Due to be released in November, Dr. Diana Walsh-Pasulka’s second book on the UFO subject is to me is a portrait of the UFO phenomenon as manifested personally among those who are interested in the subject. In this way, it is more of a teaching text than a narrative, as her first volume, American Cosmic (https://www.amazon.com/American-Cosmic-UFOs-Religion-Technology/dp/019069288X/) was. It examines personal truths about the direct experiences of those who do not get on the news or attend UFO conventions, and how this can tell us more about these encounters on an individual level, where I believe the best understanding of this mystery lies. It also stands as a snapshot of where the subject stands right now; how it is seen and internalized by witnesses, how it is mediated by those with agendas or misunderstandings, and how it might be eventually accessible to all to help us evolve and survive.
Diana spent many months talking to the people she profiles in Encounters. The result is a deep dive into not just the UFO subject, but a real look at the mindsets and approaches to those interested in examining this mystery. Her portrait of space psychologist Iya Whiteley is particularly fascinating, and reveals how carefully listening to the reports and emotions of astronauts and pilots not only saved countless lives, but could also revise the database on UFO reports. The “overview effect (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_effect)” experienced by many astronauts is particularly useful in this regard.
We talked about the need of the humanities and the sciences to look at the UFO subject on equal terms, and the importance of the oral transmission of information, rather than the written word, which is widely used and respected, especially in the space program. And surprisingly, the use of the technique among “invisible college” scientists and academics.
We also discussed another of the researchers in the book, who looks at AI not so much as a threat, but a chance to engage in a learning dialogue with a vast intelligence, and her view that it is an alien intelligence from the future, helping us to evolve into our next incarnation as a human species.
We end with quote from “Tyler D,” character from her first book and his advice about the UFO subject, which was that “We are not meant to figure it out.”
LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD (http://radiomisterioso.com/audio/Diana_Pasulka_5_17_23.mp3)
22 Mar 2023
Thea Wirsching – The Occult and American History
I have known Thea Wirsching (http://theplutobabe.com/thea-wirsching-1) for a few months and my respect for her intellect and deep knowledge of tarot and astrology and their place in American History continues to amaze. Her advice and her singular project entitled the American Renaissance Tarot (https://www.americanrenaissancetarot.com/) was one of the guides and inspirations for our own Ufology Tarot. She recently gave a fascinating lecture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaXr2MkWxjQ) at the Philosophical Research Society about the esoteric roots of Edgar Allan Poe.
We talked about her path to her doctorate in English and her dissertation on the hermetic and the occult roots of American culture, particularly in the 19th century. In academia, she pointed out, “the occult is transgressive” and “conjures up the devil” for many, which made her degree more difficult to accomplish. She said that academics often “do not allow the subjects studied the dignity of their beliefs” and we talked about how this might be changing.
Thea mentioned the African American occultist Paschal Beverly Randolph (https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/paschal-beverly-randolph-1825-1875/) and his influence on Aliester Crowley and that he quite possibly authored the first vampire novel. He was part of a very real and important brand of American hermeticism that influenced occult movements worldwide, and was disseminated through fiction and writers such as Melville, Hawthorne, Thoreau, Emerson, and Whitman and ended up in the teachings of Theosophy and the practice of Spiritualism (which itself was an American phenomenon which spread worldwide.) These authors and others, as well as significant figures from American history play important roles in the American Renaissance Tarot deck and book.
She emphasized that while U.S. history is filled with triumphs and horrors, that we must look at the negative as well as the positive in order to make peace with it and change for the better.
LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD (http://radiomisterioso.com/audio/Thea_Wirsching_2_3_23.mp3)
8 Feb 2023
Morgan Knudsen – Making the Paranormal Normal
Morgan Knudsen is on a mission to normalize what is commonly referred to as the “paranormal.” For over 20 years she has researched, experienced, and lectured and taught classes on hauntings and psychic functioning. She founded Entityseeker Paranormal Research & Teachings (https://www.entityseeker.ca/) in 2003, co-hosts a podcast called Supernatural Circumstances (https://supernaturalcircumstances.com/), and has been featured on countless radio and television programs and has written two books: Teaching the Living (https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Living-Heartbreak-Happiness-Haunted/dp/1954528248/), and The Gift of Instinct (https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Instinct-Paranormal-Lessons-Extraordinary/dp/1954528418).
For this first RM show of 2023, we began with the inspiration of her great great grandfather Albert Durrant Watson, who was president of the Canadian Association of Psychical Research in the early 20th century. Morgan’s main goal is to let her audiences know that psychic events and abilities are normal and pervasive. She emphasized that, especially in this realm, we get and experience what we expect, adding, “If people could connect to this in a way that is beneficial, your life really does change.”
We spoke on how many paranormal events happen to people who don’t expect it or don’t care or just when they turn off equipment. Knudsen spoke about the “power of giving up,” adding, “As soon as you let go, you stop the resistance to what’s trying to happen.” She also surprised me with her take on the general reaction of her fellow Canadians towards these subjects, which tends to be conservative and almost dismissive.
LISTEN/ DOWNLOAD (http://radiomisterioso.com/audio/Morgan_Knudsen_1_3_23.mp3)
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