The Dorian Gray Effect

Let's discuss Dorian Gray. 

When I first read this exquisite book I was excited and influenced. I enjoyed the hell out of it - I recall loving every chapter and the decadence in late 19th century, which still fascinates me. 

But the 2009 British film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel left me speechless, specially when I rewatched it some months ago.

A particular scene pointed a part of myself that I was noticing but not fully understanding. Allow me to explain. 

Dorian Gray's Story

Dorian Gray is a young aristocrat arriving in Victorian London to live in his newly inherited mansion. Gray is naive and innocent until he befriends the charismatic Lord Henry Watton, an avid believer of a hedonistic lifestyle. Every desire should be indulged. The only goal in life is to respond to your sensual needs. His reflexions are brilliant. 

Lord Henry's artist friend, Basil, paints a flawless portrait of Dorian Gray that captures his extraordinary beauty. Lord Henry cynically remarks how Dorian won’t always be attractive, but the painting will. Dorian is upset by this realization and says how he wishes it were the opposite. He swears dramatically he would give anything to stay as he is in the picture, even his soul. 

By expressing his desire out loud, Dorian does a deal with the "devil" in exchange for eternal youth. Then, he begins happily to indulge in a life of hedonism and excess.

Nothing affects him, as the painting absorbs all the physical consequences of his debauchery, including opium intoxication. The marks of ageing start to appear on the portrait, which he moves to a secret room in his attic.

Fun fact: you shouldn't do a pact with Lucifer for beauty and youth unless you work in the entertainment industry or are a celebrity, but you can do it with Lilith or Gremori. 

My Relationship with Beauty 

Even when I was very young, I knew I couldn't let my appearance being my only singular quality, a mistake that a lot of pretty girls do in Ibiza. They end up depressed like elite athletes once they retire and leave the days of glory. 

But at the same time, when I was around 28-29 I realized that I wasn't ready to give up on my looks. Being good-looking let me get away with more in life and it's a power like no other. All the women that inspired me were smart, powerful, irresistible and also beautiful. 

Fortunately, our path is full of petitions related to physical youth and attractiveness. We call it glamour magick or glamourie, and the most advanced ritual to achieve and maintain a youthful appearance is my very popular Fountain of Youth. 

If you want your glow up to work exceptionally well, combine the youth ritual with the Extreme Beauty and the Magnetism Ritual, and if you want to be on the top of the beauty game, add the Succubus Spell, or the Incubus one if you are a male. 

I used and I still use all my glamour rituals to my own advantage. 

For the record, I'm 38. I'll be 39 in November. I'm almost 40 and people think I'm in my late 20's. If I gain 4-5 pounds, I can perfectly look 25. I'm not aging the normal way and this was my choice. 

As I'm not a model nor an actress I don't lie about my age. I don't think there is one woman on the planet who isn't thrilled when she is told she looks younger than her actual age, but it gets repetitive hearing it all the time. The attention I get is not rewarding as it usually was and it irritates me when I stand out regardless of how much I try to cover up. 

Why? Because I don't look like I'm almost 40 but I am almost 40. This mean that I'm changing inside. I'm getting conservative. I don't like showing skin. I'm not wearing high-heels anymore. My skin is gorgeous, so I don't like to cover it with any foundation, but when I was in my twenties, I couldn't leave the house without make up. 

I accept that you fully understand the power beyond my rituals and its consequences, because nothing will able to reverse your experiences or the corruption of your soul. Nothing will make you want to party hard again if you already enjoy much more a nice evening chilling with your friends... and so what? It would be dumb to stay the same. 

Back to Dorian Gray.

The Film

We can see what I mean below in the second part of the film. 

Do not let yourself mislead by the low rating. Critics said the movie would leave the readers of the book disappointed. Oh... really? I'm amazed. Giving justice to the greatness of Wilde's masterpiece it's impossible, we get it. 

The general atmosphere is rebuilt with sophistication. The cinematography is stunning, evoking Victorian London beautifully. 

The film divides its plot into two parts set around twenty-five years apart. Dorian Gray is back from a long trip and he is still looking 20 years old - his friends are aged while he is still the same. The still young looking Dorian, who should by now be middle-aged, is jaded and it shows. His eyes are slightly darker and I don't mean in color. He exudes cynicism and boredom... or nonchalance and composure, to put it nicely. 

But he is also more sophisticated, experienced, witty, and attractive. 

Of course, this attitude is related to his crazy obscene actions, but I found it real and accurate. 

The gorgeous actor, Ben Barnes, is pretty well directed here. Years later, he said he wasn't "proud" about his performance, but he was able to reflect this dark energy that comes with age when he was a very young man. Not an easy task whatsoever. 

If you want an example of just the opposite, look at Sarah Jessica Parker interpretation of Carrie Bradshaw, particularly on Sex and The City 2, the movie. She does a well job reproducing the shiny eyes and the smile of a 20 something lady, in addition to the gestures. The character was labeled as ridiculous more than ever. 

It is a matter of personality, but in general it is true that the older you get and the more life experience you have, the more cynical and cautious you become. This is amazing. You will make smart decisions, you will probably enjoy the best lifestyle of your existence, and regarding your appearance, you will have the last word thanks to demonology. 

After all, a Luciferian is the architect of their life. 

"I don't want to be at the mercy of my emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them" - Oscar Wilde.