Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (born Neil Andrew Megson) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, writer and artist.
P-Orridge's early confrontational performance work in COUM Transmissions in the late 1960s and early 1970s along with the industrial band Throbbing Gristle, which dealt with subjects such as prostitution, pornography, serial killers, occultism, and P-Orridge's own exploration of gender issues, generated controversy. Later musical work with Psychic TV received wider exposure.
After marrying Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge in 1993, Genesis and Lady Jaye began a project to become Breyer P-Orridge, a single pandrogynous entity. Genesis Breyer P-Orridge continued this project after the death of Lady Jaye in 2007.
Oh, Good Lord! The precious "occult" spellings, lack of originality, or insight make this trying reading. P-Orridge is an occult popularizer and a bad one. While I do admire much of the musical output of P-Orridge and the very talented musicians with whom he performed, the lukewarm leftovers from Crowley, Scriabin, Spare, Parsons, etc. can still be found piping hot in primary sources.
There's a lot of excellent material in this thick tome. Genesis' own words are inspired and inspirational. I don't agree with him on everything (I don't buy into his definition of time, for instance) and the affected spelling can grate after a while, but it's well worth reading, absorbing and putting into practice. It only loses a star because some of the supporting material by other writers makes for very dry reading and is occasionally incoherent or simply loopy. The good far outweighs the bad, however. Genesis is a very impassioned writer, who isn't afraid to slaughter sacred cows. Breaks more than a few shackles.
I definitely recommend that anyone interested in shifting their perspectives to check this book out.
This is way more than I expected it to be. It's a teaching on urban shamanism, DIY magick, revolution, evolution, and life from one of the most innovative artists of our time.
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth was an organization founded in 1981 that lasted for ten years, it started as an extension for the Industrial band Psychic TV, but later morphed into an international artistic collective to introduce the practice of magick in everyday life. The Temple dedicated itself to guiltless self-expression, demystifying religious thought, destabilizing social constraints, and accomplishing one's goals to reach their full potential and individuality through discipline and sharing those experiences with others. Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth covered a concise synthesis of left and right hand path magick, and within this grimoire we learn about topics such as Alchemy, the William S. Burroughs cut-up method, The Temple's relation to The Process Church of The Final Judgment, and the occult techniques of Austin Osman Spare and Aleister Crowley.
This edition of Thee Psychick Bible released by Feral House is an expanded and revised version of Thee Psychick Bible that was released in 1994, which ran a measly 184 pages. This edition put out by Feral House sports a robust 450 pages, it is a collection of all of the Temple's literature, as well as new writings from Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, the lead singer of Psychic TV, which was edited by Jason Louv, an author and the editor in chief of UltraCulture.org. While I cannot speak on the 1994 version, the Feral House version also expounds on the "positive gender" Pandrogyne , includes an addendum reading list with other texts of worthy interest, its connection to The Process Church, and the reasoning for The Temple's ultimate demise.
Thee Psychick Bible is an illuminating text for anyone who may or may not believe in magick, and at least to this millennial, T.O.P.Y will truly live on within the hearts of its original members. Its influence can be seen through certain new age ideals and Chaos Magick theory. Aleister Crowley once explained in the Aeon of Horus that civilization would undergo a mutation in human consciousness, reflecting a fundamental dynamic within its next evolutionary step. I can see that unfolding with the millennial generation with their concepts of non-gender binaries, shaking social conformities, their dismantling of religious thought, trans humanism, and the spread of "occulture" literature in the digital age. It makes me anxious and intrigued thinking about its many outcomes taking place in the future, as well as the present.
to say this was insightful in places but lacked focus would be kind of obvious to anyone familar with topy- ptv or genesis, but yeah. i wish there were more.
One of my most favorite books. Recommended for any Psychic TV fan, so much more will make sense. Id also believe this book could be interesting to a lot of other readers, Please don't think ov this book as a book on the band. Yes there is plenty ov information on the band but it really touches base on THEE TEMPLE OV PSYCHIC YOUTH in a way you could say the point of the band.
From the years 1981 to 1991 musician Genesis Breyer P-Orridge founded the Temple of Psychick Yourh. It was meant to last only 10 years. The Temple’s purpose was so help,people wake up and shake off the shackles society has put us in. Their main vehicle for reaching this enlightenment was the use of Magick, Art, Meditstion and music. With Magick they took a Chaos Magick approach which was to demystify and make those oh so secret magical techniques available to all.
The organizTion was inspired by the artistic magical techniques of Austin Osman Spare. The most notable and widely practiced technique was that of the sigil. The sigil is made by first writing out your statement of Magical intent then going through and crossing out all the repeating letters. Those letter are then arranged into a design. Finally the design is charged then destroyed.
Their headquarters in Britain used to have it’s members make sigil on the 23 rd hour of the 23. Day of the month. The sigil were usually magic aimed at self improvement . There was another technique called the cut up technique where in everything is collages from all things going on during the moment. The technique was developed by William Burroughs on Brian Gysin.
The Temple also was involved in social change. Using magic and protests they managed to close down the Dolphinarium in Britain. The place was known for its inhuman treatment of dolphins. They also use music, and videos to promote change.
But things did not go well for the author. Often times magical orders were accused of ritual abuse of young children and satanism . This was also happening during the Satanic Panic.This lead to Scotland Yard raiding his home and confiscating his belonging. The author lived in exile in Kathmandu helping a Tibetan refugees. Afterward he would return to America.
After the folding of the Temple there were legal issues as to using the name and the trademark cross. Incredible adventure.
I still don't know what to think about Genesis P-Orridge. I got introduced to Psychic TV and the whole TOPY thing when I was about 14, so at the time I thought it was super cool. But over the years I read a lot of bad things about him, especially from his former Psychic TV band mates. One of which who supposedly created most of the music and claims to have received no credit or money. But this book wasn't really about PTV, but about the belief systems of TOPY. It had a whole lot of clever jargon, but not much of a solid point or message.
A definitive collection of Genesis P’s work with the temple of the psychick youth. Reading this filled in more than a few blanks for me despite my having taken an interest in his work over the years. The collection does a really good job of crystallising his motivations, goals & inspiration. Some of his ideas are nothing short of inspired, passages that in hindsight are especially prophetic & provocative. Always something to ruminate on, even if you don’t come to the same conclusions.
"Thee Psychick Bible" is a remarkable and thought-provoking exploration of the occult, mysticism, and spirituality. Written by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, a pioneer in the realms of avant-garde art and occultism, this book offers a deep and illuminating journey into the mysteries of the human mind and the universe.
What sets "Thee Psychick Bible" apart is its fearless and unapologetic approach to esoteric knowledge. P-Orridge fearlessly dives into diverse topics, from magick and ritual to consciousness expansion and self-transformation. The book's blend of personal experiences, philosophical musings, and practical guidance creates a comprehensive and engaging narrative that appeals to both novices and seasoned practitioners.
The writing is both poetic and insightful, encouraging readers to question their perceptions of reality and the boundaries of human potential. P-Orridge's exploration of their own life and transformation adds a personal and relatable dimension to the book, making it not just a manual but a spiritual memoir.
Overall, "Thee Psychick Bible" is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration for anyone interested in the occult and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit. It's a bold and transformative work that challenges convention and invites readers to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In this book you'll find a collection of TOPY essays including the Grey Book and other materials not previously published publicly, as well several previously published essays that are fascinating in terms of the biographical information provided, and also a one-sided perspective on Genesis and TOPY's falling out. I enjoyed reading this book a lot, and found the various texts to be informative and useful as it applies to my own magical work, especially as applied to the cut-up methodology and its application to magical work. It was also fascinating to learn more about the history of TOPY, albeit through a filtered perspective. I also enjoyed the essays on pandrogeny. I consider this a historical text that any magician, particularly those in chaos magic, might want to pick up. It demonstrates as well some of the issues that can arise in any magical organization.
"Recuerden la Tierra desde el espacio. El Sol da una vuelta mientras nosotros respiramos como un solo ser. La totalidad humana inspira, expira. Los coches y las luces eléctricas, el nacimiento y la muerte, el sexo, la enfermedad, correr por el pasto crecido al amanecer, pasear al buey por el empinado sendero de la montaña, cargar el Kalashnikov, hacer girar las ruedas de oración al atardecer, colocar al niño en la tumba, cantar las viejas canciones. Escuchen el sonido de nuestra respiración desde el espacio. Un nombre secreto de lo divino (…) El Templo es eterno, resplandece en el horizonte. Es un fantasma. Es el espectro que nos responde en la séance de nuestros deseos más secretos."
This is the paperback edition of Thee Psychick Bible. unsure why its credited as written by Jason Louv as the hardback edition is written allegedly by genesis p orridge. The book is a series of essays and occult psychobabble and those looking for enlightenment will be disappointed and out of pocket. its essentially a book that will only be of interest to the dwindling number of fans of the obscure music band PSYCHIC TV.
This book is speaking to me so much right now. Genesis and her followers speak on so many different topics pertaining to religion, authority, life. This book is what I needed to have in my life. Genesis is an icon and is really saving my life.
"¿Quién es Genesis Breyer P-Orridge? Genesis es la Juventud Psíquika, TOPY, Psychic TV, William Burroughs, COUM Transmissions, Throbbing Gristle, Lady Jaye. Genesis es orgasmo, deseo, individuo hecho de nosotres, es panandroginia y es magia, es sigililo, intención, desmitificación, individualidad. Genesis es aquelle que te grita por dentro: despierta. La Biblia Psíquika es Genesis, que a su vez es la Biblia Psíquika. Y la Biblia Psíquika es un grito contra una norma que surge del miedo a la muerte, un susurro que rompe esa casa que nos han construido sin preguntarnos y nos deja en medio de un jardín que no tiene nombre ni lo espera. Es una búsqueda de todos los Yoes que habitan el YO (SELF) a través del deseo. Es la occulttura que siembra un futuro hecho por y para nosotres, la magia a través de un orgasmo que nos funde con nuestros deseos más velados. Es la potencia anárquica al mismo tiempo constructora y destructora que emana de una manada de lobos que no volverán a ser solitarios. Una destrucción de los géneros. Es un método de des-programación que empieza con una certeza, la de la muerte, y con una pregunta: ¿qué quieres hacer con tu vida? Y para ser todo ello, es en primer y último lugar el grito del viejo proverbio TOPI: «Nada por debajo de una guerra total»." Clara Fernández de Lis
Bought this as a pure “lets see what’s in it” task. The reason I wouldn’t give this 1 star is because it is genuinely an interesting item and a good character study of P-Orridge who let’s be real is the main person who wanted this book to succeed no matter their attempts to add other names in and attribute some of this desire to Lady Jaye. If you’re interested in industrial music and the thought processes behind some of the art of PTV then it’s worth having a look through so understand some of the psyche behind it but it is after all a lot of drivel. It’s not going to be enlightening for you unless you’re easily swayed. You can enjoy the music and art without being a bootlicker to Gen’s cultist desires.
Me parece una interesante recapitulación de las técnicas mágicas de TOPY para romper los condicionamientos a los que somos sometidos y de los cuales no somos conscientes, también me parece muy interesante la historia y trágico fin de este experimento en buscar formas alternas de organizarse y vivir fuera de las estructuras sociales comunes. Aunque muchas de las técnicas descritas aquí ya habían sido propuestas en el pasado por otros autores, creo que el logro de TOPY fue adaptarlas a sus necesidades y además poder incluso darles nuevos giros más en consonancia con la (pos)modernidad.
felt very conversational, like an elder talking on their own spiritual process, Genesis does waft on for a bit but its almost part of the charm, this however does mean that this book took forever for me to read as at times eye felt it lacked clear direction. Some sweet anecdotes, references and inspiration to use their ideas for a future canon succeeding the 1960-1990s cultural sphere
**maybe could have done with more editing in the writing process
I’m not really sure where to begin. There were parts that I could see were inspired, parts that allowed me to contemplate a different perspective, and parts that I found to be fascinating— but this book is in desperate need of an editor, is highly repetitive, and the “occult” spelling (for the lack of a better term) is so hard to get through, not to mention it is inconsistent.