Uncategorized | The Blog of Baphomet

Living in the northern hemisphere, in the British Isles, as we head towards Midsummer there is so much light! As I write this it’s 9:30pm on the 19th of June and the sky is still blue with the longest of twilights.

Spring, with its blossom and bluebells, gives way to the branching white heads of umbellifers and the yellow glow of St John’s Wort as we reach the height of the year. The floral gems of Sedum acre, also known as ‘biting stonecrop’, – from its habit of growing low across almost bare rock – are scattered over the ground at Midsummer. Its habit of growing in luxurious patches over stone gives rise to an alternative name for this vibrantly coloured plant, ‘golden carpet’. The ones shown here are from a little spot beside the river where I like to practice my Qigong.

I’ve been pulling back on some of my work, or at least trying to, so I can focus on doing more writing, I’m currently about 13k words into a new book project. That said, there’s still plenty of cool things planned over the next few months that I wanted to share with you…

One big project that reaches its next stage this year is the release of more of my Magical Qabalistic pathworkings with Treadwell’s Books. These guided audio journeys through the tarot paths and sephira of the Tree of Life are designed to work even if you only know a little Qabalistic symbolism, while those more familiar the Tree will be able to appreciate the rich iconography woven into the pieces. Each journey is built using a carefully crafted blend of spoken word and original soundscapes, using contemporary and cross-cultural imagery to make the Qabalistic system really accessible. There is some challenging material here; these are not a series of easy-going well being meditations. Unsurprisingly the path of The Tower and sphere of Geburah include some challenging material. My intention has been to provide a deep and, at times, intense set of practices which can be used multiple times. I’m planning eventually to produce guided audio journeys for every sphere and path of the Tree of Life.

The first group of pathworkings are already available here and I’ll be teaching a two-part workshop which will sit alongside the new audio tracks that are due be released in the autumn. If you’ve never explored the Qabalah before these workshops will give you an easy introduction to the system, while experienced practitioners will discover new ways to think about and connect with the various zones of the Tree.

I’ll also be teaching sessions on The Magick of Aleister Crowley and Knowledge & Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel online, and presenting two in-person events at Treadwell’s for those who are able make it to London in September, The Magic of Sound and Vision and Psychedelic Magic.

Another big project, this time with The College of Psychic Studies, is the first London exhibition from The Order of the Sun and Moon (OSM). Kate Southworth, Greg Humphries and I will be showing our magical artworks at the College from the 30th of August until the 27th of September. We’re also doing some in-person esoteric art workshops and a group ceremony on the opening weekend. And before that we’re inviting you to a free online event where we’ll be sharing some of our practice, including a preview of some of the artworks we’ll be showing in London. In February 2025 OSM will be exhibiting again in St.Ives, Cornwall to coincide with a show at the Tate gallery, St Ives of work by the occultist, artist and esoteric founder of the Order, Ithell Colquhoun.

I’m going to be doing additional workshops with the College later in this year – see my listings on their site for details – which will include a deep-dive, eight-part course on the Eight Colours of Chaos Magic in theory and, most importantly, practice.

Finally, I’m proud to be a member of The Fellowship of Psychonauts; we offer multidisciplinary teaching in psychedelic space holding, with a focus on an apprenticeship model and practical skills development. Our next psychedelic ceremonial retreat in the Netherlands will be held in October this year, from the 9th to the 15th, with additional sessions before and after the retreat providing a six month training program. This program is for people who already have some psychedelic experience, and want to broaden and deepen their space-holding practice. It’s also for those who want to get a better understanding of ceremony, and to have an opportunity to explore what other roles they might be suited to within the wider psychedelic community. To find out more and register your interest click here.

The sun stands still, the tide of the year changes. I wish my friends in the northern hemisphere a bright Midsummer, and a cosy Midwinter for my friends in the south.

From the heights of the heavens, to the depths of the earth, we are one heart, connected.

Sending blessings to you all from sunny Devon!

Julian

Hello Friends,

Here in the northern hemisphere the equinoctial shift has passed and we begin to enter the rich darkness. The new academic year begins and we move inside, away from the frolics of the summer, and our attention is once more drawn within. As they say in psychedelic therapy ‘the darkness is where the treasure lies’; the darkness may be challenging but it is also in this deep within that insights can be found.

Like it says on the Thoth Tarot card Art (aka Temperance): “Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapiiderm”, Latin for “Visit the interior parts of the earth; by rectification thou shalt find the hidden stone.” The hidden stone is the philosopher’s stone. Rectification is an alchemical process of purification through repeated distillation. In the dark part of the year we distil and refine what we have learnt in the bright months to create the conditions for transformation.

I hope that you’ve been able to grow successfully this year and if, like me, you are feeling that northern descent into the darkness, you can experience it as nourishing, empowering and good.

I’m very pleased to have been invited to do more psychedelic teaching this year on Laura-Dawn’s Transilience Program and for the Stewards of the Sacred Global Online Gathering led by Natasja Pelgrom (details to be released soon).

I’m also offering a workshop on Psychedelic Magic with Treadwell’s and looking forward to working with the fabulous Fungi Academy at their HQ in Guatemala teaching on the Sacred Space Holder Program.

This autumn also sees me showing some of my magical art at St Ives in Cornwall from the 4th to the 9th of November alongside Kate Southworth and Greg Humphries. Collectively we’re known as The Order of the Sun and Moon, a name taken from the title of an essay by artist-occultist Ithell Colquhoun.

We’re running a series of both online and live events including discussions, rituals and workshops. You’re also invited to attend the private view of the gallery, just drop me a message to contactdeepmagic@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming along.

I’d also like to draw your attention to the work of The Good Beast with their swirling psychedelic sound and cool merchandise that features an artwork by me 😀 Their first album is launched this month.

And just for fun I’ll be visiting Berlin for a second time this year to attend the Occulture Conference. I’m not to speak this time so I can focus on the delight of simply hanging out at Europe’s foremost occult conference.

Closer to home, my old home city of Bristol in fact, I’m doing a talk about Psychedelic Magic at the local Pagan moot. Here’s the fabulous poster that a friend designed for the event:

Finally, I’m doing a deep dive into the Thoth Tarot online in November, suitable both for complete novices to the tarot and to old hands with the Thoth or other decks.

Sending you best wishes, dear friends, for your autumnal adventures – or spring explorations for those in the southern hemisphere – and hope I’ll see you online or in person soon.

Much love from sunny Devon!

Julian