This is a solo episode about the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, the most beautiful book in Venice. This mysterious volume was printed in Venice in 1499 by Aldus Manutius, with a typeface created by master punchcutter Francesco Griffo. Illustrated with 172 amazing woodcuts, it was written in a strange combination of Latin, Greek, and Italian. The illustrations also contain Hebrew, Arabic, and invented hieroglyphs. Nobody knows who the illustrator was, nor who wrote the book, but most scholars agree that it was Venetian Franciscian monk and priest Francesco Colonna.
In this episode, I discuss the history of events leading up to the book, the nature of the book itself, and also possible influences the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili may have had on later European art, literature, and occult currents. Some of the topics I touch on are the 17th century Rosicrucian movement, the Renaissance Art of Memory, and 18th century Freemasonry.
My research in this episode relies heavily on the previous work of two people. First, Joscelyn Godwin, musicologist, author, historian, and translator. He translated the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili into English for the first time in 1999, and was the translator and commentator of The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, which I reference in the show. Second is Efthymia Priki, Ph.D. in Byzantine Studies from University of Cyprus, who did extensive work researching the influences of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili on works that came after it.
In this episode, we’re joined by The Word Witch, Claire Burgess! Claire (pronouns they/them) is a queer and non-binary Tarot reader, teacher, writer, and illustrator. They’re the host of The Word Witch podcast and the creator of the Fifth Spirit Tarot deck, both of which explore and re-imagine Tarot through a queer and intersectional lens. They teach Tarot at Portland Community College and, soon, online!
We discuss how gender works in Tarot and how modern Tarot creators are working to introduce non-binary ideas into new decks and artwork. We also have a great conversation about Claire’s creative process with the Fifth Spirit Tarot. This is a great deep dive into deck creation and we can all learn a lot from their experience and learning process!
The Fifth Spirit Tarot is being featured in the online course, Tarot for the Wild Soul. Make sure to check it out and use Claire’s affiliate code FIFTHSPIRIT in the “Add Coupon” spot at checkout to get a complimentary Fifth Spirit Tarot deck/altar cloth!
Alexx Bollen returns to the podcast to talk about Wyrm’s Addition, a new comic book project he’s working on with Eric Millar of Outlet Press. The story takes place in an eponymous fictional Portland neighborhood based on a real neighborhood called Ladd’s Addition, which those familiar with Portland will undoubtedly recognize as that weird 45°-tilted neighborhood in inner Southeast. What’s up with that place? Well, Alexx and Reverend Erik discuss the weirdness of Ladd’s Addition and how it influenced the theme and plot of Wyrm’s Addition, and then go on to talk about how comic books and writing are a form of magic.
Make sure to check out Alexx’s new comic book in the links below! There are both digital and physical copies available.
Travis Lawrence is an artist, printmaker, explorer of symbolism, meddler in metaphor, and allegorical adventurer. In this episode, guest co-host Coleman Stevenson of the Dark Exact joins me to dive into Travis’s history with art, the method behind his creative vision, and some of the mysteries behind his amazing work.
We explore Jungian psychology and esoteric influences including Hermetic Qabalah, Alchemy, and Freemasonry. Travis reveals the meaning behind a mysterious phrase that shows up in some of his art, and we ponder carving my front porch into a woodcut of its own.
In March of 2020, during the COVID-19 shutdown of pretty much everything, many Masonic Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada cancelled all lodge meetings and Masonic functions. While necessary, this was disappointing, particularly because I had several lectures lined up at various lodges on a number of topics. In addition, both Esoterika Lodge №227 and Research Lodge of Oregon №198 had a joint meeting planned with some pretty incredible lecture topics lined up. (more…)
Changes have been happening on the Arnemancy website! And they are good changes, too: we have added an online shop, new services, and classes, while still continuing to produce podcast episodes and blog posts.
Earlier this month, I was a guest on The Word Witch Podcast, where I discussed The Chariot, The Tower, and the Sevens of the Tarot with amazing host Claire Burgess. Here’s what they had to say about the episode:
In this tarot lesson episode, Claire is joined by Reverend Erik of the Arnemancy podcast to guide you through The Chariot, The Tower, and the Sevens! This deep and meaty conversation contains lightbulb moments for both Claire and Erik, and it also offers the most laughs you’ll probably ever hear about The Tower. (Read the rest here!)
Claire’s new deck, the Fifth Spirit Tarot, will be launching on Kickstarter on March 20th — that’s two days from now! Check back and I’ll have a link for you.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Northwest Tarot Symposium. This annual event is focused on cartomancy, including Tarot, oracle, and Lenormand. It consists of a series of talks and workshops, alongside a really entertaining metaphysical fair full of vendors and readers that’s open to the public. This was my first year attending any of the talks, and I learned some interesting stuff and new techniques – oh yeah, and there were skulls. (more…)
Abigail Atkins of Discordian Astrology joins me in this episode to discuss various aspects of modern and Kabbalistic astrology. Abigail has studied ritual magic and methods of esoteric spiritual development for nearly a decade, and implements astrology as a means of discovering the Holy Guardian Angel and the soul’s destiny in this lifetime.
Unlike other episodes on astrology, this episode focuses on modern astrology. We discuss synastry, or the comparison of two charts, alongside integration of the slow-moving outer planets and fast-moving asteroids. In addition to this, Abigail integrates her astrological practice deeply into her spiritual practice to produce a unique and enlightening map of reality.
This episode was recorded back in October 2019, and I have to apologize for taking so long to release it.
Links
You can get links to free weekly horoscopes and interactive Tarot readings on the Discordian Astrology social media accounts.
My guest in this episode is Douglas Batchelor, host of the What Magic Is This? Podcast and veteran occultist. This is a continuation of my guest appearance on his podcast, where we started with a broad view of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s work and and life. In this sequel, we do a deep dive into Agrippa’s Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, a fascinating work which contains such occult classics as the Heptameron and the Arbatel. It’s the grimoire episode you’ve been waiting for!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy policy
My research in this episode relies heavily on the previous work of two people. First, Joscelyn Godwin, musicologist, author, historian, and translator. He translated the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili into English for the first time in 1999, and was the translator and commentator of The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, which I reference in the show. Second is Efthymia Priki, Ph.D. in Byzantine Studies from University of Cyprus, who did extensive work researching the influences of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili on works that came after it.
