Overview
This class provides complete instruction on the basic principles, rituals, and philosophy of Western occultism. While there is some mention of modern occult “currents”, such as Thelema and Wicca, the primary perspective will be of traditional ceremonial magic. To that end, the main topics of study are Kabbalah, Gnosticism, and Ceremonial Magic. For the most part, the classes are structured such that material is discussed chronologically, starting with Ancient Egypt.
Major Topics:
- Banishing, Invocation, Evocation
- Enchanting: Symbols and Talismans
- Lucid Dreaming, Creative Visualization & Astral Projection
- Experimentation and Occult Science
- Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel
The overall structure of the course begins with a heavy focus on philosophy, definitions, and the principles which underlie magical practice. As the classes progress, the focus will transition to more hands-on ritual work. Daily ritual practice will be necessary to get any practical benefit aside from just satisfying intellectual curiosity.
Vital Information
- Duration: 6 months
- 1 class per month
- 3 hours per class
- In-person in Austin, TX
- Next session begins in January 2018. Enrollment will open soon. Check here for updates.
Syllabus & Reading Assignments:
1: Hermeticism
- Required Reading:
2: Kabbalah & Initiation
- Required Reading:
- My Essays
- “Chicken Qabalah” by Lon Milo DuQuette
- “Light on the Path” by M.C. (aka Mabel Collins)
- Lon DuQuette’s overview of the Kabbalistic Worlds
- Recommended Reading:
- “The Never Ending Story” by Michael Ende
- “My Life With The Spirits” by Lon Milo DuQuette
- “A Garden of Pomegranates” by Israel Regardie
- Deeper Understanding:
- “Mystical Qabalah” by Dion Fortune
- “Kabbalah Unveiled” by SL McGregor Mathers
- Tasks:
- Memorize the Hebrew alphabet
- Acquire a black tau robe
- Acquire the traditional weapons of magick: Cup, Disk (Panticle), Wand, Dagger
3: Magick
- Required Reading:
- “Transcendental Magic” Part 1 (i.e. the “dogma” part) by Eliphas Levi
- “Liber O vel Manus et Sagittae”
- “Liber Resh vel Helios”
- “Liber XLIV: The Mass of the Phœnix”
- “Liber Pyramidos”
- “The Preliminary Invocation of the Goetia” (aka: “The Bornless Ritual”)
- Tasks:
- The magickal diary (3 parts: Ritual work, dreams, daily activities)
- Write a statement of intent, sign it, and bury it.
- Liber Resh
- Daily meditation
- Pranayama
- Ritual: LBRP or Star Ruby
3: Mysticism
- Required Reading:
- “The Tao of Pooh” / “The Te of Piglet” by Benjamin Hoff
- “The Art of True Healing” by Israel Regardie
- “Liber E”
- “Liber III vel Jugorum”
- “Liber RV vel Spiritus (Liber 206)”
- “Liber CDLI – Eroto-comatose Lucidity”
5: Astral Projection
- Required Reading:
- “Guide to Astral Projection” by Frater Abrasax
- “Practical Guide to Astral Projection” by Melita Denning & Osborne Phillips
- Recommended Reading:
- “Astral Dynamics” by Robert Bruce
- “The Masters and the Path” by CW Leadbeater
- Tasks:
- Successfully astral project so that it “sticks”.
- Eliminate any unwanted force or presence.
- Center and quiet the mind the stabilize the environment.
- Draw upon the authority of the archangels to drive away hostile people or animals.
- If they don’t leave immediately, destroy them with magick (or even ‘physical’ weapons)
- Explore the astral world.
6: The Holy Guardian Angel
- Required Reading:
- “The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz” by Johann Valentin Andreae
- The Wake World by Aleister Crowley
- Liber Tzaddi by Aleister Crowley
- Recommended Reading:
- “The Cry of the 8th Aethyr” in either The Vision and the Voice (Crowley) or Visions and Voices (Eschelman)
- “The Book of Abramelin” by Abraham von Worms
- “Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus” by Gregory Shaw
- Deeper Understanding:
- Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente
- Liber 800: Liber Samekh Theurgia Goetia Summae
- Liber 831: Liber Iod