Thelema NOW! Guest: Christophe Poncet (2025)

Thelema Now Episode: Richard Kaczynski – Friendship in Doubt, Crowley, and the Magic of Connection In this wide-ranging and engaging conversation, host Harper Feist welcomes back renowned Thelemic scholar Richard Kaczynski to discuss his latest book, Friendship in Doubt. Together, they explore the complex web of relationships surrounding Aleister Crowley, the role of loyalty and betrayal in spiritual movements, and how personal dynamics can influence magical work. The discussion doesn’t stop there—Harper and Richard dive into Crowley’s early work The Sword of Song, unpacking its philosophical underpinnings and literary flair. They also touch on the practice of Magick itself, including its evolution and application in both historical and contemporary contexts. Whether you’re a seasoned student of Thelema or just curious about the people behind the philosophy, this episode is full of insight, scholarship, and a few surprises. Tune in and get inspired!

If you are someone who enjoys Tarot - then do we have an episode for you! In this podcast, host Harper Feist talks to Christophe Poncet, who has just published Down Here.  Down Here is the first of a meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated three volume work, The Tarot of Marsilio by Christophe Poncet; a landmark inquiry into the origins of the Tarot de Marseille. Listen as Christophe discuss the orgin of Tarot de Marseille and the surprising findings of his research. 

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!