Tag Archives: ritual

This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -5

This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -5 is a special alternative release in 2023 just for Patrons and Subscribers of Hermetic Library. This playlist has 10 tracks by 9 artists, with both old and new voices to the project this year!

Please join the Hermetic Library in promoting these artists who have contributed their work to this benefit anthology album project. Please also spread the word about these anthology albums to people you think may be interested in the work of artists who combine magick, music and ritual.

Be sure to also check out the entire Hermetic Library Anthology project, all the previous releases; and consider becoming a Patron or Subscriber to pick up the digital download of this album and help support the work of the library!

The full track list for This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -5 by Hermetic Library consists of 10 tracks by 9 artists:

The Gray Field Recordings – Perdix 03:28
Logickal – Void Carrier 07:44
Nikos Fokas – The Eternal Fall Syndrome 08:07
Alien in Wonderland – R U Sirius 17:00
The Photoelectric Defect – πυραμίς 05:03
Kevlar Nuckler – PANdemic 04:27
Black Lesbian Fishermen – The Descent of Inanna 07:31
The Photoelectric Defect – Spiral Dance I 04:43
Children of Osiris – Mckandalist 03:27
Opus Vivaldi – Greyhounds of the Future 07:10

For 2023, in addition to Magick, Music and Ritual 18, due in December, I am releasing this Patron and Subscriber exclusive issue. I asked each participant in the regular anthology issue to also submit something for this this additional release. So with extra gratitude their way, those who were kind enough to submit additional material, here is this special new issue exclusive to Subscribers on Bandcamp and Patrons on Patreon. This, then, released for Thanksgiving day in the US, is a thank you gift just for those who offer their ongoing support for the library and my work as the librarian, from both myself and these artists.

For Subscribers on Bandcamp, they already have this release added in their collections there. For Patrons on Patreon, they can get this release by heading to this Patron Access link on Itch. I recommend placing it between MMR17 and MMR18, as that’s where I built the playlist to enhance the experience for those with all the things. But, you do you!

To both participants and supporters, I say happy and hearty Thanksgiving day, and, moreover, thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Hermetic Library at Hermetic.com has an overall vision of Archiving, Engaging and Encouraging the living Esoteric Tradition, Hermeticism, Aleister Crowley’s Thelema, and more, through Open Access Occultism for over 25 years.

I started the benefit anthology project to help promote newer works in the Esoteric Tradition to the audience of the Hermetic Library and beyond. The anthology project also further raises awareness about the corpus and culture of magick and ritual. The site itself was started in 1996 and has ever since consistently been an extremely popular resource for students and researchers interested in the Esoteric Tradition. I encourage you to check out Hermetic Library and everything in the collection there, if you aren’t already familiar with it, as that’s the reason this project exists and may also offer inspiration to you.

Hermetic Library
Anthology Project
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Production and Design by John Griogair Bell

The Psychology of Ritual

Hermetic Library Fellow T Polyphilus reviews The Psychology of Ritual [Amazon, Abebooks, Local Library] by Murry Hope; there is also a newer edition [Amazon, Abebooks, Publisher].

This book was an impulse buy for me. It was a cheap secondhand copy in decent condition, and I wasn’t familiar with the author. It didn’t look exploitative or too primerish, so I was intrigued.

The author is not a psychologist, but an occultist. In this book she repeatedly insists that she is a member of no particular sect or school, but according to Wikipedia (consulted 2012.11.05), she cofounded the Atlanteans Society (1957) and later the Institute of Transpersonal Sensitivity (1988). Based on the contents of the book, one can infer a vague Neopagan identity for her, incorporating a discriminating eclecticism. Without explicitly acknowledging the Thesophical Society, she draws on New Age doctrines about “cycles of evolution” that have distinctly Theosophical provenance. Other doctrines of popular esotericism that she promotes include a variety of alternative archaeologies (Atlantis, Ancient Astronauts, etc.) as well as New Age mystical interpretations of quantum physics.

In my attempts to grasp Hope’s context, I thought back to a another book I had read by an English occultist from about the same date: Adrian Savage’s Introduction to Chaos Magick. As I recollect, Savage anatomized the English occult scene into three factions: simpering anti-intellectual Witches, authoritarian toadying Ceremonialists, and daring experimental Chaos Magicians. Hope defines her position relative to the first two, both of which she praises, while seeming to identify a little more strongly with the neopagan witch than the ceremonial magician. And then in a sole hilarious mention, she refers to “chaos magic … as an excuse for hedonistic license. Legitimate mystical sciences are perverted in the name of experiment, and discipline has become a dirty word” (209).

The Psychology of Ritual is divided into three main sections plus a fat set of appendices. The first section provides history (often quite speculative or even obviously fallacious) and some general theory about the importance of ritual in general, or “the Rite,” as she terms it. She deliberately mixes magical and esoteric ceremonies with the rites of exoteric religious traditions in order to assert shared principles across a wide spectrum of ritual. A taxonomy of five ritual “codes” offered in the first chapter appears to be original in this work. Rather than psychology, the emphasis in the first section is more anthropological.

The second section starts with a unique chapter in which Hope goes into a variety of conventional 20th-century psychological theories, with emphasis on neurochemistry and the physiology of emotional states. The exposition is, let’s say, not authoritative. For example, Hope confuses melatonin and melanin. The next five chapters give contemporary occult rituals as case studies for the sort of “psychological” approach Hope applies, which usually has more to do with Jungian theory. (She refers to Jung as “the master” on p. 48, but most of her Jung citations are to the somewhat fictionalized memoir Memories, Dreams and Reflections.) For each of these five chapters, there are one or two full ritual texts among the appendices. Hope herself contributes a neo-Egyptian ceremony and a Celtic healing ritual, while others are from Ashcroft-Nowicki, the Farrars, Thorsson (Flowers), Schueler, and an anonymous Jesuit. She then finishes the section with a “Ritual World Tour” or ethnographic survey, a chapter on traditions of initiation, and a chapter on women’s rites.

In the third section she opines on the contemporary conditions for and uses of magical ritual. The section is wide-ranging, and often consists of passionate but unsupported assertions. Still, as much as she might buy into many of the flaky doctrines current in late 20th-century popular esotericism, I consistently got the impression that Hope had a genuinely broad base of personal experience in occultism, and that she is a basically considerate and practical lady.

The book assumes a fairly informed reader, but the tone is very much that of a lecture. Hope has some idiosyncratic diction beyond “the Rite” mentioned above. In particular, she pretty consistently uses “ever” for “always,” which is a little grandiose for my taste. Although this is more of an “intermediate” book than an introduction for the unlettered aspirant, it really didn’t have any new ideas for me. It was a mostly-pleasant read chiefly distinguished by its author’s voice.

A ritual is not a melancholy formality; it is a Sacrament, a Dance, a Commemoration of the Universe. The Universe is endless rapture, wild and unconfined, a mad passion of speed. Astronomers tell us this of the Great Republic of the Stars; physicists say the same of the Little Republic of Molecules. Shall not the Middle Republic of Men be like unto them? The polite ethicist demurs; his ideal is funereal solemnity. His horizon is bounded by death; and his spy-glass is smeared with the idea of sin. The New Aeon proclaims Man as Immortal God, eternally active to do His Will. All’s Joy, all’s Beauty; this Will we celebrate.

Aleister Crowley, New Comment on II.36, Liber Legis, The Book of the Law.

Call for submissions to Magick, Music and Ritual for 2023

Today I am announcing the 2023 call for submissions for Magick, Music and Ritual 18, the next anthology album of tracks by artists inspired by or who incorporate ritual and magick in their work. These anthology albums help promote artists to the audience of the Hermetic Library and beyond. These albums raise awareness about the connection between ritual, music and magick. And, they are a mass of awesome fun.

Magick, Music and Ritual 18 will be the 2023 release from the Anthology Project. The deadline for submissions to this anthology album is September 30th, 2023. Be sure to stay tuned to the blog, social media, and the pages for the Hermetic Library anthology project for reminders and updates along the way.

Hermetic Library Call for Submissions to Magick, Music and Ritual 18 for 2023

Deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2023. Release is planned around the anniversary of the Hermetic Library’s birth on Dec 3rd, 1996.

Be sure to read through the terms and conditions for artist submissions to an anthology album (which includes some new and more specific information about acceptable file formats), and after that if you have any questions, comments or wish to contribute to this project; contact the librarian.

There are things to consider that have changed in the last couple years that are different earlier calls for submissions. First, I am asking for at least two tracks from each participant; one for the public issue Magick, Music and Ritual 18, and a second track for an exclusive issue of This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -5 for Patrons and Subscribers. Second, if I do not get enough participation this year, I will only release a the exclusive issue for Patrons and Subscribers with what submissions I do get. Third, if I am blessed with more submissions than necessary for a reasonable size anthology issue, I will be keeping the extra submissions for future releases, whereas previously I would use all suitable submissions, as many as possible, and not keep any in an ongoing reserve submissions pool for future issues.

Please consider joining Hermetic Library in promoting your work by contributing to this benefit anthology album project. All proceeds from album sales will support the library to help cover hosting costs, materials acquisitions, and other expenses.

Check out all the previously released anthology albums, help spread the word about the Hermetic Library anthology project, and let those you think may be interested know about this new opportunity to participate.

Cover Artwork and Design

If you would like to make a proposal for the artwork and design of this anthology, please get in touch! Take a gander at all the previous album covers and consider joining the illustrious artists who have participated with their work on those anthologies.

Patron and Subscriber-Only EP

This year, in addition to the public issue, I will be creating a Patron and Subscriber-only EP as a special additional perk for those people who are ongoing Patrons of Hermetic Library on Patreon or have subscribed to Hermetic Library on Bandcamp. This will be alternate tracks on an exclusive album that will be released in addition to the anthology.

Bonus Download Submissions

If you are creating something else, and would like to be included in the anthology download as a bonus, let me know. I’m open to bonus artwork, essay, articles and … well, anything that can be included in a digital download!

Become a Patron or Subscriber

The best ways to add anthology releases and this upcoming Hermetic Library album to your personal music collection is to become an ongoing Patron at Patreon or Subscriber at Bandcamp. Patrons and Subscribers will each be offered a gratis download code for each new release while they are active in addition to other patronage rewards they may receive, and that ends up being the most cost effective way to get these albums. New Patrons and Subscribers get immediate access to a back catalog release, which means a full album when they sign up, and another when the new anthology is released. Consider becoming a Patron today!

Furthermore that I will perform all practical work connected with this Order, in a place concealed … that I will keep secret this inner Rosicrucian Knowledge … that I will only perform any practical magic before the uninitiated which is of a simple and already well-known nature, and that I will show them no secret mode of working whatsoever.

Ritual of the 5^○ = 6^□ Grade of Adeptus Minor, the Ritual of the Order of Rosæ Rubeæ Et Aureæ Crusis at Aleister Crowley, “The Adept” in The Temple of Solomon the King, Book II, continued, serialized in The Equinox.

In the Adeptus Minor ritual, the aspirant in effect becomes the Chief, and receives the hidden knowledge of the Tomb. The symbolic truth is revealed in the descriptions of Christian Rosenkreutz’s mythological life and teachings, where the initiate learns of the secrets of the sanctuary of the temple. Through a ritual passing into the Inner Temple, the aspirant enters the sanctuary and becomes aware of the hidden truth. By contrast, in the Gnostic Mass, the communicant goes forth to commune with the Priestess, who holds in her hands the fruit of the mating of Understanding and Wisdom, and offers it unquestioningly to the communicant in the form of the Cakes of Light and the sacramental wine. Both individuals take back the seed of gnosis within their bodies; one through the revelation of the tomb, the other through the ingestion of what could well be termed the symbolic fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.

Robert Furtkamp, Liber XV and the Adeptus Minor Initiation

The Hermetic Library Anthology Album – Magick, Music and Ritual 17

Magick, Music and Ritual 17, the Hermetic Library Anthology Album issued for 2022, Sun in Sagittarius, An Vviii, from the Hermetic Library Anthology project is now released for immediate digital download.

Please join the Hermetic Library in thanking and promoting these artists who have contributed their work to this benefit anthology album project by picking up this release. Please also spread the word to people you think may be interested in the work of artists who combine magick, music and ritual.

Be sure to also check out the entire Hermetic Library Anthology project, all the previous releases; and consider picking up the digital download of this album and any other that strikes your fancy to help support the work of the library!

<a href="https://hermeticlibrary.bandcamp.com/album/the-hermetic-library-anthology-album-magick-music-and-ritual-17">The Hermetic Library Anthology Album – Magick, Music and Ritual 17 by The Hermetic Library</a>

The full tracklist for the 2022 anthology album consists of 11 tracks by 11 artists:

Scholar – OZ 01:53
Glamourie – Invocation of Gwyn ap Nudd 04:44
Brian Redfern – The Towers 03:41
Mighty Joe Nolan – Hunters Meadow 03:02
People of Pan – LAShTAL 06:13
Subliminal Stimuli – Mask of Sanity 05:00
Dustin Martian – .PTSD 03:49
OLD WVLF – Maggots 01:27
Hairs Abyss – Black Plate 02:40
Children of Osiris – Dalgus 05:33
Kevlar Nuckler – Pandemic II (The Emergence) 05:50

Magick, Music and Ritual 17, the anthology album release for 2022 from the Anthology Project, the 10th year of anthologies, is being released for the anniversary of the December 3, 1996 birthday of the Hermetic Library, with a playlist of 11 tracks by 11 artists, new and returning voices, for this Hermetic Library Anthology Album.

The cover includes art created by the Librarian, using MidJourney machine learning image generation tool, for this current year in the Thelemic Calendar, An V:viii (2022 e.v.), which represents the docosade of Atu V, the Hierophant and the year of Atu VIII, Adjustment. We also have a total of three alternative covers, included with the album download at Bandcamp, that features additional artwork. There are also three other bonus downloads: PDFs for “The Great Work”, “Quotes, Quips, and Whimsical Conundrums”, and “Inspired from Within” by SD Master.

The best way to add this anthology, as well as previous releases and future Hermetic Library albums, to your personal music collection is through the Patron campaign at Patreon. New Patrons receive a gratis download code for a previous anthology release of their choice in addition to all the other patronage rewards they may receive. Consider becoming a Patron today!

Hermetic Library
Anthology Project
Become a Patron

Production and cover art by John Griogair Bell

This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -4

This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -4 is a special alternative release in 2022 just for Patrons and Subscribers of Hermetic Library. This playlist has 8 tracks by 8 artists, with both old and new voices to the project this year!

The full tracklist for this exclusive consists of 8 tracks by 8 artists:

People of Pan – Templar Trip Tick 07:30
Children of Osiris – Purr Sun 03:31
Subliminal Stimuli – Drowning 05:54
Mighty Joe Nolan – Paradise 03:41
Glamourie – Shrine Visit at Ox Hour 03:33
OLD WVLF – Call Me 05:36
Hairs Abyss – No Response 14:02
Dustin Martian – body dysm⌭℟▛⑈⋮⦩ 17:28

For 2022, in addition to Magick, Music and Ritual 17, due in December, I am releasing this Patron and Subscriber exclusive issue. I asked each participant in the regular anthology issue to also submit something for this this additional release. So with extra gratitude their way, those who were kind enough to submit additional material, here is this special new issue exclusive to Subscribers on Bandcamp and Patrons on Patreon. This, then, is a thank you gift just for those who offer their ongoing support for the library and my work as the librarian, from both myself and these artists.

One more thing: In a new twist, instead of being in no particular order, this is an actual intentional playlist. Furthermore, this playlist is intended to join with Magick, Music and Ritual 17 to form an even larger sequence. However just to make things strange, though this playlist releases prior to MMR17 in 2022, I recommend adding this album after this year’s canonical anthology in the overall order. But, you do you!

To both participants and supporters, I say happy and hearty Thanksgiving day, and, moreover, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hermetic Library
Anthology Project
Become a Patron
Become a Subscriber

Production and Design by John Griogair Bell

Call for submissions to Magick, Music, and Ritual for 2022

Today I am announcing the 2022 call for submissions for Magick, Music and Ritual 17, the next anthology album of tracks by artists inspired by or who incorporate ritual and magick in their work. These anthology albums help promote artists to the audience of the Hermetic Library and beyond. These albums raise awareness about the connection between ritual, music and magick. And, they are a mass of awesome fun.

Magick, Music and Ritual 17 will be the 2022 release from the Anthology Project. The deadline for submissions to this anthology album is September 30th, 2022. Be sure to stay tuned to the blog, social media, and the pages for the Hermetic Library anthology project for reminders and updates along the way.

Hermetic Library Call for Submissions to Magick, Music and Ritual 17 for 2022

Deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2022. Release is planned around the anniversary of the Hermetic Library’s birth on Dec 3rd, 1996.

There are things to consider that have changed in the last couple years that are different earlier calls for submissions. First, I am asking for at least two tracks from each participant; one for the public issue Magick, Music and Ritual 17, and a second track for an exclusive issue of This Is Not An Hermetic Library Anthology Album -4 for Patrons and Subscribers. Second, if I do not get enough participation this year, I will only release a the exclusive issue for Patrons and Subscribers with what submissions I do get. Third, if I am blessed with more submissions than necessary for a reasonable size anthology issue, I will be keeping the extra submissions for future releases, whereas previously I would use all suitable submissions, as many as possible, and not keep any in an ongoing reserve submissions pool for future issues.

Cover Artwork and Design

If you would like to make a proposal for the artwork and design of this anthology, please get in touch! Take a gander at all the other covers and consider joining the illustrious artists who have participated with their work on those anthologies. New this last year is the Doodles feature, and art that is submitted for the anthology can also be featured there, and in promo banners across social media.

Patron and Subscriber-Only EP

Bonus Download Submissions

MUSIC RADIO @ HRMTC

New this year is RADIO @ HRMTC, with 24/7 listener supported Internet radio stations!

There’s stations for both TALK and MUSIC, and the music station has all anthologies in general rotation. Check them both out if you want to listen to occult radio online!

I’d like to invite you to participate. If you’ve got tracks or albums you’d be willing to offer for general rotation, recorded live shows, new or old podcasts, lectures, talks, or anything like that, let me know! This year I’ve also done a couple of scheduled listing parties, and can do other scheduled shows. I can also even do live audio streaming if that’s of interest! Either way, if you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a content partner, whether you’re participating on the anthology or not, get in touch!

Become a Patron or Subscriber

My dearest, I will now explain the only safe and true formula, the destroyer of the darkness of the World, the most secret among all secrets. Let it be secret to him who would attain. Let it cover any period of time, depending on his conception. There is no qualification, nor ritual or ceremony. His very existence symbolising all that is necessary to perfection. Most emphatically, there is no need of repetition or feeble imitation. You are alive!

Austin Osman Spare, The Book of Pleasure

The Hermetic Library Blog

Faint gibbering heard from somewhere near the restricted stacks