Occult of Personality

Podcast 48 - The Life and Work of Col. Henry Steel Olcott

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:03:00 +0200

Our good friend Mitch Horowitz returns in this episode to reveal the amazing life of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907). Our conversation starts with young Olcott’s humble beginnings, early successes in scientific agriculture, and investigations into military contractor corruption during the U.S. Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It was after this point that Olcott’s life took an even more interesting turn.

Theosophical Society Seal

Mitch describes how Olcott met Madame Blavatsky. The two helped found the Theosophical Society soon thereafter. Olcott served as the first president of the organization and did a tremendous amount to advance their cause. We talk about their Mahatmas and Olcott’s experiences with the Masters. Mitch describes the fascinating story of young Mohandas Gandhi’s involvement with Theosophy. We also discuss the Herculean work Olcott did to promote Buddhism and Hinduism. It is nothing short of miraculous how a man from such humble beginnings, without a formal education, was able to influence literally billions of people.

Colonel Henry Steel Olcott

“There is a great earnestness in the character of this man and I think that too must have had something to do with the effectiveness of Theosophy as an organization. He brought principles and ideals and sincerity into Theosophy… Part of the reason we’ve heard of Henry Olcott was … that he was a man of great character… There was something of moral substance to this man. Studying the life of Henry Steel Olcott can challenge all kinds of prejudices, received opinions, and ideas about occultism, about the Western Esoteric Tradition, about how supernaturalism played itself out in the … nineteenth and twentieth centuries… His warmth, ethics, earnestness, and sincerity made him a great man of his time.” - Mitch Horowitz

Flag of Buddhism

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Podcast 44 - Lon Milo DuQuette

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:47:32 +0100

Lon Milo DuQuette is one of the preeminent occult writers and speakers of modern times. His work spans the subjects of Tarot, ceremonial Magick, Qabalah, and religion. He injects insight, understanding, humanity, and humor into his work that makes it both enlightening and joyous.

"The Key to Solomon's Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry" by Lon Milo DuQuette

Lon joins us to discuss his interest in the Thoth Tarot, Solomonic Magick, Qabalah, and his new book, “Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told By His Uncle),” a work of historical religious fiction.

"Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told By His Uncle)" by Lon Milo DuQuette

Our conversation also covers his research into the mythological King Solomon and the secrets of Masonry, a very humorous look at the occult correspondence of one “Stonehenge Equinox,” the importance of the contributions of Israel Regardie and the recently departed Dr. Christopher Hyatt, and the crucial concept of making life Magickal and not making Magick your life.

"The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford" by Lon Milo DuQuette

The Quotable DuQuette:

“I can only change one thing with Magick - myself.”

“Do I think I’m a holy man? Sometimes.”

“It’s all in your head. You just have no idea how big your head is.”

“If we can’t wake up to the fact that deep down inside we are good, then we deserve to remain asleep dreaming we are evil.”

relevant links:

Lon Milo DuQuette

Courses at Maybe Logic Academy featuring DuQuette’s “Initiation: The Western Magical Tradition”

“My Life With The Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“The Key to Solomon’s Key: Secrets of Magic and Masonry” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Accidental Christ - The Story of Jesus (As Told by His Uncle)” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Thoth Tarot Deck”

“The Book of Thoth” by The Master Therion

“Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot” by Lon Milo DuQuette

“Q.B.L. or The Bride’s Reception: Being A Qabalistic Treatise on the Nature and Use of the Tree of Life” by Frater Achad

“Aleister Crowley’s Illustrated Goetia” by Lon Milo DuQuette and Christopher Hyatt Ph.D.

“Israel Regardie” Wikipedia entry

“Christopher Hyatt” Wikipedia entry

intro music by HipGnosis (new album “Ear Responsibility”)

outro music by Lon Milo DuQuette - “Sweet Babalon” (CD available here)

original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/03/16/podcast-44-lon-milo-duquette/

direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/66/0/OoP_Podcast44_Duquette_i3.mp3

Podcast 44 - Lon Milo Duquette

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Podcast 43 - Gnosticism

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:01:08 +0100

Our friend Bishop T Allen Greenfield returns to the show to talk about Gnostic history and philosophy.

"Ancient of Days" by William Blake (1794)

Dr. Greenfield is particularly well-qualified to discuss this subject considering his extensive experience in Gnostic churches serving as bishop. Our conversation covers the definition of Gnosis and Gnostic, the history of ancient sects, the philosophy through the ages, modern permutations of the Gnostic doctrine, and Dr. Greenfield’s own personal lineage.

an interpretation of the Gnostic Cosmos

Notable points include differing perspectives on the concept of the Demiurgus and the resultant differences in the views on body and spirit, the secret societies and esoteric orders that have carried the Wisdom, and Apostolic succession.

"Montsalvat, the Castle of the Grail" by Franz Stassen (1903)

“These are mysteries, O Israel,
Difficult to understand.
With much searching shalt thou still fail
To grasp them,
Unless thy search be rightly prosecuted.
Yet the Way to Understanding is ever open
To him who will follow it steadfastly.
It is the Way of the Heart,
And thou shalt be guided therein
By thine own inner Hearing.”

- Paul Foster Case from “The Meditation on Vav” in “The Book of Tokens”

Key 5 - The Hierophant

relevant links:

Smashing Illusions - Dr. T Allen Greenfield’s Livejournal web site

The Assembly of the Knowledge and Wisdom of Solomon

“T Allen Greenfield’s Spiritual and Fraternal Heritage”

Ecclesia Gnostica Universalis

The North American College of Gnostic Bishops

previous appearances - “Podcast 35 - An Inquiry Into Suppressed Information“, “Podcast 31 - Scrying the Universe“, and “Podcast 17 - The Secret Cipher”

“Victorian Fire: The Origins of Sexual Magick” by T Allen Greenfield

“Fragments of a Faith Forgotten: The Gnostics, a Contibution to the Study of the Origins of Christianity” by G.R.S. Mead

“Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism” by Kurt Rudolph

“Gnosis and Hermeticism from Antiquity to Modern Times” by Roelof van den Broek

intro music by HipGnosis

outro music by The Quiet Earth Orchestra, excerpt of “God” (thanks to John Ludi)

original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/03/01/podcast-43-gnosticism/

direct link to download .mp3 audio file -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/64/0/OoP_Podcast43_Gnosticism_it.mp3

Podcast 43 - Gnosticism

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Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:33:08 +0100

Mitch Horowitz, editor-in-chief of Tarcher/Penguin Books, returns in this episode to discuss the life and Great Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case (1884 - 1954). Dr. Case was, in my opinion, the preeminent scholar teaching the Tarot and Qabalah in the 20th century. His masterful work, “The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages,” stands alone as perhaps the single greatest book on the Major Arcana to date.

"The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages" by Paul Foster Case

Our conversation covers Case’s early life in the greater Rochester, NY area, his musical abilities, self-reliance and self-education, interest in the Mysteries, his work with Tarot and other occult subjects, and the organizations that he built to disseminate the Wisdom.

Paul Foster Case's grave marker

“MAY LIGHT BE EXTENDED UPON YOU”

In studying the life and Work of Dr. Case, Mitch extracts the important detail that we must be scholars in the same tradition in order that occult subjects are treated with the reverence they deserve. Thanks again to Mitch for another wonderfully informative and enlightening discussion!

Key 4 - The Emperor

“IN whatsoever object thou perceivest,
Know me as the Essence,
As the Idea,
And as the Interior Nature.
Because of this the wise come easily to me
By many paths,
Yet in truth these different roads
Are but a single Way.

“If thou canst penetrate in the nature
Of the simplest thing,
There thou shalt find me.
This is the key to the mystery of the sacred letters.
Fix thy mind on the object set before thee by any letter,
And hold thy thought to meditate thereon.
Then shall the inner nature of that object
Be made known to thee,
And by this means shalt thou draw nigh
To some aspect of my being.

- Paul Foster Case, from “The Meditation on Heh” in “The Book of Tokens”

relevant links:

Mitch Horowitz (previously appeared in Podcast 21)

Paul Foster Case Resource Page

“Paul Foster Case” Wikipedia entry

“The Tarot: A Key to the Wisdom of the Ages” by Paul Foster Case

“An Introduction to the Study of the Tarot” by Paul Foster Case (PDF download, 159 KB)

“The True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order: An Interpretation of the Rosicrucian Allegory and An Explanation of the Ten Rosicrucian Grades” by Paul Foster Case

“Esoteric Keys of Alchemy” by Paul Foster Case

“The Great Seal of the United States: Its History, Symbolism and Message for the New Age” by Paul Foster Case - “Dr. Case reveals the Great Seal to be a profound spiritual glyph created by the Founding Fathers as a representation of the ideals of the Novo Ordo Seclorum, the New World Order.”

“Masonic Letter G” by Paul Foster Case - “Paul Foster Case develops with clarity a link between the Masonic degrees and the Qabalistic tradition.”

“Daniel, Master of Magicians and the Name of Names” by Paul Foster Case - “Two books in one. Daniel, Master of Magicians develops the astrological underpinnings of the book of Daniel. The Name of Names reveals the true significance of the name Yeheshua or Jesus.”

“The Book of Tokens” by Paul Foster Case

“The Kybalion” by Three Initiates

Kybalion Resource Page

“Claude Bragdon” Wikipedia entry

“William Walker Atkinson” Wikipedia entry

“Ann Davies” Wikipedia entry

B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum)

“Ascended Masters Discussion”

intro music by HipGnosis

Original link -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/2008/02/16/podcast-42-the-life-and-work-of-dr-paul-foster-case/
Direct .mp3 audio file download -- http://www.occultofpersonality.com/podpress_trac/web/63/0/OoP_Podcast42_PFC_i2.mp3

Podcast 42 - The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case

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Podcast 38 - A Conversation on Ancient Egypt

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:40:47 +0100

Podcast 38 - A Conversation on Ancient Egypt

clipped from www.occultofpersonality.com

In this episode, Kentroversy returns to discuss ancient Egypt. Our conversation covers many different topics, including past lives, alternative history, religion, Hermetics, Alchemy, Tarot, and Magick. Although neither of us are “experts” in an academic sense with regard to egyptology, we have both spent years investigating the research available on the mysteries of the ancient world. Kent also shares his personal esoteric connection.

Of course, the architecture and craftsmanship has to be addressed, mainly the pyramids and temples. The appearance of high civilization followed by a descent in technology, architecture, art, etc. cannot be avoided. We also talk about The Emerald Tablet, the concept of Hermes Trismegistus, and much, much more.

As always, Kent brings interesting and original ideas to the table for this latest installment of our ongoing dialogue. Hopefully you enjoy our conversations as much as we do.

The Kentroversy Papers & The Kentroversy Tapes

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Podcast 36 - Modern Mythology with Christopher Knowles

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:32:06 +0100

Podcast 36 - Modern Mythology with Christopher Knowles

clipped from www.occultofpersonality.com

In this episode, we’re joined by author Christopher Knowles. The discussion revolves around his new book, “Our Gods Wear Spandex, The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes.” We talk about the history of comic books and how the ideas contained and promoted in this medium can be traced directly to esoteric and occult concepts.

“The collision of science, morality, and magic is being played out hundreds of times a month in comic books and other media, showing us the implications of superhuman potential. Is this an unconscious form of preparation for an inevitable shift in human reality? Should we pay more careful attention to the visionaries and lunatics who anticipate the future in comic-book storylines? In that supernatural realm called the human imagination, comic-book creators like Alan Moore and Alex Ross may be time-travelers, forecasting the future for us and showing us the way. It’s funny how it all seems so similar to the ancient myths. The past and future are always with us.”

The Secret Sun - Christopher Knowles’ blog

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Podcast 35 - An Inquiry Into Suppressed Information

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:25:12 +0100

Podcast 35 - An Inquiry Into Suppressed Information

clipped from www.occultofpersonality.com

We welcome back to the program T Allen Greenfield to discuss his two most recent books - “Inquisition In 21st Century America” and “Victorian Fire: The Origins of Sexual Magick“.

“Inquisition In 21st Century America” is Dr. Greenfield’s description of his personal experiences with regard to expulsion from a “magical order of antiquity“. We discuss how this book has subsequently been censored and is no longer available from the publisher, as well as the idea of censorship and free speech in a larger context.

Described as “the essence of 19th century sexual magick under one cover”, “Victorian Fire” details the story of the (re)emergence of sex magick into a somewhat more public environment. One individual that we talk about who is integral to this history is Dr. Paschal Beverly Randolph. These ideas, according to Dr. Greenfield, can be reliably traced back to before the dawn of civilization as we currently understand it.

“Victorian Fire: The Origins of Sexual Magick”

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Ascended Masters Discussion on The Kentroversy Tapes #26

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:16:41 +0100

Ascended Masters Discussion - TKT 26

clipped from kentroversytapes.blogspot.com

Kentroversy Tapes Podcast # 26 (December 17, 2007)

This week's guest is our old friend Greg, from the Occult of Personality podcast and website. We began our talk with my reading of a passage on Ascended Masters from the book LIBER ABA (Magick Book 4, pgs. 8 et seq) by Aleister Crowley, which discusses the Ascended Initiated Masters known as Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Mohammed. It is well-known to esotericists that Christ was initiated in the Great Pyramid of Egypt's Giza Plateau. This is part of the missing years of Christ's biography.

Greg defines ASCENDED MASTERS in the following way:

"A spiritual being who can inspire and assist, and even physically manifest, to guide those who the Master has chosen to [guide their spiritual ascension]. The purpose of this is to uplift humanity in some sense or another."

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Podcast 34 - Therioshamanism with Lupa

nobody@vox.com(Occult of Personality) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:29:21 +0100

clipped from www.occultofpersonality.com

Lupa joins us to discuss Therioshamanism, her innovative and creative magickal work, and her books.

Therioshamanism has been defined by Lupa as shamanic animal spirit magic. A totally new system that she is creating and journaling about on her new blog - Therioshamanism.com. Prior to beginning this path, Lupa has written a number of books regarding neopagan animal magic, including “Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic” and “A Field Guide to Otherkin.”

Our conversation also covers the interesting and controversial concepts of cultural appropriation, “plastic shamanism,” entheogens, as well as how someone who feels connected to these traditions can become more involved. In addition, we touch on the fascinating new book by Lupa and her husband Taylor Ellwood, “Kink Magic: Sex Magic Beyond Vanilla.”

A very innovative, creative, and well-spoken occult practitioner, Lupa’s work is interesting, original, and worth checking out.

Therioshamanism

KinkMagic.com

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