Just last weekend I decided to fly over to Europe. A figure we encounter rather less than most - namely Baron Chevalier - had invited me to a symposium on High magic. The meeting was the ultimate in Gallic occult Romanticism – a dingy room above a café in Montmartre, thick with the smoke of galoises. The fare was simple but sustaining -fresh white bread warm from the oven; a range of pungent cheeses; grilled mushrooms with a savoury dip; and rich red wine, aglow with Provencal summers. There were nine of us, with Monsieur Baron Chevalier presiding. Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia all had representatives there.
When hunger was sated, the combustibles were ignited – pipes and cigars as well as cigarettes. I will offer an oath I saw demonic faces forming in the thick grey smoke, leering down on our conclave.
As well they might: for much was discussed that day. Incubi and Succubi made the early running: and all agreed on a certain binding spell for using these troubled spirits in Hexes. We then - at the insistence of our profound Russian friends - discussed the fabled Chupacabra of Puerto Rico. This odd apparition is known to suck the blood of cattle and other domestic animals. We concluded it was not extra-terrestrial at all, merely a succubus.
This led to further speculation on the true nature of extra-terrestrial beings. In pre-scientific times, there were always ‘spiritual’ or mystical variants of these beings: fairies or elves resembled little green men, just like aliens; sojourns in fairyland resembled alien abductions or time-slips; and toadstools obviously reflected an antique view of spacecraft. The answer is that different epochs interpret the same phenomena differently. And why should ‘modern’ interpretations have any monopoly on truth? Why should the traditional, magical interpretations not be valid?
“Let us return the goblin to the heath and the magic to the rainbow,” concluded Monsieur Chevalier forcefully. There was no doubt about his position! Yes, the magical beings that make hexing possible are everywhere around us. Today, they go by other names – but their true nature is not in doubt. For the remainder of the evening we worked eclectic magic, invoking ‘Mothmen’ and ‘aliens’. How the UFO brigade would have blanched!
At last, sated with magic, cigars and wine, we went our separate ways. Before I returned Stateside, I took time to consider Monsieur Chevalier’s extensive library. Extensive? It was prolific! Lost tomes from Alexandria jostled the latest Hex-Me pamphlets on the shelves. No magical path is too obscure for the good Baron: believe me, Hexers, your occult affairs are in good hands!
Farewell! Until the Chupacabra drinks again…
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