Hi pornies! I hope you are having a great time. Today I come with an interview I was very excited to share with you because it is with someone very special. The one person that made create this Kyler persona so I could talk freely and openly about gay books in the first ever gay occultist magazine: my boss, Aden Ardennes, founder and editor in chief of HORNS Magazine. We talked just about that, gay men in magic, occultism, and his work with HORNS, so have a sit, grab a drink, and enjoy. ^^
1. Which came first: Witchcraft or Queer Identity?
That's a tricky one. I've been fascinated by witches and occultism since a kid and I knew early on that my interest in male peers was different than how the others related to each other. On the witchy end, fun story.
I wanted to be a witch, desperately, for Halloween when I was a small kid. Back then I thought all witches were women, so I had to dress as a female witch. My first stint at drag, haha. Much to my father's dismay, I wore a black gown, tall pointed hat, long witch nose, and went trick or treating. I would also take all the mini blind sticks and pretend they were wands. I guess I found myself early thankfully. The way I like to put it is: I always knew I was different than those around me, then I found words to articulate the difference.
2. How would you describe your path as a Witch?
It started off rather all over the place. The first witchy book I bought, in secret, of course, was Teen Witch Kit by Silver Ravenwolf. I also read Gay Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak a little later on and countless books from many different occult views, but it wasn't until I came across Anton LaVey and Peter Carrol that I found my home in sorcery. Once I read the Satanic Bible and began studying Chaos magic it was a done deal. My path as a witch is very Left Hand and I blend practices from other branches on the occult tree, but I stand firmly as a Satanist and am proud to be a priest in the Church of Satan.
3. Do you feel your sexuality has played a role in it?
Oh, most definitely. I think being queer frees you up from many of the shackles we're born into. When I was a kid I was fascinated by religion and theology, still am, and was convinced Jehovah made me to burn in hell. After all, everything I loved was sending me downstairs in all three of the Abrahamic religions. My carnal appetites damned me in Eastern philosophy in many ways as well. So, I came to this perspective that if I'm bad I might as well do as I please. Not much has changed, beyond knowing I wasn't crafted by some tyrannical deity from the desert.
Even in several occult paths, being queer was a no-no. Wicca, for example, has a very homophobic past. I think my sexuality has connected me to this underbelly of the witch world that ties in with queer history, which is why FAGGODS means so much to me. The queers are the occult of sexuality and we're a powerful bunch.
4. A few years ago, you decided to create HORNS Magazine, the magazine for queer occultists men. What made you take this decision?
I got tired of waiting for someone else to do it honestly. I had wanted to see a magazine like this since I was a teenager. Something that blended the beautiful carnal aspects of being a queer man with our lost history and our occult interests. So many queer witches are further ostracized by others in our community for being more eccentric than they are. Gods help you if you're a transman or transwoman on top of being a witch. I wanted something for us. For the weirdos within the weirdos. Something that entertains, gets you hard and reminds you that you're not alone. There are other magical cocksuckers out there, so feel no shame in casting your sweet ass fag magic.
5. Why that name? Was there a specific reason or meaning behind it?
Two main reasons. Before announcing HORNS as an occult magazine, the idea was brought to me by another Church of Satan member. He wanted a gay satanic porn magazine and me as a partner. It soon became my solo project and I didn't want a magazine just for gay Satanists. I wanted something all queer witches could enjoy. I'll never forget how alone I felt in the gay community being a witch. So, I wanted to ensure no one felt that way. I kept the name out of respect for him, but also because it fits quite well.
Witches have always been associated with the devil and queers certainly are as well. Also, the carnality of horned gods in many pagan religions carries over to the theme in HORNS. The magazine is lusty and unapologetically so. I think the title of the magazine clearly communicates the kind of magazine you're getting into. It's on the "dark" side and not for prudes. It's primal, witchy, and full of lust for men treading the occult path.
6. Do you feel working in HORNS Magazine has changed you in any way?
Most certainly. I've gotten to know more people in our community that I don't think I would've if not for the magazine. I get to read wonderful works sent in, how different occult paths apply to other queer men and see how different cultures affect our craft as well as our existence.
Beyond that, it has pushed me professionally and helped me develop my passions further. HORNS has been a bit of a gateway or lodestone for me, and I think it has for others as well.
7. The magazine's readers have sent spells to be published, some of them focusing on queerness and masculine sexuality. Do you think queer men have an energy different from that of straight men, that there's there something exclusive to us in matters of energy and/or magic?
I think magic comes from within the witch rather than from external forces. Being that queer men have different life experiences, have their own culture, and have relationships with others in a different way, I think you could say that. That there is a queerness energy. I believe Queer as Folk called it the "thumpa thumpa" and lord knows Harry Hay had quite a bit to say on our community's unique power.
8. Witchcraft, magic, and spirituality, in general, have been almost always focused on women. Do you think this has changed in some way?
Hmmm, I'm not sure. I suppose not very much in the mainstream, but that'll get there. I think that witchcraft has transformed from something women were accused of doing as an excuse to destroy them or control them into a celebration of feminine power. Perhaps that has been part of the attraction for queer men, separate from masculine or feminine leanings, we've been thrown into the "sissy" or "not a real man" categories. It's no wonder why queer culture often chooses women idols, but that's a whole other conversation, but I think there is a link there.
If witchcraft and the occult, in general, is more focused on women, I honestly don't care. It was long used to hold them down and, like us with the words sissy or fag, they're using it to celebrate their natural powers. That doesn't mean queer men can't.
9. Looking back in time, let's say, five years ago, which is your most significant change?
Apologies for being mysterious, but that is a private experience that I enjoy keeping to myself. I will say that this magazine and the people who've helped make it real, how they did so, and what I learned from them has changed me significantly.
10. What are your plans for the future?
Besides moving cross-country? Just keep making HORNS and try to do it better and better each time. Perhaps it'll morph into something else I've long wanted to do, but we'll see.
11. Which would be your advice for new and future Witches and Pagans?
Don't get bogged down in the dogma and trappings of a single path. Witchcraft is a personal journey and often a lone one, which is good. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't take advice or read books from witches you disagree with. I'm a Satanist and I work with witches I don't share much philosophical common ground with, I still read their books and have found many useful things.
Anyone who claims to have "the way" should be viewed with skepticism. The occult may mean "hidden knowledge", but it doesn't mean knowledge derived from a single source. Be your own Harriet the Spy and explore your abilities, what makes sense to you, and how magic can be used to better yourself. Go your own way.
From a personal place, witchcraft cannot save you. Magic is you. Magic is your will and abilities that can morph your life. It's a path of becoming. No matter what stands in your way, know that you're queer and here and fucking magical. I'll repeat that. Witchcraft cannot save you, you save you because of what you can do. Don't ever forget what you're capable of.
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