Astrology of Paul Foster Case with horoscope chart, quotes, biography, and images

	Paul Foster Case
	Astro-Rayological Interpretation & Charts Quotes Biography Images and Physiognomic Interpretation to Volume 3 Table of Contents
	Paul Foster Case—Astrologer, Occultist, Founder of Builders of the Adytum October 3, 1884, Fairport, New York, 11:00 AM, EST (Source: According to LMR, Dane Rudhyar quotes him) or, alternatively, 6:00 AM, EST. (Source: Sabian Symbols) (Ascendant, Sagittarius; MC, Virgo; Sun in Libra conjunct NN; Moon in Pisces; Mercury and Uranus in Virgo widely conjuncted; Venus conjunct Jupiter in Leo; Mars in Scorpio; Saturn and Pluto in Gemini; Pluto in Taurus) Founded a school of Western Occultism, wrote much on the Tarot.
	The "One Reality is the field of its own manifestation, the vehicle of its own existence; and that One Reality is the directive principle in human beings." "We are Spirit, not only in mind but in body!" "That One sees through our eyes, hears through our ears, speaks through our lips." "Since the Life Power at work and through any given form perfectly knows itself and its powers, it also knows that even an incomplete or unperfected form is not a failure. The One Identity knows all truth because it is...and therefore knows... the beginning, middle of all creatures." "…no form is permanent, nor does any form separate a portion of the One Identity from the Whole of that Identity." "The Greater Adept recognizes the necessity for the continual transformation of the outer vehicles of the Life Power. He understands the real significance of the appearance that Man calls death. He is no longer the victim of that appearance, because he has become identified with the power that produces it. Thus, he maintains self-conscious identity through all the transformations. He has overcome death." "That same Self is at once the substance and the integrating and disintegrating power that manifests itself as our environment, beginning with that aspect of our environment that we call mind, and continuing...outward from mind, the body, and out to the most distant galaxies in the heaven."
	Paul foster Case The following background material is by Kevin Tuck or Mr. Lee Moffitt: The timeline was authored by Mr. Lee Moffitt and has been available on the Internet in various places since before 2000. Kevin Tuck scanned Mr. Moffitt’s timeline and uploaded it to www.lvx.org in or around 1998. One current location of the PDF is here: http://kcbventures.com/pfc/documents/timeline.pdf. Kevin Tuck is also the original researcher who found and published information about Dr. Case’s Masonic affiliations. (see http://www.lvx.org/archives.html) _______________________________ October 3, 1884 - March 2, 1954 Founder of the Los Angeles occult school, the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.), Paul Foster Case also wrote such books as The Book of Tokens, a collection of inspired meditations on the 22 Tarot Keys of the Major Arcana. He was initiated into the Second Order of the Thoth-Hermes Temple of the Golden Dawn (Alpha et Omega) on May 16, 1920, while in New York. Bro. Case was Initiated into Freemasonry, March 22, 1926, Passed, April 12, 1926 and Raised, June 28, 1926 in Fairport Lodge No. 476, Fairport, New York. On September 5, 1944, he affiliated with Hollenbeck Lodge No. 319 (now Norwalk Lodge No. 315 of Whittier) located at 2130 East Fifth Street, Los Angeles. He withdrew from this Lodge on June 2, 1953. Case affiliated with Eagle Rock Lodge No. 422 (now South Pasadena Lodge No. 290 of Los Angeles), located at 5016 Caspar Ave., Los Angeles, on June 2, 1953. Paul Foster Case was born in Fairport, New York. His mother was a teacher and his father was the head librarian of the town library, in which Paul Case was literally born. For a man whose thirst for hidden knowledge was unquenchable, he could not have been born into more fortunate circumstances. Paul learned to read at a very young age. By the age of four he was found pouring over "forbidden books" in the attic of his father's library. He was also found to have extraordinary musical talent at an early age, and at the age of three began training in piano and organ. At the age of nine, he was the organist at the Congregational Church in which his father was deacon. At the age of seven, Case began correspondence with Rudyard Kipling, who verified the "fourth-dimensional" experiences Case was having as being not merely imaginary, but actual states of being. At this early age, Case found that he had the ability to consciously manipulate his dreams. At sixteen, Case met the occultist Claude Bragdon, as they had both donated their talents to a charity performance. It was in this meeting that Paul Case got his first "directive". Bragdon asked Case, "Where do you think the playing cards come from?" This simple question sparked an immediate search for the origins and uses of Tarot. Within a very short period of time, Case had collected every book and every set of Tarot Keys available. He spent years researching, studying, and meditating on these archetypal iimages. Case described his experience at the time as definitely "guided" by an inner voice. In his view, the experience with Tarot had stimulated an "inner hearing", through which he was guided to the many attributes of Tarot which were published before he was 21 years old. Perhaps Eliphas Levi's statement on Tarot best summarized its influence on the young Paul Case: "As an erudite Kabalistic book... A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with unequaled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence." While in New York, Case was approached by Michael Whitty, the Praemonstrator of the Thoth-Hermes Temple of the Golden Dawn (Alpha et Omega). Whitty, having heard of Case's extensive knowledge of the Western Mystery Tradition and having read some of his published works, invited Case into the Order. Case naturally accepted the offer, and moved through the Outer Grades quickly. He was initiated into the Second Order on May 16, 1920, with the magical motto, Perseverantia. Just three weeks later, he was the Third Adept in the annual Corpus Christi ceremony. He soon became known as the most knowledgeable occultist in the New York temple, and succeeded Michael Whitty as Praemonstrator within a year of his acceptance into the Second Order. Despite Case's attainments, he did have considerable difficulty with the system of Enochian Magic. Ultimately, he concluded that the Enochian system was demonic rather than angelic. His Order, the B.O.T.A., excludes all mention of Enochian from its curriculum. Because of his quick advancement through the Grades of the Order, Case may have sparked some jealousy among the other Adepts. Moreover, others may have thought some of his teachings inappropriate. On July 18, 1921, Moina Mathers wrote Case regarding complaints she had received regarding some of his teachings. Apparently, Case had begun discussing the topic of sex magic, which at the time had no official place in the Order curriculum. Since no knowledge lectures exist on the subject, whether sex practices were ever taught in the Golden Dawn has been a long standing question. In her correspondence with Case, Moina wrote, "...I have seen the results of this superficial sex teaching in several Occult Societies as well as in individual cases. I have never met with one happy result." But to Case, sexuality became an increasingly important subject. In his Book of Tokens, a collection of inspired meditations on the 22 Tarot Keys of the Major Arcana, Case comments on the sex function, "You must wholly alter your conception of sex in order to comprehend the Ancient Wisdom... It is the interior nervous organism, not the external organs, that is always meant in phallic symbolism, and the force that works through these interior centers is the Great Magical Agent, the divine serpent fire." In his works, The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order and The Masonic Letter G, he writes of certain practices involving the redirection of the sexual force to the higher centers of the brain where experience of supersensory states of consciousness becomes possible. Some members also complained about a personal relationship between Case and a soror, Lilli Geise. Case confessed the matter to Moina: "The Hierophantria and I were observed to exchange significant glances over the altar during the Mystic Repast... My conscience acquits me... Our relation to each other we submit to no other Judge than that Lord of Love and Justice whom we all adore." In time, Case married Geise, who died a few years later. Perhaps Moina's correspondence also touched a sensitive area for Case. In her July 18th letter, she tells Case, "You evidently have reached a point in your mystical Way where there would appear to exist certain cross-roads. The artist in you, which I recognize, and with whom I deeply sympathize, would probably choose to learn the Truth through the joy and beauty of physical life." She continued, "You who have studied the Pantheons, do you know of that enchanting God, the Celtic Angus, the Ever Young? He who is sometimes called Lord of the Land of Heart's Desire?" Angus rescued Etain, the Moon, who had been turned into a golden fly. But Etain had to choose between bodily existence in the land of mortals and everlasting life. She continued still, "The artist in us may have lingered in that land for a moment. But you and I who would be teachers and pioneers in this Purgatorial World must be prepared before all the Gods to be the servants of the greatest of them all... the Osiris, the Christ, the God of the Sacrifice of the Self." Moina then asked Case to resign from his position as Praemonstrator. Case resigned as Praemonstrator, responding to Moina, "...I have no desire to be a 'teacher and pioneer in this Purgatorial World.' Guidance seems to have removed me from the high place to which I have never really aspired. The relief is great." This seems odd coming from a man who would, in a few years, abandon his artistic endeavors to start his own occult school, the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Perhaps this struggle between his artistic soul and his mystical soul pre-existed his involvement with the Order, and maybe Moina knew this. Archives at the B.O.T.A. state that on one occasion years before he joined the Order, Case was approached by a stranger on the streets of Chicago who called him by name and told him many things about himself. "Your teacher is my teacher," the man told him. He told Case that he must choose between a life of material comfort as a musician and a life of suffering and renunciation as a vitally needed teacher of the Mysteries. The former would offer him "more of this world's goods than most"; the latter, important service to mankind and eternal life, and that, "In the end, you will not starve to death." After Case was expelled from the Order, he pursued the creation of his own occult school, the School of Ageless Wisdom. This organization failed within a few years. However, he soon moved to Los Angeles, abandoning his lucrative career as a musician, and established the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Still in existence today, it has proven to be a successful correspondence course on Tarot. Geise wrote to Moina that students from other temples were flocking to hear Case speak prior to his being expelled. Mrs. Elma Dame, The Imperatrix of the Philadelphia Temple, who resigned due to the numerous problems in the Order at the time, pointed to the need for a knowledgeable teacher in America. She wrote to Moina: "When you got rid of Mr. Case, you 'killed the goose that laid the golden egg.'" Dr. Pullen Burry, a former Order member, concluded that Case was the one to bring "the light of the old R.C. [Rosicrucian] teachings" into the light of Aquarian consciousness. Case's book, The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order, stands as a classic Qabalistic interpretation of the Rosicrucian Fama Fraternitatis and Confessio. Case died easily while vacationing in Mexico with his second wife, Harriet. Fortunately, he left behind extensive writings on Tarot and Qabalah, and is considered by many to be a true "teacher and pioneer in this Purgatorial World." Paul Foster Case was born in New York. His father was a librarian which fueled his thirst for knowledge. At the age of seven, Case began corresponding with author Rudyard Kipling, who verified the "fourth-dimensional" experiences Case was having as being not merely imaginary. It was at this age that Case started to become proficient at Lucid Dreaming. While in New York, Case met Michael Whitty, the Praemonstrator of the Thoth-Hermes Temple of the Golden Dawn. Whitty heard of Case's extensive knowledge of the Western Mystery Tradition and, having read some of his works, invited Case to join the Order. Case accepted the offer, and moved through the Outer Grades very quickly. He was initiated into the Second Order in May of 1920, with the magical motto, Perseverantia. Three weeks later, he was the Third Adept in the annual Corpus Christi ceremony. Case was soon known as the most knowledgeable occultist in the temple, and succeeded Michael Whitty as Praemonstrator within a year of his acceptance into the Second Order. Jealously soon turned many against Case, and he was promptly expelled from the Order. After his expultion, Case pursued the creation of his own occult school, the School of Ageless Wisdom. This organization failed within a few years. He soon moved to Los Angeles, abandoning his career as a musician, and established the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Paul Case died while vacationing in Mexico. He left behind a great deal of writings on Tarot and Kabbalah. Despite his lofty attainments in magick, Case had much difficulty with Enochian Magic. Ultimately, he concluded that Enochiana was demonic rather than angelic in nature. His B.O.T.A. order excludes Enochian from its curriculum. They don't even mention it. Case Timeline The following is a timeline I have been collecting on Paul Foster Case. I would like to eventually put together a "proper" narrative history based on whatever sources are available. These listings may seem patchy and incomplete. But, having been a student of Case's material almost 10 years, I can only plead that the average person rarely has an opportunity to learn more about Case (and Ann Davies) than is publicly available in a brief biographical sheet. Although this timeline brings to view some items about Paul Case that have not been shared with the general public, my own experience has been that it makes him a more sympathetic person and highlights the great struggles he underwent in spreading the Light. Thanks to all who have contributed to this work. I welcome more historical information and insights. In some instances, the sources differ in details and dates. I have preserved these differences in the timelines. 1884 - October 3, 5:28 PM, in Perendor NY (now called Fairport), Paul Foster Case was born. His father was caretaker of a private library and Deacon at a Congregational church. His mother was half-Gypsy. [2] Case was a direct descendant of Miles Standish (on his Mother's side). His Father was head librarian of the town library.[1] Editor's note: Fairport is ESE of Rochester, only about 10 miles from Palmyra NY, where Joseph Smith grew up and where Smith is said to have received the revelation that became the Book Of Mormon(!) 1886 - Case demonstrated his ability to read books.[1] 1887 - Young Case was found to have musical talent, by his mother. She began training him in piano and organ.[1] 1891 - Case had been able to manipulate his dream states. He corresponded with Rudyard Kipling, who assured him of the reality of the supersensory states that Case had been experiencing.[1] Case became the organist for the Congregational church where his father was Deacon.[1] 1900 - Case played at a charity performance, where occultist Claude Bragdon was also performing. Bragdon asked Case where he thought playing cards came from. Case discovered, in his father's library, that they come from Tarot (orginally called The Game Of Man). This began Case's search into Tarot. Case started collecting books on Tarot.[1] 1905-1908 - Case undertook extensive yoga practice, including much pranayama, from various published sources. This and other circumstances of the time appear to have psychically opened him "wide open" without safeguards or protection. His psychic sensitivity became intolerable until he learned to close the psychic doors, practically by brute force![10] 1907, Summer (approx) - While in Chicago, Case read The Secret Of Mental Magic, by William W. Atkinson (aka Ramachakraka) and wrote to the author. The two met and became well-acquainted. This eventually led to their collaboration on The Kybalion (the "Three Initiates" being Case, Atkinson, and a certain Inner Voice that had been assisting Case for years.)[10] 1907 - Case had visions of himself as a rabbi in a previous life. [2] 1909-10- Case was approached on the streets of Chicago by a stranger who called him by name, and revealed Case's "most secret thoughts, hopes, and activities". The stranger told Case he came from the Master of Wisdom who was the teacher of them both. Case was at a crossroads. He could either continue with his musical career and have a life of relative ease and comfort, or dedicate himself to fully serve humanity and play a vital part in its evolution for this coming Aquarian Age. He was told that road would be hard, with much trials and sorrow. From that moment on, although Case went on to become an orchestral conductor, every spare moment went into his dedicated service.[1] The man was Dr. Fludd, a prominent Chicago physician.[10] 1916 - Case published attributions of the Tarot Keys in the magazine The Word. 1918 - Case met Michael Whitty, editor of Azoth, and Cancellarius of Thoth-Hermes Lodge of The Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega (A.'.O.'.) (S. L. MacGregor Mathers' post-Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn group.). Whitty recognized Case's abilities and invited him to join Thoth-Hermes. Case accepted, and was initiated into A.'.O.'., taking the aspiration name Perseverantia (perseverance).[10] Whitty published Case's attribution of the Tarot Keys (with corrections of some errors in the previous articles) in Azoth.[10] 1918 - Case was appointed Sub-Praemonstrator of the Thoth-Hermes Lodge (Whitty was the Praemonstrator).[8] 1919 - Case began his correspondence with Dr. John Brodie-Innes (Frater Sub Spe), according to one private source which is usually, but not invariably, correct.[10] 1919-20 - Case and Michael Whitty "received" the text for most of the Book of Tokens. The source behind the text is The Master R., although no name was attached to the source at that time.[10] 1920 - May 16, Case was initiated into the Second Order of Alpha et Omega. He was named Third Adept three weeks later.[3] Case's Portal ritual was held on either Sunday, May 2 or May 9, 1920, in the evening; his 5=6 initiation took place on Sunday, May 16. Corpus Christi (the annual Second Order holiday as celebrated by the HOGD tradition) was June 6, and he was asked to serve as Third Adept.[10] December 27, 1920 - Michael Whitty died in Los Angeles. Whitty was holding Praemonstrator office in A.'.O.'. at the time.[10] Case attributed the failure of Whitty's health to "magical practices based on Order formulae." (Enochian magic)[8] Dec 1920 / Jan 1921. Between the period of Michael's death and Case being officially named Praemonstrator, he began to receive letters from Dr. Henry Pullen-Burry (Frater Animus Pura Sit). These are enormously important. They constitute much of what he would later quote as direct Third Order authorization for one or another things. The December 18, 1920 letter from Pullen-Burry appears to be the first that was addressed to Case directly, though he had corresponded with Whitty previously. Pullen-Burry was apparently 7=4 at the time. He confirmed the Inner Plane authenticity of the Order Case had already been building for some time. Pullen-Burry, in the letter, called this new Outer Vehicle by its (confidential) Esoteric Name. He referred to it as Case's "first centre," of which the Alpha et Omega was its parent (in the sense of a Piscean predecessor to an Aquarian heir). This implies knowledge that what later became B.O.T.A. -- and which may already have been called B.O.T.A., but which, at least, already had its Inner Plane "call letters" -- preexisted Case's Alpha et Omega membership.[10] The Order was VERY secret at that time. Case wrote to Israel Regardie that B.O.T.A. had pre-existed his A.'.O.'. membership, and that the Thoth-Hermes Chiefs knew of this. It is implied, but not said anywhere, that the name B.O.T.A. already existed; and we know for sure that the Esoteric Name of the Order pre-existed this era. When they actively began, with Case and others from the A.'.O.'., in 1921, they therefore veiled their activities under the name of the Hermetic Order of Atlantis (H.O.A. -- probably a pun on HVA, Hu, "He," the name of the Archangel of the Most High who witnesses the most sacred obligation any of them had taken up to that point). Membership was TOTALLY secret -- highly selective, with absolutely no disclosure by anyone AT ALL of their participation, on penalty of immediate removal.[10] February 1921 - Case is named Praemonstrator of Thoth-Hermes Lodge soon after Whitty's death.[9] 1921 - Moina Mathers (widow of S. L. MacGregor Mathers), who was the Imperator of A.'.O.'., wrote Case questioning his discussion of sex magic in the Lodge. Case later resigned as Praemonstrator of the Thoth-Hermes Lodge of Alpha et Omega.[3] Moina Mathers was NOT the actual head of the A.'.O.'; Brodie-Innes was. But Case didn't know that. As part of the governing triad, she was handling the Imperator function -- the hands on, Geburan management of things. Brodie-Innes was in the Praemonstratorial role of the Order at large, and seems to have played this quite privately -- as stated, Case and others were in regular correspondence with him, but it never leaked out. In Mather's final letter to the Order, he left control of to a triad of Moina, Dr. Berridge, and Brodie-Innes, all of whom were identified by him as 7=4; and he specifically designated Brodie-Innes as his "direct successor" and "Supreme Chief of the Order, representing the Secret Chiefs," under the motto Fidei Tenax.[10] 1921, Summer - Various vague reports all indicate this as the approximate time of the famous phone call from The Master Rococzy. If this is so, it would seem to be just after his formal resignation of all of his offices (his term as Chief Adept expired in June 1921). People who have passed through the system may also place some importance on the fact that this is also just a little more than one year after his admission to the Second Order -- a very significant juncture for many people.[10] Case met The Master R. in person at the Hotel Roosevelt in NYC (Madison and Lexington Avenues at 43rd Street)[2] 1921, December- Case, Lilly Geise, and others finally resigned from the A.'.O.'.. Elsa Barker followed a month or two later.[10] 1922, June- Case's final resignation, right after summer solstice (and not long after Corpus Christi). He had been serving as Chief Adept at the time, and did not want to resign until his term of office expired -- he didn't want to leave the Order lacking someone in the position that formally linked to the Inner contacts.[10] 1922, Summer - The first efforts were undertaken at preparing a comprehensive correspondence course. He essentially put into one year what is, at present, extended over five years. The course was called The Ageless Wisdom, and it covered just about the whole of Hermeticism. 1923 - The School of Ageless Wisdom was organized by Case, probably in Boston.[2] 1924, May 9 - Lilly Geise (Mrs. Case) died.[10] 1926 - Case moved from NYC back to his hometown of Fairport. He did extensive travel and lecturing.[10] 1926, March 22 - Case was initiated into Freemasonry (1st Deg, E.'.A.'.) in Fairport.[10] 1926, April 12 - Case was passed to 2nd Degree Mason (F.'.C.'.).[10] 1926, April 26 - The Boston office of B.O.T.A. was set up.[10] 1926, June 28 - Case was raised to 3rd Degree Mason (M.'.M.'.).[10] 1926-27 - Case began the intensive work of building Chapter, and fully activating it within B.O.T.A.. He reconstructed A.'.O.'. rituals from a combination of his memory and a copy of The Equinox, then rewrote them extensively. By 1927 he had finished: 0=0 ritual, 0=0 Knowledge Lecture, 1=10 ritual, 1=10 Knowledge Lecture, a paper on an important magic ritual (mostly adapted from the old Section D course material), and the Equinox ritual.[10] 1927 - The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order (First Edition) emerged.[10] 1927, April - A really substantial shift in the entire direction of the correspondence course-work began, coincidental with his launching Chapter. It seems that the detailed instruction in meditation and magic were taken out of public circulation at the same time that Chapter working was begun. A new 48-week course, called the EXTENSION or FIRST YEAR COURSE replaced the old system altogether. Tarot was discussed more extensively than previously, and most of the other material was now gone.[10] 1927, Autumn - Sound & Color course was added. Esoteric Astrology [NOT Ann's course -- Case's course!] and 12 lessons on Alchemy (a precursor to The Great Work) followed in short order.[10] 1928, January - Boston Chapter #2 was opened. (It was called #2, despite the fact that #1 hadn't yet been consecrated.) 1928, March - Chapter #5 in Washington, DC was going, and New York Chapter #1 was about to be formalized. Buffalo and Rochester followed in short order (probably being #3 and #4, respectively). About the same time, Case and his wife Astra moved from Fairport to Melrose, MA, near Boston.[10] 1928, April - The first of a regular set of "Prolocutor-General's Messages" sent to all the Chapters. These continued until 1934. Among the most important material in them is a detailed discussion of the main B.O.T.A. Chapter ritual, later adapted into a series of papers that persist into modern times.[10] 1928, October - The B.O.T.A. Foundation was incorporated in Massachusettes, as an educational institution.[10] 1929, September 4 - The School of Ageless Wisdom, Inc., was created in Boston as the new name for "the outer administration of Builders of the Adytum." Its existence (as replacing the prior Foundation) was announced to the Chapters on September 24 (a Tuesday, which was the regular meeting day of all Chapters -- so this was their official Equinox celebration).[10] 1930 - The Great Seal of the United States was in process by March. Paul and Astra Case moved to Boston from Melrose, and moved HQ into their home.[10] 1931, May - For most of the preceeding year, Case had been in declining health. His sensitivity was "off the map," he was emotional and testy -- very much pushed to the edge. It was abysmal. Associates arranged for him to vacation in the Carribbean, and the records of the time reflect that he reestablished his Third Order link following this horrible period. Upon his return, he began changing things around, preparing to announce some revampings to the Order the following Equinox.[10] 1931 September 20 - Case announced what was going on, to all the Chapters -- concerning his health, his recovery, and where things were going. This particular Equinox also marked the 10th Anniversary of B.O.T.A.'s active work. The biggest change was that he modified the Neophyte's oath in its first two paragraphs, removing for the first time a condition that prevented members from talking about the Order. This occurred "After consulting with Him who has been the inspiration of this work from the beginning," he wrote to the Chapters. "By this change in the obligation the B.O.T.A. ceases to be a 'secret society,' and becomes a 'society with secrets,'" the latter to be "guard[ed] as carefully as ever." He then actively encouraged them to very actively move to do everything legitimate that they could to push the work and get the Chapters to grow in membership. This one "P.G. Letter" is of pivotal historic importance, and redefined the Order from that point forward.[10] 1931-1932 - With Ms. J. Craik Patten, Case brought through a lengthy Inner School instruction on the Cube of Space (not published).[10] Late 1932 - Case moved to L.A. He eventually divorced Astra, to marry Dorothy Spring. With two exceptions, his last two official letters to the Chapters in the East were dated November and December, 1932.[10] 1933 - Case wrote the first of many letters to Israeli Regardie.[8] 1943 - Ann Davies was introduced to Case.[1] In another place, Ann said this was 1944. She walked into one of his classes with her sister.[10] Ann and her small daughter Bonnie moved into Case's house, and helped him by fixing meals, mimeographing lessons, etc.[5] 1943(?) - Case marries Harriet. Paul, Ann, and Bonnie move into Harriet's larger house in Eagle Rock. Harriet puts B.O.T.A. on a solid financial footing. She purchases the Temple on Figueroa for B.O.T.A.[5] 1947 - The important cycle of regular Communications from The Master R began February 16, 1947, and ended, 49 communications later, on November 4, 1948. Among the material transmitted was the last part of The Book of Tokens.[10] The Epilogue for the Book of Tokens was received by Paul, Harriet, and Ann, through Ouija board communications.[7] 1954 - Paul Foster Case died in Mexico, while on a vacation train trip with Harriet. His body was never returned to USA.[2] Another well-placed source says he was told that Case's body is in Forest Lawn Cemetery, in the same section as Ann, Harriet, Gene Emard, and others -- a little section that othes have called "Adept's Row." OTHER ITEMS Case was married 5 times, twice to the same woman.[2] Case was led to move from New York to Los Angeles by Master R.[2] Case was a member of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), advancing to the Third Degree (probably early 1917 to mid-1918). Case received initiations directly from Aleister Crowley . Case later resigned out of dissatisfaction.[3][10] Case had a Doctorate in Music.[6] At one point, he conducted orchestras for silent movies.[2] His doctorate was honorary.[2] Case's early life A modern scholar of the Tarot and Qabalah, Paul Foster Case was born at 5:28 p.m., October 3, 1884 in Fairport, New York. His father was the town librarian and a Deacon at the local Congregational church. When he was five years old, his mother began teaching him to play the piano and organ, and later in his youth, Case performed as organist in his family's church. A talented musician, he embarked on a successful career as a violinist, and orchestra conductor. Case was early on attracted to the occult. While still a child he reported experiences that today are called lucid dreaming. He corresponded about these experiences with Rudyard Kipling who encouraged him as to the validity of his paranormal pursuits. In the year 1900, Case met the occultist Claude Bragdon while both were performing at a charity performance. Bragdon asked Case what he thought the origin of playing cards was. After pursuing the question in his father's library, Case discovered a link to Tarot, called 'The Game of Man,' thus began what would become Case's lifelong study of the Tarot. Between 1905 and 1908 (aged 20-24), Case began practicing yoga, and in particular pranayama, from what published sources were available. His early experiences appear to have caused him some mental and emotional difficulties and left him with a lifelong concern that so called "occult" practice be done with proper guidance and training. In the summer of 1907, Case read The Secret of Mental Magic, by William W. Atkinson (aka Ramacharacka) which led him to correspond with the then popular new thought author. These two are popularly considered to be two of the three anonymous authors of The Kybalion, an influential Theosophical text. Case's dilemma: music or the mysteries Case reported a meeting on the streets of Chicago, in 1909 or 1910, that was to change the course of his life. A "Dr. Fludd," a prominent Chicago physician approached the young Case and greeting him by name, claimed to have a message from a "Master of Wisdom" who, the Doctor said, "is my teacher as well as yours." The stranger said that Case was being offered a choice. He could continue with his successful musical career and live comfortable, or he could dedicate himself to "serve humanity" and thereby play a role in the coming age. From that time on, Case began to study and formulate the lessons that served as the core curricula of the Builders of the Adytum, the school of Tarot and Qabalah that Case founded and that continues in operation. In 1916 Case published a groundbreaking series of articles on the Tarot Keys, titled "The Secret Doctrine of the Tarot," in the popular occult magazine The Word. The articles attracted wide notice in the occult community as organizing and clarifying what had been confusing and scattered threads of occult knowledge as illustrated and illuminated by the Tarot. Whitty and Alpha et Omega In 1918, Case met Michael Whitty, who was the editor of the magazine Azoth (and would become a close friend) Whitty was serving as the Cancellarius (Treasurer/Office Manager) for the Thoth-Hermes Lodge of the Rosicrucian Order of Alpha et Omega. Alpha et Omega was S. L. MacGregor Mathers' group that formed after the demise of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Whitty invited Case to join Thoth-Hermes, which Case did. Case's aspiration name in A.'.O.'. was Perserverantia (perseverance). Whitty republished Case's attribution of the Tarot keys (with corrections) in Azoth. That same year, Case was became Sub-Praemonstrator (Assistant Chief-Instructor) at the Thoth-Hermes Lodge. The following year, he began to correspond with Dr. John Brodie-Innes (Fr. Sub Spe) Between 1919 and 1920, Case and Michael Whitty collaborated in the development of the text which would later be published as The Book of Tokens. This book was written as a received text, whether through meditation, automatic writing, or some other means. It later surfaced that Master R. was the source. On May 16, 1920 Case was initiated into Alpha et Omega's Second Order. Three weeks later, according to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's bio-page on Case, he was named Third Adept. In December of 1920, Michael Whitty died. Case believed Whitty's health problems were attributable to the dangers that arise or may arise in the handling of Enochian magic. He later corresponded with Israel Regardie about those concerns. The controversy with Mathers Some have alleged that it was "because of his quick advancement through the Grades of the Order [that] sparked some jealousy among the other Adepts" or that some of his teachings seemed unsuitable. Whatever the real facts, on July 18, 1921, Moina Mathers wrote to Case about concerns that had been voiced to her about some of his teachings. In her July 18th letter, she told Case, "You evidently have reached a point in your mystical Way where there would appear to exist certain cross-roads. The artist in you, which I recognize, and with whom I deeply sympathize, would probably choose to learn the Truth through the joy and beauty of physical life." "You who have studied the Pantheons, do you know of that enchanting God, the Celtic Angus, the Ever Young? He who is sometimes called Lord of the Land of Heart's Desire? The artist in us may have lingered in that land for a moment. But you and I who would be teachers and pioneers in this Purgatorial World must be prepared before all the Gods to be the servants of the greatest of them all... the Osiris, the Christ, the God of the Sacrifice of the Self." And so Moina Mathers asked Case to resign as Praemonstrator which he did. Apparently Case had already begun work on establishing a Mystery School of his own. Builders of the Adytum After Case left Alpha et Omega, he vigorously pursued the organization of his own Mystery School. In the summer of 1922, Case put his first efforts together preparing a comprehensive correspondence course. In one year it covered what the B.O.T.A. presently cover in over five years. He called the course The Ageless Wisdom, and it covered just about the whole of Hermeticism. By 1923 Case formed The School of Ageless Wisdom, probably in Boston. Within a few years he moved to Los Angeles, abandoning once and for all, his career as a musician, and established the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Still in existence today, B.O.T.A. is an authentic Mystery School. Over the next three decades, Case organized the curriculum of correspondence lessons covering practically the whole corpus of what is called the Western Mystery Tradition; Tarot, Qabalah, and Alchemy. Case's Views on Enochian In the "Wheel of Life" Magazine, in March 1937, Case described B.O.T.A.'s relationship to the Golden Dawn, and his views on the Golden Dawn's use of Enochian material. "B.O.T.A. is a direct off-shoot of the Golden Dawn, but its work has been purged of all the dangerous and dubious magic incorporated into the Golden Dawn's curriculum by the late S.L. MacGregor Mathers, who was responsible for the inclusion of the ceremonials based on the skrying of Sir Edward Kelly. "There is much in these Golden Dawn rituals and ceremonies that is of the greatest value; but from the first grade to the last it is all vitiated by these dangerous elements taken from Dee and Kelly. Furthermore, in many places, the practical working is not provided with adequate safeguards, so that, to the present writer's personal knowledge, an operator working with the Golden Dawn rituals runs very grave risks of breaking down his physical organism, or of obsession by evil entities." Case's death Case died easily while vacationing in Mexico with his second wife, Harriet. His ashes lie in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Significant influences in Case's life Master R. In the summer of 1921, Case received a phone call from The Master Rococzy. Case later met The Master R. in person at the Hotel Roosevelt in NYC (Madison and Lexington Avenues at 43rd Street). The Adytum News described it this way: "One day the phone rang, and much to his surprise the same voice which had been inwardly instructing him in his researches for many years spoke to him on the phone. It was the Master R. who had come personally to New York for the purpose of preparing Paul Case to begin the next incarnation of the Qabalistic Way of Return. ... After three weeks of personal instruction with the Master R., Builders of the Adytum was formed." Lilli Geise Case married a soror from Alpha et Omega named Lilli Geise. On May 9, 1924 Lilly Geise died. Harriet B. Case (1893-1972) In 1943 Case married Harriet. Ann Davies (1912-1975) In 1943 Case was introduced to Ann Davies. She walked into one of his classes with her sister. Later, Ann and her small daughter Bonnie moved into the Cases' house where they helped by fixing meals, mimeographing lessons, etc. Masonic Affiliations According to the membership archives of the Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of California and an unpublished biography of Case written by the archivist of the Builders of the Adytum. Fairport Lodge No. 476, Fairport, New York. Initiated: March 22, 1926 Passed: April 12, 1926 Raised, June 28, 1926 Hollenbeck Lodge No. 319, Los Angeles Affiliated: September 5, 1944 Demitted: June 2, 1953 Eagle Rock Lodge No. 422, Los Angeles Affiliated: June 2, 1953 Paul Foster Case October 3, 1884 - March 2, 1954 The above timeline was authored by Mr. Lee Moffitt and has been available on the Internet in various places since before 2000. Kevin Tuck scanned Mr. Moffitt’s timeline and uploaded it to www.lvx.org in or around 1998. One current location of the PDF is here: http://kcbventures.com/pfc/documents/timeline.pdf. Kevin Tuck is also the original researcher who found and published information about Dr. Case’s Masonic affiliations. (see http://www.lvx.org/archives.html) The following background can be found on various websites, and more information is on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Foster_Case www.esotericgoldendawn.com/tradition_bio_paulfostercase.htm www.scribd.com/.../Lux-Occulta-Press-Encyclopedia-of-Ancient-and-Forbidden-Secrets frontlineassembly.tumblr.com/post/83854558/paul-foster-case Paul Foster Case was born in Fairport, New York. His mother was a teacher and his father was the head librarian of the town library, in which Paul Case was literally born. For a man whose thirst for hidden knowledge was unquenchable, he could not have been born into more fortunate circumstances. Paul learned to read at a very young age. By the age of four he was found pouring over "forbidden books" in the attic of his father's library. He was also found to have extraordinary musical talent at an early age, and at the age of three began training in piano and organ. At the age of nine, he was the organist at the Congregational Church in which his father was deacon. At the age of seven, Case began correspondence with Rudyard Kipling, who verified the "fourth-dimensional" experiences Case was having as being not merely imaginary, but actual states of being. At this early age, Case found that he had the ability to consciously manipulate his dreams. At sixteen, Case met the occultist Claude Bragdon, as they had both donated their talents to a charity performance. It was in this meeting that Paul Case got his first "directive". Bragdon asked Case, "Where do you think the playing cards come from?" This simple question sparked an immediate search for the origins and uses of Tarot. Within a very short period of time, Case had collected every book and every set of Tarot Keys available. He spent years researching, studying, and meditating on these archetypal iimages. Case described his experience at the time as definitely "guided" by an inner voice. In his view, the experience with Tarot had stimulated an "inner hearing", through which he was guided to the many attributes of Tarot which were published before he was 21 years old. Perhaps Eliphas Levi's statement on Tarot best summarized its influence on the young Paul Case: "As an erudite Kabalistic book... A prisoner devoid of books, had he only a Tarot of which he knew how to make use, could in a few years acquire a universal science, and converse with unequaled doctrine and inexhaustible eloquence." While in New York, Case was approached by Michael Whitty, the Praemonstrator of the Thoth-Hermes Temple of the Golden Dawn (Alpha et Omega). Whitty, having heard of Case's extensive knowledge of the Western Mystery Tradition and having read some of his published works, invited Case into the Order. Case naturally accepted the offer, and moved through the Outer Grades quickly. He was initiated into the Second Order on May 16, 1920, with the magical motto, Perseverantia. Just three weeks later, he was the Third Adept in the annual Corpus Christi ceremony. He soon became known as the most knowledgeable occultist in the New York temple, and succeeded Michael Whitty as Praemonstrator within a year of his acceptance into the Second Order. Despite Case's attainments, he did have considerable difficulty with the system of Enochian Magic. Ultimately, he concluded that the Enochian system was demonic rather than angelic. His Order, the B.O.T.A., excludes all mention of Enochian from its curriculum. Because of his quick advancement through the Grades of the Order, Case may have sparked some jealousy among the other Adepts. Moreover, others may have thought some of his teachings inappropriate. On July 18, 1921, Moina Mathers wrote Case regarding complaints she had received regarding some of his teachings. Apparently, Case had begun discussing the topic of sex magic, which at the time had no official place in the Order curriculum. Since no knowledge lectures exist on the subject, whether sex practices were ever taught in the Golden Dawn has been a long standing question. In her correspondence with Case, Moina wrote, "...I have seen the results of this superficial sex teaching in several Occult Societies as well as in individual cases. I have never met with one happy result." But to Case, sexuality became an increasingly important subject. In his Book of Tokens, a collection of inspired meditations on the 22 Tarot Keys of the Major Arcana, Case comments on the sex function, "You must wholly alter your conception of sex in order to comprehend the Ancient Wisdom... It is the interior nervous organism, not the external organs, that is always meant in phallic symbolism, and the force that works through these interior centers is the Great Magical Agent, the divine serpent fire." In his works, The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order and The Masonic Letter G, he writes of certain practices involving the redirection of the sexual force to the higher centers of the brain where experience of supersensory states of consciousness becomes possible. Some members also complained about a personal relationship between Case and a soror, Lilli Geise. Case confessed the matter to Moina: "The Hierophantria and I were observed to exchange significant glances over the altar during the Mystic Repast... My conscience acquits me... Our relation to each other we submit to no other Judge than that Lord of Love and Justice whom we all adore." In time, Case married Geise, who died a few years later. Perhaps Moina's correspondence also touched a sensitive area for Case. In her July 18th letter, she tells Case, "You evidently have reached a point in your mystical Way where there would appear to exist certain cross-roads. The artist in you, which I recognize, and with whom I deeply sympathize, would probably choose to learn the Truth through the joy and beauty of physical life." She continued, "You who have studied the Pantheons, do you know of that enchanting God, the Celtic Angus, the Ever Young? He who is sometimes called Lord of the Land of Heart's Desire?" Angus rescued Etain, the Moon, who had been turned into a golden fly. But Etain had to choose between bodily existence in the land of mortals and everlasting life. She continued still, "The artist in us may have lingered in that land for a moment. But you and I who would be teachers and pioneers in this Purgatorial World must be prepared before all the Gods to be the servants of the greatest of them all... the Osiris, the Christ, the God of the Sacrifice of the Self." Moina then asked Case to resign from his position as Praemonstrator. Case resigned as Praemonstrator, responding to Moina, "...I have no desire to be a 'teacher and pioneer in this Purgatorial World.' Guidance seems to have removed me from the high place to which I have never really aspired. The relief is great." This seems odd coming from a man who would, in a few years, abandon his artistic endeavors to start his own occult school, the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Perhaps this struggle between his artistic soul and his mystical soul pre-existed his involvement with the Order, and maybe Moina knew this. Archives at the B.O.T.A. state that on one occasion years before he joined the Order, Case was approached by a stranger on the streets of Chicago who called him by name and told him many things about himself. "Your teacher is my teacher," the man told him. He told Case that he must choose between a life of material comfort as a musician and a life of suffering and renunciation as a vitally needed teacher of the Mysteries. The former would offer him "more of this world's goods than most"; the latter, important service to mankind and eternal life, and that, "In the end, you will not starve to death." After Case was expelled from the Order, he pursued the creation of his own occult school, the School of Ageless Wisdom. This organization failed within a few years. However, he soon moved to Los Angeles, abandoning his lucrative career as a musician, and established the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Still in existence today, it has proven to be a successful correspondence course on Tarot. Geise wrote to Moina that students from other temples were flocking to hear Case speak prior to his being expelled. Mrs. Elma Dame, The Imperatrix of the Philadelphia Temple, who resigned due to the numerous problems in the Order at the time, pointed to the need for a knowledgeable teacher in America. She wrote to Moina: "When you got rid of Mr. Case, you 'killed the goose that laid the golden egg.'" Dr. Pullen Burry, a former Order member, concluded that Case was the one to bring "the light of the old R.C. [Rosicrucian] teachings" into the light of Aquarian consciousness. Case's book, The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order, stands as a classic Qabalistic interpretation of the Rosicrucian Fama Fraternitatis and Confessio. Case died easily while vacationing in Mexico with his second wife, Harriet. Fortunately, he left behind extensive writings on Tarot and Qabalah, and is considered by many to be a true "teacher and pioneer in this Purgatorial World."

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