Thelema NOW! Guest: Tom Banger on Harry Smith

What happens when magical practice forces us to confront beings that don't fit neatly into our spiritual worldview? On this episode of Thelema Now!, host Harper Feist—joined by Frater Acher—dives into the stranger corners of occult practice, exploring his books, the nature of spiritual parasites, and the complex relationships we develop with the spirits we encounter. An accomplished author and practitioner of Western magic, Frater Acher is known for combining historical research with firsthand magical experience. His work spans subjects from the Holy Daimon and Rosicrucian magic to the Olympic Spirits and chthonic sorcery. Through his writing, he challenges conventional assumptions about magic and encourages practitioners to approach the spirit world with curiosity, discernment, and a willingness to question their own expectations. Harper and Frater Acher explore what it actually means to speak of parasites in a magical context. What are we describing when we use that word, and how can we distinguish between helpful, harmful, and simply unfamiliar spiritual relationships? They also discuss working with Mother and Father spirits, the dynamics of these powerful relationships, and what such encounters can reveal about our understanding of ourselves and the unseen world. The conversation also turns to Goêteia.com, Frater Acher's online home for chthonic sorcery, where he shares essays, historical research, practical reflections, and resources for those interested in spirit work. Join Harper Feist and Frater Acher for a wide-ranging exploration of the difficult questions, strange encounters, and unexpected lessons that arise when magic becomes a genuine engagement with the Other.

On this episode of Thelema Now!, host Harper Feist speaks with Italian contemporary witch, Priestess, teacher, and archaeologist Giulia Turolla about witchcraft, ancient religion, and the often-misunderstood world of Ancient Greece. Giulia's work sits at the intersection of scholarship and magical practice. With a background in Classical Letters and Archaeology and Cultures of the Ancient World, she researches ancient magical and religious traditions while practicing witchcraft as an indigenous form of shamanism. Her approach explores the relationship between people, spirits, gods, place, and tradition—and how those connections can inform magical practice today. Harper and Giulia take a wide-ranging look at some of the common misconceptions surrounding Ancient Greek religion and mythology, separating modern assumptions from what historical and archaeological evidence can tell us about the religious and magical lives of ancient people. They also discuss Giulia's book, The Key to Ancient Greek Religion: A Source of Academic Knowledge for Practitioners, which brings contemporary academic research together with the needs of modern practitioners. The conversation explores how scholarship can deepen magical practice without reducing ancient traditions to modern stereotypes—and how practitioners can approach the Gods, spirits, magic, and religious practices of the ancient Mediterranean with greater context and understanding. A fascinating conversation about witchcraft, archaeology, ancient Greek religion, and the sometimes complicated relationship between historical research and modern magical practice. Visit her website at boscodiartemisia.academy/en/

On this episode of Thelema Now!, host Harper Feist speaks with occultist and sorcerer Sef Salem about his decades of magical practice, his approach to group work, and the development of his Star Club Framework. Sef has more than twenty years of experience in personal and group magical practice. After beginning his journey as a Gnostic Mystic, he joined Ordo Templi Orientis in 2010 and soon founded Gentlemen 4 Jupiter. He also helped organize the Occult Conference in Glastonbury and has continued to develop innovative approaches to practical magic through Star Club, a magical training framework that brings practitioners together for study, experimentation, and ritual. Sef and Harper explore the relationship between individual practice and magical community, the challenges and rewards of developing group ritual, and Sef's broader vision for creating spaces where people can learn, experiment, and grow through direct engagement with magic. Sef is also a director of The Visible College, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to learning, development, esoteric practice, and the arts. The Visible College is helping facilitate the 40th Anniversary of the International Thelemic Symposium, taking place September 12, 2026, at the Old Fire Station in Oxford. The day features lectures, workshops, ritual, and performance, bringing together practitioners and scholars from across the Thelemic community. Tickets are still available, so if this conversation sparks your interest in Thelema and contemporary magical practice, there's still time to join Sef and the wider community in Oxford.

On this episode of Thelema Now!, host Harper Feist welcomes author, artist, lecturer, and ceremonial magician Maevius Lynn for a wide-ranging conversation about Thelema, Aleister Crowley, and her new book, The Holy Year of Thelema: A Guide to the Ritual Calendar of Aleister Crowley's Tradition. Lynn's book explores the holy days, rituals, and celebrations that make up the Thelemic ritual year, offering practical ways for modern practitioners to engage with Thelema as a living spiritual tradition. She also shines a light on the often-overlooked women whose contributions helped shape the history of Thelema. Harper and Maevius go beyond the book to discuss Crowley and the ideas at the heart of Thelema, the experience of practicing magic today, and what it is like to navigate the Thelemic community as a woman. The conversation offers a personal and thoughtful look at both the challenges and possibilities of finding one's place within a magical tradition. Tune in for a candid and wide-ranging discussion about Thelema, ritual, community, Crowley, and the continuing evolution of the tradition.

What does it mean to make magic a lived experience rather than an occasional ritual? On this episode of Thelema Now!, host Harper Feist welcomes acclaimed author, teacher, and mystic T. Thorn Coyle for an inspiring conversation about the transformative power of a daily spiritual practice. Drawing from decades of experience as a practitioner, teacher, and author of books including Sigil Magic, By Earth, Flame and Wind, and Evolutionary Witchcraft, Thorn explores how simple, consistent practices can deepen self-knowledge, strengthen magical work, and cultivate resilience in everyday life. Harper and Thorn discuss building sustainable spiritual habits, overcoming obstacles to practice, and how devotion, discipline, and presence can become gateways to profound personal transformation. Whether you're just beginning your magical journey or looking to renew an established practice, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for integrating the sacred into every day. Join us for an engaging discussion on magic, mindfulness, and the lifelong path of spiritual commitment. Visit Thorn's website at https://thorncoyle.com/.