Thelemic Symposium 2009 ev
From Sekhet-Maat Lodge
Featuring panelists Eliza McBryde, Michael Kolson, and Dathan Biberstein.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 ev
- ...thus we gather up all the threads of human passion and interest, and weave them into an harmonious tapestry, subtly and diligently with great art, that our Order may seem an ornament even to the Stars that are in the Heavens at Night. In our rainbow-coloured texture we set forth the glory of the whole Universe—See thou to it, brother Magician, that thine own thread be strong, and pure, and of a colour brilliant in itself, yet ready to mingle in all beauty with those of thy brethren!—Aleister Crowley, Liber CXCIV: An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order
Thelemic Symposium is a panel discussion and question/answer session engaging the considerable experience and knowledge of three long-time Thelemites. We are proud to have presented this, the eighth annual Symposium, featuring panelists Eliza McBryde, Michael Kolson, and Dathan Biberstein.
The Panelists
- Eliza McBryde is a world traveler and the organizer of Kaaba Colloquium. (more...)
- Michael Kolson hails originally from Pyramid Lodge and is the proprietor of Night of Pan Books. (more...)
- Dathan Biberstein wears a kung fu red belt and is Past Master of Leaping Laughter Lodge. (more...)
The Event
The event proceeded as follows:
Introductions
The Symposium began with the panelists introducing themselves by way of biographical and/or editorial commentary explaining their perspective on Thelema and how they came to embrace it.
Three Questions
After the introduction, each panelist answered the following three questions. They had time to prepare answers to these questions. The questions are:
- Crowley described Thelema as a solar-phallic religion. To some, this sounds like another way of saying "patriarchy." In what ways do you find solar-phallicism to be inclusive of women?
- In his New Comment Crowley writes, "Every fight is to be a fight to the finish; each one of us for himself, to do his own will; and all of us for all, to establish the Law of Liberty." In his recruitment drive for O.T.O., he recommends that we contact the Order to organize the fight for Liberty. In Liber Aleph, he notes that we "must by Law assure to every Man a Means of ... protecting him from any that may seek to deprive him of these vertebral Rights." How do you see the Order serving the cause of Thelema in this vein?
- Our community has a long and honored tradition of being skeptical towards fundamentalism, and we have long heard about the problems of fundamentalism in Thelema. Can you see any aspects of it that might be beneficial to our work? What is your overall perspective on "Thelemic fundamentalism?"
Questions from the Audience
Following the "prepared answer" section, the audience posed questions to the panelists.
Reception
Finally, the Symposium dissolved into a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception.
- Food & Drink
- A substantial selection of hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages was included with admission. Microbrews and wines were also available for purchase.
- Vending
- Sekhet-Maat Lodge had a selection of items for sale, including abramelin oil, mugs, stickers, SML lamen t-shirts, posters, and more.
- Bee Girl Metal offered a selection of beautiful Thelemic jewelry.
- Night of Pan Books offered an excellent collection of new, used, and rare titles.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, March 28
- 6:30 PM - doors opened.
- 7:30 PM - Symposium began.
- 10:30 PM - Symposium ended.
- 10:30 PM - reception with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres.
Sunday, March 30
- 2:30 PM - doors opened.
- 3:00 PM - doors close for celebration of the Gnostic Mass.
- Priest - Fr. AISh MLChMH
- Priestess - Sr. Διοτιμα
- Deacon - Fr. Pangloss
- Child - Fr. IOI
- Child - Br. John
- Music - Sr. Theodora
Thelemic Symposium will not be Televised
Recording devices are prohibited at Thelemic Symposium. Non-flash photography is permitted. The restriction against recording is in the interest of promoting an atmosphere of immediacy, encouraging the panelists to speak candidly, and minimizing the "audience/performer" dynamic. Mediated content is very easy to find in the world today in video, audio, and text formats. Immediate content is rare, and Symposium aims to preserve a sense of immediacy because the topic is so personal. Panelists may choose to publish their prepared material on their own, but that's as close as you can get without attending.
Past Years
Read about previous years' Symposia by browsing through our Thelemic Symposium main page.
