Right Where You Are Sitting Now

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’

Like two Universal monsters plucked out of their era, Ken and Mark rise from the grave of podcast absence to explore the Occulture. Our returning guest this week is one of our favourites; the wonderful Carl Abrahamson returns to discuss the wider Occulture drawing from his book of the same name. This week we discuss: What has kept the Occult so vibrant up until now, the psychology of the Occulture, The Occult in pop culture and much more. Joining me from behind a veil of mystical light is Mar(c)k Satyr Check out Carl’s amazing work on the the Occulture Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Carl Abrahamsson Biography: I write fiction, and also material about the arts & entertainment, esoteric history, occulture, as well as artist portraits for the international market. I also lecture on all of the mentioned subjects at art schools, universities, events, symposia and conferences. I also work with filmmaking, in publishing, photography and music. For a quick overview, here are some links: https://www.carlabrahamsson.com

This week Ken and Mark find themselves stranded on a nudist desert island … wait….ok I can explain! This week we sit down with Thelemic novelist, Former actor, keen nudist and an executive member of the UK Ordo Templi Orientis, Trevor Gray. This week we discuss: The esoteric journey, writing Thelema-tinged novels, The culture of nudism, and much more.   Joining me on the deserted desert island this week (hopefully fully clothed), is Marck Satyr. Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Get Trevor’s books: From Manhood to Godhead on Amazon A Whisper in the Silence on Amazon Trevor Gray Bio: ‘A Whisper in the Silence’ is Trevor’s second novel. His first, ‘From Manhood to Godhead – The Many Lives of Jean Vassar,’ took him over fifteen years to complete and has received excellent reviews. Trevor took early retirement to concentrate on writing, having spent his entire working life in the world of Showbusiness. As a teenager, he played the drums in local pop bands and gigged briefly as a stand-up comedian. Professionally, he initially worked as an actor, after training at London’s Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, but went on to become a popular personality Disc Jockey in the 1970’s for the Rank Organisation in Brighton. After running a Voice-Over ageny in London’s West End, he moved into Theatre Management, where he worked very successfully for twenty-eight years as Operations Manager for three theatres and a cinema in Worthing. He has been happily married to former actress, Rosemary Faith, for over forty years, both sharing a love of travel and of all things esoteric. Trevor has also had a long interest in traditional circus, plus the conservation of Primates, especially the Great Apes.

SittingNow sets foot into alternate realms and discovers a secret meeting of Occult forces. Join us around the fire as we sit down with author Kelden to explore the mysterious Witches Sabbath. This week we discuss: The tangled roots of the Witches Sabbath, The unlikely victims of the Witchcraft myth, myopic stalky nymphs, and much more. Joining me in the Otherworld is Marck Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Kelden's book is available now. Kelden Biography: Hello, my name is Kelden. I am a therapist, writer, Youtuber, and Witch (among many other things). My personal practice, as well as my writing, is largely influenced by both historical and folkloric Witchcraft. This blog is intended to be an ongoing account of my Craft, in terms of my personal experiences, what I’ve learned, and what I am still learning. Topics of particular interests of mine include Scottish Witchlore, Familiar Spirits, Wortcunning, and Hedge-Crossing. I currently live in Northern Minnesota. I hold a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as two undergraduate degrees in Human Services and Psychology. Besides writing my other hobbies include reading, painting, hiking, gardening, and playing ukulele. You can contact me at keldenmercury@gmail.com Instagram: keldenmercury YouTube channel: youtube.com/KeldenMercury Source: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/byathameandstang/  

This week we pull back the mask of the shadowy group that has so captured the imaginations of conspirasphere for so long…that’s right, we’re finally doing a show on the Illuminati…well, the real one anyway. Our secret hooded guide into the labyrinths of hidden Bavaria this week is the excellent Jon E. Graham, author, artist, translator and member of the Inner Traditions team. This week we discuss: Just who is Adam Weishaupt, what did the actual Illuminati get up to, what were their rituals and initiations, and why have the group managed to obtain such legendary status amongst the paranoid? Joining me in the infernal co-host chair this week is the highest of Secret Chiefs, Marck Satyr. Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com The Bavarian Illuminati is available now via Inner Traditions. Jon E. Graham Bio  I am an artist, writer and translator currently employed as the acquisitions editor for the publisher Inner Traditions, Bear and Company. Before starting this job, I was a chef, bicycle messenger, factory worker, and bookseller. I have also worked with surrealists in France and the US as well as elsewhere in Europe. https://www.innertraditions.com/author/jon-e-graham

This week Ken and Mark go transatlantic to the state of sunny California and get a lesson on Occult teacher Manly P. Hall. Our guide through the halls of the Philosophical Research Society is the lovely Tamra Lucid, former student, employee and – most importantly – friend of Mr Hall. This week we discuss: Just who is Manly P Hall? What is the Philosophical Research Society? Is Ken Fay curious? Did Mark really perform naked rituals on the Isle of Wight? All this and much more… Joining me in the SittingNow Ennis House of Horrors is Marck Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Tamra’s great book via Inner Traditions. Tamra Lucid Bio: Tamra Lucid is a founding member of the experimental rock band Lucid Nation. She was a writer and editor for Newtopia Magazine and the principal interviewer for the original Reality Sandwich. She has produced documentary films, including Exile Nation: The Plastic People, End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock, and the award-winning Viva Cuba Libre: Rap Is War. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Ronnie Pontiac. https://www.innertraditions.com/books/making-the-ordinary-extraordinary

This week Ken and Mark stumble back onto the Left-hand Path this time finding refuge in the Temple of Set with author, and former High Priest Don Webb. Join us on an adventure into the world of Setians and Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law. This week we discuss: What exactly is the Left-Hand Path, can Dungeons and Dragon really turn you into a Satanist, Aleister Crowley’s influence on the Temple of Set, and much more. Joining me in the SittingNow king’s chamber is Marck Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Don’s excellent book on today’s subject. Don Webb Bio Ipsissimus Don Webb joined the Temple of Set in 1989 and served as its High Priest from 1996 to 2002. He has written and lectured on Left-Hand Path topics and the occult practices of Late Antiquity since 1995. He lives in Austin, Texas.   Show Comments 

This week we delve into the mother (or brother) of all secret societies, the Freemasons. Although the majority of the society does not accept, or – as we find out – does not even know their esoteric roots, Author Mark Stavish is back to guide us down this fraternal maze, drawing from his great book ‘The Path of Freemasonary’. This week we discuss The esoteric roots of Freemasonry, why conspiracy theorists have such a boner for the society, some of the groups more influential esotericists, and much more. Joining me in SittingNow Inner-order is Mark Satyr Main theme by Simon Smerdon (Mothboy) Music bed by chriszabriskie.com Check out Mark’s book ‘The Path of Freemasonry’ published by Inner Traditions. Mark Stavish Biography: Mark Stavish, the Director of Studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies, is a life-long student of esotericism with over 25 years experience in comparative religion, philosophy, psychology, and mysticism with emphasis on Traditional Western Esotericism.  His articles have appeared in academic, specialty, and mass market publications specializing in spiritual studies, making Mark one of the leading authorities in Hermeticism today. In addition to being a member and officer of several prominent Rosicrucian and Martinist societies, Mark served as the Director of Research for the Occult Research and Applications Project, of the Philosophers of Nature (PON). The Philosophers of Nature was founded by Jean Dubuis in France in 1979 and for twenty years was the leading resource for practical information on mineral and plant alchemy, as well as qabala.  ORA, a statistically based research wing of the American branch of PON performed detailed exploration into the validity and practicality of various traditional esoteric methods.  Original research from the ORA Project was published in the organization’s journal, The Stone. A graduate of King’s College, in Theology (B.A.), and Communications (B.A.), and  Rhode Island College (Providence), with a Master’s degree in Counseling emphasizing psycho-spiritual modalities and Psychosynthesis, Mark brings a unique blend of tradition with modern research to the application of esoteric philosophy. Professionally, Mark has over 15 years experience in the social service and non-profit fields, and has trained hundreds of social service workers, law enforcement personnel, and mental healthcare providers in areas related to New and Emerging Religions. Mark’s writings have been translated into Turkish, Dutch, French, Swedish, and Portuguese; he has been a media consultant on for BBC Channel 2, and Cinnabar Productions’ documentary, ‘The Occult Reich’ for A&E/History Channel, along with numerous media interviews and editorials.