Carnal Alchemy: Sado-Magical Techniques for Pleasure, Pain, and Self-Transformation

by Stephen E. Flowers, Crystal Dawn Flowers

BDSM sexuality as a powerful tool for self-transformation and the realization of magical and spiritual aims

• Details how to combine the 6 major types of S&M stimulation with sexual stimulation for magical and transformative purposes

• Explores sado-magical workings from both submissive and dominant perspectives

• Traces the roots of the BDSM tradition from ancient pagan and shamanic rituals to historical figures such as the Marquis de Sade, Aleister Crowley, and Anton LaVey

Sex magic allows us to tap in to the most abundant power source available: sexual energy. Magicians, shamans, and fakirs throughout history have used physical stimulation and ritual to harness sexual energy, unlock inner states of consciousness, and activate the ability to influence their surroundings. While pleasure is often the focus of this stimulation, pain is just as effective, if not more so.

Combining both pleasure and pain, the sadomasochistic practice of Carnal Alchemy offers a powerful tool for self-transformation and the realization of magical and spiritual aims. Authors Stephen and Crystal Dawn Flowers explain the sado-magical workings of Carnal Alchemy from both the perspective of the submissive partner as well as the dominant. They detail the 6 major techniques of sadomasochistic stimulation--bondage, flagellation, piercing, penetration, clamping, and heat/cold--and how they can be combined with sexual stimulation for magical purposes. They trace the roots of the BDSM tradition in ancient pagan rites of passage, in indigenous shamanic rituals, and through historical figures who used this form of sexuality in their magic and philosophy, from the Marquis de Sade to more modern exemplars such as Aleister Crowley, Ernst Schertel, and Anton LaVey.

This guide also covers specialized furniture and tools and the decor of “the Chamber” to trigger states of consciousness in which the Sado-Magician can effectively express his or her will.

Genres: Sexuality, Magick, Witchcraft, Magic, BDSM, Nonfiction, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

American Runologist and proponent of occultism and Germanic mysticism.

Flowers is an advocate of "Esoteric Runology" or "Odinism", an occultist version of Germanic Neopaganism

Flowers has graduated in Germanic and Celtic philology.

Reviews

[Eleña Horvitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, comprehensive overview of BDSM and its integral link with spirituality for the newcomer to the subject. The topics are well-organized and I highly appreciate the plethora of other resources provided at the end for those readers who found themselves pleased with this book but left intrigued and craving more knowledge about the D/S history, lifestyle and possibilities.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

S&M, sex magic, and occultism, oh my!

[Gurudjieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The typical alchemist transforms his inner Self through the transformation of metals. The sexual alchemist does the same through the use of flesh. Sado-masochism has two aspects necessary for the "solve et coagula": the use of extreme opposites (dominant-submissive, pleasure-pain, pride-humiliation..) and symbolism. Both aspects are found in every initiatory system, spiritual or otherwise. "No pain no gain" is the shared mentality of ascetics, elite warriors, athletes and "carnal alchemists". The end goal is always self transformation, achieved by dissolving the Self and then reconstructing it to a stronger or more enlightened whole. Archetypically, the dominant assumes the role of a God/Goddess while the submissive becomes the Nature or Power being shaped. The exchange of energy allows both participants to experience the unity of extreme opposites that have been externalized but in fact reside within them. Of course, this isn't limited to sado-masochism. Vanilla sex can also be magically potent through the unity of masculine and feminine energy. But sado-masochism has a greater variety of approaches and levels of intensity, change of roles etc.. which makes it more magically potent.

Apart from the fun perversion aspect of it, I am sceptical of sado-masochism as a method of spiritual transcendence, despite the apparent symbolism and decent historical background of some practices within genuine initiatory organizations. The ordinary person will always be pulled downward by the flesh through pleasure. I don't think that mixing pain with sexual pleasure will lead to transcendence, it will just subvert the pain and act as a tranquilizer. Because if pain alone is present, without pleasure, the spirit has to find ways to counteract it from its own resources, and that is how it grows in strength. If both pain and pleasure come from an external source simultaneously, that's just more sensual stimuli for it to absorb and it negates the purpose of the pain. I'm not 100% sure that's true though, but it seems more logical to me.

Stay hard!

[Elīna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting read. It delves into sexual power and magic that it creates, explores the darkest corners of human fantasies and explains how freeing and amazing BDSM could be if you do it right.
The problem is that we all live in a judgmental, uptight society, but if you really want to be free fuck them all and follow your path.

[Mik Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for someone just getting started, I just wish it went more in depht. There are a few repetitions that after a bit get a bit annoying but beside that, I appreciated everything about it. It even contains a small history section

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

first heard about this book from a fellow kinkster during a book club meeting, and was immediately interested. The book is titled "Carnal Alchemy: Sado-magical techniques for pleasure, pain, and self transformation" by Dr. Stephen Flowers. It was first published in 2011 by an author that has a strong background in other books pertaining to magic and ritual which I feel lends a unique perspective.

Flowers defines magic as the art of causing changes to occur in conformity with one's will. According to Flowers, sex is one of the most powerful energies you can work with for obtaining any magical goal, and the best way to power up that energy source is to be your kinkiest, most sexually aroused self. Taboo and transformative power of roleplaying also add spicy layers to your work, like the sour cream on some sexy magical nachos.
Even the most analytical kinksters I've been around have often referred to dynamics as "energy exchanges," so even if you may not necessarily relate to some of the magical references, there is still merit to the theme.
My favorite chapters in the book were the ones explaining the history of sex magic.
Did you know that early pagans used birch whips to hit one another during rites because the feminine qualities associated with birch trees was thought to drive out weakness and negative energy? This was later co-opted by the Christians (of course) in rituals to drive out devils. Whips evolved as tools to banish weakness and illness as well as strengthen positive natural forces. There was an entire religious sect in 17th century Russia known as the "Khlysts" or "Russian whippers" who centered flagellation in religious practices.

There's also quite a bit of history around sensory depravation and bondage as conducive to visions and other altered mental states. I can't say I've experienced this for myself, but it's something I've personally witnessed multiple times, and I never get used to it. One moment the bottom is their usual selves, the next moment they're in a completely different space. It’s incredibly powerful, and it's also an ancient part of humanity.
Dr. Flowers does a good job of going over prominent figures in the history of modern sex magic. I was aware of Sacher-Masoch, De Sade, and Crowley but also learned of new figures such as Theresa Berkley, Ito Seiyu, Oniroku Dan and Maria de Naglowska, founder of the golden arrow in 1930s Paris and an influence to Jean Paulhan (the story of O) and George Bataille (The Eye). These are some names to get you started should you decide to go down a rabbit hole to learn more about the history of sex magic.
I also enjoyed how equitably all parties are portrayed throughout the book. While both the top and bottom are equally important participants, the sadist is the magician, and the sub the source of all power (did you know? You’re not a bottom, you’re a battery!). Sadists are artists and masochists the canvas. Kinky toys, role play personas and red lit rooms are all mediums the sadist “paints” with. I fully relate to that analogy.
The remaining chapters hold some level of charm as they mention some basics of how to be kinky. Pragmatism should not distract you from your sexy magic goals, And Dr. Flowers certainly didn’t let it distract him in the final chapters of the book. He did get a few basics down though, such as don’t leave your bottom tied up.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read, it can certainly get heady and pretentious at points but I would highly recommend it as a thought-provoking addition to your kinky library.

[Shaun Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carnal Alchemy (2nd ed.) is, at it's core, polite BDSM and sex magic 101. I've really enjoyed Flowers' work overall and this certainly has merits. It seems mostly in place to document the existence of his group, the Order of the Triskelion. He provides a brief history of the influences that led to this and a solid overlay for how sadean sex can be ritualized for alchemical change. The theory is strong, though the final key was added as an after thought in the appendix. This book is a good starting point if you prefer to keep your rituals in the bedroom.

[Mapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A giod book about BDSM written from occultic point of view. Has a short overview about history of sadism/masocism, the mindsets of the archetypal participants and the common methodologies.

For me there wasn't much novelty on this book, outside of the occultism part. I found it somewhat compact, but contentful. If this was my first "deeper" touch to BDSM it might have provoked some new ideas.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written with cisheteronormativity and a bit dogmatic, I really liked the overall format of the book with history, theory, and practical how-to. I especially liked the theoretical framework of BDSM within witchcraft.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burrowing this book from a close friend of mine. I enjoyed the book it's pretty
much covers the basics & is a quick read.