Girl ‘Sacrificed To Ensure Better Harvest’
The Times of India reports on a horrifying Wicker Man-esque murder in central India:
Two men have been arrested in for allegedly killing a 7-year-old girl and cutting out her liver in a ritual sacrifice to ensure a better harvest, police said Monday.
Lalita Tati disappeared in October and her dismembered remains were found a week later, Rajendra Narayan Das, a senior police officer, told The Associated Press. Tati was walking home after watching television at a neighbor’s house when she was kidnapped.
Police arrested two men, both poor farmers, last week and they told police they killed the girl to appease their gods and get a better harvest, Das said. The men were described as “tribals,” a term referring to the region’s indigenous people, most of whom remain mired in poverty and illiteracy.
Human sacrifices are rare but get prominent attention every few years. A deep belief in traditional healers, or witch doctors, is…
Is Jesus A Cheap Imitation Of Mithras?
It’s been mentioned, but in this clip from the British show QI, Stephen Fry and co. discuss the strange similarities between the Christian savior and the far cooler and more mystical Roman/Persian god Mithras, who shares the December 25 birthday, and had twelve disciples of his own, and was birthed in the form of a mortal to a virgin mother…
Between Oraia and Helene
The Infinite and the Beyond — Podcast: Episode #024 — Between Oraia and Helene
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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we speak with fellow podcaster Oraia Helene from Between the Earth and Stars and talk about her recent changes with her name, producing her shows, how she balances her scientific side with her magickal side, her work as a writer and podcaster, and have a great time doing it. We also speak with Inanna Gabriel from Misanthrope Press regarding the new pagan story anthology Etched Offerings 
Voices from the Cauldron of Story. In A Corner in the Occult, we learn about Scientist, Thelemite and 20th century Occultist Jack Parsons who, interestingly enough, has a crater on the moon named after him. Listen and found out why! And later in the show we discuss the Powers of the Sphinx in The Essence of Magick. To know, to dare, to will, to keep silent, and to go are crucial to the developing student of mysticism. Also in the episode we feature a great song from the Philadelphia band Espers an emerging indie band and we close the show with a special musical holiday treat from SCHOLAR the occultist and rapper. All this and more in this delightful episode!
To message the show please go here.
The Georgia Guidestones
Available now in audio book, eBook and paperback from Disinformation Books. Read the first chapter on Scribd. More info at the official website www.guidestones.us:
The Georgia Guidestones are a collection of standing stones near Elberton, Georgia. Built in 1980, they are primarily composed of six slabs of granite: one central pillar, four “major” stones that fan out from the center, and a capstone. The capstone has engravings on all four of its sides in four different ancient languages, all of which read, “Let these be guidestones to an Age of Reason,” when translated. The major stones are each engraved on both sides, and each side contains text in one of eight modern languages asserting ten guidelines.
These guidelines have proven extremely controversial, causing speculation and rumors of conspiracy that go far beyond northeast Georgia.
The Georgia Guidestones are at once a Rosetta Stone, an astronomical observatory, and a road map for rebuilding civilization. Theories…
The Kybalion with Philip Deslippe
The Infinite and the Beyond — Episode #23 — The Kybalion with Philip Deslippe
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In the latest episode of The Infinite and the Beyond, we look into the history of The Kybalion with author Philip Deslippe, who wrote the extensive introduction for the newly released book The Kybalion, The Definitive Edition. Seemingly shrouded in mystery, The Kybalion has been a popular text for the last one hundred years that and has been a big influence in many people’s lives. In the early episodes of this podcast we went through The Kybalion and the seven hermetic laws that it discusses. In our conversation with Philip Deslippe we learn about some of his recent findings in regards to the text and its author William Walker Atkinson and we wrap up our discussion with Atkinson’s lost book The Seven Cosmic Laws just now appearing in print.
In “A Corner in the Occult” we look into famous American occultist, Tarot expert, and author Paul Foster Case. Not only was Case an initiate of the famous Alpha et Omega and even a Freemason, but he was also the founder of the Builders of the Adytum an Order following in the tradition of the Western Esoteric Tradition which still exists to this day …
Life and Living
The Infinite and the Beyond — Episode #22 — Life and Living
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In the latest episode 
of The Infinite and the Beyond, we talk about late Llewellyn author Scott Cunningham in A Corner in the Occult. Many Pagans and or Wiccans often find Scott’s books on their journey as Pagans. Many find his books on magick and religion uplifting and at times pertinent to their growing views on life and existence.
We also look into the idea of human flourishing and happiness and how to create it in one’s life. Are you happy? Are you flourishing? How would you define and list your values and virtues? Would you say that they are serving you and your life beneficially? Learn about virtue and Eudaimonia and how your life lives up to the teachings of Aristotle and other philosophers. See how some of the new virtue systems found in modern Paganism stand in comparison to a tried and true system which comes from Plato as we find an elementary way to update it for modern use.
Conspiracies and World Peace
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.
Summer Solstice Celebrations Turn Violent At Stonehenge
Summer Solstice Sunrise over Stonehenge. Photo: Andrew Dunn (CC)
Today marks the summer solstice – the day of the year when the Earth’s and the moon’s axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun. It’s a day of celebration around the world, as exemplified by the English at Stonehenge, where Steven Morris reports for the Guardian that the usual mix of pagans and partiers are in attendance:
The summer solstice is meant to be a night and dawn of peace, love and amazement. But not all of those attending the celebrations at Stonehenge entered into the spirit of the event.
Druids, pagans and revellers watched as two men, one shirtless, staged a fist fight at the ancient monument in Wiltshire.
While the majority of the 18,000 people who attended the solstice celebrations were well-behaved, 20 arrests and almost 50 drug seizures were made.
Photographer David Hedges, who witnessed the fight, said: “They were sparring for a few…
Reiki, Yoga, and Wellness
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…
A Proposal For An All New Ten Commandments
HFS, yeah the old ones lost their magick so I thought I’d give you all some new ones, charged with the force and power of the Aeon of Horus … ISN 666
#1 “If you cannot respect the rights of others than you yourself shall be denied your rights.”
#2 “Shun all forms of social status and classes, these are mere illusions that attempt to justify ignoring the needs of society.”
#3 “If you make children, you are responsible for their health, education and happiness. If you take a person into your household or join a person in their household that has children of their own you are to accept full responsibility of their care as if they were your own.”
#4 “When you view someone as a burden to society, know this line of thinking is a much worse burden and more detrimental to society than poverty.”
#5 “When your religion, belief, ideology or…
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…
If You Thought Santa Was Judgmental … Meet Krampus! (Video)
Here’s a video of a “Krampus Parade” filmed in South Tyrol, an autonomous region in Italy right on the Austrian border … Enjoy!
Low Magick
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…
Happy Saturnalia To All!
A celebration dear to the hearts of the Disinformation team at this time of year is Saturnalia, one of the most popular Roman festivals. It was marked by tomfoolery and reversal of social roles, in which slaves and masters ostensibly switched places, with expectantly humorous results. Saturnalia was introduced around 217 BC to raise citizen morale after a crushing military defeat. Originally celebrated for a day, on December 17th, its popularity saw it grow until it became a week-long extravaganza, ending on the 23rd.
Our favorite exposition of Saturnalia has long been the Electric Sheep comic strip, no longer easily available on the web, but we dug in the crates and are pleased to bring it to you. We did find it here and in a video created from the original website posted to Funny or Die:
The Secret History of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Building a Mystery
Site editor’s note: The following is excerpted from The Secret History of Rock ’N’ Roll: The Mysterious Roots of Modern Music by Christopher Knowles (Viva Editions, October 2010). Used with permission.
I like to think of the history of rock & roll like the origin of Greek drama. That started out on the threshing floors during the crucial seasons, and was originally a band of acolytes dancing and singing. Then, one day, a possessed person jumped out of the crowd and started imitating a god.
—Jim Morrison
Most historians believe that the Mysteries began at the end of the Neolithic Age (also known as the New Stone Age, roughly 9000 to 4500 BCE), making them one of the earliest cultural developments known to humanity. Coinciding with the development of agriculture, the rituals were designed to appeal to the grain gods of the Underworld by acting out their myths, which celebrated the cycles of planting, growth and…
Ghosts and Loyd Auerbach
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…
Air Force Academy Finally Accepting Spell-Casters
Noah Shachtman writes on the always interesting WIRED’s Danger Room:
Just a few years ago, the Air Force Academy was considered such an evangelical hothouse that the place got sued for its alleged discrimination against non-Christians. Today, the Academy is boasting of its thriving pagan community — and its friendliness towards spell-casters.
In a press release issued [on Oct. 21st], the Academy features Tech. Sgt. Brandon Longcrier, “the lay leader for the Academy’s Earth-Centered Spirituality community, which includes Wiccans and Pagans from various traditions.” (It’s part of a larger effort by the school to promote an image of tolerance.)
During an inter-faith discussion group, the release notes, one cadet asked Longcrier “whether Wiccans or Pagans practiced ‘black magic.’”
Sergeant Longcrier responded by citing the Wiccan credo, or Rede: “An it harm none, do what ye will.” That would seem to preclude harmful spellcraft.
