Tag Archives: major arcana

The Choronzon Machine

The Choronzon Machine: a Multi-media Multi-cultural Multi-subcultural Ritual Opera by the Metamophic Ritual Theatre company, written and more by Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule (credited on the cover as Orryelle Bascule-Defenestrate), with music by The HarleQuintet, a 2006 DVD of enhanced live performances from 2001, is part of the collection at the Reading Room.

Metamorphic Ritual Theatre Orryelle Defenstrate-Bascule The Choronzon Machine

I picked this up a few years ago primarily for the track “Melek Taus“, about a figure of importance with the Feri Tradition which I also later found mentioned in relation to Aleister Crowley’s Aiwass, and to a lesser degree because of the name of The HarleQuintet.

“In the ritual theatrickall-musical device we call The Chrononzon Machine the Audience Initiates follow the Fool Initiate’s journey through the Great Wheel of the TARO/ROTA, as he cycles through different refractions of Self as reflected through the archetypes of the Major Arcana. On one level this is a personal journey, as the Fool with a child’s innocence heedlessly plunges past the dweller on the threshold and into the Abyss. Through a series of ordeals he confronts and accepts the shadow of Choronzon as he progressively opens to ever more layers of complexity in the hidden mechanisms of the universe. The journey brings him eventually full circle back to the innocence of Zero but with a new layer of Wisdom and Understanding …

The Play is also socio-historical, as The Fool apprehends the escalating frenzy of ‘progress’ & technology in the post-modern world; which the audience also must deal with. It is they, after all, who are controlling the Machine—putting the 33.3¢ Illuminati coins—collected by the Jackal—in it which make the cogs start turning to generate each new scene of coupled polar cards …

Of course it’s not real, it’s just a Play, an Illusion generated by the Magicians for the Audience—a collectively willed hallucination. Is there a play? Is there a ritual? The HarleQuin de-faced itself. The machine goes on … Civilizations rise & crumble and fall. Were they ever There at All?” — back cover

“The Choronzon Machine Ritual Opera was performed 3.33 times in Melbourne (Australia) on 2001. The original footage of the already spectacular live production is now further enhanced with effects, animations, and diverse studio-recorded music into a feature-length film.” — back cover

Light Visions Major Arcana Tarot Deck

Light Visions Major Arcana Tarot Deck was created by James R Eads [HT blaqmercury].

James R Eads' Light Visions Major Arcana Tarot Deck 1

“The Light Visions Tarot Deck is based on the traditional tarot. Split into two parts this first part contains the 22 Major Arcana cards in the full 78 card deck. These cards are the base cards of the classic tarot deck and represent core archetypes of human nature. The Light Visions Tarot Deck is designed as a functional tarot deck and can be used in tarot readings when coupled with the second half of the deck, with an anticipated release of Autumn 2013.

Within this portion of the deck there are the 22 Major Arcana cards, a 23rd “mystery” card and two additional information cards that briefly tell the story of the fool and his journey through the world. There is a total of 25 cards.

The Major Arcana deck comes in a hand stamped high quality cotton muslin bag with an accompanying kraft tag. Each tag is signed and numbered in a first edition of 100. The cards have identical backs, are approximately 2 7/8″ x 4 3/4″ and have a UV coating which allows them to be durable and remain in the best condition. The cards can be used as functional tarot cards or can be creatively displayed — each card is illustrated with great care and detail and can stand alone as it’s own piece of art.

A note to the collectors who plan on purchasing a full deck: Buying the deck in separate parts will not end up costing more than buying the entire deck when it is released. In fact, the mystery cards and hand stamped bag will only come with the deck if the major arcana is purchased before the minor arcana. There will be the option to buy only the Minor Arcana when it is released, which will include the remaining 56 cards and a box large enough to fit all 78 cards from your two purchases.” [via]

James R Eads' Light Visions Major Arcana Tarot Deck 2

Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell

Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell: The screenplay never filmed by Carlos Atanes, previously mentioned, is now available.

Carlos Atanes' Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell

“Underground filmmaker Carlos Atanes has been trying to make a movie about Aleister Crowley and his Magick for more than ten years. In the beginning of 2007 this was the third and last attempt of the deal with Magick: “Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell”. This script is structured in the reverse order of the Major Arcana of Crowley’s Tarot. The plot describes the mystical trip of Crowley through the Duat, the egyptian underworld, the encounters with significant characters in his real life (people such as Hanni Jaegger, Fernando Pessoa, Leila Waddell, Victor Neuburg, Raoul Loveday) and the confrontation with the demon Choronzon, his old adversary. Here you have the screenplay such as it was written and never filmed.” [via]

 

 

Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell

Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell by Carlos Atanes is an unfilmed screenplay, that is being made available as a book in March.

Carlos Atanes' Aleister Crowley in the Mouth of Hell

“Underground filmmaker Carlos Atanes has been trying to make a movie about Aleister Crowley and his Magick for more than ten years. He started in 2002 shooting two crowleyesque feature length films, Ian Perplexed and Perdurabo. They were both unfinished. On the way he made two non-crowleyesque movies, FAQ and PROXIMA.

In the beginning of 2007 this was the third and last attempt of the deal with Magick: In the Mouth of Hell. Atanes wrote it for two years, until the end of 2008. This script is structured in the reverse order of the Major Arcana of Crowley’s Tarot. The plot describes the mystical trip of Crowley through the Duat, the egyptian underworld, the encounters with significant characters in his real life–people as Hanni Jaegger, Fernando Pessoa, Leila Waddell, Victor Neuburg, Raoul Loveday– and the confrontation with the demon Choronzon, his old adversary.

Atanes’ intention was to shoot it in Spanish with his flagship actor Manuel Solàs playing the mature Crowley. While he was looking for fundings he was shooting another two apparently non-crowleyesque feature movies, Maximum Shame and Gallino, the Chicken System–although this one contains clear references to Sexual Magick.

In the Mouth of Hell was a complex and expensive project, and it was not conceived for everybody but just for curious, informed and/or initiated audiences, which means an added difficulty to attract producers and investors’ interest. After four years of search, finally fundings didn’t arrive and Atanes threw in the towel. He decided to shelve the matter. But he also thought it would be a pity to bury a text that could be interesting for all of those who were waiting for this film for a decade. This way people could watch the film and recall in their heads.

This is the screenplay such as it was written and never filmed.” [via]

 

 

The Tarot of the Magicians

Tarot of the Magicians: The Occult Symbols of the Major Arcana that Inspired Modern Tarot by Oswald Wirth, and introduced by Mary K Greer, available in print again from Weiser Books. You can also check out an excerpt in PDF, if you like. The book itself includes the major arcana card on perforated sheets, for reference.

Oswald Wirth's The Tarot of the Magicians from Weiser Books

 

“Tarot of the Magicians by Swiss occultist artist and author Oswald Wirth was first published in Paris in 1927, and a Weiser edition was later released in 1985. The Weiser edition is a direct translation and the first and only English-language edition of this important work.

Long unavailable, the book is back in print in a beautiful new package with full-color pull-out cards reproducing Wirth’s 1889 tarot deck. With a new introduction by bestselling tarot author Mary K. Greer, Tarot of the Magicians offers tarot enthusiasts and students of the occult an in-depth and authoritative analysis of one of the most beautiful and evocative of all modern tarot decks.

In this important tarot work of the Major Arcana, Wirth combines the imagery.” [via]

 

 

Introduction to Tarot by Lon Milo DuQuette

You may be interested in Introduction to Tarot by Lon Milo DuQuette, offered through Thelesis Aura on three Fridays in February.

“Internationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and Tarot grandmaster Lon Milo DuQuette teaches the mysteries and practical application of one of the cornerstones of the Western Mystery Traditions: The Tarot”

“Ideal for beginners and advanced students alike. Supplemental material will be provided for download and students will have the opportunity to directly ask Lon questions. Lesson duration: 90-120 minutes. Class size limited to 200 participants.”

Introduction to Tarot by Lon Milo DuQuette:
· Lesson 1: The Major Arcana – Friday, February 1, 2013 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
· Lesson 2: The Court Cards – Friday, February 8, 2013 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST
· Lesson 3: The Minor Arcana – Friday, February 22, 2013 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PST