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My guest this month is Bob Cluness, whom I am thrilled to welcome back to the platform. Bob recently published a new article in the journal Correspondences, “The Working-Class Magus: Class, Politics, and Occult Power in John Constantine: Hellblazer” and he was so kind to talk with me about it. In this episode, we explore the cultural ecosystem that gave birth to John Constantine—from punk, Thatcher-era Britain, and the Stoke Newington Sorcerers to chaos magic, and how those anti-establishment ideas were later appropriated and transformed within modern occulture, plus much more!Bob Cluness is a PhD candidate and researcher in the cultural studies program at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. His current PhD project deals with the relationship between esotericism and accelerationism expressed within UK subcultures in the late 20th century, the core research being a comparative and historical discursive analysis of the UK chaos magic(k) scene and the CCRU. This PhD project, including Bob’s research vectors, published articles, conference papers and teaching programs, incorporates the myriad intersections between esotericism and contemporary subcultures, such as cyberpunk, cyberspace and technology, the counterculture and the New Age, conspiracy culture, modern art, comics, zine culture, and music.What made John Constantine the ultimate occult antihero, and whom would he confront today? Bob traces Hellblazer through the overlapping worlds of punk, British counterculture, chaos magic, and the emerging occulture of the late twentieth century. From the Stoke Newington Sorcerers and Thatcher-era politics to the commercialization of rebellion, and the contemporary struggle over occult ideas, this conversation explores how Constantine’s world was created, and why its tensions remain strikingly relevant. An overview of the topics we cover in this episode: The cultural and political conditions that produced John ConstantineHellblazer, punk, class, and anti-establishment politicsThe Stoke Newington Sorcerers and Britain’s occult undergroundChaos magic and the development of modern occultureConstantine as magician, trickster, outsider, and working-class “cunning man”The relationship between comics, popular culture, and occult innovationWhat happens when counterculture becomes commercially successfulThe mainstreaming, and political appropriation, of occult ideasWho, or what, John Constantine might be fighting today?PROGRAM NOTESVolume 13, no. 1 (2025)The Working-Class Magus:Post-punk, Industrial Culture Zines, and the Information Dark Age - University of BirminghamSearch Results | History Workshop Journal | Oxford Academic(PDF) Punk, Politics and British (fan)zines, 1976-84: 'While the world was dying, did you wonder why?'Bob's Hot Tip: The Absolute Martian Manhunter: Absolute Martian Manhunter (2025-) — Read Comics OnlineMusic and Editing: Daniel P. SheaEnd Production: Stephanie SheaLink to Patreon: https://patreon.com/RejectedReligion?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkLink to YouTube Channel: Rejected Religion - YouTube

This is Part One/ Free Content of Episode 46. The full version of this interview is available for YouTube members and Patreon members; alternately, it can be purchased for a one-time fee at my Patreon page (see Shop link).  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7BQC-iCBzMaFN0i6a-lgag/join https://patreon.com/RejectedReligion?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink My guest this month is Gregg Harmston. Gregg is an independent researcher, writer and music producer from the UK who focuses on esotericism and occultism alongside media and literature theory, cyberculture, fictioning, and non-standard philosophy. He graduated an MA in Spirituality and Religion from University of Amsterdam in 2025 and is currently working on expanding his thesis research into a PhD project. In this episode, Gregg peels back the layers of the Cybernetic Culture Research Unit, or CCRU, a group that stands as one of the most unique and enigmatic forms of modern occultism.  Using a "matryoshka doll" methodology, we look briefly at the core members of the group, and then explore the CCRU as a collective myth and an independent entity. We’ll trace their origins from the intellectual split between Sadie Plant’s cyberfeminism and Nick Land’s "dark" inhumanism, fueled by the rhythmic, non-linear influences of the 1990s jungle dance scene. We discuss "Time Sorcery," the Numogram, and the mechanics of hyperstition—the process by which fictions "make themselves real" through cybernetic feedback loops to reshape our present reality.  To explain this concept a bit further, the core of Gregg’s thesis focuses on "Hyperstition as the idea of fictions that make themselves real by functioning as "time-circuits" or self-fulfilling prophecies. Gregg illustrates how the CCRU’s use of "theory-fiction" was not merely a literary style, but a deliberate "writing magic" designed to bypass rational thought and manifest "inhuman" entities or future outcomes into the present. Ultimately, the work positions the CCRU as a unique bridge between 20th-century esoteric practices (like Chaos Magic) and the digital-age occultism of the 21st century, suggesting that the group’s influence persists today as a collective entity or "egregore" that continues to shape contemporary culture and philosophy.  For Patreon and YouTube members, we dive even deeper into the controversial legacy of Nick Land in Part 2, re-evaluating him not just as a philosopher, but as an experimental occultist who used extreme methods to achieve ego-dissolution. We also tackle the complex evolution of accelerationism, tracing the pipeline from CCRU-era theories to the intellectual foundations of the Alt-Right and the modern phenomenon of "Meme Magic." However, we also explore the alternative, hopeful sides of these "weird" tools—examining Left-Accelerationism, and Mark Fisher’s "Acid Communism" to see how these theories can be used to reclaim lost futures and foster collective hope.  PROGRAM NOTESGregg Harmston - University of AmsterdamInstagramCcru: Writings 1997-2003Cybernetic Culture Research Unit - MonoskopRowan Elizabeth Cabrales - University of AmsterdamRR Podcast E4 P1 Rowan E. Cabrales: Hyperstition - Fictions Becoming Real?RR Podcast E4 P2 Rowan E. Cabrales: Hyperstition - Fictions Becoming Real?Aesthetaphysicks and the Anti-Dialectical Hyperoccultation of Disenchanted Representation: Hyperstitional Esoterrorism as Occultural Accelerationism The Hyperstitional Philosophy of Time-Travel Cybernetics: Theosophy, the CCRU, and Black-Box PoiesisRR Pod E28 P1 Bob Cluness - An Esoteric Menagerie...RR Pod E28 P2 Bob Cluness - An Esoteric Menagerie... Theme Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea Research and End Production: Stephanie Shea

This is the Free Content version of my interview with Drs. Sarah & Bastiaan van Rijn. To listen to the full interview, you can either purchase it for a one-time fee, or become a Patreon member. Sarah van Rijn (née Perez) is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bern. She currently works on a project that analyses similarities and differences in ethical motivation, knowledge production, and activist practice of animal rights activists and persons identifying with the eco-spiritual milieu. She previously worked on early modern pamphlets as well as youth- and online spirituality. The latter topic was also the reason why Sarah and her husband Bastiaan have published on the phenomenon of Reality Shifting. Bastiaan van Rijn is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His current project focuses on the connections between spiritual tourism and alternative history. Before that, he wrote on the various ways in which Western individuals have tried to scientifically prove life after death since the late eighteenth century. His book, Afterlife Research, appears later this year. Sarah and Bas have both been previous guests on the platform, Sarah in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Cavan McLaughin on her research into Reality Shifting, and Bas in E 43 about Mesmerism and Afterlife Research. They’ve joined me this time together to discuss their joint article, “Understanding Reality Shifting as a New Online-based Spiritual Practice.” In Part One of this episode, we’re exploring the fascinating world of Reality Shifting—a practice where individuals use ‘scripting’ and intention to move their consciousness to a Desired Reality. But this isn't just about internet subcultures; it’s also an examination and critique of our current reality and how we view what is Real vs what is Fiction. We discuss how Shifting acts, not as escapism, but as a form of serious play, where personal narratives create new facts in an era of 'fake news' and 'deep fakes'. PROGRAM NOTES:Understanding Reality Shifting as a New Online-based Spiritual PracticeIntentional Transformative Experiences...IDENTITY AND BELIEF An Analysis of the Otherkin Subculture Theme Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

* This is an audio-only version of my interview with Rufus Harrington, trustee of The Doreen Valiente Foundation.  I am so excited to share this special conversation with Rufus Harrington about the legendary Doreen Valiente! As a thank you for your incredible support, this interview is being released as a free bonus episode for both my dedicated Patreon members as well as my YouTube community. Happy Yule! In this insightful conversation, I sat down with Rufus Harrington, a psychologist and long-standing practitioner of the craft, who currently serves as a trustee for the Doreen Valiente Foundation. This interview traces the life and spiritual impact of the woman widely known as the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft." We begin by exploring Rufus’s own journey into Wicca and how his professional background in psychology provides a unique lens through which he views the evolution of the pagan community. The Heart of the Conversation: Who was Doreen Valiente? We dive into a biography of this pivotal figure, moving beyond her titles to understand her as a poet, a researcher, and a spiritual revolutionary. The Gardnerian Connection: Rufus distinguishes Valiente’s contributions from those of her contemporary, Gerald Gardner, highlighting how her poetic voice and ethical framework shaped the Craft as we know it today. The Foundation’s Mission: Rufus discusses the vital work of preserving sacred artifacts, rare writings, and the personal legacy of a woman who sought to bring the magic of the old world into the modern era. Spirituality in Practice: From the "Charge of the Goddess" to her scholarly research, we discuss the enduring resonance of Valiente's work and why it remains "alive" for practitioners in the 21st century. Whether you are a long-time practitioner or simply curious about the history of modern spirituality, this interview offers a deep dive into the stewardship of a legacy. Rufus shares personal reflections on his role as a trustee and offers guidance on where seekers can find authentic resources to further their own studies. PROGRAM NOTES Home | Doreen Valiente Books by Doreen Valiente (Author of Natural Magic) Natural Magic: Valiente, Doreen: 8601404398032: Amazon.com: Books THE ATLANTIS BOOKSHOP | The living history of magic Home - Museum of Witchcraft and Magic Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon and Ecstatic Ritual: Farrar, Janet, Bone, Gavin: 9780719831621: Amazon.com: Books What Witches Do: A Modern Coven Revealed: Farrar, Stewart: 9780719831539: Amazon.com: Books Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches: The Founding Book of Modern Witchcraft, Containing History, Traditions, Dianic Goddesses and Folklore of Wicca: Leland, Charles Godfrey: 9781985818026: Amazon.com: Books High Magic's Aid - Kindle edition by Gardner, Gerald . Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Books by Vivianne Crowley (Author of Wicca) Books by Patricia Crowther (Author of Lid Off the Cauldron) John Belham-Payne Founder of the Centre For Pagan Studies – Centre For Pagan Studies John Belham-Payne – Gardnerian Wicca Music & End Production: Stephanie Shea

This is the Free Content version of my interview with author Graham St. John. To access the full interview, please consider joining Patreon as a paid member, or you can purchase the episode for a one-time fee. www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.  This month’s guest is author Graham St. John, who joined me to discuss his new book, Strange Attractor: The Hallucinatory Life of Terence McKenna. Terence McKenna remains one of the most enigmatic voices of the psychedelic counterculture—equal parts philosopher, performer, and visionary. In this episode, we explore McKenna’s mythopoetic “stoned ape” theory, his radical take on shamanism, the ‘teacher’ Mushroom that leads one to the ‘indwelling of the Goddess’, the mysteries of DMT and the “machine elves,” and his controversial Timewave Zero vision of history and hyperspace that embraced the I Ching and the Mayan calendar ‘2012 phenomenon.’ Beyond psychedelics, McKenna was also fascinated with alchemy and Gnosticism, and while figures like Crowley, John Dee, and Gurdjieff were not embraced by McKenna, Graham nevertheless calls him a “psychedelic occultist”—a thinker whose visions of transformation resonate with centuries of esoteric tradition, even if McKenna probably would have resisted the label. Along the way, we unpack the tension between his cult of personality and his desire for academic legitimacy, and consider the legacy he left for today’s psychedelic and occult communities. Unfortunately, I experienced some technical difficulties with my podcasting equipment, and the sound quality is not up to the normal standard. Luckily, my brother Daniel, who does the editing for the podcasts, was able to work his engineering magic and was able to salvage the file and clean up the audio the best he could. I hope this isn’t too distracting and that you’ll enjoy this discussion! PROGRAM NOTES: Find Graham St. John: Graham St John, anthropologist, cultural historian and author. Researcher of EDM cultures, Burning Man, psychedelics, biographer of Terence McKenna. Founder of Dancecult journal. Edgecentral Publications | Edgecentral Strange Attractor Theme Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Bastiaan van Rijn. To hear the entire interview, please consider joining my Patreon and becoming a member; alternately, this episode can be purchased for a one-time fee. More information at www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion. My guest this month is Dr. Bastiaan van Rijn. Bastiaan is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. During his PhD, he has investigated how practitioners of different movements in the nineteenth century tried to scientifically prove life after death exists. The outcome of this project is the book Afterlife Research (forthcoming), as well as several open-access articles. Beside this, he is also interested in playful approaches to religion and divination in the contemporary West. His newest project centers on spiritual tourism. This interview takes us into the fascinating world of Mesmerism—also known as animal magnetism—and its enduring influence on the boundaries between science, mysticism, and spiritual inquiry. Bastiaan gives a brief bio of Franz Anton Mesmer, who in the late 18th century proposed that an invisible fluid flowed through all living beings, capable of healing and revealing hidden truths. Though controversial and dismissed by many, Mesmer’s ideas sparked a lineage of thought that continues to shape contemporary conversations about consciousness, healing, and the legitimacy of scientific inquiry. We discuss how Mesmerism blended science and mysticism, influenced public perception, and laid the groundwork for practices ranging from hypnotism and New Thought to modern-day energetic healing. Bastiaan’s own research picks up this thread, tracing how the experimental impulse to make the invisible visible evolved into afterlife studies, somnambulism, and psychical research. From there, we dive into Bastiaan’s dissertation, which examines the emergence of a “scientific culture” in afterlife research—one grappling with empirical inaccessibility, unreliable intermediaries, and skeptical resistance. Through case studies of three spiritual animal magnetizers, Bastiaan uncovers how different strategies were used to stabilize claims and navigate the tension between belief and method. Ultimately, this conversation invites us to rethink what counts as scientific, Bastiaan invites us to consider not just what these researchers claimed to find, but how they tried to find it, as well as how experimental practices in esoteric and spiritual domains contribute to broader dialogues about religion, and the unseen dimensions of human experience. What emerges is a rich, transhistorical culture of inquiry—one that challenges our assumptions about science, religion, and the boundaries of legitimate knowledge. PROGRAM NOTES Find Bastiaan: Bastiaan Benjamin Van Rijn - University of Fribourg Bastiaan van Rijn | LinkedIn Instagram ResearchGate – all research [PhD Diss.] The Experimental Culture of Afterlife Research: Attempts by Spiritual Animal Magnetizers to Prove Life after Death | Request PDF (PDF) Chapter 9 Building a Typology for Intentional Transformative Experiences: Louis- Alphonse Cahagnet’s Experiments with Magnetic Somnambulism and Hashish Bastiaan van Rijn (0000-0003-4247-9198) - ORCID Other Resources: 1784: The Marquis de Puységur and the psychological turn in the west - PubMed The seeress of Prevorst; being revelations concerning the inner-life of man, and the inter-diffusion of a world of spirits in the one we inhabit : Kerner, Justinus Andreas Christian, 1786-1862 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Investigations of psychic/spiritual phenomena in the nineteenth century: somnambulism and spiritualism, 1811-1860 A Republic of Mind and Spirit – Wonderful history of Metaphysics in the USA 🕯️ MESMER 🕯️ (1994) Watch FULL MOVIE subtitled in English (ALAN RICKMAN, AMANDA OOMS)   Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Dr. Markus Davidsen. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a Patreon member, or you can purchase this episode for a one time fee. www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.    My guest this month is Dr. Markus Davidsen. Markus Altena Davidsen is university lecturer in the sociology of religion at Leiden University, the Netherlands. His work on fiction-based religion includes his PhD dissertation “The Spiritual Tolkien Milieu” (2014, cum laude), several articles on Tolkien spirituality and Star Wars-based Jediism, and the edited book Narrative and Belief: The Religious Affordance of Supernatural Fiction (Routledge, 2018). His other research interests include method, theory and research history of the study of religion and religion education. Currently, he is developing a new curriculum and didactical approach for the school subject worldview and religion in Dutch secondary education.   In this episode, Markus discusses the concept of fiction-based religion- a term he coined to describe spiritual movements rooted in fictional narratives like Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings. He distinguishes fiction-based religions (FBRs) from traditional religions by highlighting their lack of historical truth claims and their embrace of narrative as a source of spiritual authority. Markus traces the roots of FBRs to earlier movements like Rosicrucianism, noting how mythic storytelling has long served as a vehicle for spiritual exploration. He shares insights from his research into Jediism and Tolkien-inspired spirituality, examining how these communities construct rituals, ethics, and cosmologies from fictional texts. The conversation also explores the motivations behind FBR engagement, from identity formation to aesthetic and existential meaning. Drawing on Tanya Luhrmann’s concept of interpretive drift, Markus reflects on how belief can evolve through practice, suggesting that ritual and engagement may precede conviction. Regarding Huizinga’s theory of Homo Ludens, Markus highlights the three kinds of human practices – work, play, and ritual, where play and ritual seem on the surface to be similar, but the difference is: with play, one knows they are playing ( “fiction-contract” as taken from Theatre Studies) whereas ritual might look like play, but it is based on assumptions that the entities actually exist (“actuality contract”). This lens helps frame fandom as a potential site of faith, where “belief” can emerge through ritualistic, creative engagement. Finally, the conversation turns to his current project, Nieuwe werelden openen (“Opening New Worlds”), a pedagogical initiative that uses narrative and perspective-based inquiry to help students explore existential and societal questions. He reflects on how his FBR research informs this work, bridging imaginative engagement with educational practice. PROGRAM NOTES Markus Davidsen - Leiden University Markus Altena Davidsen publiceert boek voor docenten levensbeschouwing - Universiteit Leiden 2014 The Spiritual Tolkien Milieu: A Study of Fiction‐based Religion (full text) Narrative and Belief | The Religious Affordance of Supernatural Fictio [Book] Markus Altena Davidsen - Universiteit Leiden [Articles] Handbook of Hyper-real Religions | Brill   Photo Markus Davidsen by Arash Nikkah Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

Esoteric Crossroads: Scholars Meet Practitioners is a new collaborative video series, launched in 2025, co-produced by Rejected Religion and RENSEP. Hosted by Stephanie Shea, each session brings together scholars and practitioners for thoughtful dialogue on esoteric traditions. This audio replay is an edited version of the live session that took place in September 2025. If you are interested to learn more and join the upcoming discussions, please visit www.rensep.org or my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion. The Free Content video replay can also be viewed on my YouTube channel.  In this episode, scholar Sarah Nimfürh and practitioner Raisel Tejeda explore the layered world of Regla de Osha—often known (and contested) as Santería—and its intersections with Judaism, Afro-Cuban spirituality, and lived ritual.  Topics we explore: How Jewish exile histories in Cuba intersect with Afro-Cuban poly-religious traditions  The term “Santería”: its contested use, political weight, and the preferred name “Regla de Osha”  Oral transmission, secrecy, and gendered limitations in research  Raisel’s training path across multiple traditions and what embodied practice looks like  Orishas as energies, guides, and cosmological forces  Ritual tools, altered states, and the material language of devotion  How practitioners adapt sacred practice to local ecologies and diasporic settings  This conversation bridges scholarship and lived experience, offering insight into a tradition that is both deeply rooted and dynamically evolving.  Theme Music & Video Production: Stephanie Shea

Note: This is the Free Content version of the interview with Tjalling Janssen. The full interview can be accessed as a Tier 2 Patreon member, or purchased for a one-time fee. More information at www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.   Tjalling is a PhD researcher at the Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP), based at the University of Amsterdam. His research interests include intermediary beings, magic, alchemy and Paracelsianism, and the reception of these subjects in (early to late) modernity. He investigates these topics from an environmental perspective as well as through social categories like class. His doctoral project entails an environmental reception history of the concept of elemental beings from the sixteenth to the early twentieth century, through its manifestations in magic, alchemy, literature, mining and agriculture.   In this episode, we explore the shifting terrain of magical contact—where spirits, nature, and power intersect. Drawing from his article “Encounters, Evocations and Elemental Beings”, we’ll trace the philosophical and esoteric implications of two very different modes of engaging with the unseen: Paracelsus’s reverent encounters with elemental beings, and Dr. Rudd’s ritual evocations. Along the way, we’ll unpack the role of monsters, the ethics of spiritual mediation, and the deeper question of whether esotericism must rest on a singular, perennial foundation—or whether it can evolve, diversify, and apply to new contexts like ecology, psychedelics, tulpas, and even extraterrestrial contact. This is a conversation about relational knowing, cultural consciousness, and the future of interdisciplinary esoteric research. I have one correction to mention beforehand; Tjalling made a mistake in his wording when he mentioned the text De Meteoris (which comes up in the discussion), in his haste to explain the temporal trajectory. In all texts before De Meteoris elemental beings have souls. They are soulless from De Meteoris onwards, but that text lacks the possibility for elemental beings to acquire souls through marriage. The Liber de nymphis introduces that, and thus fulfills the implications of reciprocity and immanence (the “seeking out” or initiation of contact) that are absent from De Meteoris.   PROGRAM NOTES   Correspondences Journal   Volume 12, no. 1 (2024) Encounters, Evocations and Elemental Beings   Primary Source:   A Book On Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies, and Salamanders, and On The Other Spirits (Paracelsus, Henry E. Sigerist) | PDF   Secondary Sources:   The Monsters of Paracelsus | Beasts, Humans, and Transhumans in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance   [Abstract] Cultural History Of The Four Elements   Contact Information:   Tjalling D. Janssen - University of Amsterdam Instagram   Theme Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

Note: This episode was originally uploaded to my Patreon Tier 3 in August 2025. It's now available as 'open access' for all followers! Speculative Frequencies: A Mixed Bag of Mysticism, Music & Mystery  This ‘mixed bag’ episode dives into four rich and provocative topics: *Occulture & Re-enchantment: A look at the Revenant Journal’s editorial on “The Occult,” exploring how mystical practices challenge dominant paradigms and foster cultural resistance through feminist, queer, and neurodiverse lenses.  *Lux Interna’s Sonic Rituals: Reflections on a multimedia salon by the band Lux Interna, whose music and scholarship invoke desert mysticism, spiritual reckoning, and mythic storytelling. Includes themes of embodiment, wildness, and devotional resistance.  *Feminist Witchcraft & Counter-Theology: A deep dive into Lolly Willowes and Satanic Feminism, examining how occult symbolism reclaims feminine autonomy and spiritual sovereignty. Plus, how rock music channels occult motifs for identity and transformation.  *Forgotten Languages & Anomalous Cognition: A speculative exploration of the enigmatic website Forgotten Languages, its ties to CCRU theory-fiction, and psychological research on UAP witnesses. Themes include encrypted knowledge, post-human communication, and linguistic alienation.  This episode has examined the intersections of sonic ritual, feminist resistance, and anomalous cognition through diverse cultural and theoretical lenses. From speculative philosophy to experiential narratives, these perspectives challenge dominant epistemologies and invite reconsideration of the boundaries between the real and the imagined. Future dialogues may benefit from interdisciplinary synthesis and critical engagement with the margins of knowledge. If you enjoyed this mixed bag, and would like to have more episodes like this, please let me know! I can certainly provide more content like this in the future.  PROGRAM NOTES Revenant Introduction : Revenant Lux Interna news — Lux Interna lux.interna | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree "From My Body Alone Do I Know This": Sacrament & Scripture as Technologies of the Self in the Work of Jacob Böhme Lolly Willowes | Project Gutenberg Satanic Feminism: Lucifer as the Liberator of Woman in Nineteenth-Century Culture | Oxford Academic Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll: Bebergal, Peter: 9780399174964: Amazon.com: Books Forgotten Languages Full: Books 2022-2025 The Deepest Internet Mystery You've Never Heard Of (and Why It’s Now in the Congressional Record) - YouTube Ccru- cybernetic culture research unit Ccru - CCRU Wiki Psychological aspects in unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) witnesses | International Journal of Astrobiology | Cambridge Core    Interviews with Bob Cluness and David Metcalfe can be found in the Rejected Religion Patreon Library. www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion  All Music by Daniel P. Shea  Production by Stephanie Shea

Esoteric Crossroads: Scholars Meet Practitioners is a new collaborative video series, launched in 2025, co-produced by Rejected Religion and RENSEP. Hosted by Stephanie Shea, each session brings together scholars and practitioners for thoughtful dialogue on esoteric traditions.  This video is an edited version of the live session that took place in June 2025. If you are interested to learn more and join the upcoming discussions, please visit www.rensep.org or my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.  Isis Mrugalla Kalmbacher is a scholar of religion. She studied in Heidelberg, Seville, Basel, and Lucerne, focusing on migration studies, international relations, and cultural anthropology. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Tübingen, where she explores Chaos Magic as her main research topic. In her dissertation, she proposes a new approach to the Study of Religions that centres on group and organisational practices. To support this, she has developed two key theoretical tools: reality techniques and infrastructures..  Nils or Frater Fuchs lächelt viel 12.3 (“Frater Fuchs smiles a lot 12.3”), called “Fuchs” is an Adept and Priest of Chaos in the German section of the Illuminates of Thanateros - I.O.T. In the IOT, his main responsibilities are organising seminars for interested people twice a year, answering applications that people send to the section to become a novice, and supervising the novice trainings. At the moment, he is writing a book, which, among other things, deals with the question of what Chaos Magic actually is.  A few questions that were explored: -What is Chaos Magick, and what is the history of CM? -How are sigils created and used in magickal practice? -The uses of CM - what are magicians actually using it for?-How is the CM community organized (or not organized)?  The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Stephanie Shea, or the affiliated platforms. All content is presented for educational and discussion purposes in a spirit of respectful exchange.  Music and Video Production: Stephanie Shea  This video series is presented by Research Network for the Study of Esoteric Practices - www.rensep.org and Rejected Religion.

Esoteric Crossroads: Scholars Meet Practitioners is a new collaborative video series, launched in 2025, co-produced by Rejected Religion and RENSEP. Hosted by Stephanie Shea, each session brings together scholars and practitioners for thoughtful dialogue on esoteric traditions.  This audio is an edited version of the live (video) session on Initiatory Wicca that took place in March 2025. If you are interested to learn more and join the upcoming discussions, please visit www.rensep.org or my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion.  Judith Noble is Professor of Film and the Occult at Arts University Plymouth (UK). She began her career as an artist filmmaker, exhibiting work internationally and worked for over twenty years as a production executive in the film industry, working with directors including Peter Greenaway and Amma Asante. Her current research centers on artists’ moving image, Surrealism, the occult and work by women artists, and she has published on filmmakers including Maya Deren, Derek Jarman and Kenneth Anger. Her most recent publications include: The Dance of Moon and Sun – Ithell Colquhoun, British Women and Surrealism (editor, 2023, Fulgur) and ‘A Convocation of Theurgists – Kenneth Anger’s Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome and West Coast Occulture’ in Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer LA – Sexual Science and the Imagination (eds Lexi Bard Johnson and Kelly Filreis, One Archive/USC, 2024), and a chapter on the work of Penny Slinger in Animation and International Surrealism (ed Abigail Susik, Bloomsbury, 2925).  She is a board member of RENSEP (the Research Network for Esoteric Practices, and a founder member of the Black Mirror Research network and the artists’ collective the Inner Space Exploration Unit. She continues to practice as an artist, making artist’s books and text+image works, and filmmaker; her most recent film is Fire Spells (2022), a collaboration with director Tom Chick. Her recent work can be found at www.iseu.space. Her film work is distributed by Cinenova.  Rufus Harrington is an initiate of Both the Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions of Wiccan practice. He has more than Forty years of experience initiating and training Wiccan initiates in many parts of the world. He is a Trustee of the Doreen Valiente Foundation (DVF), which protects and preserves many of the original Books of Shadows belonging to Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente. Working as a Director of Clinical Studies at the University of Cumbria He trained over 500 cognitive behavioural psychotherapists to work in the NHS. He has worked extensively in the field of mental health, working as a Clinical Director for the Priory Group of Hospitals, For BAE systems and the Police. He has developed specialist resilience training programs that have won national recognition and awards.  Rufus is an initiate of the Bricket Wood Coven founded by Gerald Gardner. His initiatory lineage weaves together many of the most influential lines of initiation in British Wiccan tradition. He has lived through and been part of the evolution of Initiatory Wiccan practice in the UK. Music and Audio Production: Stephanie Shea  This series is presented by Research Network for the Study of Esoteric Practices - www.rensep.org and Rejected Religion.

*Note: this is the Free Content version of my interview with Dr. Matteo Polato. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a Patreon member; alternately, this episode is available for a one-time purchase under the "Shop" tab. www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion My guest this month is Dr. Matteo Polato. Matteo is a researcher, sound artist and videogame developer. He works as Senior Research Assistant at the School of Digital Arts of Manchester Metropolitan University, where he has completed his PhD on the roles of sound, vibration and resonance-based processes in contemporary occulture and paranormal practices. His artistic practice spans from electroacoustic composition to free improvisation and psychedelic rock, in solo and with bands such as Mamuthones and Cacotopos. As Yami Kurae – with Jacopo Bortolussi – he develops experimental games inspired by psychogeography and occultural practices. He is co-founder of D∀RK – Dark Arts Research Kollective at MMU, and co- artistic director of the association for experimental music research Centro d’Arte dell’Università di Padova. Matteo’s recent article in Revenant Journal dives deep into the sonic and atmospheric dimensions of the paranormal documentary series Hellier. From Reddit threads to academic conferences, Matteo’s journey into Fortean soundscapes is as unexpected as it is fascinating. Matteo recounts his initial encounter with Hellier and how its unique approach to paranormal investigation inspired him to analyze it academically. Unlike typical ghost-hunting shows, Hellier emphasizes experiential and atmospheric elements, which resonated with his interests in sound studies and Fortean phenomena. Matteo’s article shifts the lens from why paranormal entities emerge to how sensory experiences (especially sound) create a sense of supernatural agency. He uses Hellier as a case study to explore this dynamic, drawing from sound studies and concepts like: the eerie, affective atmospheres, & agency and attunement. Matteo argues that sonic interactions and “listening ecologies” are central to how Hellier portrays paranormal phenomena. He explains how sound is not just a medium but a method of engaging with unseen forces. Examples from the series include: Ritualistic listening sessionsUse of the Estes Method vs. traditional EVPAmbient silence as a communicative spaceHellier stands out by blending folklore, psychology, ritual, and media theory. Matteo emphasizes the importance of this holistic method, which allows the investigators to explore the paranormal not just as spectacle, but as a lived, felt experience. Whether you're a fan of Hellier, curious about the intersection of sound studies and the supernatural, or just love a good mystery, this episode will tune you into a whole new frequency of thought.   PROGRAM NOTES     Revenant Journal Revenant The Atmospheric Forteanism of Hellier and the Role of Sound in Recent Practices of Paranormal Investigation : Revenant   DVRK: https://www.instagram.com/dvrk_mcr/   DVRK Editions Label: https://dvrkmusic.bandcamp.com/   Videogame stuff: https://yamikurae.itch.io/   Mamuthones Band: https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/0JeuJ0H0Q54p6kTuHJSCIA   D∀RK: Dark ∀rts Research Kollective (@dvrk_mcr) • Instagram photos and videos   Yami Kurae (@yami_kurae) • Instagram photos and videos   Instagram   Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

*This is the Free Content version of my interview with Dr. Mariano Villalba. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a paid Patreon member; alternatively, this episode is also available for a one-time purchase here on Patreon (under 'Shop' tab). www.patreon.com/RejectedReligion  My guest this month is Dr. Mariano Villalba. Mariano is a postdoctoral fellow in Spirituality and the Arts, in collaboration with the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice, the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, and the Warburg Institute at the University of London. Mariano specializes in esotericism in Colonial America, contemporary Latin America, and early modern Spain. He completed a joint PhD in religious studies at the University of Lausanne and the French l’École Pratique des Hautes Études- Paris Sciences & Letters University. Mariano serves as the editor in chief of Melancolia, an annual journal dedicated to the study of esotericism in Latin America. His methodology combines a global history perspective on Colonial America with a decolonial approach, intersecting themes of race, gender, and imperialism to analyze modern occultism in Latin America. His new research project will focus on “Occult Movements and Mexican Mural Art: What Role Did Occult Movements Play in Mexican Mural Art During the Interwar Period?” In this episode, Mariano and I explore his groundbreaking research into the overlooked women of the Mexican muralist movement. Building on his earlier work, Mariano dives into the rich, complex history of Mexican muralism—an artistic revolution born from post-revolutionary ideals and dominated by the towering figures of “Los Tres Grandes.” But beyond the celebrated murals of Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros lies a hidden narrative: the women artists whose contributions were marginalized or erased. Mariano introduces us to several of these remarkable figures, focusing in particular on María Izquierdo and Sofía Bassi. He shares insights into their lives, artistic themes, and the esoteric influences that shaped their work, while unpacking why their legacies remain in the shadows compared to contemporaries like Frida Kahlo and Leonora Carrington. This episode is a compelling journey into art history, gender politics, and the mystical dimensions of creativity. Dr. Villalba also discusses the goals of his current project and how listeners can engage with the research on his online platform. An editing correction: Just a note to correct a mistake made during the interview: In the discussion about Frieda Kahlo’s parents (a German father and a Mexican mother), Mariano mistakenly states that (María) Izquierdo was the daughter instead of Kahlo. There was a slight mix-up here as Mariano was comparing Frieda Kahlo and María Izquierdo. So please be aware of this when listening. PROGRAM NOTES Mariano Villalba | Center for the Study of World Religions Occult Mexican art | Explore the Occult in Mexican visual art About Gender & Visual Arts | Discover Women's Insight — Occult Mexican art About Esotericism & Muralism | Explore Mexican Art — Occult Mexican art Muralism and Mexican Identity: Rediscovering the Esoteric Visions of Post-Revolution Female Artists: Q&A with Mariano Villalba | Center for the Study of World Religions Occult Movements and Mexican Mural Art | Center for the Study of World Religions The Visionary World of Sofía Bassi | Center for the Study of World Religions Fundación | Sofia Bassi Esotericism, Gender, and the Legacy of a Mexican Artist | Center for the Study of World Religions Mariano Villalba - Harvard University   Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea

*This is the Free Content version of my interview with Ike Baker. To access the full interview, please consider becoming a Patreon member; alternatively, this episode is also available for a one-time purchase on Patreon (under 'Shop' tab). www.patreon/RejectedReligion    My guest for the month of June is Ike Baker.   In this episode, I’m joined by occultist and esoteric educator Ike Baker for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about his new book, Ætheric Magic. Geared toward both beginners and advanced practitioners, the book offers a full system of magical practice rooted in elemental, celestial, and alchemical principles—with æther as its central, unifying force.   We begin by exploring Ike’s background and what led him to develop this system. He shares his working definition of magic, and how he explains its function and value to skeptics and newcomers. From there, the conversation moves into subtle body theory and the nature of energy, with clear and thought-provoking distinctions between terms like soul, spirit, aura, and astral body. Drawing from sources like Egyptian metaphysics and Kabbalistic models, Ike breaks down how these ideas interact and where the ætheric level fits in.   We also discuss the Tria Prima—Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury—and their sonic and energetic dimensions. Ike explains how certain tones, vowels, and vibrations can be mapped to the body, awakening deeper levels of consciousness and energetic flow. Along the way, he highlights historical thinkers who contributed to the broader understanding of ætheric energy, from Eliphas Lévi to Mesmer.   There’s much more covered in this interview than can fit here—so if you’re curious about the deeper currents flowing beneath esoteric practice, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.   PROGRAM NOTES   Ike Baker   https://ikebaker.com/   AEtheric Magic: A Complete System of Elemental, Celestial & Alchemical Magic by Ike Baker, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®   Aetheric Magic, by Ike Baker by Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD. - Issuu   Arcanvm - YouTube   Arcanvm Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts   Arcanvm Podcast | Podcast on Spotify   Home - Research Network for the Study of Esoteric Practices   Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea End Production: Stephanie Shea