Fortuna – The Sacred and Profane Faces of Luck by Nigel Pennick
Posted on February 21, 2024
I have read Fortuna – The Sacred and Profane Faces of Luck by Nigel Pennick. Last year, I made a video about another book by Pennick, namely The Pagan Book of Days (which I liked) – therefore, I decided to read Fortuna as well. On a personal note, I have never gambled and I do not endorse gambling. I have, however, been an Enjoyer of Warhammer for a long time – all Warhammer games (pictured below = Warhammer Underworlds) are played with dice, and thus contain an element of luck. However, the luck aspect is actually surprisingly small – the better tactician is (almost) always the winner.
The Goddess Fortuna
The Roman Goddess Fortuna presides, as will most likely be known to my esteemed readers, over fate and fortune. In Swedish she is called Fru Fortuna – fru means wife or lady; so, similar to the English name of Lady Luck. The author notes that Fortuna was consulted in oracular shrines at Praeneste and Antium. He also notes that the great emperor Trajan (98–117 CE) dedicated a major temple to each aspect of the Goddess and that offerings were made on the first of January to ensure good fortune for the coming year. Perhaps this is a tradition that we must bring back. Pictured below: Fortuna Distributing Her Largesse by Cornelis de Baellieur.
Fortuna and Gambling
The author notes that Fortuna (often by the name of Lady Luck – a name that emerged during the twentieth century) appears in the American magical tradition in preparations used by gamblers – in the hopes that she might help them in games of chance. The author shares the following example of a ritual to Fortuna:
‘One New Orleans practice is to burn a specially prepared Lady Luck vigil candle during the waxing of the moon, praying for what one wishes and reciting the 23rd plasm (usually associated with funerals).’
Nigel Pennick – Fortuna. Page 25.
Napoleon and the Oracle
Although the book centres around luck and gambling, the author also elaborates on divination and oracles. He notes that a certain oracle – the Praenestine Oracle – had a vogue in France during the early 1800s. And, according to legend, one Charles Le Clerc used this oracle to attain prophecies for Napoleon:
Napoleon: What is the aspect of the seasons and what political changes are likely to take place?
Kirchenhoffer, quoted in Deacon 1977, 15–16.
Oracle: A conqueror of noble mind and mighty power shall spring from low condition; he will break the chains of the oppressed and give liberty to the nations.
Sounds quite Napoleonic indeed!
Conclusion
Fortuna has 120 pages and contains some interesting insights for those who are interested in the history of gambling. The author details some of the various bans and religious attitudes towards gambling over the centuries.
Theurgy – Theory and Practice by P.D. Newman
Posted on February 17, 2024
I have read Theurgy Theory & Practice – The Mysteries of the Ascent to the Divine – Homeric Epics, the Chaldaean Oracles, and Neoplatonic Ritual by P. D. Newman. The style of the book is scholarly – with plenty of quotes and references. In my humble opinion, this is a book best enjoyed by those with some prior knowledge about these matters. On a personal note, I have listened to the SHWEP (The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast) for a while now and thus recognised many of the authors and researchers quoted in this book. The author even refers to Earl Fontainelle (the host of said podcast). The author of the book also refers to many of the prominent Neoplatonic thinkers of Late Antiquity – some of which I have mentioned in previous book reviews. In addition to the frequent references to Neoplatonic philosophers, the author also gives the Iliad and Odyssey a central role in the book.
What is Theurgy?
The author defines theurgy early in the book:
‘Theourgia is a combination of the Greek words theos (divinity) and ergon (work), meaning “to work with deity” or, perhaps, “the work of deity.”’
P.D. Newman – Theurgy. Page 1.
He also shares this definition by Iamblichus – one of said prominent Neoplatonic thinkers of Late Antiquity:
‘Theurgy works through the divine love and providence of the gods who bestow their presence upon human beings through divine illumination.’
Iamblichus – De mysteriis.
I have also heard theurgy defined as ‘God-working’ – perhaps one could simply label it as a style of magic.
Soul and Psyche
A very interesting passage appears in the introduction, where the author states the following:
‘During the eighth and seventh centuries BCE, at the time of the composition of the Homeric epics, the ancient Greeks believed that the psyche was not the locus of the self and that the soul, after death, was merely a dim shade of the person who had died, not unlike and echo.’
P.D. Newman – Theurgy. Page 4.
The author goes on to note that the Ancient Greeks began to see the soul as something more during the seventh and sixth centuries BCE. According to one theory, this was due to a northern shamanic influence (perhaps from Thracians or Scythians), which caused the soul to become seen as the seat of one’s emotional and intellectual life. The author elaborates:
‘Succeeding death, the soul was then free to unite with To Hen (the One), to intercede for the living, or even to reincarnate in another physical form altogether – including “a boy and a girl and a bush and a bird and a fish” and so on, as one cunning Presocratic shaman phrased it.’
P.D. Newman – Theurgy. Page 4.
The author does not state that this was indeed a fact (i.e. that the heavier emphasis on the soul was due to a northern shamanic influence). He also mentions that Porphyry and Proclus (two major Neoplatonic philosophers) located the roots of theurgy in the archaic Homeric epics (so, before the proposed shamanic influence). I do not have any personal take on this matter, I just found this highly interesting. It is definitely a chapter I will return to.
Daimones and the Great Chain of Being
The author notes that, according to the Platonists, there is the Great Chain of Being, which is populated with a hierarchy of daimonic entities. These entities can serve as messengers between men and Gods. After the Christian take-over, some daimons became demons (evil) and some became angels (angelos means messenger in Late Greek). He also notes the following:
‘The theurgist may ascend through this daimonic, hierarchical seira (series) that is the “great chain of being” descending from the One to the many and finally contemplate “the divine Beauty itself in its one form” in the world of Platonic ideas.’
P.D. Newman – Theurgy. Page 55.
The One here is the Neoplatonic To Hen (God) mentioned in the previous quote. Interesting stuff!
Mystics and Schizos
In the chapter titled Platonic Allegories and Myths, the author discusses various types of madness (or divine inspiration). He notes that, according to Socrates, poetic madness is the province of the Muses. Telestikê* (mystical) madness is under the rule of Dionysus; prophetic madness is associated with Apollo, and erotic madness with Eros or Aphrodite. On the same page the author shares the following quote by the Scottish psychiatrist R. D. Laing:
‘Mystics and schizophrenics find themselves in the same ocean, but the mystics swim whereas the schizophrenics drown.’
R. D. Laing
I thought this was a fun passage since the term ‘based schizo’, which I am fond of using myself, is quite frequently used in enlightened circles these days. The author also likens the shaman to an gold medallist Olympian and the psychotic to a non-swimmer. I discuss a similar matter in Demigod Mentality – namely that when Odin’s inspiration hits you, you must be prepared to make use of that divine energy.
*Telestikê is also a term for a magical operation in which a statue is imbued with a soul. Ensouling statues was, notably, a practice among the Ancient Egyptians. Those who are interested in the spiritual traditions of Ancient Egypt can read my review of Jeremy Naydler‘s Temple of the Cosmos.
Chariot Enjoyer
Since we are on the topic of amusing memes, I thought it would be fun to share the following beautiful passage from the Katha Upanishad – translated by Max Müller (whom I quote in Demigod Mentality, by the way).
Know that the Atman is the rider of the chariot,
and the body is the chariot.
Know that the Buddhi is the charioteer,
and Manas is the reins.
The senses are called the horses,
the object of the senses are their paths.
Formed out of the union of the Atman, the senses
and the mind,
him they call the “enjoyer.”
For those who are not aware, an ‘Enjoyer’ or ‘Average Enjoyer’ is often juxtaposed against a ‘Fan‘ – where the Enjoyer is presented in a favourable light. This is why I often refer to my own esteemed audience as Enjoyers, Enthusiasts, or Appreciators. Men of culture will, of course, also be reminded of Plato’s chariot allegory.
Mithraea and Astrological Structures
In the chapter titled The Odyssey and the Iliad, the author discusses the Mithraic mysteries – which we are all interested in. He notes that the Mithraea, the Mithraic subterranean temples, often represented the created cosmos. The author shares a quote by April D. DeConick:
‘In the Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres, the gates are specifically located at the Gemini-Cancer and the Sagittarius-[Capricorn] boundaries and identified with the summer and winter solstices. The identification of the gates with Cancer and Capricorn is also depicted on the Housesteads rockbirth, only in this case with the Cancer-Leo and the Capricorn-Aquarius boundaries.’
April D. DeConick
I am not yet astrologically knowledgeable enough to comment on this, but I am sharing this for the simple reason that this kind of information will be useful if or when Mithraea are built in the West over the coming decades.
Conclusion
The book has 166 pages and contains interesting insights. As already noted, I would not necessarily recommend this book to anyone unfamiliar with these topics. For those with an interest and some prior knowledge, however, I can definitely recommend it. I enjoyed reading it!
The Miracle Club by Mitch Horowitz
Posted on February 12, 2024
I have read The Miracle Club – How Thoughts Become Reality by Mitch Horowitz, below are some of my thoughts upon reading the book.
Disclaimer
Mitch is, to my great horror, a Leftist! Even so, I read this book with an open mind (as I always do) and was surprised to see quite a few similarities between our thoughts. It must also be noted that the Leftism at hand is not what we usually mean with Leftism (i.e. anti-White hatred), but rather a concern with labour rights and similar old-school matters – matters that I, as a Nationalist, do not object to. The author does, however, refer to the Ethics of the Fathers from the Talmud. Cultured gentlemen will, of course, know that the Talmud is a book full of questionable teachings (which shall not sully this fine page). Other than that, there was not anything in particular that I directly objected to in the book.
Spirituality and Money
I have mostly reviewed older spiritual traditions (Norse, Persian, etc.); The Miracle Club draws more on the New Thought movement of the last two centuries (the Law of Attraction and affirmations come to mind, for example). A refreshing passage that appears early in the book is one about money. The author correctly identifies that there is a tendency among ‘spiritual’ people to view money as something unclean or unworthy to strive towards.
‘Whether you are an artist or activist, soldier or craftsman, you must see wealth as a necessary and vital facet of your life. You can do far more good with money than without. You must recognize money as a healthful part of existence. Nothing is more duplicitous than someone who runs down acquisitiveness while enjoying money that comes from well-off parents, a situation typical of many in the New York media world in which I work.’
Mitch Horowitz – The Miracle Club. Page 12.
I am always interested in practical applications of magic (i.e. mental techniques etc.) – as opposed to overly theoretical speculations. Moreover, as an aside, many Icelandic spells (dating from the Middle Ages) concern the accumulation of wealth (securing good trade deals, for example). In the chapter titled Metaphysics and Morality the author nuances the discussion in a good way:
‘Graft is sometimes described, or used to be, as “selling out.” Selling out means: putting money before quality. There is no other definition.’
Mitch Horowitz – The Miracle Club. Page 78.
This is probably the best definition of selling out that I have encountered. To this I would add that there is a similar matter – when people resort to sensationalism (i.e. drama or posting outright lies) to maintain or gain attention. I am, thankfully, interesting enough to not have to engage in such nefarious activities myself. Moreover, I am happy to say that I have never sold out in any way. Quality in everything I do is always my priority!
Pictured below: a mystic known to admirers as The Enlightened One, who seeks spiritual as well as temporal gains.
Neville Goddard
The author speaks highly of Neville Goddard, a name that might be familiar to many of my esteemed readers, and says the following about him:
‘Neville believed, simply, that the God of Scripture is a metaphor for the human imagination.’
Mitch Horowitz – The Miracle Club. Page 149.
The teachings Goddard (as well as of the author) heavily emphasise the power of the mind. I, too, am a firm believer in the power of the mind, although I do not necessarily agree with the quote above – I must meditate further upon the matter before elaborating on it. The author shares an interesting magical technique inspired by Goddard – one that involves a deeply felt desire (a new home, for example), repeated visualisations of said desire being achieved (i.e. you walking around in your new home) during a hypnagogic state (the state between being awake and asleep). Interesting stuff for sure; I will experiment with it and report back with my success in a coming video or podcast episode. If you are interested in the teachings of the late Neville Goddard, you can listen to some of his lectures on YouTube (they are available in surprisingly good audio – surprising, considering that they date to the middle of last century).
Since we are on the topic, and since I never miss an opportunity to bask in high praise, I feel inclined to mention that I was recently likened to Goddard by James J. O’Meara in a review of Demigod Mentality. O’Meara noted the following:
‘Both men are — to start at a level that only seems superficial — tall, handsome, and charismatic, a necessary qualification for their role as effective public speakers.’
James J. O’Meara
My esteemed readers must forgive me for not being able to resist sharing such fine praise! As those who have read Demigod Mentality will know, being called charismatic is particularly heart-warming.
Neuroplasticity
The author discusses the interesting topic of neuroplasticity. I have touched upon this in my long-standing campaign against pornography. He notes that research shows that biologic changes can manifest in the brain when one (over a period of time) substitutes certain thoughts (i.e. intrusive OCD thoughts) with other thoughts or activities. I have often recommended that guys struggling with a pornography addiction should, as soon as the urge to look at pornography enters their mind, quickly occupy themselves with something else – going out for a walk or playing a game, whatever distracts the mind away from the temptation.
‘Hence, we’re seeing thoughts themselves change brain biology’
Mitch Horowitz – The Miracle Club. Page 149.
Conclusion
The Miracle Club has 175 pages and is written in an accessible fashion. It contains plenty of insights for those interested in the power of the mind and of positive thinking. With the caveat mentioned in the disclaimer above, I can say that I liked the book. If you are interested in the teachings of the author, there are plenty of interviews with him on YouTube (which is where I first encountered and got interested in them). Upwards and onwards!
Original Magic by Stephen E. Flowers
Posted on February 5, 2024
I have, yet again, had a pleasure of reading a book by Stephen E. Flowers. As the title suggests, this book deals with the religio-magical views of the ancient Persians.
Why the Interest in Iranian Magic?
I answered this question in my review of Adrian Goldsworthy’s Rome and Persia – The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry and will share the answer here as well:
The Corded Ware Culture came about as a result of the invasion of Steppe Pastoralists (sometimes known as Indo-Europeans or Aryans) from today’s Ukraine into Central Europe. There, they met (or conquered, rather) the Early European Farmers – and from this union, the Corded Ware Culture was born. To somewhat simplify matters, the Corded Ware Culture gave rise to the Germanic, Latin (i.e. Roman), Celtic, and Slavic peoples of Europe. Not only that, but the origins of the Iranian (Persian) and Vedic cultures can also be traced to the Corded Ware Culture. For more information, see the following video by Survive the Jive: Aryan Invasion of India: Myth or Reality?
Moreover, when observing the picture below, it becomes apparent why an entity such as myself, carved out of Swedish granite, would find an appreciation for and, to a certain extent, affinity with ancient Iran and India. Thus, when I read about Iranian or Vedic tradition, I gain deeper insights into our own heroic past.
Dark green = genetical closeness. Thanks to Waters of Memory (active with that username on Telegram, X, and Instagram) for the picture.
Definition of Magic
The term magic is a constant source of confusion, thus the author defines magic early on in the book in the following way:
‘Magic: We use this term in its original sense of the arts and sciences of the Magians, or magavans, of ancient Iran. These arts and sciences give the practitioner access to the realm of causation and form a bridge between menog (the celestial world) and getig (terrestrial existence). For the individual, the ultimate aim of magic is happiness (Av. ushta). But on a greater level, magic should contribute to the hastening of the Frashokereti, or “Making Wonderful” – this is the time when all created things will fulfill their ultimate purpose and attain a state of permanent happy order.’
Stephen E. Flowers – Original Magic. Page 3.
He goes on to note that a sorcerer (as opposed to a magician) is someone solely interested in bringing about changes in the environment for his own convenience and who is only concerned with gaining temporal power and pleasure. In my humble opinion, these aims are not necessarily contradictory – at least not the pursuit of power; after all, you need to attain power to be able to enact positive change. Historically speaking, magic often denotes the religious practices of one’s own, whereas sorcery often denotes the practices of one’s enemies. Christians often prefer the term ritual as opposed to magic.
Persian Influence on Judaism and Christianity
Since I often talk about Pagan influences on Christianity – in The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity by James C. Russel, for example (review) – I thought it was interesting to read about the Persian influence on Judaism.
‘However, a number of key concepts that would exert enormous importance on Jewish magical lore were clearly introduced by Persians. Among these concepts were a systematic angelology and demonology; myths of a coming savior-ruler (messiah), the judgement of the dead, the bodily resurrection of the dead, and even the philosophical basis of a true monotheism. The Hebrew myth of Genesis also owes much to Iranian symbolism: first man and woman, destructive influence of the serpent, and the presence of a cosmic tree.’
Stephen E. Flowers – Original Magic. Page 14.
From the passage above, we can surmise that the Persian influence was quite significant. In a later chapter the author discusses the Persian origins of angels. Germanic Pagans do, of course, know the cosmic tree as Yggdrasil.
Ahuras and Daevas
I thought the following note on terminology was interesting:
‘In general the gods are called ahuras (lords). The Avestan word ahura is cognate to Sanskrit asura, which was later demonized in India. These terms are also related to the Germanic word ansuz, “a god.” Another old name for an archaic god was daeva, which the Iranians demonized but the Indians retained as a positive term for the divinities (devi). The awareness of this archaic level of Iranian myth gives depth and richness to our understanding of the philosophical level of the Magian tradition. It also makes it clear that Zarathustra’s reform was more a reinterpretation of the tradition rather than an overthrow of it.’
Stephen E. Flowers – Original Magic. Page 23.
This points to the shared origin of the traditions. It also shows how traditions can diverge and develop into distinct religions.
Zarathustra and Ahura Mazda
The author says the following of Zarathustra, also known as Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism. This reminded me of the Neoplatonic view of The One.
‘Zarathustra, who had been a trained professional priest, radically reformed the pantheon of the ancient Iranians. Through his insight he was able to see the philosophical basis of the gods and goddesses of the Indo-European pantheon. The main insight of his vision was that the only true and absolute godhead is Ahura Mazda – Lord Wisdom, or “pure focused consciousness.” This is an entity, which is pure light, unity, and goodness, beyond other forms of duality. This being is devoid of any anthropomorphic character, and the name itself suggests androgyny, ahura is masculine, while mazda is feminine.’
Original Magic. Page 26.
The author notes that Zoroastrianism became less radically monotheistic in its later stages. Interesting stuff!
Conclusion
As most of my esteemed readers probably know, I am an avid enjoyer of Flowers’ work – thus it will come as no surprise that I recommend Original Magic – The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi as well. In addition to many interesting insights, the book contains a twelve-month curriculum for those who wish to go deeper (similar to what you can do with the Runes). I am currently meditating on the Tarot (which I will post about later), but I might return to this book later on in order to get further acquainted with the Persian esoteric tradition. The book has 171 pages. Moreover, it also got a warm recommendation from Payam Nabarz, author of The Mysteries of Mithras (review), and for those interested in Mithras, both books are recommended. Good stuff!
The Golden One 
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