The ancient Athenians practiced binding magick as shown by a 2300 year old curse jar and 2500 year old curse tablets, all discovered fairly recently. Curse Jar Inside the curse jar, archaeologists found iron nail, coin and bones of a chicken [Credit: Athenian Agora Excavations] Jessica Lamont, a professor of Classics at Yale University, wrote an article published in the American School of Classical Studies in Athens’ journal Hesperia 90 (2021), The Curious Case of the Cursed Chicken: A New... Read more

Review of Queer Magic: LGBT+ Spirituality and Culture from Around the World by Tomás Prower. In the predominantly heteronormative western world, shaped by an adherence to Abrahamic faiths, LGBTQ+ people are often made to feel like outsiders. Sadly, in the USA a disproportionate number of homeless youths are from this demographic, often running away from home to escape family conflicts. But it wasn’t always like this for LGBTQ+ youth, there was a time when they were cherished rather marginalized, and... Read more

The best dancers train as hard as high level athletes, but yet express themselves artistically when performing. Watching those who have mastered their craft, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, it appears that there are forces at play that bend the laws of physics, causing their moves to appear effortless and almost in slow motion. Mikhail Baryshnikov dancing at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris on October 19, 1978.   Perhaps the most powerful indication of non-physical forces can be found in... Read more

Regardless of which pantheon a pagan feels drawn to, and works with, it is intuitively obvious that certain times and certain days will make for a more effective ritual. But how do we determine those times and days? Read more

A number of studies have shown that a lack of social connectedness causes depression. Volunteering fosters a sense of connection by having people interacting with others in valuable ways and being appreciated, which can help depression, particularly in those who are already in therapy. Interconnectedness is at the very heart of Hermeticism, the study of which could prove useful in reducing depression. I recently wrote a blog, “Mental Health: An Ancient Greek Approach” where I touched on the prevalence of... Read more

Review of Living Magic: Contemporary Insights and Experiences from Practicing Magicians by Frater U.: D.:, Axel Budenbender, Harry Eilenstein and Josef Knecht. The Bonn Workshop for Experimental Magic was formed in 1979 by a dozen people at the Horus Esoteric Bookshop in Bonn. The group was guided by Aleister Crowley’s adjuration to employ “the method of science; the aim of religion”, so as to facilitate objective testing over a period of three years. Living Magic is an anthology of 24... Read more

Serious cases of mental illness should always be referred to mental health professionals. However, those with mild cases who choose to self-treat may benefit from herbs and supplements, along with calling on a couple of Greek deities.   Mental Illness in Greek Mythology In his essay, “Where Does Mental Illness Come From? Greek mythology vs. psychiatric mythology”, Michael Fontaine PhD argues that Greek mythology and psychiatry are closely connected. In mythology, characters are defined by the actions rather than their... Read more

“Orpheus, the famed oracle orator hero of Greece, began to teach a new religion at the dawn of the Archaic Age. Deeply rooted in ancient paganism, Orphism taught a doctrine of peace-seeking, reincarnation, and universal brotherhood. The followers, like their leader, worshiped their gods with song. Eighty seven of these ancient hymns have survived to the present day, and are called The Orphic Hymns.  …  “ Orphic Hymns Grimoire by Sara L Mastros is the fourth well-known mass market translation... Read more

It is said that we should always turn negative life experiences into positive life lessons. Let me illustrate this with a recent personal event.   Negative life experience In early February, 2021, I found myself in a rather nice Orange County Hospital Emergency Room examining my leg and noting that the swelling had reduced by about a half overnight. Clearly the treatment was working. Asking the question posed by Talking Heads in Once In a Lifetime, “Well… how did I... Read more

A relationship with the divine is best brought about through prayer and reciprocity. Prayer The closest writings the Greeks had to the Christian Bible were the Homeric epics, and they would turn to them for instruction. “An example of a formula that can be employed is borrowed from the very beginning of Homer’s Iliad, which opens with a prayer for vengeance to his god by Chryses, the priest of Apollon. ‘Hear me,’ he cried, ‘O god of the silver bow,... Read more