Foreword

Capulum Atrum Philosophy™

"Shadows stretch beneath the light and where it does not tread."

– Jan Rudat, 2020

Capulum Atrum Philosophy™, abbreviated as CAP™, is the name of this philosophy and worldview.

I wrote the second edition of Ater Capulism™ because I felt the first edition needed to be more succinct. Dropping the "high language" that made it difficult for the average person (who might otherwise have been interested) to comprehend in the first place is the goal of this diatribe.

I created this second edition of what was originally known as Ater Capulo™ (abbreviated AC™), which is a spiritual ideology—still a part of CAP™. It was also written to update the title, include anything that was missing, and remove anything I, the author, no longer desired.

My occult, magickal religion, Arx Nobilis™ (abbreviated AN™, ecclesiastically referred to as 5²x7™),

is the world's first religion as well as organization to make this specific philosophy an integral part of its foundation. Open-mindedness, self-honesty, and self-forgiveness were the only ways I was able to

overcome the materialistic hurdles that hindered my esoteric pursuits—both doubt and polarity.

It was by humbling myself and keeping my ego in check that I was able to gain knowledge from others, and even exchange information I possessed myself. World religions, spirituality, science, and philosophy inspired me in a myriad of ways.

I have experienced similar with writing Arx Nobilis™(AN™), Ater Capulo™ (AC),

and Capulum Atrum Philosophy (CAP™). Although CAP™ is not a system of Magick in itself, it is a philosophy and part of the Arx Nobilis™ belief system, as practiced by the Church of Arx Nobilis™.

The closest equivalents to Capulum Atrum Philosophy™ are numerous subjective ideas that may (or may not) accurately reflect how I, Jan Rudat, personally view the world. The point of making the language more direct and less verbose was to reduce ambiguity.

Comparing and contrasting different belief systems, I then decided which fit the beat that my beliefs had once found a home in, and which are a part of this ideology.

To have a term for the way I subjectively view the world was the ultimate goal when I created this way of thinking. Since then, however, it has expanded much farther, thanks to ideas from various critics (to whom I am grateful for their sagacity), experts (of whom an exhaustive list would need to be created to honor them all), and outsiders (people who have little interest in adopting it), who are sources of the ideology.

Of all things, I got tired of the (admittedly foolish) idea of narcissistic, bigoted, egoistic HUBRIS being 'necessary for power' in some sects, and self-destructive altruism being 'the divine will' in others.

When I was a child, my bodily mother taught me that there are many paths

up the mountain in life. My bodily father taught me that every religion comes from the same place. My bodily mother also taught me that you can choose a hard path, but you could also choose an easy one.

It seems I plausibly have chosen the hard one—I felt rejected by most other groups and systems in my time, in these ways, and even at times discouraged from continuing. I felt rejected by society as I grew older and found that my way of thinking was completely different. I have been threatened with my life for my beliefs, my stances on spirituality, religion, and others. What enabled me to persist was an inner passion for this work, and, along the way, a select few who believed in me as well.

Even then, I wanted to make my own way rather than adopt labels from

well-trodden paths that contained ideas and individuals whom I may have sorely disagreed with, alongside ideas I truly embraced. In no way am I suggesting that any of these ideas are entirely original or that 'labels are bad.' What I am presenting is the arrangement of concepts into a structure that I have preferred for myself over the last 21 years (at the time of this writing) of practicing and studying the occult—since I was at least 7 years old and bought my first little Wicca book.

CAP™

CAP™ is just what it is, inside and out. It is not about forcing your hand or mine in what we choose in life; each for ourselves. CAP™ does not promote coercion against others, but there is no foul when it comes to persuasion. In short, it is a Left-Hand Path, but it does not restrict you from any path, nor is it a stopper to extremes. It is your personal obligation to decide what you feel is most balanced for your period in this material life.

CAP™ touts that 'God,' 'Magnetism,' 'Science,' 'Knowledge,' 'Mind,' 'Electricity,' 'Energy,' and 'Magick' are interchangeable words—a permeable and impermeable omnipresent force of nature that lacks

consciousness or is unable to be perceived by the untrained psyche.

The ability to 'play judge' or 'be a savior' to anyone is completely absent from the conceptualization of this force or 'higher power.' In this sense, CAP™ is deistic.

In CAP™, Magick, science, and spirituality are one and the same. They are the various words for 'knowledge that can be obtained through some form of observation.' Magick is often considered 'science we do not understand yet.' Science can be seen as 'Magick that is explained.'

Spirituality is often called 'a higher power,' 'energy,' or 'Magick,' among other things. You really can ask yourself what the difference is at the end of the day, if you're using the same subjective senses to determine what is real in the world around you and/or your body.

Magick can also be used to create and change things—Magick is an enabler, by which you do things, such as an action—a tool. You, however, bring things into action and/or being by your own actions. Magick is therefore and thereby used as a tool to do a certain action. Magick on its own does not bring things into action and does not do things on its own. It is a tool.

All the things to do, to execute, to bring into motion, to create, to ascertain, to learn, and more, are in your power—and you are the key to doing any action, including learning.

CAP™ is an amoral philosophy. Being amoral doesn’t mean causing mischief or defying social agreements—'Laws of the land.'

The 'Law of the Land' is the law of any country, city, county, ordinance, or social rules that govern your material existence on Earth. This matters little when you are alone and not causing harm needlessly upon others.

CAP™ does not promote going against the Law of the Land at the risk of personal freedom. That said, the 'Law of the Land' or social agreements are defied all the time, every day, by 'law-abiding citizens' who are not in CAP™.

Knowing this, do you really think you're doing something rebellious in illegal acts? Why and in what way does it truly benefit you? You can truly ask yourself this question. You plausibly are the highest authority in your mind, life, and you are the one who ultimately decides what the rest of you (in the manifestation of your own Vessel) will do about those orders. If your answer is nothing more than ego-gratification, then you will find the rest of this philosophy difficult to adhere to. There are no sacred cows, and there are no sacrifices to some evil overlord in one’s own mind.

Real effort, real persistence, and real belief to actually accomplish something—even outside of the philosophy—will be required to fully embody the tenets.

Take responsibility for yourself and your own actions. Bad hands are dealt in life. Environments and company can shape us. However, it is up tous to recognize these influences and decide not to be a product of them. Similarly, it is up to many of us to decide to be a product of them.

If we act in awareness of these influences and decide to obey, we are more than simply blind sheep and are not being dishonest with ourselves.

Take care of the people who take care of and benefit you, but don't look at it as a total obligation. You don't owe anyone anything, and no one owes you anything. The beauty in this is the freedom to be charitable and to feel proud of your actions rather than being governed by an externalized moral authority.

Not to mention the freedom to act out your most basest of instincts and drives without feeling morally guilty and the untold freedom of not feeling bound to what expectations other people have of you. One of the greatest liberations of all is the life that is lived entirely in your mind.

Yes, it’s true. Your own inner mind is a free space where you can do whatever the hell you want. Crazy that you needed a book to remind you of that, right?

Generalization is generally bad, but discerning syncretism is generally good. Look around the world—at the different cultures, religions, spiritual and lifestyle paths. To dismiss any one of them or take on all of them without meaningful discernment would be a bit ridiculous, don’t you think?

The investigation of world theology itself leads to the discovery of numerous similarities between each path, given that many of the most popular and mainstream world religions are human and based on humanity.

The CAP™ concept of syncretism is not to dismantle and miscategorize ideas and faiths but to comprehend, enrich, and successfully identify with, outside or within, or without them. There are plenty of ideas and faiths that are simply not beneficial to CAP™ ideologists™ (CAP™ Ideologists™) and CAP™ philosophists™ (CAP™ Philosophists™), from which they will use their own judgment to decide.

Your private practices (esoteric or material), inside your own domain, are your own business. When you begin to force your practice onto others without their consent is when you have crossed the line from 'private practice' into 'fundamentalist zealotry.'

The real sin of all sins is willful ignorance! Ignoring the outer reality (harsh or not) or your inner reality (your emotions, your opinions, your thoughts) is (at least plausibly) equally bad. Find a way to make them both align—and in that, you plausibly will have balance.

Don't be afraid of change (internal or external), hardship, and/or challenges if it means that you will benefit and settle your inner and outer alignments in the long term. Have the discipline to see things through to the end, but don’t allow the time you've spent on any pursuit to be the sole determinant in your commitment to that pursuit. The value of the benefit you'll eventually receive should always be the bottom line.

Esoterism,

Materialism, 'God' and Faith

We all plausibly have doubts about things that crop up from time to time. There’s absolutely no part of CAP™ that wants 'blind faith.' Instead, it demands an investigative and

curious mindset.

Science is not in conflict with the ideals of CAP™—neither of its primary paths justify self-harming, repressive, fundamentalist, and/or self-destructive behaviors whatsoever. We generally are fickle. We are easily distracted.

We may find it difficult to stay true to one intention and/or direction if we find something that is better, much more supported (or understandable), and more efficient with our time (or even more painless).

You are always able to change your mind about things later down the road if the facts you thought to be true turn out to be bogus after all.

If you had done no harm in your pursuit of your truth, do you really have anything to be ashamed about? Even if you have, forgive yourself. The past is over and done with.

The only 'God' of CAP™ is the 'chaotic unknown' itself. If you haven’t experienced something thoroughly, how can you know all there is to know of it for sure?

There are ways to do so, but none that are plausible. Why should the word of other people who know nothing—more or less—than you be 'God' instead? Rumors are a social cancer that should be dispelled by simply asking all parties what they think of the circumstances they’re in—directly. You gain from examining your relationships with others more thoroughly than a simple rumor or your own paranoia will ever give you.

The strict adherents to the Esoterism of CAP™ are known as Capulum Atrum Esoterists™ (CAE™).

CAE™ is about belief in an afterlife that exists subtly, alongside and simultaneously with reality. The 'God' of CAP™ itself lives among us and is apparent to CAE™ as the versatile unknown itself.

Beings enjoy wonder, fantasy, and excitement. However, it is equally acceptable to live a life devoid of Esoterism—known as strict Capulum Atrum Materialism™ (CAM™), the strict adherents thereto are known as Capulum Atrum Materialists™, naturally being strict adherents to the Materialism of CAP.

That said, it would be limiting to believe that strict CAM™ justifies or serves as a gateway to closed-mindedness. Even small or incremental experimentation with 'the unknown' is better than absolutely nothing.

Regardless of the outcome, at least you can put doubt to rest if you come out of the experience with new or personally verified knowledge of what is and isn’t real. If you find that living without a concept of a higher power (‘god’) or afterlife—where this life is all there is—leaves you drained of passion, strict CAM™

may not be the right path for you.

Capulum Atrum Esoterists™ (CAE™) are not bound by concepts like ‘fate’ or ‘destiny.’ They are the architects of their own worldview, and the deciders of their own paths.

For the CAE™, their afterlife is shaped by their personal perceptions and beliefs about 'life after death.' If you struggle to realize ‘Faith’ in ‘God,’ ‘Magik,’ or ‘Spirituality,’ the esoteric beliefs may prove difficult to embrace. Beliefs alone will not shield you from the harsh truths of reality.

The key is to remember that just because something is ‘possible’ doesn’t mean it’s inherently feasible without facilitation—and it certainly doesn’t always mean it’s plausible. If you put in the work and support your thoughts with actions, you will see results.

CAM™ dictates that each individual of CAP™ should pursue wealth in all things, not just economics. To get

rich—in mind, body, spirit, or resources—is GLORIOUS!

That said, you are not defined by what you own, and your identity should be emancipated from material possessions, including your body.

Whether you’re CAM™ or CAE™ (though CAE™ will find this easier by default), intrinsic value is superior to

extrinsic value.

Money, as a tool of manipulation, can still be used to acquire the things we truly desire. Even CAE™ need money to pay bills and afford necessities for survival. There is no need for CAE™ to restrict themselves from money or deny themselves life’s pleasures, as CAM™ might.

The methods by which we acquire material goods should adhere to social contracts, or 'laws of the land.'

Unless you are gravely ill or your life depends on it, criminal behavior is never necessary. Hard work, paired with spiritual (mental/emotional) commitment, is the key. Consider a starving child who values morality—what is the worth of his moral fiber if it doesn’t translate into the physical nourishment needed for survival? This is something for you to ponder.

Remember your power to create change in your mind, body, and life. Even when you humble your ego to consider other ideas or reject them with awareness, do not be deceived. Mental clarity, focus, and acuity are invaluable tools. There is no reason you should settle for anything less than the best when it comes to sculpting your life, yourself, and your self-actualization. It is no one’s responsibility to take care of you (unless you are ill or disabled)—it is your job.

Life, Death, Rebirth

The official Esoterism of CAP™ offers a singular, non-prescriptive view of life and death. The individual CAP™ adherent decides what they believe happens after death, or what their purpose is during their life.

Arx Nobilists™, including Ater Capulists™ have their own beliefs and truths.

CAE™ suggests that the afterlife is shaped by the perceptions and beliefs solidified in the individual’s mind. According to CAE™, 'Hell' after death only exists if the individual truly believes in it. If they think they are deserving of it, that is where they will arrive after death. There is no inescapable, unalterable fate for the CAM™, because their paradise is created on Earth and is shaped by their ideal life there.

"Do not ask to be saved—save yourself."

—Jan Rudat