We’ve all heard the saying, "Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t." But what happens when that "safe" misery starts feeling like a slow-motion suicide?

In Episode 7, David breaks down the seventh step of the Major Arcana: The Lovers. If you’re looking for a lecture on soulmates and romance, you’re in the wrong place. On this path, The Lovers is about the brutal, terrifying necessity of choice. It’s the moment you have to decide if you’re going to stay divided—half-living in the past and half-dreaming of the future—or if you’re finally going to commit to the person you are becoming.

David dives into the "glitch" of love through the lens of Neo and Trinity, the Hermetic Law of Correspondence, and the high-stakes "marriage" between a Palero and their spirits in Palo Monte. This episode is a deep dive into the internal civil war between the conscious mind and the subconscious "basement" where your real power lives.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The Matrix Connection: Why love is the irrational glitch that breaks the system.
• The Occult Core: Understanding the Law of Correspondence (As Within, So Without) to stop self-sabotage.
• The Scientific Bridge: How Integrated Information Theory explains why a divided mind is a weak mind.

Stop sleeping with your old limitations just because they’re familiar. It’s time to walk to the crossroads and burn the boats.

This is Thusly.

In this graduation of the Major Arcana, David Santana confronts the unyielding stone of the Four: The Emperor. Moving away from the fluid fertility of the Empress, David explores the transition from chaos to order by claiming a physical and spiritual territory in his own home. From turning down a corporate promotion to gluing soundproofing foam to a blank wall, this episode dissects the "Biology of Sovereignty" and the power of drawing a border against the Matrix's endless demands.

David bridges the gap between ancient ritual and modern discipline, synthesizing the cold, balancing logic of The Architect with the raw, iron-wrought work of Zarabanda. Learn the "Mechanism of Focus," the spiritual necessity of the "Imperial Schedule," and why the most powerful tool in your magical arsenal is the word "No." This isn't about being a tyrant; it's about becoming the architect of a life that finally has the structure to hold your spirit.

We've all been there—sitting in a meeting or a relationship where everything looks perfect on paper, but your stomach is tied in a knot you can't explain. In this episode, David Santana moves from the outward "hustle" of The Magician into the deep, uncomfortable silence of The High Priestess.

If the Magician is the one typing the code, the Priestess is the one who actually understands the language. David breaks down why our "late bloomer" anxiety is often just a result of ignoring the "somatic markers" our bodies use to signal the truth. Using the lens of The Matrix, we look at Trinity—the quiet certainty that doesn't need a map because she can see the code.

From the "second brain" in your gut to the secret whispers of the Monte in Palo Monte, this episode is a deep dive into the science and spirit of intuition. David introduces "The Silence Protocol"—a brutal lifestyle ban on instant input and a ritual designed to clear the static off your internal antenna. Stop trying to out-will the universe and start listening to the glitch.

This is Thusly.

In this episode of Thusly, David Santana moves from the leap of the Fool to the forge of the Magician. Moving from the "Zero" to the "One" isn't just about picking up the tools—it's about surviving the crushing weight of the "Expert Trap."

David opens up about the "static" of his old life, the physiological toll of transition, and the specific failure in a dark, silent room that almost stopped this podcast before it started. We dive deep into the shadow of the Magician: the seductive loop of "How-To" binging that feels like progress but is, in fact, a slow-motion surrender.

Through the lens of Neo's "Jump Program" failure in The Matrix and the humble "broom" labor of a Ngueyo in the Palo Monte tradition, we explore why you have to sound like an idiot before you can sound like a leader. David bridges the mysticism of manifestation with the neuroscience of Hebb's Law and the "Illusion of Competence," proving that your brain only grows when you lean into the struggle.

The episode concludes with the Magician's Protocol: A strict lifestyle ban on tutorials and the "One-Take Manifestation" ritual designed to reclaim your agency and wire your brain for action.

Stop looking at the manual. Start the work.

This is Thusly.

My name is David Santana, and I am a traveler on a path that is both ancient and deeply personal.

In the debut episode of Thusly, we open the gates. Before we dive into the mechanics of the spirit, we have to address the "Zero" state—The Fool. This isn't just a card in a deck; it's the moment of total risk where you choose to reclaim your soul from the static of the Matrix.

In this episode, David explores:

• The Prologue: A formal invitation into the Kimbiza branch of Palo Monte and the landmark system of the Tarot.
• The Leap: The visceral reality of turning your back on corporate "security" to find your footing in the ancient world.
• The Shadow: Dealing with the "Expert Trap" and the fear of being seen as a beginner.
• The Mechanism: Understanding the psychology of the "Leap of Faith" and the biological necessity of the fresh start.

This is not a polished lecture. This is a record of a transformation. Whether you are an initiate or a seeker, you are invited to join the journey as a peer. We are building this bridge as we walk across it.

Welcome to Thusly.

I'm David. I study herbal medicine, I practice magic, and I'm obsessed with the esoteric.

I started Thusly because I wanted a place to talk about the occult, alchemy, spirituality, and self-mastery without the theatrics or the guru complex. I'm not here to teach you the "secrets of the universe"—I'm here to learn more about them, right alongside you.

This is a podcast for practitioners and students who want to explore the mysteries of life with a grounded approach. No gimmicks. Just the work.

Welcome to the conversation.