"Behind the veil of all the hieratic and mystical allegories of ancient doctrines, behind the darkness and strange ordeals of all initiations, under the seal of all sacred writings, in the ruins of Nineveh or Thebes, on the crumbling stones of old temples and on the blackened visage of the Assyrian or Egyptian sphinx, in the monstrous or marvellous paintings which interpret to the faithful of India the inspired pages of the Vedas, in the cryptic emblems of our old books on alchemy, in the ceremonies practised at reception by all secret societies, there are found indications of a doctrine which is everywhere the same and everywhere carefully concealed."

Eliphas Levi, Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie (1855).

Within the building green and blue, Reactor members old and new, Gathered once more to try and find, a candidate suitable in heart and mind.

Under Reactor’s all seeing eye, and the bad luck of a single dead magpie, The loveliest water was drunk by all, as the Scottish myth revealed its call. 

‘We make curtains out of goats hair’, was the chant that sang out on streets so fair, A parade of lanterns to the doors we did take, a lot of noise and commotion there we did make.

We would like to pay tribute to the generosity of Douglas Road residents as we called door-to-door; all proceeds collected during this year’s parade will go towards the purchase of new jam jar lanterns for 2013.

Exuberant though the festivities may have seemed, Reactor's Martinmas celebrations always contain an aspect of great and solemn seriousness.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that, for the sixth year in a row, despite the palindromic date none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2011 filled the gap, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 2011/12. Now, this year’s prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. There is an opening at the heart of the group that awaits the correct initiate, Reactor needs more members, and we are ready to guide you through the preparations. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

“The attributes of liminality or of liminal personae (“Threshold People”) are necessarily ambiguous, since this condition and these persons elude or slip through the network of classifications that normally locate states and positions in cultural space. Liminal entities are neither here or there; they are betwixt and between the position as assigned and arrayed by the law, custom, convention, and ceremonial. As such, their ambiguous and indeterminate attributes are expressed by a rich variety of symbols in the many societies that ritualize social and cultural transitions. Thus, liminality is frequently likened to death, to being in the womb, to invisibility, to darkness, to bisexuality, to the wilderness, and to an eclipse of the sun or moon.”

Victor Turner, The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure (1969).

Seeking the clearing between the two towers in the wood, Reactor ventured West to the middle land. Members old and new gathered with the threshold people to tread the wine of the new season in the stump of an old oak before the protocols of secret membership were, at last, committed to paper.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas. This year, at 11:11, eleven minutes’ silence was observed in honour of the palindromic date, 11/11/11.

Reactor can now reveal that, for the fifth year in a row, despite unprecedented enquiry none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2010 filled the gap, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 2010/11. Now, this year’s prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. There is an opening at the heart of the group that awaits the correct initiate, and Reactor is ready to guide you through the preparations. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

"The candidate is confronted by members of the occult group wearing a special costume; he is blindfolded; he is led by the arm along a rough and difficult route; he is taken into a specially designed chamber with no windows; he is brought into the presence of a 'master'; he is given a test and made to answer questions; he is shown a variety of symbols designed to remind him of death; the situation suggests he may not survive the ordeal; he is given ritual food or drink; he is blindfolded again and led outside."

Dr. Jacques Vallee, Dimensions: A Casebook of Alien Contact (1988).

After two years in alien surroundings, Reactor’s Martinmas celebrations returned home to the Towers in Nottingham. Members past and present gathered together to carry new candidates across the threshold of the chamber. Once inside, time flew by and spirits were high as we trod the new season’s wine, gracefully leapt over the donkey’s frame and sang loudly to our new lampion. Keeping with tradition, despite a strong wind, the troupe braved the inclement weather to wish the merry folk of the Nottingham a very “Happy Martinmas!”

Exuberant though the festivities may have seemed, Reactor's Martinmas celebrations always contain an aspect of great and solemn seriousness.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that, for the fourth year in a row, despite unprecedented enquiry none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2009 filled the gap, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 2009/10. Now, this year's prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. There is an opening at the heart of the group that awaits the correct initiate, and Reactor is ready to guide you through the preparations. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

“At first there are wanderings, and toilsome running about in circles and journeys through the dark over uncertain road and cul de sac; then, just before the end, there are all kinds of terrors, with shivering, trembling, sweating, and utter amazement. After this, a strange and wonderful light meets the wanderer; he is admitted into clean and verdant meadows, where he discerns gentle voices, and choric dances, and the majesty of holy sounds and sacred visions. Here the now fully initiated is free, and walks at liberty like a crowned and dedicated victim, joining in the revelry; he is the companion of pure and holy men, and looks down upon the uninitiated and unpurified crowd here below in the mud and fog...”

F. C. Grant, Hellenistic Religions (1953).

The joyous tradition of Martinmas is upon us once more. Again the candidates were required to journey north, this time to Newcastle upon Tyne, and to bring with them the appropriate sacrifice. After the meat was eaten off it, the breastbone was examined. Revealing a fair and clear bone, indicating that the winter is likely to be cold and full of hard frosts. Undeterred, the Reactor men went singing door to door with jam lanterns, and one of the troupe in clothing commonly associated with the other gender.

Exuberant though the festivities may have seemed, Reactor's Martinmas celebrations always contain an aspect of great and solemn seriousness.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that, for the third year in a row, none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2008 were of sufficient quality, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 08/09. Now, this year's prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. For there is an opening at the heart of the group that awaits the correct initiate. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

Charles "Chuck" Dederich Sr.

Martinmas is upon us once again. This time the candidates were required to journey north, and to bring with them the appropriate sacrifice.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2007 were of sufficient quality, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 07/08. Now, this year's prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

“In the beginning was Initiation. The flesh profiteth nothing; the mind profiteth nothing; that which is unknown to you and above these, while firmly based upon their equilibrium, giveth life. In all systems of religion is to be found a system of Initiation, which may be defined as the process by which a man comes to learn that unknown Crown. Though none can communicate either the knowledge or the power to achieve this, which we may call the Great Work, it is yet possible for initiates to guide others.”

Liber LXI vel Causæ (1909), A∴A∴

The wheel turned again and, shrouded in the autumnal mists of November 11th, the ancient feast of Martinmas was upon us once more. For Reactor, who have always celebrated this great day with special vigour, the festivities included the traditional activities of leaping, backwards donkey rides, an imitation wedding, tasting the new season's wine, cross-dressing, and the symbolic eating of meat. In addition this year, Reactor are proud to have brought Gansabhauet, the venerable tradition of the Swiss town of Sursee, to these shores.

Exuberant though the festivities may have been, Reactor's Martinmas celebrations always contain an aspect of great and solemn seriousness.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential new group members and for their initiation into the most honoured role of Secret Member – a role that is theirs for exactly one year, until the wheel turns once more to Martinmas.

Reactor can now reveal that none of the applicants who presented themselves for initiation on November 11th 2006 were of sufficient quality, and so the chair of the Secret Member remained empty during 06/07. Now, this year's prospective initiates have stepped forward and decisions have been taken.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.

“The initiation is a long series of ceremonies whose purpose is to introduce the young man to religious life: for the first time he leaves the purely profane world, where he spent his childhood, to enter the circle of sacred things. Now, this change of status is conceived, not as the simple and normal development of pre-existing seeds, but as a transformation totious substantia. It is said that at that moment the young man dies, that the particular person he was ceases to exist and is instantaneously replaced by another. He is reborn in a new form.”

Émile Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (1912).

The modern calendar was adopted in the British Isles in 1752, but in some parts the eleven-day difference was not observed, so to some the 11th of November was referred to as Old November Day. This was a remnant of the festival of Samhain [Day of the Dead], or Halloween, when the veil between the realms of life and death is at its thinnest.

Most importantly the 11th November is attributed to St. Martin of Tours, and is therefore celebrated as The Feast of Martinmas.

In the 4th century AD, the Bishop St. Martin was walking to Rome on a pilgrimage. He encountered Satan and was mocked by him. As punishment St. Martin turned the devil into a donkey and rode the lazy beast for the remainder of his journey. The Donkey cursed him and spoke in palindromes.

Because of this significant encounter, Reactor chose this date as the most appropriate for the interviewing of potential group members. This date has become an annual tradition, and we are pleased to announce that The Martinmas Interviews held last year gave us the unprecedented opportunity to welcome our first secret member. His presentation excelled and we gave the unanimous decision to welcome Jonathan Waring into the Reactor fold. In line with our decision to maintain a secret membership, Jonathan’s involvement in the group remained hidden for the year 05 / 06.

Having now completed The Martinmas Interviews for 2006, a process that has seen this years hopefuls interviewed and decisions taken, in order to initiate another secret member for the year 06 / 07. As usual this process of the utmost seriousness has been combined with the more frivolous Martinmas feasting celebrations, which this year have included: leaping, backward donkey rides, an imitation wedding, tasting the new season’s wine, cross-dressing, and the symbolic eating of meat.

Reactor sincerely encourages those who feel ready to join the group, and to take on the role of Secret Member, to step forward urgently and present themselves for the Martinmas Interviews. For a copy of the Reactor Membership Handbook, and to apply click here.