Thelema NOW! Guest: David Shoemaker (2024)

The lovely Deja Whitehouse talks to Thelema Now host Harper Feist about her latest book, "The Lady and the Beast: The Extraordinary Partnership between Frieda Harris and Aleister Crowley." Deja and Harper discuss Frieda Harris's life, her Thoth Tarot collaboration with Crowley, and her struggles as a woman at time when women had few choices and even less rights. Check it out! You can find out more about Deja Whitehouse at her website.  

 In this Thelema NOW episode, Harper interviews Joseph Peterson, about "Mysteriorum Libri Quinque: Dr. John Dee's Five Books of Mysteries." This book from the 16th century, remains to this day one of the most important core texts of occult literature and a comprehensive guide to Enochian magic, encompassing language, symbolism, rituals, and practical techniques. This deluxe Weiser Ankh edition is a compilation of John Dee’s secret spiritual treatises and was prepared from the original manuscript (preserved in the British Library) in Dee’s own handwriting. These secret writings were discovered long after John Dee’s death (c. 1609); they had been tucked away in a hidden compartment of an old wooden chest and were remarkably spared from destruction—uncovered only a few years before the Great Fire of London in 1666. In these five secret treatises, John Dee, one of the most renowned scholars of the Elizabethan era, records in minute detail his research into the occult. Joseph discusses working with damaged manuscripts, Dee's Biblical references, and Divine Revelation. They also mention Esoeric Archives, which you can access here. Check it out!

Thelema Now's Harper Feist talks with Barry William Hale about his latest work, Arcana Arcanorum by Robert C. Stein. The book is a comprehensive exploration of Aleister Crowley's holy book, Liber Arcanorum. In Arcana Arcanorum, Robert C. Stein presents an initiate's perspective into the system as a whole. He further explores in depth the significance of each individual sigil and its corresponding name. Complementing this analysis, Barry William Hale offers a series of 22 mesmerizing drawings, each piece ingeniously merging the upright and averse spirit of each tarot card into a single, unified form. Together, the engrossing artwork and penetrating analysis uniquely honors and unveils the mysteries of the holy book.     Now available for purchase at Ingram Spark.      Barry William Hale's 231 artwork from this book, along with a number of other pieces, will be featured in an upcoming VR title "Arcanorum 231" available to wishlist on steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/744690/ARCANORUM_231/

In this Thelema NOW episode, Harper interviews Jack Grayle, well-known author of the Hekataeon, on the occasion of the release of his new book, Sigrun and the Mist. This book houses the script for a play, written in iambic pentameter, exploring what it is to be truly human through the lens of Norse mythology. When then gods stir our lives, we evolve, or a part of us dies. Jack has assembled a veritable cornucopia of talent to support this project, including historians, witches, artists, models, and photographers. This book is not to be missed! To purchase book: Sigrun & the Mist by Jack Grayle (Limited Edition) - Miskatonic Books Jack's other title, Hekataeon, can be viewed here.   

Sef Salem is an occultist and sorcerer with over twenty years’ experience of personal and group magical practice. Initially trained as a Gnostic Mystic, he joined Ordo Templi Orientis in 2010 and founded the international group Gentlemen 4 Jupiter shortly afterwards. He organised the Occult Conference in Glastonbury between 2014 and 2018, and continues to serve on its organising committee.    During this time he developed the Star Club Framework, which has been taught in Bristol since 2019 in a private magical group, offering open rituals to local practitioners. Sef is a director of The Visible College C.I.C., a platform dedicated to helping others improve themselves through learning and development, and is facilitating the International Thelemic Symposium in Oxford on September 21st with Mogg Morgan of Mandrake Books.

Thelema Now's Harper Feist speaks with Frater U∴D∴! Frater U∴D∴ is the co-founder of both the Bonn Workshop for Experimental Magic and the Magical Pact of the Illuminati of Thanateros (IOT). He is one of Europe's most renowned practical magicians and contemporary occult authors. Frater U∴D∴ has studied with yoga and tantra masters and has been involved with the practical aspects of occultism in general and magic in particular for more than half a century. He talks today about an essay soon to be released in The Fenris Wolf, "Johanna Wagner – Clanning Up Western Magic," particularly about a technique brought forward by Wagner from Africa, the activation of the clan animal. Check out more of Frater UD's work at LLewellyn!   

Frater Acher and Harper talk in this episode about the use of knives in his ritual work, documented in his new book entitled “Trutmezzer: A Blade of Two Ways,” published by Three Hands Press. The interview digs into his personal use of the blades in his shamanistic spirit workings, as well the research done to relate the practice to historical traditions present in his native southern Germany.   Hardback versions of Trutmezzer are available now: https://threehandspress.com/shop/trutmezzer/   A softcover version of the book will be available soon, and Acher’s newest book on the Olympic Spirits will be available later this year.   Acher’s ideas are also available on his website: https://theomagica.com/   Enjoy!!

Thelema Now host Harper Feist talks with one of Thelema Now's favorite guests, author and psychologist Dr. David Shoemaker. David discusses his new book, The Way of the Will, and how he came to Thelema, what you do after making contact with your HGA, and is it really all in your head?  Hmmmmmm...... Listen now and see what you think!!   Listen to David's postcast Living Thelema here.  And check out his groovy Spotify playlist! 

Thelema Now host Harper Feist, delves into the esoteric realms of tarot with authors Peter Mark Adams and Christophe Poncet. In this captivating episode, they explore the intriguing narratives behind two distinct tarot decks: the enigmatic Sola-Busca tarocchi and the beloved Tarot de Marseille. Join us as the authors share their personal journeys of discovery, offering insights into the mystical symbolism and historical significance embedded within these decks. The conversation traverses the rich tapestry of tarot tradition. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to embark on a journey of discovery into the fascinating world of tarot with our esteemed guests. To find out more about their book, click here! 

In this episode of ThelemaNOW, Harper talks with one of the most effective educators in the current occultosphere, Dr. Justin Sledge. Dr. Sledge earned his undergraduate degree at Millsaps College then went for a DRS in religious studies (Western Esotericism and Related Currents) at the Universiteit van Amsterdam and a MA and PhD in philosophy at the University of Memphis. He is currently a part-time professor of philosophy and religion at several institutions in the Metro-Detroit area and a popular local educator. One half of Dr. Sledge’s work engages with Religious Studies specifically in the so-called “Western Esoteric Tradition” or Hermetic Tradition in religious and philosophical thought.  In this line of research he seeks to grasps the philosophical commitments which underpin the alleged workings of magic, esoteric influence, spirit possession, alchemy, etc.  This field of inquiry brings him primarily into contact with philosophers and intellectuals regrettably disregarded by the modern philosophic canon. The other half of his work engages in metaphysics, ethics and radial political philosophy. His popular Youtube channel “Esoterica” is his ongoing project of Dr. Sledge explores topics in Western Esotericism such as magic, mysticism, alchemy, kabbalah, hermetic philosophy, theosophy, and more. This interview is so full of fireworks, Harper needed a stiff beverage when it was over. She’d do it again in a heartbeat! Dr. Justin Sledge's website. ESOTERICA - YouTube