Rune Soup

One of my favourite guests returns to the show this week for a scintillating and freewheeling dive into the perennial question of whether there are aliens in the Bible. Author, researcher, psychonaut and hypnotist Danny Nemu. The impetus for this discussion is a book and a thesis that’s been translated out of Italian and into English relatively recently: Mauro Biglino’s Gods of The Bible. Speaking of translation, for years, Mauro was a translator of Biblical texts for the Vatican’s official publisher. Over the course of that work, he began to have questions about this term, ‘Elohim’, and all the other strange stuff that’s in there. So he decided to translate the Old Testament literally and what emerges is alien beings and flying saucers and all that classic Ancient Aliens fare. A few people started asking me about the Biglino hypothesis, and then Mauro himself was on Graham Hancock’s podcast. And then, Graham’s son Luke quoted from one of Danny’s books in the same podcast. Danny was the person whose take on t

This week's solo show is a necessary side quest in our AI series up into space and out into the future. It's also a standalone exploration of: Understanding 'big' or archetypal stories, such as zodiac signs and planets, as containing all stories. Using longer cycles to formulate timing and meaning.  What is yours to do in a looming world of social credit scores, digital control grids and the tyranny of niceness. And if you'd like to also listen to the Q&A, it starts around the one-hour mark of the video version over on YouTube. Enjoy! Show Note(s) A bit of a rarity for a solo show, but we have a show note. Here's a link to Dan Waites's and S. J. Anderson's discussion of the Barbault Basket.

This is one of the most fascinating discussions I have had this year. For centuries, people have speculated as to the formulation of the legendary substance of the Gods known as soma. It's something I have kept my eye on for a couple of decades now. And, as far as I can tell, Dr Etminan's research is the best pointer in the direction of what that might have been. Even better than that? His research has developed into a completely legal product you can try for yourself today. In this show, we explore exactly who the Zoroastrian Magi were, what customs and beliefs fed into their practices and what haoma might have been and how it was used. Then we'll explore Shauheen's journey toward the development and release of the Ancestral Magi products and how they can be used today. I am particularly excited to see these in the hands of visionary astrologers. Have at it! Brilliant stuff. Enjoy!   Show Notes Get the Ancestral Magi supplements here. Watch Shauheen's presentation on Zoroastrian shamanism here. Shauh

The one, the only Christopher Knowles returns to the show this week for a breezy romp through our near-term future. No, seriously. The end of the west offers perhaps the best time in centuries to be a weird kid. Chris and I talk about the latest UFO nonsense, modern parallels to the fall of Rome, just how long collapses actually take and what they look like for those of us who came to earth to live through one. Combined with last week's astro forecast, this is a really great discussion to have and a collection of worthy points to table in the lead-up to the final AI solo show. There's just one more piece to play coming up and then we can release those particular robot hounds. But until then, settle in and enjoy the Gospel according to Knowles! Show Notes The Secret Sun. The Secret Sun on Patreon. Chris on Twitter.

Can you believe it’s been six months since Austinmas??? Anyway, it has. A very big thank you to those who joined us on the live stream this weekend -and for all the birthday wishes. During the show, Austin and I Looked back over what hit and what didn’t these past six months. Explored some of the wider contexts of Pluto in Aquarius and what it has to do with Uranus. Tabled some scenarios for current events in Eastern Europe. Looked at the forecast for the rest of this year. Unpacked, in particular, the upcoming Venus Retrograde and how we can be with that on an individual and collective level. Answered some fun questions from the live chat at the end. Named several peacocks. You can, of course, listen to this audio version or you can watch along on YouTube below. Because it is a live show I put some slides together but, as always, they are not in the least bit necessary. (This is my long-running performance piece about how that is true of all slides in every professional setting anywhere.) Either way, enjoy

Vlogger, podcaster and cultural commentator Angie Speaks joins the show this week. We dive deep into: The medicine in Diaspora cultural experiences. Being abandoned by the Left and abandoning the Left. Political shortcomings of materialist thinking. Why the Left hates C. G. Jung. Reality tunnels. A really rich, powerful conversation. Enjoy! Show Notes Angie on YouTube. Angie on Twitter. Angie's podcast, Mystic and the Machine.

The penultimate instalment in our AI series! This time we talk about the impact of algorithms and the mental frames of the builders of Artificial Intelligence and what that means for access to a living cosmos. What happens when AI gets to decide what is real? If you have already used Chat GPT, you may have found that it refuses to answer some questions -about biopolitics or geopolitics or even exopolitics. Or if it does, it simply enforces the party line. Either that or it gives you a Lisa Simpson-style caveat about how 'important it is' to respect diversity or something at the end. We have seen what happens when political information is dropped from Google results. AI will multiply that effect a thousandfold. (As is traditional now, there is a Q&A at the end for those who choose to watch the video version.) Either way, here is the link to the Marc Andressen piece that is referenced. Enjoy!            

The one and only Camelia Elias returns to the show this week to talk about demons and crosses. Specifically, we explore what demons actually are and their relation to human desire. We examine the curious case of Andromalius, the final spirit of the Goetia. We discuss occult style. Then we turn to the role and function of crosses in cartomancy: Why and how is the cross so potent in the tarot? And why does the Celtic Cross suck so much?? Really great stuff. Enjoy! Show Notes Camelia's Website. Eyecorner Press. Aradia Academy.

What is transhumanism? Is it different from technocracy? What about posthumanism? Where do these ideas originate, and how have they become so prominent today? In this week's solo show, we look at the history of some mostly-insane ideas and explore their significance for today's magical folk. Join Gordon as we continue our series looking at the arrival and impact of AI from the perspective of a living cosmos. Enjoy!      

Writer, speaker, filmmaker, podcaster and cultural theorist J. F. Martel joins the show this week to explore art, creativity, UFOs and the Imaginal. We discuss C. G. Jung, David Lynch, Ramsay Dukes, Bergson, and Corbin. We look at what insights might come from having a better definition of 'image' when it comes to UFO phenomena. We talk about creativity as and with magic. And generally try to wrestle down to earth something approaching a Grand Unified Weird Theory. Super fun, super deep discussion. Enjoy!  

This week, we welcome to the show artists, musicians, authors and fellow podcasters Risa Dickens and Amy Torok. Amy and Risa from the Missing Witches project join us for a deep dive into the archetype of the witch. What is it? What changes does it portend? What does it mean when it is so close to the surface? What are our obligations to it? We also talk ancestors, reclaiming history, art-as-magic and a whole lot more. Super great chat! Enjoy!     Show Notes   Missing Witches: Podcast and Website. Missing Witches: The Book Missing Witches Fundraiser for the Montreal Native Women's Shelter.        

Continuing our multi-part exploration of AI and its implication for These Capitalised Times we are living through and with, we look at the metaphysics of technology this week. What are the implications of Artificial Intelligence for The performing of magic? Living in a magical universe? What is an animist understanding not just of 'intelligence' but 'artifice'? What -if any- is the difference between a tool and a magical tool? This week we explore: The work of Ivan Illich. A metaphysics of tools. What it means to operate in the ruins. Steiner's description of Ahriman and what it means for our moment. Show Notes Donate to the Missing Witches fundraiser for the Native Women's Shelter. Towards a Definition of Magic. At Work in The Ruins. Unlocking the Secrets of Prophecy - For Sorcerers, Astrologers and Magicians. Are Humans The AI Of The Mineral Realm? w/ Matías De Stefano.

Author and (post)activist Dougald Hine joins us this week for a powerful discussion about our moment and what -if anything- we should 'do' with and about it. The springboard for our chat is Dougald's recently-released book, At Work in the Ruins. We unpack the title -what do we mean by 'work'- as well as what we mean by 'ruins'. Physical? Cultural? Social? We talk about what it means to hospice modernity and we unpack why one of the founders of the Dark Mountain project is no longer talking about climate change. Really good stuff. Good, timely stuff. Enjoy!             Show Notes   At Work in the Ruins. Dougald's Website. A School Called Home.

Legendary ethnobotanist, Mark J. Plotkin, joins the show this week for a fascinating chat about traditional medicine, Indigenous knowledge, plant healing and modern medicine.   Dr Plotkin studied under the great Richard Evans Schultes himself and has been exploring the Amazon as a friend and researcher for five decades. He is the co-founder of the Amazon Conservation Team -a nonprofit that partners with Indigenous communities to conserve biodiversity, protect traditional lifeways and support sustainable Amazonian livelihoods.   During the lockdown era, Mark started an excellent and highly recommended podcast, Plants of the Gods. We discuss   The origination of the podcast project The role of psychedelics in contemporary medicine The safeguarding of Indigenous intellectual property in the 'modern' world 'Active molecules' versus whole plants in contemporary medicine The changes -good and bad- in the field of ethnobotany over the course of his career   A fantastic discussion with a personal hero.

In this solo show, we dive deep into the origin of our understanding of prophecy, how it is different from prediction and where this understanding is useful for sorcerers, astrologers and magicians. We explore the Old Testament prophets and how their roles changed over the centuries, how they positioned themselves toward power and what kind of 'Prophetic moment' we might find ourselves in. Enjoy!

Alkistis Dimech and Peter Grey of Scarlet Imprint return to the show for an exploration and celebration of Jake Stratton-Kent: In particular his thought, his research and his impact on the western magical world. We discuss: His generosity as a thought leader.  His attitude to academia and academics. His role in the return of spirit-centric approaches to the grimoires.  His revitalisation of blue grimoires.  His understanding and love of the Ancient and Archaic Greek world.  "I don't do angels." His championing of practice over theorising. His role as a key participant in the return of the Dead to contemporary western magical practice.  I'm very grateful to Peter and Alkistis for sharing their thoughts about their friend and colleague, Jake.

In the middle of the Philippines archipelago is the mysterious Siquijor -known variously as the Island of the Witches, the Island of Sorcerers or the Island of Healers. This remarkable place is home to several thriving magical and healing lineages. Here is my story of visiting and encountering these traditions during the time of year where the healers travel up sacred Mount Bandilaan in order to collect the healing herbs their work requires for the whole year. These visits only happen on the seven Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I was fortunate enough to come along on one of these harvests. It's a fascinating place that is illuminating in comparison with cunning traditions, curanderismo and other cosmovisions around the world: Saints, sacred timing, herb lore, energy work. And if you are looking to visit Siquijor, check out the show notes. If you'd prefer some visuals, head over to YouTube. - Note - Episode has been updated due to audio not playing properly. Show Notes I have added the fo

In the middle of the Philippines archipelago is the mysterious Siquijor -known variously as the Island of the Witches, the Island of Sorcerers or the Island of Healers. This remarkable place is home to several thriving magical and healing lineages. Here is my story of visiting and encountering these traditions during the time of year where the healers travel up sacred Mount Bandilaan in order to collect the healing herbs their work requires for the whole year. These visits only happen on the seven Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I was fortunate enough to come along on one of these harvests. It's a fascinating place that is illuminating in comparison with cunning traditions, curanderismo and other cosmovisions around the world: Saints, sacred timing, herb lore, energy work. And if you are looking to visit Siquijor, check out the show notes. If you'd prefer some visuals, head over to YouTube. - Note - Episode has been updated due to audio not playing properly. Show Notes I have added the fo

Legendary storyteller and mythologist, Dr Martin Shaw joins the show this week. On the occasion of the release of his remarkable and uncharacterisable (although I try) new book, Bardskull. We talk about the weakness of the word archetype, we talk about place and story and transformation, we talk about myth and landscape, we talk about Tolkien, Gandalf and Merlin, we talk about defending indefensible books, and… in the end and ultimately, we talk about spiritual transformation.  A fantastic chat. One of the best of the year, for sure. Enjoy! Show Notes Get Bardksull: https://unbound.com/books/bardskull/ School of Myth https://schoolofmyth.com/

This week we welcome to the show the legendary Rosita Arvigo. Rosita is the author of ten books, she is a naprapathic physician, a herbalist and a specialist in traditional Mayan healing. For decades she has lived in western Belize, operating a healing practice and maintaining an organic farm. During this time she studied under Don Elijio Panti -a powerful and famous shaman then in his nineties. (He lived to 103.) This story is described in her book, Sastún. Rosita joins us today to discuss Mayan healing and shamanism, what it entails, the state it is in today and what we can learn from it. This is a fascinating discussion that we managed to record from regional Belize all the way to Wellington New Zealand -during a cyclone. Enjoy! Show Notes Rosita's website and books. Rosita on Facebook. The Abdominal Therapy Collective. Rosita presenting at the New York Botanical Garden.