Tuesday, January 24th, 2006 6:20pm PST

Corporations: Demons for a New Age

            In the following article, I will attempt to make the case that corporate entities can be defined as man-made demons. Or, in other words, entities created through the enactment of Black Magick. To understand what this means, many definitions will be required.

            First off, what is a Corporation, or Corporate entity? The word derives from the Latin “corpus” (body), representing a “body of people”; that is, a group of people authorized to act as an individual (Oxford English Dictionary). Under United States law, a Corporation is recognized as a person, and is thus granted rights by the fourteenth amendement of the U.S. Constitution. Most specifically: “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”. Meaning, any corporate entity is entitled due process of law and in the case of a Corporation’s “liquidation”; the capital is not seized, but instead handed over to its shareholders. Through the clause of limited liability, no shareholder can be held responsible for the actions of the Corporation. This is a sweet deal for shareholders; the Corporation can do whatever in its power to raise capital and if said Corporation is liquidated for whatever reason (say, breaking laws), the money made goes right back to the shareholders. You can liken the situation to a group of kids going around stealing candy from any kids too small or weak to defend themselves, and when the gang is caught, blame is put upon an imaginary friend. The imaginary friend is punished, and the culprits get to keep their “well-earned” candy. Though this allegory doesn’t precisely model the actions of Corporations, it is still close to what function the Corporation holds.

            What about this word, demon? The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the etymology of the word to the Greek daimon, probably from the verb daiesthai meaning "to divide, distribute”. The word has its roots with that of daeva, a demi-god, angelic entity, spirit, or otherwise supernatural being. To Christian thought, a demon is a fallen angel forced to live on the Earthly plane for their misdeeds, most notably consorting with humanity and bearing children (these demons are referred to as “nephilim” or “fallen ones” in Genesis and the Book of Enoch).

Example of a Sigil

            Generally a demon is seen as a spirit which does, conspires, or provocates bad or evil deeds. In modern occultism (or “magick”), a demon can be “created” through the drawing of a “sigil”. The idea of a sigil – coined by the artist and occultist Austin Osman Spare – is to create a glyph comprised of various symbols or concepts that carry intent and iconic meaning, then focused upon to bring about the sigil’s intent to physical reality. The word sigil comes from the Latin “sigilum” or seal.
            In the “Ars Goetia” (or: Art of Witchcraft) of the Lesser Key of Solomon – an alleged ancient Grimoire created by Solomon the king – 72 seals are presented as representations of the 72 infernal spirits, or demons. To focus upon the seal and call out

Seal of Asmoday (AKA: Asmodeus)

            So, what does this have to do with Corporations? Well, let’s take a look at the facts. A Corporation is legally considered a person or legal entity (a demon may not be recognized by law, but can be classified as a type of imaginary entity). A Corporation, like a demon, also has a “seal” or “logo” (keep in mind the etymology of “sigilum” is related to “signum” or sign, another term for logo) that represents the entity and its qualities.

AOL's logo next to the "all-seeing eye".

A demon performs bad, evil, or “black” deeds. So, if we are to consider the use of seals and conjuring immaterial entities as a form of Magick, then the use of a Corporation to seek out capital or other goals other than that of “attainment” is a form of “Black Magick”. Demons typically ask for some sort of sacrifice or offering in exchange for their services (which can be disproportionate against the conjurer spiritually), as Corporations do. Demons often possess their hosts and like to persuade them to do their bidding… I dare you to find a corporate recruitment meeting that doesn’t include the desire for the prospective employee to “be” or have the qualities of “X” Corporation. Not only that, but there are far too many instances where an employee is forced to perform a task which is morally or legally corrupt which mirrors the persuasion of demonic spirits. Given this evidence, one can only infer that a Corporation is more or less a demon by its nature.

Walmart's logo; note the pentagram in the center.

            It is now somewhat well-known that many CEOs and wealthy Industrialists attend the illustrious Bohemian Grove retreat in Northern California to perform in Magick rituals and take part in unseemly behavior. It should then come as no surprise that Corporations have similarities with that of magick, for the heads and owners of these companies are regular practitioners of magick! Nor should those similarities be passed off as coincidence for precisely that reason.

            Now that it I’ve classified Corporations with the company of demons and otherwise unsavory spirits, what are the ramifications for such a definition? For a Christian (or a member of any other formally recognized religion for that matter), the idea of consorting or making deals with demons is unthinkable. Yet there is a strain of rhetoric that makes certain Corporations out to be good “Christian” companies. Even Neopagan and other “New Age” or “occult” followers should find fault with making deals with demons. Afterall, it is in their communities that this distinction between “Magick” and “Black Magick” is found, though is absent in Christian thought. Devout atheists also must have a problem with this. After all, would an atheist walk into a church and put his or her hard-earned money in the collection plate? You’d be hard pressed to find one.
            There are many reasons to boycott Corporations. With their total disrespect for the environment and laws, use of slave labor, and utter lack of ethical fiber; there shouldn’t be any second thoughts when it comes to refusing a Corporation your business. But now, there are reasons which are purely spiritual. Could this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and create the atmosphere which will destroy the stranglehold Corporations have on the world? Or will the public’s addiction to materialism and the corporate structure of society keep Corporations and their shareholders at the top of the pyramid? Perhaps it’s foolish of me to ask myself questions which I can’t answer. Perhaps it was foolish to even bother writing this piece. It was my own selfish and deep seated hatred of Corporations that drove me to do this. Perhaps I too, am a sorcerer.