Arthur Edward Waite on Alchemy

BY: Mark

This method of interpreting the Hermetic allegories is calculated to exalt the alchemists indefinitely in the estimation of all thinking minds. From possibly avaricious investigators of a by-way of physical science, they are transfigured into dreamers of the sublimest imaginable dream, while if that which they conceived was accomplished, they are divine and illuminated monarchs who are throned on the pinnacles of eternity, having dominion over their infinite souls.

     — Arthur Edward Waite.

Part of his argument that alchemy wasn’t about transforming dross into gold. Of course, he couldn’t say as much in plain language because part of the charm of the alchemical process was having the initiate reduce materials down to their most primal expression. That applies to the instructions as well.

The Western Mindset

BY: Mark

One of the underlying premises of another project that I’m involved with (The Mongoliad) is the idea that, while there is no dearth of Eastern martial arts films to be had here in the West, a good, rousing Western-style martial arts adventure is lacking (and, yes, that is what we’re attempting to accomplish). To that end, we’ve begun a rather in-depth course of training and education in the Western martial arts.

These Eastern martial arts films are, of course, suffused with a plethora of magical elements. You can’t seem to go very far into one of these stories without running into someone who has abilities that seem far outside the human norm. Of course, in this world-view, these extra-normal abilities are the norm; they are expressed aspects of the benefits of the martial arts. In the West, we tend to take a dim view on these sorts of abilities, brought about–no doubt–by centuries and centuries of indoctrination by established religious structures that have been telling us that these talents are fake, heretical, and–if they even exist–are manifestations of deals that have been made with demonic forces.

It’s safe to say that such a view is not part of the purview of why we’re here, and so it has occurred to me that in concert with exploring the Western martial arts, it isn’t much of a stretch to explore the mystic and occult side of the Western experience during this same time. I am exploring it already, frankly, and there’s no reason not to dive more fully into this material. It’s a starting point, and we’ll keep moving forward until we get to the current era.

Thawing . . .

BY: Mark

Besides the noble art of getting things done,
there is the noble art of leaving things undone.
The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.

– Yutang Lin

There is no dearth of things to do around here, and one of the projects that has suffered terribly in the dog-days of summer is this site. I’m still trying to wrap my head around exactly what I want to accomplish, and that isn’t helping my enthusiasm for posting. In the end, I suppose, I just need to start, and in some time, a vision will present itself.

The Manic Energy of Libraries In Flux

BY: Mark

Llewellyn has recently posted an interview with Tess Whitehurst about her new book, Magical Housekeeping. While it’s mainly a PR piece promoting the book, she does mention how a home intrinsically mirrors the energy states of the inhabitants (and vice versa).

Recently I stumbled across John Ottinger’s query to the Blogosphere: How Do You Organize Your Library?

These two things came crashing together today as I’m working on making the office/library my working office. All–well, a full bookcase worth–of the occult books were on the north side of the room (my desk is against the east wall), and next to me were the fiction books. I realized I don’t need the fiction leering at me while I work, and so I decided to swap these two groups. As I was pulling books, I realized there were a couple other shelves of books that hadn’t been properly filed, and now was a good time to get everything organized.

An hour later, I’ve got another bookcase’s worth of books stacked on the floor, occult books on both walls, and the fiction stacked at the back of the room. My energy is scattered–no doubt of that–but the discoveries I’ve made. There’s been a lot of acquisitions over the last few years; now, hopefully, I’ll have some time to read them all.

In the meantime, I need to get these shelves organized. A dozen or so sticky notes dividing them into smaller categories is going to help for a bit, but some of these are going to confound pigeon-holing. Like they do.

And I need a lecturn/display stand for Jung’s The Red Book. It’s too tall for any shelf, and frankly, it begs to be left open to lure in the casual reader.

Esoteric Book Conference 2010

BY: Mark

The Esoteric Book Conference is returning for a second year, and the dates are September 18 & 19th at the Seattle Center. Billed as an opportunity for authors, students, artists, publishers, bookmakers, and mystic raconteurs to spend a weekend exploring the field of esotericism, it’s two days of occult-themed presentations, a book fair filled with all manner of interesting and rare books, and an evening of special entertainment.

Presenters this year are: David Beth, Debra Chesnut, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, Robert Fitzgerald, J. Daniel Gunther, Dale Pendell, Denny Sargent, and Caroline Wise. The website has further details about the actual presentations. Artists attending are Anima Nocturna, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, Daniel Schulke, Joseph Uccello, and Bryan Ward. Entertainment will be provided by the Master Musicians of Bukkake and Noko.

Vendors include Ajna Bound, Ars Obscura, Concrescent Press, Fulgur Limited, J. D. Holmes, Immanion Press, Night of Pan Books, Nightshade Magick, Ouroboros Press, Dale Pendell, Thompson Rare Books, and Wonderella.

I went last year, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I’m looking forward to handing out with all these people again this year, and a couple of those presses have a number of books I’m eager to check out.

Esoteric Book Conference home page

Lost Tarot

BY: Mark

The less said about the Lost finale the better, but Alex Griendling (aka gravitybomb on flickr) has put together a set of tarot cards for the original 14 survivors. Frankly, these cards are a much better way to send off the series than the tailspin that season six never recovered from. Lost Tarot

Locke was one of my favorite characters until they, you know, took his spine away.

Tarot Roundup

BY: Mark

A couple of things I’ve run across this week while attempting to keep up with other projects.

Alternate Thoth Tarot Cards: Lady Frieda Harris was the artist of Crowley’s Thoth Deck. Caduceus Books has a page linking out to images of some alternate versions of the cards which have been in a private collection for many years.

‘Projective Synthetic Geometry in Lady Frieda Harris’ Tarot Paintings and in Aleister Crowley’s Book of the Law‘ by Claas Hoffmann: Yes, I know, and no, there isn’t an easier way to describe the article. Except to say “harmonic collage,” which is probably equally a head-scratcher.

Mary K. Greer on Jung and Tarot: Ms. Greer runs through the data articulating Jung’s awareness of the Tarot, and includes his descriptions of the Major Arcana. Plus, Mary K. Greer has a Tarot blog. Bonus!

Hilobrow on Generations

BY: Mark

Hilobrow creator, Joshua Glenn has created what he calls a “generational periodization scheme,” wherein he classifies everyone during the last 150 years as falling into 10-year spans that quantify their contribution to culture, history, and society. As he points out in his article on The Cuspers, his demarcation of the categories falls on years that end with “3″ and “4.” Eras don’t line up with the changes of decades, really, because even though we like things all nice and tidy, culture certainly isn’t.

The Generations tag, scooping up all of the commentary and lists of creators and their like-minded generationists. Me? I’m a Reconstructionist, albeit partial to the work of The Psychonauts.

Bethalynne Bajema’s Sepia Stains Tarot Deck

BY: Mark

Artist Bethalynne Bajema has finished her tarot deck. She freely admits that they’re non-traditional in their symbolism, eschewing the traditional iconography for butterflies, ornate skeletal infrastructures, and steampunk imagery, but such individualization only adds to their charm.

She has a long post about the creative process behind the cards. You may purchase a deck at this link.

Christie’s to Auction Illustrated Manuscripts

BY: Mark

In July, Christie’s is going to auction Part I of The Arcana Collection: Exceptional Illuminated Manuscripts and Incunabula. Forty-eight lots, with an estimated worth of £11 million to £16 million.

As Art Daily mentions in their write-up of the announcement, illustrated manuscripts were prize possessions during the medieval period as they were more than just books; they were little art galleries, customized for their owners, and each one is an unique record of a time and place. Like time capsules of the way artists and their patrons saw themselves and their world.

A couple of lots made me wish I had a secret stash of cash money to throw down.

- An Italian manuscript Bible (late 13th century) that appears to have been used in a Dominican convent. The allure of this book is its borders of “diverting genre scenes and fantastical creations far from the routine religious illustrations that might be expected.” Theodoric Borgognoni’s death (c.1296) is marked in the Calendar, suggesting that he may have commissioned the manuscript. He was the Bishop of Cervia, and is remembered for being one of the most innovative surgeons in the medieval period. Christie’s estimates this book is worth somewhere between £2,500,000 to £3,500,000.

- A copy of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (valued at £220,000 to £260,000) is the copy once owned by Jean Grolier de Servières, a famed 15th-century bibliophile.