Occult of Personality podcast

Masonic artist Ryan J. Flynn is our guest in podcast episode 181 to discuss his artwork, Freemasonry, and his Renaissance influences. You can find Ryan’s website at http://www.ryanjflynn.com.Ryan Flynn is a fine artist and graphic designer from New England. In 2006 Ryan studied painting and art history at the University of Richmond in Florence, Italy. This trip highly motivated him to dive deeper into studying symbolism, numerology and techniques of the masters. In 2010, Ryan became a member of Ancient York Lodge No. 89 of Free and Accepted Masons in Nashua, NH. After noticing a decline in the fine arts in Masonry, Ryan started creating Masonic inspired works, starting with two large faux stained glass windows which now adorn the Nashua Masonic Temple. This work was highly publicized in numerous magazines and websites and led to him being contacted by fellow Masons from around the world. Ryan continues to work in Nashua with many mediums and is available at any time to discuss potential works of arts.Ryan’s artwork has been recognized and highly regarded within the Masonic community. His perspective, combined with his talent and training put him in an ideal position to help lead and inspire the Masonic Renaissance that he envisions.If you haven’t already taken a look, the Occult of Personality Membership Section has been redesigned and resurrected as the Chamber of Reflection. Within the Chamber of Reflection, you’ll find a very fine member’s section interview with Masonic artist Ryan Flynn, an appropriate new interview at https://chamberofreflection.com.I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, the costs to produce it are significant. Your financial contributions ensure the continuity of the free podcast. Please support Occult of Personality podcast by joining the membership section https://chamberofreflection.com or via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Craig Williams returns to the show to talk about his most recent book Entering the Desert: Pilgrimage to the Hinterland of the Soul, from Anathema Publishing."The landscape of the Soul is a feral hunting ground of shadows and light, each morphing into translucent bodies of nourishment or destruction, depending upon the topographic Vision of the desert dweller. Entering the Desert explores the Terra Incognito of the Soul and reveals a primordial vision of a Pagan Sacramental Gnosticism of alchemical nature which if understood can open up the doorways to the Inner Sanctuary of Sacramental Vision."Practitioner of Ayurvedic Medicine, Vedic Sciences, Gnostic Spirituality, and Martial Arts, Craig Williams is also the author of ‘Cave of The Numinous: Tantric Physics vol. I’, as well as numerous articles on health, martial arts, and authentic initiation in the Kali Yuga.Craig’s most recent book is a brilliant and terrifying guide to the lonely barren spaces of the soul where we can descend within to realize the self. In the modern landscape of esoteric books, Williams’ work stands out as defying classification, being grounded in practice, and engaging with reality on its own terms. I highly recommend it!Craig Williams' website - http://www.AyurvedaAustin.comEntering the Desert - https://www.anathemapublishing.com/entering-the-desertI’d like to make an announcement: The Occult of Personality Membership Section is being redesigned and resurrected as The Chamber of Reflection. Within the chamber of reflection, along with all the content from the Occult of Personality Membership Section, you’ll also find a very fine member’s section interview with Craig about his new book, his perspectives, and much more. Additionally, there’s an interview with artist Joseph Adams who did the artwork featured in the Chamber of Reflection website at https://chamberofreflection.com. I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, the costs to produce it are significant. Your financial contributions ensure the continuity of the free podcast. Please support Occult of Personality podcast by joining the membership section https://chamberofreflection.com or via Patreon at https://patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!Thanks for listening and until next time . . . “Eastern Thought in the Western Occult World” – recording of the 2012 Esoteric Book Conference panel discussion - http://occultofpersonality.net/eastern-thought-in-the-western-occult-world/podcast 129 – Craig Williams - http://occultofpersonality.net/craig-williams/“Voices of Modern Gnosticism” – recording of the historic panel discussion - http://occultofpersonality.net/voices-of-modern-gnosticism/Craig Williams' Cave of the Numinous - http://occultofpersonality.net/craig-williams-cave-of-the-numinous/intro / outro music - "The Buddha is Not" by Siddhartha - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Siddhartha/Freedom/Siddhartha_-_Freedom_-_06_The_Buddha_Is_Not

Helene Arts and Justin Dickie join us to discuss the upcoming Flambeau Noir International Left Hand Path Conference 2017 that they’re hosting which takes place in Ottawa, Canada the weekend of April 28-30. This conference is dedicated to le Flambeau Noir (the Black Flame), and brings together iconoclasts and rebels with contemporary occult practice, philosophy, literature, and arts. Presenters include Richard Kaczynski, Don Webb, Thomas Karlsson, Shani Oates, Lloyd Keane, Jex Blackmore, Nico Mara-McKay, Helene Arts, and Jeremy Crow.Magick, witchcraft and the occult are Helene Art's life-long passions. Her left-hand path work has been influenced by numerous frameworks, in particular Thelema and the Temple of Set, as well as her astrological practice of the past 20 years. She regularly teaches public workshops on a variety of occult-related topics. Several years ago she purchased the lands and premises now known as Witch Hollow, and her work there can be seen on the website www.witchhollow.ca. Helene is also a specialist in conflict resolution, and a professional mediator. In this field she is an author, university professor, and consultant. Helene holds a BA in Religious Studies & an MA in Human Systems Intervention. She is the manager for Montreal-based industrial metal band Projekt F.Justin Dickie is a native of Ottawa and works in the field of IT. His current areas of spiritual study are the runes, goetia, pythagorean philosophy & kundalini yoga. Justin has been practicing under the Draconian current for the last three years and has been a long-time reader of philosophy, psychology & mythology. "I'm very excited and humbled to co-host Flambeau Noir. It's very important that we, wanderers of the LHP, have areas to congregate. To bring together all views & experiences that each individual has undergone so that we may further comprehend the many angles/elements/forms of the human spiritual experience. No one person has all the answers; no one human life can understand the all-encompassing mystery of life/death/rebirth."http://www.flambeaunoir.com/https://www.facebook.com/events/1189335831148545/http://www.spiralnature.com/culture/flambeau-noir-ottawa/intro music by Siddartha - "The Buddha Is Not" http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Siddhartha/Freedom/Siddhartha_-_Freedom_-_06_The_Buddha_Is_Notoutro music by Pipe Choir - "Ignite to Light" http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_1764/Pipe_Choir_Ignite_To_Light

Ceremonial magician extraordinaire Frater Ashen Chassan returns to the podcast in episode 178 to discuss his magnum opus Gateways Through Light and Shadow, published by AZOTH Press. Frater Ashen appeared previously more than 3 years ago in episode 138.Frater Ashen is a ceremonial magician and a purist in the art who endeavours to recreate the workings found in traditional grimoires as closely as possible. His book Gateways Through Light and Shadow is a record of his extraordinary magical evocations detailing the experiences and teachings provided by heavenly beings."Gateways Through Light and Shadow allows us access to the detailed magical journal records of the communications received by Frater Ashen and his scryer during the evocations of such profound spiritual beings as the seven planetary Archangels, the seven Olympic planetary spirits, the four spirit Kings of the Cardinal Directions, and the supercelestial Angels Sandalphon and Metatron."According to Dr. Stephen Skinner, “This book is a major contribution to the study and practice of Western ceremonial ritual magic. This is a book that no serious practitioner of magic should be without.”"Frater Ashen’s magnum opus Gateways Through Light and Shadow is the most extraordinary magical record that I have ever read. The evocations detailed within are nothing short of revelatory. No amount of praise is sufficient to convey the work that Frater Ashen and his scryer have accomplished in bringing through the teachings of these powerful spiritual entities. With this book, Frater Ashen has cemented his reputation as perhaps one of the foremost living western ceremonial magicians on the planet. I’m proud to be able to bring you this interview and also feel humbled upon reflection about what it represents.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Rudolf and I continue the interview with Frater Ashen Chassan detailing some specific teachings from an Archangel, his magical advisor, and details about the Olympic spirits available only in his book. Don’t miss that amazing recording. Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership or https://patreon.com/occultofpersonality and sign up if you haven’t already. By doing so you’ll support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content.Frater Ashen Chassan - https://bryanashen.blogspot.com/Gateways Through Light and Shadow by Frater Ashen Chassan - https://www.miskatonicbooks.com/product/gateways-through-light-shadow-by-frater-ashen-chassan-signed-limited-edition-hardcover/*ATTENTION! For those Europeans interested in obtaining a copy of Gateways Through Stone and Circle, please contact Rudolf directly by email at info@thothermes.com to communicate your interest. The price will remain the same, but without any shipping costs if there are more than 8 buyers.Gateways Through Stone and Circle (softcover) by Frater Ashen Chassan - http://astore.amazon.com/occulofperso-20/detail/0983063931AZOTH Press - https://www.miskatonicbooks.com/product-category/featured-publishers/azoth-press/Frater Ashen Chassan in Occult of Personality podcast episode 138 discussing his first book Gateways Through Stone and Circle - http://occultofpersonality.net/frater-ashen-chassan/

Paranormal researcher and writer Katie Montana Jordan is our guest in podcast episode 177.Katie Montana Jordan has been formally investigating with various psychic and paranormal organizations for over 20 years. She is a published freelance writer with areas of specialty in holistic healing, paganism, witchcraft and the occult.Katie is Writing Consultant and Field Researcher to Paranormal Research & Investigations, as well as Occult Specialist and Independent Consultant to San Diego Paranormal Research Society and Occult Specialist and Independent Consultant to Scottish Ghost Adventures. Katie is also Co-Host and Occult Scholar to the What Are You Afraid Of Podcast. In addition to taking on investigative casework, she holds lectures and teaches classes on occult-related topics.Katie maintains that because ghosts are earthbound energies, the whole of the paranormal and parapsychological fields are subtopic to the studies of theology and spirituality. Both an ordained minister and pagan priestess, she is currently obtaining her PhD in holistic theology. In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Rudolf and I continue the interview with Katie Montana Jordan focusing on her approach to the paranormal from a spiritual perspective. Don’t miss that excellent recording. Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership OR https://patreon.com/occultofpersonality and sign up if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content. https://about.me/kmontanajordanOregon Ghost Conference (where Katie is presenting "Theoretical Demonology in Paranormal Research") - http://www.oregonghostconference.comI also want to give a warm welcome to the new co-host of Occult of Personality podcast - Rudolf!Rudolf Berger has been interested in the world of occultism and esotericism for almost three decades. A Freemason for 24 years, also member of the Scottish Rite, his first interest in esoteric sciences came about when he read books by Rudolf Steiner. Later, after experiences in Shamanism, Theosophy and Ritual Magic, he broadened his knowledge and personal involvement to many fields of the Western Tradition. Today he calls himself a “Gnostic Hermeticist” with a very strong link to ceremonial magic. Fields of special interest are also Sacred Geometry and the implication of sound and music in the occult arts. He is mostly working the Art as a solitaire practitioner, but maintains links to several occult groups. Rudolf lives in Austria close to its capital Vienna, working in the performing arts world. You can contact him at info@thothermes.com.intro music - "Awakening" by Paul Avgerinos - http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3outro music - "Ghost by Your Side" by Ash Ganley - http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/ashganley-univaccept?song=5

World-renowned forensic geologist and author Scott Wolter joins us in podcast episode 176 to discuss his research into the Kensington Runestone and Knights Templar in America. Forensic geologist Scott Wolter was the host of the hit show American Unearthed, which followed him on his quest to uncover the truth behind historic artifacts and sites found throughout North America. Scott is also the author of The Hooked X: Key to the Secret History of North America and co-author of The Kensington Rune Stone: Compelling New Evidence. Scott has been president of American Petrographic Services, Inc., since 1990 and has been the principle petrographer in more than 7,000 investigations throughout the world, including the evaluation of fire-damaged concrete at the Pentagon following the attacks of September 11, 2001.In this interview, Scott Wolter discusses his specific area of expertise – The Kensington Runestone and the belief that Knights Templar were responsible for this relic. The rune stone is a 200 pound slab of stone covered in runes that was discovered in 1898 in rural Minnesota. The Hooked X: Key to the Secret History of North America is the culmination of my seven-year odyssey to understand the origin of a mysterious symbol that first appeared on a highly controversial, century-old artifact called the Kensington Rune Stone. . . The story begins with the discovery of a 202-pound stone unearthed by Swedish immigrant farmer named Olof Ohman, who was clearing trees in preparation for farming back in 1898. The slab of graywacke contained a lengthy inscription carved in Norse runes whose message has only been recently deciphered accurately. In 2005, I co-authored a book entitled The Kensington Rune Stone: Compelling New Evidence that presents a large body of evidence that conclusively proves the artifact is indeed a fourteenth-century document. The Hooked X picks up where that story leaves off taking the reader on a journey from Minnesota to the New England Coast, where four more medieval rune stones are found. The trail then leads to a mysterious round stone tower in Rhode Island that could only have been constructed by a highly controversial group from Europe before the time of Christopher Columbus. The story that unfolds behind the Hooked X shatters many historical and religious paradigms and ultimately reveals the startling untold history of North America.Scott Wolter’s work in uncovering the mysteries of the runestones and their greater implications are nothing short of astounding. While controversial, his conclusions do drastically affect our perception of the history of North America. You may find it difficult to believe that Knights Templar claimed land in the western hemisphere, but the evidence is compelling. As always, listen to the interview and decide for yourself.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Scott Wolter continues discussing his amazing research into the Kensington Runestone, Knights Templar in America, and connections to a specific degree ritual of York Rite Freemasonry. This link is further evidence of Scott’s conclusions and is absolutely astounding. Join us for the second-half of this fascinating interview! Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership and Join Now, or subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality to receive access to this and a tremendous amount of exclusive content.intro music by Paul Avgerinosoutro music – “Melkutus” (traditional Finnish Rune song) by Tim Rayborn

Now, in episode number 175, interviews from Masonic Con 2016, this was the first occurrence of this public event hosted by the brethren of Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Masonic Con 2016 featured a number of excellent presentations that explored a variety of subjects from Renaissance art to Knights Templar in America, and even the Cabala. In these recordings you’ll hear a very brief introduction interview with Brother Aaron Chauncey discussing the event, then an interview with Jim Egan about his extensive research into Elizabethan-era magus Dr. John Dee and the Newport Tower in Newport, Rhode Island. More information about Egan’s work can be found at the Newport Tower Museum and online at http://www.newporttowermuseum.com/. Finally, we have an interview with David Brody who specializes in historical fiction, including the Knights Templar in America. More information about Brody’s work can be found at http://davidbrodybooks.com. I also want to mention that Masonic Con 2017 will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Attleboro, Massachusetts beginning at 9 AM. Admission is free and it’s open to the public. There will be lectures by Angel Millar, Robert Johnson, Piers Vaughan, Richard Cassaro, Oscar Allyene, Paul C. Smith and yours truly. For more information visit http://EB1870.org.

Amodali, the world-renowned artist, musician, writer, and magician is our guest in podcast episode 173 to discuss her essay “Introductory Theoria on Progressive Formulas of the Babalon Priestesshood,” published in the 2015 Three Hands Press anthology A Rose Veiled in Black. I’m thrilled to be able to bring you this interview with one of the most interesting practitioners of modern times where she discusses the 156 current and the system she developed for working with it soon to be fully revealed in the upcoming book The Marks of Teth, expected from Three Hands Press in 2017. “Amodali is an artist, musician, writer and magician from the U.K. who has produced an extensive body of work spanning over 30 years, specializing in research on the sexual mysteries of Babalon and the metaphysics and phenomenology of female occult anatomy. Amodali’s research is accompanied by in-depth complementary praxis and her multidisciplinary body of work has manifested internationally through ritual performances, C.D./album releases, art exhibitions and public lectures. She has initiated extensive investigation into the magical dimensions of sound and vocal expression, movement, trance techniques and sexuality and their relationship with female subtle architecture. Her interpretation of the magic of 156 is based on a personal practice which has been characterised by the negotiation and mastery of extreme sexual trance states which she describes as a form of physical scrying, she has found this direct form of ecstatic gnosis to be a distinctive characteristic of direct possession by Babalon.” “Amodali has developed a specific methodology for working with the highly charged sexual magic of Babalon, which has she developed since 1990 using the medium of ritual performance, most notably with the ‘Mother Destruction’ project which was created in collaboration with Patrick Leagas of 6 Comm. Mother Destruction recorded a large catalogue of musical works and toured extensively throughout Europe between 1990-2000. Amodali used the platform of Mother Destruction to extend her practice of extreme sexual entrancement into complex live ritual structures, which communicated some of the distinctive phenomenological aspects her ‘System 156’.” “The phenomenological and metaphysical structure of the female ‘magical body’, is often obscured and fragmented within Western Magical Traditions. Amodali’s forthcoming book ‘The Marks of Teth’ presents a Post-Thelemic interpretation of the goddess Babalon that expresses a feminine magical signifying language which is wholly erotic and evolutionary. The book reinforces the primacy of embodiment within multidimensional esoteric disciplines and enquiry, interpreting the occult anatomy of the female body as an autopoietic construction with its own defining initiatic imperatives and her ‘System 156’ promotes a defiantly independent spiritual path and a body-centred magical epistemology. Amodali’s predominantly heuristic practice is contextualised by research that encompasses many eras of the feminine gnosis, exploring the intersections between primordial Ophidian origins of the current within Northern European Paganism and the Western Magical Tradition and the modern interpretations of embodiment, sexuality, gender and feminine agency within the Phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Timothy Morton and the feminist philosophy of Luce Irigaray Julia Kristeva and Bracha Ettinger. Within these various contextual streams, the Enochian Universe of Dee and Kelley with its septenary motifs and feminine spirits takes on a primary importance in Amodali’s work, as representing the pivotal crystallisation of the feminine sexual current as embodied by Babalon.” “Amodali is a graduate of Liverpool School of Art and lecturer in Graphic Design. Recent projects include an ongoing series of vividly erotic visualizations and technical schema that illustrate the subtle anatomy of the Babalon priestess and the embodiment techniques of the magical ‘System 156’. The pieces feature an array of magical-corporeal signifiers which are assembled into intricate compositions, using labour-intensive collage techniques within a process that melds and transmutes photography and illustrations of sexual imagery into representations of the corpora of Babalon. Examples from this series have been exhibited in London, Seattle and Dublin in recent years. Her multimedia art project ‘Liber Incarnadine’ is an online interactive liturgy devoted to Babalon. In recent years, Amodali has given talks has given talks on the magical, and phenomenological aspects of the magical body of the 156 current at events such as the ‘Ecology,Cosmos and Consciousness’ Lecture series in London and the Esoteric Book Conference in the United States. An introduction to her magical system is featured in the essay ‘Introductory Theoria on Progressive Formulas of the Babalon Priestesshood’ as part of the Three Hands Press Anthology published in 2015 entitled A Rose Veiled in Black. An extensive synthesis of her magical practice, The Marks of Teth will be published by Three Hands Press in 2017.”In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, you’ll find the second half of the interview with Amodali featuring extensive exploration of the 156 System, its historical influences and its implications. Don’t miss that excellent, exclusive recording. Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership and sign up if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content.Details of the A Rose veiled in Black Anthology on Three Hands Press can be found at https://threehandspress.com/shop/a-rose-veiled-in-black/Amodali has written several introductory essays elucidating her interpretation of the 156 current based on public lectures delivered in recent years.‘The magical and erotic phenomenology of ritual performance within the Babalon Current’http://www.amodali.com/babalon-ritual-phenomenolgy/‘Feminism, ‘Weird’ Essentialism and 156’http://www.amodali.com/feminism-weird-essentialism-and-156/‘The Garments of Galvah and the System ‘156’’http://www.amodali.com/galvah/Art Print Editionshttp://www.amodali.com/print-editions/The ‘Liber Incarnadine’ project can be found at http://www.liberincarnadine.com/intro music by Paul Avgerinosoutro music – “Rosearia” by Amodali

Michael Bertiaux, artist, and the author of the acclaimed Voudon Gnostic Workbook and the recent Ontological Graffiti, is our guest in podcast episode 172. This interview was created in collaboration with our friends at Black Lotus Kult.“Michael Bertiaux, author of the famed Voudon Gnostic Workbook and Hierophant of the Voudon Gnostic Current is a rare visionary in modern occult studies. Raised in a liberal theosophical household, he was drawn to the esoteric and spiritual approach to religion and Being from early on. After studying philosophy in New Orleans and having been ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church, Bertiaux was sent to Haiti in 1963 where he taught philosophy and was in charge of the local Anglican museum. It was on “the magic island” that Bertiaux met his spiritus rector, Dr. Jean-Maine, who initiated him into the secrets of the Voudon Gnosis. His close collaboration with Jean-Maine, first in Haiti and then later in Chicago lasted until the Voudon master’s death in the early 1980s… Bertiaux stands unique in the spiritual world. His system of occultism and gnosis is unlike any other. Instead of reworking the occult past and clinging to classical theories, he works mainly on gnostic-radionic lines and esoteric creativity. Deeply rooted and based in the magical world and traditions of Esoteric Voudon … Bertiaux has managed to introduce a great number of other spiritual currents into his system… To unite areas so seemingly apart as German Idealism and theosophy, to Shinto and Bon-Po, Bertiaux has spun a metaphysical web connecting and bringing them into occult harmony through the threads … of Esoteric Voudon… To aid in this … metamorphosis Bertiaux also stresses the creative aspects of magic and gnosis. In addition to being a writer and philosopher, he has produced many “evocative” works of art, including paintings that have been used as magical instruments and gateways to the spirit world. He has not only greatly influenced contemporary occult circles and individuals such as Kenneth Grant of the Typhonian OTO, the Chaos magick scene, and Gnostic circles, but also musicians and artists…”“A long-awaited new edition of the seminal text on the spiritual system that is a convergence of Gnosticism and Haitian voodoo, The Voudon Gnostic Workbook is a singular sacred work that is comprehensive in scope–from “how to be a lucky Hoodoo” to how magick and voodoo intersect energetically, to esoteric time travel. Complete with charts and graphs and instructive interdimensional physics, The Voudon Gnostic Workbook is an “object of desire” among students of the occult.“[T]he book itself is somewhat of an “unholy grail.” There are listservers devoted to it and much discussion of the mysteries held within its pages. While The Voudon Gnostic Workbook has remained a controversial book considered important for masters of metaphysics, it recently came into popular culture and renewed popularity when Grant Morrison revealed it had been the inspiration for his cult comics The Invisibles, using the cribbed time travel from Bertiaux’ s masterwork… Launched out of a correspondence course and series of classes for students and followers of Voudon Gnosticism and the OTO, this seminal text is at once one of the most mysterious and magnificent of all esoteric books.” “Everywhere in the Gnostic Continuum, ‘mind’ is active. The Hyde Park Lodge was able to tap into extra-dimensional, transcendental mind-forms, and develop methods to understand and make use of inner-plane communications. Ontological Graffiti details the work which allowed this ability, and serves as a magical record of a group of seekers discovering Gnostic and Vudu pathways and making use of the tremendous energy and knowledge gained from traveling them.” – Michael BertiauxI’m proud to bring you this interview that was created in collaboration with our friends at Black Lotus Kult, who did all the heavy lifting.They’ve also created a new video series exploring a variety of interesting topics with Bertiaux, so be sure to check out the links in the show notes. Like Bertiaux’s books, you’ll find this interview with him to be surprising, insightful, erudite, and very magical. How could it not be? He’s one of the most original, creative, and artistic occultists of the modern age. Enjoy!In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, you’ll find the second half of the interview with Michael Bertiaux featuring some very interesting insights from a living legend. Don’t miss that excellent, exclusive recording. Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership and sign up if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content.Thanks for listening and until next time…intro music by Paul Avgerinosoutro music – “Papadambalah” by Axial

P. D. Newman specializes in entheogenic symbolism within Masonic ritual, is the author of the forthcoming book Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry, and is our guest in podcast episode 171.“P.D. Newman is a Scottish Rite Freemason and a Masonic Rosicrucian. The focus of his research is on the presence of entheogenic symbolism within Masonic ritual. He has had papers published by a variety of Masonic periodicals and popular websites. His book, Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry is planned for release in 2017.”“Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry is a ground breaking work by Freemason P.D. Newman, 32° which explores the ceremonial use of the powerful entheogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT) within Masonic ritual. The sprig of acacia is an important symbol within Freemasonry. But, unbeknownst even to the fraternity’s own initiates, the acacia is rich in more than just symbolism. Newman details the actual use of acacia-produced DMT by alchemically inclined Freemasons as early as 1762. His premise challenges everything we think we know about the history, nature, and aims of the Masonic fraternity.”Newman is currently fundraising to support the writing and publishing of his upcoming book. To support his work, visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/2husmt5w. “With a foreword from Clark Heinrich and an introduction by Dr. David Harrison, Alchemically Stoned: The Sprig of Acacia and the Psychedelic Secret of Freemasonry will be an essential addition to the libraries of psychedelic enthusiasts and Freemasons alike.”Newman is doing serious research on entheogenic symbolism and Masonic ritual, publishing articles in both Masonic and popular venues. He has an extensive background in ceremonial magick and psychedelics, so it with authority that he brings forward his research. Regardless of opinions about his conclusions, this is important research and an area that cannot be ignored. During the interview, I was not nearly as open-minded as I would have preferred and interrupted to voice my own opinion at times, but Newman was gracious and patiently explained his research and conclusions. He’s certainly provided food for thought. I encourage you to read more of Newman’s articles if you find this subject interesting, as well as his upcoming book.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, P. D. Newman and I continue the interview, discussing the nature of gnosis and his upcoming book Alchemically Stoned. Join us for that fascinating conversation! Go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership/membership-options/ and Join Now if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content!