In this fascinating ThelemaNOW episode, Harper talks to friend and colleague Red K. Elders about art and movement, magic and bodies. Red’s perhaps best known for her stellar pencil drawings inspired by Greek mythological figures. She’s also a bodyworker and movement therapist. Underneath everything, she understands what it means to be nourished by the natural world, something we discuss in detail.

Click to view her principal website and one devoted to sales of her wonderful art. 

Also, we talk a bit about Red’s upcoming class with the Blackthorne School entitled Somatic Sorcery, which starts Monday, May 15!

The class description and registration site are here: https://www.theblackthorneschool.com/courses/somatic-sorcery/

For potential speakers, a handy FAQ full of useful information is available here.

In this wide-ranging interview, Scott Michael Stenwick and Harper talk about everything between John Dee and quantum mechanics, by way of Eugene Wigner and the Falkland Islands.

Scott is an author, blogger, esotericist, software developer, information technology consultant, and speculative fiction enthusiast. He writes fantasy and science fiction, and non-fiction books on the Western Esoteric Tradition. He also contributes to non-fiction anthologies that cover topics related to magical practices and esoteric spirituality.

Read more about Scott on his websites ScottStenwick.com and Blogspot.  And buy the book we discussed here or on Amazon here. 

The deadline to propose a presentation for National O.T.O. Conference XIV in Denver, CO, is May 10, 2023.

The Spring 2023 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.

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.