The Hermetic Hour

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 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 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 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 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.