About Raven & Estha

Raven and Estha, both Montana natives, came together in 2003, finding unique common interests in NeoPaganism, Wicca, Witchcraft, Occultism, and Eastern spiritual philosophies. Drawing on Estha’s training in British Traditional Wicca (and studies in Hinduism) and Raven’s training in Georgian Traditional Wicca (and studies in Buddhism), the two merged to create both a “shadow magick” tradition (or ’system’) of disciplined-eclectic Witchcraft and occult study, which was born on June 6th, 2003. Raven and Estha offer a variety of services to the public, including regular open rituals to honor seasonal shifts, both externally and internally.

Visit Estha McNevin’s MySpace page here!

Opus Aima Obscuræ

Objectives:

1) The Revival of Tribal Consciousness
    i. Awaken history
    ii. Explore all cultures
    iii. Become modern shamans
2) Achieve a Balance of Sexual & Moral Identities
    i. Make all acts of love & pleasure ritualistic devotions to the gods (incl. daily prayer and spiritual alignment)
    ii. Devote the Self to the gods with the purification of each Mark (’degree’)
    iii. Invoke/channel the gods
3) Live our Individual Wills
    i. Focus on how to give back: developing social consciousness thru community service, etc.
    ii. Organize public events to promote Pagan/occult awareness & inspire progression in others
    iii. Manifest Will with proactive magick, meditation, & mindful instigation

***NOTE: The following information pertains to the inner-circle/initiatory aspect of OAO. The Outer Court/outer circle gatherings, which are hosted by initiates, are open community events for everyone!! A link to a current ritual schedule can be found at the following WitchVox location:

www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_detail/dt_ev.html?a=usmt&id=50847

These include lunar Esbats, solar Sabbats, and particular genderized (tribal-structure) Mens’ and Womens’ ritual events based on seasonal alignments.***

Opus Aima Obscuræ (a combination of Latin & Hebrew, meaning “Work of the Great Dark Mother”) is a “disciplined-eclectic” system of shadow magick founded by Estha McNevin and Raven Digitalis. The tradition was born on June 6th, 2003, and has been growing and evolving ever since. OAO borrows from a multitude of sources (particularly Witchcraft, Hermeticism, Qabalism, chaos magick, and shamanistic methodology) but retains the idea that disciplined devotion, self-sacrifice, intense study, and self-reflection serve as extreme mechanisms for Actual Spiritual Development. OAO is a tradition focused on both Inner and Outer Work. It can be considered a Binah path, and attuned to Saturn. OAO works to benefit oneself and the community, and its ‘outer court’/public circle group has held benefit projects for nonprofit groups such as Ars Terra and Greenpeace.

     Aligning to one’s spiritual potential can be an agonizing and often sorrowful process. For æons, mystics have recognized the mental depths of objective self-searching, and the immeasurable power of humility. As humans surviving in a paradigm of constant information intake, we naturally construct barriers, walls, personas, and masks for self-preservation. Stepping into spiritual alignment, in whatever path it takes, necessarily includes an examination of these devices in order to redevelop, trust, and get to know the True Self, shrouded to some extent beneath self-constructed walls. We all know that Nothing Is As It Seems, but must extend this piece of knowledge to our own Beingness… Who are we and what are we doing Here?! No one can answer but ourSelves, and the OAO tradition is concerned with each person finding this answer for themSelves, no matter how difficult it can be. All we have is Now. Opus Aima Obscuræ’s goal is, above all things, Awareness, and the cultivation of self-responsibility. Additionally, Love and Compassion are keys to our consciousness, and serve to be the greatest guides.

     Discovering answers to life’s Great Mysteries is a lifelong process. We all exist to assist one another in our development as spiritual beings. More than a tradition in the traditional sense of the word, Opus Aima Obscuræ serves as a support system and initiatory structure for those who the path resonates with. OAO is not a cult, nor is it a fundamentalist or rigid ascetic system. Its practices and requirements may seem foreign to those who have not had exposure to multicultural spiritualism. In no way does OAO claim to be better or more advanced than other training modules, as OAO recognizes that the tradition may work as a compliment to other dedicatory systems, covens, or orders. OAO also recognizes that everyone—most certainly including the founding Priest and Priestess—have “flaws,” wounds, and spiritual hindrances that require devoted attention to heal, and that everyone on this planet is a spiritual being in the process of awakening to the Truth of Reality.

     OAO asks that Neophytes and initiates learn to prioritize spiritual progression above physical attachments and desires. A necessary step in this process is opening the Self to the universal vibration of Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. We encourage students to excel by exploring the True Self. This entails Crossing the Abyss: examining the mind, pushing the limits of “regular” modes of operation within Reality, and doing away with the heavy burden of shame/guilt/fear/etc. at the cost of comfort.

     OAO is a series of year-and-a-day “marks” rather than “degrees,” which are aligned to a number of ancient metaphysical patterns; these are revealed to the initiate who completes both his or her Neophytic year and the First Mark (entering the second), which is meant to align one as a Priest or Priestess. One obtains High Priesthood or High Priestesshood upon completion of the 10th mark, for a variety of synchronistic and spiritually-aligned reasons. Each mark is aimed at mastering a certain facet of one’s Reality. For example, during the Neophytic year, Neophytes draw a sacred, personally-attuned symbol on the tops of their hands and feet (each morning) and are expected to uphold a high number of various prayer, ritualistic, and research-oriented tasks. The first mark (following one necessary year of Neophytic training/guidance/alignment) is a tonsure: Female initiates are to shave ear-to-ear, doing away with the bangs, while Male initiates are to shave a 4-inch diameter on the crown of the head. All individuals must shave the head upon waking each day as an act of devotional Alignment, and must draw a certain sacred symbol on the area for all to see, and draw it as well on the feet. This dedication, along with other sacrifices in the system, have direct spiritual significance that allow a person to adjust their focus in Reality and expand their perceptions thereof. Further marks explore sexual magick, fasting, spiritual community service, consciousness alteration, and more.

     In-person training is mandatory; we cannot assess or guide a person as accurately as possible over the phone or via written correspondence. Neophytes must be at least 18 years of age, and initiates must be at least 21 years of age. Training does not cost money, but Neophytes (etc.) are expected to cover costs of materials personally used through the year(s). For those interested in aligning to this system, more information is available by contacting Raven or Estha. Please also note that we are not accepting sexual offenders into our system at this time. Additionally, sexual relations between those in the neophytic/initiate roles and those in the teacher/guide roles are not permitted. Do contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss personal specifics; we are happy to answer any questions, and we thank you for reading about Opus Aima Obscuræ!

***NOTE: The following line, which we feel summarizes an aspect of our approach, is taken from Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone’s Coven statement. For those seeking online training (which is, again, not 101), we would like to refer you to Janet & Gavin’s Progressive Magic 7-month online course (which is different from their Coven and Coven Statement, from which this quote originates) … “We do not actively seek members. Becoming a member of the coven is a lengthy process and not for those who are not willing to dedicate themselves completely to divinity and the process of learning - we turn away more than we take on - and it may take several years before being accepted as a member. Coven standards are high and we do not take beginners, only those with at least a basic understanding of what witchcraft and paganism is.”

There Is No Part Of You That Is Not Of The Gods;
Attain Perfection Through Diligence;
Every Man And Every Woman Is A Star, *

~OakRaven & Estha McNevin~