
Show Notes
Welcome to Occult of Personality: esoteric podcast extraordinaire. Now, in episode number 220, you know him, you love him: Freemason, Druid, and author John Michael Greer returns to the show to discuss his recent book, The Ceremony of the Grail: Ancient Mysteries, Gnostic Heresies, and the Lost Rituals of Freemasonry. https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-ceremony-of-the-grail-ancient-mysteries-gnostic-heresies-and-the-lost-rituals-of-freemasonry/18924740/
From start to finish, this interview is totally LIT! John Michael Greer has more fully revealed some of the most intriguing mysteries of western esotericism, which for me include gnostic connections in the Grail mythos and the origins of Freemasonry. To be honest, I never actually thought I would ever encounter proof that is so clear and was more than willing to accept these understandings without it, but this is next level in terms of the history of western esotericism. Highly recommended! The Ceremony of the Grail is a must read, along with Greer’s book on temple technology: The Secret of the Temple: Earth Energies, Sacred Geometry, and the Lost Keys of Freemasonry. https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-of-the-temple-earth-energies-sacred-geometry-and-the-lost-keys-of-freemasonry-john-michael-greer/8779177
"Delve into Ancient Mysteries with Some of Freemasonry’s Most Guarded Secrets
"The Holy Grail. The medieval stories of Merlin. The ancient Greek Mysteries. Discover the connection between them all with this phenomenal book by 32nd-degree Freemason and celebrated author, John Michael Greer. He uses careful research to fit together seemingly unrelated traditions and topics, drawing on translated texts and published documents that, until recently, were jealously guarded. A must-read for anyone interested in occult Freemasonry and the Grail mysteries, this book provides answers that have eluded seekers for centuries.
"Using the earliest surviving Masonic ritual texts as well as pioneering insights and writings by Jessie Weston, William Morris, and other renowned scholars, this book reconstructs the Grail ritual and provides guidelines for performing it. Greer also presents Freemasonry's origins, full translations of pivotal essays, and fascinating history from megalithic to modern times. The Ceremony of the Grail pieces together a puzzle that has captivated practitioners throughout the ages."
Occult of Personality podcast is made possible by you, the listeners, and by the subscribers to chamberofreflection.com, our membership website who aid us in the cause of informed, authentic, and accessible interviews about western esotericism. Thank you again! Because of your support, we’re able to bring you recordings of this caliber and many more to come.
The intro music is “Awakening” by Paul Avgerinos (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/avgerinos-gnosis?song=3) and the outro music is “The Holy Grail” by Russ Hopkins and Jerry Palmer (http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/hopalmer-moon?song=7).
In the Chamber of Reflection and at our Patreon, Billy and I continue the interview with John Michael Greer, where he expounds upon the origins of Freemasonry and connections to ancient religion, discusses the Ceremony of the Grail, and much more! Join us for that compelling conversation.
I’d like to remind you that although you’re able to listen to this podcast at no charge, it costs time and money to create. We ask you to support our efforts and the creation of future podcasts by joining the membership section at https://chamberofreflection.com or subscribing via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality. As always, if you’re already supporting the show or have done so in the past—my heartfelt thanks and I salute you!
Please remember, we are in the midst of our Meditations on the Tarot Study Circle that is open to all Chamber of Reflection paid members. Later in February, we’re meeting to discuss the The Hanged Man and you should join us!
Greg Kaminsky Linktree – htt
More from Occult of Personality podcast
Garin Horner is a spiritual practitioner, photographer, professor, author, and Tarot designer. He joins us to discuss his amazing book, A Feather on the Breath of RA: Conversations with an Alchemist on Photography, Light, & Magic. Garin's book is one of the most unexpected and brilliant books about alchemy and Western esotericism that I've ever read. I highly recommend it.
The superlative Ike Baker interviews me about two of my newer books: Peregrine: Crossing Spiritual Boundaries to Find a New Home, An Essay, and The Silent Call of the Heart: A Testimony of Spiritual Awakening. Our conversation focuses on these two new books, which are closely related but distinct in tone: one more comparative and outward looking, the other more personal and inward looking. We cover comparisons between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, the meaning of pilgrimage, and the idea that different practices may lead to similar experiences of realization. Another major theme we discuss is the role of the teacher in spiritual practice, and the argument that an authentic teacher is needed to recognize enlightenment and divinity, not merely to learn techniques. Our discussion also covers honesty about suffering, weakness, and spiritual bypassing, as well as ways of responding to nihilism.
Georgina Rose — polytheist, ceremonial magician, and Thelemite, and author of Planetary Theurgy: Ascent Through the Seven Veils — joins me to talk about what it actually means to have a spiritual path with a trajectory, rather than a vague collection of borrowed practices. We get into her rejection of psychologized, watered-down approaches to magic, her critique of New Age spirituality's shallow eclecticism, and why she believes discipline and even transgression are essential to real gnosis rather than obstacles to it. This was an excellent conversation and I confidently recommend Georgina Rose's work. She is a qualified guide with a solid approach to the magical path and the courage to speak it. For extended conversations like this one, ad-free episodes, and more, support the show at https://www.patreon.com/occultofpersonality/.
The one and only Jaime Paul Lamb joins us to discuss his wonderful book The Astrological Goetia: The 72 Keys to Angelic and Demonic Astrology (Inner Traditions, 2025). This was an amazing interview with an exceptional practitioner. Enjoy! This is the full interview. Please support the podcast by subscribing to our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/occultofpersonality or our members' website at https://chamberofreflection.com for exclusive content, extra interviews, and more! Jaime's website - https://www.jaimepaullamb.com/ The Astrological Goetia - https://a.co/d/09L2nUyp My new website - https://gregkaminsky.net/
In this episode of Occult of Personality podcast, we have an absolutely epic interview with author, Hermetic practitioner, and meditation specialist Martin Faulks (https://martinfaulks.co.uk/) about Freemasonry, alchemy, meditation, the human subtle body, Tantra, and the book Long Livers: with the Rare Secret of Rejuvenescency, published by Lewis Masonic (https://www.lewismasonic.co.uk/long-livers.htm). I've been anticipating and preparing for this conversation with Martin for years. It's a huge blessing that it's finally come to fruition!