#273 | Dark Star Rising: Power, Chaos, & The Post-Modern President w/ Gary Lachman
Intro: 7:33
In this episode, I speak with prolific writer and historian Gary Lachman, author of numerous books on the evolution of consciousness, popular culture, and the history of the occult. Most recently, his works include ‘The Return of Holy Russia: Apocalyptic History, Mystical Awakening, and the Struggle for the Soul of the World’ and ‘Dark Star Rising: Magick and Power in the Age of Trump,’ both of which are the subject of this interview.
In ‘Dark Star Rising,’ Gary Lachman delves into the occultic and esoteric influences that inform contemporary politics and power in the post-modern age, with a particular focus on the rise of Donald Trump in the United States and Vladimir Putin in post-Soviet Russia, as well as those who stand in the shadows of these figures, exerting their influence through subtle and not-so-subtle means. When the German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche proclaimed, in the 19th century, that “God is dead,” he was anticipating the approach of an “age of nihilism” that would define life in the Western world. Truth itself is up to interpretation, to be defined and continuously redefined by those that seek and have attained political power and influence in our post-modern age. How does the occult, “Positive Thinking,” and Chaos Magick inform political power in our “post-truth” era? Gary and I explore these questions in this interview.
Gary Lachman is the author of twenty-one books on topics ranging from the evolution of consciousness to literary suicides, popular culture and the history of the occult. He has written a rock and roll memoir of the 1970s, biographies of Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, C. G. Jung, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Emanuel Swedenborg, P. D. Ouspensky, and Colin Wilson, histories of Hermeticism and the Western Inner Tradition, studies in existentialism and the philosophy of consciousness, and about the influence of esotericism on politics and society. Before becoming a full-time writer Lachman studied philosophy, managed a new age bookshop, taught English Literature, and was a Science Writer for UCLA. He was a founding member of the pop group Blondie and in 2006 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lachman was born in New Jersey, but since 1996 has lived in London, UK.
Episode Notes:
- Learn more about Gary and follow his work: https://garylachman.co.uk / https://twitter.com/GaryLachman
- Purchase ‘The Return of Holy Russia’ and ‘Dark Star Rising’: https://bit.ly/3enQBhG / https://bit.ly/322KOZS
- Read his essay ‘Trickle Down Metaphysics: From Nietzsche to Trump’: https://bit.ly/34Lhys9
- The song featured in this episode is “WEM Lagoon Jump” by Khotin from the album Finds You Well: https://youtu.be/1xaAvbZHHKY
