May 4, 2024

In Darren Aronofsky's 2006 film The Fountain, the main character takes a kabbalistic journey with a literal tree of life. Yet, Tom, in his desperate attempts to cheat death, is the ultimate colonizer. Read more

April 23, 2024

Adaptations of Dune present the tensions and ambivalence around occult ideas that pervades our current popular culture. Herbert's novels were cautionary tales about putting one's faith in institutions and religious beliefs, predicting so much of what we continue to deal with in the early 21st century. Read more

April 8, 2024

Dune is a prominent part of countercultural and occultural history. While Villeneuve's adaptation merely hints at the religious and occult aspects of the novel, any fans of the novel series are familiar with just how strange Herbert's imagination could get. Read more

March 22, 2024

Twin Temple wraps subversive messages of sex positivity, bodily autonomy, and a healthy dose of Satanism in a slick of package of rock and roll doo-wop. Read more

March 15, 2024

The Disney classic Darby O'Gill and the Little People is worth revisiting this St. Patrick's Day season for its culturally accurate representation of Irish folklore and a wee bit of magick. Read more

March 19, 2021

To what extent do we idolize superheroes who would be utterly narcissistic and abusive if they existed in reality? In WandaVision, we see the effects of the main character's grief and trauma on everyday people, where manipulative magick is a metaphor for gaslighting. In Wanda's case, she literally projects her denial on a screen for others to watch. Read more

February 15, 2021

Last week, the world of academic Pagan Studies lost a giant. Scholar, author, researcher, and drummer Wendy Griffin passed away at the age of 78 on February 12th. Her death was deeply affecting to me and to many others who knew her, were influenced by her or supported by her as she strove to legitimize the academic study of Paganism. Read more

February 10, 2021

With further revelations of Joss Whedon's conduct on the set of his iconic shows, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," fans and scholars wonder what to make of Whedon's tarnished legacy as a "feminist" filmmaker. Read more

February 4, 2021

Norwegian group Wardruna continues its journey through the realms of Norse animism with its latest release "Kvitravn." Famous for his work with the tv show "Vikings," bandleader and historian Einar Selvik offers an inspiring perspective on music as a spiritual tool. Read more

January 31, 2021

Neil Gaiman's comic "Sandman," remains one of the most important occultural artifacts of the late 20th century. After decades of failed attempts, an upcoming Netflix production promises to finally bring the complex story to the screen. What do the recent casting announcements tell us about what to expect? Read more

Follow Us!



Browse Our Archives