Paul Foster Case

Paul Foster Case (1884-1954) was an American occultist, Freemason, and author known for his extensive work on Tarot and Qabalah. He founded the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.), a mystery school that continues to teach his esoteric lessons. Case's early life was marked by a musical talent, leading to a career as a violinist and conductor, alongside an early attraction to the occult and paranormal experiences.

His interest in Tarot was sparked by a childhood encounter with the concept of 'The Game of Man.' After practicing yoga and experiencing some personal difficulties, he became concerned with the need for proper guidance in occult practices. A pivotal moment occurred when he was presented with a choice between his musical career and dedicating himself to spiritual service, leading him to focus on formulating the core teachings for his future organization. Case's work sought to clarify and organize previously scattered occult doctrines, particularly concerning the Tarot.

Case was involved with the Alpha et Omega order, a successor to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he advanced through its grades. He later encountered controversy with Moina Mathers regarding his teachings on sexual symbolism and sex magic, which were considered controversial at the time. This led to his resignation from a leadership position and the subsequent establishment of his own mystery school, the Builders of the Adytum, to disseminate his teachings.

Born in 1884, Paul Foster Case displayed musical talent from a young age, becoming an accomplished violinist and orchestra conductor, even receiving an honorary doctorate in music. Concurrently, he was drawn to the occult, experiencing phenomena such as lucid dreaming and corresponding with figures like Rudyard Kipling. A significant encounter in 1901 with occultist Claude Bragdon led Case to research the origins of playing cards, uncovering a link to Tarot and what he termed 'The Game of Man.' This discovery initiated his lifelong study of Tarot, culminating in the development of the B.O.T.A. Tarot deck. His early exploration of yoga and pranayama between 1905 and 1908 also highlighted his concern for safe and guided occult practice due to personal difficulties he experienced.

In 1909 or 1910, Case reported a life-altering encounter in Chicago where he was presented with a choice: continue his successful music career or dedicate himself to serving humanity through occult study. He chose the latter, which led to the formulation of the core lessons for what would become the Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). In 1916, he published influential articles on "The Secret Doctrine of the Tarot" in "The Word" magazine, which gained attention for clarifying complex occult teachings related to the Tarot. After leaving the Alpha et Omega order, Case focused on developing a comprehensive correspondence course, "The Ageless Wisdom," and formally established The School of Ageless Wisdom, later known as B.O.T.A., around 1923.

Paul Foster Case's primary contributions lie in his systematic approach to the occult interpretations of Tarot and Qabalah. He developed detailed lessons for his mystery school, Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.), which aimed to illuminate these ancient systems for students. His "corrected" B.O.T.A. Tarot deck was intended to represent a more accurate understanding of the cards' symbolism. Case's teachings also delved into the mystical significance of sexual energy, viewing it as a vital force that could be redirected for spiritual development and the attainment of higher consciousness. His work sought to integrate esoteric knowledge into a practical path for personal transformation.

Case was an active member of the esoteric community, joining the Thoth-Hermes Lodge of the Alpha et Omega (A.O.), a successor organization to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He advanced rapidly within the order, eventually reaching the Second Order. During his time with A.O., he collaborated with Michael Whitty on "The Book of Tokens." However, Case later faced controversy with Moina Mathers, the head of A.O., regarding his teachings on sexual symbolism and sex magic, which were not part of the official curriculum and were viewed with concern by Mathers. Complaints also arose regarding a personal relationship. These issues contributed to Case's resignation from his Praemonstrator role and his eventual departure from A.O. to establish his own independent mystery school.