Calendar of Events

OTA Calendar for 2025

Hear Ye All!

The Order of the Temple of Astarte hereby invites its Associate Members and Special Friends

to its 51st consecutive presentation of the

Adonia

The Death of the Year King Ceremony and Festival on

June 21st

at Rivendell Temple in Silverado after sundown. Please come early and park snuggly.

The feast afterwards is pot luck so bring eatables and drinkables. Dress warmly. We may have a bardic circle so if you are a bard come prepared

This is an invitational event so clear any guests you want to bring with us first, by phone or email: kingsword@aol.com.

Baal: "Behold the Golden dew of Heaven,

       Born of Thunder Clouds on High!

       Drink with me this Life's Elixir!

       Dance ye round til the Cup be dry!

WHO DRINKS WITH ME?

Inquire about classes at:

Frey's Hermetic Supplies
Old World Village
7561 Center Ave #50, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Latest Activity

Emmanuel Acero is now a member of The Church of The Hermetic Sciences, Inc.
Apr 9
Poke Runyon posted a blog post
Apr 6
Poke Runyon and Tyler Briggs are now friends
Apr 6
Soror Urania's blog post was featured
Apr 2
Soror Urania posted a blog post
Apr 2
Stephen Stokes is now a member of The Church of The Hermetic Sciences, Inc.
Mar 25
Jesse Spectre updated their profile
Feb 14
Jesse Spectre is now a member of The Church of The Hermetic Sciences, Inc.
Feb 13
Jim posted a discussion
Feb 1
Zandria posted a blog post
Jan 14
Frater Dumuzi is now a member of The Church of The Hermetic Sciences, Inc.
Dec 25, 2024
Tyler Briggs is now a member of The Church of The Hermetic Sciences, Inc.
Dec 5, 2024

Members

 

Blog Posts

The Laws of Old

Posted by Poke Runyon on April 6, 2025 at 1:30pm 0 Comments

The Laws of Old were channeled by Frater Thabion when he did his Holy Guardian Angel retreat in 1984. They have since been rendered in Enochian on Enoch's pillars in our Temple and were used in our film BEYOND LEMURIA.…

Continue

A Blast from the Past

Posted by Soror Urania on April 2, 2025 at 3:08pm 0 Comments

Here's a photo from Poke's 50th birthday party at Montsalvat in 1985. I'm the dancer, the serpent is a Burmese Python named Kundalini and my husband  Dave took the photo.

Enjoy!

Special Announcements

The Church of The Hermetic Sciences
Associate Member Program
.

Nosce te Ipsum

The Church of the Hermetic Sciences was founded in 1970 and incorporated in the State of California in 1971 as a religious philosophical organization dedicated to preserving and continuing the Western Esoteric Tradition through the process of ceremonial initiation and practical instruction in the Hermetic Art-Sciences of Magick, Qabalah, Alchemy, and Astrology.  We follow the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus whose ancient vision is compatible with the deepest esoteric expressions of the three major Biblical religions and Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism.  Our Seasonal Rites and Yoga System are based on the pre-Biblical myth cycle of ancient Canaan and the traditions of Melchizedek and King Solomon. To implement this program the Church sponsors a religious-fraternal Order, The Order of the Temple of Astarte, which is initiatory and follows the Seven Degrees of Crata Repoa, an 18th century European outline of degrees in the ancient Hermetic Tradition.  To learn more about our teaching and work please visit The Hermetic Hour website and listen to our archived podcasts on all aspects of the Hermetic Arts.  Each lecture is introduced by an abstract describing the subject covered. We also call your attention to our journal The Seventh Ray which is available on Amazon.com.

We offer an online Associate Member program for worthy aspirants who live beyond the reach of our Temples. This is a graduated program of instruction that parallels and compliments the initiatory sequence without actually conferring or communicating the degrees. However, with study and mentoring, the online student may earn letters of entitlement to receive the degrees. The program includes most of our regular instruction and is open to active initiates and inactive members who have moved away from our temple locations.

To be considered for Associate Membership the applicant should be over 18 years of age, and a free, law-abiding citizen of his/her country (U.S., U.K., and Canada.) You must write us a letter telling us about yourself and your reasons for wanting to join us. After we receive and evaluate your letter we may send you our Membership Application form which includes a membership agreement. You will fill this out providing the information required, sign the agreement and enclose a check or money order for thirty-five dollars $35.00 if you live in the U.S. Forty-five $45.00 if in Canada or U.K. All funds must be in USD checks and money orders made out to: The Church of the Hermetic Sciences.  Send the application with payment to:  The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Dept. AM, P.O. Box 403, Silverado, CA  92676,  U.S.A.

After receiving and approving your application we will send you your membership package which will include: a membership certificate suitable for framing, a yearly identification card, an updated copy of The Book of Solomon's Magick and The Magick of Solomon DVD (your course text), The Rites of Magick DVD, 20% discount coupons for all other CHS/OTA and Maelstrom publications and productions, and a gift certificate for a free copy of Beyond Lemuria 2nd Edition with your first coupon order.  You will also receive the access code to this website where you will find your lessons and can interact with other members and keep up with Church and Order news and activities.

Tu es Deus

Thabion VIIo

Photos

 
 
 

This site is for Associate and Active Members of The Church of the Hermetic Sciences.

Forum

Vassago Prophecies

Started by Jim Feb 1. 0 Replies

Strange Experience During Astral Projection

Started by Joshua Miller. Last reply by Frater Taliesin Oct 29, 2024. 4 Replies

Laser cut circle experiment

Started by Shaun. Last reply by Frater Laetus Sep 15, 2024. 3 Replies

A Most Excellent Invocation

Started by Joshua Miller. Last reply by Cameron Gray Feb 26, 2024. 1 Reply

The Hermetic Hour

The Hermetic Tradition and The Biblical Religions

The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a discussion on the relationship of the Hermetic Tradition with Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This topic was suggested by one of our listeners who wanted to know "Where does Jesus fit in the Hermetic scheme of things?" A very good question. The Hermetic Tradition interpenetrates, incorporates, may have influenced, and certainly enhances the mystic and philosophical aspects of all three of the great religions --- and especially the tradition of Freemasonry. The Hebrew Kabbalah is especially compatible with Hermetic concepts and Gnostic cosmology. Alexandria in classical times, a hundred years before the "Common Era" saw the birth of the Hermetic tradition, and may even have influenced Jesus -- more so than Buddhism, which was not familiar to the Greco-Roman world. The similarities between Christian and Hermetic philosophy led to the popularity of the Hermetic writings in the early Renaissance, and their brief acceptance by the Roman Church. Christians, Jews, and Sufi Muslims who are not prisoners of their dogma, find no problems working systems such as the Golden Dawn. If one can abide Freemasonry, one can enjoy the Way of Hermes. We will discuss early forms of Christianity that fit well with Hermetic doctrine. And we will discuss Jesus' teachings in relation to Hermetic philosophy -- So, tune in and we'll Witness for Hermes, and -- to quote Reverend Bobby-John: "We'll all be saved!"  

H.P. Lovecraft and The Necronomicon

The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will feature a discussion on the writings of Howard Phillips Lovecraft and their influence on modern magick, especially that of the Kenneth Grant, and Chaos Magick traditions. We will summarize the "Cthulu Mythos" and the history of the fabulous "Necronomicon." Although both are essentially fiction, we will discuss Lovecraft's dream recall method, and the idea, purposed by Kenneth Grant, that Lovecraft actually created  what must now be considered a genuine mythology. Lovecraft's demons, loved and feared by millions, have become as real as those of the Goetia -- at least in the subjective realm of magick. We will recount some humorous episodes involving Necronomicon fabrications, and we will read from the most complete text of the Mad Arab's hellish book, the alleged "John Dee Translation."  So, tune in and shudder at the blasphemous ravings of Abdul Al Hazred.

The 19th Path from Geburah to Chesed - Strength

The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 19th Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life called "Strength." This path laterally connects the Spheres of Geburah, on the Pillar of Severity, with Chesed on the Pillar of Mercy. The Path is attributed to the letter Teth, the Serpent, and the astrological sign of Leo. The Tarot Trump shows a woman gently closing the mouth of a lion. This is a "Key" Path on the Lightning Flash which defines our extended "Middle Pillar" yoga system. Gareth Knight suggests that it represents the initiatory journey of an Adeptus Major (6=5) to Adeptus Exemptus (7=4). Crowley's version of the card was called "Lust" and had the woman riding the beast -- this at least symbolizes one aspect of this path, that of conquering the beast within. The lion symbolism is also astrological and alchemical. The Heart of the Lion being the marker star Regulus in the Golden Dawn sidereal system. This also relates to the Labors of Hercules. This is an important Path and the last one before Da'ath on the Short Path -- so if you want to get ready to make the big jump across the Abyss, tune in and come with us.

Contact

Mailing Address:

C.H.S., Inc.

P.O. Box 403

Silverado, CA 92676

Email:

Frater Thabion:

pokerunyon@gmail.com

Soror Zandria:

hermeticmagick@gmail.com

 

© 2025   Created by Zandria.   Powered by

Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service