Contemporary Occult Writers
Aug. 14th, 2022 11:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brenainnI've spent the last two years reading mostly one contemporary writer in the occult world and the occasional work he has recommended. I have no regrets about this, for I have learned much from him. I am, of course, speaking of John Michael Greer. For both introductory and advanced levels of study, Greer is second to none. For beginners and up, I highly recommend his work. But lately, I've decided to study other contemporary occult writers. So far, two have become very helpful and/or interesting sources.
The first is Agostino Taumaturgo, an independent Catholic cleric, and someone whose work I have read a little over the past two years. Lately, I've been following his live streams on Facebook (now that I have resumed a minor level of activity there), as well as acquiring a couple of new books he has written. This has allowed me a much deeper understanding of his occult teachings. I see a lot of overlap between what he is teaching and Greer's work. Differences exist, of course, since Taumaturgo's theology is fairly orthodox Christian. But so far, I've profited quite a bit from Taumaturgo.
The other writer is Tarl Warwick, or Styxhexenhammer666. I originally made my way to his occult material somewhat indirectly. He posts a lot of great commentary about political news, and I enjoy his personal style. So, I became a regular viewer of his non-occult material, then began to watch more and more of his occult videos. A few months back, I finally began buying some of his books. He's got a good collection of books he's written, and many, many more public domain works that he's edited and sells hard copies of. The differences between his occult philosophy and that of Greer and Taumaturgo are much more evident.
I'm actually pleased with this. As of late, I've realized that human beings have a tendency to become too complacent when it comes to learning and knowledge. We find one or two sources that comports well with our worldview, and we then rely quite a bit on that source or two. And given human nature, we tend not to be too critical of our favorite sources. Since I don't believe that human nature can be changed all that much, I have no real issue with this. But as I reflect more on it, I realize that contrary views are important for me to encounter in my studies and to reflect deeply on those differences. Occultists with very different philosophies and other beliefs are a crucial part of my education and training as a mage.
And so I'm now questioning many of the assumptions that I've formed over the past two years. Not so much because I doubt them (for the most part, I do not) but simply to make sure I'm learning what is as close to the truth as I can get. Having been so wrong, and yet still so convinced at the time, about the 'truth' of monotheism, I do not wish to make the same mistake again. And so I'm reading any half-way sane take on occultism, and trying to flesh out my personal occult philosophy as well as I can.
If anyone has any other contemporary occult writers to recommend, I'd love to hear those suggestions.
The first is Agostino Taumaturgo, an independent Catholic cleric, and someone whose work I have read a little over the past two years. Lately, I've been following his live streams on Facebook (now that I have resumed a minor level of activity there), as well as acquiring a couple of new books he has written. This has allowed me a much deeper understanding of his occult teachings. I see a lot of overlap between what he is teaching and Greer's work. Differences exist, of course, since Taumaturgo's theology is fairly orthodox Christian. But so far, I've profited quite a bit from Taumaturgo.
The other writer is Tarl Warwick, or Styxhexenhammer666. I originally made my way to his occult material somewhat indirectly. He posts a lot of great commentary about political news, and I enjoy his personal style. So, I became a regular viewer of his non-occult material, then began to watch more and more of his occult videos. A few months back, I finally began buying some of his books. He's got a good collection of books he's written, and many, many more public domain works that he's edited and sells hard copies of. The differences between his occult philosophy and that of Greer and Taumaturgo are much more evident.
I'm actually pleased with this. As of late, I've realized that human beings have a tendency to become too complacent when it comes to learning and knowledge. We find one or two sources that comports well with our worldview, and we then rely quite a bit on that source or two. And given human nature, we tend not to be too critical of our favorite sources. Since I don't believe that human nature can be changed all that much, I have no real issue with this. But as I reflect more on it, I realize that contrary views are important for me to encounter in my studies and to reflect deeply on those differences. Occultists with very different philosophies and other beliefs are a crucial part of my education and training as a mage.
And so I'm now questioning many of the assumptions that I've formed over the past two years. Not so much because I doubt them (for the most part, I do not) but simply to make sure I'm learning what is as close to the truth as I can get. Having been so wrong, and yet still so convinced at the time, about the 'truth' of monotheism, I do not wish to make the same mistake again. And so I'm reading any half-way sane take on occultism, and trying to flesh out my personal occult philosophy as well as I can.
If anyone has any other contemporary occult writers to recommend, I'd love to hear those suggestions.
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