Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

In episode number 209, we’re joined by Hermetic magician Alexander Heringhaus, who is also the proprietor of the Nettles Garden website at TheOldCraft.com - https://www.theoldcraft.com/, for a wonderful chat about his path of Hermetic magic, the significance of his website, and much more!

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com/, our membership site who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you again! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

Now, in episode #209, an interview with Hermetic magician and the creator of the website Nettle’s Garden at TheOldCraft.com described as, “… dedicated to Witchcraft, Hermetics, Magick, and Alchemy featuring the biographies of occult personalities, interviews, and articles written by practitioners for practitioners.”

You may recall that TheOldCraft.com featured an interview with yours truly in September of 2020 (https://www.theoldcraft.com/2020/09/06/interview-greg-kaminsky-awaking-authentic-spiritual-practice-uncommon-path/). During the course of that interview and over the following months, I’ve had extensive discussions with Alexander Heringhaus about Nettle’s Garden, his intention behind this website, the way he interviews practitioners, as well as talking in depth about his own path of Hermetic magick. It was a real pleasure to have the time and space to conduct the pre-interview conversations and the interview itself, which occurred over the course of a few months and several recordings. That was one, among many, of the things I appreciated about Alexander. He has a definite aim and intention, but there was never any rush. The time we took allowed us to become more comfortable, to share more, and to understand each other better. This in and of itself was a teaching for me on the nature of magick, time, and patience. Even though I’ve been doing interviews for this podcast for almost 20 years now, Alexander still taught me how I can be better at it. I hope you enjoy this wonderful chat as much as we did!

"Alexander Heringhaus was born in Ruhr-area, Germany. He practiced occultism and especially Western Hermetics since the age of 12, including working as a teenager for 4 years in an occult bookshop, where he connected with all kinds of different magicians, Abitur in Frankfurt/Main, where he often visited Walter Englert’s (OTO grandmaster, Ptahhotep in Fraternitas Saturni under Gregorius) bookshop “Occulta,” another beautiful place to connect back then. Alexander, though, was never associated himself with any known occult groups. Later university in Aachen, Germany, and Bern, Switzerland. Later after a career in publishing and management, he pursued an MBA in Moscow. Alexander lives with his family in Romania and Moscow, Russia. His main occupation is management and entrepreneurship in tech. He keeps in touch with the occult community over theoldcraft.com and the connected Instagram account theoldcraftcom, which is mainly dedicated to mascot and witch doll “Nettle.”"

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos - http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3 and the outro music is “Paradigm Shift” by Matt van den Heuvel - http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/vandenheuvel-petalsoffire?song=1.

Alexander Heringhaus has been studying the occult, Hermeticism, and ceremonial magick for many, many years. Alexander’s esoteric practice has taken a prominent place in his life, so much so that he accomplished working through Franz Bardon’s Initiation into Hermetics. Heringhaus shares his experiences and insights into this path with us in a very special second half of the interview, available to members of the Chamber of Reflection at https://chamberofreflection.com/ and our patrons at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality/. Be sure to listen to that amazing interview!

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

In episode number 208, our friends Guido Mina di Sospiro and Joscelyn Godwin return to the show to discuss their recent book, Forbidden Fruits: An Occult Novel.

I want to take a moment to explain why it’s been more than two months since the last episode. You see, my father had been ill, and he recently passed. I needed some time to be with family and so that’s what I did. But now it’s time to turn back to the task at hand, illuminating podcast interviews about the esoteric. I need you to know that I very much appreciate your patience and understanding while I’ve been away.

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you again! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

Now, in episode #208, an interview with Guido Mina di Sospiro and Joscelyn Godwin about their recent book, Forbidden Fruits: An Occult Novel, a follow-up to their previous collaboration, The Forbidden Book. You can find Guido online at http://guido-mina-di-sospiro.com/ and Joscelyn at https://sites.google.com/a/colgate.edu/jgodwin/. You may recall that Joscelyn was our guest way back in 2012 (https://occultofpersonality.net/joscelyn-godwin/) and Guido in 2015 (https://occultofpersonality.net/guido-mina-di-sospiro/).

Forbidden Fruits is a wonderful and intriguing tale, masterfully told and chock full of esoteric themes and insights that you might expect from experts in esoteric research and creative writing. I really enjoyed this second novel by Guido and Joscelyn. The way that current events, the esoteric, intrigue, and a fascinating plot are woven together in a highly entertaining story is quite brilliant. Furthermore, I really love how Guido, a master storyteller and one who can communicate the subtle intimacies of humanity and life, combines his writing with the erudite and esoteric knowledge of Joscelyn, one of the most respected and highly regarded academics in this field. They are a dream team. I highly recommend Forbidden Fruits! You will not regret partaking in its tempting tale.

Guido Mina di Sospiro is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of many books, and an erudite man with the soul of a poet. Joscelyn Godwin is a widely-recognized authority on the subject of Western esotericism and the author of many respected works on the subject.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Forbidden” by Rob Costlow.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

https://www.innertraditions.com/books/forbidden-fruits

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

In episode number 207, our friend Derek Hunter returns to the show to discuss his recent book, The End of the World: A Love Chaos Grimoire for the Survival and Evolution of Human Beings.

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

I want to take a moment to announce the publication of my first book! It’s entitled PRONAOS: Reflections on the Preliminary Practices of Buddhist Tantra from a Western Perspective. If you're interested in esoteric spirituality and the pursuit of gnosis, seeking effective and practicable methods that produce transformation and even have the potential to bring the practitioner to self-realization, then this book is for you. Designed to provide readers with a perspective on the view and methods of the preliminary practices of Buddhist Tantra (Vajrayana) in a way that is accessible and applicable to modern Westerners, using examples and quotations from familiar philosophical and esoteric traditions. Because human beings are essentially similar, this path can be effective and has proven to be so for women and men across centuries, continents, and cultures. The highest spiritual realization is available to all of us regardless of who we are, where or when we live, or any other circumstance provided we receive the teachings and practice the methods. This book is a first step towards that. Available at https://www.amazon.com/PRONAOS-Reflections-Preliminary-Practices-Perspective/dp/B08WZHBQDF/.

Now, in episode #207, an interview with Derek Hunter about his recent book, The End of the World: A Love Chaos Grimoire for the Survival and Evolution of Human Beings. You can find Derek online at https://www.love-chaos.com/ and you may recall that Derek last joined us previously in 2018 (https://occultofpersonality.net/3-in-1/).

“The end of the world as we know it may indeed be upon us. The window of opportunity for human beings to survive this century is getting smaller with each passing year, each passing decade. While there are many books out there for ways to increase our chances of survival by combating climate change and other possible causes for the demise of humanity, this book offers an unusual approach: to use Magick as a means of survival and also evolution. This book is a call to action for all practitioners of Magick, to utilize whatever practice that you currently utilize for the purpose of the survival and evolution of human beings. It offers one example made by the author, but it in no way suggests this is the only way. The book is meant to encourage, not dictate. Readers are welcome to take what they find within these pages for their own use, and for those unfamiliar with occult practices, they too can participate as well. All are welcome. Magick works, as any practitioner will tell you. Typically, modern magick details what to do for individual benefits. This book and the 6-day ritual Hunter undertook from March 6th to March 11th, 2020, is not about individual success, it is about how we can use magick to benefit us all, as a species.”

I really like the intention behind Derek’s work and this book and appreciate the desire to benefit humanity by esoteric means. I also feel that this is one of the more positive reactions to the events of the past year that I’ve seen. This interview was quite enjoyable as Derek is a kind, thoughtful, and good man who has overcome adversity and works to help others. All of that comes through his words and deeds as you’ll hear in this interview. I recommend Derek and his work. His approach to spirituality is genuinely from the heart and that is a great quality.

“Derek Hunter is a writer of fiction and non-fiction, the founder of Love Chaos, a non-dogmatic, agnostic philosophy and way of life. Hunter created Love Chaos in 2014 with the publication of the first book, Love Chaos. It was conceived as a means for Hunter to help himself in a dark time in his life, and also to help others.”

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Evolution” by MRDC (https://www.magnatune.com/artists/albums/mrdc-timecode?song=4).

In the second half of this interview in the Chamber of Reflection, Derek Hunter goes into depth about the specifics of his magical work and the deities involved. It’s great to get this level of insight into a private magical working that was designed to have vast effects. Thanks to Derek for sharing with us. Listen to that exclusive recording at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

https://www.love-chaos.com/

https://www.amazon.com/End-World-Grimoire-Survival-Evolution/dp/B08C9CZ1GW

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky. In episode number 206, I’m absolutely thrilled to bring you an interview with Freemason, occultist, and author Jaime Paul Lamb. But first, I want to take a moment to wish all of you a Blessed Winter Solstice, Joyous Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year! May the Light Also Be Born Again in Your Own Hearts!

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

I want to take a moment to announce that my own book, tentatively titled Celestial Intelligences—Angelology, Cabala, and Gnosis: Giovanni Pico della Mirandola’s Quest for the Perennial Philosophy by Greg Kaminsky, and typeset and illustrated by Joseph Uccello, is scheduled for release by Anathema Publishing Ltd. in 2021. I am very excited to be working with Gabriel and Anathema Publishing along with my friend, the talented artist Joseph Uccello to publish my extensive research into Pico’s syncretic mysticism. More to come on this book in 2021!

Now, a word about another one of our sponsors. I support the work of Phoenix Aurelius by purchasing his alchemical products and services. You can do the same and help support Occult of Personality podcast at the same time when you go to https://www.phoenixaurelius.org/?ref=occultofpersonality, or just click Phoenix’s logo on the side of the Occult of Personality website, and then make a purchase.

Now, in episode 206, an interview with Freemason and author Jaime Paul Lamb about his most recent book, Approaching the Middle Chamber: The Seven Liberal Arts in Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition. You can find Jaime Paul Lamb online at https://www.jaimepaullamb.com/.

"In the culmination of the second section of the Fellowcraft degree, prior to entering the symbolic “middle chamber” of King Solomon's Temple, the craftsman must ascend a flight of winding stairs, where important lessons are bestowed upon the craftsman for future reflection and study. Unfortunately, few craftsman have undertaken the study of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences, perhaps due to the fact that prior to this book by Brother Lamb, few books have taken an in-depth look at the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences. This is a well-written, well-researched, and very approachable book that explores how the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences relate to Freemasonry, as well as other esoteric traditions. This book is an instant classic, and a must read for anyone who has tread upon the flight of winding stairs to the middle chamber.

"In his latest offering, Freemason and occultist Jaime Paul Lamb minutely analyzes the wealth of hidden knowledge and symbolism contained in the lecture of the Masonic Fellow Craft degree, colloquially referred to as the “Middle Chamber Lecture.” Lamb provides a detailed historical context for each subject, while simultaneously offering hundreds of unprecedented observations from the perspective of the Western Esoteric Tradition. The dizzying scope of this almost impenetrable component of Masonic ritual is deftly handled by Lamb, as he sequentially tackles subjects such as the operative and speculative dynamic in Masonry and its correlative in the Hermetic Arts, the qabalistic significance of the Brazen Pillars, the mythological symbolism underlying the ancient orders of architecture, the occult application of the five human senses and, finally, the esoteric substrata of the seven liberal arts and sciences.

"From Jaime Paul Lamb: I’m excited to announce the release of Approaching the Middle Chamber: The Seven Liberal Arts in Freemasonry and the Western Esoteric Tradition. It is 138,000 words, 452 pages and is copiously illustrated. If you have ever experienced the Fellow Craft degree (or if you are a non-Mason interested in the Seven Liberal Arts and/or Western Esotericism), you are going to find a lot to like in this book. I believe it fills a major vacancy in Masonic and occult literature. Huge thanks (again!) to The Laudable Pursuit for doing an amazing job editing, laying out and formatting this quality paperback edition—the book is absolutely gorgeous.

"Jaime Paul Lamb, who also authored the previously well-received Myth, Magick & Masonry: Occult Perspectives in Freemasonry (The Laudable Pursuit, 2018), was raised at St. Johns Lodge No. 6, F.&A.M., chartered in 1765 at Norwalk, CT. He is currently the lodge organist at Ascension Lodge No. 89, F.&A.M., Phoenix, AZ. Lamb is past master of Arizona Research Lodge No. 1, Phoenix, AZ and is a member AASR NMJ (Valley of Bridgeport) & SJ (Valley of Pasadena) and Phoenix York Rite Bodies. He is also involved in the Arizona College SRICF. Lamb’s main avenues of research include: Hermetic Qabalah, Rosicrucianism, Alchemy (spagyric or vegetable kingdom, primarily), Mystery Cults, Renaissance Astrology, Tarot Symbolism, Comparative Mythology, Comparative Religion, Esoteric Psychology and Ceremonial Magick."

I really loved Jaime Paul Lamb’s recent book Approaching the Middle Chamber. For me, this was the ideal book that I’ve been seeking since before I even considered submitting an application to my local lodge. The first 20 or so minutes of the interview is me praising Lamb’s work to the moon and back, so you know that this book is worth your time, whether you’re a Freemason or not. Anyone interested in the symbolism, study, and practice of any aspect of Western esotericism will appreciate this fine volume. I was impressed by Lamb’s penetrating insights and extensive sourcing. I highly recommend Approaching the Middle Chamber. If you enjoy listening to this show—get this book right away—you’ll be glad you did.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “In the Middle” by Beight (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/beight-rhythm?song=10).

In the Chamber of Reflection, Jaime Paul Lamb and I continue the conversation. We delve into his insights regarding the number 15 and the magic square of Saturn. We talk about our impressions of the founders of Freemasonry based on what we can read and observe. Lamb discusses the wages he’s been paid in terms of penetrating the hidden recesses of nature to plumb the depths of her secrets. Then we go even deeper into the implications of his work and where it leads. Listen to that exclusive recording at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

http://www.thelaudablepursuit.com/store/approaching-the-middle-chamber-the-seven-liberal-arts-in-freemasonry-and-the-western-esoteric-tradition

https://www.jaimepaullamb.com/

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

This is episode number 205 featuring an interview with alchemist Phoenix Aurelius.

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

Now, in episode #205, an interview with alchemist Phoenix Aurelius. You can find Phoenix online at https://www.phoenixaurelius.org/.

Phoenix Aurelius has been practicing alchemy since he was 16 years old. He is accomplished in laboratory alchemy and the study of the alchemical tradition, creating medicines, treating clients, and teaching the royal art. Phoenix is also devoted to organic and biodynamic agriculture, which informs his alchemical practice. His mission is to, “…help integrate alchemy into the social fabric of our culture to inspire transformation and conscious evolution of both ecology and humanity.”

It was wonderful to speak with Phoenix after following his work for so many years. I was especially intrigued by his challenge to the generally accepted Hermetic correspondences based on his own research. I think this is a profoundly important subject and hope his openly discussing it here allows for greater examination of the presuppositions in Western esoteric practice. It was also quite fascinating to hear about Phoenix’s work using intrinsic data field analysis. The accuracy of the process that he describes is quite surprising and is definitely cause for further investigation. I support the work of Phoenix Aurelius by purchasing his products and services. You can do the same and help support Occult of Personality podcast at the same time when you go to https://www.phoenixaurelius.org/?ref=occultofpersonality, or just click Phoenix’s logo on the side of the Occult of Personality website, and then make a purchase.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “The Alchemical Tree” by William Zeitler

So, as you probably could tell, we had some connection issues towards the end of this part of the interview. But rest assured we reestablished the connection and successfully completed the second half of this fascinating and revelatory conversation, which you can find in the Chamber of Reflection. Listen to that exclusive recording at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

https://www.phoenixaurelius.org/

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

This is episode number 204 featuring an interview with scholar and initiate Stewart Clelland who is joining us to speak about the recently published THE GREEN BOOK OF THE ÉLUS COËN (The COMPLETE Manuscrit d’Alger 1772): A TREASURY OF COËN TEXTS IN TWO VOLUMES.

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us and the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

Now, in episode #204, Stewart Clelland joins us to talk about the Élus Coëns, his work translating their texts, and more! You can find Stewart online at https://sjaclelland.com/.

As a teacher of Philosophy and Religious Studies in and around the North East of Scotland, Stewart holds a Master’s Degree (M.A.) in Western Esotericism (University of Exeter) and a PGDE in Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (The University of Aberdeen), as well as a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art and Philosophy (University of Dundee).

His research background is centered on esoteric spirituality and the practice of heterodox religious traditions with a particular interest in marginalized and persecuted religious communities, both historical and contemporary. Stewart’s work engages with Religious Studies specifically in the so-called ‘Western Esoteric Tradition’ or Hermetic Tradition in religious and philosophical thought.

‘THE GREEN BOOK OF THE ÉLUS COËN (The COMPLETE Manuscrit d’Alger 1772): A TREASURY OF COËN TEXTS IN TWO VOLUMES. This book is an English translation of an obscure and previously unpublished French eighteenth-century masonic manuscript (1770) known as Le Manuscript d’Alger or, ‘The Green Book of the Elu Coen’. Detailing the inner workings and highest degrees of an occult esoteric order known as the Elus Coën, this fascinating manuscript has been lost for more than two hundred and fifty years and has only recently come to light. The information contained here is a must for anyone with a serious passion for masonic history. It was translated by Stewart Clelland, edited by Josef Wages, and designed Steve Adams.

As the High-Degrees of Freemasonry swept across the landscape of eighteenth-century Europe, an obscure and occult order started to develop known as l’Ordre des Chevaliers Élus Coëns de l’ Univers or the Order of Knight-Mason Elect-Cohens of the Universe, more commonly referred to as the Élus Coëns. Whilst once the most serious and illustrious of the eighteenth-century esoteric masonic societies, much of the Order’s authentic original materials have been lost or forgotten for centuries. This English translation of the rediscovered eighteenth-century Coën manuscript . . . was written by Léonard-Joseph Prunelle de Lière (1741- 1824), a close friend of Louis Claude de St Martin (1743-1803), and includes a copy of Pasqually’s list entitled ‘Alphabetical Table of 2,400 Names’ . . . Understood as a kind of directory of the celestial world, angels and spirits are alphabetically classified and each associated with two numbers. It is followed by a document of eighty-seven pages covered with hieroglyphic symbols from a variety of sources; Hebrew, Arabic, Egyptian and Phoenician. It is important to note that these luminous glyphs were not the actual goal of the operations. Pasqually saw in these glyphs signs that indicated to the theurgist that his reconciliation was in progress; the luminous glyphs are believed to be the marks of divine favor on the road to ‘reintegration.’

Also included from the ‘Fonds Prunelle de Lières’ is the strange ‘Book of Initiates’. A collection of 117 pages containing the messages delivered by an ‘Unknown Agent’ between 1785 and 1787 and excerpts from the magnetism sessions held in Lyon by Jean-Baptiste Willermoz. Additionally, and also a better-known element of this collection is the included manuscript of Les Nombres, a posthumous work by Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin. The copy included here is believed to have been copied directly from an original manuscript of the Unknown Philosopher.

Detailing the inner workings and highest degrees of the Order, this fascinating manuscript enlightens the reader in the true, very visceral nature of the Order. Requiring the utmost commitment, and a decidedly monastic lifestyle, the Order prescribed everything from hairstyle to diet. Far from the everyday festivities of mainstream Freemasonry, the Élus Coëns were spiritual warriors engaged in magical combat with angelic and demonic entities. These original rites of the Élus Coëns, instruct the initiate how to enter into relations with angelic spirits, which are sympathetic to Man’s fallen state, and who aid him upon the path to reintegration with the Divine.

After the death of the order’s founder, Martinez de Pasqually in 1774, the teachings of the Elu Coën were most certainly doomed to fade into the mists of history – this new volume sheds the most illuminating light yet on this fascinatingly hidden masonic history.

It was delightful speaking with Stewart about these texts and his work more generally. In particular, I found it quite notable how the Élus Coëns were attempting to bring about a literal end of the world through their spiritual practice. While I certainly don’t share their view, it is remarkably interesting to learn about what could accurately be described as a radical doomsday cult. These primary source texts are crucial to the scholarship and historical understanding. The quality of the translation, editing, and overall design is most impressive, and I commend the work of this team in producing a majestic set of books.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Where the Green Meets the Blue” by Mountain Mirrors (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/mountain-lunar?song=5)

In the Chamber of Reflection, Stewart and I continue the interview about his work on the Elu Coen texts and his work which integrates academic research and teaching with his intense interest in Western esotericism. Join us for that excellent second half of the conversation! And if you haven’t already, please check out the recent recording, “On Virtue and the Practice of Virtue." This is an exposition on virtue as the enactment of love and compassion through spiritual practice. Listen to those exclusive recordings at https://chamberofreflection.com or our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. Finally, we have a very brief survey for all the members of the Chamber of Reflection that will be linked on the website and in our Facebook group.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky. This is episode number 203 featuring an interview with documentary filmmaker, essayist, speaker, podcaster, and more—Niles Heckman!

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site who aid us and the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.

Now, in episode #203, Niles Heckman joins us to discuss his path and his work in a most interesting conversation!

Niles is a documentary photographer and filmmaker, essayist and speaker whose work focuses on themes of ageless wisdom for our modern times. Sharing insights in his films, spoken-word essays, podcast An Infinite Path, alternate media appearances, street photography blog Philosophical Photography, and in mentorship with others.

He is the director of the feature film Transmutation, the documentary series Shamans of the Global Village, the short Balanced Opposites, and a collection of short-form documentary narrations. Please see his website at https://nilesheckman.com, where you can also find his podcast, An Infinite Path.

I really enjoyed speaking with Niles again. The first time was when we spoke for his podcast for episode 091, entitled, “Some of the Most Amazing Teachings to Date,” https://www.nilesheckman.com/podcast/2019/11/3/ep091-greg-kaminsky. I have to say that has been probably the most in-depth interview I’ve done recently exploring my own path and recent revelations. I tried to do the same for Niles in this interview and learned quite a bit, including that his desire is to inspire and empower by pairing media with ageless wisdom to benefit others.

I respect Niles because he’s an authentic seeker who’s willing to dive in and do the work required to learn and grow. And I appreciate the way that he connects with others and shares his explorations with the world. You may as well. If so, you can support his work at https://www.nilesheckman.com/membership.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Into the Infinite” by Logic Gate (http://download.magnatune.com/artists/albums/logicgate-voyages?song=1).

In the Chamber of Reflection, if you haven’t already, please check out the recent recording about how to “Get Your Spiritual Practice Lit” in 15 steps. These are ways that I’ve learned to deepen your understanding of your spiritual path and practice, and if followed with sincerity, will change your life. Also, I’m preparing another exclusive recording for members on the practice of virtue and its benefits that will be ready within a few days of the release of this podcast. Listen to those exclusive recordings at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky.

This is episode number 202, featuring an outstanding interview with Michael Martin about the revised version of The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz and much more!

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site. This episode is also sponsored by several listeners who made generous donations to aid us and the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you again Martin, Andrew, David, and Judith! Because of your donations and the support of the subscribers to the Chamber of Reflection, we’re able to bring you interviews of this caliber and more to come.

Now, in episode #202, Michael Martin joins us to discuss this recent version of The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz which features two of his essays that recontextualize and add a much greater depth of meaning to the story. To put it briefly, my interpretation of Martin’s assertion is that the actual intention of the text was to allow readers to see through the attachments to pride, recognition, and knowledge, whether esoteric or mundane and gather themselves around a simpler spirituality that endeavors to see and understand the vast mystery of reality beyond any classification or even languaging.

“The story is full of jokes, puzzles, satires, and red herrings—mostly at the expense of academic pride and the pretentions of occultists. Adding to the humor of The Chymical Wedding, most of the commentary written over the last five hundred years in hopes of probing its secrets has been of exactly the sort Andreae was pranking in the first place—which is why he described the book’s reception as “a game which was evaluated and foolishly explicated with subtle ingenuity and which proves the stupidity of the curios.” Indeed, some people don’t know a good joke when it’s played on them.

“It is my contention that the playful construction of The Chymical Wedding is evidence of Andreae’s intention to apply physic to the soul of the reader. The text, that is, serves as what Stanley Fish (one of the great readers of seventeenth-century literature before he turned to law and the life of a public intellectual) has called “a self-consuming artifact,” which, as he further explains, “signifies most successfully when it fails, when it points away from itself to something its forms cannot capture. If this is not anti-art, it is surely anti-art-for-art’s sake because it is concerned less with the making of better poems than with the making of better persons.” As a self-consuming artifact, The Chymical Wedding—reveling in the high comedy of intellectual hubris, revealing its own “mysteries” despite its occult paraphernalia, and ever again reminding the reader to not rely on learning or the discovery of the secrets of nature as surrogates for salvation—tries to enact a transformation on the soul of the reader by destabilizing the reader’s preconceptions of what a “chemical wedding” is—or, for that matter, what a “Rosicrucian” is. The Chymical Wedding succeeds when it fails (the sham “lost ending” certainly supports this supposition) because if it had succeeded as an occult text it would have surely failed as physic for the soul. Herein lies the brilliance of Andreae’s ludibrium. That so many have missed what is so obvious only proves his point the more.” – Michael Martin, Introduction: “So unlooked for an adventure,” The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, The Ezekiel Foxcroft Translation, revised, and with two new essays by Michael Martin, 2019

I think Martin’s work here is crucial and I am really thrilled to be able to talk to him about it and share that conversation with you! Although I wish I’d encountered Martin years ago when I first became interested in Rosicrucianism, but it seems fitting that it has taken until now. I would dare to say that his analysis is worth your time and consideration. It may even bring about new insights and different ways of appreciating western magick and esotericism. Related to Rosicrucianism, Michael also talks about Sophiology, a radical way of seeing and feeling the world as the deepest mystery of reality. A form of western nonduality if you will. Our conversation here only touches the tip of the iceberg of scholarship and mysticism that lay beneath…

Michael Martin, Ph.D. is a philosopher, poet, musician, songwriter, editor, and biodynamic farmer. He spent sixteen years as a Waldorf teacher and Master Teacher and taught at the university and college level for over seventeen years. He began biodynamic farming in 1990 and currently raises dairy goats, bees, and other animals while managing a market garden with his wife and some of his nine children. His poetry and scholarship have appeared in many journals and he is the editor of Jesus the Imagination: A Journal of Spiritual Revolution.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Wild Rose” by Barry Sulkin (https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/barrysulkin-isleofelba?song=11)

In the Chamber of Reflection, author Allen Blackwell joins me to discuss his magical book of short stories, 26 Gates! Listen to that exclusive recording at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

https://www.thecenterforsophiologicalstudies.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Chymical-Wedding-Christian-Rosenkreutz-translation/dp/1621384772

https://www.thecenterforsophiologicalstudies.com/post/the-rose-and-the-cross-or-how-to-be-a-rosicrucian

https://www.amazon.com/Submerged-Reality-Sophiology-Poetic-Metaphysics/dp/1621381137

https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Martin/e/B00KHCTX04/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky and your co-host is Rudolf Berger.

This is episode number 201, featuring an interview with Peter Mark Adams who returns to the show to discuss his recent book, Mystai: Dancing Out the Mysteries of Dionysos, published by Scarlet Imprint.

Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site.

Before we get to the show intro, I need to say a few words about our current circumstances. Probably like you, I’m now isolating in a sort of lockdown situation to prevent the spread of the COVID19 virus. I pray that you all stay well and are not too stressed by what is happening. The main point that I want to convey is that this situation, while unusual to us, doesn’t change the fundamental reality in which we exist. Our futures are always uncertain. We never know when the end may arrive. In fact, we all suffer from a fatal condition called beingness. As initiates, occultists, mystics, Freemasons, illuminists, and magicians, we are taught to meditate upon death and impermanence as a most effective way to transform from being self-concerned to caring about the world and others. We must hold this in our minds and always remember that a contagious disease spreading through our communities does not change the fact that we must do the right thing even though it requires courage to do so. Please be brave and know that you can put your spiritual practice to the test in these days. We have the capacity to control our reactions and decisions. Use that ability with wisdom and help those around you who need it. I encourage you to be tender-hearted and compassionate even more so than before. Spread that instead of fear. We must be the light and not just talk about it.

So, in that spirit, beginning this week, I’ll be posting older content from the Chamber of Reflection archive publicly at no charge. I’ll offer a free recording each day of an older interview, presentation, or meditation. Links to this free content will be posted on the Occult of Personality Facebook page and our Twitter starting on Friday, March 27th. During this time when we’re adapting to new circumstances in various ways, the least I can do is offer you some additional content to fill your days with even more magick and mystery.

Now, in episode #201, Peter Mark Adams returns to the show to discuss his wonderful book, Mystai. You can find Peter Mark Adams online at https://petermarkadams.com/. Peter appeared on the show previously to talk about his book, The Game of Saturn (https://occultofpersonality.net/peter-mark-adams/).

“Peter Mark Adams is an author, esotericist, tarotist and professional energy worker; he has been engaged in practical research in the fields of esotericism, energy, consciousness and healing for over 45 years. Peter and his wife run a professional practice dedicated to energy-based healing. Previous publications include Altered States / Parallel Worlds, The Tarot de Marseille Chapbook, The Healing Field: Energy: Consciousness and Transformation; and contributions on ritual, demonic possession and interventions of the deceased in the healing process in the peer reviewed academic journals Paranthropology: Journal of Anthropological Approaches to the Paranormal and the Journal of Exceptional Experiences and Psychology. Peter has acted as an advisor to a television documentary on the paranormal and been a speaker at international academic seminars on healing and consciousness. Peter is an associate member of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE).”

“The Dionysian themed frescos of Pompeii’s Villa of the Mysteries constitute the single most important theurgical narrative to have survived in the Western esoteric tradition. No other practitioner account of the ritual process for conducting a mystery rite has survived down to today. The frescoes’ vivid and allusive imagery illuminates both the ritual activity of the participants as well as its esoteric import.

“The frescoes, created in the most private rooms of the extensive Roman villa, were never meant to be seen by anyone other than the members of the all-female Bakkhic thiasos who conducted their most secret rites within them. Buried and preserved for posterity by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE, these stunning Proto-Renaissance images guide the viewer through the consecutive stages of a theurgic rite of initiation into the mysteries of Dionysos.

“Arising from within the unique interface between Greek and Roman culture in Southern Italy, the frescoes attest to the survival of an unbroken initiatic tradition of Bakkhic mystery rites on the Italian peninsula stretching back to the fifth century BCE.

“The recent restoration of the frescoes has provided a fresh opportunity to elucidate the ritual processes hidden in plain sight. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Peter Mark Adams draws on current scholarship on dithyrambic performance; the ritual dress of Greco-Roman priestesses; classical philology and the comparative ethnography of rites of higher initiation. With the same attention to detail which he demonstrated in The Game of Saturn, Adams reveals the stages of initiation encoded and accomplished in dance, gesture, ordeal, and sign.

“Adams interprets the frescoes through the distinct performative lens of the ritualist, throwing light, for the first time, on the significance of the ritual vocabulary and the phenomenology of ritual participation. We are pulled into the dance ourselves and emerge transfigured by the experience.”

I once again find myself very impressed by the work of Peter Mark Adams. In Mystai, Adams has revealed sacred imagery and its function within a long-dead lineage of the Mysteries. His skill in explaining the frescoes, their meanings, and purpose within the ritual context helps us understand this mystical system lost to the mists of time. In the interview, Adams explains how this cult functioned by ritually honoring the deity with a form of devotion that caused a mystical union.

Peter Mark Adams has quickly become one of my favorite authors in this genre. His work is groundbreaking, and I always learn new things. Not to mention the book itself is gorgeous and because of the design, materials, colors, and contents, it felt like an indulgent luxury to sit and read it. I highly recommend Mystai!

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “Calliopeia – kithara (Ancient Greek)” by Tim Rayborn (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rayborn-qadim?song=6)

In the Chamber of Reflection, Peter Mark Adams, Rudolf, and I continue this wonderful interview. Listen to that exclusive recording at https://chamberofreflection.com or at our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality.

Again, beginning this week, I’ll be posting older content from the Chamber of Reflection archive publicly at no charge. During this time when we’re all struggling with time and money in various ways, the least I can do is offer you some additional content to fill your days with magick and mystery.

I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. And if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past – my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!

Thanks for listening and until next time . . .

https://scarletimprint.com/publications/mystai

https://petermarkadams.com/

https://occultofpersonality.net/peter-mark-adams/

Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. I’m your host, Greg Kaminsky. This is a very special episode! Our 200th! Returning to the show to celebrate as well as discuss his upcoming book is the one and only David Chaim Smith!

I want to say a very sincere thank you to all our listeners, guests, supporters, and friends who make doing this podcast such an extraordinary experience! Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to https://chamberofreflection.com, our membership site.

Now, in episode #200, David Chaim Smith discusses his highly anticipated new book in this 90+ minute interview extravaganza. You can find David online at https://www.davidchaimsmith.com/.

"David Chaim Smith was born in 1964 in Queens, New York. His early career was as a visual artist throughout the 1980’s. In 1990 he began an immersion into the root sources of Alchemy and the Hermetic and Hebrew traditions of the Kabbalah. In 1996 he abandoned visual art for a total dedication to spiritual practice, from which came a unique blend of practical mysticism and creative innovation. This blend coalesced while working with an obscure thirteenth-century text called The Fountain of Wisdom, which he mapped out diagrammatically in notebooks during his ten-year hiatus from visual art. The resulting symbol vocabulary served as the basis for his 2006 return to art, generating the content for several books. He currently lives in the suburbs of New York City with his wife, Rachel.

"David’s latest book, The 32 Keys, will be released in the spring of 2020 by Anathema Publishing Ltd.

"This project will include a full-length book and 32 contemplation card-images. The system derives from three separate Kabbalistic sources. The first is the post-Renaissance version of Hermetic Qabalah; a syncretic system configured to support alchemical ideas and symbols. The second source is the mystical Chassidut of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and his unique adaptation of Lurianic Kabbalah. The third source is the thirteenth-century literature of the Iyyun Circle. The Iyyun Circle material is the most important element of all because it provides the overall structure through which the other sources coalesce into a single system."

It's always a real pleasure for me to talk with David, and this time was no exception. Of all the interviews we’ve ever done, I feel that this is by far the best. Additionally, of all the books of David’s that I love, his newest, The 32 Keys, may be the best. David’s devotion to contemplative mysticism and his unwavering determination to break through barriers to his practice is exemplary. As he goes deeper in his practice, it is undeniable that his ability to articulate the path, the view, and the methods is only becoming more and more clear and lucid. I highly recommend all of David’s work, but this new book is more practical than any of his others. Watch David’s website, Facebook page, and the Anathema Publishing Ltd. website for news about the book’s impending release.

The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is excerpted from “The Dream Membrane” by David Chaim Smith, Bill Laswell, and John Zorn.

In the Chamber of Reflection, David Chaim Smith and I discuss contemplative mysticism and the power of redemption. Essentially, due to David’s practice over decades, his behavior has radically improved to the point where he doesn’t seem like the same person he was when he began. How is it possible that a person can change in such fundamental ways? What is redemption? How does it happen? And can it happen to...