I'm really a fan of the dogmatized occultisms. The orders like Illuminates of Thanateros, Golden Dawn, John Dee's books, even Wicca, Discordians.

It's really interesting rabbit hole that's a nice open-mindness exercise, plus it's fascinating to experiment with.

Almost everyone I've met who showed any interrest in occultism was always taking it too seriously, to the point of sounding unhealthy. They either knew and read the actual sources, and were too much into it, or they had some kind of random vibes-based new-age approach (and also were too much into it to the point of sounding insane).

I never really understood that. Maintaining an open mind while still keeping a little bit of dostance from it, taking it more like a research into history with a bit of curious practice (basically LARPing would be a perfect analogy), is fun and what I did, but people usually just let it take over their lifes in very unhealthy fashion.

I've tried out several of the orders/practices, and each one was fascinating to get into, I would say had overall positive effect on my life, even if it was just having fun larping/method acting and exploring what effects it has on my mental state.

I never interacted with the community, though. I've only met one other person who has similar aproach, and a lot of people who you'd consider insane upon hearing how they talk about it.

I highly recommend giving it a try with open mind. I work in IT, never really was into spiritualism or religion, but getting through i.e this book on Wicca, with an open mind, without prejudice and giving it a honest try, was really an eye openning experience. I didn't stick with it for long, but the few months I tried were suprisingly fun. It's basically solo LARPing.

Also, the whole history around that and other cults is really fascinating read, but trying out the practice is where most of the controversal (for some) fun is. But again - it's like with religion - you have to be careful not to let it take over your life, annoy others with it, or use it as an excuse for anything, from why your life sucks or why you can be a dick.

I like my polarising sunglasses. And old exploitation flicks.

For instance, my favorite book series is John Dies At The End

Love that book!

I will die on the hills that:

1. Conan the Barbarian is a philosophical movie asking deep questions about family and identity...a true masterpiece.
2. Darth Jar-Jar is 100% true and I wish wish wish Lucas had had the guts to actually follow that storyline.

Thanks for saying this! I wouldn't go as far as to say that everybody should have something like that. Rather, I think it's important that if you happen to have something that you like and people question it, that you give zero fucks. 😊❤️

I keep coming back to this ambient/instrumental track called “Blooming Scape” by Ryo Yamazaki, for at least the last decade and a half. It rests my heart and raises my spirit and I’m almost entirely positive I’m the one who’s listened to it the most.

There was a six part series called “Snuff Box” on the BBC about 20 years ago. Out of context a few clips are quite famous but nobody has ever mentioned the series to me by name. It’s still my favourite TV programme - alongside Monkey Dust; an absolute gem of an animation.

Snuff Box shares a few actors with G M’s Dark Place so thought I’d give it a mention.

I like magnets