Product Description

Beyond Lemuria is more than science fiction. It is a unique spiritual adventure presented in the format of a mystic initiation ritual. The story unfolds as a symbolic morality play involving two groups of people portrayed by the same actors but dedicated to different goals. The sinister 'Draconians' search for antedilulvian secrets of power in the lava caves north of Mt. Shasta while the spiritually minded 'Lothinians' seek enlightenment from the Ancient Masters on the slopes of America's Holy Mountain -- thus the dark depths and shining heights of human nature are explored against the awesome metaphore of Nature Herself. ---- Based on true accounts of 'Phylos' the Atlantean who recovered his antediluvian magical heritage in a mysterious temple on the slopes of Mt. Shasta in 1866, and the terrifying subterranean world of the 'Deros' described by the late author and artist Richard S. Shaver in the 1940s. Beyond Lemuria is a remarkable film revealing truths that can only be presented in fictional form. ----- Beyond Lemuria was filmed on location deep in the lava caves near Mt. Shasta, high upon the slopes of California's Sacred Mountain, and in the jungle covered ruins of the ancient Lemurian lost city of Nan Madol in Micronesia. ----- Beyond Lemuria features living Spiritual Masters taking the roles of Ancient Avatars channeled by the seekers of Light. There has never been a film quite like Beyond Lemuria. It will challenge your perceptions of reality and your conceptions of Heaven and Hell. It is an adventure in wonder and terror. ------Beyond Lemuria was created and written by anthropologist and documentary film maker Poke Runyon (The Magick of Solomon), Directed by Gregory Jednack (The Rites of Magick), filmed and edited by Mitch Lieding (The Rites of Magick) with special effects by Doug Carey. Screeplay based on 'A Dweller on Two Planets' by Frederick Spencer Oliver and 'The Shaver Mystery' in 'Amazing Stories' by Richard S. Shaver and Raymond A. Palmer. Production design by Poke Runyon, Website design: Isabela Shahira, Executive Producer: Poke Runyon. Copyright 2007 by The Church of the Hermetic Sciences, Inc. Released by Maelstrom Press ---- Widescreen DVD -- Bonus Features include: Audio Commentary by Poke Runyon, Chapter Selection Menu, Trailer and an eight page booklet: Wisdom of the Avatars of Mt. Shasta. ---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56471 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-12-13
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Review
BEYOND LEMURIA, The Shaver Mystery and the Secrets of Mt. Shasta Digital motion picture in wide screen DVD format Running time: 120 minutes. From: C.H.S. Productions in Association with Maelstrom Press, 2007 Those familiar with previous C.H.S. DVD occult documentaries (The Magick of Solomon, Dark Mirror of Magick and The Rites of Magick) are in for a surprise when they see BEYOND LEMURIA. Yes, there is a minor element of History Channel style documentary in this film but it is worked into the story as necessary background for what is otherwise a suspenseful, thought-provoking science fiction drama. BEYOND LEMURIA draws upon two contrasting, but related, aspects of modern American folklore that Hollywood and the current fantasy fiction industry have forgotten: the 1940s Shaver Mystery and the 1930s tradition of Atlantean-Lemurian Mystic Masters on California s mysterious Mt. Shasta. Both of these Atlantis-Lemuria survival themes were published as true accounts and both still resonate with thousands of believers. Science fiction writer and surrealist painter Richard S. Shaver believed in the physical reality of the dark, subterranean realm of the Deros, degenerate survivors of Atlantis and Lemuria who still inhabited a secret world-wide network of caverns --- and used ancient telepathic ray machines to spy on and torture surface people. These demonic humanoids were responsible for much of the evil and mental illness in our surface world. Whether real or fanciful, Shaver had created a modern, atomic age version of a medieval hell and a new form of demonology. BEYOND LEMURIA postulates that Shaver's subterranean Dero world exists, but that it is in another dimension. This nearby shadow world can be contacted and entered through a vortex generated by a machine called The Intragravatron. The sinister Draconian Society has secretly funded the development of this device and plans to open the vortex at an inter-dimensional convergence point deep in the lava caves on the northern slopes of Mt. Shasta. There actually is such a cavern complex and the C.H.S. cast and film crew went there on location, filming deep in Pluto s Cave and high on the slopes of Mt. Shasta. In contrast to the evil Draconians, and their subterranean quest, the transcendental Lithonian Brotherhood, headed by Master Phylos (Merrick Rees Hamer), a reincarnated Atlantean magical adept, journey to Mt. Shasta to find spiritual enlightenment. The original story of Phylos was channeled by a 17 year old boy, Frederick Spenser Oliver, back in the late 19th century and published early in the 20th century as 'A Dweller on Two Planets'. This book became an occult classic. Phylos was the archetype of all subsequent mystic masters, Atlantean and Lemurian, who have since appeared on the upper slopes of America s Sacred Mountain. To present these two totally contrasting, and yet closely related, themes in a symbolic and artistic expression, script writer and producer Poke Runyon chose to encapsulate the entire story in the context of an occult initiation ceremony. In the beginning of the film young candidate William Morgan (Cristofer Sanders) stands before the altar in a mysterious temple. On the altar are two cups: one white and one black. He must choose which cup to drink. An hour glass tells us that the decision must be made before the sand runs out...... --The Seventh Ray-- Book III, The Green Ray

Review
T7R III Review -- continued: .....The story then proceeds on two tracks with the same actors playing their good and evil counterparts. The sinister Brother Abaddon, Grand Master of the Draconians (Merrick Rees Hamer) also portrays the benign Master Phylos of the Lothinians. The Draconian Colonel Rich, a ruthless government secret agent (Ed Fitch) doubles as Reverend Bobby-John Rich, a fundamentalist preacher who meets The Master Jesus (Paul Clark) up on Mt. Shasta. Licentious Sister Lilith of the Draconians (Emily Trempe) has her counterpart in Lila Valis, a Lothinian neo-pagan free spirit who meets an ancient Lemurian priestess (Isabela Shahira). The priestess has an evil counterpart, the voluptuous and sadistic Dero Princess who tortures Lilith with a huge, ancient ray machine. The Draconians have all been lured to a bad end deep in the cavern world by a 107 year old Romanian Nazi Dero vampire Zoltan Nodesque (Gregory Jednack) who posed as a scientist on the Intragravatron project. Dero vampires thrive on transfusions of blood from kidnapped surface babies. Deros are also cannibals and satanists. As anthropologist Marion Roland (Poke Runyon) says in his lecture: 'These aliens are not people you want to have for your next door neighbors'. Cutting back and forth between the two stories, we follow the developments from each character's point of view. Lothinian Dr. Xavier (Mark Nelson), also Dr. X of the Draconians, sees the Fallen Angel Samyaza (Frater Solomon) descend to the mountain top in a UFO. Samyaza, complete with horns, pointed ears and third eye, reveals the secret history of the antediluvian world as set forth in The Book of Enoch and gives a prophecy of coming doom based on the Mayan calendar. The oracle is delivered in Enochian, an ancient angelic language used throughout the film. When William Morgan finally receives his enlightenment, from the sage Hermes Trismegistus (Lon Milo DuQuette) up on the mountain top, we come to the message of the film. Unlike most movies and bestsellers on occult themes, Beyond Lemuria really does reveal esoteric secrets. Hermes explains the deepest mysteries of the qabalah, our mystic union with God, and our individual relation to the universe. The producers considered the teachings of The Master Jesus, Phylos of Atlantis, Hermes Trismegistus and the other avatars to be important enough to have collected them in an attractive eight page booklet included in the DVD case as an extra bonus feature. Beyond Lemuria is certainly unique in American films. It combines high production values, authentic natural locations, dazzling special effects, highly controversial occult themes, profound knowledge of its subject matter, and a spiritual message that no other commercial film makers would dare to present. It certainly is -- An Adventure in Wonder and Terror. --T7R III Beyond Lemuria -- part 2

About the Actor
Biographical Sketch: Poke Runyon Carroll Poke Runyon received his master's degree in cultural anthropology from California State University at Northridge in 1980 specializing in shamanism. After graduate school he went through all the degrees of Freemasonry in both the Scottish and York Rites. He then undertook a 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. His articles on Magick and the Western Tradition have appeared in Gnostica magazine, and The Seventh Ray. In 1974 he appeared as a guest on Tom Snyder s network television Tomorrow Show narrating film footage of magical operations. In 1995 Runyon wrote, produced and narrated a 75 minute video documentary entitled: The Magick of Solomon, and authored its companion book The Book of Solomon s Magick. He is the author of Secrets of the Golden Dawn Cypher Manuscript and Seasonal Rites of Baal and Astarte. He is also editor of the esoteric journal The Seventh Ray. He went on to write, produce and narrate two more occult documentaries Dark Mirror of Magick and The Rites of Magick. Most recently he has written, produced and acted in the feature length dramatic mystical adventure Beyond Lemuria, The Shaver Mystery and the Secrets of Mt. Shasta for C.H.S. Productions in association with Maelstrom Press. This film was shot on location at Mt. Shasta, in the lava caves nearby, and in the ruins of Nan Madol in the Central Pacific. Poke plays the role of Professor Marion Roland in Beyond Lemuria

Customer Reviews

Review of Beyond Lemuria
Review of "Beyond Lemuria"

Disclaimer:
Before my review and in the light of full disclosure, I should point out that I am one of the characters in the movie and that the writer / producer Carroll (Poke) Runyon, has been a friend of mine for 35 years or so. Having said that, I will attempt to make every effort to be as unbiased as possible anyway.

Commentary:
This movie is a remarkable achievement in my opinion. It is remarkable because it blends several established epic stories and traditions as well as several philosophies into one metaphysical / philosophical story about the good and evil that exists in each of us. It then goes on to show what happens to those who are friends of William Morgan, the principal character in the story, when he is presented with the unusual and mystical opportunity to decide which path he will follow for the rest of his life: The path of materialism, power and greed, or the path of spiritualism, enlightenment, wisdom and service to others. Whatever choice he makes will affect all of his friends and both choices, with its subsequent effects on his friends, is played out in the movie to their conclusion in something of a vision that William Morgan has.

In the end, the enlightenment seeking Lothinians are presented with visions containing a message of wisdom and a warning. Each vision is unique to each person on the mountain, crafted by the Creator to relate to the specific psychology and mindset of the recipient.

On the other hand, the materialistic Dragonians, seeking power and treasure in other dimensions deep within the Earth, each get what they desire most, and in excess of their wildest dreams. So, which choice will be William Morgan's and thus the fate of his friends?

Some Praise for Cast & Crew:
In addition to the interesting story, the photography, photographic special effects, editing and sound done by Mitch Lieding are first rate. The mechanical and electrical props done by Doug Carey on a shoestring budget are most excellent and could only have been done by the master that he is. Most notable of those props by Doug is the Dero "Stim" (stimulant) Ray Laser-Light Organ, which was operated by the Dero Princess played by Isabela Shahira in the movie. In addition there are the professional acting talents of Merrick Hamer, Ed Sitch (pen name Ed Fitch) Christopher Sanders, Emily Trempe, Isabela Shahira and Gregory Jednack (Jednack both directed and played the satanic vampire Zoltan Nodesque), which added a level of quality that you rarely see in productions costing less than tens of millions of dollars. As for the others in the movie with whom I did not have a chance to work with directly, all I can say that without you and your talents this movie would not have been anywhere near as good as it is.

A little background if I may:
In order to fully appreciate the effort undertaken by the cast, crew and the writer / producer, it must be understood that this was not a Hollywood production in the sense of having millions and millions of dollars to spend. Hollywood spends more on lipstick for one of its epics than was spent for this entire production. Never the less this is a first rate, high quality and entertaining movie. Everything from the writing to the packaging is first rate. This is so because this effort was not "just another job", but a "labor of love" by all involved, even though it was mostly a volunteer effort.

Criticisms:
The only real criticism that I have is that the movie moves along pretty fast so you have to pay close attention to each line each actor says, as there is a reason for everything that is said. This fast pace is necessary because the writer tries to compress several stories, histories and philosophies, like the legends of Lemuria, the Shaver Mystery, mysteries of Mt. Shasta, Enochian Language, J.C. Browns Lost Treasure Map, spiritually and religion, just to name a few, into a single story when any one of these subjects would be quite enough for a single two hour movie. So you may need to see this more than once to get the full impact.

Suggestions For Viewing:
Because there is so much there and so little time to present it all, to fully understand and more fully enjoy the movie, try to read as much about it as you can to get the idea and the feeling of the film. Read the product descriptions and postings here on Amazon.com as well as on the "Beyond Lemuria" web site here: http://www.beyondlemuria.com/

After reading the scrolling text on the above site, be sure to click on the picture of Mt. Shasta to enter the full site or you will miss the most interesting parts of that site.

Also please note that the story line switches between the Lothinians (the good guys) and the Draconians (the bad guys) throughout the story. Because the events are similar and because both groups are portrayed by the same actors, when a switch is made between the two groups it may not be clear what has happened. To help remedy this, remember that the Lothinians are all wearing a medallion inscribed with the Unicursal Hexagram, which is the symbol of their order, and are dressed principally in white or otherwise bright colors, which is befitting of the good guys. Conversely the bad guys are all dressed in black and are all wearing the Dragon symbol around their necks, which is the symbol of their order.

Keeping this in mind helps the understanding, especially during the lecture hall scene where Dr. Roland speaks on "The Shaver Mystery and The Secrets of Mt. Shasta". During this scene Dr. Roland begins by talking about "The Shaver Mystery" and the evil Shaver Dero. He then answers questions from the bad William Morgan who is wearing the black clothing of the Draconian order. The order of events continues with a vision that William Morgan has of his inner most desires of power and lust, then moves on to detail the activities of the Draconians during which two mysterious deaths occur.

Then the scene then resets back to Dr. Roland still in the lecture hall, but this time he is discussing "The Secrets of Mt. Shasta". William Morgan again has a vision. But this time he is the good William Morgan dressed in white and has a beautiful vision in an astral temple wherein he receives the medallion with the symbol of the order of the Lothinians. The order of events continue on to show the further activities of the Lothinian order during which a spiritual and physical healing occurs.

One can possibly better visualize the events in the story by relating the events in the story to the popularized scientific theory called Quantum Physics. Part of this theory indicates that an event can contain all possibilities at the same time but that only one of those possibilities will become "real" when the event is viewed. In the case of William Morgan only one of the two event paths become "real" when he makes a decision as to which path he is to follow. Until that decision is made, both paths are "real".

In the light this then, we have William Morgan at a decision point. As a decision has not yet been made therefore both possibilities which would arise from whichever decision he makes still exist and therefore are occurring simultaneously, but in separate timelines to their conclusion. William Morgan sees both possibilities in his vision. To try to show this in the movie, a scene was added where the Lothinians and the Dragonians accidentally run into each other while on the trip to Mt. Shasta during a rest stop in a restaurant parking lot. They end up parking next to each other as one group arrives and the other is departing. The event is related in a sort of déjà vu venue wherein they see each other and sort of recognize each other but ultimately dismiss the event. This event happened because their timelines meet at the same physical location and at the same time even though they are on different paths.

Also of note is the scene on the Mt. Shasta where each of the Lothinians see a being, or entity, that appears above the Mountain. This is actually a vision that each are having.

To further understand some of the subjects in the movie you might want look into The Shaver Mystery and alphabet, the book "Dweller on Two Planets" by Phylos, Enochian and Dr. John Dee, Hermes Trismegistus and Hermeticism and even J.C. Browns Lost Treasure Map. You can find overviews of these and other subjects on Wikipedia as various other sources by Googling them on the web.

Also be sure to review the commentaries by Poke Runyon that are included on the DVD with the movie as well as the enclosed booklet.

The Philosophy of "Beyond Lemuria":
The most important thing to remember from the movie is the universal message of the mythical Lothinian Brotherhood, which is one of inclusion rather than exclusion. That message, in essence, is that all roads up the mountain lead to the summit. Though that road may be Christian, Jewish, Islamic or the Mystical, if one is seeking the Divine with love and light, all those roads will lead to the summit - to that God who created you, who also created me. To that God that is within you that is also within me, in equal measure.

"...For if it were not so, I would not have told you." Said by the Jesus vision in the movie,

And:

"...I must leave you with a warning: Wisdom and immortality are the treasures of enlightenment, but no one else can give you that which is yours to find within yourself. No one else can make the decisions for you. Good and evil are for you alone to define. In Darkness you may find the Light, or beyond the Light you may discover darkness --- for in truth you can't have one without the other. The choice must always be yours." Said to William Morgan by Hermes Trismegistus in a vision.

I do hope you enjoy the movie. We had a great time making it. I would also like to say that I enjoyed working with everyone on this project and hope to work with you all sometime again in the future.

Namaste - which means `The God within me salutes the God within you.'

~ Mark Nelson aka Dr. X (the bad guy), Dr. Xavier (the good guy) ~ v2

Interesting Film - Interesting Message
I happen to have met several of the people involved in making this film, though I am not affiliated with them in any way. Just wanted to put that out up front.

This is a low budget movie, and it shows, but if you can handle the special effects (and some of the acting) on classic Star Trek, you will be able to deal with the production limitations of this film.

Designed to be an allegorical tale that has a deeper meaning beneath the surface, this is both entertaining and informative. I've come across a bunch of people who go on about the Lemurians, and many of them come across as crackpots. Somehow, this film avoids that, perhaps because Poke Runyan is so well-versed in the Mysteries he draws on, or perhaps it is the lack of grandiose self-importance in even the evil Draconians - though I can see the David Icke crowd eating it up as proof of their ludicrous theories.

In short, I enjoyed watching this movie, and recommend it to those with an interest in esoteric things - and maybe fans of David Lynch - though it may be tough going for the more materialistic viewer.

Roger Corman does Joseph Campbell
If you know someone who believes aliens live under Mt. Shasta, or someone who has had a vision on its' slopes, or has ever joined a fringe group of seekers, this is the film to see. It moves right along, from scantily clad babes, to evil CIA operatives, to creepy cavern denizens with ray guns. There are occasional disturbing moments ("...they drink the blood of babies." "Ah! The fountain of youth!"), and folks who spontaneously combust. It plays with high-minded themes usually expounded in thick, esoteric tomes, but may leave sensitive types with nightmares. It leaves us with some burning questions, such as, what is that black book in the paralyzed scientest's hands? Overall, it is a lot of fun and an unusual serving up of spiritual insights in a race against time tabloid format.