Thoth-hermes Podcast

This episode is the second of three "interview-only" episodes published this month. That means, just the interview with just a short intro by Rudolf, no news, no reviews. This week Rudolf welcomes back a guest who a year ago was very warmly received by all of you: Tobias Churton, British author and historian, musician and playwright is with us again. This time we talk mainly about his latest book "The Spiritual Meaning of the Sixties", but when Rudolf and Tobias (both born in 1960) start talking about those years, you can be sure that they soon end up talking about many other issues regarding Occultism, Magic, Music and times in general. All of this with Tobias' usual British wit and humour!       A world authority on Gnostic spirituality, TOBIAS CHURTON is Britain’s leading scholar in the field of Western Esotericism. Holding a Masters degree in Theology from Brasenose College, Oxford, he was appointed Honorary Fellow and Faculty Lecturer in Western E

This episode is the first of three "interview-only" episodes to come this month. That means, just the interview with just a short intro by Rudolf, no news, no reviews. Rudolf is happy to present two people he has wanted to interview for quite some time - but it was now that the right moment had come, because Tara and Chris just released their new book "Besom, Stang and Sword" (get it here) about their Black Tree Witchcraft.But this talk is not only about the book, but about paganism and occultism in general in our time. Chris and Tara are also well-known podcasters, their "Down at the Crossroads" is a classic!       Tara-Love Maguire has been a practicing witch for over 30 years, on a path which has been crookedly influenced by Isobel Gowdie, Marie Laveau, and William S. Burroughs. Growing up as a weird kid in and around the New Jersey Pine Barrens, she found witchcraft within the tales and shadows that dwell there. She co-hosts the podcast, Down at t

This episode is a very special episode. It is the first co-production between the Thoth-Hermes Podcast and Greg Kaminsky's classic Occult of Personality - Podcast. Rudolf and Greg are good friends, and in this episode they share a long interview with Montreal-based occultist, author and editor GABRIEL MC CAUGHRY.   The first part of this interview on Gabriel's new book "Aurorae", published by his own Anathema publishing, can be listened to here:   http://occultofpersonality.net/gabriel-mccaughry-haurorae/  Here on Thoth-Hermes you will find the second part of the interview. In this episode, "guest reporter" Tal Schechter is also telling us his impressions from the OCCULTURE Esoteric Conference that took place in Berlin in November 2018.     Music played Intro Music: Wendy Rule - from the CD "Deity": Think of the Day - Ermetic - Athanor by micleușanu m. - Anesthetic - from the Album "Revolte" by Alchemy music  

Tracey Rollin was born and raised in New Mexico.She grew up surrounded by a culture within a culture. Her own mother is a German immigrant and a devout Catholic, and she raised her in the ways and traditions of her people. Tracey's childhood memories are just as full of stories of Thor and Freya as they are of stained glass church windows! She also enjoyed being surrounded by my warm and friendly Hispanic friends, many of whom were recent Mexican immigrants. Their mothers accepted her quickly into their extended families, calling her “mija” (shortened from the Spanish “mi hija,” which means “my daughter”) and telling the same stories that they told their own children.Tracey feels lucky to have grown up surrounded by two so different – and in their own ways, so similar – cultures. Rudolf talks to Tracey about her background and her recent book which surveys Santa Muerte as an aspect of the dark feminine, the bringer of death that Is crucial to all life. This perspective is surveyed through the lens of Santa M

Stephen E. Flowers is the featured guest on this new episode of the Thoth-Hermes Podcast, coming to you at the end of a long break and at the beginning of the return to our regular bi-weekly release schedule. Dr. Flowers is very well known in the esoteric and occult communities through his extensive teaching and writing, which ranges from Runology to Zoroastrianism, from the German Occultist scene to the Left Hand Path. Stephen Flowers studied Germanic and Celtic philology and religious history at the University of Texas at Austin and in Goettingen, West Germany. He received his Ph.D. in 1984 in Germanic Languages and Medieval Studies with a dissertation entitled Runes and Magic. In this episode we talk about his book "Original Magic", published by Inner Traditions, where he explores the history, theory, practice, rituals, and initiations of the Mazdan magical system practiced by the Magi of ancient Persia. He details a complete curriculum of magical study and initiation based on exercises keyed to the sacr

Tobias Churton is certainly one of the most prolific authors in the field of research in the Western Esoteric Tradition. Also Aleister Crowley has been at the center of already three of his books. A world authority on Gnostic spirituality, Tobias holds a Masters degree in Theology from Brasenose College, Oxford, he was appointed Honorary Fellow and Faculty Lecturer in Western Esotericism at Exeter University in 2005. In order to speed the release of this episode a bit up, there is no review section and just one news announcement. Show Notes and Links Visit Tobias Churton's own website! This is where you find all of Tobias Churton's book on Amazon   Music played Intro Music: Wendy Rule - from the CD "Deity": Think of the Day Wendy Rule - from the CD "The Lotus Eaters" - Hecate Wendy Rule - from the CD "World

In this episode I am very happy to welcome German esotericist, magician, blogger and author Frater Acher as our featured interview guest. Frater Acher is one of the most interesting personalities of the younger generation in the magical world, especially on the European continent. In this episode we are talking about his magical background and many different topics, but also about his recently published book "Cyprian of Antioch". But also his approach to how magic can influence our environment and our future is very interesting to hear. There is also again a new section and a book review, and of course, some music! Show Notes and Links Website Theomagica, founded and edited by Frater Acher Frater Acher on Facebook Here you can buy Frater Acher's "Cyprian of Antioch"   Music played Intro Music: Wendy Rule - fr

Angel Millar is the author of "The Crescent and the Compass: Islam, Freemasonry, Esotericism and Revolution in the Modern Age" (2015), "Freemasonry: Foundation of the Western Esoteric Tradition" (2014), and "Freemasonry: A History" (2005), as well as numerous articles on spirituality and related subjects. His writing has been published in New Dawn magazine, Quest magazine, The Philalethes (Masonic magazine), The Journal of Indo-European Studies, and at Disinfo dot com, among others. He also writes for, and edits, Phalanx — a blog about spirituality, esotericism, religion, martial arts, and self-development. Besides writing, he regularly gives lectures and talks on various aspects of esotericism, Freemasonry, self-improvement, and Traditionalism, etc. He has spoken at The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Library and Museum on several occasions, to the Philosophy department of Mensa NY, on US and Canadian radio, on Occult of Personality podcast several times, at Catland bookstore in Brooklyn, and to private soc

Prefer listening on Spreaker? Click here! This is not an episode like all the others. This is our Special Seasonal Edition - Samhain 2017! Many friends have contributed to give you a special view on how they see Samhain. - Halloween. Listen to Helene Arts, Diana Rajcher, Martin Faulks, Greg Kaminsky and Thomas Karlsson. And enjoy texts by Wendy Rule, Gabriel McCaughry, Virgil, and Edgar Allan Poe (yes, him!). All of this garnished with music for the occasion - all also contributed as a gift by our friends.   BLESSED SAMHAIN AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Show Notes and Links Contributors in order of appearance and links to their work: (Music see below) VIRGIL published on Falcon Book Publishing GREG KAMINSKY Occult of Personality Podcast Facebook MARTIN FAULKS YouTube channel Books by Martin THOMAS KARLSSON Facebook Dragon Rouge DIANA RA

Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki is one of the most respected and experienced esoteric practitioners currently at work in the British Isles and beyond. Dolores was born in Channel Island of Jersey off the coast of France, where she still lives with her husband. She was trained in the Fraternity of the Inner Light and worked as a Cosmic Mediator with Walter Ernest Butler. Dolores is a third-degree adept and Qabalist. She not only teaches the Craft but also is the current director of the Servants of the Light, a Hermetic order descended from Dion Fortune’s Society of the Inner Light. She travels extensively, teaching a wide range of occult subjects to pupils in both the U.K. and the United States. Successor to W E Butler and present director of studies of Servants Of the Light, author of several books and correspondence courses, she is a third-generation psychic sensitive and a highly trained Cosmic Mediator. Her teachers and mentors were the late C C Chichester, Warden of the Society of Inner Light, and W E Butler. S

Carroll Poke Runyon describes himself as a Gentleman of the Old School which he defines as: One who recites classical poetry to heartless beauties while wrestling alligators. He has lived out his Neo-Romantic philosophy as a Captain in the Green Berets, a student of Ninjutsu, a blue-water sailor, scuba diver, and a ceremonial magician. His background in occult study and practice is extensive: in 1970, following a near-death experience, and a mystic vision, he became the founder of The Ordo Templi Astartes (O.T.A.). which is now America’s oldest continually operating Ritual magick Lodge. In 1980 Runyon received his Master’s Degree in cultural anthropology from California State University at Northridge, specializing in Magick. After graduate school he went through all the degrees of Freemasonry in both the Scottish and York Rites. He then undertook an intense series of Tibetan tantric initiations and training sessions under the direction of H.E. Luding Khen Rinpoche of The Sakya Order, mastering the Vajra Yog

Oberon Zell describes himself as a wizard, and this to him means that he is a kind of mentor, teacher, professor. He tells us in this extensive interview about his early childhood, when he thought that everyone had the gifts that he had... Soon he discovered that this was not the case! Throughout his life he got tasks, as he puts it, by Her Majesty's (the Godess') Sacred Service, like founding the Church of all Worlds (and along the way defining the Pagan movement), the magazine Green Egg, the Grey School of Wizardry etc. And he tells as in a moving moment also about the very special relationship he as his wife, Morning Glory Zell, shared until her death a few years ago. Then we will also speak to Damh the Bard, our featured musician of the day - see the music page for more details. The episode ends with a piece of news and a book review. Show Notes and Links

Colin Stanley is a British author and publisher and has work for many years a librarian at Nottingham University. In the 1970's he got in touch with renowned author Colin Wilson and became his bibliographer. Colin Wilson was then one of the most important writers  in the occult realm with his "Occult Trilogy", a work that still sets standards today. We talk about this and many other aspects of Wilson's work. Then also Gary Lachman, who has recently written a book on Colin Wilson, called "Beyond the Robot", joins me for his remarks on this important author. Also in this episode the news and reviews sections are back. And Rudolf presents our Featured Artist, Madeline von Foerster! Show Notes and Links Links: Colin Wilson online and another interesting website on Colin Wilson Works of Colin Wilson to buy A Colin Wilson memorial page on F

Greg Kaminsky Most of those who are regular users of the Internet and interested in serious articles and interviews about Esoteric Tradition and Occultism know and appreciate the renowned Occult of Personality podcast. It has been online and active for over eleven years and about 180 interesting episodes are among the best the internet has to give in this field. In this episode, you meet founder and host of this wonderful show, Greg Kaminsky. Greg's always informed and knowledgeable way of leading interviews, his calm voice are a trademark. In the interview, Rudolf asks Greg about how Occult of Personality came into being, but also about Greg's first experiences with the esoteric world, his personal points of view in that field etc. Greg also talks to us about his upcoming thesis and the Italian Renaissance philosopher Pico di Mirandola, who plays an important role in what we call today the Western Esoteric Tradition. Please note that in this episode there is no reviews and news section. They will return - to

Benebell Wen calls herself an independent metaphysician. It is a term she has created herself, wanting to tell us that she is in her esoteric work not linked to any particular school or lineage, but independent. In the interview we talk about how an ethnic background does or does not influence your approach to and work in the occult world, how you can combine having an important daytime job with being engaged in the esoteric path, and how the two influence each other mutually, and many other topics. Please note that in this episode there is no reviews and news section. They will return - together with other new developments - in August. Show Notes and Links Links and interesting info Benebell Wen on the Web: Facebook Twitter Website Make sure you also find out about her online courses! Get Benebell's books here! Des

Paul Joseph Rovelli has been a student of the Western Mystery Tradition his whole life.  A journey from his youth led him to meetings with interesting people that helped him cobble together that which was almost lost in the White School of Magick.   Starting out, as a child with a voracious appetite for the literature and contemplations of the West, he grew into a man and began to develop what he refers to as his vision of beauty.  In college, the Western Mystery Tradition seemed to have its only expression in art and indulgences of sex and psychedelics in the counter-culture of the 60s and 70s.  And he wanted more to match the sophistication of what he was also studying about the East. Modern physics and genome studies would eventually pique his interest in the reunion of science and religion in the West.  He saw in this the possibility for a sophistication that he had found in his Eastern studies with its science and its philosophical depth.  It was only the foreign culture in Hinduism that gave he held at

Michael Schiavello was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1975. He is a best-selling author, award-winning feature writer and an international television sports broadcaster. Known as ‘The Voice’ he has commentated sports events in more than 20 countries, including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He is the host of ‘The Voice Versus’ interview show on AXS TV where his guests have included Steven Seagal, Sugar Ray Leonard, Hulk Hogan, George Foreman, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Dana White. His feature writing has appeared in more than 50 publications worldwide. Michael was initiated into Freemasonry in 2009 and raised to Master Mason in 2010 in Deepdene-Balwyn Lodge No. 275, in Melbourne, Australia. In 2011 Michael relocated to Las Vegas for his television career. There he became a 32nd Degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and a member of the Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar of the York Rite of Freemasonry. Michael is Past Master of Daylite Lodge No. 44 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thomas Karlsson, Ph. D. is the founder of the esoteric order Dragon Rouge and Head of Ordo Draconias. Dr. Karlsson is author of several articles and books published in more than ten languages. His most famous works are Uthark: Nightside of the Runes (2002), and Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic (2007), which have both become classics in their genre. Amongst Mystics and Magicians in Stockholm (21012), Adul Runa and the Gothic Cabala (forthcoming in English), Astral Travels Out of Body (forthcoming in English). Thomas Karlsson teaches Western Esotericism at Stockholm University, Sweden, and holds lectures, seminars and workshops on a regular basis in many countries all over the world. He is Senior Lecturer in History, Religion and Philosophy in Stockholm, and also Fellow Researcher at Yale University, USA. He is also the Director of The Esoteric Crossroads Conferences on the island of Capri, Italy. Thomas is also lyric writer for music bands and involved in art projects.

William Mistele, who now lives in Hawaii, is one of North America's great esotericists. He calls himself a spiritual anthropologist and a "professional contemplator". In everything he has to say about the different traditions and his own life it becomes clear that for William Mistele there exists no possibility to separate esoteric experience and life from our day-to-day mundane experience, it is obvious to him that science and spirituality are just two faces of the same coin. Being also a renowned teacher, he says: “I want my students to take advantage of the uniqueness of the spiritual potential of this planet!” He  encourages all practitioners and students to adopt a system as a base, but develop it in the individual way that is adapted to each one of them. Bill tells us a lot about his youth, the very special family he grew up in, how women have always played an important role in his life by introducing him to new paths. He also talks about the differences between the Western and the Eastern tradition and

Vancouver-based Canadian author, born and raised in Montreal, esotericist and transpersonal psychologist PT Mistlberger is Rudolf's guest on this new episode. Phil first introduces the listeners to his esoteric background, when as a young man he came across the teachings of Gurdijeff, Ouspensky and Osho. From there he developed a great interest in Eastern and Western teachings, which in the end brought him to his profession as a transpersonal psychologist. In this very deep and personal talk he tells us interesting points about the psychology of Alchemy and the Kabbalah, about the Left Hand Path, about the problem of disconnection between the Esoteric world and psychology, about the risk of ego-inflation and antinomination. Then he gives us an insight in his books, in the history and his personal work in men's groups, and he even tells us what the 4th and the 6th chakras have to do with the porn industry. A really captivating hour. Also check out his three websites (links below), which contain a treasure of i