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THE GNOSTIC SOCIETY
3363 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039
(Relocated in August 2004, here are Map and Directions)
Established in America in 1928, The Gnostic Society is dedicated to advancing the study, understanding, and individual experience of Gnosis. "He who has ears, let him hear!"
Read the LA Weekly cover story
about Stephan Hoeller and
The Gnostic SocietyLectures listed here are given at The Gnostic Society of Los Angeles, California. These programs are held every Friday evening at 8:00 PM. Unless otherwise noted, all lectures are presented by Dr. Stephan Hoeller. Lectures are free and open to the public (free-will donations are appreciated). Refreshments are offered following the lecture. Further information is available by calling 323-467-2685.
Many of the lectures given at the Gnostic Society of Los Angeles become available for immediate online download in MP3 format at the new BC Recordings website (www.bcrecordings.net). In addition, there is a growing catalog of complete collections of Dr. Hoeller's lectures grouped by topic. Take a look -- visit the online catalog!
Free Online Lectures: The Gospel of Judas and many other titles are available at the BC Recordings website.
This page lists the current lecture series, with a view back through 1996. For information about purchase and download of lectures offered at the Gnostic Society, go to BC Recordings, an audio publishing effort advancing the work of Dr. Hoeller since 1979.
2008 Lecture Schedule
Special Tuesday Evening Lectures
Now on the Second Tuesday of every month at 8 P.M.
Tuesdays will go on hiatus in the Summer quarter.May 13th: Alan Watts; the gentle jester and bridge builder between East and West.
June 10th: Poetic Enlightenment in America: Emerson and Thoreau.
Fridays in April and May 2008: Myth, Gnosis and the 21st Century
A plea for a new revival of interest in Mythic Wisdom.
April 4: Myth: A Necessity for the Soul. Far from being but a fictional tale, a myth is a statement concerning truths of the soul. The value, nature and liberating potential of myths will be discussed.
April 11: Myths of Gnosis: The Kabbalah of the Soul. Zoharic and Lurianic Kabbalah as myths of Gnostic insight. The Tree of Life as a mythic structure and map of the soul.
April 18: Myths of Exile: The original Jewish Hassidim. Living under unhappy conditions of exile in Russia and Poland, Israel Bal Shem Tov and other Hassidic masters taught a wisdom with many Gnostic elements.
April 25: Myths of the Magical Enlightenment: Count Cagliostro. Cagliostro, the Magical Martyr and his Egyptian Rite of Masonry. Myths of initiation and practices of enlightening ceremonial.
May 2: In Dr. Hoeller¹s Absence: Tarot Reading Seminar. Lesser Wizards of the Gnostic Society will tag-team read for all willing subjects in these public yet personal Celtic Cross readings. Learn to read by observing the process of these readings.
May 9: Myths of Vision and Phantasy: Phillip K. Dick. The visionary Science Fiction writer and his perception of Nag Hammadi, liberation, Sophia and related subjects.
May 16: Myths, Politics and Statecraft: The Pitfalls of Nostalgia and of Change. In this election year we look at the mythic elements in the public arena. The Myths behind conservative and liberal attitudes. The enlightenment era myths that founded the U.S.A.
May 23: Myths of the Psyche: C.G. Jung, the New Merlin. The psychological re-discovery of myths. The story of the Wizard, Merlin as Jung¹s personal myth.
May 30: Myths of Spiritual Liberation: The Perennial Striving for Gnosis. As mythologist Karl Kerényi stated, the Gnostics taught myths of profound mystical content and origin. Can we commune with such myths today?
Coming in June: Models of Free ConsciousnessFebruary and March: Modern Magi
Magic derives its name from the art of the Magi, the Persian priesthood of olden days. This series will tell of practitioners of the art and philosophy from the magic of the Middle Ages to the occult revival of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries and beyond.
February 22: Eliphas Levi; Master of Magic: Alphonse Louis Constant (Eliphas Levi), the great reviver of Magic and Kabbalah exerted a huge influence on 19th and 20th Century esotericism and is not without influence today. This talk will offer Gnostic and Jungian insights into Levi's teachings, life and times.
February 29: Albert Pike; Masonic Magus: Civil War general, philosopher and creator of Scottish Rite Masonry in America, Pike reformed much of Masonry to reflect the Mysteries of Greece, Egypt and other ancient lands. Greatly revered by such esotericists as H.P. Blavatsky, A.E. Waite and Manly P. Hall, Pike has still much to say to us today.
March 14: The Gnosis of the Golden Dawn: Magicians and Spiritual Practice. Founded in the latter part of the 19th Century, the Order of the Golden Dawn made an enormous impact on practical esotericism, especially Ceremonial Magic. The ways and byways of the Golden Dawn tradition will be explored.
March 28: The Troubadours: Kindred Predecessors of the Cathars.
January and February 2008: Alchemists and Alchemy
The art of Transformation from its ancient origins in Alexandria to the modern researches of C.G. Jung and beyond. How may we compound the philosopher's Stone today? (These lectures will become available in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
January 11: What is Alchemy? Once envisioned as the turning of base metals into gold, Alchemy has been revealed in modern times as the art of transforming the human psyche. The principles and basic symbols of this process will be discussed.
January 18: Zosimus of Panopolis, Gnostic Alchemist: C.G. Jung pinpointed this Alexandrian Gnostic teacher as the pioneer who translated the main elements of the Gnostic religion into the symbolism of Alchemy.
January 25: Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas; Christian Alchemy: St. Albert the Great (A. Magnus), Doctor of the Church, Adept of Magic and Alchemy and his pupil, the monk Thomas, author not only of works on theology but of the treatise "Aurora Consurgens" on the alchemical liberation of Wisdom from matter.
February 1: Raymond Lully, prophet of "Hyperreality": A martyred and beatified alchemist who developed the mystical philosophy of Hyperreality which has great relevance to today's spirituality and psychology.
February 8: Paracelsus, Alchemist and Physician: "The Swiss Hermes" as occult physician, scientist and alchemist. His philosophy of healing and his teaching about the different categories of healers will be elucidated.
February 15: C.G. Jung, founder of modern Alchemy: Jung's discovery of the depth-psychological relevance of the processes of Alchemy. Will his great discoveries of the Alchemy of the Soul endure and be further amplified in the 21st Century?
(USA Tarot Reading 2008 can be found in the December 2007 lecture list below . . . )
2007 Lecture Schedule
November and December 2007: Great Gnostic Teachers and their Heritage
Who were the remarkable sages and seers who wrote the Gnostic Gospels? What do we know about their personalities and how are these reflected in their writings?. (This series along with other Gnostic Sages lectures will become available in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
November 9: Thomas, the Gnostic Apostle: Who was the author of the "Gospel of Thomas" and other related scriptures? Was he the founder of a Gnostic school of Christianity, extending to India? Or was he merely "Doubting Thomas" as he is represented by mainstream orthodoxy?
November 16: Was St. Paul a Gnostic? The "Apostle of the Gentiles" was always known for many highly mystical and symbolic statements. He also might have been a great Gnostic teacher as indicated by an early book by Elaine Pagels entitled "The Gnostic Paul".
November 30: Valentinus, Gnostic Poet of Light: Valentinus, who almost became bishop of Rome (Pope) is the most inspired and lyrical of the Gnostic teachers. His reputed works include "Pistis Sophia" and "The Gospel of Truth".
December 7: Marcion and his Gnostic Critique of the Bible: Regarded by many as the father of higher Biblical Criticism, Marcion was also the leader of a well-organized and widespread Gnostic church.
December 14: Basilides and his Mystic Vision: Basilides' vision disclosed the highest transcendental Deity and its relation to human experience.
December 21: John, the Gnostic Baptizer: The Mandaean Gnosis regards John as a major redeemer figure. This lecture will contain numerous quotations from the Mandaean John Book, a rare source of Johannine Gnosis.
December 28: Dr. Hoeller's Tarot Forecast for 2008 Prognostication for the United States of America for the year 2008. Results - - An image of the cards (Audio recording available for download at BC Recordings).
Fridays in September and October 2007: The Inner Side of Secret Orders
Initiatory Spirituality from ancient Shamans to contemporary Freemasons. Gnostic, Hermetic, Mithraic and other Esoteric sources of Secret Orders. What is the Secret and the current role of such Orders? This series should be of special interest to students of Freemasonry, Templars, Ceremonial Magicians and other esoteric initiatory associations.
September 7: The Rosy Cross and Golden Dawn: The mysterious Rosicrucians and their legendary founder, Chr. Rosencreuz. Medieval Rosicrucianism and its late 19th Century offspring, the Golden Dawn. The role of the Golden Dawn in the revival of Kabbalah, Tarot and Magic.
September 14: Jacques de Molay and other Templar Grand Masters: Were the leaders of the Templar Order Esotericists with Gnostic associations? The Truth behind modern tales about the Templars, including "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". What was the curse of Jacques de Molay?
September 21: Templars and Freemasonry: Did the Templar traditions continue in Freemasonry? What is Freemasonry and how does it connect with the Esoteric Tradition. James Pike, the American Esotericist-Freemason. Freemasonry and the foundations of the American Republic
October 5: Martinism and French Esotericism: Little known in English-speaking countries, French inner traditions are one of the most fascinating of all such subjects. Descending from Cathar and Templar roots, the schools of Eliphas Levi, Martines de Pasqually, Louis Claude de St. Martin and their traditions and organizations. France as the prime esoteric country of Europe.
October 12: Spiritual Chivalry: Spirit of the Templars. The Templar Tradition of the "Initiates of Action" in a contemporary light.
October 19: Secret Orders and their Conspiracies, Real and Imagined: The Illuminati and their weird legacy; why are they feared centuries after their demise? The Bilderberg Group, the Trilateral Commission as mysterious power-broker. Skull and Bones, the 200 year old secret Order of Yale University; Opus Dei, the Catholic secret society of Da Vinci Code fame.
October 26: Secret Orders of the East and some of their Menace to the West: The Hung Society; historical "Freemasonry" of China and the "Huis" of the modern Chinese milieu, such as the Triad societies and the Falung Gong. Moslem warrior cults from the Assassins to Al Queda and more.
July and August 2007: More of Tarot Wisdom Explained
The Tarot is one of the most famous, ancient and accurate methods of divination by way of the use of the traditional 78 card deck of cards. In addition, the Tarot has been used as a spiritual practice of meditation, often in conjunction with the Tree of Life of the Kabbalah. Dr. Hoeller, who with his book, "The Fool's Pilgrimage" has been known for over 30 years as a noted teacher of Tarot will once again share his insights on this fascinating subject.
July 6: What is the Tarot? An in-depth introduction to the field of Tarot study and practice and to the various uses to which the Tarot has been put through the ages.
July 20: What is Divination? Divinatory disciplines, such as Tarot, I Ching, Astrology, Geomancy and Oneiromancy. How and why do they work?
July 27: Kabbalah and Tarot: Nature and structure of the Tree of Life and its relationship to the Tarot Major and Minor Arcana with Tarot Meditations.
August 3: Meditating with the Major Arcana: Continuing with the Meditations. Tarot combined with Kabbalistic Path Work.
August 10: The Tarot, Key to the Self: The Meaning of the four suits and Minor Arcana Cards ones through threes of the four Suits.
August 17: Tarot Powers of the Personality: Minor Arcana Cards four through eights of the four Suits.
August 24: Tarot Powers of Growth: Minor Arcana Cards nines and tens of the four Suits.
August 31: Tarot Household of the Soul: The Court Cards of the Four Suits.
June 2007: Cathar Gnosis and Cathar Scriptures
The Cathars were the greatest flourishing of the Gnostic tradition since the eclipse of the Alexandrian and Manichaean Gnosis in the first few centuries A.D. The eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries saw the activity of the large movement of Cathars ("pure ones") in what is now southwestern France.
Subsequent revivals of the Gnostic tradition in Europe were all related to the Cathars. In these lectures the distinguishing features of the Cathar religion are shown as well as several generally unavailable scriptures are interpreted.June 1: The Nature and Romance of the Cathar Gnosis: What Gnosis did the Cathars have? Cathar history and Cathar teachings and their several revivals in subsequent centuries will be reviewed.
June 8: The Book of the two Principles: One of the very few Cathar scriptures that survived and was made available a few years ago. In addition, other facts and theories about the Cathars will be reviewed.
June 15: "The Gospel of the Secret Supper" - the major Cathar Scripture, Part I: Of possible Bulgarian Bogomil origin, this is a Gospel of the invisible Father, his son Christ, and John the Apostle who questions Jesus at the time of the Last Supper.
June 22: "The Gospel of the Secret Supper", Part II: The distinction between the absolute good God and his evil opponent. Along with the "Book of Two Principles" this is the main extant Cathar scripture. Again, cognate material from historical and visionary sources will be included.
Fridays in May 2007: Four Less Well Known but Important Gnostic Scriptures
Four scriptures from Nag Hammadi which are not often mentioned, but are of profound content and considerable importance.
May 4: On the Origin of the World: A detailed story of "First things, last things and hidden things" as Marvin Meyer says. One of the most comprehensive accounts of Gnostic cosmology.
May 11: The Paraphrase of Shem: The nature and role of cosmic darkness and its containment by way of a heavenly helper, called Dardekas. The salvific role of the Gnostic tradition in cosmic history.
May 18: The Second Treatise of the Great Seth: A beautiful meditation on the life and mission of Jesus and of the role of Gnostics in universal Christendom and in the world. A major work of Gnostic Christianity.
May 25: The Three Steles of Seth: Three exalted hymns addressed to the divine beings in the Pleroma. The hymns were used as liturgies of ecstatic ascent to divinity and are thus of great contemporary interest.Fridays in April 2007: Alchemy, Gnosis and Love: The "Rosarium Philosophorum"
An account of the process of the Alchemical reconciliation and union of the opposites, as represented by the 11 pictures in the treatise "Rosarium Philosophorum". The series shows the integration of the psyche and the process of love relationships of individuals.
April 13: The Dance Commences: Beginning of the Alchemical Process. The dual forces begin their relationship. The opposites reach out for closeness and union.
April 20: Psychic and Sexual Transformation: The arising of difficulties and their results. Purification and intensification of the process.
April 27: The Birth of the New Self: The concluding phase of the process of transformation and the fulfilment of love. Can we find the Philosopher's Stone in our lives and relationships today?January & February 2007: Teachers and Teachings of the Universal Gnosis
An in-depth view of the manifestations of the Gnostic Tradition from the early centuries A.D. to the present. Follow the Ariadne's thread of Gnosis through two thousand years of the history of Western culture as explained by Dr. Hoeller.
January 12: Special Event: Dr. Hoeller's Annual Forecast with the Tarot: Prognostication for the United States of America for the year 2007. Results - - An image of the cards (Audio recording available for download at BC Recordings).
January 19: From Essenes to Christian Gnosis: Dead Sea Scrolls lead to the Alexandrian and Syrian Gnosis of Simon, Valentinus, Basilides, Marcion, Bardesanes and other seers and sages.
January 26: Mani and the Manichaean Tradition: The most widely-spread of the schools of the Gnosis and its ever timely teachings.
February 2: Medieval Gnosis: Cathars, Bogomils, Beguines, Rhineland Mystics.
February 9: Sufi Gnosis: Ib'n Arabi and some other Sufi Mystics.
February 16: The Occult Gnosis of the 19th & 20th Centuries: Blavatsky, Papus, modern Rosicrucians, French Gnostics and Ceremonial Magicians.
February 23: The Gnosis Today: Post Nag Hammadi, Post Modernism and future Gnostic trends.
2006 Lecture Schedule
November and December 2006: The Gospel of Truth
When the late Prof. Quispel came upon the s.c. "Codex I" of the Nag Hammadi Library he was gripped by one of its contents, The Gospel of Truth which he brought to the attention of C.G. Jung. This treatise possibly authored by Valentinus, has been called "the earliest surviving sermon of Christian mysticism". Dr. Hoeller gives a detailed exposition of this beautiful work. (This series is available in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
November 3: Valentinus and His Gospel: The greatest of Gnostic teachers and his contribution to Western Mysticism.
November 10: The Creation of Illusion: Unreality and forgetfulness enter creation and obscure our view. Error prevents humans from discovering truth.
November 17: The Redeeming Teacher: The supreme Deity is revealed by His messenger, the Mystical Christ.
November 24: The Message and It's Result: Awakening from the nightmare of untruth brings new duties for the awakened.
December 8: Dawning of the Day From on High: The inner revelation of Gnosis brings truth and freedom. How to do the will of the Supreme One.
December 15: Metanoia and Redemption: The restoration of deficiency; the coming of the Repose in the Fullness. Description of the place of the blessed.October 2006: The Nature and Meaning of Death
"Death is certain for the living" says one of the great scriptures of the world. The choice we have is whether we desire a meaning from the experience of death or not. These three talks (occurring within the All Souls Day - Hallowe'en season) will illuminate this ambivalent subject and assist us in transforming it's mournful features into liberating insight.
October 6: The Good Death: Meeting the Dying Moment: Approaching death with liberating wisdom. Tibetan Buddhist, Cathar and other Gnostic insights into potential for gnosis present in the experience of dying.
October 13: Death, Rebirth and Liberation: Is there reincarnation and how do Gnostics feel about it? How may we advance our entry into spiritual freedom before and during our transition.
October 20: Assisting the Dying: What spiritual modalities of assistance may we employ to assist the souls of persons before, during and after their death.September 2006: Hearing the Echo of Gnosis
Long before the Nag Hammadi discovery, the inspired British scholar G.R.S. Mead translated and elucidated upon many ancient Gnostic texts. In a new publication compiling these writings and to which Dr. Hoeller contributed twelve explanatory essays, we now have Mead's best work on the Universal Gnosis. Christian Gnosticism, Hermetic, Mithraic, Chaldaean and Roman Pagan scriptures are shown in their Gnostic meanings. Dr. Hoeller presents an overview of this seminal material with a contemporary perspective.
September 8: The Gnosis of Hermes: The nature of Hermeticism and its Gnostic Insights, compared to other forms of Gnosis including Christian Gnosis. The beautiful Hymn of Hermes will be reviewed.
September 15: The Gnosis of Mithra: Mithraism was an initiatory mystery religion that left a vital heritage for Esoteric Christianity and for Secret Orders, like Freemasonry.
September 22: The Mysterious Chaldean Oracles: A mysterious and inspiring collection of Greco-Roman mystical aphorisms, valued highly by the magicians of the Golden Dawn and other esotericists.
September 29: The Near-Death Experience of Aridaeus: A pagan Roman young man, dead for three days, undergoes a profound Gnostic experience of initiation and returns to life to tell the tale.August 2006: Gnostic Reactions to "The Da Vinci Code"
In these talks Dr. Hoeller will illuminate a number of themes which appear in the book and film "The Da Vinci Code". Even though obscured by a fictional treatment and the use of questionable sources add a catering to sensationalism, "The Da Vinci Code" raises numerous themes which are related to the Gnostic tradition. The speaker separates the true Gnostic core of some of these themes in the light of his many years of research into the elements of Gnosticism. (This series is available for download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
August 4: Puzzlement over Mary Magdalene: In recent years everything seems to "come up Mary Magdalene". Are the recent perspectives on the role of this archetypal figure reflective of true Gnostic insights? What is the relevance of the "Apostle of the Apostles" to the vital spiritual concerns of our days?
August 11: The Cathar Connection: Zoe Oldenbourg, the noted writer on this subject wrote that the Cathars "claimed to be the only persons who had kept and cherished the Holy Spirit . . . and it looks as though this claim was at least partially justified."
August 18: Truth and Falsehood about the Grail: The mystique of the legend of the Holy Grail returns to our culture periodically. Current fiction and near-fiction has introduced a new keynote into the legend, which needs to be evaluated in Gnostic terms.
August 25: Opus Dei and the Conspiracy against Gnosis: Ever since the early centuries there were organized efforts directed against Gnostics. From the Albigensian Crusades to the Jesuit machinations, we are now exhorted by Dan Brown to fear the mysterious Opus Dei. The evidence for and against this is discussed.July 2006: The Gospel of Judas
In the Spring of this year the media was convulsed by the news that a 1,600 year old copy of the fabled Gospel of Judas was about to be published by National Geographic. Discovered in Egypt in the 1970s, it suffered neglect until 2001 when a team of experts began restoration of the text. Now available in a fine translation, this scripture more than any other has galvanized interest in Gnostic alternative Christianity. Dr. Hoeller interprets this scripture in the light of Gnostic teachings which he has represented in the L.A. area for over 50 years. (These lectures are available on MP3-CD or for individual download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
July 7: Judas the Chosen One: The early part of the text, describing Jesus choosing Judas. The background of the discovery of the codex with its vicissitudes and synchronicities.
July 14: Judas, the Insightful Disciple: Jesus teaches about the Temple and the vices of exoteric religion. Judas' future ignominy and glorious destiny.
July 21: Judas and Gnostic Cosmology: The Saviour teaches Judas about the origin and nature of the world and humanity.
July 28: Judas the Holy Betrayer: Judas learns of Humanity's Destiny and acts out the desired Betrayal.
May and June 2006: The Gnostic Story of the Soul
In this series of talks, Dr. Hoeller will comment on the entirety and in detail on the treatise from the Nag Hammadi library, known usually as "The Exegesis of the Soul". This scripture explains in poetic style the human soul's alienated condition in the world, and its step by step awakening and eventual recovery of its original wholeness and wisdom. Spiritual as well as jungian psychological aspects of this process is discussed. (These lectures are available on MP3-CD or for individual download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
May 5: Origin and Predicament of the Soul: The soul in earthly captivity; its maltreatment by the lower worldly forces. Having descended to a lower plane, the soul undergoes suffering and alienation..
May 12: Help on the Way for the Soul: The soul begins to recognize its own predicament and calls upon the supernal help of its spiritual parent-principle.
May 26: Purification of the Soul: The soul becomes purified by turning from its extraverted fascination with the world toward its own interior resources.
June 2: The Soul in the Bridal Chamber: The soul waits for the celestial bridegroom and enters the consciousness of union.
June 16: The Soul's Rejuvenation: The soul recovers its original power by uniting with its higher Self in the Bridal Chamber.
June 23: The Sincere Prayers of the Soul: The soul ascends to its original habitat. Its consummation of the Sacred Marriage is not an ending but a beginning of a new consciousness.
June 30: Other Gnostic Teachings about the Soul: Cognate statements about the soul, including the myth of Amor and Psyche and a number of scriptures from Nag Hammadi.April 2006: Los Angeles: Mystical, Magical, Occult and Gnostic
Alternative Spirituality in Southern California, What does it mean? Southern California (and the West Coast) has been long known as the hotbed of non-mainstream religiosity. Why is this region noted for its spiritual creativity? What is the connection of all this to the secret destiny of the U.S.A? Dr. Hoeller draws upon his experience of over 50 years in the Southern California scene of heterodox movements and undertake an analysis in terms of the past and future. (These lectures are available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
April 7: Early Esoteric America & Occult Los Angeles: Masonic, Rosicrucian, Enlightenment Hermetic trajectories in the early Republic and their rebirth in Los Angeles, the city where East and West meet.
April 21: Los Angeles, City of the Esoteric: From Spirit Guides and Indian Yogis to the present and the future. Whence and Wither the esoteric capital of the West?
April 28: Hollywood, City of Magical Creativity: Motion Pictures and Esoteric Currents. Old Krotona and its Theosophists. Israel Regardie, Manly P. Hall, Aldous Huxley and their influence. What the future holds for Magical Hollywood?March 2006: Magic and Gnosis
Ceremonial Magic and its relationship to the Gnostic tradition. Gnostic scriptures, such as The Bruce Codex, The Gospel of Mary and The Secret Gospel of Mark indicate that Jesus Himself practiced Sacred Magic. This series introduces the ambience of Magic within a Gnostic context and indicates simple practices within the Theurgic-Magical discipline.
March 10: Sacramental Magic: The Magic of the Seven Sacraments; one of the most benign and effective forms of Magic.
March 24: Angel Magic: Who are the Angels and by what practices may we effectively approach them? An evaluation of the major hierarchies of Angels, including Guardian Angels.
March 31: The Lesser Arts of Magic: Divination, evocation and vision, as taught by the tradition of the Golden Dawn. How Magic may benefit one's personal life safely and ethically.February 2006: The Gospel of Philip
A novel look at the most detailed Gospel from the Nag Hammadi collection, dealing with such vital topics as the mystery of the Bridal Chamber, the other Mysteries (Sacraments), the status of Mary Magdalen, the natural world, the relationships between men and women and many more. (These recordings completed an album on Thomas and Philip and are available for download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
February 3: Holy Names and Saving Beings: Early part of the Gospel. Children of God and slaves of the Demiurge; Spiritual death against Gnosis; Reaping Gnosis; Miracles of the Spiritual life.
February 10: Humans and the World: The parables of the Vessels of glass and earthenware; the Gnostic view of the Eucharist; Mary Magdalen, the companion of the Logos. The mystic baptism. The inseparable union of the Bridal Chamber.
February 17: Earthly and Heavenly Union: Coming out of the world; Truth in the (arche)types and images; the five original Sacraments; the heavenly Union destroys death.
February 24: Son of Man and Bridal Chamber: The mystery of the Tree of Life; Celestial nourishment defeats death; Bridal Chamber and self-knowledge; the true veil of the Sanctuary of Gnosis.
January 2006: Ecstasy and Gnosis
A tribute to the 100th birthday of Dr. Albert Hofmann
Recently an exhibit in a major L.A. museum called attention to the nature and creative value of Ecstasy (exalted altered states of Consciousness). It is not known to all that the pivotal discovery that resulted in a "revolution of consciousness" was made by the Swiss chemist of Sandoz Laboratories, Dr. Albert Hofmann on April 16, 1943. The substance became known as LSD-25. At this time the discoverer celebrated his 100th birthday in Basel, Switzerland. Since exalted states of consciousness were always of interest to Gnostics, this series of talks salutes Dr. Hofmann and investigates this exciting "door of perception". (These recordings completed the album "Consciousness: Altered States Ancient & Modern" and are available for download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
(For Dr. Hoeller's Annual Tarot Reading, see below in December 2005.)
January 13: Albert Hofmann and his Discovery: "Hofmann's Potion" and its historical and cultural effects and implications. From Molecules to Mystery: The continuing impact of entheogenic research on religion, psychology and other fields.
January 20: Entheogens of Greece, Persia, and India: The Eleusinian Mysteries, the Golden Apples of Apollo, the haoma drink of Zarathustra and Gordon Wasson's researches into the "soma" of the Vedas.
January 27: Altered States and Christian Mystics: Hildegard of Bingen, Mechtild of Magdeburg, the Rhineland Mystics: Bro. Steindl-Rast and his views of entheogens in mysticism.
2005 Lecture Schedule
December 2005: The Gnostic St. Thomas Tradition
In recent decades St. Thomas the Apostle has emerged as a major influence in early Christianity. Prof. Elaine Pagels in her book Beyond Belief established the thesis that St. Thomas and his tradition represent an Alternative Christianity. Dr. Hoeller evaluates the figure of St. Thomas in a Gnostic perspective and will present a Gnostic overview of The Gospel of Thomas; and The Book of Thomas the Contender (both from Nag Hammadi) and the Acts of Thomas by way of their two most important treatises. (These recordings completed an album on Thomas and Philip and are available for download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
December 2: Who was St. Thomas the Apostle?: Was Thomas the twin of Jesus? Did Thomas travel to and die in India? Has the Thomas tradition been perpetuated in India? What is the relation of Thomas to the tradition of the Prophet Mani?
December 9: The Nature of the Gospel of Thomas: By far the best known of the Scriptures of the Nag Hammadi collection, this collection of sayings of Jesus is unmistakably Gnostic in content if one unlocks it with the keys of Gnostic symbolism.
December 16: The Acts of Thomas and the Book of Thomas: The magnificent Hymn of the Pearl and Wedding Song of Wisdom from the Acts of Thomas and the mysterious Book of Thomas the Contender will be reviewed and evaluated.
December 30: Dr. Hoeller's Annual Forecast with the Tarot: Prognostication for the United States of America for the year 2006. Results - - An image of the cards (Audio recording available for download at BC Recordings).November 2005: The Gnosis of C.G. Jung
The Spiritual Foundation of the Teachings of C.G. Jung
Two decades ago Dr. Hoeller's pioneering books The Gnostic Jung (1982) and Jung and the Lost Gospels (1989) called attention to C.G. Jung's Gnostic spiritual orientation. (Jung's late son, Franz specially thanked Dr. Hoeller for accurately representing his father's position). Now, edited by Dr. Sonu Shamdasami, Jung's famous "Red Book" and other unpublished writings are about to reach the public. Anticipating a revival of interest in Jung's spirituality, Dr. Hoeller presents a series of lectures on Jung's Gnosis, in part based on Jung's "Seven Sermons to the Dead". (Under the title "Jung's 'Seven Sermons to the Dead', this series now constitutes an album on disk and each lecture is also available for download in MP3 audio format at the BC Recordings website.)
November 4: Jung the Gnostic Prophet and his Seven Sermons: An overview of Jung's Gnostic Wisdom.
November 11: Fullness, Sun and Abraxas: The Gnostic Foundations of Human Consciousness. (Sermons 1-3).
November 18: Cosmic Opposites: Gnostic Creative Dualism expressed Psychologically. (Sermons 4 and 5).
November 25: The Way beyond the Stars: Spiritual Wholeness as the Goal of Human Life. (Sermons 6 and 7).September 2005: Kabbalah, Tarot and Divination
Theory and Practice of Kabbalistic Tarot Divination
The connection of Kabbalah and Tarot has been recognized for a long time. Among the many methods ("spreads") of Tarot divination there is on directly related to Kabbalah: This is the "Tree of Life Spread". This method is regarded as most powerful and archetypal by most Tarot diviners, and usually is cast only once in the lifetime of a person as a Life Reading.September 2: Nature and Principles of the Tarot Oracle: Symbolism, Magical Meaning, Synchronicities; asking the advice of the Divinities.
September 9: The Kabbalistic Tree of Life: The grand design of universal being and its relationship to divinatory practice.
September 16: The Tarot Minor Arcana and its Relationship to the Tree of Life: The numbered cards of the four suits and the Court Cards in Kabbalistic perspective.
September 23: The Tarot Major Arcana and Their Kabbalistic Meanings: The twenty-two Paths; Astrological analogies; Archetypal images.
September 30: Lurianic Kabbalistic Symbolism and the Tree of Life: The Gnostic metaphors of Emptying, Breaking of the Vessels and Restoration.
July 2005: Egypt, Gnosis and Magic
These talks are intended as a Gnostic complement to the current (and second) visit of the famed King Tut exhibit to Los Angeles. Dr. Hoeller deals with the magic-mystical heritage of Ancient Egypt and its continuation in Alexandrian Gnosis.
July 8: Ancient Egypt, the Light of the World: Dr. Hoeller discusses the vast spiritual legacy of the "land where the gods walked with men".
July 15: From Isis to Sophia; the Magic of Feminine Wisdom: It was in Egypt that the Gnostic Sophia was first venerated. Her figure is intimately related to the Egyptian Isis as Dr. Hoeller explains.June 2005: Gnostic Wisdom Returns
Many people feel that today we are experiencing a lasting revival of the Gnostic tradition. In these talks Dr. Hoeller pin-points the Gnostic component in such movements in the culture as 19th Century occultism; the mythic revival of the 20th Century; the consciousness-and-psychedelic movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and the overall impact and relevance of the Nag Hammadi discovery in relation to the current interest in Gnosticism. If you wondered how many of these trends in the culture are related to the Gnostic tradition, here are your answers! (All lectures in this series are available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
June 3: Forerunners of Modern Gnosis: Blavatsky, Steiner, Gurdjieff; the Victorian Hermeticists and Magicians and their kith and kin as related to Gnosticism.
June 10: Psyche and Myth: C.G. Jung, the modern Gnostic and his influence on the modern school of Mythology, including Kerenyi, Zimmer, Campbell and Eliade. Where do Tolkien, Rowling and "Star Wars" fit in?
June 17: The Consciousness Revolution: The discovery of altered states in the late 20th Century and its relevance to Gnosis and Gnosticism (Huxley, Heard, Ram Dass, Stanislov Grof and others).
June 24: The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: Phillip K. Dick called Nag Hammadi "The Second Coming". The nature and impact of this momentous discovery will be discussed.
May 2005: Gnosis in the Culture Wars
Gnostic Spiritual Freedom in an age of Ideological Conflict
The debate in the public arena is increasingly characterized as "the Culture Wars". The contenders are often called "Christian" (i.e. fundamentalist) and "Secular". Gnostics are oriented to total transcendence, (the opposite of secular), but are also the first opponents of fundamentalism. In a rare excursion into concerns of contemporary culture, Dr. Hoeller endeavours to clarify burning cultural issues in a Gnostic light. (All lectures in this series are available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
May 6: Beyond Fundamentalism & Secularism: The Gnostic Alternative. How the Gnostic world view may point to a third force superseding the present extremes.
May 13: The Abortion Controversy: When does Life begin? Is unlimited entry of human spirits into earthly embodiment desirable? Should governments intrude into matters of conception and birth?
May 20: Tarot Seminar: With Gnostic Society Tarot readers during Dr. Hoeller's absence. Hosted by Bryan Campbell.
May 27: Spiritual Freedom against Old Testament Law: Fundamentalist social doctrines are founded upon Old Testament ordinances. Gnostic critique of the Old Testament points the way to freedom.
(Some background for these lectures may be found in Dr. Hoeller's book "Freedom: Alchemy for a Voluntary Society". This book is now available in many languages, with the most recent translation editions in Greek and Bulgarian.)
April 2005: Gnostic Spiritual Practices
In February and March Dr. Hoeller presented talks covering the entirety of the Gnostic myth, based on the Secret Book of John. Within the context of this Gnostic world view it is essential that there should be spiritual practices assisting souls in their quest for Gnosis. The Gnostic Gospel of Philip states: ³The Lord did everything in a mystery: A Baptism and a Chrism, and a Eucharist and a Bride-Chamber. Dr. Hoeller will discuss these five initiatory mysteries as well as other Gnostic practices and the context of Gnostic mysteries in past and present. (The lectures February through April comprise an album entitled Gnostic Theory and Practice, and the individual titles are also available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
April 1: Entering the Stream of Gnosis: The Baptismal mystery and its psycho-spiritual nature. This is the sacrament gravely misunderstood today, but observed in its true meaning by Mandaeans and other Gnostics.
April 8: Anointed by Gnosis: "Christ" means the Anointed. What is the mystery of Chrism that prepares one to liberate one's soul?
April 15: Eating the Divine Light: "Eucharist" translates as Thanksgiving. It is the transformation of the earthly into the Divine. How might this be experienced today?
April 22: The Mystery that Frees. Redemption (Apollytrosis) is the Gnostic mystery lost to later religious practice in the West. It loosens the bonds of matter and opens the gate of the spirit.
April 29: To Make the Two One The mystery of the Bride-Chamber. The lost supreme mystery of union that may be spiritually recovered today.
February/March 2005: The Secret Book of John
Did you ever wish for a Gnostic scripture that covers the entire Gnostic myth from beginnings in the Pleroma, through the vicissitudes of Sophia and the demiurgic formation of the Universe and the existential struggle of humanity to the promise of a glorious liberation? In this series Dr. Hoeller will review and comment upon just such a scripture, in a fine new translation, just published this year. (Known also sometimes as the Apocryphon of John.)
February 11: In the Beginning: The Roots of Consciousness and of Being. Where we came from?
February 18: The Structures of Divine Consciousness: The threefold structures of Divine Mind, from whence all knowledge proceeds.
February 25: The Story of Sophia and how the Demiurge Fashioned Creation.
March 4: How Humanity Began: The mysterious origins of human nature, its esoteric psychology and philosophy.
March 18: The Nature of the Soul and its Liberation. The mysteries of the process of Gnosis.
February 2005: Annual Tarot Prognostication
In this popular time-honored tradition Dr. Hoeller conducts a Celtic Cross reading as a forecast for 2005 for the United States of America.
February 4: Dr. Hoeller's Annual Forecast with the Tarot. Results - - An image of the cards (The audio recording available for download at the BC Recordings website.)
2004 Lecture Schedule
November and December 2004: Islam: Trying to Understand the Menacing Enigma
After the third anniversary of 9-11, we take another, in-depth look at the faith of Islam; its virtues, vulnerabilities and the possible Gnostic and mystical remedy for the fundamentalist aberration. (All lectures in this series by Dr. Hoeller are available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
November 5: Islam; Its Original Teachings against its Fundamentalist Distortions: A majestic faith distorted by ignorance. Vulnerabilities of Islam arising from ethical monotheism. Some suggested remedies for fundamentalism.
November 12: Gnostic Sages of Islam: Rumi and Omar Khayaam: An in-depth evaluation of the work of two great mystical poets.
November 19: Ibn Arabi; Master Mystic: The teacher of teachers and his great spiritual message.
December 17: Defeating Fundamentalism: Mystical Self-knowledge as the antidote to literal belief-systems.
October 2004: Gnosis and Carlos Castaneda
Thirty five years ago, the pioneering book of Carlos Castaneda; The Teachings of Don Juan was instrumental in creating "New Shamanism". How do his teachings appear today and how do they relate to Gnosticism? What is the relationship of the Shamanic and the Gnostic revivals? (All lectures in this series are available for download in MP3 format at the BC Recordings website.)
October 1: A Time for Shamans; a Time for Gnosis: The "Man of Knowledge", ancient and contemporary. Shamanic Insight from Mircea Eliade to Carlos Castaneda and beyond.
October 8: The Strange World of Don Juan: Principal teachings of Castaneda: "Benefactor", "Allies" and "Protector". Revival of the reality of Inner Knowing.
October 15: The Yaqui Man of Knowledge: Archaic Magic compared with timeless Gnosis. Pitfalls and advantages of the Shamanic path. Sage and Shaman: Two role models.
October 22: Castaneda as Trickster-Guru: Use and abuse of spiritual tricksterism. Contemporary applications of Castaneda's approach. What is the future of the New Shamanism?
August and September 2004: The Gnostic Kabbalah
An unusual approach to Kabbalistic Wisdom.
August 20: Gnostic Wisdom and the Tree of Life: Creation or Emanation? The Tree of Life as a highway of return to Reality. What is Gnostic Kabbalah?
August 27: The Secret Face of the Kabbalah. Emptiness versus Fullness, The Breaking of the Vessels. Tikhun; the gathering of the sparks. Isaac Luria and Gnostic Christianity.
September 3: Wisdom of the Zohar: The oldest source-book on Kabbalah.
September 10: The Feminine Kabbalah: Sophia's feminine Sephirah.
September 17: The Kaballah and Evil: The Qliphoth.
July 2004: The Nature and Meaning of Dreams
A brief series dealing with the phenomenology, symbolism and spiritually enriching power of dreams. Dream interpretation is one of the oldest and most effective modalities of self-knowledge.
July 9: Dreams, the Language of the Soul. Varieties of dreams, clues to dream interpretation: Ancient, modern and timeless approaches.
July 16: Dreams and Our Hidden Self. Ego Images, Complexes, the Shadow; dreams as diagnostic and healing tools.
July 23: Dreams and Spiritual Growth. Individuation as manifest in dreams. Archetypes, Transformation and the Self.
July 30: Active Imagination, the Waking Dream.May and June 2004: The Fool's Pilgrimage
Introducing Dr. Hoeller's new book on the Tarot.
May 14: What are Kabbalah and Tarot? The Tree of Life and the Tarot Deck.
May 28: Arcana of the Ego.
June 4: Arcana of the Archetypal Psyche.
June 11: Arcana of the Supreme Archetypes.
June 18: The Philosophy and Psychology of Divination. Includes demonstration of Tarot Divination.
June 25: Practical Instrucion in Tarot Divination. The Celtic Cross and the Tree of Life spreads.April 2004: The Death of Christ
The much publicized motion picture "The Passion of the Christ" raised significant questions. Dr. Hoeller answers some of these questions from the point of view of the Gnostic Tradition. Informative topics for the Easter Season!
April 2: Bible Literalism of the cinematic "Passion" contrasted with Gnostic Insight.
April 16: Salvation or Liberation? Atonement for sin replaced by Gnostic Insight.
April 23: Messengers of Light: Messiahship is not a one-time event!January through March 2004: The Divine Feminine in the Gnostic Tradition
Seekers after the authentic image of the Divine Feminine are finding renewed inspiration in Gnostic Scriptures and in the living Gnostic Tradition based on these Scriptures. In this in-depth series of lectures, Dr. Hoeller explores the major scriptural theses and traditional wisdom of Gnosticism concerning the Devine Feminine.
(January 16: Annual Tarot Prognostication. Dr. Hoeller's Celtic Cross reading for America for 2004. Results - - An image of the cards.)
January 23: Goddess or Sophia? What distinguishes the Gnostic Divine Feminine from pagan Goddesses, or from the post-modern "The Goddess"?
January 30: "Pistis Sophia": The contemporary message of a famous ancient Scripture.
February 6: The Enigma of Mary Magdalen. The Truth about the Companion of Jesus.
February 13: "The Exegesis of the Soul". The universal Journey of the Feminine Spirit.
February 20: "Thunder, the Perfect Mind". The awesome revelation of the Feminine.
February 27: Mary the Mother of Jesus: Gnostic aspects of the Madonna.
March 5: The Wisdom Literature: Old Testament Feminine Esotericism.
March 12: The Divine Feminine Today. Is the authentic Divine Feminine returning to our World?
2003 Lecture Schedule
November and December 2003: The Secret Gospel of Thomas
The discovery of the Gospel of Thomas, along with more than fifty other early Gnostic Christian scriptures inaugurated a new era in the spirituality of the West. Noted Zen teacher Baker Roshi said to Elaine Pagels: "Had I known the Gospel of Thomas, I wouldn't have had to become a Buddhist." Dr. Hoeller evaluates the major portion of this Gospel in the Light of the recently published material by Elaine Pagels and other scholars.
November 7: The Gospel of Thomas and Alternative Christianity. Was there an alternative to orthodoxy and what was it like? Does it exist today?
November 21: The Meaning of Life: Sayings Concerning the Human Condition. Passages from the Gospel of Thomas about the existential issues of humanity.
December 5: Gnosis and Action: Sayings Concerning Conduct. Was the Law of Moses abrogated by Jesus? How are people to behave?
December 12: Gnosis and Messiahship: Sayings Concerning the Redeemer. What are we being saved from and who does the saving? Do we have a Messiah in our souls?
December 19: The Mystery of Insights: Sayings Concerning Self-Knowledge. How to know ourselves. Self-knowledge as Knowledge of God.October 2003: The Templars and the Holy Grail
Founded in 1118 in Jerusalem and cruelly persecuted and suppressed in and after 1312, the Knights Templar became a mysterious, shadowy element associated with Occultism, Freemasonry, Magic and even with the legendry of the Holy Grail. Dr. Hoeller will unravel some of the Templar mystery, and show its relationship to much contemporary fictional and semi-fictional literature.
October 3: The Templars; Examples of Mystical Knighthood. Are the ideals of Chivalry alive today? Can knighthood be united with alternative spirituality? Are the Templars heirs to the Holy Grail?
October 10: The Secret Teachings of the Templars and their Origins. Were the Templars instructed by the Mandaeans of present-day Iraq? Mandaean Gnostic teachings and Sacraments and their contemporary relevance.September 2003: The Gospel of Mary Magdalen
The mysterious treatise from the Berlin Codex.
September 5: Mary's Questions to Christ. About Matter, Sin, Attachment to Matter, Peace, The Inner Christ, to be fully Human.
September 12: Mary Remembers. Her Vision of Christ, Ascension of the Soul, the path of Liberation.
September 26: The Authority of Mary. The arguments of the Apostles, Peter's opposition; the Mystical speech of Levi.August 2003: Elaine Pagels: Her Message in "Beyond Belief"
With this exciting new book, the author of the noted work, "The Gnostic Gospels", returns after more than two decades to her and our favorite subject, the Gnostic Christian tradition. Dr. Hoeller presents his lectures on topics inspired by this new best-selling book. This is not a book review, but a series of lectures on a timely subject.
August 8: Sacramental Gnostic Christianity over mere Belief System. The amazing experiential tradition of Gnosis in early Christianity. How Gnosis was perverted into Creed.
August 15: The Mysteries of the Gospel of Thomas. The Thomas tradition and its opponents then and now. What distinguishes the Gospel of Thomas from the Canonical Gospel, including the Gospel of John.
August 22: Christian and Jewish Gnosis: Gnosticism and Kabbalah. Pagels indicates the presence of Proto-Kabbalistic elements in the early Christian Gnostic tradition. What is the meaning of this.
August 29: Gnostic Experience as seen by Elaine Pagels. Experiential Gnosis in ancient times and today.July and August 2003: Gnosis and Kindred Traditions
We evaluate two traditions that have a close relationship to Gnosticism. Dr. Hoeller will compare Gnostic teachings with those of the Indian Radhasoami (Sant) tradition, founded in the 19th Century by Tulsi Sahib and Shiv Dayal Singh.
Dr. Kofi Mensa, scholar and world traveller from Ghana will present two talks on African esoteric Spirituality, especially the mysterious tradition of the Dogon people. We welcome this honored guestJuly 11: The Sant Tradition. Its origins; Meditation techniques of SHABD YOGA; concept of the living Guru.
July 18: Gnosticism of the Sants. Their concept of the Demiurge; Ascending from the Body; The Aeons in both traditions; Secret Passwords and more.
July 25: Dr. Kofi Mensa: African Spiritual Traditions - An Introduction. West African mysterious traditions of the Dogon people.
August 1: Dr. Kofi Mensa: Dogon Mysteries. Heaven and Earth; Transformation: True dreaming; Healing; Chain of Succession.May and June 2003: The Gnostic Journey: "The Hymn of the Pearl"
May 9: Judas Thomas, Gnostic and Author of the Hymn. The fascinating and controversial figure of the Apostle Thomas and an overview of the literature he authored.
May 16: Origins of the Soul and Quest for the Pearl. The heavenly Fullness and the supernal plan for our earthly journey.
May 23: The Descent of the Soul and Its Falling Asleep. Why we have become unconscious and how we might prepare for awakening.
May 30: The Coming of the Letter of Awakening. The arrival of Gnosis in the human consciousness.
June 13: The Return to the Homeland.
June 20: The Parable of the Pearl Merchant.
June 27: The Wedding Song of Wisdom.March and April 2003: Harold Bloom, Modern Gnostic: His Contribution to the Revival of Gnosis.
Author of more than twenty books, including the epochal "The Book of J", Harold Bloom is the leading intellectual of the U.S.A. who has embraced Gnosticism. In this series his contribution is evaluated in contemporary Gnostic terms. Learn of the message of a leading figure of our culture.
March 7: Gnosticism as the American Religion. Insights including a personal portrait of Harold Bloom.
March 21: Bloom on Shakespeare. The Hermetic prophet of the West in Bloom's evaluation.
March 28: Genius: Who were the Leaders of Our Culture? Bloom's work on genius and its startling message for our age.
April 4: The Western Canon. Bloom's exposition of the normative literary works of Western Culture; a guide to the essential writers of history.
April 11: Omens of Millennium. Perhaps Bloom's most spiritual work, dealing with the Gnosis of Angels, Dreams and Resurrection.January and February 2003
January 17: Dr. Hoeller's Annual Tarot Forecast for 2003. Results - - An Image of the Cards
A New Gospel of Jesus?
A recently translated and published collection of secret sayings of Jesus.
Dr. Hoeller reviews the content of a unique document that was entrusted to him for evaluation years prior to its publication. The document contains 72 alleged sayings of Jesus which show Gnostic influences.
Discovery and First Part of the Text. The mystery surrounding the discovery; theories concerning origins and examples of the text.
Teachings Concerning "The Kingdom". What is the "Kingdom"; where is it and how does one enter it?
The Old Law Against the Law of Love. Sayings about the supplanting of Jehovah's Old Law.
The Mysteries in the New Sayings. Sayings dealing with Mysteries established by Jesus.
2002 Lecture Schedule
December 2002: Archetypal Symbols of Freedom
"Truth did not come into the world naked; it came in the types and images", says the Gospel of Phillip. Archetypal images help us to assimilate Divine Inspiration. At this time when we need to appreciate freedom we should contemplate some of these important images.
December 13: The Madonna Archetype: Mother of Freedom. The vital importance of the Archetype of the Theotokos (Divine Mother) today.
December 20: The Divine Child: The Power of Weakness. Christmas is the festival of the Divine Child. What are the meaning and implications of this important Archetype?
October and November 2002: Gnosis and Kabbalah
Dr. Hoeller returns, by popular request, to the subject of the Kabbalah and its relation to the Gnostic tradition. This is not a repetition of previous lectures, but a new look at the basic data in the light of unusual insights.
October 11: Gnosis and the Tree of Life. Gnostic origins of the scheme of the Tree of Life and contemporary implications.
October 18: Mildness, Severity and Balance. The Sephiroth on the three pillars of the tree and their Gnostic message.
October 25: Isaac Luria and his Gnostic Kabbalah. A new look at the Lurianic Kabbalah in the light of Gnosticism.
November 15: Qliphoth and Archons: Evil and Kabbalah. Evil is talked about much in today's world. What does the Kabbalah have to say on the subject?
November 22: The Hassidim; Almost Gnostics. The 18th Century movement of Judaism that is the only one that endorses Kabbalah. What is its relation to Gnosis?
November 29: Gnosis and Kabbalistic Heresy. Does consistency in Kabbalah lead to a renunciation of the Yahweh-Demiurge?September 2002: Introduction to Dr. Hoeller's new book "Gnosticism: New Light on the Ancient Tradition of Inner Knowing".
In these four talks Dr. Hoeller introduces his readers (and others) to some of the key concepts and topics explained in his new book.
September 6: Gnosis and Gnosticism. The experience of Gnosis; its nature, causes and results. The world view of Gnosticism as an amplification and vehicle of Gnosis.
September 13: Origins of the Gnostic Tradition. Transcendental and temporal origins, including brief accounts of the greatest early Gnostic teachers and their teachings.
September 20: Gnostic Mysteries. The Gnostic sacraments and their ecstatic origins. The greater Mysteries of the Redemption and the Bride Chamber. Gnostic Mysteries today.
September 27: The Mandaeans; the oldest living Gnostic Religion. New information about the oldest Gnostic religion that survived in unbroken line to this time.
August 2002: Apocalypse and Armageddon: The "Left Behind" Factor
August 2: The Doomsday Syndrome. End-time scenarios past and present.
August 9: The So-called Rapture and Its Advocacy Today. Are we about to depart earth?
August 23: Prophecies of the Eternal Feminine. Marianic prophecies for the 21st Century.
August 30: Timeless Gnosis Against Doomsday Prophecy. Spiritual liberation against physical apocalypse.
July 2002: Tarot Divination
Twenty-seven years ago Dr. Hoeller's book, The Royal Road, dealing with the subject of the Tarot, was published. The late Dr. Israel Regardie called this work "the best basic treatise on pathwork with the aid of the Tarot." Now, Dr. Hoeller revisits the subject of the Tarot, continuing the series of last month with an exploration of the techniques of Tarot Divination
July 5: The Philosophy and Psychology of Divination. How divination differs from fortune telling. Jung's Synchronicity theory and related theories that advance divination.
July 12: The Celtic Cross Tarot Spread. The most popular of Tarot divinatory spreads explained and demonstrated in practice.
July 19: The Tree of Life Tarot Spread. The most archetypal of all Tarot spreads, often used as a "life reading" given only once in a lifetime.
July 26: Brief Tarot Spreads and Tarot and Kabbalah. Short readings given for specific projects and occasions. These spreads may easily be given for the reader by himself or herself.
June 2002: The Tarot--A Gnostic Approach
Twenty-seven years ago Dr. Hoeller's book, The Royal Road, dealing with the subject of the Tarot, was published. The late Dr. Israel Regardie called this work "the best basic treatise on pathwork with the aid of the Tarot." Now, Dr. Hoeller revisits the subject of the Tarot, with the inclusion of additional material from the French esoteric tradition exemplified by Eliphas Levi, Papus and Mouni Sadhu.
June 7: The Tarot Mandala. Esoteric secrets revealed in the nature and structure of the Tarot deck.
June 14: Among the Archetypal Powers. Insights into the world of the Major Arcana.
June 21: Guidance from the Soul. How to understand the Minor Arcana.
May 2002: Alchemy, The Yoga of the Gnostics
May 10: From Gnostic Religion to Alchemy. Alchemy as disguised Gnosticism.
May 17: The Alchemical Sophia. Liberation of Wisdom in the “Aurora Consurgens”.
May 24: C.G. Jung as Gnostic Alchemist. Alchemy and Individuation.
May 31: The Alchemy of Entheogens. Huxley, Heard, Wasson as physical Alchemists.April 2002: Freedom and Gnosis
April 19: The Psychology of Liberation. Freedom from internal disunity.
April 26: External Freedom and Internal Gnosis. The Gnostic need for a free country.March 2002: The Return of "Good" and "Evil"
Since the attack of 9-11 the concept of "Good" and even more, of "Evil" have staged a comeback in public life. Such terms as "evil", "evil doers" and "axis of evil" have been freely and prominently used. What is the Gnostic position regarding such issues? Moreover, how do the great spiritual traditions explain the nature of "Good" and the origin of "Evil"? Are these concepts metaphysical, moral or psychological in nature?
March 1: The Origin and Nature of Good and Evil. What do spiritual traditions say about the origin of these two natures?
March 8: Good, Evil and the World. Is there good in an evil world and evil in a good world?
March 22: Gnostic Guidelines to Live By. Avoiding evil and seeking good.February 2002: Fundamentalism or Gnosis?
The choice of our age between literal belief systems and mystical self-knowledge. The acute problem with Islam as paradigm for similar, although less dramatic developments in other traditions, particularly the Christian. These lectures are a continuation of the two lectures on this topic in January.
February 1: The Shadow of Monotheism and Its Antidote. The mystical struggle against an oppressive God Image.
February 8: Mystical Imagination against Fundamentalism. Neo-Platonic and Sufi realizations and their enlightening power.
February 15: Islamic and Jewish Kabbalah: The Gnostic Twins. The underlying brotherhood of Moslem and Jewish mysticism.
February 22: Christian Fundamentalism: The Homegrown Menace. Is the so-called Christian Right our own al Qaeda?January 2002: Understanding Islam
Recent events have focused Western attention on Islam. In the lectures this month we will seek an increased understanding of Islam, inquiring into the fateful religious enigma of our age.
January 11: Dr. Hoeller's Annual Tarot Forecast.
January 18: Light and Shadow in Islam. The conflict of timeless Divinity and changing times.January 25: Vision, Book and Sword in Islam. Mysticism, doctrine and militancy.
Lectures from Previous Years
Click here to view the listing of the lectures given at The Gnostic Society from 1996 through 2001.