Category Archives: Science & Environment

The Crowning of Nature: Coronatio Naturae and the Alchemical Tradition

The Crowning of Nature: Coronatio Naturae and the Alchemical Tradition

Full video of a presentation given together by myself and Frater Alistair Drew-Yeates, exploring the enigmatic and inspiring 16th century alchemical manuscript commonly known as the Coronatio Naturae.

Throughout the presentation we look at the historical context of the alchemical manuscript, give a detailed comparison of the different versions that are available in archives around the world, and take a closer look at the practical stages of operational alchemy that the manuscript represents.

Part of an ongoing exploration into practical Rosicrucianism, that seeks to bring into clearer focus some of the paths that can still be pursued today in order to gain a more hands-on and deeper appreciation for the hidden mysteries at the heart of the Rosicrucian tradition.

This presentation was given at the September 2023 meeting of the Metropolitan Study Group, organised by the Province of Greater London for the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (SRIA).

Podcast: AI and Technology of the Imagination

Podcast: AI and Technology of the Imagination

I had the pleasure once again to talk with Rudolf of the Thoth Hermes podcast, where we had an expansive conversation about the nature of AI and how it relates to concepts of the imagination in western esotericism.

Some of the questions and themes covered in the discussion include:

Can AI connect to the Divine? Is it fundamentally “natural” or “unnatural”?

Can it produce outputs with “soul”? Does the vast flow of creative information placed into AI datasets produce a new form of “collective unconscious”?

Could AI be an agent of healing in our society? Can it possibly contribute or experience states that we broadly term as “shamanic”?

Can it become a new “technological tradition of imagination”, existing alongside or working with our esoteric traditions?

You can listen to the full recording on the Thoth-Hermes YouTube channel here:

Into the Metaverse: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (Part I: The Good)

Into the Metaverse: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (Part I: The Good)

Every few years a new phrase is pushed through marketing channels, venture capital incubators, trendsetters of all kinds and into public consciousness. Recently, there has been one that particularly stands out as defining an emerging digital industry: The Metaverse.Continue Reading

Venus: A Cyberpunk Short Film

Venus: A Cyberpunk Short Film

Over the years, this site has contributed to a number of crowdfunding projects that speak to the same themes and ideas as those presented here. The cyberpunk short-film Venus is one such project, that has gone on to receive numerous accolades and festival awards since its release in 2021. I’m pleased to say that youContinue Reading

[Review] VENUS: A Cyberpunk Short Film

[Review] VENUS: A Cyberpunk Short Film

The 14min short film presents us with familiar cyberpunk concepts, but extends them into a few new areas of nuance. Centered around the notion of uploading consciousness into a new synthetic body; there are themes of control and consent, as well as undertones of rebellion.Continue Reading

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out with the Psychedelic Film and Music Festival (Virtual Event)

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out with the Psychedelic Film and Music Festival (Virtual Event)

The Psychedelic Film and Music Festival has announced the full program for its third annual event, this year held virtually with a lineup of science fiction, horror, and fantasy films, music videos, and in-depth panel discussions. Continue Reading