NOTOCON 2003
Event Details
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Morning Exercises
Constance DuQuette presents her:
Morning Devotional
Any Thelemite can stay up late partying but how many have what it takes to get up early for Morning Devotionals?
We'll see! Start your day with one of the Order's most beloved living icons, Saint Constance of the Well, Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, as she leads us in Resh, the Gnostic Rosary, and a thrill or two from the Holy Books of Thelema. Come on ... Indulge yourself.
Bishop Constance Jean DuQuette is one of the most beloved members of our Order. Dubbed by Hymenaeus Alpha “Saint Constance of the Well, Our Lady of Perpetual Motion” she was initiated in 1976 E.V. by H.A. X°, Soror Meral, and Helen Parsons Smith in Dublin, California. Like her husband, Lon, she has lived exactly one half of her life in service to the Order (the other half picking up after Lon). She possesses a singularly devotional character, which is obvious to any who have had the luck to see her celebrate Mass. She is the impetus behind the Gnostic Mass Seminars that she and Lon give around the country.
Soror Ashera (Loraia Ward) presents:
Kundalini Movement Meditation
Let your morning begin with a dynamic and stimulating morning movement meditation rooted in the Indian Tantric traditions of Kundalini Yoga. This vigorous hour long practice is specifically designed to stimulate and circulate Kundalini energy stored at the base of the spine through specific breath work and movement.
Following upon her sensational demonstration of Tantric Dance at NOTOCON 2001, Movement Meditation Instructor Soror Ashera (Loraia Ward) proposes to lead this deeply moving inner meditation, divided into four distinct segments which can be attributed to various parallels such as the cycles of the moon or the four principle elements. The first 15 minutes of this meditation begins with vigorous shaking of the body; attributed to raising the inner fire awakening the ‘serpent power’ within and filling our bodies with energy. This phase of the practice is attributed to the waxing cycle of the moon. The next phase is 15 minutes of moving through space with free-form movement, channeling the fires into the flow of our movement which is attributed to air and the celebratory energy of the full moon. The third phase of the meditation is sitting, or preferably standing, in a vertical position, perfectly still, in our bodies with the spine erect while witnessing the flow of energy within us. This phase of the practice is attributed to water as the powerful currents of raised energy begins to trickle and flow back down cycling through the body with relaxed deep breathing. This phase of the practice is attributed to the waning moon. The last phase of the meditation is lying down in a horizontal position as the energy grounds, which is attributed to earth. The deep and tranquil inner silence of the Self that is accessed in this phase of the meditation is attributed to the silence and emptiness of the new moon.
The hour long Kundalini Meditation is a very simple and powerful way of accessing our vitality and creative energy. It also helps to balance and harmonize the elements within our bodies and our natural energetic cycles on a very cellular level and will provide an excellent way for initiates to begin their day.
Soror Ashera (Loraia Ward) works as a powerful healer in her community. She is a Certified Hellerwork Practioner and Reflexologist, and also works as a Tantric Guide in women's sexuality. She regularly teaches Tantric Dance for Women (and couples) and is widely known for her transformational workshops including, Aphrodite's Journey, Path of the Priestess, and Dancing the God and Goddess (for men and women). Soror Ashera was an active member of L.V.X. Lodge where she regularly hosted Thelemic events and workshops from 1997-2000 e.v., as well as co-hosting many of L.V.X. Lodge’s initiatory functions. She co-created Dove and Serpent Sanctuary with her husband and Priest, Frater Hrumachis, and they have been celebrating the Gnostic Mass together since Spring of 1999e.v. Soror Ashera is currently an active member of RPSTOVAL Camp in Southern Oregon, where she resides with her loving husband, her beautiful serpent, Kunti, and her two playful kittens, Parcival and Devi.
Speaker Presentations
History and Meaning Behind Freemasonic Symbols in the Oasis
This event will be tyled to the Third Degree.
Brother Daniel’s presentation will detail the symbols occurring within our initiations that relate to systems of freemasonry upon which the O.T.O. was derived. It will explore the History of these symbols and generally discuss why Crowley may have left those symbols intact in our degree system and how they may relate to Thelemic principles.
Daniel Lee Akzinor is the Master of Queen of Heaven Lodge in Portland, Oregon, a Managing Priest for the Prison Ministry in Oregon under the supervision of Bishop T Allen Greenfield. His involvement and Initiation in Ordo Templi Orientis began over ten years ago in Ashland, Oregon. He was previously involved in both Gardnerian and NROOGD witchcraft in the late 80's and formed a small working group of Thelemic oriented individual in Santa Barbara, CA. Since moving to Portland in late 1993 e.v., he has been active in developing the local O.T.O. community, supporting and assisting in the government of several of the local bodies. A Thelemite and Freemason, his many interests involve using art and ritual to perfect and experience religious ecstasy and self-Illumination.
Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke (Scott and Lisa Coffin) present:
Wine, Dionysus and Initiations into Mystery Cults of Wine!
If there is one thing that our sisters and brothers know us for, it is our love for wine. In a similar spirit as at NOTOCON 2001, we will be giving a presentation on Wine, Dionysus and Initiations into Mystery Cults of Wine. Along with the presentation, we will taste five rich and luxurious wines to enhance the wine mystery experience. The presentation will explore the Mysteries of the Dionysus Cult and other similar wine cults as well as briefly examine a bit of our own Mysteries.
Five fine wines will be tasted and registration is limited to 25 people. The cost is $15.00, pre-registration is required and is on a first come, first served basis. You must be at least 21 years of age and responsible for your alcohol consumption.
Please email lodgemaster@sekhetbastra.org for registration and details.
We look forward to hearing from you, to seeing old friends, to meeting new ones, and to attending yet another beautiful and joyous National Conference.
Hunahpu & Ixel Balamke joined our Order on August 11, 1984 e.v., as two of the ten founding members of Sekhet-Bast-Ra Camp in Oklahoma City. Under the original body master Sekhet-Bast-Ra became an Oasis and then a Lodge during the ’‘80’s.
By 1993 e.v., they became co-Masters of Sekhet-Bast-Ra as an Oasis. Their commitment was to work the Gnostic Mass, promote joy and beauty, and provide a fraternal gathering place for all those who embraced The Book of the Law and Thelema. To these ends they have succeeded. Sekhet-Bast-Ra has become a long term and stable Lodge with a stronger than ever commitment to its members and to our Holy Order.
Besides their hard work and commitment to the Lodge, they were given an even larger task to serve U.S. Grand Lodge as Initiation Secretaries under Sabazius in December 1996 e.v., In January 1, 2002 e.v., Hunahpu became Grand Secretary General while Ixel Balamke continues to work as Initiation Secretary and remains as sole Lodgemaster of Sekhet-Bast-Ra.
Survival — The First and Last Ordeal of Initiation
Thou then who meetest jerks and assholes, rejoice because of them, for in them is Strength, and by their means is a pathway opened unto that Light. How should it be otherwise, O man and O woman, whose life is but a day in Eternity, a drop in the Ocean of time; how, were the idiots not many, couldst thou purge thy soul from the dross of earth? Is it but now that the Higher Life is beset with dolts and morons; hath it not ever been so with the Sages and Hierophants of the past? They have been ignored and insulted, they have been tormented of governing bodies; yet through this also has their Glory increased. Rejoice therefore, O Initiate, for in the O.T.O. , the greater thy trial the greater thy Triumph.
Lon Milo DuQuette has served exactly half his current incarnation in the O.T.O. Despite that fact he appears to be sane and relatively harmless. He was initiated Minerval by Hymenaeus Alpha X° and Soror Meral in Dublin California on the evening of November 15, 1975 e.v., For the last 25 years he and his long-suffering wife, Saint Constance of the Well, Our Lady of Perpetual Motion, have led Heru-ra-ha Lodge in Newport Beach, California, the first local lodge chartered by H.A. under the auspices of Thelema Grand Lodge. Archbishop DuQuette is currently U.S. Deputy Grand Master General and in his own way tries to be helpful.
Soror Ashera (Gretchen Faulk) presents:
Nuit - The Limitless Goddess
To the ancient Egyptians Nuit was more than just the starry sky, she was the very fabric of space within whose body were the dimensions of life and eternity. What is the relation of this Goddess to the modern day? Who is she now? What is the Thelemic connection?
This presentation examines the rich and venerable identity of a Goddess well documented more than 5,000 years ago. First we will explore her role in Egyptian cosmology and religion. A brief run-through of her iconography will equip the individual to recognize and appreciate her in Egyptian art. Then we move on to Cairo in 1904 e,v,, with Aleister Crowley’s experience of the Lady of the Stele of Revealing. We will see what Nuit has to say for herself, her instructions and her desires for us. A personal interpretation of her theology reveals Nuit as the Initiator of a new paradigm for present-day magick. Please join Sor. Ashera as we explore the symbols, character and message of the Goddess of Liber AL.
Soror Ashera lives and practices magick in Salt Lake City Utah. With the O.T.O since 1995, she is Secretary of Horus Oasis, an Ordained Deacon and half of a Mass Team. For over 15 years Ashera has pursued her education as a Ritualist studying world religions, cross-cultural mythology, theology, performance skills and of late - Ancient Egyptian religion. She is well known in Utah for her devotion to the Goddess and the neo-pagan community, maintaining ties with diverse pagan and international religious traditions. Over the years she has presented at panel discussions, talk shows, University lectures, police departments, schools, and pagan workshops and led many, many rituals. Aside from the O.T.O., her scholarship and energy have been directed to the founding and administration of S.L.C.’s only open (legal!) Wiccan Church, of which she is HP. Her personal spiritual focus is eclectic and devotional. She admits to being completely obsessed with Our Lady of the Stars, collecting Nuit art, prayers, poetry, and arcane Egyptian references.
Frater IO Pan (Doug James) presents:
Initiation
Frater IO Pan’s lecture will study the full process of initiation in six steps. The first section will attempt to answer the critical question: What is Initiation? The nature of the Orphic Egg and its contents will be discussed, the idea of Gnosis as ‘I know, I experience’ expounded and these ideas compared to the text of the Liber Porta Lucis.
Part two will be a short presentation of the history of the O.T.O. as an initiating body. The main theme to be covered will be the evolution of initiations: from its Masonic roots in Yarker, Kellner, Reuss and Crowley, through the revisions of Crowley to eliminate plagiarisms from Freemasonry, to the O.T.O. as a modern initiating body under the successive leadership of Germer, Grady McMurtry and Hymeneus Beta.
The third portion of the lecture will cover the concept of initiatory formulae: the Solar vs. the Lunar formulae following both cycles and detailing the different metaphors inherent in each. Also discussed will be wielding the light through our chakras; wielding the four powers of the sphinx; comprehension of angelic communication via both symbol and metaphor and the formula of the current aeon, that of the child.
In part four, the Gnostics and self initiation will be covered. As it was chiseled into the wall at the temple at Delphi: ‘Know thyself.’ Initiation into the outer and the inner will be compared, including equilibrating the light with the dark and mastering the gray; putting forth the true meaning of Baphomet as the blender of the light. This will present the method of invoking the dark demons of the deep and the light angels of the heavens as the formula of equilibration to neutralize both as set forth in Liber Librae.
The fifth part will deal with creating a spiritual and initiatory lineage for oneself. Building your own initiatory temple and experiencing your religion directly from within. Asking the tough questions: What should it have? And what should it be? From both the outside and the inside.
The sixth and final party will conclude with fraternity as an integral product of the initiatory experience, the sharing with and adoption of a magical family.
Doug James, aka Frater IO Pan, has been a member of the Order since taking his Minerval in 1978 e.v. He was appointed by the Grand Master Sabazius and served as Grand Secretary General to the O.T.O. USA from 1997 e.v. to 2001 e.v. He founded 93 Camp in 1982 e.v., chartered by Hymaneus Alpha which subsequently became an Oasis and then a Lodge. 93 Lodge is still active today. He and his wife Karen have been practicing EGC clergy since 1983 e.v. He was ordained a Bishop in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica in 1998 e.v. He is the Most Wise Sovereign of Proserpente Rose Croix Chapter in San Clemente, CA. He lectured on the Tarot: The Book of Thoth at NOTOCON 1999 in Portland, OR and the Tools of Divination at NOTOCON 2001 in Long Beach, CA. He is a graduate with honors in Philosophy from the University of California at Irvine.
Brother Doug has a California Teaching Credential and has made a living teaching crowned and conquering elementary school children for the last 27 years. He has been honored as an educator by the State Superintendent of Public Schools, his school district, and his peers. He has been married for 18 years, has 2 children, and 3 grandchildren.
Karen James and Travis Mead present:
Eleusinian Initiation
“Blessed are they who have seen the Mysteries, blessed are they who have seen, blessed are they for they know the end of life and its beginnings.”
So it was said of the initiates of the Eleusinian Mysteries in the ancient world. This quotation gives some insight into the nature of the initiation process at Eleusis. Much appears to have been about seeing and knowing in ways which were not available to the uninitiated. The presentation seeks to explore the thematic elements, which run through what we know about this ancient mystery cult, as well as the experiential aspects of the initiation.
Karen James, Soror SA.'.RA.'., was first attracted to the light of Thelema when introduced to its philosophy by her husband Doug in 1980 e.v. While witnessing The Gnostic Mass for the first time at Heru Ra Ha Lodge in the Summer of 1981 e.v., she knew that her pathway to wisdom and peace would be deeply carved within The Bonds of The Order.
She took her Minerval initiation in October of 1981 e.v. at Heru Ra ha. After helping to raise 93 Camp to Oasis and finally Lodge status, Karen took the helm in 1997 e.v and served as its Master for 2 years. She looks forward to continuing her work in The Order as High Priestess of Proserpente Chapter Rose Croix in San Clemente, California where she and Doug have lived for 22 years.
With great passion for the celebration of The Mystic Marriage, it was only natural that Our Sister become involved in building a temple to the Goddess on her own home turf in 1983 e.v., and she and Frater Io Pan have been performing the Mass on a regular basis ever since! She was ordained Bishop in E.G.C. in 2000 e.v.
While having played a strong role in the growth and development of the O.T.O. in Southern California, Karen continued to investigate her primary interest in The Master's Work as centered around Crowley's Rites of Eleusis. She played an integral role in the introduction of The Rites in Southern California in 1982 e.v. Since that time, she has focused her studies within Magick on the greater understanding of these rites, and more extensively on The Ancient Mysteries at Eleusis for over 2 decades. She has been at the center of discovery and interpretive development in the re-creation of The Ancient Mysteries as presented annually in Southern California since their inception in 1990 e.v.
Our Sister SA.'.RA.'. was honored to speak on The Eleusinian Mysteries at the National Ordo Templi Orientis Conference in Portland, summer 1999 e.v. In August of 2001 e.v, she chaired the committee for NOTOCON 2001, “The Divine” in Long Beach California.
Karen and Doug have been married for 18 years and have 2 grown children. They find great joy in grandparenting their 3 beautiful granddaughters ages 2, 7 and 10.
Travis Mead, aka Frater Harmateus, received his Minerval at Heru-Ra-Ha Lodge in 1988 e.v and has remained active in the O.T.O. since that time. At present, he is the treasurer for 93 Lodge and frequently serves as an officer for their initiations. In addition, he is an ordained deacon in the EGC. Our brother has been actively involved in the production of Crowley's Rites of Eleusis, especially The Rite of Jupiter, in Southern California since the early 90s. He has co-facilitated a yearly retreat based upon the ancient Eleusinian Mysteries with Soror SA.'.RA.'. and Frater IO Pan since 1991 e.v. In 2001 e.v., he presented his paper, “Working with Archetypes and Deities: Possession and Equilibration,” at NOTOCON 2001. Prior to joining the O.T.O., Frater Harmateus was initiated into, and active within, a Wiccan Magical group.
On a professional level, Frater Harmateus has been a licensed and practicing psychotherapist since 1980 e.v. He is certified in Biofeedback and Hypnosis, and has completed formal training in EMDR. His specializations are in the treatment of trauma, dissociation, anxiety and mind/body interactions. He was introduced to Archetypal and transpersonal psychology in 1976 e.v. and has worked to attempt a synthesis of them with Magick for many years.
Evolution of Magical Practice in the Career of Aleister Crowley
While Crowley's instructional works emphasize the methods and formulae of ceremonial magick, his own private workings evolved considerably over his lifetime. This talk traces Crowley's move away from traditional ritual in the Golden Dawn mold to epic ecstatic workings like Paris, Abuldiz and Amalantrah, and ends with Crowley's ultimate adoption of sex magick as his primary method for the last quarter century of his life.
Richard Kaczynski, Ph.D., has studied magic, mysticism and alternative religions for 25 years, and has been lecturing on them since 1990 e.v. His writings on the subject have appeared in “Rebels and Devils,” “The Golden Dawn Sourcebook” and “People of the Earth” as well as the magazines “Mezlim” and “Eidolon.” Along with Hymenaeus Beta, he co-edited a collection of Aleister Crowley's essays entitled “The Revival of Magick and Other Essays” and his biography of Crowley, “Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley” was recently published by New Falcon.
Dr. Kaczynski has been a member of the O.T.O since 1986 e.v., and is bodymaster and initiator for Blue Equinox Oasis in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Health and Safety issues for initiators
This presentation will discuss and provide basic training in Safety and CPR for initiators, addressing the dangers that may occur during O.T.O. initiations. With the implementation of the liability waiver this presentation is highly recommended for initiators and those seeking charters to initiate.
James Nobles is the Secretary of U.S. Grand Tribunal, and a Sovereign Grand Inspector General. Brother Nobles is a supervisor at a medical facility in Seattle, WA., a Red Cross instructor and Emergency Medical Technician Instructor. He is the owner of “Executive Medical Service” a company that provides First Aid/CPR and EMT training. Brother Nobles has been in the Order since 1982 e.v.
Magick, Art, and Performance: Distinctions, Commonalities, and Fusions
Brother Price’s presentation will focus on how musical, artistic and dramatic ritual elements can be used as tools for personal and group initiation and transformation. His multi media presentation will demonstrate how performance can be a road to attainment and how art and music can be both a means and effect of magick.
Brother Price is one of the longest standing members of O.T.O. He is a professional musician and composer. His works include compositions for the celebration of the Gnostic Mass and other Thelemic Themes.
Doug Rist and Ariana White, in conjunction with the Oregon Lodges of Perfection, present:
The Novitiate Ritual of O.T.O.
The Lodges of Perfection of Oregon under the able direction of Douglas Rist and Ariana White will present a performance of one of earliest initiation rituals Aleister Crowley wrote for the O.T.O. The Novitiate ritual is an archaic form that presages our Minerval Ritual but is completely different than anything else within the corpus of ritual. Come and see an Aleister Crowley initiation ritual that has probably never been performed before.
This event will be tyled to the Minerval degree.
Douglas Rist was born in National City, CA on March 22, 1967 e.v. His adoptive parents then moved him to the blessed land of Oregon, where he has spent the majority of his life. Following a long path, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis on June 19, 1993 e.v. He enjoys a wide variety of disciplines; from Qabalah to Runes to Tarot to Ceremonial Magick, etc. He enjoys reading Nietzsche and Evola, and loves pre-Raphaelite art. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon, is married and the father of four boys. His priorities in life are Magick, Family and the struggle for perfection.
Ariana White bought a Thoth Tarot deck with her 13th Birthday money, and five years later, took her Minerval degree. She enjoys all aspects of initiation, from receiving the initiations that have been bestowed on her over the years to participating as an officer and initiator to creating and preparing the material of initiation. She also enjoys researching older rituals and the predecessors and currents of which we are heirs. She is honored to serve as the Treasurer of Coph Nia Lodge, the oldest O.T.O. body in Oregon, and as a member of the Committee of Four of the Psyche-Eros Chapter of Rose Croix.
Layers of Transformation, Layers of Initiation
This presentation will map out the psychological, physiological, and spiritual determinants of initiatory experience. Using a Qabalistic framework, as well as modern transpersonal psychological theories, Brother David Shoemaker will discuss the processes whereby true initiation occurs, whether in a formal ritual context or in those “life initiations” which manifest as ordeals, spontaneous epiphanies, and related phenomena. I will discuss the precursors to initiation (e.g. psychological and physiological preparation) as well as the effects of initiation at all levels of the spirit and psyche.
Dr. David Shoemaker is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Sacramento, California, where he lives with his wife and 7 year-old son. He is the director of the Center for Psychospiritual Integration, and specializes in Jungian, transpersonal and humanistic approaches to therapy. David is a veteran of NOTOCON 2001, where he presented a lecture entitled “Anima Solis”. In addition to other writings, David has recently contributed a chapter on Qabalistic Psychology to an undergraduate psychology textbook. He avoids real work by composing music, including the score to the independent film, “Elsa Letterseed”. David has been a member of the O.T.O. since 1993.
Frater Julianus (Brother John Smith) presents:
The Indo-European Structure of the Man of Earth Degrees
(or, How a Bunch of Central Asian Barbarians from 5,000 Years Ago Made the O.T.O. What it is Today)
This presentation will be an exploration of Proto-Indo-European myth and society based on the work of French academic Georges Dumezil. This presentation will demonstrate how the primal ideologies behind European and Indian cultures helped shape Aleister Crowley's vision of O.T.O. independently of his conscious awareness. Minerval through Third degrees will be discussed in detail, along with some remarks on the Order's overall structure.
This event will be tyled at Third degree.
Frater Julianus is a natural-born Hoosier who took his Minerval in 1989 e.v. and has been active in the Midwest O.T.O. ever since, mostly in IAO-Abraxas Camp in Bloomington, Indiana. He studied comparative religion and anthropology at Indiana University before taking a degree in Illustration from Paier College in Connecticut. You can see some of his artwork in Volume IV of The Equinox. He edited that infamous newsletter, the Herald-Tepaphone, and has contributed book reviews to Agape. Aside from Magick and art, his interests include history and alternative homebuilding. Presently he is working to build a new local body in Bloomington. Check out his website at http://www.kiva.net/~julianus/main.html
Initiation and the Mysteries
Brother Stein's presentation will discuss the Johannine mysteries. The emphasis will be on John the Baptist and the Summer Solstice in relation to the dagger and the disk and the word of the Minerval. He will show how this thread is carried though the O.T.O. system of initiation and how they also run though numerous other traditions (Masonic, Christian and Pagan). The focus will be on how the importance of our ritual is in what they profess and in their effect, not in the mechanics of performing them.
This event will be tyled to the First Degree.
Brother Bob Stein took his Minerval initiation in 1983 e.v. at Tahuti Lodge. He has served the Order as the Master of Pyramid Lodge from its inception as a Camp through Oasis to Lodge. He was a member of the Electoral College of U.S. O.T.O. for 11 years and presided as its president for 3 years, and presently operates as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General based from Pyramid Lodge in Buffalo New York.
Brother Stein has traveled the world visiting magical power points including Egypt, Australia, Kailas in Tibet, Macchu Picchu in Peru, Tihanaco in Bolivia, and sacred sites in England, France, Italy and Greece. He has authored a number of scholarly works on technical aspects of Thelema including the manuscript of the Book of the Law, Liber 671, the so-called Tzaddi Glyph and the Riddle Hidden therein, The 3 Dimensional Qabalistic Tree of Life, Liber Nu and the Lodge of Perfection and Fourth Degree Rituals.
Bob Stein is a Professor Emeritus of Biology in the University System of the State of New York and was Chairman of the College Senate for 4 years.
Frater Hrumachis (Merrill Ward) presents:
Ash Qadosh: The Holy Fire of Initiation
“Igniting the Fires of Global Transformation Through the Process of Individual Initiation”
“And John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh after ... he shall baptize you with the Fire of the Holy Spirit.” — Luke 3:16
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and the holy fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” — Revelation 20:9
“...then if thy meditation prolongeth itself, thou shalt unite all these Symbols into the form of a Lion. When thou shalt behold that holy and formless Fire shining, flashingly through the depth of the Universe: Hear thou the Voice of Fire.” — The Chaldean Oracles of Julianus
“Then in the might of the Lion did I formulate unto myself that holy and formless fire, ShDQ, which darteth and flasheth through the depths of the Universe.” — Liber DCCCXIII vel ARARITA
“The Sun, Strength & Sight, Light; these are for the servants of the Star & the Snake.” — Liber AL vel Legis I:21
The initiatory process in the Western Mystery School tradition has existed since time immemorial, passing back through antiquity from the Greeks and the Egyptians, to the Chaldean and Sumer-Babylonians, stretching back across the Ages until its mysteries are veiled by the mists of time.
How do the processes of ceremonial initiation relate to us now in our modern culture and in the technological age? Specifically, as Thelemites and initiates of the O.T.O. what is the aim, purpose and intent of our specific initiatory traditions? How does initiation relate to us both as individuals and within a wider Thelemic community and on a larger scale globally or even universally? And how exactly are we most efficiently able to determine and explore new paradigms and contexts for the initiatory process? These questions and many more will be addressed in Ash Qadosh: The Holy Fire of Initiation.
Building and expanding upon his NOTOCON 2001 presentation “Summoning the Sacred,” Frater Hrumachis (Merrill Ward) will offer this evocative and highly informative (PowerPoint) presentation and lecture which will focus on the deeper levels of the initiatory process and its function and purpose to the initiate both personally as well as on a global and universal scale. “Ash Qadosh” will challenge and inspire each individual initiate to dig deeper into the fertile soils of their own initiatory process to unearth the rough stone or “ashlar” which lies there, as well as providing the practical tools and magical context necessary for mining and polishing the raw ore of their own First Matter into the golden and radiant Philosophers Stone capable of alchemically transforming the World through the Holy Fires of Initiation .
Frater Hrumachis is the Public Information Officer of Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A, having been appointed to the position by the Grand Master Sabazius in the winter of 2002 e.v. He is the Past Master of L.V.X. Lodge, Los Angeles where he served in this capacity from 1997-2000 e.v. and is currently an active member of RPSTOVAL Camp in Ashland, Oregon. He has hosted and presented regular classes, workshops and Thelemic events and celebrations for both of these local bodies for the past 8 years. In 1999 e.v. he was ordained as priest of E.G.C. and established Dove and Serpent Sanctuary with his wife and priestess, Soror Ashera (Loraia Ward), and continues to regularly celebrate the Gnostic Mass. He is a ritualist, performer, teacher and student of Hermeticism and Thelemic magick. Frater Hrumachis works as an acclaimed freelance producer and filmmaker, and is currently scripting a documentary entitled ‘The Way of the Magus’ inspired by Crowley’s writings in both The Heart of the Master and Liber Aleph. He also works as promotions director for independent world-beat record label Sequoia Records. Frater Hrumachis and Soror Ashera are currently living, loving and working in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon.
Sr. Athene Nephthys (Cindi Whittaker) presents:
Theater for Thelemites
Soror Athene Nephthys will begin with a brief history discussing the developments of Greek theatre, covering the development of Athenian Tragedy and its roots in Greek religious ceremony. Her presentation will include a timeline of major developments and also cover the history of late 19th century theatre as it applies to Crowley’s circles.
In On the Stage she will cover the basics of theatre terms, acting, vocal and diction techniques, directing and movement. Attention will be paid to how these things can be incorporated into magical practice both in large groups (i.e. initiatory rituals) and for personal ritual.
Finally Behind the Scenes will be an explanation of the roles and functions of each member of the production team and a brief run-down of the design process from design to execution. The focus will be on how to utilize this info for production of things like The Rites of Eleusis and seasonal rites.
Sr. Athene Nephthys (Cindi Whittaker) graduated in Dec. 1992 e.v. with a B.A. in Theatre from the Univ. of Southern Maine and has worked in various theatrical environments as a stage manager, house manager, production assistant, lighting designer, wardrobe mistress, props mistress, and general stagehand. Before college she trained as a classical and jazz singer in high school and performed in musicals and dramas from age 8 on up. Since becoming involved in the local O.T.O., she has brought her stage management and lighting design skills to various rites at Sekhet-Maat Lodge and has spoken with many of the sisters and brethren about the deep connection between the performing arts and magick. She is pleased to be able to share her insights, perspectives and experience with brothers and sisters in the order so that the rituals may indeed be performed ‘with Joy and Beauty’.
Sr. Hypatia (Kerry A. Kurowski) presents:
Special Event Planning
Sister Kerry's presentation will cover the nuts and bolts of planning a successful event that is of a larger scale. Topics include budgeting, choosing a location, menus and team building. This event is open to all and will include hand outs and examples of forms used in the presentation to take home and put to use.
Soror Hypatia, Master of William Blake Oasis, has been planning events since 1991 e.v. Starting as assistant coordinator of The End of the Edge Concert Series, she recruited exciting musical talent and received a grant for the international performance of Korean Music Right Now! She has gone on to organize seminars, conferences, lecture series, performances, book signings, and celebrations. Among the regional O.T.O. events she has coordinated (with the indispensable contributions of excellent Brethren) are a 1998 e.v. Gnostic Mass Seminar, the Spring 2002 Aeropagus/Electoral College Meeting Moroccan Dinner, and the February 2003 Enochian Workshop with Lon Milo DuQuette. She was also involved peripherally in the 1997 e.v. debut year of NOTOCON. A savvy budgeter, she presented Financial Planning for Magicians at 2002 Thelema Wow! and is able help identify blind spots in event spending. Presently, she works as a professional Conference Manager where her meeting planning skills are used for material gain and looks forward to starting her meeting planner certification next year.
Workshops
Certified Initiator Training is being offered to chartered initiators and initiate members of at least III° who aspire to obtain a charter to initiate. The purpose of the training is to equip attendees with the detailed knowledge and understanding of the current policies and procedures of O.T.O.USA requisite to the performance of O°-III° initiations. Attendance at the training is a positive factor in obtaining a charter to initiate and will provide chartered initiators with a necessary review of contemporary practice. Training will be conducted by S.G.I.G.'s and Certified Initiator Trainers at Sekhet-Maat Lodge on Thursday, August 7, 9 am - 5 pm; registration fee is $20.00. Lunch will be provided on site.
The United States Electoral College of Ordo Templi Orientis presents:
The Electoral College is proud to present a day-long workshop on Thelemic leadership facilitated by past and present lodge masters Kent Finne of Tahuti Lodge, Content Love Knowles of Scarlet Woman Lodge, Merrill Ward of LVX Lodge, Dionysos Rogers of Scarlet Woman Lodge, and Hank Hadeed of Sekhet-Maat Lodge. The workshop will include a short segment with some of the members of the Electoral College. Highly recommended for local body officers. The registration fee is $20.00.
The National Convention Committee presents:
So you want to do NOTOCON?
The National NOTOCON committee and the onsite coordinator for the 2003 conference will talk about how to put on a National conference, and explain what resources are provided by Grand Lodge. This seminar is highly recommended for anyone considering hosting a conference.