Occult Of Personality Podcast

This is episode 193 featuring an interview with my good friend Rudolf Berger, co-host of Occult of Personality podcast and the host of the Thoth-Hermes podcast.Known on the internet by his pseudonym Gnothi Seauton, Rudolf is the producer and host of the Thoth-Hermes Podcast, which can be found at http://www.thothermes.com. He can also be heard as my co-host on the Occult of Personality podcast. Rudolf has been interested in the world of esotericism and occultism for over three decades. A Freemason for more than a quarter of a century and a member of the Scottish Rite, his first interest in esoteric sciences came about when reading books by Rudolf Steiner. Later, after experiences in shamanism, Theosophy and ritual magic, he broadened his knowledge and personal involvement to many fields of the Western esoteric tradition.Today Rudolf calls himself a “gnostic Hermeticist” with a very strong link to ceremonial magic. He is also greatly interested in sacred geometry and the implication of sound and music in the o

Josef Wäges, the preeminent scholar studying the Order of the Illuminati, and a prominent Freemason, joins us in podcast episode 192 to discuss the history of the Order of the Illuminati, its founder Adam Weishaupt, the Freemasonic associations of the order, and its downfall, along with Josef’s work editing the newly released collected works of Weishaupt consisting of writings that supplement and enhance the original Order of the Illuminati degree rituals and doctrines. For more information about these books, go to https://maltaminervaleditions.com. Adam Weishaupt founded the Order of the Illuminati on May 1st, 1776 and was the general of the order until mid-1784. On Materialism and Idealism was first published by Weishaupt in 1786 and has long been considered to be one of his philosophical works. After the publication of the Secret School of Wisdom, the Authentic Ritual and Doctrines of the Illuminati, it has been discovered to in fact be the completion of the Docetist degree of the Illuminati. This de

Author, futurist, and wizard Jason Louv joins us in podcast episode 191 to discuss his recent book John Dee and the Empire of Angels: Enochian Magick and the Occult Roots of the Modern World.“John Dee (1527-1608), Queen Elizabeth I’s court advisor and astrologer, was the foremost scientific genius of the 16th century. . . But, as Jason Louv explains, Dee was suppressed from mainstream history because he spent the second half of his career developing a method for contacting angels. After a brilliant ascent from star student at Cambridge to scientific advisor to the Queen, Dee, with the help of a disreputable, criminal psychic named Edward Kelley, devoted ten years to communing with the angels. . . Piecing together Dee’s fragmentary Spirit Diaries and scrying sessions, the author examines Enochian in precise detail and explains how the angels used Dee and Kelley as agents to establish a New World Order that they hoped would . . . eventually dominate the entire globe.“Presenting a comprehensive overview of Dee’s

Acclaimed author Gary Lachman, who has appeared on the show previously, joins us in podcast episode 190 to discuss his recent, and arguably one of his most important books, The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination.Lachman has contributed an important and useful primer to the perennial philosophy and a guide for those ready to explore different, more authentic perspectives of reality. While it may be overshadowed by more sensational or popular material by this author, The Lost Knowledge of the Imagination is my favorite work by Gary Lachman. This book speaks to the soul and invites the reader to consider a way of perceiving that re-enchants the world.“The ability to imagine is at the heart of what makes us human. Through our imagination we experience more fully the world both around us and within us. Imagination plays a key role in creativity and innovation.“Until the seventeenth century, the human imagination was celebrated. Since then, with the emergence of science as the dominant worldview, imagination has bee

We have three separate interviews in episode 189: visionary artist Mani C. Price, author and musician Derek Hunter, and activist, author, and Tai Chi teacher Ethan Indigo Smith.Mani C. Price is a NYC visionary artist who paints ordinary women into exotic, self-empowered goddesses. Art and magick are her passions. Mani is also creating an animated short film about writer H.P. Lovecraft entitled "The Unnamable." Please consider supporting Mani's Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manitheuncanny/the-unnamable-hp-lovecraft-short-animated-filmcampaign to create the film. Mani shares her expertise in regards to spiritual work during this fascinating interview. In addition to Mani's evocative artwork, her talents in working with the spirit realm are formidable. You can find Mani online at http://manitheuncanny.com/. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did!Next is author and musician Derek Hunter. Derek is the author of Love Chaos: A New Religion, A New Philosophy, A New Way of Life. He is

Aki Cederberg, author of Journeys in the Kali Yuga: A Pilgrimage from Esoteric India to Pagan Europe, published by Inner Traditions, is our guest in podcast episode 188. "Beautifully detailing his spiritual pilgrimage from West to East and back again, in the age of strife known as the Kali Yuga, Aki Cederberg shares the authentic and unbroken magical traditions he experienced in India and Nepal and how his search for a spiritual homeland ultimately led him back to his native Europe. "Cederberg explains how his odyssey began as a search for spiritual roots, something missing in the spiritually disconnected life of the Western world, where the indigenous traditions were long ago severed by the spread of Christianity. Traveling to India, he encounters the ancient esoteric order of mystic, wild, naked holy men known as the Naga Babas, the living source of the Hindu traditions of magic and yoga. Immersing himself in the teachings of the tradition, he receives an initiation and partakes in the Kumbh Mela, the

Gabriel McCaughry and Helene M. Arts are our guests in podcast episode 187 to discuss the new edition of Pillars: The Scalding of Sapientia from Anathema Publishing Ltd. "Of all the daimons that have plagued or blessed mankind throughout history, our muse, Wisdom, is perhaps the most elusive of all. Known by many names and terms – Gnosis, Sapientia, Pistis Sophia, and LuxFerre among many others – this varied and challenging topic is difficult to discuss using mere semantics; so liquid are Its inherent qualities and so fierce is Its passion! "This spirit-force represents every manifested Idea and Ideal, be they creative intelligence or a self-annealing process that guides the pilgrim along the Path of Exile & Exalt. As a “living” and moving ethos/archetype/notion, Sapientia itself (regardless of chosen deific or prosaic name for it), is truly a discarnate entity. Its secrets are revealed simply, poignantly, and profoundly, but this gift comes at a certain price – a heavy and oftentimes formidable one at

Richard Gavin, the acclaimed author of Gothic horror and esoteric manifesto, joins us in podcast episode 186 to discuss his recent fiction anthology, Sylvan Dread, available from Three Hands Press.Richard Gavin is an acclaimed author whose work explores the realm where dread and the sublime conjoin. His supernatural tales have been published in five collections, including Sylvan Dread and At Fear’s Altar. In 2015 he co-edited (with Patricia Cram and Daniel A. Schulke) Penumbrae: An Occult Fiction Anthology. Richard’s works of esotericism have appeared in Starfire Journal, Clavis: Journal of Occult Arts, Letters and Experience, and The Luminous Stone. His nocturnal manifesto The Benighted Path: Primeval Gnosis and the Monstrous Soul was released by Theion Publishing in 2016.The twelve tales in Sylvan Dread examine the Sinister Pastoral, the transgressive power emergent from the landscape, the Forlorn Place, and the nightmare-inducing power of its concealed entic forms. Of this genre, the author has said:“Too o

Christian Giudice, a scholar of modern occultism and Traditionalism, joins us in podcast episode 185 to discuss his dissertation entitled Occultism and Traditionalism: Arturo Reghini and the Antimodern Reaction in Early Twentieth Century Italy.Christian Giudice is a PhD scholar at the University of Gothenburg. His thesis analyses the interaction between Modernity and its impact on the Occult milieu of early twentieth-century Italy, focusing on Arturo Reghini (1878-1946) as a case study. Reghini was actively involved in most of the occult manifestations on the Italian peninsula during his lifetime. Thus he represents a fundamental figure if we want to better understand the convoluted period leading up to the Great War and the rise of Benito Mussolini.Giudice obtained an BA Honours Degree in Literae Humniores (Classics) from St. Hugh’s College, Oxford (2001) and more recently an MA with distinction in Western Esotericism, with a thesis focusing on Kenneth Grant and post-Crowleyan magic (2011). In 2012 he was e

Publisher, scholar, and author Mogg Morgan joins us in podcast episode 184 to discuss independent publishing house, Mandrake of Oxford, as well as his recent books Isis: Goddess of Egypt and India and Phi-Neter: Power of the Egyptian Gods.“Mogg Morgan is a publisher, writer, pagan practitioner, independent scholar & theorist. He was Wellcome research student at Oxford, where his teacher was the late Professor B K Matilal, a widely respected expert on South Asian rational thought. He has published on both Indology & Egyptology. His books include Ayurveda: Medicine of the Gods and Sexual Magick. More recently, Morgan has authored a sequence of books combining academic research with practical experimentation beginning with Tankhem: Seth & Egyptian Magick, The Bull of Ombos: Seth and Egyptian Magick II, The Ritual Year in Ancient Egypt, Supernatural Assault in Ancient Egypt, Phi-Neter: Power of the Egyptian Gods, and Isis: Goddess of Egypt & India.”Morgan’s work demonstrating continuity of the Egyptian religious

Peter Mark Adams, author of The Game of Saturn: Decoding the Sola-Busca Tarocchi, published by Scarlet Imprint, is our guest in podcast episode 183. https://scarletimprint.com/publications/the-game-of-saturn The Game of Saturn is the first full length, scholarly study of the enigmatic Renaissance masterwork known as the Sola-Busca tarocchi. It reveals the existence of a pagan liturgical and ritual tradition active amongst members of the Renaissance elite and encoded within the deck. Beneath its beautifully decorated surface, its imagery ranges from the obscure to the grotesque . . . For the first time in over five hundred years, the clues embedded within the cards reveal a dark Gnostic grimoire replete with pagan theurgical and astral magical rites. Careful analysis demonstrates that the presiding deity of this ‘cult object’ is none other than the Gnostic demiurge in its most archaic and violent form: the Afro-Levantine serpent-dragon, Ba’al Hammon, also known as Kronos and Saturn, though more notorious

Josephine McCarthy and Michael Sheppard of Quareia: A New School of Magic for the 21st Century join us in podcast episode 182. You can find Quareia online at https://www.quareia.com.Josephine McCarthy has appeared twice previously on the podcast to discuss her earlier books on exorcism and magic. She is the author of the Quareia course. Michael Sheppard is the editor and the author of an upcoming book on Egyptian magic.Josephine, Michael, Rudolf, and I have a great conversation about magic, mystery schools, and mostly Quareia, a wonderful new online magic course that is offered for free is undoubtedly a strong contender for best course material available. “Quareia, the new school of magic for the 21st century, is a concept that was born out of conversations between adepts Josephine McCarthy and Frater Acher; two European magicians with solid magical reputations. The course is spread over three sections: Apprentice, Initiate, and Adept. Each section has ten modules, and each module has eight lessons. Each o

Masonic artist Ryan J. Flynn is our guest in podcast episode 181 to discuss his artwork, Freemasonry, and his Renaissance influences. You can find Ryan’s website at http://www.ryanjflynn.com.Ryan Flynn is a fine artist and graphic designer from New England. In 2006 Ryan studied painting and art history at the University of Richmond in Florence, Italy. This trip highly motivated him to dive deeper into studying symbolism, numerology and techniques of the masters. In 2010, Ryan became a member of Ancient York Lodge No. 89 of Free and Accepted Masons in Nashua, NH. After noticing a decline in the fine arts in Masonry, Ryan started creating Masonic inspired works, starting with two large faux stained glass windows which now adorn the Nashua Masonic Temple. This work was highly publicized in numerous magazines and websites and led to him being contacted by fellow Masons from around the world. Ryan continues to work in Nashua with many mediums and is available at any time to discuss potential works of arts.Ryan’s

Craig Williams returns to the show to talk about his most recent book Entering the Desert: Pilgrimage to the Hinterland of the Soul, from Anathema Publishing."The landscape of the Soul is a feral hunting ground of shadows and light, each morphing into translucent bodies of nourishment or destruction, depending upon the topographic Vision of the desert dweller. Entering the Desert explores the Terra Incognito of the Soul and reveals a primordial vision of a Pagan Sacramental Gnosticism of alchemical nature which if understood can open up the doorways to the Inner Sanctuary of Sacramental Vision."Practitioner of Ayurvedic Medicine, Vedic Sciences, Gnostic Spirituality, and Martial Arts, Craig Williams is also the author of ‘Cave of The Numinous: Tantric Physics vol. I’, as well as numerous articles on health, martial arts, and authentic initiation in the Kali Yuga.Craig’s most recent book is a brilliant and terrifying guide to the lonely barren spaces of the soul where we can descend within to realize the self

Helene Arts and Justin Dickie join us to discuss the upcoming Flambeau Noir International Left Hand Path Conference 2017 that they’re hosting which takes place in Ottawa, Canada the weekend of April 28-30. This conference is dedicated to le Flambeau Noir (the Black Flame), and brings together iconoclasts and rebels with contemporary occult practice, philosophy, literature, and arts. Presenters include Richard Kaczynski, Don Webb, Thomas Karlsson, Shani Oates, Lloyd Keane, Jex Blackmore, Nico Mara-McKay, Helene Arts, and Jeremy Crow.Magick, witchcraft and the occult are Helene Art's life-long passions. Her left-hand path work has been influenced by numerous frameworks, in particular Thelema and the Temple of Set, as well as her astrological practice of the past 20 years. She regularly teaches public workshops on a variety of occult-related topics. Several years ago she purchased the lands and premises now known as Witch Hollow, and her work there can be seen on the website www.witchhollow.ca. Helene is al

Ceremonial magician extraordinaire Frater Ashen Chassan returns to the podcast in episode 178 to discuss his magnum opus Gateways Through Light and Shadow, published by AZOTH Press. Frater Ashen appeared previously more than 3 years ago in episode 138.Frater Ashen is a ceremonial magician and a purist in the art who endeavours to recreate the workings found in traditional grimoires as closely as possible. His book Gateways Through Light and Shadow is a record of his extraordinary magical evocations detailing the experiences and teachings provided by heavenly beings."Gateways Through Light and Shadow allows us access to the detailed magical journal records of the communications received by Frater Ashen and his scryer during the evocations of such profound spiritual beings as the seven planetary Archangels, the seven Olympic planetary spirits, the four spirit Kings of the Cardinal Directions, and the supercelestial Angels Sandalphon and Metatron."According to Dr. Stephen Skinner, “This book is a major contribut

Paranormal researcher and writer Katie Montana Jordan is our guest in podcast episode 177.Katie Montana Jordan has been formally investigating with various psychic and paranormal organizations for over 20 years. She is a published freelance writer with areas of specialty in holistic healing, paganism, witchcraft and the occult.Katie is Writing Consultant and Field Researcher to Paranormal Research & Investigations, as well as Occult Specialist and Independent Consultant to San Diego Paranormal Research Society and Occult Specialist and Independent Consultant to Scottish Ghost Adventures. Katie is also Co-Host and Occult Scholar to the What Are You Afraid Of Podcast. In addition to taking on investigative casework, she holds lectures and teaches classes on occult-related topics.Katie maintains that because ghosts are earthbound energies, the whole of the paranormal and parapsychological fields are subtopic to the studies of theology and spirituality. Both an ordained minister and pagan priestess, she is curren

World-renowned forensic geologist and author Scott Wolter joins us in podcast episode 176 to discuss his research into the Kensington Runestone and Knights Templar in America. Forensic geologist Scott Wolter was the host of the hit show American Unearthed, which followed him on his quest to uncover the truth behind historic artifacts and sites found throughout North America. Scott is also the author of The Hooked X: Key to the Secret History of North America and co-author of The Kensington Rune Stone: Compelling New Evidence. Scott has been president of American Petrographic Services, Inc., since 1990 and has been the principle petrographer in more than 7,000 investigations throughout the world, including the evaluation of fire-damaged concrete at the Pentagon following the attacks of September 11, 2001.In this interview, Scott Wolter discusses his specific area of expertise – The Kensington Runestone and the belief that Knights Templar were responsible for this relic. The rune stone is a 200 pound slab of

Now, in episode number 175, interviews from Masonic Con 2016, this was the first occurrence of this public event hosted by the brethren of Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Masonic Con 2016 featured a number of excellent presentations that explored a variety of subjects from Renaissance art to Knights Templar in America, and even the Cabala. In these recordings you’ll hear a very brief introduction interview with Brother Aaron Chauncey discussing the event, then an interview with Jim Egan about his extensive research into Elizabethan-era magus Dr. John Dee and the Newport Tower in Newport, Rhode Island. More information about Egan’s work can be found at the Newport Tower Museum and online at http://www.newporttowermuseum.com/. Finally, we have an interview with David Brody who specializes in historical fiction, including the Knights Templar in America. More information about Brody’s work can be found at http://davidbrodybooks.com. I also want to mention that Masonic Con 2017 will take place on

Amodali, the world-renowned artist, musician, writer, and magician is our guest in podcast episode 173 to discuss her essay “Introductory Theoria on Progressive Formulas of the Babalon Priestesshood,” published in the 2015 Three Hands Press anthology A Rose Veiled in Black. I’m thrilled to be able to bring you this interview with one of the most interesting practitioners of modern times where she discusses the 156 current and the system she developed for working with it soon to be fully revealed in the upcoming book The Marks of Teth, expected from Three Hands Press in 2017. “Amodali is an artist, musician, writer and magician from the U.K. who has produced an extensive body of work spanning over 30 years, specializing in research on the sexual mysteries of Babalon and the metaphysics and phenomenology of female occult anatomy. Amodali’s research is accompanied by in-depth complementary praxis and her multidisciplinary body of work has manifested internationally through ritual performances, C.D./album rele