In this episode I’m joined by author and Scarlet Imprint founder Peter Grey for a wide-ranging conversation around his book Lucifer Praxis—a work that approaches Lucifer not as a static figure or moral symbol, but as a living current of rebellion, imagination, and spiritual authority.
We explore the deep mythic roots of Lucifer and the fallen angels, tracing them from ancient sources and early biblical material—where these beings were associated with the transmission of magic and forbidden knowledge—through their later demonisation under Christianity. Peter explains how John Milton’s Paradise Lost radically reshaped the image of Lucifer, transforming him into a defiant figure whose influence carried forward into Romanticism through writers like Blake, Shelley, and Byron, helping to form the foundations of modern Luciferian thought.
Our conversation moves through early Christian exorcism and its relation to grimoire magic conjuration and Pauline theology. We also spend time on Peter’s argument that the French Revolution of 1789 marked a decisive cultural rupture—a symbolic regicide and deicide that signalled the death of God and the emergence of a modern Luciferian worldview. Paris itself becomes part of this story, reshaped through monuments, symbolism, and revolutionary ritual.
Peter also outlines his approach to magical practice and teaching: drawing on ancient traditions while deliberately avoiding rigid systems or prescriptive methods. We discuss the importance of personal gnosis, the risks of over-identifying with deities, and the need for open structures that allow practitioners to find their own way into the spirit world.
Show notes:
Get the book: https://scarletimprint.com/publications/p/lucifer-praxis
John Milton - Paradise Lost: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Lost
William Blake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blake
Percy Bysshe Shelly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley
Lord Byron: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Byron
Romantic poetry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_poetry
The Book of Enoch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch
The French Revolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution
Louis XVI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XVI
The Spirit of Liberty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Column
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode, I sit down with paranormal investigator, researcher, and author Kate Ray for a conversation that wanders through fear, folklore, and the many strange beings that linger just outside our line of sight.
Kate begins by telling me how she stumbled into paranormal investigation almost against her will — starting with a night at St Breville’s Castle that absolutely terrified her, but ultimately broke the lifelong fear of ghosts that had held her back. That moment pushed her into Barry Guy’s events team, and set her on the path to becoming the investigator she is now. As we talked, she traced how her understanding of the supernatural shifted over the years, shaped by experiences in both her childhood home and a deeply haunted house she lived in throughout the late 90s.
We found ourselves comparing notes on haunted properties. Kate spoke about the oppressive atmosphere, strange smells, and constant noises she lived with for years, and I shared some of my own memories and we reflected on how that atmosphere can feel suffocating until, eventually, fear gives way to curiosity.
Then the conversation took a fascinating turn. Kate outlined her theory that many poltergeist cases may actually be fairy activity rather than the spirits of the dead. She talked about the electrical nature of fairies, the mischievous, non-human logic that underpins coin drops and strange object movements, and how these behaviours align with centuries of folklore. She’s noticed more people reporting this kind of activity, and attributes that partly to her efforts to reintroduce fairy lore to the paranormal community.
Kate recounted a chilling case she investigated — a family plagued by rippling walls, frantic footsteps, and coins dropping out of nowhere. She had gone there just to interview them, but ended up witnessing things that are astonishing.
Kate shared more of her personal cases, including working as a psychic artist on Help My House Is Haunted. She described remote impressions of a grumpy spirit and dark masses, the moment something grabbed her coat on location, and the uncanny realisation that her sketch matched a photograph of a former homeowner.
We finished with the story of her book on the Wollaton Gnomes, the 1979 incident where children encountered hovering gnomes in cars in a deer park. The idea arrived while she was writing for Dr. Simon Young, and the book practically wrote itself within seven days, through what she describes as automatic writing.
This episode is a weave of hauntings, folklore, high strangeness, and the strange intelligences that share the world with us — and Kate’s insights remind me again and again just how thin the veil really is.
Show notes:
Kate's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateharegirl/?hl=en-gb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HareGirlparanormal/
Hare in the Hawthorn Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kateharegirlray
Woolly Snotts: The Curious Case of the Wollaton Gnomes: https://amzn.eu/d/3TUzJ5f
Support the show:
In this episode, Finnish folklorist, artist, and pagan practitioner Niina Niskanen joins us to explore the ancient waters of Finnish mythology and the animistic worldview that shaped her homeland. We dive deep into her upcoming book Soul of Vellamo Journey with the Finnish Gods of the Sea—a work that traces the evolution of Finland’s sea deities from their Neolithic, shamanic roots to the later poetic, song-based traditions that survive today.Niina guides us through the three-layered Finnish cosmos, where sea goddesses like Vellamo and the thunder god Ukko still ripple through the culture, and where every element—fire, earth, air, and water—holds its own väki, a sacred animating force. We talk offerings, sauna rites, hair magic, and the rituals woven into daily life by fishermens, hunters, and healers who lived in relationship with the spirits around them.From underwater kingdoms and cows of the sea, to the boundary-walking goddesses of healing and travel, Niina offers a rare glimpse into the living heart of Suomenusko, Finnish pre-Christian belief. She shares personal experiences with deities like Vellamo, Loviatar, and Mielikki, and reflects on how modern environmental spirituality echoes these ancient traditions.We also explore the deep cultural importance of the sauna as a liminal, ritual space—birthplace, death house, and magical threshold—and uncover surprising resonances between Finnish folklore and Irish, Baltic, Slavic, and Scandinavian traditions.Show notes:https://fairychamber.org/en-eurhttps://www.instagram.com/fairychamberart/
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode, I sit down with Aidan Wachter and Tommie Kelly for a long, searching conversation about the state of modern magic and how our practices—and our lives—are changing under cultural and personal pressures. We start with the sense that magic doesn’t always work the way it used to. Aidan shares his thoughts on why: the sheer difficulty of magical training, the problems with visualization-heavy systems, and how easily magic becomes another cog in the productivity machine. Together, we look at how these pressures strip practitioners of depth, patience, and wonder.From there, we challenge the “scout badge” approach that creeps into contemporary magic, where achievement replaces mystery. We talk about how capitalism, Catholic symbolism, and our own preferences quietly shape the language we use for spiritual experience, often without our noticing.Rest and downtime become a major thread in our discussion. After dealing with injuries myself, I’ve come to understand rest as a crucial—if neglected—aspect of spiritual work. Tommie and Aidan echo this, speaking about burnout, financial pressures, and the emotional cost of manifesting major life changes. We compare fast, results-oriented magic with slower, more traditional spiritual paths, and consider why the latter often produces more sustainable transformation.We then turn to the digital world and how constant stimulation affects our sense of wonder. Aidan reflects on practicing Chaos Magic in the 1980s with almost no external influence, and how that solitude fostered originality. In contrast, today’s nonstop feed of content makes deep practice and introspection much harder. That leads us into a conversation about authenticity, personal flaws, and how childhood—and identity—now unfold under the surveillance of social media.I share how aligning my life with seasonal rhythms has shifted my work and well-being, especially as I’ve moved toward agricultural patterns.In the Plus Show Aidan and Tommie talk about stepping back from the news cycle to protect mental health while still being ready to act when real crises arise. This naturally leads us into discussing global events, helplessness, empathy, and the balance between what concerns us and what we can actually influence.The conversation also takes on the broader societal picture: eroding trust in institutions, the fragility of rights, government overreach, and the unsettling realization that much of the order we rely on is more fragile than we’d like to believe. Aidan speaks to the need for public witness when legal and civic norms break down, and we look at the strange impotence of a world where everything is documented yet little changes.We return to animism as a lived practice. Aidan shares his approach to maintaining balance within a wider ecosystem of spirits, people, and land, rather than chasing specific outcomes. We also talk about our societies structural problems and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes things must fall apart before they can be remade.Show notes:https://www.patreon.com/cw/aidanwachterhttps://www.patreon.com/c/tommiekelly/postsKeep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down once again with Emmet to explore the work of William G. Gray, a complex figures in modern Western occultism. We dive into Gray’s writings and his book An Outlook on Our Inner Western Way, discussing how his ideas about spiritual attainment still hold power despite his very human flaws. Emmet speaks candidly about Gray’s complicated legacy and we talk about the challenge of engaging with material that’s both insightful and uncomfortable.
Emmet shares how the idea of the “outer court” influenced his approach to teaching, and we explore the strange value of misleading or flawed material in spiritual traditions — how even the wrong turn can lead you somewhere meaningful.
In the Plus Show, we go deeper. We talk about magic as a living practice — the role of vibes and intuition, and how real teaching often happens through non-verbal transmission rather than formal instruction. Emmet reflects on his own experiences with magical schools, the lessons learned from conflict, and how discernment becomes a crucial tool in finding the right teachers.
We also discuss how personal and cultural symbols intertwine, how to interpret your own visionary language, and how sincerity cuts through the aesthetic traps that often surround esoteric work. The conversation winds through 19th-century occultism, folk magic, and the literary imagination of that era — all the ways the past continues to whisper through our practices today.
It’s a rich and honest discussion about what it really means to walk the Western Way — with all its contradictions, revelations, and moments of magic in the mundane.
Show notes:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2884410-outlook-on-our-inner-western-way
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/outlook-on-our-inner-western-way-william-g-gray/1012354701;jsessionid=A81241F159DB9A9D62A460E4E302382D.prodny_store01-atgap18
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by Gary Lachman — musician, writer, and author of twenty-six books on Western esotericism — for a conversation that spans from the Bowery to the astral.Gary was the bassist for Blondie during their early New York years, and shares his journey from a childhood fascination with comics to his time living in a loft with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, where a flamboyant biker artist introduced him to Aleister Crowley. That encounter, and a fateful read of Colin Wilson’s The Occult, set him on a lifelong path through the hidden corridors of consciousness, mysticism, and philosophy.We talk about precognitive dreams and telepathy, the strange electrical accident that may have opened psychic doors, and how a shared dream with his girlfriend became the Blondie song “Touched by Your Presence.” Gary reflects on his shift from rock and roll to writing, his time as a science journalist, and his enduring fascination with thinkers like Gurdjieff, Robert Anton Wilson, and Arthur Koestler.The conversation also explores Gary’s “naturalist” approach to magic — a focus on direct experience rather than dogma — and his philosophy of daily writing as an esoteric practice in itself. Along the way, we touch on David Bowie, near-death encounters, and the lasting influence of Colin Wilson on his work.
Show notes:
https://www.gary-lachman.com
https://www.instagram.com/gvlachman/
https://www.innertraditions.com/touched-by-the-presence
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode I’m joined by Meso-American occultist and historian Solomon Pakal for a wide-ranging exploration of Indigenous magic and its place in modern discourse. Drawing on his background in Indigenous American traditions, Solomon takes us deep into Mayan ceremonial magic, ancestral veneration, and the role of intermediary spirits, while challenging how Indigenous practices are too often romanticised, distorted, or appropriated in Western esotericism.
We discuss the ten types of Maya spirituality beyond the academic five, the significance of corn in cosmology, and the role of daykeepers who maintain the sacred calendar and its thaumaturgic functions. Solomon explains the practice of Nagualism, the power of hieroglyphic language, and the Koyopa system of energy work distinct from the Vedic chakras.
We also explore the vast and sophisticated ceremonial structures of Meso-america, their cosmological systems, and how narrative and “living stories” function as a kind of hypersigilmagic.
In the Plus show, Solomon expands on these themes, delving deeper into narrative worship, geospatial magic, and the hidden sophistication of Mesoamerican energetic practices.
The conversation takes unexpected turns, from the obsidian mirror of John Dee—possibly Aztec in origin—and its link to Enochian spirits, to the enigmatic “Ritual of the Angels” from the Books of Chilam Balam, with its unique vision of celestial ascent. Solomon connects Indigenous American practices to Western occult traditions, making the case for why these systems remain vital and relevant today.
And in a surprising parallel, we turn to combat sports as a living theatre of magic—from Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise and fall to the uncanny similarities with Ilia Topuria’s ascent. We explore how both fighters embody narrative enchantment, peak performance, and the dangerous glamour of meteoric success. Solomon also shares his own training experiences and the role of ritual in the fight game, showing how magic finds expression in the octagon as much as in the temple.
Enjoy
Show notes:
https://www.solomonpakal.com/https://substack.com/@solomonpakal?utm_source=about-pagehttps://www.facebook.com/SolomonPakal13/https://www.instagram.com/solomon.pakal/https://www.youtube.com/@SolomonPakal
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box I’m joined by author and witch, Lee Morgan, to discuss his new title 'The Rag and Bone Man'. which is due out in November and is currently available for pre-order. Lee's work has been a big inspiration to me so it was a real pleasure to talk to him and we had a rich conversation that moved between witchcraft, storytelling, and the strange gothic landscapes of Tasmania.We talked about the genesis of The Rag and Bone Man, a project that began as a novel and grew into a fusion of fiction, research, and grimoire. Lee spoke about writing in trance-like states, about stories that come from spirits themselves, and about the way fiction can become the proper vessel for truths that can’t be held by fact.From there we wandered into the realm of Tasmanian Gothic—its haunted histories, its spirits, and its place in Lee’s search for a writer’s voice between England, Australia, and Tasmania.In the Plus show we explored spiritualism, witchcraft, and the strange physical manifestations of mediumship, alongside the recurring motifs that weave through Lee’s body of work.Our discussion also turned to the craft of writing: the patience it requires, the toll it can take, and the gift of treating creativity as a form of spiritual inheritance. Lee described how characters arrive as if alive, how stories can heal and transform, and how witchcraft itself deepens one’s experience of the world.Along the way we touched on Irish myth, storytelling traditions, the relationship between spirit and text, and the global reach of Lee’s magical writing.Show notes:The Rag and Bone Man https://www.crossedcrowbooks.com/shop...Lee's Patreon / u19417687 Lee's website https://www.leemorganbooks.com/Lee on Instagram / ensorsmasks Sounds of Infinity https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sounds-Infin...Rag and Bone man historical reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rag-and...Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box I’m joined by plant magic practitioner Coby Michael, author of The Poison Path Grimoire. We explore the strange, intoxicating world of poisonous and psychoactive plants—their history, their spirits, and their place in witchcraft and dark herbalism.
Coby shares how his work with these plants led him to classify them into Saturnian, Mercurial, and Venusian types, each carrying its own current of power: the baneful and chthonic, the entheogenic and mercurial, the seductive and Venusian. We talk about how these correspondences emerged through practice and research, and how he incorporates glyphs, runes, and ritual into his work.
Our conversation also turns to the wild, generative forces of nature—trickster currents linked to Pan and Dionysius—that challenge order and offer paths of transformation. We look at the way these energies surface in borderlands, wilderness, and even in the chaos of cities.
Coby speaks openly about his own healing journey and recovery from opioid addiction, and how plant spirits such as belladonna became unlikely allies in that process, echoing their forgotten role in medicine and ritual.
It’s a rich and far-reaching discussion—one that moves between folklore, plant spirit communication, vampiric herbs, and the strange balance between poison and healing.
Show notes:
instagram.com/poisonersapothecary
facebook.com/poisonersapothecary
patreon.com/poisonersapothecary
Keep in touch
In todays episode, I sit down with medium Tracy St. Croi from Austin, Texas. Tracy shares her journey into mediumship, from her first encounters with spirits to her intensive training at the Arthur Findlay College in England. We talk about the challenges of embracing psychic gifts, the ethics of mediumship, and why boundaries are essential when dealing with the spirit world.
Tracy also tells me about her hit TV series Haunted Road Trips Show—currently number one on Binge TV—which takes a fresh, educational approach to paranormal investigation. She recounts standout cases, including the Black Swan Inn in San Antonio, the Kyle Pioneer Cemetery, and even a haunted doll with a story of its own.
In the Plus Show, Tracy and I go deeper into the soul’s journey, past lives, reincarnation, and the ethical responsibilities of psychic mediums. We also discuss how to find a trustworthy mentor, set boundaries with spirit, and what’s coming up in season two of Haunted Road Trips Show.
Show notes:
The Haunted Road trips show https://www.youtube.com/@HauntedRoadTripsShow
Tracy's website https://www.tracystcroimedium.com
The Arthur Findlay College https://www.arthurfindlaycollege.org
Tracy's Patreon https://www.patreon.com/hauntedroadtripsshow
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tracyst.croimedium
Binge TV https://trybinge.tv/programs/haunted-road-trips-show
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box, I am joined by Dr Andrew Manns to discuss his forthcoming book, Aradia’s Hidden Hand: The Untold Life of Roma Lister (Hexen Press, September release).
The conversation explores Roma Lister’s overlooked role in Victorian spiritualism and the occult, from her collaborations with Charles Godfrey Leland—including her involvement in the famous Aradiamanuscript—to her contributions as a folklorist, occult writer, and mentor. Dr Manns traces her connections with Italian folk witchcraft and prominent figures such as Baroness Julia Rosencrantz, and her experimental blend of séances, folk magic, and Theosophy.
Andrew also shares fresh insights into Leland’s influence on modern witchcraft, particularly how Aradia shaped Doreen Valiente’s Wiccan rituals, as well as his own discovery of newly uncovered correspondences between Leland and Lister.
This is a show rich with the hidden histories of folklore, witchcraft, and Victorian spiritualism, shining new light on a woman whose legacy has long been obscured.
Show notes:
About the book https://www.hexen.fr/blog-hexen/livres/aradias-hidden-hand-the-untold-life-of-roma-lister
The Thinkers Garden https://thethinkersgarden.com
Roma Lister https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_Lister
Charles G. Leland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Godfrey_Leland
Aradia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aradiaorthe_Gospel_of_the_Witches
Doreen Valiente https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doreen_Valiente
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow podcaster Douglas Batchelor of What Magic Is This? for a conversation about the mysterious spark at the heart of art and creativity.
Douglas has recently become a father and we kick off our chat on how family life reshapes our relationship with creativity—how the presence of children can sharpen your awareness of time, deepen your sense of wonder, and remind you of the importance of passing on what truly matters.
From there, we explore how poetry, photography, music, and even comics can reach beyond explanation to move us in ways that hint at the ineffable. I share my thoughts on the instinctive side of photography—especially street photography that captures fleeting moments with emotional force—while Douglas and I discuss the power of music, the strange nostalgia of childhood comics, and the shifting landscape of cinema, from Nosferatu on the big screen to today’s spectacle-driven blockbusters. We continue the conversation for another 45 minutes in the plus show and get into some rich territory.
What emerges is a meditation on creativity as something universal and timeless: the drive to make meaning, to capture the ineffable, and to pass along works that connect us across generations.
Show notes:
What Magic is This? https://whatmagicisthis.com
Master and Commander (film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHTHCNYiiHk
Nosferatu (film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nulvWqYUM8k
Oscar Peterson (jazz pianist) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTJhHn-TuDY&list=RDNTJhHn-TuDY&start_radio=1
“Video nasties” — UK horror film ban in the 1980s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_nasty
W.B. Yeats (poet) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WB.Yeats
Yeats - Easter 1916 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43289/easter-1916
Yeats - Sailing to Byzantium https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43291/sailing-to-byzantium
Yeats - The Circus animals desertion https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43299/the-circus-animals-desertion
Emily Dickinson (poet) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Dickinson
Emily Dickinson - I felt a funeral, in my brain, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45706/i-felt-a-funeral-in-my-brain-340
Protestant Ascendancy (historical context in Dublin architecture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Ascendancy
Lascaux's Prehistoric Cave Paintings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A&t=1s
Felix Thiollier (photographer) https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/whats-on/exhibitions/presentation/felix-thiollier-1842-1914-photographs
The Horse Trainer by Felix Thiollier 1899 https://pixels.com/featured/the-horse-trainer-by-felix-thiollier-orca-art-gallery.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqsPCE1575mUAZYSB-udx0zjLW1ok5vaB6pPHdgPFSglmb9CiD2
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel, author of Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson, for a deep dive into the wild and weird territory Wilson loved to inhabit—where Irish folklore, psychedelic exploration, and quantum physics intersect.
Gabriel takes us into Wilson’s 1975 encounter with a Celtic Púca—part holy guardian angel, part mischievous trickster—and shows how this moment connects to his fascination with the “Celtic roots” of quantum theory. We get into William Rowan Hamilton’s strange mathematics that became essential to Schrödinger’s equation, the playful logic of the Irish language, and how Finnegans Wakesomehow helped name a subatomic particle.
In The Plus Show Gabriel and I dig into Wilson’s spontaneous remote viewing experience that took place the exact same day the CIA’s Project Stargate psychics were in action. We also explore his magical practices, the Sirius connection, and his puckish dismantling of conspiracy culture.
It’s a conversation that moves between myth and mathematics, with plenty of mischievous detours—very much in the spirit of Bob himself.
Show notes:
Gabriel Kennedy https://chapelperilous.us
Get the book https://www.lulu.com/shop/gabriel-kennedy-and-douglas-rushkoff-and-grant-morrison-and-laura-kang/chapel-perilous/paperback/product-kvmj4v2.html?srsltid=AfmBOoojOH_J04aew2Q7N-jXvdL6A_HjRxLDdsMqSI4FIcYzN5L7phqL&page=1&pageSize=4
Robert Anton Wilson: Talks About the Pooka. The Giant Rabbit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKVaMO7Qng
The Celtic Roots of Quantum Theory https://sites.google.com/site/onlymaybe/course-notes-and-syllabus/celtic-roots-of-quantum-theory?utm_source=chatgpt.com
RAW books https://rawilson.com/books/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ingrid Cold. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indrid_Cold
The Complete SECRET CIPHER Of the UfOnauts https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-SECRET-CIPHER-UfOnauts/dp/171864535X
Ingrid Cold phone call https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INtbv3cd1BA
Donnie Darko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyBaFYFySk
Woodrow Derenberger talks about his 1966 UFO sighting & encounter with a humanoid named Indrid Cold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_NFPjgCXA
The Púca https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Púca
William Rowan Hamilton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rowan_Hamilton
Finnegans Wake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnegans_Wake
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode of Spirit Box, I catch up with Aidan Wachter for a long overdue catch up on writing, magic, and what it means to stay human while the world feels like it’s cracking open.
Aidan shares where he’s at with his latest book on animism — moving away from the old idea of manifesting stuff and into something deeper. He even talks about receiving guidance from on his walks, which, if you know Aidan, makes perfect sense.
We dig into the weird pressure to have a book in print as some kind of spiritual badge of honour, and an indicator of having maxed out your practice which is rarely the case!
We also talk about the messy association of magic and money — how people still expect quick wealth as proof that the magic works, when the reality is far more complex.
From there, we drift into the state of things — how so many systems are failing and might shift radically in the next decade, and how we try to keep our heads and hearts intact through it all.
In the Plus show, we share how we’re both finding community and mental balance these days. How changes that we've made have given benefits in kind. We discuss how the systems of Empire that are damaging people, and the quiet importance of self-reliance and local knowledge. It’s all part of the same question: how do we stay human, stay connected, and keep the spirit alive against the backdrop of a changing and volatile world?
Show notes:
https://www.aidanwachter.com
https://www.patreon.com/c/aidanwachter/posts
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
In this episode, I sit down with Sheer Zed for a deep and winding exploration of a life spent navigating the liminal spaces of Eastern philosophy, occult practice, and the hidden world of Thai tattoo magic.
Sheer Zed shares how a childhood sparked by Zen stories, beat poets, and old Kung Fu shows led him into a lifelong fascination with Buddhism and the occult. From psychedelic journeys in London’s squat culture to Tibetan teachings in Los Angeles, his path has been anything but ordinary.
We dive into Sheer Zed’s extraordinary experiences receiving Sak Yant — sacred tattoos given by Thai Ajarns (masters) — and the intense rituals that bind ink, mantra, and spirit into living magic. In the Plus show we go deeper still and he recounts vivid encounters with powerful teachers and possession by tiger spirits during ceremonies in Thailand, moments that transformed him forever.
We also explore the rich, sometimes shadowy world of Thai amulets — from skull bones and protective spirits to the ethics of sourcing sacred objects that carry hidden histories.
This conversation wanders through spiritual folklore, animism, Buddhism, and the occult, connecting them all through Sheer Zed’s firsthand stories.
Enjoy
Show notes:
https://linktr.ee/SheerZed
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
Today we chat with wonderful Celeste Mott who has been chronicling her experiences with an online Anne Rice "vampire cult." to great acclaim. A talented writer, witch and storyteller Celeste takes us on a weird and wonderful ride into the strange world of stories bending our reality and 'inviting us' to participate and become characters in tales that envelope our lives. All of which is based on her real life account of being in an online vampire cult in the 2000s.
We spent time dissecting the idea of narrative magic and how the stories we tell ourselves, and the ones we absorb or indeed are captured by, can lead to real-world changes and transformations. Celeste shared some really thought-provoking insights into how childhood experiences and archetypes stick with us, influencing our perceptions in profound ways.
It was clear that her past, particularly those early online encounters, has given her a unique lens through which to view the world, blurring the lines between what's considered real and what might just be a powerful shared imagination. We also touched on her successful video content and how it ties into a broader cultural yearning for mysticism. It's not about proving anything, but rather understanding the human need for these kinds of narratives.
In Plus section, we really go deeper into some of Celeste's thoughts on the dangers of Narrative magic and how these strange phenomena make you question the very nature of reality. Are we in some weird matrix where stories are the very building blocks of our reality and are storytellers the sometimes unwitting creators of our world. We get into the work of Anne Rice in more detail and other storytellers that bring 'currents' into the world like Grant Morrison, Clive Barker and H.P. Lovecraft and how the 'Meta' element seems to be play significant factor in the stories bleeding into our reality.
Show notes:
Start here for The Vampire cult videos https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIUGqpUOmpE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Celeste's website https://www.celestemott.com
Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@celestemoth
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/celestemott
Anne Rice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Rice
Interview with the Vampire 1994 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCmYN6TLd8A
Interview with the Vampire 2022 AMC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Oysn9I9K8
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmason
Today we are joined by Christopher Freeland for a captivating journey into the hidden world of Ireland's mysterious round towers and the ancient art of dowsing. A seasoned practitioner of radiesthesia, Christopher reveals his unique approach to dowsing as a technique to access, what he terms 'the collective consciousness', drawing on his experiences as a monk in India and his extensive research.
This episode challenges conventional historical narratives, as Christopher proposes that the enigmatic round towers of Ireland weren't simply defensive structures against rampaging Vikings but sophisticated ancient technologies designed to harness natural energies. I was fascinated to learn about Christopher's groundbreaking research into the magnetic properties of these ancient stone structures and their surprising connection to agricultural abundance. Could these towers have been influencing plant and animal growth for millennia? It certainly gave me a lot to think about.
In the Plus show we get into the practicalities of pendulum dowsing and his work in Spirit release. Christopher shared invaluable insights from his decades of experience, emphasizing the dedication required to master this powerful tool. He took through the "universal pendulum," a fascinating device connected to multiple frequencies. It was incredible to hear how dowsing can aid in spirit communication and energy healing.
Show notes:
Get the book https://www.innertraditions.com/mysteries-of-the-round-towers
https://radiesthesia.online/
Irish Round Towers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_round_tower
Aughagower https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aughagower
Universal Pendulum https://emeraldinnovations.co.uk/pendulums/universal-pendulum
Chiang Mai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai
Dún Aonghasa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dún_Aonghasa
Brú na Bóinne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrnaBóinn
Petrie Crown http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/irish-crafts/petrie-crown.htm
Other Dimensional Entities https://www.waterstones.com/book/other-dimensional-entities/christopher-freeland/9781916159709
In this episode of 'Spirit Box,' I sit down with the incredible Arden Leigh. A true polymath, they dive deep into how their chaos magic underpins their coaching and repatterning work, and how it all weaves into their music. They’re on a mission to help people transform their lives, and in this conversation, they’ll share how they use these powerful modalities to do just that.
Arden opens up about their fascinating journey, starting with how they combined New Age principles with practical magic to transform their life after moving to Los Angeles. They dive deep into their repatterning project, a powerful method for shifting thought patterns and beliefs to manifest desired outcomes. We discuss their personal experiences with trauma, including hypnotic programming, and how they used both magical and mundane approaches to overcome these challenges, emphasizing the importance of taking control of your own mental programming.
Arden also shares their unique career trajectory, from being a professional dominatrix in New York City to becoming a successful business coach. They reveal how past traumatic experiences, including being doxxed, led them to develop clearer boundaries and processes for client interactions.
We explore their teaching philosophy, the value of community, and the crucial need for internal alignment before seeking external changes. We get into their profound realizations from experiences with cannabis and ayahuasca, and how these led to a deeper understanding of intentional living. We also share our thoughts on the distractions of modern society and the power of consistency in personal development.
In the Plus section show, where we go deeper into these topics and discussing the direct results of sorcery targeted on the self.
Show notes:
https://therepatterningproject.com/
https://www.facebook.com/arden.leigh
https://www.facebook.com/therepatterningproject/
https://www.instagram.com/itsmeardenleigh/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ardensirens
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UW2XTUKJm8srNxBZHyV5f?si=Vbf76f26SLy3CxdYzk0HDw&nd=1&dlsi=777862d922804ed8
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
Join me as I sit down with visionary musician, record producer, author and rock star, Rodney Orpheus, and author, historian and Occult legend, the great Phil Hine,
We are talking about Rodney and Phil's incredible new book, "Delinquent Elementals". This anthology is a treasure trove of the 'Pagan News' zines from the 1980s, offering a unique glimpse into a vibrant community. Rodney and Phil, were the creative pairing behind Pagan News, share how their publication emerged from the thriving Leeds occult scene in the north of England to fill a crucial gap, focusing on local events and unifying diverse pagan voices long before the internet existed.
We have a candid discussion about the infamous Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s. Rodney and Phil recount the very real dangers they faced, from death threats to arson, and how their magazine became a vital tool for documenting this dark period in history. In the Plus show we'll explore their innovative use of desktop publishing, their unique approach to occult satire(including the hilarious Barry Hairbrush!), and the legal and logistical challenges of running a monthly magazine that reached thousands.
Whether you're curious about the intersection between summoning Laser printers and modern paganism, the impact of the Satanic Panic, or just love a good story about community and defiance, this episode is a must-listen! More importantly the book "Delinquent Elementals" preserves a vital piece of occult history for future generations.
Show notes:
Delinquent Elementals from Strange Attractor: https://strangeattractor.co.uk/shoppe/delinquent-elementals/
Phil's Blog https://enfolding.org/
Phil's substack: https://philhine.substack.com/
Phil's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/philh.bsky.social
Rodney's site: http://rodneyorpheus.com
Rodney's insta: https://www.instagram.com/rodneyorpheus/?hl=en
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
In this episode, I'm joined by the prolific Tobias Churton—author, scholar, and one of the most insightful voices on Western esotericism and early Christianity. We open with his recent book The Books of Enoch Revealed, and from there, the conversation unfolds across a wide and fascinating terrain.
Tobias breaks down the Enochic texts and their influence on Jewish mysticism, apocalyptic religion, and the foundations of early Christianity. We explore how the figure of Enoch shaped beliefs around sin, salvation, and the afterlife, and how Jesus' ministry can be reinterpreted through this powerful lens.
In the Plus show, Tobias and I dive deeper into the metaphysical heart of the Enochian tradition, focusing on the figure of Metatron—God’s scribe, “Little Yahweh,” and the transformed identity of Enoch himself. We explore the radical implications of Metatron’s throne in heaven, his relationship to the “Son of Man” archetype, and how this connects to early perceptions of Jesus as a divine intermediary or even a returned Enoch.
Tobias also expands on the cross-cultural evolution of heaven as both a theological concept and a political one. We touch on his forthcoming book, which maps the idea of heaven across history, geography, and belief systems—from the ziggurats of Mesopotamia to mystical ascent in Kabbalah and Islamic cosmology.
This episode is rich in historical insight, theological nuance, and unapologetic critique. Tobias brings the weight of scholarship, but also the fire of someone deeply passionate about preserving the sacred, the strange, and the profound.
Show notes:
https://www.tobiaschurton.com
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781644119259
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-books-of-enoch-revealed-the-wicked-watchers-metatron-and-the-fruits-of-forbidden-knowledge-tobias-churton/21681258?ean=9781644119259
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka