Stephen Romano Gallery is pleased to announce the next group exhibition following in the series of "In Missa Interfectionis", "Opus Hypnagogia" (at Morbid Anatomy Museum) and the inaugural exhibition at Stephen Romano Gallery's new Bushwick location "Lexicon Infernali", all of which examine the interection of the esoteric, vernacual, visionary, outsider, vintage and contemporary art practices. "Magica Sexualis" is the title of a book from 1934 which fascinates as a power object, and the work presented will examine sexual energy manifest through magic practice, or the reverse, magic energy manifest though sexual themes.

Sexual magic refers to an ancient science that has been known and protected by the purest, most spiritually advanced human beings, whose purpose and goal is the harnessing and perfection of our sexual forces. A more accurate translation of sexual magic would be "sexual priesthood."

In ancient times, the priest was always accompanied by a priestess, for they represent the divine forces at the base of all creation: the masculine and feminine, the Yab-Yum, Ying-Yang, Father-Mother: the Elohim.[1]

Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using the energy of sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired result. A premise of sex magic is the concept that sexual energy is a potent force that can be harnessed to transcend one's normally perceived reality.

The earliest known practical teachings of sex magic in the Western world come from 19th-century American occultist Paschal Beverly Randolph,"If a man has an intelligent and loving wife, with whom he is in complete accord, he can work out the problems [of how to achieve magical results] by her aid. They are a radical soul-sexive series of energies...The rite is a prayer in all cases, and the most powerful [that] earthly beings can employ...it is best for both man and wife to act together for the attainment of the mysterious objects sought. Success in any case requires the adjuvancy of a superior woman. THIS IS THE LAW!"

In the latter part of the 19th century, sexual reformer Ida Craddock published several works dealing with sacred sexuality, most notably Heavenly Bridegrooms and Psychic Wedlock. Aleister Crowley reviewed Heavenly Bridegroomsin the pages of his journal The Equinox, stating that it was: "..one of the most remarkable human documents ever produced, and it should certainly find a regular publisher in book form. The authoress of the MS. claims that she was the wife of an angel. She expounds at the greatest length the philosophy connected with this thesis. Her learning is enormous. ...This book is of incalculable value to every student of occult matters. No Magick library is complete without it."

Carl Kellner, the founder of Ordo Templi Orientis, (O.T.O.), claimed to have learned the techniques of sex magic from three adepts in this art. Aleister Crowley became involved with Theodor Reuss and Ordo Templi Orientis following the publication of The Book of Lies between 1912 and 1913. According to Crowley's account, Reuss approached him and accused him of having revealed the innermost (sexual) secret of O.T.O. in one of the cryptic chapters of this book. When it became clear to Reuss that Crowley had done so unintentionally, he initiated Crowley into the IX° (ninth degree) of O.T.O. and appointed him "Sovereign Grand Master General of Ireland, Iona and all the Britains.

The exhibition will also feature an installation by Barry William Hale that will be visibile from the street and will change depending on outside light conditions.

Artists participating in the exhibition include:

Rithika Merchant, Barry William Hale, Colin Christian, John D. Monteith, David Molesky, Steven Bradshaw, Rik Garrett, Lizz Lopez, Meesha Goldberg, Lori Field, Steven Baines, Matthew Dutton, Lu Zhang, Lori Nelson, Rory Coyne, Caitlin McCormack, Samuel D Gliner, Lauren Levato Coyne, Jennifer Lin, Michaelanthony Mandrake, Jane Cox, Gemma Gary, Ellen Stagg, Terry Tapp, Matthew J Levin, Nyahzul Blanco, Jana Brike, Heiko Muller, Cendrine Rovini, William H Mortensen, Alexis Murray, Darcilio Lima, Elizabeth Shupe, Matt Nolen, Brittany Markert, Sergio Barrale, Roland Hendrickson, Eric Richardson, Jonathon Rosen, Steven Gibb, Maria Kreyn, Limor Gasko, Shonagh Adelman, Inge Vandormael, Dolorosa De La Cruz and others.

Vernacular and Folk Art, Vintage photography.

October 29 - December 13 2015

Co-curator Barry William Hale is an Australian based artist. His artwork has been exhibited in major Australian institutions and featured in the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Sydney Biennial. His artwork was a central component of the national touring exhibition Windows to the Sacred. He also exhibited in I:mage 1 and 2 curated by Robert Ansell as well as "Opus Hypnagogia" at Morbid Anatomy Museum and "Lexicon Infernali" at Stephen Romano Gallery in Brooklyn. His book "Legion 49" was published by Fulgur Esoterica in 2009 to great acclaim. Barry William Hale curated the exhibition "The Occult Visions of Rosaleen Norton" in 2000 in Sydney. Barry William Hale's works was most recently the subject of a feature on Disinfo.com.

Please contact Stephen Romano Gallery at romanostephen@gmail.com for further information and visuals for this exhibition.

Barry William Hale " BAPHOMET - Rex Mundi " 2015

Barry William Hale "Philosophers of Decadence #2. Nibbas" paper cut outs.

Rik Garrett - "Earth Magic"

Alexis Murray - "Stella"

Heiko Muller "Shaman" 2015