#esoteric oxford

[castleaudios]

in Alpha Rival Bails You Out, is there any significance behind Claire’s phone passcode 2737?

Nah, it was just a random number that came to me at the time of writing! I had a different code, which I can't remember now, but when I was recording it just felt too awkward to say so I switched to 2737 since that rolled off the tongue better!

[logintuition]

His Dark Materials Characters in Modern-Day England

Lord Asriel:

Tenured professor at Oxford

Invented a wholeass esoteric field because none of the existing fields suited his Vision™️

Has never given a student an A

All of his students have a crush on him. He knows. He doesn't give a shit

Almost gets fired once every week, despite his tenure, because he can't #beneutral

Outspoken about Palestine

Made a zionist colleague cry once, shrugged, and continued sipping his tea like nothing had happened

Was asked by the headmaster to make a formal apology to the colleagues he offended. Asked Lyra to put a presentation together for his "apology." Presentation was gen z memes that made the situation 10X worse

And that was the first time he actually laughed

Marisa

Visiting professor at Oxford. Originally a professor at Bern, Switzerland

Likes to remind Asriel that his lab equipment sucks and her experiments will always be better because she's actually Rich and not a sad excuse of an aristocrat like him

Hot chocolate? It's chocolatl, you simpleton

Keeps track of Lyra's scholarly accomplishments

Once threatened a colleague because they said they'd fail Lyra

Generally a bit too invested in Lyra

Has small moments of gae panik whenever Mary passes by

Tried to get Asriel fired. Not because she's offended by his ideology or because she necessarily disagrees with him; she just.... wanted him to get fired

Mary

Is canonically an Oxford professor in modern-day England

Calls students by nicknames

Brings snacks to the class

Barked a laugh at Asriel's presentation but quickly clamped her mouth shut and pretended nothing had happened

Is somehow never intimated by Marisa's glares

Smiles at Marisa. Knows Marisa is just a flustered gae so she's sympathetic

Says she doesn't have favourites but Lyra is her favourite

Lyra

Studies quantum physics

Of all her professors, she only likes Mary

The only reason she made that presentation for Asriel is because she's an outspoken pro Palestine supporter herself

Campaigns and advocates and Would Not Be Silenced no matter the cost (Asriel is high-key proud but would rather die than tell her. He expresses his appreciation by sneering and rolling his eyes at her when she does something brazen)

She and Will adopted a cat together

She also adopted a pine marten, much to everyone's horror

Is friends with the staff at her dormitory. And the security guards at her college. And the bakers and cooks and florists and that one shoe-shiner, but somehow doesn't have any friend with her in class

Will

Is cnonically from modern-day England

Studies medicine

Literally everyone likes him

Cat magnet

Study-a-holic, workaholic, good-deeds-a-holic

Organises fundraising events to support people in Gaza

Once hit a person. Police arrived. They apologised to him. Won a medal

Has major beef with Marisa

Boreal

Shows up every once in a while to stir some shit

Informant for the police

"Concerned citizen" (major Karen)

"Philanthropist" (takes money from people)

Billionaire (derogatory)

Zionist

The person Will hit

Asriel beat him up once too

Tbh everyone beat him up

Why is he still alive again?

He isn't; Marisa killed him

[ndm1717]

hogwarts houses as types of academia

gryffindor: light academia:

Reading: Engaging in reading classic literature, poetry, and philosophical works. This includes works by authors such as Shakespeare, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Virginia Woolf, and many others.

Writing: Writing poetry, journal entries, essays, or even creating fictional stories. Embracing the act of writing as a means of self-expression and intellectual exploration.

Study sessions: Spending time in cozy, book-filled spaces to study or discuss academic topics with friends. This could involve reading groups, literary discussions, or even collaborative projects.

Visiting libraries and bookstores: Exploring libraries and bookshops, reveling in the atmosphere of knowledge and discovery. Browsing through old, weathered books and discovering hidden literary gems.

Art appreciation: Visiting art galleries and museums to admire classical artworks and contemplate their meanings. Drawing, painting, or sketching as a form of self-expression or relaxation.

Intellectual discussions: Engaging in deep conversations about literature, philosophy, history, or any other intellectual pursuits. Exchanging ideas and perspectives with like-minded individuals.

Tea and coffee rituals: Enjoying a cup of tea or coffee while reading, writing, or engaging in intellectual discussions. Embracing the cozy and contemplative atmosphere these beverages provide.

Nature walks: Taking leisurely walks in natural settings such as parks, gardens, or countryside areas. Appreciating the beauty of nature and finding inspiration in the peaceful surroundings.

Vintage fashion: Embracing classic and timeless fashion styles inspired by the early to mid-20th century. This may include tweed jackets, cardigans, vintage dresses, Oxford shoes, and accessories like bowties or berets.

Academic pursuits: Pursuing academic interests through formal education, self-study, or research. Embracing a lifelong love of learning and intellectual curiosity.

slytherin: chaotic academia:

Exploring Esoteric Topics: Chaotic academics often find themselves drawn to obscure and esoteric subjects that may not be part of mainstream academia. This could include anything from ancient mythology to quantum physics to postmodern literature.

Creating Artistic Mashups: The aesthetic of chaotic academia involves blending different artistic styles, mediums, and influences to create unique works of art. This could mean mixing classical paintings with modern graffiti or combining poetry with experimental music.

Hosting Salon-style Gatherings: Instead of traditional academic conferences or seminars, chaotic academics may prefer hosting informal gatherings or salons where ideas are freely exchanged over cups of tea or glasses of wine. These events often encourage interdisciplinary discussions and creative collaborations.

Experimenting with Fashion: Chaotic academia embraces a diverse range of fashion styles that reflect the individuality and eccentricity of its practitioners. This could include vintage clothing, thrift store finds, and DIY creations, all mixed together in unexpected combinations.

Engaging in Performance Art: Performance art is a common form of expression within chaotic academia, allowing practitioners to explore complex ideas and emotions through live performance. This could involve anything from avant-garde theater to interactive installations to spoken word poetry.

Creating Zines and DIY Publications: Zines are small, self-published magazines that often feature personal essays, artwork, and other creative content. Chaotic academics may produce zines as a way to share their ideas and connect with like-minded individuals outside of traditional academic channels.

Participating in Protest and Activism: Chaotic academia is often intertwined with social and political activism, with practitioners using their knowledge and creativity to advocate for change. This could involve participating in protests, organizing community events, or using art as a form of resistance.

Exploring Alternative Lifestyles: Chaotic academics may embrace unconventional lifestyles that prioritize creativity, self-expression, and personal growth over traditional notions of success or stability. This could include living in intentional communities, practicing minimalism, or pursuing nomadic lifestyles.

ravenclaw: dark academia:

Reading Classic Literature: Engage in reading classic literature from authors such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, or Oscar Wilde. Dark academia enthusiasts often prioritize literature that explores themes of existentialism, tragedy, and the human condition.

Visiting Libraries and Bookstores: Spend time in old, atmospheric libraries and bookstores, surrounded by towering shelves of books. Delve into dusty volumes and lose yourself in the scent of aged paper and leather bindings.

Writing: Embrace writing as a form of self-expression. Keep a journal, write poetry, or work on a novel. Dark academia often celebrates the act of writing as a way to grapple with complex emotions and ideas.

Exploring History and Philosophy: Dive into the depths of history and philosophy, exploring ancient civilizations, political theories, and ethical dilemmas. Engage in deep discussions and debates with fellow enthusiasts.

Attending Lectures and Cultural Events: Attend lectures, seminars, and cultural events such as art exhibitions, theater performances, and classical music concerts. Immerse yourself in intellectual discourse and appreciate the beauty of human creativity.

Studying in Old Buildings and Cafés: Find a quiet corner in an old university building or atmospheric café to study or work on academic pursuits. Surround yourself with the ambiance of stained glass windows, creaky wooden floors, and dim lighting.

Wearing Vintage and Classic Clothing: Embrace a wardrobe inspired by vintage and classic styles, featuring tailored blazers, tweed jackets, turtleneck sweaters, and pleated skirts. Incorporate accessories like leather satchels, fountain pens, and round glasses to complete the look.

Exploring Gothic Architecture and Landscapes: Wander through gothic cathedrals, ivy-covered university buildings, and sprawling estates with overgrown gardens. Dark academia aesthetics often draw inspiration from the haunting beauty of gothic architecture and landscapes.

Creating Art and Music: Express your creativity through art, music, or other forms of artistic expression. Experiment with drawing, painting, photography, or playing musical instruments to capture the essence of dark academia.

Engaging in Thoughtful Reflection: Take time for introspection and self-reflection, pondering life's existential questions and grappling with the complexities of the human experience. Embrace solitude as a means of deepening your understanding of yourself and the world around you.

hufflepuff: cottagecore academia:

Reading Retreats: Creating cozy reading nooks filled with vintage books, plush cushions, and warm blankets. Spend hours immersed in literature, from classic novels to poetry and philosophy.

Nature Walks and Studies: Take leisurely strolls through meadows, forests, and gardens to observe plants, animals, and landscapes. Keep journals to document your observations and sketches of flora and fauna.

Herbalism and Botany: Learn about medicinal plants and their uses, cultivate a small herb garden, and experiment with herbal remedies and teas. Incorporate botanical illustrations into your study materials and decorate your space with pressed flowers and botanical prints.

Arts and Crafts: Explore traditional handicrafts such as knitting, embroidery, quilting, and pottery. Create beautiful handmade items inspired by nature and rustic living, adding a personal touch to your surroundings.

Cooking and Baking: Embrace the joy of home cooking using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Experiment with heirloom recipes and traditional cooking methods, preserving jams and pickles, and baking rustic bread and pastries.

Philosophical Discussions: Engage in deep conversations about ethics, spirituality, and the human condition. Host intimate gatherings with friends or participate in online forums to exchange ideas and perspectives.

Musical Pursuits: Learn to play musical instruments such as the piano, violin, or acoustic guitar. Practice folk tunes, classical compositions, or create your own melodies inspired by nature and the countryside.

Writing and Journaling: Keep a reflective journal to record thoughts, experiences, and observations. Explore creative writing through poetry, short stories, or essays inspired by the natural world and your personal journey.

Historical Research: Delve into the history of rural life, folklore, and traditional crafts. Visit local museums, libraries, and archives to uncover the stories and traditions of past generations.

Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: Embrace sustainable living practices such as composting, recycling, and reducing waste. Learn practical skills like gardening, food preservation, and DIY home repairs to foster self-sufficiency and minimize your ecological footprint.

[coruscatingdust]

I thought thinking deeply about life and asking reflective questions would make you a good philosopher. It does in some sense. But it doesn’t make you a good “academic” philosopher. Doing academic philosophy well depends on how you can articulate your arguments in a clear, concise, and cohesive way. It’s not necessarily about how much you reflect, with inspiring and life-transforming thoughts, but more about how much you can argue your point, compile the necessary information, and refute what is out there. It’s more like debating, word games, and less like the Kierkegaardian or Weilienne type of philosophy that I so love. The philosophers I love are considered too abstract and esoteric. And that’s precisely the way I think and write. So academic philosophy as the way it is doesn’t seem to have room for my type of writing. I mean imagine, Simone Weil writing the way she does in Gravity and Grace for her dissertation. She would have been subjected to all sorts of linguistic scrutiny at Oxford. It’s like when Anscombe responded to Murdoch that her work isn’t really “philosophy.” I miss doing philosophy the way I knew it before going into academia. Asking the bigger questions about the meaning of life, the human condition, understanding our relationship to the world and one another in a way that provokes self-reflection, insight into another person’s reality, and imagination which colors our experiences of the world with multiple meanings.

[amplifyme]

A Necessary Evil

The X-Files. MSR. Rating: Teen and up. WC:2351. Read on AO3.

Tagging @today-in-fic

So it’s time to fess up.  To lay bare the part of himself he’s not so proud of. Here goes: Fox Mulder is skilled at seduction. He always has been. From as far back as middle school, he’s known. He looks at himself in a mirror and sees only the flaws. The ridiculously large lower lip. The small triangular eyes. The undersized chin with not enough room between it and the aforementioned lip. The overly broad and large-scale nose. But for some reason beyond any logic, and put all together, those features have had teenaged girls, and then women, falling at his feet for as long as he can remember. It’s as simple as his attentive gaze aimed in their direction.

And, okay, yes, he’s been blessed with a tall and naturally lean body. And he likes to work it, discover its limits. He pushes his body as stringently as he does his far-out theories. So he’s managed to gain a strong back and lean, muscled arms and legs; a swimmers physique and a coveted six-pack. And all with enough ease that he quit going to the gym years ago. Running, swimming, and pickup basketball games have replaced gym equipment, and he attempts to keep mind and body in synch with yoga too, though he won’t ever admit to that particular discipline, even to the few friends he has. Like his looks, he can’t help what his genetics have given him. It’s all just a result of his unique mishmash of genes, and maybe some dumb luck. But that doesn’t mean he’s not above using what he’s got to further his crusade - in ways both monumental and small.

His glibness, which some might call charm, comes naturally too. He’s an equal opportunity flirt. He always has been. And he’s rarely caught unable to offer a smooth, witty retort or a wry observation. He can’t explain this either. It’s simply who he is. Although it does help that he genuinely loves women. He finds them fascinating and mysterious puzzles, loves attempting to assemble their enigmatic ways into a kind of pattern that might afford him some answers to the great unknown. He loves to converse with the fairer sex, especially the ones who can keep up with his esoteric banter. More than anything else, he loves the opportunity to give them what they want most from him. And a lot of the time that means giving them parts of himself: his body, his mind, even his heart if they’re exceptional enough.

He lost his virginity at fifteen to a girl a few years older and on the cusp of her high school graduation. He was clueless aside from the alleged personal knowledge of his friends, the old, dog-eared copies of Playboy he snatched from his dad’s bottom dresser drawer, and his own determination to do for a woman what was expected of him as a man. Luckily, the girl who popped his cherry had more experience and the confidence necessary to begin to turn his enthusiasm into proper technique. The rest he learned from books and films once he was out of high school, independent for the first time, and housed in a third-floor flat right outside the grounds of Oxford University proper.

And then had come Phoebe.

If he was naturally gifted and confident in his technique, Phoebe was a Jedi Master when it came to seduction. And she punched way, way above his weight. She was both a revelation and a nightmare. She did things with him that he never could’ve imagined, let alone actually engaged in. There were still blocks of time so lost to the haze of drugs, alcohol, and depravity that he���ll never be able to recollect them with any clarity. She had his number almost from the start and didn't hesitate to fuck with his head with as much ease and skill as she fucked him in other ways. And there he was, a psych major. He should’ve known better.

But he loved her. And that’s when he learned that book knowledge could never trump the lessons learned while attempting to dissect Phoebe’s twisted mind. She took his love, his trust, and used it as a weapon against him.

He took those lessons with him to the FBI Academy. They pursued him with such fervor that he couldn’t deny them his as-yet-untested investigative skills and his spooky intuition. He was, soon after, deeply entrenched in the VCS and profiling criminals who sometimes paled in comparison to Phoebe Green’s mind games. He also managed to work his way through a majority of the female staff surrounding him. He’d make it clear from the first encounter that it would never be more than two consenting adults indulging in adult behavior. He wasn’t looking for his one true love. And romancing them, though the various techniques came easily, was not an indication of any desire to make permanent a temporary liaison; something lasting beyond a few rolls in the hay. He knew when to cut any fragile ties that might develop. He didn’t have time to waste on such trivialities. He was going to change the world and it wouldn’t be with his dick. Love and attachment had no place in his life anymore. Not after Phoebe.

But then had come Diana.

Leggy, dark haired, blessed with a steel-trap mind and an incredible set of tits. Yes, she was older than him, but she listened to him, encouraged him, praised him. And eventually she’d joined him in his bed, as well as in his explorations of a small and rarely mentioned off-shoot of FBI investigations classified as X-Files. Unexplained phenomenon. He found himself besotted with them, and with her. She lay next to him through many nights and had soothed him after the nightmares that’d plagued him most of his life. Diana encouraged him to seek out regression hypnosis to find answers to questions he’d been asking since his sister had vanished. She told him she loved him. He’d said, “Marry me,” and she’d said, “I do.”

He should have known better. But he loved her, too. And five months later she was gone. She took his love, his trust, his belief, his newfound quest, and used those things as an excuse to rip them asunder.

What good is innate charm when it comes at such a price? What good is seduction when it only postpones an inevitable loss? What good is love and intimacy when they only wound?

He sat in the half-empty apartment that was now his alone for three straight days. Diana hadn’t taken any of the alcohol, so he worked his way through the half-empty bottles of Chivas Regal and Absolut, sipped at the sickly-sweet brandy she liked before bed, pounded shots of Jose Cuervo. He didn’t bother turning on a light when the sun set. His phone didn’t ring. He didn’t shower and ate straight from containers of Chinese food and the flat boxes of pizza he had delivered. He watched mindless television or sat in silence. He didn’t bother with the marriage bed; his couch was good enough to sleep on and had room for only one. It was fitting because now he was only one. The loneliest number.

By the morning of the fourth day, he had a plan. He knew what he had to do. No more distractions, no more giving in to the weaknesses of the heart. Nothing but seeking the answers to his questions. And those lay within the X-Files - he was more certain of that than ever. He got back on his feet, dusted himself off, and went back to work. He fought harder than he ever had before for those discarded and dusty files. And finally, finally, they officially set him free from the serial killers and the pedophiles and the worst of humanity and sent him down to the basement of the Hoover building. He lived and breathed the work there. He buried himself in years, decades, of unanswered questions, certain that he would be the one to uncover the truth of what had happened to his sister, and to the larger mysteries of existence that everyone else seemed so uninterested in delving into. This was his mission. This was his calling. Nothing else mattered.

Then came Scully.

He opened his copious bag of tricks, both innate and learned through experience, when he found out she was on her way. He read everything he could find on her before she showed up. And when she did, he established a boundary from the get-go, addressing her not as Agent or Dana, but simply as Scully. He dialed up the charm, the casual game of seduction he knew so well, fully intending to use it against this usurper and cause her to trip up, to make a mistake that would force her away in either shame or disgust. He honed the sharp edges of his sarcasm and was prepared to cut her deeply with his casual disregard. He was already skilled at pulling women into his orbit. Combined with what he’d learned from Phoebe and Diana about the fine art of the emotional drawing and quartering of one’s prey, he didn’t think Scully would last a month.

But somehow, somehow, she saw him and who he truly was. Listened to him. Respected him, even if she initially bought into his reputation and thought him spooky and unhinged. She offered him her soft underbelly on the first night of their first case. And despite his determination to treat her as the spy she’d been sent to be, he couldn’t help but show her vulnerability in kind. He told her about Samantha.

And she stayed. She stayed despite his bad behavior and his obviously practiced performance; the means of disarmament that’d always served him so well before. And soon he realized she was just as unhinged as he was, just as passionate. Not in the same ways, of course, because she was firmly rooted in science and the desire to prove his extreme theories wrong. But she was fearless and feisty, infinitely curious, and willing to go beyond what any sensible person might do in order to further his cause. Even as she slowly came to realize he might be right more often than not, that this singular obsession of his took precedence over everything else, she stayed. Scully always stayed.

Seven years on, seven years of heartache and grief and losing more than they’ve gained, she remains by his side. And somewhere along their journey it’s become less about the work and more about the two of them, what they’ve built together. He occasionally worries that maybe he hasn’t always been honest enough with her, that she took his early subterfuge at face value, even after he'd dropped all pretenses. He worries that he may not be the man she thinks he is, and that eventually she'll figure that out and leave him.

He gets up and pulls her from her seat at the empty local pizza place in Nowhere, Nebraska just as the jukebox begins to play the last song he selected after feeding it quarters on the way to their booth.

“Mulder, what are you doing?” she grumbles in mild annoyance. It’s been a long day and they’re both dead on their feet. And now he’s dragged her away from the first slice of sausage and mushroom already on its way to her mouth. Her fingers are slightly greasy as he clasps them in his and gives her a little twirl before pulling her close.

He can do this kind of thing these days, when they’re in the field and not likely to be seen and reported for conduct unbecoming of Special Agents with the FBI. He can get them adjoining rooms, with their respective connecting doors left unlocked for clandestine visits after they’ve showered away the remains of their day. He can fully and unabashedly use all those powers of seduction and charm that he’s honed over the years. And Scully reaps the benefits. They both do. It works every time now. His myriad talents are a necessary evil.

“I’ve got you under my skin,” he tunelessly croons in her ear, murmuring along with Frank on the jukebox. “I’ve got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart you’re really a part of me,” he finishes, gazing down into vivid and grudgingly tolerant azure eyes. He dances her in between tables and across the empty tiled floor as the horn section revs up and kicks in.

“Aren’t you a bit young to be a Sinatra fan, Mulder?” she asks after a minute or so. He catches the corner of a smile she’s trying to suppress.

“They’re called classics for a reason,” he argues. “Old Blue Eyes will never go out of style.” She finally relents a bit of her reserve and lays her cheek on his chest. “Tell me something, Scully.”

“What do you want me to tell you?” she asks, peering up at him with fondness. The tone she's using is one she normally reserves for small children or fat little puppies.

“Did I,” he hesitates, “…did I seduce you? Has everything led to this because of something I did years ago?”

She bursts out with a short, sharp peal of laughter and pats him on the chest with her free hand. “Don’t be an idiot, Mulder. I seduced you.”

He grins down at her and they dance a little more, the lone waitress shooting them a mildly curious look from her perch at the counter housing the cash register.

“I would sacrifice anything, come what might,” Scully begins softly singing, negating any advantage she might’ve had over him for being such a nerd and celebrating Frank Sinatra’s genius. “For the sake of having you near. In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night and repeats. How it yells in my ear, ‘Don't you know, little fool, you never can win?’”  

But that’s the thing. They have won. And right now, that’s good enough. Right now, it’s everything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Notes:

I'm sorry. No idea where this came from, and it's very much stream-of-consciousness. That's becoming a pattern these days. I’d call it just another random brain dump, but instead of getting it out in a tiny chunk, this one took on a life of its own and tortured me beginning to end. I don’t question the muse. She’s driving this train, not me.

Until next time…

[wyrdsistergoldenhair]

Books Read in 2023

Road of Bones by Christopher Golden (2022)

Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates (1995)

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones (2020)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1962)

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (1978)

Dr. Mütter's Marvel's: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (2014)

Devil House: A Novel by John Darnielle (2022)

The Shadows by Alex North (2020)

Lucky Girl: How I Became A Horror Writer: A Krampus Story by M. Rickert (2022)

The Hunger by Alma Katsu (2018)

Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler (1995)

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle (2016)

The Troop by Nick Cutter (2014)

The Deep by Nick Cutter (2015)

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (2022)*

Audition by Ryū Murakami (2010)

To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway (1937)

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins (2020)

The Hunger Games #1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008)*

The Hunger Games #2: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (2009)*

The Hunger Games #3: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (2010)*

The Mist by Stephen King (1980)*

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (2017)

Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke (2015)

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole (1764)

I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream: Stories by Harlan Ellison (1967)

Sphere: A Novel by Michael Crichton (1987)

Heart, Haunt, Havoc by Freydís Moon (2023)

Nimona by N.D. Stevenson (2015)

All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce (2022)

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman*

Skeleton Crew by Stephen King (1985)

Stardust by Neil Gaiman (1997)*

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (2002)*

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang (2022)

Kill Creek by Scott Thomas (2017)

Simon Snow #1: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (2015)*

Simon Snow #2: Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell (2019)*

Simon Snow #3: Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell (2021)*

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (2021)

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw (2021)*

The Case Against Satan by Ray Russell (1962)

The Victorians: A Very Short Introduction by Martin Hewitt (2023)

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (2023)

The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman (2010)

Magic: An Anthology of the Esoteric and Arcane edited by Jonathan Oliver (2012)

[zerogate]

Greg Wadley and Brian Hayden developed a pharmacological theory in 2005 to explain the Neolithic transition, namely, the change from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one based on farming and sedentary life.

They argue that while the use of drug plants preceded agriculture worldwide, the cultivation of certain psychoactive crops (cereals for alcohol, cannabis, opium poppy, coca, tobacco) was adopted in part to establish more reliable supplies of mood-altering substances; these would have eventually helped to facilitate changes in social structures and behaviors that characterized the Neolithic phenomena. Whatever the case, evidence for the use of psychoactive substances in prehistoric Europe becomes more consistent among agricultural societies from the sixth millennium BCE onward

[...]

In light of the archaeological evidence, the use of drug plants and alcohol ran parallel to each other for millennia in prehistoric Europe. However, at a certain point, around the first centuries of the present era, drug plants seem to have fallen into oblivion. The timing is significant, as it coincides with the spread of Christianity, which would ultimately be responsible for the elimination of old traditions involving drug plants.

Throughout history, political and religious forces have found certain drugs highly useful in maintaining social control, while others have been deemed problematic. As Andrew Sherratt noted, psychotropic drugs are believed to give access to “esoteric knowledge and communication with other worlds,” thereby providing focal experiences in the formation of dissident groups.

In the case of Western civilization, political and religious authorities promoted alcohol as the primary psychoactive substance in religious rites (wine as the symbol of the blood of Christ) and in feasting events, whereas the use of drug plants was progressively abandoned. How was it possible?

In this regard, it bears noting that the common names of many drug plants native to Europe refer to madness, evil spirits, or harmful effects. As an example, the thorn apple (Datura stramonium) is also known as devil’s apple, devil’s trumpet, mad apple, or stinkwort. Similarly, the regional differences that exist in Europe in the cultural relationship, even emotional attitude, toward mushrooms, that is, mycophilia (a taste for mushrooms) versus mycophobia (extreme aversion to mushrooms) may derive from the existence of an Old World religion involving the use of the hallucinogenic Amanita muscaria. This may indicate that the hallucinogenic plants employed in pre-Christian practices became degraded to satanic influences under the intellectual and political domination of an ascetically inclined Church. It is possible, then, that taboos became imposed on the use of certain plant species to avoid potentially dangerous forms of behavior.

-- The Oxford Handbook of Global Drug History

[justforbooks]

Constance Anne Wilson, who has died aged 95, was one of the first people in Britain to lay claim to the description of professional food historian, after her book Food and Drink in Britain from the Stone Age to Recent Times was published in 1973. She spent most of her working life at the University of Leeds where, as a librarian at the Brotherton Library, she had the care of several categories of specialist literature. Among these were two matchless collections of early printed recipe books (singled out by the Arts Council in 2005 as having international significance), and having spent much time during the 1960s cataloguing one of these she boldly took the next step and wrote her pathfinding book.

Soon, thanks to her example, food historians would become an academic commonplace. The book might have projected her into another sphere altogether, when she was interviewed by the teenage magazine Honey a few months after publication. Her head, however, was not turned.

The great thing about Food and Drink in Britain is that it presents a narrative firmly based on fact (drawn from her early printed recipe books) rather than anecdote and speculation, the hallmark of many such accounts. The last serious appraisal of our food history had been Sir Jack Drummond’s more than three decades earlier (The Englishman’s Food, with Anne Wilbraham). She was able to extend her brief back into prehistory thanks to studying classical archaeology (under Sir Mortimer Wheeler) at university. As if anxious not to frighten the horses by an excess of historical scholarship, she stressed in her foreword that her work was also a recipe book, although the reader would have to be keen to explore some of her byways – have you ever asked your butcher for a couple of pounds of beef palates?

A few years later, she endeared herself still further to an important cohort of British food enthusiasts: those who make their own marmalade. The Book of Marmalade (1985) laid out every fact relevant to the history of the confection as well as supplying an excellent set of recipes for all sorts of amateurs, including those who wish to graduate to more esoteric combinations such as lime and honeydew melon. It is still the standard reference point for all those marmalade-making competitions and festivals, and sells steadily nearly 40 years after its first appearance.

Not content with writing significant texts (she was later to deal with the history of distilling, from Dionysiac ritual to modern cocktails, in Water of Life) and holding down her post at the university library, Wilson will be remembered as the prime mover of the Leeds Symposium on Food History and Traditions, the first session of which was held in 1986. Her exemplar was the Oxford Symposium, founded by Alan Davidson and Theodore Zeldin a few years earlier, but it had its own special character, which set the Yorkshire gathering quite apart. Its focus was relentlessly English, and often local; its approach was always historical, not veering towards more general matters of food policy or theory; and thanks to the involvement of Leeds University extension department, its attendees were drawn from a much wider social grouping than the internationalist, media-oriented Oxford affair.

Meetings in Leeds, and later in York, were serious, with heavyweight lecturers, but enlivened by brilliant lunches and teas with each plate brought in by individual cooks pursuing their particular culinary hobbyhorse, be it gingerbread, black pudding or mutton in a 17th-century manner. For several years, Anne was the single organiser and editor of the annual volume of themed essays. As a result of her efforts, there arose in Leeds a distinguished group of food historians – Lynette Hunter, Laura Mason, Ivan Day, Peter Brears and many others – whose work has had long-range consequences for the discipline.

Anne Wilson was born in east Gower, near Swansea, the elder of two daughters of Constance (nee Laycock) and Rowland Wilson. Her father was then an assistant lecturer in mathematics at University College, Swansea, but would rise to become professor of mathematics at the University of Swansea. Her mother was also a mathematician who had studied at Girton College, Cambridge, but had to give up her teaching post when she married in 1925. The two girls would follow their mother to Girton, although pursuing classical, not mathematical studies. Anne attended Mumbles primary school and then Glanmor grammar school for girls, Swansea, before going to Cambridge.

At university, Anne studied classics and thought to train as an almoner, as medical social workers were still known, in Chaucerian fashion. She soon decided this was not for her, nor the two short-lived jobs she obtained thereafter, and enrolled at the London Institute of Archaeology for a diploma. Subsequently, she worked in libraries arranging inter-university loans and pursuing qualification as a librarian at night school. This somewhat halting progress to permanent employment ended in 1961 when she was taken on by the Brotherton Library in Leeds, and there she remained until 1992.

For one whose outward demeanour was quite diffident, the grit and determination she showed in both her writing and in organising other people often caught one unawares. She was also, as if to underline these latter characteristics, a gifted clarinettist and constant member of Leeds orchestras and ensembles. As her publisher for 20 years, I never found her anything but amenable.

She is survived by her sister, Caroline.

🔔 Constance Anne Wilson, born 12 July 1927; died 8 January 2023

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[clemencetaught]

11. how comfortable is your muse with their appearance and their body? 16. what is/are your muse's love language(s)? 19. how many serious relationships has your muse been in? are they experienced or inexperienced when it comes to dating? 28. would it bother your muse if they had differing interests from their partner(s), or would they delight in it?

romancé for the ( repressed ) gentleman ( romance & relationship meme w/ @byanyan )

11. how comfortable is your muse with their appearance and their body?

at this point in his life, he's pretty content with his appearance and body. like yeah, he is non-binary, but he also doesn't like drawing attention to himself. honestly his real gender is 'gentleman' so as long as he can dress semi-formally he's all good.

( that being said, there was a time back when he was with felicity when he experimented with androgynous styles...aka felicity buying clothes that are 'too big for her he should try them on once before she goes to return it'- she's a good gf like that <3 )

16. what is/are your muse's love language(s)?

surprisingly, for someone who reads a ton and studies words and text for a living, his love language is actually quality time aka paying attention to the little details. he has very distinct if not rather esoteric likes and opinions and especially when he was younger, he was often, not really teased so much as ignored as a result?? or rather the people around him were more disinterested and so he learned to curb a lot of his obsessions to make more room for them.

( he's also touch starved and has no way of expressing that so bonus points to his partner when that's initiated )

19. how many serious relationships has your muse been in? are they experienced or inexperienced when it comes to dating?

two! the first one was a college relationship that lasted about 8 to 9 months during his junior year of uni. that one, he dumped his girlfriend because she was cheating on him aka he caught her making out with another person....so he approached the pair, told her she'd get her stuff in a few days, and then left the party. and he went back to his dorm, packed her stuff, called hyuk and proceeded to get smashed. and he never spoke his ex again.

the important one, however, is with felicity- they met while he was a TA at oxford university and she was one of the students for one of the classes he was helping out with. i can make a whole post about this later, but basically prior to her death, they were together for about three to four years. at that point they were sharing the same apartment and he was planning on proposing to her the day she died. let's just say for the last ten years, her death has haunted him and so he hasn't tried to date anyone else since then ( until hyuk ).

28. would it bother your muse if they had differing interests from their partner(s), or would they delight in it?

he would be delighted! patrick is a lifelong learner and i actually think he prefers it when his partner has at least some different interests than him? not that it's a necessity, buuuuuuuut since his work is esoteric and would most likely only be understood by academics, it's a nice change of pace when he can hear about something else....that and he always adores it when his partner starts rambling about a passion of theirs <;3

( they do have like puzzles to be with him tho, sorry i don't make the rules here :'3 )

[wisdomfish]

Using gematria can also be problematic

The attempt to calculate the number of the beast using gematria can also be problematic because this kind of methodology can be manipulated to refer to almost anyone, in what has come to be known in certain circles as the “pin the tail” on the Antichrist game.  Ronald Wilson Reagan was once identified as the Beast because his three names each have six letters (Robert Fuller, Naming the Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession, Oxford University Press, 1995, 28).  So have a host of others. 

Another problem with gematria is that from our vantage point two thousand years after the fact, it is relatively easy to turn a particular name into a number, but it is far more difficult to work from the number back to a specific name, which is what the text seems to imply– “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666" (Revelation 13:18–cf. Beale, Revelation, 724-725).   While these objections are not sufficient to overturn what appears to be an obvious connection of some sort between the number 666 and Nero, these points do urge us to be a bit cautious about identifying Nero as that one to whom John was referring and then simply leaving the matter there. In fact, the preoccupation with identifying just who it is, exactly, to whom this number refers creates an unfortunate tendency to downplay (or even ignore) the theological significance of this number.  What the number 666 represents is at least as significant as the beast’s human identity.  When John tells us that this is “man’s number,” he may even mean that this number does not refer to a specific individual such as Nero, but to a series of individuals who behave as Nero did. As Beale points out, “The omission of the article in 13:18 indicates the general idea of humanity, not some special individual who can be discerned only through an esoteric method of calculation.  Therefore, in both verses anthropou [man] is a descriptive or qualitative genitive, so that the phrase here should be rendered `a human number’ (so RSV) or `a number of humanity.’  It is a number common to fallen humanity.” (Beale, Revelation, 724) In light of the beast’s attempt to parody the redemptive work of Christ so as to receive the worship of the nations, the idea that this number is to be understood as the number of fallen humanity makes a great deal of sense.  If seven is the number of perfection, the number six comes close, but never reaches the goal.   As Beale points out, “The beast is the supreme representative of unregenerate humanity, separated from God and unable to achieve divine likeness, but always trying. Humanity was created on the sixth day, but without the seventh day of rest Adam and Eve would have been imperfect and incomplete.  The triple six emphasizes that the beast and his followers fall short of God’s creative purposes for humanity” (Beale, Revelation, 725). If Beale is correct, and I think he is, this does not mean that John does not have Nero in mind at all.  In fact, some have argued that Nero is indeed the individual who first bears the number 666, but the number also has symbolic meaning as well.   According to Beale, “Some believe both that John had Nero in mind and also that the number had a symbolic meaning, which is quite possible. . . .  Bauckham has argued that John used the Nero legend not to focus on an individual but to construct a history of a succession of emperors paralleling the death, resurrection and final return of Christ; accordingly, Nero, and the imperial power, are symbols for any state power that overreaches its proper limits by trying to grasp what properly belongs only to Christ and God” (Beale, Revelation, 725.  See the discussion in Bauckham, Climax of Prophecy, 384-452).  This, it seems to me, fits well within the scenario we have set forth above.

~ Kim Riddlebarger

[castleaudios]

for fun fanfic related reasons, do we know Beth’s mom’s name?

Beth's mom's name was Joanna <3

[transmascxielian]

this is the most esoteric and pretentious and up itself vent post ever but how the fuck am i going to get into oxford university if i only have a surface level understanding of the cultural significance of spanish cinema

[newnoirstories]

73 (Dark Academic Mysticism)

(To be clear, the inclusion of a mystical, religious or esoteric belief or idea in a fictional story does NOT constitute an endorsement of it on my part.)

"LXXIII"

Chapter I

Raphael Wright was a dying man. An odd religious hermit living in the Cotswolds in England, he occasionally entered a small village, not for food, but to preach, but being a Catholic, the mostly Protestant community ignored him.

In 1942, rather over sixty than under it, after many years out in the elements, living even as Neolithic man had, he became ill, and though taken to the village, all the best medical men and women, even from the Cotswolds, were attending to soldiers fighting the German menace, and so it was that, while Mr. Wright might have survived in another time, this year would be his last.

As he was carried on a stretcher, or a makeshift strecher of sorts, to the one man in the little town who passed for a physician, a retired one himself rather feeble, Raphael, his hands in prayer, happened to pass by a family that included little Susanna Meek, and with his last gasp of strength, Raphael lifted his head, pointed at the child, and spoke, "You, Susanna, must walk in my shoes…", then gave up the ghost.

Young Susanna, only seven years of age, was less frightened than puzzled by this, as, with a child's literal mind, she believed this man meant walking in his actual shoes, which, she reckoned, would be too large for her.

Chapter II

By victory in the Second World War, Susanna was proving herself a mathematical prodigy such that she had, even from her quiet village of no more than eighty people, already been heard of in London, and also in Cambridge and in Oxford, and by age sixteen, was attending Cambridge University.

Susanna understood more about mathematics generally, and geometry especially, than most of the Professors, and before her 17th birthday, she was in demand as an engineer also, as this relies heavily on mathematics.

Susanna Joseph Meek celebrated her 21st birthday by becoming an associate mathematics Professor, a full Professor before her 22nd. In addition to her sheer prowess, she had a simple way of explaining any concept that could be related to any age, once famously explaining the Pythagorean theorem to a 4-year-old boy, a grandson of another Professor, in such a way that the boy understood the concept.

By the end of the 1950's, she was likely Britain's second most famous woman, trailing only the Queen herself. About this time, she took Carl Wolf, a physics Professor, as her husband, and he was known to turn to her when he was out of his depths in any question of number.

When she wrote "Mystical Proclivities of Pythagoras", she proved herself learned regarding Ancient Greek history as well, and all seemed bright in her life and her future. Little did even her brilliant mind know the dark storm that awaited her.

Chapter III

The hinge on which the darkness turned was one bridge of Susanna's structural design, her only design in London itself. She had noticed that it had not been built to her specifications, but had made no objections. What she did not know was that, stored in the added part of the bridge, the portion not of her design, there were high explosives, placed there by a group of revolutionaries known as the Red Goats. The very man who had commissioned her, the outwardly affable Seamus Cameron, going by the name Mitchell Lawrence, was one of the Red Goats, a secret society the ideas of which were variously rumored to be communist, anarchist, or of the occult, or some combination of these, but no one outside the society itself, so far as anyone knew, could say with certainty.

Cameron was determined to eliminate anyone with knowledge of how the explosives might have gotten there, and to do so before they were detonated, so his first item of deadly business, nothing new to him, was to end the life of Susanna Meek.

Meek took a vacation to be with her parents for the first extended stay in years, her father, Joseph Meek, a tailor by trade, his mother, Elizabeth, a seamstress. Cameron, again going by the alias Mitchell Lawrence, took this to be his opportunity, not wanting the many witnesses at Cambridge, and reckoning the village folk simpletons.

A skillfully constructed façade, however, "Lawrence" was so ingratiating that, while a stranger in the village, still no more than ninety-five in population, within a week he was treated as if he had been there his entire life. He even had the audacity to commission a custom suit of clothes from the semi-retired Joseph Meek, but his aim, of course, was to do away with the man's own daughter.

Chapter IV

Nostalgic for her childhood, one fine Spring morning, Susanna thought she would pick some flowers on the old familiar ground, little knowing of the wily serpent of a man waiting behind the large oak less than fifty paces from her cottage.

Mitch Lawrence, as he was known, was concerned lest her parents might witness the deed, and so determined to eliminate them also. Wrapping a gun in cloth to deaden the sound of it, walked directly up to Susanna, who at first smiled, recognizing him as the man who commissioned the bridge, but her smile fell as she saw the dead look in his eyes, so unlike the man everyone imagined they knew. He took direct aim, but the shot that rang out was not his, and Seamus Cameron, or Mitchell Lawrence, fell dead, a bullet in his black heart.

At first, Susanna, strong nerves as always, rationally assessed that perhaps her father, whom she knew had a rifle, had saved her life, but neither of her parents knew anything of the matter, and were as shocked as she was by Mitchell's attempted deed, Elizabeth exclaiming, "He must have gone mad!"

Who, then, had saved her life?

Chapter V

The next day, someone knocked on the door of the Meek household. They were rather wary after the previous day's events, the more so as the man at the door was a stranger, of rather somber aspect, so Joseph answered the door.

"I am a dying man, sir. I must speak with your daughter. You can stand guard if you do not trust me."

"I have seen men die twice," interjected Susanna, who was eavesdropping, "What can I do for you in your last days?"

"I am the man who saved you yesterday. The man who tried to end your life was not Mitchell Lawrence, but Seamus Cameron, of the Red Goats, I a former member myself, before Christ rescued me from its clutches. The proof of his identity is in my left coat pocket, the gun I used, recently fired, as you can tell, is in my right. Take them out, sir," said the man, addressing Joseph, "I will keep my hands where you can see them."

Joseph removed both a gun, clearly recently fired, and a wallet containing documents identifying "Mitchell Lawrence" as Seamus J. Cameron.

"Well, sir, thank you for saving my daughter's life. You will be in my prayers."

"Thank you, kind sir, but it is not thanks I want. Do you, Miss Meek, remember the last words of Raphael Wright? He said you were to follow in his shoes, did he not?"

"Yes, I remember," replied Susanna, "But how do you know of this?"

"How do any of us know anything? Only Providence speaks truth. You write of numbers, and very well at that, so your number, madam, is 73, and it was of that number, in a sense, that Mr. Wright spoke."

"A twin prime, mirror prime and binary representative, but why that number in particular?"

"It stands for the Vision of God Face to Face. The rest you must find by faith."

"What ails you, sir? Are you sure it can't be treated by our physician?" asked Joseph.

"Thank you, Mr. Meek, but it is not of this world. By saving your daughter, I broke the profane oaths of the Red Goats, and I am cursed to die within seven days of saving her life."

"What is your name?" asked Susanna, "If we may at least attend your funeral?"

"I would be honored, madam. My name is George Wolpe."

As he predicted, George Wolpe died three days after this meeting, within the seven days of saving Susanna's life, and the very physician whom Joseph Meek had mentioned examined him, and could find no cause of death.

Chapter VI

Back at Cambridge, Susanna said nothing of what had happened, and her once friendly demeanor turned quiet, introspective and oddly distracted. She visited a library often, but not seeking the mathematics books, but instead books on religion.

As far as she could tell, Wolpe must have been referring to 73 being the gematria, in Hebrew numerical values, of Chokmah (Wisdom), in its original form. She thought of Raphael's dying message. Was she supposed to be a hermit like him? What of her husband?

Two events, however, rather simplified matters for Susanna Meek, technically Susanna Wolf, though not for much longer. In the first place, when Susanna explained the situation to Carl, he considered that she had become "a madwoman", and began drawing up papers for a divorce.

Even more dramatic, a less than clever operative of the Red Goats attempted to wire Susanna's vehicle, in a Cambridge parking lot, with explosives, but succeeded only in doing in himself, detonating the explosives while tinkering with them.

This was too much, and an ever more withdrawn Susanna retired, at just 28 years of age, from Cambridge, moving back to the Cotswolds, and when she reached her old village, the sign mysteriously said "Population: 73". She knew that the population was well over that, and remembered seeing the sign read "95" when last she visited.

Little by little, therefore, while visiting her parents now and then, and finally, after their passing, keeping no company with anyone, Susanna Joseph Meek disappeared into the hills, living by some means, spotted on the rarest of occasions, a legend and mystery, doing little but praying the Rosary and gathering whatever was edible.

When she passed away, in the Summer of 2012, her final message was one that was revisited as prophetic after the events of 2020: "They will shut down the churches…"

A nurse rolled her eyes, believing Susanna was delirious.

"You, nurse, retire from medicine while you can. Corruption (here a fit of coughing made several words unintelligible) in 2020."

Those were Susanna Meek's last words, though in a way, not quite her last, for on her headstone was placed a quote, simply, "World, you are dead."

The end.

[mirandamckenni1]

Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible Explained #TheSatanicBible #AntonLaVey #satanism Venture into the shadowy corridors of "The Satanic Bible" with Angela's Symposium and unravel the mystique of Anton LaVey's defining work. Published in 1969, this text is a cornerstone of Satanism, shaping the movement and its principles. This episode delves into each of the four pivotal books—Satan, Belial, Lucifer, and Leviathan—that compile LaVey's Satanic philosophy, magic practices, and ritualistic approach, providing a window into a materialistic, hedonistic lifestyle contrasted sharply with conventional religious doctrines. In this in-depth analysis, we answer pressing questions such as: - What makes "The Satanic Bible" a foundational text for Satanists? - How does Anton LaVey's bricolage of ideas challenge traditional esotericism? - What are the core principles in the provocative "Book of Satan"? - How does "The Book of Lucifer" advocate for a new rationality within Satanist philosophy? - In what ways does "The Book of Belial" approach the subject of magic and its practical applications? - What role do the "Enochian keys" in "The Book of Leviathan" play in Satanic rituals? Angela's Symposium is dedicated to sharing free, academically sound knowledge on esotericism and religious studies, supported by peer-reviewed sources. Join our community and help sustain this endeavour—discover how you can contribute by visiting drangelapuca.com. Whether through Patreon, Ko-fi, or YouTube Memberships, every bit of support ensures that this treasure trove of esoteric knowledge remains open to all. BUY THE SATANIC BIBLE HERE ⬇️ https://amzn.to/43N2Mhu https://amzn.to/3PUcBol REFERENCES 📚 Dyrendal, A., Lewis, J.R. and Petersen, J.A. 2015. The Invention of Satanism. Oxford University Press. https://amzn.to/3vHPmXx CONNECT & SUPPORT💖 WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER 💌 https://ift.tt/A90gQJk BOOK A TUTORING OR A LECTURE 📖https://ift.tt/Oz1JkEt BECOME MY PATRON! 🎩 https://ift.tt/e5vJr2z SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ☕️https://ift.tt/qPFWKp3 ONE-OFF DONATIONS 💰 https://ift.tt/Y67ZxvX JOIN MEMBERSHIPS 👥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join MY PODCAST 🎙 https://ift.tt/QI7wyZK MY MERCH 👕 https://ift.tt/MsFXcLx FOLLOW ME👣 - YouTube (@drangelapuca)🌟 - Instagram (@drangelapuca) 📸 - TikTok (@drangelapuca) 🎵 - Twitter (@angelapuca11) 🐦 - Facebook (Dr Angela Puca) 👥 MY SET-UP 🛠️ - Canon 90D camera 📸 https://amzn.to/3yQclh0 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 📷 https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS - Teleprompter 🗒️ https://amzn.to/3linWCB - Shure SM7B Microphone 🎙️ https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK - Microphone stand 🎤 https://amzn.to/3FueJOn - Lights 💡 https://amzn.to/3Zdk8k1 - DJI Wireless microphones 📡 https://amzn.to/3NWAVVQ 00:00 Introduction to Anton LaVey’s The Satanic Bible 01:43 Support Angela’s Symposium 06:26 The Book of Satan: Provocative Origins and Satire 09:14 The Book of Lucifer: Philosophical Essays and Satanic Worldview 13:44 The Book of Belial: Materialistic Magic and Rituals 16:49 The Book of Leviathan: Enochian Keys and Esoteric Language 21:17 Anton LaVey: The Constructed Persona and Controversies 22:55 Support Angela’s Symposium ⚠️ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts ⚠️ Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out! via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPzK1HLC8GU

[magxit]

Oh Andrew's new gf sounds absolutely bonkers ngl

"I’m one of the most highly educated and sought after magickal practitioners in the world, holding a Masters degree in the Philosophy of Religion, and a Doctoral Degree in Philosophical Theology from the University of Oxford. 

From an early age, I developed powerful intuitive abilities which kept me safe in a very unsafe environment. I began my own spiritual apprenticeship in the Western Esoteric tradition at the age of 19, at the same time as studying Classics (BA, Hons.)."

The magickal is sending me lmaooo

Love that for him. He seems to like a little crazy.

[wakamotogarou]

Terence James Stannus Gray, better known by the pen name Wei Wu Wei, was a 20th-century Taoist philosopher and writer. Terence James Stannus Gray was born in Felixstowe, Suffolk, England on 14 September 1895, the son of Harold Stannus Gray and a member of a well-established Irish family. He was raised on an estate at the Gog-Magog Hills outside Cambridge, England. He received a thorough education at Ascham St Vincent's School, Eastbourne, Eton and Oxford University. Early in life he pursued an interest in Egyptology which culminated in the publication of two books on ancient Egyptian history and culture in 1923. This was followed by a period of involvement in the arts in Britain in the 1920s and 1930s as a theorist, theatrical producer, creator of radical "dance-dramas", publisher of several related magazines and author of two related books. He was a major influence on many noted dramatists, poets and dancers of the day, including his cousin Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet (which in fact had its origins in his own dance troupe at the Cambridge Festival Theatre which he leased from 1926 to 1933). He maintained his family's racehorses in England and Ireland and in 1957 his horse Zarathrustra won the Ascot Gold Cup, ridden by renowned jockey Lester Piggott in the first of his eleven wins of that race. After he had apparently exhausted his interest in the theatre, his thoughts turned towards philosophy and metaphysics. This led to a period of travel throughout Asia, including time spent at Sri Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvannamalai, India. In 1958, at the age of 63, he saw the first of the "Wei Wu Wei" titles published. The next 16 years saw the appearance of seven subsequent books, including his final work under the further pseudonym "O.O.O." in 1974. During most of this later period he maintained a residence with his wife Natalia Bagration-Imeretinsky in Monaco. He is believed to have known, among others, Lama Anagarika Govinda, Dr. Hubert Benoit, John Blofeld, Douglas Harding, Robert Linssen, Arthur Osborne, Robert Powell and Dr. D. T. Suzuki. He died in 1986 at the age of 90. Wei Wu Wei's influence, while never widespread, has been profound upon many of those who knew him personally, upon those with whom he corresponded, among them British mathematician and author G. Spencer-Brown and Galen Sharp, as well as upon many who have read his works, including Ramesh Balsekar. It is apparent from his writings that "Wei Wu Wei" had studied in some depth both Eastern and Western philosophy and metaphysics, as well as the more esoteric teachings of all the great religions. It can also be understood from the writings that he regarded himself as merely one of many seeking so-called "liberation", the works themselves being seen in part as a record of this quest.