“Gnostic Sophia literature is essentially different from that of the Buddhist wisdom books. Assuming that man has fallen into this world from a more perfect condition, the Gnostics expended much ingenuity on trying to describe the process which brought about this fall. Classical Buddhism shows no interest in what may have preceded ignorance.”
—Edward Conze, Buddhism and Gnosis

Notes: Contrary to common misconceptions, Gnostics did not believe that humans fell into this world from a more perfect condition. Rather, according to Gnostic teachings, part of the Godhead - Sophia - fell into an unusual engagement with material evolution. This event is not a split in the Godhead, as in Persian duality, but rather part of an exceptional emanation that became our habitat. The idea that humanity suffers from a fallen state is not part of genuine Gnostic teaching instead, the Sophia mythos warns that our species may fall under the deviant influence of the Archons.

Image: 佛 (Buddha) by Xin Zia

"The Natural Law outlook views all of nature as possessing inherent worth and dignity. Both ontologically and energetically, nature is not merely a mechanistic material phenomenon, but is a living matrix of diverse vital biospheres, alive with personality, consciousness, will and the right to thrive. The Earth herself is a sentient being, a person. Nature, and all of nature's elements, are therefore as much an integral concern of the nation as are the nation's human citizens. As stewards of the Earth, it is incumbent upon all human beings to act as protectors of all of our natural resources."
― Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya, The Dharma Manifesto

Image: Vishnu and Krishna by Shashank Mishra

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.”
― Cicero

Image: Ciceros Speech Attacking Catilina in the Roman Senate by Hans Werner Schmidt

I used to wonder what the Sanskrit word 'Tantra' meant. Only recently did I bother to look it up, to learn that it means 'loom' or 'weave'. In its proper context, Tantra means 'method' or 'doctrine'. It describes traditional wisdom and its application in various areas of life.

But as a Heathen of the Germanic tradition I cannot help but focus on the relatedness of the word 'weave', for that is a common metaphor for the Germanic concept of Wyrd (which is more rightly called 'Orlæg'). Orlæg refers to the intertwining pattern that weaves together the undulations of our individual lives.

The common ground between Tantra and Orlæg is that both refer to facts which are tried and tested; to established knowledge and its effect on the here-and-now. This shared concept basically says: Learn from your ancestors - Accept the reality they handed down to you - Use it to your advantage - Expand the collective wisdom of your folk with it.

“When the king can no longer tolerate his jester the tyrant is nigh.”
― Jordan B Peterson

Notes: Within classical society, the jester, while appearing to be a trivial figure, played a vital role in maintaining the proper functioning of the kingdom. The court environment of that era was such that few individuals could openly critique or speak out against the king's court, especially if it involved the lord or the king themselves. The jester, however, was one of the few individuals who had the liberty to speak their minds without fear of retribution. Jesters were not afraid of causing offence, and they often used humour to tease, mock, and joke about the nobility of the court.

Today, the role of the jester has evolved into that of the comedian, who holds the great responsibility of speaking truth to power and challenging the status quo, a role that for the most part they have completely neglected.

Image: Stańczyk by Jan Matejko

“Most civilisation is based on cowardice. It's so easy to civilize by teaching cowardice. You water down the standards which would lead to bravery. You restrain the will. You regulate the appetites. You fence in the horizons. You make a law for every movement. You deny the existence of chaos. You teach even the children to breathe slowly. You tame.”
― Frank Herbert, God Emperor of Dune

Image: Bene Gesserit by Mark Zug

“In unraveling the intricacies of a culture's myths, symbols, and archetypes, we embark on a journey of discovery that traverses the terrain of its collective soul. We navigate the labyrinth of meaning, unraveling the enigmas that define its identity. By deciphering these keys to understanding, we gain access to the inner sanctum where a culture's deepest reservoirs of values, fears, and aspirations converge, offering us a profound glimpse into the heart of humanity's ceaseless quest for meaning and belonging.”
― Mircea Eliade

Image: Theseus and Minotaur (Detail) by Maestro dei Cassoni Campana

“Monotheism mounted a two pronged attack on pagan cultures. It appealed to the rulers of societies as a superior means of social control and it appealed to the poor masses as it made a virtue of avoiding the sybaritic excesses that they could not usually afford to indulge."
― Peter J Carroll, Liber Kaos

Image: The Coronation of Charlemagne by Friedrich Kaulbach

Notes: Charlemagne, widely revered as the "saviour of Europe," engaged in a 32-year conflict of domination and spiritual transmutation against the pagan Saxons, from 772 to 804. His intention was to supplant the ancient beliefs and cultural foundations of the Saxons with the moral code and governance of Christianity.

The Charlemagne Prize continues to uphold the core values of its namesake, and was initially awarded to Richard von Codenhove-Kalergi. Subsequent recipients have included Tony Blair, Winston Churchill, Angela Merkel, Henry Kissinger and the current recipient, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Authority should be questioned, not blindly obeyed. Critical thinking is the antidote to manipulation and control. In a world where authority figures and institutions often claim unquestionable power, it is crucial to cultivate a mindset of critical thinking and skepticism. Blind obedience to authority can lead to the erosion of personal freedom and the perpetuation of harmful systems. By questioning and critically examining authority, we can discern between legitimate and illegitimate exercise of power. Critical thinking enables us to challenge assumptions, seek evidence, and make informed decisions based on our own reasoning and understanding.”
― Mark Passio

Image: John Nada / They Live by Dave Merrell

“Christianity is a creed embraced by billions, but rarely chosen by anyone. The same is true of Islam, whose followers now make up about one-fifth of the world’s population of six billion people. Jews are racially born into their religion. Today we have utterly forgotten that heresy derives from the Greek heraisthai, ‘to choose.’ To be heretical means to have choices and not be forced or obligated to believe what one is told to believe. A heretic is free to choose what to believe, or not to believe.”
― John Lamb Lash, Not in His Image: Gnostic Vision, Sacred Ecology, and the Future of Belief

Image: Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel

"I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man she must be quiet.”
― 1 Timothy 2:12, New Testament

"The Germans believe that those of the female sex posses an inherent sacredness and the wisdom for prophecy; and as such the men do not avoid asking advice of their women and nor do the men ignore when their women reply.”
― Germania, Tacitus

Notes: From a Gnostic viewpoint, acknowledging the inherent sacredness of the female sex, rooted in Wisdom, mirrors the significance of Sophia within the cosmic order. Just as Sophia embodies divine Wisdom and understanding, women can serve as channels for elevated spiritual insight and intuition. The imposition of the Abrahamic religions, which uphold an off planet male deity removed from the realm of senses disrupts our connection to the sacred Earth and nature. Simultaneously, it undermines the historical role of women in prophecy, insight, and Wisdom.

Image: The Inquisition by Samson Goetze

“The narrative of the virus is the virus.”
― John Lamb Lash, March 29, 2020

Image: Zombie Sequel by Bob Moran

“Diet, injections, and injunctions will combine, from a very early age, to produce the sort of character and the sort of beliefs that the authorities consider desirable, and any serious criticism of the powers that be will become psychologically impossible. Even if all are miserable, all will believe themselves happy, because the government will tell them that they are so.”
― Bertrand Russell, The Impact of Science on Society, 1952

Image: Still from ‘In Shadow: A Modern Odyssey’ by Lubomir Arsov

Check out the short film (13 mins) here

“The dissident artist must see himself as an ancient bard. His duty is to guide, to warn, to advise, to preserve the wisdom and heritage of the tribe, and to inspire great deeds. Time is up for the self-indulgent ‘troubled’ artist. That artist is both a creation of the decadent modern age and also partly responsible for creating the decadent modern age. The dissident artist must lift his people up and out of these marshlands of malaise and mediocrity.”
― Pox Populi, Guide to Creating Dissident Nationalist Art

Image: The Bard by Thomas Jones

“The mark of Cain is stamped upon our foreheads. Across the centuries, our brother Abel was lain in blood which we drew, and shed tears we caused by forgetting Thy love. Forgive us, Lord, for the curse we falsely attributed to their name as Jews. Forgive us for crucifying Thee a second time in their flesh. For we knew not what we did.”
― Pope John XXIII

Notes: The scapegoating, self loathing and public self flagellation of ‘woke’ isn’t a new phenomenon but instead a natural outgrowth of the previous ‘religion’ imposed upon the peoples of Europe. Just as "woke" culture prompts Europeans to perceive their ancestors as malevolent and unethical oppressors, Christianity previously instructed them to view their forebears as primitive demon worshippers. Those with discernment will recognise they derive from the same source and ultimately share a common purpose.

Image: Cain slaying Abel by Peter Paul Rubens

"Man's highest vocation is to seek knowledge of himself. Knowledge of oneself is the beginning and the end of all philosophy. A man who knows himself knows what is meant by life and death…Such a man is able to distinguish between good and evil, and between virtue and vice. He understands what is meant by justice and injustice. He knows the nature of all things, and why they exist, and for what purpose. He knows the cause of his own existence, and the cause of all things.”
― Wolfram von Eschenbach, Parzival

Image: Parsifal In Quest Of The Holy Grail by Ferdinand Leeke

The Mystery of the Grail: The Celtic Cauldron

The origins of the grail mythos is often widely disputed with many citing it as a strictly Christian relic while others look to further afield to Persia and the near East. In tracing back it’s mythological origins the Celtic Cauldron holds a significant role as a cultural and mythical object and is considered to be the precursor to the Grail.

The cauldron appears as a prominent motif within Celtic narratives, with the Dagda, a deity, possessing a ‘cauldron of plenty’ that nourishes valiant warriors but denies food to cowards.

The cauldron is also associated with the Celtic goddess Cerridwen, her magical cauldron takes a year and a day to brew its potent knowledge and inspiration potion. Her wisdom earns her the Crone status, aligning her with the darker aspect of the Triple Goddess. Symbolised by a white sow, she embodies both fertility and motherly strength as a goddess of the Underworld. Cerridwen is revered by for her connection to the full moon as both the Mother and the Crone. This vessel also appears within the Celtic legend of Bran the Blessed. Bran, mighty warrior-god, obtains a magical cauldron of wisdom and rebirth from Cerridwen.

The cauldron while also perhaps a physical vessel symbolizes rebirth, renewal, fertility, and sustenance, often linked to water-based cults. Actual Celtic cauldrons have been discovered in aquatic settings, indicating they were offered as votive objects.

Notably, the Gunderstrup cauldron was dismantled and placed in a peat bog as a ritual offering. A similar practice involved depositing valuable weaponry into bodies of water as offerings to otherworldly water deities, echoing the Arthurian tale of the Lady of the Lake gifting and later reclaiming Excalibur.

Irish mythology recounts four magical items, including the Cauldron of the Dagda. These artefacts were introduced to Ireland by the Tuatha de Danaan, a conquering race described as Otherworld faery beings. These items, along with the Stone of Destiny, the Spear of Lugh, and the Sword of Nuada, held symbolic importance in Celtic culture. In the Grail stories, these magical items serve as the basis for the symbols of the Cup, Spear, Stone, and Dish, collectively known as the four hallows.

All 33 Fyrgen Podcast episodes, free to download and listen:

Episode 1: Why Paganism?
Episode 2: Practicing Paganism
Episode 3: The Power Process with Heiðrūn
Episode 4: The Northman
Episode 5: Divine Encounters
Episode 6: The Coming Battle
Episode 7: Restoring Pride with Mimir's Brunnr
Episode 8: Gnostic Paganism with John Lamb Lash & Rob Miller
Episode 9: Grand Humanism with Stephen McNallen
Episode 10: Ask Me Anything
Episode 11: Folkish Religion with Hwitgeard
Episode 12: The Abrahamic Infection
Episode 13: Pagan Music
Episode 14: Heathen Orthodoxy with Dave Martel
Episode 15: Citizen or Pagan?
Episode 16: Black Metal Roundtable
Episode 17: Working with Wyrd
Episode 18: Solutions with The Woodlander
Episode 19: Astrology with Fiona Ædgar
Episode 20: Ask Me Anything #2
Episode 21: Taking Action with Golden Age Man
Episode 22: Ethnic Healing with Emma Lucy Shaw
Episode 23: The Heathen Soul with Anders Nilsson
Episode 24: Yule 2022 Roundup
Episode 25: The Mechanurge with Dave Martel
Episode 26: Man vs Machine? with Heiðrūn
Episode 27: Théodish Belief with Þórbeorht Hláford
Episode 28: Hard Times, Strong Men with Noah Revoy
Episode 29: Scopcræft with Ælfric Avery
Episode 30: Ask Me Anything #3
Episode 31: Observing The Lore with Mark Puryear
Episode 32: The Secrets of Fire in the White Stone, with ΔĐΔΜ (1)
Episode 33: The Secrets of Fire in the White Stone, with ΔĐΔΜ (2)

"Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction; it is, in great part, a protest against Paganism. Its ideal is negative rather than positive; passive rather than action; innocence rather than Nobleness; Abstinence from Evil, rather than energetic Pursuit of Good: in its precepts (as has been well said) 'thou shalt not' predominates unduly over 'thou shalt."
— John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

Image: Life of St. Benedict (extract) by Giovanni Antonio Bazz

Is this material world an illusion, or worst still, a prison?

This is the worldview commonly associated with the Gnostics, and is undeniably blasphemous to the Pagan mind. But is it really what the Gnostics believe(d)? Certainly not if you ask one-time Fyrgen Podcast guest and scholar John Lamb Lash.

Some German friends recently introduced me to the 1982 animated film 'The Last Unicorn' which, despite being a children's film, is quite enjoyable. One scene in particular caught my attention, because it rather perfectly expresses what I believe to be the true Gnostic message regarding illusion.

In this scene it is revealed that a 'witch' is able to alter how men perceive reality, but never to alter reality itself. The false Demiurge and Archons spoken of by the Gnostics are, likewise, able to deceive mankind into mis-perceiving the natural world, but cannot create or alter material reality itself.

Nature is wondrous in her display and intent. Deception is the ugly polyester robe cast upon her.

“Shamanism, spiritualism, energy work, rainbows and crystals, totems and spirit animals. In our modern world, these things have existed in the realm of either ‘exotic’ (non-white) cultures or have been snugly in the possession of lefty wingnuts. In the sphere of Western paganism, there has been a great deal of discussion about reconnecting to holistic living, which is in turn often connected to ‘we are all one’ ideology. The irony is that Europeans did, in fact, hold an animistic understanding of the world at one point in time. We, too, believed in an interconnectedness of life and fluidity between the spirit and mundane realms. In fact, the mortal world was not actually mundane at all. It was teeming with spiritual life-force to such an extent that one might say that Midgard, the land of mortals in the Teutonic worldview, was seen as enchanted.”
― Carolyn Emerick, More than Meets the Eye: The Death and Resurrection of European Animism

Image: The Night of Ivan Kuala by Boris Olshansky