I recently learned of Thomas Karlsson though a fairly cryptic news item on Ajna Offensive titled “Qliphotic Qabalah, Goetic Magic and Draconian Initiations,” which at first glance seemed to have nothing to do with music and had me curious as to what it was all about.

Karlsson is best known to metal fans as the lyricist of Swedish metal band Therion. He also has two advanced degrees and is working towards a PhD at Stockholm University, where he teaches a course in Western esotericism. He has also written several books on occult topics.

Karlsson is also the founder of Dragon Rouge, a magical order focusing on the darker side of magic and the Left-Hand Path. The order has numerous members and several lodges worldwide, including Therion founding member Christofer Johnsson.

The main purpose of the Ajna article was to announce that Karlsson will be travelling to the US to lead the first Dragon Rouge magical working on American soil. From the Ajna description:

“Thomas Karlsson will lead the first official Dragon Rouge magical working on the American continent. This evening we will explore the tunnels of the Qliphoth and work with Typhonian Alchemy and Goetic invocations, where we summon initiatory entities like Lilith and Lucifer.”

He’ll be visiting Seattle, of all places, on the 18th of September this year, and he will also appear at the Esoteric Book Conference on September 19th and 20th to give a lecture and present one of his books. Click the banner below for more info.