Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:27:01 +0000 60 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/ LAShTAL Thelemic News and Culture en-gb http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/images/rss-logo.png http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/ webmaster@lashtal.com http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1073.phtml Weekend of 5th-6th of July, 9.45am arrival for 10.00 am start, finishing 4.30 pm both days.
£93 course fee (must be paid in advance).
Location: Treadwells, 34 Tavistock St, Covent Garden, London.
Never before offered in London, this course offers a serious yet highly approachable introduction to Thelema and Aleister Crowley.


Read more…]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:27:01 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1072.phtml
Three Essays on Freedom by Jack Parsons


With an Introduction by Hymenaeus Beta

&

A Complete Book of Magic Science, Transcribed by Frederick Hockley


With an Introduction by Dietrich Bergman


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Parsival Krumm-Heller died peacefully on Tuesday 17th June in Sydney, Australia, after an ongoing illness.

The son of noted German author, occultist and mystic Arnoldo Krumm-Heller (Frater Huiracocha, 1876-1949, founder of the F.R.A. or Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua), Parsival quite literally grew up in the European occult scene of the early 20th century, getting to know many of its historically important figures – his 'Uncles' and 'Aunts' - such as Karl Germer, Martha Kuntzel, Peryt-Shou, Hermann Metzger and Friedrich Levke, amongst others.

Read more…]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:13:11 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1070.phtml
Catalog Thirty Eight: Aleister Crowley

The catalog starts with signed copies of two important recent releases: Richard T. Cole's fascinating and humorous anecdotal history of Crowley's Abbey of Thelema at Cefalu, Thelema Revisited, and Professor Richard B. Spence's authoratative account of Crowley's involvement with the British intelligence services, Secret Agent 666. The second section of the catalog comprises a selection of rare and unusual books by and about Crowley. It include's Grady McMurtry's copy of the single volume edition of The [Collected] Works of Aleister Crowley, a rare American issue of the First Edition of Eight Lectures on Yoga, the First Edition of The Gospel According to St. Bernard Shaw (1953), a First Edition of Mortadello (1912), Crowley's own copy of C. E. M. Joad's, Guide to Philosophy with his ownership inscription and annotations, Crowley's personal copy of his friend J. W. N. Sullivan's The Bases of Modern Science (1929), with numerous annotations by Crowley, and various other rarities including several unusual signed works by Crowley's former student and biographer Israel Regardie

The third section of the catalog comprises a small collection of books published by or associated with Helen Parsons-Smith, ex-wife of Jack Parsons, widow of Wilfred Talbot Smith, and long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO who published under the Thelema Publications imprint from the 1970s onwards. The following section contains an interesting group of letters from Karl Germer to Perry Martin Tull, a Chicago bookseller who was accepted into the A .'. A .'. by W. T. Smith, and was recognized by Germer as a IX degree member of the O.T.O.. Section five contains more letters from Aleister Crowley to W. Dawson Sadler, a conventional Freemason, with esoteric leanings, with whom Crowley was in regular contact from 1944 though 1946. Sadler initially contacted Crowley about purchasing copies of The Book of Thoth, and an acquaintance developed. Crowley clearly regarded him as a potential candidate for membership in the O.T.O., and although not certain, it seems likely that Crowley initiated him into the Order during one of their meetings. He certainly put considerable effort into answering Sadlier's questions, and the letters are amongst the more interesting of Crowley's to emerge in recent years. The sixth and final section of the catalog lists a small selection of used and out-of-print books by and about Crowley.

Catalog Thirty Nine: Marcelo Ramos Motta: A Miscellany of Used and Rare Books

Devoted to books and ephemera relating to Marcelo Ramos Motta (1931-1987), his Society Ordo Templi Orientis, and related organizations. The collection is particularly unusual in that it is near complete, containing copies of most Motta's works that were published during his lifetime, as well as a number of posthumous editions. It includes a number of rarities such as the supressed Brazilian edition of Chamando Os Filhos Do Sol [Calling the Children of the Sun], and several works signed by Motta. Most of the books in the catalog are from the collection of Thelemic scholar Martin P. Starr, who was, for a time in his youth, an associate of Motta's. Some of the works that are from Martin's collection have his ownership signature, some do not. In either case it is noted in the catalog. If no mention is made, then they were not a part of his collection. Martin has also kindly provided a short Preface, to help put the books in context.

Read more…]]> Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:35:59 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1069.phtml My thanks to Frater HB for this important news item which I reproduce in its entirety...

News from International Headquarters

June 17, 2008 e.v.

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

We have legal news on two fronts to report.

UK TRADEMARK CASE

I am happy to report that OTO has prevailed against Starfire Publishing Ltd.'s opposition to our trademarks for "OTO" and "O.T.O." in the United Kingdom. In her decision of June 8, Anna Carbone, the Appointed Person hearing OTO's appeal, found in favor of OTO, overturning a previous decision in favor of Starfire. OTO's registrations of the marks "OTO" and "O.T.O." are now proceeding normally in the UK, joining our previous registrations of "Ordo Templi Orientis" and the OTO Lamen. Under UK law, there can be no further appeal of a decision by an Appointed Person, in either the Trademark Registry or High Court.

Ms. Carbone overturned the previous decision on the necessary points of law, as is required for any successful appeal. She also rejected the opposition's argument that "OTO" was a descriptive term for a religion that was in widespread use. She accepted our position that "OTO" was merely the initials of the name of a religious organization. She found our prior use of the mark "OTO" on publications to be brand and mark of origin use compatible with trade mark use. She clearly understood that our steps to protect our trademark through registration came from our belief that we are the only legitimate organization entitled to do so. Her decision was made on technical points of law and not evidence, though she did read all of our evidence and had recourse to it from time to time. She did not, therefore, rule on the validity of our historical legitimacy, but she did cite our belief respectfully more than once.

This litigation was not one we initiated -- these were proceedings brought against us by Starfire acting on behalf of Kenneth Grant's spurious OTO organization, with support from organizations led or founded by other expelled or resigned OTO members, such as Albion OTO and OTO Foundation. These groups would be well advised to find another name. We were merely filing a routine maintenance trademark. Now, having provoked us, they can reasonably expect enforcement proceedings from us if they do not stop appropriating our name, initials and lamen.

All that said, I bear no personal animus against the opposition. I consider Michael Staley, in other circumstances, to be a friend of long standing.

US COPYRIGHT CASE

OTO filed suit in US Federal Court in Southern California against Focus Features, NBC Universal and Vivendi for copyright infringement in connection with the appropriation of images from the Thoth Tarot cards to promote the Woody Allen film "Scoop," where they were used on the poster, DVD packaging and in the press kits. The case has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Under the terms of the agreement, the details of the settlement are confidential. This was a significant legal case, since OTO took on the world's largest media conglomerate, represented by the best law firm in Hollywood. We have long taken on corporations many times our size before, e.g. Simon and Schuster, Doubleday and Harper and Row, but NBC Universal Vivendi is many, many times larger and more powerful than all these combined.

THANKS

I would like to thank everyone, inside and outside OTO, who helped with these cases. The late James Garvey VI° of Tahuti Lodge in New York City made a generous and especially timely donation of $31,000 to assist with the UK case; Jim was the gentlest soul I've ever known, but he was an Irish fighter at heart. US Grand Lodge was of assistance more times than I can mention; thanks must go to Sabazius X° and Hank Hadeed for treasury support. I would like to thank Vere Chappell, for skillfully managing the necessary legal financing; Clive Harper for sane counsel and support in the hearings; UK Grand Lodge for support, and in particular Hyperion X° for hospitality during case development; Secretary General Aion and J.-M. Kleeman of OTO Italia for translation assistance; Bill Heidrick for help with evidence development; Ian Rons for his spontaneous public relations assistance as well as attendance at the last hearing; Paul Feazey of Lashtal.com for providing a forum for ventilating the issues arising from the case; and Prof. Bradford Verter for his independent expert opinion. Thanks must also go to our brilliant legal teams: in the UK, our solicitor Nigel Parnell, and our barristers Fiona Clark and Andrew Nichol QC, and in the US, Alan Harris and Dave Zelenski of Harris and Ruble. Many others helped in other ways; you know who you are.

NOW, WHERE WERE WE?

With these two decisions, OTO is again litigation free. We continue -- now with fewer distractions -- our publications program. The completely restored "Confessions" is approximately half complete. Other books that rely on "Confessions" (i.e. cite it extensively) are being held until it is finished. For a foretaste of the revaluation of Crowley's life this new edition will produce, I suggest reading Richard B. Spence's Secret Agent 666: Aleister Crowley, British Intelligence and the Occult (Feral House). I made the extensive and numerous sections of "Confessions" deleted by Symonds and Grant available to Prof. Spence, and they clearly helped him to weave his fascinating account of Crowley's career. In other publishing-related news, Stephen J. King of Australia has been appointed editor of the unabridged Magick Without Tears. He proved his considerable editorial abilities with his recent authorized second edition of P. R. Stephensen's The Legend of Aleister Crowley.

Love is the law, love under will.
Hymenaeus Beta
Frater Superior OTO


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From the "Traces du Sacré" exhibition. Please note that this image is reproduced with kind permission of the copyright holder and the representative of the owner of the painting - further reproduction in any media is forbidden without written permission. If you wish to reproduce this image please write in the first instance to clearance@lashtal.com. All rights reserved.


Read more…]]> Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:34:03 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1067.phtml Yet more evidence of the increasing status of Crowley's legacy is present in a fascinating article in today's The Independent (UK) newspaper...

Portugal angry over sale of papers 'vital to nation's literary heritage'
By Elizabeth Nash in Madrid
Saturday, 14 June 2008

A row has broken out in Portugal's literary world over plans by heirs of the nation's most famous modern poet, Fernando Pessoa, to auction his unpublished manuscripts and letters.

When the poet died in obscurity in 1935, he left a trunk full of documents that included extensive correspondence with the eccentric English astrologist and magician Aleister Crowley, a practitioner of the occult said to have inspired satanism in Britain.

Portugal's National Library fiercely opposes the private sale of documents considered vital to the nation's literary heritage, and warns it will take all legal measures to stop the sale and dispersal of the archive, the Lisbon daily Publico reports.

Pessoa's nephews favour selling the material, piece by piece. Scholars say that would make a definitive study of the poet's unpublished work impossible. The government has declared no formal interest, apparently reluctant to inflame the market, Publico says.

The angst-ridden poet died in 1935 of cirrhosis of the liver, aged 47, leaving his papers in turmoil. His best known work, The Book of Disquiet, the tormented fictional diary of an accountant, was – like most of his output – published posthumously.

But collectors have long coveted the so-called Crowley Papers – whose value one expert said this week was "incalculable" – to illuminate the friendship between these two odd characters.



Read more…]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:03:20 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1066.phtml Champagne Book Launch: The Red Goddess
The History of Babalon, the Holy Whore
Hosted by Scarlet Imprint
Free, but advance booking required to be added to the guest list

Scarlet Imprint cordially invite you to the launch of The Red Goddess.
We will be meeting at the famous Atlantis Bookshop in Museum Street at midday and then proceeding to the British Museum for a reading at the John Dee exhibit.
It is fitting that we can evoke BABALON in the presence of the Sigillum Dei Aemeth and the shewstone of Dr Dee.
Then we will return to Atlantis bookshop for blood red champagne cocktails.


Read more…]]> Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:57:51 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1065.phtml My thanks to davidh for this item...

In Search of Lovecraft is a feature horror motion picture shot in San Francisco. Based upon the Mythos of H.P. Lovecraft, but keeping a completely original story, we take the audience on a nightmarish trip blending reality and science fiction. An intense, mysterious plot, outstanding special effects, and a top notch cast create an exciting, heartstopping energy in the picture. Consultants also brought something to the project that has never been done to our knowledge: An actual occult ritual is performed within the picture, one that is absolutely authentic. Perhaps it let something into our world during filming!

Scream Queen Rachael Robbins plays the sexy occultist Keja, and Renee Sweet plays the sceptic reporter Rebecca Marsh. This is a true delight for all horror and Lovecraft fans. Talk has already started on the net anticipating its release.

Read more…]]> Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:05:00 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1064.phtml My thanks to the good people at Fulgur for permitting me to give this item some publicity...

Fulgur are delighted to announce the availability of a limited quantity of rare Fulgur material by Austin Spare, Kenneth Grant, Andrew Chumbley, and others, including proof copies, inscribed works and scarce limited editions from our archives. For more information, please click here.

Those of you interested in original works by Austin Spare will find a number of items from a London collection here.

We are also pleased to finally announce The Valley of Fear will be available on July 15th.

Read more…]]> Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:06:15 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1063.phtml My thanks to the people behind "Chemical Wedding" for donating prizes for this competition...

Members here will be aware that Bruce Dickinson recently flew friends and members of the press - regrettably not including your esteemed webmaster - to Cannes for the official release of his "Chemical Wedding" movie. Guests were given promotional "Flight 666" bags and associated memorabilia and these are obviously rather scarce. I have one complete pack to give away, including Flight 666 bag, soundtrack CD, syringe pen, T-shirt and poster as the main prize for this competition. Runners-up will receive individual items from the pack, selected at random.

To enter, just send the answer to this question by email to competitions@lashtal.com: What's the name of the poem by Crowley that starts: "Kill off mankind, And give the Earth a chance"?

As a tie-breaker, create a new catch-phrase for LAShTAL.COM: LAShTAL.COM, because...

Read more…]]> Sat, 31 May 2008 18:30:29 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1062.phtml My thanks to Richard Spence for the information in this News item...

Aleister Crowley is best known today as a founding father of modern occultism. Crowley, who proclaimed himself the Great Beast 666, has been the subject of several biographies, some painting him as a misunderstood genius, others as a manipulative charlatan. None of them have looked seriously at his career as an agent of British Intelligence.



Using documents gleaned from American, British, French, and Italian archives, Secret Agent 666 reveals that Crowley's clandestine service linked him to the sinking of the Lusitania, a plot to overthrow the government of Spain, the thwarting of Irish and Indian nationalist conspiracies, the Communist International, and the 1941 flight of Rudolf Hess.

Author Richard Spence, a professor of History at the University of Idaho, argues that Crowley--in his own unconventional way--was a patriotic Englishman who endured years of public vilification in part to mask his role as a secret agent.

Read more…]]> Mon, 26 May 2008 21:13:04 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1061.phtml Thanks to MichaelStaley...

Launch Party to celebrate the republication of

Outside the Circles of Time
by
Kenneth Grant

The launch party for Outside the Circles of Time will be held at Treadwells Bookshop, 34 Tavistock Street, London WC1 on Saturday 31st May 2008, at 7pm.

To mark the occasion, a limited number of copies of the book will be on sale, especially signed for the launch by Kenneth and Steffi Grant. Sales will be limited to one signed copy per person whilst stocks last.

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Western Occult Kabbalah meets Jewish Kabbalah
Two Traditions in Dialogue
Daniel Jonas meets Christina Oakley Harrington
Treadwell's Bookshop, Covent Garden
Thursday 29 May 2008
7.15 for 7.30 pm start

Christina Oakley Harrington meets Daniel Jonas for a discussion/interview evening: Western Occult Kabbalah meets Jewish Kabbalah. The two traditions compare notes on a range of topics – working with the spheres on the tree of life; some issues concerning gematria; correspondences; the two pillars; and what does a kabbalist in each tradition actually do, in terms of activities and meditations. It’s an almost unique chance for non-Jewish Pagans and occultists to learn, from the source, about this path as followed by Orthodox and other traditional Jews, in a language more or less familiar to them. Christina and Daniel promise friendly banter, lots of time for audience questions, a few amusing anecdotes from their respective kabbalistic communities, and lots of thought-provoking information.

Daniel Jonas is not only a practising student of traditional kabbalah, but he is also a Jewish interfaith facilitator, who has (almost uniquely) been involved in Jewish-Pagan interfaith work. Bring an open mind and lots of questions.

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On 12 July 2008 ev, featuring:

GERALDINE BESKIN (Atlantis Bookshop): “Crowley – another Man Behind the Mask”

Atlantis Bookshop has been in her family since the original owner sold it, and Geraldine has become an expert on Crowley, concentrating on him as a person rather than a mythical figure. This talk contains entirely new material not presented in her recent talks in London.

MOGG MORGAN (Mandrake of Oxford): “Tantra Sadhana”

The man behind Mandrake of Oxford is certainly not just an occult publisher. The organiser of the Thelemic Symposia of the 1980s and 90s (now revived under new management) Mogg is a practising occultist with several books of his own under his belt. This talk is based on his book of the same title.

ELIZABETH MADDISON (Albion OTO): “Magic and Popular Culture”

Since her first encounters with the Occult, Liz has specialised in the use of fictional characters from popular culture as well as the creation of new deities for the modern world. In this highly controversial talk she outlines methods and examples.

STEVE WILSON (Albion OTO): “Reverse Time Magick”

Perpetual habitué of the London Occult scene, Steve has seen it all and heard it all, usually at the fortnightly moots he has chaired in London since 1990. Here the author of Chaos Ritual looks at the conundrum of magic that seems to depend upon a result occurring before the relevant ritual has actually taken place and outlines a simple system for taking advantage of the phenomenon.

Place: The Old Kings Head, Borough High Street, SE1 1NA.
Time: From Midday onwards.

Live music will be provided afterwards by ‘THE BAPHOMET BOLEROS,’ featuring Rob Curley, (a.k.a. Fr.’. Phaeton X° Albion O.T.O.)

Followed by music ‘til late…

Read more…]]> Fri, 23 May 2008 23:16:55 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1058.phtml Read more…]]> Thu, 22 May 2008 12:26:54 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1057.phtml Gothick have made a Crowley-inspired track available to listen to at MySpace (www.myspace.com/gothicknowledge).

In Cefalu is based upon Crowley's time at the Abbey of Thelema and is an upbeat acoustic track.



Read more…]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 21:47:07 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1056.phtml
THIS FRIDAY the 23rd May from 7.30

The Atlantis Bookshop
Museum Street,
London

Come along and meet cast and crew, and watch the trailer and out-takes from this much discussed film that goes on general release on the 30th May 2008.

Read more…]]> Tue, 20 May 2008 18:36:01 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1055.phtml My thanks to Anpi and BlueKephra for this...

Othon + Marc Almond to record song by Aleister Crowley

After recording together for Othon’s Debut Album, Marc Almond and Othon will be returning to the Studio to record Aleister Crowley’s Tango Song.

Read more…]]> Sun, 11 May 2008 21:25:04 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1054.phtml Thanks to frater_puck...

DR. TRUEWILL, or: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING, GET OFF MY ARMCHAIR, and DO THE GREAT WORK!

An Open Symposium on the works of Robert Anton Wilson, Christopher Hyatt, Israel Regardie, and others, and how they relate and inform the Works of Aleister Crowley.


Read more…]]> Thu, 08 May 2008 07:21:54 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1053.phtml Some really good stuff here...


Weiser Antiquarian Books is pleased to announce the issue of the thirty-fifth of our on-line catalogs, which is another of our special lists on rare books, typescripts, and ephemera relating to Aleister Crowley. For the most part the material on offer has come from one collection, and a number of the items have previously passed through the hands of Weiser Antiquarian, thus affording our customers an unusual 'second chance' to acquire items that they missed out on when we first offered them for sale.

Read more…]]> Mon, 05 May 2008 18:00:42 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1052.phtml Thanks to slq...

Now available exclusively from Thelema Media:



Read more…]]> Thu, 01 May 2008 12:20:55 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1051.phtml Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

By popular request.



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In that book - "A second compendium of the very finest rock facts" - is a list:

NUMBERS OF THE BEAST: ALEISTER CROWLEY REFERENCES IN ROCK



Read more…]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:55:27 +0000 http://www.lashtal.com/nuke/Article1049.phtml Thanks to krzysztof...

AMeTh Lodge of Ordo Templi Orientis is proud to present the following workshops of LON MILO DUQUETTE:

Sexual Alchemy of Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot

and

The Miracle of Aleister Crowley's Gnostic Mass

Read more…]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:35:31 +0000