Ep372: Hermitix - James Ellis

In this episode I am joined by James Ellis - independent researcher; writer; host of the Hermitix podcast; and founder of the online magick school, the Hermitage. James traces his spiritual journey including new atheism, explorations in the occult, Gurdjieff work, conversion to and deconversion from Catholicism, and the founding of his online magick school, the Hermitage. James offers his critique of magickal protection practices, recounts his experiences of summoning demons of the Goetia, and explains his approach to spiritual teaching. James also describes his years of alcoholism, the complexities of British class culture, the awakening of his intellectual potential, his graduate studies in Continental Philosophy, why he did not enjoy reading Homer’s Odyssey, and the pros and cons of talking in stories. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:33 - James on Homer’s Odyssey and favourite fiction 07:02 - Church of England upbringing 09:26 - A class mutt 12:22 - Working class lessons 15:10 - Winnie the Pooh vs the Moomins 16:13 - Chronic underachieving at school 22:36 - Functional alcoholism from 14-22 years old 26:53 - Discovering a passion for reading 30:50 - James’ reading regime 32:36 - Finding time for reading 35:41 - School is an engine of trauma 39:45 - University degrees in Fine Art and Continental Philosophy 40:44 - A profound experience at 22 years old 45:08 - Why Continental Philosophy? 48:19 - Awakening intellectual potential 50:52 - Writing from the age of 16 53:53 - Beginnings of spiritual seeking & Alan Watts 56:04 - New Atheism, Chaos Magick, & the Occult 59:18 - Franz Bardon & Gurdjieff 01:03:34 - Franz Bardon and solo practice 01:07:43 - Discipline and building mind power 01:09:45 - Motives for occult involvement 01:12:30 - Crowley and HGA 01:15:47 - Becoming a Catholic 01:18:12 - Seeking falls away 01:23:40 - James draws a line in the interview 01:26:17 - Talking properly vs telling stories 01:28:26 - How to talk properly 01:30:04 - Energetic changes in the chest 01:34:46 - Free flowing being 01:36:56 - James asks for Steve’s reaction 01:40:37 - De-converting from Catholicism 01:46:17 - Catholic formation 01:48:28 - Trying to share doubts with Catholics 01:50:09 - A small wave of de-converts 01:51:44 - Why the recent vogue of conversion to traditional Christianity 01:52:55 - Can the modern man return to religion? 01:57:04 - Being a child of Winter 02:00:04 - Magick without seeking 02:00:57 - James’ magickal school, the Hermitage 02:09:15 - James on the experience of evil 02:14:27 - Summoning a demon of the Goetia 02:16:32 - Critique of magickal protection 02:20:17 - Why James still teaches banishing and protection magick 02:22:43 - Why James decided not to pursue a PhD 02:25:39 - Alan Chapman, John Michael Greer, and mentors 02:32:04 - Spiritual teaching and so what? … To find our more about James Ellis, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@hermitixpodcast - https://the-hermitage.mn.co/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James