Occult Of Personality Podcast

Michael Bertiaux, artist, and the author of the acclaimed Voudon Gnostic Workbook and the recent Ontological Graffiti, is our guest in podcast episode 172. This interview was created in collaboration with our friends at Black Lotus Kult.“Michael Bertiaux, author of the famed Voudon Gnostic Workbook and Hierophant of the Voudon Gnostic Current is a rare visionary in modern occult studies. Raised in a liberal theosophical household, he was drawn to the esoteric and spiritual approach to religion and Being from early on. After studying philosophy in New Orleans and having been ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church, Bertiaux was sent to Haiti in 1963 where he taught philosophy and was in charge of the local Anglican museum. It was on “the magic island” that Bertiaux met his spiritus rector, Dr. Jean-Maine, who initiated him into the secrets of the Voudon Gnosis. His close collaboration with Jean-Maine, first in Haiti and then later in Chicago lasted until the Voudon master’s death in the early 1980s… Berti

P. D. Newman specializes in entheogenic symbolism within Masonic ritual, is the author of the forthcoming book Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry, and is our guest in podcast episode 171.“P.D. Newman is a Scottish Rite Freemason and a Masonic Rosicrucian. The focus of his research is on the presence of entheogenic symbolism within Masonic ritual. He has had papers published by a variety of Masonic periodicals and popular websites. His book, Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry is planned for release in 2017.”“Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry is a ground breaking work by Freemason P.D. Newman, 32° which explores the ceremonial use of the powerful entheogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT) within Masonic ritual. The sprig of acacia is an important symbol within Freemasonry. But, unbeknownst even to the fraternity’s own initiates, the acacia is rich in more than just symbolism.

Acclaimed author Andrew Phillip Smith is our guest in podcast episode 170 to discuss Gnosticism, specifically his book The Secret History of the Gnostics, from Watkins Publishing. “Andrew Phillip Smith is editor of The Gnostic and the author of several books on Gnosticism, esotericism and early Christianity, including the first ever Dictionary of Gnosticism. He has also written for New Dawn, Fortean Times and The Guardian. Originally from Wales he now lives in Dublin.” “The Secret History of the Gnostics offers long-awaited illumination on the mystical movement that teaches ‘gnosis’ – knowledge of God as opposed to unquestioning faith. Acclaimed author Andrew Phillip Smith delves into the myths and practices of this ancient movement, exploring its popularity during 2nd century AD, its subsequent decline under the weight of orthodoxy in the Church, and its present-day resurgence. Gnosticism has traveled a fascinating path – from the Manichaeans in Modern Persia between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD, to th

Gordon White returns to the show in podcast episode 169 to discuss his recent book The Chaos Protocols: Magical Techniques for Navigating the New Economic Reality. He was previously our guest in episode 162.“The years since the financial crash have seen the realization dawn that the great promise of modern civilization will go unfulfilled. Study hard, work hard, buy a house, retire happy. It’s all a lie, spun for the benefit of a tiny elite. The richest eighty-five people on earth have as much wealth as the poorest 3.5 billion. Each month, the numbers change but they never improve.“Magical and spiritual discourse has failed to keep up with this new reality. The Chaos Protocols aims to fix that.“Join Gordon White as he shows you how to use chaos magic not only to navigate these trying times, but to triumph as well. Discover how to become invincible through initiation, and wage the mind war that will keep you moving toward what you really want. From sigil magic to working with spiritual allies, The Chaos Protoc

Ivo Dominguez, Jr., author of Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans: Using the Planets and the Stars for Effective Spellwork, Rituals, and Magickal Work, is our guest in podcast episode 168.Ivo Dominguez, Jr. is a visionary and a practitioner of a variety of esoteric disciplines. He has been active in Wicca and the Pagan community since 1978 and has been teaching since 1982. Ivo was a founding member of the first coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, a Wiccan Tradition where he currently serves as one of its Elders.He is the author of Casting Sacred Space: The Core Of All Magickal Work; Spirit Speak: Knowing and Understanding Spirit Guides, Ancestors, Ghosts, Angels, and the Divine; and Beneath the Skins. Ivo is also a professional astrologer who has studied astrology since 1980 and has been offering consultations and readings since 1988.The main subject of our interview is Ivo’s most recent book, Practical Astrology for Witches and Pagans.“More often than not, people think of astrology as a tool fo

Robert W. Sullivan IV, author of Cinema Symbolism: A Guide to Esoteric Imagery in Popular Movies, returns to the show in podcast episode 167. Sullivan was our guest previously in episode 146 to discuss his prior book The Royal Arch of Enoch: The Impact of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy, and Symbolism.Robert W. Sullivan IV is a philosopher, historian, antiquarian, jurist, theologian, writer, and lawyer. Mr. Sullivan is a Master Mason and 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. The Royal Arch of Enoch: The Impact of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy, and Symbolism, published in 2012, was his first book being the product of twenty years of research. In 2014 Sullivan published his second book, Cinema Symbolism: A Guide to Esoteric Imagery in Popular Movies.Cinema Symbolism: A Guide to Esoteric Imagery in Popular Movies is about occult, numerological, astrological, mythological, alchemical, Tarot, and kabbalistic iconography and symbolism contained within popular movies. Films analyzed include The Exorcist, The Back to the Future T

Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, the internationally acclaimed artist and mage, returns to the show as our guest in podcast episode 166 to discuss his Tela Quadrivium book series, alchemical chess, and his upcoming show at Catland in Brooklyn, New York on June 24, 2016.Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule is “a prolific visual and sonic artist. Orryelle finds drawing, painting, sculpture, theatre, photography, animation, verse, video, violin and voice effective ways of earthing magickal currents.”Orryelle is intensely creative and deeply versed in esoteric symbolism, making magic through art and performance. His very presence alters the atmosphere in a room and it’s clear that his artwork is integral to his very being, as well as a continuation of an interaction that artists, gods, and goddesses have been having for millennia.“Distillatio is the final volume in Orryelle’s four-fold Alchymic book-web The Tela Quadrivium. For eight years Orryelle worked only in black and white (with touches of gold and silver) for the p

Gary Lachman, author of The Secret Teachers of the Western World, and many other books on esoteric themes, is our guest in podcast episode 165.“Gary Lachman is one of today’s most respected writers on esoteric and occult themes. His many books – including Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Swedenborg, Jung the Mystic, and Rudolf Steiner – have received international acclaim. A founding member of the band Blondie, Lachman has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in London and you can find his web site at garylachman.co.uk.”“This epic study unveils the esoteric masters who have covertly impacted the intellectual development of the West, from Pythagoras and Zoroaster to the modern icons Jean Gebser and Schwaller de Lubicz.“Running alongside the mainstream of Western intellectual history is another current, which, in a very real sense, should take pride of place, but which for the last few centuries has occupied a shadowy, inferior position, somewhere underground. This “other” stream forms

Nick Redfern, author of Bloodline of the Gods: Unravel the Mystery of the Human Blood Type to Reveal the Aliens Among Us, is our guest in podcast episode 164."Nick Redfern works full time as a writer, lecturer, and journalist. He writes about a wide range of unsolved mysteries, including Bigfoot, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, alien encounters, and government conspiracies. Nick has written 33 books, including Men in Black, The Zombie Book, For Nobody’s Eyes Only, Final Events, Secret History, Monster Files, The World’s Weirdest Places, The Pyramids and the Pentagon, and Chupacabra Road Trip. He writes for the MUFON UFO Journal and Mysterious Universe. Nick has appeared on numerous television shows, including The History Channel’s Ancient Aliens, Monster Quest, and UFO Hunters, National Geographic Channel’s The Truth about UFOs and Paranatural, BBC’s Out of this World, and SyFy Channel’s Proof Positive." "Are significant numbers of humanity the product of an ancient and advanced alien civilization? Have we, a

Bro. Robert Johnson, the creator, host, and writer for the Whence Came You? podcast, along with Frater O, the co-host and esoteric advisor for the show, are our guests in podcast episode 163.“This site and blog are dedicated to providing insightful information to Freemasons and men interested in Freemasonry. There are Masonic research papers, discussion pieces and some small editorial pieces related to Freemasonry. It is hosted by Robert Johnson, a York Rite Freemason and Knight Templar. He is a husband and father, and in addition is an interfaith minister.”Whence Came You? is the premier Masonic podcast, providing light to Freemasons and men interested in Freemasonry. A weekly show, with over 200 episodes completed and going strong, Whence Came You? is a brilliant method of bringing the history, teachings, and conversations about Freemasonry to the digital age. Robert Johnson and his co-host Frater O do a superb job of exploring the esoteric aspects of Freemasonry and the world in general, fulfilling a need

Gordon White, author of Star.Ships: A Prehistory of the Spirits, published by Scarlet Imprint, is our guest in podcast episode 162.“Gordon White is one of the most exciting writers of modern magic. His website, RuneSoup.com is one of the most widely read practical sorcery blogs on the internet. In his digital œuvre he engages with everything from entheogens, synchronicities, UFOs, ‘alternative’ history, career guidance, graphic novels, the future of media, probability and divination to pop culture. His archonology series crowns him as the dark prince of modern chaos magic... “Gordon White is no basement mage; he is a success in many spheres, working for some of the world’s largest digital and social media companies… Gordon has dived in search of sharks and lost cities, traveled extensively and researched voraciously. Though known for his grasp of current events, his ideas are based on a deeper understanding of our disputed ancient histories. These are the subject of his book with Scarlet Imprint, Star.Ships:

Author Timothy Hogan is our guest in podcast episode 161 to discuss his most recent book The Way of the Templar: A Manual for the Modern Knight Templar.Timothy Hogan is an author and lecturer on the mysteries of the Western esoteric tradition. He has been received, knighted, and initiated within several Templar lineages around the world. He is the current Grand Master of the Knights Templar (Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique) and is President of CIRCES International. He regularly speaks around the world in both public and private venues. He has appeared previously in Occult of Personality podcast episode 91 to discuss his books The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual and The 32 Secret Paths of Solomon, and episode 124 talking about Entering the Chain of Union, his acclaimed book on comparative Western esotericism.“This is not a standard book on the Knights Templar. This book is a manual for the modern day Knight Templar. This book includes the secret history of the Templar Order, much of which has never bee

Artist Natan Alexander is our guest in podcast episode 160 to discuss the magickal art of tattoo and more.“Natan Alexander is an award winning tattoo artist, an officer of the Ordo Templi Orientis at Knights Templar Oasis in Salem, Massachusetts, and an occult artist working in various mediums in addition to tattooing. He owns and works out of Witch City Ink, Salem’s finest tattoo studio, and Lightwave Tattoos, in Saugus, Massachusetts. Once a year, Natan also organizes the Boston Tattoo Convention, the largest international tattoo event in the New England area and now in its fifteenth year.”“Thelema and magick have been a huge shaping force in Natan’s development, both as an individual and as an artist. As a Master Mason for over a decade and a member of the A.’.A.’. , he brings an initiate’s understanding of the symbolism and inner meanings behind the art he creates. Natan is a regular and devoted world traveler, researching the origins and energies of the cultures and ideas that inspire his art.”I’ve known

Guido Mina di Sospiro, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong: Table Tennis as a Journey of Self-Discovery, is our guest in podcast episode 159. Listeners may recall that Mina di Sospiro co-authored The Forbidden Book: A Novel with scholar of esotericism Joscelyn Godwin, featured in podcast episode 121.To spin or not to spin? – that is the metaphysical question.When a mortifying defeat to his teenage son rekindles his lifelong passion for table tennis, keen philosopher Guido Mina di Sospiro sets out to learn the game properly.Guido’s love for spinning a feather-weight ball takes him from his local ping-pong club, populated by idiosyncratic players with extraordinary stories to tell, to training drills with a world-class coach. This seemingly harmless game also leads him into sticky situations in the CIA headquarters and the ganglands of Washington, D.C. Woven throughout his ping-pong epiphany are philosophical ruminations on Plato and Aristotle, metaphysicians and

Wicca: The Ancient Way, recently republished by the Hermetic Arts Learning Center, is the subject of podcast episode 158. We’re joined by Apollonius Mithras who is part of the Isis-Urania lineage of Traditional Witchcraft, the same that produced this text.http://astore.amazon.com/occulofperso-20/detail/1505287898

Literary journalist and novelist C.M. Mayo, author of Metaphysical Odyssey into the Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero and his secret book, Spiritist Manual, is our guest in podcast episode 157. An El Paso, Texas native, raised in Northern California, educated at the University of Chicago, C.M. Mayo is an award-winning literary journalist, novelist, poet, and translator, who has been living in and writing about Mexico for over 25 years. She is also host of the long-standing lit-blog, Madam Mayo, and the Marfa Mondays Podcasting Project.Her most recent book, a paradigm-exploding and profoundly researched examination of the esoteric philosophy of the leader of Mexico’s 1910 Revolution, is Metaphysical Odyssey Into the Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero and his Secret Book, Spiritist Manual. In 2015 it won the National Indie Excellence Award for History.In a blend of biography, personal essay, and a rendition of deeply researched metaphysical and Mexican history that reads like a novel, award-winning w

Carl Abrahamsson, author of the anthology Reasonances, published by Scarlet Imprint, is our guest in podcast episode 156. In addition to his writings, Abrahamsson is known for his work in music, film, art, culture, and occulture.http://occultofpersonality.net/carl-abrahamsson/

Craig Williams, author of Cave of the Numinous: Tantric Physics I, from Theion Publishing, returns as our guest in podcast episode 155.http://occultofpersonality.net/craig-williams-cave-of-the-numinous/

Angel Millar, author of the groundbreaking new book The Crescent and the Compass: Islam, Freemasonry, Esotericism, and Revolution in the Modern Age, published by Numen Books, is our guest in podcast episode 154.http://occultofpersonality.net/the-crescent-and-the-compass-with-angel-millar/