Stillness, Unity, Passion, Silence

Found!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:34:43 GMT

Orange Kitty is Mr. Peepers.

This morning he showed with a bloody eye. We took him to the vet, where they scanned him and found a chip. I called his person and told her what happened. He prowled from the next street over and has been basically gone for two weeks because he was living with us. His eye is OK, although it looks like he got bitten since there is a bite mark under his chin. The tear duct was bleeding and oozing white stuff. They gave 3 days of pain meds and some eye ointment and he should be all better.

Orange Kitty - Stray Faker

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:51:58 GMT

As I said, we're suckers.

Orange kitty has been a regular fixture around our house lately and we are still trying to figure her out. She isn't scrawny and is too clean and friendly to be stray. Still, she has some issues: a couple weeks ago, we kept finding ticks on her. Some were big and engorged and eventually fell off. richard_kaczyn bought her flea collar (and more food), which seems to have helped. But what are her people doing? She seems like an indoor/outdoor cat, but would they really let her out without a flea collar or frontline?

Now that she has a flea collar, orange kitty has been coming in during the day and taking naps. She will stay over for hours, sometimes all day. Doesn't her family miss her? Maybe they put her out while they're at work. We have no kitty box, so we put her out when we're not home and for the night.

I made her up a box with an old towel and sometimes she will sleep in there all night.

But still, she knows what a bed is, and a can of cat food opening. She let me clip her nails on all four paws - this is not stray or dumped cat behavior. It looks like she may have a notched ear. She also doesn't purr, but she tries to make a purr noise. She has lots of cat snot bubbles from her nose at times. Respiratory infection?

If she hangs around much longer and it's really cold, it will be time to start knocking on doors.

A Special Day

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:13:57 GMT

Happy Birthday to my beloved richard_kaczyn! Have a wonderful and joyful day!

Fuckola

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:20:35 GMT

As usual, today I went for a walk around the lake during my lunch break. I put my purse under the seat and locked up the car.

I came back from my 2 mile walk to a smashed-in passenger side window and missing purse. So this afternoon's been police reports, canceling cards and insurance companies. Bastards got my cell phone and my pretty gold ring.

School Tonight

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:33:31 GMT

Tonight richard_kaczyn are attending another class at JHU. This one is Magic and the Occult in the Greco-Roman taught by Georg Luck, PhD is professor emeritus in the Dept. of Classics at the Johns Hopkins University. He is author of Arcana Mundi.

1 Year Anniversary

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:00:44 GMT

Wow! This weekend marks our first wedding anniversary and I am so very happy to be spending my life with the person I love. Images of our fabulous wedding day and party still ring through my mind.

This weekend, my sweetie is taking me here:
http://www.lovettsvillebedandbreakfast.com/rooms.php

and here:
http://www.patowmackfarm.com/

Calling the Owls

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:19:39 GMT

I went out at 10:30 this evening to listen for owls. I heard nothing at first. I did some calling for a few minutes and they answered me! A regular hootenanny ensued for about 30 minutes.

Owl Sounds
http://www.junglewalk.com/sound/Owls-sounds.htm

EDIT: They are great horned owls

More Owls

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:08:13 GMT

The owls were hooting again this evening, pretty early - around 7 pm. There were two hooting back and forth, probably a male and female judging from the pitch. I hooted to them too and one of them answered me.

Suddenly, a gray shape swooped down from over the house. It was an owl with a big 3.5 to 4 foot wing span. It landed in the tree at the edge of the yard and seemed to watch me through the screen. It was a perfect image against the spooky, cloud-covered full moon. It hooted for a few minutes, then took off and flew back over the house again. I got a pretty good look at it both times. I hope they like our yard.

Booooo!!!!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:58:58 GMT

Baking: Made pumpkin bread, M&M cookies, and decorated Halloween cupcakes.

Artsy Crafty: Decorating the rest of the house. richard_kaczyn is carving fabulous pumpkins. I will do my spooky face one.

Dips: Made homemade guacamole. Next making spinach and artichoke dip.

Critters: We're suckers. For the past week or so, Orange Kitty has been visiting and we've been giving her Grady's leftover wet food. She keeps coming back. She's not stray - I think she belongs to the neighbors - but she hangs out at our house for hours. Sometimes she gets in. Earlier this week, she got past my legs, ran into our bedroom and went to sleep in our bed. What can you do when it's that cute? I've been calling her my rebound cat.

Seasonal: How marvelous this time of year is. Tomorrow will be in the low 70's. I hope the rain holds off. I adore the colorful leaves and crisp evenings.

Alchemy at JHU

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:34:09 GMT

First, it was slightly weird to go to a college classroom and see .ppt ----- they were still using overheads when I was in college.

The class was great. I only know a bit about alchemy, so I now feel I've had a really good overview. The instructor, Lawrence M. Principe, is a chemist and historian of the sciences, and has published several books on alchemy. He was very passionate about the subject and knew the info really well. Part of the class was historical and source info, part was how alchemy is like chemistry and part of it was how alchemy is NOT like chemistry (a spiritual metaphor). I would have liked to hear him talk more about the esoteric and spritual alchemy.

Being a chemist, he's actually done some of these alchemical experiments --- like turning a silver coin gold-colored by using a solution with urine, salts and stuff. He also made the fabled "tree" or "coral" out of an alloy of gold and mercury by heating it to a particular temperature where it creates fractals. Cool stuff. As a chemist at JHU, he must have good toys.

About 40 ppl attended and judging from the questions, there seemed to be quite a few esoteric studies people in attendance. He's local to Baltimore.

Edit* I forgot to mention that I was the second youngest, if not the youngest person in the audience. It was overall an older crowd in their 50's, which suprised me.

Owl!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:07:27 GMT

There is an owl hooting outside right now! Hooray! I'm so happy the owls are around. It's the first time I've heard one this year.

I invited it to our Halloween Party. How perfect would that be? The nearly full moon rising, bats flitting about and an owl hooting all for our Danse Macabre?

I purr with ecstasy this time of year. Let the Scorpio extravaganza begin!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:52:05 GMT

On Thursday, richard_kaczyn and I are taking a non-credit class on alchemy at Johns Hopkins University. Hope it's good.

All Hallows Family Festival This Sunday with William Blake Lodge

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:46:46 GMT

All Hallows Family Festival
Sunday, October 25, 2009 - rain or shine
12 pm - dusk
(10 am set-up)
Patapsco State Park, Pavilion #66, Glen Artney area
Cost: $5 donation per adult.
Kids and current WBL members are free!
(Note: Patapsco Park charges an additional $2 per person for park entry.)

William Blake Lodge, Ordo Templi Orientis invites you to enjoy a day of hot cider, food, Tarot readings and good company under the crisp fall leaves around the fireplace. Wear a costume, bring a pumpkin to carve (BYO tools), and tell your favorite spooky stories. Goodies for the kids. Come early and help us decorate!

Food: Organized potluck, bring a food and beverage item for yourself plus 5 other people. Alcohol allowed for 21 and older. BYOB or W.

Location: Patapsco Valley State Park, Glen Artney Area, Pavilion #66.

Directions:
DO NOT USE MAPQUEST! You will end up at the wrong entrance.

From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left. Follow signs to Glen Artney Area Pavilion #66.

From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left. From Howard County follow Rt. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South St. Park entrance is on the left. Follow signs to Glen Artney Area Pavilion #66.

Email: master@williamblakeoto.org

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:40:40 GMT

I'm noticing a lot of my professional literature with ads pushing the heck out of Hong Kong as a meeting destination.

Pole Dancing Practice

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:25:43 GMT

richard_kaczyn is off at a prog rock concert tonight, so I have spent a little quality time on the pole. Woot! I still got it! I'm not super graceful yet, but I remember a lot of the moves I used to do and can do all but one of the moves on the DVD. I'll get that one too once I have more upper body strength. The trickier moves are coming back too, even though I can't do them right just yet. I'm afraid to do the running sideways-outside-leap-spin one. Legs fully out may trash furniture, plus that always leaves bruises while you practice it, until you toughen up. Maybe more protein in my diet, huh?

Halloween Party!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:06:33 GMT

I had a great idea today for a Danse Macabre Halloween ritual, so now we must host a Halloween Party. This will be in addition to the WBL fall picnic --- which is also a good time, so we hope to see you there too.

What: Halloween Party, Danse Macabre Ritual and Divination Trade

When: Saturday, October 31, 2009 7 pm - midnight

Where: kakurowski's and richard_kaczyn's place - please RSVP if you'd like to attend and for directions

Festivities: We will provide food, non-alc drinks and a specialty themed-cocktail. Bring any additional booze you will enjoy. Costume up if you like (we don't care, dress as ye will). Bring your favorite divination method for divination trade: Tarot, I-ching, runes, geomantic sandbox, bibliomantic book, astrology program, etc. We will have indoor and outdoor festivities, maybe even a fire in the outside fire pit. Limited crash space available at our place. No more kitty, but the allergy people should be happy. :-(

Ritual Volunteers: we will need somebody to be
a king - TAKEN,
a pope - TAKEN,
a beautiful girl,
a youngster
and Death - TAKEN.
We will also need a few skeletons - TAKEN (musical skeleton).

Now's My Chance to Creep You Out

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:01:30 GMT

Post mortem photography

Here's one artist:
http://www.paulfrecker.com/collections.cfm?&pagetype=library&typeID=1&ShowStart=1&ShowEnd=8&myPage=1

I recently found out about this. It was a common practice in the 19th century and early 20th century when photography was more rare and only done for special occasions and served as a momento for the living person. They were staged in coffins, prams, chairs, etc. usually with flowers, often with family members. Lots and lots and lots of photos of dead babies and children. Infant mortality rates as they were, sometimes it would be only picture the family had of that child. Sometimes they would open the eyes or paint them as open to create a life-like appearance. There are even a few post mortem photos of family dogs on the last page.

Interesting that this has become so taboo in a relatively short period in our society. People asking for pictures at funerals has always seemed to me to be very creepy. This actually helps me understand when growing up why my older Polish relatives would ask if we took pictures at the funerals of great aunts and uncles. This is apparently still a common practice in Easten Europe and some other parts of the world.

Our Monument to Priapus

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:41:13 GMT

Best Birthday Ever

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:18:39 GMT

I got a dance pole!!!!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:47:06 GMT

How much is 10 years of your working life worth in the US? - 3 weeks

List of vacation and paid holidays by country
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/12/pf/vacation_days_worldwide

Compare to life expectancy at birth
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7584056.stm

Corn Maze and Goat Overhead Walk-about

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:08:26 GMT

Going to Crumland Farms in Frederick, MD today to do the corn maze and feed the goats.

http://www.crumland.com

If you're feeling adventurous, take an impromptu trip and meet us there. We should arrive around 2pm and it's a beautiful day for it!

Saturday Morning

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:39:03 GMT

The Jehovah's Witnesses showed up this morning. I answered the door and told them they were in the wrong place because we are Thelemites and don't believe in the bible. They asked me if I had felt that way all my life. I said no and I used to be Christian until I found out women were not allowed to priests and rejected it from there. Sometimes I talk to them more, but didn't feel like it today. richard_kaczyn did not join the conversation because he was naked downstairs. Did they not see the license plates with "Crowley", and unicursal hexagram wind chime? I guess they may have not put it together.

Now buttermilk currant scones are baking and we have jam and Devonshire cream. Mmmmm...

Update

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:11:03 GMT

Work: Tech Conference went well and I am sooooo glad it's over. I'm still tired and run down. During the Conference, 3 different people on different occasions commented on how calm I was, one said "like ice". I told them that was not necessarily my inside voice. In particular, our lunch speaker said that I was really calm for an event planner. That was a stellar compliment from a professional speaker, although I'm not really sure what that says about the folks in my profession. A few things still went wrong, but nothing attendees noticed, which is how I like it. The racetrack event went totally smooth and got my racecar ride around the track as well.

Seasonal: October is here, the most wonderful time of the year! I trimmed back the garden, got some mums, pumpkins, gourds and bales of hay to decorate. The nights are chilly and the trees dance their raspy waltzes. We went apple picking last weekend and I made an apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Corn maze this weekend! My birthday is next week and it is time to plan for my mid-life crisis - 1 more year of my 30's to go. :-) Most importantly, it is time to make the house spooky and terrifying.

Food: Diet or no, I must bake scones.

Grady: The house is so empty and quiet without him. It was sad to come back from Charlotte and not have him waiting for me at the door. I miss the little bugger so very much.

O.T.O.: Teaching some classes for WBL this month, working on Infinite Stars Chapter stuff and getting caught up on EGC stuff. Glad to hear Kaaba went well.

Dress: I really do love the belly dance costume I got. It is fun to dress up and practice.

Reading: On the 3rd Hyperion book Endymion by Dan Simmons. Pretty good.

Gaming: Too much blah blah blah in Eternal Sonata. We are so ready to finish.

WBL Calendar 10/1/2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:08:42 GMT

William Blake Lodge, Ordo Templi Orientis
Calendar of Events
10/1/09

Unless otherwise indicated, all the following scheduled events take place at:
208 South Pulaski St., Suite 5B (5th floor), Baltimore, MD 21223

Members of the public may attend events listed as "Open".

Wed. Oct. 7: Intermediate Magick - Tarot & the Tree of Life (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm to 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for non-WBL members. $70 for the entire 6 class series
(no refunds for missed classes)

Description: French mystery schools and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn developed a well-organized system maps the major and minor arcana of the Tarot onto the kabbalistic glyph of the Tree of Life. This system was refined by Aleister Crowley and Frieda Lady Harris in their design of the Thoth tarot. This fascinating discussion shows the interrelation of magical energies in these systems.

Wed. Oct. 14: Intermediate Magick - Pathworking with the Tarot (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm to 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for Non-WBL members. $70 for the series (no refunds for missed classes)

Description: Use the symbolism and images of the Tarot as a basis of meditation to "work your way up" the Tree of Life, representing higher and higher levels of spiritual attainment.

Sat. Oct. 17: Open House (Open)
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm, doors open 12 pm to 12:25 pm.
Please arrive punctually.
12:30pm: Star Ruby
12:35pm: Introductions
12:50pm: What is Thelema?
1:20pm: What is the OTO? MMM & EGC?
1:50pm: Participating in William Blake Lodge
2:15pm: Gnosticism/Deacon Speech
3:00pm: Gnostic Mass

Sun. Oct. 18: Business Meeting (Open to WBL Members)
All current WBL members are welcome to attend.
12 pm - 2:30 pm, doors open 11:40 am to 11:55 am.

Sun. Oct. 18: Gnostic Mass (Open)
3pm: Arrival/Social time
3:30 pm - 5 pm, doors open 3 pm to 3:25pm
$5 donation requested from non-members.

Sun. Oct. 18: Calculate Planetary Hours (Open)
5 pm - 6pm, doors open 4:40 pm to 4:55 pm.
$15 donation requested from non-members.

Wed. Oct. 21: Intermediate Magick - Assumption of God Forms (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm & 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for Non-WBL members.

Description: Do you know the difference between evocation and invocation? Learn the technique of invoking the persona of a deity through characteristic words, gestures, stances and the surrounding environment.

Sun. Oct. 25: All Hallows Family Festival (Open)
11 am: Set-up
11:45 am to dusk: Picnic!
Food: Organized potluck, bring a food and beverage item for yourself plus 5 other people.
Alcohol allowed for 21 and older. BYOB or W.
Cost: $5 donation per adult. Kids and local dues current WBL members are free!
Note: Patapsco Park charges an additional $2 per person for park entry.
Location: Patapsco Valley State Park, Glen Artney Area, Pavilion #66.

Directions: DO NOT USE MAPQUEST! You will end up at the wrong entrance.
From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.
From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left. From Howard County follow Rt. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South St. Park entrance is on the left.

Wed. Oct. 28: Intermediate Magick - Elemental Pentagrams and the Greater Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm to 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for non-WBL members.

Description: Learn to draw the invoking and banishing pentagrams of the four elements, plus the active and passive pentagrams of spirit. The Greater Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is a high magick ritual that traces pentagrams, calls on Isis, Osiris and Typhon as well as uses Enochian phrases.

Wed. Nov. 4: Intermediate Magick - The Star Ruby & the Star Sapphire (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm to 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for non-WBL members.

Description: Work with these foundational Thelemic rituals written by Aleister Crowley, a new aeon take on pentagram and hexagram rituals.

Wed. Nov. 11: Intermediate Magick - Introductory Sex Magick (Open)
8 pm - 9:30 pm, doors open 7:30pm to 7:55pm.
Cost: $15 for non-WBL members.

Description: It's the energy that creates life! Learn some basic techniques to channel your sexual energy into magical intent and create the so-called "magical child" or other manifestations of your will. Partner (s) not required; this class works with solo techniques.

Sat. Nov. 21: Minerval Initiations (Tyled to 0º)
Details to be announced

Sun. Nov. 22: Business Meeting (Open to WBL Members)
All current WBL members are welcome to attend.
12 pm - 2:30 pm, doors open 11:40 am to 11:55 am

Sun. Nov. 22: Gnostic Mass (Open)
3pm: Arrival/Social time
3:30 pm - 5 pm, doors open 3 pm to 3:25pm
$5 donation requested from non-members.

Sun. Nov. 22: Jupiter Spirit Working (Open)
4:45pm: Arrival/Social time
5 pm - 6:30 pm, doors open 4:45pm to 4:55pm.
$15 donation requested from non-members.

Description: Come experience the magick of angelic contact and communicate with the Jupiterian spirit Bariel for help with wealth, prosperity, finding a new job, or bringing generosity and mercy into your life.

Mass-a-thon!
Fri. Nov. 27 – Sun. Nov. 29, 2009

Cost: $30 Full weekend (early registration)
Cut-off date for early registration is 11/20/2009

$50 Full weekend (door price)
$20 Friday only (door price)
$30 Saturday only (door price)
$20 Sunday only (door price)

Fri. Nov. 27: Mass-a-thon! (Open)
5pm: Arrival & reception
9:30 pm: Mass 11:00 pm: Mass
Cost for the day: $20 at the door

Sat. Nov. 28: Mass-a-thon! (Open and closed events)
10:30 am: Arrival and brunch 12:00 pm: Mass 1:30 pm: Mass 3:00pm: Mass 4:30 pm: Mass
Dinner break
8 pm: Arrival 8:30 pm: Mass 10:00 pm: Mass
11:30 pm: III* Mass (CLOSED to III°+)
Cost for the day: $30 at the door

Sun. Nov. 29: Mass-a-thon! (Open)
10:30 am: Arrival & brunch 12:00 pm: Mass 1:30 pm: Mass 3:00 pm: Mass
Farewells & clean up.
Cost for the day: $20 at the door

Sun. Dec. 20: Business Meeting (Open to WBL Members)
All current WBL members are welcome to attend.
12 pm - 2:30 pm, doors open 11:40 am to 11:55 am.

Sun. Dec. 20: Gnostic Mass (Open)
3pm: Arrival/Social time
3:30 pm - 5 pm, doors open 3 pm to 3:25pm
$5 donation requested from non-members

Sun. Dec. 20: Winter Solstice Ritual (Open)
5 pm - 6:30 pm, doors open 4:30 pm to 4:55pm

March 2010: IVº/PI initiations (Tyled to IVº)
Details to be announced

Website: http://www.williamblakeoto.org
Inquiries: secretary@williamblakeoto.org

Mail/Correspondence:
William Blake Lodge, O.T.O.
P.O. Box 3183
Baltimore, MD 21228
Phone: 248.885.9397

William Blake Lodge Temple Location:
208 South Pulaski St., Suite 5B (5th floor)
Baltimore, MD 21223

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:24:18 GMT

Feeling icky today. I'm very tired.