"The Magic of Books" Monthly Lecture Series with William Kiesel

"The Magic of Books" Monthly lecture series with William Kiesel

Presented by PRS and Ouroboros Press

In the PRS LIBRARY!

“Without books, there is no memory, and without memory, a culture cannot exist.” - Fernando Báez

Join William Kiesel for a series of engaging talks on books and book culture surrounding the wisdom traditions housed in the PRS Library. Books are vessels of coagulated thought, distilled and filtered through the minds of authors, artists and adepts. Understanding the technology of the book and the laboratory of the library grants the seeker access to the esoteric secrets that can aid them on their journey of discovery. Presented in the peaceful environs of the PRS Library, William uses some of the bibilographic treasures of the library to illustrate multi-disciplined topics aimed at bringing deeper awareness into these important literary tools which have preserved the ageless wisdom for centuries.

Thursday, October 9th

7pm-8:30pm

Magic Circles in the Grimoires

In this talk William will present and explain the structures and use of Magic Circles found in traditional books of magic called Grimoires. This archetypal tool of the magician was employed as protection and used in the evocation of spirits for the attainment of knowledge, treasure or the creation of sacred space. Ubiquitous in magical texts and appearing in modern film and media, the magic circle plays a significant role in the ideas of time and space surrounding the interplay between Heaven, Earth and the Underworld.

Thursday, November 13

7pm-8:30pm

Sigils, Seals and Magic Script

What are those magic diagrams found in books of magic? What is the difference between a sign, a seal or a sigil? William Kiesel explains these distinctions and shows how sigils were traditionally made and used in ritual magic. Sigils as applied to amulets, talismans and magical alphabets are discussed in this intriguing esoteric practice found in old books of magic and contemporary esoteric texts.

Thursday, December 11

7pm-8:30pm

John Dee's Enochian Angel Magic

John Dee was a scholar in the latter part of the 16th century bent on learning as much as he could about all subjects. Although he possessed the largest private library in Europe, observed astronomical phenomena and worked in alchemical laboratories, Dee's search for the secrets of knowledge also extended into the esoteric world. In this pursuit for all knowledge Dee turned to the occult method of skrying in order to receive divine knowledge through the communication with Angels. These spiritual operations offered up apocalyptic visions and the emergence of a unique language known as Enochian. In this talk, William Kiesel will share some history behind this important occult personality and discuss the implications of the magical Enochian system which was derived from Dee's adventures.

William Kiesel has walked the path of esotericism for over 30 years. His practical experience and historical knowledge of occult literature and culture draws from such diverse disciplines as Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Qabalah, Thelema, Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, and Ceremonial Magic. With his decades as an antiquarian bookseller, his training in letterpress printing and bookbinding, Kiesel brings his love of books and scholarship together as publisher at Ouroboros Press. He is also faculty at 22 Teachings School of Hermetic Science and Magical Arts. www.bookarts.org

Ticket price: $22 (in person event only)

Please email events@prs.org or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

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