The Hermetic Hour: Recent Episodes
The Hermetic Hour
Tune in, turn on, and get magick with Poke Runyon, Archimage of the Ordo Templi Astartes. The O.T.A. is the oldest continually operating magical lodge in the US.
"Poke Runyon is the real deal ... an international magical treasure!" ~ Lon Milo DuQuette
This Thursday, August 5th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. the Hermetic Hour will feature a talk by host Poke Runyon on Magical Pathworkings. These are hypnotic guided tours of the astral plane, "inner plane projections," intended to introduce the magical students to deeply significant symbolism from mythology and traditional occult correspondences. The kabbalistic Tree of Life is the road map. The central idea here is that the student confronts the symbol or archetype and receives personal knowledge he or she might not obtain by conscious study. They are astral initiations. We will look at the history of this type of working, the Eastern version that influenced the O.T.A.'s pathworking system, and we will even take you on a mini-pathworking, so you can experience some of the effect. This is an important part of traditional magical lodge instruction that is not well understood. Tune in and take the journey.
On the upcoming episode of The Hermetic Hour for July 29th, 2010, host Poke Runyon will discuss the background behind the 2007 cult film "Beyond Lemuria" which he wrote and produced for C.H.S. Productions. Beyond Lemuria is a feature length science fiction/occult drama that was filmed in the ancient ruins of Nan Madol in the Pacific, inside an O.T.A. temple in Pasadena, high on the slopes of Mt. Shasta, and deep in the lava caverns under America's holy mountain. The film features leading occult figures in the roles of the Mt. Shasta Avatars. Lon Milo DuQuette takes the role of Hermes Trismegistus, Paul Clark is the Master Jesus, Merrick Hamer is Phylos of Atlantis, and Frater Solomon is Samyaza, the Fallen Angel from "The Book of Enoch." The dark side of the drama involves "The Shaver Mystery," a 1940s revelation of a secret underground realm of Atlantean-Lemurian survivors who possess the super-scientific weapons of the ancients. These evil "Deros" offer their secrets to the black magicians in the film, while the white magicians (played by the same actors) seek the wisdom of the ancients up on the Holy Mountain. Beyond Lemuria is available on DVD from Amazon, and is occasionally shown to select audiences; most recently at Hop Louie's bar and restaurant in L.A.'s Chinatown for a group of college art students. Tune in and get a "behind the scenes" run down on a controversial cult classic.
At eight p.m this Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 the Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will answer your call-in questions on our last show about European magus Franz Bardon. In between calls we will discuss the oldest, most famous (or infamous) of magical grimoires, "The Aim of the Sage", more popularly known as Picatrix" (Picatrix, not pick-up-sticks, and other books of dirty tricks!) This once forbidden tome ( at least in English ) is now available, translated from both the Arabic and the Latin medieval texts. We will discuss the Harranian Sabian contribution, and the Spanish connection--and if this sounds like Greek, it's that too. So tune in and find out how to get scorpions to sting themselves, and how to grow smart plants from human skulls, along with some profound Hermetic philosophy, and astrology that fights back.
At 8:00 p.m. on Thursday July 15th, 2010 Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will present a lecture on the magick of Franz Bardon, the 20th century European alchemist and magician. Bardon was the author of three books on magick, and one semi-autobiographical novel. His Eastern style methods of training, owing much to raja and tantric yoga, have had a considerable influence on modern Western practice. We will discuss each of his three books in sequence; where his information came from, and what his philosophy was. You will learn about "fluid condensers," "volts," "elementals," magnetic and electric fluids, and magick mirrors. His debt to P. B. Randolph will be mentioned. We will discuss the origins of his myriads of spirits, the way he derived his sigils, his unique concept of Kabbalah. Bardon's background as a professional hypnotist, alchemist and healer will be compared to his mundane life and problems. The Master was an over-weight chain-smoker who died after eating a bacon sandwich---but he was still "The Master," and we should appreciate him all the more for the faults that made him human. Tune in find out why Simon, King of the Witches kept saying "Magnetic-Electric," while having fun with the D.A.'s daughter.
On July 1st, 2010, 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.
This Thursday, June 24th, 2010, on the Hermetic Hour, host Poke Runyon will present a lecture on Hermetic Yoga. Poke 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. Tune in and we'll meditate our way from Omega up to Tau, and beyond.
On June 17th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. the Hermetic Hour will present a lecture on the 1770 Crata Repoa system of magical initiation. I will briefly describe this 18th century German (and later French) recreation of an ancient Alexandrian mystery tradition on a Masonic initiatory model. The Crata Repoa was a structural outline for a magical order that precedes both the O.T.O. and the Golden Dawn's Cypher Manuscript by 100 years. We will discuss the original authors, what they were trying to accomplish, and the considerable influence their creation had on subsequent magical traditions. I will recount how I literally stumbled into a French version of the system in 1963, and adapted it to the fledgling O.T.A. in 1969 --- Carrying the story on into the 70s, 80s and 90s as we found out more about the system and expanded our program along the lines laid out in Crata Repoa. Tune in and we'll explore this baroque version of the secrets of the ancients.
On Thursday evening, June 10th, 2010, The Hermetic Hour will present an introductory lecture on Enochian magick. Your host, Poke Runyon, has been practicing this system for forty years and has some personal insights into its effectiveness, how it works, and what one can expect from it. We will begin with a brief history from John Dee and Edward Kelley in Elizabethan times, through the Golden Dawn's amplifications, Crowley's contributions, and the present day developments, including the work of Lon Milo DuQuette. We will discuss Terrestrial Victory, and how it became the modern system of the Thirty Aethyrs. We will recount some Enochian visions, and even deliver an Enochian Call --- You can close your eyes and see what kind of visions arise in your mind's eye. So, tune in on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. and we'll visit the Enochians.
On June 3rd, 2010 The Hermetic Hour will discuss the origin, history, and content of the Golden Dawn's Cypher Manuscript, that mysterious and controversial document that was the foundation of the Victorian era's Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. We will cover this subject in depth, explaining Wynn Westcott's creation of "Fraulein Sprengel," the fictitious Rosicrucian adept who was actually a pseudonym for two real women on the occult scene. We will examine the manuscript itself, and the secret knowledge it reveals about the qabalah, tarot and the Tree of Life. We will recount the notorious "Horos Affair" which nearly destroyed the Golden Dawn, and show how it was related to the Cypher Manuscript. We will briefly discuss Aleister Crowley's connection to the Order, and the difference between his Thelemic philosophy, and the Rosicrucian philosophy of the Golden Dawn. Tune in at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear, when out of the inner sanctum comes the cry of the Kerux: "Hekas, hekas! este bebeloi!" The Golden Dawn rides again!
This week, May 27th, 2010, the Hermetic Hour will deal with the fascinating subject of Masonic-Occult conspiracy connections. We will discuss the actual and fanciful history of Freemasonry in relation to occultism, radical politics, and "The New World Order." We'll go from the Illuminati, the French Revolution, the Morgan Affair, the Palladian hoax, Fabian socialism, to Marxism. We'll reveal just what the "Great Secret" of Freemasonry really is and why the Masons are hated and feared by the fanatics and true-believers of the world's great religions---and the followers of radical political philosophies. We'll briefly review Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol." If you have a friend who believes that Masons are the secret agents of some shadowy world government, or satanic conspiracy, ask them to tune in. We will take calls, but this is a highly charged subject, so make your questions brief and reasonable. Tune in at 8:00 p.m. and, at the sound of the gavel in the East, we will seek the Light.
This Thursday, May 20th, the Hermetic Hour will feature the conclusion of Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow, preceded by a brief synopsis of the story thus far, and followed by a brief commentary. We will then take calls (if any) and answer questions about Prince Aqhat, or magick in general. In the last quarter of the hour Poke Runyon will read excerpts from various articles that will appear in the new Seventh Ray, number three, "The Green Ray." That will be published some time this summer --- So, tune in (at 8:00 p.m.Thursday), turn on, and get magick!
Tune in to hear Poke Runyon read the second of three installments of his historical novelette, "Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow."
For our next show, Poke Runyon will read the first of three installments of his historical novelette, "Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow." This is a modern rendition of an ancient Canaanite legend that dates from the time of Melchizedek (1500 B.C.) and is based on the scribe Elimelech's version written down on clay tablets before Moses brought the Hebrews out of Egypt. The O.T.A. performs four seasonal ceremonies each year based on these ancient Canaanite pre-Biblical myths. Prince Aqhat is a great way to become familiar with Canaanite-Phoenician mythology which has so much bearing on the magick of old King Solomon, and his Phoenician ally King Hiram of Tyre. This is an exciting story, full of magick, mystery and wonder---like a tale from the Arabian Nights, and Poke will give it a dramatic reading. Tune in and get Magick!
This Thursday the Hermetic Hour will present a lecture by Poke Runyon on Dark Mirror Evocation and Angelic Invocation that was first delivered at a symposium sponsored by Paul Clark's Fraternity of the Hidden Light in 2002. This talk will reveal the philosophy, the techniques, and the effects related to these "grand operations" of ceremonial magick: how to summon spirits, and call down angels. Poke will discuss this subject in depth, and give the psychological, spiritual and traditional background behind our most dynamic form of modern urban shamanism. This talk will be directed toward those sincerely interested in this subject. It will be dense with facts, techniques and practical instructions. It may be too heavy for parlor room 'fluffy bunnies,' but if you want to outgrow your fluff, tune in and find out how the boys and girls back in the dim-lit, blue-painted garages do it. Good Magick! Thabion
Introduction to Hermetic and Solomonic ceremonial magick, as taught and practiced by The Church of Hermetic Sciences and The Order of the Temple of Astarte (O.T.A.). We will outline Hermetic philosophy and its history, drawing a distinction between Hermetic magick and witchcraft and satanism. We will discuss the principles of invocation (calling down angels) and evocation (calling up spirits), and the aspects of astrology, kabbalah and alchemy that bear upon Hermetic magick. We will describe the inner workings of the magical visionary process, explaining the hypnotic and subjective nature of this phenomenon, while maintaining the inner spiritual reality of the human imagination.
On Thursday January 19th,2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the 2016 book "The Ba'al Theory of Christianity" by author Glenn Young. This book is subtitled: "Exploring the Impact of Human Sacrifice on Western Religion." This subtitle and Young's insistence on equating Carthaginian child sacrifices with Palestinian Phoenician ritual practices is our only real complaint about this otherwise well-researched and strongly presented book. The author touches all the bases in explaining the differences between Yahwehism and the original worship of El and the Elohim. He describes Ezra's rewrite of the Bible and even mentions Joseph and Moses as the possible leaders of the Hyksos. Although he is wrong in assuming that Sidon and Tyre practiced child sacrifice in Classical times he may be correct in assuming that Carthaginian practices might have influenced the Druids and the Nordics and later the witchcraft persecutions. It is unfortunate that he fails to consider that even though the Carthaginians were originally Phoenician they, like the ancient Egyptians, were also African. This will be a very thought provoking and controversial subject.
On Thursday January 12th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Letters on the Royal Art" by 19th century German author J. B. Kerning.Kerning was a musician, a mystic and a Freemason. The book is composed of letters describing the spiritual absorption of the symbols, words and signs used in the three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry in the form of an internal awareness which purifies and sanctifies the whole body. This is similar to a yoga chakra system and may have had an influence on the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar ritual. The book and other works by Kerning may have influenced Bardon's "Key to the True Qabalah." Kerning was a singer and teaches a magical Masonic Alphabet in the manner of a musical voice teacher. He is perhaps the first modern Western mystic to emphasize internalization of spiritual ritual. His concepts enabled the development of "Bringing Down The Light" in 20th century magick.
On Thursday October 6th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will chair a discussion on the recent discovery of the ancient Pagan origins of many Spirits in the Solomonic Goetia of the Lemegeton. This new research for the forthcoming Second Edition of our very popular 1997 The Book of Solomon's Magick has been undertaken by two of our senior O.T.A. magicians: Very Honored Frater Solomon, Michael Johnson, and Very Honored Frater SithMeth, Maximilian Paul. Both of whom will be calling in to discuss their findings. It is universally acknowledged that the Goetic spirits Bael and Asteroth are demonizations of the Canaanite God Baal, and his consort the Goddess Astarte. But assignment of the other deities of the Canaanite pantheon has proved difficult. Mike and Max will lift the veil and help us recover the lost companions of the Thunder God and the Queen of Heaven.
On Thursday September 29th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss our new book (magazine actually) titled Hermetic Yoga for the Golden Dawn. Which we have just published and is now available on Amazon. This document is a spin-off from our Hermetic Yoga books which are familiar to most members and regular listeners. But for newbies lets review: The O.T.A. and the Church of the Hermetic Sciences have developed (we like to say recovered) a straight-line, seven sphere Tantric Yoga chakra system similar to the Hindu version but laid out Western style with Saturn at the top and the Moon at the bottom in Solar system order. The last survival of this was the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar exercise for drawing down the Light into the body. We started by bringing down The Flaming Sword from the Book of Revelation and activating Da'ath the phantom sphere in the Golden Dawn's secret Eleven Sphere Tree design. Using other secrets from the old Cypher Manuscript we created a unique full seven chakra system within the Golden Dawn universe, with ancient Egyptian Gods and Rosicrucian Angels. So stay with us and we'll walk you through it.
On Thursday August 17 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review and discussion of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 science fiction novel Starship Troopers and the 1997 film version. Poke will be joined by Max Paul (Frater SithMeth)in the discussion of this controversial cult classic. Set in a future interstellar time period where Earth is the center of a Federation (similar to Star Trek) With a government which appears to be based on Plato's Republic. The Earth is attacked by a race of intelligent insects who control meteors as weapons of mass destruction. The Federation must fight to survive. The story of the war is told from the viewpoints of young people who join the military, serving in all branches. They come together in the climax in a final battle which turns the tide in favor of the Federation.The Federation is presented as an authoritarian state that appears superficially fascist, more so in the film than in the novel. Actually its concepts of Citizenship are more socialist than fascist. Heinlein was a liberal democrat who had come to believe that liberal democracy had failed. Like J.F.Kennedy he seemed to be saying: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." As a former paratrooper, this is one of my favorite novels and films. I hope you enjoy our exploration of this Classic.
On Thursday June 20th, 2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of Chapters Eight and Nine of the magical adventure novel: The Tomb of Prester John. We will pick up the story in Thyatria home of the Biblical Jezebel, modern Akhisar in Turkey where Doc Roland and beautiful Sophie Eskandar have just recovered and translated the mysterious letter from Prester John. They are rescued from ibn Iblis the Terrorist by Turkish Colonel Renda and make plans with him to find Prester John's legendary Tomb and treasure. They are being stalked from satellites by a Globalist master mind who seeks the treasure for his own evil ends. This is an up to the minute Indiana Jones, James Bond high-tech magical adventure. Don't miss it.
On Thursday June 23rd, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will reappraise and read from the Hermetic classic "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, first published in 1533 in Latin. This master work has been the foundation study of Hermetic science, Magick and mysticism for nearly 500 years. It is divided into three sections, or books: The Natural World, The Celestial World, and The Divine World. The first, The Natural World dealt with The Hermetic Elements, the second The influence of The Heavens, Stars and Planets upon human affairs and events and the third the Divine World, dealt with the spiritual sciences of Magick and Qabalah. Unfortunately many students get these volumes as a reference work. Agrippa intended it to be read and studied from beginning to end as one continuous and contiguous work. The Hermetic Elements of the Natural World are reflected in the Celestial World, and spiritually empowered and directed from The Divine World. We will demonstrate this with selected readings from the first Volume. We will be reading from the newly translated 1533 Latin edition from Inner Traditions translated by Eric Purdue. So if you want an old fashioned introduction to wizardry, tune and we'll start you on the path.
On Thursday June 6th,2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the new expanded Second Edition of "Celebrate Wildness, Magic, Myth and Love on the Feraferian Path" with author Jo Carson, president of Feraferia, Inc. America's first and still foremost nature and goddess venerating Neo-Pagan tradition. Lady Jo will be our call-in guest. The beautifully illustrated book is now on sale at < pokerunyon.com > for $45.00 free-shipping in U.S. Lady Jo is an award-winning film maker and creator of the Feraferian documentary video: "Dancing with Gaia" which is also carried in our bookstore. The book and the video can be bought together for $55.00. The late Frederick Adams has been called the American William Blake. He was a wonderful artist and magician. Join us and celebrate the goddess. Evoe! Kore!
On February 27th, 2022 The Host of the Hermetic Hour was the call-in guest of Masonic brothers At the Fort Worth, Texas Masonic Lodge's weekly Pod cast. Poke was interviewed by the Master, Worshipful brother Gabriel, who was very knowledgeable on esoteric subjects and asked me some very provocative questions. We covered everything from my childhood, through, spearfishing, scuba diving, special forces, Novel and screen writing and the illness that got me into magick -- through self-hypnosis -- and on then into anthropology, while doing the Golden Dawn and witchcraft, writing my Master's Thesis on Magick -- after which I did The entire Masonic program. Master Gabriel asked me: "After all those other traditions how did Masonry affect You?" -- "I'll be honest with with you, I Told him, I thought these Muggels couldn't show me anything; but they totally blew me away! The Third degree was awesome." I realized that I had been hit with the full force of a Three Hundred year old Egregore (collective spirit) Master Gabriel came in at that point for a Fuller more philosophical explanation of the term. We continued discussing magick,the nature of spirits,the Golden Dawn, astrology, Kabbalah and even reincarnation -- all in all it was a very enjoyable hour and a half with a lot of very stimulating conversation. I'll be responsible for what I said and nothing I said reflects official Masonic teaching or doctrine. Thanks to Bro. Billy and Wor. Bro. Gabriel for letting us rebroadcast it.
On Thursday February 17th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss and review the current trend in Fantasy novels involving themes and characters from The Arabian Nights mainly the Jinn which King Solomon imprisoned in his sealed jars. A few weeks ago Poke had been putting together a show dealing with The CITY of BRASS from Burton's version of the Nights, citing it as an inspiration for many classic fantasy adventure stories. But then he discovered that an American Lady author, Shannon Chakraborty, had in fact published a magical novel called The City of Brass in 2017. So he decided to postpone the show until he had read her book. He then discovered another British author Jonathan Stroud who had a series of Jinn fantasies called The Bartimaeus Triology launched in 2003 which he needed to catch up on. And while we are at it we might as well throw in the old Victorian classic Vatheck by William Beckford (1893). So, if you would like to take a ride on a magic carpet, tune in and we'll be off.
On Thursday May 16th, 2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss Russian Philosopher Aleksandr Dugin's relation to Traditional Hermeticism, Nazi Theosophy, and occult themes influencing his geopolitical "Eurasia" movement, which seems to have evolved into a chaos magick doomsday cult. We will also review his insightful critique of Western (Anglo-Saxon) individualistic Liberalism as presented in a recent interview with a controversial talk show host. Our other sources are: "The American Empire Should be Destroyed" (2014) by James D. Heiser and "Dugin against Dugin, a Traditonalist Critique of the Fourth Political Theory" (2018) by Charles Upton. We will also discuss the contemporary slandering of the Hermetic Tradition in America linking it to Marxism by James Lindsay; an assumption expertly refuted by Dr. Justin Sledge on Esoterica. So if you want meet the man they call Putin's Rasputin, join us Thursday night.
On Thursday February 3rd , 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of the first two chapters of his magical adventure novel “The Tomb of Prester John.” This is the second broadcast of the novel, presenting the second chapter but also a re-written version of chapter one, so if you missed the first broadcast you will still be caught-up with the story. Prester John was a legendary Asian Christian Priest King with a vast treasure. He sent a letter to European leaders during the Crusades which Doc Roland and his beautiful lady archaeologist partner think is a code leading to his tomb and the treasure. But their quest is imperiled by terrorists and traitors within their own sponsoring organization. The Tomb of Prester John is a combination of Indiana Jones and James Bond, so if you like romantic adventure with an occult twist, tune in and enjoy high adventure.
On Thursday May 2nd, 2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review the 1930 classic historical novel "Salome: My First 2000 years of Love", by George Sylvester Viereck and Paul Eldridge. This is the second of a three-decker trilogy by Viereck and may be called a fictional feminist manifesto. Glamorous feminism, because its heroine the immortal Princess Salome used her charm and beauty in a constant battle against male domination symbolized by her immortal lover, and patriarchal nemisis, Cartaphilus, the Wandering Jew. These two sustain a love-hate relationship that spans the ages as each of the two immortals struggle with their self-determined missions: Salome wants female equality and even domination. Salome supported and condoned medieval witchcraft and was considered a witch. She infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church and installed a female Pope. Cartaphilus is determined to destroy Christianity because Jesus cursed him with immortality. The metaphor of the Jewish diaspora is obvious. Further disturbing symbolism is found in Cartaphilus' servant: Kotikokura, an African apeman who is described as "the missing link" between simians and humans. He becomes more and more human through the course of the three volume trilogy. However because he is "African" we will be surprised if the third volume is reprinted. The first two books are available in recent editions and original 1930 copies of Salome are still available. Even with the controversial aspects, these books are well worth reading.
On Thursday January 13th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Aleister Crowley in England" (2021) by Tobias Churton. This is the final part of Churton's serialized biography of The Great Beast, following on "The Beast in Berlin," "Crowley in America," and "Crowley in India." The compendium will be the most complete and best documented life of Crowley yet presented. This particular volume will present a side of A.C. his other biographers have not explored: Crowley the Gourmet Chef! Cook what Thou wilt shall be the Whole of the Menu! In the 1930s the Beast was considered the Sultan of exotic curry dishes and hosted the Lords and Ladies of London society at his festive board. We will give you a summary of his bill of fare, so tune in and bon appétit!
On Thursday April 18th, 2024 -- The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review the new publication of "My First Two Thousand Years" (1928) by George Sylvester Viereck and Paul Eldridge. This is a controversial but literary biography of the mythical "Wandering Jew". Sylvester Viereck was a German patriot who employed Aleister Crowley to write anti-British propaganda for his newspaper during the early days of World War One. The book, "My First Two Thousand Years," was written and published in the 1920s and must be judged in the climate of that era. That said, it is still a good read. Isaac Laquedem, the Wandering Jew, chases his immortal love Salome thru the centuries. He meets Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Appolonius of Tyana and on to hobnob with Gilles de Rais, the satanic child-murderer who was Joan of Arc's general, and on into modern times where he meets Baron de Rothschild and Vladimir Lenin. This book was actually the first of a three-decker novel, the second volume was Salome's story (My First Two Thousand Years of Love) and finally: "The Invincible Adam" who was their African servant Kotikokura that they were civilizing. Each of these books tells the same story, each from their separate viewpoint, a technique which influenced the best seller The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell (1957-60) and the film series Highlander. Of course the book, or books, are very metaphoric. Isaac, or Cartiphilus to use his Roman name, is representative of the Jewish diaspora. Salome is a spokesperson for rising feminism. She is determined to conquer the curse of moon and liberate the feminine gender. Kotikokura is the third world enslaved and exploited, finally throwing off his chains but he is also based on Gilgamesh's wild man Enkidu. All considered, "My First Two Thousand Years" has a lot to offer the 21st century's thoughtful readers.
On Thursday April 11th, 2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will have as his call in guest America's foremost ceremonial magician, Maestro Lon Milo DuQuette. The primary subject Lon will discuss is his latest project: a color it yourself version of his and his wife Constance's 1998 Tarot of Ceremonial Magick. The new project, the color it yourself Tarot Deck is in line with his Chicken Qabalah "creation of magical toys" concept. By coloring your own Tarot deck you not only personalize it but you also internalize all the magical symbolism. This is not a new idea. It originated with the Golden Dawn in the 1870's and was perpetuated by Paul Case in his Builders of the Adytum in the 1920's. This is a fascinating subject and you have an opportunity to get a pre-publication preview of a Master's work. So tune in and let the Maestro get your creative juices flowing.
The Hermetic Hour for Thursday December 12th, 2019 -- will feature a discussion and review of thenew edition of The Tarot of Ceremonial Magick by Lon and Constance DuQuette which was first issuedin 1995 along with the book of the same title. Your host Poke Runyon will have as his guest the Maestrohimself, Lon Milo DuQuette, who will describe and explain his masterpiece. The new deck has improved colorseparation and is more attractivly packaged and available at a lower price than previous editions. Thesecards describe a 360 degree magick circle with symbolic connections to the three Great Pillars of Magick:Astrology Enochian Magick and Goetia. They are a marvelous tool for the practicing magician and even thearmchair magician. The book is still in print and this new issue of the deck is a welcome manifestationof the the wisdom of the Master and the symbolic art of his Lady. Although this deck is not intended forfortune telling, we invite you to join us as we shuffle the deck of the Multiverse and let the Maestrodeal the cards.
On Thursday September 23rd, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Journey to the Castle (2021) by Ann Finnin who will join us on the show to guide us recalling her journey to find the roots of Traditional British Witchcraft. As most of us know modern British witchcraft is divided between Gardnerian and Robert Gravesian branches. The Gravesian branch springing mostly from Bill Gray and Robert Cochcrane (Roy Bowers) and imported to America by Joe Wilson as the Order of 1734. Dave and Ann Finnin’s Coven of the Roebuck grew out of 1734 but they wanted to get to the real roots of their inspiration. Go to England, meet the elders, walk the lay lines, visit the castles. Learn the truth first hand. This book recalls that quest, documents their discoveries and presents Ann’s insights on the meanings and significance of this most shamanic form of modern witchcraft. If you want to know how to cross the moat tune in and take notes.
On Thursday September 9th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the vast Central Asian kingdom of Tartaria and the medieval legend of Prester John, the mysterious Christian monarch who was said to have ruled a huge empire West of China and to have written letters to the Pope and kings in Europe. Mentioned by Marco Polo and other European travelers to the Orient Prester John was a political Holy Grail quest for Crusaders seeking allies against the Muslims. But John and his kingdom was never found -- and yet there may have been a Christian king and warlord in Central Asia in medieval times as new historical research and archeology are discovering. In Medieval times the boundaries of Tartaria stretched from China to Eastern Europe; an area defined by the conquests of Genghis Khan and his sons. Only recently have we come to realize that Europeans have been living in Central Asia for thousands of years. Many of the Central Asian tribes and even nations riding under Mongol banners in the middle ages were actually Caucasian Christians descendants of the ancient Scythians, Armenians and Indo-Europeans. The real history of Central Asia has been suppressed and mistranslated. We will suggest who the real Prester John might have been. So put on your fedora, snap your bull whip and lets follow the Silk Road to adventure.
On Thursday August 26th, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will explore the place of Hermetics and Hermetic Magicians in the coming Futurist society influenced and augmented by genetic engineering, nanotech, computer technology, artificial intelligence, and Clio-dynamics We will refer to our broadcasts over the past few years dealing with these super-humanizing or DE-humanizing techs and tech-systems predicted by science fiction authors such as A.E. Van Vogt, L. Ron Hubbard, Issac Asimov, and Frank Herbert. We will consult current works on the subject by Michio Kaku and Marc Zimmer. We will suggest that much of this futurism derives from Hermetic philosophy and therefore we magicians should embrace it providing we can become more than human rather than a swarm of sub-human drones in a hive. So if you wanna be Slans. (Fans of the Slans are today’s futurists) tune in and we’ll open the gate for you.
On Thursday August 19th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present two Prophetic essays by American rocket scientist, magician and philosopher John Whiteside Parsons. Chapters Two and Three of "Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword taken from The Seventh Ray, Book IV, Omnibus, The Violet Ray" a reprint of the original publication in the Seventh Ray, issue 19, 1977 (Chapter 3) and a previously unpublished chapter 2, "The Sword and the State." These essays from the 1950s are particularly important in the present political, spiritual, and socio-economic situation. They should be of particular interest to our Thelemic listeners and Hermetic students generally. I do not always agree with Jack but I do agree that his work should be revived and reviewed at this critical time. So if you want to know what Maestro Belarion predicted tune in and find out.
On Thursday February 29th 2024, The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will broadcast a memorial for Wiccan and Neo-Pagan elder Edward Sitch 1937 - 2024, with Pagan leaders and friends calling in sharing remembrances of Frater Ea and "Sitch the Witch" as Tom Snyder dubbed him. Ed was a VMI grad and a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. He served in Viet Nam, Thailand, the U.S. and U.K. With Joseph Wilson and Raymond Buckland, Ed brought Witchcraft (Wicca) to America in the 1950s. He worked as a writer and editor on "The waxing Moon," and "The Crystal Well" both leading Neo-Pagan pblications. He was the author of several books, including "A Grimoire of Shadows" and "The Rites of Odin." He was a member of the original Brethen of the Coast Pirate Club; and as a sailor he crewed on Sydney Hatchl's schooner Escape, and was 2nd mate on my schooner Valkyrie. He was a witch and a magician, a wizard and a warrior, a sailer and a sage. He was a Gentleman of the Old School. He will be long remembered and he will be missed.
On Thursday August 5th, 2021 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Magical (Electional) Astrology from Ficino to Campanella with Bishop Michael Beeson (V.H. Frater Suen). We will refer to D.P. Walker's book Demonic and Spiritual magic from Ficino to Campanella, recounting Campanella and Pope Urban's magical astrological operation. We will discuss Planetary Hours, Lunar Mansions, and other aspects of electional astrology. We will recommend the books of Christopher Warnock (Renaissance astrology) and Michael Beeson's own podcast, Hacking Fate. So if you want to know how the old wizards did it, tune in and find out.
On Thursday July 8th, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and Very Honored Frater Suon will present a discussion on the Ars Notoria, a medieval Solomonic grimoire of prayers and meditations designed to assist in learning the Hermetic arts such as astrology, alchemy, philosophy and even theology. Although attributed to Solomon it is heavily Christian but filled with Hermetic and magickal lore. It was often included in the Lemegeton compendiums of Solomonic grimoires; along with the Goetia and the Almadel. It originated in the 13th century but we are most familiar with the Robert Turner 1656 translation available from Trident Books (1997) but we will also discuss Stephen Skinner & Daniel Clark’s (2019) compendium of earlier versions. So tune in and learn how the old wizards remembered their spells.
On Thursday June 3rd, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading off the newly drafted Corpus Christi ceremony which will represent the Rosicrucian climax of the ancient pagan seasonal ceremony round. It will be performed following the Spring Sacred Marriage Nuptiae rite. In keeping with the Sacred Marriage being the supreme sacrament and passion of early Gnostic Christianity. The ritual will follow the ancient Naassene document honoring Jesus as the last of the pagan dying Gods coming down to rescue and marry Mary Magdalene so that they may rule together as King and Queen of Israel. So if you want experience the Second Coming, Valentinian style, tune in and receive the Gnosis.
On May 27th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will have as honored guest Lady Jo Carson Avatrix of Feraferia who will discuss her restoration and fulfillment of Master Fred Adams cosmos encompassing mandala, the Enneasphere which incorporates Qabalistic astrological and Tarot correspondences in one great design. This masterpiece can be seen on Feraferia's website: < feraferia.org > under "latest additions" and on < chsota.org > on the blogs as "Fun with Enneaspheres" if possible look at the graphics on these websites while listening to the show. And also check out Lady Jo's film DANCING WITH GAIA. We just released it on Amazon. So tune in and get introduced to the Celestial Key to the Hermetic mysteries.
On Thursday January 25th,2024 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will continue its periodic presentation of Poke Runyon's magical adventure novel: "The Tomb of Prester John" with a dramatic reading of Chapter's Seven and Eight: "The Revelations of Jezebel, and "The Subterranean World." This is a tale of magick, adventure and intrigue with archaeologists Marion 'Doc' Roland and Sophie Iskandar searching for the lost Tomb of Crusader era warrior-priest-king Prester John whose vast treasure could tip the balance of world finance. Doc and Sophie battle terrorists and satanic cultists in the underground cities of Turkey as they solve the mystery of the mysterious "Lamp of Truth." Tune in and enjoy old fashioned high adventure.
On Thursday May 6th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a revised chapter from the new edition of The Book of Solomon’s Magick, Chapter Five, the Qabalah of Wizardry. This revision is necessary because our version of Qabalah has undergone some evolvement since this chapter was published twenty-six years ago. We have discovered the Celestial Tetragrammaton, restored the Eleven Sphere Tree of Life before the Fall. Evolved the sacred marriage from Baal and Astarte to Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the Rosicrucian degrees and created new kameas for the outer planets. I suggest you have your Tree of Life diagrams handy as you listen so that you can follow along the paths.
On Thursday January 11th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will revisit the 1908 occult classic "The Kybalion" by Three Initiates and reveal just who those three initiates were. In 2008 Philip Deslippe issued the "Definitive Edition of the Kybalion" which he claimed was entirley the work of William Walter Atkinson (1862 - 1932)In the next few years Golden Dawn scholar Mary Greer did more research and discovered that Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland had written a version of the Hermetic corpus that presented the same seven principles as the Kybalion. Both Kingsford and Maitland had passed away by 1908 and Richard Smoley edited yet another Kybalion in 2018 (the centenary edition) returning the byline to the Three Initiates, declaring the authors to have been: William Walter Atkinson, Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland. We might also mention that Golden Dawn scholar Robert A. Gilbert discovered that Anna Kingsford was actually the mysterious Fraulein Sprengle who helped create the Golden Dawn. Her connection is revealed in our book: "Secrets of the Golden Dawn Cypher Manuscript" which is available from < pokerunyon.com > So let's take another closer look at the Kybalion and its recent editions.
On Thursday January 4th, 2024 Poke Runyon, host of the Hermetic Hour will review the eleven new live broadcasts we presented in 2023, starting with Letters on the Royal Art by J.B. Kerning on January 12th 2023 and ending with The Illustrated Goetia with guest author Arundell Overman on November 2nd 2023. We suggest that you regular listeners take notes so you can look up any new shows you may have missed and get them from the archives. at < http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ the-hermetic-hour > 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday nights. Happy New Year
We have had a photocopy of a 300 year old magical manuscript in our archives for fifty years and have used it or research, study, rituals, and publications but until we began a serious study of Valentinian Gnosticism we had no idea what secrets were hidden in this Elizabethan era manuscript that we had been using for years. The structure of the Celestial and Terrestrial versions of the Tetragrammaton was set forth in the First Conjuration of the Goetia. Elizabethan magicians were NeoPlatonists and Hermetics. They were partial to Christian Gnosticism and venerated the most high God, honoring Jehovah as the God of the Earth Sphere. I now wonder if Sloane 2731 influenced us to realize the two Tetragrammatons years before we discovered them in the text of the First Conjuration.
In the Elizabethan period the Italian Renaissance came to England. Even though the English had broken with the Roman Church they were still following the Italians in astrology, philosophy, alchemy and Magick. During the reign of The Virgin Queen the British would exceed the Italians in that one aspect of the Hermetic Arts – Magick. The Angelic Revelation of Dr. John Dee is certainly the high water mark of Renaissance Theurgy. But we magicians sometimes forget that the English Elizabethan period was a Magical Age. It was the Time of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and Spencer’s “The Faerie Queene.” Magick was in the air. So let us look back on this golden age and recall some of its magical treasures.
On Thursday March 4th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on recent reports of an alleged underground war being waged by American special forces soldiers against a coalition of traitors and demonic aliens in a subterranean network of DUMBs (deep underground military bases ) connected to a tunnel network excavated and still inhabited by ancient Satanic humanoids usually described as “demons.” This vast underground network is said to extend worldwide. It was first revealed to the public in 1886 by French writer Alexandre St. Yves d, Alvedre, who claimed it was a subterranean kingdom under Tibet with tunnels that reached everywhere in the world. It was forgotten until 1922 when Ferdinand Ossendowski exposed it again in his best-seller “Beasts, Men and Gods.” Although he may have gotten the story from the Mad Baron of Mongolia who probably got it from St. Yves book, or perhaps from the drunken High-Lama of Mongolia who probably got it from the Mad Baron. In any case a Science-fiction writer (who was also mad) Richard S. Shaver re-ran it as series of truth-based fictional adventures in Amazing Stories right after the end of W.W. II. Shaver gathered a fan base of true-believers, including this reporter at age 16. This evil underworld was peopled by satanic mutants armed with ancient ray machines which could be used for mind-control, sadistic torture or seduction. It made great pulp fiction. Even after I outgrew Shaver, I couldn’t resist making a movie based on his Mystery. In 2007 we released BEYOND LEMURIA which includes all of the elements the present Underground War Reports are featuring: Government and military involvement, Satanic depravity, child-trafficking, and UFO super-science. Tonight we will focus on these current reports and the actual evidence of these underground facilities. So if you want to know what’s really down there stay tuned and we’ll go down the rabbit hole.
On Thursday February 4th, 2021 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 9th century Arab treatise on Stellar Rays by the Baghdad sage Abu Yusuf Al-Kindi. This work had a considerable influence on Medieval astrology and magick. Its influence continues to this day in the New Age astrology of Alice Bailey and in the revival of Picatrix an astrological magick grimoire from the 9th century that al-Kindi's work influenced. So if you want to find out where the mysterious Seven Rays came from, tune in and we will return to Baghdad in the days of the Arabian Nights.
On Thursday January 21st, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, Frater Thabion, will present a discussion on The Outer Planets in astrology and magick, joined by astrologer and occult author Ann Finnin, V.H. Soror Urania. As most of us known astrology, Hermetic Magick and Alchemy arose and flourished in the years before the modern trans Saturnian planets were discovered. In ancient times it was believed that Saturn was the outer limit of the Solar System and Astrology and its dependent sciences: magick and alchemy factored celestial influences based on what could be observed with the naked eye. According to Hermetic philosophy the Macrocosm of the heavens was reflected in the human Microcosm. We all behaved prospered or failed on the whim of the planets within and the surrounding signs of the zodiac. In magick we all had seven planets in our horoscopes to contend with and we created talismans and rituals to deal with them. In the middle ages and the Renaissance this astrological magick grew into an elaborate system. Which has continued into modern times but since 1791 when Herschel discovered Uranus beyond Saturn followed by the discovery of Neptune in 1846 and Pluto in 1030,the Hermetic Microcosm had to be extended. Astrologers managed to factor in the newly discovered heavenly bodies but magicians and alchemists were slow to adapt. These slow moving long term bodies have profound effects on individuals and societies. We will discuss the creation of talismans (kameas) and mythological applications to the outer planets. So if you would like to know what lies beyond the abyss, tune in and we'll take you to the Outer Limits.
On Thursday December 10th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a report on Rivendell our Church and Order Headquarters in Silverado, California where we have our magical temple and outdoor Henge. Rivendell just survived its second near disaster in this century this last week. Thanks to the God and the Goddess, Archangels Raphael and Michael, Paralda and Zephyrus, the Sylphs and Salamanders and our local fire department, we at Rivendell and Rivendell itself survived without damage, while 17 other homes in our town were destroyed. So this week the Hermetic Hour will honor and appreciate its home and give a history of the place and its unique community. So if you want to find out about America's magical headquarters tune in and I'll be your tour guide.
On Thursday December 3rd, 2020 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will welcome V.H. Frater Suon, Michael Beeson, the host Wizard of YouTube and BitChute's "Hacking Fate" in a discussion of the 13th Century master astrologer Guido Bonatti and his significant contributions to Renaissance Astrology which is the practical philosophy behind Hermetic magick. So, if you want to want to make Picatrix work for you, tune in and take notes.
We are finally going to publish the Seventh Ray Omnibus issue which we have been heralding for 20 years, reprinting the old journals from 1972 through 1978.The Seventh Ray, Book IV Omnibus Issue, The Violet Ray is a time capsule. Buried to preserve a record of the formative years from 1970 to 1978 of America’s longest running Ceremonial Magick lodge, the Order of the Temple of Astarte. The Seventh Ray journal was ressurrected at the turn of the century in a new format running for three issues from Book I to Book III in 2011. Now we are unearthing the time capsule and bringing back the originals in facsimilie to be studied and enjoyed by a new generation of magicians. In the pages of the old Seventh Ray you will find articles by William G. Gray, Frederick Adams, Geoffrey James, Luis T. Culling. David G. Kennedy and Janine Renee, and the first publication of Jack Parson’s Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword. You’ll find A History of the O.T.A. along with The Return of the Grail in the Age of Aquarius and Trisecting an Angle with a pentagram and those ribtickling cartoons. So watch for it and prepare to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear -- When Simon King of the Witches chanted Magnetic-Electric! Magnetic-Electric!
On Thursday November 2nd, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss "The Illustrated Goetia (2020)" by Arundell Overman. The author will be our call in guest and we can guarantee a fascinating discussion that fans of ceremonial magick will not want to miss. How do the spirits appear? As distorted faces in the magick mirror? or as free floating visions over the Triangle? You may be surprised at how much the two wizards agree on and how far down the rabbit hole this discussion will take you. So tune in and take notes.
On Thursday September 10th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present an essay on Creative Freedom and Hermetic Philosophy. We will discuss the nature of God in the Hermetic Corpus and the concept that all humans are gifted with "Speech" (literacy) but only those who answer the call have "The Mind." This is a form of spiritual elitism more exclusive than Christian Salvation but more reflective of Human nature. We will trace the history of Hermetic study and practice in the Western World, its influence on Freemasonry and Western culture. We will examine its distortions which have given rise to the evils of the illuminati and communism. So, tune in and discover how to empower your dreams.
On Thursday August 27th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a newly discovered lost chapter from the Book of Shamgar which describes how the Purple Dragon and the Prophet Bezek found the Stone Pillar of Jacob upon which was inscribed Father Abraham’s Book of Creation (the Sepher Yetzirah). After fighting off bandits and the spells of a witch they brought the sacred stone back to the Tabernacle to take its rightful place beside the Ark of the Covenant and ensure Shamgar his election as Judge for the Tribe of Judah. This controversial document suggests that the Jewish tradition of Abraham’s authorship of the Sepher Yetzirah is correct and it also implies that he was the originator of the alphabet. So if you like ancient mysteries tune in and we’ll open the 32 gates wisdom.
On Thursday August 6th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review of William Leonard Pickard’s magisterial novelized biography “The Rose of Paracelsus”(2019). This 650 page masterwork is already considered literature by the academic community. Like Mallory’s “The Morte de Arthur” “The Rose” was entirely written in prison. It recounts Pickard’s academic, scientific, and extra-legal career from the early 1960s until his arrest and subsequent imprisonment in 2000. It is beautifully written, fast paced and well structured. It is subtitled “On Secrets and Sacraments” which aptly describes what it delivers. Pickard was not only a psychedelic alchemist, he was also an intelligence asset (say researcher) for the Ivy League think tanks and indirectly for government agents. So conspiracy theory and even UFO buffs will be pulling quotes from The Rose for the next decade. Pickard connected with an international network of psychedelic alchemists and visited each in a world tour that reads like a James Bond adventure. Returning to the U.S. he visited his mentor the venerable psychedelic sage, Sasha Shulgin, who warned him against a demonic cultist who inhabited an abandoned underground missile base used for an LSD laboratory and an orgiastic temple. But like a character in a Richard Shaver or Sax Rohmer story Leonard Pickard was lured into this hellish underworld where psychedelics were used to en-slave and abuse young women.And because this cult had better government connections than Pickard, he was set up to take the rap for their criminal activities. He was given two life sentences in Federal Prison. Fortunately he has just been released and we hope he will be listening to this broadcast. So. Turn on, Tune in, and learn what’s under the rose.
On Thursday July 2nd, 2020 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will reveal the lost Initiatory Scroll of the Soul Travel Boat written in the early days of the Order of the Temple of Astarte. This lost document was recently rediscovered while we were doing research for the second volume of Hermetic Yoga and we have decided to release it along with one of the advanced Pathworkings that uses The Soul Travel Boat. From Malkuth to Chesed via the 29th and 21st Paths. So if you want fly the skies of the Astral Plane with us tune in and climb aboard the Soul Travel Boat.
On Thursday June 11th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Pagan Hermetic origins of the Sepher Yetzirah. This ancient book is the Philosophical and mystical foundation of the Medieval Hebrew Kabbalah. And eventually the Hermetic Qabalah which seems to recover its actual origins. It is traditionally attributed, by the Hebrews, to Father Abraham and was said to have been written by him in Harran where he is said to have “Made Souls” The Harranians were star-worshipers who preserved the star lore of ancient Babylon and eventually joined the Pythgorean - Hermetic magical tradition. The Sepher Yetzirah or Book of Creation describes how the Universe was created by the Word of God, using the proto-Hebrew Phoenician alphabet, the first alpha-numeric letter system. Which acquired twenty-four letters to accommodate the entire celestial sphere and the elements, and then became the origin of ancient Greek—which passed on its alpha-numeric heritage to Medieval Hebrew and Arabic. It has even been suggested that the second century Valentinian Magician Marcus wrote the earliest version of the Sepher Yetzirah. Even Gershom Scholem admits that the philosophy of the Sepher Yetzirah is Pythagorean. So, if you want to delve in to the depths of the mysteries join us for an hour of speculation on the origins of The Book of Creation.
On Thursday May 21st 2020 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Twisted History of Christianity. The general theme of this presentation is how the distortion of its original principles perverted its mission for the following two thousand years of world history. We will examine how the Christian religion, which was supposed to bring peace, love and comfort to the people who accepted it, brought instead War, hatred, persecution and despair. We will begin by recalling what Christianity was supposed to be and who Jesus’s Father in Heaven really was. We will remember how his wife, Mary Magdalene and later the bishop Valentinian and his follower Marcus tried to carry on the original teachings. We will recall how the Roman Church created its Inquisition to stamp out the resurgence of original Gnostic Christianity in Southern France where Mary Magdalene and Marcus had preached, and how the Roman Church launched a genocidal crusade against these innocent Cathars killing millions. The Inquisition went on to murder thousand of heretics and witches while the Church bishops exploited the poor and offered salvation for money. Finally Northern European Christians revolted in a movement called the Reformation, but the Protestants failed to correct the original mistake the Roman Church had made in accepting Yahweh as the father of Jesus and incorporating the corrupted Old Testament as part of the Christian Bible. By the 18th century all forms of Christianity were challenged by the rise of a new atheistic religion that offered the same promise: peace, love and comfort. It emerged from the horror of the French Revolution. You can call it socialism, humanism, or communism – but what ever name it goes under, it is actually a Christian Heresy. It is Christian altruism without salvation. So, If you want to want to know how the early Christians got it wrong and how we can fix it, tune in and we’ll reveal a real New Testament.
On Thursday April 30th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion and review of the 1934 to 1954 science-fiction Lensman series, by Edward Elmer Smith, PhD, a scientist in the food industry specializing in pastry, whose major accomplishment in food engineering was making powdered sugar adhere to doughnuts, and whose major accomplishment in science fiction writing was the creation of a sub-genre called “Space Opera” His Lensman series and its concepts and themes influenced Frank Herbert’s Dune, Roddenberry's Star Trek, and Lucas’ Star Wars. It even re-influenced the screen version of one of Smith’s inspirations The 1912 Burroughs’ John Carter, when Burroughs's Therns were rewritten by Andrew Stanton as Smith’s evil “Eddorians” and their medallions given the powers of an Arisian Lens. Smith developed the concept of the Multiverse, laser and particle weapons and super computers years before they appeared. His concept of the Lensmen as an incorruptible Galactic police force, guided by secret masters from a hidden planet seems to have been inspired by Theosophy’s “Ascended Masters” from Tibet, and King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table and the Holy Grail. The Lensmen are obviously the origin of the Star War's Jedi. Another imitator of Doc Smith was Issac Asimov with his Foundation Series. Asimov was so successful with his Foundation series that he beat out Doc Smith for the 1966 Hugo award for “the best all time science-fiction series.” But at least they declared that Doc’s epic was runner up. So if you would like to look deeper into this and even review what happened when Doc ran one of his Lensmen for president and how Clarissa MacDoughil became the first Lenswoman, tune in and we’ll activate the lens.
On Thursday March 12th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss "The Grand Key of Solomon the King" (2009) and other works translated by Mamdouh Al Daye otherwise known as Nineveh Shadrach. Nineveh is a Golden Dawn adept whom we have known since 1998 when he sent us a copy of his first book "The Magical Tome of a Divine King;" this was also a Solomonic grimoire in Arabic called "The Medicine of Solomon" which was eventually pirated and became "The Book of Smokeless Fire." "The Grand Key of Solomon the King" is commonly referred to as "Al Ajnas" and is attributed to Asaph Ben Berechiam in the Ishtar Publishing edition, probably to help Solomonize the work. Arabic editions would be attributed to Asif ibn Barkhiya, an Arab version of the same legendary Jewish sage of Solomon's court who supposedly wrote the book. It dates back to the 12th century of the common era. Not quite as old as Picatrix but old enough to make it venerable on the magician's book shelf. I'll be joined by V.H.Frater SithMeth who has some thoughts on "The Book of Smokeless Fire." So if you would like to spend an hour in the study of forbidden and forgotten lore, sit on your magick carpet, rub your magick lamp and join us.
On Thursday August 31st the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and his guest Lady Jo Carson of Feraferia will recall our adventures in our favorite Lemurian Jungle shrouded Lost City: Nan Madol -- way out in Pacific Micronesia. Lady Jo having done her 2009 film Dancing with Gaia featuring equally ancient ruins on Malta visited Nan Modal a few years after us. Our broadcast tonight is prompted by the recent Netflix and History Channel episodes featuring Graham Hancock and Hatcher Childress, respectively and respectfully, both of whom confirm and reprise the physical evidence for a pre-iceage lost continent in the Pacific which we presented on video sixteen years earlier. Of course since then Gobekli Tepe 12,000 B.C.and Gunung Padang 20,000 B.C. have been unearthed; which we will add to our Lenurian mix tonight. But even these revelations did not satisfy mainstream archeology. They have been persecuting Hancock while ignoring Hatcher Childress and our Beyond Lemuria which Childress used to carry in his catalog. Now you can get 'Beyond Lemuria' and Lady Jo's 'Dancing with Gaia' from < pokerunyon.com > So drop in and check us out.
The Hermetic Hour for Thursday August 24th,2023 will feature a reading of the original introduction to the auto-biography of your host, Poke Runyon. This was a fictionalized version in which I, the fiction writer Poke Runyon interviews Thabion the Wizard. In other words I am interviewing myself. I decided on this literary device so that I could use fictitious names for people in the book who might not like what I had to say about them. But at this date most of those who might have been offended have passed away, so the fictionalizing device is no longer necessary. And yet the original is interesting and entertaining in its own right. A good exercise in getting to know yourself.
On Thursday August 17th, 2023 we will announce and launch Enoch Adamson's candidacy for President in 2024 on the Hermetic Party ticket. His platform will be the same as it was when he ran in 2020 because the issues are largely the same. Gun control, immigration, race relations, student loan debt, health care, credit card debt, foreign entanglements, U.F.O. disclosure etc., etc. But in reviewing our 2020 platform it was pointed out that Enoch had not addressed the Homeless problem and now we have the Ukraine problem. Both of which Enoch now address in Orwellian and historical analogy. We should be reminded the Enoch Adamson is Hermetic in his political philosophy. He believes that the American Eagle should have both a right wing and a left wing. If he only had one wing he would fly in circles and get nowhere. So tune in and let's help make humanity Great Again.
On Thursday February 27th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion of the mysterious Ideomotor effect which motivates such divinatory devices as the Ouiji Board, the Pendulum and the Golden Dawn Ring and Disc. It is also related to dowsing rods and our Zero Lite. Although the effect is considered a scientific rationale for the phenomenon, it in itself is miraculous and may be more complex and supernatural than the de-bunkers imagine.So if you want to learn how to contact your deep mind, tune in and hang out with the pendulum swingers.
On Thursday February 20th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a lecture on the Lightning Flash or Flaming Sword on the Tree of Life and its relation to the Blasted Tower of the Tarot on the 27th Path. This is a remarkable synchronicity between Tarot symbolism and Qabalah. In this case it marks the dividing point of the united soul in its descent down the the Paths of the Tree Before the Fall. When the House of God is struck by Lightning Eve falls toward Netsach and Adam falls toward Hod. From then on the human soul is divided. The Goddess rules the Sphere of Nature on the pillar of Mercy and the Fool rules the Sphere of Knowledge on the pillar of Severity. From there on down to Malkuth they remain divided, united only in dreams. So if you want to know why you can’t find your Soul-Mate, tune in and we will tell you where to look.
On Thursday January 30th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the beginning of magical training which we sometimes call "Franz Bardon for Dummies". We will certainly concede our debt to Bardon, and to Crowley but we will point out our improvements in their programs and explain the psychological and physical factors involved in conjuration to visible appearance, creative visualization, trance states, scrying and channeling and other skills and techniques the magician needs to master. So if you really want to know how to DO IT, remember the wisdom of the Sphinx who said: "In order for you to learn our teachings, we must first teach you how to learn." He also said:"He who doubts his powers, only lends power to his doubts."
On January 16th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the controversial themes and symbols of the Medieval Holy Grail legend. We will first establish that the entire concept of “Lucifer the Light bringer” is a hoax launched in the Old Testament to cover-up Jehovah’s palace coup (the War in Heaven) and the subsequent exile of Elyon and his Elohim (the Fallen Angels). Next we will examine the Medieval Cathars, their origins and beliefs. We will consider the survival of Valentinian Gnosticism in Southern France and the Troubador Courts of Love. We will describe the Grail and its Hermetic-Sabian Celestial origin as set forth in von Eschenbach’s Parzival – and we will reveal what the physical Holy Grail really was. So if you want to know what those nasty French knights were hiding in their castle, join us on the quest.
On Thursday November 21st. 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Tobias Churton's "Aleister Crowley in India." This is another in a series of books by Churton covering portions of Crowley's life and work, We have already reviewed his "The Beast in Berlin" and will certainly get to last year's "Aleister Crowley in America," but Crowley's India adventures should probably have been first in the series. I personally found this book to be fascinating. In its pages I rediscovered Crowley and relived the excitement of his early magical experiences along with big-game hunting and mountain climbing adventures. Churton had access to many records and archives not available to previous writers. We have a more Crowley-favorable version of the infamous Kangchenjunga tragedy than previously reported. The primary theme of this book is magical yoga or yoga for magick. We start with Crowley and Bennett in Ceylon studying Theravada Buddhism together and then on to Crowley's discovering and adapting the Gnostic tantric system of Sabhapaty Swami. So if you'd like to return to the thrilling days of yesteryear, then join us and sit down, shut-up and get-out with Aleister Crowley.
On Thursday, November 7th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the scientific technology behind modern ceremonial magick and reveal for the first time a device he developed in the early 1970s for training students to make use of the "Troxler Effect" (facial reflection-distortion in a dark mirror; the "Bloody Mary" effect) for Magical spirit evocation. This device called "The Zero Lite" was based on U.S. Army battlefield research and it is so sensitive to human will power that it can respond to non-verbal telepathic commands in group practice. We stopped using it in the late 1970s but in recent years we have encountered students who subconsciously override the Troxler effect in the mirror, even when they consciously want it work for them, and so we are going back to Zero Lite training for Second Degree candidates. And so, if your spirit doesn't want to show up for you, then listen in and we'll tell you how to solve the problem.
On Thursday October 17th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will announce and open Enoch Adamson's campaign for President of the United States. As the Hermetic Party candidate Adamson is uniquely qualified for the office, having mastered the thirtieth and thirty-first Paths of the Tree of Life and attended a meeting of the Grand Council in the Library of Hod. He will outline his program to solve all the major problems and issues the country is facing. He has the solution for gun-control, social justice, race relations, immigration, education, credit card debt, foreign relations, the space program, climate change and UFO disclosure. So if you want a candidate who can really get it done, don't vote Republican or Democrat. Vote Hermetic. "Let's make Humanity Great Again!"
On Thursday August 29th, 2919 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the new translation (2006) of the 15th century German Book of Abramelin attributed to Abraham von Worms, translated by Steven Guth and edited by Georg Dehn from Ibis Press. This new translation directly from the original German manuscript supersedes MacGregor Mather's translation of the French version in 1893 Which has been a cornerstone of magical libraries since the beginning of the last century. The new Abramelin is excellently introduced by my esteemed colleague Maestro Lon Milo Duquette. The old French version was poorly translated (from the German) and incomplete. The original has all four books and completes all the magic squares. This German version was used by Franz Bardon to name his solar spirits. It should go on the shelf of every magical library. So if you want to square-up with the Angels tune in and we'll run the numbers.
On Thursday August 15th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the ancient "Sibylline Oracles" created, or re-created, in Greco-Roman Alexandria in the first centuries of the common era.These prophetic verses, attributed to the Sibyls, or prophetic priestesses of ancient Greece were actually a hoax, written by Jewish and Christian Gnostics in an attempt to recast the legendary lost prophetic books of ancient Rome to include the Bible and predict Christianity. They were so successful and popular that the early Christian Church approved of them. They were accepted into the Hermetic tradition, along with The Orphic Hymns and the Chaldean Oracles.They became an influence on western magick and Fairy lore. We will refer to Jake Stratton-Kent's summary of the Oracles in "Geosophia" (2010) and Milton Terry's translation 1899. So, if you want to catch up on this often forgotten aspect of western magical lore, tune in and we'll lift the veil.
On Thursday July 18th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour will review and discuss "American Cosmic" by Diane Pasulka. Again our guest reviewer will be Frater Dumuzi. Diane Pasulka is a professor of religious studies and approaches the UFO phenomenon from her academic perspective. She is a colleague of Jacques Vallee and shares many of his views. She quotes Carl Jung and cites the experiences and work of numerous "experiencers" (her term for contactees). She compares the UFO sightings and encounters to religious and mystical encounters such as the Miracle of Fatima and UFO artifacts to the Shroud of Turin. She also suggests that popular media feeds and perpetuates the phenomenon. Her approach is very subjective and impressionistic and her narrative is rambling and not well focused, but this, in and of itself, reflects the history of the activity she is attempting to describe. So, if you think "The Truth is Out There" tune in and we'll look in Dr. Pasulka's X-Files.
On Thursday July 11th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and his colleague Frater Dumuzi will present a review and discussion of the recent Graham Hancock books Magicians of the Gods (2015) and America Before (2019). These works are the latest in a series of speculative efforts to support the long-standing theory that our present civilization (especially Western Civilization) was preceded by an advanced antediluvian culture that might have been Plato's Atlantis. The survivors of which, according to Hancock, created the monolithic architecture of the late neolithic and passed on their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy to the Sumerians, and Egyptians. Recent discoveries such as the 12,000 year old temple complex of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey lend these ideas credibility but they are still resisted by the Cultural Marxists who believe that civilization must evolve from the simple to the complex. Hence Hancock's books are controversial. So, put on your fedora, oil up your bull-whip and join us for an hour of adventure.
On Thursday May 25th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss "The Alchemical Search for the Unified Field" (2023)by Masonic author Richard Kretz. Who will be our call-in guest. This remarkable book is as Magical as it is Alchemical and the author teaches us how to create the Philosophers Stone within ourselves using the Hermetic elements and the electric network of the human nervous system. He draws on ancient Greek Pythagorean math and geometry arriving at a full seven chakra Hermetic Yoga arrangement on the Qabalistic Tree of Life that is nearly identical to one we use. His cross-cultural training is in Native American Shamanism and his accounts of his apprenticeship under a modern shaman form one of the most moving and enlightening parts of the book. So if you'd like to learn the secrets of Alchemy tune in and meet a master of the art.
On Thursday June 20th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a report on the modern versions of the 6th and 7th degree initiations of the 18th century Crata Repoa. This system was originally intended to replicate an ancient Alexandrian mystery school initiatory program. Manley Hall called it "Egyptian Freemasonry." It was created by a committee of German Masonic scholars who accessed the Classical pagan works of Iamblichus, Porphyri, Plutarch and others to create an outline for a system of Seven Degrees, intended to convey the secrets of ancient Hermetic magick to initiates. But it was far from complete. It was an outline. It declared what was to be taught without providing the actual lessons. When we adopted it as an initiatory structure in 1970 we updated it with additional source material extending from Classical times through the Dark Ages, Medieval times, the Renaissance and the Rosicrucian era. We made the Crata Repoa the repository of the Western Esoteric Tradition, from King Solomon to the Holy Grail, to Christian Rosencreutz. We have discussed the degrees from Pastophoris through Alchemia on previous Podcasts so tonight we will put the cap on it (the four-corned red cap) with the final chivalric degrees the 6th Astronomus, (At the Gate of the Gods) and the 7th Propheta (one who knows the mysteries). So tune in and we'll tell you how the modern Crata Repoa culminates.
On Thursday May 23rd, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading of Kiefer and Oren, the Story of a Tree by Merrick Rees Hamer. Merrick is a leader in Masonry, The Golden Dawn and the Church of the Hermetic Sciences. As a Librarian he is also a professional story teller. This particular story is about a boy and a Tree. The story is a beautiful expression of the rapport we can have with nature if we personify it, and the depth of meaning we can find in the loss of natural beauty. If time permits we will present another short story by our host from The Seventh Ray 1975, Daughter of the Oak, about a boy and a girl and a Tree. In this tale the Tree comes to a similar fate but the boy learns the wrong lesson. So if you want to visit the forest with us, tune in and have a seat on the stump.
On Thursday May 9th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on interdimensional alien phenomenon inspired by the book “Hunt for the Skinwalker” by Colm Kelleher (2005). Our guest will be Very Honored Frater Heracles of Avalon Lodge in Texas who will recount his own close encounter with UFOs and share his thoughts on this and the Skinwalker anomaly. The book describes the long lasting ordeal of a cattle ranching family whose Utah ranch was literally haunted by these interdimensional beings and/or machines. They encountered huge wolves that were impervious to gunfire, horrible mutilations of their live stock and inexplicable physical phenomenon. A team of scientists began observations on the property and were able to confirm the family’s incredible accounts. This haunted ranch was called “A Pathway for the Skinwalkers” by the local native Americans. This book is similar to “The Mothman Prophecies” by John Keel (1975) So, if you want to peek behind the curtain, tune in and spend an hour with us in the Land of Oz.
On Thursday April 18th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will air a discussion on the future impact of Artificial Intelligence on human creativity and individual expression. Will it serve us or will it dominate us? We will start with a recent article in the L.A. Times April 16th: "That Computer can call my Agent" which deals with A.I.s writing screenplays. We will look back at Asimov's "Foundation." We will visit "Drell Master" (2001) and its World dominating computer "Jaskamoor" and finally the final chapter of "Adamson's Quest" for the Hermetic perspective. So if you wonder whether they will serve us, or we will serve them. Tune in and make up your mind (before they make it up for you!)
On Thursday March 21st, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the various traditions of the Underworld from the mythologies, religions and folklore of cultures around the world with our guest Very Honored Frater Solomon. Michael Johnson (Frater Solomon) is a Bible scholar with a background in Social Science. Mike has compiled maps of the underworld which locate the Hells of the major religions. Your host (Frater Thabion) will join in with references to Kenneth Grant’s “Tunnels of Set”, Shaver’s dero caverns, the underground kingdom of Agartha and the Shamanic under and over worlds and the proto-psychological Kabbalistic metaphore of The Nepesh, the Nechamah, and the Ruach. So if you want to take the E-ticket ride through the Great Fun house below the horizon, tune in and we’ll go below.
On Thursday April 13th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on our new bookstore at Poke Runyon dot com. Opened last year and finally running full blast following the release of our long anticipated 450 page expanded Second Edition of our 1996 Magical Classic "The Book of Solomon's Magick." This is a beautiful hardcover, illustrated volume that you will be proud to own. Each copy signed by the author. Like our other Church website, this one was designed and is managed by the creator and producer of this podcast, The Hermetic Hour, Very Honored Soror Zandria, Lawren Freebody Runyon, my wife and business manager. The theme is Magick and Adventure and the website offers most of our published and produced books and DVDs in both genres. At a lower price than elsewhere because you are dealing with us directly. Also we have reduced prices on some titles to encourage circulation. Be sure and visit Poke Runyon dot Com and check us out.
On Thursday March 7th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and comment on the 1948 science fiction novel by Stuart J. Byrne “Prometheus ll” recently republished by Armchair Fiction. This remarkable work, like so many early science fiction efforts was set in a future time, in this case 1970, and predicted a Third World War between the United States, its traditional allies and post Soviet Russia. Of course Russia did not become post soviet until the 1990s, but the Russian leader in Byrne’s novel seems and acts a lot like Putin. In this story the Russians are allied with China and they have conquered all of Latin America. They are on the verge of swarming our southern border. But their leader Nicholas (not Valdamir) has literally made a deal with the devil (the deros of the subterranean world) which has escalated World War lll into another dimension and brought in the forces of Agartha, the subterranean good guys and finally the Elder Gods (the original ancient astronauts) who arrive from hyperspace just in time to save the human race. Of course we have a pair of young Army officers and their sexy Army nurse girl friend, who team up with the underground good guys and Space Gods to help save America and humanity. It would have made a great Saturday Morning serial but at least it got its debut in Amazing Stories, March 1948.
On Thursday March 30th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on his new updated and expanded "The Book of Solomon's Magick, Second Edition." Just released and now available from PokeRunyon.com. This is the ceremonial magick classic which has been a best-seller since its original publication in 1996. The book has Finally been brought up to date with new equipment designs, more training methods and more research on spirits, angels, Qabalah and Yoga. We will be joined by Very Honored Fraters Solomon and SithMeth, (Mike and Max) who contributed research on the Goetic spirits. This is a big, 450 page hard cover, gold stamped volume profusely illustrated with 24 color plates of temple equipment and spirt portraits. We have actual operational log entries and accounts of actual exorcisms. This is the one Magick book you really must have in your library or in your temple. Available only from pokerunyon.com, sixty-nine dollars in the United States postpaid. Signed by the author. We have only fifty left in stock so order today.
On Thursday February 28th, 2019, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill review and discuss "The Eighth Tower" by the late UFO investigatorJohn A. Keel (1930-2009). He was most noted as author of "The MothmanProphecies" (1975) and film (2002). Keel was more interested in monstersightings, like the mothman and big-foot than he was in UFOs but hebelieved that the two phenomenon were related and emanated from the samesource. He was an ardent successor to Charles Fort "The Book of theDammed" (1919) which was a collection of fantastic anomalies such as UFOsightings, monster sightings and other fantastic events such as rains offrogs and ghost ship sightings. Mostly newspaper clippings collectedfrom the beginning of the industrial age to the First World War. LikeCharles Fort, Keel was a journalist who continued the collection fromthe 1920s, through the UFO era. The Eighth Tower is a Fortean book butwith an agenda that Fort was very cryptic about. What do all thesestrange things mean mean? Fort concluded that "We" humankind, "Areproperty." Keel expands on that. After continuing Fort's bizarrecollection he brings in Carl Jung's Collective Unconscious, the worldsoul, universal mind and the Seven Demonic Towers of the Yazidis andpostulates an Eight Tower that is a sort of empyrean Godforce over therest. This is not an easy book to get through but it will take you downthe rabbit hole, so join us for some Fortean adventuring.
On Thursday February 14th, 2019 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill present a discussion on the first Ancient Astronaut Theorists,before Van Daniken, Sitchen, and the rest there was Richard Shaver andRay Palmer and the Shaver Mystery. In recent years more and more oftheir fantastic 1940s revelations about Ancient extra-terrestrial Aliensand their high technology and their continued influence on, andinterference in, earthly affairs (mind control and child traffickingand madness) has been confirmed and exploited by later whistle-blowerssuch as Tom DeLonge, Corey Good, David Wilcock and others. It seems thatShaver and Palmer wrote their History Channel documentary scripts butare never credited as the source. Are these Ancient Aliens still withus? "Our original Ancient Astronaut theorists say yes!" So tune in andlet's return to the thrilling days of yesteryear and revisit The ShaverMystery.
On Thursday March 9th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the philosophy behind his 2001 science fiction novel Drell Master and its forthcoming sequel Drell Mistress. The novel is set on a planet called Thoon which has suffered a human generated apocalypse dividing it into three eco-zones: Sky Islands, a poisoned surface world, and an industrialized cavern world. Its human population is divided into groups which inhabit these levels. A Secret Society strives to reunite them. It programs an artificial intelligence in the form of the three planetary gods with a prime directive to serve the best interests of Humankind, but the prime directive would relegate humans into a hive society. And the hero Brand of Valadeen and heroine Lira of Jhalimar as Master and Mistress of the drells struggle to save humankind from the living death of a drell hivedom. Like all good science fiction this is metaphoric. Put your thinking caps on and tune in.
On Thursday January 31st, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill air a discussion on the life and work of Victorian Age Britishartist and writer William Morris (1834-1888) on the modern Hermeticrevival. Morris was a Renaissance man of many talents. An Oxford scholarwho idealized and romanticized the medieval period and yearned torecreate Camelot in the modern era. He was appalled by the pollution,social misery and esthetic mediocrity caused by the industrialrevolution and he believed that Karl Marx held the key to creating autopia (although Morris admitted that he could not understand Marx) Butwe need to understand Morris in order to fathom the continuingfascination our cultural elite have for Marx's continually failingsystem. So, come with us back to the Gas-light era and we will see wherea lot of today's progressive ideas got started.
On Thursday January 17th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon willreview and discuss "The Cygnus Mystery" (2006) and "The Cygnus Key"(2018) by Andrew Collins. These recent books are in the tradition of"Hamlet's Mill" (1969), "The Sirius Mystery"(1976) and Gordon White's"Star Ships" (2016) and they all fall into the category of popularcelestial archaeology. Most importantly for us in the Hermetic communitythey all seek to validate our ancient Initiatic Code which holds thatwe descend from the Heavens and to the Heavens we shall return via theMilky Way as our "River of Souls." Like so many of his predecessors in thisCollins locates the ancient Shamanic origins of this in old Hyperboreain North Central Asia. He presents a good case for Cygnus the Swanbringing down the souls like the stork brings babies. He suggests thatthe Paleolithic genius-giant Denisovan hominids recently discovered inSiberia were the originators of of our Celestial mythology and that theycarried it all the way down to ancient Egypt. I am not sure I agree withall his ideas but for the most part he seems on the mark -- so if youwant to follow the Starry Path to immortality, tune in and we'll flywith the swans.
On Thursday December 20th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Hermetic origins of the Holy Grail as presented in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Medieval romance “Parzival. This is a follow-up on an earlier broadcast from three years ago in which we read Janinne Rene’s Article on Parzival from The Seventh Ray issue number 19, January 1977. In the introduction to her article I stated that: “Much of the symbolism and the allegory of Kellner’s original O.T.O. derived from Parzival.” This and other fascinating secrets embedded in Wolfram's medieval masterpiece will be the subjects of tonight’s broadcast. So, if you want to find the Grail we have the clues for you. Eschenbach’s Parzival is like Colonna’s Hypnerotomachia. It's one of those old books full of secrets and magick. And our job on the Hermetic Hour is to dig them out for you.
On Thursday December 6th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss “The Spiritual Meaning of the Sixties” (2018) by Tobias Churton. This is a 653 page door-stopper of a book subtitled: “the Magic, Myths & Music of the Decade that Changed the World,” And it certainly lives up to its subtitle. Even though Churton’s previous books have been in the mystical, occult genre, this one should break into the mainstream and be read by every thoughtful reader interested in the present spiritual, philosophical and political divisions in what we call Western Civilization. Using the Music, films, television, and popular fads of the period as his mirror of reflection he leads us through the decade. The cultural impact of the Beatles, and rock music, the sexual revolution, psychedelics, the Bomb, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and the rise of feminism are all dealt with in turn. And the inability of established religion to cope with the spiritual challenges of the time is considered. The author was a child in England and Australia during the period and gives us a remarkable picture of the era from a growing child’s perspective. My one criticism of the book stems from Churton’s memory picture. I was a teenager in 1950s America. I recall that repressive era which preceded the social liberation of the sixties. I think Churton should have added “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.” (1956) to his list of media catalysts. So if you want to look back at the days of Flower-Power and Strawberry Fields Forever, turn-on, tune-in and give a listen.
On Thursday February 2nd, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and Discuss the controversial 2011 book Caesar's Messiah by Joseph Atwill. The subtitle of this work is: "The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus and Atwell presents convincing evidence that the Flavian family of Roman patricians with the help of renegade Jewish historian Josephus, may have done exactly that.Atwell purposes that the Gospels were written by members of the Flavian family to make the Jesus story correspond with Titus's conquest of Judea and Jerusalem. He presents quotes from Josephus "War of Jews" to back this up. This will be a hard book for fundamental Christians but not for Gnostic Christians. Atwill holds off presenting his Imperial time-line until page 302, keeping the casual reader unaware that Christianity was flourishing and perishing in Rome long before the Gospels were written. So even though he may be correct about Roman influence on the Synoptic Gospels, he is wrong in assuming that Christianity began in Rome as a False-Flag operation. Perhaps the most shocking event described in the book is the alleged origin of the Christian Eucharist. Josephus recounts a wealthy Jewish mother killing and eating her infant son and offering part of him to her neighbors. Saying that he will be "A myth to the world." Of course Atwill is nice enough to suggest that Josephus wrote the dialogue but it still sent me to my copy of Josephus to make sure he wasn't exaggerating. He wasn't. So join us for an hour exploring gaslighting and false news in the first century.
On Thursday November 15th 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill review "Son of Chicken Qabalah" and interview its distinguishedauthor Lon Milo DuQuette. This 2018 book is a sequel to Lon's popular"Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford" (2001). Lamed Ben Cliffordis Lon's fictional creation. Lon thought all of us Hermetic Qabalistsneeded our own Rabbi, who would not sneer at our Tarot cards and pagancorrespondences on the Tree of Life. Ben Clifford's Qabalah was for allof us and it was presented in a humorous style that made the otherwisedry subject come alive. It became one of the best introductions to thesubject at least from a Hermetic perspective. The fictional Ben Cliffordhas passed away but he has left a legacy: a three degree Qabalisticinitiation system based on the Sepher Yetzirah's Cube of Space and theGolden Dawn's Hermetic Hebrew alphabet correspondences. Starting with theThree Mother Letters in the first degree (the original tetragrammaton)the candidate next internalizes the Seven Double Letters attributed tothe planets, and finally, in the Third and last degree, he or she,installs the Twelve Simple letters internalizing the entire HermeticQabalistic universe. This is all accomplished with mudras, flashingcolorsm a pitch pipe and geometric mandalas. What we did with a yogasystem in "Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle Pillar" (2015) Lon has donein a Temple initiation format. This little book of his is a treasure andwill make Hermetic Magick come alive for everyone who conscientiouslystudies it.
On Thursday January 19th,2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the 2016 book "The Ba'al Theory of Christianity" by author Glenn Young. This book is subtitled: "Exploring the Impact of Human Sacrifice on Western Religion." This subtitle and Young's insistence on equating Carthaginian child sacrifices with Palestinian Phoenician ritual practices is our only real complaint about this otherwise well-researched and strongly presented book. The author touches all the bases in explaining the differences between Yahwehism and the original worship of El and the Elohim. He describes Ezra's rewrite of the Bible and even mentions Joseph and Moses as the possible leaders of the Hyksos. Although he is wrong in assuming that Sidon and Tyre practiced child sacrifice in Classical times he may be correct in assuming that Carthaginian practices might have influenced the Druids and the Nordics and later the witchcraft persecutions. It is unfortunate that he fails to consider that even though the Carthaginians were originally Phoenician they, like the ancient Egyptians, were also African. This will be a very thought provoking and controversial subject.
On Thursday January 12th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Letters on the Royal Art" by 19th century German author J. B. Kerning.Kerning was a musician, a mystic and a Freemason. The book is composed of letters describing the spiritual absorption of the symbols, words and signs used in the three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry in the form of an internal awareness which purifies and sanctifies the whole body. This is similar to a yoga chakra system and may have had an influence on the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar ritual. The book and other works by Kerning may have influenced Bardon's "Key to the True Qabalah." Kerning was a singer and teaches a magical Masonic Alphabet in the manner of a musical voice teacher. He is perhaps the first modern Western mystic to emphasize internalization of spiritual ritual. His concepts enabled the development of "Bringing Down The Light" in 20th century magick.
On Thursday January 5th, 2023 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will present a sequential Review of the original new shows presented in 2022. Regular listeners should keeo their notebooks and pencils ready to jot down the one's they missed so that they can search for them in the archives. We started off the year with"Aliester Crowley the Gourmet Chef" on January 13th. We did the first two chapters of "The Tomb of Prester John" on February 3rd and more Prester John on February 24th and March 10th. On February 27th we presented "The Fort Worth Masons interview your host Poke Runyon." On Thursday May 26th Poke and Max (Fraters Thabion and SithMeth) did a review of Lovecraft's "Charles Dexter Ward" the book and the films. Which Max turned into a video that you can watch on-line. In August we presented a reprise of our "Hermetic Yoga lecture" given at the Mount Shasta Hermetic Mysteries Conclave. This again was redone as a video which can be viewed on the Ordo Templi Astartes You Tube Channel. On August 17 we reviewed "Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. And we finished the year by Presenting our "Hermetic Yoga for the Golden Dawn" and a preview of our forthcoming "Second Edition of The Book of Solomon's Magick." So, if you want to catch up on the good stuff you may have missed tune in and we'll fill you in.
On Thursday October 25th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill present a discussion on the late Medieval astrologer magician Ceccod' Ascoli who was burned at the stake by the Inquisition in 1327 a.d.for publishing books connecting astrology with magick, necromancy anddemonology. In several ways he presaged the sad career of Giordano Brunowho went to the stake 273 years later in 1600 for a similar offense.Cecco expounded his magick on a geocentric universe model, whereas Brunopaganized (or demonized) a later Coperican universe. Cecco d' Ascoli maybe considered the father of Solomonic ceremonial mirror magick. One ofhis most heretical revelations was a description of summoning (evoking)the demon "Floron", in a mirror of polished steel. Floron had fallenfrom the Order of Cherubim and served under the Goetic king Amaymon.Such a mirror was described in Picatrix and later depictions of itreveal that it was in fact a hand mirror. After Cecco's executionmagicians no longer wrote of magick mirrors but their use continueduntil the present day. We will draw primarily from Lynn Thorndike's"History of Magic and Experimental Science", Volume 2 (1923) withcurrent material from Christopher Warnock. So if you want to find outwhere this dark mirror magick got started, tune in and we'll pullanother Italian magus out of the fire.
On Thursday October 11th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review the classic study on Renaissance Magick by Dame Frances Yates (1899 - 1981), "Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition." (1964) This is a book that should be the cornerstone of any Hermetic student's library. Although the Italian philosopher and magician Giordano Bruno (1548 - 1600) is the main figure on which Yates centers her work, the book is in fact a broad study of Renaissance Hermetic Magick evolving from its Italian origins in the late Middle Ages and on through to Bruno's exposition of its post Copernican version. Hermetic Humanists accepted Copernicus but the Church refused to abandon the geocentric universe. Bruno, a Dominican monk was burned at the stake. Many considered him a Scientific martyr, but Yates contends that his heresies were Hermetic as well as scientific. So if you would like to explore the life and beliefs of Giordano Bruno, join us for a Hermetic Renaissance Faire.
On Thursday September 27th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill review the new Collector's edition of Kurt Seligmann's 1948 classic"The Mirror of Magic: A History of Magic in the Western World" and discuss Seligmann's careeras a surrealist painter, a scholar of the occult and a practicingceremonial magician. This handsome new edition, published by InnerTraditions, is a faithful reproduction of the original. Poke Runyoninherited a 1948 copy Seligmann's book from his late Master FrederickAdams (1928 - 2008) with Fred's annotations. It was Fred's first book onMagic and he treasured it. In his Introduction Seligmann wrote: "As anartist I was concerned with the aesthetic value of Magic and itsinfluence on man's creative imagination." Fred Adams was also a verytalented artist and was inspired by The Mirror of Magic, as we hope anew generation of readers will be when they discover this beautiful newedition of Kurt Seligmann's Masterpiece.
On December 8th 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss the forthcoming Second Edition of "The Book of Solomon's Magick" which we first published in 1996 following the release of our video "The Magick of Solomon" in the same year. It is fair to say that the video and the book launched a revival of Solomonic ceremonial Magick which is still going strong in the twenty-first century. We followed up with more books and films but continued to reprint the original book for twenty-six years without updating or revision. We continued to promise a new edition but it was too easy to just insert addenda in the original which continued to sell well even though it was outdated. Now we have finally gotten the new over three hundred page hardcover 2nd Edition of Solomon's Magick ready to go to print, up-dated with new equipment designs, authentic operational log entries, exorcism accounts, essays and original art. We expect it to be available by February of 2023. Watch for it.
On Thursday August 30th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyonwill review and explore the almost one thousand page introspectivephilosophical and spiritual journal of the late Californiascience-fiction writer Philip K. Dick. (1928-1982) This remarkabledocumentation of a classic mystical experience and its ramifications inand beyond the author's literary works. The exegesis is also a chronicleof a genius battling for sanity and a true religious philosophy as helives and works through what is obviously and admittedly mental illness.Dick is best known for his darkly paranoid science-fiction novels andstories. The novel VALIS (vast active living intelligence system) is thefictionalized version of his 1974 vision and much of the exegesisruminates on its impact and significance. As a Roman Catholic Dick'svision is Biblical, especially Christian, but he analyzes it as Gnosticand Neo-platonic (Hermetic) and defines Christ as essentially female. Helater defines himself as a neo-Marxist philosopher and gives us insightsinto the spiritual aspects of the 1960s and 70s counter culture thatcontinue to perpetuate the social and political divide in our societytoday. So, if you want to spend an hour in the mind of Philip K. Dickjoin us and we will inquire within. As Above so Below, As Within so Without.
On Thursday August 2nd , 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the alleged Parallel world or
trans-dimensional ariel Queendom of the Sylphs known as "Magonia" that
was documented in medieval histories and has recently inspired a fantasy
novel of that title "Magonia" by Maria Headley (2015) and was the main
theme for UFO authority Jacques Vallee's "Passport to Magonia" (1969-93)
which delt with the Magonian "close encounters" from the 9th century
and other supernatural visitations recounted in European folklore as
early examples of alien sightings, close encounters, and abductions, on
through to the mysterious "airship" reports from the American West in
the 1890s, comparing them with modern reports and investigations. Vallee
contends, and as Hermetic devotees we certainly concur, that most of
these events are inter-dimensional rather than extra-terrestrial; that
there are parallel worlds co-existing with us as near to us as our
furniture. This is also the main theme of our film Beyond Lemuria
(2007-14) and, as I mentioned last week, is set forth in the old
Hermetic book "Comte d'Gablis" (1760) -- So if you'd like to spend an
hour in the absolute elsewhere, tune in and we'll take you down the
rabbit hole.
On Thursday July 26th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
discuss the Mysterious Voynich Manuscript (Beinecke MS. 408) a late
medieval herbal, alchemical and astrological book written in an unknown
language and illustrated with pictures of plants and astronomical
arrangements that are not of this world. Authorship was originally
attributed to Roger Bacon (1214 - 1292) but carbon-dating placed the MS.
in the early fifteenth century. John Dee and Edward Kelley have been
suggested because of their similar Enochian language creation, but there
is no proof of their involvement. The mysterious MS has fascinated both
scholars and amateur researchers alike with solutions announced every
year since 1943 when the U.S. Government code-breakers attempted to
decipher it. A new solution was announced just a week before this
broadcast and has already been discredited. The main reason most experts
fail seems obvious to a Hermetic scholar. The Voynich MS was not written
in cipher. It was written in a language and in an alphabet that has no
analog on earth or in this earthly dimension. The key to finding the
origin of the Voynich material might be found in another mysterious
manuscript published in 1670. We will read this revelation as our
contribution toward solving the mystery -- so put on your Indiana Jones
fedora and listen in.
On Thursday July 5th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will be joined by author Stephen Flowers, Ph.D. to review and discuss the new revised edition of "The Fraternitas Saturni" (2018). This being the fourth version of the original copyrighted in 1990, and including previously unpublished material making this rendition sensational in occult circles. Flowers traces the FS from its beginning, with Crowley and the O.T.O. inspiring Gregor Gregorius in 1925, through its activities in the Wiemar era, its suppression by the Nazis, its revival after WW II and its eventual split into three bodies after Gregorius died in 1964. We are introduced to the "Adonism" of Franz Sattler (Dr. Musallam) a neo-pagan Venus-Adonis cult (!) that included Wilhelm Quaintscher and Franz Bardon who carried it with them into the Frateritas Saturni. We revisit the infamous FOGC black lodge from Frabato, and the Weida Conference in which Crowley attempted to take over organized occultism in Germany. Most importantly Dr.Flowers presents a detailed analysis of the Gnostic and Luciferian philosophies and doctrines behind the Saturian Gnosis. He outlines their cumbersome 33 degree system and their training program; much of it very similar to Franz Bardon's work. Of course the FS is most noted for its sex magick and we have one of those rituals provided. Quite frankly, this book raises as many questions as it answers, but It is well documented with references to works in German that some of us are going to want translated. So, if you want the answers to questions you had, and more questions you may want to ask about the Fraternitas Saturni then tune in and take notes. .
On Thursday June 14th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on The Holy Grail and The Round Table in Magick. To begin this subject we will review the history of the Grail as presented in our poem: The Cult of The Sangreal which we published in our journal The Seventh Ray back in 1975 and which has since become the prologue to our First Degree (Pastophoris) initiation. We trace the Grail from its origin in ancient Phoenicia in the days of Melchizedek around 1500 B.C. It began with the ancient Canaanite God Baal’s yearly death at High Summer followed by his resurrection via the Chalice of heavenly nectar brought by his consort, the Goddess Astarte in the Fall. We trace this event through a series of mythical evolutions until the Grail becomes the cup of resurrection for the last of the dying gods, Jesus the Nazareen, raised by his consort Mary Magdalene.
This is the secret of the Grail Tradition which was carried on through the Arthurian Romances. It is a genealogical bloodline and a symbolic ritual implement. One of Four Grail Hallows presented in the Tarot and related to astrology. This symbolism is carried forth in the structure of Arthur’s (or more properly Merlin’s) Round Table. So if you would like to know what qualifies an aspirant to become a knight of the Round Table, tune in and we will start you on your quest. And Adonia is coming up at Rivendell this coming Saturday.
On Thursday October 27th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will replay our 2013 Halloween performance of Sherlock Holmes and the Necronomicon a Gilbert & Sullivan style comedy from the pages of a 2011 issue of the Seventh Ray. This is highlighted by the The song "There ain't no Necronomicon"which infuriates the guardians of the evil book: "the invisible cannibal faries". Of course Holmes and Watson prevail against the villain Sebastian Crotchley, Crotchly.And the Loc Ness Monster returns to the Deep. During a seance in the play a medium channels The Queen of Sheba played by Soror Urania who, will again channel Lady Baltis at Mot Mass, our Halloween ceremony this Saturday night here at Rivendell in Silverado. So if you catch up on some Halloween nostalgia tune in and let us be your trick-or-treat.
On Thursday May 24th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review and commentary on the Hypnerotomachia of Poliphili (1499-1999) translated by Joscelyn Godwin. This is one of the most important esoteric books ever published and five hundred years after its debut in Renaissance Italy in 1499, written in stylistic Italian, it finally became available in a readable English translation by Joscelyn Godwin. The Hypnerotomachia of Poliphili, subtitled "The Strife of Life in a Dream" is a romantic fantasy novel which establishes a template for many similar works to emerge in the five centuries following its initial publication: The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz (1616) The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1785) The Wizard of Oz (1900) The Club Dumas (1996) filmed as "The Ninth Gate" (1999) and the novel "The Rule of Four" (2004). The real secrets hidden in the book are not cryptic codes but rather allegorical and thematic. Like the one tale in the Arabian Nights that reveals occult and Magical secrets, the Chapter describing the Isle of Venus near the end of the book carries the true meaning and reveals the esoteric secrets. So if you want to learn what is really hidden in this marvelous old book tune in and we will visit Poliphili's magical dream-world.
On Thursday May 10th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review two recent books: "Original Magic" (2017) by Stephen E. Flowers and "Real Magic" (2018) by Dean Radin. These books don't have much in common. Original Magic deals with the ancient Persian Magi, whereas Real Magic focuses on ESP and those who have special talents and powers. Both books are of interest to Hermetic students for different reasons, The ancient Persian Magi have been largely ignored in the present occult revival and yet their beliefs and practices have had a strong influence on modern Magick. Real Magic champions the natural psychic and clairvoyant and presents the usual arguments and data to validate paranormal experience and suggest that it can be induced by shamanic techniques. Radin also deals with controversial Futurist issues such as the universal mind. Both books are subject to some philosophical and technical criticisms but both are well worth reading.
On Thursday October 6th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will chair a discussion on the recent discovery of the ancient Pagan origins of many Spirits in the Solomonic Goetia of the Lemegeton. This new research for the forthcoming Second Edition of our very popular 1997 The Book of Solomon's Magick has been undertaken by two of our senior O.T.A. magicians: Very Honored Frater Solomon, Michael Johnson, and Very Honored Frater SithMeth, Maximilian Paul. Both of whom will be calling in to discuss their findings. It is universally acknowledged that the Goetic spirits Bael and Asteroth are demonizations of the Canaanite God Baal, and his consort the Goddess Astarte. But assignment of the other deities of the Canaanite pantheon has proved difficult. Mike and Max will lift the veil and help us recover the lost companions of the Thunder God and the Queen of Heaven.
On Thursday September 29th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss our new book (magazine actually) titled Hermetic Yoga for the Golden Dawn. Which we have just published and is now available on Amazon. This document is a spin-off from our Hermetic Yoga books which are familiar to most members and regular listeners. But for newbies lets review: The O.T.A. and the Church of the Hermetic Sciences have developed (we like to say recovered) a straight-line, seven sphere Tantric Yoga chakra system similar to the Hindhu version but layed out Western style with Saturn at the top and the Moon at the bottom in Solar system order. The last survival of this was the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar exercise for drawing down the Light into the body. We started by bringing down The Flaming Sword from the Book of Revelation and activating Da'ath the phantom sphere in the Golden Dawn's secret Eleven Sphere Tree design. Using other secrets from the old Cypher Manuscript we created a unique full seven chakra system within the Golden Dawn universe, with ancient Egyptian Gods and Rosicrucian Angels. So stay with us and we'll walk you through it.
On Thursday September 29th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss our new book (magazine actually) titled Hermetic Yoga for the Golden Dawn. Which we have just published and is now available on Amazon. This document is a spin-off from our Hermetic Yoga books which are familiar to most members and regular listeners. But for newbies lets review: The O.T.A. and the Church of the Hermetic Sciences have developed (we like to say recovered) a straight-line, seven sphere Tantric Yoga chakra system similar to the Hindhu version but layed out Western style with Saturn at the top and the Moon at the bottom in Solar system order. The last survival of this was the Golden Dawn's Middle Pillar exercise for drawing down the Light into the body. We started by bringing down The Flaming Sword from the Book of Revelation and activating Da'ath the phantom sphere in the Golden Dawn's secret Eleven Sphere Tree design. Using other secrets from the old Cypher Manuscript we created a unique full seven chakra system within the Golden Dawn universe, with ancient Egyptian Gods and Rosicrucian Angels. So stay with us and we'll walk you through it.
On Thursday April 19th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review a book titled LeMulgeton, Goetia and the Stellar Tradition by Leo Holmes (2013) a Brazilian author who has examined the 72 Spirits of the Goetia in relation to the earliest Zodiacal and fixed-star arrangement that we have, the Mul.Apin of the Babylonians, hence his title “Le Mul ge ton.” Holmes has also included references to the Egyptians, the Magi, the Yazidis, the Tarot, Lovecraft and Kenneth Grant. He has a complete sequence of sigils for the Behemian stars. Which is a valuable asset to any magician’s handbook. He agrees with us that Bael and Ashtaroth are Ba’al and Astarte and advances his zodiacal circle from the Age of Taurus to the age of Aries, as we have in our Master Mandala and he has also declared that Zagan (number 61) is the Canaanite God Dagon, which we will certainly consider. This is a small quarto book in limited edition published by The Fall of Man Press. Our copy, provided by Frater Damuzi, is number 260 of 300, so if you Goetic magicians want the book you should order it soon.
On Thursday April 19th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review a book titled LeMulgeton, Goetia and the Stellar Tradition by Leo Holmes (2013) a Brazilian author who has examined the 72 Spirits of the Goetia in relation to the earliest Zodiacal and fixed-star arrangement that we have, the Mul.Apin of the Babylonians, hence his title “Le Mul ge ton.” Holmes has also included references to the Egyptians, the Magi, the Yazidis, the Tarot, Lovecraft and Kenneth Grant. He has a complete sequence of sigils for the Behemian stars. Which is a valuable asset to any magician’s handbook. He agrees with us that Bael and Ashtaroth are Ba’al and Astarte and advances his zodiacal circle from the Age of Taurus to the age of Aries, as we have in our Master Mandala and he has also declared that Zagan (number 61) is the Canaanite God Dagon, which we will certainly consider. This is a small quarto book in limited edition published by The Fall of Man Press. Our copy, provided by Frater Damuzi, is number 260 of 300, so if you Goetic magicians want the book you should order it soon.
On Thursday March 22nd, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the second part of the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Crata
Repoa Degree, Neocoris. The Legenda is essentially the same as the
degree script with a few secrets deleted. It is the story of the degree.
This was the first O.T.A. degree back in the early 1970s and was moved
up to second when we began to do all seven of the Crata Repoa system.
Last week we covered the reception, testing, and the ordeals, in Section
One. Tonight we move through the obligation and on to the knowledge
lectures in Section Two. Our instructions in Solomon's magick are
delivered in a biblical style like Mather's used in some of his G.D.
lectures. So if you want to experience a magical initiation, tune in and
we'll give you a word picture of the process.
On Thursday March 22nd, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the second part of the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Crata
Repoa Degree, Neocoris. The Legenda is essentially the same as the
degree script with a few secrets deleted. It is the story of the degree.
This was the first O.T.A. degree back in the early 1970s and was moved
up to second when we began to do all seven of the Crata Repoa system.
Last week we covered the reception, testing, and the ordeals, in Section
One. Tonight we move through the obligation and on to the knowledge
lectures in Section Two. Our instructions in Solomon's magick are
delivered in a biblical style like Mather's used in some of his G.D.
lectures. So if you want to experience a magical initiation, tune in and
we'll give you a word picture of the process.
On Thursday March 15th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the first of a two part presentation on the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Degree, Neocoris in the Crata Repoa System. This initiation was originally inspired by the French version of Crata Repoa from Paul Christian's 1870 History and Practice of Magic, called the Mysteries of the Pyramids. It has been performed here in Southern California since 1970 and is a very dramatic and challenging experience. A rite of passage one never forgets. A Legenda is the story of an initiation. It reveals the deeper meaning of the ritual while keeping things such as passwords, symbols and formulas secret. The Legenda gives you the meaning, so if you'd like to know about one of the oldest magical initiatory rituals, tune in and we will share it with you.
On Thursday March 15th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the first of a two part presentation on the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Degree, Neocoris in the Crata Repoa System. This initiation was originally inspired by the French version of Crata Repoa from Paul Christian's 1870 History and Practice of Magic, called the Mysteries of the Pyramids. It has been performed here in Southern California since 1970 and is a very dramatic and challenging experience. A rite of passage one never forgets. A Legenda is the story of an initiation. It reveals the deeper meaning of the ritual while keeping things such as passwords, symbols and formulas secret. The Legenda gives you the meaning, so if you'd like to know about one of the oldest magical initiatory rituals, tune in and we will share it with you.
On Thursday February 22nd, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the life and career of the 18th century
magician and alchemical adept who called himself Count Alessandro
Cagliostro. He was perhaps the most colorful and adventurous character
in our Hermetic tradition. Vilified as a rogue, a scoundrel, and a
charlatan by the academy and the Church in Europe he was loved by the
common people for his healing touch and alchemical medicines which he
administered freely to the poor, and dearly to the rich. He claimed to
be able to create gold to support his charity work and lavish life
style. He and his glamorous wife Lorenza founded an androgynous
quasi-Masonic Egyptian rite which allegedly involved nudity and sex
magick. Cagliostro was featured as an anti-hero in a series of novels by
Alexander Dumas, and depicted on film by Orson Welles in the (1949 )
movie classic BLACK MAGIC. We will consult Sax Rhomer's ROMANCE of
SORCERY ( 1914 ) for a more accurate version of the Count's adventures
than Dumas' novels and the screenplay offer -- so if you'd like to meet
the real Count Cagliostro, tune in and we'll follow him on his journey
as he invented himself.
On February 8th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the Legenda of the first Degree of Crata Repoa Reformado. Which we call the Fellowship of the Grail. A Legenda is the scenario of a esoteric degree. It describes the degree delivering most of the essential knowledge and symbolism but leaves out certain "secrets" such as grips, secret words and procedures. Crata Repoa is the oldest system of Magical degrees and is based on first century Alexandrian Hermetic writings and rituals. We will briefly outline the original 18th century system and explain some of our modern additions and inclusions. So if you'd like to find out what really goes on in a Magical Initiation tune in and be illuminated.
On Thursday August 17 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review and discussion of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 science fiction novel Starship Troopers and the 1997 film version. Poke will be joined by Max Paul (Frater SithMeth)in the discussion of this controversial cult classic. Set in a future interstellar time period where Earth is the center of a Federation (similar to Star Trek) With a government which appears to be based on Plato's Republic. The Earth is attacked by a race of intelligent insects who control meteors as weapons of mass destruction. The Federation must fight to survive. The story of the war is told from the viewpoints of young people who join the military, serving in all branches. They come together in the climax in a final battle which turns the tide in favor of the Federation.The Federation is presented as an authoritarian state that appears superficially fascist, more so in the film than in the novel. Actually its concepts of Citizenship are more socialist than fascist. Heinlein was a liberal democrat who had come to believe that liberal democracy had failed. Like J.F.Kennedy he seemed to be saying: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." As a former paratrooper, this is one of my favorite novels and films. I hope you enjoy our exploration of this Classic.
On Thursday January 25th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will re-visit and review the 1950 science fiction novel “Wine of the Dreamers” by John D. MacDonald (1918-1986) This was his first science fiction novel. MacDonald went on to become one of America’s best Detective Story writers. “Wine of the Dreamers” set twenty-five years in the future (1975) the story interweaves two sets of characters on two different planets. The director of an early United States space program Bard Lane, and his staff psychiatrist Sharan Inly on Earth and Raul Kinson and his sister Leesa on the distant planet of the Dreamers. The Dreamers are the decadent descendants of the original human race. Millions of years ago they colonized Earth and two other planets in other solar systems. They maintain contact with the colony worlds, including Earth, by the use of long-range telepathic dream-machines. They call themselves “The Watchers” and they have a prime directive: To keep the colony worlds from developing space travel. And the dreamers do this by demonic possession sabotaging space programs such as the one Bard Lane and Sharan are managing in New Mexico. But the dreamers have degenerated to the point where they no longer believe that the people on the other worlds whom they possess have any real reality. They think they are creations of their dream machines for their entertainment. Very much like our video games. So the dreamers can create mayhem and chaos for amusement. However Raul Kinson is a throwback to an earlier age. He knows the truth and wants to help Bard and Sharan. The end result of this alliance of the minds between the worlds makes for a fascinating sequence of what-ifs – so if you want to find out who is watching and listening between your ears, from beyond the stars, tune in and we’ll go back to a future that never was but might yet be coming.
On November 2nd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the Biblical mystery man Melchizedek who appears
in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and later in the New Testament.
Melchizedek literally means King and Priest or Priest-King. He was said
to have given the first communion to Abraham in the days before Joseph
became a leader in Egypt. Although legendary he was said to have
established an order of priesthood to rival that of Moses
brother Aaron. He represented the original Canaanite god El ("the most
High God") whereas Aaron's priesthood was that of Moses' Jehovah
(Yahweh). After the Babylonian captivity Ezra attempted to overwrite all
references to El in the Bible and make Jehovah the supreme being. The
New testament declares twice that Jesus the Nazarene is a priest after
the Order of Melchizedek -- We will look at this in relation to the
Egyptian and Phoenician situation at the time and later Gnostic
Christian writings. So if you want to do some Biblical detective work
tune in and we'll solve the mystery.
This last weekend, July 22nd through the 24th, The Ordo Hermeticus Mysteriorum held its long postponed (due to the pandemic) conclave at Mt, Shasta Resort, Mt, Shasta, California. Attending were nearly thirty officers of the Order (R.R. et A.C.) Led by worshipful Paul Clark and Gracious Lady Cindy Forbes. Guest Speakers were Right Worshipful Kevin Townley (author of 'The Cube of Space") Chic and Tabatha Cicero (noted Golden Dawn authorities) worshipful Merrick Rees Hamer (G.D. Temple Chief, C.H.S. Vice President and Phylos in BEYOND LEMURIA, which was shown on the 24th) and Carroll "Poke" Runyon (Frater Thabion, OTA Magister and President of C.H.S., writer and producer of BEYOND LEMURIA). Poke's Lecture "Hermetic Yoga" was assisted by "The Head" created by V.H. Frater SithMeth (Max Paul) which is shown above with the event coffee cup and the rose given to us by Wor. Paul Clark.
The text of the lecture follows and will be presented on the Hermetic Hour this week and then, with the power point illustrations included became a video on the Ordo Templi Astartes You Tube channel.
On Thursday October 12th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and special guest Frater Soun of Ubar will discuss the mythical Labours of Hercules in relation to the Hermetic tradition. We will develop the background of the myth evolving from Babylon's Gilgamesh through Melqart of Phoenician Tyre into the ancient Greek hero myth so often seen in films and television. We will look at works by Manley Hall, Albert Pike, Robert Graves, Alice Bailey and especially the French author Charles Francois Dupuis (1742-1809) who seems to be the only scholar who
has sequenced the twelve labours in proper Zodiacal order. The labours of Hercules are a chart of the souls journey through a cycle of lifetimes. They represent the great wheel of birth and death and are considered one of the Keys to the mysteries. So If you want to follow the big guy with the lion skin and the club tune in and we'll go adventuring.
On Thursday October 5th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon joined by Frater Soun, Magister of Ubar Lodge in Dallas, will air a discussion on the evolution of the the Solar Hero in mythology from the Sumerian Gilgamesh who was the model for the Phoenician Melqart, who in turn inspired the Greek Heracles. Gilgamesh is a four thousand year old epic adventure story which circulated throughout the whole Middle East with copies found among the Hittites and the Canaanites. Even as Ishtar and Tammuz were translated into Astarte and Ba'al, and subsequently became Aphrodite and Adonis. Gilgamesh like Hercules slays a lion, a bull, a giant and many-headed monster. His victories and Hercules' labours are seen as representing the sun's yearly progress through the signs of the Zodiac. So tune in and we'll go back to the days of myth and legend and make our way through "The Circle of the Beasts" as the Zodiac was originally called.
On Thursday September 7th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a follow-up to our previous review of "Sekret Machines"
(2017) by Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley. In this program we will look at
their major source work: "Insiders Reveal Secret Space Programs &
Extraterrestrial Alliances" (2015) by Michael E. Salla, Ph.D. and his
(2017) sequel "The U.S. Navy Secret Space Program & Nordic
Extraterrestrial Alliance." These books and the plot of Sekret Machines
are primarily based on the revelations of the age regressed whistle
blower Corey Goode and other former U.S. Navy and Air Force operatives
in a parallel secret advanced Space Program with alleged bases on the
Moon and Mars. We will also examine Tom DeLonge and Peter Lavenda's
(2017) book "Gods, Man and War" which establishes the historical and
anthropological validity of the Ancient Alien and UFO connection without
evoking secret space program conspiracies. So if you want to return to
the absolute elsewhere for another hour, tune-in and we will have both a
critical and a sympathetic look at this phenomenon.
On Thursday August 31st the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review of the recent best selling novel: "Sekret Machines - Chasing Shadows" by Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley. This book purports to be The Truth about "The Phenomenon" (UFOs, Ancient Aliens, the Nazi Bell et alia) presented as fiction. It is very effective as a Dean Koontz-Dan Brown style multiple-viewpoint thriller. Readers will at first believe that this is a novelized version of the "X-Files" t.v. series but the final chapter proves that the 1940s Shaver Mystery by Raymond A. Palmer and Richard S. Shaver was the real inspiration for this project. We do not say this to discredit Sekret Machines but rather to recommend it. So if you want to spend an hour in the Absolute Elsewhere, tune in and we will take the elevator down to the "deep utilities" and visit with the Deros who run The New World Order.
On Thursday June 23rd, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will reappraise and read from the Hermetic classic "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, first published in 1533 in Latin. This master work has been the foundation study of Hermetic science, Magick and mysticism for nearly 500 years. It is divided into three sections, or books:
The Natural World, The Celestial World, and The Divine World. The first, The Natural World dealt with The Hermetic Elements, the second The influence of The Heavens, Stars and Planets upon human affairs and events and the third the Divine World, dealt with the spiritual sciences of Magick and Qabalah. Unfortunately many students get these volumes as a reference work. Agrippa intended it to be read and studied from beginning to end as one continuous and contiguous work. The Hermetic Elements of the Natural World are reflected in the Celestial World, and spiritually empowered and directed from The Divine World. We will demonstrate this with selected readings from the first Volume. We will be reading from the newly translated 1533 Latin edition from Inner Traditions translated by Eric Purdue. So if you want an old fashioned introduction to wizardry, tune and we'll start you on the path.
On Thursday August 17th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon is
honored to present a review and discussion on the new book of magical
fiction "Stories of Magic and Enchantment" by William Mistele, with the
author as our guest. This book is handsomely published by Falcon Books,
a new publisher in the field. As regular listeners will recall, we have
supported Bill Mistele from the beginning of his writing and publishing
career, having had him on as a guest with his first book "Undines"
(2010). This was followed by "Mermaids, Sylphs, Gnomes, and
Salamanders" in 2012. As you might suppose Bill is very much into
Franz Bardon's Hermetic Elemental personifications. He writes from a deep
empathy for sacred nature and its spirits, encountering them in human
form as magicians often do. He favors the feminine spiritual
perspective. His stories are remarkably free from the usual horror and
conflict we associate with supernatural fiction. We might say they are
totally opposite to Lovecraft, while being lovingly crafted. Bill has a
degree in philosophy and has spent years studying and meditating with
Buddhist and Taoist teachers. He finally devoted himself to the
Bardonian system of magic and has more books in the works. So, if you
would like to meet a true magical maestro and learn about his visionary
work, tune in and be enchanted.
On Thursday July 20th,2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present the dramatic conclusion of Shamgar, the Purple Dragon by Poke
Runyon. The first part of this Biblical adventure was aired on September
4th, 2014's Hermetic Hour and has remained unfinished until the original
manuscript was rediscovered. Now we can complete this Cecil B. DeMillish
Biblical epic from the Book of Judges. Shamgar's saga recounts how a
Phoenician Pirate who claimed to be descended from Pagan Gods, becomes a
Judge of Israel and battles the Philistines, slaying them with an ox
goad years before Samson used the jawbone of ass. Shamgar almost becomes
Israel's first King but his magical ox goad is passed down to a future
contender at the beginning of the common era. So if you want to enjoy
the Old Testament from a Canaanite perspective, tune in and join us as
Shamgar rides again.
On Thursday June 29th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a symposium on the topic of Assumption of God and Goddess Forms
in magical ceremonies. Call in guests will include Frater Heracles John
Sheffield whose new rituals and articles suggested the topic, Soror
Urania Ann Finnin whose Celtic Church, the Roebuck, has been doing these
operations for years, and Soror Ariel Jo Carson of Feraferia who will be
presenting a Lammas Rite at Rivendell in August, so if you would like to attend
this meeting of the minds on the subject of being God and Goddess-like,
tune in and we shall bring the heavens down to Earth.
On Thursday May 26th, 2022 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and guest Maximilian Paul will review and discuss Howard Phillips Lovecraft’s tour-d-force horror novel “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” written in 1927 and published posthumously in 1941. This macabre epic has influenced the works of Stephen King and Clive Barker and has inspired two film versions, which we will also review and discuss. The Charles Dexter Ward story deals primarily with traditional supernatural themes: Alchemy, Necromancy, Medieval black magic, vampirism and demonic possession. The central character Charles Dexter Ward is a young scholar in Providence Rhode Island in the 1920s who becomes fascinated with the history of his notorious 17th century ancestor Joseph Curwen. The wizard Curwen had moved from Salem to Providence to avoid the witchcraft trails in 1699. He was an alchemist fascinated with a necromantic version of palinogenesis; raising the dead from their cremated remains. He with two equally sinister European sorcerers began grave robbing; collecting the remains of dead sages and scientists to learn their secrets. They also discovered secrets of immortality. This worked against Curwen in Providence where he showed no signs of age for forty years. He did manage to marry so as to leave a bloodline so that he could return – which he did in1928 when he possessed his great-great grandson Charles Dexter Ward through a strange portrait in his old house which young Ward had moved into. Young Ward is possessed by Curwen and eventually finds his grave and brings him back to life. But Old Curwen then murders young Charles and usurps his modern identity. However the Ward family physician Dr. Willet, and Ward’s father have Curwen (believing him to be Ward) committed to an Insane asylum. And that is where the story begins. So stay with us for all the inner secrets of what many consider to have been Lovecraft’s best horror novel.
As most of our active and Associate Members know we are mainly focused on Solomonic Ceremonial magick, but we also use the Aethyr System from Dee and Kelly’s Enochian corpus, which provides us with an operative alternative when the Moon is not well aspected for Goetia. The Aethyr System, originally called “Terrestrial Victory” and was a thirty-level spherical model of the Universe with the Earth in its center and the Aeythrs or Heavens (Gnostic Aeons originally) surrounding and expanding from the terrestrial center like the layers of an onion with the lowest as number 30 TEX rising on up to LIL as number one enclosing the outer limit of the circular universe. All of these levels are related to the Four Elemental Tablets, called The Watchtowers which relate to the celestial sphere and are positioned around the magic circle. Each of these Aethyrs have angelic governors whose sigils are outlined on the tablets. This is derived from Kamea Magic. The Aethyrs themselves derive from Valentinian Gnosticism, and the Book of Revelation The Magicians who explore these astral realms will activate the tablets, with Enochian Calls, and then scry into an orb on the altar within the magic circle. You can see this in our introductory video “The Rites of Magick.” We have discussed this on the Hermetic hour before but tonight we are going to go much deeper into the mysteries and paradoxes of this powerful system of magic. So, if you want to learn how to open Pinhead’s (Choronzon’s) Box tune in and chant with us: Zacar od Zamran!
On Thursday May 12th, 2022, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will continue with a dramatc reading of Poke's Magical adventure novel The Tomb of Prester John reading Chapters Five,Six and Seven. This sequence is one of the most exciting and revealing episodes in the story. We follow Sophie and Doc in their exploration of the eerie catacombs under the Biblical Christian Church of Thyatria in Akhisar Turkey. From the museum where they meet Graduate Anthropology student Ioanna Erzan who guides them to the catacombs. They find the Tomb of Theodas Jezebel's bishop and Sophie is entranced by his mummified body. They find a huge gallery with a skylight that floods the vault with moonlight. Doc sets up the Lamp of Truth and Sophie Draws Down the Moon and performs her sacred dance in the nude with the Lamp of Truth illuminating the chakras tattooed on her body. At the climax of her dance she collapses in Doc's arms. And they hear applause from From Khalil ibn Iblis and his terrorists who have been watching the performance. They are holding Iaonna Erzan as a hostage. But before they can capture Doc and Sophie, a Flash Bang grenade announces the arrival of Colonel Renda and Turkish Special Forces rappeling down through the skylight. Using Ioanna Erzan as a hostage shield Khalil and his men escape.But Renda says "We fed her a cookie, so they won't get far." Unfortunately Khalil detects the cookie and Ioanna is murdered. Doc and Sophie return to their hotel to spend the rest of the night under guard, where Doc has to hypnotize her to recover the secrets she learned from Channeling Jezebel. They learn the real secret of Christ's crucifixion and the origin of Prester John's treasure. And Doc discovers the Secret of the Lamp of Truth. So join us for high adventure and some amazing revelations.
On Thursday May 18th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and discuss "Astral Dynamics" (2009) by Robert Bruce. Robert
Bruce is an Australian writer not to be confused with the Scottish
"Robert the Bruce". In Astral Dynamics Bruce has delivered what may well
be the best practical manual on Astral Projection (OBEs and similar
phenomenon) since Ophiel's "The Art and Practice of Astral Projection"
(1961). Of course I must admit that I have a special interest in this
book because Bruce describes, validates and teaches methods and
techniques that we use in our magical instructions and training. His
description of the chakras (psychic centers) is virtually in-line with
our Western Middle Pillar system and his Third Eye projection is very
much like ours. He describes projecting into paintings and projecting
from Lucid Dreaming states. His energy work techniques are very
Bardonian and his description of the Astral Planes is in line with our
experiences. All considered this is a great book and we highly recommend
it. So Turn on, tune in and pop-out!
On Thursday May 11th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Lucifer Princeps" (2015) by Peter Grey. This book is quite different in style from its predecessor "The Red Goddess" which, although well-researched, explored the background and origins of Aleister Crowley's "Babalon" in a popular style. Lucifer Princeps however is a scholarly work and might even be an academic dissertation or thesis edited for the lay reader. Being an academic work it suffers from the assumption that the reader is familiar with the material that the writer is working from. Fortunately this corpus is mostly Biblical and Apocryphal but he cross references other mythologies. Nevertheless the book is a wonderful resource and a great contribution to the Western Esoteric Tradition. He starts with Isaiah's lament and curse as the beginning of the Lucifer's Fall from Heaven story. This sets the stage for a parade of sources from ancient Sumerian and Canaanite mythology. We learn about the first ascent to Heaven by the Sumerian king Etana, and then the Canaanite god Athar who tries to sit on Baal's throne. We learn that the Yahwehists hated the pagan gods of the heavens and that the War in Heaven was actually Yahweh against El and the Elohim. Lucifer is finally revealed as our old friend Semyaza (Semhaza), the leader of the 200 Fallen Angels from the original Book of Enoch. The author concludes his work by offering us a mini-grimoire of Semhaza and his 20 officers, leaving us the job of obtaining their sigils -- which we will certainly do. So if you want get a head start on this project, tune in and give a listen.
On Thursday April 21st, The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of Chapters Five and Six of the magical adventure novel. In these chapters we will follow Doc Roland and his beautiful lady archaeologist partner Sophie Iskandar as they continue their quest for the vast treasure of of the legendary Priest King. In these episodes they visit the museum in Akhisar, modern city of biblical Thyatria, and then explore the catacombs under the ruins of Jezebel's church. With the ancient magick lantern called the Lamp of Truth, Sophie dances under the full moon to channel Jezebel's spirit -- revealing her incredible secret. In the process Doc discovers the secret of the Lamp of Truth. They return to their hotel and again meet Colonel Renda of Turkish Security forces who informs them they are involved in the gruesome murder of a female Turkish college student. This is a magical tale on the James Bond and Indiana Jones model. Join us for High Adventure.
On Thursday May 4th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and discuss "The Red Goddess" (2007) and "Lucifer Princeps"
(2015) by Thelemic magician Peter Grey. The Red Goddess is devoted to
establishing the history and mystique of the Thelemic composite pagan
goddess "Babalon", which he correctly derives from Ishtar and Astarte.
This evolution is for the most part well-researched and well reasoned
from a Thelemic perspective, although Grey is critical of Crowley and
seems to think that Babylon is too good for the Beast. Most importantly
he supports the Divine feminine in magical religion. In "Lucifer
Princeps" he does the same for Lucifer on the male side of the magical
religious pantheon. In this case he works from Isaiah back to the Book
of Enoch, correctly concluding that Lucifer was originally Semyaza and
of Canaanite origin. With the exception of his interest in Simon Magus
Grey seems to ignore the early Christian Gnostic contributions to Magick
but his books are nonetheless readable and thought provoking -- so tune
in and we shall look at our magical history through a glass darkly.
On Thursday April 2Oth, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will continue to review and discuss the modern English (2004)
translation of Otto Rahn's 1937 Lucifer's Court. This was Rahn's travel
journal from Southern France to Iceland when he researched his personal
quest to solve the mystery of the Holy Grail as described in the
Medieval romance Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Rahn believed that
the Medieval Cathars -- the Gnostic Heretics who were wiped out by the
Roman Catholic Albigensian Crusade in the 1300s, were the keepers of the
Grail. In this instalment we will get into the possible Persian
Manichean origin of Parzival (Aryan of course) and Rhan's fascination
with Hercules and the Argonauts legends (also Aryan) We will also
discuss Nigel Graddon's 2008 Bio on Rahn and his rundown on all of our
favorite Nazi Spook Books influenced by Rahn's quest. So tune in and we
will follow the shadow of the swastika from Southern France to Tibet and
back again.
On Thursday April 13th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss the modern English (2004) translation of Otto
Rahn's 1937 Lucifer's Court. This was Rahn's travel journal from
Southern France to Iceland when he researched his personal quest to
solve the mystery of the Holy Grail as described in the Medieval romance
Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Rahn believed that the Medieval
Cathars -- the Gnostic Heretics who were wiped out by the Roman Catholic
Albigensian Crusade in the 1300s -- were the keepers of the Grail and
that they were devotees of Lucifer. He was very favorable to Nazi Aryan
race theories and was invited to join Himmler's SS. Rahn's veneration of
Lucifer as the God of the Medieval French and German heretics may be the
main source of what has been called Nazi Satanism. Lucifer was actually
another name for Semyaza, the leader of the Fallen Angels in the Book of
Enoch. We will try to sort out the errors in Otto Rahn's work and give
him credit where credit is due. In spite of his political incorrectness
he was an intrepid anthropologist and folklorist and his book is a
fascinating read for those interested in the occult history of Europe.
So tune in and we will explore the castles and caverns of the lost land
of the Troubadours in search of the Holy Grail.
On Thursday March 30th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon (or
Roygnon) will review and discuss the 1982 Bestseller "Holy Blood, Holy
Grail" by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. This is the
book that generated "The Da Vinci Code" and is the first mainstream
modern speculation on Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene and possibly
having heirs who become The Grail Family and, according to the author's
become the magical, holy bloodline of the Legendary Merovingian dynasty
of French Kings in the days of King Arthur. This bloodline is
perpetuated and protected by a medieval secret society that still exists
in modern France, The Priory of Sion (Zion). The book is a door-stopper
and not very well organized. They try to make it read like a detective
story rather than a straight forward documentary presentation. Unless
you are fascinated by the subject you may get bogged down with all the
mystery before you reach the solution -- but if you stick with it the
overall effect is convincing. And to devout Christians perhaps shocking.
There are some problems, not with the idea of the Grail family. That is
very well presented, but with the authenticity of the Priory of Sion
itself. Yes there was one back in medieval times -- but is today's
fraternity and its family leadership directly connected to the early
medieval Merovingians? In any case the book is a great introduction to
this fascinating subject. It certainly got me to looking into my old
French antecedents. I discovered the Merovingian "golden bees" on the
Roygnon family crest and began to wonder if I had a little of this
magical blood? I recall Hamlet said: "To bee or not to bee." I wonder if
he was Merovingian. Tune in and we'll explore the mystery of the Grail
Family.
On February 27th, 2022 The Host of the Hermetic Hour was the call-in guest of Masonic brothers At the Fort Worth, Texas Masonic Lodge's weekly Pod cast. Poke was interviewed by the Master, Worshipful brother Gabriel, who was very knowledgeable on esoteric subjects and asked me some very provocative questions. We covered everything from my childhood, through, spearfishing, scuba diving, special forces, Novel and screen writing and the illness that got me into magick -- through self-hypnosis -- and on then into anthropology, while doing the Golden Dawn and witchcraft, writing my Master's Thesis on Magick -- after which I did The entire Masonic program. Master Gabriel asked me: "After all those other traditions how did Masonry affect You?" -- "I'll be honest with with you, I Told him, I thought these Muggels couldn't show me anything; but they totally blew me away! The Third degree was awesome." I realized that I had been hit with the full force of a Three Hundred year old Egregore (collective spirit)Master Gabriel came in at that point for a Fuller more philosophical explanation of the term. We continued discussing magick,the nature of spirits,the Golden Dawn, astrology, Kabbalah and even reincarnation -- all in all it was a very enjoyable hour and a half with a lot of very stimulating conversation. I'll be responsible for what I said and nothing I said reflects official Masonic teaching or doctrine. Thanks to Bros. Billy and Wor. Bro. Gabriel for letting us rebroadcast it.
On Thursday March 10th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of Chapters Four and Five of his magical adventure novel The Tomb of Prester John. This will be of particular interest to those seeking to understand the origins of the Gnostic Mass and its roots in Valentinian and Simonic Gnostic traditions. Doc Roland's Lady archaeologist partner, a belly dancing former Scarlet Woman, channels both the spirits of Jesus's Mary Magdalene and Simon's Helen in their quest to find the Tomb of the medieval warrior priest king, while being stalked by her former lover Khalil Ibn Iblis, the Gnostic priest turned terrorist assassin. The Tomb of Prester John is a novel that delivers magical secrets in fiction form. In this episode you will discover that Gurdjieff's enneagram is the entrance to the Ninth Gate, that Jehovah is Popeye, and that The Gnostic Mass was originally Christian. So come with us on a quest for the Tomb of Prester John.
On Thursday March 16th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss Joseph P. Farrell's 2014 book "Thrice Greatest
Hermetica and the Janus Age".This is a confusing title for a sometimes
confusing book, but it is still worth our attention. Basically it
outlines an historical conspiracy theory that goes this way: The
Medieval Knights Templar (the first military industrial and
international banking conglomerate) in collusion with the Republic of
Venice launch a Roman Catholic Crusade allegedly aimed at Palestine but
deflected to Constantinople to destroy and loot the Byzantine Greek
Orthodox half of the old Roman Empire. The Templars are okay with this
but when the greedy Pope sicks them on the Gnostic Christians (Cathars)
in their own home turf, Southern France, they back out.
The Cathars are destroyed. The Pope's buddy the King of France asks a
loan from the Templars, they refuse him, so he and the Pope turn on them
and destroy them in France. But they survive in Scotland, England and
elsewhere. and they are still allied with wealthy Venice. They are an
underground network, Meanwhile the Roman Church allies with Genoa,
Florance and Spain. The Venetians and the Templars make it to America
before Columbus (a Genoavian-Spanish agent) but Columbus plants the
Spanish flag. The Templars and Venetians infiltrate England with a
culture war -- infusing the English (Dee, Fludd and Shakespeare) with
Hermeticism and the proxy war for the New World is on. Drake, Morgan et
allia against the Spanish. What a plot! Sounds crazy but Joe has a PhD
from Oxford in Medieval Church history so he is worth reading on
subjects like this. Tune in and we'll check it out.
On Thursday February 24, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will continue reading his magical adventure novel "The Tomb of Prester John". Thus far we have followed archaeologists Doc Roland and Sophie Iskandar, working for the CIA think tank Myth Tech searching for the legendary Tomb of Prester John and the fabulous treasure it holds. In these new episodes they fly to Berlin to discover the coded secrets in Prester John's letter to Frederick Barbarossa. Then off to Turkey where they team up with Nuri Renda an agent of the Turkish MIT and are stalked by Sophie's sinister terrorist boyfriend Khlil ibn Iblis. So tune in for cloak and dagger thrills.
On Thursday February 17th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss and review the current trend in Fantasy novels involving themes and characters from The Arabian Nights mainly the Jinn which King Solomon imprisoned in his sealed jars. A few weeks ago Poke had been putting together a show dealing with The CITY of BRASS from Burton's version of the Nights, citing it as an inspiration for many classic fantasy adventure stories. But then he discovered that an American Lady author, Shannon Chakraborty, had in fact published a magical novel called The City of Brass in 2017. So he decided to postpone the show until he had read her book. He then discovered another British author Jonathan Stroud who had a series of Jinn fantasies called The Bartimaeus Triology launched in 2003 which he needed to catch up on. And while we are at it we might as well throw in the old Victorian classic Vatheck by William Beckford (1893). So, if you would like to take a ride on a magic carpet, tune in and we'll be off.
On Thursday March 9th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Paddy Chayefsky's Oscar Winning 1976 motion picture Network. Network is a scathing satire on the intellectual and moral corruption of American Television networks, especially their News Departments. Much of the corruption Network presents was just beginning to come about in 1976, but was fully in place by the 1980s according to Dave Itzkoff in his book “Mad as Hell” 2014, and is presently erupting in the Network News Media's efforts to actually support the overthrow of the elected government of the United States of America. The focus of the 1976 film is t.v. Anchorman Howard Beale who is about to be fired for low ratings. Depression and alcohol have driven Beale to madness and he becomes The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves preaching his mantra chant: “I'm Mad as Hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!” This drives his ratings sky high until the Network entertains a bid from a Saudi Arabian conglomerate. Beale urges his viewers to protest the Arab deal to the White House and is successful in delaying the procedure. The head of the Network's corporation Arthur Jensen confronts Beale and convinces him that the New World Order has made populist democracy obsolete. So Beale goes back on the air trying to sell the Globalist agenda. Telling his followers that democracy is obsolete and that they should accept dehumanization. Of course his ratings drop to the cellar. But Jensen won't let the Network fire him, so the executives convince the radicals of their documentary Mao Tse Tung hour to machine-gun Beale in the studio as he comes on stage for his show. This will up their ratings and pay for Beale's deficit. It's all a business. That's the gist of it but stay with us and we'll dig deeper into this masterpiece of American prophetic cinema.
On Thursday February 3rd , 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of the first two chapters of his magical adventure novel “The Tomb of Prester John.” This is the second broadcast of the novel, presenting the second chapter but also a re-written version of chapter one, so if you missed the first broadcast you will still be caught-up with the story. Prester John was a legendary Asian Christian Priest King with a vast treasure. He sent a letter to European leaders during the Crusades which Doc Roland and his beautiful lady archaeologist partner think is a code leading to his tomb and the treasure. But their quest is imperiled by terrorists and traitors within their own sponsoring organization. The Tomb of Prester John is a combination of Indiana Jones and James Bond, so if you like romantic adventure with an occult twist, tune in and enjoy high adventure.
On Thursday February 23rd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the the modern yoga ritual version of the Chemical Wedding
of Christian Rosencreutz. This is the fully developed Rosicrucian
version of Hermetic Yoga Beyond the Middle Pillar as presented in volume
one of Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle Pillar. This advanced
version, draws upon The Naassene Document, the Gospel of
Philip, the Gospel of Mary, the Chemical Wedding itself, and the works of
Jacob Boehme and Johann Gichtel. This reveals that the Ninth Degree of
the O.T.O. and the Great Rite of the Gardnerians are both derived
from original Valentinian Gnostic Christian sources. So if you want to
experience some R-rated Rosicrucian yoga, tune in and we'll take you into
the mirrored chamber of the Sacred Marriage.
On Thursday February 9th, 2017 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the second part of The Chemical Wedding of Christian
Rosenkreutz by Valentin Andreae 1616, followed by an interpretation of
the symbolism in relation to internal alchemy, the extended Middle
Pillar chakra system and Valentinian Gnostic Christianity. We will
describe the Sacred Marriage within the adept him/or/herself as an
analog to the operations on the Sixth Day in the Tower of Olympus. We
will refer to works by Jacob Boehme, The creation of the Magical Child,
Johann Gichtel and the mysteries of the Spiral and the Lightning Flash.
And the Homunculus of Paracelsus. This is the lost Key to Rosicrucian
Sex Magick and the ultimate secret of the Hieros Gamos. Tune in and be
enlightened.
On Thursday January 13th, 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Aleister Crowley in England" (2021) by Tobias Churton. This is the final part of Churton's serialized biography of The Great Beast, following on "The Beast in Berlin," "Crowley in America," and "Crowley in India." The compendium will be the most complete and best documented life of Crowley yet presented. This particular volume will present a side of A.C. his other biographers have not explored: Crowley the Gourmet Chef! Cook what Thou wilt shall be the Whole of the Menu! In the 1930s the Beast was considered the Sultan of exotic curry dishes and hosted the Lords and Ladies of London society at his festive board. We will give you a summary of his bill of fare, so tune in and bon appétit!
On January 6th 2022 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review all our live broadcasts in 2021,starting with "The Lost Pillars of Enoch" from January 7th and summarizing all 19 new shows with "The Pagan Myth of Christmas" on December 23rd. So keep your pencils handy to jot down the one's you missed that you will want to search the archives for. And we had some very good shows in this sad year.We are already planning a great line-up for 2022. Starting with "Crowley in England" next week.
On Thursday February 3rd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon,
will present our interpreted and explained version of The Chemical
Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz (1614). The Chemical Wedding is the
third of the mysterious Rosicrucian documents that appeared in Central
Europe in the early 17th century. It is an alchemical fantasy that might
even be called "Science Fiction." Occultists have tried to unravel it's
secrets for the last four hundred years and we will offer our
interpretation tonight as we accompany old Christian Rosencreutz on his
visit to the mysterious castle and his participation in the alchemical
operation to resurrect the King and Queen. The solving of its riddles
has been just as exciting an adventure as the story itself. So tune in
and come with us to the Castle of the Rosicrucians.
On Thursday December 23rd,2021 the Hermetic Hour’s host Poke Runyon, will read his essay entitled The Pagan Myth of Christmas. As most of us know December 25th is a date selected to represent Winter Solstice, and thus correspond to the seasonal return of the Sun, making Jesus a Pagan Sun God. This is just one of the many Pagan myth themes adopted by Christianity in the formative years of the religion. The Cross of Crucifixion became the Cross of the Four Seasons, Churches were built on the sites of Pagan Temples. But what is not widely known is the connection between Paganism, Gnosticism, and Christianity. Jesus was a Pagan God modeled on Osiris and when we match him with the Canaanite Baal he becomes The Once and Future King of Israel the last of the Pagan Dying Gods. The Gnostic Christians believed there had been a succession of these redeemers represented by ancient Gods and Goddesses. So if you want to celebrate the mystery of Christmas, tune in and we’ll deck the halls.
On Thursday January 19th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the 1934 horror classic "Creep Shadow, Creep" by Fantasy Grand Master Abraham Merritt. This forgotten tale has influenced such modern films and t.v. shows as Dark Shadows and recently "Outlander." It deals with a family feud that carries on for thousands of years between reincarnating ancestors of two ancient Breton Celtic clans. The lord of Carnac and the Royal family of the legendary sunken city of Ys. In their present (1930s) incarnations an anthropologist, specializing in the occult (like Indian Jones) and a psychiatrist specializing in hypnotic age-regression with a beautiful daughter who was and is a reincarnating evil soul-stealing witch. This story was the second in a series of such tales by Merritt, being the sequel to "Burn Witch, Burn" (1934) which was made into a film with Lionel Barrymore and influenced both Twilight Zone and the "Chucky" series. So if you want to discover the roots of ancient evil surviving in the deep mind, tune in and we will explore the dark world of the creeping shadows.
On Thursday December 29th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a review and discussion on "Technocracy Rising" by Patrick
M. Woods 2015. This book documents the 1930's origin and rise of an
American totalitarian socio-political and economic system derived from
Plato's Republic that flourished after the 1929 crash and during the
prewar years of the Great Depression. In Technocracy scientists and
academics will manage the government of the country. Our Constitutional
Republic and its Capitalistic economy would be replaced by a
dictatorship. Technocracy's connection to the Eugenics movement and to
Nazism put it into eclipse until the 1970s -- When Technocracy reemerged
with David Rockefeller's Trilateral Commission and began to infiltrate
the U.S. government beginning with The Jimmy Carter administration in
the 1970s. Technocracy subverted the United Nations which soon became
its agent for a Technocratic World government. Like their cousins the
communists, the Technocrats claim to be democratic. They seek to replace
our currency based economic system with a cashless, energy credit
system. They have hijacked General System Theory to justify
environmental regulations to control energy. Of course the big problem
for the people under this system is loss of Freedom, loss of property,
loss of representation in government, and loss of what we consider basic
human rights. Even the socialist philosopher Bertrand Russell, when
examining Plato's Government of the philosopher kings, was forced to say
that only true democracy could protect basic human rights. So if you
want to know what the technocrats have in store for you when they get
back in office, tune in and we'll have a look.
will review the 2014 book by Tobias Churton "Aleister Crowley The Beast
in Berlin". This is apparently an expansion and compilation of outcuts
from the author's biography of Crowley and should perhaps be considered
an appendix to that work. Unless you are an ardent Crowley aficionado
it is a hard read. The book is primarily made up of excerpts from
A.C.'s. diaries and his correspondence mostly during his 1930s Berlin
sojourn as a struggling artist in the decadent twilight days of the
Weimar Republic. Along with a running account of the Beast's
metaphysical politics, sexual magick and artistic endeavors, Churton
manages to give us an in-depth look at the decadent sub-culture of the
Weimar Berliners and an appreciation of Crowley's talents as an
artist. So if you'd like to accompany the Beast to the Cabaret, tune in
and enjoy the show.
On Thursday December 1st, 2016, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the recently published compendium of manuscript translations
dealing with the Homunculus, compiled and edited by Joseph Uncello from
Four Hands Press, Viatorium and Ouroboros Press. This is one of the most
remarkable books on alchemy and magick to have appeared since the
release of Picatrix. We now have Paracelsus's own detailed accounts of
the Homunculus operation.The creation of a humanoid being, using male
sperm in an artificial female womb. This is followed by other
Renaissance period authors elaborating on the process and presenting
eyewitness accounts of successful Homunculi experiments. We are treated
to works that seem to be the source material for The Chemical Wedding of
Christian Rosencrutz, the Tyrol experiment cited by W. Somerset Maugham
in his 1908 novel "The Magician," and the little King and Queen created
by Dr. Pretorious in the 1934 horror film "The Bride of Frankenstein."
For comic relief we have an Arabic version of the operation using a
sheep and a cow (without their consent) and for cultural diversity we
are treated to a poetic Taoist perspective on the process, and for
redeeming social value. We have a Valentinean Christian approach to
making a Magical Child by the German philosopher Jacob Bohme, which may
well have been the inspiration for Aleister Crowley's "Moon Child" --
So, If you want to delve into the dark secrets of creation, join us and
we will open up the forbidden book: Codex Homunculi.
On Thursday November 10th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the career of Steve Ditko's Dr. Stephen Strange, "Master of
the Mystic Arts" from his Marvel Comics' debut in 1963 to the 2016
Disney/Marvel film released this month. We will discuss Doc's ancestor
the 1930's Radio sorcerer "Chandu the Magician" and give a synopsis of
Strange's early comic book adventures and the live action films. Both
the 1978 and 2016 films emphasize Hermetic symbolism and method drawing
on Eastern yoga for power and technique; resulting in a system that is a
sort of astral Kung-Fu. In both films the Master Teacher is European,
whereas in the original comic book version he was a Tibetan Lama called
"The Ancient One." In the recent film there have been some changes in
the service of political correctness that are difficult to understand.
Why change Baron Mordo the original European villain into Doc's black
side-kick and then create a new villain to play Mordo's traditional role
played by a European actor. So, if you want to explore this and other
deep mysteries of Dr. Strange's magical universe, tune in and we'll
consult the Orb of Agamodo.
On Thursday November 3rd, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon
will present an essay on how the Atheistic Marxists hijacked Christian
idealism and used our two thousand years of devotion to Christian
principles of Altruism and charity against us in order to enslave us.
Also conceding the influence of Hermetic Elitism in this process, we
will trace the development through the Roman Church, the Illuminati, and
the Marxists to the modern New World Order. We will use "The Matrix" as
a metaphor for our present political and economic state. So if you want
to get unplugged tune in and take the red pill.
On Thursday November 4th, 2021 - The Hermetic Hour will present a reprise of the Channeling of Biblical King Ahab by V.H.Frater Solomon sitting on the "Bone Throne" in the Pavilion of the Gods at Rivendell following Mot Mass on October 30th. King Ahab was a King of ancient Israel, who along with his Phoenician wife Queen Jezebel, were demonized by Ezra and the prophet Isiah. This revelation presents them in a true and fair view, worthy to join the ranks of Melchizedek and Solomon as ancient avatars of our tradition. V.H. Frater Thabion will discuss Jezebel's first century a.d. namesake in the Book of Revelation, who was equally maligned and needs to be rehabilitated. So, if you want to look behind Biblical Fake News, tune in and find the truth.
On Thursday October 27th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will recall and review Frank (Dune) Herbert's first published science fiction story "Nightmare Blues" (Operation Syndrome) 1954. This is an ominously prophetic and frightening tale of electronic mind control which seems to have been inspired by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. A scientist (who ends up in a mad house) invents a machine that projects thoughts (a telepathy transceiver) which is stolen by a music industry producer promoter who uses it to enhance his star's vocal performances. However each city where they perform experiences catastrophic outbreaks of mass insanity. One of the mad scientist's former students, a psychologist, teams up with a ham radio operator to create an antidote machine. This story was published in 1954 and set in 1999. It deals with issues and theories that resonate today. So if you want to contemplate some high-tech horror, for Halloween tune in and we'll turn up the volume.
On Thursday October 13th, 2016 Poke Runyon host of the Hermetic hour
will present a reading of the mystical magical poem "The Hashish Eater"
by the late Poet and Fantasy writer Clark Ashton Smith. Smith was a friend and
colleague of H. P. Lovecraft whose magical fantasies were also featured
in Weird Tales in the 1930s and 1940s, and in "Dark of the Moon" from
Arkham House and in "New World's for Old" edited by Lin Carter. This poem
is a fantastic magical experience and invokes dreamlike visions. Tune
in and discover a magical psychedelic masterpiece.
On Thursday September 15th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the Alchemical Classic "Splendor Solis" by
Solomon Trismosin 1582. This magnificently illustrated work is
considered to be the most beautiful illuminated manuscript of all the
Medieval and Renaissance occult books. It draws on all of the earlier
Alchemical classics such as the Turba Philosophorum. Solomon Trismosin
was said to have been the mentor of the most famous of all alchemists
Paracelsus. The twenty-two beautiful allegorical paintings that
illustrate the book are the work of the Renaissance master Lucas van
Leiden. The symbolic paintings have been likened to the twenty-two
greater arcana of the Tarot.This book has been a great influence on
Rosicrucianism and deserves a place in any study of that tradition, so
if you want to peek at the Splendor of the Sun, put on your dark glasses
and tune in.
The Hermetic Hour for Thursday October 7th, 2021 -- will feature a dramatic reading of the first chapter of "The Tomb of Prester John" a new magical adventure novel by Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon. The protagonist of the story is the same Indiana Jonesish anthropologist Poke created and portrayed in his film "Beyond Lemuria" where we saw Doc Roland exploring the ruined city of Nan Modal. In this new adventure Roland and his beautiful belly-dancing lady archaeologist Sophie Nasrani, go in search of the fabulous tomb of the legendary medieval priest-king Prester John. They have a 12th century letter written by Prester John to emperor Frederick Barbarossa and an antique magic lantern to decode the script. They know the tomb is located somewhere east of Samarkand but Sophie must evoke the prophetess Jezebel in a full moon ritual dance. Throughout their adventure they are stalked by Sophie's former lover Khalil ibn Iblis, a terrorist who believes he is the reincarnation of Hassan Sabbah and has revived the cult of the Assassins.
As the tale progresses we will air it chapter by chapter on the Hermetic Hour, so if you want to get in at the beginning, tune in tonight and get ready for High Adventure.
On Thursday September first, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke
Runyon will discuss James Branch Cabell's romantic fantasy novel JURGEN
(1919).This delightfully satirical and deeply esoteric work is
considered Cabell's masterpiece and a classic of American literature. It
might best be quickly described as an Oz book for adults. Modern readers
will liken Cabell's tale to a Monty Python script. Chapter XXII was
inspired by Aleister Crowley's Gnostic Mass which prompted Crowley to
praise Cabell as America's greatest novelist. We will read the infamous
22nd chapter along with some of the symbolically described erotic
passages that got the original book banned in New York. This backfired
and made JURGEN a national bestseller in the 1920s. And it is still a
great read -- so if you want to spend an hour with Messers Cabell and
Crowley, tune in and we will follow Jurgen chasing his first love all
the way from puberty to Hell, which is a liberal democracy and up to
Heaven which is a Southern Baptist dictatorship, administered by a black
house slave. Maybe we can get it banned again!
On Thursday September 23rd, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Journey to the Castle (2021) by Ann Finnin who will join us on the show to guide us recalling her journey to find the roots of Traditional British Witchcraft. As most of us know modern British witchcraft is divided between Gardnarian and Robert Gravesian branches. The Gravesian branch springing mostly from Bill Gray and Robert Cochcrane (Roy Bowers) and imported to America by Joe Wilson as the Order of 1734. Dave and Ann Finnin’s Coven of the Roebuck grew out of 1734 but they wanted to get to the real roots of their inspiration. Go to England, meet the elders, walk the lay lines, visit the castles. Learn the truth first hand. This book recalls that quest, documents their discoveries and presents Ann’s insights on the meanings and significance of this most shamanic form of modern witchcraft. If you want to know how to cross the moat tune in and take notes.
On Thursday August 25th, 2016 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on two modern classics that hold up mirrors to
modern society and recent history: George Orwell's 1984 (1949) and
Ortega de Gassett's Revolt of the Masses (1929).Both authors were
socialists and both were involved in the Spanish Civil War.
1984 is called a "dystopia"and describes British post World War II
socialism evolving into a nightmarish double-plus-ungood (Stalinistic)
tyranny where everyone is brainwashed into believing that: "War is Peace,
Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength." In "Revolt of the Masses"
Ortega de Gassett disputes the liberal dictum that universal literacy
and education can ennoble and uplift "the common people" into a body
politic capable of rational and reasonable self government, Hence
democracy must be controlled by an intellectual elite (sound familiar).
Both these books are classics and more important today than when they
were written. We will try to put them in a Hermetic perspective for you
(sociology is the new black magick) so if you want to peek into the
future from way back when, tune in and we'll part the veil.
On Thursday September 9th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the vast Central Asian kingdom of Tartaria and the medieval legend of Prester John, the mysterious Christian monarch who was said to have ruled a huge empire West of China and to have written letters to the Pope and kings in Europe. Mentioned by Marco Polo and other European travelers to the Orient Prester John was a political Holy Grail quest for Crusaders seeking allies against the Muslims. But John and his kingdom was never found -- and yet there may have been a Christian king and warlord in Central Asia in medieval times as new historical research and archeology are discovering. In Medieval times the boundaries of Tartaria stretched from China to Eastern Europe; an area defined by the conquests of Genghis Khan and his sons. Only recently have we come to realize that Europeans have been living in Central Asia for thousands of years. Many of the Central Asian tribes and even nations riding under Mongol banners in the middle ages were actually Caucasian Christians descendants of the ancient Scythians, Armenians and Indo-Europeans. The real history of Central Asia has been suppressed and mistranslated. We will suggest who the real Prester John might have been. So put on your fedora, snap your bullwhip and lets follow the Silk Road to adventure.
On Thursday August 18th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review new issues of old Hermetic Magick books. Starting with
Zoroaster's Telescope (1796-2013) and on to Urania's Mirror (1822-2004)
and finally The Harmonia Macrocosmica of Cellarius (1660 - 2013). The
first item on our list is more of a board-game than a book; a very
elaborate and frankly confusing French divinatory system that uses
hexagonal "tiles" with magical and astrological data drawn from an urn
or box and applied to a board called a mirror. which has hexagonal
compartments. Divination follows from the numbers in the mirror's cells
and the pattern various tiles make on the mirror. Urania's Mirror is a
small book describing the astrological constellations and their
mythology accompanied by a set of thirty-two cards on which the mythical
figures of the zodiac are depicted in very romantic style. This style is
influenced by our last selection: The Harmonia Macrocosmica of Andreus
Cellarius, a magnificently illustrated atlas of the heavens. So if you'd
like to explore some recent revivals of ancient wisdom tune in and we'll
have a look.
On Thursday August 26th, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will explore the place of Hermetics and Hermetic Magicians in the coming Futurist society influenced and augmented by genetic engineering, nanotech, computer technology, artificial intelligence, and Clio-dynamics We will refer to our broadcasts over the past few years dealing with these super-humanizing or DE-humanizing techs and tech-systems predicted by science fiction authors such as A.E. Van Vogt, L. Ron Hubbard, Issac Asimov, and Frank Herbert. We will consult current works on the subject by Michio Kaku and Marc Zimmer. We will suggest that much of this futurism derives from Hermetic philosophy and therefore we magicians should embrace it providing we can become more than human rather than a swarm of sub-human drones in a hive. So if you wanna be Slans. (Fans of the Slans are today’s futurists) tune in and we’ll open the gate for you.
On Thursday August 19th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present two Prophetic essays by American rocket scientist, magician and philosopher John Whiteside Parsons. Chapters Two and Three of "Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword taken from The Seventh Ray, Book IV, Omnibus, The Violet Ray" a reprint of the original publication in the Seventh Ray, issue 19, 1977 (Chapter 3) and a previously unpublished chapter 2, "The Sword and the State." These essays from the 1950s are particularly important in the present political, spiritual, and socio-economic situation. They should be of particular interest to our Thelemic listeners and Hermetic students generally. I do not always agree with Jack but I do agree that his work should be revived and reviewed at this critical time. So if you want to know what Maestro Belarion predicted tune in and find out.
On Thursday August 11th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss two prophetic science fiction stories from the 1950s: C.M. Kornbluth's "The Marching Morons" and A.E. Van Vogt's "The Weapon Shops of Isher." Both are considered classics of the genre and deal with controversial social issues. Kornbluth's "Morons" predict a future where the average I.Q. is 45 and a tiny intelligent elite struggle to preserve the self-destructive swarming mass of sub-human humanity. In Van Vogt's "Weapon Shops" a group of gun manufacturers and dealers struggle to arm the citizens of a tyrannical and corrupt world government headed by a psychopathic empress (she sleeps with snakes) who is determined to disarm and enslave them. Both of these stories deserve to be looked at again in light of present and pending events. So if you want a glimpse of today and tomorrow as seen by the prophets of yesterday, tune in and we'll roll back the clock to the 1950s.
On Thursday August 5th, 2021 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Magical (Electional) Astrology from Ficino to Campanella with Bishop Michael Beeson (V.H. Frater Suen). We will refer to D.P. Walker's book Demonic and Spiritual magic from Ficino to Campanella, recounting Campanella and Pope Urban's magical astrological operation. We will discuss Planetary Hours, Lunar Mansions, and other aspects of electional astrology. We will recommend the books of Christopher Warnock (Renaissance astrology) and Michael Beeson's own podcast, Hacking Fate. So if you want to know how the old wizards did it, tune in and find out.
On Thursday July 28th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss Frank Herbert's 1965 science-fiction classic Dune from a magical (Hermetic) perspective and as a prophetic political allegory. Sci-Fi Writer Orson Scott Card wrote: "Remember that Herbert wrote Dune in the 1960s, before the first oil embargo, before any Islamist government was ever formed. Whether Dune had any causal influence on the rise of Al Qaeda, Herbert certainly did a superb job of predicting the rise and the power of such an ideology. The spice must flow, and so must the oil. So the political allegory is obvious but what about the hermetic magical aspect: in the 1960s when Herbert conceived Dune the big psycho-spiritual experience was LSD. Acid offered expansion of consciousness, instant enlightenment and for some, extension of consciousness. Soul travel. Hermes once wrote that one could go anywhere in the Universe instantly at the speed of thought. Some Eastern gurus had also declared that this was possible. So Frank Herbert's Spice Melange was conceived as a psychedelic agent that would enable astronaut navigators to warp space with the power of their minds -- and go anywhere in the galaxy mentally and physically. That is one Hermetic magical aspect. There is also a witchcraft cult that engages in genetic engineering, trying to breed a Demigod messiah who will launch a Jihad to conquer the galaxy. So if you'd like to consider the not so hidden inner meanings of this classic, tune in and we'll have a 21st century look back at Dune.
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.
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.
On Thursday July 8th, 2021, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and Very Honored Frater Suon will present a discussion on the Ars Notoria, a medieval Solomonic grimoire of prayers and meditations designed to assist in learning the Hermetic arts such as astrology, alchemy, philosophy and even theology. Although attributed to Solomon it is heavily Christian but filled with Hermetic and magickal lore. It was often included in the Lemegeton compendiums of Solomonic grimoires; along with the Goetia and the Almadel. It originated in the 13th century but we are most familiar with the Robert Turner 1656 translation available from Trident Books (1997) but we will also discuss Stephen Skinner & Daniel Clark’s (2019) compendium of earlier versions. So tune in and learn how the old wizards remembered their spells.
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.
On Thursday June 16th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will 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 alignments 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 information,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.
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 Madol on Pohnpei 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 deity 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.
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.
On Thursday June 3rd, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading off the newly drafted Corpus Christi ceremony which will represent the Rosicrucian climax of the ancient pagan seasonal ceremony round. It will be performed following the Spring Sacred Marriage Nuptiae rite. In keeping with the Sacred Marriage being the supreme sacrament and passion of early Gnostic Christianity. The ritual will follow the ancient Naassene document honoring Jesus as the last of the pagan dying Gods coming down to rescue and marry Mary Magdalene so that they may rule together as King and Queen of Israel. So if you want experience the Second Coming, Valentinian style, tune in and receive the Gnosis.
On May 27th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will have as honored guest Lady Jo Carson Avatrix of Feraferia who will discuss her restoration and fulfillment of Master Fred Adams cosmos encompassing mandala, the Enneasphere which incorporates Qabalistic astrological and Tarot correspondences in one great design. This masterpiece can be seen on Feraferia's website: < feraferia.org > under "latest additions" and on < chsota.org > on the blogs as "Fun with Enneaspheres" if possible look at the graphics on these websites while listening to the show. And also check out Lady Jo's film DANCING WITH GAIA. We just released it on Amazon. So tune in and get introduced to the Celestial Key to the Hermetic mysteries.
On Thursday April 28th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the concluding chapterof the first volume of my Inner Plane
fantasy novel Adamson's Quest, The Library of the Ages -- in which the
Hero Enoch Adamson in his role as the Fool of the Tarot finally reaches
his goal the Library of the Ages, which represents the Sphere of Hod at
the upward terminis of the 31st Path on the Tree of Life. Here Adamson
will meet his mentor and sponsor Hermes Trismegistus and receive the
answers to his questions from a council of sages including Jesus and
Mary Magdalene and even Nicolo Machievelli at a dinner party which is
modeled on Steve Allen's "Meeting of the Minds" format. This novel was
begun in 1973 when we first began to develop our Qabalistic Path Working
program. So if you want to sit in on an Inner Plane esoteric council
meeting join us and be enlightened.
On Thursday April 21st, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss his Magical Inner Plane novel Adamson's Quest and offer a dramatic reading of Chapter Eleven. This fictional journey up the paths of the Tree of Life was begun back in 1979 in the old pamphlet style Seventh Ray and has been continued in the new journal version of T7R since 1999. The final installment Chapter Twelve is in the works and should be ready by next week. We did a show on Adamson four years ago that is still available in the archives for those who wish more background on the story. Adamson's experiences reflect the anxieties of the times (late 1970s) he tries to overcome psychosomatic illnesses, psychological neurosis, Freudian complexes, Jungian archetypes and Qabalistic paradoxes, while dressed as the Fool in the Tarot, more recently he deals with contemporary problems: reptilian illuminati, pollution, invasion of privacy, social engineering, virtual reality and military-industrial corruption. So, if you want to join the 2084 Army's virtual reality nano-tank corps and battle giant mole-crickets (Mike Charlies) in the non-white house lawn then tune in and let's roll!
On Thursday May 6th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a revised chapter from the new edition of The Book of Solomon’s Magick, Chapter Five, the Qabalah of Wizardry. This revision is necessary because our version of Qabalah has undergone some evolvement since this chapter was published twenty-six years ago. We have discovered the Celestial Tetragrammaton, restored the Eleven Sphere Tree of Life before the Fall. Evolved the sacred marriage from Baal and Astarte to Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the Rosicrucian degrees and created new kameas for the outer planets. I suggest you have your Tree of Life diagrams handy as you listen so that you can follow along the paths.
On Thursday March 31st, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review of John Michael Greer's new translation from the Latin version of "De Imaginibus of Thabit Ibn Qurra" titled "Astral High Magic". This book replaces an earlier publication translated by Christopher Warnock in the Renaissance Astrology list. De Imaginibus is the technical side of Sabian elective astrology. How to make talismans. Thabit Ibn Qurra was the most famous of the Harranian astrological magicians. We will also discuss the Sabian planetary magick and hermetic affiliations. The surviving Mandanean cult claims to be preserving their traditions along with works attributed to John the Baptist. We were first on the scene with Sabian lore in our 1999 Book One, of the Seventh Ray (the Blue Ray) with our translation, from the German version of the Arabic original, of the Sabian planetary rituals from Picatrix. So if you want to know how to keep scorpions out of your house, among other things, tune in and we'll see how the Magi do it.
On Thursday March 10th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and Guests Lady Jo Carson of Feraferia and Lady Ann Finnin of the Roebuck, will have a discussion on "Fairy Magick". We will recall the classics in this field such as "The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries," Evans-Wentz,(1911) "The Faerie Queen" by Edmund Spencer (1590) and more recently Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Sussana Clarke (2004) Lady Jo will mention other recent books in the field, including one she is working on involving Fred Adams extrapolations from Robert Graves' Celtic "Tree Alphabet" from "The White Goddess" (1946) which should be a veritable Qabalah of fairyland. Lady Ann will mention the Roebuck's connections to Celtic fairy lore. I will delve into "The Book of Oberon" (2015) a translation of an Elizabethan 16th century magical compendium mixing Solomonic and fairy lore in a compendium similar to the Lemegeton - and including Lemegeton material. So let's all spend an hour under the hill with the changelings and the little people -- and remember what the old cunning man said: "Aye! You can see them if they want you to." He also asked: "What is your name? What is your quest? What is your favorite color?"
We have had a photocopy of a 300 year old magical manuscript in our archives for fifty years and have used it or research, study, rituals, and publications but until we began a serious study of Valentinian Gnosticism we had no idea what secrets were hidden in this Elizabethan era manuscript that we had been using for years. The structure of the Celestial and Terrestrial versions of the Tetragrammaton was set forth in the First Conjuration of the Goetia. Elizabethan magicians were NeoPlatonists and Hermetics. They were partial to Christian Gnosticism and venerated the most high God, honoring Jehovah as the God of the Earth Sphere. I now wonder if Soane 2731 influanced us to realize the two Tetragrammatons years before we discovered them in the text of the First Conjuration.
On Thursday February 25th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a reading and commentary on a chapter, by Fraters Thabion
and Solomon, from the forthcoming book Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle
Pillar, Vol. 2, titled Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Holy Grail. This
will trace the story from Bethlehem to Camelot with some remarkable
surprises, such as Jesus was the grandson of King Herod the Great,
Jehovah was not his Father in Heaven, that he believed in equality for
women, and tolerance for the Gentiles. That he married a Phoenician
princess and sought to unite all Israel under the original Most High God
EL That his cousin Herod Antipas bribed Pontius Pilate to have him
executed, and that Mary Magdalene barely managed to escape with their
son to Southern France where they founded the Cult and the lineage of
the Sangreal -- Its all documented with the latest discoveries from
ancient archives, so tune in and we'll go beyond The D'Vinci Code.
The Hermetic Hour for Thursday April 1st, 2021 with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the forthcoming Bishop’s Consecration ceremony and investiture we will be performing this weekend upon one of our senior Rosicrucian adepts. It will be modeled after the Roman ceremony altered to conform with Hermetic and Gnostic Christian (Valentinian) dogmas and symbolism. It will be divided into the traditional three parts: The Examination, The Consecration, and The Investiture. In our case The Communion of the Elements will replace the Mass as the ceremony of Consecration. Honey replacing wine. In The Investiture, Hermes will replace Moses, Melchizedek replaces Aaron and through Christ our Lord is extended to: “Through Christ our Lord and Mary Magdalene our Lady.” Although our broadcast is on April fools day the actual Ceremony will take place on the 3rd – but if the broadcast date casts aspersions on the merit of the occasion we might ponder why the Fool is at the top of the Tree?
On Thursday February 4th, 2016 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the fascinating military and occult career
of Lt.Colonel Sir Francis Edward Younghusband (1863-1942) the conqueror
of Tibet (1904) and the author of several books on travel, adventure and
mystical philosophy. Colonel Younghusband was an officer in British
Special forces in India during a cold war between the British and the
Russians for control of the Central Asian highlands north of India in
the latter days of the 19th century. Their covert conflict was called
"The Great Game" and was the stage for high adventure. Rudyard Kipling
novelized "The Great Game" in Kim. In 1904 Lord Curson the Viceroy of
India sent Colonel Younghusband up into Tibet with an invading British
army to flush out the Russians whom Curson was convinced had infiltrated
the mysterious country. After slaughtering the primitive Tibetan army,
Younghusband took Lhasa but could not find a single Cossack, or even a
Russian rifle, However he did stay long enough to have a mystical
experience that transformed him from a ruthless conqueror into a
peaceful mystical philosopher. He retired to England to write books
about his adventures and his visions, which included life on other
planets, a philosophy of free love, a spiritual drama society and an
expedition to climb Mt. Everest. -- If you want to spend an hour with
the Colonel, tune in and we'll hit the trail going up.
In the Elizabethan period the Italian Renaissance came to England. Even though the English had broken with the Roman Church they were still following the Italians in astrology, philosophy, alchemy and Magick. During the reign of The Virgin Queen the British would exceed the Italians in that one aspect of the Hermetic Arts – Magick. The Angelic Revelation of Dr. John Dee is certainly the high water mark of Renaissance Theurgy. But we magicians sometimes forget that the English Elizabethan period was a Magical Age. It was the Time of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”, Milton’s “Paradise Lost” and Spencer’s “The Faerie Queene.” Magick was in the air. So let us look back on this golden age and recall some of its magical treasures.
On Thursday January 28th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Biblical personages Simon Magus and John the Baptist. We will discuss their association, their influence on the Gnostic movement and the rise of Christianity. We will have Frater Solomon as a guest commentator. Sources will be the works of Tobias Churton "Gnostic Mysteries of Sex" and "Mysteries of John the Baptist" also G.R.S. Mead's "Simon Magus" and "The Book of Enoch" which influenced Gnostic cosmology and the Mandanean books attributed to John the Baptizer. So if you want to be demystified about the Gnosis, tune in and we'll part the veil.
On Thursday March 4th, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on recent reports of an alleged underground war being waged by American special forces soldiers against a coalition of traitors and demonic aliens in a subterranean network of DUMBs (deep underground military bases ) connected to a tunnel network excavated and still inhabited by ancient Satanic humanoids usually described as “demons.” This vast underground network is said to extend worldwide. It was first revealed to the public in 1886 by French writer Alexandre St. Yves d, Alvedre, who claimed it was a subterranean kingdom under Tibet with tunnels that reached everywhere in the world. It was forgotten until 1922 when Ferdinand Ossendowski exposed it again in his best-seller “Beasts, Men and Gods.” Although he may have gotten the story from the Mad Baron of Mongolia who probably got it from St. Yves book, or perhaps from the drunken High-Lama of Mongolia who probably got it from the Mad Baron. In any case a Science-fiction writer (who was also mad) Richard S. Shaver re-ran it as series of truth-based fictional adventures in Amazing Stories right after the end of W.W. II. Shaver gathered a fan base of true-believers, including this reporter at age 16. This evil underworld was peopled by satanic mutants armed with ancient ray machines which could be used for mind-control, sadistic torture or seduction. It made great pulp fiction. Even after I outgrew Shaver, I couldn’t resist making a movie based on his Mystery. In 2007 we released BEYOND LEMURIA which includes all of the elements the present Underground War Reports are featuring: Government and military involvement, Satanic depravity, child-trafficking, and UFO super-science. Tonight we will focus on these current reports and the actual evidence of these underground facilities. So if you want to know what’s really down there stay tuned and we’ll go down the rabbit hole.
On Thursday January 14th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a commentary on and a reading of the Rubaiyat a Sufi poem
from medieval Persia by the mystic and astronomer Omar Khayyam
translated by Edward Fitzgerald and published in 1859. The Rubaiyat is
quintessentially romantic in style and content. It is said to reflect
the ancient cyrenaic hedonistic philosophy of Aristippus and extols a
libertine lifestyle in preference to piety. When I was a teenager I
needed to break away from Christian fundamentalism so I adopted the
Rubaiyat as my alternative to the Bible. I memorized the entire poem so
that I could quote seductive passages to Baptist virgins while drinking
beer on the beach at sunset. Ah! Those were the days! Or as Omar would
put it: "Alas that Spring should vanish with the rose, and youth's sweet
scented manuscript should close, the nightingale that in the branches
sang, ah whence and wither flown again who knows?" And so, if you yearn
to know "What Omar's moving finger writ, " then tune in and we will
inoculate you against excessive piety.
On Thursday December 10th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Valentinian Gnostic origins of the Dee-and-Kelley Enochian 30 Aethyr system. This ancient configuration indicates that John Dee had more to do with the actual construction than previously imagined. Apparently the Aethyrs did not spring full-armed from the brow of Kelley, like Athena from the brow of Zeus. Dee was the scholar and must have discovered the Valentinian model in research, thus directing Kelley's scrying. This has prompted us to add Valentinian angelic invications to the Aethyrs, similar to the way the Shemehamphorash angels are used in Goetia. It acts as a spiritual safety on what is otherwise an entirely elemental process and makes Enochian visions more spiritually and psychologically digestible. So if you want to experience sanctified Enochian, tune in and we will fire up the Tablets.
On Thursday November 19th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the final discussion on the Tree of Life -- Kether and the
Supernals. In our series on the Tree we have worked from the bottom up,
and now we will have to shift into reverse and start down from above. We
will outline the theory of four dimensions on the tree and how each
dimension contains its own Tree. Kether of Malkuth being the heaven with
God on his throne (if that's what you want) We will also deal with the
two higher dimensions Atziluth and Briah and the Chokmah-Binah yin-yang
effect, Our main text will be Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah which is
the main source for both Gareth Knight and John Michael Greer's works on
the the subject. There will be some surprises in store, so tune in and
we will take heaven by storm.
On Thursday February 4th, 2021 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 9th century Arab treatise on Stellar Rays by the Baghdad sage Abu Yusuf Al-Kindi. This work had a considerable influence on Medieval astrology and magick. Its influence continues to this day in the New Age astrology of Alice Bailey and in the revival of Picatrix an astrological magick grimoire from the 9th century that al-Kindi's work influenced. So if you want to find out where the mysterious Seven Rays came from, tune in and we will return to Baghdad in the days of the Arabian Nights.
On Thursday November 12th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
will present a discussion on our Astral Time travel method and its use
in connection with Hermetic Yoga. We will explain our method of
celestial consciousness projection in relation to stellar distances
(light years) and our use of the Tesseract as a sighting and measuring
device. We will also discuss the remarkable video The Star of Bethlehem
which reveals, using the Starry Night program a conjunction of Jupiter,
Venus and Regulus when the nativity was said to have taken place. We
will mention our Soma Sophia magical celestial tablature in relation to
these phenomenon and cite the philosophy and the writings of Hermes to
back up our methods. So if you want to learn about magical time and
space travel tune in and we'll open the Star Gate.
On Thursday January 21st, 2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, Frater Thabion, will present a discussion on The Outer Planets in astrology and magick, joined by astrologer and occult author Ann Finnin, V.H. Soror Urania. As most of us known astrology, Hermetic Magick and Alchemy arose and flourishied in the years before the modern trans Saturnian planets were discovered. In ancient times it was believed that Saturn was the outer limit of the Solar System and Astrology and its dependent sciences: magick and alchemy factored celestial influences based on what could be observed with the naked eye. According to Hermetic philosophy the Macrocosm of the heavens was reflected in the human Microcosm. We all behaved prospered or failed on the whim of the planets within and the surrounding signs of the zodiac. In magick we all had seven planets in our horoscopes to contend with and we created talismans and rituals to deal with them. In the middle ages and the Renaissance this astrological magick grew into an elaborate system. Which has continued into modern times but since 1791 when Herschel discovered Uranus beyond Saturn followed by the discovery of Neptune in 1846 and Pluto in 1030,the Hermetic Microcosm had to be extended. Astrologers managed to factor in the newly discovered heavenly bodies but magicians and alchemists were slow to adapt. These slow moving long term bodies have profound effects on individuals and societies. We will discuss the creation of talismans (kameas) and mythological applications to the outer planets. So if you would like to know what lies beyond the abyss, tune in and we'll take you to the Outer Limits.
On Thursday November 5th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the mysterious hypothetical Sephira of
Da'ath. The eleventh sphere of the Tree of Life which was an actual
sphere in the so-called Tree before the Fall. This sphere is on the
brink of the Abyss between the dimension of Briah and Yetzirah and was
originally attributed to Saturn which is the most distant planet visible
to the naked eye in ancient times, thus theorized as the beginning of
the physical universe. Da'ath means knowledge and is related to the
descent of the Fallen Angels. This sphere is vitally important to magick
and to magical yoga. Our texts will be Dion Fortune, The Seventh Ray,
Book Three, The Red Ray, Hermetic Yoga, and The Book of Enoch, so for
Halloween let us journey to Mot's domain in the mountain of darkness at
the edge of the abyss.
On Thursday January 7th,2021 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "The Lost Pillars of Enoch" by Tobias Churton (2021)This is an important book on one of the most important themes underlying the Western Esoteric Tradition: the legendary secret wisdom of the antediluvian civilization from before the Biblical flood that inspired later astrologers, alchemists, magicians, Kabbalists, Freemasons and Rosicrucians from the first century to the present. Beginning with Enoch's two pillars as recalled in Josephus, Churton follows the Ancient Wisdom theme through through Hermetic, and alchemical writings and on into the beginnings of Masonry. He cites the remarkable account of Scottish explorer James Bruce who brought the first copies of the Book of Enoch out of Ethiopia and reveals that Issac Newton was an alchemist and a Freemason. He carries his theme of ancient wisdom on through Blavatsky to Crowley, giving us a philosophical history of the Western Esoteric Tradition. This book is highly recommended.
This Thursday December 31st, New Year's Eve the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present our annual review of all the new shows aired in 2020. So keep your notebooks handy to jot down the dates and titles you may have missed so you can find them in the archives. We will try to recall some of the highlights as we go through the list. Due to the virus we did our seasonal ceremonies live on the Hermetic Hour with our members as the cast. So if you want to relive the sacred year, tune in and celebrate with us.
On Thursday October 29th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the Fourth Sphere of the Qabalistic Tree of Life
Chesed or Gedulah the sphere attributed to Jupiter the King of the
planets, and the physical locus of the Third Eye. We consider Chesed the
home of Dagon, Capricorn, the amphibian god of ancient Canaan, who is
related to Poseidon the patron deity of ancient Atlantis which we also
place in the Jovian sphere. Once again our texts will be Dion Fortune,
Gareth Knight, Michael Greer, and our own Hermetic Yoga, Volume One. So
if you want to visit the sphere of prosperity (and we could all use some
of that) join us for an eye opener (Third eye that is).And those of you
here in Southern California don't forget our Halloween Party Saturday
night, with the infamous Mot Mass honoring the dead.
On Thursday October 15th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present another discussion in our on-going series on the Spheres or
Sephiroth of the Tree of Life. Sphere number five Geburah, the Sphere of
Mars. We will cover different concepts and attributes of this sphere. It
is traditionally ruled by Samael, the Hebrew counterpart of Satan, but
the G.D. changed the angelic attribution to Kamael, connoting a less
evil character to Geburah --or making it a "necessary evil" if you
will. This is reflected in the planetary spirits. The intelligence of
Mars is protective whereas the spirit is aggressive. We place the
Canaanite War-Goddess Anath in Geburah. Again we will refer to our texts
Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight, John Greer and our Hermetic Yoga. So, if
you want to get tough with Hermetic Qabalah, tune in and find out how to
sharpen your magical sword.
On Thursday December 10th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a report on Rivendell our Church and Order Headquarters in Silverado, California where we have our magical temple and outdoor Henge. Rivendell just survived its second near disaster in this century this last week. Thanks to the God and the Goddess, Archangels Raphael and Michael, Paralda and Zephyrus, the Sylphs and Salamanders and our local fire department, we at Rivendell and Rivendell itself survived without damage, while 17 other homes in our town were destroyed. So this week the Hermetic Hour will honor and appreciate its home and give a history of the place and its unique community. So if you want to find out about America's magical headquarters tune in and I'll be your tour guide.
On Thursday December 3rd, 2020 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will welcome V.H. Frater Suon, Michael Beeson the host wizard of Youtube and Bitchute's "Hacking Fate" in a discussion of the 13th Century master astrologer Guido Bonatti and his significant contributions to Renaissance Astrology which is the practical philosophy behind Hermetic magick. So, if you want to want to make Picatrix work for you, tune in and take notes.
On Thursday October 8th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Sphere of Tiphareth, the sixth sephrioth on the Tree of Life. Tiphareth is called the Sphere of Beauty and is the center of the Tree just as the Sun is the center of the Solar System. It is the hub from which all the paths radiate and the downward reflection of the light from Kether. Mythologically it is the sphere of the dying gods, Osiris, Ba'al and Jesus, and thus the point of mystic transformation and enlightenment. Raphael is the presiding archangel and an agent of healing. Again our texts will be Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight and John Michael Greer. So join us for for an hour of inspiration as well get to the heart of old Adam Kadmon. Exam question: "How many kabbalists does it take to screw in a light bulb?" Tune in for the answer.
On Thursday October 1st, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the third in our series of lectures on the Spheres of the Tree of Life, The Seventh Sphere, Netsach, the sphere of nature attributed to Venus and the home of the Goddess Astarte. Netsach has been called "The Sphere of the Mysteries" and the womb of the creative process. The Goddess Herself is the Seventh Sphere in that She contains all the spheres of the Tree within Herself and is thus the supreme Initiator. Once again we will refer to texts by Gareth Knight, Dion Fortune, John Michael Greer. and our own Hermetic Yoga, Volume One. Come join us for some deep meditations and reflections on the most intimate aspects of occultism.
On Thursday September 24th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon
will have as our special guest bestselling author Karim El Koussa, who
will discuss his factual-historical "Jesus the Phoenician" and his Dan
Brown style thriller "The Phoenician Code". Karim is in Los Angeles on
a lecture tour. He'll be speaking and book signing at Glendale Masonic
center on Sunday the 27th. We have reviewed Jesus the Phoenician on a
previous broadcast and Karim honored us by quoting our review on the
book jacket of the the hard back of "Jesus". Please join us for an hour
of surprises such as "there was no Nazareth" in Jesus' time. And
Bethlehem was really in Galilee. Most importantly Karim confirms what we
have been saying for years. Jesus was the son of El, not Jehovah. So tune
in and get the gospel Phoenician style.
We are finally going to publish the Seventh Ray Omnibus issue which we have been heralding for 20 years, reprinting the old journals from 1972 through 1978.The Seventh Ray, Book IV Omnibus Issue, The Violet Ray is a time capsule. Buried to preserve a record of the formative years from 1970 to 1978 of America’s longest running Ceremonial Magick lodge, the Order of the Temple of Astarte. The Seventh Ray journal was ressurrected at the turn of the century in a new format running for three issues from Book I to Book III in 2011. Now we are unearthing the time capsule and bringing back the originals in facsimilie to be studied and enjoyed by a new generation of magicians. In the pages of the old Seventh Ray you will find articles by William G. Gray, Frederick Adams, Geoffrey James, Luis T. Culling. David G. Kennedy and Janine Renee, and the first publication of Jack Parson’s Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword. You’ll find A History of the O.T.A. along with The Return of the Grail in the Age of Aquarius and Trisecting an Angle with a pentagram and those ribtickling cartoons. So watch for it and prepare to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear -- When Simon King of the Witches chanted Magnetic-Electric! Magnetic-Electric!
On Thursday evening September 17th, 2015, The Hermetic Hour with host
Poke Runyon will present the third in our series of discussions on the
Sephiroth of the Qabalistic Tree of Life, the eighth sephira Hod which
is called Splendor and the sphere of the intellect. Hod is considered
the sphere of Magick because it is the workshop in which astral preforms
are created and sent to Yesod for eventual manifestation in Malkuth. It
is presided over by the archangel Michael (some say Raphael) and
operated by the craftsman-alchemist gods of various traditions: Thoth,
Hephaestus, Vulcan, Tubal Cain and in our Canaanite pantheon Kusor. It
is also the sphere of the Elohim (the Gods) and the Beni Elohim (sons of
the Gods) so we might say it is strongly Pagan. We consider it Kusor's
library, laboratory and workshop. Once again we will cite Dion Fortune,
John Michael Greer, and Gareth Knight and our Hermetic Yoga book. So, if
you want to get something done magically we will visit the place where
creativity flourishes.
On Thursday August 25th, 2016 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on two modern classics that hold up mirrors to
modern society and recent history: George Orwell's 1984 (1949) and
Ortega de Gassett's Revolt of the Masses (1929). Both authors were
socialists and both were involved in the Spanish Civil War.
1984 is called a "dystopia"and describes British post World War II
socialism evolving into a nightmarish double-plus-ungood (Stalinistic)
tyranny where everyone is brainwashed into believing that: "War is Peace,
Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength." In "Revolt of the Masses"
Ortega de Gassett disputes the liberal dictum that universal literacy
and education can ennoble and uplift "the common people" into a body
politic capable of rational and reasonable self government, Hence
democracy must be controlled by an intellectual elite (sound familiar).
Both these books are classics and more important today than when they
were written. We will try to put them in a Hermetic perspective for you
(sociology is the new black magick) so if you want to peek into the
future from way back when, tune in and we'll part the veil.
On Thursday September 10th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the second in our series of discussions on the Sephiroth of the Tree of Life, Yesod, the Foundation, the treasury of Images, the ninth sphere. Yesod is considered the transition point from the Yetzirah to the Ashia dimensions, from the etheric to the astral. It is related to the Moon and is called the sphere of the emotions, of memories and dreams. It is the sexual center both physically and spiritually. It is essential to the art of magick. Again our texts will be John Michael Greer's Paths of Wisdom, Gareth Knight's A Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism and Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah. So tune in and come along with us as we delve into the mysteries of Yesod and Levanah.
On Thursday September 3rd, 2015, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the first of a series of lectures on the Spheres of the Qabalistic Tree of Life and their relation to Hermetic Magick. The texts we will refer to are: Paths of Wisdom by John Michael Greer, The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune and A Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism by Gareth Knight, and Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle Pillar, Volume One, by Frater Thabion. Malkuth is the sphere where the Holy Guardian Angel(s) are contacted (there are three of them) and where we find the treasure cave of The Dragon. So, if you want to start at bottom and then follow the Dragon upward tune in and we will begin the journey.
On Thursday August 27th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the theory that the Biblical Jesus of Nazareth, grandson of King Herod the Great was in fact not only the King of the Jews but through marriage to Mary Magdalene, a Phoenician princess and priestess of the Goddess, could claim to be King of all Israel. The new Melchizedek. Frater Thabion (Poke) will again be joined by
Biblical scholar Frater Solomon (Mike) in explaining this remarkable and exciting story. We will cite The Naassene document of Hippolytus, The Lost Gospel, by Jacobovici and Wilson, Robert Graves' King Jesus, and Joseph Raymond's Jesus the Herodian Messiah. This is the beginning of the Holy Grail mystery. Join us for an hour of amazing revelations.
On Thursday September 24th, the Hermetic Hour will present a live broadcast of the Festival of Seven Gates, Astarte’s descent into the Underworld to ressuerrect Prince Baal. This is our 46th annual performance of this ancient Autumn Equinox rite which was inspired by Ishtar’s descent and Princess Salome’s Dance of the Seven Veils. Tune in and celebrate with us. Astarte to the Dark Lord:
“Seven Veils I left behind me, on the Gates through which I passed,
Seven treasures given dearly, but I freely yield the last!
For my hidden veil is darkness, where the final secrets lie….
In thy pride thou hast forgotten: Even Death must surley Die!”
On Thursday August 13th, 2015 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Samaritans, and their position in Biblical and historical Palestine in relation to Magick and Qabalah. Poke will be joined by our Biblical scholar Frater Solomon. We will mention a remarkable discovery we have made in reviewing the newly translated Samaritan Torah, that tends to support our revision of the
Tetragrammaton. We will also discuss the Samaritan Book of Joshua and Budge's comments indicating that the Samaritans developed gematria before the Judeans. Also that famous, or infamous Samaritan magician Simon Magus. Did he really fly? So if you want to find out what the "cursed Cutheans" have been up to tune in and we will climb Mount Gerizim.
On Thursday September 10th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present an essay on Creative Freedom and Hermetic Philosophy. We will discuss the nature of God in the Hermetic Corpus and the concept that all humans are gifted with "Speech" (literacy) but only those who answer the call have "The Mind." This is a form of spiritual elitism more exclusive than Christian Salvation but more reflective of Human nature. We will trace the history of Hermetic study and practice in the Western World, its influence on Freemasonry and Western culture. We will examine its distortions which have given rise to the evils of the illuminati and communism. So, tune in and discover how to empower your dreams.
On Thursday August 6th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a shocking new Conspiracy Theory based on archaeology,
ancient history, mythology and anthropologica and medical research. It
boils down to this log line: "Refugees from Atlantis conquered the
ancient world with bread and beer." We will be citing current books by
David Perlmutter and William Davis along with a review of what human
beings are designed to eat and what wolves are designed to eat. How
hunting and gathering humans were re-programmed or genetically modified
to eat grain as slaves of the Gods, and then they turned wolves into
dogs by a similar process. This is all highly controversial but there is
good science and anthropology behind it. So if you want to free yourself
of your slave collar (that's the spare tire around your waist), then
tune in and we will start the revolution!
On Thursday August 27th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a newly discovered lost chapter from the Book of Shamgar which describes how the Purple Dragon and the Prophet Bezek found the Stone Pillar of Jacob upon which was inscribed Father Abraham’s Book of Creation (the Sepher Yetzirah). After fighting off bandits and the spells of a witch they brought the sacred stone back to the Tabernacle to take its rightful place beside the Ark of the Covenant and ensure Shamgar his election as Judge for the Tribe of Judah. This controversial document suggests that the Jewish tradition of Abraham’s authorship of the Sepher Yetzirah is correct and it also implies that he was the originator of the alphabet. So if you like ancient mysteries tune in and we’ll open the 32 gates wisdom.
On Thursday July 30th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on health and diet in relation to Hermetic
Magick. We will discuss various aspects of health and diet including
supplements, vitamins, so-called super foods and various diet regimes,
therapies, exercises, colonics, "The five rites," energized water, and
vegan advantages and problems. We will also discuss the great grain
conspiracy and genetically altered food. So if you want to go on the
wizard's diet, tune in and find out how to lose twenty pounds of ugly
ectoplasm.
On Thursday July 23rd, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the Astrolabe as a magical device. Those of you who
have seen John Carter will recall the medallion of the Holy Therns that
enabled them, and Carter, to transmit themselves to other planets in the
solar system. It was a magical device that required a conjuration to make it
work. There is a very impressive scene inside a Thern temple with an
illuminated solar system on the transparent floor that shows the vectors and
the formulas. (if you can read Barsoomian.) Now this was created by an
earthling screenwriter, so do we, or did we, have anything like the Thern
Medallion in our magical tradition to inspire him? Yes, the Astrolabe -- a
marvelous hand held instrument from Classical times that could locate
celestial objects (stars) calculate their exact altitude and position.
Primarily used for navigation it was also used by astrologers and magicians.
Combined with the Soma Sophia (the completely gridded celestial sphere), it
also becomes a device to project consciousness (like the Thern Medallion) to
other worlds. With Soma Sophia derived formulas of course. This is all Sixth
Degree material but perhaps it will inspire some of you to keep climbing
Mithras' ladder, So, if you are curious to know how wizards explore the
heavens, tune in and we will plot a course and set sail.
On Thursday August 6th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review of William Leonard Pickard’s magisterial novelized biography “The Rose of Paracelsus”(2019). This 650 page masterwork is already considered literature by the academic community. Like Mallory’s “The Morte de Arthur” “The Rose” was entirely written in prison. It recounts Pickard’s academic, scientific, and extra-legal career from the early 1960s until his arrest and subsequent imprisonment in 2000. It is beautifully written, fast paced and well structured. It is subtitled “On Secrets and Sacraments” which aptly describes what it delivers. Pickard was not only a psychedelic alchemist, he was also an intelligence asset (say researcher) for the Ivy League think tanks and indirectly for government agents. So conspiracy theory and even UFO buffs will be pulling quotes from The Rose for the next decade. Pickard connected with an international network of psychedelic alchemists and visited each in a world tour that reads like a James Bond adventure. Returning to the U.S. he visited his mentor the venerable psychedelic sage, Sasha Shulgin, who warned him against a demonic cultist who inhabited an abandoned underground missile base used for an LSD laboratory and an orgiastic temple. But like a character in a Richard Shaver or Sax Rohmer story Leonard Pickard was lured into this hellish underworld where psychedelics were used to en-slave and abuse young women.And because this cult had better government connections than Pickard, he was set up to take the rap for their criminal activities. He was given two life sentences in Federal Prison. Fortunately he has just been released and we hope he will be listening to this broadcast. So. Turn on, Tune in, and learn what’s under the rose.
On Thursday July 16th,2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and Frater Solomon will discuss and briefly demonstrate a Pathworking to the late medieval artist Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights created and narrated by Frater Solomon. This was recently performed at Montsalvat for Inner Order members and, because of the complexity of the imagery it should be considered an advanced working. The presentation was enhanced by graphic backgrounds and sculptural figures on the altar, making it something of a "Perky Pat" layout. The spectral guide was a figure from Bosch's Revelation of St. John the Divine called "Tytinillus" a surrealistic version of a church choir proctor with an insect's tail. So, if you want to open your third eye and step into fantasy-land we will tell you how it's done.
On Thursday, July 9th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will have a discussion on "Cliodynamics" a new "science" of socioeconomic and political trend and event prediction. Contrary to popular belief this discipline was not spawned by Issac Asimov's Foundation Series (Hari Seldon's Plan) but is very reminiscent of it. One of the founders is Peter Truchin, a biologist at the University of Connecticut who has written a book called "War and Peace and War". In which he examines the rise and fall of empires on the cliodynamic scale. This book invites comparison to Oswald Spengler's "Decline of the West" which was avidly read by Hitler and George Bush's Neo-Cons. It was the Machiavelli of the 19th century. Cliodynamics uses Malthusian mathematical formulas to predict economic and political events. So if you want to know what the boys in the think tanks are reading, tune in and we'll invoke the muse of history (Clio).
On Thursday July 2nd, 2015, the Hermetic Hours host Poke Runyon will present an essay on The Curse of the Maskim, the planetary demons of ancient Babylon. This will be an important commentary on the continuing influence of these ancient negative or demonic aspects of the seven planets upon magical theory and ritual. The origin of the Maskim in the underworld of early Mesopotamian mythology will be explained, along with their revolt against the heavenly powers and its influence on later Biblical themes of Wars in Heaven and Fallen Angels. The Maskim inf lance on Solomonic magick will be examined and Stephen Skinner's new book "Techniques of Solomonic Magic" will be critiqued in relation to this ancient demonic influence. The concepts of Earth centered verses Cosmic oriented astrology will be compared and explained -- This program may raise more questions than it answers but it will certainly stimulate thought, so tune in and cheer for the Lords of Chaos or the Forces of Light.
On Thursday June 25th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
have as it's guest the leading authority on the African-American folk
tradition of Hoodoo magic, or "Root Work," Catherine Yronwode of the Lucky
Mojo Curio company. Catherine is the author of "Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic"
and "Paper in My Shoe" along with several other related titles. She will
explain the differences between Hoodoo, Santeria and Vodoun, and describe
how this unique American folk-magic tradition arrived here with the slaves
in the old South and continued to evolve incorporating European (Solomonic)
and even Native American additions to become a living magical system now
practiced all over the United States. So, if you want to catch up on your
American magical cross-training (sneaky pete anthropology) this is a session
you need to hear.
On Thursday July 2nd, 2020 - the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will reveal the lost Initiatory Scroll of the Soul Travel Boat written in the early days of the Order of the Temple of Astarte. This lost document was recently rediscovered while we were doing research for the second volume of Hermetic Yoga and we have decided to release it along with one of the advanced Pathworkings that uses The Soul Travel Boat. From Malkuth to Chesed via the 29th and 21st Paths. So if you want fly the skies of the Astral Plane with us tune in and climb aboard the Soul Travel Boat.
On Thursday June 18th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on ancient Mesopotamian Mythology and its relation to
the Canaanite myths that comprise the Seasonal ceremonies of the Order of
the Temple of Astarte. As our in studio guest we will have Frater Isa from
our Ubar Encampment in Dallas, Texas. We will touch on such subjects as the
Annunaki (Elder Gods), How Man was created by the Earth Goddess as a slave
of the Gods, how Oannes brought civilization to the Sumerians, and the
numerous parallels between Canaanite and Mesopotamian myth and legend. Our
primary text will be John Gray's Near Eastern Mythology which is
cross-comparative. If you have been curious about the similarities between
Ishtar and Astarte, or Baal and Marduk, then tune in and we will try to sort
out the pre-Biblical family-trees for you.
On Thursday June 18th,2020 at 8:00 p.m. Pacific time the Hermetic Hour hosted by Poke Runyon will broadcast live the 46th Consecutive annual performance of the Order of the Temple of Astarte's Summer Solstice "Adonia" celebration. Based on the ancient Canaanite Ra Shamrah tablets the drama depicts the death of the Year King Prince Baal at the hands of the Dark Lord Mot on the longest, brightest day of the year after he has joyously served the Dew of Heaven to the celebrants in a Golden Goblet that would be remembered as the Holy Grail. He is mourned by his consort the Goddess Astarte who promises to resurrect Baal and vanquish Mot in the the Festival of Seven Gates at Autumn Equinox. This is the second time we have had to perform one of our Seasonal Rites on the radio rather than in our sacred henge at Rivendell but we urge you to vue our video version of this event in "Rites of Magick" on YouTube.
Baal: "Behold the Golden Dew of Heaven
Born of Thunder Clouds on High
Drink with me this Life Elixir!
Dance ye round 'til the Cup be Dry!"
Astarte: "Each rose is the blood of the Year King
Burn it and thy sorrows be forgot
These waters are the tears of the Goddess,
Shed them and thy sadness shall pass."
On Thursday June 11th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Pagan Hermetic origins of the Sepher Yetzirah. This ancient book is the Philosophical and mystical foundation of the Medieval Hebrew Kabbalah. And eventually the Hermetic Qabalah which seems to recover its actual origins. It is traditionally attributed, by the Hebrews, to Father Abraham and was said to have been written by him in Harran where he is said to have “Made Souls” The Harranians were star-worshipers who preserved the star lore of ancient Babylon and eventually joined the Pythgorean - Hermetic magical tradition. The Sepher Yetzirah or Book of Creation describes how the Universe was created by the Word of God, using the proto-Hebrew Phonecian alphabet, the first alpha-numeric letter system. Which acquired twenty-four letters to accommodate the entire celestial sphere and the elements, and then became the origin of ancient Greek—which passed on its alpha-numeric heritage to Medieval Hebrew and Arabic. It has even been suggested that the second century Valentinian Magician Marcus wrote the earliest version of the Sepher Yetzirah. Even Gershom Scholem admits that the philosophy of the Sepher Yetzirah is Pythagorean. So, if you want to delve in to the depths of the mysteries join us for an hour of speculation on the origins of The Book of Creation.
On Thursday May 28th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will have as its special guest Frater Julian of the Benjamin Franklin Encampment who is an expert in Pennsylvania folklore relating to witchcraft and magick. We will be discussing his paper on the mysterious Roman family in the colonial Quaker community, Johannes Kelpius "The Wizard of Wissahickon," and his Cave of Kelpius, and Apocalyptic prophecy in the 1690s. The Epherata Rosicrucian Cloister, then moving up toward modern times with Dutch pow-wow, hexcraft, the curious case of the Hexencat and its capture. The York County 1920s Hex murder case. So if you want to catch up on your American occult and witchcraft heritage be sure to tune in for Weird Pennsylvania on the air.
On Thursday May 21st, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present an interview with British author and magician Jake Stratton-Kent. Jake Stratton-Kent is especially noted for his defense and support of the Goetic aspect of ceremonial magick and his research linking this practice to the deities and oracles of ancient Greek mythology, especially the denizens of the underworld or Tartarus ruled by Hades or Pluto. He is more partial to the Grimorium Verum than the Goetia or Lesser Key of Solomon although he stresses that both are essentially Goetic from the ancient Greek word "Goes" meaning a necromancer. So if you want to meet a master of art magical, tune in and spend an hour with maestro Jake Stratton-Kent.
On Thursday May 21st 2020 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Twisted History of Christianity. The general theme of this presentation is how the distortion of its original principles perverted its mission for the following two thousand years of world history. We will examine how the Christian religion, which was supposed to bring peace, love and comfort to the people who accepted it, brought instead War, hatred, persecution and despair. We will begin by recalling what Christianity was supposed to be and who Jesus’s Father in Heaven really was. We will remember how his wife, Mary Magdalene and later the bishop Valentinian and his follower Marcus tried to carry on the original teachings. We will recall how the Roman Church created its Inquisition to stamp out the resurgence of original Gnostic Christianity in Southern France where Mary Magdalene and Marcus had preached, and how the Roman Church launched a genocidal crusade against these innocent Cathars killing millions. The Inquisition went on to murder thousand of heretics and witches while the Church bishops exploited the poor and offered salvation for money. Finally Northern European Christians revolted in a movement called the Reformation, but the Protestants failed to correct the original mistake the Roman Church had made in accepting Yahweh as the father of Jesus and incorporating the corrupted Old Testament as part of the Christian Bible. By the 18th century all forms of Christianity were challenged by the rise of a new atheistic religion that offered the same promise: peace, love and comfort. It emerged from the horror of the French Revolution. You can call it socialism, humanism, or communism – but what ever name it goes under, it is actually a Christian Heresy. It is Christian altruism without salvation. So, If you want to want to know how the early Christians got it wrong and how we can fix it, tune in and we’ll reveal a real New Testament.
On Thursday May 14th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the second part of a discussion on Gerald Gardner's 1949 novel of medieval British Magick and Witchcraft High Magic's Aid. The emphasis will be on readings of the actual rituals from the book, including "Making the Great Circle," "the Witch Cult initiation," and "The Spirit Dantalion." Poke will be joined by his long time friend and colleague Gardnerian Elder Ed Fitch as they discuss the influence of Solomonic Magick on Gardner's original version of modern Wicca. Gardner used rituals from both the Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon in High Magic's Aid, so if you want to get the feel of the way it was in the beginning then tune in and we'll conjure some old fashioned spirits for you.
On Thursday May 7th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss Gerald Gardner's classic novel of medieval magick and witchcraft in England "High Magic's Aid." We consider this a very important work in the Modern Hermetic Tradition because it vividly describes the synthesis of surviving Paganism with the Solomonic school of ceremonial magick in the Middle Ages. A mix of esoteric themes that returned in the form of Gardenarian and Alexandrian Wicca in 1950s England, from which it quickly migrated to the United States. Gerald Gardner was a member of the O.T.O. and worked closely with Aleister Crowley to produce the first modern Book of Shadows. High Magic's Aid tells the story of three Saxon Solomonic magicians in the days of Robin Hood's King John 11th century, who are not able to work their magick effectively without the help of a female Witch. They rescue their priestess from the local inquisition and dig up her precious Athame and white handled knife without which they can not operate. The story is very well written and well researched. Better than Crowley's fiction although he was probably Gardner's editor. We strongly recommend this book to our neo-pagan and wiccan friends who may think that witchcraft and magick cannot co-exist. They can, and they did, and they do -- so if you want to know where and how the wizards and the witches got together tune in and "Merry Meet!" and "Blessed Be!"
On Thursday April 30th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion and review of the 1934 to 1954 science-fiction Lensman series, by Edward Elmer Smith, PhD, a scientist in the food industry specializing in pastry, whose major accomplishment in food engineering was making powdered sugar adhere to doughnuts, and whose major accomplishment in science fiction writing was the creation of a sub-genre called “Space Opera” His Lensman series and its concepts and themes influenced Frank Herbert’s Dune, Roddenberry's Star Trek, and Lucas’ Star Wars. It even re-influenced the screen version of one of Smith’s inspirations The 1912 Burroughs’ John Carter, when Burroughs's Therns were rewritten by Andrew Stanton as Smith’s evil “Eddorians” and their medallions given the powers of an Arisian Lens. Smith developed the concept of the Multiverse, laser and particle weapons and super computers years before they appeared. His concept of the Lensmen as an incorruptible Galactic police force, guided by secret masters from a hidden planet seems to have been inspired by Theosophy’s “Ascended Masters” from Tibet, and King Arthur’s knights of the Round Table and the Holy Grail. The Lensmen are obviously the origin of the Star War's Jedi. Another imitator of Doc Smith was Issac Asimov with his Foundation Series. Asimov was so successful with his Foundation series that he beat out Doc Smith for the 1966 Hugo award for “the best all time science-fiction series.” But at least they declared that Doc’s epic was runner up. So if you would like to look deeper into this and even review what happened when Doc ran one of his Lensmen for president and how Clarissa MacDoughil became the first Lenswoman, tune in and we’ll activate the lens.
On Thursday April 30th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the quasi-Masonic Rite of Memphis, sometimes called the Rite of Memphis and Misraim which is highly irregular in orthodox Masonic circles and is usually considered a Clandestine (unrecognized and proscribed) organization to which regular Masons cannot belong. This collection of rites or degrees (96 of them) has a long and colorful history which we will delve into consulting Mackey, Calvin C. Brut, John Yarker and Allen Greenfield. In the 1880's the Rite of Memphis infiltrated the Scottish Rites Northern Jurisdiction and went into competition with Scottish Rite itself to see which system would become an accepted Advanced (Red Lodge) along with York Rite for regular American Masons. Scottish Rite's 33 degree system won the turf war, with Albert Pike's help and the Rite of M&M disappeared into the College of defunct Masonic Rites (yes there is such an institution). The same thing had happened to it in France a hundred years earlier when the Grand Orient absorbed it and locked it up in their archives -- but the M&M is not easily suppressed. Its founder, after signing it over to the Grand Orient, sneaked it into Moldavia (one of Dracula's hang outs) and it briefly rose again. Recently Masonic mavericks Allen Greenfield and Jeff Peace have tried to resurrect it here in the United States. Jeff Peace tried to get a number of regular Masons who were interested in the esoteric involved in M&M, at their peril. So if you would like to explore a delightfully conspiratorial and deliciously controversial secret society that claims to have "All the Secrets of ancient Masonry and certainly enough of its degrees" then tune in and we'll sail up the Nile to the Pyramids.
On Thursday April 16th, 2020 -- the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will celebrate its Tenth Anniversary. Like the seasonal Ceremonies of the O.T.A. the Hermetic Hour is the longest running periodic (in this case weekly) Magical podcast serving the Magical, neo-pagan community. We stayed the course for a whole decade, and will continue for another. Tonight's show will be a gathering of O.T.A, adepts familiar to our regular listeners: V'H. Frater Memnonides (Master Phylos) V.H. Soror Ariel (Lady Jo Carson) V.H. Frater Solomon (Michael) V.H. Frater SithMeth (Max) and especially V.H.Soror Zandria (Lawren) who imagined, created,on-goingly produces and edits the Hermetic Hour. She is now officially my better half and this show is more in her honor than in mine. So if you'd like to celebrate a Happy Anniversary with us, tune in and get Magick!
On Thursday April 9th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion and review of "Broth from the Cauldron" by Cerridwen Fallingstar who will join us in the discussion of her book. Cerridwen is a Neo-Pagan Witch who writes Historical novels based on her past lives. She lectures and teaches on shamanic magick, spiritual development and ecological philosophy. She has joined us in Feraferian rituals and is a leader in the Northern California Pagan scene. Broth from the Cauldron is somewhat auto-biographical with most chapters recounting personal experiences which are almost parables, describing the lessons her life's adventures have taught her; from her childhood to maturity living and practicing her Craft. So if you would like to spend an hour with the wisest of the witches join us and sip the Broth from the Cauldron.
On April 16th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review the
new semi-biographical novel by fantasy grandmaster Michael Moorcock "The
Whispering Swarm." This remarkable book should be of special interest to
magicians and Hermetic students. Moorcock is the modern heir to the mantles
of J.R.R. Tolkien, and Robert E.Howard. His fiction is deeply magical and
steeped in Hermetic lore. The Whispering Swarm is somewhat experimental. His
protagonist is himself and he tells his life story up to his passage from
adolescence into adulthood through the entrance into a secret enclave in the
multiverse, inhabited by historical and fictional characters he has read
about. Raised in London during and after WWll, he discovers an ancient
hidden medieval village called the Alsacia, or The Sanctuary, inhabited by
magical monks in an old Abbey, a tavern full of swashbuckling cavaliers,
including the Musketeers from Dumas and a glamorous Hughwaywoman called
Molly Midnight. He also lives in the real world, having a wife and children
and a job as an editor, but is driven to escape into The Sanctuary by the
tumult of Whispering voices in his head (the Swarm). Most importantly it
explores Moorcock's two warring personalities in emotional spiritual and
political conflict. He is a romantic at heart and an agnostic socialist in
intellect -- so he fights to save King Charles from Cromwell's Ax because
his cavalier heroes need his abilities to walk between the worlds. One
wonders all through the book, just how much of the fantasy is real, or a
metaphor for reality. So, if you want to visit an adult's Land of Oz then
follow us through the London fog to the hidden gates of the Sanctuary and
we'll find the Swan with Two Necks tavern for a shant of ale and an hour of
High Magical Adventure.
On Thursday April 2nd, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the newly published book "The Secret School of Wisdom" Authentic rituals and doctrines of the Illuminati edited by Joseph Wages, Rienhard Markner and translated by Jeva Singh Anand. Host Poke Runyon (Marion Roland) will be joined by his fellow Beyond Lemuria stars Merrick Rees Hamer (Master Phylos) and Frater Solomon (Samyaza) in our discussion of the various aspects of the Bavarian Illuminati: their Masonic infiltration, Christian-based socialist ideology, and conspiratorial agenda. We will discuss Adam Weishaupt's mysticism and contradict some previously held opinions about his atheism. We will discuss his relation with Baron von Knigge and some of the later individuals and organizations influenced by the Illuminati -- so If you want to immanenitize the eschaton (whatever that means) tune in and be illuminated.
Supporting the National Effort to restrict public events in order to suppress the Corona Virus, we have moved our Annual Spring Equinox, Nuptiae the Spring Marriage and Communion of the Elements ceremony from the Rivendell Henge to the Hermetic Hour. All our presenters will recite the ceremony on the air Thursday March 19th, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. pacific time. We invite all our Active and Associate Members to listen in and we suggest that you have incense (frankincense or sandal wood) and a candle, a cup on Mead and a platter of wheat crackers so you may take communion with us. If you want to see what a Hermetic Communion looks like review "The Rites of Magick" which you all should have a copy of. Let us hope and pray that we don't have to do this for Summer Solstice. But let's make the best of this alternative. Take care and be well, Thabion, Poke Runyon host The Hermetic Hour.
On Thursday March 12th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss "The Grand Key of Solomon the King" (2009) and other works translated by Mamdouh Al Daye otherwise known as Nineveh Shadrach. Nineveh is a Golden Dawn adept whom we have known since 1998 when he sent us a copy of his first book "The Magical Tome of a Divine King;" this was also a Solomonic grimoire in Arabic called "The Medicine of Solomon" which was eventually pirated and became "The Book of Smokeless Fire." "The Grand Key of Solomon the King" is commonly referred to as "Al Ajnas" and is attributed to Asaph Ben Berechiam in the Ishtar Publishing edition, probably to help Solomonize the work. Arabic editions would be attributed to Asif ibn Barkhiya, an Arab version of the same legendary Jewish sage of Solomon's court who supposedly wrote the book. It dates back to the 12th century of the common era. Not quite as old as Picatrix but old enough to make it venerable on the magician's book shelf. I'll be joined by V.H.Frater SithMeth who has some thoughts on "The Book of Smokeless Fire." So if you would like to spend an hour in the study of forbidden and forgotten lore, sit on your magick carpet, rub your magick lamp and join us.
On Thursday March 26th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a review of the new book: "The Universal Master Key" alleged
to be a newly discovered manuscript by the late Franz Bardon. This book is
actually a reconstructed series of lectures by Bardon to his students
on mastering and balancing the four Hermetic elements in the personality
as set forth in the first section of his book Initiation into Hermetics. The texts
of the lectures are rewritten from a collection of class notes by the students
and rendered in Bardon's writing style by his publisher and editor Dieter
Ruggeberg. The book is published by Faulks Books which mistakenly
represents it on the internet as taken from a "newly discovered
manuscript by Franz Bardon." However it does not appear to be entirely a
hoax. If Dieter wrote the entire book, he has at least mastered Bardon's
style and philosophic attitudes. The book is certainly worth a place in
a Magician's Bardon collection. It is very moralistic and sermonizing in
tone with a strong emphasis on ethics and spiritual integrity. It has
its short-comings. It was supossed to be organized according to the
qualities of each element but he seems to go off the track into a
general discussion on how to live and die well in this and higher worlds
-- so if want to revisit the Bardonian internal tetragrammaton process,
tune in and we will go to Hermetic Sunday school with Reverand Franz.
Next week we revisit the Bavarian Illuminati.
On Thursday February 27th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion of the mysterious Ideomotor effect which motivates such divinatory devices as the Ouiji Board, the Pendulum and the Golden Dawn Ring and Disc. It is also related to dowsing rods and our Zero Lite. Although the effect is considered a scientific rationale for the phenomenon, it in itself is miraculous and may be more complex and supernatural than the de-bunkers imagine.So if you want to learn how to contact your deep mind, tune in and hang out with the pendulum swingers.
On Thursday February 20th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a lecture on the Lightning Flash or Flaming Sword on the Tree of Life and its relation to the Blasted Tower of the Tarot on the 27th Path. This is a remarkable synchronicity between Tarot symbolism and Qabalah. In this case it marks the dividing point of the united soul in its descent down the the Paths of the Tree Before the Fall. When the House of God is struck by Lightning Eve falls toward Netsach and Adam falls toward Hod. From then on the human soul is divided. The Goddess rules the Sphere of Nature on the pillar of Mercy and the Fool rules the Sphere of Knowledge on the pillar of Severity. From there on down to Malkuth they remain divided, united only in dreams. So if you want to know why you can’t find your Soul-Mate, tune in and we will tell you where to look.
On Thursday March 12th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
will have as its honored guest Merrick Rees Hamer a leading Masonic
ritualist and lecturer in California, a master story-teller, talented
musician, and a leader in the Golden Dawn Rosicrucian Magical
tradition. Merrick is also a classical actor having portrayed "The
Master Phylos" and his evil counterpart "Magister Abaddon" in the Church
of the Hermetic Sciences Production of "Beyond Lemuria" filmed at Mt.
Shasta in 2006 and recently re-released in a second edition. He is also
a leading officer in the Church and in its magical fraternal order the
O.T.A. Merrick will give us a history of his creative and esoteric
interests and accomplishments. So if you would like to spend an hour or
so with a modern master of traditional magick and the arts related to
it: music, drama, and poetic expression, then join us and be inspired.
On Thursday March 5th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
have a discussion on the magical heroic fantasy fiction of British
literary lion Michael Moorcock. Although Moorcock did not coin
the term Multiverse he did much to popularize it in his Elric of
Melnibone series. H.G. Wells used it in Men like Gods, and Richard
Shaver's Red Dwarf called it the "Simultane." Parallel Worlds is perhaps
the best description of it. What Moorcock did coin was the "Chaosphere"
that mace-like symbol of the black ball with eight spearheads emerging
that was adopted by Peter Carroll as the symbol for their Chaos Magick
system. Moorcock's literary concept of the Chaos world is presented as
an ocean of swirling colors and energies dashing against the cliffs of
his fantasy world -- and periodically invading and claiming lands ruled
by the Lords of Law. The Lords of Chaos, one of which is Elric's patron,
play a constant game with men as the pawns. Moorcock was perhaps
influanced by Vance's Cudgel, to create his anti-hero The Albino
ex-emperor Elric of Melnibone, who struggles to overcome the sociopathic
heritage of his race and finally secumbs to it under the influence of
his black-magick sword which is a vampiric weapon with a evil mind of
its own. This was a perfect fictional character for the darkness that
followed the era of the flower children, a presage of the current goth
and black metal fads. Moorcock describes himself as an anarchist and is
a controversial literary figure in Britain. He is presently writing a
Dr. Who novel, his first using someone else's character. So if you want
to discover the magick of Michael Moorcock tune in and we'll navigate
the multiverse.
On Thursday January 30th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the beginning of magical training which we sometimes call "Franz Bardon for Dummies". We will certainly concede our debt to Bardon, and to Crowley but we will point out our improvements in their programs and explain the psychological and physical factors involved in conjuration to visible appearance, creative visualization, trance states, scrying and channeling and other skills and techniques the magician needs to master. So if you really want to know how to DO IT, remember the wisdom of the Sphinx who said: "In order for you to learn our teachings, we must first teach you how to learn." He also said:"He who doubts his powers, only lends power to his doubts."
On Thursday February February 12th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the late medieval Dutch surrealist painter Hieronymus Bosch whose remarkable works have not yet become the secret code behind a Dan Brown novel (hint Bro. Dan) but would certainly provide a great background for such a story. His most famous work "The Garden of Earthly Delights" is a phantasmagoria a of bizarre and nightmarish symbolism. Which scholars relate to the Gnostic sect of the Adamites -- a cult of mystic nudists who were trying to recreate the Garden of Eden. Super Catholic Spain had taken over the Netherlands in those days and the Inquisition was burning the Dutch Adamites as fast as Bosch could paint them but the King of Spain was Bosch's biggest fan, which probably kept Bosch alive. So you can look at some great Bosch graphics on your computer while you listen to us recount the tale of the Devil's painter.
On January 16th, 2020 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the controversial themes and symbols of the Medieval Holy Grail legend. We will first establish that the entire concept of “Lucifer the Light bringer” is a hoax launched in the Old Testament to cover-up Jehovah’s palace coup (the War in Heaven) and the subsequent exile of Elyon and his Elohim (the Fallen Angels). Next we will examine the Medieval Cathars, their origins and beliefs. We will consider the survival of Valentinian Gnosticism in Southern France and the Troubador Courts of Love. We will describe the Grail and its Hermetic-Sabian Celestial origin as set forth in von Eschenbach’s Parzival – and we will reveal what the physical Holy Grail really was. So if you want to know what those nasty French knights were hiding in their castle, join us on the quest.
On Thursday February 5th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the recent Dan Brown novel "Inferno" and
the the cult of Transhumanism that it seems to advocate. This is a
highly controversial subject and deals with issues that are deeply
challenging from a moral and ethical position. We will also go back to
an earlier novel by H.G. Wells "Men like Gods" which deals with the same
issues and projects a genetically perfected future utopia that seems to
be the goal of the transhumanists. We will compare this form of human
elitism with the process of Hermetic self development and ask ourselves
which way we would rather follow to become "more than human?" So tune in
and find out what's coming in the next 100 years.
On Thursday January 29th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion and review on a newly published collection of Old Testament pseudepigrapha (apocryphal works) edited by Bauckham, Davila and Panayotov from Erdmans. What makes this 800 page doorstopper of particular interest to us is "The Legend of Melchizedek" and Solomon's Hygromancy which is very similar to the medieval Greater Key of Solomon and may be a later version of the Key's original source. Poke will be joined by Biblical scholar Frater Solomon who first discovered this very interesting publication and brought it to our attention. So if you want to hear about some strange old magical manuscripts that have just come to light, tune in and we'll delve into this collection.
On Thursday December 26th 2019, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a review of the new shows we aired during 2019. These programs are all
available for listening and download on our Hermetic Hour Blog Talk radio
web site: > http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-hermetic-hour > so have your note
book and pencil handy as you listen and jot down the ones you missed so you can
catch up with us. And Merry Christmas, Happy New Year from Zandria and Thabion.
On Thursday January 22nd, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on Hermetic Magical Ethics. This will be
somewhat controversial in that we will examine the ethical aspects of
Hermetic philosophy in comparison to Christianity and other Gnostic
variations including Crowley's Thelema and Golden Dawn Rosicrucianism.
We will also question the merits of egalitarian collectivism compared to
the American/Masonic work ethic and personal responsibility standards.
We will review our newly adopted Code of Conduct for members of our
magical lodges and explain some of the reasons for establishing these
guidelines. So if you want to know how well-behaved and nice to each
other magicians ought to be, tune in and we will give you our Golden
Rules.
The Hermetic Hour for Thursday December 12th, 2019 -- will feature a discussion and review of the
new edition of The Tarot of Ceremonial Magick by Lon and Constance DuQuette which was first issued
in 1995 along with the book of the same title. Your host Poke Runyon will have as his guest the Maestro
himself, Lon Milo DuQuette, who will describe and explain his masterpiece. The new deck has improved color
separation and is more attractivly packaged and available at a lower price than previous editions. These
cards describe a 360 degree magick circle with symbolic connections to the three Great Pillars of Magick:
Astrology Enochian Magick and Goetia. They are a marvelous tool for the practicing magician and even the
armchair magician. The book is still in print and this new issue of the deck is a welcome manifestation
of the the wisdom of the Master and the symbolic art of his Lady. Although this deck is not intended for
fortune telling, we invite you to join us as we shuffle the deck of the Multiverse and let the Maestro
deal the cards.
On Thursday January 15th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a review and reprise of the host's own writing career as a
novelist, short story writer and screenwriter. After three years in the
Army most in Special Forces, Poke started off in 1965 with Night Jump -
Cuba 1965 followed by Commando X in 1967 and a series of underwater
adventure stories in ARGOSY magazine, on to Hollywood and a short stint
as a screenwriter before getting a real job as a designer and technical
illustrator for Shelby American and on to a career as an industrial artist.
Eventually publishing his own fiction with Drell Master 2001 and From
the Tower of Darkness in 2002 So if you enjoy macho action adventure
stories or ever did, tune in and find out what old Frater Thabion writes
about other than magick.
On January 8th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a reprise of the 1977 article in the old Seventh Ray number
nineteen by author Janine Renee titled: Parzival and the Hermetic
Grail. The author researched and wrote this at our request. It forms an
important element in our reconstructed linkage of ancient Phoenician
rituals to early Valentinian Christian Gnosticism and to medieval Grail
lore. The major source for Janine's article is the 1965 "The Krater and
the Grail: Hermetic Sources of the Parzival by Henry and Renee Kahane.
Modern neo-pagans have never lost their fascination for the Holy Grail
quest. The idea that the Grail was originally pagan (The Hermetic
Krater) goes along with the recent revelations of Jesus and Mary
Magdalen and the paganizing of Christianity. So if you want to start on
your own Grail Quest tune in and we will give you directions to to the
Grail Castle Montsalvat.
On Thursday November 21st. 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Tobias Churton's "Aleister Crowley in India." This is another in a series of books by Churton covering portions of Crowley's life and work, We have already reviewed his "The Beast in Berlin" and will certainly get to last year's "Aleister Crowley in America," but Crowley's India adventures should probably have been first in the series. I personally found this book to be fascinating. In its pages I rediscovered Crowley and relived the excitement of his early magical experiences along with big-game hunting and mountain climbing adventures. Churton had access to many records and archives not available to previous writers. We have a more Crowley-favorable version of the infamous Kangchenjunga tragedy than previously reported. The primary theme of this book is magical yoga or yoga for magick. We start with Crowley and Bennett in Ceylon studying Theravada Buddhism together and then on to Crowley's discovering and adapting the Gnostic tantric system of Sabhapaty Swami. So if you'd like to return to the thrilling days of yesteryear, then join us and sit down, shut-up and get-out with Aleister Crowley.
On New Years Day 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the importance of Canaanite/Phoenician mythology in Magick and magical Qabalah and in Solomonic ceremonial magick. We will explore how it can relate to Alchemy, astrology, and Hermetic Solarism. We will discuss the Alchemical symbolism of our Canaanite Seasonal rites and the relation of Canaanite Gods and Goddesses to the Sumerian and classical Greek Pantheons. So if you want to explore what lies behind the myth of Solomon being the Master Magician, tune in and we'll introduce you to the real "oldest religion".
On Thursday, November 7th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the scientific technology behind modern ceremonial magick and reveal for the first time a device he developed in the early 1970s for training students to make use of the "Troxler Effect" (facial reflection-distortion in a dark mirror; the "Bloody Mary" effect) for Magical spirit evocation. This device called "The Zero Lite" was based on U.S. Army battlefield research and it is so sensitive to human will power that it can respond to non-verbal telepathic commands in group practice. We stopped using it in the late 1970s but in recent years we have encountered students who subconsciously override the Troxler effect in the mirror, even when they consciously want it work for them, and so we are going back to Zero Lite training for Second Degree candidates. And so, if your spirit doesn't want to show up for you, then listen in and we'll tell you how to solve the problem.
On Christmas night December 25th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a special program in which Frater Thabion, your host and the founder of the Order of the Temple of Astarte, will trace the books and films that influenced and inspired him to create and develop his unique American system of Magick. I grew out of the Oz books and graduated to the Mars books (John Carter) then into a teenage fascination with Richard Shaver's hi-tech Lemurian survivor stories. I will go to my 1950s early college days watching films such as Jean Cocteau's Orpheus, and Orson Welles Black Magic (on Cagliostro and Mesmer) and move on through to a study of Voodoo in line with my Caribbean adventurer-fiction writer persona. The Saragossa Manuscript for Kabbalah and mirror magick, Graves The White Goddess. Then my illness which I tried to cure with self-hypnosis. This led to a serious study of hypnosis along with Tibetan Tantra (Evans-Wentz) and finally Western Magick. Mastering the Goetia with the mirror method led to Jungian psycho-philosophy and the study of anthropology culminating in a Master's Degree in the subject from California State University. During this program I created the modern Hermetically oriented Neo-Canaanite Seasonal ceremonies for our magical order The Temple of Astarte, The main purpose of our Goetia was to bring up and reestablish the Secret Goddess of old King Solomon himself. We use the 1770 Hermetic-Masonic rite of Crata Repoa as a structure for our system and I will discuss the sources behind this. Perhaps some of these books and teachings will help others to understand our perspective on the Western Tradition and what we expect to accomplish by what we call The Great Work.
On Thursday December 18th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the Mission Statement of the Church of the Hermetic
Sciences and the Ordo Templi Astartes. This is one of the topics that was
discussed at our last Board of Director's Meeting as especially important
with our membership increasing and new lodges begin opening around the
country. In the magical community we are known as the folks that know how to
make ritual magick work, but that in itself is not enough of a reason for
people to join us unless they simply want to learn our techniques and
methods to use for their own purposes. Frankly, that is not what we are here
for and we are not teaching magick so that it can be misused. We consider
magick to be a system of mental and spiritual development that leads to what
we refer to as enlightenment -- which we define as a close personal
relationship with God. We follow a pattern of hermetic mytho-philosophy born
in Alexandria in the first century and perfected by the Renaissance
neo-platonic/hermetic magi in 14th-15th-16th century Europe culminating in
the Rosicrucian tradition. We combine paganism, Qabalah, astrology and
alchemy in line with Jungian psychology in a neo-romantic Quest for the Holy
Grail based on a linage of eternal goddesses and dying gods from the time of
Melchizedek to the beginnings of Christianity. So, if you have wondered just
why we do what we do and where we are going with it, tune in and be
enlightened.
--
On Thursday October 17th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will announce and open Enoch Adamson's campaign for President of the United States. As the Hermetic Party candidate Adamson is uniquely qualified for the office, having mastered the thirtieth and thirty-first Paths of the Tree of Life and attended a meeting of the Grand Council in the Library of Hod. He will outline his program to solve all the major problems and issues the country is facing. He has the solution for gun-control, social justice, race relations, immigration, education, credit card debt, foreign relations, the space program, climate change and UFO disclosure. So if you want a candidate who can really get it done, don't vote Republican or Democrat. Vote Hermetic. "Let's make Humanity Great Again!"
On Thursday December 4th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the latest controversial book attempting to prove a marriage between Jesus and Mary the Magdalene: "The Lost Gospel" by Simcha Jacobovici and Barrie Wilson. This is basically a reinterpretation of an ancient text, the elaborated story of Joseph and Aseneth from Genesis seen as a coded allegory for Jesus and Mary the Magdalene being married and having a family. They make some very good arguments for this interpretation. Apparently this is not a new idea but this "Lost Gospel" has been speculated as a coded text for hundreds of years. We find it particularly important because it lines up with the Nassaene Hippolytus document behind our conception of the secret Holy Grail history suggested in From Ritual to Romance. Frater Solomon discovered a link from The Lost Gospel to the Crata Repoa that I find is quite significant. It also seems that Mary the Magdalene (Mary the Lady of the Tower) may have been known to the original Rosicrucians. So if you want to get a Hermetic view on "The Lost Gospel" tune in and we will start decoding.
On Thursday October 3rd, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss "Seeking Light, the Neophyte's Notebook" by Corrington Wheeler. The author will join us for the discussion. Corrington Wheeler is an American singer, songwriter, voice actor, video film maker and ceremonial magician. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason and a student of several magical traditions. His book is only sixty pages long but is well worth reading. Some of it is catharsis (wisdom from personal experience) but there is much derived from research and study. I was reluctant to invite Corrington on the Hermetic Hour until he explained to me that he wanted to lead other young people to the Light. Reading his book confirmed this. Most of the youthful musicians attracted to magick whom I have encountered are on the dark side which I consider spiritually corrosive. Corrington is a delightful exception to this trend and can hopefully be a positive voice in his peer group. So if you want to meet a young magician who is pouring new wine into our old bottles, listen in and meet Corrington Wheeler.
On Thursday November 13th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the relationship between the mystic roses or chakras of yoga with the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation in the Bible. This is of special interest to Rosicrucians and the Rosicrucian tradition in our own Inner Order the O.R.C. We will follow the order of the Seven branch candlestick as does the Golden Dawn but we will mention other arrangements, such as suggested by James Pryce (1910) in Apocalypse Unsealed and his current imitator: Zachary Landsdowne, author of "The Revelation of Saint John" (2006). Revelation has been the cornerstone of Christian mystical texts since the first century of the common era. So if you want to discover what those Seven Seals are hiding then tune in and let's open them up.
The Hermetic Hour, hosted by Poke Runyon, will present a lively review of magical fiction and films. We will go from "The Saragossa Manuscript"(1841) through Dion Fortune's "Moon Magic", Somerset Maugham's "The Magician" (novel and film), Chambers "The King in Yellow", Lovecraft's dream cycle, Merritt's lost worlds (that influenced Shaver), Jack Williamson's "Darker than You Think" (Jack Parson's favorite), Clark Ashton Smith dream-maker extraordinary, his imitator Jack Vance (from which we got Dungeons & Dragons), "Valis" by Philip K. Dick -- just to name a few. Then the films: Orson Welles' "Black Magic" on Cagliostro, Jean Cocteau's "Orpheus", Merrian Cooper's "She", "Simon King of the Witches," "What Dreams May Come," "Crowley," and Jodorowsky's "The Holy Mountain." A smorgasbord of mind-benders. Tune in and feast on it!
On September 23rd, 2010 at 8:p.m. the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon,
will lead a discussion on Angel Magick (good spirits too) with an emphasis
on crystal ball scrying techniques, training, equipment, and talisman
construction and charging. We will discuss the recent books recounting Dr.
Thomas Rudd's 17th century work in this field, and relate some experiences
we've had in the circle doing this work. This will be call-in night, so have
your questions ready on any topic we've covered. Tune in and get
Theurgerated, or Thaumatergified.
On Thursday October 16th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present an advance review on his forthcoming book Hermetic Yoga Beyond
the Middle Pillar this is a new offering from CHS/OTA that has been a
long-time in the works. The yoga system described and brought to life in
this book has been practiced by the O.T.A. since 1975 and is an
extension of Israel Regardie's Golden Dawn Middle Pillar exercise
following the Lightning flash going down the spheres from Kether to
Malkuth forming a complete straight line chakra system similar to the
Hindu system of Laya Yoga, In this case the Spheres of the Tree of Life
are the planets within. this system traces its origin to two German
Rosicrucian mystics Jacob Bohme and Johann Gitchel. The late Frederick
Adams of Feraferia was also working on a similar system and an essay of
his is included Adams also provided the beautiful cover art depicting a
Goddess in the stars. Also included is an essy by Frater Osiris (Michael
S. Downs) linking Hermetic Yoga to The Chemical wedding of Christian
Rosencreutz via Johann Gitchel' s spiral path of the planets in his
natural man drawing which is one of the keys to the Hermetic Yoga
conception. The book will be followed with a deck of Yoga cards which
will enable the practitioner to carry the system in his pocket for
meditation and study. This is going to be a great aid to magick and
spiritual development and provides a vital resource that Western
magicians have needed for centuries. Now we can call on the Gods within
and exercise all of the powers that our oriental colleagues have called
upon for centuries. So if you want to get a head start on the latest
magical tools of empowerment tune in and we'll start warming up for the
session.
On Thursday August 29th, 2919 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the new translation (2006) of the 15th century German Book of Abramelin attributed to Abraham von Worms, translated by Steven Guth and edited by Georg Dehn from Ibis Press. This new translation directly from the original German manuscript supersedes MacGregor Mather's translation of the French version in 1893 Which has been a cornerstone of magical libraries since the beginning of the last century. The new Abramelin is excellently introduced by my esteemed colleague Maestro Lon Milo Duquette. The old French version was poorly translated (from the German) and incomplete. The original has all four books and completes all the magic squares. This German version was used by Franz Bardon to name his solar spirits. It should go on the shelf of every magical library. So if you want to square-up with the Angels tune in and we'll run the numbers.
On Thursday October 9th 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the mysterious Naassene document featured in Hippolytus's influential refutation of all brassieres. Everybody loves a secret document especially if it is ancient and reveals secrets, and the good bishop Hippolytus had a real doozie in his purported Naassene Gnostic sermon, which forms chapter five of his marvelous refutation of all heresies which before Nag Hammadi yielded much of our knowledge of what the Gnostics were actually preaching. This Naassene Gnostic sect is according to the good bishop venerating the cosmic serpent hydra draco et all there are several. but they are mainly trying to do is equate the Christian passion and resurrection with a series of ancient dying gods from Osiris Persephone to Adonis Phoenician and Attis Anatolian and establish Jesus as the last of the year kings or green men of antiquity. Fortunately Hippolytus provides us with a full transcript of his copy like Beowulf his original has suffered rewrite by both Jewish and Christian editors in attempts like making Grendal a descendant of Cain to add Old testament prophecy and New Testament symbolism into the otherwise pagan dying god theme.The Naassene document has influenced many modern occult writers For us in the O.T.A. the main inspiration for our seasonal ceremonies besides the Ras Shamrah tablets was Jessie Weston's From Ritual to Romance (1920) which owes much to the Naassenes. So if you want to find out where the Holy Grail's first holy blood came from tune in and we'll open the old bishop's secret book.
On Thursday August 15th,2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the ancient "Sibylline Oracles" created, or re-created,in Greco-Roman Alexandria in the first centuries of the common era.These prophetic verses, attributed to the Sibyls, or prophetic priestesses of ancient Greece were actually a hoax, written by Jewish and Christian Gnostics in an attempt to recast the legendary lost prophetic books of ancient Rome to include the Bible and predict Christianity. They were so successful and popular that the early Christian Church approved of them. They were accepted into the Hermetic tradition, along with The Orphic Hymns and the Chaldean Oracles.They became an influence on western magick and Fairy lore. We will refer to Jake Stratton-Kent's summary of the Oracles in "Geosophia" (2010) and Milton Terry's translation 1899. So, if you want to catch up on this often forgotten aspect of western magical lore, tune in and we'll lift the veil.
On Thursday September 25th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion of The Orphic Hymns which are the Western Esoteric
Tradition's oldest liturgy. These hymns to the planets, the gods and
goddesses, the stars and all aspects of ancient Greek mythology were used by
the Orphic sect before the Golden Age of Greece, in the days of Pythagoras,
to guide the dead souls on their spiritual journey up through the celestial
spheres and into the realm of the zodiac and beyond. This was a special and
separate aspect of Greek mysticism which had its influence on Pythagoras`,
the Gnostics, the Mythraites, and the Italian Renaissance Hermetics. Most
recently Christopher Warnock has included the hymns in his "Planetary
Magick." We will concentrate on the 18th century Thomas Taylor
translation -- which we use -- and read a Robert Graves poem combining a
number of Orphic memorials into a connected instruction which may have
played some part in the Elusinian Mysteries. So. if you want to know what
that strange stuff they sing to harp music accompaniment at the beginning of
Seasonals, then tune in and we'll take you back three thousand years.
On Thursday September 18th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the career and contributions of Marcus the
Valentinian (died 175 a.d.). Marcus was as much a Hermetic as he was a
Gnostic Christian. The Church Fathers accused him of being more Pythagorean
than Christian. He was the developer of the Soma Sophia system of celestial
Greek qabalah which we have decoded and perfected (see The Seventh Ray, Book
III ) and, according to Kieren Barry, Marcus had an influence of the creation
of the later Sepher Yetzirah. Marcus developed some of the basic concepts of
what became the qabalah. Marcus was a Phoenician, influenced by the earlier
Samaritan Simon Magus. Like Simon Marcus had a Priestess whom he venerated
as an equal. He gave communion with his priestess by his side and turned
water into wine at the altar. The early Church Fathers considered this
blasphemous. Marcus's cult spread from the Middle East to Southern France in
the days Gnostic Christian Marcus - the First Rosicrucian? before Constantine
force-reformed Christianity. So, if you want to explore the most ancient
origins of what we call "The Western Tradition," then tune in and we will
spend an hour with a man who may have been the first Rosicrucian.
On Thursday September 11th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the new book "The Chemistry of Alchemy" by three chemists Cathy
Cobb, Monty Fetterolf and Harold Goldwhite. The authors are all chemists and
chemistry teachers, but they have a fond affection for Alchemy and reveal
the Art as their hobby. This is a one-of-a-kind book: an introduction to
practical laboratory Alchemy through history from a scientific perspective
so that the student learns what alchemical terms really mean ( for instance
Mercury can mean any metal in liquid or molten form, and Sulfur is any
sulfide) and what the old alchemists were trying to do and how they actually
tried to do it -- and in some cases did it. The book is filled with
fascinating experiments that the apprentice can try in his or her kitchen
laboratory with the professional chemists' emphasis on safety and with safer
substitutes for dangerous materials such as real mercury. They even have a
recipe for making what some alchemists thought was The Philosopher's Stone.
You will also learn how to make "alchemical gold" good enough to have gotten
you buried alive or burned at the stake in the Middle Ages. Although the
authors retain their scientific perspective they have profound respect for
the genuine accomplishments of The Art and its venerable adepts. This book
is a must-have for anyone who aspires to be a modern alchemist. -- So tune
in and we will spend an hour in the laboratory with modern masters of the
ancient Art.
On Thursday July 18th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour will review and discuss "American Cosmic" by Diane Pasulka. Again our guest reviewer will be Frater Dumuzi. Diane Pasulka is a professor of religious studies and approaches the UFO phenomenon from her academic perspective. She is a colleague of Jacques Vallee and shares many of his views. She quotes Carl Jung and cites the experiences and work of numerous "experiencers" (her term for contactees). She compares the UFO sightings and encounters to religious and mystical encounters such as the Miracle of Fatima and UFO artifacts to the Shroud of Turin. She also suggests that popular media feeds and perpetuates the phenomenon. Her approach is very subjective and impressionistic and her narrative is rambling and not well focused, but this, in and of itself, reflects the history of the activity she is attempting to describe. So, if you think "The Truth is Out There" tune in and we'll look in Dr. Pasulka's X-Files.
On Thursday July 11th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and his colleague Frater Dumuzi will present a review and discussion of the recent Graham Hancock books Magicians of the Gods (2015) and America Before (2019). These works are the latest in a series of speculative efforts to support the long-standing theory that our present civilization (especially Western Civilization) was preceded by an advanced antediluvian culture that might have been Plato's Atlantis. The survivors of which, according to Hancock, created the monolithic architecture of the late neolithic and passed on their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy to the Sumerians, and Egyptians. Recent discoveries such as the 12,000 year old temple complex of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey lend these ideas credibility but they are still resisted by the Cultural Marxists who believe that civilization must evolve from the simple to the complex. Hence Hancock's books are controversial. So, put on your fedora, oil up your bull-whip and join us for an hour of adventure.
On Thursday September 4th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Shamgar, son of the Canaanite War Goddess Anath "who killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad and saved Israel "(over a hundred years before Samson) and became a Judge (ruler of all the tribes) of Israel. Shamgar's story is briefly told in the Biblical Book of Judges. Beyond that lies the realm of myth and legend in which it is suggested that Shamgar was a Phoenician pirate called "Tekheleth Tholi." The Purple Dragon based in Tyre and sent by King Abi Milki to aid the Israeites against the Philistines. He joins the host of the Hebrew Judge Ehud, and marries his daughter Jael, who eventually tries to kill him. His ox goad is said to have been a magical weapon forged by the blacksmith Tubal Cain. The legend is perpetuated in the Gnostic Christian tradition of Marcus from whom we get the Greek Qabalah. Shamgar's exploits should be considered symbolic rather than historic, like the story of Hiram Abiff in Masonry or the Labors of Hercules in Phoenician and Greek astrological lore. If you want to return to the days when Gods and Giants walked the earth, tune in and we'll evoke the shade of Shamgar.
On Thursday August 21st, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Pacific time the Hermetic Hour
with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the historical
development of "cultism" in esoteric societies, staring with Baron von
Hund's Masonic Strict Observance in the mid 1700s, which in turn influenced
Weishaupt's Illuminati, Blavatsky's Theosophy and even The Golden Dawn with
their "Secret Chiefs" and more modern groups we will tactfully leave
unmentioned.This is an important issue because the paradigm that began with
Strict Observance and was adapted by Blavatsky has since been applied to any
esoteric group that has an initiatory structure. So if you want to find out
what was and what is behind esoteric cultism, tune in and we will lift the
veil.
On Thursday June 20th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a report on the modern versions of the 6th and 7th degree initiations of the 18th century Crata Repoa. This system was originally intended to replicate an ancient Alexandrian mystery school initiatory program. Manley Hall called it "Egyptian Freemasonry." It was created by a committee of German Masonic scholars who accessed the Classical pagan works of Iamblichus, Porphyri, Plutarch and others to create an outline for a system of Seven Degrees, intended to convey the secrets of ancient Hermetic magick to initiates. But it was far from complete. It was an outline. It declared what was to be taught without providing the actual lessons. When we adopted it as an initiatory structure in 1970 we updated it with additional source material extending from Classical times through the Dark Ages, Medieval times, the Renaissance and the Rosicrucian era. We made the Crata Repoa the repository of the Western Esoteric Tradition, from King Solomon to the Holy Grail, to Christian Rosencreutz. We have discussed the degrees from Pastophoris through Alchemia on previous Podcasts so tonight we will put the cap on it (the four-corned red cap) with the final chivalric degrees the 6th Astronomus, (At the Gate of the Gods) and the 7th Propheta (one who knows the mysteries). So tune in and we'll tell you how the modern Crata Repoa culminates.
On Thursday July 24th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading of his 1977 article in Gnostica No. 44, "The Magick of the O.T.A." This article described the philosophy, structure and activities of the Order thirty-seven years ago. You may be surprised to discover how long some of our advanced programs have been operative, such as our unique Hermetic Yoga system, our Celestial Magick Vault and our Magical journal The Seventh Ray. The article is short enough for the author to informally update the information given out at that time. So, if you want to learn where we were and what we did back then, and how we have evolved in the intervening years, tune in and be enlightened.
On Thursday July 17th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Order of the Temple of Astarte's unique method of Astral Time Travel. We first conceived and developed this method back in the early 1970s as an outgrowth of our Pathworking program. It has much in common with remote viewing in that a "target area" and, in our case, a time in the past, is selected and mapped. Then a celestial reference point and distance in light years is selected. This data is absorbed and studied. For example: if we want to visit ancient Alexandria (one of our favorite tours) we consult archaeological books with accurate graphic recreations to set the general environment at the time. We can use the overhead mirror or the Soul Door as our launch portal. We can use Kusor's Boat if we are launching through the Soul Door. In either case we will use a constellation rather than a Tattwa for a concentration point on the mirror. This is a second degree practice because previous Pathworking experience is required for it to be effective. It is a deep trance activity and can produce significant results. The more precise, well documented and prepared these operations are, the more impressive they will be. So if you want to read lost books in the Great library you should at least know what ancient Greek looks like. Tune in and we'll take you on a very long journey.
On Thursday June 26th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the magical aspects of Abraham Merritt's (1884 -
1943) novels and stories of exotic fantasy adventure. Merritt was a
highly respected journalist who wrote his colorful tales of the occult
and the bizarre for his own pleasure and not as pot-boilers for the
pulps even though ARGOSY and other pulps were his main outlet. His work
had the quality of literature and the mytho-folkloric erudition of a
Robert Graves. Merritt had a library of over 5000 books on myth,
folklore and the occult. His tales of lost cities, ancient secret cults
and strange other-worldly phenomenon are unparalleled in beauty and
imagination. His "People of the Pit" (1917) was a profound influence on
H.P. Lovecraft and his masterpiece "The Ship of Ishtar" (1924)
described Richard Shaver's inter-dimensional "Simultane" concept. (It
was also the template for our path-working soul-travel boat.) His
"Dwellers in the Mirage"(1932) was an inspiration for my sc-fi novel
"Drell Master." Merritt was steeped in Blavatsky's Atlantis and Lemuria
lore and the obscure legendary sources behind these lost civilizations.
His "The Moon Pool" (1921) lured us out to the ruins of Lemuria in the
Pacific (see Beyond Lemuria). So, if you want to spend an hour with the
Dream-maker, tune and we'll set sail to evening Isles fantastical.
On Thursday May 23rd, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading of Kiefer and Oren, the Story of a Tree by Merrick Rees Hamer. Merrick is a leader in Masonry, The Golden Dawn and the Church of the Hermetic Sciences. As a Librarian he is also a professional story teller. This particular story is about a boy and a Tree. The story is a beautiful expression of the rapport we can have with nature if we personify it, and the depth of meaning we can find in the loss of natural beauty. If time permits we will present another short story by our host from The Seventh Ray 1975, Daughter of the Oak, about a boy and a girl and a Tree. In this tale the Tree comes to a similar fate but the boy learns the wrong lesson. So if you want to visit the forest with us, tune in and have a seat on the stump.
On Thursday June 19th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the English translation of "Secret Practices of
the Sufi Freemasons" by Baron Rudolph von Sebottendorf first published
in German in 1924. This is a highly controversial book by a notorious
author. Sebottendorff was the founder of the Thule Society which
Germinated (pun intended) into the Nazi Party. When he tried to take
credit for that the Nazis kicked him out and sent him back to Turkey.
How he managed to be a devout Muslim and a Nordic pagan at the same time
is one of the many mysteries this book conjures up. Transcending his
politics and fanaticism there is very provocative and profound occult
knowledge in this book --- much of it hidden even to European students
until recently. We will compare Sebottendorff's revelations with Gerard
de Nerval's "Sufi" version of The Masonic Temple Legend, and P.B.
Randolph's discovery of a Syrian Love Cult which may have been the
original source of the O.T.O.'s 9th Degree. So, tune in and find out how
the Sufis get a grip on themselves.
On Thursday May 9th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on interdimensional alien phenomenon inspired by the book “Hunt for the Skinwalker” by Colm Kelleher (2005). Our guest will be Very Honored Frater Heracles of Avalon Lodge in Texas who will recount his own close encounter with UFOs and share his thoughts on this and the Skinwalker anomaly. The book describes the long lasting ordeal of a cattle ranching family whose Utah ranch was literally haunted by these interdimensional beings and/or machines. They encountered huge wolves that were impervious to gunfire, horrible mutilations of their live stock and inexplicable physical phenomenon. A team of scientists began observations on the property and were able to confirm the family’s incredible accounts. This haunted ranch was called “A Pathway for the Skinwalkers” by the local native Americans. This book is similar to “The Mothman Prophecies” by John Keel (1975) So, if you want to peek behind the curtain, tune in and spend an hour with us in the Land of Oz.
On Thursday May 2nd, 2018 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the official Vision and Mission Statement of the Church of the Hermetic Sciences and its fraternal order, the Order of the Temple of Astarte. This is the same document that is in our training manual and delivered to new initiates when they begin training. It gives our history, our philosophy, our traditional initiatory system, our accomplishments, our special programs: yoga, visualization, ceremonial magick, alchemy, divination, soul-travel and celestial qabalah. As a bonus feature we will discuss the mystery of the Pagan Communion Set and the mysterious magical alphabet inscribed thereon. We will direct you to our website where you can see it and perhaps help us solve the mystery. So join us and get magical.
On Thursday June 12th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on ancient and modern Multiverse concepts in relation
to Hermetic Magick, the Qabalah, astrology and Fortean phenomenon. We will
examine philosophical. scientific, literary and cinematic models of the
Multiverse, sometimes called the "Holographic Universe" or "Parallel
Worlds." We will trace the idea through the "nesting spheres" of the
geocentric age, to the heliocentric Renaissance, the invention of the
telescope and the discovery of other galaxies and anti-matter, both in terms
of science and the pages of science fiction. Our references will be
Mary-Jane Rubenstein's "Worlds Without End," Michio Kaku's "Parallel
Worlds," the science fiction of Phillip K. Dick, and Richard S. Shaver, and
films such as "The Matrix," "Dark City," and "Lost Highway." Our challenge
will be to reconcile ancient Hermetic philosophy with the Multiverse
concept --- so, if you want to go through the looking glass or down the
rabbit hole, tune in and we will tour the endless "nows" of the Simultane.
On Thursday April 18th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will air a discussion on the future impact of Artificial Intelligence on human creativity and individual expression. Will it serve us or will it dominate us? We will start with a recent article in the L.A. Times April 16th: "That Computer can call my Agent" which deals with A.I.s writing screenplays. We will look back at Asimov's "Foundation." We will visit "Drell Master" (2001) and its World dominating computer "Jaskamoor" and finally the final chapter of "Adamson's Quest" for the Hermetic perspective. So if you wonder whether they will serve us, or we will serve them. Tune in and make up your mind (before they make it up for you!)
On Thursday April 11th, 2019, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will invite V.H. Frater SithMeth to discuss his recent expedition to Pluto's Cave north of Mt. Shasta.
This is the same Lava-tube cavern complex that we used as a location in
our 2007 science-fiction film BEYOND LEMURIA. It is considered a
spiritual location and has been used for Shamanic visionary retreats. It
has also been connected with the legend of J.C. Brown's lost Lemurian
treasure. We discussed the Cave on our broadcast "Mystical Mt. Shasta"
in January, 13th. 2011. Which you can still access. So, join us as we
once more enter the underworld and share mystic experiences.
On Thursday, June 6th, 2014 The Hermetic Hour will present a reading by Poke Runyon (Fra. Thabion) of his 1976 essay "Negative vs. Positive Gnosis" from Gnostica magazine, no. 40. This is an important instructive paper dealing with the ancient and modern spiritual differences between Thelemic (libertine) Gnosticism, Hermetic neo-Platonism and ancient and modern Paganism (wiccans, druids, etc.) These differences are so deep and so misunderstood that many New-Agers involved in the Occult do not know what they profess to believe in. They participate in various groups simply because they are attracted to the style and glamor of the organization and because it provides a rebellion against the religion of the parents. The article explains the fundamental differences between Gnosticism of the negative world view and Hermetic magick of the positive world view, comparing them to the Pagan and neo-Pagan "natural" world view. You will discover how similar Thelemic Gnosticism is to the Fundamental Christianity it rebels against, and how similar Hermetic magick is to Tantric Buddhism. This paper will be reprinted in text form and posted as an instruction on our web site. So tune in and become transcendentally demystified.
On Thursday May 28th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review the 2008 book "The Music of Pythagoras" by musicologist Kitty
Ferguson. This is a wonderfully erudite and deeply meaningful book on
the accomplishments, and lasting influence of the most important of the
pre-Socratean philosophers, and perhaps the most important ancient
avatar of the Western Esoteric Tradition. As a musicologist Ferguson is
able to fully expound on the master's development of "The Music of the
Spheres" from mythical Orpheus through Kepler to Close Encounters of the
Third Kind (we can all whistle that one). The Pythagorean harmonious
universe of music, mathematics, and geometry has been re-validated in
modern times with the advent of new theories in quantum physics. It was,
of course, the bed rock of Qabalah, Alchemy and Magick. We will
demonstrate some applications of the Pythagorean magical scale used to
activate psychic centers (chakras) and discuss the employment of these
techniques in magical operations. So tune in, tune up and we'll sing
along with the planets.
On Thursday March 21st, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the various traditions of the Underworld from the mythologies, religions and folklore of cultures around the world with our guest Very Honored Frater Solomon. Michael Johnson (Frater Solomon) is a Bible scholar with a background in Social Science. Mike has compiled maps of the underworld which locate the Hells of the major religions. Your host (Frater Thabion) will join in with references to Kenneth Grant’s “Tunnels of Set”, Shaver’s dero caverns, the underground kingdom of Agartha and the Shamanic under and over worlds and the proto-psychological Kabbalistic metaphore of The Nepesh, the Nechamah, and the Ruach. So if you want to take the E-ticket ride through the Great Fun house below the horizon, tune in and we’ll go below.
On Thursday May 22nd, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a review on a very important recent book on the Hermetic Tradition
by Dutch author Jacob Slavenburg titled: "The Hermetic Link." Reviewing this
book will be a team effort between the host and our esteemed guest Frater
Ophis (Freeman Presson) who beat us to the punch and reviewed Slavenburg's
book on his website two years ago. How did we miss it? No excuse because it
should not have been missed. Certainly there have been other surveys of the
Hermetic Tradition, usually combined with other related elements such as
Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism, magick, etc. but this is the best and most
complete tracing of the great Hermetic Gnosis from ancient Egypt, through
Alexandria, Harran, the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the
so-called "Enlightenment" and the present modern age. Slavenburg takes us
from Zosimus to the Kybalion in a sympathetic, very thoughtful and
comfortably philosophical style. He quotes Peter Kingsley ("Reality")
frequently and does as good a job as Kingsley in getting across the deepest
meaning of the Hermetic Mystery (the Great I AM) - perhaps he does it better
in that he uses excerpts from Hermes to reveal the treasure we ardent
Hermetic devotees hold so dear, whereas Kingsley in Reality depended on
pre-Hermetic Parmenides and Empedocles. If all this is Greek to you, it
shouldn't be and Slavenburg goes a long way toward establishing the true and
enduring magnificence of our venerable Tradition. Tune in and get yourself
Hermetically sealed. (Preserved for the next incarnation.)
On Thursday March 7th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and comment on the 1948 science fiction novel by Stuart J. Byrne “Prometheus ll” recently republished by Armchair Fiction. This remarkable work, like so many early science fiction efforts was set in a future time, in this case 1970, and predicted a Third World War between the United States, its traditional allies and post Soviet Russia. Of course Russia did not become post soviet until the 1990s, but the Russian leader in Byrne’s novel seems and acts a lot like Putin. In this story the Russians are allied with China and they have conquered all of Latin America. They are on the verge of swarming our southern border. But their leader Nicholas (not Valdamir) has literally made a deal with the devil (the deros of the subterranean world) which has escalated World War lll into another dimension and brought in the forces of Agartha, the subterranean good guys and finally the Elder Gods (the original ancient astronauts) who arrive from hyperspace just in time to save the human race. Of course we have a pair of young Army officers and their sexy Army nurse girl friend, who team up with the underground good guys and Space Gods to help save America and humanity. It would have made a great Saturday Morning serial but at least it got its debut in Amazing Stories, March 1948.
So tune in and we’ll put it on old time radio for you.
On Thursday February 28th, 2019, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss "The Eighth Tower" by the late UFO investigator
John A. Keel (1930-2009). He was most noted as author of "The Mothman
Prophecies" (1975) and film (2002). Keel was more interested in monster
sightings, like the mothman and big-foot than he was in UFOs but he
believed that the two phenomenon were related and emanated from the same
source. He was an ardent successor to Charles Fort "The Book of the
Dammed" (1919) which was a collection of fantastic anomalies such as UFO
sightings, monster sightings and other fantastic events such as rains of
frogs and ghost ship sightings. Mostly newspaper clippings collected
from the beginning of the industrial age to the First World War. Like
Charles Fort, Keel was a journalist who continued the collection from
the 1920s, through the UFO era. The Eighth Tower is a Fortean book but
with an agenda that Fort was very cryptic about. What do all these
strange things mean mean? Fort concluded that "We" humankind, "Are
property." Keel expands on that. After continuing Fort's bizarre
collection he brings in Carl Jung's Collective Unconscious, the world
soul, universal mind and the Seven Demonic Towers of the Yazidis and
postulates an Eight Tower that is a sort of empyrean Godforce over the
rest. This is not an easy book to get through but it will take you down
the rabbit hole, so join us for some Fortean adventuring.
On Thursday February 21st, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will reprise a discussion on different interpretations and conceptions
of Qabalah. This is a subject we have covered before, however, that was
years ago before we started climbing The Tree in our weekly lectures.
Now that we have arrived at The Abyss and and are venturing onto The
Eleven Sphere "Tree Before the Fall", it is appropriate for us to review
our Hermetic Qabalistic structure and establish the philosophical,
mythological and metaphysical differences between the various Kabbalahs,
and the particular innovations we have made in our modern Hermetic
version of the ancient system. Tune in and we'll play Monopoly on the
greatest board game in the universe.
On Thursday February 14th, 2019 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the first Ancient Astronaut Theorists,
before Van Daniken, Sitchen, and the rest there was Richard Shaver and
Ray Palmer and the Shaver Mystery. In recent years more and more of
their fantastic 1940s revelations about Ancient extra-terrestrial Aliens
and their high technology and their continued influence on, and
interfearence in, earthly affairs (mind control and child trafficking
and madness) has been confirmed and exploited by later whistle-blowers
such as Tom Delonge, Corey Good, David Witcock and others. It seems that
Shaver and Palmer wrote their History Channel documentary scripts but
are never credited as the source. Are these Ancient Aliens still with
us? "Our original Ancient Astronaut theorists say yes!" So tune in and
let's return to the thrilling days of yesteryear and revisit The Shaver
Mystery.
On Thursday April 3rd, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a special program discussing the O.T.A.'s Pathworkings beyond the
Sphere of Chesed. These Paths lead to the re-manifested Sphere of Da'ath,
which in the Eleven Sphere Tree becomes Saturn, the beginning of the
physical universe and the gateway to the Abyss. This concept and its
practical applications are covered in "New Tarot Trumps for an Eleven Sphere
Tree of Life" in THE SEVENTH RAY, Book III, "The Red Ray." We will also
discuss the Golden Dawn's eleven sphere tree and the idea of the Tree before
and after "The Fall." This is a Key lecture and lesson in our study program.
So tune in and we will journey to Mot's Back-o'-Beyond.
On Thursday January 31st, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will air a discussion on the life and work of Victorian Age British
artist and writer William Morris (1834-1888) on the modern Hermetic
revival. Morris was a Renaissance man of many talents. An Oxford scholar
who idealized and romanticized the medieval period and yearned to
recreate Camelot in the modern era. He was appalled by the pollution,
social misery and esthetic mediocrity caused by the industrial
revolution and he believed that Karl Marx held the key to creating a
utopia (although Morris admitted that he could not understand Marx) But
we need to understand Morris in order to fathom the continuing
fascination our cultural elite have for Marx's continually failing
system. So, come with us back to the Gas-light era and we will see where
a lot of today's progressive ideas got started.
On Thursday March 27th, 2014 Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will talk with Jo Carson, leader of Feraferia, about Eleusis and the Mysteries of Death and Rebirth. What happens to the soul after death? What can be expected in the afterlife? Jo has written a new book, Celebrate Wildness—Magic, Mirth and Love on the Feraferia Path which includes a discussion of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The Mysteries of Demeter and her daughter Persephone were held at Eleusis, in Greece, for almost 2,000 years. These Mysteries had the goal of providing a first hand experience of certainty in the continuity of life after death. The Mysteries were established around 1450 BCE, and ended only when the Roman Christian emperor Theodosius I forcibly closed them in 392 CE. They were centered around the myth of Demeter, the earth mother Goddess, and her daughter Persephone. In this story, Persephone was abducted by Pluto and taken to the Underworld, and eventually was able to return. This myth provided a key to giving real revelations to the population of that world. Thousands of people journeyed to Eleusis each Fall to experience the Eleusinian Mysteries, which means hundreds of thousands were initiated. However, so tight was the secrecy, or so inexpressible was the experience, that no one has ever revealed its profound secrets. We will explore what is known, what is conjectured, and how Feraferia honors the Eleusinian experience. So tune in and peek behind the veil of death.
On Thursday January 17th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and discuss "The Cygnus Mystery" (2006) and "The Cygnus Key"
(2018) by Andrew Collins. These recent books are in the tradition of
"Hamlet's Mill" (1969), "The Sirius Mystery"(1976) and Gordon White's
"Star Ships" (2016) and they all fall into the category of popular
celestial archaeology. Most importantly for us in the Hermetic community
they all seek to validate our ancient Initiatiatic Code which holds that
we descend from the Heavens and to the Heavens we shall return via the
Milky Way as our "River of Souls." Like so many of his predecessors in this
Collins locates the ancient Shamanic origins of this in old Hyperborea
in North Central Asia. He presents a good case for Cygnus the Swan
bringing down the souls like the stork brings babies. He suggests that
the Paleolithic genius-giant Denisovian hominids recently discovered in
Siberia were the originators of of our Celestial mythology and that they
carried it all the way down to ancient Egypt. I am not sure I agree with
all his ideas but for the most part he seems on the mark -- so if you
want to follow the Starry Path to immortality, tune in and we'll fly
with the swans.
On Thursday January 10th, 2019 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and highlight the twenty-six live shows we presented in
- As most of you know these programs are all archived on our
Hermetic Hour website with abstracts describing them. So you can catch
up on what you missed at any convenient time. Be sure to have a note pad
handy as you listen so you can jot down the dates and titles
of the shows you want to find. Such as "Count Cagliostro, the Wizard who
invented himself" aired on February 22nd, 2018 -- or "The real secrets
of the Hypnerotomachia" on May 24th. You can find all these episodes
ready for listening or downloading on our website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-hermetic-hour
so tune in and catch up on what you've missed.
On Thursday March 20th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 19th Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life called "Strength." This path laterally connects the Spheres of Geburah, on the Pillar of Severity, with Chesed on the Pillar of Mercy. The Path is attributed to the letter Teth, the Serpent, and the astrological sign of Leo. The Tarot Trump shows a woman gently closing the mouth of a lion. This is a "Key" Path on the Lightning Flash which defines our extended "Middle Pillar" yoga system. Gareth Knight suggests that it represents the initiatory journey of an Adeptus Major (6=5) to Adeptus Exemptus (7=4). Crowley's version of the card was called "Lust" and had the woman riding the beast -- this at least symbolizes one aspect of this path, that of conquering the beast within. The lion symbolism is also astrological and alchemical. The Heart of the Lion being the marker star Regulus in the Golden Dawn siderial system. This also relates to the Labors of Hercules. This is an important Path and the last one before Da'ath on the Short Path -- so if you want to get ready to make the big jump across the Abyss, tune in and come with us.
On January 8th, 2015 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a reprise of the 1977 article in the old Seventh Ray number
nineteen by author Janine Renee titled: Parzival and the Hermetic
Grail. The author researched and wrote this at our request. It forms an
important element in our reconstructed linkage of ancient Phoenician
rituals to early Valentinian Christian Gnosticism and to medieval Grail
lore. The major source for Janine's article is the 1965 "The Krater and
the Grail: Hermetic Sources of the Parzival by Henry and Renee Kahane.
Modern neo-pagans have never lost their fascination for the Holy Grail
quest. The idea that the Grail was originally pagan (The Hermetic
Krater) goes along with the recent revelations of Jesus and Mary
Magdalene and the paganizing of Christianity. So if you want to start on
your own Grail Quest tune in and we will give you directions to the
Grail Castle Montsalvat.
On Thursday December 20th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Hermetic origins of the Holy Grail as presented in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Medieval romance “Parzival. This is a follow-up on an earlier broadcast from three years ago in which we read Janinne Rene’s Article on Parzival from The Seventh Ray issue number 19, January 1977. In the introduction to her article I stated that: “Much of the symbolism and the allegory of Kellner’s original O.T.O. derived from Parzival.” This and other fascinating secrets embedded in Wolfram's medieval masterpiece will be the subjects of tonight’s broadcast. So, if you want to find the Grail we have the clues for you. Eschenbach’s Parzival is like Colonna’s Hypnerotomachia. Its one of those old books full of secrets and magick. And our job on the Hermetic Hour is to dig them out for you.
On Thursday March 13th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the 20th Path of the Tree of Life. This is the Path
that leads from Tiphareth to Chesed and is aptly attributed to the
astrological sign Virgo, the Hebrew letter Yod and the Tarot Trump The
Hermit. Again our texts will be Gareth Knight's Practical Guide to
Qabalistic Symbolism and John Michael Greer's Paths of Wisdom. This
particular path is concerned with the issues of personality and
individuality in relation to the spiritual ideal of dissolving the ego. In
this regard Chesed represents The Garden of Eden, and the Hermit travels the
lonely road to recover his/her virgin state of selfless innocence. The
alternative to this -- according to Gareth Knight -- is a return to Lemurian
black magick, an option which we will also examine for it's symbolic
significance. So, if you want to journey beyond the Sun then join us
Thursday night.
On Thursday December 6th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss “The Spiritual Meaning of the Sixties” (2018) by Tobias Churton. This is a 653 page door-stopper of a book subtitled: “the Magic, Myths & Music of the Decade that Changed the World,” And it certainly lives up to its subtitle. Even though Churton’s previous books have been in the mystical, occult genre, this one should break into the mainstream and be read by every thoughtful reader interested in the present spiritual, philosophical and political divisions in what we call Western Civilization. Using the Music, films, television, and popular fads of the period as his mirror of reflection he leads us through the decade. The cultural impact of the Beatles, and rock music, the sexual revolution, psychedelics, the Bomb, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and the rise of feminism are all dealt with in turn. And the inability of established religion to cope with the spiritual challenges of the time is considered. The author was a child in England and Australia during the period and gives us a remarkable picture of the era from a growing child’s perspective. My one criticism of the book stems from Churton’s memory picture. I was a teenager in 1950s America. I recall that repressive era which preceded the social liberation of the sixties. I think Churton should have added “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.” (1956) to his list of media catalysts. So if you want to look back at the days of Flower-Power and Strawberry Fields Forever, turn-on, tune-in and give a listen.
On Thursday March 6th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present Part Two of Frater Thabion's essay on Immortality. This section will
deal with the theory and the methods of Consciousness transference to coming
incarnations, what is reffered to in the East as the Tulku process. The
Christian aspects of this concept will be discussed along with a review of
the origins of Christianity in Gnosticism and its original principles. The
relation of immortality to the Qabalah, Astrology, Alchemy and the Tibetan
Buddhist Kalachakra system will be discussed. This is an important position
paper and should be considered one of our more meaningful contributions to
the Hermetic Revival. Listen in and learn how to live forever.
On Thursday February 27th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a purposefully cryptic lecture on the Hermetic conception of
immortality and the concept of "The Great I AM," in Qabalah, astrology,
alchemy, magick and Kalachakra. This profound and ultimate mystery can be
explained briefly in fairly simple terms, but whenever someone tries to do
this they are either laughed at, locked up, or put to death. The concept is
so feared and reviled that it is demonized by psychologists and marginalized
by modern philosophers, although the great pre-Socratean thinkers
Parmenides, Empedocles and Heraclitus considered it primary: the starting
point from which the science of logic and reason arise.The Great Secret is
obviously not for everybody even though Jesus tried to get the common man to
understand it in mythic rather than philosophic terms. And even though he
mythologized it, he still got himself killed! So, we can't come right out
and cast our pearls before swine, lest they "turn and rend us." But we can
at least point to the philosophy and the science behind our mystery -- and
encourage those who have "the mind" as well as "the speech" to find the
center point and "the prize for the souls." So tune in and peek behind the
veil.
On Thursday November 15th 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review "Son of Chicken Qabalah" and interview its distinguished
author Lon Milo DuQuette. This 2018 book is a sequel to Lon's popular
"Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford" (2001). Lamed Ben Clifford
is Lon's fictional creation. Lon thought all of us Hermetic Qabalists
needed our own Rabbi, who would not sneer at our Tarot cards and pagan
corospondences on the Tree of Life. Ben Clifford's Qabalah was for all
of us and it was presented in a humorous style that made the otherwise
dry subject come alive. It became one of the best introductions to the
subject at least from a Hermetic perspective. The fictional Ben Clifford
has passed away but he has left a legacy: a three degree Qabalistic
initiation system based on the Sepher Yetzirah's Cube of Space and the
Golden Dawn's Hermetic Hebrew alphabet corospondences. Starting with the
Three Mother Letters in the first degree (the original tetragrammaton)
the candidate next internalizes the Seven Double Letters attributed to
the planets, and finally, in the Third and last degree, he or she,
installs the Twelve Simple letters internalizing the entire Hermetic
Qabalistic universe. This is all accomplished with mudras, flashing
colors a pitch pipe and geometric mandalas. What we did with a yoga
system in "Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle Pillar" (2015) Lon has done
in a Temple initiation format. This little book of his is a treasure and
will make Hermetic Magick come alive for everyone who conscientiously
studies it.
On Thursday February 6th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the 21st Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life,
leading from Netsach to Chesed. This is the Path attributed to Jupiter, the
Hebrew letter "Kaph", (the Hand), and the Tarot Trump "The Wheel of
Fortune." The Sphere of Chesed is also attributed to the Planet Jupiter,
making this a very powerful positive combination. We have a unique
interpretation of The Wheel of Fortune which also appears in our Crata Repoa
initiatory system. Chesed (Jupiter) is appropriately ruled by the Phoenician
Father God El (AL) and we place the Phoenician God Dagon in residence.
Chesed also relates to Atlantis as the ruling realm of the mythical world.
So if you want to go back in time and meet an amphibious ancient astronaut,
tune in and make the journey with us.
On Thursday, January 30th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon,
will present a panel discussion on the 22nd Path of the Tree of Life,
leading from Tiphareth to Geburah. The Path is attributed to the
astrological sign Libra, the Scales of Balance, the Tarot Trump "Justice,"
and the Hebrew and Phoenician letters "Lamed," both representing the Ox
Goad -- which has a remarkable symbolism relating to a Biblical-Canaanite
mystery we will reveal for the first time. This Path also ends up at the
narrow bridge leading to the Castle on the Edge of the Abyss (Geburah).
Again we refer to John Michael Greer's "Paths of Wisdom" and Gareth Knight's
"Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism." Now, if you want to meet Osiris
in the Great Hall of Judgement, remember, like Santa Claus, he has a list of
who's been naughty and who's been nice -- so be good for goodness sake!
On Thursday October 25th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the late Medieval astrologer magician Cecco
d' Ascoli who was burned at the stake by the Inquisition in 1327 a.d.
for publishing books connecting astrology with magick, necromancy and
demonology. In several ways he presaged the sad career of Giordano Bruno
who went to the stake 273 years later in 1600 for a similar offense.
Cecco expounded his magick on a geocentric universe model, whereas Bruno
paganized (or demonized) a later Coperican universe. Cecco d' Ascoli may
be considered the father of Solomonic ceremonial mirror magick. One of
his most heretical revelations was a description of summoning (evoking)
the demon "Floron", in a mirror of polished steel. Floron had fallen
from the Order of Cherebum and served under the Goetic king Amaymon.
Such a mirror was described in Picatrix and later depictions of it
reveal that it was in fact a hand mirror. After Cecco's execution
magicians no longer wrote of magick mirrors but their use continued
until the present day. We will draw primarily from Lynn Thorndike's
"History of Magic and Experimental Science", Volume 2 (1923) with
current material from Christopher Warnock. So if you want to find out
where this dark mirror magick got started, tune in and we'll pull
another Italian magus out of the fire.
On Thursday January 23rd, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the 23rd Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life,
leading from the Sphere of Hod to the Sphere of Geburah on the Pillar of
Severity. This Path is attributed to the Element of Water and the Tarot
Trump "The Hanged Man." Once again our texts for reference will be Gareth
Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism" and John Michael Greer's
"Paths of Wisdom." We will delve into the history and the mystery of the
strange "Hanged Man" and give you our own unique interpretation of its
meaning from Greek Mythology. So, if you want to cross stormy seas to
Anath's Castle on the Edge of Forever, be sure to join us for another
exciting adventure in the Land of Otz Chiim.
On Thursday October 11th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review the classic study on Renaissance Magick by Dame Frances Yates (1899 - 1981), "Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition." (1964) This is a book that should be the cornerstone of any Hermetic student's library. Although the Italian philosopher and magician Giordano Bruno (1548 - 1600) is the main figure on which Yates centers her work, the book is in fact a broad study of Renaissance Hermetic Magick evolving from its Italian origins in the late Middle Ages and on through to Bruno's exposition of its post Copernican version. Hermetic Humanists accepted Copericus but the Church refused to abandon the geo-centric universe. Bruno, a Dominican monk was burned at the stake. Many considered him a Scientific martyr, but Yates contends that his heresies were Hermetic as well as scientific. So if you would like to explore the life and beliefs of Giordano Bruno, join us for a Hermetic Renaissance Faire.
On Thursday January 16th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the ancient Phoenicians and the Hermetic
Tradition. This follows last week's review of "Jesus the Phoenician" by
Karim el Koussa. The references for this evening's discussion will be the
recent "Phoenician Secrets" by Sandford Holst and "The Phoenicians, the
Purple Empire of the Ancient World" by Gerald Herm, Our focus will be on
Phoenician contributions to, and influence on, Western occultism and magick.
It has recently been established that the Phoenician culture is one of the
oldest in the world. It's roots go back nine thousand years. The Phoenicians
were building and sailing ocean-going ships long before the Pyramids were
built. The first pyramid was built by European architects brought from Malta
to Egypt by Phoenician contractors. The Phoenicians were very secretive
about their business and their religion. We will discuss their astrological
religion (the Labors of Hercules), their magical alphabet (the real origin
of the Qabalah) and their possible connection with Atlantis. So, if you want
to voyage with the Purple People on ancient seas, tune in and we'll hoist
the mainsheet.
On Thursday September 27th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the new Collector's edition of Kurt Seligmann's 1948 classic
"The Mirror of Magic: A History of Magic in the Western World" and discuss Seligmann's career
as a surrealist painter, a scholar of the occult and a practicing
ceremonial magician. This handsome new edition, published by Inner
Traditions, is a faithful reproduction of the original. Poke Runyon
inherited a 1948 copy Seligmann's book from his late Master Frederick
Adams (1928 - 2008) with Fred's annotations. It was Fred's first book on
Magic and he treasured it. In his Introduction Seligmann wrote: "As an
artist I was concerned with the aesthetic value of Magic and its
influence on man's creative imagination." Fred Adams was also a very
talented artist and was inspired by The Mirror of Magic, as we hope a
new generation of readers will be when they discover this beautiful new
edition of Kurt Seligmann's Masterpiece.
On Thursday January 9th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss the new book by the Lebanese Christian author
Karim el Koussa "Jesus the Phoenician". This is a highly controversial
subject. Karim's thesis is revolutionary but quite possibly true. He
sets out to prove by the Bible itself - New and Old Testaments - that
Jesus of Nazareth was not a Jew and that the God he called 'his Father"
was the Canaanite "EL", not the Jewish YHVH. (Jehova). This should be a
very provocative and enlightening discussion -- so tune in and get
Salvation Phoenician style.
On Thursday September 13th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will devote an hour to reviewing and updating the activities of our Active and Associate membership. We will discuss website participation and access. We will announce upcoming activities, events and programs for the remainder of the year. We are completing the Enochian Aethyrs and looking forward to the Seven Gates festival and Halloween Mot Mass. This show is primarily for members but it should be of of interest to all our listeners. So if you want to find out what the people in the back room are doing, tune in and check it out.
The Thursday after Christmas, December 26th, 2013, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the lost and forgotten magical fantasy novel by the infamous science fiction hoaxer Richard S. Shaver. Actually Shaver's editor Ray Palmer was the hoaxer; Shaver believed he was writing "the truth' about the survivors of ancient extraterrestrials still living in caverns below and plaguing surface people with mind-control ray machines. This dubious expose was called "The Shaver Mystery" and dominated the pages of AMAZING STORIES, America's most popular sci-fi mag in the 1940s. Shaver's weird tales of the subterranean "Dero World" are enjoying a modest revival in reprinted editions.
We were among the first 21st century Shaver revivalists with our 2007 film BEYOND LEMURIA. In our new version of "The Shaver Mystery" we placed the Cavern World of the Deros in another dimension, a parallel world very close to our own. However Shaver himself always insisted that his underground Deros were in this physical dimension --whereas his editor Palmer insisted they were "disembodied spirits." Shaver was an empathic receiver, a rue mystic. He revealed what might be the real secret of his Cavern World in a marvelously crafted fantasy novel that never has had a title of its own. It appeared in three separate issues of AMAZING and FANTASTIC from 1947 through 1949. The first part was "The Tale of The Red Dwarf," next came the third part "Daughter of the Night," followed by the second part two years later called "Erdis Cliff." Shaver precedes Moorcock's fictional Multiverse, and even M-Theory by decades. -- So, if you want to discover a new dimension, tune in and we'll slide down the worm hole.
On Thursday August 30th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and explore the almost one thousand page introspective
philosophical and spiritual journal of the late California
science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick. (1928-1982) This remarkable
documentation of a classic mystical experience and its ramifications in
and beyond the author's literary works. The exegesis is also a chronicle
of a genius battling for sanity and a true religious philosophy as he
lives and works through what is obviously and admittedly mental illness.
Dick is best known for his darkly paranoid science-fiction novels and
stories. The novel VALIS (vast active living intelligence system) is the
fictionalized version of his 1974 vision and much of the exegesis
ruminates on its impact and significance. As a Roman Catholic Dick's
vision is Biblical, especially Christian, but he analyzes it as Gnostic
and Neo-platonic (Hermetic) and defines Christ as essentially female. He
later defines himself as a neo-Marxist philosopher and gives us insights
into the spiritual aspects of the 1960s and 70s counter culture that
continue to perpetuate the social and political divide in our society
today. So, if you want to spend an hour in the mind of Philip K. Dick
join us and we will inquire within. As Above so Below, As Within so Without.
On Thursday December 19th, 2013 The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon,
will have as its distinguished guest the noted author on subjects arcane and
esoteric, John Michael Greer. John's first book "Paths of Wisdom" has been
of considerable help to us as an authoritative source in our on-going series
of lectures on the Hermetic-Qabalistic Tree of Life. John is also the
translator of the medieval Latin version of "Picatrix", with Christopher
Warnock, which has now become as important in the magical revival as Tyson's
Agrippa. Although certainly a Hermetic scholar John Michael Greer's magical
heart lies in the Celtic-Druidic tradition. He has written several books in
this area and is a practicing Druid himself. His latest work combines the
Hermetic Golden Dawn and the Druidic traditions, both of which were active
in Victorian England. John discovered a historic interchange between these
two very British expressions and he has lovingly reconstructed the synthesis
in "The Celtic Golden Dawn," -- So, let us go out to Stone Henge and see how
the Druids do a Pentagram Ritual.
On Thursday December 12th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour will present the second program devoted to Jack Parson's 1946 essay "Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword" with the reading of chapters three and four: "The Sword and the Spirit" and "The Woman Girt with the Sword." These writings are the philosophical and spiritual meat of this masterpiece of modern mystical, spiritual and philosophical speculation. You will be amazed at the predictive quality of Parson's perspective. It seems to be an epitome of 1980's feminist, environmental and neo-pagan thought written over thirty years before the flowering of these ideas. So tune in and continue the journey into the future from the past with America's rocket scientist magician at the controls of the time machine.
On Thursday December 5th, 2013 The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will read chapters from the essay Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword by rocket scientist and magician John Whiteside Parsons. Along with being one of the original founders of JPL in Pasadena, California (sometimes called "Jack Parsons Library") and a developer of solid rocket fuel essential to the space program, Parsons was also an occultist and a magician. He ran an O.T.O. lodge and was a dedicated follower of Aleister Crowley. Parsons' colorful, but tragically short life has been celebrated in the recent books "Sex and Rockets" by someone calling himself "John Carter" and "Strange Angel" by George Pendle -- Also a very good stage play from the Cal Tech drama department called "Pasadena Babalon." Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword was written at the end of World War Two. It is a remarkable prediction of liberalism, civil rights and women's rights -- in fact we might say that Parson's was the forerunner of feminist neo-paganism in California. His views on the mystical and spiritual superiority of women were much different than his mentor Crowley's. We received the Parson's Papers from Gerald Yorke in 1972. The first publication of Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword was my edited version published in our journal The Seventh Ray in 1976 through 1978. The essay has been subsequently published by the O.T.O. in 1990 and again in 2001. It is still in print and available from Amazon. We did a previous Hermetic Hour broadcast on Jack Parsons which you can find in our podcast archives -- now you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand and enjoy the writings of this rocket scientist, especially when he has a crater on the Moon named after him -- on the Dark Side of course.
On Thursday August 2nd , 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the alleged Parallel world or
trans-dimensional ariel Queendom of the Sylphs known as "Magonia" that
was documented in medieval histories and has recently inspired a fantasy
novel of that title "Magonia" by Maria Headley (2015) and was the main
theme for UFO authority Jacques Vallee's "Passport to Magonia" (1969-93)
which delt with the Magonian "close encounters" from the 9th century
and other supernatural visitations recounted in European folklore as
early examples of alien sightings, close encounters, and abductions, on
through to the mysterious "airship" reports from the American West in
the 1890s, comparing them with modern reports and investigations. Vallee
contends, and as Hermetic devotees we certainly concur, that most of
these events are inter-dimensional rather than extra-terrestrial; that
there are parallel worlds co-existing with us as near to us as our
furniture. This is also the main theme of our film Beyond Lemuria
(2007-14) and, as I mentioned last week, is set forth in the old
Hermetic book "Comte d'Gablis" (1760) -- So if you'd like to spend an
hour in the absolute elsewhere, tune in and we'll take you down the
rabbit hole.
On Thursday July 26th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
discuss the Mysterious Voynich Manuscript (Beinecke MS. 408) a late
medieval herbal, alchemical and astrological book written in an unknown
language and illustrated with pictures of plants and astronomical
arrangements that are not of this world. Authorship was originally
attributed to Roger Bacon (1214 - 1292) but carbon-dating placed the MS.
in the early fifteenth century. John Dee and Edward Kelley have been
suggested because of their similar Enochian language creation, but there
is no proof of their involvement. The mysterious MS has fascinated both
scholars and amateur researchers alike with solutions announced every
year since 1943 when the U.S. Government code-breakers attempted to
decipher it. A new solution was announced just a week before this
broadcast and has already been discredited. The main reason most experts
fail seems obvious to a Hermetic scholar. The Voynich MS was not written
in cipher. It was written in a language and in an alphabet that has no
analog on earth or in this earthly dimension. The key to finding the
origin of the Voynich material might be found in another mysterious
manuscript published in 1670. We will read this revelation as our
contribution toward solving the mystery -- so put on your Indiana Jones
fedora and listen in.
On Friday, November 29th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the 24th Path on the Hermetic Qabalah's Tree of
Life. This is the Path attributed to Death, the right hand guardian or gate
to Tiphareth, with the Devil on the left side as Path 26. These two gates
are considered soul testing challenges to the central Sun, and realm of the
Solar Logos represented by Tiphareth. Our texts will be Gareth Knight's
Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism and John Michael Greer's Paths of
Wisdom. This Path will give us an opportunity to discuss the nature and
meaning of Hermetic enlightenment, the concept of individual consciousness
being eternal consciousness, and what Eliphas Levi really meant when he
wrote: "Death is man's way of conquering immortality." --- So, if you want
to live forever, tune in and get a head start on it.
On Thursday July 12th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
will be visited by Lady Jo Carson of Feraferia who has just returned
from a pilgrimage to our favorite lost city Nan Madol on beautiful
Pohnpei Island in Pacific Micronesia. (Merritt's Moon PooL and Beyond
Lemuria.) Jo and John will share their adventure with us and we will
recall ours back in 1988 and recount the wisdom of the last "chumaro"
(Pohnpeian Kahuna) Maseo Hadley as reported by Peter Arthur. So if you
want to vicariously visit Lemuria then turn on your immaginator and join us.
On Thursday July 5th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will be joined by author Stephen Flowers, Ph.D. to review and discuss the new revised edition of "The Fraternitas Saturni" (2018). This being the fourth version of the original copyrighted in 1990, and including previously unpublished material making this rendition sensational in occult circles. Flowers traces the FS from its beginning, with Crowley and the O.T.O. inspiring Gregor Gregorius in 1925, through its activities in the Wiemar era, its suppression by the Nazis, its revival after WW II and its eventual split into three bodies after Gregorius died in 1964. We are introduced to the "Adonism" of Franz Sattler (Dr. Musallam) a neo-pagan Venus-Adonis cult (!) that included Wilhelm Quaintscher and Franz Bardon who carried it with them into the Frateritas Saturni. We revisit the infamous FOGC black lodge from Frabato, and the Weida Conference in which Crowley attempted to take over organized occultism in Germany. Most importantly Dr.Flowers presents a detailed analysis of the Gnostic and Luciferian philosophies and doctrines behind the Saturian Gnosis. He outlines their cumbersome 33 degree system and their training program; much of it very similar to Franz Bardon's work. Of course the FS is most noted for its sex magick and we have one of those rituals provided. Quite frankly, this book raises as many questions as it answers, but It is well documented with references to works in German that some of us are going to want translated. So, if you want the answers to questions you had, and more questions you may want to ask about the Fraternitas Saturni then tune in and take notes. .
On Thursday June 28th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion, by guest speaker V.H. Frater SithMeth on the
Arbatel of Magic (1575), a grimoire calling up a hierarchy of Olympic
spirits which is featured in The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy
attributed to Henry Cornelius Agrippa (1655). This is a very mysterious
manuscript which was outlined and summerized in the first installment,
but never finished. However there seems to be enough information, sigils
and instructions in what was published for some practical application.
Frater SithMeth will read his article on the Arbatel and we will explore
the possible use in relation to planetary magick. So if quaint and
forgotten books of lore fascinate you, join us and we will have a look
at one of the most mysterious.
On Thursday November 7th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Twenty-fifth Path of the Hermetic Qabalastic Tree of Life. This Path goes up the Middle Pillar from Yesod to Tiphareth and has the Tarot Trump "Temperance" attributed to it. Regardie considers it related to the Holy Guardian Angel as your guiding spirit. The astrological reference is Sagittarius and relates to an arrow shot directly upwards. The Hebrew letter is Samech and the traditional reference is "the Tentative Intelligence." Again our texts will be Gareth Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism," and John Michael Greer's "Paths of Wisdom." So if you want to keep going up the Tree with us, tune in, close your eyes, and we'll take a shot at the Sun.
On Thursday June 14th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on The Holy Grail and The Round Table in Magick. To begin this subject we will review the history of the Grail as presented in our poem: The Cult of The Sangreal which we published in our journal The Seventh Ray back in 1975 and which has since become the prologue to our First Degree (Pastophoris) initiation. We trace the Grail from its origin in ancient Phoenicia in the days of Melchizedek around 1500 B.C. It began with the ancient Canaanite God Baal’s yearly death at High Summer followed by his resurrection via the Chalice of heavenly nectar brought by his consort, the Goddess Astarte in the Fall. We trace this event through a series of mythical evolutions until the Grail becomes the cup of resurrection for the last of the dying gods, Jesus the Nazareen, raised by his consort Mary Magdalene.
This is the secret of the Grail Tradition which was carried on through the Arthurian Romances. It is a genealogical bloodline and a symbolic ritual implement. One of Four Grail Hallows presented in the Tarot and related to astrology. This symbolism is carried forth in the structure of Arthur’s (or more properly Merlin’s) Round Table. So if you would like to know what qualifies an aspirant to become a knight of the Round Table, tune in and we will start you on your quest. And Adonia is coming up at Rivendell this coming Saturday.
On Thursday October 24th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present another of our on-going lecture series on the Paths of the Tree of Life. This time we deal with 'The Devil', the Tarot Trump and other relevant symbolic aspects of the Path that leads from Hod, the Mercurial Sphere of the intellect, to Tiphareth, the Solar Sphere of Mystical Transformation and beauty. Once again our primary texts for reference will be Gareth Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism" and Israel Regardie's "Garden of Pomogranates" (first edition), so if you want to journey from the laboratory to the temple, and meet the devil on the way, tune in and travel with us from Darkness to Light.
On Thursday October 10th, 2013 The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will present a reading of Frater Thabion's ominous apocalyptic, conspiratorial speculation: "Return of the Dragon Lords" which first appeared in The Seventh Ray, Book II, The Red Ray, thirteen years ago and seems to be increasing in credibility as we move further into the 21st century. Dragon Lords is the esoteric "Dark Side" of UFO
abductions, Satanic ritual abuse, Illuminati mind-control and the Reptilian bloodlines of sensational writers such as David Icke -- who may be right for the wrong reasons. The "truth" about the reptilian menace to humanity might go deeper and actually be more disturbing....You are welcome to consider this only speculation, metaphor, and conjecture --but if you believe it, then keep it to yourself, because if you know about them, they know about you!
On Thursday May 24th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review and commentary on the Hypnerotomachia of Poliphili (1499-1999) translated by Joscelyn Godwin. This is one of the most important esoteric books ever published and five hundred years after its debut in Renaissance Italy in 1499, written in stylistic Italian, it finally became available in a readable English translation by Joscelyn Godwin. The Hypnerotomachia of Poliphili, subtitled "The Strife of Life in a Dream" is a romantic fantasy novel which establishes a template for many similar works to emerge in the five centuries following its initial publication: The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz (1616) The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1785) The Wizard of Oz (1900) The Club Dumas (1996) filmed as "The Ninth Gate" (1999) and the novel "The Rule of Four" (2004). The real secrets hidden in the book are not cryptic codes but rather allegorical and thematic. Like the one tale in the Arabian Nights that reveals occult and Magical secrets, the Chapter describing the Isle of Venus near the end of the book carries the true meaning and reveals the esoteric secrets. So if you want to learn what is really hidden in this marvelous old book tune in and we will visit Poliphili's magical dream-world.
On October 3rd, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a dramatic reading of the ritual of the 30th Enochian Aethyr "TEX" (pronounced Tay-ets), which will include an opening by Watchtowers, a reading of the Call of the Thirty Aethyrs in Enochian and in English, and a reading of Aleister Crowley's vision of the Aethyr from "The Vision and the Voice" Equinox No. 5, 1911. We will give a short introduction to the Enochian Aethyr system and explain how the temple is to be arranged for the ritual. Those who have reproductions of the Enochian tablets on hand should pay particular attention to the Water Tablet. The four Governors for this Aethyr are all invoked from Water. So, if you would like to visit our virtual temple and go on a magical journey with Thabion (First Priest of the Phoenicians) and Therion (The Great Beast), then tune in and get Enochiated.
On Thursday May 10th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review two recent books: "Original Magic" (2017) by Stephen E. Flowers and "Real Magic" (2018) by Dean Radin. These books don't have much in common. Original Magic deals with the ancient Persian
Magi, whereas Real Magic focuses on ESP and those who have special talents and powers. Both books are of interest to Hermetic students for different reasons, The ancient Persian Magi have been largely ignored in the present occult revival and yet their beliefs and practices have had a strong influence on modern Magick. Real Magic champions the natural psychic and clairvoyant and presents the usual arguments and data to validate paranormal experience and suggest that it can be induced by shamanic techniques. Radin also deals with controversial Futurist issues such as the universal mind. Both books are subject to some philosophical and technical criticisms but both are well worth reading.
On the Hermetic Hour for Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 we will again have the
leader of Feraferia, Lady Jo Carson, as our guest in an after event
commentary on the Beltane ceremony we featured on last week's show
(Thursday) and performed for fifteen members and guests on Saturday the
28th of April at Rivendell Hermitage and Temple outdoor Henge for this
event. Beltane is a cross-quarter ceremony falling between Vernal
Equinox and Summer Solstice. On Sunday Lady Jo led us through a new
development in her Green Pulse Feraferian divination system. Using
material developed by the late Master Frederick Adams, she created a
cloth Enneasphere that was large enough to dance on as the latest method
of astrological and Tarot association. A very shamanic process which
yields remarkable results. So join us and we'll give you our impressions
of an exciting new way to use your toes in magick!
On Thursday April 26th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
joined by Lady Jo Carson will preview the coming Feraferian Beltane
festival to be presented at Rivendell in Silverado on the evening of
April 28th, 2018. As most of us are aware Feraferia, was founded in 1967
by the late Frederick Adams and his Lady Svetlana. Feraferia is
America's original Goddess worshiping and Nature nurturing Neo-Pagan
Earth-Religion, presently led by Lady Jo Carson who will be our guest
and explain the significance and romance of the Beltane Rite: the
"Magick and Mysteries of Springtime". It is the story of the progress of
the Goddess through the Wheel of the Sacred Year, when the young Goddess
Kore and her consort Kuros fall in love, flirt and announce their
engagement. But before the marriage they need wisdom and advice. So
Women's and Men's mysteries are presented. Then everyone dances together
to charge a talisman which they may take home. An Aval Communion tops
off the ceremony. So if you want to hear more about this ancient rite
tune in and we will enlighten you. And visit the Fifi website at <
feraferia.org > And if you are nearby, try to make it to Rivendell
on Saturday evening.
On Thursday April 19th, 2018, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review a book titled LeMulgeton, Goetia and the Stellar Tradition by Leo Holmes (2013) a Brazilian author who has examined the 72 Spirits of the Goetia in relation to the earliest Zodiacal and fixed-star arrangement that we have, the Mul.Apin of the Babylonians, hence his title “Le Mul ge ton.” Holmes has also included references to the Egyptians, the Magi, the Yazidis, the Tarot, Lovecraft and Kenneth Grant. He has a complete sequence of sigils for the Behemian stars. Which is a valuable asset to any magician’s handbook. He agrees with us that Bael and Ashteroth are Ba’al and Astarte and advances his zodiacal circle from the Age of Taurus to the age of Aries, as we have in our Master Mandala and he has also declared that Zagan (number 61) is the Caananite God Dagon, which we will certainly consider. This is a small quarto book in limited edition published by The Fall of Man Press. Our copy, provided by Frater Damuzi, is number 260 of 300, so if you Goetic magicians want the book you should order it soon.
On Thursday March 12th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will chair a discussion on the recent Neocoris initiations at Avalon Lodge near Austin, Texas. We will be joined by Very Honored Frater Heracles, Master at Avalon and Hierophant at the initiation and other cast members and candidates. The Neocoris Grade in Crata Repoa is where we introduce the candidate to Solomon's magical art of evocation in the dark mirror. This ceremony is dramatic and challenging with tests and ordeals. It is based on Paul Christian's One degree condensation of Crata Repoa in his "History and Practice of Magic" (1870) and is a rite of passage in every sense of the word. Following the initiation, Soror Zandria and I presented a Charter Warrant for a full-fledged O.T.A. Lodge to V.H. Frater Soun and V.H. Soror Ningal of Ubar Hermitage, now Ubar Lodge, in Dallas, Texas. We followed this by a brief ceremony ordaining both Frater Soun and Soror Ningal as ministers in The Church of the Hermetic Sciences.
On Thursday, September 26, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on The Legacy of Mithraism on Magick and Masonry. We will trace the origins of the Mithra sect from the ancient Persian Magi -- an offshoot of Zoroastrianism -- through the Greco-Roman Middle East, into the mileau of classical Alexandria, where its western branch acquired a cosmology that was largely Hermetic. In fact one might say that the Greco-Roman Mithra sect was ritualized Hermeticism. For several centuries it rivaled Christianity but was eventually overcome when emperor Constantine, himself a Mithraite, made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire for practical political reasons. The Mithra sect was an elite, initiatory, all male religious fraternity that extolled honor, bravery and loyalty. Great for the Roman army but not for the downtrodden masses. Its influence on the later Masonic fraternity is obvious. Mithraism had seven initiatory degrees so similar to Crata Repoa that John Yarker called his Crata Repoa degree in Rite of Memphis "The Sage of Mithras." We will unravel the complex astrological symbolism of the "Tauroctony", the ritual slaying of the bull, the mystery of the strange lion-headed god, and the theory that the secret communion meal was the old Persian-version of Soma. Our main text reference will be D. Jason Cooper's "Mithras" (1996) with references to Franz Cumont's (1912) "Astrology and Religion Among the Greeks and Romans" and "Mushrooms, Myth & Mithras" by Carl A. P. Ruck,
et allia (2011). So, if you want to follow us down into the underground temple of the Mithraeum for a look into the origin of many of our rites and degrees, then tune in and we'll lift the veil.
On Thursday September 19th, 2013, the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on "Soma," the Elixir of immortality in the Shamanic, Magian, Vedic, Mithriatic, Orphic, Magical and Alchemical traditions. We will refer to the works of Gordon Wasson, Andrija Puharich, Clark Heinrich, James Arthur and Carl Ruck, along with the personal reflections of a magician familiar with the sacrament's use in magical practice. Although the use of this entheogen is legal, we do not require it in our degrees, we do not recommend it, and we will provide no detailed instructions for its use, however, we would be skipping over a very significant aspect of the Western and Eastern Magical Traditions if we ignored "Soma." Let me assure those of you who are still confused about the identity of the legendary Magical Plant, and its effectiveness, your questions will be answered. So tune in and we will go in search of the Food of the Gods.
On Thursday March 22nd, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the second part of the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Crata
Repoa Degree, Neocoris. The Legenda is essentially the same as the
degree script with a few secrets deleted. It is the story of the degree.
This was the first O.T.A. degree back in the early 1970s and was moved
up to second when we began to do all seven of the Crata Repoa system.
Last week we covered the reception, testing, and the ordeals, in Section
One. Tonight we move through the obligation and on to the knowledge
lectures in Section Two. Our instructions in Solomon's magick are
delivered in a biblical style like Mather's used in some of his G.D.
lectures. So if you want to experience a magical initiation, tune in and
we'll give you a word picture of the process.
On Thursday March 15th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the first of a two part presentation on the Legenda of the O.T.A.'s Second Degree, Neocoris in the Crata Repoa System. This initiation was originally inspired by the French version of Crata Repoa from Paul Christian's 1870 History and Practice of Magic, called the Mysteries of the Pyramids. It has been performed here in Southern California since 1970 and is a very dramatic and challenging experience. A rite of passage one never forgets. A Legenda is the story of an initiation. It reveals the deeper meaning of the ritual while keeping things such as passwords, symbols and formulas secret. The Legenda gives you the meaning, so if you'd like to know about one of the oldest magical initiatory rituals, tune in and we will share it with you.
On Thursday September 5th, 2013 The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the 27th Path of the qabalistic Tree of Life leading from Hod to Netsach, This is the lowest of three cross members uniting opposite pillars on The Tree. Gareth Knight considers it "The main girder of the personality." It connects the sphere of the Intellect with the sphere of Natural Forces, so sparks are bound to fly. The Path is attributed to the planet Mars and the Tarot trump "The Blasted Tower." This prompted Gareth Knight to relate the Path to the mysterious alchemical allegory "The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz;" which he summarizes in the "Practical Guide." So tune in and we will walk the Path to "The House of God."
On Thursday August 29th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the twenty-eighth Path of the Tree of Life, which leads up from Yesod, realm of the Collective Unconscious of the microcosm, to Netsach, the realm of natural forces of the macrocosm. In the Hermetic Tradition this Path is attributed to Aquarius and the Tarot Trump "The Star," however, Aleister Crowley was moved to interchange The Star with The Emperor. We will discuss his reasons for this and its implications. This is an important symbolic path for neo-pagans and those who venerate The Goddess. So, tune in and we will try to walk this Path both ways.
On Thursday February 22nd, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the life and career of the 18th century
magician and alchemical adept who called himself Count Alessandro
Cagliostro. He was perhaps the most colorful and adventurous character
in our Hermetic tradition. Vilified as a rogue, a scoundrel, and a
charlatan by the academy and the Church in Europe he was loved by the
common people for his healing touch and alchemical medicines which he
administered freely to the poor, and dearly to the rich. He claimed to
be able to create gold to support his charity work and lavish life
style. He and his glamorous wife Lorenza founded an androgynous
quasi-Masonic Egyptian rite which allegedly involved nudity and sex
magick. Cagliostro was featured as an anti-hero in a series of novels by
Alexander Dumas, and depicted on film by Orson Welles in the (1949 )
movie classic BLACK MAGIC. We will consult Sax Rhomer's ROMANCE of
SORCERY ( 1914 ) for a more accurate version of the Count's adventures
than Dumas' novels and the screenplay offer -- so if you'd like to meet
the real Count Cagliostro, tune in and we'll follow him on his journey
as he invented himself.
On Thursday August 1st, 2013 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Science Fiction classics that have influenced the modern occult revival. Our special guest will be Professor Curtis Shumaker who teaches a course in science fiction in the State University system. We'll cover Clarke's "Childhood's End" (UFOs and Fallen Angels), Asimov's "Foundation Trilogy" (Scientology, the Process and CIA mind control), Herbert's "Dune" the psychedelic movement, Heinlein's "Stranger in a Strange Land" (the Hippie movement and CAW), H.P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos" (post modern demonology). Philip K. Dick's "Valis" (God is information) and several titles that Dr. Shumaker will mention. This will be a fascinating look into what our great imagineers have predicted and inspired. Tune in and Scotty will beam us up for an hour on the Final Frontier.
On February 8th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present the Legenda of the first Degree of Crata Repoa Reformado. Which we call the Fellowship of the Grail. A Legenda is the scenario of a esoteric degree. It describes the degree delivering most of the essential knowledge and symbolism but leaves out certain "secrets" such as grips, secret words and procedures. Crata Repoa is the oldest system of Magical degrees and is based on first century Alexandrian Hermetic writings and rituals. We will briefly outline the original 18th century system and explain some of our modern additions and inclusions. So if you'd like to find out what really goes on in a Magical Initiation tune in and be illuminated.
On Thursday February 1st, 2018 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
and honored guests will reprise a Golden Dawn memorial service for
lately departed Cris Monnastre, Patricia Behman, founder of the Los
Angeles Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This ceremony
was held at Culver City Foshay Masonic Lodge on January 21st. Patricia
Behman was a close associate of the late Francis Israel Regardie and
received her original dispensation from him to establish a Temple of the
Golden Dawn in Southern California.The memorial and requiem was
performed by officers of the R.R. et A.C. who will repeat the
presentation on this broadcast. Patricia Behman was loved and honored
for her dedication to preserving the Western Esoteric Tradition. Please
join us as we say farewell to a great lady and a beloved Temple chief.
On Thursday January 25th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will re-visit and review the 1950 science fiction novel “Wine of the Dreamers” by John D. MacDonald (1918-1986) This was his first science fiction novel. MacDonald went on to become one of America’s best Detective Story writers. “Wine of the Dreamers” set twenty-five years in the future (1975) the story interweaves two sets of characters on two different planets. The director of an early United States space program Bard Lane, and his staff psychiatrist Sharan Inly on Earth and Raul Kinson and his sister Leesa on the distant planet of the Dreamers. The Dreamers are the decadent descendants of the original human race. Millions of years ago they colonized Earth and two other planets in other solar systems. They maintain contact with the colony worlds, including Earth, by the use of long-range telepathic dream-machines. They call themselves “The Watchers” and they have a prime directive: To keep the colony worlds from developing space travel. And the dreamers do this by demonic possession sabotaging space programs such as the one Bard Lane and Sharan are managing in New Mexico. But the dreamers have degenerated to the point where they no longer believe that the people on the other worlds whom they possess have any real reality. They think they are creations of their dream machines for their entertainment. Very much like our video games. So the dreamers can create mayhem and chaos for amusment. However Raul Kinson is a throwback to an earlier age. He knows the truth and wants to help Bard and Sharan. The end result of this alliance of the minds between the worlds makes for a fascinating sequence of what-ifs – so if you want to find out who is watching and listening between your ears, from beyond the stars, tune in and we’ll go back to a future that never was but might yet be coming.
On Thursday July 18th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the history and the use of the Dark Mirror in Medieval and Renaissance ritual magick. We will focus on historical accounts from Lynn Thorndike's "History of Magic and Experimental Science", the Latin "Picatrix", and passages from grimoires such as "The Grimorium Verum" and "St. Cyprian," and the kabbalistic "Ispaklaria" described by the late Aryeh Kaplan, along with references from folkloric sources and the" Saragossa Manuscript." Modern use by P. B. Randolph, Franz Bardon and Joseph Lisiewiski will be examined. This is a controversial subject among some contemporary Renaissance Magick reenactors who use crystals for both evocation and invocation. We will attempt to sort this out so the newcomer to the Art will have a better understanding of the full range of magical equipment and technique. So, tune in and go through "The Looking Glass."
On Thursday January 11th, 2018 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon will review all of the live broadcasts of the preceding year 2017 so that our listeners can go to our archives with the title, subject and date of a show they missed. So keeping a note book at hand while you listen is recommended. Following this recap of 2017’s broadcasts, we will discuss what we have planned for 2018 and a look at forthcoming publications and productions from The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, So if you want to know where we’ve been and where we are going, tune in and get caught up.
On July 4th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the symbolism and meaning of the 29th Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life leading from Malkuth to Netsach. This is the Path of the Moon (Tarot trump) and is a watery route up to the seventh Sphere of Netsach (Venus) which is attributed to the realm of Nature and natural philosophy. Once again our texts will be Dion Fortune's "Mystical Qabalah" and Gareth Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism." We will also summarize our own version of this Path as recorded in our special Pathworkings DVD used in our Associate Member Program. In our system the Goddess Astarte resides in the Temple of Netsach and Her divine body contains all the psychic centers (chakras) of the Lightning Flash. So, if you want to get up close and magical with Mother Nature tune in and we'll pay The Goddess a visit.
On Thursday August 8th, 2013, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 30th Path of the Hermetic-Qabalastic Tree of Life. This is the Path of "Resh" and The Sun, called "The Collective Intelligence." It is the first Path in which we employ "Kusor's Boat," a magical device unique to the O.T.A. derived from ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian myth sources ( also inspired by A. Merritt's "Ship of Ishtar"). The Boat enables us to fly over Paths already walked in the astral journeys at the base of The Tree. The Boat is shown in our Pathworking video available to Associate Members. Our text will again be Gareth Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalastic Symbolism, Vol. 2," and "Adamson's Quest" from THE SEVENTH RAY. This Path leads from Yesod, the Lunar sphere of memory, emotion and astral foundation to Hod, the Sphere of Mercury, reason, science and positive Solar-zodiacal progress. It questions the male and female spiritual perspectives and raises the current debate between techno-industrial progress vs. environmental and eco-centered spiritual philosophies, along with collectivism vs. individualism. So, tune in and find out about star-people and earth people, and why the Hermetic soul is androgynous.
On December 21st, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will review Dan Brown's new novel "Origin" (2017). Other reviewers have called Origin either Brown's best or his worst novel. On a scale from one to ten we would give it an eight. As in all his thought provoking thrillers he follows the Dean-Koontz formula plotting for maximum suspense and action while keeping the big secret hidden as long as possible, thus managing to tantalize and entertain his readers as well as educating them into the essential mystery or problem central to the plot. In the Da Vinci code, it was the Holy Grail, in Inferno, it was the population explosion, in Origin it is the origin of life on earth and the destiny of the human race. Once again Brown creates a modern Frankenstein in the person of a billionaire inventor, computer programmer and futurist, Edmund Kirsch. Kirsch and his Android Igor "Winston" have decided to destroy religion by releasing a scientific documentary proving that there is and never was a divine creation and that humankind is rapidly evolving into a new species of cyborgs. (Much of this speculation has already been aired on documentary t.v. channels). Modern Spain is the venue for this drama and Brown treats us to his usual educational travelog. Before the world wide release of his production Kirsch is assassinated on stage (like Howard Beale) and this leaves Brown's hero Robert Langdon aided by the future queen of Spain and Kirsch's trusty A.I. "Winston" to find the secret Password to release the program. He does and they do -- but Langdon debunks Kirsch's premise that DNA evolved like amino acids in the primal soup of the earth's beginnings so God is saved. If you want to unravel the codes and untangle the twisted plot of this contemporary thriller tune in and we'll seek our Origin and our Destiny.
On Thursday June 27th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion of the Thirty-first Path of the Tree of Life from Malkuth to Hod, reviewing its esoteric meaning and symbolism in the Hermetic Qabalah. This is the Path of Fire leading up the Pillar of Severity to the Mercurial Sphere of Hod. Texts for our talk will be Gareth Knight's Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism, Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah, and Poke Runyon's Adamson's Quest. We will also review our video presentation of this Pathworking in our DVD offered to Associate Members. So, tune in and "Walk the hot sands" of the Astral Plane.
On Thursday December Seventh, 2017 on the 77th Anniversary of the Pearl
Harbor attack, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a
report on the conditions and events that led up to the "Day of Infamy".
This report will be based largely on information from Nicholson Baker's
2008 book "Human Smoke, The Beginnings of World War Two, the End of
Civilization." We will trace the Pearl Harbor story from 1934 to 1941.
Revealing beyond any doubt that Washington knew the attack was coming,
where and even when. The attack was used to get us into World War Two
and lay the foundation for an American socialist dictatorship, on the
European model, empowered by a military-industrial complex which has
ruled in Washington ever since the end of the war in 1945. Pearl Harbor
was our first great disillusionment, followed by the Kennedy
Assassination, the Viet Nam war and 9 -11. We need to look back at
ourselves and examine the evil that has crept into our Republic under the
mantle of what is called "Democracy."
This is the Hermetic Hour for November 30th, 2017. I'm your host Poke Runyon and tonight I'm again channeling the spirit of Howard Beale. In March of 2017 we reviewed Paddy Chayefsky’s 1976 film classic NETWORK on the Hermetic Hour. I gave my own dramatic reading of Ned Beatty’s speech in which he converted news caster Howard Beale from a critic of incipient Globalism and its mass media brain-washing propaganda machine into an advocate of The New World Order. Of course Beale’s ratings tanked and the Network had their left-wing terrorist group kill him right on camera. I was certain that even before Howard’s mythical spirit passed the Pearly Gates he would have realized that his original vision was the True perception of International political-economic and social corruption. I imagined him looking down on us from heaven – a sort of Ascended Master if you will, who would watch over us and perhaps communicate with us again. “The Mad Prophet of the Astral Plane.”
On Thursday June 20th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the symbolism and meaning of the Thirty-second Path on the Tree of Life. This lecture will include a review of our special Path Working on this subject which we have recorded for members and associate members. The Tarot symbolism, the relation to Saturn in the Cube of Space, and the traditional qabalistic associations will be covered. Text for this lecture are The Garden of Pomegranates by Israel Regardie and Volume Two of Gareth Knight's Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism. Tune in and start the journey upward.
On Thursday June 13th, 2013 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Qabalistic Sphere of Malkuth and its significance in Hermetic Magick. This will be the first of a series of lectures starting at the bottom of the Tree of Life and working upwards following the path of the Serpent of Wisdom. These lectures will actually be lessons in the Associate Member Program which we will later collect in one package. They will be interspersed with current topics, such as significant new books, important guest interviews, and such, but you can expect at least one or two Otz Chiim lectures per month. --- Malkuth is not just the physical world of Ashiah below the Yetzirah astral, it is a most important magical-mystical realm in which a significant visions are received -- especially the Holy Guardian Angel experience, which is done entirely in Malkuth (each Sphere contains an entire Tree). Our texts will be Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah and Gareth Knight's A Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism. Tune in and start the long climb upward.
On Thursday June 6th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will present a speculative discussion on the ancient Phoenician God Dagon and his counterparts in Mesopotamian, Hindu, and African mythology. We will explore his connection to Astrology and the Kabbalah. He was the father of Baal, God of the maratime Philistines, and probably a legacy from Atlantis. The concept of Dagon's reincarnation in later humans as a sort of spiritual "bloodline" will be considered. -- So, tune in and find out what might be swimming in your think-tank.
On November 2nd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the Biblical mystery man Melchizedek who appears
in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, and later in the New Testament.
Melchizedek literally means King and Priest or Priest-King. He was said
to have given the first communion to Abraham in the days before Joseph
became a leader in Egypt. Although legendary he was said to have
established an order of priesthood to rival that of Moses
brother Aaron. He represented the original Canaanite god El ("the most
High God") whereas Aaron's priesthood was that of Moses' Jehovah
(Yahweh). After the Babylonian captivity Ezra attempted to overwrite all
references to El in the Bible and make Jehovah the supreme being. The
New testament declares twice that Jesus the Nazareen is a priest after
the Order of Melchizedek -- We will look at this in relation to the
Egyptian and Phoenician situation at the time and later Gnostic
Christian writings. So if you want to do some Biblical detective work
tune in and we'll solve the mystery.
On Thursday October 26th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a preview of our annual Dark Mother of All Halloween Parties and the infamous Mot Mass -- A symbolic journey to the underworld where the Canaanite Dark Lord Mot, the original Grim Reaper, challenges each celebrant with: "What say you to honor the Dead." and then bids them drink from the Cup of Souls. We began holding this
event here at Rivendell in 2004 and finally formalized the ritual in 2010. Incorporating the Orphic hymn to Death and Lord Byron's "Lines Inscribed upon a Cup formed from a Skull." Last year we culminated the rite with the summoning of the spirit of King Solomon. Mot evoked our ancient avatar Solomon and V.H. Frater Solomon received the spirit and channeled a remarkable oracle. This year we will call up the spirit of Melchizedek. Halloween has become one of America's favorite holidays, but like Christmas, we often forget to celebrate its true meaning. At the culmination of the rite Mot pours the dregs of the skull cup into the earth with these parting words: "A libation to those remembered this night. And, as you return to the realm of Light. Pray to be honored by those you knew - when this cup is passed for you!"
On Thursday May 30th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the practical aspects and ritual techniques employed in the Holy Guardian Angel retreat. This is the modern three day intensive solo operation developed by Charles Russell for the G.B.G. and adopted by the O.T.A. in the 1970s as the central requirement for the Melanophoris Third Degree of our Crata Repoa system. The medieval origin of the H.G.A. retreat was the much longer vigil of "Abramelin The Mage." Our weekend intensive uses the Paths of the Tree of Life as a ritual frame work, requiring twenty-two separate rituals within the three-day time period. If done correctly and resolutely it can be the spiritual experiece of a lifetime. We will discuss the traditional background, from Hermes, through Agrippa, to Abramelin and the Pauline Art, detailing what the retreat should be and what it should not be. No one seriously interested in the art of Magick should miss this; it is the Keystone of the Great Work.
On Thursday October 12th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon and special guest Frater Soun of Ubar will discuss the mythical Labours of Hercules in relation to the Hermetic tradition. We will develop the background of the myth evolving from Babylon's Gilgamesh through Melqart of Phoenician Tyre into the ancient Greek hero myth so often seen in films and television. We will look at works by Manley Hall, Albert Pike, Robert Graves , Alice Bailey and especially the French author Charles Francois Dupuis (1742-1809) who seems to be the only scholar who
has sequenced the twelve labours in proper Zodiacal order. The labours of Hercules are a chart of the souls journey through a cycle of lifetimes. They represent the great wheel of birth and death and are considered one of the Keys to the mysteries. So If you want to follow the big guy with the lion skin and the club tune in and we'll go adventuring.
On Thursday October 5th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon joined by Frater Soun, Magister of Ubar Lodge in Dallas, will air a discussion on the evolution of the the Solar Hero in mythology from the Sumerian Gilgamesh who was the model for the Phoenician Melqart, who in turn inspired the Greek Heracles. Gilgamesh is a four thousand year old epic adventure story which circulated throughout the whole Middle East with copies found among the Hittites and the Canaanites. Even as Ishtar and Tammuz were translated into Astarte and Ba'al, and subsequently became Aphrodite and Adonis. Gilgamesh like Hercules slays a lion, a bull, a giant and many-headed monster. His victories and Hercules' labours are seen as representing the sun's yearly progress through the signs of the Zodiac. So tune in and we'll go back to the days of myth and legend and make our way through "The Circle of the Beasts" as the Zodiac was originally called.
On Thursday May 16th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review on the new book "Love Sex Fear Death" The Inside Story of The Process Church of the Final Judgment, by Timothy Wyllie, edited by Adam Parfrey from Feral House. Timothy Wyllie will call in and give us his inside story on "The Inside Story" of one of the strangest, and most influential "Cults" of the psychedelic 60s-70s era. The Processians were a spin-off of Scientology who worked a neo-Bibical mythology in which Lucifer, Satan, Jehovah, and Christ were equally venerated and extolled. The Process was a communal Millernarian (apocalyptic) cult that fascinated the youth subculture and frightened the older generation. They were very creative and dedicated to spreading their radical doomsday philosophy. They were masters of what we now call "disinformation." We will discuss their influence on the 1990s Satanic Ritual Abuse mass delusion, and the subsequent Demonic Illuminati conspiracy obsessions that pollute the internet. So, if you want to get to the Inside Story of The Process, tune in and get processed.
On Thursday May 9th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the art and poetry of British 18th century mystic artist-philosopher-poet William Blake -- who was influenced by Milton (Paradise Lost) and Swedenborg (Heaven and Hell). Blake's subsequent influence on Crowley, Austin Spare, Fred Adams, and the modern Hermetic Tradition will be delineated. Blake's brake with the piety of Swedenborg to extoll a more romantic, solipsistic view of the creative artist's duty to explore life's adventures to the fullest measure is the theme of the discussion. Books by Blake and books about him and his work will be reviewed. So, if you want to spend an hour with the man who invented the comic book, tune in and meet an 18th century artistic Super Hero.
On Thursday April 25th, 2013, the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the practice of the Vajrayogini tantra as undertaken by O.T.A. members and Gardenerians at the Sakya Center in Los Angeles in Oct.-Nov.1985 under the direction of Abbott Ludhing Khen Rinpoche of the Sakya Order, Ngor Sect, of Tibetan Buddhism. This was a rare opportunity for Westerners to take initiations, and an extended training course in Tibetan Trantric practice, supervised by Tibetan lamas and delivered in English by an American lama Nagawang Samten. My mentor in anthropology, Dr. Robert Ravitz, had been to Dharmsala, India several times. He recommended the program, and frankly told me: "Poke, you will be getting something that many people have gone to Asia, given up everything, spent years, and still not received, so get the most out of it." I certainly tried to, and found it one of the most meaningful experiences in my magical career. Our sessions with Ludhing Khen Rinpoche and Lama Samten lasted a month. We started with a Hevajrah initiation, as the most important yidam practice of the Order (this was our certification and a "planting of the seed"), followed by Chenrezi initiation, Padmasambhava, White Tara, an intensive Vajrayogini Initiation and practice, from a 100 page syllabus detailing all the rites and practices. This is a complete tantric system, including, Tumo, and Pohwa (death practice).Vajrayogini is very popular with Tibetans and Westerners alike. She is a very close analog to the Canaanite Goddess Anath. Programs like the one we participated in are now being offered more frequently here in America. You might check with H.H. Sakya Trazin's website for details -- So, if you want to find out what it is like to meditate with the Eastern Masters, tune in and we will share our recollections with you.
On Thursday September 7th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a follow-up to our previous review of "Sekret Machines"
(2017) by Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley. In this program we will look at
their major source work: "Insiders Reveal Secret Space Programs &
Extraterrestrial Alliances" (2015) by Michael E. Salla, Ph.D. and his
(2017) sequal "The U.S. Navy Secret Space Program & Nordic
Extraterrestrial Alliance." These books and the plot of Sekret Machines
are primarily based on the revelations of the age regressed whistle
blower Corey Goode and other former U.S. Navy and Air Force operatives
in a parallel secret advanced Space Program with alleged bases on the
Moon and Mars. We will also examine Tom DeLonge and Peter Lavenda's
(2017) book "Gods, Man and War" which establishes the historical and
anthropological validity of the Ancient Alien and UFO connection without
evoking secret space program conspiracies. So if you want to return to
the absolute elsewhere for another hour, tune-in and we will have both a
critical and a sympathetic look at this phenomenon.
On Thursday August 31st the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review of the recent best selling novel: "Sekret Machines - Chasing Shadows" by Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley. This book purports to be The Truth about "The Phenomenon" (UFOs, Ancient Aliens, the Nazi Bell et allia) presented as fiction. It is very effective as a Dean Koontz-Dan Brown style multiple-viewpoint thriller. Readers will at first believe that this is a novelized version of the "X-Files" t.v. series but the final chapter proves that the 1940s Shaver Mystery by Raymond A. Palmer and Richard S. Shaver was the real inspiration for this project. We do not say this to discredit Sekret Machines but rather to recommend it. So if you want to spend an hour in the Absolute Elsewhere, tune in and we will take the elevator down to the "deep utilities" and visit with the Deros who run The New World Order.
On Thursday, March 11th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour will present a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the Japanese martial arts system known as Ninjutsu. This may not seem related to the Western Hermetic Tradition but it seems that Hermetic magicians find it to be the most magical of the oriental combat systems and are attracted to it. Ninjutsu combines techniques of armed and unarmed combat, along with other skills applicable to both paramilitary and magical operations. The Ninja tradition is 800 years old, originating in feudal Japan. Ninjas were originally of the Japanese peasant class defending themselves against the heavily armed and tyrannical samurai warriors. Some of these oriental Robin Hood types evolved from patriots into professional assassins, so there is a dark side to Ninjutsu. There is also a mystical-magical element in their yoga system called "Kuji" which they claim to have received from Tibet via Chinese master teachers early in the feudal period. This system involves an interlaced energy 'grid' of Nine bands or "cuts" called Kuji-kiri. We will discuss Ninja history, training methods, and philosophy -- so tune in and we'll explore the spiritual side of mayhem.
On Thursday August 17th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon is
honored to present a review and discussion on the new book of magical
fiction "Stories of Magic and Enchantment" by William Mistele, with the
author as our guest. This book is handsomely published by Falcon Books,
a new publisher in the field. As regular listeners will recall, we have
supported Bill Mistele from the beginning of his writing and publishing
career, having had him on as a guest with his first book "Undines"
(2010.) This was followed by "Mermaids, Sylphs, Gnomes, and
Salamanders" in 2012. As you might suppose Bill is very much into
Franz Bardon's Hermetic Elemental personifications. He writes from a deep
empathy for sacred nature and its spirits, encountering them in human
form as magicians often do. He favors the feminine spiritual
perspective. His stories are remarkably free from the usual horror and
conflict we associate with supernatural fiction. We might say they are
totally opposite to Lovecraft, while being lovingly crafted. Bill has a
degree in philosophy and has spent years studying and meditating with
Buddhist and Taoist teachers. He finally devoted himself to the
Bardonian system of magic and has more books in the works. So, if you
would like to meet a true magical maestro and learn about his visionary
work, tune in and be enchanted.
On Thursday August 10th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with co-hosts Poke
Runyon and Lady Jo Carson of Feraferia will recap last week's wonderful
Feraferian power weekend at Rivendell. It began on Thursday evening with our
previous broadcast of the Hermetic Hour then Friday evening we did
advanced Feraferia initiations at Rivendell Henge and Temple for five
candidates, this was followed by the Lammas (lughnasad) ceremony in the
henge in which we invoked the Goddess Aphrodite for over thirty-five
O.T.A. and Feraferian members and their guests. Some came from as far
away as North Carolina to attend along with Feraferian and O.T.A. elders
from the early days in the 1960s and 70s. This was a wonderful reunion
and reconnection with the old and new. Rivendell seemed the perfect
local for such a happy event. And we are already planning a Beltane here
next May. Once again Lady Jo Carson, President of Feraferia will be our
guest host as we recap our adventure and discuss what we have planned in
the future. So, tune in join us ( we have the echo problem corrected so
the sound is fine now) Hear us on Thursday, Evoe Kore! Good Magick!
On Thursday August 3rd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with co-hosts Poke Runyon and Lady Jo Carson of Feraferia will discuss the Fifty year Anniversary celebration of America's premier Goddess worshiping, nature oriented Neopagan religion founded by Artist-Philosopher Frederick Adams in 1967 here in Southern California. Lady Jo will direct a Feraferian Lammas ceremony here at Rivendell this coming Saturday evening. Poke and Jo will discuss the history of Feraferia and reminisce about Fred and his remarkable priestess Lady Svetlana. For those of you who missed the magical 60s and 70s here in So Cal tune in and we'll try to recapture some of the glamor and for those who do remember, we'll probably see you on Saturday evening, Evoe Kore!
On Thursday April 4th, 2013 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the Sufis and Islamic mysticism. This is a subject that is impossible to fathom and difficult to summarize. The reason it is so difficult to understand lies in Sufism's passion for non-literal, allegorical and paradoxical teaching deriving in part from its fear of being persecuted by orthodox Islam for heresy; a very real fear which endangers Sufi circles all over the world at the present time. We will briefly outline the history of Sufism and highlight the work some of its legendary teachers with their profound, and sometimes humorous parables. We will recall the famous Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, comparing the Western version to what Khayyam actually wrote. Gurdjieff's debt to Sufism will be noted. We will outline the so-called "Arabic Kabbalah" sometimes called "Abjad", and discuss the controversial book "The Other Islam" on present day Sufism by Stephen Schwartz. So, if you want to find out what you don't know about the Sufis tune in and be mystified.
On Thursday July 20th,2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present the dramatic conclusion of Shamgar, the Purple Dragon by Poke
Runyon. The first part of this Biblical adventure was aired on September
4th, 2014's Hermetic Hour and has remained unfinished until the original
manuscript was rediscovered. Now we can complete this Cecil B. DeMillish
Biblical epic from the Book of Judges. Shamgar's saga recounts how a
Phoenician Pirate who claimed to be descended from Pagan Gods, becomes a
Judge of Israel and battles the Philistines, slaying them with an ox
goad years before Samson used the jawbone of ass. Shamgar almost becomes
Israel's first King but his magical ox goad is passed down to a future
contender at the beginning of the common era. So if you want to enjoy
the Old Testament from a Canaanite perspective, tune in and join us as
Shamgar rides again.
On Thursday March 21st, 2013 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the rise of serious academic, intellectual, and scientific interest in Hermetic philosophy, spirituality and even practice in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. We will review the works of writers such as Joscelyn Godwin, David Fideler, Richard Kieckhefer, Kitty Fergueson, and Peter Kingsley. We will discuss the impact of new theories and discoveries in quantum physics on previous scientific and philosophical paradigms, leading to a renewed appreciation for the ancient Pythagorean cosmic and natural doctrines which were the foundation for the Hermetic sciences of alchemy, astrology, and the art of magick. In theoretical science one might say that the Qabalah is challenging Einstein. So tune in and find out just how serious the academy now regards our antiquated beliefs and superstitions. We don't need to go to the Moon anymore, we can send for it...
On Thursday July 6th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a discussion on the making and use of Masks, for magicians
taking the roles of Gods and Goddesses in Seasonal Ceremonies. Our guest
for this discussion will be Frater Isa Magister of the Ubar Hermitage in
Dallas, Texas, who has been making and using masks in ceremonies for
some time. Following this discussion we will be joined by our second
guest Bryan Dini, The Purple Man, and head of the iconoclastic Purple
Party (a sort of traveling Burning Man show) who staged a dramatic
street version of Blake's America Prophecy which can be viewed on the
internet. So, if you want to celebrate the 4th two days late, join us and
we'll do Blake and hang out the Gadston Flag.
On Thursday June 29th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present a symposium on the topic of Assumption of God and Goddess Forms
in magical ceremonies. Call in guests will include Frater Heracles John
Sheffield whose new rituals and articles suggested the topic, Soror
Urania Ann Finnin whose Celtic Church, the Roebuck, has been doing these
operations for years, and Soror Ariel Jo Carson of Feraferia who will be
presenting a Lammas Rite at Rivendell in August, so if you would like to attend this meeting of the minds on the subject of being God and Goddess-like, tune in and we shall bring the heavens down to Earth.
As most of our active and Associate Members know we are mainly focused on Solomonic Ceremonial magick, but we also use the Aethyr System from Dee and Kelly’s Enochian corpus, which provides us with an operative alternative when the Moon is not well aspected for Goetia. The Aethyr System, originally called “Terrestrial Victory” and was a thirty-level sphereical model of the Universe with the Earth in its center and the Aeythrs or Heavens (Gnostic Aeons originally) surrounding and expanding from the terrestrial center like the layers of an onion with the lowest as number 30 TEX rising on up to LIL as number one enclosing the outer limit of the circular universe. All of these levels are related to the Four Elemental Tablets, called The Watchtowers which relate to the celestial sphere and are positioned around the magic circle. Each of these Aethyrs have angelic governors whose sigils are outlined on the tablets. This is derived from Kamea Magic. The Aethyrs themselves derive from Valentinian Gnosticism, and the Book of Revelation The Magicians who explore these astral realms will activate the tablets, with Enochian Calls, and then scry into an orb on the altar within the magic circle. You can see this in our introductory video “The Rites of Magick.” We have discussed this on the Hermetic hour before but tonight we are going to go much deeper into the mysteries and paradoxes of this powerful system of magic. So, if you want to learn how to open Pinhead’s (Choronzon’s) Box tune in and chant with us: Zacar od Zamran!
On Thursday February 28th, 2013, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will explain the fundamental and practical changes the Order of the Temple of Astarte (O.T.A.) has made in Qabalah, Yoga, Angel gender, Evocation of Spirits, and both Biblical and Pagan mythology in order to make Hermetic visionary magick a gender-balanced system that men and women can feel is equally theirs, and still be within the compass of the genuine Western Esoteric Tradition. As most of you know The G.D., the O.T.O., Freemasonry and the Rosicrucians are all patriarchal, male-dominated and male-oriented systems in which there is no veneration of a true Divine Feminine and little concern for feminine viewpoint. The O.T.A. was founded in 1969, when modern Neo-Paganism was emerging as a dynamic spiritual force. We were very much influenced by Feraferia, and Robert Graves. We knew that if traditional magick was to be valid in this modern age, the balance of male and female elements had to be created and maintained. This is a controversial subject and we will be open to call-ins on the topic -- so, tune in and find out about traditional magick's affirmative action program.
On Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Sir Francis Dashwood's 18th century "Hellfire Club." We will recount the outrageous exploits attributed to Dashwood and his cult of "randy rakes' and merry ne'er-do-wells who called themselves "The Medmenham Friars" or "Franciscans" after "St. Francis" Dashwood, their founder and sponsor. Lots of fun, but behind all this naughtiness there was a genuine libertine appreciation for the erotic beauties of Classical Paganism. Dashwood was closer to Thomas Taylor and William Beckford, and the later Norman Lindsay -- and even our own Frederick Adams, than to De Sade and the French satanists. The Medmenham Frairs were certainly libertine, but their devil was Pan, not Satan, and their diety was the Goddess. Dashwood, before Crowley, was influenced to replicate Rabilias' Abbey of Thelema and carved "Do What Thou Wilt" across the door to his chapel. From Dashwood we get "The Frair's Club" and probably "The Bohemians." He was a successful politician and public servant, married and respectable until slandered in the press in his later years. Hopefully we will have Dave and Ann Finnin call in. They visited "The Abbey" and were conducted through the infamous grotto by the present Earl of Dashwood, and can give us a first hand look at the remains of a Pagan enclave that flourished at the time of the American Revolution.
On Thursday June 1st, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the current magical phenomenon of "Pepe the Frog." Pepe is a meme (an iconic symbol like the smiley face) which was taken over by anti-progressive political forces during the last presidential campaign. Originally created as a Pogo type character in a counter-culture comic book, Pepe escaped into public domain and was used on the internet as a humorous joke platform until he was captured by the Donald Trump supporters in the Fall of 2016. Since then Pepe has developed a mythology (ancient Egyptian frog God Kek) and a philosophy of Primordial Chaos, or Anarchy, a Nation of his own "Kekistan" with a history and a world wide diaspora much like Judaism, with a national anthem: "Shadilay," and a green and black flag that looks like it came off of a Nazi U-Boat. The magick behind Pepe's turn to the Right came from Cornelius Agrippa's "Natural Magic" (Duck powder creates frogs) and was implemented by Hillary Clinton when she ordered adult sized Donald Duck costumes to be fabricated and then sent her Ducks out against Donald Trump. Trump retaliated by capturing Pepe and adding the frog to his own crew of "Deplorables" (again using one of Hillary's creations against her) She confirmed Pepe's transformation into a "right wing bigot" on national television and even though Pepe's cartoonist creator killed him off, millions of devout Kekistanis throughout the world wide web would let him not let him die. Poke will be joined tonight by deep internet-lurker Frater SithMeth as we delve into the magical mysteries of Pepe the Frog.
On Thursday December 6th, 2012 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the Masonic scholar and author Albert Pike, his legacy and his unique contributions to American Masonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition. Pike was and still is a very controversial figure. He was also a paradox: opposed to slavery, he still served as a general in the Confederate army. He was an advocate of Native American rights and led a regiment of Confederate Indians against the Yankees whom they hated. He was the father of Scottish Rite Masonry in America, rewriting and organizing a jumble of continental Masonic degrees into a coherent system that has become the largest Masonic jurisdiction in the world. He was an occultist much influenced by Eliphas Levi, and a proponent of the Hermetic Tradition which he showcased in his favorite Scottish Rite degree Knight of the Sun (the former 28th degree), which he devoted more text to than any other degree in his classic "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite." Even back in the 19th century he was a lightning rod for anti-masons, being the alleged Luciferian Master of the mysterious lady sex magician "Diana Vaughan" in the great French "Palladian Hoax". So if you want to get the inside story on this giant of American Masonry and his efforts to preserve the ancient mysteries behind Freemasonry, tune in and we'll shed some Light on the subject.
On Thursday May 18th, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and discuss "Astral Dynamics" (2009) by Robert Bruce. Robert
Bruce is an Australian writer not to be confused with the Scottish
"Robert the Bruce". In Astral Dynamics Bruce has delivered what may well
be the best practical manual on Astral Projection (OBEs and similar
phenomenon) since Ophiel's "The Art and Practice of Astral Projection"
(1961). Of course I must admit that I have a special interest in this
book because Bruce describes, validates and teaches methods and
techniques that we use in our magical instructions and training. His
description of the chakras (psychic centers) is virtually in-line with
our Western Middle Pillar system and his Third Eye projection is very
much like ours. He describes projecting into paintings and projecting
from Lucid Dreaming states. His energy work techniques are very
Bardonian and his description of the Astral Planes is in line with our
experiences. All considered this is a great book and we highly recommend
it. So Turn on, tune in and pop-out!
On Thursday May 11th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review "Lucifer Princeps" (2015) by Peter Grey. This book is quite different in style from its predecessor "The Red Goddess" which, although well-researched, explored the background and origins of Aleister Crowley's "Babalon" in a popular style. Lucifer Princeps however is a scholarly work and might even be an academic dissertation or thesis edited for the lay reader. Being an academic work it suffers from the assumption that the reader is familiar with the material that the writer is working from. Fortunately this corpus is mostly Biblical and Apocryphal but he cross references other mythologies. Nevertheless the book is a wonderful resource and a great contribution to the Western Esoteric Tradition. He starts with Isaiah's lament and curse as the beginning of the Lucifer's Fall from Heaven story. This sets the stage for a parade of sources from ancient Summerian and Canaanite mythology. We learn about the first ascent to Heaven by the Summerian king Etana, and then the Canaanite god Athar who tries to sit on Baal's throne. We learn that the Yahwehists hated the pagan gods of the heavens and that the War in Heaven was actually Yahweh against El and the Elohim. Lucifer is finally revealed as our old friend Semyaza (Semhaza), the leader of the 200 Fallen Angels from the original Book of Enoch. The author concludes his work by offering us a mini-grimoire of Semhaza and his 20 officers, leaving us the job of obtaining their sigils -- which we will certainly do. So if you want get a head start on this project, tune in and give a listen.
On Thursday May 4th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and discuss "The Red Goddess" (2007) and "Lucifer Princeps"
(2015) by Thelemic magician Peter Grey. The Red Goddess is devoted to
establishing the history and mistique of the Thelemic composite pagan
goddess "Babalon", which he correctly derives from Ishtar and Astarte.
This evolution is for the most part well-researched and well reasoned
from a Thelemic perspective, although Grey is critical of Crowley and
seems to think that Babalon is too good for the Beast. Most importantly
he supports the Divine feminine in magical religion. In "Lucifer
Princeps" he does the same for Lucifer on the male side of the magical
religious pantheon. In this case he works from Isaiah back to the Book
of Enoch, correctly concluding that Lucifer was originally Semyaza and
of Canaanite origin. With the exception of his interest in Simon Magus
Grey seems to ignore the early Christian Gnostic contributions to Magick
but his books are nonetheless readable and thought provoking -- so tune
in and we shall look at our magical history through a glass darkly.
On Thursday November 15th, 2012 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss the legendary Balkis, Queen of Sheba and her place in the equally legendary tales of King Solomon. We will uncover the amazing historical facts behind her almost forgotten ancient empire, to which Arabia owed whatever traces of civilization it had remaining when Mohammed unified the Arabs under Islam. We will reveal a strange Turkish alternative version of the Masonic Temple legend, the Casting of the Brazen Sea, in which Sheba becomes one of the three Grand Masters. In this rendition of the story Sheba and the Architect are children of the Jinn, whereas Solomon is only human. We will mention Sheba in the medieval alchemical tradition, and her connection with the fifth degree of Crata Repoa. So tune in and we will learn what Solomon, Balkis and Hiram were doing behind the veil.
On Thursday April 2Oth, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will continue to review and discuss the modern English (2004)
translation of Otto Rahn's 1937 Lucifer's Court. This was Rahn's travel
journal from Southern France to Iceland when he researched his personal
quest to solve the mystery of the Holy Grail as described in the
Medieval romance Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Rahn believed that
the Medieval Cathars -- the Gnostic Heretics who were wiped out by the
Roman Catholic Albigensian Crusade in the 1300s, were the keepers of the
Grail. In this instalment we will get into the possible Persian
Manichean origin of Parzival (Aryan of course) and Rhan's fascination
with Hercules and the Argonauts legends (also Aryan) We will also
discuss Nigel Graddon's 2008 Bio on Rahn and his rundown on all of our
favorite Nazi Spook Books influenced by Rahn's quest. So tune in and we
will follow the shadow of the swastika from Southern France to Tibet and
back again.
On Thursday April 13th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss the modern English (2004) translation of Otto
Rahn's 1937 Lucifer's Court. This was Rahn's travel journal from
Southern France to Iceland when he researched his personal quest to
solve the mystery of the Holy Grail as described in the Medieval romance
Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach. Rahn believed that the Medieval
Cathars -- the Gnostic Heretics who were wiped out by the Roman Catholic
Albigensian Crusade in the 1300s -- were the keepers of the Grail and
that they were devotees of Lucifer. He was very favorable to Nazi Aryan
race theories and was invited to join Himmler's SS. Rahn's veneration of
Lucifer as the God of the Medieval French and German heretics may be the
main source of what has been called Nazi Satanism. Lucifer was actually
another name for Semyaza, the leader of the Fallen Angels in the Book of
Enoch. We will try to sort out the errors in Otto Rahn's work and give
him credit where credit is due. In spite of his political incorrectness
he was an intrepid anthropologist and folklorist and his book is a
fascinating read for those interested in the occult history of Europe.
So tune in and we will explore the castles and caverns of the lost land
of the Troubadours in search of the Holy Grail.
On November 1st, 2012 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the relationship of ancient Canaanite mythology to Solomonic ceremonial magick. We will begin by establishing the legendary Biblical background of Solomon the Wizard King and his mystical powers, his relations with Hiram of Tyre, the Queen of Sheba, and his building of a temple to the Goddess Astarte. We'll mention the Canaanite priest king Melchizedek who anointed Abraham long before Moses. We will mention the Masonic legend in this context, and how Solomon united the Jews and the Canaanites to build his Great Temple. We will cover the Ra- Shamra/Ugarit Canaanite texts, their connection to the Holy Grail legend, and our own reconstruction of ancient Canaanite seasonal ceremonies. Then, the following week we will present the conclusion of our reconstructed Canaanite legend: "Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow." -- So, tune in and get the inside story on King Solomon's magical religion.
On Thursday March 30th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon (or
Roygnon) will review and discuss the 1982 Bestseller "Holy Blood, Holy
Grail" by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln. This is the
book that generated "The Da Vinci Code" and is the first mainstream
modern speculation on Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene and possibly
having heirs who become The Grail Family and, according to the author's
become the magical, holy bloodline of the Legendary Merovingian dynasty
of French Kings in the days of King Arthur. This bloodline is
perpetuated and protected by a medieval secret society that still exists
in modern France, The Priory of Sion (Zion). The book is a door-stopper
and not very well organized. They try to make it read like a detective
story rather than a straight forward documentary presentation. Unless
you are fascinated by the subject you may get bogged down with all the
mystery before you reach the solution -- but if you stick with it the
overall effect is convincing. And to devout Christians perhaps shocking.
There are some problems, not with the idea of the Grail family. That is
very well presented, but with the authenticity of the Priory of Sion
itself. Yes there was one back in medieval times -- but is today's
fraternity and its family leadership directly connected to the early
medieval Merovingians? In any case the book is a great introduction to
this fascinating subject. It certainly got me to looking into my old
French antecedents. I discovered the Merovingian "golden bees" on the
Roygnon family crest and began to wonder if I had a little of this
magical blood? I recall Hamlet said: "To bee or not to bee." I wonder if
he was Merovingian. Tune in and we'll explore the mystery of the Grail
Family.
On October 18th, 2012 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present another appreciation of magicians and writers on magick who have influenced modern Hermetic philosophy and practice. In this particular case Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825-1874) is the man to whom we owe the most and have remembered the least! He was a genius, a scoundrel, a best-selling novelist, an idealist and a marvelous clairvoyant. He was a champion of women's rights but he was also an advocate and a teacher of sex magick. He supplied most of the practical teachings for The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, and also influenced Theosophy, the Golden Dawn, Franz Bardon and Aliester Crowley. He introduced concentration techniques for use with magick mirrors, but he also experimented with and recommended what are now illegal drugs. He was the bastard son of a high ranking White politician and his beautiful African American mistress. Randolph's life would make an exciting epic film. He was a merchant seaman, a world traveler, a spiritualist, an alchemist, and a mysterious celebrity that inspired and empowered magick in the early 20th century. So tune in and find out where the secrets really came from.
On Thursday March 16th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss Joseph P. Farrell's 2014 book "Thrice Greatest
Hermetica and the Janus Age".This is a confusing title for a sometimes
confusing book, but it is still worth our attention. Basically it
outlines an historical conspiracy theory that goes this way: The
Medieval Knights Templar (the first military industrial and
international banking conglomerate) in collusion with the Republic of
Venice launch a Roman Catholic Crusade allegedly aimed at Palestine but
deflected to Constantinople to destroy and loot the Byzantine Greek
Orthodox half of the old Roman Empire. The Templars are okay with this
but when the greedy Pope sicks them on the Gnostic Christians (Cathars)
in their own home turf, Southern France, they back out.
The Cathars are destroyed. The Pope's buddy the King of France asks a
loan from the Templars, they refuse him, so he and the Pope turn on them
and destroy them in France. But they survive in Scotland, England and
elsewhere. and they are still allied with wealthy Venice. They are an
underground network, Meanwhile the Roman Church allies with Genoa,
Florance and Spain. The Venetians and the Templars make it to America
before Columbus (a Genoavian-Spanish agent) but Columbus plants the
Spanish flag. The Templars and Venetians infiltrate England with a
culture war -- infusing the English (Dee, Fludd and Shakespeare) with
Hermeticism and the proxy war for the New World is on. Drake, Morgan et
allia against the Spanish. What a plot! Sounds crazy but Joe has a PhD
from Oxford in Medieval Church history so he is worth reading on
subjects like this. Tune in and we'll check it out.
On Thursday March 9th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review Paddy Chayefsky's Oscar Winning 1976 motion picture Network. Network is a scathing satire on the intellectual and moral corruption of American Television networks, especially their News Departments. Much of the corruption Network presents was just beginning to come about in 1976, but was fully in place by the 1980s according to Dave Itzkoff in his book “Mad as Hell” 2014, and is presently erupting in the Network News Media's efforts to actually support the overthrow of the elected government of the United States of America. The focus of the 1976 film is t.v. Anchorman Howard Beale who is about to be fired for low ratings. Depression and alcohol have driven Beale to madness and he becomes The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves preaching his mantra chant: “I'm Mad as Hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!” This drives his ratings sky high until the Network entertains a bid from a Saudi Arabian conglomerate. Beale urges his viewers to protest the Arab deal to the White House and is successful in delaying the procedure. The head of the Network's corporation Arthur Jensen confronts Beale and convinces him that the New World Order has made populist democracy obsolete. So Beale goes back on the air trying to sell the Globalist agenda. Telling his followers that democracy is obsolete and that they should accept dehumanization. Of course his ratings drop to the cellar. But Jensen won't let the Network fire him, so the executives convince the radicals of their documentary Mao Tse Tung hour to machine-gun Beale in the studio as he comes on stage for his show. This will up their ratings and pay for Beale's deficit. It's all a business. That's the gist of it but stay with us and we'll dig deeper into this masterpiece of American prophetic cinema.
On Thursday October 4th, 2012 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the anthropologist-shaman and allegorical fiction writer Carlos Castaneda (1925-1998) and the teachings of his mysterious mentor the Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan Matus. This serves to be more of an appreciation of Carlos and Don Juan than a critique. We will focus on what many consider his best work: "Journey to Ixtlan." So tune, turn on, and "stop the world."
On Thursday February 23rd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the the modern yoga ritual version of the Chemical Wedding
of Christian Rosencreutz. This is the fully developed Rosicrucian
version of Hermetic Yoga Beyond the Middle Pillar as presented in volume
one of Hermetic Yoga, Beyond the Middle Pillar. This advanced
version, draws upon The Naassene Document, the Gospel of
Philip, the Gospel of Mary, the Chemical Wedding itself, and the works of
Jacob Boehme and Johann Gichtel. This reveals that the Ninth Degree of
the O.T.O. and the Great Rite of the Gardnerians are both derived
from original Valentinian Gnostic Christian sources. So if you want to
experience some R-rated Rosicrucian yoga, tune in and we'll take you into
the mirrored chamber of the Sacred Marriage.
On Thursday, Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will announce the release (to Associate Members) of our latest DVD video production "Pathworkings of Magick." This project has been in the works for some time and required considerable technical audio and visual effort to accomplish. It is a completely unique and original approach to magical training. We are providing hypnotic, visionary journeys to the magical Inner Planes, just the way you would experience them in an O.T.A. temple, but on your t.v. or computer screen. We use traditional Tattwa symbols, the same narrative scripts we use in the lodge room, and the same hypnotic induction. The entry scenes were filmed in Montsalvat Temple using the Soul Door dark mirror. All four basic elemental pathworkings (Air, Earth, Fire, and Water) are included, with "Attention Points" and detailed instructions. Because these programs do require a proper attitude and discipline to be effective, they are not offered to the public. Associate Members may order the video as part of their instruction. So, if you want to find out how you can journey to magical realms through your own small screen, tune in and we will turn you on.
On Thursday February 9th, 2017 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present the second part of The Chemical Wedding of Christian
Rosenkreutz by Valentin Andreae 1616, followed by an interpretation of
the symbolism in relation to internal alchemy, the extended Middle
Pillar chakra system and Valentinian Gnostic Christianity. We will
describe the Sacred Marriage within the adept him/or/herself as an
analog to the operations on the Sixth Day in the Tower of Olympus. We
will refer to works by Jacob Boehme, The creation of the Magical Child,
Johann Gichtel and the mysteries of the Spiral and the Lightning Flash.
And the Homunculus of Paracelsus. This is the lost Key to Rosicrucian
Sex Magick and the ultimate secret of the Hieros Gamos. Tune in and be
enlightened.
On Thursday February 3rd, 2017 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon,
will present our interpreted and explained version of The Chemical
Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz (1614). The Chemical Wedding is the
third of the mysterious Rosicrucian documents that appeared in Central
Europe in the early 17th century. It is an alchemical fantasy that might
even be called "Science Fiction." Occultists have tried to unravel it's
secrets for the last four hundred years and we will offer our
interpretation tonight as we accompany old Christian Rosencreutz on his
visit to the mysterious castle and his participation in the alchemical
operation to resurrect the King and Queen. The solving of its riddles
has been just as exciting an adventure as the story itself. So tune in
and come with us to the Castle of the Rosicrucians.
On Thursday the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the work and the influence of the 19th century French occultist Eliphas Levi (Alphonse Constant), a former Catholic priest who embraced and codefied a Rosicrucian version of Kabbalah and Hermetic philosophy. Eliphas Levi launched the modern occult revival in 1856 with his book now titled "Transcendental Magic." He developed the theory of "Astral Light," and assigned Kabbalistic letter correspondences to the Tarot trumps. He considered the Tarot more ancient than the kabbalah itself. Levi was a seminal influence on Blavatsky, Pike, Westcott, Mathers and Crowley. He was sometimes wrong in his historical assumptions, but this was almost intentional on his part. He was creating a grand, unified scheme out of divergent myth-themes which he synthesized into what we now call The Western Esoteric Tradition. Tune in and we will spend an hour remembering "The French Magus."
On Thursday January 19th, 2017 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss the 1934 horror classic "Creep Shadow, Creep" by Fantasy Grand Master Abraham Merritt. This forgotten tale has influenced such modern films and t.v. shows as Dark Shadows and recently "Outlander." It deals with a family feud that carries on for thousands of years between reincarnating ancestors of two ancient Breton Celtic clans. The lord of Carnac and the Royal family of the legendary sunken city of Ys. In their present (1930s) incarnations an anthropologist, specializing in the occult (like Indian Jones) and a psychiatrist specializing in hypnotic age-regression with a beautiful daughter who was and is a reincarnating evil soul-stealing witch. This story was the second in a series of such tales by Merritt, being the sequel to "Burn Witch, Burn" (1934) which was made into a film with Lionel Barrymore and influenced both Twilight Zone and the "Chucky" series. So if you want to discover the roots of ancient evil surviving in the deep mind, tune in and we will explore the dark world of the creeping shadows.
On Thursday the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the persistent legend and rumor of Secret Underground Cities ruled by occult masters in Central Asia, Tibet and Mongolia. We will approach this subject from three directions: first the actual Asian source material: Shambalah, Oolamorang and the cave temples of India, second the Theosophic ruse of hiding their Hindu and Sikh masters in Tibet, resulting in a wide-spread Western misconception of Tibetan Buddhism. Third we will look at the confabulated writings of Lobsang Rampa (Cyril Hodgkins) and the German traveler's tale "Darkness Over Tibet" by T. Illion -- which may have influenced Himmler to send Nazi expeditions to Tibet in search of "The Masters". We will consider the more factual and authentic work of Ferdinand Ossendowski, "Beasts, Men, and Gods" and the Mongolian version of Shambalah which he confused with a French author's astral journey to Agartha in India. Finally we will consider the ancient evidence that has recently come to light indicating that some of this speculative, and misrepresented material may have some basis in fact. Behind every myth there is an element of truth -- so tune in and we will set forth like Indiana Jones in search of the remote and the mysterious.
The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the 1st century " Alexandria Connection" where the elements that make up the Western Esoteric Tradition (Hermetic Tradition) came together and began the synthesis that was finally codified by Abbott Trithemius and Cornelius Agrippa in the 16th century. We will trace the Pythagorean, Ancient Egyptian, Gnostic, NeoPlatonic, Biblical (kabbalistic), Alchemical, Astrological, and even Christian influences that were shuffled together in a spiritual-intellectual ferment in what was perhaps the greatest university our Western world could boast of until the modern "Age of Enlightenment." We have dealt with this subject before, but this time we will focus on the particular people and their traditions: Alexander (Himself), Ptolemy the astrologer king, Hypatia the Pagan martyr, Hermes Trismegistus, and Marcus and Simon Magus. We will touch on the Greek Qabalah, the Osiris myth, and the influence of Zoroaster. So, if you have a burning desire to visit the Library of Alexandria, join us -- but no smoking inside, please...
On Thursday December 29th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a review and discussion on "Technocracy Rising" by Patrick
M. Woods 2015. This book documents the 1930's origin and rise of an
American totalitarian socio-political and economic system derived from
Plato's Republic that flourished after the 1929 crash and during the
pre-war years of the Great Depression. In Technocracy scientists and
academics will manage the government of the country. Our Constitutional
Republic and its Capitalistic economy would be replaced by a
dictatorship. Technocracy's connection to the Eugenics movement and to
Nazism put it into eclipse until the 1970s -- When Technocracy reemerged
with David Rockefeller's Tri-Lateral Commission and began to inflitrate
the U.S. government beginning with The Jimmy Carter administration in
the 1970s. Technocracy subverted the United Nations which soon became
its agent for a Technocratic World government. Like their cousins the
communists, the Technocrats claim to be democratic. They seek to replace
our currency based economic system with a cashless, energy credit
system. They have hi-jacked General System Theory to justify
environmental regulations to control energy. Of course the big problem
for the people under this system is loss of Freedom, loss of property,
loss of representation in government, and loss of what we consider basic
human rights. Even the socialist philosopher Bertrand Russell, when
examining Plato's Government of the philosopher kings, was forced to say
that only true democracy could protect basic human rights. So if you
want to know what the technocrats have in store for you when they get
back in office, tune in and we'll have a look.
On Thursday December 22nd,2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon,
will review the 2014 book by Tobias Churton "Aleister Crowley The Beast
in Berlin". This is apparently an expansion and compilation of outcuts
from the author's biography of Crowley and should perhaps be considered
an appendix to that work. Unless you are an ardent Crowley afficianado
it is a hard read. The book is primarily made up of excerpts from
A.C.'s. diaries and his correspondence mostly during his 1930s Berlin
sojurne as a struggling artist in the decadent twilight days of the
Weimar Republic. Along with a running account of the Beast's
metaphysical politics, sexual magick and artistic endevours, Churton
manages to give us an in-depth look at the decadent sub-culture of the
Weimar Berliners and an appreciation of Crowley's talents as an
artist. So if you'd like to accompany the Beast to the Caberet. Tune in
and enjoy the show.
On Thursday December 15th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review and discuss the 2004 novel "State of Fear" by the late
Michael Crichton (1942-2008). This is a highly controversial work that
is particularly important at the present time. Although presented in the
form of a novel, it is in fact the most significant criticism of
"Climate Change" (formerly "Global Warming"). A Geo-Political Doctrine
promoted by today's Globalists and opposed by today's Nationalists. As
a novel it is not one of Crichton's best. The characters are obviously
symbolic, intended primarily to act or react to the author's message
which is critical of the climate change proposition and even suggests
that its proponents are guilty of bad science, data manipulation and
even the sponsoring of eco-terrorism. However, if you suspect Crichton
is correct you will enjoy the book and can even identify with his heroes
as they battle against the eco-terrorists who are trying to create a
catastrophic Tsumnami -- which actually did occur in the same month,
December 2004, that the book was published! (twilight zone theme) So, if
you want to look back at "State of Fear", tune in and we'll catch the
wave. Surfs up!
On Thursday the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on The Fallen Angels in the Biblical, Islamic, and Hermetic Traditions. This naturally follows our discussion on Satan, Lucifer and The Devil -- which was and is a contrived derivation from the the original Fallen Angels (plural) concept. We will look at the lost Book of Enoch, The Sumerian, Greek and even Nordic versions of the story.(Mentioning Sitchen, Shaver, and Van Daniken) We will visit The Zohar for a version that goes back to Canaanite mythology,and connects with King Solomon -- who built the Great Temple with the help of "demons." We will connect with the Haranian Sabians and their planetary magick. Finally we will discuss Dee and Kelley's version of the Enochian Fallen Angel concept. So, if you want to learn how to work with the good bad guys, or maybe the bad good guys? tune in and we'll Enochiate you.
On Thursday December 1st, 2016, the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the recently published compendium of manuscript translations
dealing with the Homunculus, compiled and edited by Joseph Uncello from
Four Hands Press, Viatorium and Ouroboros Press. This is one of the most
remarkable books on alchemy and magick to have appeared since the
release of Picatrix. We now have Paracelsus's own detailed accounts of
the Homunculus operation.The creation of a humanoid being, using male
sperm in an artificial female womb. This is followed by other
Renaissance period authors elaborating on the process and presenting
eyewitness accounts of successful Homunculi experiments. We are treated
to works that seem to be the source material for The Chemical Wedding of
Christian Rosencrutz, the Tyrol experiment cited by W. Somerset Maugham
in his 1908 novel "The Magician," and the little King and Queen created
by Dr. Pretorious in the 1934 horror film "The Bride of Frankenstein."
For comic relief we have an Arabic version of the operation using a
sheep and a cow (without their consent) and for cultural diversity we
are treated to a poetic Taoist perspective on the process, and for
redeeming social value. We have a Valentinean Christian approach to
making a Magical Child by the German philosopher Jacob Bohme, which may
well have been the inspiration for Aleister Crowley's "Moon Child" --
So, If you want to delve into the dark secrets of creation, join us and
we will open up the forbidden book: Codex Homunculi.
On Thursday, The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Satanism and its relation to the Western Esoteric Tradition. We will trace its early historical precedents: Set, Tiamat, Nergal, Ahriman, and how these demonic elements were incorporated into the Biblical tradition as contenders in the service of "God." We'll discuss Gnostic ideas about the Cain and Abel Biblical perversity, the evil Demiurge, and the medieval Luciferians. Moving into the Hermetic Tradition in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, we will explain High Magick's sophisticated idea, based on ancient Egyptian concepts, of controlling and using dark forces with the Power of Light. Then we will trace the descent of magick, following the Reformation, into the "Faustian School" of the Baroque period with its "Demonic Pacts," finally evolving into full-blown Satanism in the decadent Fin d' Sec le era in late 19th century France. We'll mention several books by famous authors taking the Devil's side, and we'll recount our afternoon with Tony Levy (Anton LaVey) and his wife, and I'll even recall my own meeting with The Devil Himself. The bottom-line in all of this is that Old Nick cannot be avoided in any serious practice of Magick based on Biblical traditions -- because he is very much a part of those traditions -- but he should never be worshiped or allowed to run your show. He's an adviser, a consultant, and even a friendly one at times, but always remember: he works for God and he plays God's game. Tune in and we'll tell you how to get to Heaven before the Devil knows you're dead.
On Thursday the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the magical work and writings of the British adept Dion Fortune. She was an exponent of the Golden Dawn tradition, the founder of The Society of the Inner Light, a writer of outstanding occult fiction -- Moon Magic, The Sea Priestess, the Dr. Taverner stories, and many other titles. Non-fiction titles include: Psychic Self-Defense, The Mystical Qabalah, and The Cosmic Doctrine. Our featured guest for this topic will be the noted occult leader and author Paul Clark, Steward of the Fraternity of Hidden Light, and a long-time student of Dion Fortune's teachings and writings. So, if you want to look behind the veil on Dion Fortune's magical universe, tune in and be enlightened.
On Thursday November 10th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review the career of Steve Ditko's Dr. Stephen Strange, "Master of
the Mystic Arts" from his Marvel Comics' debut in 1963 to the 2016
Disney/Marvel film released this month. We will discuss Doc's ancestor
the 1930's Radio sorcerer "Chandu the Magician" and give a synopsis of
Strange's early comic book adventures and the live action films. Both
the1978 and 2016 films emphasize Hermetic symbolism and method drawing
on Eastern yoga for power and technique; resulting in a system that is a
sort of astral Kung-Fu. In both films the Master Teacher is European,
whereas in the original comic book version he was a Tibetan Lama called
"The Ancient One." In the recent film there have been some changes in
the service of political correctness that are difficult to understand.
Why change Baron Mordo the original Euoropean villian into Doc's black
side-kick and then create a new villian to play Mordo's traditional role
played by a European actor. So, if you want to explore this and other
deep mysteries of Dr. Strange's magical universe, tune in and we'll
consult the Orb of Agamodo.
On Thursday the Hermetic Hour will present a discussion led by host Poke Runyon on Enochian magick's Aethyr skrying system.This is probably the most often used and most popular of the Enochian subsystems. We will briefly cover its origin and original intent: as a magical engine to control the politics of the world! How Crowley and others transformed it into a mystical assent of the spheres as set forth in Crowley's "Vision and the Voice." We will look at its relation to ancient Valentinian Gnostic Aeons, and we will outline a Watchtower opening and even let you take a little journey into TEX (that's pronounced Tay-ets), so if you want to meet the Enochians, tune in and find out what "Zacar od Zamran!" means.
On Thursday November 3rd, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with Host Poke Runyon
will present an essay on how the Atheistic Marxists hi-jacked Christian
idealism and used our two thousand years of devotion to Christian
principles of Altruism and charity against us in order to enslave us.
Also conceding the influence of Hermetic Elitism in this process, we
will trace the development through the Roman Church, the Illuminati, and
the Marxists to the modern New World Order. We will use "The Matrix" as
a metaphor for our present political and economic state. So if you want
to get unplugged tune in and take the red pill.
On Thursday October 27th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will recall and review Frank (Dune) Herbert's first published science fiction story "Nightmare Blues" (Operation Syndrome) 1954. This is an ominously prophetic and frightening tale of electronic mind control which seems to have been inspired by The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari. A scientist (who ends up in a mad house) invents a machine that projects thoughts (a telepathy transceiver) which is stolen by a music industry producer promoter who uses it to enhance his star's vocal performances. However each city where they perform experiences catastrophic outbreaks of mass insanity. One of the mad scientist's former students, a psychologist, teams up with a ham radio operator to create an antidote machine. This story was published in 1954 and set in 1999. It deals with issues and theories that resonate today. So if you want to contemplate some high-tech horror, for Halloween tune in and we'll turn up the volume.
On Thursday October 13th, 2016 Poke Runyon host of the Hermetic hour
will present a reading of the mystical magical poem "The Hashish Eater"
by the late Poet and Fantasy writer Clark Ashton Smith. Smith was a friend and
colleague of H. P. Lovecraft whose magical fantasies were also featured
in Weird Tales in the 1930s and 1940s, and in "Dark of the Moon" from
Arkham House and in "New World's for Old" edited by Lin Carter. This poem
is a fantastic magical experience and invokes dreamlike visions. Tune
in and discover a magical psychedelic masterpiece.
On Thursday October 6th the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
review and describe our recently reprinted and updated publications, The
Seventh Ray, Book I, the Blue Ray with new material on Enochian Book H
and the OTA Geomancy system. We will also discuss the recently reprinted
Book of Solomon's Magick now issued to members with an up-dated
addendum. We will also review our entire line of publications and
productions available from Amazon and to Associate Members. So if you
want to know what we have to offer and what you have been missing tune
in and catch up on our latest and a preview of what we have coming in
the future.
The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the "Magick of the Arabian Nights" or Alf Laya wa Laya as Crowley liked to call it, referring to Richard Burton's annotated translation. Actually the magick in Burton's version is mostly in the footnotes, but there is one specific tale which outlines the whole scheme of Muslim magical "Abjad," which is a Western term for Arab Qabalah. We will discuss that tale -- you'll have to listen to learn which story has the mystic juice -- and we will then move on to the King Solomon (Suliman) legends, the nature and hierarchy of the Jinn, the Turkish version of the Masonic third degree, the North Sabian (Harranian) contribution, Sufi methods and teachings, and the legacy of Picatrix -- so, if you want to get the gen on the Jinn, tune in and we'll open sesame for you.
The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon of the life and work of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, his psychology, methods of therapy, and his development of free energy technology for medical treatment. We will frankly discuss the incredible suppression of Reich's discoveries, and his persecution by the FDA, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Government, resulting in his imprisonment and untimely death. Dr. Francis Regardie employed Reich's methods in his chiropractic practice and had a full scale Orgone Accumulator in his home. We have constructed Orgone pads and found them quite effective. This technology and methodology is now "legal" to practice and employ, but "The Powers that Be," will never admit that it works -- so, if you're a-Freud Jung was Reich, tune in and we'll confirm it.
On Thursday September 15th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on the Alchemical Classic "Splendor Solis" by
Solomon Trismosin 1582. This magnificently illustrated work is
considered to be the most beautiful illuminated manuscript of all the
Medieval and Renaissance occult books. It draws on all of the earlier
Alchemical classics such as the Turba Phiosophorum. Solomon Trismosin
was said to have been the mentor of the most famous of all alchemists
Paracelsus. The twenty-two beautiful allegorical paintings that
illustrate the book are the work of the Renaissance master Lucas van
Leiden. The symbolic paintings have been likened to the twenty-two
greater arcana of the Tarot.This book has been a great influence on
Rosicrucianism and deserves a place in any study of that tradition, so
if you want to peek at the Splendor of the Sun, put on your dark glasses
and tune in.
The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the controversial subject of Nazi Occultism, its origins and predecessors, and its present day revival in "The Cult of the Black Sun". We will explore the early influence from the Theosophy of H.P. Blavatsky, the development of the "Ariosophy" movement in Germany between the world wars, the Thule Society of Sebottendorff, Himmler and his Runemiester Wisethor, the fascination with Central Asia, and The Polar Myth. We will debunk the "Spear of Destiny" and other Nazi spook books that were more fiction than fact. We will also de-establish the connection an opportunistic European-American magician is trying to make between the G.D. and Nazism. This is a hot topic and an alarming subject. No matter what your views on it may be, if you are involved in occultism you need to know about it -- so, tune in and we will spend an hour on the dark side.
On Thursday September first, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke
Runyon will discuss James Branch Cabell's romantic fantasy novel JURGEN
(1919).This delightfully satirical and deeply esoteric work is
considered Cabell's masterpiece and a classic of American literature. It
might best be quickly described as an Oz book for adults. Modern readers
will liken Cabell's tale to a Monty Python script. Chapter XXII was
inspired by Aleister Crowley's Gnostic Mass which prompted Crowley to
praise Cabell as America's greatest novelist. We will read the infamous
22nd chapter along with some of the symbolically described erotic
passages that got the original book banned in New York. This backfired
and made JURGEN a national bestseller in the 1920s. And it is still a
great read -- so if you want to spend an hour with Messers Cabell and
Crowley, tune in and we will follow Jurgen chasing his first love all
the way from puberty to Hell, which is a liberal democracy and up to
Heaven which is a Southern Baptist dictatorship, administered by a black
house slave. Maybe we can get it banned again!
On Thursday August 25th, 2016 The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will present a discussion on two modern classics that hold up mirrors to
modern society and recent history: George Orwell's 1984 (1949) and
Ortega de Gassett's Revolt of the Masses (1929).Both authors were
socialists and both were involved in the Spanish Civil War.
1984 is called a "dystopia"and describes British post World War II
socialism evolving into a nightmareish doubleplusungood (Stalinistic)
tyrany where everyone is brainwashed into believing that: "War is Peace,
Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength." In "Revolt of the Masses"
Ortega de Gassett disputes the liberal dictum that universal literacy
and education can enoble and uplift "the common people" into a body
politic capable of rational and reasonable self government, Hence
democracy must be controlled by an intellectual elite (sound familiar).
Both these books are classics and more important today than when they
were written. We will try to put them in a Hermetic perspective for you
(sociology is the new black magick) so if you want to peek into the
future from way back when, tune in and we'll part the veil.
On Thursday August 18th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon
will review new issues of old Hermetic Magick books. Starting with
Zoroaster's Telescope (1796-2013) and on to Urania's Mirror (1822-2004)
and finally The Harmonia Macrocosmica of Cellarius (1660 - 2013). The
first item on our list is more of a board-game than a book; a very
elaborate and frankly confusing French divinatory system that uses
hexagonal "tiles" with magical and astrological data drawn from an urn
or box and applied to a board called a mirror. which has hexagonal
compartments. Divination follows from the numbers in the mirror's cells
and the pattern various tiles make on the mirror. Urania's Mirror is a
small book describing the astrological constellations and their
mythology accompanied by a set of thirty-two cards on which the mythical
figures of the zodiac are depicted in very romantic style. This style is
influenced by our last selection: The Harmonia Macrocosmica of Andreus
Cellarius, a magnificently illustrated atlas of the heavens. So if you'd
like to explore some recent revivals of ancient wisdom tune in and we'll
have a look.
On Thursday August 11th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will discuss two prophetic science fiction stories from the 1950s: C.M. Kornbluth's "The Marching Morons" and A.E. Van Vogt's "The Weapon Shops of Isher." Both are considered classics of the genre and deal with controversial social issues. Kornbluth's "Morons" predict a future where
the average I.Q. is 45 and a tiny intelligent elite struggle to preserve the self-destructive swarming mass of sub-human humanity. In Van Vogt's "Weapon Shops" a group of gun
manufacturers and dealers struggle to arm the citizens of a tyrannical and corrupt world government headed by a psychopathic empress (she sleeps with snakes) who is determined to disarm and enslave them. Both of these stories deserve to be looked at again in light of present and pending events. So if you want a glimpse of today and tomorrow as seen by the prophets of yesterday, tune in and we'll roll back the clock to the 1950s.
The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the influence of Helena Blavatsky and Theosophy on western occultism and magick. This a broad subject because Blavatsky's impact on all areas of western esoteric theory and practiced is vast and pervasive. We will begin with her Egyptian connection with The Brotherhood of Luxor, and French Masonry, her mid-19th century connection with American Spiritualism, her first opus "Isis Unveiled," which was essentially Hermetic. The meeting in England with her future Eastern Master "Mahatma Morya" (Ranbir Singh). Moving her Theosophical Society to India under the secret sponsorship of her "Mahatmas." Her professed Buddhist philosophy and the development of her universal religion featuring spiritual Darwinism and Aryan Solarism. "The Secret Doctrine" and "The Stanzas of Dyzan." Her anti-Biblical, anti-Christian bias. The German offshoots of Theosophy: Rudolph Steiner's Christian Anthroposophy, and the proto-Nazi Ariosophy. The American cults: the Ballard's "I AM," Elizabeth Claire Prophet, The "New Age Movement," and Richard Shaver's "Mystery." We will also discuss the Hermetic reaction to her successes which resulted in Anna Kingsford's Hermetic Society, and The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. So, if you want to glimpse Blavatsky unveiled, tune in and get Theosophized.
On Thursday July 28th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will review and discuss Frank Herbert's 1965 science-fiction classic Dune from a magical (Hermetic) perspective and as a prophetic political allegory. Sci-Fi Writer Orson Scott Card wrote: "Remember that Herbert wrote Dune in the 1960s, before the first oil embargo, before any Islamist government was ever formed. Whether Dune had any causal influence on the rise of Al Qaeda, Herbert certainly did a superb job of predicting the rise and the power of such an ideology. The spice must flow, and so must the oil. So the political allegory is obvious but what about the hermetic magical aspect: in the 1960s when Herbert conceived Dune the big psycho-spiritual experience was LSD. Acid offered expansion of consciousness, instant enlightenment and for some, extension of consciousness. Soul travel. Hermes once wrote that one could go anywhere in the Universe instantly at the speed of thought. Some Eastern gurus had also declared that this was possible. So Frank Herbert's Spice Melange was conceived as a psychedelic agent that would enable astronaut navigators to warp space with the power of their minds -- and go anywhere in the galaxy mentally and physically. That is one Hermetic magical aspect. There is also a witchcraft cult that engages in genetic engineering, trying to breed a Demigod messiah who will launch a Jihad to conquer the galaxy. So if you'd like to consider the not so hidden inner meanings of this classic, tune in and we'll have a 21st century look back at Dune.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Thursday May 12th, 2016 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will
present an interview with British author Gordon White featuring his book
"Star.Ships, a Prehistory of the Spirits." Gordon is a journalist, a
magician, a scuba diver and a scholar of prehistoric archaeology. He and
host Poke Runyon have both explored the lost city of Nan Madol above
ground and underwater at different times. In the book Star.Ships Gordon
focuses on the accumulating evidence of lost, sunken, and buried ruins from
the antediluvian (Ice Age) period such as Gobekli Tepe and others along
with genetic evidence of the migrations of early man to develop a
remarkable thesis regarding our astrological mythology. He proposes that
the spirits of the stars, the zodiac, are antediluvian and that the rise
of planetary gods and spirits are post diluvian -- with the end of the
Ice Age (15 to 12,000 years ago) being the demarcation point. He will
concede some extraterrestrial contact (Temple's Sirius Mystery) but
prefers inter dimensional spiritual realms more in line with Jacques
Valle and Carl Jung as the source of alien contact. Poke Runyon agrees
with Gordon White on almost all of his points and heartily recommends
Gordon's book. So if you want meet Gordon and spend an hour with us
exploring this fascinating subject, tune in and we'll learn about the
prehistory of the Spirits. Special thanks to Frater Isa for arranging this
great show.