The Oxford Golden Dawn Occult Society and The Visible College present
The International Thelemic Symposium
Saturday September 12th, 2026 e.v.
at The Old Fire Station, Oxford
Keynote Address
“I’m not Saying it was Aliens…
but it was Alien[ated Agency]”:
Occultural Studies, Other-Than-Human Encounter, and the Co-Production of Knowledge
Keynote SpeakerDr. Cavan McLaughlin
Senior Lecturer in Culture, Media and Creative Industries at the University of the West of England (UWE), a filmmaker, artist, and creative media practitioner. Cavan will deliver the keynote lecture for the Symposium.
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Avinash Lagoo
Lecture
The Beast and the Brahman: Tantra, Sound Power, and India’s Hidden Influence on Western Occultism
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Julian Vayne
Lecture
Crowley on a Cactus
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Cristina Pandolfo
Workshop
A Rose in the Desert
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Dr. Halo Quin
Workshop
Working with Babalon
with the return of
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Danny Buckler
International comedian, stage magician, and occultist who has toured the world. Following a brilliant set at the 2025 e.v. Symposium, Danny will return with more amazing anecdotes from the world of occultism and showbusiness.
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Societas Astris
The ritual team of Star Club return to offer a Mass of Babalon, a highlight of the 2024 e.v. Symposium. This accessible Eucharist allows connection and experience of the Thelemic current and will close the event.
The International Thelemic Symposium will return in 2026 e.v. bringing the best of both previous iterations; intensive workshops open to all, thought-provoking lectures at the cutting edge of occult thinking, and a ritual celebration of the Goddess Babalon.
Returning attendees will find more stalls, fantastic fellowship, and exciting new ways to understand and develop their practice.
The Symposium was founded in Oxford in the 1980s and our new home at the Old Fire Station provides ample space, an in-house cafe, and is right on the bus stop for the Peartree Park & Ride.
Now the full schedule is released you’re able to buy single tickets for individual lecture or workshop blocs.
There’s something for everyone no matter your path or Tradition, and we look forward to seeing you for the Autumn Equinox in 2026 e.v.
Theory
Our packed schedule will include four lectures and a group Q&A session, giving you ample time to learn from our speakers on topics from the Vedic roots of Thelema to Occultural research.
You can attend all with a Full Ticket, or pick from morning or afternoon sessions to suit your schedule once released.
Practice
Intensive workshops will give in-depth, hands-on experience of Thelemic magical techniques and how to improve your practice. Our workshops are 90 minutes to give you the fullest immersive experience.
Learn about the Witchcraft or to embody your Will as part of the full day, or you can pick up a single ticket here.
Performance
The Symposium will conclude with a performance of a revamped Mass of Babalon by the ritual team of Societas Astris. This Eucharistic ritual will allow you to commune with the Goddess at the climax of our event.
Previously performed here in 2024 e.v. and then taken international by its appearance at the Occulture Retreat in Italy that October, this well-honed ritual is suitable for 11 people or 156.
Come and join us!
Schedule & Full Information
Doors at The Old Fire Station open from 9am, when the team will be ready to greet you and you can pick up wristbands (and coffee!)
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I’m not Saying it was Aliens… but it was Alien[ated Agency]: Occultural Studies, Other-Than-Human Encounter, and the Co-Production of Knowledge
Dr Cavan McLaughlin delivers insights from his years of practice which informed his recent PhD in Occultural Production. Further details to follow.
Cavan is a Senior Lecturer in Culture, Media and Creative Industries at the University of the West of England (UWE), a filmmaker, artist, and creative media practitioner.
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Tantra, Sound Power, and India’s Hidden Influence on Western Occultism
Avinash Lagoo brings the history of Vedic practice to illuminate their influence on Crowley in the development of Thelema and the Western Mystery Tradition. Full information to follow.
Avi is an Ayurvedic practitioner and Vice-President of the Glasgow Theosophical Society, who has presented lectures and workshops across Europe and India. Avi is trained in nutrition, lifestyle, and a range of therapies.
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Half hour for coffee and stalls!
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Dr Halo Quin draws from their forthcoming book on Babalon to introduce you to practical techniques of connection with yourself and the Goddess. Full information to follow.
Halo is Co-founder of Star Club, training multi-disciplinary magicians in the UK, and the HeadWitch of pagan school The Enchanted Academy (TEA). Their books focus on practical, accessible magic, and include ‘Gods and Goddesses of Wales’, and ‘Crimson Craft - sexual magic for the solo witch’.
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An hour to find food at the fabulous market behind the Old Fire Station, peruse stalls, and make friends with your fellow guests.
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During this workshop, inspired by the magical life of Marjorie Cameron, aided by the Spirit of the Rose of Sharon, and the creation frequency of the Aramaic–Hebrew letter Shin, we will journey to meet and reconnect with our inner outcast, to find healing and reintegrating lost power.
Cristina (Astrum Lucifera) is a solopreneur and creatrix of the esoteric herbal apothecary "In Lumine Lunae", as well as the founder of the Dianic spiritual organization "Templum Dianae" and the occult female society "The Ladies from Outside". She has been initiated into the Dianic Tradition and officially ordained as Dianic Priestess by the Temple of Diana (Los Angeles, CA). Cristina is also a claircognizant offering spiritual guidance and teaching, a certified myrrhophore, esoteric herbalist and ritual perfumer, as well as a certified Plant Spirit Healing practitioner and a member of the British Flower Essence Producers (BAFEP).
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Another half hour to pick up those deals you’ve been thinking about in our trader and media area.
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Full information to follow.
Danny is an international comedian, stage magician, and occultist who has toured the world. Following a brilliant set at the 2025 e.v. Symposium, Danny will return with more amazing anecdotes from the world of occultism and showbusiness.
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Julian Vayne explores Aleister Crowley’s experimental use of mescaline and peyote in early twentieth-century occult practice. He examines Crowley's deployment of this ancient psychedelic in both public rituals and private ceremonial workings.
Julian has spent over forty years immersed in magic, meditation, and entheogenic ceremony. A leading voice in contemporary occultism and co-organiser of Breaking Convention, Julian bridges deep tradition with modern psychedelic culture. He is a longstanding member of The Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros, AMOOKOS and both Alexandrian and Gardnerian lineages of Wicca. Julian teaches internationally, mentors practitioners, and leads ceremony informed by chaos magic, tantra, and earth based spirituality. He is the author of numerous books, essays, and journals. His work invites curiosity, creativity, and grounded exploration, offering a blend of scholarship, lived experience, and visionary insight.
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Join our wonderful speakers to answer any burning questions you might have been holding from their lectures and workshops while we whip around the theatre with microphones and pizzazz.
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The ritual team of Star Club return to offer a Mass of Babalon, a highlight of the 2024 e.v. Symposium. This accessible Eucharist allows connection and experience of the Thelemic current and will close the event.
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Aye, Feast! Rejoice! There is no dread hereafter!
Celebrate with the speakers until the event closes at 10pm, with music and bar serving favourites both.
There may even be an after-party…
About OGDOS & TVC
The International Thelemic Symposium was first organised by the Oxford Golden Dawn Occult Society (OGDOS) in the 1980s and ran for several years, attracting speakers from across the world regardless of their area of practice or membership of any particular groups. With the renaissance in in-person events and conferences, the need arose for the Symposium to return to its home in Oxford.
The Visible College (TVC) is a not-for-profit organisation based in the South West of England, working to create a permanent home for alternative education and esoteric art and workshops in an 18th Century estate. Specialising in conferences and events, TVC was invited to collaborate on the reimagined Symposium you see before you since ‘24 e.v.
This year’s International Thelemic Symposium has been sponsored by Star Club and Mandrake of Oxford, whose leaders will be appearing at the event. Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring future events!
