Ultraculture With Jason Louv

Ari Freeman is the Deputy Wizard of Christchurch, New Zealand—if you've ever seen the Official Wizard of New Zealand, then yeah, he's that guy's apprentice! He also has a new book out, Pragmatic Magical Thinking—here's the book description: "The modern Western world has often raised its eyebrows at magic, associating it with madness and superstition. However, this ignore the fact of the matter that magic is a universal human experience which has existed in a multitude of forms across time and space. "Now, in his groundbreaking book, Ari Freeman presents his argument that magic is still a human universal - we’ve just forgotten how to talk about it! "Laying out clear and concise arguments, Pragmatic Magical Thinking will enlighten readers to how magic can be a practical approach to achieving real world results, drawing on evidence from science, philosophy, history and anthropology. "For both beginners at magic, and the long practicing witch or wizard, Ari Freeman’s book is a breath of fresh air for the world of

My great friend Caleigh Fisher returns to the podcast for the third time, and OUR MOST EPIC CONVERSATION YET! Caleigh ran the Toronto Access Point for Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth throughout the 1980s; we met on the old Barbelith message board in the early 2000s and then in person when I made it to New York in 2003. I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO FATHOM THE DEPTHS AND HEIGHTS OF THIS CONVERSATION. I have seen too much. I have seen beyond the walls and breakers of reality and my consciousness is now escaping low earth orbit and merging with the vault of Heaven. AND YOUR WILL TOO!! Enjoy the show, and I'll see you in class! Show Links Caleigh's YouTube Channel Caleigh's Tumblr Homelessness Stats from Our World in Data Magick.Me

Mark Alan Miller is a Saturn-Award winning producer and New York Times Bestselling author. He has written and produced dozens of titles across high-level outlets. He’s developed and created content with Clive Barker, Tom Holland, Joe R. Lansdale, Dark Horse Comics, Boom Studios, St. Martin’s Press and more. Additionally feature and television work has been seen on Prime, Peacock, Netflix, and Hulu. He is the Founder and President of Encyclopocalypse Publications, which boasts top tier clientele and titles across all genres. Mark has represented, organized, developed, and produced hundreds of hours of content that have grossed millions of dollars for his clients and collaborators. In this SPECIAL HALLOWEEN FREAK-OUT, we talk about writing, horror, magick, kundalini, entities from beyond and the Very Very Scary Things that happen at Clive Barker's house. ENJOY!!!!!! Show Notes Encyclopocalypse Magick.Me

In this episode, Jason gives a dramatic reading of the Diamond Sutra. The Diamond Sutra, a Mahāyāna Buddhist text, is notable for its influence on East Asian Buddhism, especially within the Chan or Zen tradition. Translated across a wide geographic range, it's revered for its teachings on "perfection of wisdom." Historically significant, it's recognized as one of the earliest dated printed books, with its discovery tracing back to 868 AD; it was also the first book ever released with complete open rights, allowing it to be shared, distributed or copied by anyone. The text's cultural impact is mirrored in a rich tradition of commentary and veneration within East Asian Buddhist cultures, embodying a legacy of religious thought and practice that continues to resonate across the globe​. The sutra's title metaphorically relates to the Vajra, a powerful weapon, symbolizing wisdom that cuts through illusions to attain ultimate reality. The text's essence, promoting a deeper understanding of reality through wisdom, a

Step into the captivating world of Dr. Ralph Abraham, a renowned American mathematician whose career has spanned decades and traversed continents. In this exclusive podcast interview, remastered from an epic conversation we had in 2018, we delve deep into the life and work of the professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. From his early days earning degrees at the University of Michigan to his influential roles at institutions like UC Berkeley, Columbia University, and Princeton, Abraham's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for the mathematical sciences. You'll get a unique glimpse into Abraham's groundbreaking work in the development of dynamical systems theory and his pioneering contributions to chaos theory. Beyond the equations and theories, we explore his innovative approach to expressing mathematics—be it visually, aurally, or through the fusion of math, visual arts, and music. And we'll dive into his involvement in the "Hip" activities of Santa Cruz

In this immersive episode, we explore the harmonious dance of art and alchemy with renowned artist Marlene Seven Bremner. Drawing from her seminal work, "The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy," Bremner unveils the transformative power of alchemical processes as they relate to human creativity.  Moving beyond traditional conceptions of artistry, we dive deep into the Hermetic arts, exploring how they can act as a bridge to liberate the authentic creator within each of us.  Bremner's profound insights shed light on the intersections between Surrealism and alchemy, the profound symbolism woven into alchemical art, and the pathways through which the creative spirit can be elevated and refined. As we navigate this journey, we uncover the layers of how alchemical opus, the Great Work, offers tangible routes to attain true self-knowledge or gnosis This enlightening conversation promises to reshape your perceptions of creativity, transformation, and the endless possibilities that emerge when they intertwine. Show

In this evocative episode, we delve into the multidimensional life and works of Timothy Wyllie (1940-2017). This is a remaster of the conversation we had with him shortly before his death—it was just too important to leave in the vaults. We talk about angels, the Process, ketamine, PCP, UFOs, disembodied intelligences, and ALL KINDS of other WEIRD SH*T. You're gonna love it! From his roots in Great Britain and his education as an architect, to his pioneering explorations into out-of-body experiences, telepathic communications with dolphins, and profound interactions with nonphysical beings, Wyllie's journey is a testament to the vast potential of human experience. From ventures in New York City's business scene to his subsequent retirement into the world of creative endeavors, Wyllie was a fascinating and multifaceted individual, and listeners will be captivated by the blend of the tangible and ethereal in Wyllie's life. Timothy's unique "Bozon Music" — a harmonious fusion of True Age improvisational jazz and

In this deeply thoughtful and enlightening episode, we have the pleasure of conversing with Anne-Marie Keppel, the award-winning author of “Death Nesting” and a fervent advocate for compassionate, holistic end-of-life care. Anne-Marie opens up about her journey into the realm of death doula practices and the insights that have shaped her understanding of death as a sacred rite of passage. Through her blend of ancient and modern techniques, she offers a unique perspective on caring for the dying and supporting loved ones through the grieving process. Anne-Marie delves into the practical aspects of caring for bedridden individuals, sharing techniques to ease the physical challenges of the dying process. She sheds light on the significance of emotional soothing, breathing practices, and the role of ceremony and energetic boundaries in creating a sacred space around the dying. Her insights into Reiki, ancestral support, and herbal care reveal a multifaceted approach to nourishing and healing on a spirit level. Li

Dive deep into the culinary history of America with our esteemed guest Christina Ward. From riding in the Wienermobile with Padma Lakshmi for "Taste the Nation" to her intriguing contributions to transgressive art, Christina's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In her latest offering, "Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat—An American History," set to release on September 26, 2023, Christina meticulously unravels how religious beliefs intersect with politics, economics, and most intriguingly, food. This work presents an alternate story of America, spotlighting true believers, charlatans, visionaries, and the many who walked behind them. She navigates with precision between academic studies, first-hand interviews, cookbooks, and religious texts, offering fresh insights into American history, all viewed through the lens of our kitchens. In this episode, we journey through the annals of religious influence on American culinary habits, discovering how food fads became

Embark on a transformative journey into the mystical realm of curanderismo with our distinguished guest Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., a seasoned curandera and a descendant of a long lineage of grandmother curanderas...! With an academic foundation from the University of California, Riverside, focusing on Mesoamerican shamanism, Erika seamlessly weaves the ancient with the contemporary.  Her latest work, 'Veneration Rites of Curanderismo: Invoking the Sacred Energy of Our Ancestors,' serves as a beacon, guiding us on how to reconnect with our ancestors, shape our destinies, and deepen our healing paths. From the sacred energy of ancestors manifesting in various forms to the deification process of esteemed forebearers, Erika delves deep into the heart of ancestral veneration.  In this episode, Erika unveils the rich tapestry of curanderismo, from the profound trance journeys and sacred gardening rituals to the art of ancestral altar-making and the path of Nepantla spirituality.  Whether you're well-versed in cur

Today, we journey deep into the world of occultism with very special guest Mitch Horowitz, a PEN Award-winning historian, writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library, and a voice that has garnered respect across academic, journalistic, and subculture circles. Mitch's latest book 'Modern Occultism: History, Theory, and Practice,' takes us on a vibrant, epic journey through the annals of occult history. From the magical corridors of Cleopatra's reign to the revolutionary ideas of Madame H. P. Blavatsky, and the spiritual awakenings ignited by figures such as Aleister Crowley and Carl Jung. In his new book, Mitch unfolds the tapestry of hidden wisdom, the rise and influence of secret societies, the migration of magickal systems, and even the often-overlooked occult influences on iconic figures like Frederick Douglass and Isaac Newton.  Join us as we unravel the intricacies of occultism in thought and practice. From the rebirth of esoterica during the Renaissance and the fin de siècle scientists studying t

Connie Zweig, Ph.D., author of "Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening," joins us in an enlightening conversation that delves into the complex interplay between spiritual longing and the shadow self. This episode explores the journey of spiritual awakening, the challenges of betrayal and disillusionment, and the path to rekindling spiritual inspiration. In this intimate discussion, Dr. Zweig explains why we are drawn to charismatic leaders and what we unconsciously give away to them. She sheds light on how to reclaim our inner spiritual authority and how to recover from spiritual abuse. Through the practice of psychology and shadow-work, she guides us in breaking free from denial, projection, and dependency. We explore the lives of renowned spiritual teachers such as Sufi poet Rumi, Hindu master Ramakrishna, and Christian saint Catherine of Siena, whose spiritual journeys were marked by both ecstatic experiences and painful encounters with their s

Swedish author Carl Abrahamsson and American artist and psychoanalyst Vanessa Sinclair join us in an engaging conversation that explores the integration of magic, art, and psychoanalysis in their daily lives. As a married couple, they have successfully merged these fascinating fields, creating a unique blend of creativity, self-discovery, and mystical exploration. In this episode, Sinclair & Abrahamsson take us on a journey through their ideas, theories, practices, experiences, collaborations, successes, and even occasional failures. They share their relentless pursuit of erasing the boundaries between magic, mysticism, art, and the unconscious, experimenting with various artistic expressions while strengthening their occult work. We delve into their relationships with influential figures such as Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, their experiments with the cut-ups technique of William Burroughs and Brion Gysin, their insights into the power of exposure and honesty, and their exploration of dreams, creativity, ine

Paul Levy, author of "Undreaming Wetiko: Breaking the Spell of the Nightmare Mind-Virus," joins us in a profound conversation that delves into the depths of the human psyche and the insidious mind-virus known as "wetiko." A concept deeply rooted in Native American thought, wetiko represents a collective psychosis that is wreaking havoc on our world. Yet, as Levy passionately explains, within this very madness lies the key to our healing. In this enlightening episode, Levy explores the intricate connections between wetiko and ancestral trauma, revealing how the wounded healer/shaman archetype can be a catalyst for both individual and collective healing. We journey into the heart of multigenerational pain, understanding how it propagates through families and how recognizing the wounded healer within us can guide us through the dark underworld of the unconscious. Levy introduces us to the inner guide—a daemon/angel that resides within us, acting as an ally in our encounters with the daemonic energy of wetiko. We

Jim Christy is an author, artist, spoken word performer, and a man who was once described as ‘one of the last unpurged North American anarchistic romantics.’ With a life as colourful as his narratives, Christy's journey from the tough streets of South Philadelphia to his current residence in Ontario has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this intimate conversation, Christy reveals his diverse experiences with an array of unique personalities, from hobos and jazz musicians to boxers and prolific writers such as Charles Bukowski, Peter Trower, and Joe Ferone. We explore his adventures, his relationships, and his uncanny ability to transform life experiences into riveting tales and captivating performances. Jim delves into his childhood, recounting memories of growing up in a boxing-obsessed neighborhood, his early rebellious streak that found him riding freights, and his move to Canada to evade the Vietnam War draft. And we explore his fascination with outsiders, the heroes of his narratives, such as the v

In this episode of Ultraculture, we sit down with journalist Ika Johannesson to talk about her book BLOOD FIRE DEATH, on the history of Swedish Metal. From the book: "In the early 1990s, Swedish musicians revolutionized the international music scene with their groundbreaking interpretations of what Metal music could be. Suddenly, the mild-mannered Scandinavian country found itself at the forefront of a new movement with worldwide impact thanks to bands such as Entombed, Dismember, and At the Gates. The birth of black metal drove the culture to even greater extremes, featuring a rawer, darker sound and non-ironic death-worship. Soon churches in both Norway and Sweden were aflame, and before long Satanism emerged as more than just an image. "But how did it all start? Why did Sweden become a hotbed for such aggressive, nihilistic music? And who are the people and bands that brought it all about? Blood, Fire, Death: A Swedish Metal Story recounts the evolution of the genre from the massive amplifier walls of 1970

In this episode, we delve into England's Hidden Reverse—the history of the occult industrial bands Coil, Current 93, Nurse With Wound, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, and the monumental spells they cast on music and popular occulture. Our intrepid guide on this journey is Scottish writer David Keenan, a literary and musical polymath known for his innovative contributions to the UK cultural scene. Born in April 1971, Keenan has worn many hats, from running Glasgow's iconic record shop, Volcanic Tongue, to shaping the dialogue around experimental music genres in The Wire magazine. As an author, he has written four critically acclaimed novels, with his debut, "This Is Memorial Device", bagging the Collyer Bristow Award for Debut Fiction. Keenan's seminal work "England's Hidden Reverse", the focus of this episode, is an in-depth exploration of the English esoteric musical underground, featuring exclusive biographies of the genre-defying bands Coil, Current 93, Nurse With Wound and many more. Based on exclusive in

I went to New Orleans and all I got was this awesome 2 1/2 hour sitdown with Damien Echols! Damien Echols, a profound teacher of magick, author, and martial artist, should need no introduction. You may know him from his appearance on the Midnight Gospel or his extensive work in the field of magick. In this episode, we sat down to take turns interviewing each other, resulting in a rich, two-and-a-half-hour conversation about magick—and much, much more. According to Damien, this episode is one of his last podcast appearances, so I was very honored to get the time to sit down with him. If you wish to continue following Damien and his teachings, you can find him on his Patreon page, where he shares extensive content on the practice of magick. And make sure to check out Magick.Me, my online school for magick, meditation, and mysticism...! The school's growing rapidly, with a large faculty of teachers offering a wide array of classes on the wide world of magick, including Tarot, astrology, Hermeticism, chaos magick

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome our special guest, Alan Green, a British-born pianist, composer, author, educator, and a scholar of the Shakespeare Authorship mystery. Alan's career is as diverse as it is impressive, having served as the musical director for Davy Jones of the iconic 60’s pop group, The Monkees, and co-authoring two best-selling, award-winning books about their journey. Alan's passion for the Shakespeare Authorship mystery, a historical question surrounding the identity of the author behind the works attributed to William Shakespeare, has led him to create a variety of original works on the subject. These include "Bard", a musical, "Under A Shakespeare Moon", a novel, and a book series titled "The Holy Trinity Solution". In this episode, we delve into Alan's insights and experiences, exploring his unique blend of creativity, scholarly rigor, and a deep passion for uncovering historical truths. We also discuss his new show on Gaia, "Shakespeare Decoded", a captivating exploration of