Episode 2: Shadow Work in the Occult | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-06 | Join us as we talk about shadow work...where it came from, how it became popular, and the cultural and scientific issues with the term and application of the practice.References/Resources:- Bias of Carl Jung Toward Eastern Spiritual Practices: taileaters.com/depth-psychology/jungs-bias-toward-spiritual-practices-of-the-east- Gnosticism and Individuation: jstor.org/stable/27510698?seq=1- Limitations of Psychoanalysis in treatment of mental illness:onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/wps.20235sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735811001863?via%3Dihubjournals.lww.com/hrpjournal/Fulltext/2013/05000/TheCurrentStateoftheEmpiricalEvidence_for.1.aspxMyers-Briggs journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/00346543063004467jstor.org/stable/pdf/26554264.pdfresearchgate.net/publication/232494957CautionarycommentsregardingtheMyers-BriggsType_IndicatorBiological Essentialism- A Neurologists perspective on subcortical systems reflecting unconscious archetypes: frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01424/fullJung and Racism: britishpsychotherapyfoundation.org.uk/insights/blog/jung-and-racism- Archetypes: Culture or Biology? pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22444357Additional Resources:Link to workshops mentionedDISCLAIMER: These workshops are not affiliated with or recommended by the podcast, but included if our listeners wish to explore the subject further themselves.- Twitter Announcement: twitter.com/becomingethical/status/1368598601346220035 Fairy Tales and Therapy Eventbrite: eventbrite.co.uk/e/fairy-tales-and-therapy-introductory-workshop-tickets-143404852775?ref=eiosGreek Myths and Therapy: eventbrite.co.uk/e/greek-myths-and-therapy-introductory-workshop-tickets-144792705881?fbclid=IwAR3Z_VvFCwLePAWgiuAeExWvfY7lTAdc9fZMfxpj6Krqp75SWDojE9-9u6Q
Episode 33: Buzzwords and the Underlying Misconceptions | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-12-30 | How often have you heard terms thrown around and thought they meant one thing only to realize within a specific space they mean something entirely different? While different meanings in specific fields is not a problem, a larger issue begins to arise when terms are misconstrued and taken from the original context and then expanded to try and fit additional concepts they aren't suited for. Join us in this episode as we talk about some common spiritual buzzwords like "quantum," "statistical significant," "microbiome," "patron," and more! Might be a good idea to grab some calming tea while you are at it!Follow us!Link to the TTAC discord: discord.gg/kJthJyxTBcInstagram: instagram.com/testtubesandcauldronsResources:Occultism in the Mirror of Late Classical Physics -https://www.academia.edu/1493764/PonderingEleutherococcus senticosus as an adaptogen (critique of the term) - linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378874100001811Reign of the P-value and other possibilities- royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0174
Episode 32: Occultist and Scientists - Jack Parsons, the Thelemic Father of Rocket Science Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-12-30 | Welcome back to the lab everyone! This week we are continuing are Occultists and Scientists series by discussing the thrilling and dangerous life of Jack Parsons. We’ve invited Georgina Rose, known as Da’at Darling across platforms to join us in discussing how Parsons passion for both Thelema and science impacted his life. Lots of super interesting information so grab some jet fuel for yourself and lets launch the episode!Resources:History of Solid-Propellant Rocketry: What We Do and Do Not Know: nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/88635main_H-2330.pdfReligion: California Cults Time Article from the 1930s: http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,738983-1,00.htmlWIRED Article about Parsons: wired.co.uk/article/jpl-jack-parsonsBooks:Strange Angel by George PendleEloquent Blood: The Goddess Bablon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism by Manon Hedenborg WhiteLiber 49 by Jack ParsonsFreedom is a Two Edged Sword by Jack ParsonsA Rose Veiled in Black by Robert FitzgeraldFollow Georgina (Da’at Darling)! Follow Georgina!Instagram: instagram.com/daatdarlingTwitter:mobile.twitter.com/daatdarlingTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daatdarling?_...Twitch:twitch.tv/daatdarlingLink to our discord! discord.gg/kJthJyxTBc
Episode 31: Ancestry, DNA, and Biological Essentialism | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-12-30 | In this episode hosts Astra, Fel, and Han explore ancestry, the importance of DNA in determining eligibility to participate in closed practices and other traditions alongside issues of biological essentialism. Do DNA tests such as 23 & Me actually give you accurate and useable data? If so, how, if at all, does that translate to occult practices? Or is a practice defined by the spirituality of location and not through biological inheritance?Want to discuss these topics with us more? Join the discord here: discord.gg/kJthJyxTBcResources:Low Coverage of Whole Genome Sequencing: genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13073-019-0682-2History and Current Approaches to Genome Sequencing: reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2001037019303277?token=E13A38288C654F65E0304EA37B1108BF2348D197EC9AC225338DCF7E210A65FC87FC4D1588C854C5FD51884F7DFE04E1&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20211120003753Personalised Medicine and Whole Genome Sequencing: frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2019.00049/fullAncestry: Understanding Genetics (good summary of science in English terms): genetics.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/same-dna-different-ancestry-resultsDefining signal thresholds in DNA microarrays: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC117791Black Death Left a Mark on the Human Genome: science.org/content/article/black-death-left-mark-human-genome
Episode 30: Astral Projection | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-12-30 | In this episode, we explore the torrid and confusing history of astral projection. From its origins in mystic thought all the way down to its use as a magical tool - what is astral projection & how did we reach today’s understanding? Tune in to hear how the concept of the astral ‘body of light’ was born, and how it evolved in the midst of cultural fetishisation and the development of modern physics. We also discuss how out-of-body experiences might be explained by science.Come discuss your thoughts on our discord! discord.gg/kJthJyxTBcOn Neoplatonism, the soul, and Christian theology: Parnell, J. B. (2009). The theurgic turn in Christian thought: Iamblichus, Origen, Augustine and the Eucharist. University of Michigan.Evolution of the concept of ‘astral’ during the development of physics Asprem, E. (2011). Pondering imponderables: occultism in the mirror of late classical physics. Aries-Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism, 11(2), 129 - Blanke, O., Landis, T., Spinelli, L., & Seeck, M. (2004).Out‐of‐body experience and autoscopy of neurological origin. Brain, 127(2), 243-258 - Brugger, P., Regard, M., & Landis, T. (1997).Illusory reduplication of one's own body: phenomenology and classification of autoscopic phenomena Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 2(1), 19-38. - Asprem, E. (2017).Explaining the esoteric imagination: Towards a theory of kataphatic practice Aries, 17(1), 17-50. - Luhrmann, T. M. (1991).Persuasions of the witch’s craft: Ritual magic in contemporary England. Harvard University Press (also see Luhrmann’s other work!)Liber Null PJ Carroll -The Black Arts - R CavendishAstral Atlas: http://astralatlas.tumblr.com
Episode 29: The Science Behind the Clairs | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-11-06 | This week, the hosts explore the concept of ‘clairs’, terms used to differentiate all sorts of diverse psychic experience. From Jainism to Spiritualism, second sight to seances, psychic experiences have been a core tenet of the occult and spirituality for thousands of years. But how well do these historical accounts line up with our modern definition of ‘clairs’, and is there any benefit to viewing these experiences through a scientific lens?Resources:1998 (dodgy!) meta-analysis assessing studies on clairvoyance and precognition: Steinkamp, F., Milton, J., & Morris, R. L. (1998). A meta-analysis of forced-choice experiments comparing clairvoyance and precognition. Journal of Parapsychology, 62(3), 193–218Testing the psychic Olof Jonsson in a ‘forced choice’ experiment: Don, N. S., McDonough, B. E., & Warren, C. A. (1992). Psi testing of a controversial psychic under controlled conditions. The Journal of Parapsychology, 56(2), 87The Mind Machine - massive British experiment testing ESP in the general public: Wiseman, R., & Greening, E. (2002). The Mind Machine: A mass participation experiment into the possible existence of extra‐sensory perception. British Journal of Psychology, 93(4), 487-499Neuro-imaging of clairvoyant pairs: Moulton, S. T., & Kosslyn, S. M. (2008). Using neuroimaging to resolve the psi debate. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 20(1), 182-192.What is ‘normal’ experience? Powers III, A. R., Kelley, M. S., & Corlett, P. R. (2017). Varieties of voice-hearing: psychics and the psychosis continuum. Schizophrenia bulletin, 43(1), 84-98.Psychic Witch by Mat AurynLes Miroirs Magiques by Paul SédirLectures by Rudolf SteinerExtrasensory Perception (yogi-pratyakṣa) in Jainism and Its Refutations http://www.balcerowicz.eu/indology/balcerowicz2016c.pdfClairvoyance in Jainism: Avadhijñāna in Philosophy, Epistemology and Literature https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4760&context=etd
Episode 28: Ghosts! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-11-06 | Happy Samhain! This week we discuss ghosts, what they are, if they differ from spirits, and how their descriptions have varied across cultures and centuries. Is the way we currently view ghosts different than in the past and if so what has influenced the change? Be sure to tune in to the end as well where we share some of our own ghost stories or frightening paranormal experiences!Resources:High Energy Ghosts: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-28902-7_6The Sixth Dimension and Gods Helmet: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7966009A critical test of the EMF-Paranormal Phenomena Theory: proquest.com/docview/1537381235?fromopenview=true&pq-origsite=gscholar
Episode 27: Intuition and Deja Vu | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-11-06 | This week hosts Astra, Han, and Fel dissect the science behind intuition and deja vu! Do these experiences have a scientific mechanism behind them and if so, what is it and how does it work? Or are they as mystical and immeasurable as people like to claim? Plenty of questions to answer and a few funny interludes (hint, we talk about some hilarious quantum findings)...grab some tea and pop into the lab....or come back? Do you get the feeling this has happened before?Resources:Dèjá Vu: Possible Parahippocampal Mechanisms: neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/jnp.14.1.6Déjà Experiences in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy:neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/jnp.14.1.6Intuition vs. Insight: frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01195/fullControl of mental activities by internal models in the cerebellum: nature.com/articles/nrn2332Meta-analytic Investigations of the Relations between Intuition and Analysis: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdm.1903Neural processes underlying intuitive coherence judgments as revealed by fMRI on a semantic judgment task::sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053811907006118?via%3DihubIntuition: A social cognitive neuroscience approach: psycnet.apa.org/buy/2000-03445-005Intuition, Telepathy, and Interspecies Communication: A Multidisciplinary Perspective : sci-hubtw.hkvisa.net/10.14704/nq.2011.9.1.399 ****Please do not take any of this seriously....this is the paper that we reference when discussing the insanity of quantum entanglementRole of intuitive knowledge in the diagnostic reasoning of hospital specialists: a focus group study: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e022724Think rationally rather than intuitively to avoid diagnostic errors, doctors are told:bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6705State of Science, “Intuition in Nursing Practice”: A Systematic Review Study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4800548Philosophy and WEIRD intuition: cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/abs/philosophy-and-weird-intuition/153A4771E2C1631DB37D01859D3D6087
Case Study #2: Magick, Metallurgy, and Medicine in the Medieval Period Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-10-22 | Welcome back to the laboratory and to the second season of the podcast! This week hosts Astra, Fel, and Han travel back to medieval times and discuss magick during a time of heavy catholic influence, metallurgy, and medicine among many other topics including influential scientists, occultists, leech books, witch hunts!A delightful historical concoction to explore that won't blow your head off.Social Media Links:Discord: discord.gg/2Txw4ffMInstagram: instagram.com/testtubesandcauldronsResources:The Genius of Medieval Science: historyextra.com/period/medieval/medieval-science-medicine-dark-ages-discoveriesBrief Biography of Jabir-ibn-Hayyan: britannica.com/biography/Abu-Musa-Jabir-ibn-HayyanLeech-Book Experiment: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4542191Brief overview of the Hortus deliciarum: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hortus_deliciarumDiscussion of potential scientific bias of medeival remedies: historyextra.com/period/medieval/9-weird-medieval-medicinesAlchemy Digital Occult Library (a great starting point): https://digitaloccultlibrary.commons.gc.cuny.edu/alchemy/
Episode 25: Lets Talk About Bias | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-12 | Tune in for our last episode of season one! We'll be back in about a month, though, so don't fret it.Bias is human and helps us make decisions, but it can also hold us back and lead to some very serious ramifications. Tune in to the three hosts (Astra, Hanne and Fel) to discuss bias, what kinds of bias exist and how it shows up in both the occult and scientific community.LINKS:Discord: discord.gg/2Txw4ffMInstagram: instagram.com/testtubesandcauldrons
Episode 24: The Poison Path | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-12 | Poisons are a natural wonder and phenomena, one that should be handled with care, but have so much use within and outside of the occult. Yet, as with many things falling under the umbrella of left hand path, it is often demonized, seen as dark, ill-willed, and incapable of doing good. Join the hosts today as we discuss what the poison path is, misconceptions surrounding it, and how it actually requires having a hand in the benevolent and baneful realms.RESOURCES:Articles and Papers:- Poison as medicine: amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/the-power-of-poison-poison-as-medicine- Animal Toxins and Therapeutic Treatment for Neurological Disease: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5829052- A Constructive Approach on Lethal Plants for Medicine: toxicology.imedpub.com/a-constructive-approach-on-lethal-plants-formedicinal-use.php?aid=23639Books:- The Witches’ Ointment by Thomas Hatsis- The Poison Trials by Alisha Rankin- Viridarium Umbris: the pleasure garden of shadow & Veneficium: Magic by Daniel Schulke- Witchcraft and the Poison Path by Daniel Schulke.- Pharmakognosis trilogy by Dale PendellWant to learn more about separations? See the links below!- Introduction to Chromatography: chem.libretexts.org/Courses/ProvidenceCollege/CHM331AdvancedAnalyticalChemistry1/11%3AAnIntroductiontoChromatographic_Separations- Introduction to Mass Spectrometry: chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Purdue/Purdue%3A_Chem_26200%3A_Organic_Chemistry_II_(Wenthold)/Chapter_11%3A__IR_and_Mass_Spectrometry/11.06%3A_Introduction_to_Mass_Spectrometry- Mass Spec applications in biological research: iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/bmb.2004.494032020331
Episode 23: Spiritual Shower Thoughts Pt. 3 | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-12 | Do goldfish have spirituality? What are the correspondences of genetically modified ingredients? Are color correspondences different for people who are color blind? What if we could see beyond the visible spectrum? Join us for our third installment of the spiritual shower thoughts series where we dive into crazy spiritual questions, but this week....under the influence of mugwort! We get a little loose in this episode, but that's what made it fun!
Episode 22: Occultist and Scientists - Emanuel Swedenborg, the Prodigy | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-12 | Welcome back to the lab! In this episode the hosts dig into a hidden influential scientist turned mystic who had a huge impact on both our understanding of modern-day science and traditional witchcraft practices. Emanuel Swedenborg was a prodigy and striking example of a renaissance man with varying interests. He was the first to propose the proto-neuron theory, the structure of an atom nearly a century before its discovery and coined the term correspondence that is so widely used within the spiritual community today.We fell across Swedenborg during a previous episode and found him incredibly fascinating, so please join us as we dig into him further, unpacking his influences and trying to understand the cosmology he lived by.RESOURCES:- Swedenborg Foundation Website: swedenborg.com/emanuel-swedenborg- A System of Occidental Occultism: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4046&context=ocj (has some unique insights into Swedenborg)- Swedenborg: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas: amazon.com/Swedenborg-Introduction-His-Life-Ideas/dp/1585429384
Episode 21: Entheogens & Spirituality Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-12 | The three hosts (Astra, Fel and Hanne) discuss the science and history of entheogens in spiritual practices, how scholarship has changed and how it differs from other trance inducing practices. A general content warning for this episode, there will be a discussion surrounding drug use and its effects.RESOURCES:- Effects of Ayahuasca: imperial.ac.uk/news/193993/ayahuasca-compound-changes-brainwaves-vivid-waking-dream- Speculative ethnobotanical perspectives on the Norse berserkers: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404578- The “Vine of the Soul” vs. The Controlled Substances Act: Implications of the Hoasca Case: tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2008.10400630- Quasi-Experimental Elicitation of the Differential Report of Religious Experience among Intrinsic and Indiscriminately Pro-Religious Types: jstor.org/stable/1387425?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents- Psilocybin and mystical-type experiences: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-006-0457-5- Of Roots and Fruits: A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022167816674625
Episode 19: Tech Witchcraft with Warrior Witch Nike | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-10 | In the modern era, spirituality seems to have an overarching idea that technology inhibits one's ability to do magick. While the buzzing of notifications and constant flow of information can be a distraction to many people during ritual, that doesn't mean it is inherently bad or not useful in our practices! This week, the hosts are joined by Warrior Witch Nike to discuss tech magick, what it is, ways to use it, and some common misconceptions this paradigm often encounters! Resources: Technomancy Blog: technomancy101.com/technomancy (this is a blog and not a peer-reviewed resource, but it has good information and would be an excellent place to start!)AI to Generate Magical Symbols: ladvien.com/magic-symbol-generator-using-generative-advesarial-networks
Episode 20: Science and the Occult Through the Ages: The Classical Era | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-09-10 | Welcome to the first episode of our new series where we take a look at the relationship between science and the occult through the ages. In this episode we take a look at the Classical Era, contemplating the words and ideas of many influential philosophers such as Thales, Anaximenes, Aristotle, Pythagorus, and Empedocles, and many more! We touch upon fundamental theories of how the world works such as the elemental theory, the cosmic cycle of Empedocles, and the humors, which played a key role in the development of medicine (by arguably doing most things wrong). There are no resources for this episode as everything we talk about is publicly available, but we encourage you to do further research on a philosopher or theory that catches your interest!
Episode 18: Psychics and the Paranormal | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-10 | -Science and mysticism have been intertwined for centuries, but in many ways, science has also been used to perpetuate bogus spiritual experiences by charlatans and grifters within the spiritual and spirit community. Ghost hunters use thermal energies and electro-magnetic devices to decipher spirit interactions and charlatans used a wide variety of tricks to prove their abilities including magnets to show telekinesis among others! In this episode we touch on psychics, the paranormal, and scientific validity of both and the potential issues these can pose for our community.Resources: CIA Reports - please read these with a critical eye!- Certain Problems in Biological Electrodynamics and Psychoenergetics: cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00787R000500090004-6.pdf- Psychic Warfare: Exploring the Mind Frontier: cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00789R001001420001-3.pdf- Summary Analysis of Remote Viewing: cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00788R000900870001-8.pdfScientific Articles- Neuroimaging during Trance State: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3500298- Failure to Replicate Precognition: journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0033423- Precognition and Alternate Mind States Ganzfeld Study: research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/testing-precognition-and-altered-state-of-consciousness-with-sele- Difficulties of studying psychic ability (Journal of Parapsychology): psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-18747-002- Accuracy and neural correlates of blinded mediumship compared to controls on an image classification task: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278262620302414?via%3DihubElectromagnetic Field (EMF) studies: - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2490801- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3494709/ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2490801- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/cpr.12142BlogsWebsites- Science of the Paranormal: Can You Trust Your Own Mind? livescience.com/52641-science-of-paranormal-ghosts.html
Episode 17: Words and Symbols | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-08 | Symbols have an important role in the development of language throughout the centuries from hieroglyphics to the alphabets we know today, but within the occult community they also take on other meanings. Join the hosts as they talk about the science behind words and symbols in the occult. How accurate is the suggestion that a sigil is most effective when you destroy and forget? Is it possible to ever truly forget? Get lost in the murky waters of the unknown with us because it's complicated.Resources:- Perceptions of perceptual symbols: cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/abs/perceptions-of-perceptual-symbols/3F4B2D65B7685F18BF2C840E77761574- Amodal/modal dichotomy of concepts (Review): link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11097-020-09678-y- Biological abnormality of impaired reading is constrained by culture: nature.com/articles/nature02865- Brain mechanisms linking language and action: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15959465- Language in context: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15809000- Parallel memory systems...: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16828565- From symbols to sounds: visual symbolic information activates sound representations: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15318877- Neurochemical and neurological localization of semantic processes: cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1364-6613%2813%2900122-8- Uses, misuses, new uses, and fundamental limitations of resonance imaging in cognitive science: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003851- Neuroimaging during trance state: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3500298- The Demonstration of Short Term Consolidation (a concept similar to the burn and forget sigil activation): sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010028598906843?via%3Dihub
Episode 16: Chaos Magic with Kapt! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | We are delighted to welcome a close friend of ours to the podcast for this episode! Kapt is a chaote, planetary magician, yoga instructor, and fantastic astrologer who was willing to sit down and talk to us about chaos magic. We discuss its origins, some of the key tenets, ways to go about engaging in this eclectic tradition and common misconceptions about chaos magic in the witchcraft community. Grab a drink and sit for a spell as we discuss philosophy and experimentation within this paradigm!Resources:The Neural Basis of the Dynamic Unconscious: https://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/philo/faculty/block/papers/BerlinTreatment.pdfAre there levels of consciousness? sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136466131630002XBook Recommendations:- Hands on Chaos Magic: Reality Manipulation Through the Ovayki Current by Andrieh Vitimus- The Chaos Protocols by Gordon White (full disclosure, I [Astra] am still reading this, but thus far it has been interesting. As always, read with critical thought!)
Episode 15: Spiritual Shower Thoughts Pt. 2 | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | Our last shower thoughts episode was quite popular (and we had a blast recording it), so we figured we'd do a second one with some thoughts we weren't able to talk about last time. The hosts discuss the possibilities of animals practicing magick, what happens when you eat a binding spell, whether or not you can work with the genius loci of certain architectures or large scale structures like a subways and more! Lots of fun discussion, so pop into the lab and join us!
Episode 14: Divination and Astrology | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | First recording during Mercury retrograde and it was a doozy, but thanks to Fel for cleaning it up and producing a great episode! This week the hosts discuss divination, its history, some of our favorite types, and how we use it in our own practice. We also touch upon the scientific validity of divination and astrology by looking into some specific studies. Grab your teacup and join us at the table for an enlightening discussion!References and ResourcesDivination- M. Fortes Thesis on Divination used by the Tallensi people: https://www-jstor-org.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/stable/pdf/2416753.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Af3f04f65d9c804a7889cc0beb6062c0c- Theories of the Evolution of Divination: researchgate.net/publication/338593433Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodsofdivination- Divination and Scientific Prediction: citationsy.com/archives/q?doi=10.1163/15733823-0186P0002Pythagoreanism and Number Symbology (an overview): britannica.com/topic/number-symbolism/PythagoreanismTheory of Motor Control in Conscious and Unconcious Movement: link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/BF03333809.pdfRelationship between Scientific Knowledge and Fortune Telling: researchgate.net/publication/260561710Astrology- A Double-blind Test of Astrology: nature.com/articles/318419a0Personality - Differences between Twins as Predicted by Astrology?: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/019188699600112- Astrology Predictions on Marriage and Divorce: genus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41118-020-00103-5
Episode 13: The Low Frequency Truth of Vibrations | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | The terms frequency and vibration are thrown around a lot in the witchcraft community, especially amongst New Age practitioners, to describe people in certain states, explain the magical properties of crystals, and suggest that by controlling these frequencies we can reach our highest self. The hosts take on this topic and attempt to explain what these terms actually are, how we empirically measure them, and address their misconceptions in magic. This is going to be a fun one, so grab a wine glass and bring it to the lab where we'll try to break it with the resonant frequency! ;)Resources/Additional Material:Basic Understanding of Frequencies and Vibrations:- http://w3.ric.edu/faculty/PSCI103/waves/waves_notes.pdf- physicsclassroom.com/class/waves (this is a really good introduction to this topic from a physics point of view)History of FRET: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0898656820302461Binaural Beat: A Failure to Enhance EEG Power and Emotional Arousal:ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694826Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-018-1066-8Musica Universalis image:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musica_universalis#/media/File:The_music_of_the_spheres.jpgMusical Modes and their mystical meanings: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_(music)#UseBooks:The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish (mentions pneuma, a concept historically related to this discussion)Early Music Songs that Make Felicity Cry:- Fortuna Desperata: youtube.com/watch?v=bCS9I8NLvuA- Stella Splendens: youtube.com/watch?v=x25mD35ZDm0- Miserere mei: youtube.com/watch?v=H3v9unphfi0- A chantar m'er: youtube.com/watch?v=jiv3_nW-2M8- Dido's Lament: youtube.com/watch?v=jOIAi2XwuWo (song that makes Astra cry)
Episode 12: What IS New Age Anyways? Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | In this episode, the hosts discuss the New Age Movement, its origins, history, and evolution over time in addition to common practices within that are scientifically unsound. The definition of "new age" is incredibly hard to pin down, but hopefully this provides some useful insights!Resources from the episode:Perspectives on the New Age: archive.org/details/perspectivesonne0000unse_m6u6/page/n5/mode/2upCategory Formation and History of the New Age: tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01438300302814The Victorian Supernatural: bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-victorian-supernatural- The Fashionable Science of Parlour Magic: bl.uk/collection-items/the-fashionable-science-of-parlour-magicDrawing Down the Moon by Margot AdlerA Close Look at Therapeutic Touch: jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/187390
Episode 11: Ways of Knowing with Ruby! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-07-01 | We are delighted to welcome our first guest to the podcast - Ruby is a Scottish folk practitioner and solitary Wiccan pursuing a career in occupational therapy. Ruby joins the hosts to talk about epistemology, ontology, and the different ways of knowing and how this relates to the occult. We discuss different paradigms and how they fit into different traditions and discuss our own thoughts from our personal practices! Grab those spectacles and some coffee because its time to get philosophical!
Episode 10: Built for Divinity? | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-25 | Humanity and divinity go back centuries and it leads to the classic philosophical debate of which came first - humans or the divine? Do we have an innate lure and connection to the divine and is there a biological basis for the strong beliefs people have? Religions have been created, destroyed, and transformed through the ages as integral parts of our society all with the desire to connect to something larger than ourselves. Join the hosts as they discuss this from a scientific point of view and ponder if such a connection is quantifiable! Resources: Scales developed relating to magical or religious experience- Magical Ideation Scale: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6841765- Religious Experience Scale: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197485- Intensity of Religious Experience Scale: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-020-01084-7Neurological papers related to the brain and spirituality:- Post-traumatic Growth and Spirituality after Brain Injury: cambridge.org/core/journals/brain-impairment/article/abs/posttraumatic-growth-and-spirituality-after-brain-injury/A871DC2434004F24F8CDDBB671DC4A21- Biological and Cognitive Underpinnings of Religious Fundamentalism: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5500821- Right Parietal Lobe "Self-lessness" as the Neuropsychological Basis of Spirituality: tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10508619.2012.657524?journalCode=hjpr20#preview- Commentary on the "God Spot" in the Right Parietal Lobe: huffpost.com/entry/god-spot-in-brain-is-not-n1440518- Mystical Experience from Psilcybin: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3050654- Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5625021The God Gene- The God Gene Experiment: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2262126- Original Book: The God Gene: How Faith Is Hardwired into Our Genes by Dean Hammer
Episode 9: Spiritual Shower Thoughts! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-25 | One of the best parts about spirituality is being able to make your practice your own and people are incredibly creative when it comes to spellwork! In this episode, the hosts discuss some wacky spiritual shower thoughts like whether bacteria have spirits., can you do plant necromancy on your furniture, or whether spirits evolve over time. It's going to be a great time - so grab a drink from our bubbling cauldron and join us for a wild ride!
Episode 8: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble Pt. 2 | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-25 | Last week the hosts discussed herbalism through a scientific lens, but it plays a very key role in the practice of many pagans, witches, and some occultists. Hosts Astra, Hanne, and Fel discuss herbalism from a magical point of view - discussing how herbs are commonly used within magic and their own practices.Resources:- Drug interactions due to grapefruit juice: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17077528- Pharmacologic effects of lactone: researchgate.net/publication/19889337- Protoanemonin in plants: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0731708520312565Old - Thesis on Heat Induced Inhibitory Agents from Processed Fruits and Vegetables: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=osu1486467544555553&disposition=inline
Episode 7: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble Pt. 1 | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-09 | There is a constant discourse between herbalist and the scientific community...neither of which seem to see the side of another, but is there a place for herbalism within healing? Hosts Astra, Hanne, and Fel discuss what herbalism is and the place they feel is should occupy within the scientific world of drug development. What are the benefits and limitations of herbalism vs. synthetics? Fair warning, this episode goes deep into some science, but it's fascinating stuff!Resources:Derivation of drugs from natural products (NPs) and current screening methods:- The Story of Aspirin: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjh.14520- NPs as a Source for Drug Design: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560124- Review of the role of NP in Drug Design: nature.com/articles/nrd1657A - Historical Overview of NP in Drug Design: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901206/#B30-metabolites-02-00303- NP in Drug Design: Advances and Opportunities: nature.com/articles/s41573-020-00114-z- Dried-leaf Artemesia annua: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4323188- Whole Plan Artemesia annua as antimalarial therapy: journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0052746- Molecular Mechanism of Thalidomide: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7281272- Psychedelics being re-engineered for clinical therapeutics: nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03404-zDrug Discovery Process:- Stages of Drug Discovery: researchgate.net/publication/341097009- Drug Discovery and Development - A story: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5725284
Episode 6: Meditation and Mindfulness...what do we actually know? | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-09 | In this episode we explore meditation and mindfulness from a scientific point of view. What is meditation and mindfulness and how are they distinguished? Is there any physiological basis behind those practices and what is the current research on this topic? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions aren't as simple as they might appear! Grab a beaker full of coffee and let's discuss!
Episode 5: Dont be an Idiot! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-06 | The discussion of safety in witchcraft is neglected, but extremely important! Hosts Astra, Hanne, and Fel discuss the different realms of safety within the craft, suggestions, warnings, why crystals shouldn't go into water, dosing of salves and tinctures, and cross reactions of herbs with prescription drugs among other topics. We also touch upon some of our own "oops" moments to show that we all need these reminders! Sources/Resources: - Cross-reactions of herbs: thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/s-0031-1298331.pdf (this is a really good read if you are curious!)- Link to a free textbook on mineral chemistry: opengeology.org/Mineralogy/4-crystals-and-crystallization
Episode 4: The Magic of Research! | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-06 | In this episode we talk about research in multiple facets! How do we define it scientifically and can we apply a similar rigor to our occult research? We talk about the different types of sources, their reliability, and our own personal tips on how to be an effective researcher. Try not to crush any glassware under that stack of books!*Apologies for some mic feedback - we were in a different recording location this week!Since this episode is mostly opinion, we have opted to list a few books below that may be useful in helping you be a more effective researcher and critical thinker!- How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life by Thomas Gilovich- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman- Bad Science by Ben Goldacre (a great book on recognizing fallible science)- Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (3rd edition) by John W. Creswell- The Craft of Research (4th edition) by Wayne C. Booth, Joseph Williams, and Gregory G. Colomb
Episode 3: If It Happens In Your Head...Is It Real? | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-06 | Join the hosts as they discuss the placebo effect in magick! We cover what placebos and nocebos are, how blinded trials work and why they are useful in study design. The hosts touch upon areas of magick they consider to be placebo effects and discuss why. Do you think the placebo effect plays a role in magick? Let us know where! Resources from the episode: - Pill color and drug efficacy: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359128- Cultural effects on the placebo effect:onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/acps.12422 and https://sci-hub.se/10.1177/0020764015591492- Asthma and placebo...how not to kill your patients: sciencebasedmedicine.org/asthma-placebo-and-how-not-to-kill-your-patients
Episode 1: Fact or Fiction? | Test Tubes and Cauldrons Test Tubes and Cauldrons 2021-05-06 | - Welcome to our first episode of Test Tubes and Cauldrons, a podcast where we talk about the science behind spirituality! In this episode, the hosts discuss whether attempting to view spirituality through a scientific lens lessens the magical nature of it. Hop into the discussions with us as we talk and try not to blow up a test tube or two! Books/References Mentioned:- The Basic Code of the Universe: The Science of the Invisible in Physics- Medicine, and Spirituality by Massimo Citro - (Astra)Synchronicity: The Bridge Between Matter and Mind by F. David Peat- (Astra)Thirteen Pathways of Occult Herbalism by Daniel A. Schulke- (Hanne)Cailleach's Herbarium: “cailleachs-herbarium.com/2017/09/communications-with-plants-animism-genius-loci-terroir-phenomenology/COVID-19 Paper:- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7488171Additional Resources: New study on Terroir if you are interested: thespiritsbusiness.com/2021/02/research-shows-terroir-in-whiskey-does-exist
