Accelerated Thinking

This month I have been thinking about the effort that went into the creation of my recent book, The Accelerated Necromancer, and how things would have been different for me if I had not jumped at the chance to craft the almost 75,000 words that would make up the end result within such a small window. Yes, it was an intense summer, a three month turnaround and magickal pathworking all in one. But in another timeline I gave myself longer, pressed myself to the grindstone a little less zealously, and perhaps never even saw it in bookshops at all. Oh, I know my neurodivergence makes me process the world in a somewhat unique way, and my love of writing pushes me to share those insights with others. But I also own my habit of concentrating on latest and loudest, so without a hard stop deadline there is no guarantee that I would have ever got the manuscript out of the door.

Empowered Words

“Once armed with an idea of how to work results magick it’s time to deploy them in your first act of ecological sorcery. At this point there is little reason to make life hard for yourself, so when you pick your target and your aimed for result make them realistic. You will not be able to bring down Tarmac road builders for example, but you can hope to sway an enquiry or make Planners choose another route for a road. There has to be a ‘mundane’ channel for the magick to work through, this is the best way I know of to ensure your magick as the greatest chance of working as you intended in the first place. Keep your options open and many, look for omens that seem to indicate when the time is right and what actions should be considered. Above all listen to your inner voice, this will always warn you if you are being stupid or placing yourself in personal danger.“
— Barry Walker, Earth Rites

Occult Almanac

A very quiet month from a celestial point of view, the lunar observances for February begin with the First Quarter on the 6th and the Full Rowan or Quickening Moon on the 12th. The Third Quarter falls on the 20th and Accelerated Necromancer’s celebrate the New Moon on the 28th as the Fishermen’s Moon, paying their respects to those lost at sea. Witches and occultists of a more Pagan aspect will observe Imbolc on the 1st, a festival of fertility and the anticipation of spring dedicated to Brigid. It is also a good time to practice divination for the year ahead, as well as prophecy if you are so skilled. And remember, the days are slowly lengthening as well, though the nights remain cold and mostly barren.

Necronomicon Mortui

A list of notable members of the occult, paranormal and Fortean community, ordered by date of death as opposed to birth. Thelma Moss, Parapsychologist, born 6th January 1918, died 1st February 1997. Gerald Suster, Author, born 2nd August 1951, died 3rd February 2001. Raden Jacob Salatun, UFOlogist, born 29th May 1927, died 3rd February 2012. Ian Pretyman Stevenson, Parapsychologist, born 31st October 1918, died 8th February 2007. Christopher S. Hyatt, Magickian, born 12th July 1943, died 9th February 2008. Gerald Gardner, Witch, born 13th June 1884, died 12th February 1964. Benvenuto Cellini, Magickian, born 3rd November 1500, died 13th February 1571. Giordano Bruno, Astrologer, born 1548, died 17th February 1600. Henry Steel Olcott, Mystic, born 2nd August 1832, died 17th February 1907. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Magickian, born 15th September 1486, died 18th February 1535. Joseph Banks Rhine, Parapsychologist, born 29th September 1895, died 20th February 1980. La Voisin, Witch, born around 1640, died 22nd February 1680. Aurelian Manta Rosie, UFOlogist, born 25th January 1931, died 22nd February 2011. Johann Weyer, Demonologist, born 1515, died 24th February 1588.

Vault Viewer

The article that started it all, Cities of Life and Death was first published back in 2013 inside issue two, volume one of the excellent Conjure Codex series from Hadean Press. Specifically the green one. As the first occult related essay to see print outside of my personal blogspace at the time I consider it the official origin point from which the rest of my sometimes rocky writing career can be traced. While the core message remains useful to my fellow urban necromancers, and indeed the backbone of the comsology which I would go on to outline in my book, The Accelerated Necromancer, I am the first to admit that the text is far less polished than my later work. Yet I remain rather fond of both it and the milestone it represents. Overcomplicated prose, dream like narrative and all. As always, the above link will take you right to it, and it is completely free to read.

Media Magick

The Awakening is an intriguing film to be sure. Sacrificing blood curdling scares for both slowly building plot and richly painted atmosphere, one which almost oozes from the screen, it boasts a strong British cast who feel right at home within the somewhat dreary setting. Taking place in the North of England during the interwar period and highlighting organised scepticism’s ongoing efforts to counter the rise of Spiritualism, the movie follows a semi-professional debunker as she sets out to prove the recent death of a pupil at an all male boarding school has nothing to do with ghosts. Soon she begins to experience terrifying glimpses of a faceless boy, as well as the barely suppressed malice of a few of the school’s still living occupants. While some of you might see the final handful of twists coming, the ending itself is delightfully underdone and leaves a knowing smile on the lips if nothing else.

End Notes

And there it is, the latest issue of my occult and paranormal newsletter ready to seep beneath your skin like late winter sea mist under the chamber door. No new sections this month, though those who have been following my writing here for a while now may notice that I am slowly allowing links to creep into these posts, albeit in a very measured way. While I frown upon adding them to my longer essays, preferring to explain my own points, the ability to sprinkle in a few worthwhile clicks here and there when speaking so directly to my audience is definitely useful. Yes, I am very aware that this is perhaps a little strange. Bit late in the game for a long time Accelerationist and Technopagan like myself to find out about the whole hyperlink thing. I get the joke too. But the rules I impose upon my portfolio are ever in flux, much like my magick, so be sure to stay tuned to see it all evolve.