The Hermetic Hour

Latest Episodes:

New Books -- The Emerald Tablet and Liber Spirituum Jul 22, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday July 21st the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review two new books in the Hermetic field: "The Emerald Tablet" by Martin Faulks from Faulks Books and " Liber Spirituum" compiled and edited by Adam Forrest from Azoth Press. The Emerald Tablet is only 84 pages, and follows upon Martin's first publication "The Universal Master Key" (2013) (reviewed by the Hermetic Hour on March 26th, 2015). Martin Faulks is an ardent Bardonian and the Emerald Tablet is a commentary on that ancient document from a Bardonian perspective. Martin brilliantly analyses each paragraph or aphorism of the Tablet in relation to the Four Hermetic Elements in a process of internal alchemy and the ascent and descent of the Holy Spirit on the Middle Pillar. The second new publication is "Liber Spirituum" from Azoth Press, (251 pages hardbound) which is a compilation of articles on traditional magical evocation, invocation, and talisman making edited and introduced by Golden Dawn authority Adam Forrest. This is a beautifully bound limited edition, featuring inclusions by John Michael Greer, Chic and Tabetha Cicero, Aaron Leitch, Bryan Garner, Jeffery Kupperman, Scott Stenwick and Isadora Forrest's account of her forty day Raphael-Tiphareth retreat meditation which for me was the most inspiring and memorable aspect of the book. I was also impressed with John Michael Greer's article which reveals his own Lodge's interest in the "Nassaene document" and "From Ritual to Romance" which we have been writing and lecturing about for years. All considered Liber Spirituum is a very impressive and useful work, so if you want to learn what's new in the Hermetic universe, tune in and we'll have a look.

Manly P. Hall -- The Master and The Mystery (re-broadcast) Jul 15, 2016

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the life and work of Hermetic philosopher Manly Palmer Hall. We will trace his life through the early years on the east coast where he became interested with the esoteric at very early age, his remarkable capacity for learning and teaching, his 1920s-1930s Southern California success, his steadfast adherence to the principals of ancient and classical philosophy in contrast to the New Thought Movement so popular in esoteric circles at the time. His support of Theosophy and the esoteric Freemasonry of Albert Pike. We will look at some of his stranger adventures with friends such as Houdini, Bela Lugosi, and others. Like Houdini, Hall was a crusader against occult fraud and helped bring down a very powerful cult, even at the risk of his own life. And yet, in later years he was apparently the victim of a sinister plot by a trusted business manager. He died a horrible death which the LAPD investigated as a homicide. Our reference book for this report is "Master of the Mysteries" by Louis Sahagun, and my own Masonic association with Ill. Bro.Manly P.Hall, 33 -- Tune in and we will review the life of "The Maestro."

Atlas Shrugged from a Hermetic Perspective Jul 08, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday July 7th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Ayn Rand's magnum opus Atlas Shrugged (1957) from a Hermetic Perspective. This book has been read by almost as many people as the Bible. It is particularly important today because it predicted the deterioration of American industry and infrastructure under socialist governmental regulation. Rand's principal characters are heroic industrialists struggling to keep their enterprises going under worsening conditions. Until a Genius inventor named John Galt convinces them all to quit and let the looters and the parasites of socialism try run the country without them. Hence the title: Atlas, he who holds up the world, Shrugged.. Whether you love it or hate it the novel is powerfully written and the characters are dynamic. They resonate with frustrated achievers in today's America. Atlas Shrugged is Hermetic in the same way that Freemasonry is Hermetic. It is an elitism of the creative mind. The builders, the doers, the engineers, and the artists. We will examine this principle in Hermetic philosophy and even compare Atlas Shrugged to Aleister Crowley's Diary of a Drug Fiend (1922). We will examine Ayn Rand's background in relation to the message of the novel – so if you find the world weighing down on you – and who doesn't these days, tune in and we'll try to shrug it off.

Israel Regardie -- Thelemite or Rosicrucian? (re-broadcast) Jul 01, 2016

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the life and works of Israel Regardie. We will focus on Regardie's contributions to the modern occult revival starting with his early book "The Tree of Life," his experiences acting as personal secretary to Aleister Crowley, his membership in the Stella Matutina (Golden Dawn) his subsequent publication of their material, his support for the revival of the O.T.O. in the 1970s, and the G.D. in the 1980s. Having known Regardie personally, and having a long association with Regardie's chosen successors, host Poke Runyon is able to resolve the question uppermost in minds of many who seek to fathom the enigma of Regardie's personal philosophy: was he a Thelemite, or was he a Rosicrucian? The answer is he was one or the other, depending on what he thought you needed -- but he never recommended mixing the two systems. So, if you want to meet the real Israel Regardie, tune in be enlightened.

The Green Pulse Oracle by Jo Carson of Feraferia Jun 24, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday June 23rd, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and guest Jo Carson will present a preview- review of her forthcoming book: "The Green Pulse Oracle - A Tool for Eco-Psychic Insight." Lady Jo Carson is the President of Feraferia, America's First Goddess-centered, Ecology-oriented Neo-Pagan religion founded in 1967 by Artist and philosopher Frederick Adams (1928-2008). Jo Carson is the leader of Feraferia and dedicated to preserving and continuing the work of Fred Adams and his consort Lady Svetlana Butyrin. As a film maker Jo has produced and directed "Dancing with Gaia" (2009) a documentary DVD on ancient and modern Paganism centered on Fred Adams and Feraferian activities. She is the author of "Celebrate Wilderness" (2014) a portfolio book of Feraferian art, text and photos. She is presently readying "The Green Pulse Oracle" for publication. This is a system of divination similar to Geomancy and I-Ching. It is based on Fred Adams' further development of Robert Graves' Tree Alphabet from his modern classic "The White Goddess." Adams delineated and extended Graves' twenty Celtic Ogham glyphs into a twenty-four letter system that he mounted on a series of Hermetic Enneasphere mandalas coordinating them with the Trees, the Tarot Trumps, astrological and planetary signs, and myth themes. Jo Carson reconstructed the system from Fred's rudimentary publications, notes and graphics. We have experimented with the Oracle and found it to be remarkably accurate and inspiring. So join us as we explore the divinatory magick of an American master as revealed by his worthy successor.

Babylon's Banksters - The Alchemy of High Finance Jun 17, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday June 16th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon willl present a review of the 2010 book Babylon's Banksters, the Alchemy of deep physics, high finance and ancient religion, by Joseph Farrell. Although this book is somewhat dated in light of current events, it is important in that it presents the background of world-wide financial manipulation from a Hermetic and Magical perspective. Farrell quotes authoritative sources to establish a relation between business cycles planetary allignments and Solar activities, lending credit to astrology, ancient aliens and even the Pythagorean music of the spheres. The book raises more questions than it answers but it is fascinating and filled with provocative inormation, such as the investment formula developed by a Chinese communist Triad Tong family that brought on the 2008 Great Recession (shades of Fu Manchu !) So if you want to know how evil magicians manipulate the stock market tune in and we'll give you an overview.

Decoding the Moon Pool -- Magical Fantasy and Political Allegory Jun 10, 2016

Show notes

On June 9th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the secret meaning behind Abraham Merritt's classic Fantasy novel “The Moon Pool.” (1919). This Lost Race fantasy adventure story, similar to Rider Haggard's “She”was very influential on other fantasy writers, movie makers and comic book writers and artists. It was one of the major sources of the 1940s “Shaver Mystery”. Moon Pool is based on the idea that the Moon was pulled out of the Earth half a billion years ago when our young world was in a molten state, leaving a huge cavity in the area of the Central Pacific, which sealed itself over and eventually became a vast air filled cavern under the ocean. A subterranean world with its own flora, fauna and people. Its only connection to the surface world is the ancient ruined stone city of Nan Modal on Panape island in the Central Pacific Ocean. In these haunted ruins is a mysterious doorway that only opens when the Moon is full, revealing The Moon Pool from which rises a fantastic alien being that resembles an animated and illuminated kabbalistic Tree of Life. It is called “The Dweller” or “The Shining One” – a beautiful, alluring vampiric creature that stalks human prey, harvesting and feeding on their souls. The Dweller or Shining One is worshiped as a god by a faction of the Murians, who are as evil as their diety and are plotting to conquer the surface world. Into this setting come a group of adventurers from our world – so we can have a hero and a heroine to save both worlds ( love conquers all) -- and someone to tell the story. That, as the Irish say, is the gist of it. But there is a lot more behind the scenes in Moon Pool than just a good story. So If you want to learn the horrible secret of the Shining One then tune in and listen as we open the door to The Moon Pool.

Inside the Solar Lodge, Behind the Veil (re-broadcast) Jun 03, 2016

Show notes

This Thursday The Hermetic Hour will present a book review by host Poke Runyon of the newly released "Inside the Solar Lodge, Behind the Veil" by Frater Shiva. The Solar Lodge was the legendary psychedelic era magical group in the Los Angeles area that flourished from the mid-1960s until it was driven underground by a anti-occult witch hunt following a tragic fire at its desert commune near Blythe in 1969. Regardless of whatever criticisms could be made about The Solar Lodge -- and most were grossly exaggerated -- it was the most magically powerful, focused and cohesive magical organization since the early days of The Golden Dawn. The true story of its fascinating origin, development and eventual decline is finally told by the man who was the Solar Lodge's chief executive officer under the command of Thelemic Avatrix Jean Brayton. And who better to tell the story. Frater Shiva and his lady will call in during the second half of the show, and give us their personal views on the subject. -- So, if you really want to know about the magical revival in California, tune in and we'll lift the veil.

"Hell on Heaven's Reef" Forthcoming Occult Adventure Novel May 27, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday May 26th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a preview of his forthcoming occult adventure novel "Hell on Heaven's Reef" which takes place on mysterious Pohnpei (Ponape) Island in the centrral Pacific, home of the Lost City of Nan Modal which was the entrance to the undersea caverns of Lemuria according to writer Abraham Merritt in his 1919 adventure fantasy classic "The Moon Pool" Film footage of our expeditions to Nan Modal can be seen in Beyond Lemuria. The advance promo for this book in "Drell Master" reads: "Join former Green Beret treasure hunter Jason Hardee on an expedition to mysterious Pohnpei Island in the Pacific as he searches for an ancient relic that holds the dark secrets of world conquering power. Jason battles ruthless mercenaries, fanatical cultists, native black magick, giant tiger sharks, and a killer hurricane, while two ravishingly beautiful women battle over Jason! Hell on Heaven's Reef is is epic in scope, an adventure that begins before the Ice Age, carries through with 19th century American whalers of the Hardee family sailing from Maui to Ponape, and culminates with Jason Hardee returning to find the treasure of his ancestors. So join us and we'll set sail for High Adventure. Special thanks to Gordon White (Star.Ships) for inspiring us to finally get this book on the fast track.

Frederick Hockley - Spiritualist and Magician May 20, 2016

Show notes

On Thursday May 19th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will air a discussion on the noted British 19th century occultist, spiritualist and magician Frederick Hockley ( 1809 - 1885 ) mentor of Francis "the Magus" Barrett and Kenneth "the Cypher manuscript Mackenzie". Hockley was an ardent Freemason and Rosicrucian with genuine Rosicrucian connections and documents.He was a collector and a transcriber of occult manuscripts and several of his once rare treasures are being reissued today. We will read Hockley's account of "Raising the Devil" (a homunculus in a bottle) from "The Rosicrucian Seer" by John Hamill, and then discuss our own attempt to replicate this operation. We will discuss Hockley's influence on the Golden Dawn and the occult revival. So if you'd like to "Raise the Devil" with old Fred Hockley tune in and we'll get it on.

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