http://www.occultofpersonality.net Peering Behind the Veil Sun, 06 May 2012 04:18:47 +0000 en hourly 1 Peering Behind the Veil. rochester92 clean rochester92 rochester92@yahoo.com rochester92@yahoo.com (rochester92) © 2006 -2009 Peering behind the Veil occult, esoteric, spirituality, mysticism, philosophy, Alchemy, Tarot, Magic, consciousness, religion http://www.occultofpersonality.net/wp-content/uploads/double_headed_eagle.gif http://www.occultofpersonality.net Boston, Massachusetts http://www.occultofpersonality.net/the-magickal-work-of-josephine-mccarthy/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/the-magickal-work-of-josephine-mccarthy/#comments Sat, 14 Apr 2012 02:45:19 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=1121 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/the-magickal-work-of-josephine-mccarthy/feed/ 6 esoteric,esoteric orders,Golden Dawn,Magic,Magick,metaphysics,mysticism,neo-Rosicrucianism,occult,philosophy,psychology,religion Teacher and author Josephine McCarthy returns in podcast episode 116 to discuss her phenomenal books, including The Work of the Hierophant and the Magical Knowledge trilogy, published by Mandrake of Oxford. - To begin the interview, Teacher and author Josephine McCarthy returns in podcast episode 116 to discuss her phenomenal books, including The Work of the Hierophant and the Magical Knowledge trilogy, published by Mandrake of Oxford. To begin the interview, McCarthy descr... gkaminsky clean http://www.occultofpersonality.net/david-chaim-smith-the-sacrificial-universe/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/david-chaim-smith-the-sacrificial-universe/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:58:13 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=1103 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/david-chaim-smith-the-sacrificial-universe/feed/ 5 Alchemy,Art,books,consciousness,Gnosis,Hebrew,Hermeticism,Hermetics,Kabbalah,Magick,metaphysics,mysticism Mystic, artist, and author David Chaim Smith returns to the show in podcast episode 115 to discuss his groundbreaking new book The Sacrificial Universe, just released by Fulgur Limited. "Triple construct used on the cover of The Sacrificial Univer... Mystic, artist, and author David Chaim Smith returns to the show in podcast episode 115 to discuss his groundbreaking new book The Sacrificial Universe, just released by Fulgur Limited. "Triple construct used on the cover of The Sacrificial Universe. It is a biomorphic evocation of BeYeA (Briah, Yetzirah, Assiah), the worlds of conventional cognition. Isolating it gives the opportunity to reassess the triune fluidity called 'reality' by the perceptually fixated." Smith begins by telling how The Sacrificial Universe has three levels which are investigated simultaneously - intellectually through essays, mathematical equations that pose associative suggestions, and the mysticism of ecstatic devotion. All these levels are designed allow the reader to access his highly esoteric, symbolic, dynamic, and biomorphic art for mystic contemplation. He admits that this book is a compendium of years of private practice that he is now making public. Personally, I find David's artwork and writing to be inspiring because it's so original, radical, mystical, and thought-provoking. The Sacrificial Universe provides all of it in one beautiful text. "Produced as a lavish small folio with generous margins and a classic typographic style, The Sacrificial Universe presents David’s key artworks of the last four years as full-page images, with the triptychs and quadriptych offered as folding plates. The complex and evocative iconographic symbolism is also explored through commentaries. And yet The Sacrificial Universe is more than a homage to those seventeenth century books of hermetic mysticism. Structured according to the classic kabbalistic text Sefer Yetzirah, The Sacrificial Universe may be approached on three levels (world, year, and soul) to offer the reader a view of gnostic surrender within a vision of the self-consuming nature of phenomena." David talks about his intention to create a forum to address that which is essentially beyond conceptual thought - using words, numbers, and symbols. He explains that the basic approach his work takes is, "that the universe and all phenomena are always beyond static conception - no thing, or non-thing, has any permanent or independent existence, including the mind and ... God." "The ultimate sacrifice is the offering of appearance itself. It gives itself over to oblivion through continual change, banishing one presentation of forms through the evocation of the next. It offers itself to itself, for itself, by itself, and through itself. But what is meant by ‘itself ’? Beyond existence and non-existence, reality and unreality...the truth of the sacrifical gesture cannot be rightly called by any name. It is concealed in the symbolism of the consuming fires of the temple, and is present in the smoke of the incinerated flesh which gives itself over to the open sky as a ‘pleasant offering’. This offering is repeated infinite times throughout infinite moments, in an indivisible continuum that is replete everywhere and in everything. It is a presentation of sheer gnostic delight presented to no one, nowhere, feeding the secret fire of irrational beauty with the ultimate explosive mutability. A fleeting dream dreaming itself which cannot be reached. Death and birth pose as hollow rumors, to cover that which no sane individual can bear. Yet the sublime invitation is whispered always by mute lips to deaf ears." -from The Sacrificial Universe by David Chaim Smith Smith also espouses the virtues of the primary inspiration of much of his work - The Fountain of Wisdom, a thirteenth century text from the school of Isaac the Blind. Then he talks about the differences between non-dual gnostic realization and conventional perception, meaning the mind's constructs - inert reflex habit, as opposed to free-flowing, continually in-drawing gnostic expression. I highly recommend David Chaim Smith's The Sacrificial Universe, published by Fulgur Limited. Whether your interest is in mysticism, gkaminsky clean http://www.occultofpersonality.net/neil-kramer-antidote-to-the-un-reality-broadcast/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/neil-kramer-antidote-to-the-un-reality-broadcast/#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:26:34 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=1089 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/neil-kramer-antidote-to-the-un-reality-broadcast/feed/ 6 1984,2012,alternative media,apocalypse,astrology,awakening,Brave New World,class conflict,consciousness,conspiracy,dystopia,economics Mystic and philosopher Neil Kramer returns to the show in podcast episode 114 with an incisive analysis of current events and the state of the world. Although we recorded this interview in August 2011, the issues we discuss are just as relevant today, Mystic and philosopher Neil Kramer returns to the show in podcast episode 114 with an incisive analysis of current events and the state of the world. Although we recorded this interview in August 2011, the issues we discuss are just as relevant today, if not more so. To begin the interview Neil examines the concept of normality, noting that a shift in perspective about what is normal sets many on their path. Kramer dares to ask the question - who is manufacturing and packaging normality? He also notes that normality is essentially a broadcast of governance that is ultimately inauthentic and false. In addition, economic, political, and social upheaval have the potential to expose fractures in the foundations of the concept of normality. Neil also makes the point that we all share some level of responsibility for the state of our world. From that supposition, he makes the assertion that if the outer world is a reflection of the inner, we must begin to change our world by changing ourselves. Neil remarks on the way this principle is illustrated by astrology, noting the 2011 England riots occurred as positions of the stars and planets were conducive to this very activity. He goes on to analyze these riots and some of the underlying social and economic causes. One can also draw analogies between the climate in England that Kramer describes and the impetus for uprisings across the Middle East, the Occupy movement in the United States, and other protests and war escalation around the world. Kramer then confronts the potential apocalyptic vision of economic or social collapse with the observation that the material world is not all there is and we can learn, through inner work, to shift consciousness to higher states. He also observes that radical changes in society and individuals which are now occurring indicate a cyclical change affecting the earth. Neil ends on a hopeful and positive note by mentioning that there has been no other time in humanity's history when so many people are connecting and becoming more aware of the world and themselves. Neil Kramer - featuring recorded interviews, essays, lectures, and much more "Neil Kramer, the Cleaver" Occult of Personality podcast episode 98 "2011 England riots" Wikipedia entry intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos – “Awakening” outro music - "Electric Father" by Orchid gkaminsky clean http://www.occultofpersonality.net/philip-deslippe-on-the-life-and-work-of-william-walker-atkinson/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/philip-deslippe-on-the-life-and-work-of-william-walker-atkinson/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:25:46 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=1070 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/philip-deslippe-on-the-life-and-work-of-william-walker-atkinson/feed/ 9 consciousness,esoteric,Hermeticism,Hermetics,history,mental science,metaphysics,Mystery schools,mysticism,New Age,New Thought,occult Philip Deslippe joins us in podcast episode 113 to discuss William Walker Atkinson (1862 - 1932), a New Thought luminary who authored many influential texts in the early twentieth century, including The Kybalion. As part of his research on Atkinson, Philip Deslippe joins us in podcast episode 113 to discuss William Walker Atkinson (1862 - 1932), a New Thought luminary who authored many influential texts in the early twentieth century, including The Kybalion. As part of his research on Atkinson, Philip edited and wrote the introduction for The Kybalion: The Definitive Edition, published by Tarcher/Penguin in 2011. Philip begins our interview describing his great interest in, and extensive research of William Walker Atkinson. We discuss Atkinson's life and the dire circumstances that led to his becoming passionate about practical philosophies for self-improvement. Philip describes how Atkinson went missing for weeks, only to re-emerge as an ever more prolific writer on metaphysics, eastern philosophy, occultism, and New Thought. Even before The Kybalion, Walker's work is notable as he wrote under a number of pseudonyms. For example, as Yogi Ramacharaka, "Atkinson's writings ... marked some of the first full-length books in English to seriously address the subject of yoga as a practice to engage in, even if they partially filtered that practice through physical culture, Theosophy, and New Thought." As Magus Incognito he delivered The Secret Doctrine of the Rosicrucians, as Theron Q. Dumont he wrote several books on mental science and healing, and his Arcane Teachings was written anonymously. Philip also convincingly contends that Atkinson was the sole author of The Kybalion, writing as Three Initiates. Because of Atkinson's former career as an attorney and his aptitude for the vocation, it seems a natural extension that his most influential works would present philosophies that continuously reiterate the concept of LAW. "It speaks to the strength, flexibility, and longevity of The Kybalion that it could inspire everyone from modern pagans to Christian positive thinkers, from small secret societies to pop-culture phenomena. The Kybalion had directly or indirectly left its mark on the way millions of people viewed money, spirituality, the mind, success, and the nature of the universe itself. As is the fate of many occult and esoteric works, The Kybalion was never given the respect that it deserved, and the man who wrote it did not receive the acknowledgement that he was due. Perhaps in recognizing his authorship and the legacy of his most influential work, the monument that The Kybalion has deserved is this very edition." - Philip Deslippe, from the Introduction to The Kybalion: The Definitive Edition Regardless of your feelings about Philip's assertion of Atkinson's authorship of The Kybalion, Deslippe's work is tremendously valuable both as a historical study and a treatment of the text which affords it the respect it deserves. The twisted tale of The Kybalion is full of enough mystery to preclude tales of ancient origins and hidden masters, as attractive as they might be. Likewise, a serious study of the life and work of William Walker Atkinson shows a man who cultivated a certain mystique, but at his core, he was intensely prolific, passionate, and his work touched the lives of innumerable spiritual aspirants. In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Philip and I discuss the controversy surrounding the theories of The Kybalion's authorship and the reaction to Deslippe's revelation of Atkinson as the sole author. Philip Deslippe The Kybalion: The Definitive Edition by William Walker Atkinson, writing as Three Initiates, edited and introduced by Philip Deslippe "William Walker Atkinson" Wikipedia entry "The Kybalion with Philip Deslippe" - The Infinite and Beyond, podcast episode 23 intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos outro music - "Cosmonaut of Three" by Orchid   gkaminsky clean http://www.occultofpersonality.net/nicholaj-de-mattos-frisvold/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/nicholaj-de-mattos-frisvold/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:41:11 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=1008 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/nicholaj-de-mattos-frisvold/feed/ 0 anthropology,esoteric,Magic,Magick,metaphysics,mysticism,necromancy,occult,Palo Mayombe,psychology,religion,sorcery Anthropologist, psychologist, and Palero, Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold joins us in podcast episode 112 to discuss his wonderful book Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones published by Scarlet Imprint. In addition to studying Palo as an academic, Anthropologist, psychologist, and Palero, Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold joins us in podcast episode 112 to discuss his wonderful book Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones published by Scarlet Imprint. In addition to studying Palo as an academic, Nicholaj is also an initiate and practitioner. Because of his knowledge and experience, the book is written "from within the cult," but also conveys a scholarly exposition on the contextual history of Palo's heritage. This book also continues a tradition of absolutely stunning talismanic texts from Scarlet Imprint. Visually and tangibly their books are exquisite, but most importantly the content is always of a very high caliber, and Frisvold's Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones and Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila are no exceptions. "Palo Mayombe is an initiate's account of this much maligned cult whose central nigromantic mystery is the prenda, the cauldron containing the human skull or bones, re-animated by living spirit... Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold traces the roots of Palo Mayombe back to Kongolese sorcery, the warrior and leopard societies, and the impact of the Portugese Mission. The original African faith is carried in chains across the abysmal waters of Kalunga and it flowers in Cuba as a New World Creole religion and cult. Yet Palo Mayombe can only be truly understood in the light of a highly developed African cosmology. "In drawing parallels with both the ancient Greek practices of Necromancy and Nigromancy, and the grimoire tradition, Nicholaj also illuminates the Western tradition, showing what we have lost in our denial of the dead and the cult of the ancestors... "The Garden of Blood and Bones gives explicit detail of the workings of Palo Mayombe for good and ill, the method of divination, the herbs, animals, trees and plants, powders, baths and waters, the songs and chants. It presents a complete living system ... "This is a serious study which confronts the sinister and violent aspects of the cult, but rather than purveying lurid sensationalism expresses the deep dignity and integrity of its nature. "This is a book written from within the cult ... With access to rare materials, pamphlets, booklets and unpublished field notes, this is the most comprehensive study of Palo Mayombe to date..." Nicholaj begins our interview by describing his interest and early experience in esotericism. He describes how this interest led to formal studies in anthropology and psychology at university while simultaneously practicing the traditions he was studying. Even though this appears to be a most thorough and balanced approach, addressing both the intellectual and experiential aspects, his "pre-modern" views inevitably caused some difficulties in the academy. Nicholaj's  interest in witchcraft led directly to Palo Mayombe through the recognition of the difference in the treatment of the cauldron, n'ganga, prenda, or spirit vessel. Nicholaj discusses the history, theology, and cosmology of Palo Mayombe. He stresses the importance of initiation and ancestry to this living tradition and direct contact with the spirits of the lineage. We also discuss necromancy and opinions about so-called high and low magick. Nicholaj talks about writing Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones and his desire to portray the power and beauty of the cult, or religion, as he experiences it. I highly recommend both of Nicholaj's books from Scarlet Imprint. If you listen to the interview, you'll understand why. Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bones is a fascinating study by an insider and scholar that sets a high standard for texts about initiatic traditions. Pomba Gira and Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila is also amazing as a connection to a strong current of feminine magick. Nicholaj and I continue this fascinating interview and he goes into even greater depth about his experience as a Palero in the Occult of Personality Membership Section. gkaminsky clean 1:07:37 http://www.occultofpersonality.net/richard-andrew-king/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/richard-andrew-king/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:54:38 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=982 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/richard-andrew-king/feed/ 5 9/11,astrology,consciousness,eschatology,esoteric,metaphysics,mysticism,New Age,numerology,occult,philosophy,spirituality Master numerologist Richard Andrew King is our guest in podcast episode 111. Richard describes his quest to understand the mysteries of life, which led him to the study of numerology. After much study and research, Master numerologist Richard Andrew King is our guest in podcast episode 111. Richard describes his quest to understand the mysteries of life, which led him to the study of numerology. After much study and research, he eventually formulated "THE KING'S NUMEROLOGY© - a revolutionary numerology system of defining, describing and interpreting those energies and forces which comprise our lives and destinies." Richard then explains the basics of numerology and how it can be practically applied to our lives. His system is devised and proven to allow one to interpret their life within a larger, more coherent context. Richard's passion and expertise shines through in his clear descriptions. He also explains that there is more to life than what we can see and touch, the world of spirit is vast, we each have a purpose in life, and it is within our grasp to find out what that purpose is. Of course, this raises fundamental questions about the origins of our calendar, language, and the nature of human consciousness. Richard then shares with us his knowledge about spiritual masters and his understanding of the requirements to gain progress on the spiritual path. He describes the masters as living links between us and the transcendent, and the role of the masters is to guide us home. Richard stresses that dedication, perseverance, and hard work are required to make spiritual progress. He also highlights the importance of balance in all aspects of existence. Richard then shares his thoughts about the numerological significance of the times we're living in now, as well as the future. His insightful observations provide a way to interpret our world in a highly systematic way. We conclude the interview by discussing the remarkable numerology involved in 9/11, and how its implications shape our future. In The King's Book of Numerology Volume One: Foundations and Fundamentals, Richard Andrew King had done something remarkable. He has provided seekers with comprehensive, but simple ways to interpret their lives and navigate the future. The book is essentially a doorway through which the reader may enter in order to begin seeing and interpreting the world in a way that is logical and magickal, albeit with a bit of work required. I found the information about numbers and their meanings to be entirely complimentary to other teachings in tangential areas such as Qabalah, Tarot, and Astrology.  If you're looking to learn more about numerology, I highly recommend Richard's book. Richard Andrew King Numerology Articles (including "Spires of Fire - A Tribute to 9/11”) The King's Book of Numerology, Volume One: Foundations and Fundamentals by Richard Andrew King The King's Book of Numerology, Volume Two: Forecasting Part 1 by Richard Andrew King Messages from the Masters: Timeless Truths for Spiritual Seekers by Richard Andrew King The Age of the Female: A Thousand Years of Yin by Richard Andrew King Destinies of the Rich and Famous: The Secret Numbers of Extraordinary Lives by Richard Andrew King intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos outro music - "Numerology" by Kukkiva Kunnas gkaminsky clean 1:20:54 http://www.occultofpersonality.net/vanese-mcneill/ http://www.occultofpersonality.net/vanese-mcneill/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:12:44 +0000 gkaminsky http://www.occultofpersonality.net/?p=970 Continue reading →]]> http://www.occultofpersonality.net/vanese-mcneill/feed/ 0 consciousness,esoteric,Great Work,Magick,meditation,metaphysics,mysticism,neo-shamanism,New Age,occult,philosophy,religion We're fortunate to have with us Vanese McNeill, creator and co-producer of The Great Work DVD series and host of The Great Network ("the esoteric facebook"), as our guest in podcast episode 110. - In this free-form interview, We're fortunate to have with us Vanese McNeill, creator and co-producer of The Great Work DVD series and host of The Great Network ("the esoteric facebook"), as our guest in podcast episode 110. In this free-form interview, Vanese talks about The Great Network and her experience hosting it and why it is important. She discusses The Great Work DVD series, a phenomenal tool for learning, that she created and co-produced. We'll hear about the car accident in which she broke her neck, and the extraordinary experiences and miraculous healing that followed. Vanese shares openly about her experience and all the spiritual, mystical, and metaphysical modalities that she's pursued. This was a fascinating conversation that I hope was worth the wait! The Great Network The Great Work DVD series (featuring Lon Milo DuQuette, John Michael Greer, John Anthony West, Georgia Lambert, and more) intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos outro music - "The Lady of Vastness" by Dano of DanoSongs.com gkaminsky clean 1:05:29