by Jay Lee -

Śri Sabhapati Swami, Theosophy, and Thelema, with Dr. Keith Cantú

The presentation can now be viewed here:

This talk focuses on the Tamil yogin Śri Sabhapati Swami (ca. 1828–1923/4) and how some of his techniques of Śivarājayoga, or “The Royal Yoga for Śiva,” were discussed by the “Founders” of the Theosophical Society, Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott, and the theosophical author Franz Hartmann, as well as integrated into the Thelemic Magick of Aleister Crowley. Beginning with an overview of Sabhapati Swami’s life and works, many of which are out of print, we will discuss what specific portions would have been of interest to these Theosophists, Crowley, and by extension later Thelemites, and also contextualize Sabhapati’s vernacular Tamil and Hindi works that include many more detailed instructions on ritual and mantra that should be of interest to scholars and practitioners alike.

Dr. Keith Edward Cantú is currently a visiting research fellow at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, in the DFG-funded project “CAS-E, Alternative Rationalities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective” (https://cas-e.de/). His forthcoming book Like a Tree Universally Spread: Sri Sabhapati Swami  and Śivarājayoga will be released in June of this year by Oxford University Press. He has been an avid reader of Aleister Crowley since high school, has previously been a member of Horizon Lodge and affiliate member of Star Sapphire Lodge, and currently resides with his wife in Erlangen, Germany.

by Jay Lee -

Astrological Tarot with Jaime Paul Lamb

The presentation can now be viewed here:

Brother Lamb discusses the gradual melding of astrology and tarot, which reached its fullest expression as a practical system in the Golden Dawn Tradition. He begins by providing historical context, discussing their synthesis and systemization in the Golden Dawn and, finally, analyzes practical examples of how astrology and tarot may be synthesized in such a way as to mutually elucidate and compliment the findings of each art singularly.

Jaime Paul Lamb is the author of Myth, Magick & Masonry: Occult Perspectives in Freemasonry (The Laudable Pursuit, 2018), Approaching the Middle Chamber: The Seven Liberal Arts in Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition (The Laudable Pursuit, 2020) and The Archetypal Temple and Other Writings on Masonic Esotericism (Tria Prima Press, 2021). He is a member of Lapis Lazuli Oasis OTO, Phoenix, AZ.

by Jay Lee -

St. Elias Ashmole: the Gentleman Magician, with David Blakeley

 

The presentation can now be viewed here:

St. Elias Ashmole (1617 – 1692) bridged the divide between the Elizabethan Rosicrucianism of John Dee and Robert Fludd and the Masonic Illuminism of the Restoration. Ashmole lived many lives – as an astrologer and an alchemist, as a soldier and a lawyer, and as a Freemason and a scientist at the dawn of the Enlightenment. We will explore all of these facets of this man whose personal collection formed the basis of the famed Ashmolean Library and preserved the Enochian writings of Dee and Kelly. John Aubrey called Ashmore “A mighty good man.”

Presenter David Blakeley currently serves in the O.T.O. as Most Wise Sovereign of Baphomet Chapter, R+C in Austin, TX and on the editorial board of The Pelican. He is a Past Master of Bubastis Oasis in Dallas, TX, an ordained Priest of the E.G.C. since 2000, and a chartered Initiator since 2005. He practices health care law and lives in Dallas with his wife, Stacie and their cats, Chattels and Belvedere.