The Western Gate

She of the Night
Idlu Lili Regulus
Theion Publishing

It is easier to criticise than praise. Perhaps we feel empowered when we put down, for whatever reason someone’s work, in our eyes it is flawed and therefore suggesting we could do better. 

Perhaps, the ego in us, If we praise, it is akin to submission, here is the benchmark we can but aspire to, we haven’t reached those dizzying heights yet, we are therefore not complete. Jealous. Envy- the attributes of Yahweh, as opposed to Pride. But which here is right and which is wrong, and why then does Pride come before the fall?

She of the night. 

Is Vol.1 – princeps and vol.2 praxis? I assumed so, seemed to be …but it didn’t really transpire that way.  

Lilith is the subject and yes there are chapters of parallels and similar deities who share her attributes, but it is about Lilith, two volumes of Lilith. It’s not the same Lilith per se as the recent novel by Nikki Marmerry, there’s no pity party here or a figure that reaches out to be understood. The Lilith here is altogether more magnificent and utterly frightening, truly a nemesis and beyond want of adoration.

There are many times in this book the author repeats, there are lists of referenced material analysed to all versions known, exhaustive and complete. it could be suggested it is likewise exhaustive reading this work. The opposite is true. It’s a masterclass of how to  compile a volume of your most sacred love. There is no word salad, no showboating or dark hidden exclamations that only the author knows, I think there was only one ritual she withheld, personal gnosis is such a path for our own inner psyche.

There are rituals, some elaborated upon old rites, there are poems, nothing nieve or parodying some gothic poet of yore. There are some illustrations though I prefer the images of relics and antiquities to contemporary pencil depictions of nightmarish beings.

There are footnotes, side notes, headers and wayfaring sub chapters, all added and didn’t distract, they weren’t afterthoughts or errors or distractions.

 I began to read ‘She of the Night’ with dread fear, two volumes ! I hope it’s worthy of the pilgrimages, and it was, I didn’t stop the wander. In fact I didn’t want it to stop. 

This book doesn’t pander to your fears, nor champion the feminist, though undoubtedly it is the feminist archetype or perhaps and even better the rightful return of the matriarchy. She of the Night does not accuse and spit upon the Abrahamic faith for brownie points as many books with even a whiff of left-hand path do. It’s about Lilith. This is Lilith. If it were a book created in the same vain but about Hecate it would be heralded as the bible for ‘witches’, poor Gerald Gardners collection of naturist follies reigned to the quirky corner of the occult library.
Who are these devotees of Lilith? There seems to be more interest in her, the subject becoming more prominent in speaking trees and moots. The original female archetype, she who will not obey because she is told to, she will not be daddy’s little girl. 

I place She of the Night with my books on Kurukulla, the book- Ferocious dealing with the seven Matrikas, Lalita Sahasranama- the 1000 names of the Goddess, Lioness:The song of Innana, The books I have on Hecate seem rushed~ (Jack Grayle’s wonderful but Praxis -Hekateaon aside), the books on Morrigan and Cerridwen but paperback novelties. 

How can I summarise She of the Night ? Seminal, Concise, Complete, Authoritative?

It is perfect, it’s a perfect study and veneration of a subject.

Lilith was rejected because she was perfect. Made perfect like Adam, why would she yield, why indeed should she yield. Only narcissists shun their equals and betters Adam ! …as ye know.
As I say, it is easy to criticise and find faults, I can’t, I’m silenced and far from jealousy, envy, it feels wonderful, if only Adam and Yahweh were as humble in the face of beauty.

Header illustration: adaptation of Lilith: Kenyon Cox 1892