Thelema Now welcomes Sasha Chaitow! Having written her Ph.D. thesis on Joséphin Péladan, Dr. Sasha Chaitow is uniquely qualified to present a complete picture of the man and his works, both from an artistic and an esoteric standpoint. In particular, she has studied and documented – and is teaching – his initiatory system. In this Thelema Now episode, Dr. Chaitow and Harper Feist discuss the metaphysical and esoteric aspects of Péladan’s life, some of which happened side by side with Aleister Crowley in Paris. Put on your seatbelt, this interview is a good one! Be sure to check out Sasha's book -Son of Prometheus: The Life and Work of Joséphin Péladan. 

Jake was a lot of things to a lot of people, clear from the hundreds of tributes written in Facebook and other social media platforms since the announcement. He was an incredibly influential magician and author, having given us Grimorium Verum, Geosophia, the Testament of Cyprian the Mage, Goetic Liturgy, Thus Spake Magnus Dictus and the Rosicrucifixion, amongst others. He also worked on each issue of Hadean Press’ Conjure Codices.

His laser-focus on relationships with spirits incited an entire generation of practitioners to a more thoughtful approach. He was a serious researcher and adept, a magical experimentalist while retaining both feet in a foundation of history and literature. Amusingly, to discover his sources, we often had to inquire personally about them. The bad part was that we couldn’t just dig through his references, the good part was that when you asked him, he would provide a stunning background and a thorough understanding of anything he’d ever written.

Jake was one of Thelema Now's favorite authors to interview because he was so damnably funny and ridiculously charming. We at Thelema, Now! wish Jake the best of future adventures. May he be granted the accomplishment of his True Will. We also wish peace and relief to Karel and the rest of his family and close colleagues.

Goodbye, Jake. And farewell.

-Harper Feist

Registration is now open for National O.T.O. Conference XIV, to be held in Denver, Colorado, August 3-6 2023. NOTOCON is normally held every two years, but it was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic, so this will be our first NOTOCON since 2019.

The Winter 2022 issue of Agapé, the official journal of U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O., is now available. This and all previous issues can be found here.

Religion is a powerful force that has been influencing humans for thousands of years. It shapes our lives and our identities, often dictating how we interact with each other and how we view the world. But religion does not exist in a vacuum—it is closely intertwined with culture, which can vary drastically from one society to another. Let’s take a look at how culture and religion are connected.

The relationship between culture and religion is twofold: not only does religion influence culture, but culture also influences religion. On one hand, religion dictates many cultural norms such as dress codes, dietary restrictions, customs, traditions, and laws. For example, Jewish people have strict dietary laws known as kashrut which dictate what food they are allowed to eat or prepare. On the other hand, culture can also shape religious beliefs and practices. In some cultures, certain religious practices are seen as normal while others are viewed as strange or unacceptable.

For instance, in some societies it is perfectly acceptable to practice yoga while in others it is considered taboo due to its spiritual roots. Similarly, some religions have certain taboos that vary from one society to another; for example, in some Muslim societies women cannot show their faces in public while in others this is perfectly acceptable behavior. As such, there is no single “correct” way to practice any given religion—it depends on where you live and the cultural norms of your society.

As globalization increases our interconnectedness more than ever before, so too does it influence our beliefs about religious practices around the world. The internet has made it easier than ever for people from different cultures to learn about each other’s religions and experiences. This increased understanding has led to an appreciation for diversity when it comes to religious beliefs—even if someone may not personally believe in a particular faith or practice it themselves (for example Hinduism or Buddhism), they may still recognize its value to those who do practice it and respect their right to do so without judgement or interference. This attitude of acceptance could not have been possible even a few decades ago prior to the rise of globalization! 

In short, culture and religion have always been connected—but today that connection is stronger than ever before thanks to globalization. People’s views on religious practices vary depending on where they live; however, due to globalization we are becoming increasingly aware of different cultures around the world which allows us to appreciate them even if they don’t align with our own beliefs or experiences. All religions offer something valuable if we take the time to understand them—and by doing so we can forge lasting connections no matter where we come from!

The post Exploring the Intersection of Culture and Religion first appeared on Moderngnosis.

Samuel David and Thelema Now host Harper Feist dig deep in a wide-ranging discussion that includes Christianity, Inanna, and all points in between. It's - in Samuel's words - Sexy, sultry, and sorceress!! Listen to find out more! You can buy Samuel's book, Lioness: The Song of Inanna at Miskatonic Books. You can see a video about the book on YouTube.  Enjoy!

Thelema Now host Harper Feist speaks to author and artist Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule. Merging the concepts of sexuality, Magick, and art, Defenestrate-Bascule explores the erotic nature that's within us all! You can view his art at www.esoterotica.art. He also discusses his film Solve et Coagula. View the trailer, reviews, and streaming here! Enjoy! 

The Autumn 2022 issue of Agapé, the official journal of U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O., is now available. This and all previous issues can be found here.

The U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O. annual report for fiscal year 2021 has been published. This and all previous annual reports can be found here.

The always awesome and entertaining Jason Miller returns to Thelema Now and discusses what it means to be a Sorcerer. TN host Harper Feist gets to the bottom of what it means to do the work, see the results, and get stuff done.  Jason has a new book - Consorting with Spirits: Your Guide to Working with Invisible Allies - check it out! 

The U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O. annual report for fiscal year 2020 has been published. This and all previous annual reports can be found here.

There are many different ways to find spirituality without having to go to a church or read religious texts. You can connect with your spiritual side by exploring meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, and more. These activities can help you find a sense of peace and calm in your life. You don’t have to be religious to find spirituality. There are many different paths that you can take to find a connection with something greater than yourself.

The 21st century has seen a rise in interest in spirituality and religion. This is likely due to the fact that we live in such an uncertain world. We are constantly bombarded with news of natural disasters, wars, and other tragedies. This can leave us feeling disconnected from the world and searching for ways to feel connected to something greater.

One of the great things about spirituality is that there is no one right or wrong way to do it. You can find your own path to spirituality by exploring what works for you. There are many different ways to connect with your spiritual side. The important thing is to find a way that brings you a sense of peace and calm. Spirituality is about finding a connection with something greater than yourself. It’s about finding a way to connect with the world around you. There are many different paths that you can take to find spirituality. The important thing is to find the path that works for you.

The post The New Age of Religion: How to Connect with Spirituality in the 21st Century first appeared on Moderngnosis.

The world is rapidly shrinking. With globalization, people and businesses are more interconnected than ever before. And as this happens, culture becomes increasingly important. Culture is the glue that holds societies together and gives them their unique identities. It is what distinguishes one group of people from another, and allows them to interact and trade with each other peacefully. In a world that is becoming ever more globalized, culture matters more than ever before.

There are a number of reasons why culture matters in the age of globalization. First, culture provides a sense of identity and belonging. It is what makes us who we are and gives us a sense of pride in our group. Second, culture can act as a bridge between different groups of people. It can help us to understand and appreciate the differences between us, and to build positive relationships with those who are different from us. Finally, culture can help to promote peace and stability in a globalized world. By understanding and respecting the cultures of others, we can create a more peaceful and prosperous world for all.

Globalization is a reality of our world today. And as it continues to grow, culture will become increasingly important. So let us all learn to appreciate and respect the cultures of others, and to use them as a force for good in our increasingly globalized world.

The post Why Culture Matters In The Age Of Globalization first appeared on Moderngnosis.

The Summer 2022 issue of Agapé, the official journal of U.S. Grand Lodge O.T.O., is now available. This and all previous issues can be found here.

The Electoral College of U.S. Grand Lodge publishes a blog covering topics of interest to most O.T.O. members. The latest post, “Pride Not Prejudice”, announces a pair of “Thelema for All” training modules addressing LGBTQIA+ concepts and concerns.

Kaaba Colloquium, a twice-yearly leadership training program offered by U.S. Grand Lodge, will be resumed in 2023. The first planned location is Baltimore. This new version (“Kaaba IV”) will feature a new group of presenters covering material freshly designed for current and aspiring local body leaders. Watch the Kaaba site for more information.

TN host Harper Feist speaks to author Carl Abrahamsson! One of the privileged few who spent time with the “Black Pope” in the last decade of his life, Carl Abrahamsson met Anton LaVey in 1989, sparking an “infernally” empowering friendship.

In Carl's new book - Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan: Infernal Wisdom from the Devil's Den - he explores what LaVey was really about, where he came from, and how he shaped the esoteric landscape of the 1960s. 

Find out more here! 

Hey - did you know that Aleister Crowley had a tin ear and didn't like music that much?!  WHO KNEW?!  Listen to this fascinating conversation (no really, it is!) between TN's Harper Feist and musician/author/speaker Rodney Orpheus. He has a new Cassandra Complex release and it's AWESOME!! Check it out on Spotify!