Darkly Splendid Abodes

In our previous conversation we focused on Achad’s appendix to his book QBL, which consisted of unedited diary notes. Part Two of our discussion moves more heavily into Chapter 5 of his Egyptian Revival, where his Qabalistic ideas ought to be worked out and implemented more clearly.

This is part two of our look at what Crowley called “the real and perfect ritual of the Hexagram.” How does it compare with the Golden Dawn’s original Lesser Hexagram Ritual? What are the results of invoking Set into the Circle? Edward Mason and I continue our discussion on this uniquely Thelemic Rite.

In the appendix to his book on Qabalah, entitled "Q.B.L.", Charles Stansfeld Jones (a.k.a. Frater Achad) laid out the preliminary scheme for flipping the Paths of the Tree of Life on their head. Certainly this would court controversy, especially with his "Magical Father" Aleister Crowley; but how does this scheme look to us? We'll dive into this appendix, as well as a chapter or so from his book "The Egyptian Revival."

The Star Sapphire is Aleister Crowley’s spin on the Hexagram Ritual of the Golden Dawn. First appearing in his little book of meditations entitled The Book of Lies, Falsely so-called, it joins The Star Ruby and the Mass of the Phoenix as rituals commonly associated with the Thelemic corpus. Edward Mason joins me to discuss this so-called ‘real snd perfect Ritual of the Hexagram.’

Rosaleen Norton was an Australian artist who revelled in her public image as the Witch of King’s Cross. But behind this public persona was a deep and serious practitioner of Magick and mysticism. Rosemary Stehlik and I will attempt to peer into the true nature of this visionary, as well as the Pan-inspired imagery of her art, as we continue our look at Women of the Occult.

The Book of the Law made the bold claim that there was "one to come" after Aleister Crowley who would "discover the key of it all." When Charles Stansfeld Jones (aka Frater Achad) discovered the keyword "AL", it seemed to fit the bill, and Crowley was convinced this was his Magical Child predicted by the Book. Join us for Part 2 of our dive into Jones' Liber 31, wherein he expounds upon the spiritual breakthrough that led to the discovery of the Word, and the various ways the Keyword "opens the Book of the Law like a flower," to paraphrase Crowley.

For the Magician who sets out to cross the infamous Abyss, there awaits on the other side either a place in the City of the Pyramids as a Master of the Temple... or madness amongst the so-called Black Brotherhood. But just what is this Abyss of which we speak? I discuss the topic with Edward Mason in this second of a two-part series.

The Book of the Law made the bold claim that there was "one to come" after Aleister Crowley who would "discover the key of it all." When Charles Stansfeld Jones (aka Frater Achad) discovered the keyword "AL", it seemed to fit the bill, and Crowley was convinced this was his Magical Child predicted by the Book. Join us as we dive into Jones' Liber 31, wherein he expounds upon the spiritual breakthrough that led to the discovery of the Word, and the various ways the Keyword "opens the Book of the Law like a flower," to paraphrase Crowley.

Discover the intriguing life of Marjorie Cameron, a talented artist and witch, who became the embodiment of Babalon in the world of the occult. Explore her connection to rocketeer Jack Parsons and their surreal desert rituals aimed at invoking a feminine divine presence. Delve into her vibrant artistic journey, controversial imagery, and the impact of her tumultuous personal life. The discussion also touches on her later mystical practices, health struggles, and the legacy she left within the avant-garde community.

Liber V, or Book 5, is a Magick Ritual invoking the energies of the New Aeon, and its appended commentary elucidates Aleister Crowley's method of piercing beyond good and evil. We'll take a deep dive into this important Thelemic text.