Zero Equals Two is a blog on magical news and culture sponsored by U.S. Grand Lodge, O.T.O. A diverse collective of contributors comb the worlds of magick, art, science, history, philosophy, and more every day for articles and events of interest to Thelemites and other modern free-thinkers and explorers, collecting them on this blog for your enjoyment.
Recent posts
- Earliest Evidence of Hekate Worship Discovered
2019/05/24Early last year, Italian archaeologists found the oldest evidence of worship of the Titan Hecate, at the site of 5th century BCE Greek settlement in Sicily according to Italian news outlet, Ansa:
“‘They have detected the oldest ever evidence in the Greek world of the cult of Hekate, a pre-IndoEuropean god taken up by the Greeks who reigned over the evil demons, the night and the moon,’ said Selinunte Archaeological park Director Enrico Caruso.”
Read the entire item: http://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/arts/2018/01/16/oldest-ever-trace-of-hekate-cult-found-2_fadc3aa0-c134-4ccd-815f-16eb1895f54d.html.
So, yeah, this isn’t breaking news — but I thought I’d share anyway.
Hekate, statuetta in terracotta della triplice Hecate, la più antica rappresentazione
Ufficio Stampa AIGeo - Crowley Brain on Drugs
2019/05/23Vice U.S. recently reposted an interview w Michael Jay, author of Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic. They discuss the history of humanity’s use of mescaline through the ages that touches on it’s utilization by the Prophet of the Lovely Star. check it out:
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/8xz8m3/history-of-mescaline-mike-jay.
- Positive Reviews for Thelema Merlot
2019/05/23Be goodly therefore: dress ye all in fine apparel; eat rich foods and drink sweet wines and wines that foam!
A review on Wine.mag.co.za (“Everything to do with SA fine wine”), Thelema Merlot 2016 rates a 91/100. Writer Christian Eedes says, “The drought-affected 2016 vintage was one to test the mettle of producers and it seems that the winemaking team at Thelema handled it with aplomb when it comes to the standard-label Merlot.”
Winemaker says, “The wine shows bright, red fruit and hints of spice on the nose, with concentrated flavours on the palate and soft, polished tannins. Hints of dark chocolate complete this wonderfully balanced wine.”
The bottle is priced at 190R, which is a little over $13 US.
- Video Review of The Testament of Cyprian The Mage
2019/05/23Denis Poisson has posted his review of The Testament of Cyprian The Mage by Jake Stratton-Kent published by Scarlet Imprint
Scarlet Imprint’s site describes the tome thusly:
The Testament of Cyprian the Mage is the third work in the Encyclopædia Goetica series by Jake Stratton-Kent, comprehending The Book of Saint Cyprian and his Magical Elements and an elucidation of The Testament of Solomon. The Testament of Cyprian the Mage is a two volume work of approximately 600 pages endowed with charts, tables, seals etc. and punctuated by specially commissioned pen and ink illustrations by Oliver Liebeskind. Lavishly bound and printed in red and black ink throughout, this is a work of enduring importance and a resource to accompany your ongoing study. This is the final work in Stratton-Kent’s acclaimed Encyclopædia Goetica series which began with The True Grimoire, a working reconstruction of the Grimorium Verum, and was followed by the monumental two volume Geosophia: The Argo of Magic which explored the necromantic Greek origins of Goetia. The Testament of Cyprian the Mage is a fitting climax to this endeavour which has placed the author at the forefront of modern magic with a body of work that is both scholarly and aimed at practical application. All are standalone texts though benefit from being read as aspects of a single thesis: the importance of Goetia as the oldest continuous tradition of Western magic.
‘Goetic Magic … if properly understood would regenerate Western magic and underline its immense cultural significance, on a level equal to any spiritual tradition in the world.’ -JSK
This understanding is clearly given in two volumes of lucid and fascinating exegesis with clear extracts from all the necessary works.
The Testament of Cyprian the Mage is an ambitious and far-seeing work, addressing two ends of the magical spectrum: the Testament of Solomon and one version of the Iberian Book of Saint Cyprian. In doing so, key aspects of magical practice are revealed. This work draws upon these texts to create a clear understanding of the practice of grimoire magic, not as a discrete or degenerate subset of ceremonial magic, but one which is integrated with folk magic and witchcraft. In particular we discover a shared dramatis personæ, the infernal pact and a common terrain of Wild Hunt and Sabbat.
Within the text we encounter the Chiefs, Kings and Queens of the grimoire tradition; the magical role of the Decans and their stones and plants; lunar magic and magical animals; the gods of Time; the Sibyl and the Hygromanteia; Asmodeus and Oriens; Angelology, Theurgy, Conjunction and the Pact, the Angelic Vice-regent and thwarting Angels; Asclepius, Iamblichus and Neo-Platonism; Paracelsus and the Elemental Spirits; Necromancy, and the principles of spell work.
‘A primary purpose of this book is to explore the implicit mythology of grimoire spirits and the contexts from which it derives.’ – JSK
It does far more. This is a fundamental revisioning of magic with profound implications for the magical revival which we are all engaged in.
You can purchase a copy here: https://scarletimprint.com/publications/testament-of-cyprian-the-mage.
- Hadean Press Publishes Erzulie of the Deep
2019/05/22The UK’s Hadean Press recently published a new title Erzulie of the Deep by Sean Woodward. The publisher’s site says:
“Hadean Press is very pleased to announce the release of Erzulie of the Deep by Sean Woodward, our latest in the Guides to the Underworld series of pamphlets for the discerning reader.
“Erzulie is a central figure in exoteric and esoteric voodoo. Discover an aspect of her that traverses the waters of the deep and the cosmos to stand before the Voudon Gnostic practitioner. In this devotional work Sean Woodward, author of Keys to the Hoodoo Kingdom and The Grimoire of ZAL shares insights, invocations and intimations of Erzulie of the Deep.
“This publication came about when I saw the Erzulie painting which graces the cover the pamphlet. I asked Sean if he would care to write something to go along with the painting, and he very kindly agreed. I’ve admired Sean Woodward’s work for some time but this piece spoke to me like no other and I immediately knew I’d also have to bind it.
“In other news, I must beg your patience with me during the next few weeks as the Magickal Women Conference takes over my life. I will do my best to stay on top of things, and of course orders will go out as usual, but I am very behind in answering emails and I’ve not yet written our Spring update. Bear with me as I attempt to restore order to this chaos. Much love to you all and gratitude for your support of Hadean Press. ”
Their FB page also says: “… we release this title in two editions, both as a Guide to the Underworld and as a limited altar edition.”
https://www.hadeanpress.com/news/2019/5/9/erzulie-of-the-deep-by-sean-woodward.
