#201 A
History of Violence. Since the
inception Christianity, the notion of heresy has consumed most of its
architects, from the early churches to the Protestant Reformation. Beginning
with the disagreements among the various fluid factions, it quickly transformed
into a cleansing apparatus that could be very blind and unpredictable
in its pruning of spiritual rebels. Being orthodox or heretic was
heavily dependent on living in the right historical environment or social
class; and both sides could switch places at a moment's notice. The lines were
never as clear as romanticized history claims. Many notorious heretics were
actually very influential in crystallizing Christian theology,
although their rewards were not exactly proper. We take an unbiased excursion
into the history of heresy, from Marcion to the Inquisition, and even beyond.
We understand the struggles of the Gnostics, Marcionites,
Arians, Donatists and other sectarians within a religion
that was desperately trying to survive in a hostile environment. And the
various tragedies that befell those who lost the major debates or couldn't
navigate the political waters of a post-Constantine Christian world.
Astral Guest—Jonathan
Wright, author of Heretics: The Creation of Christianity from the Gnostics to the
Modern Church, God's Soldiers:
Adventure, Politics, Intrigue, and Power--A History of the Jesuits,
and The Ambassadors: From
Ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe, the Men Who Introduced the World to
Itself. 06/04/2011
#202 Cosmic Bridesmaids. One of the most powerful avatars of the
Divine Feminine Principle is the Shekinah of God. Although considered the
manifestation of the Wisdom Goddess in The Kabbalah, the roots of the Shekinah
go farther back in history and are older than Judaism. The Wisdom Goddess
appeared in Sumerian and Egyptian times, cross-pollinating with various
civilizations throughout history and remaining one of the main deities in most
ancient cultures. She even became a centerpiece in Gnosticism, often called
Sophia, Eve or Barbelo. Although patriarchal theology slowly erased
her from the occident, the Shekinah and Wisdom Goddess templates survived in Islam
and Christianity (and have certainly thrived in modern occultism). We take a
comprehensive voyage into the origins and evolution of the Shekinah of God in
her various aspects, from Inana to the Virgin Mary,
from Isis to the Holy Spirit. And find the salvific gifts she can offer us in
an era of great crisis and imbalance. Astral guest-- Sorita d’Este, co-author
of The Cosmic Shekinah, Hekate Liminal Rites: A Study of the rituals, magic and
symbols of the torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads, Artemis:
Virgin Goddess of the Sun & Moon--A Comprehensive Guide to the Greek
Goddess of the Hunt, Her Myths, Powers & Mysteries, and Practical
Qabalah Magick (Practical Magick). 06/11/2011
#203 Romancing the Philosopher’s Stone. Hermes Trismegistus. After Jesus Christ, the greatest and most towering figure in the Gnostic movement is without a doubt Hermes 'Thrice-Great'-- a legendary and divine personality who is said to have imparted Hermetic and Alchemy wisdom to humanity. Although these days Hermes is mainly known in esoteric circles, five hundred years ago he was a luminary for not only the Arcane Arts but also Christendom. In Roman Times, Hermes was a respected hierophant of some the greatest mysteries of the cosmos. His teachings influenced the metaphysics of the Byzantine Empire, the Muslim Caliphates, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment Period, and most of modern Occultism. We study the grand history of Hermes Trismegistus and Hermeticism, as well as the timeless, ethereal theology and sublime Gnosis they left behind. From the Hermetic writings in the Nag Hammadi library to the Emerald Tablets, from all the great thinkers Hermes informed that changed human consciousness forever, we distill the latest scholarship of this ancient Egyptian tradition in a way that can help heal a world in crisis. Astral Guest-- Gary Lachman, author of The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus: From Ancient Egypt to the Modern World, A Secret History of Consciousness, Politics and the Occult: The Left, the Right, and the Radically Unseen, and In Search of P. D. Ouspensky, as well as founding member of the band Blondie. 06/18/2011
#204
A League of Extraordinary Gnostics. The Gnostic
Journal
has filled a much needed vacuum in the shifting mystic and scholarly
explorations of Gnosticism and Western Esotericism. It has furthermore become
an invaluable resource for alternative traditions, bringing alive
ancient wisdom as well as bringing to light to the latest cutting-edge ideas
& movements in modern Occultism. The fourth issue continues its important
mission statement, a panoramic snapshot of heterodoxy and heresy--past, present
and future--that offers many keys to spiritual liberation. We explore
game-changing and consciousness-expanding articles with Alan Moore, Stephan
Hoeller, Jeremy Puma, Sean Martin, Bill Darlison,
Robert M. Price, Anthony Peak, and other buccaneers for
truth. We cover such penetrating topics as the failure of modern Occultism, the
dire straits of modern Gnosticism, the Gnostic Gospel of John, Astrology hidden
in The Gospels, the plight of the Mandaeans, the scientific explanation of
The Pleroma, overlooked Gnostic Gospels & Sages, and much more. And as
always, we discuss the latest scholarship and trends in Gnosticism and the
Esoterica. Always an edgy but stimulating discourse when dealing with The Gnostic Journal! Astral Guest-- Andrew Phillip Smith, editor of The Gnostic Journal 4 (and
the first three issues), as well as author of The Gnostics, Gnostic Writings on
the Soul, The Lost Sayings of
Jesus, The Gospel of Philip:
Annotated & Explained, and A Dictionary of Gnosticism.
06/25/2011
#205
The Crow: City of Loneliness. Our
extroverted society has vilified and made humanity incapable of
dealing with the important mental and spiritual state of being called
loneliness. Social Networking and Mass Media have actually made us more isolated
to one another, eroded our sense of real community, and robbed of us of the
coping skills to handle those sacred times in our lives when walking alone
through life leads to inspiration, growth, and even wholeness. Great masters
and artists in the past gained their Gnosis through understanding the
opportunities of revelatory loneliness; but this ability is slowly vanishing
under the chatter of a noisy world impeding us to glance inwardly or at the
deeper sources of our being. We bring light to this dark shadow that is eroding
the collective consciousness and hiding our access to the
collective unconsciousness. We explore the philosophies, psychologies, and
theologies that championed the holy temple of loneliness. We take example from
past luminaries who found great truths and unified humanity in their voyages
into the oasis of loneliness. We learn that even while in solitude we
are never truly alone, and never will be. Astral Guest-- Brendan
Myers,
author of Loneliness and Revelation: A Study of the Sacred, The Other Side of Virtue, and Mysteries of Druidry.
07/09/2011
#206 A Messiah Star is Born.
Astrological & Esoteric Secrets in the Gospel of Mark.
Although considered the 'primal' or 'bare-boned' of all four gospels, the
Gospel of Mark is perhaps the most esoteric and intricate of all four. It was
more than likely read by the the initiates who
understood the deeper mysteries of Jesus, a manual of not history but a map of
the soul's journey through the heavens. Each chapter and event is a deliberate waystation into every House of the Zodiac, with mystical
revelations in each one, culminating with the realization and access of one's
divinity. Beyond that, the Gospel of Mark draws heavenly from
Hellenistic arcane theology, Gnostic Wisdom, and Mystery School traditions. With
the right approach and knowledge, each one of us can take the heroes quest with
Jesus Christ not in an earthly story but in astral realms that ignites our own
God-consciousness. We look at the map, symbols and lessons of this starry
adventure Mark left for humanity, and come to that crossroad where the living
Christ and we become one. Astral Guest--Bill Darlison,
author of Gospel and the Zodiac: The Secret Truth about Jesus, The Penultimate Truth and Other Incitements, and Unitarian Weddings in Dublin, as well as former
Minister Emeritus of Dublin Unitarian Church. 07/16/2011
#207 Transformer Gospels. Despite mainstream Christianity's claims, there are
still many open questions concerning the four Canonical Gospels, including
their authorship, dating, theology, and original versions. With a balance of
traditional and cutting-edge scholarship, we get under the hood of each of the
four Gospels and break them down to find their closest origins and original
manifestations. We understand the Synoptic Problem and how scholars solve it;
why the four Gospels were chosen over many other texts, including The Gospel of
Thomas; the Q source and how it stands up with modern academia; the two-author
theory of The Gospel of John and whether the author even knew of the other
three; and much more that most lay people have not heard of. We also deal with
the many scribal modifications that radically changed many of the
gospels' doctrines; and why this was done. And we look at the various ancient
biblical schools of thought and how they evolved throughout time to give us
today's myriad versions of the Bible. Astral
Guest-- Gary Greenberg, author
of Who Wrote the Gospels?
Why New Testament Scholars Challenge Church Traditions, The Moses Mystery: The
Egyptian Origins of the Jewish People, and 101 Myths of the
Bible: How Ancient Scribes Invented Biblical History, as
well as President of the Biblical Archaeology Society of New York. 07/23/2011
#208 Dazed
& Gnosis-fused. The use of cannabis was widespread in the pre and
early Christian world. Cannabis cults dressed in various mythologies stretched
from China to the Celtic lands, very popular in the kingdoms of India all the
way to most of the dominions of the Roman Empire. Evidence also suggests
cannabis use went as far as Egypt. Its usage to commune with the Divine and
expand consciousness spread to all priesthoods across the world, from
the Zoroastrian mages to even the Hebrew prophets. It was also a main medicinal
drug for physicians of all stripes. We take an in depth view at the use of
cannabis in its various ceremonies and manifestations, from the wise Brahmans
to the Mystery Religions. And the strong possibility that
early Christianity, especially the Gnostics, also partook in this and other entheogens. Lastly, we analyze why the use of
cannabis and other psychoactive substances were slowly pruned from the
religious world, mainly through the rise of Orthodox Christianity. Astral
Guest-- Chris Bennett, author
of Cannabis and the Soma Solution and Sex, Drugs, Violence
and the Bible. 07/30/2011
#209 Kissing Mohammad Stein. Tensions between Muslim and non-Muslims continue to across the world. A huge factor is the reality that both Muslims and non-Muslims are extremely ignorant of Islam itself, allowing gross exploitation by extremists on all sides. The truth is that most Muslims and Westerners share the same values and peaceful desires for society. The violent and bigoted rhetoric in the Koran was never meant to be universal truisms, but ad hoc pronouncements of Muhammad as he gave morale speeches to Muslims in his battles against other faiths and secular powers of the region. Although a man of his times in a savage era, Mohammad was a groundbreaking reformer, a man even his enemies agreed had integrity, and more scrupulous than the warlike Jews, Christians and Pagans of the region. And in the end, Mohammad's vision was never that of a worldwide caliphate but simply a unified peninsula where only Arabs were meant to be Muslims. We present an in depth biography of Mohammad and exploration of The Koran in order to put Islam in a truthful and neutral light. And hopefully this knowledge will disarm the Orthodox powers that have corrupted various religions in order to create oppressive, Orwellian societies. It's a truly dynamite show! Astral Guest-- CJ Werleman (peace be unto him), author of Koran Curious - a guide for infidels and believers, God Hates You, Hate Him Back: Making Sense of The Bible, and Jesus Lied - He Was Only Human: Debunking The New Testament. 08/27/2011
#210 Kill Pat. American Christianity has
continually distanced itself from the original teachings
early Christendom. It has become a den of materialistic thieves;
apocalyptic scaremongers exploiting mass media; political predators in sleek
suits; a nest of hypocritical vipers; and an undercurrent of subtle bigotry and
racism. On the other hand, many Protestant churches have absorbed the tenets of
New Age, offering quick-fix theology, fridge-magnet spirituality, and instant
salvation to the highest donors in plush mega-churches. What happened to the
poor, the downtrodden, and the needy in spirit? A new, semi-autobiographical
book showcases not only these problems but even darker ones lying underneath
the belly of American Christianity. It also reveals the author's decades as a
Baptist seminarian; and the horrors he experienced for simply attempting to
follow the kernel teachings of Christ. He offers solutions--that beyond
metaphor, allegory, and charity--include how the Power of Myth can literally
transform Jewish and Christian writings into tools for spiritual evolution and
a virtuous life, especially when correlated to other
mythologies. A very sobering, disturbing and ultimately redeeming show that
points to the Divine Spark hidden deep within American Christianity. Astral guest-- Keith Nicholson,
author of A Rebuke of the Christian Church
and Above Below Within:
Planetary Magick and the Greek Gods. 09/10/2011
#211 The Walking Dead Wrong. In ancient
times, the universe was seen as eternal or cyclical, with the gods and spirits
merely managing the cosmos. Then came an 'apocalypse meme' from a certain
religion that quickly spread across the entire world. Many religions began to
envision a bloody battle at the end of time, with a victorious Supreme Being
and the Elect rewarded with an arbitrary paradise. The apocalypse meme began to
increase zealotry and oppression across all civilizations; and this has not
ended in modern times. We trace the origins of the apocalypse meme and the many versions in many traditions, as
well as the warped psychology that makes it so attractive. We also deal with
secular endtime scenarios, including Communism and
the Y2K craze. Of course we deal with the 2012 mania and other New Age Armageddons. We penetrate the apocalypse leaders' minds who ruined their communities and more than often than not
lined their pockets with the gold of fearful followers. Lastly, what did the
Gnostics believe or predict? Astral Guest-- John Michael Greer,
author of Apocalypse Not: Everything You Know About 2012, Nostradamus and
the Rapture Is Wrong
, Learning Ritual Magic:
Fundamental Theory and Practice for the Solitary Apprentice, and The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual
Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. 09/17/2011
#212 The Fountain. The Gnostics recorded
their amazing visions in their scripture, from realms of light beyond
imagination full of ultra-divine beings to the inner dimensions of the human
soul. Most scholars and theologians have plenty of theories of the 'why' behind
their exploratory writings. But the 'how' is still an open book. Scholars
like James Robinson posit they used visualization. CG Jung contended they practiced
meditation. Others have proposed intense prayer, magical rites, sacraments,
creative exegesis, or a combination of all of these. But the truth is that
the Gnostic visions are closer to primordial shamanistic visions in
their workings, combined with Mystery School rituals and Egyptian mystic
practices. We mine the Gnostic Gospels, especially the ones that reveal their
travels across the multiverse, and find out 'how' they truly were able to tap
into The Pleroma and the essence of Sophia. Astral Guest-- Luke A. Myers,
author of Gnostic
Visions: Uncovering the Greatest Secret of the Ancient World. 09/24/2011
#213 Mystery Men. Comic books have fascinated
and inspired people of all ages for generations. Yet few know that, like Pulp Fiction,
its heroes and themes were heavily influenced by the Occult revival of the 19th
century; and that its esoteric undertones continue to this day, especially with
the runic touch of such openly magician-artists as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison,
Jack Kirby, Neil Gaiman and many more. To wit,
instead of looking at the past to old gods, mythological heroes, and arcane
saviors, comic books secretly bring these luminaries and place them in modern
times to deal with modern problems. And often timeless problems. We take a
journey from the genesis of comic books, its evolution and that of its mystic
protagonists, to our age where their heretical message is more influential than
ever because of movies and video games. Could the solution to so many of our
spiritual and material problems be right in front of us, dressed in spandex?
And we inspect for Gnostic themes in comic books. Astral Guest-- Chris Knowles,
author of Our Gods Wear Spandex: The Secret History of
Comic Book and The
Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll. 10/08/2011
#214 Final Destinations. The hope of an afterlife has been a major concern
in humanity's consciousness even longer than civilization itself. Many
religions claim the right reward or punishment when the body finally collapses.
Secular groups accept the complete finality death brings. However, unlike our
ancestors and even with all the choices available, humans are more apprehensive
than ever of the final frontier, which is the cause for seismic anxiety and the
inability to live a full life. We explore this most natural and important of
journeys through the lenses of various traditions, as well as the different
modes of psychology. Beyond archetypes, symbols, and blind faith, we attempt to
reveal how understanding and accepting death is truly one of the greatest keys
to the freedom of mind and heart (and the path to Wisdom). And of course we
visit the Gnostic point of view on the wheel of death and life. Astral Guest-- Acharya S. DM Murdock,
author of Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of the Christ, Christ in Egypt: The Horus-Jesus Connection, Suns of God & The Christ Conspiracy. 10/15/2011
#215 Clash of the
Gnostics. Gnostic churches, cults, and magnetic leaders have sprouted like
weeds since the 19th century occult revival. They have married what little was
understood of the Classic Gnostics with varied esoteric traditions, creating a
stew of various hybrid Gnosticisms that still flourish today. Yet the discovery
and continual breakthroughs of the Nag Hammadi library reveals that
what goes by modern Gnosticism is something that the ancient Gnostics would
find alien and bizarre. Their views were actually paradoxically far more
radical and orthodox than ever assumed before. We study the chasm between the
ancient and the new, and wonder why the Gnostic Gospels are continually ignored
(and is it even a bad thing for modern, heterodox theology?). We also
streamline the latest Gnostic scholarship, distilling easy-to-follow narratives
and practices that stimulate Gnosis without an organization or guru or damage
to the wallet. And find out exactly what was the many
warnings of the Classic Gnostics to our contemporary humanity. Astral Guest-- Jeremy Puma,
author of This
Way: Making Sense of Gnosis in a Nonsensical Reality, Mysteries
of the Gnostic Ascent, and The
Face of the Sky and Earth. 10/22/2011
#216 The Fashion
of the Christ. Since Christianity's inception, there have
been accusations on the originality and historicity of Jesus Christ.
Various camps--including some within the religion like the Gnostics--proposed
Jesus was another dying/rising godman who held the
universe together; a patchwork character from Old Testament tales; a living
archetype for the Hellenistic hero; or all or a combination of these. Although
a carnal Jesus Christ won out in the end, the Enlightenment period resurrected
these claims. They have gained more weight in our modern times, as reason
dominates and Biblical scholarship finds new breakthroughs. And of course
the Gnostic Gospels obfuscate the traditional view of Jesus Christ. At the same
time, academia is still in consensus of a flesh and blood Jesus; and
the strong religious movements of John the Baptist, James the Just,
and others cannot be denied. We take a look at both sides of the argument in
order to see if the real Jesus Christ will please stand up. And figure out why
the Nag Hammadi library puts the Savior in so many different manifestations and
roles. Astral Guest-- Robert Price, author of Incredible Shrinking Son of Man: How
Reliable Is the Gospel Tradition?,The Pre-Nicene New Testament: Fifty-four
Formative Texts, and The Case Against The Case For Christ.
10/29/2011
#217 Angels & Demons. We continue with our independent, esoteric Church
series. Although most assume that these valid
but illicit organizations are Gnostic, some are actually devoid
of Gnosticism and focus primarily on a blend of traditional and
mystic Christianity. These are growing in number in this pluralistic and still
very Christian nation, both physically and online, and it's important to
separate the spiritual-seekers from the greedy charlatans. We cover The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church, The Holy Monastic Order En Deus,
and The Holy Imperial Russian Orthodox Church. We learn from the Bishop who
oversees these heterodox temples, and how he is able to remain loyal to
traditional Christianity while still utilize Buddhist and other concepts to
create a new way of spiritual thinking. Not just a new way, but a way to grasp
the original, fluid and mystic ethos of early Christianity. And these contain
vast metaphysical riches that are often overlooked or discarded by modern esotericists since they are deemed too 'orthodox' or too
'primitive'. Astral Guest-- Bishop Bryan Oullette. 11/12/2011
#218 No Country For Old
Gnostics. One of the greatest authors of our times is undoubtedly
Cormac McCarthy. Such novels as No
Country for Old Men, The Road,
and All the Pretty Horses have
been a stark mirror into the human condition. Many consider his existentialist
Western, Blood Meridian, one of
the greatest literary achievements in the 20th century. Yet more and more
scholars are realizing that McCarthy has purposefully and subtlety
injected Gnostic themes and symbols in his works; and furthermore many of his
books are complete Gnostic Gospels. We take a third-eye look at his fiction for
not only Gnostic philosophy but other mysticism that fascinates McCarthy. We
focus primarily on Blood Meridian,
one of the most ultraviolent, nihilistic, and amoral books ever
written that presents the Gnostic narrative, including the hidden Divine Spark
that is the last hope of a predatory, deficient universe. Astral guest-- Petra Mundik, author of Terra
Damnata: The Anticosmic
Mysticism of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. 11/19/2011
#219 Jesus Electric Star. One of the most influential, esoteric sites is
the popular, holistic, and counterculture Reality Sandwich. A main reason is the Gnosis of one of its
founders--an individual who took a trying, mystical walkabout from Orthodox
Materialist to Christian Gnostic (although he never lost his thirst to make a
better world). We learn of his supernal journey that included underground entheogen ceremonies, Kundalini
awakenings, extraterrestrial encounters, and pilgrimages to various
levels of consciousness until he encountered a mission from Sophia. And how he was healed by the pleromic
electricity of the Aeon Christ hidden behind the veils of mundane reality.
We also discuss Reality Sandwich
and his other accomplishments and projects, like Evolver.net that are shifting the awareness of a dazed humanity
on the brink of total fragmentation and possible destruction. Astral Guest-- Jonathan Talat Phillips, author of The
Electric Jesus: The Healing Journey of a Contemporary Gnostic. 12/03/2012
#220 Holy Contagion.
One of the most venerated esoteric arts is Alchemy, which cuts across all
religions and ideologies. Both the Orthodox and Heterodox have sought its
arcane gifts, whether it's lead to gold or holistic medicine. For the first
time a book comes out that categorizes the wisdom of the alchemists
in Western Culture, a gathering of important terms, from ancient Egypt to
Jungian Psychology. Needless to say, the book is long overdue; and beyond just
a dictionary of Alchemy it reveals the various scientific and mystic
tributaries it has influenced for thousands of years. We learn about the
origins and evolution of Alchemy; and why it's still very important for
spiritual liberation in a modern world. We study it from all its angles and
traditions that include Christianity, Islam, the Occult, Gnosticism,
Hermeticism, and even Harry Potter. We leave no Philosopher's
Stone unturned! Astral Guest-- Jordan
Stratford, author
of A
Dictionary of Western Alchemy and Living Gnosticism. 12/10/2011