Passport Through Hades

After some general updates, our central theme is "the evocation of the evil genius". Taking its origin in a passing reference by Crowley, we trace the meaning and relevance of this idea through the work of Nick Land, Carl Jung, Crowley, Philip K. Dick, and -- not least, of course -- personal experience.The CCRU (Cybernetic Culture Research Unit) was founded at Warwick University, Coventry UK, in 1995.Nick Land and Aleksander Dugin can be seen and heard in a conversation recorded in October 2025 at: https://tinyurl.com/5sbbbbc9 (youtube.com). Accessed November, 2025.The Philip K. Dick novel that concludes in a conversation with a robot cab is: Now Wait for Last Year (1966).Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Who Left the Fridge Door Open Again?" by Shedding Feathers; "Your Car Doesn't Sound Too Healthy" by Shedding Feathers; (Outro) "Lifted Up" by OEITH.Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books, or peek beneath the veil through Occult Experiments in the Home: The Podcast Transcripts, published by Heptarchia. Available from the usual places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigation of a fallen world confronts us with the dilemma of steering between politics and morality. We discuss how that choice can be taken, and how to position ourselves beyond politics without adopting a centrist position. We also talk about the cancellation of our new edition of Magick Without Tears following warnings of legal action against the publisher from the OTO.Alex MacDonald (2024). "Israelis practise red heifer ritual in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque", https://tinyurl.com/3382duu2 (middleeasteye.net), accessed July, 2025.Regarding the OTO's ownership of Gérard Aumont's copyrights: “Our ownership of his rights will […] give our legal department basis for inhibiting the online dissemination of disinformation about Crowley.” See: Hymenaeus Beta [William Breeze], “A Note on Gérard Aumont”, https://tinyurl.com/572dtuhr (oto.org), accessed July, 2025.Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Missing Pieces" by Shedding Feathers; "Here's Where I Lost You" by OEITH; (Outro) "Breeze's Biscuits" leaked by a disgruntled OTO member.Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books. (Available from all the places you'd expect.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us are coming to terms with the implications of AI, but what will this obligatory adaptation extort from us? We consider how our culture’s demand for belief in the promises of AI is the latest iteration of an ancient drama.“I know now from the experience of others that The Book of the Law is veritably a Golden Bough. It is the only thing that one is allowed to take with one through Hades and it is an absolute passport.” The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: an Autohagiography, edited by J. Symonds & K. Grant (London: Arkana, 1989), p. 513.The article that forms the basis of our discussion: Azadeh Joon (2025), “Psychosis Fueled by Generative AI are [sic] Tearing Families Apart as Some Claim Chatbots Represent Spiritual Higher Consciousness”, https://tinyurl.com/msechkx7 (substack.com). Accessed June, 2025.South Wales teenage suicide cluster: https://tinyurl.com/mtm895b6 (wikipedia.com). Accessed June, 2025.“Assisted Dying Bill”: legislation for legalised euthanasia currently processing through the UK Parliament, known officially as “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill”, https://tinyurl.com/35ajxxpt (parliament.uk). Accessed June, 2025.The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick, edited by P. Jackson & J. Lethem (London: Gollancz, 2011).Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Such Glowing Feedback" by OEITH; "Desolate Bethmoora" by OEITH; (Outro) "Becoming" by OEITH.Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books. (Available from all the places you'd expect.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the role of a prophet entail and demand? How and why did Crowley struggle so egregiously in fulfilling his role as prophet of the New Aeon?Music: (Intro) "For Her Demon Lover" by OEITH; "Situation Normal" by OEITH; "We Ascended Through Mist" by OEITH; "Dark Flake" by Shedding Feathers; (Outro) "Through the Leafs" by OEITH.Curl up with Duncan's novel, The Going Down, published by Sul Books. (Available from all the places you'd expect.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.