A Brief Biography
of Frater Thabion.
Carroll “Poke”
Runyon describes himself as a “Gentleman of the Old School” which
he defines as: “One who recites classical poetry to heartless beauties
while wrestling alligators.” He has lived out his Neo-Romantic philosophy
as a Captain in the Green Berets, a student of Ninjutsu, a blue-water
sailor, scuba diver, and a ceremonial magician. 
His background
in occult study and practice is extensive: in 1970, following a
near-death experience, and a mystic vision, he became the founder
of The Ordo Templi Astartes (O.T.A.). which is now America’s oldest
continually operating Ritual magick Lodge. In 1980 Runyon received
his Master’s Degree in cultural anthropology from California State
University at Northridge, specializing in Magick. After graduate
school he went through all the degrees of Freemasonry in both the
Scottish and York Rites.
He then undertook
an intense series of Tibetan tantric initiations and training sessions
under the direction of H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche of The Sakya Order,
mastering the Vajra Yogini (Goddess of the Sorcerers) system. Runyon
later received the Kalachakra initiation from H.H. The Dalai Lama.
Carroll Runyon
has served as an officer in three active Golden Dawn temples. His
articles on Magick and the Western Tradition have appeared in Gnostica
magazine, and his Order’s journal The Seventh Ray. His most noted
contribution to the post W.W. II occult revival has been his rediscovery,
and subsequent development, of the facial reflection/distortion
dark mirror scrying method for magical evocation. In 1974 he appeared
as a guest on Tom Snyder’s network television Tomorrow Show narrating
film footage of O.T.A. magical operations. In 1996, through his
Church (The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Inc.) Runyon wrote,
produced and narrated a 75 minute video documentary entitled: The
Magick of Solomon, and also authored its companion book The Book
of Solomon’s Magick.
He is also the
author of Secrets of the Golden Dawn Cypher Manuscript and Seasonal
Rites of Baal and Astarte while acting as editor of The Seventh
Ray.
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