This Enochian Magick Lecture is actually going to be a full day of enochian magick and ritual at Sekhet-Maat Lodge on Saturday, Oct 23th, 2010. Starting at 12:30pm there’s a series of talks until 5pm. Then there’s some great unstructured time to hang out, grab some food and talk before heading back. Finally, at 8pm there’s an Enochian Group Ritual for those that attended the rest of the day’s events. Scott Wilde and Onyieh Jewel are coming down from Horizon Oasis in Seattle to do this workshop.
I’m helping to organize this event, and it’s going to be great. Richard Kaczynski, author of the newly revised and expanded Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley, is coming to Sekhet-Maat Lodge 1409 SE Stark in Portland for a lecture and book signing on Thursday, Sept 16th at 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:30pm).
This will be a free event!
For more information: Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley.
About the Lecture
This fascinating and informative lecture will begin with an overview of the life of Aleister Crowley and then the audience will have the unique opportunity to select which parts of Crowley’s interesting life they are most curious to discuss in depth (poet, painter, mountaineer, occultist, etc). Richard Kaczynski will be able to cover as many of these special topics as time allows. This will then be followed by a book signing where attendees can have their copies of Richard Kaczynski’s newly revised and updated Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley and other books signed by the author.
About Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley
“Richard Kaczynski’s Perdurabo: the Life of Aleister Crowley is the one biography that is absolutely necessary for anyone who wishes to know more about one of the most creative, seminal, and misunderstood figures of the last hundred years.” —David Tibet, founder of Current 93
“This is not only the most carefully-researched, detailed, and informative biography of Crowley yet written but also a remarkable insight into the nature of magic itself.” —Ronald Hutton, author of The Triumph of the Moon
The name “Aleister Crowley” instantly conjures visions of diabolic ceremonies and orgiastic indulgences—and while the sardonic Crowley would perhaps be the last to challenge such a view, he was also much more than “the Beast,” as this authoritative biography shows. Perdurabo (the magical name Crowley chose when inducted into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn) traces Crowley’s remarkable journey from his birth as the only son of a wealthy lay preacher to his death in a boarding house as the world’s foremost authority on magick. Along the way, he rebels against his conservative religious upbringing; befriends famous artists, writers, and philosophers (and becomes a poet himself ); is attacked for his practice of “the black arts”; and teaches that science and magick can work together. While seeking to spread his infamous philosophy of “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” Crowley becomes one of the most notorious figures of his day. Based on Richard Kaczynski’s twenty years of research, and including previously unpublished biographical details, Perdurabo paints a memorable portrait of the man who inspired the counterculture and influenced generations of artists, punks, wiccans, and other denizens of the demimonde.
Holy crap. This is like … Woodstock or something. And, the two day pass is $27 … yeah, that’s like free … only a little more than a yuppie food coupon, fer crying out loud! Who’s child do I have to sell to get to New York in Sept for three days?!
Musicka Mystica Maxima [also,et,et] festival presented by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. at Santos Party House, New York, NY.
21 and 22 September 2009
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. is proud to announce:
“Musicka Mystica Maxima” festival presented by Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. at Santos Party House, New York, NY
http://www.santospartyhouse.com/
September 21 and 22 (Monday and Tuesday)
Two nights of musick made by practicing magicians or practicing musicians whose work celebrates the magical lifestyle, as well a public performance of ceremonial magic ritual.
Confirmed line up includes:
* GENESIS BREYER P-ORRIDGE with THEE MAJESTY http://www.myspace.com/theemajesty (featuring Bryin Dall and Morrisson Edley)
* Larkin Grimm http://www.myspace.com/larkingrimm
* Nautical Almanac http://www.myspace.com/nauticalalmanac
* Spires that in the Sunset Rise http://www.myspace.com/spiresthatinthesunsetrise
* Amber Asylum/Kris Force http://www.myspace.com/amberasylum
* Monica Richards (of Faith & The Muse) http://www.myspace.com/monicarichardsmusic
* arrington de dionyso/Old Time Relijun http://www.myspace.com/arringtondedionyso
* 4th Sign of the Apocalypse http://www.myspace.com/4thsignoftheapocalypse
and more to be announced!
Love is the law, love under will.
And, they’ve announced a couple more luminaries:
John Zorn and Bill Laswell added to Musicka Mystica Maxima!
I thought I would post a reminder about this event in case you’d forgotten or might decide to attend. I’ve posted about this before, but It’s an extra chance to work with Thorn in addition to the weekend workshop. I’ll be making some great food for the signing after the presentation. If you’re feeling rambunctious, you could bring a potluck item to share and show off; but, there’s going to be a great variety of stuff including veggie sushi rolls and pizza, both handmade by me just for you … and, um, everyone else that shows up!
T. Thorn Coyle
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’
Lecture and Book SigningFriday, June 12, 2009 ev, 7:30pm
1409 SE Stark St., PDXNo Advance Registration – Arrive Early! Doors open @ 6:30
SML members attend free. Others please contribute.
Your contributions keep the lights on!Complete information here:
http://bit.ly/Coyle0417
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’ with T. Thorn Coyle
Fri, Jun 12, 2009 e.v.
I posted before about the T. Thorn Coyle lecture and book signing at Sekhet-Maat Lodge on Jun 12th at 7:30pm. And now there’s a downloadable PDF flyer for the event which I just added to the event’s page.
You can check out Self Possession and Drawning Down the ‘I am’ and download the flyer PDF over at the website of Sekhet-Maat Lodge.
This is going to be a really interesting event, I think. It’s a chance to hear Thorn talk about her new book which makes strong connections between the idea of self-possession in Feri and the ideas in the western ceremonial tradition of achieving Knowledge and Conversation and the Great Work. When I first started hanging out at the lodge I kept thinking about how and whether to “cross the streams” at various times. Well, here’s a perfect example of what I wondered about. At any rate, it’s a chance to work with Thorn for people new to her books or long time practitioners. I’ve only had the chance to work with Thorn one other time for a weekend workshop, though her influence on other people I’ve worked with has been recognizable. Thorn is like a hot knife through butter. If you can make it to the lecture and book signing, I definitely suggest it.
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’ with T. Thorn Coyle
Fri, Jun 12, 2009 e.v.
T. Thorn Coyle is going to be in town for a lecture and book signing at Sekhet-Maat Lodge on Jun 12th at 7:30pm.
T. Thorn Coyle
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’
Lecture and Book SigningFriday, June 12, 2009 ev, 7:30pm
1409 SE Stark St., PDXNo Advance Registration
Arrive Early! Doors open @ 6:30
SML members attend free.
Others please contribute.
Your contributions keep the lights on!Complete information here:
http://bit.ly/Coyle0417—–
T. Thorn Coyle is an internationally respected teacher. A spiritual seeker her whole life, she has studied the craft of magic for more than twenty-five years. Thorn combines her esoteric studies and work with her Gods and Guides to form a practice that honors the fertile dark and the limitless light. Mystic, musician, dancer, activist, and author of Evolutionary Witchcraft and Kissing the Limitless, she makes her home near the San Francisco Bay.
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’
We are not unified, but we can be. Discover the importance of Self-Possession, also known as Knowledge and Conversation or the Great Work of the alchemists. Why is this key to magical practitioners of any tradition? What steps are precursors to this state of integration? What energy work can we do to aid this process? We will explore the theory behind it and engage in some practices to draw down our divinity. Intone the “I am” as a spell to become fully human and fully divine.
About _Kissing the Limitless_ by T. Thorn Coyle
“A magically refreshing breath of air! Thorn Coyle is a true modern adept who has mastered her subjects, her craft, and most importantly, herself.” —Lon Milo Duquette
_Kissing the Limitless_ is a manual for self-liberation through magic, providing a complete system of spiritual practice to help serious seekers tap the unlimited possibility of their own divine natures. By practicing the Great Work of the ancient alchemists and magicians, readers are guided into self-possession—constant communication with their divine selves—and connection with the Limitless Divine. Set up as a detailed training course using contemporary techniques that echo those hinted at in antique sources of wisdom, it includes tools for soul balancing, energy cycling, shadow and dream work, tarot and meditation. Readers will learn to open up “life power” and access breath, will, and desire—the key components of effective magic—to reshape the world.
This book is a synthesis wrought through many years of Coyle’s personal spiritual work, her teaching, and deep esoteric study. Though Kissing the Limitless has entry points for beginners, it is primarily designed for the advanced magical practitioner wishing to ‘Know Thyself.’ Wholeness and union with our own God Soul, also known as our Genius, our Authentic Self, or our Holy Guardian Angel, is within our grasp. We can become fully human and fully divine in this lifetime.
Reception and Book Signing
Food & Drink
Feast on a substantial selection of complimentary hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages. You’ll also find wine and beer available for purchase.Vending
Sekhet-Maat Lodge will have a selection of items for sale, including Kissing the Limitless and Evolutionary Witchcraft by T. Thorn Coyle, other relevant titles, Abramelin Oil, mugs, stickers, SML lamen t-shirts, posters, and more.
Self Possession and Drawing Down the ‘I am’ with T. Thorn Coyle
Fri, Jun 12, 2009 e.v.
This is a lecture and book signing for the new publication Initiation in to the Aeon of the Child about which some pretty great things are being said. My understanding is that not only is this not simply a whistle-stop on a book signing tour, but this is the only planned event for the book, with books available for purchase at the event; but, I suspect they will go quickly so reserving a copy when registering for the event will be a good idea. The signing will also be a reception with food and drink and even some vending such as other valuable and rare books from Seattle’s Night of Pan Books.
Time to buy that new red dress for your Scholar’s Mistress and take her out for a night on the town …
J. Daniel Gunther is a life-long student of esotericism, mythology, and religion. A longtime member of A∴ A∴, the teaching Order established by Aleister Crowley, he is considered one of the foremost authorities in the field. He serves on the editorial board of The Equinox and acts as a consultant and advisor for numerous occult publications.
In this ground-breaking book, author J. Daniel Gunther provides a penetrating and cohesive analysis of the spiritual doctrine underlying and informing the Aeon of the Child, and the sublime formulas of Initiation encountered by those who would probe its mysteries. Drawing on more than 30 years of experiences as a student and teacher within the Order of the A∴ A∴, the author examines the doctrinal thread of Thelema in its historical, religious, and practical context.
Initiation in the Aeon of the Child – Sekhet-Maat Lodge – May 2, 2009 ev
I put up a major update over at the NOTOCON VII website today. The full schedule is online, with a spiffy jquery popup for presentation information. Anyhow, time to start planning on which presentations to attend!
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
revealing five and a fraction quatorzain in free pentameter
0
In the infinite twilight curve above
a descending point of sunlight is love
both are witness to this declaration.
I
In the finer infinite horizon
cycle from rise to set and set to rise
tracing time traveling eternally
here then stands a man, dead but immortal,
in the holiest of holy places
confidently aloud with pure voice raised
he has taken the communion of blood
and by the moon has already been judged
within view of the royal golden throne
this priest of the scorching ruby sun
with funereal offerings of bread, beer
and many prepared meats from land and air
to the lord of power and dominion
he says as the sky’s veils are opening,
II
“O, be praised on high, ineffable one
ruler of gods through power and dominion,
who shines forth from horizons as his throne
make clear pathways beyond death and through
for my soul, my shadow, and my spirit
in true mysteries I am an initiate
so that I myself might shine forth at death
as one illuminated by the presence of truth
past dangerous tricky traps through the west
make clear a way for me to the place
of creator and complete creation,
the height of noon and setting of the sun,
of becoming motion and milky rest,
the rising and enwombed midnight distant.”
III
“Although I am dead, immortal I am
for having partaken of communion.
I see yet another approaching dawn.
Prepared as priest of the scorching sun,
I passed sentinels and was judged worthy
proving I am from the fraternity
of those much like myself sworn to protect
and initiated into secrets
I am also the son of a woman
who knows the celestial music sung
by artful and devoted advocates
heard in their spheres by the planets
but know that melody in truth is hers
mistress of mistresses of the universe.”
IV
Witness now this man saying to his self,
“Oh, heart, to me from my mother a gift
you faithfully kept me alive on the earth
do not then testify in the trial of my worth
do not stand as a witness against me
do not fail that faith now you are free
under the the eminent, immanent sun
to speak in the presence of my judge,
the lord of afterlife resurrected.
My body may have died and descended
dissolving again in mother’s embrace,
by death my immortal self thus released
has in the sky the other stars rejoined.
Though dead, I am remembered and reborn.”
*
Those left behind will remember and say,
“Giver of life sustaining ecstasy
give in reward the gift of renewed life
when this beloved traveller arrives
in the holiest of holy places
confidently aloud with pure voice raised
he has taken the communion of blood
and by the moon has already been judged
within view of the royal golden throne
this priest of the scorching ruby sun
has with diligence and devotion learned
to fulfill his true will while on the earth.
He shall live under the warmth of the sun
with love and fear among the living again.”
In the infinite curve above is a point of love
both are witness to this declaration
In a finer infinite of time
stands a man, dead but immortal,
in the holiest of holy places
he has taken the communion of the moon
and has been judged worthy
in view of the throne
this priest of the scorching sun
with offerings of bread, beer
and many meats from land and air
says to the
lord of power and dominion
the opener of
the veils of the sky
“O, holy one, may he be praised,
with power and dominion,
who rules the gods,
who shines forth
from his throne of horizon
make clear pathways beyond death
for my soul
for my spirit
for my shadow
I am initiated in the mysteries
so that I myself might shine forth
as one illuminated by truth
make clear a way for me
to the place
of creator and creation,
the noon and setting of the sun,
of becoming and rest,
the rising and distant resting place of the sun.”
“I am dead but immortal
when I can see the horizon
as a priest of the scorching sun
I have taken the communion of life
and have been judged worthy
I am from the fraternity
of those like myself
protectors and initiates
of and into the secrets
a child of midnight
the son of a woman
who knows the music sung
to the celestial sphere of the sun,
mistress of the universe.”
Says this man to his self,
“Oh, my heart, gift from my mother,
you faithfully kept me alive on the earth
so do not testify in the trial of my worth
now as a witness against me
do not fail that faith in me now
in the presence of the sun,
lord of the afterlife.
Although my body has descended
into the earth
and in death my real self
has become a star in the sky
may I be remembered and reborn.”
Those left behind remember and say,
“Oh, deliverer of those still alive under the sun,
definitely give the gift of resurrection
so this man, dead but immortal,
and who has taken the communion of life,
shall live under the warmth of the sun
to fulfill his true will while on the earth
with love and fear among the living again.”
I was thinking about a project for myself. I was going to check the Stèle of Revealing and figure out the best modern translation of the hieroglyphics into my own interpretation. Well, I forgot about the modern transcription of the Stèle in the back of The Holy Books of Thelema. So, I took that and did the rest of the project. I didn’t go to The Book of the Dead and use the passages that the text of these things is based on, but that is something I could do.
I started with two additional ideas. The first is that for egyptian art, images are also fully meaningful words. This is based on ideas from Reading Egyptian Art. The second is that I wanted to tease out the meaning of the names of places and entities instead of leaving them opaque.
So here’s my notes, which I didn’t do a great job of keeping track of my sources; since this is mostly an artistic project. But, I may want to go back at some point fill that in with good ones. I honestly didn’t get too strict about where I got my information from if it seemed mostly reasonable to me.
Well, there was a slight hiccup for the online vending application. If you used the online vending application before Feb 11th, please re-apply. There were technical difficulties with the tool in the form of me making a typo and not testing after making changes to the config.
However, there’s now also an app for those interested in volunteering on the contacts page, and a note about volunteering from the Onsite Assistant.
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
The Vendors page is up and the vending application process is open for NOTOCON VII:
Vending will be open throughout NOTOCON VII. Please continue to watch this page for further vending related updates. Currently, the vending application process is open, and will be open until full. We will first begin accepting initiate vendors on February 1st. If there is still space available, we will then open to non-initiate vendors on April 1st.
Things are starting to hop quite a bit more, as NOTOCON is just around the corner now.
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
The eighth annual Thelemic Symposium at Sekhet-Maat Lodge has been announced. It will be on Mar 28, 2009. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Thelemic Symposium is a panel discussion and question/answer session engaging the considerable experience and knowledge of three long-time Thelemites. We are proud to present this, the eighth annual Symposium, featuring panelists Eliza McBryde, Michael Kolson, and Dathan Biberstein.
Thelemic Symposium VIII – Sekhet-Maat Lodge – March 28, 2009 e.v.
There’s a bunch new over at the site for NOTOCON VII today. I put up the speakers and presentations information. So, you can check out some of what’s going to happen over the conference. The formal schedule and vending aren’t up yet, so there’s more to come. But, there’s definitely several of the presentations I’m interested in, and a couple of those I won’t be able to go to … C’est la vie!
Also, even more importantly, registration is now open. There’s a couple of first-come, limited-capacity events that one can choose to attend as part of registration, but only one of them I can actually go to.
Still, it looks like there’s going to be quite a lot going on that will be interesting.
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
Update 1jan09 @ 11:49pm:
There’s a post now over at the official NOTOCON VII Blog about registration being open. I think there’s going to be something posted to the blog about the speakers and presentations soon also.
I made a big update to the root NOTOCON ~ National Ordo Templi Orientis Conferences sited today. I’ve had this mostly ready for a while, but had some last minute changes to make, was waiting for the AIT site to be up, and needed final go-ahead. The update features archives of all previous NOTOCON sites for which a site existed. There are two stubs for the earliest NOTCON events, which I hope to fill in with more information as I collect it.
Also, I’ve started the cross-promotion of sites. So, this update includes links to both the new AIT and the already existing Kaaba sites. And, over at the new AIT site, I’ve added cross-promotion to NOTOCON and Kaaba in the sidebar.
The new website for Advanced Initiator Training is up now, in advance of the event at Knights Templar Oasis in Salem, MA on Mar 14-15, 2009.
“Advanced Initiator Training is dedicated to providing active initiators with resources to grow in their skill, professionalism and education as initiators and to help active O.T.O. initiates increase their knowledge and skill in regards to our initiation rituals.”
Registration for AIT 1 is now also open for those that can attend.
The site design is supposed to look very much like the site for the Kaaba Colloquium: Thelemic Leadership Seminar, but this site is much less back-end heavy and has some other small changes.
Eventually, I hope to have cross-promotion between AIT, NOTOCON and maybe even Kaaba. These various O.T.O. events are all examples of a desire for excellence.
Last week I completed some promotional graphics for Sekhet-Maat Lodge to help people spread the word about the weekly celebration of Liber XV: The Gnostic Mass [also] every Sunday at 3pm. I posted the final images to the Lodge’s promotion page.
There’s actually three versions on the promotions page, including one for social networks and one for rich-text e-mail signatures. You can check out the various drafts I went through, starting with a pretty lame first draft, over here.
Over at the NOTOCON VII Blog, Beth posted “An Essay Related to my experience with NOTOCON VI in Salem, 2007e.v.“. In this essay, among other things, she mentions what she sees as the express purpose for attending NOTOCON:
“When one attends NOTOCON it is for the express purpose of gathering within the bonds of our Fraternity; to bask in the company of our brethren. Without the hospitality of our hosts, however, it would be a pale shadow of that which each of us finds in our own Thelemic communities.”
But, I have to say that gathering in the bonds of Fraternity and experiencing Hospitality seem to me to be good enough on one level, as an important experience; but, these seem to me to be the containers, not the contained. I mean that the fraternal experience may be a direct experience of the egregor of the order, but I see this more as the intentional marker that indicates which side of the liminal boundary one is on.
So, then what do I see as the contained? There’s always a lot of work put out for any conference trying to make the value case for people to attend. Much of this stuff also applies to a NOTOCON, I would imagine. Some of this has been going into my thinking about the new design for the root notocon.org site I’ve been working on.
My current draft, about why to attend, for the root NOTOCON site is this:
“There are many reasons to attend a NOTOCON, or any O.T.O. gathering, such as new learning and new nuances about old learning, meet luminaries, to socialize with peers, to meet Grand Lodge, to connect with far-flung members, meet new friends and renew old friendships … & c.
Any time there’s a large number of O.T.O. members together, there’s bound to be new memories made and old memories shared. This is an opportunity that should not be missed, whether you have been a long-time member, just started showing up to your local body events, or anything in between. There will be things that you will experience that inspire and motivate you. There will be things that you experience that will open new paths of your own work, and not just in the order.”
The primary reason, I suspect, to go to NOTOCON VII is To Go [see, also]. There’s certainly a lot of reasons, but it is the urge and motivation to exceed that seems to me to be the best reason and one that is sufficient for anyone. Attending NOTOCON is a chance to be informed by the past and to initiate the future.
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
There’s a reminder posted over at the NOTOCON VII Blog that NOTOCON Speaker Proposals are due October 15th. You can also read the call for proposals and download the submission form from the Speakers page.
NOTOCON VII: the seventh biennial National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference
August 7-9th, 2009 EV ~ Seattle, WA
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