Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte

Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte presents four Neo-Phoenician Solstice and Equinox rituals in complete script form. These outdoor myth-dramas were inspired by ancient texts and have been continuously performed since 1974 by The Church of the Hermetic Sciences and the Order of the Temple of Astarte (O.T.A.) in Southern California. Stage directions, costume designs and commentaries on the archaeological and mythological origins, symbolism and esoteric significance of the rites are all set forth in this fully illustrated, large size, trade-quality paperback book. There are eight full color photos of rituals and costumes, and fifteen line drawings.

The lead article in the text is the first publication of a 17 page paper on the Ordo Templi Astartes presented at an academic conference in Rome by the noted scholar of avant-garde religions Professor Robert S. Ellwood, Jr. of the University of Southern California.

An added feature is Poke Runyon’s modern adaptation of the ancient pre-Biblical epic Aqhat, Son of Daniel. Runyon calls upon his experience as a published novelist and his researches as an anthropologist to make this 20,000 word novelette, Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow, as exciting as it is informative and inspirational.

Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte was originally printed in 1998 in a very limited quantity primarily for Church and Order members. This new 2004 printing finally makes the book available to our many friends outside the intimate circle of our fellowship.

This book will be of special interest to students of Magick, NeoPaganism, Biblical archaeology, esoteric Freemasonry, and occultism.

Carroll "Poke" Runyon describes himself as a "Gentleman of the Old School" which he defines as: "One who recites classical poetry to heartless beauties while wrestling alligators." He has lived out his Neo-Romantic philosophy as a Captain in the Green Berets, a student of Ninjutsu, a blue-water sailor, scuba diver, and a ceremonial magician.

His background in occult study and practice is extensive: in 1970, following a near-death experience, and a mystic vision, he became the founder of The Ordo Templi Astartes (O.T.A.). which is now America’s oldest continually operating Ritual magick Lodge. In 1980 Runyon received his Master’s Degree in cultural anthropology from California State University at Northridge, specializing in Magick. After graduate school he went through all the degrees of Freemasonry in both the Scottish and York Rites.

He then undertook an intense series of Tibetan tantric initiations and training sessions under the direction of H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche of The Sakya Order, mastering the Vajra Yogini (Goddess of the Sorcerers) system. Runyon later received the Kalachakra initiation from H.H. The Dalai Lama.

Carroll Runyon has served as an officer in three active Golden Dawn temples. His articles on Magick and the Western Tradition have appeared in Gnostica magazine, and his Order’s journal The Seventh Ray. His most noted contribution to the post W.W. II occult revival has been his rediscovery, and subsequent development, of the facial reflection/distortion dark mirror scrying method for magical evocation. In 1974 he appeared as a guest on Tom Snyder’s network television Tomorrow Show narrating film footage of O.T.A. magical operations. In 1996, through his Church (The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Inc.) Runyon wrote, produced and narrated a 75 minute video documentary entitled: The Magick of Solomon, and also authored its companion book The Book of Solomon’s Magick (both from Amazon).

He is also the author of Secrets of the Golden Dawn Cypher Manuscript (from Amazon) and is the editor of The Seventh Ray.