Promoting and Advancing the Western Esoteric Tradition Since 1971
OTA Calendar for 2025
Hear Ye All!
The Order of the Temple of Astarte hereby invites its Associate Members and Special Friends
to its fiftieth consecutive presentation of the
Nuptiae
(Spring Marriage)
Ceremony and Festival on
March 22nd
at Rivendell Temple in Silverado after sundown. Please come early and park snuggly.
The wedding feast 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.
Ba'al,
as he fills Her silver Goblet:
"With this Golden Gift I wed Thee,
With this draught I plant my Spark."
Astarte:
"With this silver cup of mystery, from beyond the veil of night,
Come I to take the rainbow In my Shrine of Hidden Light!"
Inquire for Thursday classes at 6pm at:
Posted by Poke Runyon on April 6, 2025 at 1:30pm 0 Comments 5 Likes
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.…
ContinuePosted by Soror Urania on April 2, 2025 at 3:08pm 0 Comments 4 Likes
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
by Brian Lee Added December 1, 2024 at 5:22pm
by Frater Laetus Added December 23, 2022 at 1:37pm
by Maciej Langner Added September 8, 2021 at 7:11am
by Abc123 Added January 26, 2021 at 2:50pm
by George Paul Luttmann Added January 2, 2021 at 10:06pm
by Robert Added April 16, 2020 at 10:44pm
This site is for Associate and Active Members of The Church of the Hermetic Sciences.
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The Hermetic Hour, with host Poke Runyon, will present a panel discussion on the 22nd Path of the Tree of Life, leading from Tiphareth to Geburah. The Path is attributed to the astrological sign Libra, the Scales of Balance, the Tarot Trump "Justice," and the Hebrew and Phoenician letters "Lamed," both representing the Ox Goad -- which has a remarkable symbolism relating to a Biblical-Canaanite mystery we will reveal for the first time. This Path also ends up at the narrow bridge leading to the Castle on the Edge of the Abyss (Geburah). Again we refer to John Michael Greer's "Paths of Wisdom" and Gareth Knight's "Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism." Now, if you want to meet Osiris in the Great Hall of Judgement, remember, like Santa Claus, he has a list of who's been naughty and who's been nice -- so be good for goodness sake!
The Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a discussion on the 21st Path of the Qabalistic Tree of Life, leading from Netsach to Chesed. This is the Path attributed to Jupiter, the Hebrew letter "Kaph", (the Hand), and the Tarot Trump "The Wheel of Fortune." The Sphere of Chesed is also attributed to the Planet Jupiter, making this a very powerful positive combination. We have a unique interpretation of The Wheel of Fortune which also appears in our Crata Repoa initiatory system. Chesed (Jupiter) is appropriately ruled by the Phoenician Father God El (AL) and we place the Phoenician God Dagon in residence. Chesed also relates to Atlantis as the ruling realm of the mythical world. So if you want to go back in time and meet an amphibious ancient astronaut, tune in make the journey with us.
On May Ist 2025 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a reading of his 1977-1999 landmark Magical essay:
Magick and Hypnosis. Which first appeared in Llewellyn's magazine GNOSTICA volume 5, number 9, whole number 45 in 1977 and was updated in 1999. This important article has been translated into German and French and has had wide circulation in academic circles. It is a major position paper in modern Hermetics. It is included as a appendix in our recent THE BOOK OF SOLOMON'S MAGICK, SECOND EDITION (2023) So, if you are still not quite sure about how Hermetic Magick really works then tune in, relax and just listen to my voice.
Mailing Address:
C.H.S., Inc.
P.O. Box 403
Silverado, CA 92676
Email:
Frater Thabion:
pokerunyon@gmail.com
Soror Zandria:
hermeticmagick@gmail.com