The Megatherium Club is the University of New Mexico's student organization dedicated to the propagation of the Hermetic Sciences and the academic pursuit of Esoteric Studies. MTC has worked in close alliance with the Subtlety or Force Encampment for over a year now. Specifically, MTC partners SOFE by securing educational facilities for lectures, forums, and presentations which are open to the public and to UNM students. The educational activities offered by SOFE through MTC include a range of classes considered either remedial or relevant enough to deserve recurrence. The following subjects have been presented at UNM: THE TAROT IN THE RENAISSANCE- an introduction to the neo-Hermetic revival of Renaissane Italy/Spain/Germany and the qabalistic, neo-platonic, and messianic trends that culminated in the sacralization of cartomantic devices into the Tarot. CLASSICAL TAROT VS CROWLEY TAROT- An introduction to Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot as a historical continuation and advancement of the Hermetic Tarot, but more importantly discussing contrasts between specific cards and the informing metaphysics that distinguish Crowley and Lady Harris' work from that of their predecessors. MAGICK IN THEORY- a look at early understandings of Will, Love, and Magick in the context of Renaissance neo-Platonism, the development of magical meta-philosophies borne from the evolution of aristocratic culture from the Chivalrier to the Courtier and the resurrection of God in the form of Eros and the Goddess in the form of Venus. This lecture will conclude in Crowley's considerations of the Holy Guardian Angel and the Holy Order; otherwise, the Angel and the Abyss as well as an overview of modern esoteric philosophies. MAGICK IN PRACTICE- Angels and Demons and Spirits, oh my! A survey of the literary history of Grimoires throughout the Modern Period, their dharmic and metaphyiscal contexts, and the resultant philosophies of "High Magick" in modernist magical Organizations. INITIATION IN THEORY- This review of early French anthropologist literature will survey the more radical philosophers of initiation and spirituality: Levi, Corbin, Guenon, and Eliade. This will focus on more privitive or classical initiatory ideas with an attempt to build a naturalistic model of initiation in its cultural, religious, magical, and Ecclesiastic roles. The survey will provide models useful for Masons and Monks alike. INITIATION IN PRACTICE- Okay, Masons may be less pleased by this one, but this review will run through Masonic initiations throughout their history and will illustrate Apocryphal initiatory ideas and their development into popular Masonic initiatory structures. More importantly, there will be a survey of 19th Century Esoteric Masonry and its development into Secret Orders vs Secret Societies. ALEISTER CROWLEY: MAN, MYTH, MAGUS- A look at the life and contributions of St. Sir Aleister Crowley, 666. All UNM events are located in the UNM Sub, found here: http://www.unmsub.com/maps.htm Parking is sometimes available free-of-charge. Lastly, join our facebook group for regular updates on MTC activities! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23361671062 _____