Lee Gerrard-Barlow, a Mesmerist, hypnotherapist, N.L.P. practitioner, and teacher is our guest in podcast episode 142.

Lee Gerrard-Barlow has been working therapeutically with trance states, meditation, and yoga based practices for the past 20 years. He trained as an N.L.P. Master Practitioner with Dr. Richard Bandler’s Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and studied hypnosis and hypnotherapy with The Institute of Clinical Hypnosis in London. He treats clients using individually tailored therapies based on his expertise in these disciplines. Lee is an Official Premier Trainer for ISI/CNV International, the continental school of Dr. Marco Paret, teaching the arts of Magnetism (Mesmerism) Fascination and ‘Presence based therapy’. Lee occasionally hosts courses and has written articles for magazines and online journals.

"Many people are familiar with ‘Hypnotism’ in it’s various forms such as stage hypnosis and hypno-therapies, and its modern hyper-packaged cousin neuro-linguistic programming (N.L.P.)... You may think that hypnotism is strange enough, but a curious fact is that even serious students of disciplines such as clinical hypnosis are rarely taught or even encouraged to research the far stranger origins of their profession. That to which I refer is Mesmerism. These days, many people are completely unaware of where the commonplace word ‘Mesmerism’ derives from. Mesmerism is the term coined due to Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), a most curious Austrian gentleman, well worthy of further research, who practised and popularised a therapeutic form known as ‘Animal Magnetism’. He believed in the reality of a ‘universal fluid’ that surrounds every living thing, that can be directed at will by an individual operator... Although it is of popular belief that Mesmerism (also known as animal magnetism or simply magnetism) fell into obscurity purely due to its being disqualified by the medical profession. In fact it was the hiatus caused by the onset of the French Revolution that obscured the art... Word of the powerful healing abilities of Mesmerism persisted despite its going underground, until in England in 1884 the surgeon James Braid of Manchester, after having personally observed the demonstrations given by the traveling Mesmerist Charles La Fontaine, made an attempt at laying the mystical belief in animal magnetism to rest by making a concise study of it; thereby forming the foundation of the so-called science of certain procedures that are to this day utilised by hypnotherapists." - Lee Gerrard Barlow in "Modern Day Mesmerism"

"... Mesmerism can be very useful for the regeneration of nervous debilitation; for getting an individual re-centered and re-balanced and to regain a healthy relationship to ones own body and increased awareness of ones own energies which amounts to the same thing . Mesmerism was regarded as a panacea by many ancient practitioners. It is very much a matter of experimentation, application and research by the individual practitioner. Reading up on all the historic accounts tells you what was achieved and how the various practitioners related to their art. In my work I actually utilize a variety of hypnotic methods in therapy tailored to each individual case, but Mesmerism itself is definitely the most rapid method for getting people into deep states where real change can occur. So this art forms the basis of it all. What is also amazing, is that it is completely ‘non verbal’, and used for ‘inductions’, it is by far the best method compared to the lengthy verbal inductions of traditional hypnosis." - Lee Gerrard-Barlow in "Mesmerising: Interview with a Mesmerist"

In addition to discussing Mesmer and the history of and his technique, Lee also shares with us his insight into the more esoteric roots of Mesmerism and some of the secret societies that employed its use. With all his work to popularize and teach this healing technique, Lee has helped to bring Mesmerism out of the pages of history...

James Robert French, author of Lady Midnight, an occult fiction thriller, is our guest in podcast episode 141.

James Robert French has been studying and practicing Magick and Paganism for eighteen years. He is an initiate and leader of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn and an initiate of Ordo Templi Orientis, as well as a Novice Priest in the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica. His first novel, Lady Midnight, is published by Concrescent Letters. You can find his blog, Strange Onion Peelings, at jamesrfrench.wordpress.com.

Lady Midnight is not your typical occult fiction. It's a page-turner that hooked me from the start with an intriguing mixture of radical politics and esotericism. If you’re looking for a dose of modern occult fiction - check it out. As James says, Lady Midnight is, “A different take on the occult fiction genre. Darker, edgier, more character oriented. Moral ambiguity abounds. There is no “Dr. Taverner” here.”

"Fifteen years ago, they murdered her lover and pinned the crime on her. Now, Andrea Styx uses her psychic abilities and occult training in the service of an organization dedicated to the downfall of a corrupt system. But the arrival of a new protege brings her past screaming to her own back door, and awakens doubts about the purpose to which she has dedicated her life.

She has a plan.

The Cosmos has other ideas…"

We also spend considerable time during the interview discussing James' involvement with the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as Ordo Templi Orientis, his writing experience, and his thoughts on occult fiction in general.

Lady Midnight by James Robert French

Read the first chapter of Lady Midnight

Strange Onion Peelings - James Robert French's blog

"The Problem with Dr. Taverner" by James Robert French

"Clark and Forbes' The Dark Brotherhood" - Occult of Personality podcast episode 108

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

outro music - "Midnight Dub" by macabro

Author, lecturer, publisher, and friend of the show, Mitch Horowitz returns to discuss his most recent book, One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life. Mitch has been our guest numerous times in the past, including episodes 70 and 71 to talk about his previous book, Occult America.

A nationally known writer, speaker, and publisher in alternative spirituality, Mitch Horowitz is vice-president and editor-in-chief at Tarcher/Penguin, the division of Penguin books dedicated to metaphysical literature. Mitch frequently writes about and discusses alternative spirituality in the national media, including CBS Sunday Morning, Dateline NBC, NPR’s All Things Considered, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, BoingBoing, Time.com, and CNN.com. He appears in recent mini-documentaries on the history of positive thinking, Ouija Boards, and occult New York.

In his recent book, Mitch Horowitz has taken a serious look at positive thinking - a philosophy that tends to divide people into either skeptics or adherents. Similar to his earlier book, Occult America, which dealt with New Age philosophy and the development of the U.S.A., Horowitz is able to prudently steer his way through the historical landscape, extracting the gold from these ideas while simultaneously dealing with criticisms, both valid and not. The result is a book which, in my opinion, is the single best history of positive thinking and the movement behind it that I've ever encountered. Refusing to bow to simplistic dichotomies, Horowitz cracks the door, allowing in light that will provide readers with a way to appreciate and evaluate positive thinking in a more balanced manner than previously possible. While I personally appreciated the subject of Occult America more than this one, I believe that One Simple Idea is ultimately a more important and more accessible work.

“This work powerfully reviews and recounts the meaningful effect and positive influence that a host of modern thought leaders have made in shaping contemporary life. Their wisdom needs be followed and practiced by all to produce an effective and progressive civilization.” — Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D, Apollo 14 astronaut

"A most remarkable history and explanation of that deeply American idea that thought is causative, that thoughts are forces, and that thinking can literally change the world. It can. Mitch Horowitz shows how -- with real heart, with real learning, and with real answers to all of the facile thinking, both pro and con, around this 'one simple idea.' Easily the best book on the subject we have now." — Jeffrey J. Kripal, J. Newton Rayzor Professor of Religious Studies, Rice University

In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Mitch Horowitz has graciously provided an excerpt from One Simple Idea.

Mitch Horowitz

One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life by Mitch Horowitz

Occult America: White House Seances, Ouija Circles, Masons, and the Secret Mystic History of Our Nation by Mitch Horowitz

Mitch Horowitz and “Occult America” pt.1

Mitch Horowitz and “Occult America” pt.2

Podcast 42 – The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Foster Case

Podcast 48 – The Life and Work of Col. Henry Steel Olcott

"The Great Work of Manly Hall"

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

outro music - "A Very Powerful Idea" by Blush

IAO131, author of Naturalistic Occultism: An Introduction to Scientific Illuminism and Thelema Sutras is our guest in podcast episode 139. IAO131 is also the co-producer of Speech in the Silence podcast, the creator and editor of The Journal of Thelemic Studies, and author of many other essays on the subjects of Thelema, occultism, psychology, philosophy, mysticism and Magick.

"Naturalistic Occultism is the attempt to understand occultism without positing anything supernatural or even found outside of the mainstream social and natural sciences such as psychology and neurology. It is the attempt to cut superstitious beliefs and acts away from the practice of occultism, ceremonial magick in particular, with a critical and pragmatic eye... It is a continuation of Aleister Crowley's motto for the A.'.A.'., "The Method of Science, the Aim of Religion." In this sense, Naturalistic Occultism is essentially a form of - or just another name for - Scientific Illuminism. It holds that you need not look farther than psychology and neurology for naturalistic explanations of the various aspects of the occult." - IAO131, Naturalistic Occultism, p.9

One of the major takeaways from Naturalistic Occultism and IAO131's perspective is that the psychologization of mysticism and magickal practice is in no way denigratory, but rather celebrates the power of the human psyche.

We also spend time discussing Thelema Sutras, a wonderful book that uses the style of Eastern religious texts to expound the concepts of Thelema.

"Thelema Sutras? What kind of nonsense is this? Well, in short, it's the kind of nonsense I enjoy writing. Sutras are Eastern texts, specifically those of Hinduism and Buddhism. They come in many forms and many styles, but they represent the various manifestations of the Light of the Gnosis as they appeared throughout the East. I personally view Thelema as more than simply being in the Western Mystery Tradition or being the next Divine Covenant after Islam. Much of Thelema involves uniting and transcending opposites, and the East-West dichotomy is one of these. It therefore occurred to me to approach the self-same Mysteries but with the style and attitude of someone from the East rather than the typical Western Hermetic-Qabalistic-Occultist approach." - IAO131, excerpt from the Preface to Thelema Sutras

In addition, IAO131 has recently released The Parables and Lessons of Liber LXV, which was originally published as a series of essays online (starting here). Perhaps one of the most prolific modern Thelemic writers, IAO131's work is important for his insights, level of engagement with the primary texts, and the affect on his readers. With humility and a sense of humor, IAO131 continues to produce high-quality analysis and spread the word of the Law.

In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, IAO131 discusses his psychological commentary on Liber AL vel Legis, the Ordo Templi Orientis, and more. Join us!

IAO131

Naturalistic Occultism: An Introduction to Scientific Illuminism by IAO131

Thelema Sutras by IAO131

The Parables and Lessons of Liber LXV by IAO131

IAO131 on Facebook

Speech in the Silence podcast

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

outro music - "House of the Rising Sun (Instrumental)" by Psycliq

Frater Ashen Chassan F.'. N.'. F.'., author of Gateways Through Stone and Circle, published by Nephilim Press, is our guest for an extended interview in podcast episode 138.

Frater Ashen is a ceremonial magician and a purist in the art who endeavours to recreate the workings found in traditional grimoires as closely as possible. His book, Gateways Through Stone and Circle details his reproduction of Trithemius of Spanheim’s The Art of Drawing Spirits into Crystals to great success. His book is a boon to traditional ceremonial magicians, providing a detailed account of Frater Ashen’s work, including the spectacular holy table and an archangelic evocation.

Gateways Through Stone and Circle is a fine publication and a treasure as a primary source document that describes the process and result of the modern practice of traditional ceremonial magick. Frater Ashen deserves a lot of credit for being the one who brought this particular method into the light by sharing his experiences.

The book goes into meticulous detail about the preparation of the equipment for the ritual and this is its greatest strength in my opinion. Additionally, Frater Ashen’s personal account of the Archangel Cassiel is captivating. For those interested in the subject, Gateways Through Stone and Circle is a required reading and highly recommended.

A Magician's Workings - Frater Ashen's blog

Gateways Through Stone and Circle by Frater Ashen Chassan F.'. N.'. F.'. (also available in a Fine Edition)

The Art of Drawing Spirits into Crystals tr. by Francis Barrett

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

intermission music - "Angels Take Me" by Jeffrey Luck Lucas

outro music - "Believe in Angels" by Ray Montford

Mark Flaherty, author of Shedding the Layers: How Ayahuasca Saved More Than My Skin, is our guest in podcast episode 137.

In 2004, Mark Flaherty was diagnosed with severe, chronic eczema that left him bedridden and in constant pain. Western doctors were no help despite their advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments. As a last resort, he moved to the Peruvian Amazon rainforest to live among ayahuasca shamans. Shedding the Layers tells the story of Mark’s time there, and how he went from being a skeptic to understanding that there is more to life than he ever thought possible. Since his remarkable healing, Mark has become an astrologer and desires to share his story, so that others may benefit from his journey.

"“As the power of fear and hatred threatens to drive me back over the edge, I desperately try to focus on the positive. The harder I try, the faster my head vibrates, about to explode... Something suddenly cracks, followed by a rushing sound... I vomit again and again. The stench of death fills the air. Seconds later, the purest peace I’ve ever felt fills my body. I open my eyes and see the world for the first time, as it really is: pristine, beautiful and perfect...” Thirty-year-old computer programmer Mark Flaherty’s world is turned upside down when he is diagnosed with an incurable illness, and a voice within insists the answer lies with ayahuasca—a sacred, visionary plant medicine. Flaherty leaves his native England to live among the shamans of the Peruvian Amazon where he participates in hundreds of ayahuasca ceremonies. What he discovers about himself and the nature of existence is as shocking as it is inspiring. This captivating true story of a man’s fight to heal himself demonstrates that anything really is possible and everything does happen for a reason."

In this interview, Mark Flaherty shares his amazing journey from sleepwalking through life to awakening via an excruciating medical condition that led him to intensive work with ayahuasca shamans in the rainforest. His story is compelling because of the honesty, humanity, and vulnerability that almost leaps off the pages. Don't just take my word for it, read the reviews on Amazon.com. Highly recommended!

Please join Mark Flaherty in the Occult of Personality Membership Section for the continuation of this interview, featuring further analysis of the implications of the popularization of ayahuasca, Mark's description of the ayahuasca ceremony and its transformational potential!

Shedding the Layers web site

Shedding the Layers: How Ayahuasca Saved More Than My Skin by Mark Flaherty

Free download! - read the first 2 chapters of Shedding the Layers

Mark Flaherty's astrology web site

"Ayahuasca" Wikipedia entry

"The DisinfoCast with Matt Staggs: Ayahuasca Healing with Mark Flaherty"

"How Ayahuasca Saved More Than My Skin" by Mark Flaherty

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

outro music by Umeone & MyMind - "Remedy"

Scholar and author Daniel Harms is our guest in podcast episode 136. Harms is known for his serious analysis and writings about the work of horror fiction virtuoso H. P. Lovecraft, including The Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia and The Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind The Legend. He's also responsible for two significant publications of existing texts: The Long-Lost Friend: A 19th Century American Grimoire originally composed by Johann Georg Hohman and Frederick Hockley's Experimentum, Potens Magna in Occult Philosophy (the latter is our focus during Harms' interview in the Occult of Personality Membership Section).

Daniel describes how the fiction of H. P. Lovecraft drew his interest and led him to research real esoteric history and philosophy. His work on Lovecraft's writing, including the Cthulhu Mythos Encylopedia, has caused many to view him as an authority on the subject.

Along with co-author John W. Gonce III, Harms is also responsible for The Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind The Legend, the definitive book about Lovecraft's most famous literary device - the dreaded Necronomicon of Abdul Alhazred. Despite the controversies that surround the subject, Harms' scholarship, discernment, and maturity allows him to separate fact from fiction.

In addition to discussing the Necronomicon, we also spend time on the infamous Simon who brought the book from the pages of Lovecraft's stories into reality. Harms indicates that one reason for this was to provide a magickal grimoire for neo-pagans, or at least an example of one. This eventually segues into an exposition about Harms' version of Hohman's The Long-Lost Friend: A 19th Century American Grimoire.

"Originally published in 1820 near Reading, Pennsylvania, under the German title Der Lange Verborgene Freund, this text is the work of immigrant Johann George Hohman. A collection of herbal formulas and magical prayers, The Long-Lost Friend draws from the traditional folk magic of Pennsylvania Dutch customs and pow-wow healers. This is authentic American folk magic at its best—household remedies combined with charms and incantations to cure common ailments and settle rural troubles. The most well-known grimoire of the New World, this work has influenced the practices of hoodoo, Santeria, Paganism, and other faiths."

Harms has revised and expanded the original and added crucial commentary to the existing text, making it the definitive edition of this popular folk magic book. If you have any interest in folk magick and / or modern grimoires, this book is a must-have. Harms deserves credit for his scholarly approach which informs his work and brings a level of excellence to it that's refreshing.

In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Daniel Harms discusses nineteenth-century occultist Frederick Hockley and Harms' work on the re-issue of Hockley's Experimentum, Potens Magna in Occult Philosophy, a masterpiece of esoteric publishing.

Papers Falling From an Attic Window - Daniel Harms' web site

The Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia by Daniel Harms

The Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind The Legend by Daniel Harms and John W. Gonce III

The Long-Lost Friend: A 19th Century American Grimoire

"H. P. Lovecraft" Wikipedia entry

"Cthulhu Mythos" Wikipedia entry

"Necronomicon" Wikipedia entry

The Necronomicon by Simon

Dead Names: The Dark History of the Necronomicon by Simon

Necronomicon Spellbook

"Lovecraft and the Call of Cthulhu" by Simon

Pow-Wows, or Long Lost Friend by John George Hoffman

intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos

outro music - excerpt of "Lovecraft Knew" by Aarni

Internationally renowned scholar and author Dr. Nevill Drury (1947 – 2013) is our guest in podcast episode 135.

“Author, publisher and lecturer Nevill Drury is one of Australia’s leading writers in the field of esoteric non-fiction, specialising in such subject areas as the Western magical tradition, shamanism and the history of New Age spirituality. He has also written a number of books on contemporary Australian art and holistic health, and has illustrated books for young children. Nevill’s books have been released in 25 countries and published in 18 languages. Born in Hastings, England in 1947, Nevill has lived in Australia since he was nine. He attended Sydney University in the late 1960s and later earned his Master of Arts (honours) degree in anthropology from Macquarie University. He received his PhD from the University of Newcastle in 2008 for a dissertation on the visionary art and magical beliefs of Rosaleen Norton. Nevill’s most recent publications in the field of esoteric non-fiction include Sacred Encounters: Shamanism and Magical Journeys of the Spirit (Watkins, London 2003); Magic and Witchcraft: from Shamanism to the Technopagans (Thames & Hudson, London and New York 2003); The New Age: the History of a Movement (Thames & Hudson, London and New York, 2004); Homage to Pan: the life, art and sex magic of Rosaleen Norton (Creation Books, London 2009); Stealing Fire from Heaven: The Rise of Modern Western Magic (Oxford University Press, New York 2011); and Dark Spirits: The Magical Art of Rosaleen Norton and Austin Osman Spare, published by Salamander and Sons.”

The primary purpose of our interview was to discuss Dark Spirits: The Magical Art of Rosaleen Norton and Austin Osman Spare, an amazing exploration of the lives, art, and magick of two titans of twentieth century esoteric art. Nevill has extensive experience studying Rosaleen Norton, demonstrated in several significant volumes, plus a background in art and esotericism which informs his analysis. Along with the wild, visionary artwork, Dr. Drury’s insight into the lives and creative processes of Norton and Spare make this book fascinating reading for anyone interested in visionary art, trance states, and the history of western esotericism. I recommend it highly.

“Although they never met, the Australian witch Rosaleen Norton (1917-1979) and British visionary artist Austin Osman Spare (1886-1956) shared many points in common. As occult practitioners operating within the Western esoteric tradition, both artists were well versed in the literature of Western magic, Theosophy, kabbalah, Eastern mysticism, and modern psychoanalysis. Fascinated by mediæval magical grimoires, they also explored the ‘seals’ associated with elemental spirit-beings and developed unique forms of sigil magic. Perhaps even more significantly, Norton and Spare utilised their own personal techniques of self-hypnosis and trance in order to produce their distinctive visionary artworks. As this book demonstrates, there is a clear parallel between the trance states associated with the Zos / Kia cosmology of Spare and the trance magic of Norton. Profiling both artists in detail, and with in excess of 120 colour and black and white images, Dark Spirits explores the unique contributions of both Spare and Norton as visionary outsiders and is necessary reading for anyone interested in the nether reg...

Aepril Schaile, Sarah Jezebel Wood, and Joseph Shepard are our guests in podcast episode 134 to discuss OCCULT, the esoteric arts salon taking place the weekend of September 28th and 29th in Salem, Massachusetts.

image by Bryce Churchill, Hexagram/Pentagram design inspired by Richard Ravish

OCCULT is a weekend long Esoteric Salon honoring, exploring and celebrating the intertwining vines which feed both Magick and Creative Art. Its purpose is to recognize that, especially together, both Magick and Art are greater than the sum of their parts and each in dwells the other; they are rooted together. You can find the OCCULT Esoteric Arts Salon web site at http://www.occultartssalem.net/ and tickets are now on sale for this amazing event, which includes a performance of Aleister Crowley’s Liber XV Gnostic Mass on Sunday, September 29th by Knights Templar Oasis of O.T.O.

“Aepril Schaile is a priestess of the Dark Goddess. Working through the ancient and ever-evolving arts of Bellydance, Music, Ritual-Theatre, and Divination, Aepril Schaile creates art making the archetypal Dark Feminine sacred again. Sought after for events throughout the US and Europe, she is internationally recognized for her pioneering innovation and leadership in Gothic and Theatrical Bellydance. Her performances shamanistically and ritualistically invoke the archetypal Feminine as a force of Nature and Magick. Her Exquisite Corpse Dance Theatre Co. enjoyed a sold-out debut run of “The Book of Lilith: Goddess, Demon, First Woman,” an original, full-length ritual-theatre bellydance production. She is a co-faciliator of Lunaris ritual dance collective. Aepril is an acclaimed musician and composer, a writer, an animal rights advocate, a Witch and Thelemite. Aepril holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art.”

“Sarah “Jezebel” Wood is a bellydance fusion artist and certified yoga instructor living in the Greater Boston Area where she teaches weekly classes and performs regularly. Her inspirations vary from the natural world to the occult to visionary art. Sarah is a Thelemite and co-director of Lunaris, a ritual based dance collective whose mission is to physically manifest the workings of the soul and spirit through the art of dance, ritual, and theater. For the last 4 years Sarah worked in New York for visionary artist Alex Grey, the creator of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. There she facilitated a heavy event schedule which included: Full Moon Ceremonies, Art Church, Equinoxes, Solstices, and whole slew of other art inspired events.”

“Joseph Shepard began the study and practice of Magick at the age of 17 after discovering the secret to making things occur directly from the imagination to the plane of physicality, both in the realm of self-protection and desire to fulfill nature’s designs. He was formally assigned to the promulgation of Aleister Crowley’s Thelema through the Holy Order of Ra Hoor Khuit, the Ordo Templi Orientis, and the A.’. A.’. Shepard graduated with a BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art and he’s had sporadic exhibitions of film, paintings, collages, as well as the performance of public and private magickal ritual.”

Aepril and Sarah are two of the organizers of the OCCULT Esoteric Arts Salon, and both are performing as well.

Artist, designer, typographer, printer, and publisher Joseph Uccello is our guest in podcast episode 133 to discuss his work, especially his most recent book, Occlith Labyrinthus Archidoxae, Vol. Zero: Omniform, published by Three Hands Press.

“Joseph is a wayfarer in the Codex Naturae. While living in China he discovered and embraced the traditional brush and ink stick. He currently runs the Viatorium Press. He practices the almost-forgotten art of typography, has developed special techniques in letterpress printing, and won Bookbuilders West award for best book design for the Lovecraft homage Pilgrimage to Azathoth. He designed, printed, and illustrated another Lovecraft-themed book entitled Al-Azif. Additionally, Uccello has worked with Ouroboros Press to design and set the type for the new edition of Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum. His first book for Three Hands Press is Occlith: Omniform 0.”

In the first half of the interview, Joseph talks about his art, as well as his interest in book design, typography, printing, and publishing. We spend considerable time discussing his work on the Ouroboros Press edition of Theatrum Chemicum Brittanicum.

“The book is a living being.

“It is the body which, upon opening, radiates knowledge like a microcosmic sun – met and enflamed by the volition of the human hand, eye, and mind. Imagine the countless occult interactions when one engages with the book; things readily apparent to the senses, amidst others traveling stealthily into the unconscious: the many subtle reactions that are fathomed and recorded only in our deepest of minds.” – Joseph Uccello, Prolegomena to Occlith: Omniform 0, p. 8

We spend the second half of the interview discussing Uccello’s recently published Occlith: Omniform 0. I think this is one of the most unique and beautiful books that I’ve ever seen. The artwork, printing, and design are superb and the old Hermetic alchemical texts within have been literally resurrected. I highly recommend it. Joseph’s artwork is extraordinary, as are his books, printing, typography, and design. I believe his craftsmanship, insight, and attention to detail are only part of what makes him successful. The other component is a Hermetic alchemical reaction initiated through his world travels, seclusion, reading Paracelsus, and devotion to his work. He is truly worthy of your attention.

Joseph Uccello’s artwork will be featured at the 2013 Seattle Esoteric Book Conference! If you’re able to attend, I urge you to do so. It’s a wonderful event and I wish I could go. Hopefully, next year …

Please join Joseph Uccello in the