In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow podcaster Douglas Batchelor of What Magic Is This? for a conversation about the mysterious spark at the heart of art and creativity.
Douglas has recently become a father and we kick off our chat on how family life reshapes our relationship with creativity—how the presence of children can sharpen your awareness of time, deepen your sense of wonder, and remind you of the importance of passing on what truly matters.
From there, we explore how poetry, photography, music, and even comics can reach beyond explanation to move us in ways that hint at the ineffable. I share my thoughts on the instinctive side of photography—especially street photography that captures fleeting moments with emotional force—while Douglas and I discuss the power of music, the strange nostalgia of childhood comics, and the shifting landscape of cinema, from Nosferatu on the big screen to today’s spectacle-driven blockbusters. We continue the conversation for another 45 minutes in the plus show and get into some rich territory.
What emerges is a meditation on creativity as something universal and timeless: the drive to make meaning, to capture the ineffable, and to pass along works that connect us across generations.
Show notes:
What Magic is This? https://whatmagicisthis.com
Master and Commander (film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHTHCNYiiHk
Nosferatu (film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nulvWqYUM8k
Oscar Peterson (jazz pianist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTJhHn-TuDY&list=RDNTJhHn-TuDY&start_radio=1
“Video nasties” — UK horror film ban in the 1980s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_nasty
W.B. Yeats (poet) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WB.Yeats
Yeats - Easter 1916 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43289/easter-1916
Yeats - Sailing to Byzantium https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43291/sailing-to-byzantium
Yeats - The Circus animals desertion https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43299/the-circus-animals-desertion
Emily Dickinson (poet) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson
Emily Dickinson - I felt a funeral, in my brain, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45706/i-felt-a-funeral-in-my-brain-340
Protestant Ascendancy (historical context in Dublin architecture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Ascendancy
Lascaux's Prehistoric Cave Paintings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A&t=1s
Felix Thiollier (photographer) https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/whats-on/exhibitions/presentation/felix-thiollier-1842-1914-photographs
The Horse Trainer by Felix Thiollier 1899 https://pixels.com/featured/the-horse-trainer-by-felix-thiollier-orca-art-gallery.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqsPCE1575mUAZYSB-udx0zjLW1ok5vaB6pPHdgPFSglmb9CiD2
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel, author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, for a deep dive into the wild and weird territory Wilson loved to inhabit—where Irish folklore, psychedelic exploration, and quantum physics intersect.
Gabriel takes us into Wilson’s 1975 encounter with a Celtic Púca—part holy guardian angel, part mischievous trickster—and shows how this moment connects to his fascination with the “Celtic roots” of quantum theory. We get into William Rowan Hamilton’s strange mathematics that became essential to Schrödinger’s equation, the playful logic of the Irish language, and how Finnegans Wakesomehow helped name a subatomic particle.
In The Plus Show Gabriel and I dig into Wilson’s spontaneous remote viewing experience that took place the exact same day the CIA’s Project Stargate psychics were in action. We also explore his magical practices, the Sirius connection, and his puckish dismantling of conspiracy culture.
It’s a conversation that moves between myth and mathematics, with plenty of mischievous detours—very much in the spirit of Bob himself.
Show notes:
Gabriel Kennedy https://chapelperilous.us
Get the book https://www.lulu.com/shop/gabriel-kennedy-and-douglas-rushkoff-and-grant-morrison-and-laura-kang/chapel-perilous/paperback/product-kvmj4v2.html?srsltid=AfmBOoojOH_J04aew2Q7N-jXvdL6A_HjRxLDdsMqSI4FIcYzN5L7phqL&page=1&pageSize=4
Robert Anton Wilson: Talks About the Pooka. The Giant Rabbit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKVaMO7Qng
The Celtic Roots of Quantum Theory https://sites.google.com/site/onlymaybe/course-notes-and-syllabus/celtic-roots-of-quantum-theory?utm_source=chatgpt.com
RAW books https://rawilson.com/books/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ingrid Cold. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrid_Cold
The Complete SECRET CIPHER Of the UfOnauts https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-SECRET-CIPHER-UfOnauts/dp/171864535X
Ingrid Cold phone call https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INtbv3cd1BA
Donnie Darko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyBaFYFySk
Woodrow Derenberger talks about his 1966 UFO sighting & encounter with a humanoid named Indrid Cold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_NFPjgCXA
The Púca https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Púca
William Rowan Hamilton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton
Finnegans Wake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnegans_Wake
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I catch up with Aidan Wachter for a long overdue catch up on writing, magic, and what it means to stay human while the world feels like it’s cracking open.
Aidan shares where he’s at with his latest book on animism — moving away from the old idea of manifesting stuff and into something deeper. He even talks about receiving guidance from on his walks, which, if you know Aidan, makes perfect sense.
We dig into the weird pressure to have a book in print as some kind of spiritual badge of honour, and an indicator of having maxed out your practice which is rarely the case!
We also talk about the messy association of magic and money — how people still expect quick wealth as proof that the magic works, when the reality is far more complex.
From there, we drift into the state of things — how so many systems are failing and might shift radically in the next decade, and how we try to keep our heads and hearts intact through it all.
In the Plus show, we share how we’re both finding community and mental balance these days. How changes that we've made have given benefits in kind. We discuss how the systems of Empire that are damaging people, and the quiet importance of self-reliance and local knowledge. It’s all part of the same question: how do we stay human, stay connected, and keep the spirit alive against the backdrop of a changing and volatile world?
Show notes:
https://www.aidanwachter.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/aidanwachter/posts
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode, I sit down with Sheer Zed for a deep and winding exploration of a life spent navigating the liminal spaces of Eastern philosophy, occult practice, and the hidden world of Thai tattoo magic.
Sheer Zed shares how a childhood sparked by Zen stories, beat poets, and old Kung Fu shows led him into a lifelong fascination with Buddhism and the occult. From psychedelic journeys in London’s squat culture to Tibetan teachings in Los Angeles, his path has been anything but ordinary.
We dive into Sheer Zed’s extraordinary experiences receiving Sak Yant — sacred tattoos given by Thai Ajarns (masters) — and the intense rituals that bind ink, mantra, and spirit into living magic. In the Plus show we go deeper still and he recounts vivid encounters with powerful teachers and possession by tiger spirits during ceremonies in Thailand, moments that transformed him forever.
We also explore the rich, sometimes shadowy world of Thai amulets — from skull bones and protective spirits to the ethics of sourcing sacred objects that carry hidden histories.
This conversation wanders through spiritual folklore, animism, Buddhism, and the occult, connecting them all through Sheer Zed’s firsthand stories.
Enjoy
Show notes:
https://linktr.ee/SheerZed
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
Today we chat with wonderful Celeste Mott who has been chronicling her experiences with an online Anne Rice "vampire cult." to great acclaim. A talented writer, witch and storyteller Celeste takes us on a weird and wonderful ride into the strange world of stories bending our reality and 'inviting us' to participate and become characters in tales that envelope our lives. All of which is based on her real life account of being in an online vampire cult in the 2000s.
We spent time dissecting the idea of narrative magic and how the stories we tell ourselves, and the ones we absorb or indeed are captured by, can lead to real-world changes and transformations. Celeste shared some really thought-provoking insights into how childhood experiences and archetypes stick with us, influencing our perceptions in profound ways.
It was clear that her past, particularly those early online encounters, has given her a unique lens through which to view the world, blurring the lines between what's considered real and what might just be a powerful shared imagination. We also touched on her successful video content and how it ties into a broader cultural yearning for mysticism. It's not about proving anything, but rather understanding the human need for these kinds of narratives.
In Plus section, we really go deeper into some of Celeste's thoughts on the dangers of Narrative magic and how these strange phenomena make you question the very nature of reality. Are we in some weird matrix where stories are the very building blocks of our reality and are storytellers the sometimes unwitting creators of our world. We get into the work of Anne Rice in more detail and other storytellers that bring 'currents' into the world like Grant Morrison, Clive Barker and H.P. Lovecraft and how the 'Meta' element seems to be play significant factor in the stories bleeding into our reality.
Show notes:
Start here for The Vampire cult videos https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIUGqpUOmpE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Celeste's website https://www.celestemott.com
Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@celestemoth
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/celestemott
Anne Rice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Rice
Interview with the Vampire 1994 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCmYN6TLd8A
Interview with the Vampire 2022 AMC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Oysn9I9K8
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
Today we are joined by Christopher Freeland for a captivating journey into the hidden world of Ireland's mysterious round towers and the ancient art of dowsing. A seasoned practitioner of radiesthesia, Christopher reveals his unique approach to dowsing as a technique to access, what he terms 'the collective consciousness', drawing on his experiences as a monk in India and his extensive research.
This episode challenges conventional historical narratives, as Christopher proposes that the enigmatic round towers of Ireland weren't simply defensive structures against rampaging Vikings but sophisticated ancient technologies designed to harness natural energies. I was fascinated to learn about Christopher's groundbreaking research into the magnetic properties of these ancient stone structures and their surprising connection to agricultural abundance. Could these towers have been influencing plant and animal growth for millennia? It certainly gave me a lot to think about.
In the Plus show we get into the practicalities of pendulum dowsing and his work in Spirit release. Christopher shared invaluable insights from his decades of experience, emphasizing the dedication required to master this powerful tool. He took through the "universal pendulum," a fascinating device connected to multiple frequencies. It was incredible to hear how dowsing can aid in spirit communication and energy healing.
Show notes:
Get the book https://www.innertraditions.com/mysteries-of-the-round-towers
https://radiesthesia.online/
Irish Round Towers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_round_tower
Aughagower https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aughagower
Universal Pendulum https://emeraldinnovations.co.uk/pendulums/universal-pendulum
Chiang Mai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai
Dún Aonghasa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dún_Aonghasa
Brú na Bóinne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrnaBóinn
Petrie Crown http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/irish-crafts/petrie-crown.htm
Other Dimensional Entities https://www.waterstones.com/book/other-dimensional-entities/christopher-freeland/9781916159709
In this episode of 'Spirit Box,' I sit down with the incredible Arden Leigh. A true polymath, they dive deep into how their chaos magic underpins their coaching and repatterning work, and how it all weaves into their music. They’re on a mission to help people transform their lives, and in this conversation, they’ll share how they use these powerful modalities to do just that.
Arden opens up about their fascinating journey, starting with how they combined New Age principles with practical magic to transform their life after moving to Los Angeles. They dive deep into their repatterning project, a powerful method for shifting thought patterns and beliefs to manifest desired outcomes. We discuss their personal experiences with trauma, including hypnotic programming, and how they used both magical and mundane approaches to overcome these challenges, emphasizing the importance of taking control of your own mental programming.
Arden also shares their unique career trajectory, from being a professional dominatrix in New York City to becoming a successful business coach. They reveal how past traumatic experiences, including being doxxed, led them to develop clearer boundaries and processes for client interactions.
We explore their teaching philosophy, the value of community, and the crucial need for internal alignment before seeking external changes. We get into their profound realizations from experiences with cannabis and ayahuasca, and how these led to a deeper understanding of intentional living. We also share our thoughts on the distractions of modern society and the power of consistency in personal development.
In the Plus section show, where we go deeper into these topics and discussing the direct results of sorcery targeted on the self.
Show notes:
https://therepatterningproject.com/
https://www.facebook.com/arden.leigh
https://www.facebook.com/therepatterningproject/
https://www.instagram.com/itsmeardenleigh/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ardensirens
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UW2XTUKJm8srNxBZHyV5f?si=Vbf76f26SLy3CxdYzk0HDw&nd=1&dlsi=777862d922804ed8
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
Join me as I sit down with visionary musician, record producer, author and rock star, Rodney Orpheus, and author, historian and Occult legend, the great Phil Hine,
We are talking about Rodney and Phil's incredible new book, "Delinquent Elementals". This anthology is a treasure trove of the 'Pagan News' zines from the 1980s, offering a unique glimpse into a vibrant community. Rodney and Phil, were the creative pairing behind Pagan News, share how their publication emerged from the thriving Leeds occult scene in the north of England to fill a crucial gap, focusing on local events and unifying diverse pagan voices long before the internet existed.
We have a candid discussion about the infamous Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s. Rodney and Phil recount the very real dangers they faced, from death threats to arson, and how their magazine became a vital tool for documenting this dark period in history. In the Plus show we'll explore their innovative use of desktop publishing, their unique approach to occult satire(including the hilarious Barry Hairbrush!), and the legal and logistical challenges of running a monthly magazine that reached thousands.
Whether you're curious about the intersection between summoning Laser printers and modern paganism, the impact of the Satanic Panic, or just love a good story about community and defiance, this episode is a must-listen! More importantly the book "Delinquent Elementals" preserves a vital piece of occult history for future generations.
Show notes:
Delinquent Elementals from Strange Attractor: https://strangeattractor.co.uk/shoppe/delinquent-elementals/
Phil's Blog https://enfolding.org/
Phil's substack: https://philhine.substack.com/
Phil's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/philh.bsky.social
Rodney's site: http://rodneyorpheus.com
Rodney's insta: https://www.instagram.com/rodneyorpheus/?hl=en
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode, I'm joined by the prolific Tobias Churton—author, scholar, and one of the most insightful voices on Western esotericism and early Christianity. We open with his recent book The Books of Enoch Revealed, and from there, the conversation unfolds across a wide and fascinating terrain.
Tobias breaks down the Enochic texts and their influence on Jewish mysticism, apocalyptic religion, and the foundations of early Christianity. We explore how the figure of Enoch shaped beliefs around sin, salvation, and the afterlife, and how Jesus' ministry can be reinterpreted through this powerful lens.
In the Plus show, Tobias and I dive deeper into the metaphysical heart of the Enochian tradition, focusing on the figure of Metatron—God’s scribe, “Little Yahweh,” and the transformed identity of Enoch himself. We explore the radical implications of Metatron’s throne in heaven, his relationship to the “Son of Man” archetype, and how this connects to early perceptions of Jesus as a divine intermediary or even a returned Enoch.
Tobias also expands on the cross-cultural evolution of heaven as both a theological concept and a political one. We touch on his forthcoming book, which maps the idea of heaven across history, geography, and belief systems—from the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to mystical ascent in Kabbalah and Islamic cosmology.
This episode is rich in historical insight, theological nuance, and unapologetic critique. Tobias brings the weight of scholarship, but also the fire of someone deeply passionate about preserving the sacred, the strange, and the profound.
Show notes:
https://www.tobiaschurton.com
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781644119259
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-books-of-enoch-revealed-the-wicked-watchers-metatron-and-the-fruits-of-forbidden-knowledge-tobias-churton/21681258?ean=9781644119259
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode, I'm joined once again by the ever-brilliant Joshua Cutchin to discuss his latest book Fourth Wall Phantoms. This conversation is a deep dive into the fertile terrain between fiction and reality, where paranormal phenomena blur into imagination, archetype, and culture. He asks; What if stories were more than just stories? What if fictions came to life? What would that say about our greatest mysteries? What would that say about you?
Joshua shares how this book was a cleansing act for him—an unapologetic exploration of how stories, symbols, and media shape and even generate anomalous experiences. We talk about everything from the dream-logic of high strangeness to the surrealist lens through which we might better understand UFOs, spirits, and cryptids.
In the Plus show, Joshua notes a striking decline in classic alien abduction reports and explores how new kinds of contact experiences are emerging—ones that seem increasingly visionary, entangled with altered states of consciousness, and reflective of deeper shifts in cultural and psychic landscapes. We also touch on ideas that sit close to my own work: the transformative power of archetypes, the intoxicating grip of creative inspiration, and how folklore is not just a remnant of the past but an active force shaping our present. Joshua’s notion of spirits as stories—brought to life through belief, performance, and imagination—feels especially resonant here.
The conversation ends with some potent reflections on the current state of storytelling in Western culture. Are we running out of myths? Is the imagination drying up—or are we standing at the threshold of something new?
Show notes:
Website & book https://www.joshuacutchin.com/fourth-wall-phantoms
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I had the pleasure of speaking with folklorist and writer Scott Richardson-Read the brilliant mind behind Cailleach’s Herbarium. The focus of today's chat is Scott’s new book 'Mill Dust And Dreaming Bread, exploring Scottish folk belief & folk magic'. Together, we explore the deep roots of Scottish folk beliefs, looking at how animistic worldviews were layered over time with Christian, Norse, and Anglo-Saxon influence. Scott introduced me to the Gaelic concept of Dùthchas—the inherited right to place and belonging—and we discussed its significance in shaping Highland identity and political history. We also touched on the shared rhythms of Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the legacy of Alexander Carmichael and the Carmina Gadelica, and the enduring power of charms and spoken magic. One story that really stood out was that of St. Columba lending out his sacred book, only to burn it upon its return—a tale that sparked a discussion about healing, miracle-working, and the threads of folk magic that persist beneath the surface of Christianity. Through it all, Scott painted a vivid picture of a world where people lived in deep, reciprocal relationship with land, weather, ancestors, and the unseen.
In the Plus show we ventured deeper into the mythic and cosmological territory of his book.
We talked about the Three Worlds, the Primordial Twin, and how these ancient ideas mirror spiritual systems across the globe. We explored the notion of a pact between realms, the sacred nature of hospitality, and what it means to live in a world where everything is animate and interconnected. One of the most fascinating parts of the Plus Show was our discussion on the origins of spoken healing charms—those poetic, potent utterances passed down through families to stop bleeding, mend bones, or ward off illness. Scott spoke beautifully about how these charms carry ancestral knowledge, and I shared stories of people I know who still use them today.
We also talked about the Cailleach, the powerful old woman of Gaelic tradition—part ancestor, part deity—who shapes weather and land and who remains a potent figure in both lore and personal practice. Scott spoke about how the Cailleach features in his work and how she represents the deep animism and ecological awareness at the heart of Scottish folk cosmology. We closed our conversation reflecting on the deep-time resonance of folklore—from the Milky Way as the Path of the White Cow to the sacred symbolism of rivers, straw, and cows. This wasn’t just a discussion about stories; it was about remembering who we are, where we come from, and how we might live again in right relationship with the world around us.
Show notes:
Get the book: https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/sample-page/shop/book/mill-dust-and-dreaming-bread-limited-special-edition/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaftMzheNukHpulzhH64G-Mln_jBm74bDGZYS1g-bIZh1LuZP_COI6SzSnp1Sg_aem_UdtHrClZcQ2j4aUkPomT-Q
Scott's instagram https://www.instagram.com/cailleachsherbarium/
Tigh na Bodach https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2018/01/the-cailleach-scotlands-midwife-tigh-na-bodach/
The Three Realms https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2023/11/scottish-cosmology-of-the-three-realms/
St Columba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba
Cailleach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach
Bodach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodach
Donn Dubh
In this episode, I welcome back author and scholar Peter Mark Adams for a rich and far-reaching conversation centred on his upcoming book from Theion Publishing "Ritual & Epiphany in the Mysteries of Mithras – The Secret Cult of Saturn in Imperial Rome" an extraordinary and deeply thoughtful study of the cult of Mithras. Peter takes us through the ancient layers beneath Mithraic practice — its origins, iconography, cosmology, and initiatory structure — tracing a lineage from early Mesopotamian myths such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, through the cultic worship of Saturn, and into the esoteric heart of Imperial Rome. What emerges from his research is a profound view of Mithraism not simply as a Roman mystery cult, but as the survival of a much older, animistic, star-oriented cosmology. It is a vision of reality structured around spirit, fate, celestial forces, and the metamorphosis of the human soul.
Peter takes us through the complex ideas behind his thesis weaving in insights from recent advances in anthropology, ethnography, and comparative religion. He draws particularly from the Orphic mysteries to illuminate the metaphysical architecture underpinning the Mithraic rites. We unpack how the mysteries functioned as both a lived, embodied practice and a carefully guarded initiatic system, intended to bring about deep spiritual transformations in their adherents. The conversation explores the mythic grammar encoded in the Tauroctony — the slaying of the bull — not as a static religious image but as a dynamic, performative act tied to the movement of the heavens and the soul's journey through the stars.
In the Plus show, Peter also shares fascinating insights into the seven grades of Mithraic initiation, each representing different spiritual and cosmic stations, and the curious fact that while the cult is famous for these grades, only two formal initiation rituals are known. We delve into the frescoes at St. Capua Vetere, rare depictions that provide intimate glimpses into the ritual life of Mithraic initiates, and discuss how sacred art served not merely as decoration but as an active, living technology for transformation.
Along the way, we touch on the challenges faced by modern researchers and practitioners in articulating and re-contextualising these ancient experiences in a world that has largely lost the language for mystery. We talk about the difficulty of bridging the gap between ancient participatory worldviews and the post-Enlightenment skepticism that dominates contemporary thought — and how, paradoxically, the sciences of anthropology and archaeology often come closest to glimpsing the ancient mysteries, even as they struggle to fully comprehend them.
Show notes:
Peter's site https://petermarkadams.com
Peter's instagram https://www.instagram.com/petermarkadams/
Peter's Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/petermarkadams/posts
Theion Publishing https://theionpublishing.com/shop/pma-ritualepiphany/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJt5h9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrcrTB0SZCnZKoBiV8ekJtAVHGQawQVzitb5lGAscZwhU94lYmX-PLrQDWW9_aem_NJX2uq5lcQtsID72NJrHJA
Sola-Busca Workshop, Turin https://www.houseofzophiel.com/sola-busca.html
Cosmic or Orphic egg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_egg
Phanes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes
Tauroctony https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauroctony
St. Capua Vetere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Capua_Vetere
Epic of Gilgamesh https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epic-of-Gilgamesh
Orphism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism
Mithras https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism
Henosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis
Leontocephaline https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/2/2/3
Chora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khôra
Apogenesis https://www.iasdurham.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Hannah_From-Here-to-the-Hereafter-Genesis-and-Apogenesis-in-Ancient-Philosophy-and-Architecture.pdf
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode I’m joined by Daniel Yates— artist, writer, photographer, witch, and the mind behind the excellent Occult Library project.Daniel’s soon-to-be-released book To Glimpse a Hollow Hill is a deep and beautifully crafted exploration of Robert Kirk’s The Secret Commonwealth, a 17th-century manuscript at the heart of Scottish fairy belief and second sight traditions.We talk about the enormous task of transcribing and modernising Kirk’s original text, the folklore around seers, fairies, and fetch spirits, and the complex cultural landscape Kirk was writing from — one caught between Christianity, folk practice, and older ways of seeing the world.One of the most fascinating elements of the conversation is Kirk’s description of the Sith — not as the tiny winged fairies of Victorian fantasy, but as a people with their own culture, hierarchy, and even religious practices. These are beings who live alongside humans but by their own strange rules and logic — sometimes helpful, sometimes dangerous, always other.Daniel goes into more detail about Robert Kirk himself — not just as a minister and folklorist, but potentially as a seer working within a Christian framework. We discuss the ways in which Kirk subtly inserts himself into the text, the folklore surrounding his mysterious death on Doon Hill, and his possible motivations for writing The Secret Commonwealth — not merely as an academic exercise, but perhaps as a defence of the second sight and those who possessed it.In the Plus show, we go deeper into the more esoteric layers of Kirk’s Secret Commonwealth and the nature of the Sith.We explore the idea of dual-spirit traditions — the concept of co-walkers or fetch spirits that accompany a person or indeed a spirit, harvesting or feeding in some mysterious symbiotic way. Daniel draws intriguing parallels between this belief and spirit traditions found in cultures beyond Scotland.We discuss Kirk’s accounts of fairy lovers and the complicated, sometimes perilous relationships between humans and the Sith — not framed in terms of simple good or evil, but as entanglements with otherworldly beings operating by their own strange morality.There’s a beautiful reflection here on the porous boundary between worlds, and the price of crossing it — where gifts from the Otherworld might come with subtle costs, and where seership itself might not be a blessing freely given.We also talk about Daniel’s work on the Occult Library project — an ambitious and beautifully curated online resource cataloguing the wild and often ephemeral world of occult publishing.Daniel explains how the project came about as a response to the fragmentation of esoteric literature — especially from smaller or long-defunct presses — and his desire to create a browsable, searchable space where people could discover books that might otherwise disappear into obscurity.We discuss the challenges of gathering data on out-of-print and rare texts, the use of volunteers to help expand the library, and Daniel’s thoughtful approach to curation.He also shares future plans for the project, including an interactive map of occult locations, possible community features, and ways to sustain the site as it grows — all while preserving that sense of wonder and discovery that comes from stumbling across something rare, strange, or long-forgotten.Show notes:Buy 'To glimpse a hollow hill' https://www.atramentouspress.com/new-products/to-glimpse-a-hollow-hillDaniel's website https://www.photophrenic.comOccult Library https://www.occultlibrary.orgKeep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel Kennedy to discuss his new book, Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson. We explore Wilson’s life, influences, and enduring ideas, with a particular focus on his concept of Chapel Perilous—an initiatory state of uncertainty, where perception is destabilized, and transformation is possible.
Our conversation takes us through Wilson’s time in Ireland, his engagement with esoteric and mystical traditions, and the deep imprint of Irish history and culture on his work. We also examine the broader themes of language loss, intergenerational trauma, and how these forces shape identity and collective memory. Gabriel shares the extensive research that went into writing his book, including interviews with nearly 75 people, and how Wilson’s ideas remain relevant in today’s world of uncertainty and paradigm shifts.
In the Plus show, we go deeper into Robert Anton Wilson’s time in Ireland and the profound themes he explored in The Widow’s Son. Gabriel and I discuss how Wilson’s time in Ireland, following personal tragedies, shaped his later works and connected him to the country’s cultural and historical complexities. Through the novel’s protagonist, Wilson examines intergenerational trauma, Irish identity, and the lingering scars of colonial history—ideas that remain deeply relevant today.
We also explore the lasting impact of language loss in Ireland, tracing its roots to the famine and the cultural suppression that followed. Drawing on Translations by Brian Friel, we discuss how language shapes perception and identity, and how its revival is an act of cultural reclamation. This ties into a broader conversation on intergenerational trauma, the epigenetic effects of famine and stress, and the ongoing resurgence of ancestral practices like stone lifting and the Irish language.
The conversation weaves together mysticism, history, and deep cultural memory—tracing how the echoes of the past still shape the present.
Show Notes:
Book website Robert Anton Wilson Biography - Explore the Life of a Visionary Author
Prop’s Substack | Gabriel Kennedy aka Prop Anon | Substack
About – Gabriel Kennedy – Medium
Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson – Gabriel Kennedy’s biography of RAW.
Cosmic Trigger: Volume One – Wilson’s exploration of Chapel Perilous and his experiences with synchronicity, psychedelics, and the occult.
The Widow’s Son – A novel exploring Irish history, identity, and intergenerational trauma.
Prometheus Rising – A deep dive into consciousness, psychology, and personal reality tunnels.
The Illuminatus! Trilogy (co-written with Robert Shea) – A countercultural classic blending conspiracy, satire, and esotericism.
Translations – Brian Friel’s play about language loss and cultural identity in Ireland.
The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People – John Kelly’s historical account of the Irish Famine.
The Atlantean Irish – Bob Quinn’s exploration of Ireland’s connections to North Africa and ancient maritime cultures.
Grant Morrison Disinfo 2000 speech - Just epic.
The White Boys - 18th century Irish direct action society.
Coffin ships - a popular idiom used to describe the ships that carried Irish migrants escaping the Great Famine.
Bloomsday - annual celebration of the life of James Joyce observed in Dublin on June 16th.
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by professional occultist Mademoiselle Vendredi for a chat about her recent adventures in Thailand. We discuss Mademoiselle Vendredi’s encounters with local ghosts, spirits, and animist practices in Bangkok, where she was introduced to a world of supernatural entities, offerings, and hidden magical traditions. From her experiences with Thai Buddhist animism to the mysterious sounds of spectral visitors in her room, she shares firsthand accounts of a city teeming with unseen forces.
We also explore the unique duality of Thai spiritual life, where Buddhist shrines coexist with older spirit houses, and offerings of red Fanta serve to appease ghosts. Mademoiselle Vendredi recounts her time in Bangkok’s Portuguese quarter, where Catholic and Thai animist traditions merge, and describes her visit to the legendary Amulet Market.
A heads-up to listeners: The next section of our discussion touches on necromantic practices and esoteric rituals involving human remains, which some may find upsetting. This is an exploration of historical and cultural practices, not an endorsement or advocacy of them.
Our conversation turns to the darker side of Thai occultism, where necromantic practices involving effigies of the spirits of deceased infants, known as Kuman Thong. Mme Vendredi shares insights into these controversial practices, as well as other esoteric rituals involving oils and charms crafted from human remains.
In the Plus show, we take a deeper look into the case of Mae Niyam, a spirit whose shrine has become a focal point for those seeking supernatural intervention. Mademoiselle Vendredi shares the eerie story of how Mae Niyam, once a young beauty queen, became a powerful spirit known for granting wishes—so much so that people flock to her shrine to leave offerings of red Fanta and luxury items in exchange for her favor. She recounts her own experiences of receiving assistance from May Neom and how she introduced one of her mentees to the spirit, leading to uncanny results.
We also discuss another prominent Thai spirit, Mae Nak, a benevolent entity associated with luck and prosperity. Often depicted as a plump woman in traditional attire, Mae Nak is revered by business owners who set up altars for her in their shops, hoping to attract success.
Beyond Thai spirits, we dive into Mademoiselle Vendredi's unexpected encounter with a Bangkok taxi driver who, instead of small talk, launched into an impromptu history of the Chinese ghosts, ancient grave relocations of Bangkok. We explore the significance of these ghost stories, the interplay between Chinese and Thai magical traditions, and how urban legends in Bangkok often stem from real historical events.
We round out the Plus show with a discussion on Mademoiselle Vendredi's upcoming travels to Romania, where she plans to explore vampire folklore and connect with practitioners of local magic, as well as her extended stay in London. We also take a closer look at her Pharaoh’s Club—an online space dedicated to magicians and occult practitioners seeking hands-on guidance, practical magical techniques, and insights from her global travels.
This episode is a fascinating journey into folk magic, animism, and the intricate interplay between the living and the spirit world. Tune in for an immersive and wide-ranging discussion on magic, spirits, and the unseen forces shaping our world.
Show notes:
Kuman Thong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuman_thong
Mae Nak https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/mae-nak-phra-khanong-thailands-most-famous-ghost-love-story/
Red Fanta https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/thailand-drinks
Pharaohs Club https://buymeacoffee.com/mademoisellev
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka / obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by great Miguel Conner, author of The Occult Elvis and host of the Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio podcast, to explore the esoteric, mystical, and trickster-like nature of Elvis Presley. Miguel is known for his deep dives into Gnosticism, mythology, and the hidden dimensions of history, and his latest book uncovers the spiritual and occult influences that shaped the life of the King of Rock and Roll.Elvis Presley was more than just a music icon—his life was filled with supernatural experiences, metaphysical encounters, and a deep yearning for spiritual truth. Miguel and I discuss how comic books, mysticism, and even extraterrestrials played a role in Elvis’s personal mythology. We examine how his twinless survivor syndrome, childhood poverty, and Southern religious upbringing contributed to his liminal, shape-shifting persona, making him a figure of both divine inspiration and tragic excess.One of the key themes we explore is the crossroads as a site of transformation, a place where the trickster archetype and magical forces converge. Like Robert Johnson, Elvis stood at the threshold between worlds, embodying both the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the carnal. Was Elvis an egregore of America, a living embodiment of the nation’s deepest desires and contradictions? Did he unknowingly act as a shamanic figure, channeling mystical energies through music and performance?We also delve into Elvis’s mystical abilities, including his alleged powers to stop the rain and move objects with his will, and how these experiences fit into a broader tradition of spiritual adepts, magicians, and prophets. We explore the darker aspects of his spiritual journey, including his encounters with visions of Jesus, Stalin, and his own impending death, as well as the influence of Gnostic ideas on his worldview.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we connect Elvis’s metaphysical path with that of David Bowie, another artist who engaged deeply with esoteric traditions, Gnosticism, and the occult. Miguel shares insights from his upcoming book on Bowie, discussing how both musicians wrestled with supernatural experiences, cosmic synchronicities, and the burdens of fame as a spiritual path.As we wrap up we take a deeper dive into the hidden esoteric undercurrents of rock music, Elvis’s role in shaping a new kind of mystical pop culture.Thank you very much
Show notes:
The Occult Elvis https://www.innertraditions.com/the-occult-elvisMiguel’s website: https://thegodabovegod.com/
Miguel’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AeonByte
Miguel’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aeonbyte/
Miguel's X page: https://twitter.com/AeonByte
Miguel's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67NBVrem2dRsYUreRyjSsA/feed
Miguel's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte
Miguel's Rofkin: https://rokfin.com/aeonbyte
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by Dr. Gregory Shushan, a pioneering researcher on near-death experiences (NDEs). He has spent over 25 years studying historical accounts of NDEs, uncovering their profound influence on religious beliefs, mythologies, and cultural understandings of the afterlife. His research, as explored in his book Near-Death Experiences in the Ancient Civilisations; The Origins of the Worlds Afterlife Beliefs, reveals striking parallels between modern NDEs and accounts from historical cultures, shedding light on how early societies interpreted these extraordinary events.
In the show we explore what ancient texts reveal about encounters with the dead, the journey of the soul, and how different civilisations—from Egypt and Mesopotamia to India and Mesoamerica—understood these experiences. Gregory shares fascinating insights into how NDEs may have shaped early ideas of judgment, reincarnation, and the soul’s transition into the next world. His work also investigates the connections between NDEs, shamanism, initiation rites, and visions of the Otherworld, questioning whether these universal phenomena influenced the development of religious traditions across cultures.
In the Plus show, we take a deeper dive into Gregory’s upcoming research on Greek and Roman NDEs, as well as lesser-known accounts from indigenous First Nations traditions that challenge modern assumptions about the afterlife.
Beyond ancient civilizations, we also examine connections between NDEs and folklore, particularly in Irish fairy lore, where people were said to vanish into the Otherworld and return transformed. We discuss how these stories might reflect ancient beliefs about crossing the threshold between life and death, and how different cultures interpreted the journey between worlds.
Show Notes:
Dr Shushan's Website https://www.gregoryshushan.com
Get the book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Near-Death-Experience-Ancient-Civilizations-Afterlife/dp/1644118688
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode, I sit down with Adam Nox for an in-depth conversation on the rich subject matter of his excellent new book The Cult of Two: The uncensored sexual magick teachings of the order of delirious saints.Grounded in esoteric traditions and cutting-edge psychological insights, this compelling guide offers a roadmap to navigate the complexities of love, power, and identity. The Cult of Two is more than a book; it’s an invitation to transform your life through the integration of sexuality, spirituality, and self-mastery.In the conversation We explore the importance of integrating our fears, desires, and addictions, as well as the dangers of using spiritual knowledge as a shield against real growth.Adam shares his insights on the unconscious mind, the deeper meanings within the Tarot, and how magic and psychotherapy can work together. We also discuss the role of somatics in spiritual practice, the risks of premature Kundalini awakening, and the power of self-acceptance in navigating altered states of consciousness.From exploring the Tree of Life and the dark arts to personal stories of navigating danger through human connection, this conversation takes us deep into the realms of esoteric wisdom and self-mastery.In the Plus show, we go even further, taking a deep dive into the mysteries of the Tree of Death—examining its role in spiritual transformation, its relationship to the shadow self, and how working with its energies can lead to profound personal insight.Join us as we explore the intersection of magic, science, and the unconscious mind—this is an episode packed with insight, challenge, and practical wisdom.Show notes:Get the book https://www.amazon.com/Cult-Two-uncensored-teachings-delirious/dp/B0DXN852LDThe Cult of You website https://thecvltofyou.comKeep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, we welcome Kate Shelley, a shamanic healer whose journey has been shaped by deep ancestral work, spirit connections, and a profound understanding of emotional patterns in healing. Kate shares how her mentorship with Dr. Helen Ford led her to explore the emotional roots of illness and how these patterns influence our lives across generations.Our conversation touches on the power of walking and talking as a healing practice, the deeply personal nature of spirit communication, and the importance of finding one’s own unique way in working with unseen forces. Kate also opens up about her experiences with neurodivergence, highlighting the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and different ways of thinking.We discuss the balance between science and spiritual growth, the impact of trauma on the nervous system, and how practices like meditation and somatic work can support healing. Finally, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities of living in the modern world, especially for younger generations navigating new paradigms.Show notes:Kate's website https://www.lifemanualreadings.comKate's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifemanualreadings/Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Joshua Cutchin and Ryan Grulich to discuss their latest film project, The Lady of the Lake. The true crime documentary follows investigator Amanda Paulson and her team as they delve into the chilling case of Hallie Illingworth, a local woman who disappeared in 1937 and was found three years later in Lake Crescent under disturbing circumstances. Her body, eerily preserved with a soap-like texture, raised more questions than answers about what really happened to her. As Paulson's team digs deeper, they uncover unsettling truths about Hallie’s tragic fate, revealing a history of violence and long-buried secrets. The investigation leads them beyond the mystery of Hallie's death, unraveling a web of disturbing stories that have remained hidden for decades and uncovering a horrifying truth about the lake's dark past and the fate of those who enter its depths.What I found particularly compelling about this project is how it challenges traditional true crime storytelling—rather than sensationalising the victim’s fate, Joshua and Ryan emphasise her humanity, offering a narrative that is both deeply personal and powerfully unsettling. We also explore the film’s folkloric and paranormal elements, discussing how myth-making shapes our understanding of places and events.
Beyond The Lady of the Lake, our conversation expands into the broader theme of re-enchantment and cultural transformation. We discuss how Western society is slowly shifting away from rigid materialism towards a more spiritually integrated worldview—one where folklore, consciousness, and the unexplained are no longer dismissed but embraced as essential parts of our reality. This shift is something I’ve explored in many episodes, and here we consider how storytelling, film, and other media are playing a key role in rekindling a sense of mystery and wonder in the modern world.
In the Plus Show, we take a deep dive into Joshua and Ryan’s upcoming UFO documentary series. They share insights into how they’re approaching the project, looking at UFO encounters not just as unexplained aerial phenomena but as events that have shaped human spirituality, belief systems, and cultural evolution. We talk about the challenges of tackling the extraterrestrial and interdimensional hypotheses, the reluctance of mainstream figures to engage with esoteric subjects.
This was a fascinating conversation that weaves together true crime, folklore, and the unexplained, uncovering the deeper connections between these worlds. Tune in for an exploration of mystery, mythology, and the shifting tides of human consciousness.
Show notes:
Creepy Kingdom https://www.creepykingdom.com
Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWnPTOcEZ-Q&t=76s
Joshua Cutchin https://www.joshuacutchin.com
LOTL on instagram https://www.instagram.com/theladyofthelakedoc/
Keep in touch?
https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
