In this daring exposé by a survivor of a unique era in the New York occult scene, James Wasserman, a longtime proponent of the teachings of Aleister Crowley, brings us into a world of candlelit temples, burning incense, and sonorous invocations. The author also shares an intimate look at the New York Underground of the 1970s and introduces us to the company of such avant-garde luminaries as Alejandro Jodorowsky, Harry Smith, and Angus MacLise. A stone's throw away from the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol's Factory, William Burroughs' "bunker," and the legendary Chelsea Hotel was a scene far more esoteric than perhaps even they could have imagined. When James Wasserman joined the O.T.O. in 1976, there were fewer than a dozen members. Today the Order numbers over 4,000 members in 50 countries and has been responsible for a series of ground-breaking publications of Crowley's works. The author founded New York City's TAHUTI Lodge in 1979. He chronicles its early history and provides a window into the heyday of the Manhattan esoteric community. He also breaks his decades of silence concerning one of the most seminal events in the development of the modern Thelemic movement -- detailing his role in the 1976 magical battle between Marcelo Motta and Grady McMurtry. Long slandered for his effort to heal the temporary breach between the Orders of A.'.A.'. and O.T.O., James Wasserman sets the record straight. And, he meticulously chronicles the copyright contest over the Crowley literary estate--of which he was an important participant. This is also a saga with a very human tableau filled with tender romance, passionate friendships, an abiding spiritual hunger, danger, passion, and ecstasy. It also explores several hidden magical byways including the rituals of Voodoo, Tibetan Buddhism, and Sufism. Finally we are given a bird's eye view of the 1960s hippie culture and its excesses of sex and drugs, and rock n roll--along with the personal transformations and penalties such a lifestyle brought forth. Reconstructed from personal memories, magical diaries, multiple interviews, court transcripts, witness depositions, trial evidence, and extensive correspondence, this book elucidates a hitherto misreported and ill-understood nexus of modern magical history. It also shares tales of a mythical moment in American life as seen through the eyes of an enthusiastic participant in the hip culture of the day. "This book will be of interest to anyone curious about the New York occult scene of this period, as well as to some students of occultism and modern popular culture." Bradford Lee Eden , Library Journal November 1, 2012 ― Reviews James Wasserman has been a member of Ordo Templi Orientis since 1976. He has been described as a "founding father" of the modern O.T.O. and has played a key role in numerous seminal publications of Aleister Crowley's literary corpus. He is responsible for the widely celebrated Chronicle edition of The Book of Going Forth by Day, The Egyptian Book of the Dead . His numerous writings and editorial efforts maintain a focus on spirituality, creative mythology, secret societies, history, religion, and politics. He is a passionate advocate of individual liberty. He has appeared in numerous documentaries on The History Channel, National Geographic,  and The Discovery Channel, addressed the National Press Club on esoteric symbolism, and been a guest on Coast to Coast AM, Thelema Now! and other radio broadcasts and podcasts. In the Center of the Fire A Memoir of the Occult 1966–1989 By James Wasserman NICOLAS-HAYS, INC. Copyright © 2012 James Wasserman All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-89254-201-7 Contents IntroductionPart One: 1966 to 19731: Antioch College and the World of the Spirit2: On the Road3: On the Mend4: Portland and the "Abbey of Thelema"5: On the Road AgainPart Two: 1973 to 19776: New York City and Weiser's Bookstore7: Weiser Publishing and The Commentaries of AL8: Meeting Marcelo Motta in Brazil9: California and Grady McMurtry10: Harry Smith and the Game ChangesPart Three: 1977 to 197911: The Early Days of Studio 3112: The Tree of Life and The Egyptian Book of the DeadPart Four: 1979 to 198913: The New York O.T.O.14: The Founding and Early Years of TAHUTI15: The Constitutional Conflicts and the First Motta Trial16: The San Francisco Lawsuit17: Grady's Death and Bill Becomes Caliph18: Gurney's DeathEpilogue: The Beat Goes OnAppendicesAnalysis by a Master of the Temple (Jack Parsons)The Caliphate Letters and TranscriptionsThe Follower Letter and Transcription1979 Initial Proposal for TAHUTI Encampment1979 An Invocation to the Masters of the O.T.O.1981 TAHUTI Lodge Statement1981 TAHUTI Lodge Temple Guidelines1981 Beltane Ritual1981 Application for the Guild of Drama and Thaumaturgy1985 Caliph Election Announcement1985 The Three Triads of the O.T.O.1989 Richard Gernon: In Memoriam1989 Thelemic Middle Pillar as a Group RitualLiber Oz vel LXXVIIGlossaryAcknowledgementsIndexContact I