Circle Me

Behexen's 'Circle Me' is a dark and evocative exploration of spiritual and metaphysical themes, deeply rooted in occult symbolism. The repeated invocation of figures like Samael, Lilith, and Azazel, along with the 'King' and 'master,' suggests a ritualistic summoning of powerful, often malevolent, entities. These figures are significant in various esoteric traditions, representing forces of chaos, rebellion, and forbidden knowledge. The act of being 'circled' by these entities implies a form of protection or empowerment, albeit through dark and potentially dangerous means.

The lyrics convey a profound sense of transformation and initiation. The imagery of a 'bloody hand' on the shoulder and the 'flaming triangle' of father, mother, and son suggests a rite of passage, where the protagonist is marked and chosen for a higher, albeit darker, purpose. The 'flesh-temple' metaphor indicates that the body is a vessel for these powerful spirits, particularly Zabulus, who is referred to as the king. This transformation is not without its trials; the journey described is 'joyless,' 'lightless,' and 'lonesome,' filled with grief and pain, akin to a descent into the underworld.

The song also touches on themes of death and rebirth. The protagonist speaks of drinking 'crimson wine from the cup of damnation,' a metaphor for embracing suffering and mortality. Yet, there is a promise of rising once more, suggesting a cyclical process of death and resurrection. The 'cross of Saturn' and the 'withered leaves of life' further emphasize the themes of decay and renewal, as Saturn is often associated with time, death, and rebirth in astrological and mythological contexts. The journey is one of ultimate transformation, where the protagonist must endure immense suffering to attain a higher state of being, guided by these dark, powerful forces.