The Hermetic Hour

This Thursday, February 17th, 2011, Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Scrying and Traveling in the Spirit Vision. The essential difference between these modes of visionary experience will be explained. We'll set forth the ancient and modern philosophical and practical magical field theory -- which is not any further "out" than some current theories of quantum physics. We'll describe what happens in scrying, as in angelic crystal invocation, and spirit evocation in mirrors, compared to traveling in the spirit vision, as in "astral projection," such as pathworkings and Enochian Aethyr exploration. We'll explain the importance of yoga and self-hypnosis in these techniques -- and answer any questions you have on the topic -- so, tune in and you'll learn how to journey a million miles between your ears.

On the Hermetic Hour this Thursday, February 10th, 2011 host Poke Runyon will present a program on Afro-Caribbean and African magick, its history, its philosophy, how it works, and where it comes from. We will examine the similarities between the Goetia system and the Voudoun possession. We'll discuss other interesting parallels including the use of facial reflection in mirrors, the astrological geomancy system called "The Eyes of Fna." We'll mention some personal experiences, and touch on the dark side discussing West African Ju-Ju, the Koribra, Congo Dawa, Palo Mayombe, and -- by popular demand -- zombies, and the similarity between zombies and vampires; also the similarity between leopard men and werewolves. These are controversial topics and we do not claim authoritative knowledge. We do promise you an interesting hour of discussion on a very guarded subject. Tune in and and learn about "The Divine Horsemen."

On February 3rd, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will start a discussion on modern urban "Witchcraft," where it came from, who started it, what myths, legends, and magical traditions it grew out of----how it came to America in the 1950s and 60s, and the people who developed it here following the various British models. We'll discuss the Brits: Gerald Gardner, Robert Graves, Alex Sanders, Robert Cochrane (Roy Bowers) and their contributions. Then Ray Buckland, Ed Fitch, and Joe Wilson over here on this side of the pond. Our special, featured call-guest will be Gardnerian Elder High Priest Edward Fitch, author of "A Grimoire of Shadows," and one of our star performers in "Beyond Lemuria." There is quite a bit of fog shrouding the origins, rituals, methods, and activities of "Wicca" in its various forms. At the very least, we will give you the inside story of its British origins and its American beginnings---after that you'll just have to rely on "Perfect Love, and Perfect Trust" --- Ble

On Thursday evening January 27th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. host Poke Runyon will offer a discussion on the history, philosophy and structure of the Rosicrucian tradition and its offshoots. We will trace its roots from the Italian renaissance Hermetic movement, through the German Reformation, citing the contributions of Agrippa, Paracelsus and others, including its founder Johann Valentin Andreae. We will cite the original Rosicrucian documents, and the legend of Christian Rosenkreuz and his Tomb. The Masonic Rosicrucian revival in 18th century Germany will be considered, with its subsequent influence on the Order of the Golden Dawn. Early German Rosicrucian groups in America, and P. B. Randolph's contribution will be mentioned, along with the origins of various American groups, including A.M.O.R.C. We will try to define just what a "Rosicrucian" is, and how much Christianity is involved in what is otherwise a Hermetic system. We will discuss the differences between the Golden Dawn's R.R. et A.C., and Arthur Ed

On the Hermetic Hour for January 20th, 2011 host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on "Sex Magick." The differences between Eastern and Western concepts will be explained. We will trace the origin of the Western "magical child" conception method from its Platonic, Gnostic and Kabbalistic roots, through the various modern versions, including the non-orgiastic "Karreza" method which is said to have derived from medieval chivalry. We will examine the Sacred Marriage (Hieros Gamos) and its ancient myth-ritual theme which became The Great Rite of the Modern Wiccans. We will look at the contributions of P. B. Randolph and his influence on Ruess and Kellnar's German system. Crowley and Kenneth Grant will be mentioned--and, modesty permitting, we will set forth the "dos" and "do nots" of effective practice--so snuggle up with your "significant other," tune in, and let's get it on!

On the Hermetic Hour for Thursday, January 13th, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., host Poke Runyon will discuss Mystical Mt. Shasta, giving the background behind the 150 year history of Atlantean, Lemurian, and related spiritual encounters of the third and fourth kind that have made this dormant volcano, rising in solitary, snow-capped splendor, a mecca for mystics seeking spiritual enlightenment---as revealed in our article from "Atlantis... Rising # 79" ---and we will review our own mystic experience, recounted in "Mysteries of Mt. Shasta, Home of the Underground Dwellers and Ancient Gods." We will also mention Pluto's Cave, the Nan Madol connection, and our experiments with Dr. X's recreation of the "Hidden World Receiver," the actual device that inspired the fabulous "Intragravatron" in "Beyond Lemuria." So, tune in and listen for the voices beyond the Vortex---and the latest theory on J.C. Brown's lost treasure.

On Thursday January 6th, 2011 the Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will discuss the concept, history, and current application of attaining "Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel." This is actually a world-wide practice, and an essential stage in the development of any shaman or magician. All serious magical students should make contact with their own guardian spirit. In the Western Tradition this is typified by the medieval "Book of Abramelin," in which a kabbalistic magician gives his son detailed instructions on how to conduct a year-long (or longer) devotional retreat in order to acquire blessings, wisdom and power from his Holy Guardian Angel so that he can become the master of all spirits, good and evil. This book had a profound influence on Samuel Mathers, Aleister Crowley and Franz Bardon. Cagliostro even had a 41 day version of it in his Egyptian Masonry. In the O.T.A. we require a three-day version of it as developed in Charles Russell's G.B.G. system. We have the anchorite do 22 r

On Thursday, December 30th, 2010, The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will guide you, step-by-step through the entire procedure of summoning a Goetic Spirit to visible appearance in Solomon's Triangle of Art. We are not going to actually get something to appear on your computer screen (although we might do that next year....), but we will give all the necessary explanations and instruction necessary to perform such an operation -- the catch is, you first have to train yourself in the skills and internalize the rituals we are describing, so this is like someone telling you exactly how to sky down the north face of the Matterhorn. In other words, you can imagine how exciting it is, but you have at least a year's work ahead before you can do it. But then, who knows... you might have some interesting dreams... So, tune in, turn on, and let's see what appears in a glass darkly.

On the Thursday before Christmas, December 23rd, at 8:00 p.m. your host Poke Runyon (Frater Thabion), assisted by Merrick Rees Hamer and Soror Zandria, will narrate and read the Baal Samin Winter Solstice ceremony which we performed at Rivendell on the 18th. This won't be up to Orson Welles' Mercury Radio Theater standards (no sound effects and crowd noise) but we will try to get the meaning across. This rite tells the story of Baal's battle with Lotan, the Dragon of Chaos, which Baal has no chance of winning without the help of the Moon Goddess Tanit. So tune in and help us celebrate the Return of the Sun at Winter Solstice.

This Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 8:00pm the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the Spheres of Malkuth and Yesod in the Hermetic Yoga system. We will develop the Western concept of bringing down cosmic power through the four worlds of the qabalah, the Cube of Space in the human head, with Saturn in Da'ath. How to awaken The Dragon (the Western kundalini). Seed letters, Roses and jewels of the psychic centers (chakras) and envisioning the Gods Within will be explored. This will be a workshop session, so tune in, turn on, and go deep with in yourself---and on to the Greater Self Beyond.

This coming week The Hermetic Hour will be on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. December 10th, 2010. We're attending an event (in the line of duty) on Thursday. So tune in Friday evening and your host Poke Runyon will teach you how to hypnotize yourself -- and get started in Hermetic yoga. We will cover theory and practice, and demonstrate some induction techniques ......"Listen to my voice....You are completely relaxed....." and so on. Then on to pranayama, yoganindra, tratakam, and samadi. It's really not as complicated as it sounds, but the jargon is intimidating. We will also be taking calls, so let's have some good questions ready. Tune in on Friday and let us entrance you.

This coming Thursday, December 2nd, 2010, The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will describe and explain one of the first rituals we learn, and yet one of the most important in modern magick; the Lesser Pentagram. Following this instruction, we will discuss The Church of the Hermetic Sciences' Associate Member's course in Magick, and related subjects. The structure of the program, its requirements, purpose, and its goals will be outlined. What you can expect to gain from membership, and what will be expected of you. This program is already underway and growing. We are launching a new 21st century concept in magical networking; a combination of traditional and virtual association. Even if you're not ready to join us yet, you'll certainly want to know what we're doing, and how we're doing it. Tune in and get connected.

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, November 18th, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. host Poke Runyon, will lead a discussion on Lucid Dreaming and Remote Viewing in relation to Magick and hypnosis. This will be both a practical and theoretical examination of these activities: why and how we think they work. What we can and cannot expect from such techniques, and what their purpose should be. We'll venture into such rarefied fields as astral space travel, time travel, and the influencing of other minds by telepathic dream projection. We will be taking calls, so please have your questions ready and give us a ring. Until then, pleasant dreams....if not, then maybe you can order some better ones from us?

This broadcast of the Hermetic Hour, Thursday, November 11th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m., will feature a panel discussion on Hypnosis and Magick. Host Poke Runyon will introduce the topic, and review his landmark article on the subject published in 1978. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis have been the operative techniques behind visionary magick all the way back to ancient times, but this "secret" has been, and still is, being suppressed. Our call-in guest speaker will be Ann Finnin, First Lady of the Roebuck, occult author, and a professionally trained hypnotist. Dr. X will be on hand with us in the studio, to add his comments. This is one you don't want to miss. Tune in and relax, completely relax...and listen to my voice....

This Thursday evening, November 4th, 2010, at 8:00 p.m., The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will discuss Creative Visualization, one of the essential techniques of magick. Starting with the theory of Platonic preform images vs. the kabbalah's magick of the Word, and the number, we will move on to explain the highly developed Tibetan tantric imagery and its effects. We'll give examples of successful creative visualizations (ours and others). We will discuss how people visualize, and how they can train themselves to control the process. The use of magical color will be explained. We will mention works by Franz Bardon, William G. Gray, Ophiel and others. We will discuss our particular methods and their applications. Tune in and get the picture.

On Thursday evening, October 28th, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will discuss "Divination for Magicians." We are qualifying this subject to exclude a number of techniques not often used in magick. We will lead off with Tarot, discussing its actual origins, the 19th century "Egyptian origin" myth, how it was thought to be "older than the kabbalah," and its subsequent influence on modern Hermetic "qabalah" -- from Eliphas Levi to Paul Foster Case. We will discuss various Tarot designs, and their particular attributes. We'll move on to Geomancy, discussing its ancient origins, and characteristics -- briefly comparing it to the Chinese I-Ching. We'll be taking calls on this subject, so join us and see what the future holds in store.

This coming Thursday, October 21st, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will launch a discussion on what is commonly called "Astral Projection." We will use what we still consider the best occult manual on the subject: "The Art of Astral Projection," by Ophiel, as our starting point. We'll mention path workings (Inner Plane projection) vs. the OOBE, comparing these methods with Tibetan practice (po-wah yoga and throng-jug yogas). Following on Jack London's "Star Rover", we'll examine self-hypnosis and sensory deprivation. We'll mention Monroe and Hemi-Sync, (binaural beats), discuss "Music of the Spheres," and Remote Viewing. Tune in, turn on, and get out!

This Thursday, October 14th, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. PST, Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will lead a discussion on "The Enoch Syndrome." This is a term we have applied to a type of channeled, visionary (right brain) revelation that is extraordinarily detailed and consistent. The Biblical Enoch and his tour or Heaven is our starting point. We'll proceed through Dee and Kelley, Oasphe, Phylos, Urantia, Richard Shaver, Edgar Cayce, the Seth Material, and finally "The Jet-Propelled Couch" by Robert Lindner, which was the inspiration for the film "K-Pax." Although we are going to examine the psychological factors behind this phenomenon, we are not out to debunk these fascinating revelations, but rather to place them in the perspective of Hermetic philosophy: as a personal reality that extends to encompass the universe, and is therefore "real" in its own context. Join us and expand your consciousness.

On Thursday the 7th of October, 2010, 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!

This coming Thursday, September 30th, 2010, at 8:00 p.m. host Poke Runyon will review our past 23 shows, describing what we covered in each one. We have tried to give a full picture of magick, from the first century to the modern era. All of these shows are archived, and can be listened to at any time. They are actually an informal course in Hermetic magick and its related arts. Please call in with questions on any of our previous shows or topics. We will also discuss our Associate Member program, its concept and goals. Tune in and find out where we've been and where we're going.