Occult of Personality podcast

Gary Lachman, author of The Secret Teachers of the Western World, and many other books on esoteric themes, is our guest in podcast episode 165.“Gary Lachman is one of today’s most respected writers on esoteric and occult themes. His many books – including Madame Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, Swedenborg, Jung the Mystic, and Rudolf Steiner – have received international acclaim. A founding member of the band Blondie, Lachman has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He lives in London and you can find his web site at garylachman.co.uk.”“This epic study unveils the esoteric masters who have covertly impacted the intellectual development of the West, from Pythagoras and Zoroaster to the modern icons Jean Gebser and Schwaller de Lubicz.“Running alongside the mainstream of Western intellectual history is another current, which, in a very real sense, should take pride of place, but which for the last few centuries has occupied a shadowy, inferior position, somewhere underground. This “other” stream forms the subject of Gary Lachman’s sweeping history and analysis The Secret Teachers of the Western World.“In this clarifying, accessible, and fascinating study, the acclaimed historian explores the Western esoteric tradition – a thought movement with ancient roots and modern expressions, which, in a broad sense, regards the cosmos as a living, spiritual, meaningful being and humankind as having a unique obligation and responsibility in it.“The historical roots of our “counter tradition,” as Lachman explores, have their beginning in Alexandria around the time of Christ. It was then that we find the first written accounts of the ancient tradition, which had earlier been passed on orally. Here, in this remarkable city, filled with teachers, philosophers, and mystics from Egypt, Greece, Asia, and other parts of the world, in a multi-cultural, multi-faith, and pluralistic society, a synthesis took place, a creative blending of different ideas and visions, which gave the hidden tradition the eclectic character it retains today.“With many detours and dead ends, we now seem to be slowly moving into a watershed. It has become clear that the dominant, left-brain, reductionist view, once so liberating and exciting, has run out of steam, and the promise of that much-sought-after “paradigm change” seems possible. We may be on the brink of a culminating moment of the esoteric intellectual tradition of the West.”“It was, we remember, the fusion of the old and new that characterized the Renaissance, and we seek as similar “Goldilocks moment,” when the balance between the two [modes of consciousness] will be “just right.” And while I am not suggesting that we are definitely on the cusp of a similarly creative time – I make no prophecy of yet another new age – there is no reason to believe such an outcome is impossible. Making it possible is up to us. Any lasting change must first take place in the individual. Future historians will have to determine the outcome and what, if anything, we today have learned from the secret teachers of the western world.” – Gary Lachman, The Secret Teachers of the Western World, p. 464I very much appreciated this most recent book by Gary Lachman because of the way he explores the history of western esotericism by walking the line between initiate and scholar with ease. I also thought the underlying narrative about human consciousness was both necessary and masterfully done. I think this book deserves a place on your shelf and from the interview, the depth of Lachman’s knowledge about his subjects is clear. I highly recommend The Secret Teachers of the Western World.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Gary Lachman talks more about his epic tome, The Secret Teachers of the Western World as we continue to explore some of the most important, but lesser known figures in western esotericism. Don’t miss second half of this excellent interview. Just go to occultofpersonality.net/membership 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.intro music by Paul Avgerinosoutro music – “Eternal Grace” by Sound of Seventy Three

Nick Redfern, author of Bloodline of the Gods: Unravel the Mystery of the Human Blood Type to Reveal the Aliens Among Us, is our guest in podcast episode 164."Nick Redfern works full time as a writer, lecturer, and journalist. He writes about a wide range of unsolved mysteries, including Bigfoot, UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, alien encounters, and government conspiracies. Nick has written 33 books, including Men in Black, The Zombie Book, For Nobody’s Eyes Only, Final Events, Secret History, Monster Files, The World’s Weirdest Places, The Pyramids and the Pentagon, and Chupacabra Road Trip. He writes for the MUFON UFO Journal and Mysterious Universe. Nick has appeared on numerous television shows, including The History Channel’s Ancient Aliens, Monster Quest, and UFO Hunters, National Geographic Channel’s The Truth about UFOs and Paranatural, BBC’s Out of this World, and SyFy Channel’s Proof Positive." "Are significant numbers of humanity the product of an ancient and advanced alien civilization? Have we, across the millennia, been periodically modified and refined as a species? In short, has our genetic make-up been manipulated by otherworldly beings that view human civilization as one big lab experiment? "These are controversial and thought-provoking questions. They are also questions that demand answers, answers that may very well be found by examining those people whose blood type is Rh negative. "The vast majority of humankind--85 to 90 percent--is Rh positive, which means a person's red blood cells contain an antigen directly connected to the Rhesus monkey. This antigen is known as the Rh factor. "Each and every primate on the planet has this antigen, except for one: the remaining 10 to 15 percent of humans. If the theory of evolution is valid--that each and every one of us is descended from ancient primates--shouldn't we all be Rh positive? Yes, we should. But we're not. The Negatives are unlike the rest of us. They are different. "They are the unique individuals whose bloodline may have nothing less than extraterrestrial origins."The nature of the differences between Rh blood factors and the origin of those differences are intriguing. The actual evidence presented in the book is interesting and a starting point. The blood factor difference, while intriguing needs more evidence in order to connect it with the the mysteries of the ancient and modern world, in my opinion. You can hear from the interview that Nick has incredible insight, depth of experience, and knowledge about the subject that he generously shares. Read Bloodline of the Gods and decide for yourself!In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, UFOlogist and author Nick Redfern shares his insights about my own UFO experience and its possible meaning, the high-strangeness and associated esoterica connected with UFOs, and more. Be sure to listen to that captivating conversation! Just go to http://occultofpersonality.net/membership/ and click the Join Now button to subscribe. Not only will you receive access to an amazing archive of exclusive content, but you'll also be supporting the show!Nick Redfern's World of WhateverBloodline of the Gods: Unravel the Mystery of the Human Blood Type to Reveal the Aliens Among Us by Nick Redfernintro music by Paul Avgerinosoutro music – "Space Mother Dub" by Liquid Rainbow

Bro. Robert Johnson, the creator, host, and writer for the Whence Came You? podcast, along with Frater O, the co-host and esoteric advisor for the show, are our guests in podcast episode 163.“This site and blog are dedicated to providing insightful information to Freemasons and men interested in Freemasonry. There are Masonic research papers, discussion pieces and some small editorial pieces related to Freemasonry. It is hosted by Robert Johnson, a York Rite Freemason and Knight Templar. He is a husband and father, and in addition is an interfaith minister.”Whence Came You? is the premier Masonic podcast, providing light to Freemasons and men interested in Freemasonry. A weekly show, with over 200 episodes completed and going strong, Whence Came You? is a brilliant method of bringing the history, teachings, and conversations about Freemasonry to the digital age. Robert Johnson and his co-host Frater O do a superb job of exploring the esoteric aspects of Freemasonry and the world in general, fulfilling a need for many Masons.In addition to hearing about Bro. Robert’s and Frater O’s interest in esotericism and Freemasonry, Robert explains his journey to begin the Whence Came You? podcast and how it’s grown so prominent in a relatively short time. We also spend a considerable portion of the interview discussing a couple of state grand lodge edicts that expelled Masons for homosexuality in one case, and for pagan religious beliefs in another. Robert wrote a strongly worded statement (“Forcing Accountability“) detailing his thoughts about the situation and expressing his vehement disagreement with these expulsions. This leads into a conversation about equality and Freemasonry more generally that was unexpected and perhaps a bit challenging.It was an honor and great joy to be able to talk with Bro. Robert and Frater O about their show and Freemasonry in general. If you’re interested in Freemasonry, the esoteric, Masonic history, and current events within the fraternity, Whence Came You? podcast is required listening. But even if you’re not a Mason, the show is so well done and interesting that there’s something there for anyone interested in Western esotericism and fraternity.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Bro. Robert Johnson and Frater O share their insights into the esoteric significance of the Three Degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry connected with the occult anatomy of man, the concept of primordial consciousness, how to find the esoteric hidden in plain sight, and much, much more! Join us for that excellent second half of the interview by going to occultofpersonality.net/membership and clicking the Join Now button to subscribe.

Gordon White, author of Star.Ships: A Prehistory of the Spirits, published by Scarlet Imprint, is our guest in podcast episode 162.“Gordon White is one of the most exciting writers of modern magic. His website, RuneSoup.com is one of the most widely read practical sorcery blogs on the internet. In his digital œuvre he engages with everything from entheogens, synchronicities, UFOs, ‘alternative’ history, career guidance, graphic novels, the future of media, probability and divination to pop culture. His archonology series crowns him as the dark prince of modern chaos magic... “Gordon White is no basement mage; he is a success in many spheres, working for some of the world’s largest digital and social media companies… Gordon has dived in search of sharks and lost cities, traveled extensively and researched voraciously. Though known for his grasp of current events, his ideas are based on a deeper understanding of our disputed ancient histories. These are the subject of his book with Scarlet Imprint, Star.Ships: A Prehistory of the Spirits.”“A defining text of the new magical renaissance, Star.Ships addresses the question of who we are now by tracing where we come from, and by drawing out the stories and the spirits that have journeyed and evolved with us. The goal is, as Gordon writes, the restoration of context. “To this end, White applies his globally-recognised data and demographics skills to realise a groundbreaking work of truly interdisciplinary research. Utilising mythological, linguistic and astronomical data to reconstruct palaeolithic magical beliefs, he maps them to the human journey out of Africa; explores which aspects of these beliefs and practices have survived into the Western tradition; and what the implications (and applications) of those survivals may be for us. “Written for a magically literate and operative audience, Star.Ships displays the flair, wit and engagement with evidence that adherents of his runesoup blog have come to expect from Gordon. Star.Ships beckons those who are willing to engage in the adventure to follow the great river of history that flows into and out of an ocean of stars.”In my opinion, Gordon White has produced a brilliant book that changes our understanding of humanity’s history by extending our view into the misty antediluvian past. Star.Ships is groundbreaking and I’m in awe of the scope and masterful presentation of the material. I highly recommend Star.Ships by Gordon White and despite the fact that the book was recently published, it is already crucial to the conversation about humanity’s past. White’s own knowledge and experience of esotericism sets his work head and shoulders above any other investigators of lost civilizations.http://occultofpersonality.net/gordon-whitehttp://scarletimprint.com/books/star-ships/http://runesoup.com/

Author Timothy Hogan is our guest in podcast episode 161 to discuss his most recent book The Way of the Templar: A Manual for the Modern Knight Templar.Timothy Hogan is an author and lecturer on the mysteries of the Western esoteric tradition. He has been received, knighted, and initiated within several Templar lineages around the world. He is the current Grand Master of the Knights Templar (Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique) and is President of CIRCES International. He regularly speaks around the world in both public and private venues. He has appeared previously in Occult of Personality podcast episode 91 to discuss his books The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual and The 32 Secret Paths of Solomon, and episode 124 talking about Entering the Chain of Union, his acclaimed book on comparative Western esotericism.“This is not a standard book on the Knights Templar. This book is a manual for the modern day Knight Templar. This book includes the secret history of the Templar Order, much of which has never been published in one place like this before. The book also contains an exploration of the Templar philosophy and challenges for the future. Rather than just exploring profane Templar history, this book provides the story behind the story. Regardless of what Templar lineage you may or may not belong to, the information provided in these pages are sure to resonate with anyone who has the heart of a Templar. It is a book written to prepare the Way for the Gnosis of the Grail, and to provide a sense of mission and direction to those brave chevalier preparing to do the Great Work in the Aquarian House we are collectively entering. Non nobis Domine, non nobis. Sed nomine Tuo da gloriam!”“The Knight Templar … the warrior monk … the Grail guardian. Such images conjure thoughts in the imagination that have inspired some to the greatest acts of nobility on the one hand, and have led others into escapism or worse – into zealous fanaticism with ideas of crusading against the others in the One human family… [R]egardless of what tradition or lineages a would be Templar comes from, it should be stressed, that the heart of a true Templar is found in one who desires with all of their being to protect the sacred – regardless of its source… By its very nature then, the foundation of Templarism rests on a gnosis, or a direct personal experiential knowledge of God and the divine – regardless of what cultural names are used for this Source. To keep this principle in mind is to drink from the Holy Grail.” – Timothy Hogan, Introduction, p.9-10Timothy Hogan is a listener favorite for a number of reasons and it’s always a pleasure to hear the revelations he shares! The Way of the Templar reveals a good amount of information that I’ve never seen anywhere before which does fill in a lot of gaps. Whether you find it convincing or too convenient, I think it’s worth reading. I also appreciated the less fundamentalist and more tolerant perspective promoted by Hogan in this book. Additionally, the advice included at the conclusion to the book, “Templar Ideas to Remember” is worth it in and of itself. I highly recommend The Way of the Templar for all those interested in the saga of the Knights Templar, as well as guidance in applying the Templar philosophy in your life.In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, author Timothy Hogan talks more about the secret history of the Knights Templar, including the connections with gnosticism, the Larmenius Charter and survival of the original Templar Grand Master lineage, and much, much more. Don’t miss that revealing conversation. Just go to 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.

Artist Natan Alexander is our guest in podcast episode 160 to discuss the magickal art of tattoo and more.“Natan Alexander is an award winning tattoo artist, an officer of the Ordo Templi Orientis at Knights Templar Oasis in Salem, Massachusetts, and an occult artist working in various mediums in addition to tattooing. He owns and works out of Witch City Ink, Salem’s finest tattoo studio, and Lightwave Tattoos, in Saugus, Massachusetts. Once a year, Natan also organizes the Boston Tattoo Convention, the largest international tattoo event in the New England area and now in its fifteenth year.”“Thelema and magick have been a huge shaping force in Natan’s development, both as an individual and as an artist. As a Master Mason for over a decade and a member of the A.’.A.’. , he brings an initiate’s understanding of the symbolism and inner meanings behind the art he creates. Natan is a regular and devoted world traveler, researching the origins and energies of the cultures and ideas that inspire his art.”I’ve known Natan personally for a several years now and consider him a friend and brother. His artwork is truly magickal and has the power to transform. Creative, talented, well-spoken, well-traveled, and with years of magickal practice under his belt, Natan’s success is built upon a solid foundation. I think you’ll enjoy this interview as much as I did, and don’t miss the second half of the interview in the membership section!In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, artist Natan Alexander discusses his near lifelong interest in Thelema and magick, the Star & Snake artist residency and retreat space, altered states of consciousness, advice on achieving success in magick and in life, and much, much more. Don’t miss that fascinating conversation. Just go to occultofpersonality.net/membership and join now. It’s the best way to support the podcast while receiving access to a tremendous amount of additional exclusive content.

Guido Mina di Sospiro, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong: Table Tennis as a Journey of Self-Discovery, is our guest in podcast episode 159. Listeners may recall that Mina di Sospiro co-authored The Forbidden Book: A Novel with scholar of esotericism Joscelyn Godwin, featured in podcast episode 121.To spin or not to spin? – that is the metaphysical question.When a mortifying defeat to his teenage son rekindles his lifelong passion for table tennis, keen philosopher Guido Mina di Sospiro sets out to learn the game properly.Guido’s love for spinning a feather-weight ball takes him from his local ping-pong club, populated by idiosyncratic players with extraordinary stories to tell, to training drills with a world-class coach. This seemingly harmless game also leads him into sticky situations in the CIA headquarters and the ganglands of Washington, D.C. Woven throughout his ping-pong epiphany are philosophical ruminations on Plato and Aristotle, metaphysicians and empiricists, Jung’s dark shadow, Sun Tzu’s war tactics, the I Ching, and much more.As Guido’s journey takes him from Big Sur to a nail-biting showdown in China against a string of elite players, he finds ping-pong can teach us a surprising amount about life.“Down the centuries Taoism, Zen, and Sufism have created a large repertoire of short and seemingly mundane stories whose goal is that of violating logic and challenging our assumptions. Twentieth-century traditionalists have done much of the same by turning received notions upside down. Ping-pong, as i will show, has so many baffling and refreshingly illogical qualities about it that, whenever I happened to play an occasional game, somehow it echoed inside me in a new and increasingly more resonant way. And as a result, I marveled all the more at how magical it was that little ball and make it fly and bounce on the table and off the opponent’s racket in mysterious ways.” – Guido Mina di Sospiro, Prelude to The Metaphysics of Ping-Pong, p. 7Guido Mina di Sospiro has been fascinated by table tennis since childhood and regularly plays competitively. An award-winning, internationally acclaimed author, he has written four books published worldwide.

Wicca: The Ancient Way, recently republished by the Hermetic Arts Learning Center, is the subject of podcast episode 158. We’re joined by Apollonius Mithras who is part of the Isis-Urania lineage of Traditional Witchcraft, the same that produced this text.http://astore.amazon.com/occulofperso-20/detail/1505287898

Literary journalist and novelist C.M. Mayo, author of Metaphysical Odyssey into the Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero and his secret book, Spiritist Manual, is our guest in podcast episode 157. An El Paso, Texas native, raised in Northern California, educated at the University of Chicago, C.M. Mayo is an award-winning literary journalist, novelist, poet, and translator, who has been living in and writing about Mexico for over 25 years. She is also host of the long-standing lit-blog, Madam Mayo, and the Marfa Mondays Podcasting Project.Her most recent book, a paradigm-exploding and profoundly researched examination of the esoteric philosophy of the leader of Mexico’s 1910 Revolution, is Metaphysical Odyssey Into the Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero and his Secret Book, Spiritist Manual. In 2015 it won the National Indie Excellence Award for History.In a blend of biography, personal essay, and a rendition of deeply researched metaphysical and Mexican history that reads like a novel, award-winning writer and noted literary translator C.M. Mayo provides a rich introduction and the first translation of the secret book by Francisco I. Madero, leader of Mexico’s 1910 Revolution and President of Mexico from 1911 to 1913.“Mayo… provides not only an English translation of Madero’s Spiritist Manual, but also a lively intoduction… The author argues effectively that Madero’s manual is essential to understanding his revolutionary zeal.”http://occultofpersonality.net/c-m-mayo-metaphysical-odyssey-into-the-mexican-revolution/

Carl Abrahamsson, author of the anthology Reasonances, published by Scarlet Imprint, is our guest in podcast episode 156. In addition to his writings, Abrahamsson is known for his work in music, film, art, culture, and occulture.http://occultofpersonality.net/carl-abrahamsson/