The Hermetic Hour

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 February 20th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will welcome Frater Heracles, Master of the Austin, Texas Hermitage of the O.T.A. who will give us a reprise of his recent lecture to S.O.M.A. (Society of Magical Artists) entitled "Magical Balance." The gist of this talk is the proposition that Magick should be in all ways a balanced symphony of the positive Forces of Light controlling and directing the negative Forces of Darkness. This is a principal of operation that goes back to ancient Egypt and has been unchallenged in magick until the rise of the Faustian School in the 18th century. Today's Thelemites and Chaos magicians may not agree with it, but it is still the basic two-stroke engine that runs Golden Dawn and O.T.A. magick. John will discuss its aspects in Hermetic yoga, alchemy, qabalah, and the Elements. This is rich food for the mind, so tune in and be well served.

On Thursday February 13th, 2014 the Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present the founders of S.O.M.A., "The Society of Magical Artists," founded in Austin, Texas over a decade ago, discussing the formation of their council, its scope and agenda, and its schedule of coming events. This is a prestigious group of Hermetic magical scholars and facilitators. SOMA is interfraternal, and eclectic, including G.D., O.T.O. and others under its umbrella. We will have Paxton Knight, Jeffrey Lee Contreras, and Paul Edward Rana calling in. We are honored to have these distinguished leaders of the magical community on the Hermetic Hour. SOMA  is sponsoring The Third Annual Western Mystery Conference at the Scottish Rite Theater in Austin, Texas on October 24th, 25th, and 26th. SOMA holds monthly lectures as well. On February 15th, our own John Sheffield, Master of the Austin O.T.A. Hermitage, will be speaking on Solomonic Magick. - So, if you want to meet The Masters and learn what they have in store for us, tune in and get SOMA.

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 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 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 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 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 January 2nd, 2014 The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, opens the New Year with a fascinating lecture from Chris Cooley, avant-garde film maker (Neptune Films), composer-musician-singer (Hyperfire Records) and author. Chris's talk is entitled: "The Sexual Mysteries - Beyond Good and Evil." Along with his creative activities Chris is a member of a traditional Magical Order with which we are closely affiliated, and is on his way to becoming a Hermetic philosopher, so if you'd like to listen to the wisdom of one we think may become a 21st century Master, tune in and be inspired.