Bob Freeman's Blog

I have watched with a growing sense of unease as the familiar spectre of the Satanic Panic reemerges—cloaked in new rhetoric and fueled by a potent fusion of fundamental Christian fervor and political manipulation. The latest incarnation of this moral hysteria seems less about genuine concern and more about consolidating power, marginalizing alternative spiritualities, and stoking fear among the unwary. At the heart of this resurgence lies an unlikely figure: Charlie Kirk, heralded by the Christian Right as a martyr for their cause, transformed into a rallying symbol in this modern crusade against the “demonic” influences they claim threaten American morality.

In a new book by Lucas Miles, titled Pagan Threat, the late Mr. Kirk makes some bold statements in the book’s foreword.

I have long observed the patterns that emerge when society’s darker fears are weaponized. The current climate echoes the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and ‘90s—an era marked by baseless allegations, moral panic, and the suppression of pagan and alternative spiritual communities. I know. I survived the Satanic Panic of my youth, and did so without compromising my beliefs. The thing is, today’s panic is more sophisticated and insidious, leveraging social media, misinformation, and political rhetoric to stoke fears of “wokeness,” “liberal decadence,” and “occult influence,” all cloaked as defense against evil.

What is most troubling in this new wave is the strategic use of the assassination of Charlie Kirk as a martyr in the narrative of spiritual warfare. For the Christian Right, Kirk’s murder serves as a powerful tool to galvanize their base. They portray him as a hero standing against the “demonic forces” of secularism, LGBTQ rights, and pagan spirituality—forces they equate with evil incarnate. This framing feeds into a broader narrative that positions traditional Christian values as under siege, and that any deviation from their strict moral code is a direct assault from the darkness.

This manufactured “battle” has serious repercussions for pagans, heathens, witches, mediums, and those practicing alternative spiritualities. Historically marginalized and often misunderstood, these communities now face renewed hostility fueled by this moral panic. Accusations of devil worship, mind control, and “sacrificial rituals” are recycled, threatening the very safety and acceptance of practitioners who seek only to explore the mysteries of the unseen. The danger is not just social—it’s existential. When suspicion and fear are whipped into a frenzy, violence and discrimination often follow.

And trust me, it won’t be long before paranormal enthusiasts and investigators are drawn into the line of fire.

The occult and paranormal community must remain vigilant. We know from history that such moral panics are cyclical, often driven by fear-mongering rather than facts. The rise of this new Satanic Panic must be met with more fervor than the last. Misinformation must be countered with truth, we need to educate the public about the diversity of spiritual paths, and, above all, stand united against attempts to demonize our various communities.

It is essential to remember that our power resides within understanding and awareness. What the grifters in this new movement are looking for is to divide, discredit, and destroy what it cannot comprehend.

We have to remain vigilant and respectful, stay rooted in truth, but stand firm against a fundamentalist frenzy that is based in fear and ignorance.

We have to be better than them. When they froth at the mouth. Smile. Stay calm. And be a shining example of what it means to be reasonable and not reactionary.

We can get through this: Stay aware, stay safe, and lean on your allies, of whom there are many.

Magick is a deeply personal and transformative art form rooted in the exploration of the hidden energies and symbolic correspondences that underpin reality.

Through its practice you are able to immerse yourself into the unseen forces of the universe—drawing upon archetypes, consciousness, and the subconscious—to effect change both inwardly and outwardly.

Magick is the process of aligning oneself with these deeper currents, through symbolic acts, meditation, and ritual, to access a higher level of awareness and influence, where you are intertwined with the mysteries of mind, body, and spirit.

The objective is to make a profound connection to the hidden fabric of reality. Through creative intent the magician can harness knowledge and spiritual insight, because magick, in its purest sense, is the art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will.

Magicians are just writers who, instead of scribbling their fantasies on the blank page, do so on the universe itself…

The premise of LAST WRITES is simple. Our guests face their final rest, but before Death claims them they are granted a few parting earthly pleasures, the memories of which will travel with them into the great unknown. What makes these questions appealing and insightful for me is that these are not necessarily our guests favorite things, but those they most want to experience one last time before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

TODAY’S DEPARTING

ROBERT RUBIN

I met Robert Rubin through his podcast, Magic.TV, and took to him right away. I had the pleasure of being a guest a few times and he always made me feel welcome. He is thoughtful and filled with an innate curiosity that makes him an excellent interviewer. He is also knowledgeable and ambitious. He is the founder of Mysterium Philippines, a talented cartographer, and an author. His interactions with Anubis is the subject of his next book, and I am eager to get my hands on it.

But beyond all that, he is also a father and from our many conversations, I know that he holds that title closest to his heart. And, as I have been mistaken for his father on multiple occasions, I wholeheartedly approve. There is nothing more important than being a loving and supportive mentor to our children, biological or otherwise.

But here we are at last. Rob is well acquainted with the God of the Dead, he who shepherds us into the afterlife, and to our door he has been led by Anpu himself, to the Occult Detective Mortuary where the Last Writes of Robert Rubin yearn to be spoken, across the sands of ancient Kemet.

LAST MEAL
A Very hearty Mix of Persian And Mexican food.

LAST BOOK
The Dresden Files latest release

LAST MOVIE
Gladiator or Braveheart

LAST SONG
Shout by Tears for Fears

FIRST PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE
My Father and My Dog…

I appreciate Rob’s concise and direct responses. No question, just a straightforward retort. It says a lot about him and it’s a trait I admire in him. He knows what he wants and he aims to see it to fruition.

And, Rob has reminded me that we first met when he asked that I review his excellent book: Defensive Occultism: A Handbook to Occult Investigation and Supernatural Protection. The review is HERE.

And that brings us to today’s close. I appreciate you all for joining us as we indulge in these morbid conversations.

Until next time, I’ll be in the shadows should you need me.

The premise of LAST WRITES is simple. Our guests face their final rest, but before Death claims them they are granted a few parting earthly pleasures, the memories of which will travel with them into the great unknown. What makes these questions appealing and insightful for me is that these are not necessarily our guests favorite things, but those they most want to experience one last time before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

TODAY’S DEPARTING:

MARK BURFORD
aka Field Lines Cartographer

I came to know Mark through Vayse, having appeared on a few episodes together. We even got to partner-up on 2024’s Vayse Hallowe’en Special, with us as co-hosts, but I’ll never forget our first “sit-down”. It was Hallowe’en 2023. Buckley, Hine, Burford, and myself gathered around a virtual campfire and shared spooky stories and we had so much bloody fun. It was one of those rare moments when bonds of friendship are forged in an instant.

I felt an immediate connection with him and getting to discover his music was such an unexpected delight. As Field Lines Cartographer, Mark Burford creates sonic landscapes, visceral and emotional. With sound, he paints on an astral canvas a wave of synthetic dream strands that come together to create a magical pocket universe. It’s the sort of music one hears in their mind when staring at Steve Ditko’s Doctor Strange art. It is the whale song echoing through infinite space, crossing dimensions, and interplaying with the very fabric of temporal reality.

He is one of my favorite people in this current manifestation, but the candles grow dim, as they do for all of us, when the shadows draw near. Mark has created strange and unusual pathways with his modular sorcery, but none so strange as the road that has led him to the Occult Detective Mortuary where his Last Writes await.

LAST MEAL
My last meal would be a vegetarian samber curry: it’s probably my favourite thing, the spicy heat tempered with zingy lemon, full of lovely pulses & lentils, plenty of garlic & coriander. Accompanied with some perfect pilau rice & a garlic naan bread. If Death wants to take me, he’d better be ready for some spice.

LAST BOOK
The last book is a really difficult one: do I opt for one final re-read of one of my favourites, or do I seize this last chance to explore something I’ve not gotten around to so far ? I think I’m going to choose the latter. Many good friends, people of excellent taste & opinion have told me I must read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Knowing the synopsis, it does indeed sound exactly like the type of thing I’d love – I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. So, one last chance, gladly accepted.

LAST MOVIE
My last movie is a much easier one. I think I’ve seen Blade Runner 138 times (I’m kind of losing an accurate count now, obviously) so why not 139 times ? I absolutely adore every single thing about this film, the concepts & philosophical conceits & questions at the heart of it still make me think & are becoming increasingly relevant with every passing year. The score. I mean, Vangelis – what a soundtrack. It’s just beautiful. And then talking of beauty – just look at it: there’s still nothing that can hold a candle to the look of this film…it’s stunningly gorgeous, especially in the 25th anniversary Final Cut – digitally remastered & all the VFX tidied-up beautifully. And If I’m going out, well, is there a better role-model at your end than Roy Batty ? I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe…

LAST SONG
The last song I’m going to hear ? Wow. This is kind of impossible… I think the only way to tackle this is a quick, gut-response kind of thing, not overthink it.

I guess there’s a kind of sweet-melancholy to your last moments,  so I’ll go for my favourite song by one of my all-time favourite bands – Do Nothing by The Specials

Perfect to go out to & something I’ve been listening to since being a child, basically, something that reminds me of home.

FIRST PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE
My dad. I sadly never got to say bye to him properly, he went downhill so fast, almost unexpectedly & so by the time I saw him again he’d already just slipped away, I must have missed him by an hour or so. So I can tell him ‘thank you’  & how much I’ve missed him from beyond the veil. I can picture him now, his arms wide open & that sparkle in his eye.”Wotcha, cock”‘ he’d say. 

Heartfelt responses. My thanks to Mark for sharing his Last Writes with us. I never take these connections for granted and appreciate when our guests bleed for us.

Until next time, I will be here, in the shadows…

The premise of LAST WRITES is simple. Our guests face their final rest, but before Death claims them they are granted a few parting earthly pleasures, the memories of which will travel with them into the great unknown. What makes these questions appealing and insightful for me is that these are not necessarily our guests favorite things, but those they most want to experience one last time before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

TODAY’S DEPARTING:

CHRISTOPHER PENCZAK

Anyone with an interest in witchcraft is well aware of today’s guest. Christopher Penczak is a renowned author, teacher, and practitioner of modern witchcraft and spiritual traditions. With a deep dedication to exploring and sharing the mystical arts, Penczak has become a leading figure in contemporary paganism and the Wiccan community. His works often blend ancient wisdom with modern practices, making esoteric knowledge accessible to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Penczak has authored more than twenty books, including The Temple of Witchcraft series, which serve as comprehensive guides for those interested in developing their spiritual path and understanding the deeper aspects of magic and mysticism. His teachings emphasize personal empowerment, spiritual growth, and the integration of spiritual practices into daily life.

In February, Weiser Books rereleased his groundbreaking work, Gay Witchcraft, for contemporary audiences. I discovered him through his 2002 release Spirit Allies which was a compelling exploration of the relationships between ourselves and unseen forces. I have always found him to be courteous and insightful, and I looked forward to his responses to these morbid missives I’ve put forth.

Now it’s that time again, so let us take care and snuff out the candles. Christopher has traversed many roads, both seen and unseen, but now his path has led him to the Occult Detective Mortuary and his Last Writes await.

LAST MEAL

Well assuming  I am not trying to cheat death with bottomless fries or an unlimited salad bar, I think I would say Mongolian Barbecue. Before I was born, my parents spent a few years living in the Far East, including Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Our travels and adventures would take us often to a variety of Asian shops and restaurants. I remember a vacation in Hawaii where they introduced me to Mongolian Barbecue. There was an open air market with all sorts of little tourist shops and jewelry stores, interwoven with a greater banyan tree. Tucked way in the back was this delicious restaurant, but kind of a hole in the wall in terms of atmosphere. I remember being surprised that my parents, who liked a bit of fine dining on vacations, chose it.  Essentially it was just a pick your own stir fry where they cook it in front of you, but not quite the Hibachi steakhouse experience. More low key. I’m a picky eater so to have the choice of exactly what you did and didn’t want was such a freedom when eating out, and the choice of all the spices and sauces made me feel like I was making some sort of magickal potion as a kid, always a draw for me. Years later, a local restaurant started up the same type of BBQ and a few years later went out of business. Later learned that it is actually Taiwanese and while not influenced by Mongolian cuisine at all, it comes from a myth of Genghis Khan’s soldiers cooking on their shields.  I’d love to experience that again with a group of friends before I go to the great beyond. 

LAST BOOK

While I’ve been on a big kick of queer romance books, I think for my last read it would probably be another round of The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. One of my favorite books despite ending on a cliffhanger, and a formative experience on doing your own thing and being your own self. While I have reread it several times, I always catch some new nuance to the story. While tragic in a lot of ways, the relationship with Lestat and his mother, Gabrielle, echoed some experiences with my own mother in the times of growing up, coming out, and getting involved in the occult with her. Perhaps we were not entering the Savage Garden together, but we were entering a whole new world together that utterly changed us, much like Gabrielle and Lestat becoming vampires. 

LAST MOVIE

Movies are a tough one for me. While I retain what I read and what I listen to, usually, movies just pass through me as fun at the time, but don’t stick with me often. Favorites are fun trilogies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, but for my last movie, I am going to say Bell, Book and Candle. While I don’t watch it  often, it might be nice to watch Kim Novak one last time. I adore the old time movie star settings, but having it be Witches is what draws me in. And set in old time NYC. Who wouldn’t want to go to the Zodiac Club? Witch friends get on me about the ending, and I agree, but I still love the movie.     

LAST SONG

Such a hard one as there are so many amazing songs that mean so much to me. While I am tempted to pick a Tori Amos song, I think I’ll be greedy with my time and pick a symphony, if the whole symphony can count as one song. I’m a huge fan of Igor Stravinsky, and have sung his Symphony of Psalms in choir. It’s dissonant and follows none of the rules of chord progression or harmony, like most of Stravinsky’s work, but sounds amazing and has such rich complexity to the arrangement of instruments and voices. When I’ve shared my love for it, a lot of Pagans are surprised I don’t pick his more Pagan work, like Rites of Spring or Firebird Suite. Perhaps it’s just because I studied Symphony of Psalms in greater detail, but that’s the one for me. While singing it live, I’ve never seen it performed live, and I’ve gone looking for it…  

FIRST PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE

If we are looking beyond loved ones like my Mom and Great Aunt, who I would expect to be the first to greet me on the other side, but people we are “meeting” the first time while disembodied, I would say Andrew Wood. Andrew Wood was the singer of an early 90’s grunge band called Mother Love Bone that was a huge influence on me creatively, but also in terms of being a patron saint against overindulgence when I was in the music world, as he died from a heroin overdose. I did get to “meet” him at a really powerful graveside experience. When I was on tour for The Outer Temple of Witchcraft and in Seattle, I took a day out to find his grave and conduct a little seance, and we had a lovely chat, but to have a full on clear conversation with him would be amazing. I’d like to thank him but also talk about creativity and music and art. 

What a truly magical experience. My thanks to Christopher for such thoughtful and intimate answers. As always we strive to get to the heart of the matter with this little morbid exorcise exercise.

Until next time, treat each day as it might be your last.

The premise of LAST WRITES is simple. Our guests face their final rest, but before Death claims them they are granted a few parting earthly pleasures, the memories of which will travel with them into the great unknown. What makes these questions appealing and insightful for me is that these are not necessarily our guests favorite things, but those they most want to experience one last time before they shuffle off this mortal coil.

Welcome to the Sixth Season of Last Writes. It’s been awhile. After a long hiatus, it feels good to be back from the proverbial dead, risen once more to address those morbid questions that matter. It’s a special day for me. While I always thrill at the guests who join me at this virtual table, I did not need to travel far to pay my final respects to the author who is with us for this inaugural resurrection.

Connor Landon Freeman is a talented young writer of fantasy and horror fiction. He is also my son. It goes without saying, I am extremely proud of him. And, as a first reader of his work, I have to admit, it’s a thrill to have the opportunity to consume his work before the rest of you. I get to witness the nuts and bolts of it. As a writer, seeing my son take up the mantle has always felt humbling. He caught the bug as a child and was always a natural storyteller.

Connor’s debut novel, Book One in the Wight Wyrm Chronicles, The Wolf at the Door is a blistering, coming-of-age fantasy series. Today, the 1st of July, is the book birthday of his horror novel, Darkest in the Light, which shows his ability to both excite and terrify in this gripping yarn that expertly walks that tight rope between the real and surreal. It’s a helluva ride.

All of his stories can be found at his Author’s Page at Amazon. and you can most commonly find him hanging out on his YouTube channel.

So, now without further ado, let us to pay our final respects here in the Occult Detective Mortuary. We have everything prepared to give him a proper sendoff into the great hereafter. Let us gather together as the Last Writes of Connor Landon Freeman are offered up.

LAST MEAL:

As I am an avid carnivore and a lover of comfort food, I feel I might turn to something hearty and filling (though I shudder to think how my earthly remains might be affected). So my answer for this one is…fried chicken (heavily peppered) and buttery mashed potatoes. The meal calls to mind fond memories of home, growing up in rural Indiana.

For dessert, a more elegant treat of cinnamon bread, paired nicely with a glass of cold, sweet milk. The meal makes me feel like nobility, in a way, and I can think of nothing better.

LAST BOOK:

My forever favorite is J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and I feel it would also prolong my stay in this reality, as it is, I must admit, really, very, long. And being a story about grief and loss, PTSD, immorality, doing the right thing, and overcoming insurmountable odds, I think it would prepare me for my departure from the land of the living in a way few other experiences could.

LAST MOVIE:

This…is difficult. It would be easy to suggest something esoteric, or something amusing. I can’t decide, but in my last moments I’m sure I’d know which one I’d prefer. If something funny, and charming, and perhaps uplifting, my choice is 2008’s Role Models, starring Paul Rudd. What can I say? There are good gags in that movie, and it has some nerdy elements, which I do appreciate. It could ease the burden of my impending death with levity.

If I should be in the mood for a serious movie, which could be more spiritually fulfilling, my vote is Robert Eggers’ The Northman, a movie involving Norse magic and mythology, revenge, depression, and horror. It is a retelling of the same myth that inspired Hamlet, and it shows. Also, the movie includes some of the greatest actors of multiple generations, from Willem Dafoe to Anya Taylor-Joy, all of whom help to sell the dark Norse universe presented.

LAST SONG:

Oh, I’m not sure. I do love my spooky, creepy, ghost songs. Maybe Ghost Story or Blacksnake by Charming Disaster, my favorite band. Or…The Battle of Evermore, by Led Zeppelin, which has some of my favorite vocals iand a few good Tolkien references. Across the Universe by The Beatles used to be my favorite song, but my opinions have changed dramatically as of late. I think, in the end, I would go for Charming Disaster, as their songs speak to me on a personal level, and it’s just…my…style. Ghost Story, I think.

FIRST PERSON YOU’D LIKE TO MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE:

I do prescribe to the belief that there is next to no and/or limited time (as a concept) in the afterlife, that perhaps those who’ve come before AND after are joined together in the great beyond, side by side. So…while I am currently single, I believe I’d like my FUTURE wife to be waiting for me on the other side. Not that she’d be dead before me, but that in the wibbly wobbly, timey wimey soup of the afterlife, we’d be able to find each other even then. “Swear until death do we part, but for us that’s just the start.”

That was terrific. My most heartfelt thanks to Connor for being the first interred for Season Six. We have a great slate of guests ahead, including Judika Illes, Christopher Penczak, Dustin Pari, Mark Burford (better known as Field Lines Cartographer) and more…

Until next time, treat each day as it might be your last.

It has been roughly 27 months since the last time Last Writes reared its haunted head. No wonder I was getting that itch to connect with folks and revisit these little morbid conversations.

We should have some interesting discourse laid out on the slab, beginning Tuesday, the 1st of July.

Fitting. After all, Tuesday is Co-Star Day. And every man and woman is one…

See you then.

I hope to see you at the Halloween in May Misfits Market, being held at the Miami County Fairgrounds on May 24th from 9-5. I will be joined by Nick & Daniel of Willow Products (with their full compliment of metaphysical wares) and Attic Pages‘ Kim & Connor (with an exciting array of supernaturally charged secondhand books).

I will be signing copies of Vampirella: Dead Flowers, Landon Connors: Occult Detective, and Descendant, as well as reading Tarot, and sharing my paranormal exploits.

See you this Saturday…

I am starting to line up appearances for this year and have a few dates for you.

April 8 — Unveil Paranormal Podcast

May 24 — Beyond the Veil Misfits Market

August 9 — 2nd Annual Hannah House Paranormal Festival

October 25 — ParaUnity VII

“I believe life is a continuum, and that no one really dies, they just drop their physical body and we’ll all meet again, like the song says. It’s sad but it’s not devastating if you think like that… We’re all going to be fine at the end of the story.” — David Lynch