Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in sabazius_x's LiveJournal:

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Monday, October 5th, 2009
8:01 am	NOTOCON Address My speech from NOTOCON VII is up. http://www.hermetic.com/sabazius/SbSpeech7.htm
Sunday, October 4th, 2009
12:24 pm	Some Upcoming Events The next Advanced Initiator Training Event (http://ait.oto-usa.org) will be held in Los Angeles on December 5. The next one of the Psychology Guild's Pastoral Counseling Workshops (http://www.animasolis.com/guild/Pastoral_Counseling.html) will be held in Oklahoma City on June 5 and 6 of 2010 e.v.
11:49 am	Recent Events NOTOCON Our biennial National Conference of USGL took place over the weekend of August 8 and 9 this year, under the theme of "Unity Uttermost Showed" (see http://vii.notocon.org). I’d like to thank Sister Melissa H. and her team for volunteering to take on this massive project, and for doing a spectacular job of it. KAABA COLLOQUIUM The mosr recent Kaaba Colloquium Thelemic Leadership Training Seminar (http://kaaba.oto-usa.org/) was held in Indianapolis on September 25. The next Kaaba is scheduled for May 15-16, 2010 e.v. in Seattle, Washington. MUSICA MYSTICA MAXIMA Tahuti Chapter, in concert with the USGL Public Relations Committee recently put on a music festival for Magicians titled "Musicka Mystica Maxima." It took place on September 21st and 22nd at Santos Party House in Manhattan, and featured a variety of well-known musicians who have been influenced by Thelema and Magick. The performers were: * Genesis Breyer P-Orridge with Thee Majesty * John Zorn & Bill Laswell Nautical Almanac * Larkin Grimm * Arrington de Dionyso * Amber Asylum * Spires that in the Sunset Rise * Daniel Higgs * 4th Sign of the Apocalypse Some of the press coverage for this event: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2009/09/the_musicka_mys.php http://www.nypress.com/article-20356-making-magic-with-music.html It was also announced in the New Yorker (not available online, however.)
11:46 am	Podcast This is very old news for most of you, but our Public Relations Committee has initiated a monthly podcast called Thelema NOW!, which can be found here. The mission of the Thelema NOW podcast is to provide listeners with interesting, informative, thought-provoking interviews featuring individuals involved in myriad realms of mysticism, spirituality and magical theory and practice: authors, sorcerers, academics, entertainers.
11:38 am	Annual Report & Membership Figures As you may know, we have completed our third USGL Annual Report, a program initiated as part of our Strategic Plan in 2007 e.v. The Annual Report is now available on the USGL website. If you haven’t seen it yet, please download it and have a look. http://oto-usa.org/usgl_annual_report_IVxvi.pdf This past fiscal year, we experienced a drop in overall active membership of about 300 members, or about 20% of our total membership (including Full Members and Minervals). This is almost entirely the result of an artifact caused by a one-time change in policy we implemented last year: namely, a tightening up of the inactivation grace period afforded to members who are not dues-current. The result of this policy change was the inactivation of a large number of members who had not paid their dues in some time, effectively compressing several years of inactivations into a single year. So this reduction in the membership figures should really be seen as reflecting a more accurate count of active membership, rather than an actual decline in membership.
Monday, January 19th, 2009
2:21 pm	Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Master's Handbook To counteract a rumor I heard recently, it is not true that the Camp, Oasis, and Lodge Master's Handbook (COLMH) is a "secret document" that members of the Man of Earth Triad are forbidden from viewing. Any O.T.O. member in good standing, Minerval and up, has the right to view this handbook. However, there are two restrictions on its distribution, as required by IHQ policy: Possession of a copy (physical or electronic) of the COLMH is restricted to Grand Lodge officers, subordinate Grand Lodge officers, and initiates of at least the K.E.W. degree, without the express permission of the U.S. National Grand Master General. The COLMH is not to be circulated over the Internet except by U.S. Grand Lodge officers (including the Document Control Officer), and is not to be posted on the World Wide Web. Every local body should have a copy of the current revision of the COLMH in its library, and local members should feel free to request a viewing. The current revision of the COLMH is dated October 2001 e.v. Another revision is nearing completion at this time. Local Body Officers may request a copy of the current revision of the COLMH from the Document Control Officer (doc_control [at] oto-usa [dot] org).
Sunday, November 9th, 2008
10:04 am	Same-Sex Marriage The passage of Proposition 8 in California has deprived a minority of a right that they previously enjoyed, and which continues to be enjoyed by the majority. This is, by definition, an act of bigotry and oppression, and it writes an egregiously discriminatory policy into the Constitution of the State of California. There are legal efforts underway to overturn this misguided measure, and whether they succeed or fail at this time, many of us will continue to work towards a time when basic rights are recognized equally for all. Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica within O.T.O. has never had any policy prohibiting or discouraging the performance of wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples within our church, and same-sex couples have always been welcome to request our clergy to officiate at their wedding ceremonies. We treat same-sex weddings basically the same way we treat any other kind of wedding. I am proud to say that I personally officiated at one last month. However, at this time I feel that our church now has a unique opportunity to help advance the principle that basic rights belong to all of us, not just the majority. While California no longer officially recognizes the legitimacy of marriages between people of the same sex, it does not--it cannot--stop us from performing wedding ceremonies on our own terms, or from considering individuals to be married within our church. The officiant will no longer be able to state in the ceremony that he or she acts under the authority of the State of California; and such weddings will, for the time being, be unlicensed, unsanctioned and unrecognized by the state. However, most of the legal benefits can be obtained through the civil union procedure anyway. Despite the fact that the pro-Proposition 8 propaganda was appallingly deceptive, it is apparent that many Californians, and other Americans, remain ignorant about gays and lesbians as individual human beings. Many shape their views on gays and lesbians on the basis of fearful abstractions contrived and propagated by the spider-professors of the slave religions. I have heard many stories now of people, even socially conservative people, changing their views about same-sex marriage after having actually met a same-sex couple. The younger generation already understands this. As the number of same-sex married couples continues to increase within society--even without official government sanction--establishing their presence as flesh-and-blood human families with aspirations, dreams, feelings and commitments much like anyone else, and serving as examples for others--then legal recognition will follow, by and by. Therefore, I would like to actively encourage committed same-sex couples --if it is their will--to pursue marriage within our church, in states that officially recognize such marriages as well as in states that do not. (13 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
9:48 am	The Constitutions of the Order of Thelemites and Thelemic Social Activism In 1921 e.v., Crowley issued a document titled "The Constitutions of the Order of Thelemites" to James Thomas Windram (1877-1939 e.v.), Frater Semper Paratus 6°=5° A:.A:., Mercurius X° O.T.O., of Johannesberg, South Africa.1 The document empowered Windram to establish a third Thelemic Order, apart from the A:.A:. and O.T.O., which would combine the individual training program of the A:.A:. with some of the fraternal, ceremonial and social aspects of O.T.O. within a minimalistic organizational framework. The Order of Thelemites was to have a simplified degree system consisting of only three degrees or Grades: Man of Earth (Zelator), Lover (Adeptus) and Hermit (Magister), and it was to employ initiation rituals selected and adapted from both the A:.A:. and O.T.O. systems. Members were expected to engage in a daily practice comprising Will before meals and certain A:.A:. rituals.2 Advancement depended on progress in the A:.A:. training program. Members were also to be instructed in the "general plan" of O.T.O.,3 and were to collectively celebrate the O.T.O. Gnostic Mass and the form of daily service Crowley was then using at Cefalu (as described in Diary of a Drug Fiend). Those Zelatores who submitted satisfactory evidence to Windram that they had discovered their True Wills were supposed to receive a special certificate. There is no evidence that Windram ever implemented this document, or that the Order of Thelemites ever existed other than on paper. That paper, its "Constitutions," is little more than a historical curiosity now; however, it does have a few features that might be of interest to us today. In particular, the following passages would appear to represent a simple protocol for Thelemic social activism:4 ( Read more... )
Thursday, August 14th, 2008
10:40 am	"persona non grata" Ex-members on "persona non grata" (PNG) status are not allowed to attend any official O.T.O. event within the U.S.--even public-access ones--unless specifically authorized to do so by Executive resolution. PNG status is automatic when a member is expelled (or has his or her membership dissolved by the OHO) or resigns from membership under any of the following conditions: while duly suspended from membership for cause, while prohibited from attending official O.T.O. events, during the course of a Grand Lodge investigation involving potential disciplinary action against them, or after making a serious threat of violence against any person. Resolutions authorizing PNG to attend an event will be considered by the Executive on a case-by-case basis, and must be requested by a local body master or S.G.I.G. in a communication to the Grand Secretary General. The GTG maintains a list of PNG, and can answer inquiries from LBMs and USGL representatives regarding PNG status of individuals. LBMs have the power and authority to exclude or remove any non-member from any O.T.O. event.
10:05 am	sabbatical Active members who are dues-current may request a leave of absence from active membership, termed a sabbatical, for a specified period of time. Members who are not dues-current must pay the minimum amount of dues owed in order to be granted sabbatical status. Sabbatical status must be granted by the Executive, and applied for through the GTG. While on sabbatical, no additional dues will accrue. Members on sabbatical may not attend initiations or members-only events, vote in O.T.O. meetings or elections, serve as an officer in a local body or other official O.T.O. group, or represent O.T.O. in any way. At the end of their sabbatical period, members return to active membership automatically unless they request an extension of their sabbatical.
9:48 am	inactive status Members go "inactive" when they fail to pay their dues (after a grace period), or when they request to be placed on voluntary inactive status. Inactive status is determined by the GTG, and inactivation does not automatically entail bad report status. Members who go inactive forfeit all the rights and privileges of membership, including the right to call oneself a member, the privilege of Grand Tribunal mediation (i.e., members can take them to court without applying to the Grand Tribunal for clearance to do so), and the privilege to hold a charter to initiate and possess copies of official O.T.O. rituals. Members of First Degree or higher in the U.S. who are in dues arrears for over twelve months and have not responded to a written dues notice will, in most cases, be determined by the GTG to be inactive. They can reactivate at any time by either paying twice the annual dues rate of the degree they were in when they went inactive, or by paying one year of the dues rate of the degree they were in when they went inactive and taking the next degree. Chartered initiators who go inactive will be requested by the GSG to return their initiation charter and official ritual scripts. Failure to comply with this request in a timely manner typically results in bad report. Minervals who are in dues arrears for over six months and have not responded to a written dues notice will, in most cases, be determined "demitted" by the GTG (our equivalent for Minerval inactive). Demitted Minervals can only be readmitted by taking First Degree. Members who are having financial difficulties can avoid inactive/demit status by working out a special dues payment plan with the GTG in advance.
9:33 am	resignation and bad report Yes, we have a policy that members who resign are automatically placed on "bad report" status. However, this does not mean that resigned members cannot attend local public-access events or ever be readmitted. "Bad report" status--unless accompanied by specific curtailment of privileges--means that you can't be advanced (if you're still a member) or readmitted (if you're not) without an Executive decision to lift your "bad report" status. In the great majority of cases where a resigned member's "bad report" status was automatic upon their resignation, the Executive will honor a resigned member's request for readmission and promptly lift their "bad report" status. Requests for readmission may be submitted to either the GSG or the GTG.
Friday, April 4th, 2008
10:10 am	More information on the Paris art exhibits The following is an informal press release on the exhibits issued by Frater Superior Hymenaeus Beta. TWO IMPORTANT ART SHOWS IN PARIS FEATURING WORKS BY AND RELATING TO CROWLEY. Ordo Templi Orientis has been working with the Centre Pompidou, the Warburg and the Palais du Tokyo to assist, in a minor way, with two truly important art shows, both featuring works by Aleister Crowley. We have not yet seen any publicity given to these shows in English, and wanted to give the Crowleyan-interest community as much advance notice of these shows as possible -- especially so as to allow those planning to travel from abroad to Europe for summer holidays the opportunity to route their trips through Paris at the right time to see both shows. It is possible to do this if one visits Paris between June 5 and July 4 (approximately -- the exact closing date of the Palais du Tokyo show is not known at this writing -- we only know that it runs for a month from June 5). The two shows, in the order in which they open:( Read more... )
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
9:19 am	Notable Art Exhibits Sixteen previously unknown oil paintings by AC have been recently discovered. One of them will be included in the Traces du Sacré exhibit at Centre Pompidou in Paris beginning May 5 of this year. The exhibit will also include four of the original Crowley/Harris Thoth Atus and Cameron's "Dark Angel" portrait of Jack Parsons. The remaining fifteen of the paintings will be exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris beginning June 5 of this year.
Friday, August 17th, 2007
1:08 pm	Speech NOTOCON VI keynote posted here. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
2:54 pm	NOTOCON VI Well, judging by the posts I've seen so far, a number of O.T.O. members people seem to have enjoyed themselves (by and large) this past weekend in Salem, Massachusetts. In my humble opinion, the event was spectacular, with the exception of my forgetting the existence of the word "nourishment." It was great seeing some of my distant friends again and meeting so many new ones--I wish I had more time to spend at these things just talking to people. Many thanks to: illuminaut, our lovely, energetic, and loud (!) onsite coordinator The onsite staff and construction crew, consisting primarily of the members of Knights Templar Oasis and Abrahadabra Camp, so ably mastered by stevensteven and exnomine ariche and the other members of the NOTOCON 2007 Committee the presenters, who--as usual--dished up some very interesting, entertaining and thought-provoking material (we're working on a proceedings volume) Brother Mike E., wishingwell111 and hierophant49, for working the Gnostic Mass with us wishingwell111 again, for the marvelous gift baskets! sanguinea, richard_kaczyn and the other members of the Mass choir (do you guys have a name yet?) the members of the U.S. Electoral College, Grand Tribunal and Supreme Grand Council, who actually attended the meetings on Friday despite all the local enticements and temptations jonah777, lazuli93, thiebes, Bro. Hank, Frater Hymenaeus Beta, and our honored guest, Mr. Eric M., for providing us with some unforgettable musical entertainment netjerikhet and rana12 for some truly wonderful hospitality, and Finally, as usual, my beloved Soror Helena, who will never have a LiveJournal, for sustaining me with love, encouragement, and intellectual feedback. Oh, yes--I'll be posting a transcript of my speech at the Invisible Basilica shortly. (Comment on this)
Saturday, August 5th, 2006
5:16 pm	Announcement The U.S. Electoral College exercised its "one most singular power" on July 22 of this year. It elected one of the two Revolutionaries described in paragraphs 24 and 26 of Liber 194, and in Section 4.13 of the Bylaws of Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. The person elected to this position wishes his identity to remain private at this time. However, he will, most likely, be contributing an essay to Agapé in the near future, which will describe his understanding of the office.
1:41 pm	Problem Solving We have developed a whole range of mechanisms for mediating disputes and resolving other membership problems, based on various Blue Equinox passages and on our own experiences and research. These are enumerated elsewhere. The "path of mediation" can be complex, so we have instituted the office of the USGL Ombudsman to help members navigate the system. At this time, there are a few specific points about our system that I'd like to address.( Read more... )
Wednesday, August 24th, 2005
7:10 pm	Construction Proto-Guild Brother Sin Rabe has set up an interest group for OTO members who are carpenters and other skilled tradesmen and laborers in the construction industry, with the aim of working towards a construction guild. The group has a yahooGroup here: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/oto_construction/ Brother Sin's email address is raven-at-jestyr-dot-com (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
9:29 am	NOTOCON V Well, that was fun! Tiring, but fun! Many thanks to: Soror Hypatia for her energy, determination, and poise in organizing the event, and to Brother C.S. for helping to keep her brains from leaking too much the Blakies and the NOTOCON 2005 Committee members, for all their hard work (and for the sacrifice of those who selflessly manned the registration/information table while the rest of us were enjoying ourselves). Special thanks to christeos_pir for the accurate and clear directions to the sushi restaurant (and hello to Sol--best wishes to you both!) Sister Eliza, Sister Kim, and the other members of the NOTOCON Coordinating committee the presenters, who put on some very interesting, enlightening, and entertaining shows The KTO/Black Sun crew for a most spiffy Gnostic Mass temple and logistical support exnomine, ardras156, and hierophant49 for working the Gnostic Mass with us Horus Chorus! all my Brothers and Sisters who attended (well, most of you, anyway), for comporting yourselves with grace, good sense, and fraternal harmony Brother Henry A. for the very nice gifts Brother Michael K. for some friendly and constructive criticism richard_kaczyn for driving us where we needed to go (and some good conversation). I'd also like to thank, in much more general and personal terms: my henchmen and henchwomen (you know who you are), for your support and burden-sharing my beloved Soror Helena, who is a plumbless ocean of patience, sustenance, and inspiration. It was wonderful to finally meet so many of you in meatspace (as opposed to both cyberspace and hallucination-space), and to see some familiar faces again. I wish I had had the time (and lack of jet-lag) to meet and chat with all of you. Perhaps next time! (Comment on this)