4.0 PERSONAL BACKGROUND IN THE OCCULT SCIENCES

      Over the last fifteen years I have conducted research in the area of the Occult Sciences, and find it to be a very fruitful area of investigation. Pursuing a career in physics, mathematics, bionics, pattern recognition, and adaptive mechanisms (see Appendix A: Letter of Reference and Block III: The Technical Report (Itself), Appendix A: Resume of Fred E. Howard III) led me to investigate the symbolical philosophy of several systems of Occult knowledge. I originally focused on the writings of Carl Jung, and went from there into Magick itself, being particularly influenced by the works of Aleister Crowley. I feel that Aleister Crowley is to the Occult Sciences what Albert Einstein is to physics. I do not by any chance mean to suggest by this that I agree with all of Aleister Crowley's theories or condone all of his behavior. Without a doubt, however, whatever else he may have been, Crowley was a phenomenal genius who made a greater contribution to the Occult Sciences than any other individual in the history of mankind.

      I have acquired a good knowledge base of history, comparative religion, comparative mythology, philosophy, psychology, and the Occult Sciences. I have studied, practiced, and taught the Occult Sciences for an extended period of time. In January of 1977 an artist and I developed a set of course curricula in the Occult Sciences and submitted them to the Academic Council of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. They were rejected by the Academic Council. Three out of five votes by council members were required for acceptance. We received only two votes. These curricula were designed for a general classroom structure. The idea was to bring art and science together, which is one of the primary objectives of the Occult Sciences. These curricula are as scholarly and more interdisciplinary than any curriculum offered by Antioch (see Appendix B, Course Curricula in the Occult Sciences Offered to Antioch College).

      Subsequent to the rejection of the proposal to Antioch, I established a school of the Occult Sciences called The House of Thoth (see Appendix C, Advertisement for The House of Thoth). Over the last nine years I have instructed a number of students in the Occult Sciences, and I am happy to report that a few of them have done very well.

      Most organizations which deal with so called Spiritual or Occult matters will claim that The House of Thoth teaches the worship of evil, or Satan, or the Devil, or Lucifer, etc.. Nothing could be further from-the truth. The House of Thoth teaches about the reality of the depths of the human mind. The House of Thoth teaches the worship of nothing except knowledge. We swear allegiance to no demons. We make demons swear allegiance to us exactly in the same sense that a wild horse may be tamed. Christ said, "get thee behind me, Satan". He knew that Satan was a valid form of existence, a wild force to be tamed and directed according to His will.

      Make no mistake about it, delving into the Occult without proper guidance can be very dangerous. The House of Thoth provides instruction for those who seek a safe and successful journey through the caverns of the collective unconscious. Each individual person requires a different approach to the Occult. Some students advance very rapidly into ceremonial and talismanic Magick proper while others require a long period of study and meditation before becoming involved with direct encounters with the Gods of the Underworld. Some students require a very restricted dietary regime when involved in ceremonial or talismanic Magick. Almost all students require a low level consumption of meat and sugar with a concomitant high consumption of grains, vegetables and fruits when they are directly involved with invocation or evocation rituals. The House of Thoth has had in-depth experience helping students to develop a balanced diet individually suited to the student and his Magickal goals. All students are vigorously encouraged to completely abstain from all drugs except those recommended by physicians. Although alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are not as destructive to nerve and endocrine activity as street drugs (marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, etc.), just like all drugs they are not conducive to the operation of a smooth and economical physiological system which is required for the development of higher mental processes. No drugs, plenty of sleep and exercise, and a diet primarily vegetarian in nature is almost essential for safe and successful adventures into the practice of Magick.

      Almost any exciting adventure has an element of danger associated with it. The Occult is no exception. There are, however, very specific guidelines which can insure the safety of the Occult student. Here is an example of a specific Occult safety standard. As I began to familiarize myself with Occult literature one thing became very evident. It was going to be very difficult to find the complete and correct set of Magickal names and symbols which must be placed in the periphery of the circle of art in order to protect oneself during evocation rituals. I saw many examples of Magickal circles, but I knew they were all absolutely worthless. I finally found a book edited by Aleister Crowley which had been worked on by several members of The Order of the Golden Dawn. This book provided the only example of the circle of art with a sensible and feasible structure. I immediately knew it was the true circle of art. It is the only Magickal circle which can guarantee safety during evocation rituals.

      It is very difficult to pursue an in-depth involvement with the Occult Sciences while working a full-time job as a physicist and administering to the needs of students of The House of Thoth. I have laid a good foundation in the Occult Sciences. An extended period of Occult concentration (research and writing only, no teaching responsibilities) at this stage in my life would permit me to mature in an Occult sense to the point where I could efficiently and effectively generate comprehensive documentation on the Occult Sciences.

      Appendix E, Magical Record, presents a cursory account of my occult development during the years from 1975 to 1979. It will be very apparent from some of the statements in Appendix E that I have done some things that are fairly dangerous from a psychological standpoint. There are two reasons for this. First, I was impatient when I first began delving into the Occult Sciences. I wanted to see results. Second, I knew that to be a good teacher I would have to be firmly aware of the dangers involved in the subject I was going to teach someday. Both objectives were accomplished. I have seen results, and through experience I am well qualified to give instructions on the safe and proper way to conduct difficult and potentially dangerous operations of ritual Magick.

      I am now a very calm and patient student of the Occult. The research program that I am proposing to undertake will be cautiously and safely carried out.