Thelema Lodge Calendar for August 1986 e.v.

Thelema Lodge Calendar

for August 1986 e.v.

The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of OTO or its officers.

Thelema Lodge
Ordo Templi Orientis
P.O.Box 2303
Berkeley, CA 94702 USA

August 1986 e.v. at Thelema Lodge

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Announcements from
Lodge Members and Officers

Grady's Greater Feast
and Return to the Elements

On July 12th, a sizable group of O.T.O. members and friends of Grady McMurtry, Hymenaeus Alpha, former Caliph of the O.T.O., boarded a boat at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. We went out about three miles beyond the Golden Gate through rough sea and much wash. As the Sun touched the waves our beloved brother's ashes made their final union of the elements. From the fire of cremation to the waters of the great sea, by formula and verse did we rejoice him on his way. A brilliant red flower was cast into the white spirit of ash as it faded into the ocean. That flower came from the same plant that provided the bloom placed on Grady's hands an hour before the fires. Full circle, it is for all who could not be there in body. The IXth degree who placed it on his hands is far away in Europe. By the Magick of our love we are one. In England, at Cleopatra's Needle where Crowley first published Liber AL, the Brothers and Sisters of the London Encampment of O.T.O. read the same poem that was read over the waters of the Pacific. This was Grady's "Redeemer that is in the Waters". His work was done; his spirit is free, even the Nephesh. Our father was one of those who give all their Blood to Babalon, the Bloodless Saints of Thelema. Their reward is in the perfection of the Great Work, deathless union in the arms of eternity. Pain and slowing at the end of life are an illusion in the dream of time. He is beyond time and in splendor. His rest shall not be troubled, and his memory shall be a joy to all who knew him.

Perhaps the best commemoration of Grady on this occasion was provided not by those who made it to the boat, but by Fr. Zardos. As we chugged out to the channel, Zardos was seen waving a bottle of champagne and jumping up and down on the wrong pier! He missed the boat, but he made a real thing of it all. It was like all those days with Grady at initiations and parties; Pagan standard time and 50 feet off center. Seeing him there, it could have been Grady! There hasn't been a better bit of timing since a ship rounded a point off the coast of Greece 1800 years ago. Came a cry from the shore "Tell the Emperor! Great Pan is Dead!" Yet is it ever thus, it is a lie. "Great Pan liveth!"

This month at Thelema Lodge

Renovations to the Lodge in Oakland continue, with a much improved temple room. The back yard is available for warm-weather day events, and many books have arrived for the Lodge library. We have a lot of work ahead of us to make all the facilities available, but each month sees considerable improvement. Initiations at the Temple this month include Minerval and Second, with Third being performed by one of the many fine O.T.O. groups in the area that have chosen Horus Temple of Thelema Lodge as their initiation site. PI initiations are in the planning stages for either September or October. Other Degrees can be initiated in August at Thelema Lodge for arrivals from out of town, but we really need local people to give us the standard 30 days advance notice. Just a reminder, Thelema Lodge is not available for early First Degree initiations. We are of the opinion that nine months minimum between Minerval and First is the right way to do it. We will refer Minervals who disagree with this approach to other local bodies who are trying the innovation. Thelema Lodge lives up to its name. If it is your will to cut short your Minerval time, we won't hinder.

Classes at Thelema Lodge are free, but donations are the only way we can keep offering classes and mailing this calendar. Please give generously. There is no pressure to donate, so don't feel embarrassed if you cannot. Come regardless.

A new series starts in August, Crowley's Magick in Theory and Practice. This discussion-lecture class meets about twice a month and continues until the Chapters of the book have all been done. On the 13th of August, we will take on the Introduction, with its definitions and proceed in the general direction of the formula Chapters. By the end of the class on the 20th, we might reach Chapter V. Brush up on Magick in Theory and Practice before you come for best enjoyment of the series.

This is not an aimless meander or a situation where everybody sits until someone volunteers the obvious. The aim is to enlarge on what Crowley wrote, point out his original contributions, pitfalls, tropes and methods. Readings are limited to highlights. Experienced initiates in the tradition will attend, and the series is presented by the Grand Treasurer General of the Order. Come and discover the inner traditions of Thelemic Magick and those secrets of the O.T.O. which can be revealed to inquiring minds. You will not be told the literal secrets, but any question that pertains to the text of the day will be responded. If you want to know the IXth Degree secret, you won't be told that; but you will be shown where to find it in ritual, formula and description in Magick in Theory and Practice.

The August meetings focus on mental orientation of a Magician and formulas. Crowley's original contribution to Magick is not sex per-say, but the formulas in the early chapters of the book. These are not easy to grasp with an unassisted reading, but they form the core of all Crowley's ritual and method. Dabble without them. Ascend to adeptship through their patterns! Here's where you can pick up the key. Some of the passages in Magick in Theory and Practice are very compressed. Come to this series to see them expanded. Learn how to pronounce "FIAOF" and amaze your friends. Doesn't cure baldness. Is not a special food suppliment.

The Egyptiana series continues with Ebony on the 27th of August. Attend to learn the way of the gods!

The massage classes noted on the Calendar for the 2nd and 30th are for people in pairs. It doesn't matter how the pair is composed, but it should probably last the length of the class. Please call the phone number listed on the calendar for reservations. All types welcome, except people who think like Ed Meese.

About the Calendar

Events listed on the Thelema Lodge Calendar, and described in this write-up are not Thelema Lodge events unless so identified. As a service to the Thelemic and Pagan community, Thelema Lodge provides free space to O.T.O. and other selected groups in its monthly mailing. If you have an event that you want to see here or on the Calendar page, call (415) 454-5176 the month before for details. To insure listing, your call should be made before the middle of the month. We also provide space for free notice of products and information of interest to our readers. Wednesday is getting a little crowded in these monthly activity listings, and another day might be better for events in September. Events in the beginning of the month may be past before some of our readers receive their calendar, but we are trying to move up the date of mailing to correct this problem. In all cases, a phone number is necessary for each event. You can provide a write-up for your event to be published in this part of the "Calendar"

About the Rites of
Eleusis

These are a regular presentation of Crowley's Rites of Eleusis, adapted from his presentation at Caxton Hall in 1910 e.v. They have been held in the SF Bay area for many years now, and are also found at O.T.O. centers as near as Los Angeles and as far away as Australia. The way it's done around here is by formation of troupes for each of the seven Rites. The rules and arrangements vary with who runs each troupe, but Sr. Janestra is now casting for the Rite of Mercury. If you would like to get involved, call (415) 863-5669 to attend the Organizational meeting on August 13th. Rehearsals this month are on the 20th and 27th. Typically the individual rites are presented over most of a day (& night) each. The atmosphere is part party and part stage presentation. Each troupe has a unique approach. Crowley was an innovator in participation theater, and this is the real thing!"

Events Calendar for August 1986 e.v.

8/1/86	Open Forum every Friday 7:30PM	Selene Camp
8/2/86	Massage wrksp 7:30PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/2/86	Hike to Beach	Ankh f-n K Ldg.
8/5/86	New Moon ritual for Ra 8PM	Ankh f n K. Ldg.
8/7/86	Camp meeting 8PM	Hypatia Camp
8/8/86	Camp meeting 8PM	Dii Alleni Camp
8/8/86	Open Forum 7PM	Selene Camp
8/9/86	Initiations
8/10/86	Gnostic Mass 3PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/10/86	Leather Guild Potluck in SF 6:30 to 10:30PM
8/12/86	Gnostic Mass 7:30PM (EGC)	Hirilu Camp
8/13/86	Magick in Theory & Practice 8PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/13/86	Voice class	Anka f n K. Ldg.
8/13/86	Rites of Eleusis organizational meeting for Mercury
8/14/86	Enochian Study 7:30PM	Sirius Oasis
8/14/86	Business & planning 8PM	Ankh f n K.Ldg.
8/15/86	Camp initiation workshop	ABRAHADABRA Camp
8/15/86	Open Forum 7PM	Selene Camp
8/16/86	Initiations
8/17/86	Gnostic Mass & Full Moon Ritual 2PM	Ankh af na Khonsu Ldg.
8/19/86	Agape West Class on Liber V. Reguli 8PM at Lola's
8/20/86	Magick in Theory & Practice #2 8PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/20/86	Rite of Mercury rehersal 8PM
8/21/86	Lodge and GGS Ritual committee meeting 8PM	Ankh af na Khonsu Ldg.
8/22/86	Egyptian ritual 7:30PM	Ankh f n Khonsu Ldg.
8/22/86	Gnostic Mass	Nefrette Camp
8/22/86	Open Forum 7PM	Selene Camp
8/23/86	O.T.O. Board 2PM at Lola's	O.T.O. Corp. HQ
8/24/86	Gnostic Mass 6PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/25/86	Oasis meeting 7:30 PM	Nur alal Uruk Oasis
8/26/86	Agape West meditation class at Lola's 8PM
8/27/86	Egyptiana class with Ebony 8PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/27/86	Magick class 8PM	Ankh f n Khonsu Ldg.
8/28/86	Sirius News publication work party 7:30PM	Sirius Oasis
8/29/86	Open forum every Friday 7PM	Selene Camp
8/30/86	Massage class (must call to attend) BYOV (bring your own victim) 7:30PM	Thelema Ldg.
8/31/86	Gnostic Mass 3PM	Thelema Ldg.

The viewpoints and opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of OTO or its officers.

Thelema Lodge
Ordo Templi Orientis
P.O. Box 2303
Berkeley, CA 94702 USA

Phone: (510) 652-3171 (for events info and contact to Lodge)

Production and Circulation:
OTO-TLC
P.O.Box 430
Fairfax, CA 94978 USA

Internet: heidrick@well.com (Submissions and circulation only)