In this episode I am joined by Lionel Snell, a contemporary English magician, publisher, and, under various pen names such as Ramsey Dukes, a renowned author on magic and philosophy.

Lionel shares his life’s journey with magick, explores his years reading mathematics at Cambridge University, immersing in the work of British occultists Aleister Crowley and Austin Spare, and how an experimental group ritual had unexpected and tragic implications.

Lionel discusses the true meaning of initiation, the serious dangers of becoming involved in magick, and his time in the OTO alongside figures such as Gerald Suster.

Lionel also considers subjects such as the importance of magical thinking, the tension between structure and freedom, the role of banishing rituals, and the cycles of a person’s life.

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Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep209-the-english-magician-ramsay-dukes

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:59 - Childhood interest in magick

04:12 - The mystery of alchemy

06:04 - Exploring Aleister Crowley’s writings while at Cambridge University

07:26 - Meeting Gerald York and discovering Austin Spare

08:37 - The Zen of Western Magick

10:39 - Writing books about magick

13:00 - Joining the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO)

14:38 - The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift

19:31 - From maths to magick

25:11 - Education as a ritual of initial

29:24 -The true meaning of initiation

32:25 - Initiation in British and American culture

36:38 - Experiments in practicing the occult

40:52 - The role of psychedelics in the 60s occult revival

42:06 - Lionel’s life changing experience with psychedelics

50:37 - Meditation and practicing the occult

55:06 - The Yang form of Tai Chi

56:17 - Gerald Suster and transforming experience through magick

01:02:24 - Lionel’s talent for ritual magick

01:05:04 - Crowley on ritual

01:06:19 - Lionel’s occult ritual at Emmanuel College with unexpected results

01:13:21 - The dangers of practicing magick

01:17:47 - Beyond occult power

01:20:48 - Strength vs power

01:24:37 - Structure and freedom - a secret to magick

01:29:25 - Banishing rituals and self protection

01:31:54 - A profound dream and making one’s magickal implements

01:35:43 - About cycles

01:40:44 - Magical thinking and the cyclical phases of life

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To find out more about Ramsey Dukes, visit:

- https://ramseydukes.co.uk/

- https://www.youtube.com/@RamseyDukes

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James