Exploration Arcanum

Jason Nelson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Biweekly

Exploration Arcanum explores the ideas, beliefs, and people shaping modern occulture. Hosted by journalist Jason Nelson, who covers technology and the occult, the podcast features long-form conversations with practitioners, scholars, scientists, and researchers about everything from Thelema, ceremonial magick, and witchcraft to AI, consciousness, and emerging technology. Together, we examine what people believe, why they believe it, and why it matters.

  1. 6d ago

    Can You Be Christian and a Witch? | Sara Raztresen

    Can Christianity and witchcraft coexist?Author, teacher, and minister Sara Raztresen joins Exploration Arcanum to explore Christian witchcraft, mysticism, folk magic, tarot, and the long history of magical practices within Christianity.We discuss the line between magic and miracles, the esoteric roots of Christian rituals, Christian Wicca, egregores and spiritual entities, angel and goetic magic, and why some practitioners are leaving the occult for mainstream Christianity.Sara also shares practical advice for those interested in exploring Christian mysticism and spiritual communication.Sara's Links: https://linktr.ee/SRazzie97Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumCHAPTERS00:00–04:03 Introduction and Sara's background in the occult04:04–06:50 Esoteric connections in Christian rituals and symbolism06:51–10:02 Magic, miracles, and Christianity10:03–12:49 Tarot as a spiritual tool12:50–14:14 Leaving the occult for mainstream Christianity14:15–17:31 Anti-pagan sentiment in the U.S.17:32–20:37 Christian Wicca20:38–23:29 Folk magic, hoodoo, and syncretism23:30–26:47 Sara's ministry and community work26:48–30:23 The Holy Sword and spiritual discipline30:24–34:33 Egregores and spiritual entities34:34–36:38 Communicating with deities and entities36:39–40:22 Exploring gods and spirits40:23–44:55 Science, magic, and experimentation44:56–46:53 Sara's fantasy books and spiritual themes46:54–48:55 Angel magic and goetic magic48:56–49:05 Spirits, demons, and their interactions49:06–50:51 Getting started with Christian witchcraft50:52–51:04 Practical steps for Christian mysticism51:05–End Closing remarks and where to follow Sara Raztresen

    Can You Be Christian and a Witch? | Sara Raztresen

  2. Aug 30

    Why Millions Are Turning to Santa Muerte | R. Andrew Chesnut

    Why Millions Are Turning to Santa Muerte | Dr. Andrew ChesnutIn this episode of Exploration Arcanum, Dr. Andrew Chesnut joins Jason Nelson to explore Santa Muerte through the lenses of folk religion, Latin American spirituality, religious studies, cultural anthropology, and academia—and explain how the controversial Mexican folk saint became one of the world’s fastest-growing global religious movements.Shop our guests and support Exploration Arcanum https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumDr. Andrew Chesnut's Links:Socials:https://www.instagram.com/drdeathanddivinity/https://x.com/AndrewChesnut1https://www.facebook.com/andrew.chesnut.3/https://bsky.app/profile/drdeathanddivinity.bsky.socialAcademia:https://vcu.academia.edu/AndrewChesnuthttps://globalreligions.vcu.edu/directory/chesnut.htmlBlogs:https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theglobalcatholicreview/https://skeletonsaint.com/Chapters:0:00–0:37 — Intro0:38–5:29 — How Dr. Chesnut first became interested in Santa Muerte5:30–8:16 — Balancing academic rigor with empathy for devotees8:17–11:32 — Pushback and criticism from different audiences11:33–14:32 — Why people outside the drug-war context venerate Santa Muerte14:33–17:30 — Santa Muerte’s growing presence in culture, games, and retail17:31–20:01 — How fentanyl changed the narco landscape20:02–24:13 — How social media spread Santa Muerte devotion internationally24:14–26:34 — Why Santa Muerte resonates in the UK and Western Europe26:35–29:28 — Santa Muerte, baby Jesus, and World Cup rituals29:29–34:38 — Is Santa Muerte a universal archetype?34:39–39:09 — How the Mexican government’s position has changed39:10–42:14 — Los Angeles as a spiritual and occult hub42:15–End — Dr. Chesnut’s book, future formats, and where to follow him

    Why Millions Are Turning to Santa Muerte | R. Andrew Chesnut

  3. Aug 23

    Can Astrology Predict the Future of AI and Bitcoin? | Erin Redwing

    My guest today is astrologer and podcast host Erin Redwing.In our conversation, we discuss Erin’s background in astronomy and how it led her into the worlds of astrology, the esoteric, and Bitcoin. We also explore the mythology surrounding Bitcoin's creator Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s birth chart, the possibility of AI consciousness, and what ancient stories like Atlantis and the Tower of Babel can teach us about technological ambition.I want to thank Erin for coming on the show. I’ll include links to her website and social media in the description below. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum on YouTube and Spotify for more esoteric conversations.Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumErin Redwing's links:https://www.erinredwing.com/ https://x.com/realizingerin https://www.tiktok.com/@UCmZJrWmSm3ralB4-Wn1NRhQ The Hell Money Podcast: https://hell.money/ https://www.youtube.com/realizingerin

    Can Astrology Predict the Future of AI and Bitcoin? | Erin Redwing

  4. Aug 9

    Episode 50: Ronnie Pontiac on LA's Occult Past

    My guest today is Ronnie Pontiac, author, astrologer, musician, researcher, and former assistant to Manly P Hall. In this episode, we explore the hidden occult history of Los Angeles and how the city became one of the world's great centers of mystical thought. From Madame Helena Blavatsky and the influence of Theosophy to Manly P. Hall and the Philosophical Research Society and the counter-culture of the 1960s, Ronnie traces the people, places, and movements that transformed Los Angeles into a magnet for spiritual seekers and occult organizations. Links Shop our Bookshop.org store and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum Ronnie Pontiac Links Philosophical Research Society Series on Yesterday LA: https://www.prs.org/yesterdayla.html A Presentation on Occult LA with Ronnie Pontiac (July 26 at 7pm) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-presentation-on-occult-la-with-ronnie-pontiac-tickets-1989752907509 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theronniepontiac/Substack: https://substack.com/@ronniepontiac

    Episode 50: Ronnie Pontiac on LA's Occult Past

  5. Aug 2

    Episode 49: Lon Milo DuQuette: Ceremonial Magick, Thelema and the Young Aleister Crowley

    Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum. My guest today is author, musician, and teacher Lon Milo DuQuette. In this episode, DuQuette shares his lifelong journey into the occult, the evolution of Thelema and ceremonial magic, and insights into Aleister Crowley's influence on culture and the occult. He also discusses his new book Young Aleister Crowley and the Magicians’ Revolt. I want to thank Lon for coming on the show. I'll put links to his work in the description below. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and share it with your friends, and don't forget to subscribe to Exploration Arcanum here on YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Thank you. Lon Milo DuQuette's links:https://www.lonmiloduquette.net/https://www.instagram.com/lon.duquette/https://lonmiloduquette.substack.com/Subscribe to Exploration Arcanum on Substack: https://explorationarcanum.substack.com/Shop our guests and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

    Episode 49: Lon Milo DuQuette: Ceremonial Magick, Thelema and the Young Aleister Crowley

  6. Jul 26

    Episode 48: Scarlett Amaris on Witchcraft and Cosmic Horror

    Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum. My name is Jason. My guest today is Scarlett Amaris, an occultist, author, music video director, and screenwriter of the 2019 film adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's Color Out of Space. In this episode, we explore Scarlett's journey into the occult, why Lovecraft's work continues to resonate with horror fans, the mysterious nature of egregores and thoughtforms, and what it means to build a relationship with deities like Hecate. We also discuss the unique spiritual character of Los Angeles. I'll put links to all of Scarlett's work and social media in the description below. Thank you. Scarlett's links https://scarlettamaris.com/ https://www.instagram.com/scarlettamaris/ https://scarlettamaris.substack.com/ Upcoming Events --- https://www.magical-retreats.com/thesovereigncrown Support Exploration Arcanum by shopping our guests' books https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

    Episode 48: Scarlett Amaris on Witchcraft and Cosmic Horror

  7. Jul 18

    Episode 47: Dr. Angela Puca on Academic Research and The Occult

    My guest today is Dr. Angela Puca, a scholar of Western esotericism whose work bridges the worlds of academia and modern magical practice. With a background in philosophy and religious studies, she has become one of the leading voices making the academic study of the occult accessible to a wider audience.In this episode, we discuss what it means to study the occult academically, how scholars research magical traditions, and where someone should begin if they want to follow a similar path. We also explore the true origins of the term Left-Hand Path, the resurgence of modern esotericism, and artificial intelligence's place in the future of magical practice.I want to thank Dr. Puca for coming on the show. I'll put links to her website and social media in the description below. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum on YouTube and Spotify for more esoteric conversations.Thank youSupport Exploration Arcanum and our guests at Bookshop Storefront https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanumDr. Angela Puca’s Linkshttps://drangelapuca.com/https://drangelapuca.com/courseshttps://www.instagram.com/drangelapuca/https://www.tiktok.com/@drangelapucahttps://www.youtube.com/@drangelapuca

    Episode 47: Dr. Angela Puca on Academic Research and The Occult

  8. Jul 12

    Episode 46: Shira Chess: Demystifying AI, the Occult, and Technopaganism

    Welcome back to Exploration Arcanum. My guest today is Shira Chess, a media scholar, professor at the University of Georgia, and author of the new book The Unseen Internet. In this episode, we explore the connections between technology and the occult, from techno-paganism and meme magic to artificial intelligence, and discuss why every new technological revolution seems to give rise to new forms of belief. I'll put links to all of Shira's work and social media in the description below. If you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to Exploration Arcanum here on YouTube. You can also find the show on Spotify, so be sure to follow us there as well for more esoteric conversations. Thank you. Shira Chess' links https://unseeninternet.substack.com/ https://grady.uga.edu/faculty/shira-chess/https://www.instagram.com/shirachess/ https://mitpress.mit.edu/author/shira-chess-2026/Follow Exploration Arcanum on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pAHz5zengxeOp4jaCHdRs?si=a29d348f4b6c4703 Shop our guests and support Exploration Arcanum: https://bookshop.org/shop/ExplorationArcanum

    Episode 46: Shira Chess: Demystifying AI, the Occult, and Technopaganism
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Exploration Arcanum explores the ideas, beliefs, and people shaping modern occulture. Hosted by journalist Jason Nelson, who covers technology and the occult, the podcast features long-form conversations with practitioners, scholars, scientists, and researchers about everything from Thelema, ceremonial magick, and witchcraft to AI, consciousness, and emerging technology. Together, we examine what people believe, why they believe it, and why it matters.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Nelson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jason Nelson
  • Show Website
    Exploration Arcanum

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