This week, our acephalic princess Dysnomia Strophalos offers up a set of loosely-connected readings on gnosticism and Georges Bataille. First, a short introduction to the phenomenon called ‘gnosticism’ excerpted from Jane Goodall’s introduction to Artaud and the Gnostic Drama. The excerpt begins with the second paragraph of page 7 (“Orthodox doctrines of ontology…”) and concludes halfway down page 16 (“… arising from the field of shadows and reflections which is the natural world.”) Following that, two pieces from the Bataille collection Visions of Excess: “Base Materialism and Gnosticism” (pp. 45-52) and “The Pineal Eye” (pp. 79-90). Remember, all page numbers refer to those within the original text, not the digital document. See you Wednesday!

A Magical Bastard is either fatherless – self-created – or has more fathers than they can decently acknowledge.  In this group we will collaborate to interpret magical texts that have been formative for each member, and to integrate theory with experience.  We will respect one another’s experiences, in a world that still claims (with decreasing plausibility) to reject magic itself.  By these means we will attempt to teach one another the unknowable, and maybe score diamond grills and gold hubcaps along the way.

We welcome anyone who loves magic and the art of conversation, regardless of their tradition or experience level.  There will probably be a lot of Thelemites in the group, but these sorts of hardships must be borne.  Please do read the week’s text, if you are coming!  Our plan is to always provide a free online copy.

We convene weekly on Wednesdays (Mercury’s day) from 7:30-9:30 PM at The Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave, in Berkeley. Check below for each week’s texts – and may they bring you joy and power!

If you have questions or would like to be added to the mailing list, please write anika.m.g@gmail.com

The bastard in me honors the bastard in you.

When in doubt, consult the numbers printed within the text of the reading, on the book’s original pages.  A PDF file creates its own page numbers, but these should be ignored.

Next week’s reading, suggested by AVDIERVNT, is “Liber MMM” (pp. 5-15) from Peter Carroll’s Liber Null & Psychonaut. He says this is the book he most wishes he had read at the beginning of his magical life!

Next week, we will discuss Chapters 4 & 5 (pp. 29 – 50) of Wandering on the Way – Early Taoist Tales and Parables of Chuang Tzu. We look forward to hearing your insights into these classic anecdotes of transience and becoming.  The selection was recommended by Helios, who has found this book indispensable to their magical work.

Next week’s reading, suggested by Hermafetes con Harrow, will be drawn from Ramsey Dukes’ How to See Fairies. We’ll discuss the introduction through to the “Summary for Week One” – pages 1-40. Thanks to everyone who came to the first meeting!  Frankly, I was overwhelmed by the beauty you brought forth.

-Fr. Gnostrigrangel

Our first reading for the Magical Bastards study group (suggested by Frater Gnostrigrangel) will be Chapters 14-17 (pp. 72-100) of Lon Milo DuQuette’s My Life with the Spirits.

We will convene weekly starting on Wednesday, July 27 from 7:30-9:30pm at The Long Haul (3124 Shattuck Ave in Berkeley). Check this page for each week’s text. Looking forward to launching this ship with you!