Rejected Religion Podcast

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 

Interview Highlights: Brennan begins by talking about the figure of Lilith as she has been portrayed in historical myths and legends; and then moves to more modern interpretations of Lilith as a 'dark feminine' archetype, and as a feminist. Our discussion then shifts to how Lilith can be linked to queerness, and how the poet Renee Vivien used Lilith as a muse in her work (even more so than the figure of Satan/Lucifer who was extremely popular in turn-of-the-century France, where Vivien lived and worked). Find Brennan at: S. Brennan Kettelle | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduInstagram: Brennan Kettelle (@_restingwitchface) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sMusic: Stephanie Shea

Karen Swartz (Åbo Academy University) Interview Highlights: Karen shares some of her preliminary research findings regarding four women - Marie Steiner von-Sivers, Ita Wegman, Edith Maryon, and Judith von Halle (not three as I mistakenly mention in the interview) - all deeply involved within the Anthroposophical Society over the past decades and in the present day. While doing research for her PhD, Karen found that narratives surrounding these influential women were often curiously different in nature than those surrounding men. Additionally, their efforts were often not mentioned, or if they were, they were downplayed, as if to suggest the women involved did not play a pivotal, leading role in the work of the Society. She has now started a new project to explore this new area in greater detail. Karen notes how the status of the women who were involved in personal relationships with Rudolf Steiner also declined when they were no longer "favored" by him. Dr. Manon Hedenborg White's term "proximal authority" is referred to in this case, and Karen explains how she sees this perspective playing out in her case study. We also discuss how Judith von Halle's claims to Steiner's authority has caused upset within the Society, and the problematic response of the group to her attempts to forge her own autonomous path (that differed from how the group responded to men making similar claims). This discussion highlights an important issue of how women's roles/efforts/works are often marginalized and minimized as compared to men's, and how this case study can open up further important discussions. For example, why are these women spoken about as if they aren't fully autonomous, capable adult women as their male counterparts are (with reference to the women being referred to as 'helping angels'). What are the larger implications of this case study with regard to gender and authority?  Theme music: Stephanie Shea

Interview Highlights: Thomas begins by giving some background on Violet Mary Firth, later known as Dion Fortune. He describes her somewhat rebellious nature, and how Fortune did not always agree with the notion that certain things should be kept "secret". However, she did stress the need to be careful and skeptical of those who purport to have the "truth". Thomas then moves to the topic of initiation and how this was viewed by Fortune. To her, initiation was becoming involved in a cosmic process of the 'right-hand' path, or a path of service. The goal of the initiate is to completely surrender individual consciousness and achieve a cosmic union with the Divine Mind. How does one do this? You can contact Thomas at thomas.vanbreda@outlook.com should you have any specific questions.Theme music by Stephanie Shea

To view Tommy's presentation, please follow this link to the YouTube Channel Lynchland (Tommy's presentation is in Part IV, near the beginning of the video):  Twin Peaks | The Return Online Conference - YouTubeInterview Highlights: Tommy begins by talking about his own motivations to create a presentation for the Twin Peaks online conference. We then move the discussion to talk about several concepts that were important in the work and life of William Burroughs that have a connection to Twin Peaks: possession, the number 23, and the atomic bomb. I then ask Tommy's opinion about the character of Sarah Palmer, and whether or not she also might have known that she was also possessed. A little history of Twin Peaks and its occult connections is also added to the mix! Tommy P. Cowan at Academia.edu: Tommy P Cowan | University of Amsterdam - Academia.edu Correspondences Journal (Tommy is an associate editor): Correspondences – Journal for the Study of Esotericism (correspondencesjournal.com)  Theme music: Stephanie Shea

Video uploaded on YouTube on August 18, 2021Interview Highlights: Joel begins by sharing how he came to write about Grant Morrison's Batman RIP, and then we dive into many Buddhist concepts that Morrison uses in their story. As Joel explains these concepts, he also points out how Morrison uses them differently than a Buddhist practicioner would - this due to the great influence of Western occult ideas (such as initiation, the Abyss, and ego-death) taken from Aleister Crowley, among others. Our discussion points out that in fact, Morrison draws on many different sources in the creation of their Batman story, and this leads to some interesting thoughts about the notion of occulture, and creativity. You can find the pre-publication draft of Dr. Joel Bordeaux's chapter here: (PDF) “The Dark Knight of the Soul: Death as Initiatory Ordeal in Grant Morrison’s Batman R.I.P.” | Joel Bordeaux - Academia.eduFull Title: 'The Dark Knight of the Soul: Death as Initiatory Ordeal in Grant Morrison's Batman RIP. From The Assimilation of Yogic Religions Through Pop Culture, edited by Paul Hackett. Lanham: Lexington Books, 2017. AND Joel's lecture for the HHP Centre here: Taking the Left Hand Path to Tibet, by Dr. Joel Bordeaux || HHP Student Association - YouTubeLinks: Academia.edu page: Joel Bordeaux | International Institute of Asian Studies, Leiden - Academia.eduIIAS profile page: Joel Bordeaux | IIASHumanities Commons profile page: Joel Bordeaux – Humanities Commons (hcommons.org)YouTube Channel: Joel Bordeaux - YouTubeTwitter: Joel Bordeaux🌹জোয়েল বোর্দো (@JoelBordeaux) / TwitterOTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST: 'The Occult and Comics' by Kennet Granholm: (PDF) The Occult and Comics | Kennet Granholm - Academia.edu'Occulture is Ordinary' Keynote speech from Christopher Partridge: Christopher Partridge, “Occulture Is Ordinary” | Contemporary Esotericism Research Network (contern.org)Music: Stephanie Shea  

Interview Highlights: Ninian begins by talking about the recently published Black Books and Red Book by Jung, and how the Black Books acted as journals to explore Jung's own consciousness. She then discusses the fantasy Jung had about a 'madhouse', who Jung 'met' in the fantasy, and what Jung was trying to 'sort out' in all of this. This leads to a discussion about pathological madness and divine madness, what distinguishes the two, and how Jung perceived religious experience. Ninian also touches on Jung's struggle to balance his professional life and his spiritual/religious life, his emphasis on an "attitude of openness" and his ideas of how a person can have a "self-regulating consciousness." REFERENCES Ninian's Adademia.edu page: Ninian L Nijhuis | University of Amsterdam - Academia.eduSelected Articles: (PDF) Carl G. Jung and His (Not So) Fantastical Madhouse | Ninian L Nijhuis - Academia.edu(PDF) Psychological Healing as Religious Experience: In The Works of Carl Jung (1875-1961) | Ninian L Nijhuis - Academia.edu(PDF) Western Sidereal Astrology: From Ancient Babylonia to the Modern West | Ninian L Nijhuis - Academia.eduInstagram: NINIAN | Sidereal Astrologer (@niniannijhuis) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sHistory of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents website: HHP | History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (amsterdamhermetica.nl)HHP YouTube Channel: History of Hermetic Philosophy Amsterdam - YouTubeHHP Instagram: Western Esotericism (@amsterdamhermetica) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sHHP Facebook: History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents | FacebookCarl Jung's The Black Books: Amazon.com: The Black Books: 9780393088649: Jung, C. G., Shamdasani, Sonu, Liebscher, Martin, Peck, John: Books-The Red Book: Amazon.com: The Red Book (Philemon): 8580001055930: C. G. Jung, Sonu Shamdasani, Mark Kyburz, John Peck, Sonu Shamdasani: Books- Answer to Job:  Answer to Job: (From Vol. 11 of the Collected Works of C. G. Jung) (Jung Extracts, 27): Jung, C. G., Hull, R. F.C., Shamdasani, Sonu, Shamdasani, Sonu: 9780691150475: Amazon.com: BooksThomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ: The Imitation of Christ: Thomas A. Kempis : Kempis, Thomas A.: Amazon.nl: BoekenFrederich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra: Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and Nobody : Nietzsche, Friedrich: Amazon.nl: BoekenTheme Music: Stephanie Shea 

In Part 2, we move the conversation to discuss some points brought up in few academic articles, such as how rituals create a liminal space for connection with the invisible realm; the importance of exhibitions for providing spaces of encounter; the importance of religion or spirituality in the art space; what automatism is; and how art can respond to, or cope with, radical changes in the world.PROGRAM NOTESPádraic E. Moore - Website: Padraic MooreAcademia.edu page: Pádraic E. Moore | UCD Ireland - Academia.eduArticle "A Mystic Milieu: Johannes Itten and Mazdaznan at Bauhaus Weimar": A Mystic Milieu - Articles – bauhaus imaginista (bauhaus-imaginista.org)Twitter: Páḋraic E. Moore (@M0REM00REM0RE) / TwitterEwoud van Rijn -Website: ewoud van rijnAcademia.edu page: Ewoud van Rijn | KABK Royal Academy of Art The Hague - Academia.eduArticle "Playing with the Other in the Beyond": (PDF) Playing with the Other in the Beyond | Ewoud van Rijn - Academia.eduInstagram: Ewoud van Rijn (@ewoudvanrijn) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sGarage Rotterdam, The Netherlands; "The Great Invocation" Exhibition: Catalogue | The Great Invocation (garagerotterdam.nl)Kurt Seligmann -The Mirror of Magic (innertraditions.com)Kurt Seligmann 1900-1962 : Leben und Werk. by Hauser, Stephan E.: Very Good Hardcover (1997) First edition. | Roe and Moore (abebooks.com)Paintings of Kurt Seligmann (surrealism.website)Essays by Grazina Subelyte in collected works - "Kurt Seligmann, Surrealism, and the Occult" in- EBOOK: Surrealism Occultism And Politics Book PDF EPUB TUEBL MOBI (findfullebook.com)"Spectrality and the Dance of Death in the Art of Kurt Seligmann" in - Black Mirror 2 – elsewhere – Fulgur PressInfo Grazina Subelyte: Grazina Subelyte - The CourtauldSelected Articles and Books"The Other Side" by Lars Bang Larsen: The Other Side by Lars Bang Larsen — fine print (fineprintmagazine.com)"Coming Forth by Night: Contemporary Art and the Occult" by Dr. Marco Pasi: (PDF) Coming Forth by Night. Contemporary art and the occult | Marco Pasi - Academia.eduSuzi Gablik -The Reenchantment of Art: Gablik, Suzi: 9780500276891: Amazon.com: BooksHas Modernism Failed?: Suzi Gablik: 9780500284841: Amazon.com: Books Artists Mentioned in the Podcast -Redfern Barrett, AA Bronson and Angus Cameron - Witches: Hunted, Appropriated, Empowered, Queered [Second Edition] - Printed MatterLes Complices - Witches: hunted, appropriated, empowered, queeredLinda Stupartchiara fumaiOther Reference Material -The Rosicrucian Enlightenment (archive.org)The Theosophical Enlightenment (S U N Y Series in Western Esoteric Traditions): Godwin, Joscelyn: 9780791421529: Amazon.com: BooksTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea 

In Part 1, Pádraic and Ewoud both talk about their backgrounds and their own interests in the esoteric/occult, and then we move on to talk more about the inspiration for 'The Great Invocation' (Garage Rotterdam), plus Ewoud's inspiration for his own installation there. We talk more about the Theosophical Society as a movement and how it relates to contemporary art; we talk about Kurt Seligmann and the surrealists' viewpoints on art, magic, and the potential of the human mind; and Ewoud discusses an experience he had in the search for a new form of art practice. PROGRAM NOTESPádraic E. Moore - Website: Padraic MooreAcademia.edu page: Pádraic E. Moore | UCD Ireland - Academia.eduArticle "A Mystic Milieu: Johannes Itten and Mazdaznan at Bauhaus Weimar": A Mystic Milieu - Articles – bauhaus imaginista (bauhaus-imaginista.org)Twitter: Páḋraic E. Moore (@M0REM00REM0RE) / TwitterEwoud van Rijn -Website: ewoud van rijnAcademia.edu page: Ewoud van Rijn | KABK Royal Academy of Art The Hague - Academia.eduArticle "Playing with the Other in the Beyond": (PDF) Playing with the Other in the Beyond | Ewoud van Rijn - Academia.eduInstagram: Ewoud van Rijn (@ewoudvanrijn) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sGarage Rotterdam, The Netherlands; "The Great Invocation" Exhibition: Catalogue | The Great Invocation (garagerotterdam.nl)Kurt Seligmann -The Mirror of Magic (innertraditions.com)Kurt Seligmann 1900-1962 : Leben und Werk. by Hauser, Stephan E.: Very Good Hardcover (1997) First edition. | Roe and Moore (abebooks.com)Paintings of Kurt Seligmann (surrealism.website)Essays by Grazina Subelyte in collected works - "Kurt Seligmann, Surrealism, and the Occult" in- EBOOK: Surrealism Occultism And Politics Book PDF EPUB TUEBL MOBI (findfullebook.com)"Spectrality and the Dance of Death in the Art of Kurt Seligmann" in - Black Mirror 2 – elsewhere – Fulgur PressInfo Grazina Subelyte: Grazina Subelyte - The CourtauldSelected Articles and Books"The Other Side" by Lars Bang Larsen: The Other Side by Lars Bang Larsen — fine print (fineprintmagazine.com)"Coming Forth by Night: Contemporary Art and the Occult" by Dr. Marco Pasi: (PDF) Coming Forth by Night. Contemporary art and the occult | Marco Pasi - Academia.eduSuzi Gablik -The Reenchantment of Art: Gablik, Suzi: 9780500276891: Amazon.com: BooksHas Modernism Failed?: Suzi Gablik: 9780500284841: Amazon.com: Books Artists Mentioned in the Podcast -Redfern Barrett, AA Bronson and Angus Cameron - Witches: Hunted, Appropriated, Empowered, Queered [Second Edition] - Printed MatterLes Complices - Witches: hunted, appropriated, empowered, queeredLinda Stupartchiara fumaiOther Reference Material -The Rosicrucian Enlightenment (archive.org)The Theosophical Enlightenment (S U N Y Series in Western Esoteric Traditions): Godwin, Joscelyn: 9780791421529: Amazon.com: BooksTheme Music: Daniel P. SheaOther Music: Stephanie Shea 

Interview Highlights: As Elena discusses, 'real vampyres' are those who feel a physical need to consume energy, whether it be blood or 'psychic' energy. As her research takes an inclusive, sexuological perspective, Elena suggests that this might be a sexual orientation for some. Her research into fetish identity explores the possible connections between this identity and vampyrism, as her data indicates that fetish identity is not a mental pathology, not a choice, and is not necessarily paired with sexual activity. She further notes that some religious and/or spiritual practices can sometimes assist in forming a framework for a person's identity - providing in some cases a safe place to explore this identity. While this is a very complex topic with no easy answers, Elena stresses that 'sexual diversity awareness' can help educate others, create realistic representations regarding the diversity of identity, and help to foster a sense of inclusiveness.RESOURCES Elena Sperner on Academia.edu: Elena Sperner | Linköping University - Academia.eduMA Thesis: (PDF) Fetish Identity: A Collaborative Auto-phenomenographic Approach to Reframe Sexual Fetishism | Elena Sperner - Academia.eduInstagram: Elena (@shatteringglassceiling) • Instagram-foto's en -video'sDr. John Edgar Browning on Academia.edu: John Edgar Browning | Savannah College of Art and Design - Academia.eduSelected articles: "The real vampires of New Orleans and Buffalo: a research note towards comparative ethnography" | John Edgar Browning - Academia.edu(PDF) "Looking Inside the Coffin: An Overview of Contemporary Human Vampirism and Its Relevance for Forensics Professionals" | John Edgar Browning and DJ Williams - Academia.edu"What they do in the shadows: my encounters with the real vampires of New Orleans" | John Edgar Browning - Academia.eduMerticus X is an active researcher and participant in the real vampire community since 1997. Academia. edu page: Merticus X - Academia.eduSelected articles: (PDF) Demystifying Real Vampirism For The Rest Of Us | Merticus X - Academia.edu(PDF) Definition Of Real Vampirism | Merticus X - Academia.eduDr. Joseph Laycock: Vampires Today: The Truth about Modern Vampirism (English Edition) eBook : Laycock, Joseph P.: Amazon.nl: Kindle StoreReal Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community on JSTORTheme music: Stephanie Shea