O Father O Satan O Sun

The song 'O Father O Satan O Sun' by the Polish extreme metal band Behemoth is a complex tapestry of occult and theistic symbolism. The lyrics are rich with esoteric references, blending elements of Gnosticism, Satanism, and Hermeticism. The title itself invokes a trinity of figures that could represent different aspects of the divine or consciousness in various belief systems.

The opening lines, 'Akephalos, Shine thru me,' refer to the headless or acephalic nature of the divine, which is a concept found in Gnostic texts where the supreme being is beyond human comprehension and form. The song's refrain, 'Like a day without the dawn, Like a ray void of the Sun, Like a storm that brings no calm, I'm most complete and so undone,' suggests a paradoxical state of being—complete yet undone, existing in a space where opposites coexist. This could be interpreted as the state of enlightenment or gnosis where one recognizes the inherent duality in all things.

The invocation of various elements and spirits, and the command for them to be obedient, is reminiscent of magical practices where the practitioner seeks to harness the powers of the universe. The repeated calls to 'O father, o satan, o Sun' could be seen as an appeal to the primal forces of creation, destruction, and enlightenment. Behemoth, known for their theatrical and often controversial stage presence, uses such imagery to challenge conventional religious beliefs and to celebrate the individual's quest for knowledge and power outside traditional dogma.