Down at the Crossroads

Latest Episodes:

TI&TB #021 - Conspiracies and World Peace Jun 26, 2011

Show notes

In this episode 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 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 issues surrounding world peace and why it may not be the easiest thing to accomplish after all despite what some people say.

Links: Pagan Values Blogject, South Jersey Pagan Pride, Nazis: The Occult Conspiracy, College Humor Originals: Nazi Zombies, Dead Snow Trailer, Outpost Trailer, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited, Kevin Wood, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Persian Paladin,

Promos: Pennies in the Well, Magick and Mundane, The Witches View Podcast, Media Astra Ac Terra,

Featured Music: Grace Buford,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #020 - Reiki, Yoga, and Wellness Apr 12, 2011

Show notes

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 her songs in during the show, discuss the ideas surrounding energy in The Essence of Magick, read some listener email, listen to some great music, and have joyful and insightful time doing it.

Links: Live in Joy Yoga and Wellness, International Pagan Coming Out Day, Pagan Podkin Super Moot 2011, Peter Dybing, Pagan Japan Relief Project, The Dream Between, Coffee-Works (VTC), Title Goes Here:, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Robin Renee, The-Watcher, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Persian Paladin,

Featured Music: Amy Rigby, Robin Renee,

Promos: Pennies in the Well, Borealis Meditation,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #019 - Dissecting Wicca Feb 13, 2011

Show notes

In this episode 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 Gardner's 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.

Links: Doreen Valiente, Pagan Federation, Pantheon Blog: Wicca Series, Title Goes Here:, Misanthrope Press, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Juliana Hatfield, Lindie Lila, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Persian Paladin,

Promos: New World Witchery, The Scotchcast, Media Astra Ac Terra, Pagan FM!, The Wigglian Way, Pagan Centered Podcast

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #018 - Low Magick Dec 21, 2010

Show notes

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 and 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 as well as the roles they play in magick and ritual. I also read listener email and we have a good time as always! All this and more!

Links: Lon Milo DuQuette, Email Lon, Tarot of Ceremonial Magick, Thelesis Aura, Beyond the Threshold, Tenacity Radio, The Juggler, Pagan Newswire Collective, Rikki LaCoste, Rikki Come Home Video, Title Goes Here:, Misanthrope Press, ChrisOrapello.com, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Guy David, Persian Paladin,

Featured Music: Louis Armstong and the Commanders,

Promos: Media Astra Ac Terra, Beyond the Threshold, Kakophonos, Pagan FM, Lakefront Pagan Voice,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #017 - Ghosts and Loyd Auerbach Nov 08, 2010

Show notes

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, 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 much 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!

Links: Loyd Auerbach, Tenacity Radio, Title Goes Here:, Misanthrope Press, ChrisOrapello.com, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Ludovico Einaudi, ASCIAN, Jim Butler, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Guy David, Ray Parker Jr., Persian Paladin,

Promos: A Pagan Heart in Maine, Beyond the Threshold, Kakophonos, Media Astra Ac Terra, Pagan FM!,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #016 - A Crisis of Faith Sep 26, 2010

Show notes

In this episode 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 it. I go back to lodge after a year of staying away from it and I share my experiences about 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 their will to their magick and how do such acts differ from mundane acts which may be of a similar context 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! To close the show 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. All this and more in this great episode, Blessed Be and 93!

Links: Lance and Graal, Professor Zarnoff, Black Hat Press, Giordano Bruno, MeatCrab.com, Starsend Radio, WXPN Philadelphia, The Gatherings, Title Goes Here:, Misanthropress, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, George Winston, Vince Guaraldi, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Persian Paladin,

Promos: Media Astra Ac Terra, Druid Cast, Kakophonos, Standing Stone Garden Gate,

Featured Music: Tenpenny Joke, XTC, REM

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #015 - Ergo, the Ego Aug 08, 2010

Show notes

If you hadn’t guessed, in this episode we discuss the Ego, ergo the name of this episode, and we discuss these issues with famous occult author and musician Lon Milo DuQuette along with his forth coming book on Low Magick: It's All In Your Head ... You Just Have No Idea How Big Your Head Is. We wrap up our journey through the Kybalion. I announce a new show segment series for the podast. I read listener email. We learn about Henri Cornelius Agrippa in A Corner in the Occult. We go on location is Eastern Pennsylvania to learn about some of the local wildlife. We find out which lucky listener won a copy of Dr. Dean Radin’s book Entangled Minds. And we have a great time doing it!

Links: Lon Milo DuQuette, MagiQuest, Funplex, Quantum Entanglement and DNA, Sweet Babalon (Video), White Album (CD), Low Magick (New Book), Title Goes Here:, Misanthrope Press, ChrisOrapello.com, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Carly Simon, Blackmore's Night, Los Lobos, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Guy David, Persian Paladin,

Featured Music: Lon Milo DuQuette,

Promos: Kakophonos, Pennies in the Well, Media Astra Ac Terra, Druid Cast, Witchery of One, Lance and Graal,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #014 - Magick with Dr. Dean Radin Jun 26, 2010

Show notes

In this episode we learn about the legendary French alchemist Nicolas Flamel in A Corner in the Occult. I read some of the listener messages that I received since the last episode. 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, discuss his experiences as a research scientist and finally how his findings relate to the art and practice of magick. I also announced a contest which will occur in the next episode so be sure to enter if you are interested in participating. All this and more in this great episode, blessed be and 93!

Links: Dean Radin, Entangled Minds: Dean Radin's Blog, Global Consciousness Project, Jonathan Goodman, Global Brain Painting, Institute of Noetic Sciences, IONS: PSI Games, The Alchemy Website, Jungian Podcast, Title Goes Here:, ChrisOrapello.com, Proud Pagan Podcasters,

Music: George Wood, Al Petteway, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Ted Tunes, Persian Paladin,

Promos: Pennies in the Well, :Media Astra Ac Terra, Kakophonos,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)

TI&TB #013 - A Little Bit of Bohemia May 26, 2010

Show notes

We look into Bohemianism and its similarities to modern paganism. We discuss absinthe the famous mythic bohemian drink, along with its brief history, how to prepare it, enjoy it, and how to buy it. We learn about famous author, psychic, medium, and magickian Dion Fortune in A Corner in the Occult. We explore the Principle of Gender in our journey through the Kybalion. 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!

Links: The Wormwood Society, Philadelphia Distilling Company, Delaware Phoenix, Pacific Distillery, St. George Spirits, Gnostalgic Spirits, Ltd., The Absinthe Museum, The Society of Inner Light, Stacey Fitzpatrick, Title Goes Here:, ChrisOrapello.com, Disinformation,

Music: George Wood, Jefferson Airplane, Guy David, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Ted Tunes, Persian Paladin,

Featured Music: Stacey Fitzpatrick, Type O Negative, Jerfferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly,

Promos:Media Astra Ac Terra, WitchesBrewHaHa, New World Witchery, Standing Stone and Garden Gate,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

TI&TB #012 - The Goddess and the Grail Apr 02, 2010

Show notes

We bring Pagan Pride Day into the studio as we learn about bloodlines, genetics, and the Goddess and the Grail with local Foundation teacher Ken Neuhauser. In A Corner in the Occult we learn about Madame Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society. I play a song I’ve been wanting to play since the beginning of the podcast as well as more music by singer songwriter Stacey Fitzpatrick whom we met in the previous episode. And later in the show we find out which two lucky winners win the first two copies of Stacey Fitzpatrick’s album Forever More. All this and more in this informative and fun episode!

Lecture Bibliography:

The Nag Hammadi Library,
Rosslyn- Guardian Of The Secrets Of The Holy Grail by Tim and Marilyn Hopkins Wallace-Murphy,
The Secret Tradition in Arthurian Legend by Gareth Knight,
Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln

Links: Stacey Fitzpatrick, Foundation Capstone, Ken Neuhauser, White Dog Cafe, Theosophical Society in America, Title Goes Here:, ChrisOrapello.com,

Music: George Wood, Melissa Cox, Alexandre Falcao, Linda Holzer, Ted Tunes, Persian Paladin,

Featured Music: Stacey Fitzpatrick, The Sword,

Show Libray: Isis Unveiled (pdf), Kabalah and Kabalism (pdf), Studies in Occultism (pdf), The Secret Doctrine (pdf),

Promos: Moonshine,

Credits: PodsafeAudio, Podsafe Music Network,

Show Script (pdf)