Alchemy and Mysticism – Myth Crafts

The Mapmaker, the Alchemist and the Island of Magnets: Rupes Nigra

Yes, magnets are cool, but there’s also something downright magical about them…

So, What’s In A Name? Sometimes, what was an odd bit of cultural theorizing becomes mainstream; C.K., or common knowledge as it’s known in academic circles. A… Read more “A Transylvanian in Ireland: Dracula’s Celtic Roots”

In recent decades, there has been a pop cultural and feminist reclamation of Morgan La Fey, savior and nemesis to King Arthur. This re-appropriation is historically grounded,… Read more “the Demonization of Morgan La Fey: A Timeline”

Imagine this: your father was a powerful Samurai, who led an unsuccessful revolt against the Emperor. And so, in the (Western) year 939 C.E., the Emperor had… Read more “Waterfall Demon Princess: Raising the Bones of the Dead”

If the Major Arcana of the Tarot is mysterious, then the Fool is the Mystery of All Mysteries. For one thing, there’s the assigned number. Remember that… Read more “The Fool: Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost”

This post will serve as a guide to the Splendor Solis, an “illuminated manuscript” of Alchemical knowledge. It also contains a nod towards Jung’s notions of Mandalas;… Read more “The Splendor Solis and the Jungian Mandala: 22 Images of the Soul”

After Lao-tsi’s Dao Teh Ching, perhaps the most important Daoist text is the Zhuangzi. It is mythic, poetic and satiric. And as for its author? Well, his… Read more “The Dao of Dying: Zhuangzi Dreams of Being a Butterfly”

In the past, Zombie possession was typically presented in Western media as a function of sorcery, often tied to Africa or Haiti. While these Zombies were mind… Read more “Touched by a Zombie: the Tibetan Ro-Langs”

Lady’s Mantle is a fairly common plant, with its 300 plus species native throughout the cooler regions of Europe and Asia as well as the mountainous regions… Read more “Alchemical Water: the Magic of Lady’s Mantle”

Let me begin with a significant disclaimer: Kids, don’t try this at home. To be a little more serious about it, today’s topic is demonology; specifically, the… Read more “Deals with the Devil: the Red Dragon’s Demons”