Rejected Religion Podcast

In preparation for next month's mini-roundtable discussion about' Hellier' and everything 'high strangeness', this episode will attempt to lay a foundation about the documentary 'Hellier,' the podcast 'Penny Royal,' and 'everything else' that seems to be connected to these phenomena - Secret Ciphers, magick rituals and gateways, the Mothman incident, Twin Peaks, and more.  RESOURCES'Hellier' Season 1: Hellier Season 1: Episode 1 | The Midnight Children - YouTube'Hellier' Season 2: Hellier Season 2: Episode 1 | Noise and Signal - YouTube'Penny Royal' Podcast: Penny Royal Podcast – A New Podcast of Magic, Mystery and High Strangeness On The Penny Royal Plateau.The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost: Amazon.com: The Secret History of Twin Peaks: A Novel (9781250075581): Frost, Mark: BooksTwin Peaks: The Final Dossier by Mark Frost: Amazon.com: Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier (9781250163301): Frost, Mark: BooksThe Mothman Prophecies by John Keel: Amazon.com: The Mothman Prophecies: A True Story (9780765334985): Keel, John A.: BooksThe Complete Secret Cipher of the UFOnauts by Allen Greenfield: The Complete SECRET CIPHER Of the UfOnauts: Greenfield, Allen H., Phillips, Olav: 9781718645356: Amazon.com: BooksThe Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained by Whitley Strieber and Jeffrey J. Kripal: The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained: Strieber, Whitley, Kripal, Jeffrey J.: 9781101982327: Amazon.com: BooksThe Morning of the Magicians by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier: The Morning of the Magicians: Secret Societies, Conspiracies, and Vanished Civilizations: Pauwels, Louis, Bergier, Jacques: 9781594772313: Amazon.com: Books Cover image: Hellier: A Planet Weird Original Series  Theme music: Daniel P. SheaAdditional music: Stephanie Shea

In this Bonus Episode, Pat and I deep-dive into the workings of the Celtic Wheel, that Pat refers to as "a companion on the pilgrimage of life." This discussion is not so much about rituals, but more about the spiritual concepts that Pat has gleaned from her experiences with Celtic Spirituality. Our informal exchange focuses on each season, and the special gifts that each month brings.EPISODE NOTES:Website Mara Freeman: Chalice Centre | Celtic & Western Magical TraditionsThe Celtic Sacred Year: Celtic Sacred Year (chalicecentre.net)Website John O'Donohue: Works (johnodonohue.com) 

This month's special episode concerning inner, personal experiences in Celtic Spirituality is an interview with my aunt, Dr. Patricia Shea. She is Professor Emeritus of Education, and holds an MA in Religious Studies. Currently, she is a life coach, faciliator, and spiritual director. Patricia was also a Catholic nun in the Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for many years. At this stage of her life, however, she considers herself a Celtic Crone. What Patricia will be sharing in this interview is an integration of what she has learned from others within the area of Celtic Spirituality, combined with her own personal perspectives based upon her life experiences. This is not an academic discussion, but more a space for Patricia to share her own insights about her spiritual path, including her views about religion, and mysticism as well. We discuss what Celtic Spirituality is, the Celtic Wheel and how this is attuned to the Earth, the Winter Solstice, and even some opportunities a worldwide pandemic can offer to help us all explore deeper questions about life. Wishing you all a Happy Solstice!EPISODE REFERENCES - SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHYCahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. 1995  Conway, D.J. & Lisa Hung. A Guide to the Celtic Dragon Tarot.  2011Freedman, Mara.  Kindling the Celtic Spirit, Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life throughout the Seasons. 2001. Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons: Freeman, Mara: 9780062516855: Amazon.com: Books~www.chalicecentre.net~Grail Alchemy, Initiation in the Celtic Mystery Tradition. 2014Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. 2006 The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth: Greer, John Michael, Carr-Gomm, Philip: 9781578633548: Amazon.com: BooksHamilton, Claire. The Celtic Book of Seasonal Mediations. 2003  ~Maiden, Mother, Crone; Voices of the Goddess. 2005MacEown, Frank. The Celtic Way of Seeing: Mediations on the Irish Spirit Wheel. 2007  ~The Spiral of Memory and Belonging, A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship. 2004                                      Matthews, Caitlin. The Celtic Tradition. 1995  The Way of - The Celtic Tradition: Matthews, Caitlin: 9780007154333: Amazon.com: Books~The Celtic Spirit, Daily Meditations for the Turning Year. 1999~The Celtic Wisdom Tarot. 1999~Celtic Visions. 2013~Psychic Shield, The Personal Handbook of Psychic Protection. 2006~Singing the Soul Back Home, Shamanic Wisdom for Every Day. 2018Matthews, John. The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld.  2004.  ~Celtic Totem Animals: Meet your animal helpers on your own shamanic journey.  2002Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews. Walkers Between the Worlds,  2003. Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus: Matthews, Caitlín, Matthews, John: 9780892810918: Amazon.com: BooksMomma White Cougar. The Sacred Wheel.  Published by publishmybookonkindle.comMonaghan, Patricia. The Goddess Path.  1999Newell, Phillip. Listening to the Heartbeat of God.: A Celtic Spirituality. 1997~A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul . 2012 A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul: Newell, J. Philip: 8589901111111: Amazon.com: Books~Celtic Prayers from Iona. 1997~Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer. 2000O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara, Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World. 1997 Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom: John O'Donohue: 9780060929435: Amazon.com: Books~Beauty, the Invisible Embrace. 2004~Eternal Echoes, Exploring Our Yearning to Belong. 1999~To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings. 2008  ~Wisdom from the Celtic World. 9 CD’s from Sounds TrueTaylor, Joules. The Book of Celtic Symbols, Symbols, Stories & Blessings for Everyday Living.  2007  The Book of Celtic Symbols: Symbols, stories, and blessings for everyday living: Taylor, Joules: 9781782498247: Amazon.com: Books~Celtic Messages, Book and 52 cards for affirmation and divination.  2007  

In Part 2, Marco and I switch gears and talk about why Satan plays such a large role in heavy metal music by using Dr. Kennet Granholm's essay, "Why all that Satanist stuff in heavy metal?" We then shift the discussion to why some people think that occultism leads to fascist and Nazi ideologies with the help of Dr. Julian Strube's essay, "Doesn't occultism lead straight to fascism?" Lastly, we talk about Marco's own essay, "But what does esotericism have to do with sex?" that discusses how sex is actually a very important aspect for some esoteric practitioners. EPISODE NOTESDr. Kennet Granholm's Academia.edu page: https://independent.academia.edu/KennetGranholmWiki page about backmasking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BackmaskingJudas Priest articles: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/judas-priests-subliminal-message-trial-rob-halford-looks-back-57552/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/17/arts/2-families-sue-heavy-metal-band-as-having-driven-sons-to-suicide.htmlLed Zeppelin articles/information: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-10-wildest-led-zeppelin-legends-fact-checked-153103/if-you-play-stairway-to-heaven-in-reverse-you-hear-satanic-messages-154807/https://jeffmilner.com/backmasking/stairway-to-heaven-backwards.htmlDr. Julian Strube's Academia.edu page: https://uni-hamburg.academia.edu/JulianStrubeDr. Julian Strube, "Nazism and the Occult", in The Occult World: https://www.academia.edu/20054488/Nazism_and_the_OccultDr. Nicolas Goodrick-Clarke, The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology: https://www.amazon.com/Occult-Roots-Nazism-Influence-Ideology/dp/0814730604 Dr. Marco Pasi's Academia.edu page: https://uva.academia.edu/MarcoPasiDr. Marco Pasi, "The Modernity of Occultism: Reflections on Some Crucial Aspects" (in Hermes in the Academy): https://www.academia.edu/470659/The_Modernity_of_Occultism_Reflections_on_Some_Crucial_AspectsDr. Hugh Urban, " Magia Sexualis": https://www.academia.edu/8979724/Magia_Sexualis Wiki page about Morning of the Magicians: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Morning_of_the_MagiciansHermes Explains book: https://www.amazon.com/Hermes-Explains-Questions-Western-Esotericism/dp/9463720200/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=marco+pasi&qid=1593693803&sr=8-13 

Dr. Marco Pasi and I discuss the book, Hermes Explains: Thirty Questions About Western Esotericism. This episode is a mini-history lesson that covers several different subjects. Marco begins by giving some background about Hermes, why esotericism is confusing to try to explain to people, and also why it's an important area of study. We then go on to talk about one of the essays by Dr. Henrik Bodgan, titled "Is it true that secret societies are trying to control the world?" that discusses secret societies, and the Illuminati, in particular. EPISODE NOTES:Website HHP Centre: https://www.amsterdamhermetica.nl/ Website ESSWE: https://www.esswe.org/The Corpus Hermeticum: https://hermetic.com/texts/hermetica/indexHermes in the Academy (pdf): https://www.academia.edu/43196454/Hermes_in_the_AcademyZanoni by Edward  Bulwer Lytton: http://www.moup.org/Files/Edward_Bulwer_Lytton-Zanoni.pdfWiki page about Abbot Barruel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustin_BarruelWiki page about Adam Weishaupt/ Bavarian Illuminati: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_WeishauptWiki page about the Dreyfus Affair: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreyfus_affairMarco Pasi on Academia.edu: https://uva.academia.edu/MarcoPasiHenrik Bodgan on Academia.edu: https://gu-se.academia.edu/HenrikBogdan/Papers

Robert Cabrales, an insightful thinker on hyperstition and memes, dives deep into how narratives shape our reality. He unpacks feedback loops using 'The Sixth Sense' and examines memes like 'Pepe the Frog' as tools in political chaos. Their discussion reveals how virtual and actual realities intertwine, and how cultural artifacts gain unanticipated meanings. The conversation also touches on conspiracy theories and the impact of figures like Bob Lazar, highlighting the fluid nature of truth and identity in contemporary culture.

Robert Cabrales delves into the origins of Hyperstition, the intriguing idea that fiction can shape reality through belief. He revisits William Burroughs' concepts of time and control, emphasizing the impact of magick and semiotics. The conversation features explorations of the CCRU, the mystical Lemurian Time War, and notable figures like Aleister Crowley and Lovecraft. Cabrales and Burroughs dissect how these narratives intertwine, revealing the liberating potential of merging fiction with our understanding of reality.

Part 2 of Tommy's interview continues with an in-depth look at the cut-up method, and why it's relevant to Burroughs's beliefs about the archons (and what these beings are). We also discuss Gnosticism and the links to Burroughs's ideas, how he viewed magic(k) and why Tommy personally finds Burroughs so interesting.Episode Notes:Tommy P. Cowan's academia.edu page: https://amsterdam.academia.edu/TommyPCowan/Correspondences Journal: https://correspondencesjournal.com/The Exterminator : https://www.sea-urchin.net/books/moloko-print/william-burroughs-brion-gysin-the-exterminator-redux/The Yage Letters + Junky ( & other works): https://all-med.net/pdf/the-yage-letters/And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, with Jack Kerouac (& other works): https://newbooksinpolitics.com/political/and-the-hippos-were-boiled-in-their-tanks/The Soft Machine: http://miltonthed.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/6/14162844/burroughs_william_seward-the_soft_machine.pdfNaked Lunch: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7437.Naked_LunchOther authors/ persons of interest mentioned in this episode:Brion Gysin, The Dreamachine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DreamachineJeffrey Kripal, author of The Super Natural : https://www.amazon.com/Super-Natural-New-Vision-Unexplained/dp/1101982322Barry Miles, author of Call Me Burroughs: A Life: https://www.amazon.nl/Call-Me-Burroughs-Barry-Miles/dp/1455511935Ted Morgan, author of Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23949.Literary_OutlawRobert A. Heinlein, sci-fi author: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/robert-heinlein/Terrance & Dennis McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Landscape-Mind-Hallucinogens-Ching/dp/0062506358Kill Your Darlings (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1311071/Naked  Lunch (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102511/Episode art credit: photo by Richard Avedon

In Part 1, Tommy will be delving into Burroughs's background in order to explain how Burroughs's experiences influenced his worldview and his writing. We also discuss some important research findings of Tommy's concerning the Mayan 2012 prophecy and the link to Burroughs, the importance of the alien insect overlords found in Burroughs's writings, and expand further on Burroughs's interest in the occult, including why most literary critics ignore this aspect of Burroughs entirely.Episode Notes:Tommy P. Cowan's academia.edu page: https://amsterdam.academia.edu/TommyPCowan/Correspondences Journal: https://correspondencesjournal.com/The Exterminator : https://www.sea-urchin.net/books/moloko-print/william-burroughs-brion-gysin-the-exterminator-redux/The Yage Letters + Junky ( & other works): https://all-med.net/pdf/the-yage-letters/And The Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, with Jack Kerouac (& other works): https://newbooksinpolitics.com/political/and-the-hippos-were-boiled-in-their-tanks/The Soft Machine: http://miltonthed.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/6/14162844/burroughs_william_seward-the_soft_machine.pdfNaked Lunch: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7437.Naked_LunchOther authors/ persons of interest mentioned in this episode:Brion Gysin, The Dreamachine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DreamachineJeffrey Kripal, author of The Super Natural : https://www.amazon.com/Super-Natural-New-Vision-Unexplained/dp/1101982322Barry Miles, author of Call Me Burroughs: A Life: https://www.amazon.nl/Call-Me-Burroughs-Barry-Miles/dp/1455511935Ted Morgan, author of Literary Outlaw: The Life and Times of William S. Burroughs: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23949.Literary_OutlawRobert A. Heinlein, sci-fi author: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/robert-heinlein/Terrance & Dennis McKenna: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Landscape-Mind-Hallucinogens-Ching/dp/0062506358Kill Your Darlings (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1311071/Naked  Lunch (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102511/Episode art credit: photo by Richard Avedon

In Part 2, we discuss in depth Thomas's own interesting findings regarding an important concept and stage of development in Crowley's system called 'the crossing of the Abyss.' We also talk about the various misunderstandings about Crowley, how he has influenced popular culture, and also why Thomas finds Crowley so appealing.References:Sources mentioned in the podcast by Aleister Crowley:The Book of the Law - http://lib.oto-usa.org/libri/liber0220.htmlMagick (Book 4) -  https://hermetic.com/crowley/book-4/indexMagick Without Tears - https://hermetic.com/crowley/magick-without-tears/indexThe Confessions of Aleister Crowley - https://hermetic.com/crowley/confessions/indexThe Equinox - http://www.the-equinox.org/  https://keepsilence.org/the-equinox/