My thanks to MRMIDIAN...

Midian is proud to offer, in association with Starfire, rare editions from the Starfire back catalogue.

This collection includes a special ex-series deluxe edition of At the Feet of the Guru, plus deluxes of The Ninth Arch, Convolvulus and Liber Lilith, together with several signed standard editions. Check the link below for pictures, or go to www.midianbooks.co.uk and click on 'NEW! Featured Items" on the top menu...

This from Classic Media Group...

Last year Rick Wakeman recorded his score for the Aleister Crowley Film, produced by Classic, the production company also behind the release of the recent YES – Director’s Cut (DVD).

So, not only is it possible to hear Rick Wakeman’s wonderful score on the DVD, we have now, by popular demand, made it possible so you can now download the movie as an AUDIO BOOK from I-Tunes and other audio download outlets on the web. Rick recorded the film score in the most amazing fashion, using initially the Grand Piano on Classic T Stage at Shepperton Film Studios.Wakeman literally watched the film on the big screen in a candle lit soundstage and he played what he felt.Photos of the session are here: http://www.aleister-crowley-666.com/MUSIC_SCORE.html

In Search Of The Great Beast 666 - Aleister Crowley

Featuring the Voice of Joss Ackland and Music Score by Rick Wakeman

Aleister Crowley, self proclaimed "The Great Beast" and known by the press as "The Wickedest Man in the World", was perhaps the most controversial and notorious individuals in British History. This dramatically reconstructed film unearths the barely believable and shocking facts surrounding a man who was voted in a BBC poll to be one of the most influential Britons of all time. Was he related to US President George Bush? How was he connected to the founder of Scientology, NASA, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jack the Ripper, Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and how did this Occultist, Spy, Poet, Writer and accomplished Mountaineer come to know and influence so many other remarkable people?

At the time of release there was some uproar as to why Rick would contribute his music to such a project….here was Rick’s response that he posted on his website:

"There is no doubt that Alistair [sic.] Crowley was one of the most evil men that walked this earth. His story is a testament to everything that is anti Christian. I find it astonishing that anyone should think, because I am doing music for a documentary film on his life, that that means I support his views. That couldn't be further from the truth. If it is the case that a composer should only write music for all he believes in, then I, along with many other musicians, would be out of work. I know Jewish composers who have supplied music for film about Adolf Hitler - should they not have done so? If I was asked to write music for a Saddam Hussein documentary, should I refuse? Of course not. My personal view is that, for as long as possible, films about evil people should be shown in order to educate continuing generations what evil can do. If you read the New Testament, it is full of examples where Jesus mixed with some of the worst people in society. Should he have not done so? Of course he should. Did this mean he condoned their ways? Of course not. Once again I must make it very clear that by supplying music for any subject matter does not mean I condone the subject matter."

30 August 2008 (Saturday) The Empress of the Tarot: A Goddess Day for Women with Caroline Wise and Friends

07 September 2008 (Sunday) Ritual and Magical Candle-Making: A Hands-On Training Day with Nathalie Beveridge of 'Little Owl'

21 September 2008 (Sunday) Day-long Intensive Workings with Orryelle Defenestrate Bascule: Tarot for Conjuration -and- Web Mandalas

27-28 September 2008 (Saturday/Sunday) Dark Goddess Workshop: Descent to the Underworld with Jane Meredith

Having accessed this site whilst at work for a few years now I find today that its blocked. A message came through explaining that the block is because it is a cult/occult site. I feel I may have to protest to the in house IT gurus that "It is NOT an occult website" .............

What do others think?

Aleister Crowley: The Beast 666 a film by Donna Zuckerbrot is now available on DVD from Reel Time Images www.reeltimeimages.ca

This documentary aired on VisionTV and Space in Canada as part of the Enigma series and will be broadcast on HDNet in the US in the Fall.

A lecture of potential interest to those on the West Coast of the US...

A wonderful new catalog from Weiser Antiquarian, featuring The Occult Review.

A new, rather amateurish publicity video for the movie: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=35124932 (Thanks to mutat...) No prizes for spotting errors of fact and spelling.

Also, read on for a fascinating account by long-term LAShTAL.COM correspondent Frater FS of the special showing of the movie yesterday in the UK...

Video footage taken in 2006 of a solo performance of the instrumental music from my 2006 musical setting of Liber AL vel Legis.

The following two talks (out of the next five) will be of interest to Crowley enthusiasts:

July 30: Geraldine Beskin: Women of the Golden Dawn -- but not just the ones you'd expect!

These Victorian and Edwardian young ladies threw away their whalebone corsets, went up the Tree of Life ahead of the men, gave grace and sensuality to magic as we do it, and remodelled Society in ways of which we are still reaping the benefits. And they had sex, but not just with their husbands...

August 27: Julia Phillips: Roie Norton - The Witch of King’s Cross

Both revered and reviled during her lifetime, Rosaleen ‘Roie’ Norton was one of those truly unique individuals whose influence extended far beyond her time and place. She was – and remains – Australia’s most persecuted (and prosecuted!) female artist, scandalising society by her bohemian and eccentric behaviour. She used a self-induced hypnotic trance state that resulted in an amazing array of occult art work over a period of more than 30 years. Some pieces are reminiscent of Austin Osman Spare, whilst others exhibit a somewhat darker tone and content. Others seem clearly influenced by the Thoth deck. In this illustrated talk Julia Phillips will provide a retrospective look at Roie Norton’s life and times and in particular, an overview of her occult studies and practices including her influence upon Gardnerian Wicca.