Dr. Paul Clark is a renowned writer and lecturer, as well as the Steward of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, or F.L.O. (Fraternitas L.V.X. Occulta). F.L.O. is a Mystery school in the western esoteric tradition. Dr. Clark joins us to discuss the nature and purpose of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, and what it offers to its members.

“Dr. Paul Clark began esoteric studies at an early age by corresponding with W.E. Butler. When Paul reached the age of twelve, W.E. Butler suggested Paul contact the Reverend Ann Davies, who was then Prolocutor-General of the Builders of the Adytum and thus began a long and rewarding relationship. Paul spent the next thirteen years studying under Ann Davies and Paul was a member of a select circle of seven “stewards” receiving advanced instruction directly from Ann.

In 1982, Paul and a group of Initiates of high grade, founded the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, an Aquarian Age Mystery School. As Steward of the Fraternity, Paul is known for his ability to inspire others to take their spiritual evolution in hand so that they may achieve their full potential as co-creators.

Paul has written several books including “The Book of the Rose”, “The Secret Cipher of the Golden Dawn” and “The Broken Seal” and has authored two instructional courses taken by numerous students around the world: “The Threshold” and “The Path of Return”.”

Our discussion also covers the influence of Paul Foster Case and Ann Davies, the importance and relevance of Qabalah to the study of esoteric science, the symbolism of the Tarot, and the purpose of ceremonial magick. These modalities of study allow us insight and unfoldment that has proven effective for seekers throughout the ages. The importance of balance and aligning the self-conscious and the subconscious is also stressed, along with the concept of service. Lastly, Paul shares his hopes for the future with us.

 

 

“My presence is the cause of every form,
And to those who have eyes to see,
Wherever a man may plant his foot is holy ground.

Not alone in sanctuaries set apart,
But in the street and market-place,
In the abode of sin
As well as in the house of prayer,
Mayest thou say with thy Father Jacob,
“Surely the Lord is in this place;
And I knew it not.”

Verily, thy consciousness of body
Is my self-knowledge of form,
And by that knowledge working in thee
Do I maintain thine existence
In all states and conditions.

Behold, I dwell with thee, O Israel,
And thou dwellest with me.
Take heed
That thou despise not thy Lord in human form.

- excerpt from “The Meditation on Qoph” in “The Book of Tokens”

relevant links:

Fraternity of the Hidden Light - “An Aquarian Age Mystery School of the Western Esoteric Tradition”

“Behind the Veil” - Fraternity of the Hidden Light mission statement

“Declaratio Lucis”

“On the Threshold” - correspondence course work

F.L.O. “Document Archive”

“Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case”

“Ann Davies” Wikipedia entry

“The Book of the Rose” by Paul A. Clark

“The Broken Seal and Other Cases” by Paul A. Clark

“Magic, Mysticism, and Initiation” video lecture by Dr. Paul Clark

intro music by HipGnosis

Technorati Tags: occult, esoteric orders, spirituality, mysticism, religion, Qabalah, Tarot, Magick, consciousness

 

 Podcast 46 - Dr. Paul Clark [60:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Paul Tisdell is a surfer, initiate, scribe, and teacher. He joins us to discuss his awakening process and spiritual journey, the compilation of Wisdom, and his work in the field of Hermes.

Our conversation begins with Paul describing how he was made aware of his purpose and the amazing experiences that this journey entailed. He talks about his initiation, trials, and the concept that rose above all others - Love.

Our conversation also covers the Royal Art of Alchemy, the sacred flame, Tarot, Qabalah, the importance of timing, and his impressions of teaching the Wisdom.

I AM the circle of eternal flame,
Self-fed.

From this Fire all things proceed,
In it all things have their being,
And to it all return.

To the unenlightened
It is a devouring flame,
And therefore is it the fang of death;
For by my transforming power
Do I cause the cessation of mine expression
In created forms,
And the unwise see not that cessation in one form
Is but the transition to another.

SHIN, the TOOTH or fang,
Is the perfect circle also,
Without beginning,
Without end.
This the wise perceive,
And know that for no creature
Can there be death.

Triple is my flame in manifestation,
And one in essence.
Three tongues of Fire,
Three manifesting Words,
And One Being whence all come forth.
One Archetypal world,
One creative letter.
And three worlds derived therefrom.
Such is the manifestation of the sacred Fire.

- Paul Foster Case, excerpt from “The Meditation On Shin,” from “The Book of Tokens”

relevant links:

Spiritual Life - The Hermetic Work of Paul Tisdell

“Works of Paul Tisdell”

“Holy Flame”

“The Christos Meditation Practice”

“The Mysteries of Yesod”

Emerald Tablet Yahoo! group

intro music by HipGnosis

outro music excerpt of “Dark Star -> Beautiful Jam” by Grateful Dead

Technorati Tags: occult, spirituality, mysticism, Hermetics, Alchemy, Qabalah, Tarot, meditation, consciousness

 

 Podcast 45 - The Hermetic Work of Paul Tisdell [74:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Lon Milo DuQuette is one of the preeminent occult writers and speakers of modern times. His work spans the subjects of Tarot, ceremonial Magick, Qabalah, and religion. He injects insight, understanding, humanity, and humor into his work that makes it both enlightening and joyous.

Lon joins us to discuss his interest in the Thoth Tarot, Solomonic Magick, Qabalah, and his new book, “Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told By His Uncle),” a work of historical religious fiction.

Our conversation also covers his research into the mythological King Solomon and the secrets of Masonry, a very humorous look at the occult correspondence of one “Stonehenge Equinox,” the importance of the contributions of Israel Regardie and the recently departed Dr. Christopher Hyatt, and the crucial concept of making life Magickal and not making Magick your life.

The Quotable DuQuette:

“I can only change one thing with Magick - myself.”

“Do I think I’m a holy man? Sometimes.”

“It’s all in your head. You just have no idea how big your head is.”

“If we can’t wake up to the fact that deep down inside we are good, then we deserve to remain asleep dreaming we are evil.”

relevant links:

Lon Milo DuQuette

Courses at Maybe Logic Academy featuring DuQuette’s “Initiation: The Western Magical Tradition”

“My Life With The Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“The Key to Solomon’s Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told by His Uncle)” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Thoth Tarot Deck”

“The Book of Thoth” by The Master Therion

“Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Q.B.L. or The Bride’s Reception: Being A Qabalistic Treatise on the Nature and Use of the Tree of Life” by Frater Achad

“Aleister Crowley’s Illustrated Goetia” by Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher Hyatt Ph.D.

“Israel Regardie” Wikipedia entry

“Christopher Hyatt” Wikipedia entry

intro music by HipGnosis (new album “Ear Responsibility”)

outro music by Lon Milo DuQuette - “Sweet Babalon” (CD available here)

Technorati Tags: occult, Tarot, Magick, Qabalah, Philosophy, religion, Thelema

 

 Podcast 44 - Lon Milo Duquette [71:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our friend Bishop T Allen Greenfield returns to the show to talk about Gnostic history and philosophy.

Dr. Greenfield is particularly well-qualified to discuss this subject considering his extensive experience in Gnostic churches serving as bishop. Our conversation covers the definition of Gnosis and Gnostic, the history of ancient sects, the philosophy through the ages, modern permutations of the Gnostic doctrine, and Dr. Greenfield’s own personal lineage.

Notable points include differing perspectives on the concept of the Demiurgus and the resultant differences in the views on body and spirit, the secret societies and esoteric orders that have carried the Wisdom, and Apostolic succession.

“These are mysteries, O Israel,
Difficult to understand.
With much searching shalt thou still fail
To grasp them,
Unless thy search be rightly prosecuted.
Yet the Way to Understanding is ever open
To him who will follow it steadfastly.
It is the Way of the Heart,
And thou shalt be guided therein
By thine own inner Hearing.”

- Paul Foster Case from “The Meditation on Vav” in “The Book of Tokens”

relevant links:

Smashing Illusions - Dr. T Allen Greenfield’s Livejournal web site

The Assembly of the Knowledge and Wisdom of Solomon

“T Allen Greenfield’s Spiritual and Fraternal Heritage”

Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis

The North American College of Gnostic Bishops

previous appearances - “Podcast 35 - An Inquiry Into Suppressed Information“, “Podcast 31 - Scrying the Universe“, and “Podcast 17 - The Secret Cipher”

“Victorian Fire: The Origins of Sexual Magick” by T Allen Greenfield

“Fragments of a Faith Forgotten: The Gnostics, a Contibution to the Study of the Origins of Christianity” by G.R.S. Mead

“Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism” by Kurt Rudolph

“Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times” by Roelof van den Broek

intro music by HipGnosis

outro music by The Quiet Earth Orchestra, excerpt of “God” (thanks to John Ludi)

Technorati Tags: occult, spirituality, mysticism, religion, gnostic, philosophy, history, secret societies, esoteric orders, Templars, Freemasonry

 

 Podcast 43 - Gnosticism [72:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Mitch Horowitz, editor-in-chief of Tarcher/Penguin Books, returns in this episode to discuss the life and Great Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case (1884 - 1954). Dr. Case was, in my opinion, the preeminent scholar teaching the Tarot and Qabalah in the 20th century. His masterful work, “The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages,” stands alone as perhaps the single greatest book on the Major Arcana to date.

Our conversation covers Case’s early life in the greater Rochester, NY area, his musical abilities, self-reliance and self-education, interest in the Mysteries, his work with Tarot and other occult subjects, and the organizations that he built to disseminate the Wisdom.

“MAY LIGHT BE EXTENDED UPON YOU”

In studying the life and Work of Dr. Case, Mitch extracts the important detail that we must be scholars in the same tradition in order that occult subjects are treated with the reverence they deserve. Thanks again to Mitch for another wonderfully informative and enlightening discussion!

“IN whatsoever object thou perceivest,
Know me as the Essence,
As the Idea,
And as the Interior Nature.
Because of this the wise come easily to me
By many paths,
Yet in truth these different roads
Are but a single Way.

“If thou canst penetrate in the nature
Of the simplest thing,
There thou shalt find me.
This is the key to the mystery of the sacred letters.
Fix thy mind on the object set before thee by any letter,
And hold thy thought to meditate thereon.
Then shall the inner nature of that object
Be made known to thee,
And by this means shalt thou draw nigh
To some aspect of my being.

- Paul Foster Case, from “The Meditation on Heh” in “The Book of Tokens”

relevant links:

Mitch Horowitz (previously appeared in Podcast 21)

Paul Foster Case Resource Page

“Paul Foster Case” Wikipedia entry

“The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages” by Paul Foster Case

“An Introduction to the Study of the Tarot” by Paul Foster Case (PDF download, 159 KB)

“The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order: An Interpretation of the Rosicrucian Allegory and An Explanation of the Ten Rosicrucian Grades” by Paul Foster Case

“Esoteric Keys of Alchemy” by Paul Foster Case

“The Great Seal of the United States: Its History, Symbolism and Message for the New Age” by Paul Foster Case - “Dr. Case reveals the Great Seal to be a profound spiritual glyph created by the Founding Fathers as a representation of the ideals of the Novo Ordo Seclorum, the New World Order.”

“Masonic Letter G” by Paul Foster Case - “Paul Foster Case develops with clarity a link between the Masonic degrees and the Qabalistic tradition.”

“Daniel, Master of Magicians and the Name of Names” by Paul Foster Case - “Two books in one. Daniel, Master of Magicians develops the astrological underpinnings of the book of Daniel. The Name of Names reveals the true significance of the name Yeheshua or Jesus.”

“The Book of Tokens” by Paul Foster Case

“The Kybalion” by Three Initiates

Kybalion Resource Page

“Claude Bragdon” Wikipedia entry

“William Walker Atkinson” Wikipedia entry

“Ann Davies” Wikipedia entry

B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum)

“Ascended Masters Discussion”

intro music by HipGnosis

Technorati Tags: occult, Tarot, Qabalah, spirituality, mysticism, religion, philosophy, history

 

 Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case [69:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download