Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma Members Only: Secret Societies and Alchemy
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Oct 2, 2024 Jim Gavin, creator of 'Lodge 49' and an accomplished novelist, joins Paul and Stephen in a captivating journey through secret societies and alchemy. They dissect the connections between the Masons and the Templars, revealing dark whispers of witchcraft. Jim dives into alchemy’s dual nature—philosophical and chemical—with tales of the elusive Philosopher’s Stone. The eccentric Paracelsus steals the spotlight with his bizarre medical practices. Plus, you won't believe the strange recipe for creating life—a homunculus from petrified sperm and a horse’s womb!
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Lodge 49 and Alchemy
- Jim Gavin's show Lodge 49 features alchemical allusions and secret societies.
- This includes a homegrown pharmacist developing tinctures, reflecting Gavin's research.
Alchemy as Mentorship
- Jim Gavin's interest in alchemy stems from a fascination with mentor relationships and secret societies.
- He connects the alchemical narrative of a young man seeking an older mentor to biblical parables and the symbolism of lodges.
Knights of Columbus Hazing
- The Knights of Columbus initiation involved a staged medical emergency to create a sense of brotherhood.
- This hazing ritual aimed to bond members through shared stress and anxiety.