Author Archive | chrisorapello

Conspiracies and World Peace

By on July 4, 2011 in News, Podcasts 4

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #021 — Conspiracies and World Peace

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we look into the popular issues with conspiracy theories and uncover the truth behind what they are. Is the government really spying us? Do conspiracy theories actually reveal anything significant or is there something deeper and more personal behind their existence in the world?

In “A Corner in the Occult” we visit early 20th century Germany and discuss the Nazis and the issues pertaining to their possible involvement with occultism. Many people like to attribute their rise to power and the events pertaining to the Second World War to their involvement in the occult arts and even demonic influence.

We also read some listener email and in “The Essence of Magick” series we talk about visualization and astral projection. Learn why visualization is so important to the magickal arts and learn how to astral project in this episode’s installment of this great and informative series!

And to close, we finish the episode with a look into the ever present concern and pursuit for world peace. Take a new perspective on the issues surrounding world peace and why it may not be the easiest thing to accomplish after all despite what some people say about it.

To message the show please go here.

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Reiki, Yoga, and Wellness

By on April 30, 2011 in Podcasts 9

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #020 — Reiki, Yoga, and Wellness

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In this episode we go on location to talk about Reiki and Yoga with Janet Watkins from Live in Joy Yoga and Wellness in Audubon, NJ. Janet shares with us some of her experiences and insights as a registered Yoga instructor and Reiki Master.

We learn about Russian healer, prophet, and monk Grigori Rasputin in A Corner in the Occult. Rasputin was the adviser to the Russian royal family during the turn of the 20th century which was an unusual position of power for someone who wasn’t born of Russian Nobility and it would be this position that would eventually lead to his elaborate and trial some death in 1916. He is often argued by some to have contributed greatly to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty in 1917, which was the last dynasty to rule over Russian.

We speak with local musician Robin Renee who describes herself as being a Mantra-Pop recording artist, a wayward poet, an obsessive fangirl, and writes from the intersection of music, eros, and the Divine. We also feature several of Robin’s songs during the show, discuss the ideas surrounding energy in The Essence of Magick, read some email, listen to some great music, and have a joyful and insightful time doing it.

To message the show please go here.

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Dissecting Wicca

By on February 19, 2011 in News, Podcasts 0

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #019 — Dissecting Wicca

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we dissect and learn about the contemporary pagan religion known of as Wicca. We speculate about some of its primary roots and influences and go into more depth than most books on subject ever seem to go. Find out what makes Wicca what it is and what makes a Wiccan a Wiccan in this break down of the religion of Wicca.

We learn about Doreen Valiente in this episode’s edition of A Corner in the Occult. The famed Mother of Modern Witchcraft played a crucial role in the existence and development of Wicca throughout the entirety of the twentieth century. Doreen was one of Gerald Gardners early High Priestesses and later authored of several well respected texts on witchcraft and became the Patron of the Center for Pagan Studies in 1995.

In the Essence of Magick we look into the idea, practice, and significance of ritual initiation and the role it plays in groups and in religions such as Wicca. We even discuss the idea behind the popular modern Wiccan practice of self-initiation and looking into the reality and practicality of such a ceremony. I also read some listener messages and to close we discuss advanced Wicca and ways in which one can enrich their religious experience.

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Low Magick

By on December 22, 2010 in News, Podcasts 6

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #018 — Low Magick

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we welcome back author Lon Milo DuQuette and talk about the rerelease of his Tarot of Ceremonial Magick and his new book Low Magick: It’s all in your head… You just have no idea how big your head is and we touch upon some of what he mentions in it; like his discomfort with the ideas of low and high magick, his concept of The Great G, pop goes Ganesha, and the celebrating of Christmas as a non-Christian.

We discuss my appearance on Beyond the Threshold with Gary Blackheart that occurred back in November. Gary took me beyond the threshold we discussed some touchy and often difficult issues that I have mentioned in the past on this podcast. I elaborate on my crisis of faith and come to some refreshing conclusions.

In A Corner in the Occult we learn about The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage and ceremonial goal of one attaining Knowledge and Conversation with their Holy Guardian Angel. The most familiar edition of the book was translated in 1900 by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers for incorporation into the curriculum of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The book reveals a ritual procedure that becomes a pinnacle goal for ceremonial magickians of the western esoteric tradition.

Later we talk about “words of power” in the Essence of Magick series and look into language, words, and meaning and the roles they play in magick and ritual. I also read listener email and we have a good time as always!

To message the show please go here.

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Ghosts and Loyd Auerbach

By on November 11, 2010 in News, Podcasts 4

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #017 — Ghosts and Loyd Auerbach

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we speak to Parapsychologist Loyd Auerbach about his experiences as a paranormal investigator. Loyd runs the Office of Paranormal Investigations out in California and has been consulted and featured on many shows dealing with hauntings and the paranormal. Loyd talks to us about being a parapsychologist and ghosts, educational opportunities, investigating, and we even discuss some of the current television shows that depict paranormal investigation.

I share some of my own personal ghost stories, one of which occurred when I was very young and the other when I was much older. My interest in the paranormal started from this very early experience as a child; while the other experience taught me that you never know when you’re being watched and by whom.

We learn about famous escape artist and medium debunker Harry Houdini in A Corner in the Occult. Can you untie knots with your toes? Houdini could! Learn about this famous magician, his battle with the spiritualist movement during the early 20th century and why he is spotlighted in this episode’s edition of A Corner in the Occult.

Also in the episode, I read listener email. We see which listener won a copy of Jeva Singh-Anand’s book Bed Time Stories for the Faint of Heart. And in The Essence of Magick Series we discuss the ideas behind magickal intent and learn about what makes it up and how it applies to greater scope of one’s existence and not exclusively to the practice of magick. This is a real fun episode. I hope enjoy it!

To message the show please go here.

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A Crisis of Faith

By on September 29, 2010 in Podcasts 0

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #016 — A Crisis of Faith

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we talk with fellow podcaster and author Jeva Singh-Anand about his new book Bedtime Stories for the Faint of Heart. Jeva is the host of the Lance and Graal podcast and Professor Zarnoff’s Channel on YouTube. We also discuss his background as a former Christian Fundamentalist and what happened to cause him to move away from his life as a fundamentalist.

I go back to Lodge after a year of staying away from it and I share my experiences with that return. We learn about 16th century heresy in this episode’s edition of A Corner in the Occult as we learn about Father Giordano Bruno. I read a single listener message to a nostalgic pagan podcaster music track. I also announce a contest for this episode.

We start The Essence of Magick Series by looking into “Belief and Magick.” How much does belief really play into the practice and effect of magick and how does one apply the will to their magick and how do such acts differ from mundane acts which may be of a similar content and nature.

We hear a great music track from Tenpenny Joke an Alternative Australian band who may not be a pagan band, but who absolutely rocks none-the-less and we are glad to have them in this episode! And to close we look into crises of faith, what they are, and why they’re actually beneficial for one’s spiritual growth and a positive sign of one’s dedication to their path.

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Ergo, the Ego

By on August 8, 2010 in Podcasts 0

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #015 — Ergo, the Ego

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In the latest episode we discuss the Ego, ergo the name of this episode, and we explore some of the issues surrounding it with prominent occult author and musician Lon Milo DuQuette as well as talk about his new book titled Low Magick: It’s All In Your Head … You Just Have No Idea How Big Your Head Is.

Not only is Lon Milo DuQuette the author of over a dozen books on western esotericisim, but he is also the United States Deputy Grand Master of the O:.T:.O:., an expert on the life of and work of Aleister Crowley, and a Brother Freemason as well. In my interview with Lon he shares some his personal insights and tales in regards to the ego and we even address the role that the ego plays in groups and fraternal organizations such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and even in Freemasonry.

Also in the show, we go on location in eastern Pennsylvania to get in touch with nature and paganism by studying some of the indigenous wildlife. We finally wrap up our journey through the Kybalion as we revisit what we’ve learned with a new perspective on life as we reflect upon the idea of the self. I announce a new show segment series for the podast. I read some of the listener email that has come to show since Episode 14 and our talk with Dr. Dean Radin. In A Corner in the Occult we learn about Doctor and Lawyer, Henri Cornelius Agrippa the famous German Renaissance author of the Three Books of Occult Philosophy. And we find out which lucky listener won a copy of Dr. Dean Radin’s book Entangled Minds. All this and more in this latest installment of The Infinite and the Beyond!

To message the show please go here.

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Discover ‘Hidden Wisdom’ with Tim Wallace-Murphy

By on August 2, 2010 in News 0
Galileo facing the Roman Inquisition. Painting by Cristiano Banti (1857).

Galileo facing the Roman Inquisition. Painting by Cristiano Banti (1857).

Chris Orapello writes on The Infinite and The Beyond:

Tim Wallace-Murphy, co author of Rosslyn, The Knights of the Holy Grail, and other books dealing with the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, presents humankind’s pursuit to enlightenment with his new release Hidden Wisdom, Secrets of the Western Esoteric Tradition.

In this book Tim Wallace-Murphy takes a look into the evolution of human spirituality and its relationship as a species to divinity and the manifested world throughout the periods of civilization. Starting with the dawn of time and continuing up to the present day, he provides a historical commentary on the growth of thought and through his focus establishes a chain of understanding while revealing some of the pivotal relationships that exist between the faiths, theologies, philosophies as well as the political, social, industrial and technological elements of human growth that have developed over the continuance of human history.

… Read the rest

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Magick With Dr. Dean Radin

By on June 28, 2010 in News, Podcasts 0

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #014 — Magick with Dr. Dean Radin

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we learn about the legendary 14th century French alchemist Nicolas Flamel in “A Corner in the Occult.”

Rumors say that Nicholas and his wife were able to turn mercury into gold and as a result of their experiments possibly even created the mystical Elixir of Life providing them both with immortality.

We talk with author and parapsychologist Dr. Dean Radin, senior scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and author of Entangled Minds, Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality.

During the course of the interview we talk about the Global Consciousness Project and touch upon what this could mean for the world. We also discuss his experiences as a research scientist and finally how his findings and current understandings relate to the art and practice of magick.

I also read some of the listener messages that I received since the last episode via the show website, podcast alley, and the show network. I even announced a new show contest where one lucky listener will win a copy of Dr. Radin’s most recent book Entangled Minds.

The drawing for this contest will occur in the next episode and if you are interested in participating be sure to enter by going here. All this and more in this great episode, blessed be and 93! Check the show notes for all links mentioned.

To message the show please go here.

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A Little Bit of Bohemia

By on May 26, 2010 in News, Podcasts 1

The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode 13 — A Little Bit of Bohemia

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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we look into bohemianism and its similarities to modern paganism. The history of bohemianism reveals a lot about modern paganism and even indicates much of where modern pagan ideals and sense of community have come from.

People typically often compare modern pagans to the hippies of the 1960s, but as we find out, the roots of the all of those counter culture movements from the last one hundred years run so much deeper!

Join us as we journey into the world of Green Fairy as we discuss absinthe the famous mythic bohemian drink of writers, artists, composers, and actors from the late 19th century. We look into absinthe’s brief history and learn how to prepare it, enjoy it, and how to buy it.

In A Corner in the Occult, we learn about famous author, psychic, medium, and magickian Dion Fortune. Psychic since she was a young child Dion Fortune was a member of the Alpha et Omega and found her own esoteric order towards the end of her life. Still available, her books and teachings continue to inform and inspire occultists and magickians to this day.

We explore the Principle of Gender in our journey through the Kybalion and learn about inherent the necessity of balance which exists in all parts and levels of creation. Similar in notion to the Taoist Yin Yang or in Eliphas Levi’s famous in mage of Baphomet.

We memorialize the recent passing of Peter Steele from the band Type O Negative and we hear a song from them as well. We read some of the listener email that has come in since the last episode. We play some great music and see which two lucky listeners will win copies of Stacey Fitzpatrick’s album Forever More. To close we talk about Gender and Deity and look into the issues that they reveal about modern paganism. And more in this fun episode!

To message the show please go here.

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