Daphne du Maurier was a prolific English writer of novels, plays, and short stories resonant with what she termed "a sense of unreality." In this episode, JF and Phil discuss her great short story "Don't Look Now," which Nicholas Roeg famously adapted to the screen in 1973 in a film starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. Recorded live at Shannon Taggart's Lily Dale Symposium on July 25th, 2024, the discussion takes a number of turns, exploring the ghost as an "image of itself," the phenomenon of "deathishness," the experience of derealization, the human capacity to break time, and grief as a rift in time. Visit the Weirdosphere and sign up for JF's upcoming course of lectures and discussions, "Whirl Without End: Fairy Tales and the Weird," starting on September 5th, 2024. Support us on Patreon. Buy the Weird Studies soundtrack, volumes 1 and 2, on Pierre-Yves Martel's Bandcamp page. Listen to Meredith Michael and Gabriel Lubell's podcast, Cosmophonia. Visit the Weird Studies Bookshop Find us on Discord Get the T-shirt design from Cotton Bureau! REFERENCES Daphne du Maurier, "Don't Look Now" Nicholas Roeg (dir.), Don't Look Now Weird Studies, Episode 66 on “Diviner’s Time” Chuck Klosterman, "Tomorrow Rarely Knows” Thomas Mann, Death in Venice Peter Medak (dir.), The Changeling Philip K. Dick, “Schizophrenia and the Book of Changes”

Practicing magicians Alan Chapman and Duncan Barford discuss the parallels between magic, mysticism, and religion, the nature of truth, devotion, and the quest to converse with one's Holy Guardian Angel. They share insights on magic practices, the significance of the guardian angel, truth and beauty, devotion in spiritual practice, and the power of sharing personal experiences in magical practice.

Shannon Taggart, an advocate for the interplay of memory and poetry, joins the conversation to explore how we engage with verses beyond mere memorization. The discussion emphasizes the emotional resonance found in reciting poetry from memory, illustrating the deep connections between bodily experience and artistic expression. Taggart delves into the transformative power of forms like meter and rhyme, while reflecting on the importance of memory in shaping identity and navigating loss. Ultimately, they celebrate poetry as a vital bridge to our past and shared humanity.

Dive into the enigmatic world of the Hanged Man tarot card, a symbol of sacrifice and perspective. The hosts unravel its historical significance and its ties to themes of resurrection and existential mystery. Explore the dark narrative of manipulation and power through the lens of familial dynamics. Discover parallels between St. Peter's upside-down fate and human complexity. The discussion also touches on spiritual enlightenment, the balance of gravity, and Alan Chapman's concept of 'silent knowing,' highlighting how our choices shape destiny.

Exploring the intertwined beauty and horror in art and literature, the hosts discuss the radical beauty that embraces impermanence and the danse macabre. They delve into works by William Blake, Junichiro Tanizaki, and David Lynch, highlighting the fluidity between beauty and horror. The concept of intensity in aesthetics, neility, sinfulness, and redemption, and the impact of artists' personal experiences on their creations are thoroughly examined.

Delve into the intertwined narratives of forgery and fraud in art and film, from Howard Hughes to Orson Welles. Explore the blurred boundaries of truth and fiction, aging, self-awareness, and shedding societal expectations. Discover the enchantment of ancient artworks and the interplay between deception and truth in art.

The ongoing crackdown on protests at many American universities prompts a discussion on the politics, ethics, and metaphysics of free expression. Support us on Patreon. Buy the Weird Studies soundtrack, volumes 1 and 2, on Pierre-Yves Martel's Bandcamp page. Listen to Meredith Michael and Gabriel Lubell's podcast, Cosmophonia. Visit the Weird Studies Bookshop Find us on Discord Get the T-shirt design from Cotton Bureau! REFERENCES Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own Federico Campagna, Technic and Magic George Orwell, The Prevention of Literature George Orwell, Inside the Whale New York Times, “At Indiana University, Protests Only Add to a Full Year of Conflicts John Stuart Mill, On Liberty Indiana Daily Student, “Provost Addresses Controversy” Official government page for the Proposed Bill to address Online Harms in Canada. Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals GK Chesterton, Orthodoxy Daryl Davis, American musician and activist DavidFoster Wallace, Just Asking

Dive into the post-apocalyptic world of George Miller's 'Mad Max' films, exploring themes of civilization, humanity, and chaos. Delve into the unique portrayal of the wasteland, the evolution of characters, and the fluidity of gender and society. Discover insights into comedy, societal themes, and the artistic uniqueness that sets these films apart.

In this engaging discussion, Amy Hale, an anthropologist and folklorist with a passion for Cornwall's rich history, dives deep into the life of Ithell Colquhoun—an influential surrealist with a mystical perspective. They explore how Colquhoun's move from London's art scene to Cornwall intertwined her creative expression with Celtic mysticism. Hale reveals the transformative power of automatism in art, personal narratives in academia, and the role of magic in our daily lives. A fascinating blend of history, spirituality, and art awaits!

Exploring the nuances of pretentiousness in creativity, distinguishing between fruitful and hollow forms. Embracing imagination as an active contributor to reality. Delving into the mystical nature of art criticism and the transformative power of pretending. Criticizing the use of 'pretentious' to dismiss challenging art forms and discussing cultural influences on creativity.