Month: April 2014

idiotsonofdonkeykong:

And at the centre of that impulse is the shaman: stoned, intoxicated on plants, speaking with the spirit helpers, dancing in the moonlight, and vivifying and invoking a world of conscious, living mystery. That’s what the world is. The world is not an unsolved problem for scientists or sociologists. The world is a living mystery: our birth, our death, our being in the moment – these are mysteries. They are doorways opening on to unimaginable vistas of self-exploration, empowerment and hope for the human enterprise. And our culture has killed that, taken it away from us, made us consumers of shoddy products and shoddier ideals. We have to get away from that; and the way to get away from it is by a return to the authentic experience of the body – and that means sexually empowering ourselves, and it means getting loaded, exploring the mind as a tool for personal and social transformation.

scrollofthoth:

To celebrate its one year anniversary, My Babylon is on sale for only 99 cents through May 1st.

A novel about the paranormal and dark desires. The story of a cursed young man who has an intimate view of the Apocalypse. My Babylon weaves elements of urban fantasy, erotic horror, and real-world occult practices to form a unique personal tale that thrills, terrifies, and even enlightens. 

In My Babylon, the magus, consumed with longing, seeks to create a replacement for his lost love using a grisly ritual that requires the theft of a body. Through her creation, he learns that he has a much bigger role to play, and that she may be a form of salvation not only for him but for others. 

The Complete edition contains all five books of the My Babylon story. 

Reviews* for My Babylon: 

“Captivating, interesting, dark, and at times even funny.” 

“Darkly horrific, Lovecraftian work. Parts of it make you squeamish, parts send chills down your spine. A deft illustration of the black side of the human soul.” 

“What I really loved about this work was what was left unsaid—telling a story with details rather than stating the obvious is becoming a lost art. What surprised me about this work was how much it drew me in despite my merely mild interest in the occult.” 

“James has put together a great story with great characters who feel authentic, even as they go about tasks that you’d be horrified to find out your neighbors were up to. And even though Mike, the magician who narrates this story, is involved in really heinous activities, I still like the guy. And that is an impressive feat.” 

“Not for the timid this book, but well worth it.” 

“An intriguing look at what drives us …” 

“It’s the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller.” 

“In the end, you’re left with the sense of a masterfully conceived protagonist who gives credence to the idea of the unsympathetic character. It also maintains an orbiting cluster of supporting characters who are interesting in their own right but also necessary to the development of the protagonist.” 

*Reviews originate from those left for the individual novellas included in this book.

Get it at Amazon or Smashwords

It Comes in Threes

It Comes in Threes

scrollofthoth:

I’m still paying off the the surgery my dog had last month to remove some tumors.

The State of Indiana decided last week I owe them $1,200 in back taxes because they didn’t take taxes out of my unemployment.

Today, my furnace broke down, and I kinda need that, even in the summer, a/c being…

It Comes in Threes

I’m still paying off the the surgery my dog had last month to remove some tumors.

The State of Indiana decided last week I owe them $1,200 in back taxes because they didn’t take taxes out of my unemployment.

Today, my furnace broke down, and I kinda need that, even in the summer, a/c being almost a necessity in southern Indiana.

So I’m asking you please, if you enjoy this blog. If you have ever feel you’ve learned something or been entertained by my podcast or my other blog at scrollofthoth.com. Please consider one or all of the following:

Buying one of my books from Amazon or Smashwords. They are all on sale for dirt cheap right now.

Going to scrollofthoth.com and scroll down until you see the paypal button on the right. Any amount helps.

Reblog this to your followers and let them know how much you have enjoyed my work.

Thank you all. I really appreciate it.

To celebrate its one year anniversary, My Babylon is on sale for only 99 cents through May 1st.

A novel about the paranormal and dark desires. The story of a cursed young man who has an intimate view of the Apocalypse. My Babylon weaves elements of urban fantasy, erotic horror, and real-world occult practices to form a unique personal tale that thrills, terrifies, and even enlightens. 

In My Babylon, the magus, consumed with longing, seeks to create a replacement for his lost love using a grisly ritual that requires the theft of a body. Through her creation, he learns that he has a much bigger role to play, and that she may be a form of salvation not only for him but for others. 

The Complete edition contains all five books of the My Babylon story. 

Reviews* for My Babylon: 

“Captivating, interesting, dark, and at times even funny.” 

“Darkly horrific, Lovecraftian work. Parts of it make you squeamish, parts send chills down your spine. A deft illustration of the black side of the human soul.” 

“What I really loved about this work was what was left unsaid–telling a story with details rather than stating the obvious is becoming a lost art. What surprised me about this work was how much it drew me in despite my merely mild interest in the occult.” 

“James has put together a great story with great characters who feel authentic, even as they go about tasks that you’d be horrified to find out your neighbors were up to. And even though Mike, the magician who narrates this story, is involved in really heinous activities, I still like the guy. And that is an impressive feat.” 

“Not for the timid this book, but well worth it.” 

“An intriguing look at what drives us …” 

“It’s the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller.” 

“In the end, you’re left with the sense of a masterfully conceived protagonist who gives credence to the idea of the unsympathetic character. It also maintains an orbiting cluster of supporting characters who are interesting in their own right but also necessary to the development of the protagonist.” 

*Reviews originate from those left for the individual novellas included in this book.

Get it at Amazon or Smashwords

massarrah:

List of Plants in a Royal Babylonian Garden

This tablet lists plants in the garden of the Babylonian king Marduk-apla-iddina (reigned 721-710 and in 703 BCE; Biblical Merodach-Baladan). Included on the list are various vegetables, such as onion and leek, and herbs, such as mint and coriander. (Source)

Neo-Babylonian, c. 8th-7th century BCE.

British Museum.

Here I go being unpopular again.

Concerning recent posts by multiple people I respect:

The more time you spend complaining about how people are ill-educated, or how you disagree with their practice, the less time you have to research and perform your own magick.

I don’t understand how what other people believe effects what you do.

“You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you.”

– Robert Anton Wilson