Carl Abrahamsson: Contemporary occultism in glossy color

Nice and colorful publications dealing with esoteric topics are nowadays almost a dime a dozen, and that is of course a very good thing. The general interest in occultism and esoteric doctrines is proof of intelligence and constructive behavior in stagnant cultures. In particular, the intersection between art and the esoteric has nowadays become an integrated field of study in many academic environments.

One publication that caught my attention recently is The AMeTh Lodge Journal, Vol I, No 2, published by Ordo Templi Orientis in London. This is the second issue of the Journal, and it strikes me as symptomatic of the intellectual climate we're currently in. A Thelemic fraternity, OTO, publishes something that successfully reaches outside of their own esoteric environment and into a culture starved of substantial spirituality.

No wonder, I should say, because this book/magazine behaves more like an art catalogue and is lavish and well produced on all levels. Where the occult underground used to be immersed in DIY and fanzine esthetics and methods, contemporary expressions lead the way in both esoteric and refined esthetic aspects. Another very clear example of this is Fulgur, the eminent UK publishers who've specialized in fine editions of occult material but have now branched out into flirting with the art publishing market.

AMeTh 2 is not only filled with the technology of magic ("The Pyramid of the Sphinx", "The Rite of Hekate", "A Thelemic Approach to Astrology" etc) but to an equal extent of material dealing with culture or occulture ("Aleister Crowley and the Ragged Ragtime Girls", "An Interview with Lon Milo DuQuette", "Oriental Grotesques" etc). This is what makes it doubly interesting. Creative cross fertilizations are possible when the door swings both ways, so to speak.

Although this Journal is considerably more internal than Fulgur's attempts with their equally well produced journal Abraxas, it still whets the appetite for more of the same kind of dynamic mix. If one has a serious interest in Thelemic occultism, then there's plenty of that. And the strictly occultural material is equally appetizing. My favorite in this particular issue is Geraldine Beskin's article on Aleister Crowley's grand attempt at bringing an all female ragtime ensemble to Russia in 1913. As with a lot in Crowley's life, this story is worthy of being turned into a movie by Terry Gilliam.

AMeTh Lodge Journal is a prime example of our fascinating Zeitgeist, in which an open-mindedness presented in four colors on glossy paper wonderfully well balances the murky, medieval attitudes of the current British government vis-à-vis individual liberty. I'm referring of course to recent suggestions that web sites with "occult" material should somehow be banned or blocked for British Internet users. It makes me think of Monty Python, for the sheer surreal absurdity of it. And of Joseph Goebbels, for completely different reasons.

Aleister Crowley was only some decades ago included among Great Britain's 100 most popular and influential people ever. The present temporary UK civil servant prime minister-cum-emperor will at most be remembered for his militant and blatantly stupid anti-humanism. May God bless him. History certainly will not.

You can order your copy of AMeTh Lodge Journal, Vol I No 2 by going here!