Rejected Religion Podcast

In the first part of our interview, Andrea and I discuss the complex issue regarding the definition of 'magic' within the Western historical study of esotericism and/or religion, and how we could perhaps see 'magic' as a meta-category containing 'family resemblances' or 'patterns of magicity' that allow for comparisons of different magical practices or attitudes. We also talk about the differences between the etic and emic perspectives of the term 'magic', as grimoires are concerned with the magicians' views and ideas about the rituals they perform and the significance these rituals hold.  We then delve into the topic of legitimization of ritual magical practices within the context of Christianity from the 1200s-1500s. In this time period, most magical texts were considered heretical by the Church, forcing magicians to try to legitimize the use of these manuscripts. We look in particular at the views of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim and his attempts to restore the reputation of magic as a divine art.  Our conversation then leads to different magical texts, focusing on the Liber Iuratus Honorii, or The Sworn Book of Honorius as it relates to Andrea's own research into ritual spaces. We also use Andrea's article to discuss these concepts in more detail, especially why space is such an important part of the magical ritual. PROGRAM NOTESAndrea Franchetto -Andrea Franchetto - Stockholm University (su.se)(1) Andrea Franchetto | Stockholm University - Academia.edu(1) Andrea Franchetto | FacebookAndrea (@andrewcrnf) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sResearch Master Thesis: content (uva.nl)Imaginal architectural devices and the ritual space of medieval necromancy - ScienceDirect 'Magic' -(83) General Introduction to 'Defining Magic: A Reader' | Bernd-Christian Otto and Michael Stausberg - Academia.edu(1) Magic (Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2nd Edition) | Bernd-Christian Otto - Academia.eduPatterns of Magicity: A Review of Defining Magic: A Reader | Asprem | Correspondences (correspondencesjournal.com)(64) « Astral Magic and Intellectual Changes (Twelfth-Fifteenth Centuries). “Astrological Images” and the Concept of “Addressative” Magic », dans J. Bremmer et J. R. Veenstra (dir.), The Metamorphosis of Magic From Late Antiquity to Early Modern Period, Louvain, Peeters, 2002, p. 167-187. | Nicolas Weill-Parot - Academia.edu(83) Contemporary Ritual Magic (Chapter 39, The Occult World) | Egil Asprem - Academia.edu(83) Intermediary Beings (Ch. 64, The Occult World) | Egil Asprem - Academia.edu(83) Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (2015) | Wouter J. Hanegraaff - Academia.edu(1) Better than Magic: Cornelius Agrippa and Lazzarellian Hermetism (2009) | Wouter J. Hanegraaff - Academia.edu(1) Lodovico Lazzarelli and the Hermetic Christ: At the Sources of Renaissance Hermetism (2005) | Wouter J. Hanegraaff - Academia.eduGrimoires -Liber Juratus Honorii, or the Sworn Book of Honorius (esotericarchives.com)The Sworn Book of Honorius and the Christian Reception of Angel Magic* - DocestSpeculum Astronomiae | Detailed PediaArs Notoria: the Notory Art of Solomon (esotericarchives.com)Picatrix (The Aim of the Sage) of pseudo-Majriti (summary) (esotericarchives.com)Theme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea 

In this interview, Ralph shares his own perspectives on many of the topics that Dr. Christian Greer and I had discussed in Episode 19 ('Etic Examinations'). He shares his own background in occultism, 'the state of things' in Germany in the 1970s and -80s, as well as the change in perspective with the introduction of the 'Anglo' or British perspective about occultism and chaos magic. He also talks about his viewpoints regarding the concepts of 'gnosis' and 'shamanism' as they relate to chaos magic, how he feels about 'rationalist' thinkers such as Theodor Adorno, and highlights some of his own works. In my opinion, Ralph gives a very interesting overview of how he, as a practitioner, things about magic and how magic works for people who practice it. A very special thanks to Friedemann Rimbach-Sator for the inspiration behind the 'chaos magic' episodes, and for introducing me to Ralph Tegtmeier. PROGRAM NOTESSelected Bibliography Ralph Tegtmeier/ Frater U:.D:. (provided  by Mr. Tegtmeier):Amazon.com: High Magic: Theory & Practice: 9780738704715: U.:D.:, Frater: BooksMoney Magic by Frater UD – Draconis Arcanum (draconisbooks.com)(99+) Practical Sigil Magic - Frater U.D | EmMa Cold-Hag - Academia.eduSex Magic by Frater UD – Draconis Arcanum (draconisbooks.com)The Magical Shield, by Frater UD by Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD. - IssuuWhere Do Demons Live by Frater UD – Draconis Arcanum (draconisbooks.com)Amazon.com: Living Magic: Contemporary Insights and Experiences from Practicing Magicians: 9780738766799: U.:D.:, Frater, Budenbender, Axel, Eilenstein, Harry, Knecht, Josef: BooksDark Star Magick - Posts | Facebook (A Fall Like No Other)Other Selected Frater U:.D:. References:Models of Magic (chaosmatrix.org)Frater U:.D:. - [ChaosMatrix.org]Chaos Magic:Liber Null & Psychonaut: An Introduction to Chaos Magic: Carroll, Peter J.: 8601404697678: Amazon.com: BooksSelected Academic References:(99+) Chaos Magick | Colin Duggan - Academia.edu(99+) Perennialism and Iconoclasm: Chaos Magick and the Legitimacy of Innovation | Colin Duggan - Academia.edu(99+) The Illuminates of Thanateros and the Institutionalisation of Religious Individualisation | Bernd-Christian Otto - Academia.edu Contact Ralph Tegtmeier/Frater U:.D:. Ralph Tegtmeier | FacebookTheme music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie Shea

As the Rejected Religion platform is concerned with what is known as 'occulture,' or how the occult is represented and portrayed in popular culture, this video highlights some of the occult references found in two recent Netflix series, Archive 81 and Stranger Things. Please see the 'References' section below for more detailed information concerning these topics. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.  REFERENCES 1. Celestial/astronomical magic - Ninian Nijhuis (99+) Western Sidereal Astrology: From Ancient Babylonia to the Modern West | Ninian L Nijhuis - Academia.edu - Nicholas Campion Astrology | 67 | The Occult World | Nicholas Campion | Taylor & Franci (taylorfrancis.com) - Wouter Hanegraaff (see in particular pp.392-395) New Age Religion and Western Culture – Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought | Brill  2. WitchcraftOxford Handbook of New Religious Movements - Oxford Handbooks  3. Spiritualism - Egil Asprem (99+) The Society for Psychical Research (Chapter 24, The Occult World) | Egil Asprem - Academia.edu - Cathy Gutierrez The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Catherine Albanese A Republic of Mind and Spirit (yale.edu)  HBO No One Dies in Lily Dale - No One Dies in Lily Dale (2011) - IMDb  4. Spirit Art 5. Spirit Photography - Tessel Bauduin (99+) The Occult and the Visual Arts | Tessel M . Bauduin, PhD - Academia.edu- The Spiritual in Art The Spiritual in Art, Maurice Tuchman | 9780896596696 | Boeken | bol.comHilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future | The Guggenheim Museums and Foundationwelcome - Georgiana Houghton  6. Theosophical Society - Olav Hammer The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Catherine Albanese A Republic of Mind and Spirit (yale.edu)- Wouter Hanegraaff New Age Religion and Western Culture – Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought | Brill  7. Ritual Magic(k) Golden Dawn: -Francisco Santos Silva William Wynn Westcott | 24 | The Occult World | Francisco Santos Silva (taylorfrancis.com)Samuel Liddell Mathers | 26 | The Occult World | Francisco Santos Silv (taylorfrancis.com)- Robert Gilbert The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com) Ordo Templi Orientis & 8. Agape Lodge No. 2: - Christian Giudice The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Nicolas Goodrick-Clarke The Occult Roots Of Nazism : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive- Nicolas Campion The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Manon Hedenborg White (99+) From Chorazin to Carcosa. Fiction-Based Esotericism in the Black Pilgrimage of Jack Parsons and Cameron | Manon Hedenborg White - Academia.eduAmazon.com: The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism (Oxford Studies in Western Esotericism): 9780190065027: Hedenborg White, Manon: Books- Hugh Urban (99+) Magia Sexualis | Hugh Urban - Academia.edu 9. Mankind UnitedMankind, Unite! | Lapham’s Quarterly (laphamsquarterly.org)Mankind United Index (sacred-texts.com)California cult : the story of "Mankind United" : Dohrman, H. T : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive  10. Satanic Panic - Philip Jenkins (pp.221-241) in  Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements - Oxford Handbooks - Jesper Aagaard Petersen The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Jeffrey Victor The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Christopher Partridge The Occult World (routledgehandbooks.com)- Joseph P. Laycock Dangerous Games by Joseph P. Laycock - Paperback - University of California Press (ucpress.edu)- Peter Bebergal Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll: Bebergal, Peter: 9780399174964: Amazon.com: Books  Theme music: Stephanie Shea  

Ninian Nijhuis holds a Research Master in Religious Studies (University of Amsterdam); a BA in Law and an LL.M. in International Public Law (University of Utrecht). Her main focus is on Western Esotericism and her key fields of interest are Jungian psychology, sidereal astrology, mysticism, spirituality and its connections to science. Additionally, she is Head of Social Media at the Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP Centre) and the University of Amsterdam, and currently works as a sidereal astrologer and coach.   In this interview, Ninian and I discuss sidereal astrology, and how it differs from tropical astrology (the system that most people in the West are familiar with). Ninian shares the history of astrology and of these two systems; why these systems became separated (with tropical astrology the most popular form in the West, and sidereal astrology in the East); and how sidereal astrology made a 'comeback' in the West via Cyril Fagan and others.   Ninian also shares her personal journey and views with regard to astrology, her research interest on an academic level, and how she uses sidereal astrology together with Jungian psychology in her own work.RESOURCESYou can find Ninian at https://niniansiderealastrology.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niniannijhuis/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninian.nijhuisAcademia.edu: https://uva.academia.edu/NinianNijhuisNinian's article about Western sidereal astrology: https://www.academia.edu/50008714/Western_Sidereal_Astrology_From_Ancient_Babylonia_to_the_Modern_WestFrom her website:https://niniansiderealastrology.com/2021/11/19/what-is-western-sidereal-astrology/  If you are interested in the academic study of Western Esotericism, and would like to be kept up-to-date on current lectures, courses, conferences, books, podcasts, etc., please check out -https://www.instagram.com/amsterdamhermetica/or https://www.amsterdamhermetica.nl/or https://www.facebook.com/amsterdamhermetica  Theme Music: Stephanie Shea

In Part Two, Dylan begins by discussing why the gnostic system of thought was considered heretical by Christians. We then talk about the fascinating gnostic text 'The Secret Book of John', and how this creation story is quite different from the one in the Book of Genesis. Eve is not a villian in this tale, but the representative of consciousness and the reminder to Adam of the real heavenly world. In closing, we discuss how popular culture manifests and represents this topic. Dr. Dylan Burns is Assistant Professor of the History of Western Esotericism in Late Antiquity at the University of Amsterdam.REFERENCESDr. Dylan Burns - Did God Care? Providence, Dualism and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy : Did God Care? – Providence, Dualism, and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy | BrillCo-editor: Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Online (brill.com)AncientEsotericism.org :: Network for the Study of Esotericism in Antiquity | A Thematic Network of ESSWEHHP | History of Hermetic Philosophy and related currents (amsterdamhermetica.nl)Academia.edu page: (99+) Dylan Burns | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduSelected Articles:(99+) Apocalypses amongst Gnostics and Manichaeans | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Providence, Creation, and Gnosticism According to the Gnostics | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Weren’t the Christians Up Against a Gnostic Religion? G.R.S. Mead at the Dawn ‎of the Modern Study of Gnosticism‎ | Dylan Burns - Academia.eduAncient Esoteric Traditions: Mystery, Revelation, Gnosis | Dylan M. Bu (taylorfrancis.com)Other Resources:The Secret Book of John (Apocryphon of John) (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments - Bruce Codex (gnosis.org)Nag Hammadi Library (gnosis.org)The Dead Sea Scrolls(99+) The gnostic bible | Constantin Gherghinoiu - Academia.eduTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaPhoto Credit Dylan Burns: Jeff Berlin Green 

Dr. Dylan Burns is Assistant Professor of the History of Western Esotericism in Late Antiquity at the University of Amsterdam.In Part One, Dylan begins by sharing the Gnostic story or revelatory myth that takes place in four acts, so to speak, and the evidence of this story found in texts such as the Nag Hammadi codices. We then move the discussion to the definitions of the terms 'gnostic', 'gnosticism', and 'gnosis' and why these terms are somewhat controversial in the academic realm. REFERENCESDr. Dylan Burns - Did God Care? Providence, Dualism and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy : Did God Care? – Providence, Dualism, and Will in Later Greek and Early Christian Philosophy | BrillCo-editor: Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Online (brill.com)AncientEsotericism.org :: Network for the Study of Esotericism in Antiquity | A Thematic Network of ESSWEHHP | History of Hermetic Philosophy and related currents (amsterdamhermetica.nl)Academia.edu page: (99+) Dylan Burns | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduSelected Articles:(99+) Apocalypses amongst Gnostics and Manichaeans | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Providence, Creation, and Gnosticism According to the Gnostics | Dylan Burns - Academia.edu(99+) Weren’t the Christians Up Against a Gnostic Religion? G.R.S. Mead at the Dawn ‎of the Modern Study of Gnosticism‎ | Dylan Burns - Academia.eduAncient Esoteric Traditions: Mystery, Revelation, Gnosis | Dylan M. Bu (taylorfrancis.com)Other Resources:The Secret Book of John (Apocryphon of John) (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments (gnosis.org)Gnostic Society Library: Gnostic Scriptures and Fragments - Bruce Codex (gnosis.org)Nag Hammadi Library (gnosis.org)The Dead Sea Scrolls(99+) The gnostic bible | Constantin Gherghinoiu - Academia.eduTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie SheaPhoto Credit Dylan Burns: Jeff Berlin Green 

Korshi Dosoo is the leader of the junior research group project 'The Coptic Magical Papyri: Vernacular Religion in Late Antique and Early Islamic Egypt' at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. Formerly ATER (lecturer) at the University of Strasbourg and post-doctoral researcher on the Labex RESMED project Les mots de la paix. His PhD thesis, 'Rituals of Apparition on the Theban Magical Library' was completed in 2015 at Macquarie University, Australia. His research focuses on magic and lived religion in Egypt from the Ptolemaic to Mamluk periods as revealed by papyrological and epigraphic sources. In this interview, Korshi begins by explaining what magical papyri are, where they came from, how they were used, and how people would obtain these texts. He also discusses his views about the concept of magic, and whether ancient people thought differently about 'magic' than contemporary people do. Our conversation then moves to modern occult practices and ritual magic, in particular, the use of a text taken from the Theban Magical Library Codex that is now known as 'The Headless God' or 'The Bornless Rite.' Korshi also shares his experience as 'impromptu' translator of a mysterious copper plate, thought by authorities to be written in Coptic, that was originally believed to be linked to an unsolved murder case from 1970, and his involvement in the podcast dedicated to this case, 'The WVU Coed Murders.' While some might think that the scholary study of ancient languages and texts to be far removed from everyday life, this example shows the importance of academic research for real-world issues. Korshi is also part of a team that produces 'The Coptic Magical Papyri Podcast,' where interested people can learn more about this special area of research. REFERENCES Dr. Korshi Dosoo:(99+) Korshi Dosoo | University of Würzburg - Academia.eduCoptic Magical Papyri Website (podcast link available there): Coptic Magical Papyri (uni-wuerzburg.de)Facebook page: Coptic Magical Papyri | FacebookPodcast Episode - Appalachian Mysteria: Mared and Karen: The Magical Plate Decoded: Appalachian Mysteria: Mared and Karen: The Magical Plate Decoded on Apple PodcastsAbout Mared & Karen: About Mared & Karen | WVU Coed MurdersBooks and Scholars Mentioned: Dr. Bernd Christian Otto (magic): (99+) Bernd-Christian Otto | Universität Erfurt - Academia.eduDamon Zacharias Lycourinos (magic): (99+) Damon Zacharias Lycourinos - Academia.eduZora Neale Hurston (anthropology): Zora Neale HurstonMichael Cecchetelli: The Book of Abrasax: Cecchetelli, Michael: 9780990568728: Amazon.com: BooksJake Stratton-Kent: The Headless One — HADEAN PRESS (hadeanpress-eu.com)Hans Deiter Betz: (99+) The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, including the Demotic Spells | Roy Kotansky - Academia.eduCharles Wycliffe Goodwin: (PDF) Fragment Of A Graeco Egyptian Work Upon Magic Download eBOOK (bookarchive.net)Sir James Frazer: goldenbough.pdf (templeofearth.com)Allen Greenfield: The Complete Secret Cipher of the Ufonauts by Allen Greenfield (goodreads.com)  Music: Stephanie Shea

This month's episode is the first in a 2-part series about chaos magic. Dr. Christian Greer talks about the history of modern magical groups and how these earlier groups led to the birth of the chaos magic current. Christian begins by talking about why the topic of magic (in all its forms) is relevant as an area of research and study. He then gives a brief history of modern and contemporary ritual magic groups, and how these, along with other influential movements of the time, informed the major figures associated with chaos magic. We then move the discussion to talk about the larger chaos magic current in more detail. PROGRAM NOTESChristian's  academia.edu page: (99+) J. Christian Greer | Harvard Divinity School - Academia.eduInstagram: @angelheadedhipstersarchive • Instagram-foto's en -video'sAlex Owen's The Place of Enchantment: The Place of Enchantment: British Occultism and the Culture of the Modern, Owen (uchicago.edu)Marco Pasi's 'The Modernity of Occultism': (99+) The Modernity of Occultism: Reflections on Some Crucial Aspects | Marco Pasi - Academia.eduChristopher Partridge's 'Occulture is Ordinary' + handbook: Occulture is Ordinary (Chapter 6) - Contemporary Esotericism (cambridge.org)Theodor Adorno's 'Theses Against Occultism': Ralph Dumain: "The Autodidact Project": T.W. Adorno's "Theses Against Occultism"John Carter, Sex and Rockets  (Jack Parsons): Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons: Carter, John, Wilson, Robert Anton: 9780922915972: Amazon.com: BooksAdam Gorightly, The Prankster and the Conspiracy (Kerry Thornley): The Prankster and the Conspiracy: The Story of Kerry Thornley and How He Met Oswald and Inspired the Counterculture: Gorightly, Adam, Robert Anton Wilson: 9781931044660: Amazon.com: BooksKenneth Grant 'Typhonian Trilogies Series': Typhonian Trilogies Series by Kenneth Grant (goodreads.com)Austin Osman Spare at Hermetic Library: Austin Osman Spare - Hermetic LibraryThee Temple of Psychick Youth (TOPY), Thee Psychick Bible : THEE PSYCHICK BIBLE (archive.org)Christopher Partridge (editor), The Occult World: The Occult World - 1st Edition - Christopher Partridge - Routledge BoOther scholars mentioned in this episode - (Theosophy) (99+) Mriganka Mukhopadhyay | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu(Thelema) (99+) Manon Hedenborg White | Karlstad University - Academia.edu(Kenneth Grant) (99+) Henrik Bogdan | University of Gothenburg - Academia.eduTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther music: Stephanie Shea 

Guests: Dr. Jonathon O'Donnell; Brennan Kettelle, MA (res); Tommy Cowan, MA (res) In this special Spotlight episode, my guests and I discuss Netflix's Midnight Mass from various perspectives. We start out with our 'first impressions' of the show, then move to discuss our own talking points based upon each of our own research interests and specialties - religion and demonology in U.S. politics, monster theory, queer-coding of vampires, the nature of angels and demons, vampire history, religion and society, intertextuality, (religious) identity - these topics and more are covered in this panel! Find these great people on social media - Twitter:S. Jonathon O'Donnell, PhD 😈🏳️‍🌈 (@demonologian) / TwitterTommy P Cowan (@TommyPCowan) / Twitter Instagram: Jonathon O'Donnell (@demonologian) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sBrennan Kettelle (@_restingwitchface) • Instagram-foto's en -video's@the_art_of_distraction • Instagram-foto's en -video's Facebook: Jonathon O'Donnell | FacebookBrennan Kettelle | FacebookTommy Cowan | Facebook Academia.edu: S. Jonathon O'Donnell | University College Dublin - Academia.eduS. Brennan Kettelle | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduTommy P Cowan | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu  Theme Music: Stephanie Shea

This episode is a special 'listener response' to episode 17's 'esoteric in art,' with guest Michael Carter. Michael is an artist and teacher living in Los Angeles, CA. He holds an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in CA, shows his work in live performances, gives lectures, and and exhibited works in both the U.S. and Europe.  Michael's personal interest in Theosophy plays a large role in his own research into the spiritual dimensions of abstract art.  This discussion includes Michael's personal opinions and research about the history of spiritual movements as they relate to the category of modern abstract art, as well as his own personal background as an artist and spiritual 'seeker.' We also discuss his essay regarding metaphysical art, where he explains his ideas about the two cateogories of art, and his own work with a pendulum. We also talk about Jack Burnham's ideas about kinetic art, then move to a discussion about the condition of the Theosophical movement today, including his own opinions about whether or not today's artists feel comfortable expressing their own spiritual questioning as it is reflected in their art. Plus much more!PROGRAM NOTESMichael Carter -website: HOME - Michael Carter StudioTwitter: Michael Carter (@MichaelKCarter) / TwitterInstagram: Michael Carter (@michaelcarter.studio) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sEssay "Form Following Spirit: An Investigation of Recent and Near-Recent Metaphysical Art" in Speculative Arts Research,  Issue Four, November 2021: SAR.04.pdf (speculativeartsresearch.com)The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985: The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985 by Maurice Tuchman (goodreads.com)Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint: Beyond the Visible - Hilma af Klint :: Zeitgeist FilmsWebsite Lita Alberqerque: Lita AlbuquerqueJoseph Beuys: ‘Honey is Flowing in All Directions’, Joseph Beuys, 1976 | TateJack Burnham -All Systems Go: Recovering Jack Burnham’s ‘Systems Aesthetics’ – Tate Papers | TateRitual Aesthetics: Salt Flat and Systems – In Focus | TateJack Burnham (1931–2019) - Artforum InternationalDissolve into Comprehension | The MIT PressTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea