In this long-awaited conversation, I’m joined by magician, author, and teacher Alan Chapman, co-founder of The Baptist’s Head and author of Advanced Magick for Beginners. Together, we explore some of the biggest questions in modern occultism: What is magic actually for? What did the Western magical tradition originally aim to achieve? And why does the pursuit of power so often overshadow the pursuit of wisdom?
Alan discusses his journey through chaos magic, his work with Duncan Barford, the concept of the Great Work, awakening, and the role of direct experience in magical practice. We also dive into the culture of contemporary occultism, from gatekeeping and social media personalities to the importance of recording results rather than simply discussing theory.
Topics discussed:
- The Great Work and awakening
- Chaos magic and The Baptist’s Head
- The Holy Guardian Angel
- Recording magical results vs. occult theory
- Gatekeeping in modern occultism
- Social media and “occult influencers”
- Magical power versus wisdom
- Trauma, initiation, and spiritual abuse
- Lovecraft, Kenneth Grant, and occult culture
- Finding authenticity in magical practice
🔗 People, books, and concepts mentioned:
Alan Chapman – Magician, author, and founder of Magia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ch…
Duncan Barford – Occult author and Chapman’s longtime collaborator
The Baptist’s Head Compendium – Collected writings of Chapman and Barford
https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/t…
Advanced Magick for Beginners – Alan Chapman’s influential book on practical magic
/ advanced-magick-for-beginners
Aleister Crowley – Founder of Thelema and major influence on modern occultism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleiste…
Thelema
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema
Chaos Magic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_m…
Illuminates of Thanateros (IOT) – International Chaos Magic organisation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) – Foundational texts of the Western magical tradition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Holy Guardian Angel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Ramana Maharshi – Indian sage discussed in relation to awakening and self-realisation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Austin Osman Spare – Artist, occultist, and pioneer of sigil magic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Kenneth Grant – Founder of the Typhonian Tradition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
John Dee – Elizabethan magician and occult philosopher
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Carl Jung – Psychology, the shadow, and occult influence
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
H.P. Lovecraft & the Cthulhu Mythos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Philip K. Dick – Mysticism, hidden realities, and esoteric fiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_M…
Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP)
