Right Where You Are Sitting Now

Returning from the void, and crawling through the nightshade, the two-headed beast called Ken and Marck return, dead but still dreaming. This week, we take a journey to Paris, and track the interactions of the great beast himself, Aleister Crowley. Our impeccable cicerone through the streets of the city of love and light this week is author, and returning guest Mr Tobias Churton. This week we discuss: Crowley’s relationship with McGregor Mathers, his effect on the bored and horny, the meaning of true will, and much more. Joining me from the astral realm is one Marck Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Tobias’ new book is available now from Inner Traditions You can check out episodes of ‘The Gnostics’ here on YouTube Tobias Churton Bio: Born in Sutton Coldfield to an ancient Cheshire family, in 1960, Tobias Churton spent two years in Australia from 1966 to 1968 and returned to attend his fifth school, Lichfield Cathedral School. Three schools later he won an exhibition to Brasenose College, Oxford, where he studied Theology. Compelled to exchange a vocation to the priesthood for the lowlier prospect of a career in television, he first came to public notice with the 1987 Channel 4 production, GNOSTICS. The 4-part, drama-documentary went out at peak time on Saturday nights. It won the New York TV Festival Gold Award for best religious series. Churton’s Channel 4/Weidenfeld & Nicolson book accompanying the series was a best seller.  Long before Dan Brown scored a hit with The Da Vinci Code, Tobias Churton introduced a popular audience to the authentic world of esoteric mysteries. In the words of Dutch scholar, Gilles Quispel, the TV series would “change the minds of millions”. Churton presented the facts, not the fantasy. Swedish theologian Jan-Arvid Hellström hailed Churton as a “religious genius” while Amsterdam bibliophile and industrialist Joost Ritman enthusiastically greeted the appearance of a new “writing star”.  The success of The Gnostics allowed Tobias to concentrate his energies on his first love: writing. After years of voluminous reading, mystical experience and creative endeavour, Churton had much to express.  Having completed his twenty-fifth book commission, Tobias Churton is today internationally recognized for his insightful books on esoteric, spiritual history, Art and philosophy. Accessible and scholarly, Churton’s works address believers and doubters alike and, remarkably, have stimulated spiritual experiences in some readers. He has successfully widened the appeal of so-called “esoteric” spirituality. Churton’s warm style and depth of knowledge have entertained many thousands of readers in the process. Tobias is also a filmmaker, lecturer, poet and musician. He has recently recorded his orchestrated score for his prospective dramatic project, William Blake: Love is on Fire!, while his musical about Nancy Cunard and Henry Crowder, YOU, ME AND YESTERDAY, co-written with artist and songwriter John Myatt, was performed to great acclaim at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre in 2011. He has composed and recorded eight albums of original music.   Show Comments 

Take a trip out to the Californian deserts and join the occult rocket-race with Ken and Mark. Our man who fell to Earth this week is the wonderful George Pendle, author of the go-to book on Jack Parsons 'Strange Angel'. This week we discuss: Just who was Jack Parsons and why are we still talking about him?, The OTO's influence on Parsons' life?, how do you go from rocket science to occult magician? and much more. Joining me from his command outpost this week is Mar(c)k Satyr™   Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com   Listen to the audiobook of Strange Angel on Audible George Pendle Bio: George Pendle is an author and journalist. He writes about contemporary art, historical fiction, imaginary countries, real monsters, mad scientists, sane occultists, and the color blue. He has written for the Economist, the Financial Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Times (London), the Guardian, the Observer, frieze, Cabinet, Bidoun, Modern Painters, and Icon.

Charge headlong into the darkness and down the Benighted Path with Ken and Mark this week as we challenge the listener to don the Infernal Masque! Leading us through this cosmic void is the wonderful Richard Gavin author of both horror fiction, and occult works. This week we discuss: Dreams as magical portals, working with the darkness, Ludwig Klages and Kenneth Grant, and much more. Joining me, Dead but still dreaming is Mar(c)k Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Richard Gavin Bio:   Richard Gavin is a critically-acclaimed writer who works in the areas of horror and the primordial, oftentimes illuminating the nexus where these fields intersect. He has authored four books of macabre fiction, as well as poetry, criticism, and several occult essays for publications such as Starfire Journal and Clavis. The Benighted Path is his most substantial esoteric work to date. https://theionpublishing.com/authors/richard-gavin/

From the desert planes of Spahn Ranch, to the glittering hills of Hollywood and beyond, the myth of Charles Manson has endured…but is any of it actually true? Our returning guest Nikolas Schreckdoesn’t think so! This week we discuss: Why does the general population so easily believe in official narratives?, what do Timothy Leary and British occultism have to do with Charles Manson?, what really did happen at 10050 Cielo Drive? and much more. Also, join Nikolas at the launch of the UK edition of his amazing book ‘The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman’ on the 22nd October, tickets available here Joining me, and finally recovered from the deserts of time, returning co-host Sam Horn Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com The UK edition of Nikolas’ book available here Nikolas Schreck Bio: Nikolas Schreck is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, film-maker and Tantric Buddhist religious teacher based in Berlin, Germany. Now a solo artist, Schreck founded the musical magical recording and performance collective Radio Werewolf, which operated from 1984-1994, releasing seven albums. Schreck was also the lead singer of the musical duo Kingdom of Heaven whose album, XXIII, was released in April 2015. He collaborated musically with his former wife, American singer and musician Zeena Schreck, as well as Australian percussionist John Murphy, NON, Death in June, and the British actor Christopher Lee, whose first album Schreck conceived and produced. As a solo artist, his song “Lord Sutekh’s Dream” was released by German record label The Epicurean in conjunction with Schreck’s May 28, 2016 concert at the Epicurean Escapism Festival in Berlin. Since that concert, Schreck has recorded and performed with his band consisting of Winfried Strauss (keyboards), Ohnesorg (bass), and Heathen Rae (drums and percussion.) After a performance at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, noted as one of the best concerts at the WGT by German music site der Schwarze Welt, Schreck and his band released the vinyl EP The Futura Model on The Epicurean label. A monthly radio program, The Nikolas Schreck Show, premiered on Berlin’s Radio on October 31, 2017. Schreck’s album The Illusionist was released by US label Records Ad Nauseam at an event held at Zebulon in Los Angeles on August 10, 2019. His books include The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman (2011); Demons of the Flesh: The Complete Guide to Left Hand Path Sex Magic (2002), co-authored with Zeena; Flowers from Hell: A Satanic Reader (2001); The Satanic Screen: An Illustrated Guide to the Devil in Cinema, (2001); and the first edition of The Manson File (1988). His film appearances include the 1989 documentary, Charles Manson Superstar, which he directed; Usher, the last film of Curtis Harrington; and Mortuary Academy. He teaches Tantric Buddhist meditation. Source: Wikipedia

This week Ken and Mark explore dark and mysterious graveyards in search of esoteric wisdom. Our hooded mysterious guide is friend of the show Lon Milo Duquette. This week we discuss: Why does Occultism lend itself so well to horror?, The mysterious allure of horror, what’s so cosmic about H.P. Lovecraft anyway? and much more.   Joining me from his crypt of terror is Mar(c)k Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Lon’s great book discussed this week. Lon Milo Duquette Bio: Singer-songwriter, recording artist, and humorist, Lon Milo DuQuette is also the author of 19 critically acclaimed books (translated in 12 languages) on Magick and the Occult. Critics have called him one of the most respected and entertaining writers and lecturers in the field of the Western Mystery Traditions. Since 1975 DuQuette been a national and international governing officer of Ordo Templi Orientis, one of the most influential magical societies of the 20th and 21st Centuries. He is currently the Order’s United States Deputy Grand Master. He is an internationally recognized authority on tarot, ceremonial magick, and esoteric Freemasonry. Although he takes these subjects very seriously, he tries not to take himself too seriously. This rare combination of scholarship and humor has earned him in the last 30 years a unique and respected position in American spiritual and esoteric literature. DuQuette appears occasionally on television and radio as a guest expert on subjects involving the occult. He is a contributor to the Magical Egypt DVD series’ and a host on the new series, The Great Work. He is a faculty member of the Omega Institute in Reinbeck New York, and Robert Anton Wilson’s Maybe Logic Academy. He lives in Costa Mesa, California with his wife of 52 years, Constance.    

Ken travels to the deepest darkest Georgian wilds to uncover the identity of the Georgia Guidestones bomber. Joining Ken on this sleuthy endeavour is our old buddy, and the guy that literally wrote the book on the stones, Raymond Wiley. This week we discuss: The history of the Georgia Guidestones, The rise of dark conspiracy theory, who we think planted the bomb, QAnon and much more.   Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Raymond’s new podcast ‘Retrophilia’ on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you look for podcasts. Check out Raymond’s book published by Disinfo/Weiserhttps://redwheelweiser.com/book/the-georgia-guidestones-9781934708682/ Raymond Wiley Bio: Raymond Wiley is a historian, broadcaster, and producer based in Athens, Georgia. Arguably the foremost expert on the Georgia Guidestones, he has appeared on numerous TV, radio, and online series, including Brad Meltzer’s Decoded and CBS News Atlanta. Episodes of his audio series, Out There Radio and The Disinformation Podcasts, have been syndicated on numerous AM and FM stations and downloaded millions of times. He has been described as “a sober, Southeastern version of the radio host Art Bell, exhaustive in chronicling conspiracy theories and the occult.”    

This week Ken and Ulysses Black venture into ancient times and try and discover the forces that have been guiding humanity. Taking us on this adventure is amazing Andrew Collins, author and explorer. This week we discuss: The links between Shamanism and extraterrestrial contact, The mystery of the N-Beings, Andrew’s time at Skinwalker Ranch, and much more. Joining me in the SittingNow exploratory lab this week is Ulysses Black Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Andrew’s new book is available now from Inner Traditions Andrew Collins Bio Andrew Collins was born in Bedford, England. He is a science and history writer, and the author of over a dozen books that challenge the way we perceive the past. They include The Black Alchemist, The Seventh Sword, From the Ashes of Angels, Gods of Eden, Gateway to Atlantis, Tutankhuman: The Exodus Conspiracy (co-authored with Chris Ogilvie Herald), The Cygnus Mystery, Göbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods, The Cygnus Key: The Denisovan Legacy, Göbekli Tepe and the Birth of Egypt and Denisovan Origins: Hybrid Humans, Göbekli Tepe and the Genesis of the Giants of Ancient America, co-authored with Greg L. Little. He lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. http://andrewcollins.com/

Ken and Mark travel to the Mauve Zone to discover the mysteries of Kenneth Grant’s occult universe. Our guide into this mystery school is author, publisher and Typhonian Michael Stayley. This week we discuss: Who was Kenneth Grant, How is the Typhonian Order different to Crowley’s OTO, Grant’s relationship with Spare and Crowley, Is Steffi Grant underrated? and much more. Joining Ken from his tentacled astral body is Mar(c)k™ Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Starfire have just re-published Grant’s ‘Beyond the Mauve Zone’  Michael Stayley Bio: Michael Staley is the founder of Starfire Publishing. He knew Kenneth Grant for more than forty years, becoming his publisher in the mid 1990s, and across a number of years republished the Typhonian Trilogies in new editions. Michael lives in north-west London with his wife Caroline Wise.

  This week Ken and Mark venture into the deepest wooded mountains of the Ozark region to discover the hidden magic contained within. Our spirit guide on this quest is author of ‘Ozark Folk Magic’, and ‘Ozark Mountain Spell Book’, Brandon Weston. This week we discuss: How does one acquire ‘The Power’, Plant magic, the myths and monsters of the region, just how do you pronounce ‘Appalachian’ and much more. Joining me on his cunning throne this week is Mar(c)k™ Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Brandon’s book over at Llewellyn BooksBrandon Weston Bio: My work is a living tradition. It’s the work that Ozark healers have been doing for hundreds of years. You can see many different cultures and traditions represented in Ozark folkways. These beliefs and practices, much like the Ozark people who created them, are a mixture of many places, beliefs, and ways of life. Specific folk traditions that have had a great influence on Ozark folkways include the European Cunning craft, Cajun/Creole folk medicine including the path of the Traiteur, Pennsylvania German Braucherei often also called Powwowing, Indigenous healing practices from the diverse nations of the Southeastern US, West African folk traditions by way of Southern Rootwork, Hoodoo, and Conjure, and even Central/South American Curanderismo. An important aspect of my research includes looking into all the traditions that have had such a great impact upon Ozark folkways. In looking at where these traditions intersect, we can start to understand so much more about the lives and practices of our ancestors. While you can look at Ozark folkways and see the fingerprint of all these traditions, remember that these practices remain unique to this specific area and should be approached with that mindset. ​ I’m an Ozarker through and through. This is the land where I was born, the land where my parents and my grandparents were born, as well as many more of my ancestors before that. In this way, my work is my own, the spirits I honour are my own, and while my work may be seen as a part of the larger tapestry of Southern folk magic, there are many practices that are unique to me as I have learned them. I hold true to all these traditions that I’ve been taught and those that have been Spirit led.​

Imagine a man, woman or a group turn up at your door brandishing what looks like legitimate credentials with the intention of removing your child; they know intimate details about your circumstances, the sort of stuff that only a government official would know, how would you react? Sexual predators, or paranormal entities, we discuss the strange case of the Phantom Social Workers with the author of 'The Child Stealers' Martin Cannon.  This week we discuss: Lone nuts vs. Conspirators, The Cleveland R.A.D. connection, British and American cases and beyond, Why the media and police constantly fail to connect the dots and much more. Joining me from the special office of investigations is Mar(c)k™ Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Martin Canon Bio: Writer and illustrator Martin Cannon has created or contributed to dozens of books, magazines and websites. He enjoys writing about real-life mysteries. ‘The Child Stealers’