Grimoire Umbrio
The Book of Shadows
◀ Dirge 20 · Dirge 21 · Dirge 22 ▶

¹When man was formed and set upon Oærth, both Brothers poured into him gifts — each sacred, each eternal.
²From ADONAI came the law, the order of stars, and the tongues of the Seraphim.
³From SATANAS came fire, the hunger for truth, and the strength to shape the clay.
Together, these gifts were meant to be held in balance — a crown not split, but forged in twin metal.
And for a time, man walked with the knowledge that both hands had touched him in love.
But the years grew long, and the memory of the twin gifts faded like breath upon stone.
Now men say: This came from above; and name it holy — but forget the hand below that lit the forge.
Others say: This is cursed; and cast it out, though it was given in flame and mercy.
The songs men sing recall the stars, but not the fire; they praise the Word, but forget the Voice beneath.
¹⁰What is music if it knows not its harmony? What is strength if it knows not its origin?
¹¹They build temples to light and name all else shadow, never knowing that shadow too was gift.
¹²And the wise are called fools, and the daring are made heretics, for they remember the twin origin.
¹³SATANAS gave not only power, but will; ADONAI gave not only guidance, but grace.
¹⁴Yet man divides that which was never meant to be sundered, and forgets that he was made by more than one hand.
¹⁵The Dæmons weep not for ingratitude, but for erasure — for the silence that now covers their love.
¹⁶Let the day come when the gifts are named rightly, and thanks is given to both Thrones.
¹⁷Until then, we mourn — for the shared gifts are forgotten, and only half the truth is sung.
¹⁸And a crown once bright in balance now tilts in ignorance.


Copyright ©2025 Adam Alexander T. Croke. All rights reserved.