STARGAZER: a podcast about astrology, alchemy, and magic

In this episode, the esoteric scholar Ronnie Pontiac returns to talk about his latest book: The Magic of the Orphic Hymns: A New Translation for the Modern Mystic. Co-authored by Tamra Lucid, his wife, this brilliant collaboration takes the reader on a winding journey through history, striking a perfect balance between dense scholarship and poetic musing. And they conclude with their own renditions of the hymns, beautifully distilled with poetic skill and the finesse of musicians. Reading this book feels like uncorking a dusty bottle of ancient spirits. The history is allowed to breathe, inviting you to swirl things around and develop your own taste for the mysteries of Orpheus. Tamra and Ronnie present the Orphic Hymns as being much more than beautiful relics. The hymns are magical, invoking the past as the eternal present and inspiring a prismatic vision of the divine. Many decades of research and experiments inspired The Magic of the Orphic Hymns. In their early 20’s, Tamra and Ronnie were mentored by the legendary, Manly P. Hall. And when they were asked to help him with a republication of the Orphic Hymns, they fell in love with these ancient rituals. In this interview, Ronnie and I discuss: Enjoy! If you want to learn more about Tamra and Ronnie, please listen to my other interviews with them. Click here to listen to Tamra and I discuss her exquisite memoir, Making the Ordinary Extraordinary. Click here to listen to Ronnie discuss his epic tome: American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric and Mystical Traditions of the New World Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

32I met Tony Dushane a couple years ago when he enrolled in my class on creative alchemy. It was inspired by the idea that artists are alchemists: explorers of the invisible realms and spiritual healers. And like alchemy, the power of art transforms and transmutes. As I got to know Tony, I learned how his life-story is a beautiful demonstration of art as alchemy. Tony was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, an apocalyptic Christian sect that most people describe as a cult. For the first 20+ years of his life, Tony was a true believer: pained by the urgency of the last days, knocking on doors, and living in an ideological echo chamber. But by the time I met Tony, he was an avid student of magic, astrology and alchemy. And he’d experienced a rare level of success as a writer, publishing a novel based on his life called Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk. His book captured the attention of the actor/director Eric Stoltz, who turned it into a movie. Through the art of writing, Tony’s life story was submitted to the alchemical process: heartbreak and tragedy uplifted into comedic and romantic nostalgia. And the film was the final transmutation. I wanted to interview Tony because I was so curious about what it was like growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, why he left that world behind and how he became an artist. In our interview, we discuss… * How his friend’s suicide triggered his ideological awakening * How the public library was a sanctuary that “literally saved his life” * Creative writing as a “conversation with the ancients” * Needing therapy after leaving the church * What it was like making a movie with Eric Stoltz * His astrology chart, how the planets reveal his artistic gifts * His current relationship with the Bible and the teachings of Christ * AI and corporate greed as the enemy of art * Why writers should never be afraid to write “shitty first drafts” * And why he teaches a free writing class at the Los Feliz Public library Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

The visionary artist and esoteric scholar, Marlene Seven Bremner has returned to discuss her second book: The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy: Imagination, Creativity, and the Great Work. In my opinion, this book is even more amazing than her first. It’s a devotional text for artists, an inspiration to heal and evolve through your own creative process. But any student of art history or esoteric philosophy will be greatly enriched by the journey that Seven takes you on. The Hermetic Marriage is an exploration of imagination through magic and art, uncovering how the ancient alchemical symbols of planets and metals reveal the nature of the creative process. Reading The Hermetic Marriage is a pleasure, led by the light of eternal beauty and a taste for poetic genius. Seven’s rich imagination avoids any academic dryness or inaccessibility because her history is alive, tapping into the immortal spirit of the artists that have left an indelible mark upon the world. And her research is densely woven, going deep enough into the heart of the subject matter to satisfy any scholar. Quintessence of a Day’s Dream, oil on panel, 2021 Illuminated by her breathtaking paintings, Seven travels through time in search of the eternal spark that artists have always sought to capture in their words, images, and songs. She demonstrates how artists are alchemists: great explorers of the invisible realms and scientists of spirit. Alchemy fell into disrepute at the dawn of the Enlightenment in the late 17th century. This began a very dark age, starved for mystery and devoid of spirit and soul. Alchemy was reduced to chemistry. And nature itself was reduced to a world of dead matter. Beneath the shadow of the Enlightenment, artists began taking corrective actions, guided by the light of imagination to restore the knowledge of spirit and soul. Beginning with Romanticism and concluding with Surrealism, Seven explores the greater alchemical process that was at work in the evolution of these artistic movements. And these centuries old discoveries of imagination continue to inspire the greater alchemical process that’s healing the spiritual maladies in the 21st Century. In this interview, Seven and I discuss: ennui Buy The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy: Imagination, Creativity, and the Great Work. Follow Marlene Seven Bremner Website: https://marlenesevenbremner.com/ Follow Seven on Instagram Follow Seven on Facebook Sign up for Marlene ‘Seven’ Bre Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

"A part of fate is the freedom of man. Forever wells up the impulse of choosing and acting in his soul."- Ralph Waldo Emerson Lori Lothian of Lunatic Astrology is my favorite Youtube astrologer! Her voice is a flourishing expression of the natural syncretism of the Information Age. Rising above the deluge of witless love horoscopes, prophecies of doom and tedious scene politics, Lori brings a refreshing style of densely researched but accessible forecasts. Her mind oscillates at a rapid frequency: intertwining the frayed edges of esoteric astrology, like the outer asteroids, with classical traditions. And she makes it all seem so easy breezy, fluttering from far out ideas into arcane techniques with effortless effort. She works tirelessly creating videos. But she’s motivated to share her knowledge because she believes: “Astrology can be very useful for preparing the way for difficult circumstances as well as anticipating and leaning into hope for positive circumstances.” Lori’s a very predictive astrologer, finely tuned and confident in her ability to help clients prepare and anticipate. Over the years, she’s realized that fate does seem to play a significant factor in human life. The age-old question of fate versus freewill brings up so many questions. And this is exactly what Lori and I decided to tackle in this interview. As our conversation unfolds, we discuss: How to Follow Lunatic Astrology! Subscribe to Lunatic Astrology where you’ll find all of Lori’s deep dive astrological forecasts. Follow Lunatic Astrology on Facebook and Instagram. Find out more about Lori’s work at www.lunaticastrology.com Support her work on Patreon to get early access to her forecasts + exclusive discounts on classes. Want to learn astrology from Lori Lothian? Fall registration for her 6-week astrology course, Sky Reader is now open! Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

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Ronnie Pontiac is an accomplished artist, musician, filmmaker and esoteric scholar. I would describe him as a 21st-Century renaissance man, not just because of his diverse talents and interests but because of his significant role in the re-birth of the mysteries and esoteric wisdom in popular culture. And after many decades of research, he’s just recently published his magnum opus American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric & Mystical Traditions of the New World. American metaphysical religion is explored as a diverse ecology of ideas and traditions that have blended into something unique. Some of it is recognizable in the mythos of the American Dream. You see glimpses in the philosophy of American exceptionalism. And in the nearly maniacal optimism of the American spirit. But there’s more to American Metaphysical Religion and this book expands in every direction, becoming a kaleidoscopic genealogy of mysteries and magic. This book traces 500 years of lineages working their way into the roots of American spirituality. The unique syncretism of Indigenous, European, African and Asian influences has been the subject of many studies on art and music. But this dilates upon the reality that art and music are the flowers that blossom from a deeper network of spiritual roots. In the melting pot of America, a unique metaphysical religion has developed beneath all the dominant narratives and dogmas that have tried to suppress it. In this interview with Ronnie, he describes how “American metaphysical religion” is an academic term that is trying to point at something ineffable, mysterious and omnipresent that underlies official science and religion. Ronnie is a quiet and thoughtful person to speak with. And our conversation unfolded for over 2 hours, where we discussed… cool coolSpirit Phone healing rhetoric If you’d like to learn more, buy a copy of American Metaphysical Religion: Esoteric & Mystical Traditions of the New World today! Follow Ronnie Pontiac on Instagram Follow Ronnie’s weekly astrology forecasts on Medium Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

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Marlene “Seven” Bremner is a visionary artist and alchemist. And her new book with Inner Traditions, Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy, should be on the top of every esoteric student’s reading list. In recent decades, the subject of alchemy has been enjoying a renaissance in esoteric publishing. There are dozens of well researched and beautifully written books on the mystical and philosophical path of alchemy. But Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy is a unique contribution, an illuminated manuscript for the 21st Century that teaches as much through the power of image as it does through words. Alchemy is one of the ancient Hermetic arts, sister of astrology. And in alchemy, the planets represent the architecture of inner space, describing the various stages of the creative process. The Cross Rose in the Garden of Venus (Oil on canvas, 2016) Seven’s journey into alchemy combines tremendous intellectual depth and artistic spirit. From a scholarly perspective, this book is exquisitely written and intricately researched, densely woven with many ancient threads of esoteric tradition, symbol and myth. But it is her visionary art that really makes the alchemical journey come alive. In this interview, I learned that Seven was born with many visionary gifts, highlighted in her natal chart by a triple conjunction between the Sun, Jupiter, and Neptune in Sagittarius. As such, I wasn’t surprised to learn that her strikingly original style of writing and painting is all self-taught. And this book is the result of more than 20 years of her esoteric and creative explorations. Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy takes you on a deep journey into planetary influences and alchemical principles. Through Seven’s eyes, new symbolic connections will emerge to expand the breadth and depth of your esoteric language. Students of Hermeticism will love her flourishing prose and fresh perspectives on traditional concepts. And artists will be inspired to explore their own creative potential with the timeless knowledge of alchemy. Alchemy cultivates your imagination and invites you to explore the vastness of inner space. And in these Aquarian times, alchemy is essential knowledge. Aquarius values human sovereignty, autonomy, and freedom of imagination as a means of healing the world. As Seven says: to hold a beautiful vision for the world. Seven is a woman that has the courage to follow her own path and be led by the light of her own imagination. And after reading this book, you’ll feel inspired to do the same. Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

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Chaweon Koo is a dream come true for me. That’s because my main objective as an astrologer is to inspire artists to believe in themselves and come into full bloom. And Chaweon has bloomed into something spectacular! Here’s the quick history we have. Five years ago, Chaweon came to me for a natal chart reading. And I told her that she would be a huge success if she started putting out videos on witchcraft! I remember seeing how recognition would come naturally because of how well she would be able to connect with her audience through the screen. Since then, she’s made it look easy to amass a huge following on Youtube and TikTok. And she’s established herself as a totally original voice in the world of magic and witchcraft. During her reading, I also remember looking ahead into the spring of 2022 (when Saturn would begin transiting her Midheaven) and knowing that she would be doing something BIG around this time! And I was so right. In spring of 2022, Chaweon reached a new level of success by publishing an AMAZING new book called Spellbound: A New Witch’s Guide to Crafting the Future. This book is totally unique. There’s never been an introduction to magic that reaches into the soul the way Spellbound does. That’s because it isn’t just a text. It's an illuminated manuscript, so lushly woven with art that it almost seems to breathe while you read. Opening the pages of Spellbound is like falling into a river of beauty that takes you on a winding journey into the heart of what magic is truly about: timeless imagination. It is an exquisite introduction to magic for any beginner student, opening with a poetic initiation and offering a unique interpretation of all the fundamentals from elements to alchemy. And because there’s nothing basic about this book, it also serves as a mind-altering inspiration for any advanced student. What has always made Chaweon so popular is that she breathes new life into magic. She knows how to lighten up dense and obscure topics with her spirit of humor, glamour and fun! And Spellbound is no exception. This book represents a breakthrough in the magical conversation and I know its influence will be felt for many decades to come. Born in Korea but raised in America, Chaweon occupies a liminal cultural space, giving her the power to synthesize Eastern and Western perspectives and imagine the future of art, culture and magic without clinging to stereotypes. And this is one of the reasons why I was so excited to interview Chaweon again. We always have trippy conversations that span time and space. Not surprisingly, reading Spellbound summoned a tremendous flood of interesting ideas and questions. As a final note, I was beyond flattered to discover that Chaweon wrote about Aeolian Heart Astrology and the blockchain ritual we did together last year in Spellbound... ...and she also devoted an entire section to a detailed conversation that she had with my husband Andrei on the topic of servitor magic. We were both so honored to be woven into the pages of this book. Spellbound: A New Witch’s Guide to Crafting the Future by Chaweon Koo is an essential addition to Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

John Michael Greer is an American druid who has risen to become one of the most important esoteric scholars of our time. He is astonishingly prolific, having written over 70 books that explore a wide array of perspectives on ecological philosophy. JMG demonstrates the virtues of a truly independent mind, offering a syncretic perspective that explores the overlap between ecology, spirituality, and the future of industrial society. Though he’s written many books on occultism, politics, and economics, I believe that his latest book, The Twilight of Pluto, is the most important astrology book published in over a decade. In The Twilight of Pluto, JMG offers something totally unique in terms of historical perspective, critique, and predictions for the future. The rich juices of astrology have been fermented into a fine wine, opening the senses to divine the shape of the world that is emerging from beneath Pluto’s shadow. This book offers original insight and unique analysis of the time we are living in, which JMG describes as being the end of the Plutonian-era. (1900-2036) The Twilight of Pluto is first and foremost a history book, blossoming through an astrological lens to illuminate the evolution of human consciousness from the ancient world to the present Plutonian-era. You may imagine that diving into Pluto’s influence over the last century might make for some very grim reading. But instead, this book is a page turning pleasure to read. JMG takes you on an adventure through time, fighting monstrous tragedy and absurdity with glinting humor and acerbic cultural critique. Even if you don’t typically read astrology books, know that your interests in history, cultural criticism or ecological thought will be deeply nourished by The Twilight of Pluto. And if you are a student of astrology, The Twilight of Pluto is required reading. This is a mind-altering book that will expand your imagination of the cosmos forever. The Twilight of Pluto represents an evolutionary leap in the astrological conversation. That’s why it was such an honor to have the opportunity to interview JMG. And of course, in addition to being a great writer, he’s also a wonderful conversationalist. We touch on everything in The Twilight of Pluto and go off on many tangents including: Buy The Twilight of Pluto by John Michael Greer And you can read John Michael Greer’s blog: https://www.ecosophia.net/ Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

Tamra Lucid is a force of nature: a veritable renaissance woman of the 21st Century. She has been a prolific artist for decades, sharing her light with the world through music, underground art, filmmaking and writing. It is obvious that Tamra was born to be a bright light in the dark. But she got her start on this path by having a great mentor in her youth: the legendary esoteric scholar, Manly P. Hall. What must it have been like to be mentored by Manly P. Hall? Lucky for us, Tamra has finally published her memoirs called: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: My Seven Years in Occult Los Angeles with Manly Palmer Hall. Tamra’s story is extraordinary. In the haze of her nihilistic youth back in the early 1980’s, she serendipitously met the elderly Manly P. Hall. And with an age difference of over 60 years, he became like a surrogate grandfather offering her the love, guidance and sanctuary she needed. Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: My Seven Years in Occult Los Angeles with Manly Palmer Hall exquisitely captures the last moments in history before the internet swallowed reality. Sitting at this precipice between eras stands the great historical figure of Manly P. Hall, still studying and lecturing at his library as he had for many decades. Back in the 1920’s and 30’s, Manly P. Hall rose to become the rockstar celebrity of the esoteric world. His legend has lived on, meaning there’s been nearly a century of praise and accolades for his accomplishments as a scholar. Conversely, there are many rumors and conspiracies that abound. Sadly, such extreme praise and suspicion tends to overshadow the human. I’ve been deeply enamored with the legend of Manly P. Hall for many years. Until I read Tamra’s book, he always seemed far away, like the light of a distant star. However, Tamra’s tender account of their deep friendship brought his spirit to life for me. The “Mr. Hall” described in this book is so personable, so funny and so tragic that you’ll truly fall in love with him. Even if you’ve never heard of Manly P. Hall, I still recommend that you read this book because it will be a magnificent introduction to appreciating his historical significance. And it is a really pleasurable read: sensual prose guided by a romantic spirit to stir your soul with a montage of vivid memories. You fall in love with all the characters as you span time together. And by the end, you’ll feel like you were there to witness all the bliss and the horror of the 1980’s L.A. occult scene. Suffice it to say, the whole story is tragi-comic, just like real life. In this episode, I speak with Tamra about her life, her art, and the experience of writing this book during the pandemic. And we deepen the exploration of Manly P. Hall’s amazing life and tragic death by looking at his natal chart together. By examining his placements, including his three planets in Pisces, we find more context for the traits he expressed publicly and those that he kept hidden. Not only that, but we dive into the transits that occurred during the last days of his life, speculating about whether the suspicious circumstances of his death were in fact murder. Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart

On this episode of STARGAZER, I'm joined by Mayan astrologer Aiesha Cosmos. In this thrilling conversation, Aiesha breaks down the Mayan calendar to explain how 2012 was just the beginning of a transitional period in human consciousness and shares her wisdom of the Toltec teachings as a means for self-transformation to prepare yourself for the world to come. If the world has seemed chaotic and unstable to you for the past few years, you're not crazy. According to the Mayan calendar, the world is actually in the midst of a transitionary period between cycles. The old order has to die so the new one can be born—but the old order isn't giving up control so easily. If we expect to give birth to a new world, then we have to train ourselves to be indomitable spiritual warriors. Aiesha is one of the most powerful spiritual teachers I have had the honor of speaking with. She is true catalyst of change and a portal to a higher dimension of consciousness. May you experience a major shift in consciousness by hearing the wisdom she shares in this episode. Visit aieshacosmos.com to schedule a Mayan astrology reading or healing ceremony with Aiesha. Support the show Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/aeolianheart