The occult technology of power is a concept that explores the underlying mechanisms and methods by which individuals and groups exert control and influence over others. It delves into the hidden aspects of power dynamics, uncovering the esoteric and often manipulative techniques used to maintain dominance. One aspect of the occult technology of power is the understanding and manipulation of symbolism. Symbols hold immense power over the human psyche, and those who can effectively use and control symbols can influence the thoughts, beliefs, and actions of others. This can be seen in the use of symbols by religious and political leaders, as well as in advertising and propaganda campaigns. Another facet of this occult technology is the utilization of ritual and ceremony.
Another facet of this occult technology is the utilization of ritual and ceremony. Rituals are symbolic acts that create a sense of collective identity and purpose, allowing individuals and groups to align themselves with a specific intention or goal. By carefully designing and orchestrating rituals, those in power can establish a sense of authority and establish control over the participants.
Is My Hero a White Savior?
I’m currently writing a story where the main character is an elf princess who flees the evil elven empire to warn the orcs of an impending invasion. The elven empire has a long history of imperialism and attacks against their peaceful orcish neighbours. Orcs also work as servants in the palace the MC grew up in.
Now, I want to avoid racist pitfalls and also avoid making this a parallel for a white-saviour story, even though the elf princess and her mother are dark-skinned. So far what I’ve done in hopes of avoiding harmful messages is a) have it set on a different world with no humans or real-world races or countries b) make it clear that skin tones vary within the elven population and elite (i.e., not all imperialists are Black) c) have the MC merely warn the orcs of the attack and not participate in any actual fighting to drive the attackers off (she’s underage, under suspicion, and untrained so this makes sense). She also goes to find a known rebellious orc servant as her first ally to help her flee the palace. (In an earlier version, she just recruits her personal maid which I changed because it came across as too selfish and not that smart.)
I hope my concept is not sending harmful messages, but I’m still worried. Should I not make my main character an elf at all? Or can I make it work, possibly even include some lessons readers can take away about how to leverage privilege for good?
Bellis
Based on what you’ve told me, I don’t think you’ll have a white saviorism issue. However, it’ll still be a story about oppression with a privileged main character. Since your story is not on Earth and you’re going out of your way to avoid parallels between your fantasy groups and real races, it’s not a huge problem. But it’s also not ideal.
For one thing, it may feel like your protagonist isn’t at the center of the problems of the story, and it should be about an orc instead. For another, while it’s an analogy, it’s still possible some readers may feel it’s still making oppressed characters work in service to a privileged character and be uncomfortable with it.
Here’s some options for making this better:
- First, you could use two viewpoints – one from your elf princess, one from a rebellious orc servant who teams up with her. This would allow you to have both a privileged and marginalized main character. As you probably know, I’m not a big fan of multiple viewpoints, but if the two characters mostly stick together instead of being far away, it should be fine. It does still risk making it feel like the story should be entirely about the orc. However, if you want to focus on how to leverage privilege for good, putting that passion into the elf character should help balance things without making it feel like the story is all about the privileged experience.
- Second, you could give the elf her own mark of oppression that’s a big deal in the setting. That way she can learn to deal with both the oppression she faces and the privilege she wields. If she ends up with an orc friend, they can both learn from each other how to use the privileges they have to help. Keep in mind that any mark of oppression you give her that feels plausible is also likely to feel analogous to a type of real-world oppression, just like the elf and orc conflict is analogous to racism, even if it’s not analogous to the oppression of a specific race. Ask yourself if her mark of oppression feels like a disability, and, if so, make sure it’s represented appropriately.
- Finally, if covering oppression is more trouble than it’s worth to you, a few changes to your setting could make this a conflict between two groups of relatively equal power. Take away the orc servants and say your rebellious orc character is an ambassador from the orc kingdom instead. The orcs have always been good neighbors. They have a long history of peace, so while they are fairly prosperous, their military is small. The new elf monarch has imperial aspirations and wants to launch a surprise invasion on their longtime neighbor and ally, using the big army the elves assembled to fight off a previous dwarven attack.
I hope that gives you some idea of what you’d like to do with this story.
Keep the answer engine fueled by becoming a patron today. Want to ask something? Submit your question here.
[15] Hugo, Victor. Les Misérables. San Diego: Canterbury Classics, 2012.
Language also plays a crucial role in the occult technology of power. The manipulation of language and the narratives we tell ourselves can shape our perception of reality and influence our actions. Those who control the dominant narratives can control the collective consciousness and, consequently, the direction of society. Furthermore, the occult technology of power involves the cultivation of hidden knowledge and secrets. Those who possess esoteric knowledge have an advantage over others, as they can use this information to gain leverage and maintain control. This can be seen in secret societies and organizations that guard their knowledge and only share it with select individuals. The occult technology of power also encompasses the understanding and use of psychology and mind control techniques. By understanding how the human mind works and exploiting its vulnerabilities, those in power can manipulate and influence individuals on both conscious and subconscious levels. This can be done through techniques such as propaganda, hypnosis, and psychological manipulation. Overall, the occult technology of power delves into the hidden and often manipulative methods used by individuals and groups to maintain control and influence over others. By exploring the power of symbols, rituals, language, knowledge, and psychology, one can gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms at play in the quest for power and control..
Reviews for "Becoming the Master: Discovering the Occult Technology of Power"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "The Occult Technology of Power". The book seemed to promise profound insights into the occult and personal power, but it ultimately fell flat. The author's writing style was convoluted and difficult to follow, making it hard to grasp the concepts he was trying to convey. Additionally, the book was filled with unsupported claims and vague instructions, leaving me feeling skeptical and confused. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine knowledge in the occult.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
"The Occult Technology of Power" was a complete waste of time for me. I expected to gain a deeper understanding of occult practices and how they could be applied in my own life, but instead, I found the book to be nothing more than a collection of empty promises. The author relied too heavily on pseudoscience and unreliable sources, which made it impossible for me to take anything he said seriously. Save your time and money and choose a different book on the subject.
3. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars
I was hoping "The Occult Technology of Power" would offer practical guidance on harnessing personal power through occult practices, but I was sorely disappointed. The book's content lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights or techniques. The author frequently made sweeping generalizations and assumptions without offering any substantial evidence. Overall, I found the book to be lacking substance and would not recommend it to anyone seeking practical occult knowledge.