Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Blazing Star Oasis, O.T.O., is proud to announce a weekend of lectures and a celebration of the Gnostic Mass with Brother AISh MLChMH on June 13 (Sat) – June 14, 2015 (Sun). Please see the schedule below – scroll down to view details about the lectures.
All lectures are open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend!
We strongly recommend prepaying (see below) to reserve your spot (spaces are limited to 50 total), and you also get a discount for prepaying to attend all 3 lectures.
SPEAKER BIO:
Brother AISh MLChMH has been a member of Ordo Templi Orientis for over 25 years. He is the former Secretary of the U.S. Grand Tribunal, and the former body master of Leaping Laughter Lodge in Minnesota. He has been a chartered Initiator of the Man of Earth degrees (0°-III°) and an Ordained Priest of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica since 1998 e.v. He has presented at NOTOCON on The Comment of Liber AL (NOTOCON V) and the symbolism of The Gnostic Mass (NOTOCON VI); the latter published in the 6th Biennial Proceedings book, Beauty and Strength. He regularly teaches classes on these and other subjects and has orchestrated a number of public rituals celebrating the Feasts specified in Liber AL. His writings include articles for the U.S. Grand Lodge publication, Agapé and contributions to many local body publications. Within the next year he will be contributing to a book of essays on The Gnostic Mass, as well as a book focused on the qabalistic doctrine expressed in Liber XV. He currently resides in Austin Texas with his wife and their pet ball python.
SATURDAY 13 JUNE
1:30pm: Doors open
2:30pm – Lecture #1:
Heretical Comments: Crowley’s 21 Year Labour to Obtain The Comment
The Book of the Law is the cornerstone of the religious system of Thelema (the Greek word for “Will”). Communicated in Cairo Egypt by a Præterhuman Intelligence to the English magician, mystic and prophet Aleister Crowley in 1904 of the vulgar era (e.v.), this book prophesized that Crowley would eventually receive a comment to that text: “40. But the work of the comment? That is easy; and Hadit burning in thy heart shall make swift and secure thy pen.” For over twenty years Crowley struggled to interpret and fulfill the injunctions described in Liber AL regarding the comment. This discussion will address those efforts in some detail, and analyze their culmination in The Comment.
4:00-6:00pm: Dinner Break: Light refreshments will be available on site, and we will provide a list of nearby dinner options.
6:00pm – Lecture #2:
Duplexity: a Glance at the Relationship Existing Between the O.T.O. and the A∴A∴
In this presentation Brother AISh MLChMH will be discussing concepts related to the Word “Duplex” which Aleister Crowley received on the Vernal Equinox of 1915 and described as “pertaining to the mystic marriage of A∴A∴ and O.T.O.” Some of the questions to be addressed are: What are the O.T.O. and A∴A∴ exactly? Are there similarities between both Orders? What are some differences between both Orders? Are the O.T.O. and A∴A∴ connected? How so?
9:00pm: Reception
SUNDAY 14 JUNE
12:00pm Noon – Lecture #3:
From Gold Forge Steel: A Brief Analysis of the Symbolism in The Gnostic Mass
This presentation will examine The Gnostic Mass in the light of the writings of Aleister Crowley and others through the curcubite of one individual’s own research and experience. Each of the eight sections of the ritual will be addressed in turn, with an emphasis on symbolic allusions and correlations. Topics will include: the Furnishings of the Temple as suggesting something other than the traditional Tree of Life; identifying the God celebrated in The Gnostic Mass; parallels between The Gnostic Mass and “The Grimorie which Baphomet …himself made;” The Children of the Prophet; the diagrams of the Garden of Eden Before and After the Fall; the three enthusiasms; the Apocalypse; the Pillars and the role of reversal within Magick; The Perfected Egyptian.
4:30pm
Public celebration of Liber XV: Gnostic Mass
WHERE:
Bay Area Thelemic Temple, 130 East 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94606 (click to open in Google Maps)
ADMISSION:
Each lecture is $15. If you wish to attend all 3 lectures, you may pay a lump sum of $40 ($5 off total price). If you are a locally dues-current Affiliate/Member of Blazing Star Oasis, contact the Treasurer to get a reduction in the fee.
You may of course pay upon arrival, but we strongly encourage you to prepay for these events via Paypal (click to make a payment). Spaces are limited to 50 total.
NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are traveling to the area, please look at this list of nearby lodging. There is also a less pricey motel that is literally next door to our temple: America’s Best Value Inn.
Love is the law, love under will.
