group yet. Carrie said. "Aleister will explain more if you are invited back. I can tell you that in December the members look forward to the Winter Solstice on the 21st to 22nd December. There are Yuletide celebrations between 23rd and 25th December. But I am very lucky because if I am invited to be initiated that could happen as soon as 2nd February, at the celebration called Candlemass. However Aleister said it may happen even earlier as he is planning a special honour for me for Candlemass.

image%204.jpg

** The Sigil of Baphomet

Aleister said they will prepare me closer to the time. I can’t wait though, I need some excitement and success in my life. Aleister tells me I will get power over my life and power to influence others so I will get what I want in the future." As she said this Peter could see Carrie’s beautiful eyes sparkle with anticipation. At that moment Aleister returned and said that Peter needs to leave now. Peter hadn’t even had a drink yet and hadn’t met any of the other guests but he let Aleister lead him back to the front door.

Back in the entrance hall the same servant appeared holding Peter’s coat and passed it to him. I’ll contact you soon Peter, don’t worry Aleister said, as the big oak double doors slid silently open as if by magic. As Aleister shook Peter’s hand, Peter felt Aleister’s hand seemed cold but also seemed to be very strong for a man of his age. Aleister smiled at him, but Peter felt a cold shiver run through his body, Aleister seemed to look through Peter, into his very soul. Peter was now in the doorway and as Aleister turned and walked back inside, the great entrance doors started to close. Peter again felt a cold shiver but this time it was the cold night air. It had already got dark, but as Peter walked down the steps the floodlights came on, there were obviously motion detectors. He turned up his collar as he continued down the steps towards his car. Looking at all the parked cars he suddenly realised that the little white Suzuki was probably Carrie’s car. All the other cars were really expensive and Carrie like himself, was new and itching for some of this wealth and success. On an impulse Peter took out his mobile phone and photographed the Suzuki including the registration number. Peter climbed into his little car and drove slowly back to Brighton.

He had been on auto pilot all the way home and couldn’t really remember the journey when he did get home. Peter lived in a small flat he rented in Brighton. Going up Middle Street, just before the ninety degree bend to the right and the pub called The Victory, there’s a turning on the left