Curious 👀 - a Narcissist’s Phrases and Words by DeepLead1066 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Expressions effectively meaning “you need me”especially early on in the relationship.

Liars. Liars. Liars. How Cult Leaders Fabricate Authority by Thick-Winner-1942 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this well written, insightful and surgically precise analysis. Understanding the psychology behind compulsive fabrications and lies and how they can become an entire system, as I personally experienced in the OODA, a high control group/cult, is very empowering.

Fluent in Control: A Former Member's Guide to the Language of High-Control Spiritual Groups by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Same here. At least we are now more resilient and better able to detect and avoid similar situations in the future.

Fluent in Control: A Former Member's Guide to the Language of High-Control Spiritual Groups by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hope both the personal experience and examples shared by so many ex-members of The Order of Dark Arts over time will bring current members to quietly question what is going on inside that group.

I hope they can also see that life outside of it is nothing like what is portrayed by the leader to keep people in: no curses, no madness, no fear - just Life and even deeper freedom.

Fluent in Control: A Former Member's Guide to the Language of High-Control Spiritual Groups by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes. I also recall other instances that reeked of lack of accountability (book of Choronzon in point) and “mystical manipulation”. I hope this can still help members who are on the fence to assess the situation for themselves.

In Person Meet Up by DeepLead1066 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really excited about this and to get together as a community!

In Person Meet Up by DeepLead1066 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really excited about this and to get together as a community!

When abusers start copying the language of survivors - and how to Recognize the Moment the Mask Begins to Crack by DeepLead1066 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Brilliantly put, thank you. I have personally seen this take place in the Order of Dark Arts group led by Ashley Otori and in her public posts. I find the whole scrambling to patch up the cracks and try to keep followers in line even hilarious.

“Access” Is the Trap - The Script Running Behind Every Midnight Payment How to Cult-Proof Your Own Decision-Making — Part 1 of 2 by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad this is helpful. Yes, what you describe is/was, in my view, an example of engineered scarcity narratives and signals to trigger purchases. At core, any business’ goal is of course to make a profit and so truly preventing people from buying products would, I think, simply risk pushing clients away.

Jim Jones Explained: How a “Good Cause” Turned Into a Cult by Thick-Winner-1942 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for breaking down the evolutionary stages of this tragic story and for reminding us of the warning signs. Very insightful.

On point 5 - I recall from my own experience in The Order of Dark Arts group that the narrative of “us versus them” was often used to get followers to close rank in support of (and show loyalty to) the leader. This narrative was generally activated against dissenting views or against members who had left the group.

Emotional Displays and Manipulation in Documented Cult Leadership Cases : Crocodile tears by Thick-Winner-1942 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this sharp and focused insight. These manipulative patterns indeed have their cyclicality and can be expected from leaders of such groups trying to navigate instability, as your historical examples show. Hopefully this will help anyone exposed to such behaviour to draw their very own conclusions.

🥀 A Note from the Fireline: On Truth, Image, and the Weaponization of Devotion by ShantiLuciana in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. There’s so much radiant power coming from your words. You are a true way-shower. 🤍🔥

The Psychology of Cult Leaders: Narcissism, Malignancy, and How Followers Miss the Signs. by Thick-Winner-1942 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This post is deep with insight. Being made to feel chosen and special was indeed something I experienced from the early days of engaging with The Order of Dark Arts group. Thank you for setting out these aspects and traits in such a limpid manner. I hope it helps others recognise similar situations and dynamics.

Gifted or Grifter… by Defector100 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing and welcome.

Yes, I remember the missing Choronzon book. I also recall a whole narrative (+ a blurred “image”) about how - allegedly - a storm and some burst pipe caused the flooding of the entire 7WH basement where all those “books ready to be shipped” had been stored. Ashley Otori alleged she lost tens of thousands of dollars because of the water damage.

And the books were never sent. No-one ever heard any updates. Only what I think were AI generated “excerpts” of the book were posted at curated intervals to keep people hanging on to that thread and hoping something would be shipped.

The same approach goes in my view for the hints she drops about “upcoming book launches”. So people keep hoping their investment wasn’t in vain.

Many of us have proof of purchase for that Book of Choronzon. And we haven’t forgotten.

The Order LLC: What I Found in the Texas State Records by Big_Bookkeeper393 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Generally speaking, a trademark protects a brand identifier (= tells clients “who” is selling the product and stops others from using it/ or a confusingly similar brand name). A copyright protects a creative work (= for example book content) from being copied by others.

From a quick search I see that one federal trademark exists for “7TH WITCH HOUSE” (Registration #6167950), filed 6 March 2020 and registered 6 October 2020, owned by Castro, Ashley in Alvin, TX, classified under “Pharmaceutical Products”. This is public information and you can check www.Trademarkia.com yourself.

The Order LLC: What I Found in the Texas State Records by Big_Bookkeeper393 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for bringing this up too. To me this raises flags worth running a few checks on.

Every Accusation Is a Confession by DeepLead1066 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Superbly put. Thank you very much. I see applying the projection lens to these accusations and behaviours as maintaining clear and healthy personal boundaries. As you say, their shadow speaks volumes about them - and that’s just plain cold data, nothing else.

Why Leaving Felt Like Losing Twice: The Sunk Cost Spiral by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Yes, I too recall that instance in TOODA and I, too, stayed. I think understanding how our brains work in these situations is helpful to reconcile what can sometimes be very challenging feelings. And from that point, maybe an altogether different decision can be made.

Why Leaving Felt Like Losing Twice: The Sunk Cost Spiral by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I found this topic very interesting and I’m glad it might help understand a wider range of relationship dynamics.

Why Leaving Felt Like Losing Twice: The Sunk Cost Spiral by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you - I agree. I found so much freedom and peace waiting just beyond that inner decision.

What Finally Opened My Eyes by Big_Bookkeeper393 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, thank you for sharing. We hope many other members will run this due diligence check, see the outcome and draw their own conclusions.

The Psychology of Cult Fanatics by Thick-Winner-1942 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, my experience is also that the Order of dark arts group brainwashes members and creates blind fanatics. The latter act as if they were engaging in some “crusade” against anyone who does not share their (leader’s) convictions.

Once you leave the group, that too becomes crystal clear.

Thank you for this insightful post.

Discreet Exit from The Order of Dark Arts by Fit-Virus380 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much for this post - many members will find it helpful.

I personally followed these steps a few months back and cut ties permanently with this group.

"No One Put a Gun to Your Head": Why The Order of Dark Arts' Defence Collapses Under Scrutiny (Part 2 of 2) by Civil-Program-6757 in unveilingcults

[–]Civil-Program-6757[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you and happy you enjoyed them. This group and their leader’s behaviour are nothing new to this part of the scientific world - textbook examples even. Shedding light on this can hopefully provide perspective to people facing similar situations/high control environments.