Darkly Splendid Abodes

Today my guest and I chat about being in a position of responsibility towards others, whether as a parent, caregiver, etc, and how this relates to the personal Will.

This time, we dive into one of the lectures in Aleister Crowley's Eight Lectures on Yoga. The first half of the book, 'Yoga for Yahoos,' is based on the the practices of Yoga themselves, and we'll be looking at Lecture Four of that part, which focuses on Asana & Pranayama (loosely, 'Posture' & 'Breathing').

Building on our previous discussion on visualization and mental focus in Magick Ritual, EDWARD MASON and I explore various practical considerations and anecdotes from experience.

This time, we dive into the essay on Freedom by notorious Thelemite and one of the founding members of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL), Jack Parsons. This rallying cry for the freedom of the individual, the emancipation and empowerment of women, and the defence against tyrannies hiding behind the fraudulent application of the terms 'freedom' and 'liberalism' seems perennially relevant. We'll unpack Thelemic themes and undertones as we dip deeply...

Edward Mason and I discuss the role and importance of Mental Focus and Visualization in Magick and mystical practices.

We take a deep dive into this little book on the Law and its four Rays: Liberty, Love, Life and Light. Essentially Crowley's distillation of the Law of Thelema, it's an easily overlooked but incredibly concise guide to Crowley's philosophy.

Anxiety about pestilence, war, famine and climate crisis abounds. How does the Book of the Law counsel us? It doesn't give easy answers... and that's the point. EDWARD MASON and I discuss the challenges of confronting the darkness.

In the first of our Deep Dip series, where we take a deep dive into a particular book or subject, we examine Crowley's translation of the Tao Teh King of Lao Tzu, examining it on its own merit, as well as comparing it with the translation of James Legge, which was the version Crowley was working from.

In our inaugural episode, I discuss mental health as it pertains to Golden Dawn-style Initiatory Orders with EDWARD MASON, former Warden of the Temple of Our Lady of the Stars.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. On Friday, August 5th anno Vviii, Episode One of Darkly Splendid Abodes, the official podcast of Toronto Thelema, will air. ‘The method of science; the aim of religion’; that’s the motto on the cover of the Equinox, and that sums up what this podcast sets out to explore. Featuring discussions on the practices of Magick and mysticism, as well as deep-dives into occult books and subjects. Released at Midnight on the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month, and available on Spotify and various other streaming services. We’ll set out to explore the nature and powers of the mind, as well as what lies beyond its limits.Love is the law, love under will.