Spiritualism

[close] Black Maven is discussion group dedicated to the discovery and exposition of occultist literature that would appeal to the late Aleister Crowley. Everyone is welcome, especially transhumanists, alchemists, astrologists, dowsers, egyptologists, freemasons, kabbalists, gnostics, magicians, metaphysicists, ninjas, numerologists and the like. So, you may first ask, what is a maven? A maven (also mavin) is a trusted expert, often self-proclaimed, in a particular field, who seeks to pass knowledge on to others. The word maven comes from the Hebrew, via Yiddish, and means one who understands, based on an accumulation of knowledge.1 Moreover, maven knowledge is typically gained outside a culture's traditional educational apparatus. For example, college or university degrees in Alchemy just aren't to be pursued anywhere in the Occident. A Black Maven is a particular kind of expert of "occult" knowledge. More often than not, a cultural taboo is associated with occult knowledge, and sometimes quite perniciously. Well, you don't have to look far for examples of that kind of cultural phenomenon--simply reference the Spanish Inquisition as a prime example. Ironically, if we take stock of the hugely popular Harry Potter phenomenon, we surely must reach the prima facie conclusion that occultism has captivated the minds of young and old alike (the old are at least paying for all the Harry Potter media and spinoff merchandise their children are clamoring to purchase). Perhaps the polemic that naturally evolves from that realisation is something that can be pursued through this group. In summary, the purpose of this group is to entertain. If it does something other than that, such as enlighten, so be it. 1 Dictionary.com

[close] R. Manolakas will host a Q and A on July 17 that will feature his most recent fiction on Amazon Kindle and paperback and an exciting audiobook through Audible.com, entitled: "A Pool, A Suitor, A Cellist" and subtitled: "Bright Shadows Series: Novelette Trilogies for Busy Folks". Paranormal suspense runs throughout his riveting fiction with the thriller novel "Subversion" and his celebrated medical short story, "Lonely Pines". We will particularly explore the special suspense generated in the handy short novels in this first of the "Bright Shadows" series.

[close] We will start reading books in May 2013.

[close] Inspiring, thought-provoking, moving books you are reading or have read to share with the Pathwise community.