The Canticles of Lent
Our successful retreat at Oxwick, completing Sef’s two-year journey
As a rule, I tend to write somewhat removed from this blog, preferring to describe what TVC is up to as an organisation rather than my personal journey - but it cannot be denied that the two are deeply tied together. Perhaps then you will indulge me for a span as I discuss the journey over the last two years to reconstitute and reconsecrate The Visible College.
Time Orbits are a Funny Thing
As a young sorcerer, I recall reading about 'time orbits', a measurement of time based not around the societal calendar but bespoke to your operation. Working with the Moon? 4 weeks would be one measurement, or the fortnight of the waxing period. Working with the seasons? Perhaps your six-ish weeks between the Equinox and Beltane as you move towards summer, the rising of the sap, and so on.
Despite operating from the Grimoire of Armadel for over twenty years now, an explicitly Rosicrucian text, I had seldom paid attention to the Christian calendar until my good friend and occasional colleague Dr. Cavan McLaughlin started his annual Black Fast seven years ago. For those who aren't aware, it's one small vegan meal per day after sunset from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday, with a break on Sundays, and only bread and water once per day in Holy Week. Every year he develops superpowers and, as I've been practising various forms of fasting for years, thought I'd join him in a less hardcore fashion. I vowed to forswear alcohol and carbs, going keto for Lent, and see how it affected my my work.
Easter of course is based on calendrical hopscotch, being the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring Equinox so it follows Passover, itself based on the Jewish lunar calendar. Lent is therefore just under seven weeks (and unlike much of the world I did not skip the Sundays, so had a small break on Palm Sunday, as to my mind there was no Uber Eats in the days when Jesus* was in the desert) which was fascinating to me given my Operations of the Abyss which I've written about elsewhere - in short I performed a seven week devotional Babalon operation in 2023 following in the footsteps of Jack Parsons after reading The Two Antichrists, at the end of which I was in the perfect place to take the Oath of the Abyss. Believing the operation complete, I was stunned when something weird continued to happen every seven weeks thereafter, which I named my Abyssiversary and keep an eye on to this day.
This operation however was also in parallel with the Easter calendar, as I started it the Tuesday before Good Friday of that year and over the Easter weekend had two critically important magical meetings which steered the course of events thereafter. Firstly to decide that leaning into my devotional practice to Babalon was the way through a time of trial, and the next day strategizing how The Visible College could be reborn and the steps along the way. In essence, these were two distinct but parallel magical oaths, and they appear to have had their own time orbits.
Pacting in Parallel
It is fair to say my life has undergone seismic shifts in the last two years, the tectonic plates of my spiritual journey and "real life" intersecting to create all manner of supernatural phenomena.
Alan Chapman delivering the keynote at last year's Symposium
Continuing the Thelemic theme, when Mogg Morgan of Mandrake Press approached me to help facilitate and organise the renewed International Thelemic Symposium leading to its successful relaunch last September, this felt like both the reward of the work and promise of further bonds to come. I felt that with the completion of that event, my personal oath to Babalon was fulfilled, and renewed for ongoing events. Now as all tickets are live for our full 2025 e.v. line-up, I can honestly say the circuit remains connected and strong to that Thelemic current, and despite scheduling issues and date changes we have Thelemic practitioners at the heart of the event in Peter Grey and Alkistis Dimech delivering our keynote workshop - 'BABALON: The Voice and Body of Prophecy'. It's important that an explicitly Thelemic event has a direct connection to that current and I'm very pleased they were able to step in and offer something on Liber 49, which is dear to my heart and practice.
On the other hand, back in 2016 James North and I began the process of establishing TVC as a C.I.C. founded on Hermetic principles, and while we did not complete this work at the time it was accomplished last year with two other Directors to whom I am continually grateful. Being invited back on to the committee of the Glastonbury Occult Conference (which has now revealed its first speakers for next year!) was personally healing and I feel grateful to be able to serve this wonderful event again, and I believe this year's was the most successful showing yet. Not only has TVC been working hard in the background to support other events, but this year we have accomplished our greatest achievement - the successful first retreat at Oxwick with David Rankine, teaching a Grimoire Conjuration Masterclass to a group of practitioners at all levels of experience. The feedback has been wonderful and if you'll allow me I'll share a few quotes below.
This event was the fulfilment of that original oath and it's renewal in 2023, a spiritual retreat centre able to offer the best of modern occultism to all without prejudice against any sane path, facilitated by my relationship with my wonderful fiancée whom six years ago I never imagined would lead to the realisation of my lifelong dream of running an esoteric business venture. I'm privileged to count David as a good friend and we spent much of the hours in the car discussing magical paths and unexpected changes in our real-lives as a result of the work, and he pointed out that as perfectionists we tend to focus on any minor blips and ignore the overall successes; to pull off a weekend retreat from a standing start is pretty huge. Two years feels like a long time while you're in it, but looking back I can see how much was accomplished during that time.
Leaning into Lent
Coming back to the point, I should discuss the events of Lent itself. As ever, the Universe couldn't pass up an opportunity to throw a crisis at me, and so two weeks into the fast one of the biggest crises of my professional career came to a head - my fixed-term contract (which has allowed me to set my own hours and spend so much time and effort running around the country - nay continent! - for esoteric adventures) was coming to an end. Despite trying to seek clarity since November, I was given four weeks’ notice that the employer would not be renewing the contract, and so without recourse to many of my usual coping strategies - pizza and whisky - I had to really focus on dealing with the events at hand instead of comfort-eating my way through it. I knuckled down on my daily practice, along with firing out my CV in every imaginable direction, and it was while meditating that a friend who was in a similar boat said “you know they’re making you redundant, right?” and so, with the help of my Union, a sizeable payout was agreed as they had entirely failed to follow employment law. Once again, the Universe seems to be looking out for me.
Sef with Dr. Halo on the Isle of Wight
During this time we went off to the Isle of Wight for an adventure with Dr. Bob Plimer of Black Lodge Publishing at the second Conference of Magick, Art, and Alchemy, where we ran an information stall for TVC and supported Co-Founder of Star Club Dr. Halo Quin as they gave a talk on ‘The Enchantment of Air’, on the power of words (holding a Doctorate in Phenomenology as they do!) in our ritual practice. The passion and professionalism Bob and Elaine show at both these large complex events and the more intimate Phoenix Club days is unparalleled and demonstrates a lifetime of learning and teaching.
Another Star Club Cycle commenced the following weekend, with our new Practitioners setting their intentions and affirmations for the eight-month course, and delving into the Framework I developed in 2014-16 and fleshed out with Halo in 2019 when we developed it into a training course. Our fifth iteration underway, now with Graduates learning how to teach the material, gives me a modicum of pride that we have, as Bob commented, formed a modern magical order. One of whom, precocious and creative, created an entire short film in two days at Oxwick as a result of manifesting his Cycle’s intentions, and I had a great time as occult producer teaching extras how to chant latin for maximum effect - look out for the video when it’s made available!
Behind the Scenes of 'Summoning' filmed at Oxwick produced by TVC
The esoteric significance of these trials and adventures was reinforced by my fasting, from eschewing comfort-pizza to abstaining from wine at an occult conference, challenging my normal social interactions and making me think about how others who abstain in one form and another fare in these situations. Every refusal reaffirmed my oath, and on one occasion at a social event with my partner I held her drink as she popped to fix her make up, and accidentally had a sip of wine by accident - I immediately coughed and had to spit it out, as swallowing clearly wasn’t an option! These small changes become stark when set against our everyday behaviour, and it increased my mindfulness of my practice throughout.
A Manifest, Visible College
And so we come to David’s retreat at Oxwick, perfectly scheduled (intentionally, honest) over the Full Moon in Aries during Lent, Palm Sunday weekend, with David returning to Britain for his only in-person training here this year - not that I’m calling Seville a desert! There’s so much to say I scarcely know where to begin, so I’ll try to stick to my experience.
On the Friday I started early and drove to Stansted, was bamboozled by the car parks, and retrieved our international Sorcerer Supreme. Thanks to the M25, we made it back with half an hour to spare and had our initial meet-and-greet with most of the participants. Oxwick is truly special, being both rural and comfortable, and the space came together wonderfully. I’m grateful to all those who were happy to feature in photos, so I can show you what a great time was had.
What followed were two days of incredibly in-depth tutorial on all aspects of using the grimoire tradition for conjuring spirits of all shapes and sized. David’s breadth of knowledge and experience shone through with engaging diversions and war-stories, and a good smattering of practical work. On Sunday we created and consecrated Shekinah Oil in the hour of the Sun, and wound our way through the entire Conjuration procedure from first principles through to the apprehension of the spirit, giving each participant the opportunity to take one of the roles as we walked through each action in turn. While we were not actively seeking to conjure Naquiel, the spirit turned up in full force - in fact my feeling during my spot as scryer was that as our group was arrayed around the Circle observing our actions, so through the crystal ball an entire choir of angels was packed into an old medical college-esque venue watching us in turn! I was called in to give a prayer to Saint Michael, my patron, and did my very best to only blow the doors of perception off.
I think it’s best if I let the participants speak for themselves, so you can see another perspective; these are all real responses from feedback forms, and show David’s wealth of experience teaching and practising, as well as how well the team here at TVC put on the event.
The setting, in the presence of David and the other attendees was a beautiful way to explore David's vast experience of working with conjuration and the grimoires. I left feeling that I had learned from a world expert in a very gentle, personal and helpful way. David is passionate about his subject and gave his knowledge freely and kindly. No question went unanswered and the experience of connecting with this stream of work will not be forgotten and will be applied. The range and depth of content was incredible. David's energy and capacity to deliver around 20 hrs of material in a weekend, whilst still remaining fresh and engaging made this a truly special event!
— Michael B.
David delivered the material from a position of authority. Clear instruction, endorsed by examples of experience. I very much enjoyed the integrity shown also in not breaking any confidence of names of shared experiences. Practical application of "how to", and practical exercises we all undertook were exemplary. The weekend was thorough, well fed, managed and delivered. The unplanned bonus being the wonderful mix of people that attended.
— Garry J.
I loved [the event]! I feel like I have learnt so much from David and also the other people attending the course. The whole weekend had a real intensity and energy to it which was palpable. I would love it if there was a follow up event to attend as well!
— Corinna B.
The relaxed and informal way the event progressed and the very high quality of the information presented was superb. Absolute top class. This was the first event of any description I have attended in connection to this subject. Unfortunately I think it may have spoiled me; any other event I go to will have a hard act to follow!
— Brian A.
I’m very grateful to all who have given us feedback, in all our participants rated the course content and provision of services at 96.5% quality. That’s a pretty good benchmark! For those who couldn’t make it, fear not - David’s forthcoming title Claves Spirituum from Hadean Press will include the technique, but not the anecdotes unfortunately; I’m lucky enough to have seen a draft copy in advance of the retreat, and it is a game-changer for those of us who work with these manuals and spirits. Until its release, you can learn from David through the online Claves Intelligentiarum course through Hadean.
Times Ahead
With these major milestones completed, and as we prepare for our next retreat in September, with Dave Lee and Coral Carte teaching Body, Breath & Gnosis in their inimitable style and the next International Thelemic Symposium, I’m grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and surprises over the last two years, and especially for the support of friends, colleagues, and partners over the intensity of Lent.
Star Club is running for the rest of the year, with a regular Moot in South Bristol, and I’ve just heard an esoteric recovery group has applied to be listed on the A.A. website (not that one) at Oxwick. I’d list everything I’m up, but you can find it all here at the events page, and I’m due in Bristol to tell people about Planetary Angels this evening! So for now, have a wonderful Beltane and enjoy the Sun as it waxes its way to the Solstice, and I look forward to whatever the Universe has to throw at me next.
In LVX,
-Sef Salem
* Historical existence or otherwise of Jesus is outwith this discussion.