The Hermetic Hour

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Magical Cults and NeoPaganism Apr 27, 2012

Show notes

On Thursday April 26th, 2012, The Hermetic Hour, host Poke Runyon, will review his 1980 master's thesis in cultural anthropology at Cal State, Northridge, titled: "A History of Magical Cults and the Rise of NeoPaganism in Southern California." This work has never been published and contains what some might consider "sensitive" material. It briefly reviews the history of the Western Esoteric Tradition starting in first century Alexandria, up through the 19th and 20th century magical groups, concentrating on the modern rise of Magick and "Wicca" in England -- and immigrating to America. Magick first in the 1920s, followed by witchcraft in the 1960s. The rise of nature oriented NeoPaganism in Southern California, through the turbulent psychedelic era, and the new "Coven model" organizations. I saw this phenomenon as a cultural revitalization movement I referred to as "NeoRomanticism." It is a sad fact that most contemporary witches and magicians know very little about the actual history of their "traditions," especially in relation to other earlier traditions, and groups they may not be aware they are related to. We will open a time capsule and go back 35-40 years to the thrilling days of yesteryear. Tune in and we'll ripe the veil of mystery from our history.

Magick and Politics Apr 20, 2012

Show notes

On Thursday, April 19th, 2012 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on Magick and Politics. This is a controversial, difficult and delicate subject, but one of crucial importance that needs to explored and understood by everyone who belongs to a magical group, lodge, coven or order -- or is considering joining such an organization. We will cover the influence of Theosophy, and its distortions that influenced Nazism. The anti-occult, anti-Neo-Pagan bias that followed WW II, the danger of being tagged as a "racist" group, the problem with illegal drugs, and under-age sex in connection with occult-pagan activities. The problem with "Satanism" and the great 1990s Satanic Witch Hunt. The problem with raising children in Pagan homes. The problem of diminishing privacy and personal freedoms, especially the freedom of association. We will look beyond "Right Wing-Left Wing," "Democratic" buzz words into the reality of our diminishing freedoms under both liberal and conservative administrations -- and how we, as magicians can preserve our traditions and our practices in a "politically correct" world. Tune in and find out how to avoid what no one expects.....The Spanish Inquisition!

Curtis Shumaker - Science Fiction and Magick Apr 13, 2012

Show notes

On the Hermetic Hour Thursday, April 12, 2012, host Poke Runyon will introduce Professor Curtis Shumaker who teaches English literature at Cal State and specializes in the study of science fiction. Curtis is also an occultist and a Masonic scholar. He will discuss the recent book on occult writers in literature "The Dark Muse" (recently reviewed in The Seventh Ray) and the concept of the "Weird" as a manifestation of an incomprehensible, irrational universe, as opposed to a "supernatural" universe where everything follows the rules of magick -- which seem reasonable in their own context. We will touch on Lovecraft's scientific/magical mythology, moving on to the later writers in the Lovecraft cycle: Fritz Leiber ("Our Lady of Darkness"), Matheson, Charles Beaumont, Jack Williamson ("Darker Than You Think") and even a Jungian perspective on GD/Crowley type magick. -- So, get your note books ready to write down some books you'll want to read.

Hermetic Geomancy Apr 06, 2012

Show notes

On Thursday, April 5th, 2012 Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the ancient divinatory art of Geomancy, which is a little known but very important part of the Hermetic magician's tool kit. We will review the history of the process, comparing it to it's ancient Chinese counterpart the I-Ching, and the Tarot. Geomancy is divination by the figures of Earth, but very much related to astrology. Most of our practical knowledge of the process comes from Agrippa's 16th century treatise, but it is far more ancient, probably dating back to the paleolithic. We will discuss our own unique reconstruction of the most ancient method, involving huckle bones (the earliest dice) and flourite crystals (the Biblical Urim and Thummim). We were recently surprised when one of our members on duty in Iraq informed us that the Yezidis were using something similar. Geomancy also figures in the medieval Grail epic Parsifal. Tune in and find out about Western magick's own very ancient version of "casting the runes."

The Hermetic Qabalah (re-broadcast) Mar 30, 2012

Show notes

Because our stellar producer and engineer, Soror Zandria, is recovering from the flu, we are going to treat you (and spare her) with another of our selected re-broadcasts: This time it will be "The Hermetic Qabalah" from July 1st, 2010, which was introduced thus: -- Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will present a lecture on "The Hermetic Qabalah." First we will define what Qabalah, or Kabbalah, or Cabala, or "Q.B.L.," is, and then we will present a very simplified version of the basic principles -- sort of a "Qabalah for Dummies." Then we will move on into what we can do with it (that's the fun part). I once said that "hypnosis is the tactic of the magician, and qabalah is his strategy." We can define it as a software program, an operating system, or a schematic for the mind which enables the left brain (the rational part) to access and control the right brain (the intuitive part). We will get down to the magical nuts-and-bolts. We'll define the four dimensions, the Tree of Life, the Cube of Space, what the astrological connection is, where the angels and demons live, and how we use the qabalah to communicate with them. Tune in and let us gently bend your mind.

Ba'al and Astarte's Neo-Pagan Magick Mar 23, 2012

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 will feature a discussion led by host Poke Runyon, with Ed Fitch, and Rustee Wizzerd, calling in, on the marriage of Paganism, Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magick seen in the revival of the 1970s Order of the Temple of Astarte in the 21st century. We will talk about how this all got started, what our original goals were, and what influenced the O.T.A. to attempt a modern synthesis of Victorian era Gnostic and Rosicrucian magical systems with the more shamanic and earth-oriented Neo-Pagan Movement. This will be an eye-opener to newbies who often have no idea what the real differences between Wicca and Magick are, or how much one owes to the other -- so, tune in and find out what's going on in strange, dark blue rooms in California, Texas, and Georgia. It's Magick!

Hermetic Yoga (re-broadcast) Mar 16, 2012

Show notes

This Thursday, March 15th, 2012, The Hermetic Hour will re-visit "Hermetic Yoga while we are still on location wrapping up our newest DVD. Host Poke Runyon will discuss the chakras in the etheric-plane Hindu tantric system, and the variations in Tibetan tantra. The kundalini in Hindu, Tibetan and Taoist procedures will be discussed. We will then differentiate between the etheric Hindu system, and our astral arrangement that follows the "lightning Flash" on the Western Tree of Life. The philosophical importance of the Western arrangement will be compared to the Eastern system's alchemical correspondences. We will discuss the origin of our system, from the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar exercise, to its full development now used by the O.T.A. in its magical operations. The mantras and affirmations will be demonstrated and explained. These lessons, with their essential icons and mandalas, will soon be available to Associate Members on our website, so --- tune in and we'll meditate our way from Omega up to Tau, and beyond.

Magical Pathworkings (re-broadcast) Mar 09, 2012

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday March 8th, 2012 will re-broadcast our August 5th, 2010 discussion by Poke Runyon on "Magical Pathworkings." Meanwhile Thabion (Poke) himself is on location in Pasadena filming and recording our forthcoming DVD which will be titled: "Magical Pathworkings." This is going to be a unique interactive presentation which will enable Associate Members to enter the temple with us -- on screen, at home on their computer, or home theater screen -- go into trance and actually go on an inner-plane journey guided by Frater Thabion. As far as we know nothing like this has been attempted before --- So, bear with us while we bring it to life. Tune in and learn what we have in store for you.

The Associate Member Program and Pathworkings Mar 02, 2012

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, March 1st, 2012 will highlight our C.H.S. Associate Member's program. It will also be call-in night, so let's hear from you. Our call-in number is: 374-857-1830. We will be previewing our forthcoming video, now in production, "The Pathworkings of Magick." This is going to be the first time that anyone has attempted to actually do traditional inner plane projection operations over a computer or on DVD home theater. We've already shot the live temple footage and we will post stills on our website. These Pathworking DVDs will go out to our Associate Members as part of their instructional program. Tune in an learn how you can take magical journeys at home.

Feraferia Oimelc Rite at PantheaCon 2012 Feb 24, 2012

Show notes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday the 23rd of February, 2012 will present a report by host Poke Runyon on the recent PantheaCon convention in San Jose, California (from the17th through the 20th of this month). This gathering of NeoPagan tribes, magical lodges and Wiccan covens was attended by 2000 colorful characters with nearly a hundred events, lectures, ritual presentations, and handcrafted treasures for collectors of the exotic. We attended as part of the Feraferian entourage and helped Feraferia's leader Jo Carson to present an enchanted Oimelc rite that featured talented dancers, musicians and an experienced cast of ritualists. Lady Jo will be calling in discuss this event with us and her upcoming book on Feraferia. We also attended lectures and classes given by our friends Chic and Tabatha Cicero, and Lon Milo DuQuette. We touched base with Ed Fitch who was promoting his forthcoming book Pirate Magic -- or is Pyrate Magick? (Arrgh!) A great time was had by all -- so tune in and we'll share the magick with you.

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