Spirit Box

In this episode, I welcome back author and scholar Peter Mark Adams for a rich and far-reaching conversation centred on his upcoming book from Theion Publishing "Ritual & Epiphany in the Mysteries of Mithras – The Secret Cult of Saturn in Imperial Rome" an extraordinary and deeply thoughtful study of the cult of Mithras. Peter takes us through the ancient layers beneath Mithraic practice — its origins, iconography, cosmology, and initiatory structure — tracing a lineage from early Mesopotamian myths such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, through the cultic worship of Saturn, and into the esoteric heart of Imperial Rome. What emerges from his research is a profound view of Mithraism not simply as a Roman mystery cult, but as the survival of a much older, animistic, star-oriented cosmology. It is a vision of reality structured around spirit, fate, celestial forces, and the metamorphosis of the human soul. Peter takes us through the complex ideas behind his thesis weaving in insights from recent advances in anthropology, ethnography, and comparative religion. He draws particularly from the Orphic mysteries to illuminate the metaphysical architecture underpinning the Mithraic rites. We unpack how the mysteries functioned as both a lived, embodied practice and a carefully guarded initiatic system, intended to bring about deep spiritual transformations in their adherents. The conversation explores the mythic grammar encoded in the Tauroctony — the slaying of the bull — not as a static religious image but as a dynamic, performative act tied to the movement of the heavens and the soul's journey through the stars. In the Plus show, Peter also shares fascinating insights into the seven grades of Mithraic initiation, each representing different spiritual and cosmic stations, and the curious fact that while the cult is famous for these grades, only two formal initiation rituals are known. We delve into the frescoes at St. Capua Vetere, rare depictions that provide intimate glimpses into the ritual life of Mithraic initiates, and discuss how sacred art served not merely as decoration but as an active, living technology for transformation. Along the way, we touch on the challenges faced by modern researchers and practitioners in articulating and re-contextualising these ancient experiences in a world that has largely lost the language for mystery. We talk about the difficulty of bridging the gap between ancient participatory worldviews and the post-Enlightenment skepticism that dominates contemporary thought — and how, paradoxically, the sciences of anthropology and archaeology often come closest to glimpsing the ancient mysteries, even as they struggle to fully comprehend them. Show notes: Peter's site https://petermarkadams.com [https://petermarkadams.com/] Peter's instagram https://www.instagram.com/petermarkadams/ [https://www.instagram.com/petermarkadams/] Peter's Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/petermarkadams/posts [https://www.patreon.com/c/petermarkadams/posts] Theion Publishing https://theionpublishing.com/shop/pma-ritualepiphany/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJt5h9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrcrTB0SZCnZKoBiV8ekJtAVHGQawQVzitb5lGAscZwhU94lYmX-PLrQDWW9_aem_NJX2uq5lcQtsID72NJrHJA [https://theionpublishing.com/shop/pma-ritualepiphany/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJt5h9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrcrTB0SZCnZKoBiV8ekJtAVHGQawQVzitb5lGAscZwhU94lYmX-PLrQDWW9_aem_NJX2uq5lcQtsID72NJrHJA] Sola-Busca Workshop, Turin https://www.houseofzophiel.com/sola-busca.html [https://www.houseofzophiel.com/sola-busca.html] Cosmic or Orphic egg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_egg [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_egg] Phanes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes] Tauroctony https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauroctony [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauroctony] St. Capua Vetere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Capua_Vetere [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Capua_Vetere] Epic of Gilgamesh https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epic-of-Gilgamesh [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epic-of-Gilgamesh] Orphism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism] Mithras https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism] Henosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis] Leontocephaline https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/2/2/3 [https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/2/2/3] Chora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khôra [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kh%C3%B4ra] Apogenesis https://www.iasdurham.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Hannah_From-Here-to-the-Hereafter-Genesis-and-Apogenesis-in-Ancient-Philosophy-and-Architecture.pdf [https://www.iasdurham.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Hannah_From-Here-to-the-Hereafter-Genesis-and-Apogenesis-in-Ancient-Philosophy-and-Architecture.pdf] Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason [https://linktr.ee/darraghmason]Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka [https://soundcloud.com/obliqka]

In this episode I’m joined by Daniel Yates— artist, writer, photographer, witch, and the mind behind the excellent Occult Library project.Daniel’s soon-to-be-released book To Glimpse a Hollow Hill is a deep and beautifully crafted exploration of Robert Kirk’s The Secret Commonwealth, a 17th-century manuscript at the heart of Scottish fairy belief and second sight traditions.We talk about the enormous task of transcribing and modernising Kirk’s original text, the folklore around seers, fairies, and fetch spirits, and the complex cultural landscape Kirk was writing from — one caught between Christianity, folk practice, and older ways of seeing the world.One of the most fascinating elements of the conversation is Kirk’s description of the Sith — not as the tiny winged fairies of Victorian fantasy, but as a people with their own culture, hierarchy, and even religious practices. These are beings who live alongside humans but by their own strange rules and logic — sometimes helpful, sometimes dangerous, always other.Daniel goes into more detail about Robert Kirk himself — not just as a minister and folklorist, but potentially as a seer working within a Christian framework. We discuss the ways in which Kirk subtly inserts himself into the text, the folklore surrounding his mysterious death on Doon Hill, and his possible motivations for writing The Secret Commonwealth — not merely as an academic exercise, but perhaps as a defence of the second sight and those who possessed it.In the Plus show, we go deeper into the more esoteric layers of Kirk’s Secret Commonwealth and the nature of the Sith.We explore the idea of dual-spirit traditions — the concept of co-walkers or fetch spirits that accompany a person or indeed a spirit, harvesting or feeding in some mysterious symbiotic way. Daniel draws intriguing parallels between this belief and spirit traditions found in cultures beyond Scotland.We discuss Kirk’s accounts of fairy lovers and the complicated, sometimes perilous relationships between humans and the Sith — not framed in terms of simple good or evil, but as entanglements with otherworldly beings operating by their own strange morality.There’s a beautiful reflection here on the porous boundary between worlds, and the price of crossing it — where gifts from the Otherworld might come with subtle costs, and where seership itself might not be a blessing freely given.We also talk about Daniel’s work on the Occult Library project — an ambitious and beautifully curated online resource cataloguing the wild and often ephemeral world of occult publishing.Daniel explains how the project came about as a response to the fragmentation of esoteric literature — especially from smaller or long-defunct presses — and his desire to create a browsable, searchable space where people could discover books that might otherwise disappear into obscurity.We discuss the challenges of gathering data on out-of-print and rare texts, the use of volunteers to help expand the library, and Daniel’s thoughtful approach to curation.He also shares future plans for the project, including an interactive map of occult locations, possible community features, and ways to sustain the site as it grows — all while preserving that sense of wonder and discovery that comes from stumbling across something rare, strange, or long-forgotten.Show notes:Buy 'To glimpse a hollow hill' https://www.atramentouspress.com/new-products/to-glimpse-a-hollow-hill [https://www.atramentouspress.com/new-products/to-glimpse-a-hollow-hill]Daniel's website https://www.photophrenic.com [https://www.photophrenic.com]Occult Library https://www.occultlibrary.org [https://www.occultlibrary.org]Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason [https://linktr.ee/darraghmason]Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka [https://soundcloud.com/obliqka]

In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel Kennedy to discuss his new book, Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson. We explore Wilson’s life, influences, and enduring ideas, with a particular focus on his concept of Chapel Perilous—an initiatory state of uncertainty, where perception is destabilized, and transformation is possible. Our conversation takes us through Wilson’s time in Ireland, his engagement with esoteric and mystical traditions, and the deep imprint of Irish history and culture on his work. We also examine the broader themes of language loss, intergenerational trauma, and how these forces shape identity and collective memory. Gabriel shares the extensive research that went into writing his book, including interviews with nearly 75 people, and how Wilson’s ideas remain relevant in today’s world of uncertainty and paradigm shifts. In the Plus show, we go deeper into Robert Anton Wilson’s time in Ireland and the profound themes he explored in The Widow’s Son. Gabriel and I discuss how Wilson’s time in Ireland, following personal tragedies, shaped his later works and connected him to the country’s cultural and historical complexities. Through the novel’s protagonist, Wilson examines intergenerational trauma, Irish identity, and the lingering scars of colonial history—ideas that remain deeply relevant today. We also explore the lasting impact of language loss in Ireland, tracing its roots to the famine and the cultural suppression that followed. Drawing on Translations by Brian Friel, we discuss how language shapes perception and identity, and how its revival is an act of cultural reclamation. This ties into a broader conversation on intergenerational trauma, the epigenetic effects of famine and stress, and the ongoing resurgence of ancestral practices like stone lifting and the Irish language. The conversation weaves together mysticism, history, and deep cultural memory—tracing how the echoes of the past still shape the present. Show Notes: Book website Robert Anton Wilson Biography - Explore the Life of a Visionary Author [https://chapelperilous.us/] Prop’s Substack | Gabriel Kennedy aka Prop Anon | Substack [https://gabrielpatrickkennedy.substack.com/] About – Gabriel Kennedy – Medium [https://medium.com/@propanon99/about] Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson – Gabriel Kennedy’s biography of RAW [https://www.lulu.com/shop/gabriel-kennedy-and-douglas-rushkoff-and-grant-morrison-and-laura-kang/chapel-perilous/paperback/product-kvmj4v2.html?srsltid=AfmBOooumB9Miz1GQ424UEgG-9MuPYvG-mEniByvP3widRyX6CBLVpBf]. Cosmic Trigger: Volume One  [https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=32160793995&dest=gbr&ref_=ps_ggl_2039220669&cm_mmc=ggl-_-UK_Shopp_Tradestandard-_-product_id=UK9781561840038USED-_-keyword=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD3Y6gt23sW81JuNDvPkOqi8y7CN5&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPpusKPouWroA91p1fRWNrGJV1eyXAzaGji9HOnLNphU29kLt5hXlMWhoClEsQAvD_BwE]– Wilson’s exploration of Chapel Perilous and his experiences with synchronicity, psychedelics, and the occult. The Widow’s Son [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Widows-Son-Illuminati-Historical-Illuminatus/dp/1561841633] – A novel exploring Irish history, identity, and intergenerational trauma. Prometheus Rising [https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9780941404198/prometheus-rising/used?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADocATBkWcgua2qNYf2qxpB4-bI32&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPphOyJIKdogkuCiKZb_u5uyeRDC1wQb7XEOLB7v3-h_rlXhIPTIgWZhoCtxsQAvD_BwE] – A deep dive into consciousness, psychology, and personal reality tunnels. The Illuminatus! Trilogy [https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9781854875747/the-illuminatus-trilogy/used] (co-written with Robert Shea) – A countercultural classic blending conspiracy, satire, and esotericism. Translations  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translations_(play)]– Brian Friel’s play about language loss and cultural identity in Ireland. The Graves Are Walking [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Graves-are-Walking-John-Kelly/dp/0571284426/ref=asc_df_0571284426?mcid=680d4db25ba6333aa9951b841f693383&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=8597608320991047276-0571284426-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8597608320991047276&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045116&hvtargid=pla-2281435177098&psc=1&gad_source=1]: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People – John Kelly’s historical account of the Irish Famine. The Atlantean Irish [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atlantean-Irish-Irelands-Oriental-Maritime/dp/1843510243/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Q6RI3H5PSDR2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GhwyG7gqtwgOaph4D5pfE5EszeDGhKmnNZxUZjvKdAbGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.to484klCqncPbggz5XgjGCobJuwmqCwQgXP-0aWjwU0&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Atlantean+Irish&qid=1743694244&s=books&sprefix=the+atlantean+irish%2Cstripbooks%2C117&sr=1-1] – Bob Quinn’s exploration of Ireland’s connections to North Africa and ancient maritime cultures. Grant Morrison Disinfo 2000 speech [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTMFBYXmvMk] - Just epic. The White Boys [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteboys] - 18th century Irish direct action society. Coffin ships [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_ship] - a popular idiom used to describe the ships that carried Irish migrants escaping the Great Famine. Bloomsday [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomsday] - annual celebration of the life of James Joyce observed in Dublin on June 16th. Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason [https://linktr.ee/darraghmason]Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka [https://soundcloud.com/obliqka]

In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by professional occultist Mademoiselle Vendredi for a chat about her recent adventures in Thailand. We discuss Mademoiselle Vendredi’s encounters with local ghosts, spirits, and animist practices in Bangkok, where she was introduced to a world of supernatural entities, offerings, and hidden magical traditions. From her experiences with Thai Buddhist animism to the mysterious sounds of spectral visitors in her room, she shares firsthand accounts of a city teeming with unseen forces. We also explore the unique duality of Thai spiritual life, where Buddhist shrines coexist with older spirit houses, and offerings of red Fanta serve to appease ghosts. Mademoiselle Vendredi recounts her time in Bangkok’s Portuguese quarter, where Catholic and Thai animist traditions merge, and describes her visit to the legendary Amulet Market. A heads-up to listeners: The next section of our discussion touches on necromantic practices and esoteric rituals involving human remains, which some may find upsetting. This is an exploration of historical and cultural practices, not an endorsement or advocacy of them. Our conversation turns to the darker side of Thai occultism, where necromantic practices involving effigies of the spirits of deceased infants, known as Kuman Thong. Mme Vendredi shares insights into these controversial practices, as well as other esoteric rituals involving oils and charms crafted from human remains. In the Plus show, we take a deeper look into the case of Mae Niyam, a spirit whose shrine has become a focal point for those seeking supernatural intervention. Mademoiselle Vendredi shares the eerie story of how Mae Niyam, once a young beauty queen, became a powerful spirit known for granting wishes—so much so that people flock to her shrine to leave offerings of red Fanta and luxury items in exchange for her favor. She recounts her own experiences of receiving assistance from May Neom and how she introduced one of her mentees to the spirit, leading to uncanny results. We also discuss another prominent Thai spirit, Mae Nak, a benevolent entity associated with luck and prosperity. Often depicted as a plump woman in traditional attire, Mae Nak is revered by business owners who set up altars for her in their shops, hoping to attract success. Beyond Thai spirits, we dive into Mademoiselle Vendredi's unexpected encounter with a Bangkok taxi driver who, instead of small talk, launched into an impromptu history of the Chinese ghosts, ancient grave relocations of Bangkok. We explore the significance of these ghost stories, the interplay between Chinese and Thai magical traditions, and how urban legends in Bangkok often stem from real historical events. We round out the Plus show with a discussion on Mademoiselle Vendredi's upcoming travels to Romania, where she plans to explore vampire folklore and connect with practitioners of local magic, as well as her extended stay in London. We also take a closer look at her Pharaoh’s Club—an online space dedicated to magicians and occult practitioners seeking hands-on guidance, practical magical techniques, and insights from her global travels. This episode is a fascinating journey into folk magic, animism, and the intricate interplay between the living and the spirit world. Tune in for an immersive and wide-ranging discussion on magic, spirits, and the unseen forces shaping our world. Show notes: Kuman Thong https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuman_thong [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuman_thong] Mae Nak https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/mae-nak-phra-khanong-thailands-most-famous-ghost-love-story/ [https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/mae-nak-phra-khanong-thailands-most-famous-ghost-love-story/]  Red Fanta https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/thailand-drinks [https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/thailand-drinks] Pharaohs Club https://buymeacoffee.com/mademoisellev [https://buymeacoffee.com/mademoisellev] Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGdFWlRkYWtJY3pzdE8wQjF5cEhpS2RlWlI5Z3xBQ3Jtc0trNFphbmo5TzBLd2VuNmZwWjRYTUszQnRSTlE5dERUR3hEMmpiamZiZmhseE9MZ1ZUa0prWHdQRHZTSmNYZzBlZUhTdUxMd0sxeDI0VGlkTl9iWVZlZkt1dnRKY0hTb090eUJ3d1g3T2w3V1Z3eTNqVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fdarraghmason&v=wBa4TemoPOM]Music by Obliqka   / obliqka   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblRMY3hGeXZxMWRlNE1Ubzd6YndiSlFfMzc2UXxBQ3Jtc0tub2RJZzgxa3lZRnVnNXVhVmlXbUF5Rk92TXU0TXpXa0hJdVFfU19ONU1ZR2pHQ2lzYUs2b2dxck42a01wcEJXbEFzeFNTME91S1VuOVFackV2eGhfaERwRTF6dEIwc2wtNEw4NFJIOWk3QVBtSFVaYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fobliqka&v=wBa4TemoPOM]

In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by great Miguel Conner, author of The Occult Elvis and host of the Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio podcast, to explore the esoteric, mystical, and trickster-like nature of Elvis Presley. Miguel is known for his deep dives into Gnosticism, mythology, and the hidden dimensions of history, and his latest book uncovers the spiritual and occult influences that shaped the life of the King of Rock and Roll.Elvis Presley was more than just a music icon—his life was filled with supernatural experiences, metaphysical encounters, and a deep yearning for spiritual truth. Miguel and I discuss how comic books, mysticism, and even extraterrestrials played a role in Elvis’s personal mythology. We examine how his twinless survivor syndrome, childhood poverty, and Southern religious upbringing contributed to his liminal, shape-shifting persona, making him a figure of both divine inspiration and tragic excess.One of the key themes we explore is the crossroads as a site of transformation, a place where the trickster archetype and magical forces converge. Like Robert Johnson, Elvis stood at the threshold between worlds, embodying both the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the carnal. Was Elvis an egregore of America, a living embodiment of the nation’s deepest desires and contradictions? Did he unknowingly act as a shamanic figure, channeling mystical energies through music and performance?We also delve into Elvis’s mystical abilities, including his alleged powers to stop the rain and move objects with his will, and how these experiences fit into a broader tradition of spiritual adepts, magicians, and prophets. We explore the darker aspects of his spiritual journey, including his encounters with visions of Jesus, Stalin, and his own impending death, as well as the influence of Gnostic ideas on his worldview.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we connect Elvis’s metaphysical path with that of David Bowie, another artist who engaged deeply with esoteric traditions, Gnosticism, and the occult. Miguel shares insights from his upcoming book on Bowie, discussing how both musicians wrestled with supernatural experiences, cosmic synchronicities, and the burdens of fame as a spiritual path.As we wrap up we take a deeper dive into the hidden esoteric undercurrents of rock music, Elvis’s role in shaping a new kind of mystical pop culture.Thank you very much Show notes: The Occult Elvis https://www.innertraditions.com/the-occult-elvis [https://www.innertraditions.com/the-occult-elvis]Miguel’s website: https://thegodabovegod.com/ [https://thegodabovegod.com/] Miguel’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AeonByte [https://www.facebook.com/AeonByte] Miguel’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aeonbyte/ [https://www.instagram.com/aeonbyte/] Miguel's X page: https://twitter.com/AeonByte [https://twitter.com/AeonByte] Miguel's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67NBVrem2dRsYUreRyjSsA/feed [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67NBVrem2dRsYUreRyjSsA/feed] Miguel's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte [https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte] Miguel's Rofkin: https://rokfin.com/aeonbyte [https://rokfin.com/aeonbyte] Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason [https://linktr.ee/darraghmason]Music by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka [ https://soundcloud.com/obliqka]