RADIO - Jesse Waugh

Tiara Budiendra is a Javanese fine artist and illustrator who employs color to great success. She recently completed a Masters degree in fine art at the University of Brighton in England - a course in which I was also enrolled. We begin discussing the Symbolism which is present in many of Tiara’s works.

We speak with artist Susan Fynes about her mezmerizing and intricate work.

Brief Announcement 2016-01-01 Hello and Greetings Fellow Travellers! This first episode of 2016 is just a brief announcement that we at the The Great Work will now be attempting to produce a weekly broadcast which should be available every Friday. We are also introducing a ‘Members only’ section which will feature the second hour of each Great Work episode. Members can sign up for only $5 a month and cancel at any time. Although it may seem to be a simple process, extensive work goes into the production of podcasts and online radio programs such as The Great Work — including researching topics, finding suitable guests, contacting them, scheduling interview times, conducting interviews, editing episodes (this step can take quite a while), maintaining the website, and promoting the show on social media and elsewhere — It is no simple task! So the introduction of a ‘Members’ section’ can facilitate our ongoing dedication to the production of quality content on a regular basis — Without your help this would not be possible! Thanks very much - we look forward to a productive year ahead. Happy Winter Solstice and Happy New Year!

Today we discuss The Buddha from Babylon: The Lost History and Cosmic Vision of Siddhartha Gautama with author Harvey Kraft.

Harvey Kraft is an American author, and a Spiritual Archeologist adept at interpreting ancient mythic language. Mr. Kraft’s new alternative biography of the historical Buddha titled The Buddha from Babylon is the culmination of 15 years of research into the Buddha’s lifetime and enlightened visions. The book is this year's double winner of the USA Best Book Awards for Eastern Religions and Non-fiction World History.

The Buddha from Babylon: The Lost History and Cosmic Vision of Siddhartha Gautama By Harvey Kraft Buy on Amazon

Harvey Kraft explores human history from a spiritual perspective, rather than the traditional method based on military conquests. His research method employs archaeological findings, translating and interpreting mythic literature and iconography, unearthing hidden meanings embedded in ancient linguistics, and exploring the cosmology of existence through visionary insights.
 
As a student of Buddhism for forty-seven years, his personal quest has been to unearth the meaning of Buddhist wisdom. Mr. Kraft’s new biography of Siddhartha Gautama is the culmination of his aspiration to explore the Buddha’s original teachings and enlightened scope. Reviewers have recognized it as a “seminal work.”
 
Today Mr. Kraft lives with his family in California. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant.
 
In 1998 Mr. Kraft lost his 23-year-old daughter, Lani, after a heart transplant operation. She had encouraged her father to share his understanding of Buddhism. Trying to deal with her passing, he embraced her inspiration to follow the path she pointed him in. His work is dedicated to her.

Tezcatlipoca: Trickster and Supreme Deity University Press of Colorado Buy on Amazon

Dr Elizabeth Baquedano is a world-renowned expert on Aztec culture and iconography, as well as a lecturer at University College London. She holds a PhD in Archaeology, has appeared on numerous programmes and documentaries, and recently won the highly prestigious Ohtli Award from the Government of Mexico, which is bestowed upon distinguished Mexicans working outside of Mexico.

In this, our first interview with Elizabeth, we explore wide-ranging subjects including that of her newest book about the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca - who Elizabeth states is the true supreme deity of Aztec religion.

 

Liliana Leopardi joins us for an update on the Art & Alchemy exhibition at the Uffizi which ended last month in Florence. Liliana goes over the themes touched upon in the Italian-language-only exhibition catalogue, and reveals the inner workings of Medici alchemical experimentation leading up to the Age of Enlightenment. Also discussed is the relation of alchemy and religion to human sacrifice, as well as the fascinating history of the Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities.

In this special episode of The Great Work Radio we speak with the Marquis Vanni Torrigiani Malaspina, descendent of a long line of Florentine Italian noblemen who is one of the primary custodians of the beautiful Torrigiani Gardens in Florence. The Giardino Torrigiani is the largest privately held urban estate in Europe. Vanni takes us on the garden's Path of Enlightenment, gives us a thorough history of his aristocratic family, and explains the esoteric significance of the estate's plethora of arcane iconography - including the awe-inspiring Torrigiani Tower of Athanor - a colossal 19th century alchemical oven in which bodies were burned as purification. Be sure to watch the associated video, listed with the article for this broadcast on jessewaugh.com, which goes even further to illustrate the beautiful Temple of Arcadia, the ethereal Path of Enlightenment, as well as the astounding history and function of Torrigiani Garden's Baccani Tower - otherwise known as The Tower of Athanor.

This week we talk with author Levannah Morgan who has just released her newest book which is entitled "A Witch's Mirror - The Art of Making Magic". Levannah reveals some of the details of secret rituals in which she has taken part, as well as describing beautifully her experiences with practical witchcraft - a type of witchcraft which can be seen as more personal and less ritualistic. She discusses special magic having to do with experiencing the sea and its tides as an alternative - and in fact an opposite - kind of meditation, while embracing and exalting the senses to a climax of perception. Cecil Williamson and Hereward Wake are discussed at length, especially in their function as mentors to Levannah, and the author recounts anecdotes, spells, and workings she experienced in their presence. Levannah Morgan is a former chair of The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall, England, which was founded by Cecil Williamson, beginning with a vast collection of paraphernalia he had amassed.

Julian Vayne and Nikki Wyrd are the authors of The Book of Baphomet and the proprietors of theblogofbaphomet.com. Together we examine the iconography of the famous 19th century drawing of Baphomet by the French mystic Eliphas Levi. Julian and Nikki then go into the ideological significance of the concept of the god who they state represents the crux of universal balance. Links to their books and blog can be found included in the listing for this episode of THE GREAT WORK, and also in the new books section of the site.

Monika Winiarcyzk is an art historian and PhD student at the University of Glasgow. One of the primary focuses of her study is an intriguing duo of statues which appear all over Central Europe. Taking form in statuary, stained glass, carvings, drawings, and paintings, Synagoga and Ecclesia are opposing personifications of Judaism and Christianity, respectively. Monika goes deep into the iconography and significance of the sacred pair, and explains their relevance to both the Medieval and present eras.