New Moon Risings

I just finished updating the biography of F. Israel Regardie, in Chapter IX :: History.

The more personal touches of information, such as how he felt about his teacher and employer Aleister Crowley, comes from the introduction of his book The Middle Pillar. The introduction was written by Chic and Tabitha Cicero who have edited and annotated many of Regardie’s books for their re-release by Llewellyn Publications. Additional information was gleaned from other of Regardie’s books, especially What You Should Know About the Golden Dawn, as well as encyclopedia sources.

Like many other esoteric students of today, I owe a depth of gratitude to Regardie who broke his vow of silence in order to publish the rituals and traditions of the Golden Dawn before they were lost to time. His integration of psychology and metaphysics creates a practical means for the spiritual, mental and emotional development of the individual.

His writings are accessible and easily comprehended, his exercises and directions are steeped in practical experience and are invaluable if pursued regularly. Knowing more about him personally, silly facts such as he enjoyed boxing, only enriches his writings.

I am so sorry to be late with this, honestly time just got away from me.

Thanks to subscribers of Helikas, we have managed to give away the most money ever!

2008 first quarter donation went to the American Indian College Fund, to learn more about the Fund or how you can help, see American Indian College Fund

Thank you all so very much. We do sincerely appreciate your support for our non-traditional business model.

Finally, finally information about Hazel, the sixth of the sacred woods has been added to Chapter VIII :: Herbal. It was terribly interesting to write, but then I am a fan of gardening and I love walking beneath the trees in the woods near our home. Now that I know more about it, I’ll be on the lookout for hazel trees for use in magic.

In my regular reading, I discovered more information about John Dee and Edward Kelly, two Elizabethan age alchemists and magicians who left us the legacy of Enochian Magic and language. Their respective biographies have been updated in Chapter IX :: History

I am now working on adding information to Israel Regardie’s biography.  The people who have gone before are always so interesting, none are perfect, none are hermits or monks, but each has made an immeasurable contribution to where the pagan and magical communities find themselves today. Reading about their lives reminds me that failure and imperfection are part of being human.

Again, we must give an enormous thank you to all Helikas subscribers who allowed us to close out 2007’s 4th quarter with a bang. In keeping with what we have learned about making donations effective by donating more to fewer rather than little to many, donations were made to the following charities:

The Ocean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean life and human life. Speaking on behalf of endangered sea turtles, right whales, manatees and the all the other magnificent life that call the ocean their home.

Our local no-kill animal shelter. Small and less than a year old, we look forward to helping these deserving folks make a difference in our local community. Food, litter, leashes and toys were donated as well as money.

Helikas subscribers, Thank YOU!