The Hermetic Hour

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 bloodlin

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 Mag

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 he

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

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 ca

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

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.