The Maergzjiran Current is a Left Hand Path (LHP) magical tradition based largely on the work of Somnus Dreadwood. He composed the foundational books and wrote up the lore of the Maergzjiran Cabal / Temple of Maergzjirah / Black Corps Ascendancy. While the name did change a few times, this site will use the term "The Cabal" to refer to any of its iterations. From my best understanding, the group originated after Somnus sold a few items he enchanted (called "relics") online; the group became and outlet for him to sell his relics, books, and magical services. Members of the Cabal/Temple/Corps were called Disciples. Disciples of The Cabal have reported differing levels of success working with the texts, private forum posts, and site material.
This site represents my attempt at a retelling of the material of the Maergzjiran Current without forcing the reader to rely on out-of-print books, private postings, direct messages from teachers, or predatory Masters. I assert that the names and descriptions of any spiritual entities (Gods, angels, demons, etc) are the spiritual heritage of all humanity. I further assert that this site makes transformative use of material owned by Somnus Dreadwood, Muldegrin, Razerith, and other contributors to The Cabal.
Many occult groups have two histories: the fictional or allegorical history, and the real history. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has an allegorical history through the lineage of Christian Rosenkreuz, as well as embellishments in the form of cypher manuscripts decoded by the founders. Gerald Gardner's Wicca has a fictional history involving a witch cult survival. Allegorical histories provide a focal point for meditation. By contemplating the symbolism of the Rosenkreuz tomb, an aspirant is collecting and processing a series of symbols that are supposed to be relevant to the nature of the universe/God, and the aspirant's spiritual journey. Other times, the fictional history adds a bit of character and hints at some of the values of the group. The Golden Dawn's leadership had an intense interest in ancient texts, translations, and hidden meanings, so claiming to have decoded hidden teachings emphasized these values.
Other times, the fictional history of a group does not add much in symbolism or intent, but exists to legitimize the group or give it some cool factor. By stating that he was revealing the secrets of the witch cult, Gerald Gardner was exploiting his audience's sense of mystery and wonder. He was also trailing off the popularity of Margaret Murray's The Witch-Cult in Western Europe. The fields of magic and new religious movements are filled with allegorical and fictional histories, if nothing else, because the mystique of a hidden lore is more seductive than saying "look at this cool stuff I made up."
With the value and purpose of allegorical and fictional group histories in mind, let's examine the founding myth of The Cabal.
The story begins in 1436. Sybastien Drujziya is a Romani in Hungary, whose community was slaughtered by the Inquisition. Sybastien seeks revenge against the leading Inquisitor, Fra. Giacomo. As Sybastien took his rest in an abandoned building, a strange visitor entered. The visitor told Sybastien he knew the young man's woes. He knew revenge burned in his heart. The visitor announced himself as Cernobog, and made Sybastien an offer: serve Cernobog, serve the Blighted Lords, help them in their struggles, and in return, Sybastien would gain power beyond imagining. Sybastien formed a pact with Cernobog. This was the formation of The Cabal. With dark magic and a black heart, Sebastien slew Giacomo. The power of the pact went far beyond mere revenge--Sybastien became a force of power. He achieved apotheosis--he became a godly being and wanders the multiverse to this day.
Let's try to unpack the symbols, fictions, and their purposes. Sybastien Drujziya has the same initials as Somnus Dreadwood. I always thought this was a sly nod to the founder of the allegorical history being connected to the real founder. The Romani in occult circles are often used as a racial shorthand for mysterious, magical, and otherworldy. Look no further than Raymond Buckland bragging about his "gypsy" heritage, and literally penning a book called Gypsy Magic. The Inquisition as an enemy feeds into The Cabal's spiritual battles with "the false light"--the Celestial menace blinding and binding humanity. Having The Cabal's prime deity be Cernobog really makes me smile. Somnus Dreadwood shows signs of being a gamer (the Tower of Cressen, when we get to it, is just a Drow D&D reimplementation). There is an existing group called The Cabal, ruled over by a Dark God named Cernobog. They're the antagonists in the 1997 video game Blood. The Maergzjiran Current pulls a lot of its flavor from fiction and gaming.
The pact made between Sybastien and Cernobog is the core turning point of the story, and the initiatory act in the Maergzjiran Current. The newly-inducted disciple is expected to make a blood pact with the Blighted Lords of Maergzjirah. That ritual marks the beginning of the initiate's path to power, just as it marks Sybastien's. Note that the pact offers more than just sorcery; there is a spiritual component. The disciple gains not just the power to defeat their own foes, but is expected to continue gaining in power, helping their Lords in their battles, until the moment of true illumination. Apotheosis.
The allegorical history of The Cabal offers a short glimpse of The Cabal's core, making pacts and working with the Blighted Lords. The history surrounds that pact with fictional characters, ancient times, and and aura of mystery and power that comes off as ungenuine and cheap. The fiction continues in the form of one Maergzjiran Tower Master, Muldegrin, taking the name Muldegrin Drujziya. A heritage of power has allure, whether fact or fiction.