All Episodes

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, May 5th, 2011, with host Poke Runyon, will feature a discussion on Elemental Spirits in Hermetic Magick. Our featured guest speaker will be Hawaiian Hermetic magician, and "spiritual anthropologist" William R. Mistele, author of the book "Undines, Lessons from the Realm of the Water Spirits." This is a wonderful and very magical book by a magus who has mastered Franz Bardon's methods, and used them to make meaningful contact with the Elemental Realms. We will also touch on the old classic "Comte de Gabalis," and other aspects of nature's fairyland. So tune in and let's go scuba diving on the astral.
 

The Hermetic Hour for this Thursday, April 28th, 2011 will feature a discussion by Poke Runyon on The Soma Sofia, which is featured in the latest issue of The Seventh Ray -- Book III, The "Green Ray."  The Soma Sofia is a reconstruction of a lost ancient system of Celestial Magick that divides the entire universe, or 'celestial sphere', into a grid which can be reduced or expanded with precision to apply alpha-numeric code letters, or formulas, to any star, or constellation. This idea or concept is attributed to the Gnostic magician Marcus in the 2nd century of the common era. It has been suggested that the Hebrew kabbalah was influenced by this concept. This may also be the original inspiration for the Enochian Watchtower Tablets. We will discuss the history of this fascinating rediscovery and its practical applications. Tune in
and we'll get celestial!

On the Hermetic Hour for April 21st, 2011, host Poke Runyon will discuss our participation in the L.A. Times upcoming "Festival of Books" being held on April 30th and May 1st at the U.S.C. campus in Los Angeles. We are sharing booth 998 with the noted author of brain teasing puzzle books, Alan Stillson -- and he will be our featured call-in guest. Now, if you're wondering about the connection between magick and word-game puzzles, our booth's banner says it all: "Books for the Mind."  Magic squares, kameas, the astrological decans of our Soma Sofia, and the Enochian Tablets are all related to alpha-numeric acrostic puzzles. Alan is an expert in Sudoko, which is Japanese system very similar in structure to our Soma Sofia nine-chamber grid. Along with Alan's books, we will discuss what we have to offer, and we hope to see you local magi at the show.
 

This Thursday, April 14th, 2011, will be the one-year anniversary of The Hermetic Hour, produced by Soror Zandria and hosted by Frater Thabion (Poke Runyon). We will review our previous programs, hitting the highlights, and discussing the concept and intention of our show. We will try to have our featured guests call in and recall their particular contributions. Some of you chat-room regulars can call in too. We'll describe and explain our Associate Member Program, and we'll also give an idea of what else we have to offer in the way of videos, books, journals, and up-coming projects and events; this Saturday we are showing Beyond Lemuria at a Masonic Lodge in Culver City. This is for Masons and their guests---so, those of you in the L.A. area who would like to attend (we provide free popcorn), contact me and I'll see if I can invite you as a guest. We'll also have a booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC on April 30 - May 1, 2011. Come on down and join us and get in the spirit of things.
 

The Hermetic Hour for April 7th, 2011 will feature a discussion by host Poke Runyon on his article in the new Seventh Ray entitled "Dark
Origins of the Werewolf Legend." As we are all aware the Hollywood Vampire fascination is beginning to wane, and the werewolves are making
a comeback -- however, we are still in the dark about what werewolves really were (and perhaps still are). The real truth is more disturbing,
and even terrifying, than the Hollywood fantasy. While we're at it, we'll get to the bottom of the vampire legend as well. This will be a walk on the dark side, so turn the lights down low and we'll whisper about things that go "bump" in the night.

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, March 31st, 2011, with host, and editor Poke Runyon, will present a review of the third issue of American magick's oldest continuing journal, The Seventh Ray, running for 20 issues from 1972 through 1978; revived in 1999 (The Blue Ray) continued in 2000 (The Red Ray), and now out again in 2011 with Book III, The Green Ray. This is a parchment bound, 210 page journal with what we sincerely believe are the most significant original magical
articles and features available in the 21st century. The "Soma Sofia" may well be the ancient origin of the Enochian watchtower tablets. The
"Great Secret" is exactly that: "Immortality guaranteed." All this and more, much more, including the Seventh Ray cartoon. The Seventh Ray, Book III, The Green Ray, in now available from Amazon. So tune in and find out what it's all about.

The Hermetic Hour for Thursday, March 24th, 2011, with host Poke Runyon, will feature a discussion of our Spring Equinox "Sacred Marriage" ceremony, with readings for the pageant. This modern version of a 3500 year old pagan rite features a May Pole dance (March Pole actually), and a Communion of the Elements ceremony in which the seven sacraments are shared with the celebrants by the priest and priestess while the newly married God (Baal) and his bride (Astarte) look on from their bridal pavillion . This last Saturday, under a "Super" full moon, we performed the 36th consecutive presentation of "Nuptiae" at
Montsalvat in Pasadena, with a newly initiated young couple taking the role of Baal and Astarte, bound together by the ribbons of the Ashera--or may Pole. So, tune in, and we'll try to recreate the experience for you.

The Hermetic Hour for March 17th, 2011 will continue with Poke Runyon's informal history of C.H.S./O.T.A., introducing Louis T. Culling, Israel Regardie, Grady McMurtry, and our intrigues with the nascent O.T.O. that was reforming after Jack Parsons blew himself up. We will also discuss our secret war on terrorists in Los Angeles, the Themis War, and the development of our Seasonals, and our yoga system. So tune in, turn on, and get ready to return to the thrilling days of yester-year. (like the Lone Ranger....)

The Hermetic Hour for this Thursday, March 10th, 2011, with host Poke Runyon, will feature an informal history of the Order of the Temple of
Astarte (O.T.A.) and The Church of the Hermetic Sciences. We'll cover the whole story, from the psychedelic era of the late 1960s through the
early 70s, and on into 80s and 90s. We'll try to be honest without getting too gossipy---but we can't avoid some controversial events and
personalities. You'll meet Israel Regardie and Grady McMurtry, along with Louis T. Culling, Fred Adams, and Joe Wilson. We'll cover the birth of The Seventh Ray, and the Themis War. This will be a mixture of nostalgia and tradition. Most 21st century NeoPagans and magicians have no idea who started---and in some case revived---all this activity back in the late 60s. This will be a revelation for some, and nostalgia for others. Don't miss it.

On the Hermetic Hour this Thursday, March 3rd, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., the subject will be the American Keltic Neo-Pagan expression, specifically "The Roebuck," which is also called "the Clan of Tubal Cain" and, in its earlier
American version,"The Order of 1734." The elders of this tradition are Ann and Dave Finnin, who will be with us in the studio. Ann is the
author of "The Forge of Tubal Cain" (2008). Ann has been our guest before, discussing magical hypnosis. The main book behind Roy Bowers' unique expression of modern Neo-Paganism was Robert Graves' "The White Goddess" (1948), which was
also a major influence on Fred Adams' Feraferia. So tune in and find out how all this fascinating material got over here--and how the Finnins went over to England and brought more back.

On the Hermetic Hour for Thursday, February 24th, 2011 your host Poke Runyon will lead a discussion of one of the most influential modern occult classics, the mysterious, mystical "Kybalion" by "Three Initiates." This little blue book has been treasured by students of the Western Mysteries since its first publication back in 1912. Our very special guest will be Rev. Paul Clark, Steward of the Fraternity of Hidden Light (and the Master Jesus from "Beyond Lemuria") who is perhaps the best qualified scholar-teacher to explain who the original authors were, where their philosophy came from, and why the book is
still very important and meaningful. I will try to explain the connections to actual Greek and Greco-Egyptian (Hermetic) philosophy in this modern classic. This is going to be an enlightening hour unveiling the secrets of an
obscure and mysterious work. Tune in and get inspired and demystified.

This Thursday, February 17th, 2011, Hermetic Hour host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on Scrying and Traveling in the Spirit Vision. The essential difference between these modes of visionary experience will be explained. We'll set forth the ancient and modern philosophical and practical magical field theory -- which is not any further "out" than some current theories of quantum physics. We'll describe what happens in scrying, as in angelic crystal invocation, and spirit evocation in mirrors, compared to traveling in the spirit vision, as in "astral projection," such as pathworkings and Enochian Aethyr exploration. We'll explain the importance of yoga and self-hypnosis in these techniques -- and answer any questions you have on the topic --
so, tune in and you'll learn how to journey a million miles between your ears.

On the Hermetic Hour this Thursday, February 10th, 2011 host Poke Runyon will present a program on Afro-Caribbean and African magick, its
history, its philosophy, how it works, and where it comes from. We will examine the similarities between the Goetia system and the Voudoun possession. We'll discuss other interesting parallels including the use of facial reflection in mirrors, the astrological geomancy system called "The Eyes of Fna." We'll mention some personal experiences, and touch on the dark side discussing West African Ju-Ju, the Koribra,
Congo Dawa, Palo Mayombe, and -- by popular demand -- zombies, and the similarity between zombies and vampires; also the similarity between
leopard men and werewolves. These are controversial topics and we do not claim authoritative knowledge. We do promise you an interesting hour of discussion on a very guarded subject. Tune in and and learn about "The Divine Horsemen."

On February 3rd, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. The Hermetic Hour's host Poke Runyon will start a discussion on modern urban "Witchcraft," where it came from, who started it, what myths, legends, and magical traditions it grew out of----how it came to America in the 1950s and 60s, and the people who developed it here following the various British models. We'll discuss the Brits: Gerald Gardner, Robert Graves, Alex Sanders, Robert Cochrane (Roy Bowers) and their contributions. Then Ray Buckland, Ed Fitch, and Joe Wilson over here on this side of the pond. Our special, featured call-guest will be Gardnerian Elder High Priest
Edward Fitch, author of "A Grimoire of Shadows," and one of our star performers in "Beyond Lemuria." There is quite a bit of fog shrouding
the origins, rituals, methods, and activities of "Wicca" in its various forms. At the very least, we will give you the inside story of its British origins and its American beginnings---after that you'll just have to rely on "Perfect Love, and Perfect Trust" --- Blessed Be!

On Thursday evening January 27th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. host Poke Runyon will offer a discussion on the history, philosophy and structure of the
Rosicrucian tradition and its offshoots. We will trace its roots from the Italian renaissance Hermetic movement, through the German
Reformation, citing the contributions of Agrippa, Paracelsus and others, including its founder Johann Valentin Andreae. We will cite the original Rosicrucian documents, and the legend of Christian Rosenkreuz and his Tomb. The Masonic Rosicrucian revival in 18th century Germany will be considered, with its subsequent influence on the Order of the Golden Dawn. Early German Rosicrucian groups in America, and P. B. Randolph's contribution will be mentioned, along with the origins of various American groups, including A.M.O.R.C. We will try to define
just what a "Rosicrucian" is, and how much Christianity is involved in what is otherwise a Hermetic system. We will discuss the differences
between the Golden Dawn's R.R. et A.C., and Arthur Edward Waite's more devotional revision -- which may be the best example of the problem. Are
Rosicrucians like some Red Hat Tibetan Buddhists? (Bon-pos with Buddha in a nominal position.) Recalling the old occult joke: "Last year I
couldn't spell Rosicrucian, and this year I is one!", tune in and we'll give you the history of the mystery.