Elitism and Secrecy.

There has been a nice discussion about elitism in a group. People brought their opinions, shared some opinions, and I decided to write about it.

Definitions of elitism
1 : leadership or rule by an elite
2 : the selectivity of the elite; especially : snobbery elitism in choosing new members
3 : consciousness of being or belonging to an elite
4. The belief that one's social group is superior to another group. elitist
5 .the belief or attitude that individuals who form an elite — a select group of people with a certain ancestry, intrinsic quality, high intellect, wealth, special skills, or experience — are more likely to be constructive to society as a whole, and therefore deserve influence or authority greater than that of others.

Since the definition of elitism can relate to being arrogant and snobbish, that is the idea that people get when they see that something seems to be elitist. However we can expand our ideas.

Elitism is usually seen as something negative, a subject that tends to use segregation to create closed groups, mostly based on ego sometimes. However, many people tend to confuse secrecy with elitism.
It has been seen in history that occult and secretive Orders have oaths of secrecy, keeping their sacred and valuable teachings only accessible to their inner circle. It is not even necessary to go deep into explaining why, because we can understand that real knowledge is not understood by those who are not prepared for it. Is this an elitist way of thinking? Yes.

It tends to be a natural selection. We can use simple examples. Can you discuss vampirism with regular friends around you? Family? Occult related subjects are easy to be brought up in a conversation?

What I see is that even among open-minded people, and occultists, some subjects are like taboos.  A biased opinion appears. So we become more selective about who we talk to, what we talk about.
It is also a matter of levels of understanding, and similarities in the way of thinking. It is not a  benefit trying to discuss vampirism the way we see, with a person that sees it completely different from our understanding.

It becomes completely useless to try to make others see what you see, when the practices, beliefs, thoughts, alignments are different.
A healthy discussion can appear, a nice talk maybe, but we know, that deep inside, some of us become elitist. Not an ego-based elitism, but a different one.

Groups, orders, covens, houses, clans will be based on those who share similar views. Even groups that declare to be open, and welcome everybody, someday, depending on this or that issue, will select, separate in smaller groups, levels...

There is a natural elitism, and we cannot deny it. But as I said, there is the "negative" one, based on ego, and "I am better than you", and there is a different kind of elitism, that may even have this idea of "better/superior" but in a different level. It is like when you observe mundane people, the mass, the "sheep" that is simply surviving and you see that you are different...

You become more selective as time passes, in my opinion, especially in the way you behave. Sometimes you see arguments and instead of jumping in, you just think... "it is not worth it"...
Criticism about secrecy and elitism have always existed, but nowadays it became even worse. It is a generation where everything has to be given immediately, easy, spoon fed.  "I want to know, and I want it now. " "Who do they think they are to not talk to me?" "I am very important, I demand to have a membership and access."

It is a generation that does not know respect, does not recognize patience. One that gets tired of things very quickly. That does not even know why they want something, but they do, as collectors of things, just to say "I have it, I own a title, I have something else to add to my list" But like a spoiled kid, once achieving something, getting it, becomes bored and goes after something else.

Or something funny happens, the pursuit of being part of something, becoming something in that group, but having it denied, he becomes a hater. Like a rejected lover. In the beginning, he worships his beloved one, and having his attempts ignored, he spreads all kinds of horrible things about the ex-target of his love.

Secrecy brings this sense of being elitist. But, wouldn`t it be a necessary elitism, then?

I believe many people and groups are accused of being elitists, and one of them is Aset Ka and Asetianists.
There is a peculiarity about Asetianism that uses the word "elitism" a lot, but most of the times it is misunderstood. Below there is a small excerpt from the Introduction of Words in Silence , in Violet Throne. (link with full introduction at the reference part, in the end of the post.)

" In our modern day and age, with the development of technology and the deceiving sense of empowerment that easy access to information and varying degrees of knowledge provides, many have criticized the Aset Ka for its secrecy and detachment. Often described as elitism and arrogance, such views spawn from the lack of understanding of what drives, enforces and empowers our signature silence and oaths of secrecy. As the author of several Asetian books and teachings I nurture no interest whatsoever in fame and recognition finding no value in such vain desires. My achievements are held to much higher standards and they are bound to the conquering of growth, wisdom and enlightment. Those victories are not at the reach of fame and ego, being only sung in the hymns of those who battle in silence, hence conquering the greater fortunes of all. Such uncommon commitment for a high standard and determination in figthing the recurring battle of perfecting your inner and outer arts may be understood as elitism, and under this mindset every Asetian is a proud elitist at heart. This is especially evident in what concerns the mysteries of magick and spirit, as our path can never be explored and understood when approached with the same mind that would seek, study and praise the work of mere dabblers or the mirrors of commercial occultism without a profound sustenance of truth. That is not the way of the Asetians as such a road is not the path of the warrior."

"Asetian secrecy is not here to please anyone and will remain strong and unbroken despite criticism, but if any genuine seeker finds the secretive nature of our knowledge and the intricate access to our teachings a negative sign of its value, then I am only left to wonder what real wisdom such a person has ever held contact with beyond the grasp of popular magick and basic metaphysics, as every true power fueled by occult knowledge is bound to oaths of secrecy, the art of initiation and vows of responsibility. That is how it has always been on the road to occult science and the way of magick enforced by every mystery school since the dawn of civilization and so it remaisn today. Believing otherwise is folly. Those seeking easy answers and quick lessons will never accept this but such minds have no place on tha path of the wise. "

-Luis Marques


Occultism, vampirism, witchcraft.... lots of things have always been surrounded by secrecy. It is funny that the ones outside claim "They are elitists, they did not accept me", but once they are accepted some feel they are now part of that elite and say: "shut the doors, do not allow others in, we are the royal ones".
Elitism can be seen as arrogance, and it can really have this energy, when ego based. It can be seen as arrogance, but it may not be, but be interpreted this way by who is outside the situation.

Elitism can be seen as segregation, or it can be seen as a way of being more selective.
There are many ways of seeing and interpreting elitism, from the point of view of who is being elitist and why, and from the point of view of those observing it.

For me, it is natural that a selection happens, But it is a natural thing, it will divide people into groups, and these groups will have their own way of thinking, behaving. When it is about the knowledge and protecting, evolving it is good. It only becomes bad when it is used to harm the others, or to fulfill ego, like displaying a membership tag of a high level inside an Order, or to shout out loud a title.

I am sure that each of you, who belong to Traditional Orders know what I am talking about when I mention the oaths of secrecy. And also those who are part of groups, houses that may have your own rules, regulations, and oaths. You would not be sharing what you practice with just anyone, you would not be accepting just anyone that comes wanting to know all the secrets possible.

You would not simply invite anyone to a fancy dinner at your house with your boss, the directors of the company, for example. Just imagine that crazy friend that always says bad jokes, is impolite and whose "level" of culture would not be a good one to carry a conversation with people around? It is an elitist behavior, but... a necessary one.

We can and should interact with anyone, of all different levels of culture or education. Be respectful, talk to a bus driver using the same politeness we use to talk to our boss. We ay, however use different words and ways of expressing ourselves. And this is not being elitist. Elitism here would be not even talking to others, or diminishing them.
We also need to remember that, we may know a bit more than some people, but there will always be those who know more things about some subjects than us.

So sometimes mixing things is positive in the way that interaction brings a lot of learning through the exchange of different ideas, but, there are things that will be better kept inside the ones that ... are the same.
Smaller groups can be created, with more specific subjects, while others can be more inclusive.

Either way, it is a matter of choice, in how you are going to interact with others and share what you know.

"not casting pearls to swine...."


References: 

* Words in Silence ~ Violet Throne , Luis Marques - Aset Ka.
full introduction can be read at the preview button on the page http://www.asetka.org/Words.shtml

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitism
* https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elitism
* https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=elitism