The Scholomance Project

Doug Russell is Former Master of Southern California Research Lodge, where he served for seven years as Editor in Chief of the monthly Masonic magazine, Fraternal Review. He is a retired psychotherapist and educator who has studied Ageless Wisdom teachings and practiced meditation for over 50 years. He is a certified meditation instructor and officer in the Academy of Reflection—a chartered body within the Scottish Rite for brothers wanting to integrate contemplative practice with their Masonic experience. His articles have been published in The Journal of the Masonic Society, The Short Talk Bulletin, and in Philalethes, The Journal of Masonic Research & Letters. He is currently doing research and writing on the Esoteric Art of Memory.

Brother Russell is presenting “Freemasonry in Academic Studies of Western Esotericism” at EFC2022. We talk a little about his paper and much more about his history and background with meditation and psychology.

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Richard Harris is a Freemason with a deep interest in Elias Ashmole. His talk entitled “Elias Ashmole: Initiation, Alchemy, Freemasonry” will be presented at Esotericism in Freemasonry Conference 2022. Our talk ranges from details about the life and work of Brother Ashmole to the importance of poetry in the study of Western Esotericism. 

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P.D. Newman is a Freemason, researcher and author. His first two published works Alchemically Stoned and Angels in Vermilion present a different viewpoint on the possible use of enthoegens in alchemy, magick and even Freemasonry. His work is compelling, but it is his frankness and approach-ability that made this interview so much fun. 

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Grand Masonic Day is an annual educational event organized by the Vancouver Lodge of Education & Research and features various speakers and topics of general interest to Freemasons. Wes Regan is the chair of the Grand Masonic Day 2023 organizing committee and the presiding master of the Vancouver Lodge of Education and Research. GMD2023 will be on April 29th 2023 and speakers are still being selected.

This episode is the second half of a longer conversation I had with Wes Regan and Ken Lane. In this part of the conversation we talk more about EFC2022, Masonic Education and the forces and tensions at work in The Craft today. We join the conversation in progress.

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Recorded sometime between 2016 and 2017, this early recording has friend of the show Professor Harbinger interviewing myself, Troy the Devil-Man. In this we cover some of my early occult interests, geek out on popular culture, and enjoy each others company.

Many of the opinions I express have changed. In particular, my thoughts around the issue of Women in Freemasonry are best expressed in episode 12 of this podcast. Any other controversial statements I make should be taken with a grain of salt as it is likely I have changed my mind.  Apologies for the low sound quality, but the fun nature of the conversation and topics covered make up for it, I think so anyway. Enjoy our chit chat. 

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Most Worshipful Brother Philip Durell was installed as Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon in June of 2014. His year in the Grand East coincided with my year as Worshipful Master of the Duke of Connaught Lodge and we spent a lot of time together in lodge at that time. His thoughts about The Craft and the men who practice it have been very influential on my interpretation of Freemasonry. 

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Esotericism in Freemasonry Conference was first held in Seattle in 2017. We have held this event three times in person and twice virtually over the past five years. EFC is a place where practitioners and academics can come together to discuss topics of mutual interest in an open and receptive forum. We accept presentations from both members of The Craft and non-members. The call for papers for our 2022 event has just closed, but we encourage interested parties to submit an outline for consideration for future events. 

Brother Wes Regan was already featured in Episode 4. He will be presenting his paper “The Disenchantment (And Re-Enchantment) of North American Freemasonry” at EFC2022. Brother Ken Lane is the Co-Founder of EFC and a Founding Member of Esoterika Lodge #316 in Seattle Washington. The first part of our discussion covers why we feel events like EFC are crucial to Freemasonry. 
www.esotericmasonry.com

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Athena has been practicing Occult arts daily for over 30 years. She operates Enochian.org and has spent all of her career teaching students, constructing and consecrating magical implements and jewelry, and organizing training retreats for others. She has traveled abroad for decades, receiving formal training in Egypt, Haiti and Togo. Athena has published 5 books including “The Grimoire of Enochian Magick” and has completed the very challenging Abramelin operation. 

This event was recorded in early December 2020. It was organized so that both of us could answer questions to the people who joined us online, so you might hear more from me than you normally might. Future episodes in this format are still being explored. If you have a question that you would like to ask Athena or myself, head on over to scholomance.ca and fill in the Ask The Occultist form listed on our website. Please enjoy this Q&A. 

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Cleola Bostic serves as the Senior Warden for Universalis Lodge #21 located in New York City under the Women’s Grand Lodge of Belgium (GLFB) and is a dual member of Liberty #3 in Washington D.C. under the Grand Lodge of George Washington Union. In addition to her lodge work and busy life schedule, she is the Second Vice President for the Maryland Masonic Research Society. Although she has been a Freemason for 11 years, her love for history and research stems from her upbringing as a native Alexandria Virginian with deep family roots in America’s Historic Triangle – Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown. She enjoys traveling and being in fellowship with like-minded Freemasons worldwide. 

This episode was recorded in early December 2021, so please forgive our now out-of-season holiday greetings. 

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Professor Harbinger has been a student of occultism for more than 25 years. He blends a passion for gaming, popular culture, and graphic novels with a lifetime interest in esotericism.  I find his particular viewpoints and original works to be quite innovative and highly recommend his website. Check out Professor Harbinger’s School for Villians at professorharbinger.com

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