In this episode we examine the link between Kata (martial arts forms) and Spirit Dance. We also talk about changing perceptions of the meaning of the word "form" in the martial arts over time. The episode was prompted by two of our long-term patrons independently, so many thanks to Tom and Jason for the idea, as well as to Jan for the article that started off our discussion. Not all of this topic was covered, so there may well be a second episode at a later date.

Some five years into our series on the development of Xing Yi, we reach a pivotal episode, the first of two on the Formation of the Ming Army. Who was involved, and how did the Red Turbans form and fund a tightly integrated army that would solidify the new dynasty for over two hundred and sixty years? What was the influence of Yueh Fei on this process? These questions and more examined in our latest episode.

In this episode we conclude our examination of day 2 of the primary Rosicrucian allegory, the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, looking at some of the pitfalls of level 2 practice. Please note that this episode was originally recorded around November 2024, before episode 105 was recorded - please refer to the start of 105 for an explanation.

After a long break we are back with a patron-requested episode about Xing Yi's famous Beng method. What is Beng? Where does it come from? What does it have to do with the I-Ching? These questions and others answered in this episode.

This time Heretics examines the pros and cons of using recorded music for spirit dance, as well as making some recommendations for artists and tracks to try out. We also talk a bit about the upcoming Woven Energy Gathering of the Tribe in May.

In this episode we continue our exploration of the second day of the great Rosicrucian allegory, The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, examining the meanings of the two portals, the tokens and the torch bearers, among other topics.

Who were the Illuminati in real life? How do they relate to other secret societies? How successful were they? How were they influenced by the Freemasons and the Jesuits? What relationship did they have with Mozart? Do they exist today? These questions and more examined in this episode.

Where did the idea of Santa and the elves come from, and how was it used by the church? What did Terence McKenna mean when he talked about Machine Elves? These questions and more examined in our special Christmas episode.

This is our special 100th episode which covers both part 16 of our narrative on the origins of Xing Yi plus an extra hour of Q&A about Xing Yi and some of the controversies that surround it.

In this one we pick up our story of Xing Yi, examining the influence of Yue Fei and the great Song generals on the people who were inspired to challenge the increasingly degenerate late Yuan Dynasty. We also look at the influence of the "mythology of the West" in China and of Central Asian religious and spiritual traditions on the White Lotus Society, of which the leaders of the rebellions were members.

Our special guest this time is Dr. Marc Reid who heads up a world-leading academic research team in the field of Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, as well as being an in-demand public speaker in several other areas, including safety and the theme of this episode, the so-called Imposter Syndrome. Marc has written a book on the subject of what he prefers to call the Imposter Phenomenon, "You are Not a Fraud: A Scientist's Guide to the Imposter Phenomenon". You can find out more about Dr Reid's work at https://www.dr-marc-reid.com/

This episode follows on from Episode 26 of Graham's Tai Chi Notebook Podcast in which he interviews Woven Energy patrons Rikard Elofsson and Miika Wikberg about the little-known martial art of Baji. We discuss the possibility that the Baji Xiaojia is the most perfectly balanced form from any martial art - "Xiaojia is more Tai Chi than Tai Chi", and look in a bit more detail at the history, technique, strategy and background to this subtle and robust martial arts style.

Graham, Miika and Rikard's original episode can be found here: https://thetaichinotebook.com/2023/07/15/new-podcast-rikard-elofsson-and-miika-wikberg-a-deep-dive-into-nordic-bajiquan/

Where do hierarchies come from and why can they be so destructive? This is part one of a special 2 part episode to mark the re-launch of the Pigs and Chickens Podcast. Part 2 is immediately available over on Pigs and Chickens at the following link:

https://www.spreaker.com/user/9404101/5-hierarchy-pigs-and-chickens-re-launch

Did Western movies and TV lead to the creation of the Shaolin Warrior monks? Did the modern Shaolin fake something that had already been reinvented anyway? Did the Qing Dynasty really destroy the Shaolin temple, or did they instead create it? What influence did three subsequent phases of communism have on Shaolin? Was there a Southern Shaolin Temple, and what about the modern stuff at Wudang Mountain? These questions and more answered in our new episode on the infamous temple and its monks.

Is there any evidence that King Arthur was a real person? Why was Tintagel so important in the Dark Ages? Why does Tintagel Castle look so organic? What have Arthur and Tintagel got to do with the Crusades? These questions and more examined in our new episode.

At long last, and now armed with our recent episodes on alchemy, we again pick up the story of Christian Rosenkreutz and the Chymical Wedding. What is Day 2 all about? How does the "Language of the Birds" appear in Day 2? How does it relate to Amsghar? What does Christian make of his newfound escape from the Miasma, and what are the four paths that a shaman can follow? All these and more examined in this new episode.

This time we move into the second part of the nigredo or black phase of alchemy, dissolution, looking at the world of elixirs as well as spiritual dissolution technique. We discuss the alchemical symbolism of dissolution and some of the context of the famous Voynich Manuscript.

According to the 2021 census, the number of people who identify with Shamanism has grown ten-fold since 2011. We talk about whether or not this is true, and its implications, as well as reviewing the state of Shamanism in the UK today.

Was Jesus a shaman? What is and isn't shamanic about the New Testament? In this episode we review "Jesus the Ultimate Shaman", a new book by Stephen Bull and Sally Denny.

We continue our Heretics Alchemy Tutorial by taking a look at the first phase of the Great Work, Calcination. What is Calcination? What is its practical application in chemistry, martial arts and business? These topics and more in this episode.