204. 'HEKA and NETURU'

'Egyptian Magic and the Gods' Thursday, 11 December A Talk and Discussion at Treadwell's Bookshop Covent Garden

Sheldon Gosline, educated at Cambridge and the University of Chicago, is an internationally known and widely published scholar on Ancient Egypt. He is also a delightful, engaging, and magical person.

Sheldon is committed to bridging the gap between academics and non-academics, between magical practitioners and intellectual practitioners. We are delighted that he has agreed to devote one evening to giving a talk and discussion on Egyptian Magic and Religion. Specifically, he will be talking about the current state of research on a range of topics:

-priesthood training -magical methods -devotional practices -spell-casting -prayer-formats -temple culture -goddess cults

We are setting aside ample time for questions and discussion. Sheldon is pleased to be of any help with practical queries that might be of assistance to practitioners of the Egyptian mysteries (the material from which temple garb was made? how-to guidelines on making amulets? Where to find an invocation to Nephthys?)

Planning to attend? Please arrive at 7.15 for a 7.30 start. To book a place simply phone or email Treadwells, and we will hold a place for you. The cost is £5.00/4.00 conc.

203. Martin P. Starr's THE UNKNOWN GOD:

W. T. SMITH AND THE THELEMITES, is being published this month by the Teitan Press, Inc. Here is a brief description of the contents from the Teitan Press website:

The first documentary study of the followers of the English mystic Aleister Crowley in North America, told through the life of their defacto leader, Wilfred Talbot Smith (1885-1957). To promulgate the Crowleyan teachings in Hollywood, in 1934 Smith incorporated the "Church of Thelema"--known to Los Angeles newspaper readers as the "Purple Cult." The following year he started a lodge of Crowley's co-masonic Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) which attracted its own cast of characters including John Carradine and the gay radical Harry Hay. Smith's life reached its conclusion when Crowley, taking a page from Louis Bromfield's novel, THE STRANGE CASE OF MISS ANNIE SPRAGG sent him off on a retreat to determine which God he was incarnating, a journey from which he never returned....

432 pages, over 44 photographs and illustrations, this long-awaited book will be required reading for those interested in 19th and 20th century esoteric movements, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Theosophical Society and the Crowley-derived organizations. ISBN 0-933429-07-X $49.95 hardback.

202. Aleister crowley's phantom

201 Throbbing Gristle for Beltaine

"A Celebration of Industrial Musics in the 21st Century"

Chris Carter, Peter Christopherson, Genesis P-Orridge and Cosey Fanni Tutti will briefly regroup to present RE~TG, a weekend of music, art, film performance culminating in an exclusive set by THROBBING GRISTLE. The location will be Pontin's Holiday Resort, Camber Sands, near Rye, England. RE~TG will take place on 14th -16th May 2004.

Book now to ensure a place at this once in a lifetime time historic event. http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/

200 Ritual magick website

What is Ritual Magick UK about?

Standing together and learning from each other : We welcome contributions of articles, links, reviews and artwork from all members. Feel free to plug your events and projects here, all we ask is that you provide as much information as possible - you can use html (contact us if you are unsure!).

199 Ithell Colquhoun: sale of her papers

Caduceus books are currently selling a swath of Ithell Colquhoun's papers relating to the Golden dawn and occultism generally. Its a bit of a shame to see the breakup of this collection amongst private buyers, but there you go. Ithell Colquhoun, who died in 1988, is the most prominent woman surrealist artist to have lived and worked in Britain. She was a successful novelist and also had a considerable interest and involvement in occultism. Her cousin, E.J. Garstin was a member of the off shoot of the Golden Dawn headed by Moina Mathers. He showed her original manuscripts in MacGregor Mathers hand. She wrote Sword of Wisdom, a biography which is noted for its useful account of the later manifestations of the Golden Dawn current. It is also written as an active occultist rather than a detached academic. She was active in Druidism, the Order of the Pyramid and the Sphinx which was one of the few groups exploring Enochian Magic in the 1960’s and was a member of W.B. Crow’s Order of Hidden Masters, the O.T.O. Accordingly her correspondents often shared with her information which was unpublished elsewhere. These papers offer a unique opportunity to acquire research material. Beyond that a number of these items offer a connection with the magical endeavours of a respected member of 20th Century British occultism, these links might be explored and utilised as Ithell Colquhoun herself might work, through dreams, ritual and astral visions.

A further account of her life and images of the original artwork by her that is listed here can be found at my web site:- www.occultartgallery.com

http://www.cadu.demon.co.uk/
http://www.occultartgallery.com
http://www.io.com/~albion/caduceus/
Email:- ben@...

198 Siddha Quest for Immortality: (reissued)

Sexual, alchemical and medical secrets of the Tamil Siddhas, the poets of the powers
isbn 1869928431
13.99 UKP/$25
218pp

In South India there is a society where priests and lay people claim supernatural powers. Where a sophisticated medical system underlies a quest for physical longevity and psychic immortality. And where arcane and sexual rituals take place that are far removed from the Brahmanic tradition of the rest of India. That society is the Tamil Siddhas. In the Siddha Quest for Immortality world Tamil expert K Zvelebil offers a vivid picture of these people: their religious beliefs, their magical rites, their alchemical practices, their complex system of medicine, and their inspired tradition of poetry.

In the Poets of the Powers, Zvelebil introduced English speakers, for the first time , to the astonishing power of Siddha writing. The Siddha Quest for Immortality includes many newly translated examples of poetry that is deeply religious but not without humour. But physical longevity was also central to Siddha belief, and fascinating chapters on Siddha medicine describe routines by which one can maintain health, and tell how drugs are created from such varied ingredients as cowdung, human urine, honey, and milk.

K Zvelebil, (Professor Emeritus of the Universities of Chicago and Utrecht) is an ordained Buddhist and world-renowned expert on south Indian Languages and culture. He has written many books including the Lexicon of Tamil Literature. The Siddha Quest for Immortality makes available for the first time, secrets of tantrik magick and alchemy.

‘...the reader-whether an Indologist or not - will enjoy it as it presents a number of facts from medical practice and has in some parts a personal touch due to Zvelebil’s own experience with Siddha therapy and his contacts with various informants. Moreover, it contains a great number of translations from Siddha texts, for example the Cunnilingus according to Tantrik Siddhas...or Teraiyar’s recommendation for the Daily Regime.’.. Jens Knuppel, in Traditional South Asian Medicine, Volume 6, 2001

197. Crown Me with Roses

Crown me with roses,
Crown me really
With roses -
Roses which burn out
On a forehead burning
So soon out!
Crown me with roses
And with fleeting leafage.
That will do.

(12.06.1914)
'Selected Poems' translated from Fernando Pessoa by J.Griffin.

196. Gnosis in Northumberland

Greetings and salutations on all points of the triangle

Gnosis is a collection of like-minded people celebrating each other's perspectives in an atmosphere of light, life, love, and liberty. Events include a host of lectures and workshop with emphasis on the central theme of Ritual Magick as well as Ritual Performances old and new. During the evenings a local storyteller will provide entertainement and on Saturday there will be a Gothic Masked Ball. As well as the exsisting events we hope you will feel free to get creative and do your own thing.

Our weekend retreat is set in a 13th Century Castle and grounds in Northumberland and runs between 14th-17th November. The whole thing costs just £75 for accommodation and meals from Friday evening dinner to Monday morning breakfast. Non-refundable deposits of £25 will hold a place. The castle only holds 93 people so book now to avoid disappointment.

195. CUNNING-FOLK: Popular Magic in English History

Owen Davies. Hambledon London, ISBN 1-85285-297-6

Although rarely used in the modern day, two hundred years ago ‘cunning-folk’ was the common English term for magicians or witches for hire. Such a person would be of service to the community through their abilities to divine, catch thieves, cast love spells, remove malign witchcraft on people and animals, the odd exorcism or two, a good smattering of herb lore, and more besides. Strangely, this is the first ever academic study of the truth and history of the so called ‘cunning craft’. Its author is a Lecturer in History at the University of Hertfordshire, and has no axe to grind when it comes to claims of their own magical lineage. As such I am sure many would agree that this book is long overdue.

Owen Davies takes us on a fascinating journey back in time. He discusses the legal issues of the day, their spiritual implications and relations to the Church, who would visit them and why. Davies takes a good look at the libraries left behind by two cunning-men. He finds in the some of these grimoire, such as the famed Dragon Rouge, the more diabolical sorceries of the day, and Davies gives details of a few surviving written charms. Most of these are of Christian and Hebrew origin, drawing upon various passages from the Bible. Others will be recognised by modern practitioners, such as the Abracadabra, or the Sator square. The author makes some very interesting observations and conclusions. An example is the fact that Skott’s ‘Discoverie of Witchcrafte’ set the rituals of High Magic into the vernacular for the first time, and thus ironically became one of the principal sources of those rituals employed by the average cunning-folk.

The final chapter discusses the existence of cunning-folk in the twentieth century. In recent times a few books have appeared on the market aimed primarily at a pagan audience, and there have been more than a few arguments over who can claim such a ‘title’ and why. Interestingly, Davies concludes that there is no evidence for the passing of ‘cunning’ knowledge into Wicca through any lines of initiation or instruction, and is quite specifically dismissive of those claims concerning George Pickingill. He points out that the cunning-folk were often highly unscrupulous, and asks why anyone would want to lay claim to such an inheritance in the first place. They were often cynical hard nosed business-men more concerned with the magical art of turning superstition into coin than they were with the protection and transmission of ancient knowledge. He also reasons that there are perhaps grounds for some to claim indirect descent, since most cunning folk simply learnt a few stock charms straight out of books, many of which are still available and popular in the modern day, and backed themselves up with a whole load of spurious claims. However, since these people claiming 'cunning' are more concerned with selling their ideas to other practitioners of the neo-pagan religion rather than selling their ‘abilities’ to the general community, they are not really the same thing at all. Harsh, but perhaps he does have a point. On the other hand, it may just be possible that Davies has not been talking to the right people. One might also argue that the use of the term ‘cunning’ in relation to the magic of this land is as valid from a cultural viewpoint as, say, the use of the word ‘vodu’ is to those of Caribbean descent. It all depends upon your criteria regarding such definitions.

Overall, this book is an important and valuable edition to the body of work tracing the history and development of magical belief and practice in the U.K. Highly recommended, regardless of your 'path' or 'lineage'. Nathaniel J. Harris

The paperback of Natham's Witcha: a book of cunning will be published next spring

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000. Groups, events et al

'Oxford Talking Stick Pub Moot' meets every Thursday at The Port Mahon Pub (St . Clements st)Oxford. Each week we discuss a topic, using a talking stick, which we have collectively agreed upon the week before, we do so in fellowship and each person is free to speak or not as is their wish. Most folks get to the pub about 9:00 to start 9:30 ish. The Oxford Talking Stick moot is an independent group open to all pagans, witches, Tantrics, Druids, Wiccans, Shaman and magickians etc wishing to take part in the discussion. Prior knowledge of the weeks subject is not essential as these moots should and can be an opportunity for us to learn from each other. Contact JackDaw pendark@...

Cardiff contacts sought for occult moot perhaps
leading to ritual seed group on OGDOS lines
email mandrake-owner@yahoogroups.com

The West Herts moot is held on the 2nd Sunday in every month. The next one will be on 11th May at 1pm onwards at the Fishery Inn, Hemel Hempstead.

Full details including a map can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westherts-moot/ or email Sophie at hintlemin@...

Norwich Magician's Moot, which occurs the second Thursday of every month in Norwich in
floating venues. For information
e-mail denise@...
or phone Anton or Denise at 01603 622142.