In this interview with cartomancer and tarot scholar Laetitia Barbier, we tour the realm of images and symbols known as the tarot. From Laetitia's own interesting first encounters with the cards in France (via radio!) to more complex and subtle discussions on the nature of reading images and the voice of the deck, this conversation is a great introduction to or refresher on the power behind an occult object that has become ubiquitous while not always being given its proper due. 

Bio: French-born Laetitia Barbier is an independent scholar, as well as a professional tarot reader and teacher. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from La Sorbonne University Paris in 2009. Laetitia has worked with Morbid Anatomy from 2011 to 2024 as a programming director, head librarian, and occasional curator. Her book Tarot and Divination Cards: A Visual Archive was published in 2021 with a foreword by Rachel Pollack. She is the author of the Tiger Tarot Guide Book, a unique Tarot deck by symbolist artist Lori Field. Laetitia has lectured, taught and read cards for various cultural institutions, such as Greenwood Cemetery, Artyard,  Fotografiska NY, the College of Psychic Studies in London or the New York Public Library. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Site: https://www.laetitiacartomancy.com/

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The first in a new series of episodes on the dizzying feedback loop of east-meets-west in the occult tradition. We open in an unlikely place: Sax Rohmer and his hugely popular, though now mostly rejected Fu Manchu novels. Why did Kenneth Grant choose Rohmer's Dope, alongside Richard Marsh's beloved gothic-exotic horror classic The Beetle, as reference texts for his monumental book The Ninth Arch? Was Fu Manchu born on a ouija board? Why did CU favorite Eugenia Macer-Story use the metaphor of Fu Manchu vs. the "lonesome cowboy" in her genius examination of the UFO phenomenon? Did any of those Theosophists ever really visit Tibet? The tension between so-called eastern and western mystical traditions may be the driving force of what we call occultism, and in this episode we lay the groundwork for a series which will investigate this concept in detail. 

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A crash course on the infamous Rendlesham UFO incident, or as some say, the UK's Roswell. Dave and Ben are joined by Rendlesham Rick, enigmatic UFO enthusiast, for an in depth discussion on the subject, including the high-strange history of Suffolk, military UFO encounters, the strange personalities behind Rendlesham, binary channeling, and much more... Original soundtrack by RR, arranged with archival audio by Dave. 

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In this Patreondiumship + Patreon Preepisode on Enchated Travel, Garden Mythos and Current Readings exclusive pre-episode, we discuss Dave's recent trip through Appalachia, the Midwest and the Bible Belt, featuring mounds, haunted dolls, and bigfoot, plus Ben's recent thoughts on gardens and mind control, some books read of late, and much more in a classic freewheeling discussion.

Then, in our main episode: an interview with return guest Evana Roman. We catch up on her mediumship practice, talk about the realities of hauntings and poltergeist phenomena, get into the metaphysics of psychic awareness, and discuss the relationship between dreams, poetry, and psychic awareness. And much more; it's a great conversation on a subject so often misunderstood. 

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Evana Roman

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In this interview with filmmaker, Talking Weird podcast host, and flying saucer scholar Dean Bertram, we take a long overdue deep dive into the Shaver Mystery. Topics include: the foundational nature of the Palmer-Shaver relationship in the UFO mythos; Bertram’s documentary short on the subject, and his forthcoming Palmer/Shaver feature The Man Who Invented Flying Saucers; Shaver’s art, philosophy, and tragic later life; the thread of spiritualism and Theosophy throughout flying saucer culture; the subterranean world theme and its pre- and post-Shaver forms; the Maury Island incident; and tons more. A thoughtful and detailed conversation on one of this podcast’s favorite figures.

Dean's Midwest Weird Fest

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In this long conversation with Willow Trueman of the Nonsense Bazaar podcast, we discuss the shifting nature of a paranormally- tinged life. The paths of synchronicity; talismanic use of embarrassment and narrative; hypnotic and sleep-walking experiences; the language of Flying Saucer literature; past lives and dream lives; Peter Pan; and tons more. 

The first hour is free, but to hear the whole conversation and the odd turns it takes, as well as our entire episode archive, sign up for our Patreon! Much awaits you there

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A brief missive from the upturned tortoise shell wherein a soup of syncs bubbles over. Audiobook vortices, the on-high writer writing the writer, and more reckless cosmic speculation. 

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UNLOCKED

This was originally a patreon exclusive episode released on 10/13/2022 as part of our Saucers of Despair Series. We continue to release regular exclusive episodes on patreon as well as a printed journal, written content and more. Join up at www.patreon.com/consensusunreality

In this third part of our Saucers of Despair series we delve further into Gnostic and Mithraic mysteries, the magic of boundary deities and markers, and identify the pilots behind the wheels of those Saucers— the Dark Gods themselves! Plus some film discussions: A  Dark Song, The Caller, Alison’s Birthday, and a bit of the new Hellraiser...

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Intro Music by Treatment

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In this interview with artist and recent Orgonon resident Sarah Chait,  we discuss the life, work, and legacy of the great Wilhelm Reich, from  his early involvement with Freud and leftist organizations in Europe to  his landing in rural Maine and later prison time.  Contemporary Reichian therapeutic practices, cloudbusting, orgone  boxes, the tranquil surreality of summer at Orgonon, Reich's unique  relationship to American art and culture, and more!

Plus:  bonus Patreon discussion with Ben and David on recent synchronicities,  the new Consensus Unreality print publication, and more!

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