Hermitix

Dustin Peone, scholar of philosophy and author of Vico and Literature, explores Giambattista Vico’s life and influence. He traces Vico’s three ages, poetic theory, and etymologies. Conversations cover Joyce’s Vico-infused Finnegans Wake, Borges’ circular time, Jünger’s borrowings, and how Vico has been adapted, misread, and politicized across literary history.

A lively dive into Austin Osman Spare’s life, art, and occult ideas. They explore Spare’s concepts of Zos and Kia and his somatic practices like the death posture. The discussion covers his signature sigil technique and why forgetting desire matters. They also trace Spare’s influence on modern magic, his struggles in London, and the role of Kenneth Grant in preserving his legacy.

James Harpur, British-born Irish poet and award-winner, discusses his Dr John Dee talks at Trinity College Dublin. He explores unexpected inspiration, the muse as humility versus unconscious theory, creativity during illness or crisis, and myths of divination and synchronicity. He also reflects on poetic voice changes, clearing mental clutter to receive phrases, and how poetry can re-enchant nature.

A lively tour of Jung's idea of synchronicity as meaningful coincidence without causal links. Short case studies, including the scarab story, illustrate symbolic matches between inner states and outer events. Discussion ranges from archetypes and the unus mundus to collective synchronicities and divination. Practical tips on noticing, journaling, and interpreting synchronistic occurrences are offered.

Dan Lowe is a therapist/counsellor practising in London, interested in Wilhelm Reich & all forms of psycho-physical therapy. In this episode we discuss Wilhelm Reich's book 'Ether, God and Devil'Lowe's site: https://bodyandbreathpsychotherapy.co.uk/---Become part of the Hermitix community:Hermitix Twitter - ⁠https://twitter.com/Hermitixpodcast⁠Hermitix Discord - ⁠https://discord.gg/63yWMrG⁠Support Hermitix:Hermitix Subscription - ⁠https://hermitix.net/subscribe/⁠ Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/hermitix⁠Donations: - ⁠https://www.paypal.me/hermitixpod⁠Hermitix Merchandise - ⁠http://teespring.com/stores/hermitix-2⁠Bitcoin Donation Address: 3LAGEKBXEuE2pgc4oubExGTWtrKPuXDDLKEthereum Donation Address: 0xfd2bbe86d6070004b9Cbf682aB2F25170046A996

A lively tour through Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio: the author’s personal crisis that birthed the book, its hybrid form between novel and linked stories, and the small-town “grotesque” at the heart of the work. Short portraits of wounded characters and George Willard’s role as witness get attention. The discussion ends with the book’s modern relevance and a clear reading recommendation.

Erin K. Stapleton, researcher of destruction, archival imperfection and digital media cultures. She talks about Bataille's idea of expenditure and how destruction, apocalypse fantasies and media pleasure intersect. Discussions cover leisure extraction by capitalism, digital erasure, AI’s cognitive effects, and how narratives of beauty, violence and survival shape cultural power.

A lively review of a book split between cosmic gnosis and hands-on ritual practice. Discussion contrasts grammar-style, enthusing traditions with graded occult orders. Philosophical roots in Klages and Heidegger are explored. Themes include pandemonium, living images, chaos as depth, eros as cosmic binder, and the idea of a Black Pilgrimage as inner return.

Steve Dowden, a German literature professor, and Bryan Counter, a comparative literature lecturer, discuss Thomas Bernhard’s Correction and Wittgenstein’s Nephew. They explore Bernhard’s critique of Austrian culture, the cone as a symbol of perfection and failure, surprising warmth and friendship in Wittgenstein’s Nephew, and links between architecture, repetition, and musical rhythm.

A lively reassessment of Moonchild’s origins and role as Crowley’s ideas-novel. A concise plot sketch of White Lodge versus Black Lodge and the central lunar magical operation. A look at Simon If as an idealized mystic and how the book carries Thelemic doctrine. Notes on the novel’s language, satirical portraits, uneven pacing, and who might enjoy reading it.