Today, we dive into a highly anticipated conversation—an interview with the devil, or more accurately, with one of the most influential figures in modern demonology: S. Connolly. Author of the acclaimed Complete Book of Demonolatry and countless other works, Connolly has shaped the conversation around working with demonic spirits in profound ways.
In this episode, we explore her personal journey, the psychological and spiritual frameworks for understanding demonic forces, and how occult practice, when stripped of Christian dogma and fear, becomes a liberating and empowering path.
“We are not just looking into the eyes of our gods—we are looking from them.”
“Magic is not about bypassing responsibility, it’s about becoming accountable for your reality.”
Demonic forces are divine intelligences: Not inherently evil, but natural archetypal forces with intelligence that can aid personal transformation.
Inner narrative creates magical experience: Fear-based Christian conditioning can create negative spiritual experiences—not because of the spirit, but due to your inner program.
Blood magic is symbolic: A single drop of blood signifies commitment and connection—it’s not about gore, but intention.
Ends and sigils are energetic tools: They are means of tuning consciousness and space to specific frequencies of a spirit—not dogmatic requirements.
Discernment is essential: Spirits reflect parts of us—knowing when it’s your higher self or projection versus an actual entity is a core magical skill.
Curses mirror emotional immaturity if misused: Used consciously, they can release emotion and aid healing—but unconscious cursing often leads to self-sabotage.
Magic begins with you: The real work is about facing your fears, upgrading your inner code, and walking through the doors you open.
The demonic won’t save you—it empowers you: These spirits help reveal blind spots, not fix your life for you. They hold you accountable.
Ritual aesthetics matter: Ritual design and language act as seduction for the soul—engaging artfully helps evoke the altered states needed for transformation.
There is no rush: You don’t need to master everything at once. Relationship with the divine takes time, patience, and authenticity.
“The demonic teaches us through challenge, not comfort. Transformation demands truth.”
“Discernment is the most vital magical tool—it’s what separates wisdom from delusion.”
A Childhood Marked by Spirits
S. Connolly recalls her early years marked by frequent interactions with spirit presences—figures she saw near her bed or in the corners of her vision. Often dismissed as imagination, these experiences became the catalyst for her journey. As a preteen, she sought answers in books, gradually making her way through topics like mediumship, divination, witchcraft, and eventually, demonology.
By the age of 13 or 14, she identified as a Satanist—not in the pop-culture sense, but through her study and personal experience with the ineffable forces that shaped her world.
The Christian Filter and the Path of Liberation
Coming from a background of what she describes as “Jack Christians”—casual believers—Connolly still had enough exposure to Christian ideology to absorb its framing of demons as evil. Like many seekers, her initial foray into Satanism was still influenced by that worldview. It wasn’t until she encountered Anton LaVey’s Satanic Bible that she began to detach from Christian constructs and view the demonic as something entirely different.
Her paradigm shifted when she remembered that the spirits she encountered as a child never harmed her—in fact, they were helpful, as in one instance when praying to Satan led to the mysterious recovery of lost books. These experiences sparked her desire to discover the truth behind demonology, beyond inherited fear.
Facing the Inner Demons: Fear and Initiation
Connolly emphasized that most people’s negative experiences with spirits are reflections of their own internal fears. Demons often mirror what we bring into the ritual. Fear, guilt, and unresolved psychological programming can color the entire magical experience, making discernment one of the most critical skills for any practitioner.
Her own journey included a period of fear-induced silence after a harrowing scrying experience. But the spirits wouldn’t stay quiet. Nightmares and persistent visions forced her to confront her fears head-on, eventually reclaiming her ability to communicate with spirits—this time with strength and discernment.
What Are Demons, Really?
Connolly defines demons as divine intelligences—natural forces of the universe. She sees the demonic not as evil beings but as energetic presences that help reveal, challenge, and guide. They do not “fix” problems for you, but they reveal truths and offer opportunities. Her view of magic is one that blends psychology and metaphysics, ritual and reality.
To her, working with demons is not about control or sacrifice but about co-creation. We are, after all, part of the same natural universe—so we too are demonic.
The Real Power of Magic: Accountability and Change
Connolly’s framework of magic is built on total responsibility. If your magic isn’t working, it’s not the demon’s fault—it’s yours. Maybe you’re not ready. Maybe your subconscious is sabotaging the results. Maybe you’re skipping the deep work in favor of flashy rituals. But if you show up, if you change your inner code, magic works.
Demons, she notes, don’t want worship. They want respect and engagement. They offer brutal honesty, not comfort. And they hold us accountable—reflecting back what we may not want to see.
Sigils, Ends, and the Personal Language of Spirit
The conversation shifted to the use of sigils and ends. Ends, Connolly explains, are energetic keys—like mantras—that draw the essence of the spirit into the ritual space. Though many ends have become standardized through shared usage, new ones are constantly received through direct contact. Likewise, sigils are tools that inspire and communicate. They’re not prescriptions—they’re invitations.
In her view, the magician must always bring their own language, resonance, and creativity to the magical act. There is no one-size-fits-all ritual. Just as each spirit has preferences, so does each practitioner.
Blood Magic: Symbolism and Commitment
Connolly also clarified the role of blood in her tradition, which practices bloodletting—not sacrifice. A single drop of blood acts as a powerful symbolic gesture. It is not about gore—it’s about saying, “I commit.” Blood becomes the physical bond between the magician and the magic. It’s the life force, offered consciously and willingly, to empower intention.
Discernment and Energetic Hygiene
One of the more nuanced discussions in the episode centered around discernment. Spirits, Connolly notes, operate on different energetic frequencies. Some vibrate higher, like angels, while others, such as Goetic demons, are closer to the earthly plane, making them easier to access and more responsive to material concerns.
There are also parasitic spirits—what she calls “feeders”—that many confuse for demons. Her advice? Build a solid, consistent relationship with known spirits. Don’t open yourself up to every passing shade. Your magical temple should be a fortified space—not an open bar.
Art, Language, and the Soul of Magic
As an author, Connolly sees language as one of the most powerful tools of magic. Whether it’s poetic invocations or written spells, language becomes a vessel of intention. For her, the act of writing is itself a ritual. It draws from the soul. And when it lands—when it evokes emotion and resonance—it becomes spellcraft in its truest form.
Art, poetry, and even physical aesthetics are part of her magical practice. Beauty matters—not for ego, but because it seduces the soul and alters the state of consciousness required for effective magic.
On Cursing, Hexing, and Ethical Practice
To conclude, Connolly addressed the topic of curses. In her view, cursing can be valid—especially as a way to release intense emotion—but it should not be entered lightly. If done impulsively or from immaturity, curses can backfire energetically and psychologically. Her advice: wait three days. Reflect. If the need is still there, proceed with clarity.
And even then, the demonic divine may not assist unless the curse is warranted. The true lesson may be in learning to let go—or learning how to transmute anger into growth.
Final Words of Wisdom
S. Connolly encourages all practitioners to take their time. There’s no rush to master everything. Build a relationship with the forces you work with. Let your magic grow alongside your self-knowledge. And above all, remember: the spirits are not here to rescue you. They are here to awaken the divine intelligence within you.
“You can’t shut the door once it’s opened; the only way to master spirit contact is to go through it.”
“The blood isn’t power because it’s red—it’s power because it’s your will made tangible.”
“All magic begins with perception—and ends with who you dare to become.”
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