The Hermetic Hour

The Hermetic Hour will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on the 1st century " Alexandria Connection" where the elements that make up the Western Esoteric Tradition (Hermetic Tradition) came together and began the synthesis that was finally codified by Abbott Trithemius and Cornelius Agrippa in the 16th century. We will trace the Pythagorean, Ancient Egyptian, Gnostic, NeoPlatonic, Biblical (kabbalistic), Alchemical, Astrological, and even Christian influences that were shuffled together in a spiritual-intellectual ferment in what was perhaps the greatest university our Western world could boast of until the modern "Age of Enlightenment." We have dealt with this subject before, but this time we will focus on the particular people and their traditions: Alexander (Himself), Ptolemy the astrologer king, Hypatia the Pagan martyr, Hermes Trismegistus, and Marcus and Simon Magus. We will touch on the Greek Qabalah, the Osiris myth, and the influence of Zoroaster. So, if you have a burning desire to visit the Library of Alexandria, join us -- but no smoking inside, please...

The Hermetic Hour will continue with Poke Runyon's informal history of C.H.S./O.T.A., introducing Louis T. Culling, Israel Regardie, Grady McMurtry, and our intrigues with the nascent O.T.O. that was reforming after Jack Parsons blew himself up. We will also discuss our secret war on terrorists in Los Angeles, the Themis War, and the development of our Seasonals, and our yoga system. So tune in, turn on, and get ready to return to the thrilling days of yester-year. (like the Lone Ranger....) 

The Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will feature an informal history of the Order of the Temple of Astarte (O.T.A.) and The Church of the Hermetic Sciences. We'll cover the whole story, from the psychedelic era of the late 1960s through the early 70s, and on into 80s and 90s. We'll try to be honest without getting too gossipy---but we can't avoid some controversial events and personalities. You'll meet Israel Regardie and Grady McMurtry, along with Louis T. Culling, Fred Adams, and Joe Wilson. We'll cover the birth of The Seventh Ray, and the Themis War. This will be a mixture of nostalgia and tradition. Most 21st century NeoPagans and magicians have no idea who started---and in some case revived---all this activity back in the late 60s. This will be a revelation for some, and nostalgia for others. Don't miss it. 

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.

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 rituals; one for each path on the Tree of Life during his or her stay in the Temple. A record is kept, and a juice fast is maintained. As far as we know, we are the only magical system in the West that has such a requirement at the present time. We place this in our third degree, as a prerequisite to advancement into the Inner Degrees of the Crata Repoa. If done correctly this can be one of the most profound spiritual experiences of a lifetime. I will share with you some of my retreat experiences, and visionary knowings. I will suggest the "dos" and the "do nots" for those of you who might want to try it on your own --- however, this is an intense, and demanding procedure which requires health, strength, maturity and self-discipline to accomplish. It should be properly supervised. So, turn on, tune in, and let's climb the Holy Mountain together.

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.
 
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