The Universe is a machine for the making of gods..
Henri Bergson
The Dark is interested in utilizing tools that promote the interests of the seeker. Many times you will see that much of the information in regards to their paths deal with a Satanistic outlook, Chaos magics, Demonology, and other shocking or attempted to be shocking visuals and terminology.
Not that I give these things no credence, in that there are many practices I will endorse whole heartedly in regards to pursuing this often controversial system of Spirituality. There is a step that I feel needs to be taken first before one starts venturing into the metaphysical side of things however. This is to say that one should first have a capability in a grounded physical reality before trying to work with spiritual elemental aspects.
What good is attempting to conjure demons or other unearthly beings when you haven't the ability to sustain your eating needs every day? What good is making curses and hexes for those that oppose you if you haven't anywhere to sleep but the street? What good is knowing astrology, numerology, tarot, the Greater Futhark, the I-Ching, or anything else of the occult if you cannot speak and communicate in a way that people can understand and relate to?
Before one is capable of traversing these other realms one must be capable of taking care of themselves in the ways that are most important. When one starts taking short cuts towards more power they weaken the very foundation that supports them. The Dark having no benefit of majority support must work at strengthening this foundation if ever they wish to achieve self Godhood.
Each Dark Pather ought to build this foundation through the traits and skills they are best at using but to me there is still a rough outlook for what I see as necessary. The best Pathers that have the best chance at achieving success all share certain traits.
Good Education:
Seekers ought to be able to read and write well. These things are keys to expression. Without expression you will not be thought of in any manner of your choosing all that effectively, that is unless of course you want to be thought of as an unschooled bumpkin I see no plusses for advancement for that in the long run though.. You should have a basic understanding of Psychology in order to understand better what people are thinking and how they might react to any given situation or stimuli. The general courses given at a university are all great to have even if you don't foresee yourself finishing higher education.
Physical Fitness:
I will admit I am a gym junkie. I train hard if not harder than most. I dedicate myself to physical exertion that goes beyond average health. I see no need for that however for everyone. I do feel however that good health is necessary. Those that take care of themselves not only look better but they will feel better about themselves as well. Health and Ego are interrelated. Health brings higher self esteem to individuals and it brings a confidence out. Who would you rather talk to, a person that is afraid of how everyone perceives them and because of that they have no definitive answers or comments, or one that has a confidence in bearing and approach and speaks with authority?
Personality
My personality often comes across as pompous, egotistical, overbearing, cynical, and a coldly calloused individual. In every sense I am aware of this. Often I play up certain attributes that were mentioned because I find going to the extreme with them can often be amusing. Those that get to know me will see this as it for the most part is as intended, as a joke. They will play into it with an amusement of their own. The point is I am aware of how I come across. I calculate that into my associations. I also however have a confidence to back my claims that I make. I can provide examples to source my capability.
Others will have a completely different persona that they use but they should understand how they come across. They should also be able to change if it isn't helping them. A Dark pather should be able to merge and adapt to the situations they are in. This means that they must be open to new ideas and capable of change. Stagnation means in the long run to defeat.
Spirituality
The main tenet of the Dark is Self Godhood. Whether this is through an atheistic standpoint that there is no god or being greater than oneself or through my interpretation of reaching to the level of a God through my own practices, each path in my opinion carries it's own spirituality. I think that every pather should be well versed in what they believe and able to communicate that to other people. This should be able to be done through discussions, debates, and even in some sense defense against persecution. I feel only through these areas that a more full understanding can be found.
There are other areas or at least these areas can be broken down more but notice where I put spirituality. I maintain that I find it secondary to the other traits listed before it.
