Ringing in the new year with a banger!

John Michael Greer returns to the show to explore

• Whether we can say if 'western' magic has a discernable metaphysics.
• What those might be.

Seeing as AI did such a good job of giving us a definition of metaphysics (which you will get in the show), here's what she thinks the episode is about:

"The dialogue emphasizes the importance of directionality, the existence of intelligent non-human beings, and the overarching themes that unify magical practices across cultures. In this conversation, Gordon White delves into the complexities of historical knowledge, the concept of polarity in cosmology, and the nuances of sex magic. He discusses the limitations of historical records, the significance of polarity as a universal principle, and the often-misunderstood relationship between sexuality and magic. White also challenges cultural assumptions about elitism in esoteric practices and highlights the contributions of lesser-known figures like Pascal Beverly Randolph to the field of magic. The discussion culminates in a reflection on the meaningfulness of the cosmos and the interplay of energy in our experiences."

Honestly? Pretty good.

Show Notes

• John's website, Ecosophia.
• The Philosophy and Practice of Polarity Magic: A Secret Wisdom of Sex.
• The Earth Mysteries Workbook: A One Year Course in the Enchantment of the Land.

Austin Coppock returns to the show for our traditional six-monthly astrological forecast, this time for the first half of 2025.

We are calling this one Just The Tip (Of The Chainsword)!

• 00:00 Introduction to 2025 Astrology Predictions
• 02:56 The Significance of Warhammer 40K in 2025
• 05:45 Astrological Context: The Transition from 2024 to 2025
• 09:00 Civil Unrest and Mars Retrograde
• 11:53 Neptune and Saturn's Influence in 2025
• 15:00 The Impact of Neptune's Ingress into Aries
• 18:00 The Role of Heroism and Leadership in 2025
• 20:50 The Collapse of Narratives and Storytelling in Society
• 39:31 The Present as a Story: Chaos and Meaning
• 41:02 Saturn in Aries: The Fall and Its Implications
• 44:50 Historical Parallels: The 47 Ronin and Vigilantism
• 49:10 The Breakdown of Order: Anti-Authoritarian Sentiment
• 52:32 The Need for New Rules: Transitioning from Bad to Good
• 54:15 Eclipses and Their Significance: March and April 2025
• 01:01:56 Venus Retrograde: A Journey of Self-Discovery
• 01:03:24 Eclipses in Virgo and Aries: A Shift in Dynamics
• 01:10:08 Jupiter in Cancer: A Time for Growth and Stability
• 01:16:06 The Great Rearrangement: A New World Order
• 01:23:49 Exploring Uranus in Gemini 01:30:53 Historical Context of Uranus in Gemini
• 01:37:27 The Power of Language and Technology
• 01:48:44 Cultural Reflections and Media Consumption
• 01:55:21 Future Plans and Aspirations

SIGN UP to be notified of Austin's future class availability here!

In this episode, Gordon discusses the evolution of his podcast, the connections between magical individuals, and the themes presented in Grant Morrison's comic series, The Invisibles. He explores

• The loneliness epidemic in modern society.
• The role of digital connectivity.
• The concept of the invisible college as a metaphor for shared vision and belonging among like-minded individuals.

We also look at the intersections of various spiritual practices, the disintegration of civilisational fields, and the importance of finding resonance within an invisible college of shared beliefs and values. He discusses the overlap between different spiritual traditions, the current state of societal fragmentation, and the necessity of community and belonging in navigating these challenges.

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Gabriel Kennedy joins the show to discuss Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, the first-ever book-length biography of ol' RAW.

We explore Wilson's life, philosophy, and literary contributions. Kennedy shares his personal journey of discovering Wilson's work, the process of writing the biography, and the significance of concepts like Chapel Perilous and general semantics. The discussion also touches on the relevance of Wilson's ideas in today's world and the lasting impact of his writings on counterculture and conspiracy theories. 

We're back, baby!

00:00 Introduction to Robert Anton Wilson

02:45 First Encounters with Wilson's Work

05:59 Navigating Wilson's Bibliography

08:55 The Journey to Writing a Biography

12:00 Researching Robert Anton Wilson

14:43 The Influence of General Semantics

17:48 Personal Connections and Discoveries

21:01 The Process of Biographical Writing

24:01 Understanding Wilson's Legacy

27:03 Final Thoughts on Robert Anton Wilson

44:20 The 23 Enigma and Synchronicities

49:27 Writing and Synchronicities in Biography

56:22 The Impact of Robert Anton Wilson's Work

01:02:00 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking

01:10:33 Chapel Perilous: A Journey of Discovery

NOTE: You can alternatively watch this discussion on YouTube.

The show returns with some actionable findings from almost a year of regular sigil work. We look at

• The ways you mess up your own magical results by not admitting what you want.
• The ways you mess up your own magical results by not admitting where you are at.
• What to do about it.

And toward the end, I lay out the plans for the premium member glow-up over Q4 and Q1, including completely re-recording and remastering all the existing member courses.

We're trialling a new format this week, as I am in the Bay of Fires for work. A visit to a beer-drinking pig inspired some ruminations on how and why we connect as this idiotic, digital hellscape builds itself around us.

The episode discusses the manipulation and sanitization of reality through digital currencies, IDs, and the evolving media landscape, including the shift to 'private' or enclosed digital engagement opportunities like Mighty Networks and Substack, aiming for authenticity in an increasingly controlled and artificial world.

00:00 Introduction: The World Without Sin 00:21 Filming in the Bay of Fires 00:27 The Pub in the Paddock and Priscilla the Pig 01:58 Exploring the Concept of 'The World Without Sin' 05:18 Digital IDs and Global Changes 09:08 Cultural Reflections and Media Strategy 16:50 The Gap Between Public and Private Discourse 22:55 Media Evolution and Personal Adaptations 39:09 Conclusion: Navigating the World Without Sin

In lieu of show notes, here is a picture of a pub, followed by a pig. You're welcome.

This week, we welcome to the show Mexican-Bolivian-Chilean healer, Red Path shaman and teacher Julián Katari.

Fun fact about Julián: He was my translator for my recent trip up to stay with the Kallawaya in the Bolivian High Andes. So we talk about that, of course.

We also talk about his own remarkable journey of spirit:

⭐ Vision quests ⭐ Aztec dance ceremonies ⭐ Peyote ⭐ Andean shamanism

We then discuss the sacred Mayan calendar and what it teaches us about the structure of the universe.

Super cool chat. Julián is the archetypal weird kid!

NOTE: Julián will be teaching a 20-week course on the Mayan calendar that will be available to purchase for $99 on the Rune Soup Premium Member Mighty Network. This is a discount of $400 and will only be available for purchase for the duration of the Time Magic course. Afterward the course will be available on his own site at its full price.

This is one of the best deals I have ever made available to premium members and it is, just on its own, worth joining. I've been in ceremony with Julián in the High Andes. He's a great teacher. 

Show Notes

• Julián's website.
• Julián on Instagram.

00:00 Introduction and Childhood 06:00 Embarking on a Spiritual Journey 19:04 Finding the Red Path 22:43 Exploring the Maya Cosmology 30:55 Teachings from a Maya Elder 39:18 Connecting with Nature and Community 44:38 Exploring the Complexity of the Mayan Calendar 49:52 Understanding the Mayan Worldview: A Code for Time and Space 57:16 The Practice of Day Keeping in the Mayan Calendar 01:03:31 The Role of Human Perception in the Creation of Time and Space 01:24:38 Uncovering My Bolivian Roots 01:27:23 The Magic and Mystery of Bolivia 01:34:17 Journeying with the Kallawaya Healers 01:46:26 Exploring the Maya Calendar

Witch, author, biochemist and oriental medicine specialist, Maja D'Aoust, joins us to discuss Time Magic and the I Ching.

We explore:

• The impact childhood illness can have on the practice of magic.
• The difference between ancient Chinese and more 'Western' experiences of time.
• The origin of the I Ching as a gift from serpent spirits.
• The sort of answers you can get with the I Ching.
• What sort of coins to use.

Great stuff! Enjoy!

Show Notes

• Maja's website.
• Maja's latest book: Astrology of the Shadow Self.
• Maja's I Ching book.

The dynamic duo behind Weird Studies, Phil Ford and J F Martel, join the show to explore the ways in which art is a form of evocation.

We look at:

• Orson Welles as divine shamanic faker.
• Hollywood's vaudeville origins.
• What is a trick and what is a lie and can you even use those words if they show you the 'truth'?
• 'Western' and non-'Western' understandings of the imaginal and the artist.
• Where 'inspiration' and even 'thoughts' come from and what that might mean.

An amazing chat. Enjoy!

Show Notes

• Weird Studies episode about Orson Welles mentioned in the show: Art Is Another Word For Truth.
• Weirdosphere - Weird Studies Member Community.

Media theorist and internet legend Douglas Rushkoff joins the show this week.

We explore:

• Is there even such a thing as 'media' anymore?
• The promises and (many) failings of the tech world.
• UBIs, digital utopias and dystopias.
• Where we look for hope and optimism now.
• Where magic sits in our shared realities.

An amazing chat with one of the greats!

Enjoy!

Show Notes

• Rushkoff.com
• Team Human