S2 #13 / Phil Hine on Queerying Occultures

May 12, 2023

Phil Hine, an acclaimed author and speaker, returns to discuss his latest work, 'Queerying Occultures', which brilliantly merges queer themes with occult practices. He dives into the rich history of queer identities in occult circles, highlighting subjects like Shamanism, the legacy of Pan, and the evolution of queer paganism. Hine also sheds light on the shadows of occult homophobia, and explores the cultural significance of the Crossbones burial ground, all while celebrating the intersections of sexuality and spirituality.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 4min

Exploring Queerness in Cultural Expressions

04:04 • 2min

Queerness and Paganism: The Legacy of Pan

05:41 • 7min

Queer Spirituality and Historical Narratives

12:34 • 24min

Exploring Tantra: Tradition vs. Modernity

36:41 • 7min

Insights on Queer Themes in the Occult

43:50 • 3min

Today we welcome back the great Phil Hine on his new book Queerying Occultures.

What is Queerying Occultures? 'Queerying' is a portmanteau word from 'Queer’ and 'Query'—classic Phil Hine word play. Occulture is another portmanteau word meaning 'Hidden Culture' (from ‘Occult’ and 'Culture').

The occult is Queer. Historically. Intrinsically. Radically. Wonderfully Queer. Yet at times this essential fact can feel unacknowledged in wider Occulture dialogues. Addressing this, Phil Hine’s Queerying Occultures is a collection of queer-themed essays exploring, questioning and reflecting on the diverse trajectories that might arise from applying queer questioning to occultural themes and practices. Drawing on perspectives from Queer Theory, history, Continental Philosophy, and shared experience, Hine explores subjects as diverse as Shamanism and gender-variance; the rise of the Queer Pagan approaches; the uncomfortable history of occult homophobia; Queer perspectives on Tantra, Pan, Sacred Spaces, and Crowley in Boy Bar Berlin. This far-reaching, necessary book is both a celebratory resistance text and indispensable investigation of the Queer in Occulture.

In the Plus show we get into the Aghori, ideas on the left hand path and the innate queerness of the left hand path. The Shivite story of the woman who became a ghoul. We get into the history of Masquerade balls, and discuss the relationship between the battle brothers Cuchullian & Ferdia and the curse of Macha of birth pain on the men of Ulster

If you want to hear the plus show, it’s very simple to do, simply join the patreon and get the entire Plus show back catalogue and all the bonus show extras. If you are watching this on YouTube or any other video platform remember to subscribe.

Show notes: Signup for Phil’s substack newsletter https://enfolding.org/unfoldings-a-substack-newsletter/ Queerying Occultures from Original Falcon Press https://originalfalcon.com/queerying-occultures.php Phil's Twitter - https://twitter.com/PhilH86835657 Keep in touch? https://linktr.ee/darraghmason Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka