The Importance of Initiation

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. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep209-the-english-magician-ramsay-dukes 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 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 … 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