#152 - Conjuring Astaroth, The Latin Mass & Popes with Fr. Robert Nixon
Aug 4, 2024
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Fr. Robert Nixon, a monk from the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity in Australia, dives into the intriguing mix of the Traditional Latin Mass and its connection to summoning Astaroth. He shares insights on Pope Pius V’s grimoire and the medicinal practices of Pope John XXI, who blended spiritual beliefs with practical health remedies. Another highlight includes how music intertwines with spirituality in his compositions, illustrating a journey from melancholy to hope, while addressing the historical interplay between faith and the occult.
Father Robert Nixon details the disciplined daily life of Benedictine monks, reflecting a structured routine centered around prayer and service.
The Grimoire of Pius V illustrates the historical intertwining of Catholic rituals and occult practices during a time of religious conflict.
Pope John XXI's Secret Pharmacopoeia sheds light on medieval healing practices, revealing the intersection of medicine, superstition, and everyday life.
Deep dives
Father Robert Nixon's Monastic Life
Father Robert Nixon describes the daily routine of Benedictine monks, emphasizing the structured yet peaceful nature of monastic life. He wakes up at 4:15 AM and begins his day with coffee followed by Latin translation work during the quiet hours. The day includes various prayers, including the Office of Matins and Holy Mass, which is conducted in strict silence. Throughout the day, he takes on different roles such as planning music for services and performing community duties, highlighting the harmony and discipline of monastic living.
Discovering the Grimoire of Pius V
Father Robert shares his discovery of the Grimoire of Pius V while researching St. Gertrude's writings. He found an obscure German volume containing several magical texts, including prayers and invocations attributed to St. Gertrude. This led him to examine the conjuration of the demon Astaroth, highlighting that such texts reflect the historical blending of Catholic practices and occult beliefs during times of religious upheaval, particularly in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. His insights reveal the complex relationship between ritual practices and the struggle for Catholic identity in a predominantly Protestant era.
The Role of Pope Pius V in Catholic History
Father Robert discusses Pope Pius V's significant role in the Catholic Church during the late 16th century, particularly following the Council of Trent. He served as the Grand Inquisitor, familiarizing himself with various spiritual practices and asserting the importance of the traditional Latin Mass. Pius V implemented the Tridentine Mass, which codified Catholic worship and shaped its practice for centuries. This historical context helps frame the grimoire as not merely a book of spells, but as a reflection of the fears and tensions surrounding Catholicism during that period.
Catholic Practices and the Occult
The podcast delves into the conjuration rituals presented in the Grimoire, examining how these practices interwove elements of the traditional Mass with occult intentions. Father Robert emphasizes that these rituals often sought to manipulate spiritual entities, using the protective and sanctifying aspects of the Mass as a backdrop for summoning Astaroth. He cautions against interpreting these texts as mere anti-Catholic propaganda, suggesting instead they represent genuine attempts by practitioners to navigate the complexities of faith and superstition. The conversation illuminates the precarious balance between religious devotion and the danger of delving into esoteric practices.
The Secret Pharmacopoeia of Pope John XXI
Father Robert introduces Pope John XXI's Secret Pharmacopoeia, a collection of home remedies that reflects medieval attitudes towards health and healing. Compiled by John while serving as a physician, this work features various strange ingredients ranging from animal parts to herbs for treating ailments. This text illustrates the blurred lines between medicine and superstition during the Middle Ages, highlighting how common folk often relied on these remedies due to a lack of access to legitimate medical care. The remedies serve as a testament to the historical context in which science and magic intersected, revealing the complexities of health management at that time.
How was the Traditional Latin Mass a focal point of a grimoire (attributed to a Pope) to summon the demon Astaroth? Why did another Pope from the 1200s write a fascinating collection of ‘home remedies’ and secret cures for a wide variety of physical ailments? Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, is a monk of the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity, New Norcia in Western Australia. He returns on the podcast to discuss his latest Latin esoteric translations from Hadean Press, shares his musical compositions, answers your Glitch Bottle Patreon listener questions and more!
