2010 Esoteric Book Conference Photographic Archive

The Esoteric Book Conference is an annual two-day event featuring international publishers, scholars, and artists working in the field of Esotericism. The event was documented by Carlos Melgoza of Anima Nocturna. Click here for full set.

LVX = NOX

The LVX NOX Scrolls

Nine photographic murals were made as expressions of recently observed ritual praxis involving sacred postures in the western esoteric tradition. The form of these scrolls were the preferred means of presenting these photographs not only because they are an early form of book, but also as a reverential bow to the meditational Tankas that form the ritual equipment of Tantric Buddhism. 

The LVX NOX Signs fall into a fascinating repertoire of ritual gestures and postures, mudras and asanas found in tantric tradition, martial arts, tai chi, and dance such a butoh. In this specific case the subjects are actual butoh dancers from the Seattle troupe Danse Perdue. Sacred postures are thought of as structural conduits of subtle energy. The different ritual postures which one shapes one's body into conduct specific kinds of energy. The way forces are shaped defines how they act in manifestation. This relates to the magical gestures, the asanas, and especially the god-forms embodied in such ritual postures as the LVX NOX signs.

The combination of the light [LVX] and night [NOX] is what brings on the blacklight experience, an aspect of which entails a realization that that which is percieved to be separate is understood to be united. Thus the nine god-forms represent angles on an ouroboros-like wheel of universal force. In one form of the meditation these signs represent the totality of the universe. The totality felt through the flesh.

One Night Only

Saturday August 7

The LVX NOX Scrolls

on display at the Chapel

2010 Esoteric Book Conference

William Kiesel, Michael Kolson & Catamara Rosarium giving opening remarks.

Esoteric Book Fair

EBC table representing publishers not present at the conference.

Clint Marsh [Wonderella] greets EBC administrator William Kiesel

Browsing the many esoteric books on sale.

Tyler Davis of Ajna Bound

Charles Krafft browsing Ajna Bound

Robert Ansell of Fulgur Limited

John Coughlin [Waning Moon] viewing items at Fulgur stall.

David Beth signing copies of Voudon Gnosis

JD Holmes representing Fulgur, Xoanon, Three Hands Press, Starfire and Capell Bann

Robert [Edge of the Circle Books] purchasing stock for his shop

Orryelle signing a copy of Conjunctio

Ros, Robert and Barry Hale talk with an attendee

Leah of Elixia and David Beth

Arrowyn of Hex Magazine

Richard Kaczynski signing copies of the new edition of Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley

Michael Staley of Starfire Publishing

Sam Webster of Concrescent Press

  

 

 

Barry Hale and Amy Hale

 Presentation Hall





  

Rebecca and her charming smile greets attendees

Debra Chesnut

NOKO attending one of the presentations

Austin Coppock visiting with Stian and Tai

Joshua Madara webmaster and audio/visual technician

Orryelle

 

Caroline Wise speaking about Florence Farr

 

Art Show

In the Art Room

Joseph Uccello of Viatorium Press

Bryan Kent Ward

Orryelle and a stack of his art

Denny Sargent and Robert Carey viewing art by Carlos Melgoza

Lena Kartzov and the elemental panels she crafted for the presentation hall

Saturday Evening Entertainment

Enrique Ugalde performing as SORIAH

The audience listens to Scott introducing NOKO

Robert, Ros, Barry, Scott and Michael post NOKO set

Barry Hale talks with William Kiesel after the NOKO set

Haley and Michael enjoying the evening entertainment

Enter Master Musicians of Bukkake

Additional chamber music accompaniment . . .

Shrine of the Golden Hawk

Altar on the set of the play Shrine of the Golden Hawk [Florence Farr]

Catamara Rosarium and Michael Kolson introducing the play

Beyond the Veil   . . .

Left to right: THE KA: Haley Stats, PRIEST OF HARVESTS: Keith M. Bergeron, PRIEST OF WATERS: Damian Murphy, GEBUEL: Michael Sebastian Lux, NECTORIS: Scarlet Tai, MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT: Orryelle, DIRECTORS: Catamara Rosarium & Michael Kolson.

After Conference Socializing

Scott and Oniyeh

 

William Kiesel [Ouroboros Press], Orryelle and Soriah