New word!
Comments closedThéōsis, “becoming divine”: a path followed as much by certain pagans as by certain Christians.
Tag: occult
In 1415, the practice of artificially “multiplying” precious metals was illegal in England and Wales. The prohibition did not prevent one alchemist from setting up his furnace at the priory of Hatfield, near the town of Chelmsford in Essex, a subordinate priory of the great Benedictine abbey of St. Albans. The alchemist, William Morton, was not a member of the religious community, but a “wooleman” from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who had established a collaborative relationship with the former prior. Morton and his business partners, who included both religious and laymen, used the priory not only as a site for alchemical practice, but also as a platform for more ambitious bids for patronage. Their goal was to make two alchemical powders, or elixirs: one for transmuting “red” metals, such as copper and brass, into gold; the other for turning “white” metals, including lead and tin, into silver.
Just up the road from me there was once a working alchemist. Closer by, there was once a cunning man.
Comments closedThe resurgence of interest in witchcraft coincides with periods of social and political instability, as anti-progressive movements gained traction after years of strong progressive sentiment. In this context, marginalised groups turned to esoteric practices not as reactionary escapism but as tools for self-preservation and empowerment. Viral WitchTok content often emphasises spells for protection, manifestation and enlightenment.
I’m not sure “viral WitchTok” was a phrase I ever needed to see, but apparently that’s where we are. Or where we’ve been, actually. I noted otherwise intelligent, educated and alert persons talking way too much about astrology in the 2010s. Maybe there’s a conversation to be had about the retreat from the real that started pre-pandemic.
Comments closed
Abraxas Publishing were kind enough to send me a copy of their facsimile edition of Aleister Crowley’s TANNHAUSER, in a gorgeous A4 form. Abraxas are doing all kinds of weird and occult stuff, and their website is really worth a look if you’re into that stuff. Lovely looking objects.
This should be the product link, in Finnish and in English.
