In this episode of Spirit Box, I had the pleasure of speaking with folklorist and writer Scott Richardson-Read the brilliant mind behind Cailleach’s Herbarium. The focus of today's chat is Scott’s new book 'Mill Dust And Dreaming Bread, exploring Scottish folk belief & folk magic'. Together, we explore the deep roots of Scottish folk beliefs, looking at how animistic worldviews were layered over time with Christian, Norse, and Anglo-Saxon influence. Scott introduced me to the Gaelic concept of Dùthchas—the inherited right to place and belonging—and we discussed its significance in shaping Highland identity and political history. We also touched on the shared rhythms of Irish and Scottish Gaelic, the legacy of Alexander Carmichael and the Carmina Gadelica, and the enduring power of charms and spoken magic. One story that really stood out was that of St. Columba lending out his sacred book, only to burn it upon its return—a tale that sparked a discussion about healing, miracle-working, and the threads of folk magic that persist beneath the surface of Christianity. Through it all, Scott painted a vivid picture of a world where people lived in deep, reciprocal relationship with land, weather, ancestors, and the unseen.
In the Plus show we ventured deeper into the mythic and cosmological territory of his book.

We talked about the Three Worlds, the Primordial Twin, and how these ancient ideas mirror spiritual systems across the globe. We explored the notion of a pact between realms, the sacred nature of hospitality, and what it means to live in a world where everything is animate and interconnected. One of the most fascinating parts of the Plus Show was our discussion on the origins of spoken healing charms—those poetic, potent utterances passed down through families to stop bleeding, mend bones, or ward off illness. Scott spoke beautifully about how these charms carry ancestral knowledge, and I shared stories of people I know who still use them today.

We also talked about the Cailleach, the powerful old woman of Gaelic tradition—part ancestor, part deity—who shapes weather and land and who remains a potent figure in both lore and personal practice. Scott spoke about how the Cailleach features in his work and how she represents the deep animism and ecological awareness at the heart of Scottish folk cosmology. We closed our conversation reflecting on the deep-time resonance of folklore—from the Milky Way as the Path of the White Cow to the sacred symbolism of rivers, straw, and cows. This wasn’t just a discussion about stories; it was about remembering who we are, where we come from, and how we might live again in right relationship with the world around us.

Show notes:
Get the book: https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/sample-page/shop/book/mill-dust-and-dreaming-bread-limited-special-edition/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaftMzheNukHpulzhH64G-Mln_jBm74bDGZYS1g-bIZh1LuZP_COI6SzSnp1Sg_aem_UdtHrClZcQ2j4aUkPomT-Q
Scott's instagram https://www.instagram.com/cailleachsherbarium/
Tigh na Bodach https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2018/01/the-cailleach-scotlands-midwife-tigh-na-bodach/
The Three Realms https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2023/11/scottish-cosmology-of-the-three-realms/
St Columba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba
Cailleach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach
Bodach https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodach
Donn Dubh

In this episode I’m joined by Daniel Yates— artist, writer, photographer, witch, and the mind behind the excellent Occult Library project.Daniel’s soon-to-be-released book To Glimpse a Hollow Hill is a deep and beautifully crafted exploration of Robert Kirk’s The Secret Commonwealth, a 17th-century manuscript at the heart of Scottish fairy belief and second sight traditions.We talk about the enormous task of transcribing and modernising Kirk’s original text, the folklore around seers, fairies, and fetch spirits, and the complex cultural landscape Kirk was writing from — one caught between Christianity, folk practice, and older ways of seeing the world.One of the most fascinating elements of the conversation is Kirk’s description of the Sith — not as the tiny winged fairies of Victorian fantasy, but as a people with their own culture, hierarchy, and even religious practices. These are beings who live alongside humans but by their own strange rules and logic — sometimes helpful, sometimes dangerous, always other.Daniel goes into more detail about Robert Kirk himself — not just as a minister and folklorist, but potentially as a seer working within a Christian framework. We discuss the ways in which Kirk subtly inserts himself into the text, the folklore surrounding his mysterious death on Doon Hill, and his possible motivations for writing The Secret Commonwealth — not merely as an academic exercise, but perhaps as a defence of the second sight and those who possessed it.In the Plus show, we go deeper into the more esoteric layers of Kirk’s Secret Commonwealth and the nature of the Sith.We explore the idea of dual-spirit traditions — the concept of co-walkers or fetch spirits that accompany a person or indeed a spirit, harvesting or feeding in some mysterious symbiotic way. Daniel draws intriguing parallels between this belief and spirit traditions found in cultures beyond Scotland.We discuss Kirk’s accounts of fairy lovers and the complicated, sometimes perilous relationships between humans and the Sith — not framed in terms of simple good or evil, but as entanglements with otherworldly beings operating by their own strange morality.There’s a beautiful reflection here on the porous boundary between worlds, and the price of crossing it — where gifts from the Otherworld might come with subtle costs, and where seership itself might not be a blessing freely given.We also talk about Daniel’s work on the Occult Library project — an ambitious and beautifully curated online resource cataloguing the wild and often ephemeral world of occult publishing.Daniel explains how the project came about as a response to the fragmentation of esoteric literature — especially from smaller or long-defunct presses — and his desire to create a browsable, searchable space where people could discover books that might otherwise disappear into obscurity.We discuss the challenges of gathering data on out-of-print and rare texts, the use of volunteers to help expand the library, and Daniel’s thoughtful approach to curation.He also shares future plans for the project, including an interactive map of occult locations, possible community features, and ways to sustain the site as it grows — all while preserving that sense of wonder and discovery that comes from stumbling across something rare, strange, or long-forgotten.Show notes:Buy 'To glimpse a hollow hill' https://www.atramentouspress.com/new-products/to-glimpse-a-hollow-hillDaniel's website https://www.photophrenic.comOccult Library https://www.occultlibrary.orgKeep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka

In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by great Miguel Conner, author of The Occult Elvis and host of the Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio podcast, to explore the esoteric, mystical, and trickster-like nature of Elvis Presley. Miguel is known for his deep dives into Gnosticism, mythology, and the hidden dimensions of history, and his latest book uncovers the spiritual and occult influences that shaped the life of the King of Rock and Roll.Elvis Presley was more than just a music icon—his life was filled with supernatural experiences, metaphysical encounters, and a deep yearning for spiritual truth. Miguel and I discuss how comic books, mysticism, and even extraterrestrials played a role in Elvis’s personal mythology. We examine how his twinless survivor syndrome, childhood poverty, and Southern religious upbringing contributed to his liminal, shape-shifting persona, making him a figure of both divine inspiration and tragic excess.One of the key themes we explore is the crossroads as a site of transformation, a place where the trickster archetype and magical forces converge. Like Robert Johnson, Elvis stood at the threshold between worlds, embodying both the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the carnal. Was Elvis an egregore of America, a living embodiment of the nation’s deepest desires and contradictions? Did he unknowingly act as a shamanic figure, channeling mystical energies through music and performance?We also delve into Elvis’s mystical abilities, including his alleged powers to stop the rain and move objects with his will, and how these experiences fit into a broader tradition of spiritual adepts, magicians, and prophets. We explore the darker aspects of his spiritual journey, including his encounters with visions of Jesus, Stalin, and his own impending death, as well as the influence of Gnostic ideas on his worldview.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we connect Elvis’s metaphysical path with that of David Bowie, another artist who engaged deeply with esoteric traditions, Gnosticism, and the occult. Miguel shares insights from his upcoming book on Bowie, discussing how both musicians wrestled with supernatural experiences, cosmic synchronicities, and the burdens of fame as a spiritual path.As we wrap up we take a deeper dive into the hidden esoteric undercurrents of rock music, Elvis’s role in shaping a new kind of mystical pop culture.Thank you very much

Show notes:
The Occult Elvis https://www.innertraditions.com/the-occult-elvisMiguel’s website: https://thegodabovegod.com/
Miguel’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AeonByte
Miguel’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aeonbyte/
Miguel's X page: https://twitter.com/AeonByte
Miguel's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67NBVrem2dRsYUreRyjSsA/feed
Miguel's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aeonbyte
Miguel's Rofkin: https://rokfin.com/aeonbyte

Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka

In this episode of Spirit Box, I’m joined by Dr. Gregory Shushan, a pioneering researcher on near-death experiences (NDEs). He has spent over 25 years studying historical accounts of NDEs, uncovering their profound influence on religious beliefs, mythologies, and cultural understandings of the afterlife. His research, as explored in his book Near-Death Experiences in the Ancient Civilisations; The Origins of the Worlds Afterlife Beliefs, reveals striking parallels between modern NDEs and accounts from historical cultures, shedding light on how early societies interpreted these extraordinary events.

In the show we explore what ancient texts reveal about encounters with the dead, the journey of the soul, and how different civilisations—from Egypt and Mesopotamia to India and Mesoamerica—understood these experiences. Gregory shares fascinating insights into how NDEs may have shaped early ideas of judgment, reincarnation, and the soul’s transition into the next world. His work also investigates the connections between NDEs, shamanism, initiation rites, and visions of the Otherworld, questioning whether these universal phenomena influenced the development of religious traditions across cultures.

In the Plus show, we take a deeper dive into Gregory’s upcoming research on Greek and Roman NDEs, as well as lesser-known accounts from indigenous First Nations traditions that challenge modern assumptions about the afterlife.

Beyond ancient civilizations, we also examine connections between NDEs and folklore, particularly in Irish fairy lore, where people were said to vanish into the Otherworld and return transformed. We discuss how these stories might reflect ancient beliefs about crossing the threshold between life and death, and how different cultures interpreted the journey between worlds.
Show Notes:
Dr Shushan's Website https://www.gregoryshushan.com
Get the book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Near-Death-Experience-Ancient-Civilizations-Afterlife/dp/1644118688

Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka

In this episode, I sit down with Adam Nox for an in-depth conversation on the rich subject matter of his excellent new book The Cult of Two: The uncensored sexual magick teachings of the order of delirious saints.Grounded in esoteric traditions and cutting-edge psychological insights, this compelling guide offers a roadmap to navigate the complexities of love, power, and identity. The Cult of Two is more than a book; it’s an invitation to transform your life through the integration of sexuality, spirituality, and self-mastery.In the conversation We explore the importance of integrating our fears, desires, and addictions, as well as the dangers of using spiritual knowledge as a shield against real growth.Adam shares his insights on the unconscious mind, the deeper meanings within the Tarot, and how magic and psychotherapy can work together. We also discuss the role of somatics in spiritual practice, the risks of premature Kundalini awakening, and the power of self-acceptance in navigating altered states of consciousness.From exploring the Tree of Life and the dark arts to personal stories of navigating danger through human connection, this conversation takes us deep into the realms of esoteric wisdom and self-mastery.In the Plus show, we go even further, taking a deep dive into the mysteries of the Tree of Death—examining its role in spiritual transformation, its relationship to the shadow self, and how working with its energies can lead to profound personal insight.Join us as we explore the intersection of magic, science, and the unconscious mind—this is an episode packed with insight, challenge, and practical wisdom.Show notes:Get the book https://www.amazon.com/Cult-Two-uncensored-teachings-delirious/dp/B0DXN852LDThe Cult of You website https://thecvltofyou.comKeep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka