In this episode I am joined by Lionel Snell, a contemporary English magician, publisher, and, under various pen names such as Ramsey Dukes, a renowned author on magic and philosophy.
Lionel shares his life’s journey with magick, explores his years reading mathematics at Cambridge University, immersing in the work of British occultists Aleister Crowley and Austin Spare, and how an experimental group ritual had unexpected and tragic implications.
Lionel discusses the true meaning of initiation, the serious dangers of becoming involved in magick, and his time in the OTO alongside figures such as Gerald Suster.
Lionel also considers subjects such as the importance of magical thinking, the tension between structure and freedom, the role of banishing rituals, and the cycles of a person’s life.
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Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep209-the-english-magician-ramsay-dukes
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - Childhood interest in magick
04:12 - The mystery of alchemy
06:04 - Exploring Aleister Crowley’s writings while at Cambridge University
07:26 - Meeting Gerald York and discovering Austin Spare
08:37 - The Zen of Western Magick
10:39 - Writing books about magick
13:00 - Joining the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO)
14:38 - The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift
19:31 - From maths to magick
25:11 - Education as a ritual of initial
29:24 -The true meaning of initiation
32:25 - Initiation in British and American culture
36:38 - Experiments in practicing the occult
40:52 - The role of psychedelics in the 60s occult revival
42:06 - Lionel’s life changing experience with psychedelics
50:37 - Meditation and practicing the occult
55:06 - The Yang form of Tai Chi
56:17 - Gerald Suster and transforming experience through magick
01:02:24 - Lionel’s talent for ritual magick
01:05:04 - Crowley on ritual
01:06:19 - Lionel’s occult ritual at Emmanuel College with unexpected results
01:13:21 - The dangers of practicing magick
01:17:47 - Beyond occult power
01:20:48 - Strength vs power
01:24:37 - Structure and freedom - a secret to magick
01:29:25 - Banishing rituals and self protection
01:31:54 - A profound dream and making one’s magickal implements
01:35:43 - About cycles
01:40:44 - Magical thinking and the cyclical phases of life
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To find out more about Ramsey Dukes, visit:
- https://ramseydukes.co.uk/
- https://www.youtube.com/@RamseyDukes
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
