Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte [Paperback]

Carroll "Poke" Runyon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1998

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: The Church of the Hermetic Sciences (July 1998)
• ISBN-10: 0965488144
• ISBN-13: 978-0965488143
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,766,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revitalizing an Ancient Magical Religion!, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte (Paperback)

Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte is an amazing book. There is nothing else like it available in occult/magical or esoteric Masonic publications. What we have here are four complete scripts for the reconstructed Solstice and Equinox rites of one of the oldest religions in the world, and the secret tradition behind Melchizedek, King Solomon and King Hiram of Tyre. These pageants of the Phoenician Sacred Year have been carefully reconstructed from ancient tablets discovered in Syria just before W.W.II and translated in the 1950s. Before this time there was no direct knowledge of this ancient magical religion.

The author, an anthropologist, occultist and Masonic scholar, has blended his knowledge of alchemy, Hermetic philosophy and Elizabethan style folk-drama to bring the ancient legend of Baal, the Green Man, to vibrant and even boisterous life. This is the original Holy Grail myth. Baal battles Leviathan to ensure the sun's return in the dead of Winter, weds the Queen of Heaven in Springtime, and is cut down by grim reaper's sickle at High Summer. In Fall Astarte makes her descent down through the Seven Gates of the Tree of Life (the origin of Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils ) bearing the Grail to revive the dead Prince Baal at Autumn Equinox.

These dramas are not a wishful project waiting to be staged. They have all been performed four times yearly since 1974 by the Order of the Temple of Astarte in Southern California. They are the longest-running and best established magical seasonal rituals in the United States.

Along with detailed scripts the author has provided introductory articles on each seasonal drama, along with an in-depth introduction on how the rites were inspired, researched, conceived and written. The book's introduction is by noted academic authority on avant garde religions Professor Robert S. Ellwood, Jr. of U.S.C.

In order to bring ancient Phoenician mythology to life for the reader, author Poke Runyon--calling on his abilities as a published novelist and an anthropologist--has included a modern fictionalized novelette of an ancient pre-Biblical myth called Prince Aqhat and the Magick Bow. If reading scripts is not exciting enough, this story will bring the ancient, magical myth-realm to life for you.

The book has color photos of ceremonies, costumes and regalia, along with a complete portfolio of costume designs.

For those interested in Near Eastern mythology, mystical drama, and occult symbolism Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte is essential. There is nothing else like it.