I've been pretty proud about the journey we've taken together learning about the Indo-Europeans. The linguistics versus the cultures versus the religions. We've done a lot of comparing and contrasting, and a lot of deep dive exploration. But we've spent a lot more time on the European side of the term. Today we put the focus on the Indo aspects.

To do so in an academic manner, we welcome back Professor Michael York. From the heart of the Steppes, we go in many directioms, but mostly stick to the East. From modern day Iran to Western China, and the vast lands between, we touch on the Eastern aspects.

Sure, we stray periodically back to Greece or Egypt or Thrace, we force outselves back to India and the Central Asian "Stans". We visit the ancient pantheons, Zoro Astur, Mithras, and into the Dharmic religions. As always when a professor is tolerating a semi edicated monkey (me), we get sublime and ridiculous. But the Garden does not disappoint.

We welcome in author Ryan Melsom for a wide ranging discussion centered on his newest techno thriller in the cyberpunk tradition.

Set in the near future after the world we know collapsed and
was rebuilt through new AI-powered technology, Gods of a
New World is a a mind-bending cyberpunk thriller of rebellion
and redemption.
"I think we’re all wondering what the explosion of artificial
intelligence means for the future of humanity, and that’s
exactly what Gods of a New World explores,” says Melsom.
“I’ve long been fascinated by the intersections among
technology, society, and spirituality, so I feel like my interests
were made for this moment.”
“Gods of a New World is a fascinating exploration of an all-
too-plausible future, and also a fast-paced adventure with an intriguing dose of metaphysical
speculation,.

The trillionaires were powerful enough to reshape the world, but it wasn’t enough. Now they
want more . . .
In a world where trillionaires assisted by powerful AIs call themselves gods, a world where
miracles are engineered and secret technology is wired into the very air, James Kessler and
Maree Shell stumble upon a conspiracy that defies possibility: the new gods’ plan to encode
their consciousness into the world and seize control of reality itself, to literally become the gods
they have so far only pretended to be.
From the world’s gleaming new AI-crafted cities to the crumbling ruins of the old ones, the two
unlikely allies, one a childhood survivor of the Bad Times and the other a privileged daughter of
2
wealth, must run a gauntlet of hostile AIs, vengeful modern-day gods, and mysterious ancient
deities, desperately trying to disrupt the plans of the most powerful people who have ever
lived. Nothing less than the fate of free will itself hangs in the balance.
More about the author
Ryan Melsom has never stopped dreaming about new ways he could get ideas out of his head
and into the world. He holds a PhD in literature from Queen’s University and has long been
fascinated with the interplay among culture, technology, spirituality, spaces, and human
nature. Through the years he has explored these topics through numerous creative media,
including two previous works of fiction, academic writing, experimental web spaces, music
projects, and a black belt in karate. He grew up in Kamloops, British Columbia, and now lives in
Ottawa with his wife and two boys

The Cleric of Chaos rejoins the Garden to discuss and educate on the more modern aspects of the Left Hand side. Including a working origin of that descriptor.

We start with the no very ancient symbol known as Baphomet. It's likely origins and it's misuse over the last few centuries. We also address the Chruch of Satan, Luciferians, the Satanic Panic - then and now, and some prominent names.

Perfect for year round, but especially during spooky season.

Bernie Taylor's back and he's bringing the knowledge. He doesn't just have the writings, he actually has the cave paintings. Thousands of years old. In the mysterious Basque territories. For those who don't know, the Basques are a people who live along the borders of Spain and France. They have wanted an independent state for a long time.

But it's just that, their language is not related to any neighboring or nearby languages. A quasi-isolate. They also have a different general appearance than many Iberians and Franks. 

Bernie gives us a tour of the geography and their mythology. We start with the Queen of the Gods. Yes. Queen. And we explore from there. We find some similarities to old friends and some aspects relatively unique to most European religions for the past four or five millennia. 

Not all caves to the underworld are bad. Or, are they?

Dina, Joey and myself complete our review of Dark. Season 3. Do you agree with our conclusions?

Mr. Thomas and myself meet Brick Savage. Remember this name. You've seen the footage of his one armed power slam. Now you'll hear his story. Listen while Thomas tries to entrap me and Brick meanly assists. Learn about Bomaye Fight Club. We also talk about horror movies like Weapons. 

Yes, PWI rankings are raised. Yes, there's a paranormal experience. And we introduce something called "crazy thing a family member has done".

We welcome back on Joseph J. Alexander, a veteran of many hats in pro wrestling, He's also clergy of a religious organization and a student of many areas of the esoteric, arcane, historic and religious. He's on a prior episode under a Gospel of Thomas title if interested.

Today we talk about the numerous waves of Celtic mythology, as well as Celtic history and folklore. The overlaps to Norse and Germanic are addressed and acts as a natural bridge into the less known Slavic mythos. From there, we delve into the mysterious Romani or Strega mythos. 

Since I dabble (perhaps dangerously) in comparative mythology, we draw comparisons to better known figures from Greek, Egyptian and other pantheons.

We enjoyed a far ranging conversation in an efficient amount of time. An enormous value at any price.

Dr. John Brandenburg is an astrophysicist who's worked for two Department of Energy Nuclear labs, and spent over a decade working with the military and intelligence departments in the United States. He's back in the forefront in researching anamolies about Mars and other matters regarding space.

We discuss Atlas 3i and it's predecessor, Mars itself, chemistry and physics, and aliens. Specifically, three races that are involved with Earth. 

Why does he think Atlas is technology and not natural? Why is he not frightened by this? Can I change his mind? Because I tried to.

David Pasti is a Maryland attorney who also happened to be a Major League Baseball Agent for a number of years. We discuss his story, his practice and the A to Z of becoming and being an Agent for one of the premier sports leagues in the world.

Thomas & I welcome in our first reigning world champion, MLW Heavyweight champion Mads Atrosity Krule Krugger. The black hlove of Contra Unit. 

Sure we chit chat about wrestling and all his many names. We make sure to establish that he and Thomas hit each other very hard. We establish Krule is producing mini Krules to establish a Krule dynasty. We might have broken some news. A spoiler: CW Anderson isn't dead. That one is free. You have to listen for the rest. No, I did not ask about Baba Thunder.

We talk about food, protests, scratchy voices, Alien Earth, ghost stories and UFO's. 

Did I make a new friend? Maybe. I didn't not make a new friend.