Mandragora - Traditionsskapande inom den mörkermagiska orden Mandragora Nox i skuggan av splittringen från Dragon Rouge

Abstract

Abstract: This study is about Mandragora Nox, a Swedish Left-Hand Path order which founding is linked to a schism within the largest Swedish Left-Hand Path group Dragon Rouge. In this thesis, light is shed upon aspects such as legitimacy, invention of tradition, magical transmission and proclaims of an authentic tradition. Through qualitative interviews and participant observation my aim was to understand how Mandragora Nox, as a splinter group, construct and create its own tradition and direction. What elements (myths, symbols etc.) are they searching for? How do they legitimate themselves and and how are they using some of these elements in practical rituals? Different ways were found, but the primary aspect was the magical development of the mythical mandragora (mandrake) as the orders main symbol. As they assign to the mandragora, they also identifies themselves as an individual order. Like other esoteric groups, when establishing a new specific practice or idea, Mandragora Nox has to legitimate it. One of my conclusions is that this mainly is happening through, what Olav Hammer is calling: “the appeal to tradition”.