Show Notes
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.
More from Rune Soup
The one and only Peter J Carroll has completed his incarnation. I wanted to get down some thoughts about what he and his work meant to me. You can also watch this one.
In this side quest from the Hospicing Modernity's Magic series, I make the case that Synchromysticism is modernity's best available form of omen logic. And that getting good at it is one of the more reliable ways to get good at magic. We'll cover Seneca's distinction between the candle and the comet The rise and decline of synchromysticism as a subculture. Jung on the I Ching and psychoid archetypes. The Māori concept of wairua. And the practical toolkit. Show Notes Chris Knowles on Cosmic Connections: Mystical Practices & Reality's Hidden Language. Wearing Jung's Skin Like A Pelt. Jake Kotze on The Higherside Chats.
Ayahuasca's peak cultural moment has been and gone. So what does she do now? And what are the lessons for western magic in the complex journey of this incredible plant teacher? I have some thoughts on all this mid-dieta, in the Upper Amazon. As usual, this one is also a YouTube video. You can see it here. Here's the link to the Santa Rosa centre. (The website is a little weird but this is the place!) Here's the piece I wrote after my first piñon blanco experience.
It's the anniversary of the reception of the Book of the Law. Joining me to explore the questions of What to make of it?
Is magic just a less sophisticated form of psychology? That is probably the cornerstone claim of what I am calling 'Modernity's Magic'. And in the next instalment of our series 'Hospicing Modernity's Magic', I want to look at: How psychology diverged from magic and why. Jung's role during his lifetime. What the magicians of modernity did with the 'legitimacy umbrella' they received from Jungian thought. Which parts of this journey do we take with us into the magic of today? Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Wearing Jung's Skin Like a Pelt 01:57 The 19th Century & Roads Not Taken 07:56 The Red Book 10:50 Active Imagination 15:26 Jung & Astrology 17:59 Is Magic Just Psychology? 22:09 Synchronicity 29:17 The Yi Qing & Moments in Time 33:08 Synchromysticism as Omen Logic 35:26 Psychoid Archetypes & the Unus Mundus 43:00 The Post-Jung Pelt-Wearers 49:27 What to Hospice, What to Keep 52:32 Use Magic to Legitimise Jung