In Part 1, Pádraic and Ewoud both talk about their backgrounds and their own interests in the esoteric/occult, and then we move on to talk more about the inspiration for 'The Great Invocation' (Garage Rotterdam), plus Ewoud's inspiration for his own installation there. We talk more about the Theosophical Society as a movement and how it relates to contemporary art; we talk about Kurt Seligmann and the surrealists' viewpoints on art, magic, and the potential of the human mind; and Ewoud discusses an experience he had in the search for a new form of art practice. 

PROGRAM NOTES

Pádraic E. Moore - 
http://www.padraicmoore.com/
https://worldpharmacare.academia.edu/P%C3%A1draicEMoore
http://www.bauhaus-imaginista.org/articles/2210/a-mystic-milieu
https://twitter.com/M0REM00REM0RE

Ewoud van Rijn -
http://ewoudvanrijn.blogspot.com/
https://kabk.academia.edu/EwoudvanRijn
https://www.academia.edu/19112170/Playing_with_the_Other_in_the_Beyond
https://www.instagram.com/ewoudvanrijn/

https://catalogue.garagerotterdam.nl/en/catalogues/48/

Kurt Seligmann -
https://www.innertraditions.com/books/the-mirror-of-magic
https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Kurt-Seligmann-1900-1962-Leben-Werk-Hauser/19905219305/bd
https://surrealism.website/seligmann.html

https://courtauld.ac.uk/people/grazina-subelyte/
https://findfullebook.com/get-ebook/file.php?id=9-crDwAAQBAJ&item=surrealism-occultism-and-politics
https://fulgur.co.uk/books/black-mirror-2-elsewhere/

http://www.fineprintmagazine.com/the-other-side
https://www.academia.edu/1592449/Coming_Forth_by_Night_Contemporary_art_and_the_occult

https://www.printedmatter.org/catalog/49471/
http://lescomplices.ch/recollect/witches-hunted-appropriated-empowered-queered/
http://lindastupart.net/
https://www.chiarafumai.com/

https://ia903209.us.archive.org/30/items/the-rosicrucian-enlightenment/The%20Rosicrucian%20Enlightenment.pdf
https://www.amazon.com/Theosophical-Enlightenment-Western-Esoteric-Traditions/dp/079142152X

https://www.amazon.com/Reenchantment-Art-Suzi-Gablik/dp/0500276897
https://www.amazon.com/Has-Modernism-Failed-Suzi-Gablik/dp/0500284849#:~:text=In%20Has%20Modernism%20Failed%3F%2C%20Suzi%20Gablik%20castigated%20a,seeing.%20But%20consumer%20culture%20eventually%20co-opted%20shock%20value.

Theme Music: Daniel P. Shea

Other Music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E17 P1 Pádraic E. Moore and Ewoud van Rijn - The 'Esoteric Turn' in Contemporary Art

Audio-only version of interview uploaded on YouTube on August 2021

Interview Highlights: 
Joel begins by sharing how he came to write about Grant Morrison's Batman RIP, and then we dive into many Buddhist concepts that Morrison uses in their story. As Joel explains these concepts, he also points out how Morrison uses them differently than a Buddhist practicioner would - this due to the great influence of Western occult ideas (such as initiation, the Abyss, and ego-death) taken from Aleister Crowley, among others. Our discussion points out that in fact, Morrison draws on many different sources in the creation of their Batman story, and this leads to some interesting thoughts about the notion of occulture, and creativity. 

You can find the pre-publication draft of Dr. Joel Bordeaux's chapter here: https://www.academia.edu/35255226/_The_Dark_Knight_of_the_Soul_Death_as_Initiatory_Ordeal_in_Grant_Morrison_s_Batman_R_I_P_

Full Title: 'The Dark Knight of the Soul: Death as Initiatory Ordeal in Grant Morrison's Batman RIP. From The Assimilation of Yogic Religions Through Pop Culture, edited by Paul Hackett. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2017. 

AND Joel's lecture for the HHP Centre here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgLQlv6HoII&t=2s

Links: Academia.edu page: https://iias.academia.edu/JoelBordeaux
IIAS profile page: https://www.iias.asia/profile/joel-bordeaux
Humanities Commons profile page: https://hcommons.org/members/joelbordeaux/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYHc9X-zshczQg-t1zJEDbQ/videos
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoelBordeaux

OTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST: 
'The Occult and Comics' by Kennet Granholm: https://www.academia.edu/11761144/The_Occult_and_Comics
'Occulture is Ordinary' Keynote speech from Christopher Partridge: https://contern.org/online-lectures/christopher-partridge-occulture-is-ordinary/

Music: Stephanie Shea

RR Spotlight Dr. Joel Bordeaux -Batman, Buddhism & Bricolage: Grant Morrison & The Dark Knight

This month's episode is the first in a 2-part series about chaos magic. Dr. Christian Greer talks about the history of modern magical groups and how these earlier groups led to the birth of the chaos magic current. Christian begins by talking about why the topic of magic (in all its forms) is relevant as an area of research and study. He then gives a brief history of modern and contemporary ritual magic groups, and how these, along with other influential movements of the time, informed the major figures associated with chaos magic. We then move the discussion to talk about the larger chaos magic current in more detail. 

PROGRAM NOTES

Christian's academia.edu page: https://hds.academia.edu/JChristianGreer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelheadedhipstersarchive/

Alex Owen's The Place of Enchantment: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo3629191.html

Marco Pasi's 'The Modernity of Occultism': https://www.academia.edu/470659/The_Modernity_of_Occultism_Reflections_on_Some_Crucial_Aspects

Christopher Partridge's 'Occulture is Ordinary' + handbook: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/contemporary-esotericism/occulture-is-ordinary/9C37EB08F3ECA6971C790E537A9260DB

Theodor Adorno's 'Theses Against Occultism': http://www.autodidactproject.org/other/adornocc.html

John Carter, Sex and Rockets  (Jack Parsons): https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Rockets-Occult-World-Parsons/dp/0922915970

Adam Gorightly, The Prankster and the Conspiracy (Kerry Thornley): https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Rockets-Occult-World-Parsons/dp/0922915970

Kenneth Grant 'Typhonian Trilogies Series': https://www.goodreads.com/series/111551-typhonian-trilogies

Austin Osman Spare at Hermetic Library: https://hermetic.com/spare/index

Thee Temple of Psychick Youth (TOPY), Thee Psychick Bible : https://ia902301.us.archive.org/15/items/genesis-breyer-p-orridge-thee-psychick-bible-pdf-tkrg/Genesis%20Breyer%20P-Orridge%20-%20Thee%20Psychick%20Bible%20-%20pdf%20TKRG.pdf

Christopher Partridge (editor), The Occult World: https://www.routledge.com/The-Occult-World/Partridge/p/book/9781138219250

Other scholars mentioned in this episode - 
(Theosophy) https://uva.academia.edu/MrigankaMukhopadhyay
(Thelema) https://karlstad.academia.edu/ManonHedenborgWhite
(Kenneth Grant) https://gu-se.academia.edu/HenrikBogdan

Theme Music: Daniel P. Shea
Other Music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E19 P1 Christian Greer- Chaos Magic Part 1: Etic Examinations

Ninian Nijhuis holds a Research Master in Religious Studies (University of Amsterdam); a BA in Law and an LL.M. in International Public Law (University of Utrecht). Her main focus is on Western Esotericism and her key fields of interest are Jungian psychology, sidereal astrology, mysticism, spirituality and its connections to science. Additionally, she is Head of Social Media at the Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP Centre) and the University of Amsterdam, and currently works as a sidereal astrologer and coach.  

 

In this interview, Ninian and I discuss sidereal astrology, and how it differs from tropical astrology (the system that most people in the West are familiar with). Ninian shares the history of astrology and of these two systems; why these systems became separated (with tropical astrology the most popular form in the West, and sidereal astrology in the East); and how sidereal astrology made a 'comeback' in the West via Cyril Fagan and others.  

 

Ninian also shares her personal journey and views with regard to astrology, her research interest on an academic level, and how she uses sidereal astrology together with Jungian psychology in her own work.


RESOURCES

You can find Ninian at https://niniansiderealastrology.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niniannijhuis/
https://www.instagram.com/ninian_siderealastrology/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niniansiderealastrology
Academia.edu: https://uva.academia.edu/NinianNijhuis

Ninian's article about Western sidereal astrology: https://www.academia.edu/50008714/Western_Sidereal_Astrology_From_Ancient_Babylonia_to_the_Modern_West

From her website: https://niniansiderealastrology.com/2021/11/19/what-is-western-sidereal-astrology/


If you are interested in the academic study of Western Esotericism, and would like to be kept up-to-date on current lectures, courses, conferences, books, podcasts, etc., please check out -

https://www.instagram.com/amsterdamhermetica/
https://www.amsterdamhermetica.nl/
https://www.facebook.com/amsterdamhermetica
 


Theme Music: Stephanie Shea

Spotlight Ninian Nijhuis - Western Sidereal Astrology

As the Rejected Religion platform is concerned with what is known as 'occulture,' or how the occult is represented and portrayed in popular culture, this video highlights some of the occult references found in two recent Netflix series, Archive 81 and Stranger Things. Please see the 'References' section below for more detailed information concerning these topics.

 Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. 

 


REFERENCES 

1. Celestial/astronomical magic 

- Ninian Nijhuis (99+) Western Sidereal Astrology: From Ancient Babylonia to the Modern West | Ninian L Nijhuis - Academia.edu

 - Nicholas Campion Astrology | 67 | The Occult World | Nicholas Campion | Taylor & Franci (taylorfrancis.com)

 - Wouter Hanegraaff (see in particular pp.392-395) New Age Religion and Western Culture – Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought | Brill

 

 2. Witchcraft
Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements - Oxford Handbooks

 

 3. Spiritualism 

- Egil Asprem (99+) The Society for Psychical Research (Chapter 24, The Occult World) | Egil Asprem - Academia.edu 
- Cathy Gutierrez The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Catherine Albanese A Republic of Mind and Spirit (yale.edu)

 

 HBO No One Dies in Lily Dale - No One Dies in Lily Dale (2011) - IMDb

 

 4. Spirit Art 
5. Spirit Photography 

- Tessel Bauduin (99+) The Occult and the Visual Arts | Tessel M . Bauduin, PhD - Academia.edu

- The Spiritual in Art The Spiritual in Art, Maurice Tuchman | 9780896596696 | Boeken | bol.com

Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future | The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation

welcome - Georgiana Houghton

 

 6. Theosophical Society 
- Olav Hammer The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Catherine Albanese A Republic of Mind and Spirit (yale.edu)

- Wouter Hanegraaff New Age Religion and Western Culture – Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought | Brill

 

 7. Ritual Magic(k) 
Golden Dawn: 
-Francisco Santos Silva William Wynn Westcott | 24 | The Occult World | Francisco Santos Silva (taylorfrancis.com)

Samuel Liddell Mathers | 26 | The Occult World | Francisco Santos Silv (taylorfrancis.com)

- Robert Gilbert The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

 Ordo Templi Orientis & 
8. Agape Lodge No. 2: 

- Christian Giudice The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Nicolas Goodrick-Clarke The Occult Roots Of Nazism : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

- Nicolas Campion The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Manon Hedenborg White (99+) From Chorazin to Carcosa. Fiction-Based Esotericism in the Black Pilgrimage of Jack Parsons and Cameron | Manon Hedenborg White - Academia.edu

Amazon.com: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism): 9780190065027: Hedenborg White, Manon: Books

- Hugh Urban (99+) Magia Sexualis | Hugh Urban - Academia.edu

 

9. Mankind United
Mankind, Unite! | Lapham’s Quarterly (laphamsquarterly.org)

Mankind United Index (sacred-texts.com)

California cult : the story of "Mankind United" : Dohrman, H. T : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

 

 10. Satanic Panic 

- Philip Jenkins (pp.221-241) in  Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements - Oxford Handbooks

 - Jesper Aagaard Petersen The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Jeffrey Victor The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Christopher Partridge The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)

- Joseph P. Laycock Dangerous Games by Joseph P. Laycock - Paperback - University of California Press (ucpress.edu)

- Peter Bebergal Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll: Bebergal, Peter: 9780399174964: Amazon.com: Books

 

 Theme music: Stephanie Shea

Spotlight Occulture Series - Netflix's Archive 81 & Stranger Things 4

In this interview, Ralph shares his own perspectives on many of the topics that Dr. Christian Greer and I had discussed in Episode 19 ('Etic Examinations'). He shares his own background in occultism, 'the state of things' in Germany in the 1970s and -80s, as well as the change in perspective with the introduction of the 'Anglo' or British perspective about occultism and chaos magic. He also talks about his viewpoints regarding the concepts of 'gnosis' and 'shamanism' as they relate to chaos magic, how he feels about 'rationalist' thinkers such as Theodor Adorno, and highlights some of his own works. In my opinion, Ralph gives a very interesting overview of how he, as a practitioner, things about magic and how magic works for people who practice it. 
A very special thanks to Friedemann Rimbach-Sator for the inspiration behind the 'chaos magic' episodes, and for introducing me to Ralph Tegtmeier. 


PROGRAM NOTES

Selected Bibliography Ralph Tegtmeier/ Frater U:.D:. (provided  by Mr. Tegtmeier):
https://www.facebook.com/darkstarmagick/posts/2831220337177759
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Magic-Contemporary-Experiences-Practicing/dp/0738766798
https://www.draconisbooks.com/products/where-do-demons-live-by-frater-ud
https://issuu.com/llewellyn/docs/9780738749990
https://www.draconisbooks.com/products/sex-magic-by-frater-ud
https://www.academia.edu/26011406/Practical_Sigil_Magic_Frater_U_D
https://www.draconisbooks.com/products/money-magic-by-frater-ud
https://www.amazon.com/High-Magic-Practice-Frater-U/dp/0738704717


Other Selected Frater U:.D:. References:
http://www.chaosmatrix.org/library/chaos/texts/model.html
http://www.chaosmatrix.org/library/ud.php

Chaos Magic:
https://www.amazon.com/Liber-Null-Psychonaut-Introduction-Chaos/dp/0877286396


Selected Academic References:
https://www.academia.edu/9305654/Chaos_Magick
https://www.academia.edu/es/3077943/Perennialism_and_Iconoclasm_Chaos_Magick_and_the_Legitimacy_of_Innovation
https://www.academia.edu/35746068/The_Illuminates_of_Thanateros_and_the_Institutionalisation_of_Religious_Individualisation
 

Contact Ralph Tegtmeier/Frater U:.D:. https://www.facebook.com/fantomaster

Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Other music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E21 Ralph Tegtmeier - Chaos Magic P2: Emic Experiences

In the first part of our interview, Andrea and I discuss the complex issue regarding the definition of 'magic' within the Western historical study of esotericism and/or religion, and how we could perhaps see 'magic' as a meta-category containing 'family resemblances' or 'patterns of magicity' that allow for comparisons of different magical practices or attitudes. We also talk about the differences between the etic and emic perspectives of the term 'magic', as grimoires are concerned with the magicians' views and ideas about the rituals they perform and the significance these rituals hold.  

We then delve into the topic of legitimization of ritual magical practices within the context of Christianity from the 1200s-1500s. In this time period, most magical texts were considered heretical by the Church, forcing magicians to try to legitimize the use of these manuscripts. We look in particular at the views of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim and his attempts to restore the reputation of magic as a divine art.  

Our conversation then leads to different magical texts, focusing on the Liber Iuratus Honorii, or The Sworn Book of Honorius as it relates to Andrea's own research into ritual spaces. We also use Andrea's article to discuss these concepts in more detail, especially why space is such an important part of the magical ritual. 

Check out the website www.rejectedreligion.com (click "Podcast" link in the header)for all the program notes, links to reference materials, etc.!

RR Pod E22 Andrea Franchetto - 'Magic' & Grimoire Traditions

In this discussion, Michelle and Christian share their experiences with pilgrimages, and how they came to write their book about the Japanese pilgrimage route known as the Kumano Kodo. As many may not have had their own experiences with pilgrimages, they talk about the reasons that people might choose to go on a pilgrimage, what the purpose is, and how it's not always a 'religious' thing. We also discuss the liminal aspect of the pilgrimage road, the different types of spirits that one can encounter as the pilgrim enters the 'other' space on the road, and how these encounters change the perspective of the pilgrim during the pilgrimage, but also afterwards. This conversation also includes some information about the mythology of the Kumano region of Japan, plus an interesting finding by Christian about the political side of the Kumano Kodo as a UNESCO heritage site, plus much, much more that can't be included in a short summary! 
Please visit rejectedreligion.com for the full program notes and links!

RR Pod E23 Drs. Michelle K. Oing & J. Christian Greer - Kumano Kodo

In Part 1, Aaron and I explore many different rabbit holes regarding esotericism and high strangeness. Aaron begins by expanding on his earlier presentations that he gave this year on this topic; he's looking at the relationship between technology and magic, and is asking, 'how does technology reenchant the world?' One area that we can find a lot of interesting material is the UFO-field. Aaron talks about his research findings regarding the links between Rudolf Steiner and J. Allen Hynek (a scientist who was working with the U.S. government in its project to study the UFO phenomena). From there, we look at the esoteric ideas linked with this topic, how they developed and have become assimilated into New Age thought surrounding the narratives and ideas found in the UFO field. 

Check out rejectedreligion.com for the full program notes!
Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Additional music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E24 Part 1 Dr. Aaron French - US From The Future?

In Part 2, Aaron and I look at different related threads that one encounters when delving into this topic; in particular, how Aaron's research ties into a topic that I had talked about last year with regard to the recent documentary-type show called 'Hellier' (specifically with regard to a man named Allen Greenfield). This links to high strangeness such as that seen in the book The Mothman Prophecies, but also ritual magick, and occulture at its finest. We try to make some sense out of all of this and ask how it all relates to the original case study of Steiner and Hynek. We then shift our attention to talk about the challenges that a researcher within academia faces when trying to explore topics that are considered 'controversial', as well as the backlash that a researcher might experience from the people being researched. 

Check out rejectedreligion.com for the full program notes!

Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Additional music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E24 P2 Dr. Aaron French - US From The Future?

In this interview, Cavan McLaughlin begins by discussing his motivation and inspiration to create the Trans-States platform, that focuses strongly on bridging the gaps between the academic and larger esoteric/occult communities. Cavan is an artist, filmmaker and media producer as well as an academic lecturer, and this multi-disciplinary aspect is extremely important for the Trans-States exhibition and conference series as well. 
As the third conference has recently taken place, Cavan and I discuss the successful interdisciplinary interactions and contributions, the themes of the conferences and their developments (based upon Major Arcana tarot cards), and what is to come in the future.

Please check out the Trans-States YouTube channel to view uploads of past conference presentations and performances, and check back in the new year for the latest uploads! 

For the complete program notes with links, visit www.rejectedreligion.com or the YouTube channel!

Spotlight Cavan McLaughlin - Trans-States Exhibition & Conference Series

Full title: Allen Ginsberg & His Blakean Revival: 'Counterculture' and Esoteric Intersections

In Part One, Luke discusses the great influence of the poet and artist William Blake on Allen Ginsberg, one of the most influential people from the Beat Generation and the ‘counterculture’ movement of 1960s United States. He also talks in detail about Ginsberg’s “Blake Vision,” the name Ginsberg gave to a series of extraordinary events in his life in 1948. We then discuss Luke’s article “Tangled Up in Blake” that focuses on Ginsberg’s views about Bob Dylan and their complex relationship. Lastly, we talk about the influence of Buddhism on Ginsberg and how this affected his views about Blake and his worldview in general.

For full program notes, please visit: https://www.rejectedreligion.com/podcast

Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Other music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E25 P1 Dr. Luke Walker - Allen Ginsberg & His Blakean Revival

Allen Ginsberg & His Blakean Revival: 'Counterculture' and Esoteric Intersections

In Part 2, Luke and I discuss the esoteric connections and intersections with the figures of Blake and Ginsberg. We talk about in the influence of Emmanuel Swedenborg and Gnosticism on the worldviews of both Blake and Ginsberg, how Ginsberg saw Buddhism and Gnosticism as being connected in a syncretic way, and what contemporary artists could be viewed as ‘carrying on the Blakean torch’ in our own popular culture. 

For full program notes, please visit: https://www.rejectedreligion.com/podcast

Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Other music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E25 P2 Dr. Luke Walker - Allen Ginsberg & His Blakean Revival

It was my pleasure to speak with Prof. Dr. Wouter Hanegraaff about his new book, Hermetic Spirituality and the Historical Imagination: Altered States of Knowledge in Late Antiquity. As Wouter preferred not to give a general summary, I chose four very important themes of the book to discuss: what the Hermetica is really all about; the notion of embodiment in the Hermetic texts; the difficult but extremely important task of interpreting the ancient texts; and the importance of the faculty of the imagination - not only within the Hermetica, but also for the scholar trying to understand what the texts are actually saying. 
Wouter does an excellent job of explaining the terms gnosis and nous (that Wouter calls the "hero of the book") and how they are used within the Hermetic texts; these terms are crucial for the rest of the discussion.  Following the four themes, Wouter discusses in more detail how Platonism influenced the Hermetica, how Gadamer's concept of hermeneutics plays a role in the process of understanding these texts, the paradox of how we think about the term imagination, and how Wouter tries to 'systematically privilege weirdness' when studying the Hermetic texts. 
Check out the website for the full program notes!
Theme music: Daniel P. Shea
Other music: Stephanie Shea

RR Pod E26 Porf. Dr. Wouter J. Hanegraaff: Hermetic Embodiment, Interpretation, & Imagination

This month's topic centers around Emanuel Swedenborg, who was, and still is, an extremely influential figure within the currents of esotericism. Dell Rose begins by giving a short introduction about Swedenborg, and then moves to discuss other aspects of Swedenborg's life and beliefs that led to his eventual 'revelations' about the nature of the spiritual world and free will. 

Dell is particularly concerned with the cultural reception of Swedenborg, and he notes that Swedenborg's influence is varied, but overwhelming. This influence is seen in all forms of cultural life from the 19th century onward, in areas such as art, literature, poetry, and music; but also in the political sphere, including public planning, cooperative societies, and women's rights. Dell shares his own research into Charles Augustus Tulk, who was keen to implement Swedenborg's ideas onto social issues, as well as other figures who were also inspired by Swedenborgian thought. 
Check out the website for full program notes!

RR Pod E27 Dell Rose -Cultural Receptions of Emanuel Swedenborg

In Part 1, Bob begins by explaining the terms “the weird” and “the eerie” and how these literary concepts have helped to fuel the social imagination; as well as the tricky issue of how one discerns between ‘fiction’ and ‘reality’. With the help of philosophical concepts such as ‘the hyperreal’ and simulacra taken from Baudrillard, as well as other concepts from French philosophers such as Deleuze,  Guattari, and Lyotard, Bob discusses the effects of signs, symbols, and other images on our understanding of what’s ‘real’, as well as the dissolving boundaries between ‘the real’ and ‘the artificial’. 

This all takes us into the area of hyperstition, the CCRU, and a case study that is a good example of a hyperstition found in the Slederman character, and later incident in 2014 involving Slenderman where two girls come to believe that he is a real entity, attempting to kill their friend because of it. Bob also talks about how such a character becomes implanted in our collective consciousness through digital interactions such as memes, and later becomes a part of our cultural history. Bob also touches on the concept of acceleration, which he later expands upon in part 2. 

Check out the website for all the links in the program notes.

RR Pod E28 P1 Bob Cluness- An Esoteric Menagerie...

In Part 2, we sit with the concept of accelerationism, how it is occultural in its original form (in Bob’s opinion), its problems, its appropriation by far-right groups, and the related sticky problems of capitalism and neoliberalism that are currently associated with accelerationist thinking in these circles. 
The conversation from here continues to expand.
Bob also discusses the explosion of digital technologies and how contemporary spiritual currents and esoteric movements are enmeshed with technology. This leads us into a more detailed exploration of the CCRU and conspiracy theories, as well as the irony of how the esoteric concept of perennialism (or the idea that there is one everlasting Truth with a capitol T), has gained traction with some magical practitioners. 
As a little tangent, we also talk about trauma, as this is the ‘elephant in the room’ when discussing Slenderman, as well as the current focus by many on ‘healing’ and how esoteric currents AND neoliberalist viewpoints have also influenced the discourse around healing and wellness.
Lastly, Bob shares his current work into the works of JG Ballard and Simon Sellars. Bob sees these works as esoteric texts that add to his interests of researching not only historiographical aspects, but also what is happening now in modern esoteric currents. 

Check out the website for full program notes and links.

RR Pod E28 P2 Bob Cluness - An Esoteric Menagerie...

Guest: Mike Marinacci, author of Psychedelic Cults and Outlaw Churches: LSD, Cannabis, and Spiritual Sacraments in Underground America

Mike is an independent expert on psychedelic spiritual groups and nontraditional American religious sects. He is also the author of California Jesus and Mysterious California, and coauthor of the bestselling Weird California. And he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, USA.

In this very engaging conversation, Mike starts by talking about what inspired him to write this book, and then we jump into discussing several of the major psychedelic groups he discusses in his book. A few highlights of our interview: The Native American Church and their struggle to receive legal permission from the United States government to use peyote in their rituals; how non-indigenous people also tried to gain this legal permission for their own churches; the highly eventful life of Timothy Leary and his engagement with LSD, and his later League for Spiritual Discovery; the forerunner to satirical groups such as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Neo-American Church; the introduction of ‘crisis response’ help with the use of LSD by the Church of Naturalism; the switch to the use of legal drugs by the Church of the Tree of Life; the success of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church with the Rastafarians, and the downfall of the Church after the group became too highly involved in drug trafficking; and the complicated efforts to profit commercially from the use of entheogens by the present-day Ayahuasca Healings group.

Visit www.rejectedreligion.com for all program notes/links!

RR Pod E29 Mike Marinacci Psychedelic Cults and Outlaw Churches

Episode Summary
In Part 1, Thomas and I will be discussing Crowley's background, his start in the magical group known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the concept of intiation, and Crowley's own magical system called Thelema. 

Episode Notes
References:

Sources mentioned in the podcast by Aleister Crowley:

The Book of the Law - http://lib.oto-usa.org/libri/liber0220.html

Magick (Book 4) -  https://hermetic.com/crowley/book-4/index

Magick Without Tears - https://hermetic.com/crowley/magick-without-tears/index

The Confessions of Aleister Crowley - https://hermetic.com/crowley/confessions/index

The Equinox - http://www.the-equinox.org/  

https://keepsilence.org/the-equinox/

Ep.2 with Thomas Van Breda, Pt. 1- Aleister Crowley: Love Under Will, Angels, and... The Abyss?

In Part 1, Tommy will be delving into Burroughs's background in order to explain how Burroughs's experiences influenced his worldview and his writing. We also discuss some important research findings of Tommy's concerning the Mayan 2012 prophecy and the link to Burroughs, the importance of the alien insect overlords found in Burroughs's writings, and expand further on Burroughs's interest in the occult, including why most literary critics ignore this aspect of Burroughs entirely.

Episode Notes:

Tommy P. Cowan's academia.edu page: https://amsterdam.academia.edu/TommyPCowan/

Correspondences Journal: https://correspondencesjournal.com/

The Exterminator : https://www.sea-urchin.net/books/moloko-print/william-burroughs-brion-gysin-the-exterminator-redux/

The Yage Letters + Junky ( & other works): https://all-med.net/pdf/the-yage-letters/

And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, with Jack Kerouac (& other works): https://newbooksinpolitics.com/political/and-the-hippos-were-boiled-in-their-tanks/

The Soft Machine: http://miltonthed.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/6/14162844/burroughs_william_seward-the_soft_machine.pdf
Naked Lunch: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7437.Naked_Lunch

Other authors/ persons of interest mentioned in this episode:

Brion Gysin, The Dreamachine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamachine

Jeffrey Kripal, author of The Super Natural : https://www.amazon.com/Super-Natural-New-Vision-Unexplained/dp/1101982322

Barry Miles, author of Call Me Burroughs: A Life: https://www.amazon.nl/Call-Me-Burroughs-Barry-Miles/dp/1455511935

Ted Morgan, author of Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23949.Literary_Outlaw

Robert A. Heinlein, sci-fi author: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/robert-heinlein/

Terrance & Dennis McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Landscape-Mind-Hallucinogens-Ching/dp/0062506358

Kill Your Darlings (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1311071/

Naked  Lunch (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102511/

Episode art credit: photo by Richard Avedon

E3P1 Tommy Cowan: The Occult World of William Burroughs -Time, Space, Code Words and...Insect Time?

Part 2 of Tommy's interview continues with an in-depth look at the cut-up method, and why it's relevant to Burroughs's beliefs about the archons (and what these beings are). We also discuss Gnosticism and the links to Burroughs's ideas, how he viewed magic(k) and why Tommy personally finds Burroughs so interesting.

Episode Notes:

Tommy P. Cowan's academia.edu page: https://amsterdam.academia.edu/TommyPCowan/

Correspondences Journal: https://correspondencesjournal.com/

The Exterminator : https://www.sea-urchin.net/books/moloko-print/william-burroughs-brion-gysin-the-exterminator-redux/

The Yage Letters + Junky ( & other works): https://all-med.net/pdf/the-yage-letters/

And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, with Jack Kerouac (& other works): https://newbooksinpolitics.com/political/and-the-hippos-were-boiled-in-their-tanks/

The Soft Machine: http://miltonthed.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/6/14162844/burroughs_william_seward-the_soft_machine.pdf

Naked Lunch: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7437.Naked_Lunch

Other authors/ persons of interest mentioned in this episode:

Brion Gysin, The Dreamachine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamachine

Jeffrey Kripal, author of The Super Natural : https://www.amazon.com/Super-Natural-New-Vision-Unexplained/dp/1101982322

Barry Miles, author of Call Me Burroughs: A Life: https://www.amazon.nl/Call-Me-Burroughs-Barry-Miles/dp/1455511935

Ted Morgan, author of Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23949.Literary_Outlaw

Robert A. Heinlein, sci-fi author: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/robert-heinlein/

Terrance & Dennis McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Landscape-Mind-Hallucinogens-Ching/dp/0062506358

Kill Your Darlings (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1311071/

Naked  Lunch (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102511/

Episode art credit: photo by Richard Avedon

E3P2 Tommy Cowan: The Occult World of William Burroughs- Time, Space, Code Words and...Insect Time?

In Part 1, Robert discusses the origins of Hyperstition, and our old friend William Burroughs from Episode 3 joins us again, as Burroughs's ideas about Time and Control play an important role in this story. And, as with Burroughs, the use of magick to try to change reality is also important here, especially with regard to semiotics. Theosophy's theory about root races, Aleister Crowley, and Lovecraft also get a mention.

EPISODE NOTES

Lemurian Time War  http://www.ccru.net/archive/burroughs.htm?LMCL=Mce24a&LMCL=q2_Nlu&LMCL=mttdXf&LMCL=ntDctj&LMCL=pVW4ZS&LMCL=c1yUJ5&LMCL=dFDG23&LMCL=wdLYre

The Ghost Lemurs of Madagascar  http://www.williamflew.com/omni103a.html

CCRU Archive Material http://ccru.net/archive.htm

Robert Cabrales's "The Hyperstitional Philosophy of Time-Travel Cybernetics: Theosophy, the CCRU, and Black-Box Poiesis" https://www.academia.edu/40394659/The_Hyperstitional_Philosophy_of_Time_Travel_Cybernetics_Theosophy_the_CCRU_and_Black_Box_Poiesis

Articles about Chaos Magic by Colin Duggan [see first two papers on the list]  https://ucc-ie.academia.edu/ColinDuggan

Mutants and Mystics : Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal by Jeffrey J. Kripal   https://www.amazon.com/Mutants-Mystics-Science-Superhero-Paranormal/dp/022627148X 

"The Magical Theory of Politics: Memes, Magic, and the Enchantment of Social Forces in the American Magic War" by Egil Asprem https://online.ucpress.edu/nr/article/23/4/15/107331/The-Magical-Theory-of-PoliticsMemes-Magic-and-the

"Accelerationism, Hyperstition and Myth-Science" by Simon O' Sullivan  https://www.academia.edu/19888801/Accelerationism_Hyperstition_and_Myth_Science

Thee Psychick Bible: A New Testament  by Genesis P-Orridge  https://www.amazon.com/Thee-Psychick-Bible-Testameant-Book/dp/1932595392

"The Poememenon: Form as Occult Technology" by Amy Ireland  https://www.urbanomic.com/document/poememenon/

"Charles Fort" by Jeffrey J. Kripal in The Occult World, edited by Christopher Partridge  https://www.amazon.com/Occult-World-Christopher-Partridge/dp/1138219258

RR Podcast E4 P1 Audio Robert Cabrales: "Hyperstition - Fictions Becoming Real?"

We start the episode with a short re-cap of the important concepts from Part 1. In this second part, Robert and I discuss how feedback loops work with the help of the film, The Sixth Sense. We also talk more about the difference between virtual reality and actual reality with the discussion of the concepts of re-enchantment and dis-enchantment. We also discuss how and why the Pepe the Frog meme was used by chaos magicians and others  to attempt to influence the 2016 US election. Robert brings up the topic of Bob Lazar (to my pleasant surprise), and conspiracy theories are discussed in relation to hyperstition.

EPISODE NOTES

Lemurian Time War  http://www.ccru.net/archive/burroughs.htm?LMCL=Mce24a&LMCL=q2_Nlu&LMCL=mttdXf&LMCL=ntDctj&LMCL=pVW4ZS&LMCL=c1yUJ5&LMCL=dFDG23&LMCL=wdLYre

The Ghost Lemurs of Madagascar  http://www.williamflew.com/omni103a.html

CCRU Archive Material http://ccru.net/archive.htm

Robert Cabrales's "The Hyperstitional Philosophy of Time-Travel Cybernetics: Theosophy, the CCRU, and Black-Box Poiesis" https://www.academia.edu/40394659/The_Hyperstitional_Philosophy_of_Time_Travel_Cybernetics_Theosophy_the_CCRU_and_Black_Box_Poiesis

Articles about Chaos Magic by Colin Duggan [see first two papers on the list]  https://ucc-ie.academia.edu/ColinDuggan

Mutants and Mystics : Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal by Jeffrey J. Kripal   https://www.amazon.com/Mutants-Mystics-Science-Superhero-Paranormal/dp/022627148X 

"The Magical Theory of Politics: Memes, Magic, and the Enchantment of Social Forces in the American Magic War" by Egil Asprem https://online.ucpress.edu/nr/article/23/4/15/107331/The-Magical-Theory-of-PoliticsMemes-Magic-and-the

"Accelerationism, Hyperstition and Myth-Science" by Simon O' Sullivan  https://www.academia.edu/19888801/Accelerationism_Hyperstition_and_Myth_Science

Thee Psychick Bible: A New Testament  by Genesis P-Orridge  https://www.amazon.com/Thee-Psychick-Bible-Testameant-Book/dp/1932595392

"The Poememenon: Form as Occult Technology" by Amy Ireland  https://www.urbanomic.com/document/poememenon/

"Charles Fort" by Jeffrey J. Kripal in The Occult World, edited by Christopher Partridge  https://www.amazon.com/Occult-World-Christopher-Partridge/dp/1138219258

RR Podcast Audio E4 P2 Robert Cabrales: Hyperstition - Fictions Becoming Real?

This month's special episode concerning inner, personal experiences in Celtic Spirituality is an interview with my aunt, Dr. Patricia Shea. She is Professor Emeritus of Education, and holds an MA in Religious Studies. Currently, she is a life coach, faciliator, and spiritual director. Patricia was also a Catholic nun in the Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for many years. At this stage of her life, however, she considers herself a Celtic Crone. What Patricia will be sharing in this interview is an integration of what she has learned from others within the area of Celtic Spirituality, combined with her own personal perspectives based upon her life experiences. This is not an academic discussion, but more a space for Patricia to share her own insights about her spiritual path, including her views about religion, and mysticism as well. We discuss what Celtic Spirituality is, the Celtic Wheel and how this is attuned to the Earth, the Winter Solstice, and even some opportunities a worldwide pandemic can offer to help us all explore deeper questions about life. Wishing you all a Happy Solstice!

EPISODE REFERENCES - SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. 1995  

Conway, D.J. & Lisa Hung. A Guide to the Celtic Dragon Tarot.  2011

Freedman, Mara.  Kindling the Celtic Spirit, Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life throughout the Seasons. 2001. Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons: Freeman, Mara: 9780062516855: Amazon.com: Books

~www.chalicecentre.net

~Grail Alchemy, Initiation in the Celtic Mystery Tradition. 2014

Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. 2006 The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth: Greer, John Michael, Carr-Gomm, Philip: 9781578633548: Amazon.com: Books

Hamilton, Claire. The Celtic Book of Seasonal Mediations. 2003  

~Maiden, Mother, Crone; Voices of the Goddess. 2005

MacEown, Frank. The Celtic Way of Seeing: Mediations on the Irish Spirit Wheel. 2007  

~The Spiral of Memory and Belonging, A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship. 2004                                      

Matthews, Caitlin. The Celtic Tradition. 1995  The Way of - The Celtic Tradition: Matthews, Caitlin: 9780007154333: Amazon.com: Books

~The Celtic Spirit, Daily Meditations for the Turning Year. 1999

~The Celtic Wisdom Tarot. 1999

~Celtic Visions. 2013

~Psychic Shield, The Personal Handbook of Psychic Protection. 2006

~Singing the Soul Back Home, Shamanic Wisdom for Every Day. 2018

Matthews, John. The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld.  2004.  

~Celtic Totem Animals: Meet your animal helpers on your own shamanic journey.  2002

Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews. Walkers Between the Worlds,  2003. Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus: Matthews, Caitlín, Matthews, John: 9780892810918: Amazon.com: Books

Momma White Cougar. The Sacred Wheel.  Published by publishmybookonkindle.com

Monaghan, Patricia. The Goddess Path.  1999

Newell, Phillip. Listening to the Heartbeat of God.: A Celtic Spirituality. 1997

~A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul . 2012 A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul: Newell, J. Philip: 8589901111111: Amazon.com: Books

~Celtic Prayers from Iona. 1997

~Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer. 2000

O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara, Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World. 1997 Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom: John O'Donohue: 9780060929435: Amazon.com: Books

~Beauty, the Invisible Embrace. 2004

~Eternal Echoes, Exploring Our Yearning to Belong. 1999

~To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings. 2008  

~Wisdom from the Celtic World. 9 CD’s from Sounds True

Taylor, Joules. The Book of Celtic Symbols, Symbols, Stories & Blessings for Everyday Living.  2007  

~Celtic Messages, Book and 52 cards for affirmation and divination.  2007

Ep6 Dr. Patricia Shea: Finding Wisdom in Celtic Spirituality, Mystisicm, and...a Pandemic?

Episode Notes
In preparation for next month's mini-roundtable discussion about' Hellier' and everything 'high strangeness', this episode will attempt to lay a foundation about the documentary 'Hellier,' the podcast 'Penny Royal,' and 'everything else' that seems to be connected to these phenomena - Secret Ciphers, magick rituals and gateways, the Mothman incident, Twin Peaks, and more. 

 

RESOURCES

'Hellier' Season 1: Hellier Season 1: Episode 1 | The Midnight Children - YouTube

'Hellier' Season 2: Hellier Season 2: Episode 1 | Noise and Signal - YouTube

'Penny Royal' Podcast: Penny Royal Podcast – A New Podcast of Magic, Mystery and High Strangeness On The Penny Royal Plateau.

The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost: Amazon.com: The Secret History of Twin Peaks: A Novel (9781250075581): Frost, Mark: Books

Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier by Mark Frost: Amazon.com: Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier (9781250163301): Frost, Mark: Books

The Mothman Prophecies by John Keel: Amazon.com: The Mothman Prophecies: A True Story (9780765334985): Keel, John A.: Books

The Complete Secret Cipher of the UFOnauts by Allen Greenfield: The Complete SECRET CIPHER Of the UfOnauts: Greenfield, Allen H., Phillips, Olav: 9781718645356: Amazon.com: Books

The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained by Whitley Strieber and Jeffrey J. Kripal: The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained: Strieber, Whitley, Kripal, Jeffrey J.: 9781101982327: Amazon.com: Books

The Morning of the Magicians by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier: The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations: Pauwels, Louis, Bergier, Jacques: 9781594772313: Amazon.com: Books
 

Cover image: Hellier: A Planet Weird Original Series  


Theme music: Daniel P. Shea

Additional music: Stephanie Shea

RR Podcast E7: A Warm Up To 'Hellier' and High Strangeness

Episode Notes
In Part 2, we jump right back into the 'dangerous' and terryifying aspects of contemplating 'the Other,' and this leads to discussing gateways that allow entitites to come through (does this account for accounts of high strangeness)? Thomas notes how Crowley's writings seem to contradict the notion that there is an 'Other,' as there is no duality in Crowley's thought. This leads into a brief discussion about the entities that one may encounter in anomalous events (for example, tulpas)- are these subjective or objective? The latter part of the conversation centers on scholarly approaches to all of this, our appreciation for Hellier as a powerful occultural product, and whether or not scholars could perhaps lend any insights to reseachers as they conduct their own fieldwork. 

EPISODE NOTES:

Rudolph Otto and The Numinous: (99+) (PDF) Rudolf Otto and the Concept of the Numinous | Stuart Ray Sarbacker - Academia.edu

Henri Corbin and the Mundus Imaginalis: MUNDUS IMAGINALIS OR THE IMAGINARY AND THE IMAGINAL (bahaistudies.net)

Bergson-Deleuze Encounters: Bergson-Deleuze Encounters: Transcendental Experience and the Thought of the Virtual: Moulard-Leonard, Valentine: Amazon.nl

Kenneth Grant and the Mauve Zone: Beyond the Mauve Zone: Grant, Kenneth: 9780952782452: Amazon.com: Books

Jeff Kripal & Whitley Strieber's The Super Natural: The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained: Strieber, Whitley, Kripal, Jeffrey J.: 9781101982327: Amazon.com: Books

Otto and 'the numinous: pp. 45-46
Myers and ‘the imaginal’: pp. 120-123

Allen Greenfield & The Secret Cipher: The Complete SECRET CIPHER Of the UfOnauts: Greenfield, Allen H., Phillips, Olav: 9781718645356: Amazon.com: Books

Regarding Tulpas: [PDF] Tracking the Tulpa | Semantic Scholar

(99+) (PDF) On Tulpas - An Analysis of Imagined Others | Arthur Juliani - Academia.edu

Diego Escolar: Boundaries of Anthropology: Empirics and Ontological Relativism in a Field Experience with Anomalous Luminous Entities in Argentina - ESCOLAR - 2012 - Anthropology and Humanism - Wiley Online Library

Rick Strassman & DMT: Rick Strassman MD – DMT: The Spirit Molecule

Robert Cabrales & ‘Occultural Accelerationism’:(99+) (PDF) Aesthetaphysicks and the Anti-Dialectical Hyperoccultation of Disenchanted Representation: Hyperstitional Esoterrorism as Occultural Accelerationism | Robert Elio Cabrales - Academia.edu

Hellier Documentary: Hellier: A Planet Weird Original Series

Penny Royal Podcast: Penny Royal Podcast – A New Podcast of Magic, Mystery and High Strangeness On The Penny Royal Plateau.

Episode Art: Stefan Keller

Podcast Theme: Daniel P. Shea

Other Music: Stephanie Shea

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