Report on Illumination Expo 2011 With comments about its origin
By +Dositheos
SPARKS OF LIGHT
The seed ideas for Illumination Expo date back to discussions that were held between members of Ormus Lodge and the Constellation of Abraxas three years ago (2008). At that time Tau Lamed, Tau Aron and myself began to formulate our initial thoughts about hosting a local event that would combine presentations of esoteric subjects with the arts (music, art, dance, writing, film, etc). This was to be a combined event hosted by various local Free Illuminist nodes here in Atlanta and include special guests traveling from out of town. The kindling was gathered, but the fire remained yet unlit. Then, in 2009, I was independently approached by Tau Saga who was, at that time, a facilitator of Templi de Niger Sol. Tau Saga told me she planned on bringing Thomas Karlsson of Dragon Rouge to Atlanta in 2010, that she wanted to have a series of events take place and asked if I wanted to be involved. I enthusiastically agreed. 2010 saw the first manifestation of this idea with great success.
The above mentioned discussions in 2008 and 2009 – along with the subsequent events of 2010 – were the direct precursors to what has now become Illumination Expo. Some of the original organizers have gone on to different projects while others have confirmed their ongoing participation and we have a few new folks who have joined the organizers team this year as well. The kindling that was gathered has been lit, the initial sparks of light have grown into a full blown fire and now we shall continue to tend the flame so that its light and heat may heal and enlighten the worlds. Or at the very least, we’ll have a fun time of it.
2011 was the first year Illumination Expo was held under this name. I am personally committed to making this an annual event to celebrate creativity and gnosis in its varied forms. I want to thank the team of local organizers who helped make this a reality by graciously giving of your time, effort and resources, all of you who have sent donations and other expressions of encouragement and support, all of you who came out to the events and to each of the individual participants – those who are local and those who traveled from afar – I offer sincere expressions of deep gratitude. You have each in your own ways given concrete substance to what was once merely an abstract idea in the minds of a few humble illuminists sitting around a coffee table asking ourselves, “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?”. We couldn’t have done it without you. Special mention goes to Amodali and Mike Crowley. The Atlanta community loves you both very much. And to Max Grimm, for the care and skill with which you gracefully executed the complex task of coordinating the presentation of all the art.
DANCING AROUND THE FIRE
Illumination Expo 2011 launched on Wednesday, September 14th, with a truly magical performance by Amodali. The venue was Spring4th Center, Annex Location. The setting allowed for a very intimate experience. Amodali featured tracks from her new project – Liber Incarnadine. I was familiar with her musical work already, but this was the first time I had the privilege of attending a live performance. I was amazed, mesmerized and enraptured. The rhythms pulsated, the voice of some ancient and intoxicating goddess sang out to us, sang out to the world, sang out to the universe. I could do nothing but dance in honor of this moment and join in communion with the others who were present and with the music itself. We lifted up our hearts in unison, sending out rays of healing and illumination. I note that several days later I continued to experience a noticeable energetic shift in my subtle body which I attribute to being present at this performance. And further, inner transformations have occurred that are with me to this day, a couple of months later and still ongoing. A perfect way to initiate the Expo!
On Saturday, September 17th, Ormus Lodge hosted a Ganapati Puja. Many thanks to Tau Ishaviva and Tau Salix Alba for performing the opening cleansing and empowerment.
On Thursday, September 22nd, Tau Aron hosted a social in West Atlanta. It was a wonderful evening of tea, nourishing snacks and engaging conversation. Many thanks to Aron and Kara for opening your home to us and for inviting a great mix of guests. New connections were made and old connections were celebrated. May your generosity be reciprocated a thousandfold.
On Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th, we gathered for esoteric presentations, art, poetry readings and music. The venue was Atlanta Freethought Hall.
Some of the crew of Illumination Expo 2011 (Photo courtesy Pixie Bruner)
What follows is a listing of the main events:
A Discussion about Healing – T Allen Greenfield.
Secret Drugs of Buddhism – Mike Crowley.
Clockwork City of Alexandria - Pixie Bruner.
Pwen Cho as Physical Objects – Tau Naamah.
A Panel on Art and Magick - Caleb Storms, Tau Osania and Darian Parker (moderated by Bill Zenn).
The Road to Great Cthulhu - Howard Pendragon Phillips.
Poetry and Selected Readings - Alice Renard and T Allen Greenfield.
Art and Photography – Max Grimm, Caleb Storms, Darian Parker, Tau Roger, J.M. VonKotterhausen and Tau Osania. [Tau Osania also brought a rare piece of art for display that was painted by the late William Wallace Webb - Frater Damon, QBLH].
Music – DJ Carma, Andrew Van Baümer and DJ DutchStijl.
I want to draw your attention to a recent post from Bishop Shaun McCann, the
current Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church (AJC) and President of
the North American College of Gnostic Bishops. The post linked below is in
response to a series of vicious attacks – including slander, libel and
cowardly attempts to have various events canceled – against the AJC by an
individual who apparently has nothing better to do with his life. I have
personally met Bishop Shaun McCann and Bishop Will Behun, along with many
from the AJC community – both clergy and lay members – while attending the
Conventicle of the Alexandrian Gnostic Church in Rock Island, Illinois in
2010. We shared communion together, had some great dialog and forged
fraternal relations – both on a personal level as well as for our related
spiritual communities. On behalf of the Coptic Gnostic Church I signed the
All Saints Accord. I have also maintained ongoing dialog with AJC members.
The accusations being directed towards them are completely unfounded and
absolutely ridiculous – merely the venom of a disturbed person that holds a
grudge from online debates. The Coptic Gnostic Church stands in full support
of the Apostolic Johannite Church. We recognize their many years (over a
decade) of service as a model for any community interested in the
Independent Sacramental Movement and/or Ecclesiastical Gnosticism. These
folks are the real deal and I am proud to call them my friends as well as my
spiritual brothers and sisters.
Illumination Expo 2011 is a series of events being hosted by local Free Illuminists to celebrate art, music and illumination.
To begin we are hosting a musical performance by Amodali featuring tracks from her new project Liber Incarnadine. Amodali is traveling from the UK. Previous projects include Six Comm/Mother Destruction. This new project brings together many threads of Amodali’s work and research into the relationships between sonics/language/sexuality and magick.
Event: Amodali – Liber Incarnadine Date: Wednesday, September 14th Time: 8 pm to 9 pm Location: Spring4th Center, Annex Location Entry Fee: $10 (this event only)
VENUE INFO FOR LIBER INCARNADINE EVENT
The address for Spring4th Center, Annex Location is:
YouTube video of the track Kalamaya from the album Hagazussa (performed by Mother Destruction, 1998):
Illumination Expo 2011 continues on September 23rd and 24th with two days of art, music, presentations and workshops.
Event: Arts, Music and Illumination Date: Friday and Saturday, September 23rd and 24th. Time: 6 pm to 1 am on Fri., September 23rd. 3 pm to 1 am on Sat., September 24th Location: Atlanta Freethought Hall Entry Fee: $15 (for a two day pass)
There are three ticket options with associated pricing as follows:
1) $20 – the discounted price for an All Events Pass. Includes entry to all events (September 14th, 23rd and 24th).
2) $15 – includes entry to Arts, Music and Illumination only (September 23rd and 24th).
3) $10 – includes entry to Liber Incarnadine only (September 14th).
Choose your option on the drop-down menu from the PayPal button below and then click “Buy Now”. This will take you to the PayPal payment screen. Once there, you can also set the quantity (how many tickets you are purchasing) before making the payment.
ARTIST INFO FOR ARTS, MUSIC AND ILLUMINATION EVENT
Art and Photography by:
Tau Roger
Caleb Storms
Darian Parker
Max Grimm
J.M. VonKotterhausen
Tau Osania
Presentations by:
T Allen Greenfield
Michael Crowley
Pixie Bruner
Tau Naamah
Caleb Storms
Howard Pendragon Phillips
Poetry and Selected Readings by:
Alice Renard
T Allen Greenfield
Music by:
DJ Carma
Andrew Van Baümer
DJ DutchStijl
Tau Roger – Photographer
Tau Roger is a photographer working with conventional “analog” methods using film and traditional darkroom materials. All of the works in this show are silver gelatin prints made optically from film negatives using a traditional enlarger. A network engineer by profession, such photography and darkroom work represent a welcome change from over-immersion in the digital world. He works primarily in medium and large format film producing 2.25″x2.25″ and 4″x5″ negatives. For landscapes and more formal portraits the 4×5 view camera is his preferred tool, partly for the greatly increased print quality of large negatives but also because the deliberate style required by this type of camera encourages looking carefully and thoughtfully at each image. For casual portraits and fast changing subjects he often uses a medium format camera producing 2.25″x2.25″ negatives. This camera can be easily hand held and is much faster in use than the 4×5 while still providing much higher image quality than 35mm.
Caleb Storms – Photographer
The photography of Caleb Storms shows the full range of human experience. Like a true visionary with his camera he dares to show us the darkest parts of ourselves, the human experience raw, open and exposed. With the gentleness of a great teacher, his photographs allow us a glimpse into the beauty of everyday life, the beauty of awareness, understanding and compassion. Described as “raw” and “uninhibited, he doesn’t edit what he shoots, and he shoots what he sees. Nothing is posed or staged, and it really is a window into his eclectic life. Unedited, unabashed, and unapologetic. The Urban Zen photographer Caleb Storms captures more than just visual images – he captures experiences – experiences that draw you to a place of deep self reflection and awareness. With a fearless eye for capturing the philosophical…he leaves you not seeking the right answers, but rather challenges you to consider are you asking the right questions?
Darian Parker is featured in Concrete Wave Magazine, Vans Warped tour, and the Urban Art Awards. Darian Parker slowly dominates the unconscious with archetypes that absorbs information from all imagination. Thank you mom and all my friends and family who support me and gave me the ability to PAWN other artists. You’re neat-o. Title of series being shown is: THE HORA
When I paint I am able to return to my childhood. I am reminded of my first set of watercolors. My mother was fascinated by watching me experiment with colors as they ran into each other on the paper. It is a memory of innocence and creativity. This is something I try to replicate each time squeeze out some acrylics and pick up a brush.
I am still amazed at the myriad of colors that can be created by mixing the primaries. It is an alchemical gift for the eyes. I try to hold no preconceived ideas as I begin the creative process. During the nurturing of the work, there comes a point when the paint, ink and panel become more than the sum of their parts and take on a life of their own. As I am growing older and hopefully wiser, I am able to see my personal evolution through the history of my love of creating art. From my childhood doodlings up to the present mixed media works on wood panel, I have been able to discover new parts of my heart and avenues of the psyche. I am given the privilege of ability to create images that transcend language. For this, I am most humbled and eternally grateful.
As must all living things, I believe that my art must grow through discovery and expansion into new realms using new mediums. I am very excited at the possibilities of digital photography, assemblage, collage and the combination of mediums and technologies both old and new. I have found it impossible to be unexcited and not in love with this gift of art.
J.M. VonKotterhausen is a digital medium artist who is devoted to exploring his medium as a tool for shamanic trance and initiatic states of ecstasy, unearthing deeply ancestrally rooted cosmic encounters with archetypal principles at work in the primitive and ancient mind. By the processes involved with the mediumship, the artist is able to expand on universal communion bearing the connectedness between all sentient and creative beings. In doing so, the intent is to cultivate an environment of appreciation for higher quality relations with oneself and the world, at the level of dimensions visible and supposed, to direct harmoniously these threads ever creatively intersecting to one heartbeat in unison manifesting reality. The eye in use is compliment to the awareness of one’s role in structuring the visionary body of Nature in Temperance of Spirit.
Tau Osania (Sashia) is a long time Occultist and a retired Courtesan Lady that has a way of bringing passion and erotica to life. Transference of this love to her art is what makes it so interesting. An expression of “what is felt instead of seen.” Painting with acrylics on canvas, board and clay pottery as the primary mediums used for expression. The renditions are considered “Folk Art”, Surrealism, Southwestern, and Abstract. Tau Osania has also been a Tarot Card Reader and artist in Venice Beach California before moving back to Atlanta where she currently resides.
Pixie Bruner – Presenter and Author
Randi Pixie Bruner is Shin Pixie Kleio Urania of the Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis, a Gnostic Bishop, and one of the facilitators of Ormus Lodge in Atlanta, GA. She is a Thelemite and her poetry has been published in many magazines and anthologies as well as being a professional gothic horror role-playing game writer and a holds an M.A. in Classics and is a professional lecturer and presenter to Freethought Societies and in academic circles. Her chapbook exploring the sacred and profane “The Gingerman and Other Strangers” is available on Amazon.com US and via Lulu.com. She is also Director of Historical Programming for AnachroCon. She serves Erzulie Dantor and the Shekinah.
Caleb Storms has over 25 years of experience teaching psychic development, healing, Reiki, Karuna Reiki, Magick and Child Psychic Development. He is the lead facilitator of Templi de Niger Sol an esoteric organization engaged in scientific exploration of occult ritual.
Allen H. Greenfield (born 1946), also known by his ecclesiastical name Tau Sir Hasirim, is an American occultist, ceremonial magician, UFOlogist, writer, editor, and Gnostic Bishop of Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis who resides in Atlanta, Georgia. His book The Story of the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light is one of the few sources of information on this subject. His book The Compleat Rite of Memphis is a comprehensive history of an Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry, and he edited an authorized, annotated edition of the work Liber Thirty-One by Charles Stansfeld Jones.
My Work has involved study in European and African Diasporic herblore, rootwork and hoodoo, and initiated study and practice into western hermeticism and ceremonial magick. In addition, I am a student of Taiji and Qigong as well as more external martial arts, and I have been a serviteur of the loa for the last 20 years. I grew up on the Gulf Coast between Mobile and spending summers with my godparents in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Eunice (the New Orleans and Acadiana regions of Louisiana) . These roots brought exposure to folk healing methods, rural conjure culture, and African-diasporic-derived practices in the Southeastern US. These influences, combined with a lifetime of training in eastern and western systems of energy work, have led me to my current work with the points chauds, including various methods of points empowerment, theoretical implications, and practical applications.
Mike Crowley was born in Wales in 1948. In 1966 a Tibetan lama took Mike as his student and, in 1970, ordained him as a layman of the Kagyud order. Gradually, over the next twenty years or so, it became evident to Mike that sacramental drug-use was central to the earliest forms of Vajrayana (i.e. tantric) Buddhism, the evidence being concealed in coded language and word-play. Since that time, Mike has been investigating the use of psychedelics within Vajrayana Buddhism, tracing its origins to the Vedic soma rite and perhaps further, possibly as far back as the Indus Valley culture (4,000 BCE). This research has been compiled into a book, Secret Drugs of Buddhism, which will be made available online soon.
Howard Pendragon Phillips – Presenter and Author
Not many years ago I was comparing the sudden end of a story that I was reading, with my job that had moved to Mexico, when my wife said to me; “that Book is Cursed”. It started to get good then the author died. Another writer had picked it up and he died too. That was a challenge. I realized that my response was to pick it up and finish it. I play folk music so stealing a song was not new. But this was a book and I was not a writer. I did not know then that I had joined an exclusive club. The HP Lovecraft Circle of the Necronomicon Mythos. A few years went by of hard work learning a new craft. My novella was finished, and I was more than just hooked. I was stuffed, mounted and hanging on the wall.
Bill Zenn has been a student of esoterica for about 25 years. He is a Bishop with Gnostic and Apostolic succession, a Free Illuminist, a Vodouisant and a rogue philosopher. He currently serves Holy Mother Barbelo Sanctuary – a local Atlanta community of the Coptic Gnostic Church. He is also one of the facilitators of Ormus Lodge – a Free Illuminist node of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim. Within the last five years he has been working with the pwen cho (hot points) as one of his primary areas of research and exploration.
Max Grimm is a work in progress. Like his family, his art, yoga, the mountains, the ocean and he who created them, Max loves poetry as much as than the life which he has been graciously granted. Max has been a teacher, an actor, a video producer, a chef, juvenile delinquent, a printer, a scenic artist and lighting technician, drug addict, construction worker, unemployed, self employed, a husband, son, father, friend, artist, shaman, yogi, magus and poet. Max received the gift of writing from his grandfather, a simple and gentle soul, blessed with a practical philosophy, kind heart and the grace to turn an every day phrase into a magical invocation. Aught else could come from Max’s upbringing, but the ability to craft life’s joys and sorrows (of which, there have been many) into lyrics, poems and tirades all intended to weave us closer together. To realize the mutual heart and soul we all share. Max has a great love of metaphors, run on sentences, impassioned improvisational performances and of the good fortune to share them with you.
Raised in the south and grown in NYC and Philadelphia, Alice Renard is a poet and multi-media artist who works with the themes of myth, fable, spirit and the human web. Her work has been published most recently in “This Great Society”, “Last Man Anthology”, and “Abramelin Journal”, under her “real” name. She has exhibited her fabric art and jewelry line, Renard’s Threads, in galleries and boutiques in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Title of readings: Fables, a collection of three stories
DJ Carma, born Oleg Prisacari in 1983, is an up and coming electronic music genre sensation. Inspired by the likes of Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, and Mauro Picotto, he makes his own productions, remixes, song editing, along with eclectic monthly mix compilations and piano lessons. His unique mixing style, which can be witnessed through his mixes, encompasses many shades of electronic music, is a sound only to be witnessed with your own ears. Self taught the art of DJ, and honed his mixing skills at DJ School, Scratch Academy, in South Beach, FL. Now teaches this knowledge to the public.
Spinning for the past decade, Van Baümer has successfully fused natural born talent with technical training to produce some of the best sets that electronic music has yet to offer. Starting his career in Atlanta, Van Baümer has captured his Dutch heritage and releases it in his music to reveal his own unique sound: being able to produce a hard, driving pulse, a textured progressive moodscape or even a purely euphoric experience. Along with his distinctively European edge, Van Baümer’s skill in seamless mixing is outmatched only by his ability to select some of the highest quality tracks available. All this joined with his honest passion for electronic music makes him a necessary artist on any trance lovers playlist.
Ever wanted to help make a monster movie? Well now you can!Check out this kickstarter from my good friend Herb and all the crew at Astounding Pictures. Sundance, look out!
Please consider donating for Illumination Expo 2011. This is an annual event hosted by Free Illuminists local to Atlanta, GA. Current events include a magical/musical performance by Amodali who is visiting from the UK, an art exhibit for local artists, talks, presentations and workshops on Vodou, healing, points chauds, Gnosticism, Buddhist iconography and more. Guest speakers include T Allen Greenfield, Tau Naamah, Michael Crowley, Caleb Storms, Bill Zenn, Pixie Bruner, et al. Art presented by Max Grimm, J.M. VonKotterhausen, Tau Roger, Darian Parker and Caleb Storms. Music presented by DJ Light. Dates are Wednesday 14 September for Amodali’s show, Friday and Saturday 23 and 24 September for the art exhibit, poetry readings and presentations. Other events are also being planned. A complete schedule with times, locations and other details will be forthcoming. We do not intend on making a profit for these events. We want to offer the events for free , or – at the very least – a very inexpensive entry fee. This is a celebration of how illumination extends out through our lives and is expressed through our art and ideas. If you choose to make a donation, it is possible you may receive compensation back if we break even.
Donations can be sent to the PayPal account listed below (click on the “Donate” button).
The Golden Thread was first performed on 18 December 2010 to celebrate the 3 Year Anniversary of Ormus Lodge. Grab the pdf here.
Many thanks to +Vescha, Brother Greg, Tau Roger and T Allen Greenfield for the excellent performance and for their mutual aid and dedication to the Work.
We are going to have a great meeting of creative souls, Artists of every and any Craft are welcome.
It’s asked that you would RSVP, but isn’t strictly enforced. Consider coming out for a spell even if you don’t RSVP and find your Saturday is open.
We are proud to be host, to a most enchanting Eve.
Please, join our party – bring a drum, if you have one, and would like to participate.
In lieu of $5 bring a dish to pass,
or in lieu of a dish, bring a bottle of drink.
If you bring all 3 you will be a fine guest and friend!
At the least bring your energy,
the finest gift of All.
A mask for when the sun goes down and the fire is blazing is optional, yet encouraged…
any odd dress and outburst to strange gods at weird hours is also welcome.
Open Source creates a more liberated, kinetic and spontaneous energy environment, so please respect the rights of other’s.
Saturday April 30th
from
7 P.M. to 3:30ish A.M.
If you show up with a dish *and/or bottle around 6, it won’t be frowned upon
Report on Illumination Expo 2011 With comments about its origin By +Dositheos SPARKS OF LIGHT The seed ideas for Illumination Expo date back to discussions that were held between members of Ormus Lodge and the Constellation of Abraxas three years … Continue reading → […]
Greetings all, I want to draw your attention to a recent post from Bishop Shaun McCann, the current Patriarch of the Apostolic Johannite Church (AJC) and President of the North American College of Gnostic Bishops. The post linked below is … Continue reading → […]
– Announcing Illumination Expo 2011 — Illumination Expo 2011 is a series of events being hosted by local Free Illuminists to celebrate art, music and illumination. To begin we are hosting a musical performance by Amodali featuring tracks from her … Continue reading → […]
Ever wanted to help make a monster movie? Well now you can!Check out this kickstarter from my good friend Herb and all the crew at Astounding Pictures. Sundance, look out! […]
