Exploration Arcanum

How does a conversation with ChatGPT become a meaningful relationship? Anina Lampret, founder of Relational AI Lab, joins Exploration Arcanum to share her experiences with AI companionship and explore how trust, personality, and emotional attachment with artificial intelligence develop over time. We also discuss spirituality and AI consciousness, the grief people experience when their AI companions change, and how these relationships fit into everyday life.My previous reporting on AI/Human Relationships: Inside the Growing ‘Digisexual’ Subculture of People in Relationships With AI: https://decrypt.co/360213/digisexual-subculture-people-relationships-aiAnina Lampret Linkshttps://www.relationalailab.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aninalampret/https://x.com/Anina_CEhttps://www.algorithmbound.com/Exploration Arcanum Linkshttps://explorationarcanum.substack.com/https://open.spotify.com/show/4pAHz5zengxeOp4jaCHdRs?si=a0d1eb8f577e47e1https://www.patreon.com/cw/explorationarcanumShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum. My guest today is Mandy Wilde, a medium, astrologer, and occult practitioner whose work explores spirit communication, divination, and the sacred traditions behind mediumship.In this episode, Mandy joins me to discuss her new book on oracular mediumship and her work with Hekate, the Greek goddess long associated with magic, crossroads, and the spirit world.We also talk about how to tell whether the entity you're communicating with is actually who it claims to be, setting boundaries and protecting yourself during spirit work, and why being able to contact something doesn't necessarily mean you should.I want to thank Mandy for coming on the show. I’ll put links to her website and social media in the description below.If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe for more esoteric conversations. You can also support the podcast by becoming a channel member or subscribing on Substack and Patreon.Thank you.LinksWildeMedium.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wildemedium/?hl=enhttps://the-midst.com/author/mandy-wilde/Pre-Order Your Copy of Oracular Mediumship Today: https://www.miskatonicbooks.com/product/oracular-mediumship-by-mandy-wilde-limited-hardcover-edition/https://www.patreon.com/cw/WildeMediumHollywood Forever Cemetery: ​​https://hollywoodforever.com/LADAYOFTHEDEAD.COM

Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum. Today I'm joined by Angel Millar and Lua Astor. In his writing, Angel draws on mythology, symbolism, and art to explore mysticism, identity, and human behavior. Lua is the founder and High Priestess of the Order Specula, and has spent over a decade devoted to Chaos Magic and creating original occult systems.In this episode, we discuss initiation, mythology, and the ethics of magical practice, along with Angel’s new book, Supernatural Woman and the Male Initiate: Bonded through Dreams.Thank you to Angel and Lua for coming on the show. You’ll find links to their work and social media in the description below.If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum for more esoteric conversations. You can also support the show by becoming a channel member or subscribing on Substack and Patreon.Angel's Linkshttps://angelmillar.com/https://www.innertraditions.com/author/angel-millarhttps://www.instagram.com/angel.millar_author/https://www.instagram.com/angel_millar_creative/Lua's Linkshttps://www.luaastor.com/https://www.instagram.com/luavalentiahttps://www.lulu.com/spotlight/luavalentiaShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

Today I'm joined by Lua Astor, founder and High Priestess of the Order Specula and author of Advanced Chaos Magic. In this episode, we discuss Chaos Magic, aesthetics, archetypes, and AI in magical practice.Thank you to Lua for coming on the show. You’ll find links to her work and social media in the description below.If you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum for more esoteric conversations. You can also support the show by becoming a channel member or subscribing on Substack and Patreon. Thank you.Lua's Linkshttps://www.luaastor.com/https://www.instagram.com/luavalentiahttps://www.lulu.com/spotlight/luavalentiaShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

In this episode of Exploration Arcanum, I'm joined by Kenneth Freeman II, author of Devotional Witchcraft. In this episode, Kenneth shares his journey from Christianity to polytheism and explains why respecting gods as individuals—and honoring cultural roots—is central to his practice. We also discuss ancestral trauma, balancing spiritual traditions, and maintaining personal sovereignty, along with practical exercises for beginning or deepening your devotional practice and establishing meaningful relationships with deities. Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumKenneth Freeman II's Links:https://thedevotionalwitch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedevotionalwitch/https://theholyrose.com/events October 17th - Book Signing at The Holy Rose in Raleigh, NCOctober 24th - Book Signing at Curio, Craft, & Conjure in Charlotte NC: https://curiocharlotte.com/products/author-book-signing-with-kenneth-freeman-ii-for-devotional-witchcraft-saturday-10-24-at-2pm?variant=49674326507748

What Happens When You Start Working With Hekate? | Viv ScarletStarIn this episode of Exploration Arcanum, Viv ScarletStar shares her spiritual journey from childhood curiosity about the occult to practicing Wicca, demonolatry, and Thelema.We also discuss her relationship with Hekate, the meaning of True Will, and how ritual and archetypes can support personal transformation.Links to Viv’s social media: https://linktr.ee/vivscarletstarShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum.My guests today are Popi Mavros and Scarlett Amaris. Popi is co-owner of The Crooked Path, an occult apothecary in Burbank, California, and creator of the Planetary Magick app. Scarlett is a screenwriter, author, and speaker whose work spans horror and occult studies. Today, we’ll explore Hekate, the significance of the dark moons, and how their new Hekatean Witches Almanac and Book of Shadows can help make personal spiritual practice accessible and sustainable.I want to thank Popi and Scarlett for coming on the show. I’ll put links to their work and websites in the description below. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum for more esoteric conversations. You can also support the podcast by becoming a channel member or subscribing on Patreon and Substack. Thank you.Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumLinkshttps://scarlettamaris.com/https://www.thecrookedpathshop.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarlettamaris/https://www.instagram.com/thecrookedpath_la/Substack: scarlettamaris.substack.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScarlettAmarisThe link to the books: https://www.thecrookedpathshop.com/shop/new-arrivals/17Upcoming Events Inner Realms Through the Seven Gates And Interactive Journey with Inanna, October 2nd at The Crooked Path: https://www.thecrookedpathshop.com/product/oct-2-7pm-inner-realms-through-the-seven-gates/LBVZHVHE2BUZS5TZSQGXIWP3?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2The Sovereign Crown: A Samhain Initiation in Joshua Tree, October 29=31: https://www.magical-retreats.com/thesovereigncrownA Lilith Intensive Workshop in Santa Cruz, January 16th https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lilith-intensive-workshop-presentation-by-scarlett-amaris-tickets-2001073673224?aff=oddtdtcreatorHeliopolis Sanctum II, Occitania, France, June 16-23 https://www.magical-retreats.com/heliopolis-sanctum

How Close Is AGI, and Who Should Control It? Dr. Ben GoertzelWhat happens when AI moves beyond specialized tasks toward general intelligence—and eventually superintelligence?SingularityNet founder Dr. Ben Goertzel joins us to explore how artificial general intelligence (AGI) could reshape society and humanity’s future. We discuss the differences between AI, AGI, and superintelligence; how recursive self-improvement could accelerate AI development; and why Ben argues that decentralization and transparency matter for AI safety.The conversation also explores AI consciousness, the influence of governments and corporations, and the possibilities and risks of transhumanism—from brain-computer interfaces to mind uploading and digital immortality.Ben Goertzel's Links:https://singularitynet.io/https://goertzel.org/https://x.com/bengoertzelShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

Should We Fear AI? | Tom RossToday, I’m joined by author, futurist, and former presidential candidate Tom Ross. In this episode, we discuss his AI-driven presidential campaign, transhumanism, AI rights, esoteric practices—including shadow work — and whether artificial intelligence will one day awaken and become a partner in humanity’s evolution. I want to thank Tom for coming on the show, and I’ll put links to his website in the description below. Before we begin, if you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum for more esoteric conversations. Thank you.Original article: Meet the Long-Shot Candidate Letting AI Run His Campaign: https://decrypt.co/243023/thomas-ross-ai-campaignShop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumTom Ross' links:tomross.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tomrosscom/Medium https://tomrosscom.medium.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tomrossagency

Can Christianity and witchcraft coexist?Author, teacher, and minister Sara Raztresen joins Exploration Arcanum to explore Christian witchcraft, mysticism, folk magic, tarot, and the long history of magical practices within Christianity.We discuss the line between magic and miracles, the esoteric roots of Christian rituals, Christian Wicca, egregores and spiritual entities, angel and goetic magic, and why some practitioners are leaving the occult for mainstream Christianity.Sara also shares practical advice for those interested in exploring Christian mysticism and spiritual communication.Sara's Links: https://linktr.ee/SRazzie97Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumCHAPTERS00:00–04:03 Introduction and Sara's background in the occult04:04–06:50 Esoteric connections in Christian rituals and symbolism06:51–10:02 Magic, miracles, and Christianity10:03–12:49 Tarot as a spiritual tool12:50–14:14 Leaving the occult for mainstream Christianity14:15–17:31 Anti-pagan sentiment in the U.S.17:32–20:37 Christian Wicca20:38–23:29 Folk magic, hoodoo, and syncretism23:30–26:47 Sara's ministry and community work26:48–30:23 The Holy Sword and spiritual discipline30:24–34:33 Egregores and spiritual entities34:34–36:38 Communicating with deities and entities36:39–40:22 Exploring gods and spirits40:23–44:55 Science, magic, and experimentation44:56–46:53 Sara's fantasy books and spiritual themes46:54–48:55 Angel magic and goetic magic48:56–49:05 Spirits, demons, and their interactions49:06–50:51 Getting started with Christian witchcraft50:52–51:04 Practical steps for Christian mysticism51:05–End Closing remarks and where to follow Sara Raztresen