Month: January 2021

I live in a fantasy world, tucked away on the East Coast of Canada, somewhere between Hyperborea and the entrance to Agartha. This week I built a house for the Forest Fairies, providing them a safe place to stop in on their journey to the Antarctic Entrance as they bring gifts for the children in the community. It wasn’t always this way.

Approximately a year and a half ago, I lived in a city. I was working in a factory while doing an electrician program in college. I had plans of becoming self-employed afterwards. Working for someone else isn’t my thing; I don’t like being told what to do for the most part, because that’s for low-test dorks.

During the summer of 2019, a good friend of mine who lived in Nova Scotia invited me out to visit. Through him I met a fellow homeschooled wizard. He ran a construction company and offered to teach me heritage carpentry if I moved there. I packed what I could fit in a two-door 90’s Civic, and moved immediately. I had goals of learning how to work for myself, living a rural lifestyle, and to one day fulfill my dreams of living in the woods with no neighbours in sight, tanning my balls, and smoking a pipe on the porch blasting power metal. 

I’m now in the process of timber framing a Gothic Wizard’s keep in the woods for myself while living in an off-grid bus with my dog. It’s been a daunting task to live in a bus with no insulation or utilities while conjuring a house late into the year. I have no running water. It is very cold. My genitals are heavy. This has been as uncomfortable as the time I branded my arm with a hot knife, only this has lasted for months instead of seconds. I know that in a year, this is just another story to tell people so they can look at me like I’m crazy.

Initially, I was going to write about how to start building a home, but I think that’s better suited for a later article. For now, there’s a bigger problem to tackle before the building process begins. The issue I’m seeing with like-minded folks these days is that they all want to move to a rural setting, rejecting the modern world and returning to tradition. There’s a lot of talk about it and not a lot of action. It doesn’t take much effort to find countless pages on Instagram and Facebook of faceless men sharing memes about living in the woods as barbarians and eventually revealing they live in a city with a cozy job. Most people that I’ve spoken with are unsure of where to start, they don’t know how to take the step out of safety into the unknown. What needs to be understood is that it is not something that can be taught. You must learn by doing. Having the courage to venture into the unknown with no safety net is the only requirement. Adopt a mindset that it’s your choice whether things work out or not — because it is. The world consistently proves that if you show up to the work with the right intentions and an open heart, that it’ll result in progress. I’m pretty certain this is magic.

As all adventures go, if you align yourself properly with the world and you are on the path that you know you should be, supernatural aid will come in some form — if you believe. In my case, it’s in the form of mentors, friends, wise wizards and black sorceresses. All of my successes in anything I’ve pursued have not fully been my own. I choose to only surround myself with people of positive influence, who I can learn from and who hold me accountable to who I say I am. This, combined with my testicular fortitude to take risks and willingness to show up for the work is the reason for my successes. I am eternally grateful for the knowledge that is continuously being passed down to me. One day I hope to have the capacity to be in a similar position of mentorship.

We become who we surround ourselves with. This is the most important aspect of community based, based living. Everyone needs a self-improvement mindset, an indomitable work ethic, and to actually be fun to work with. If this is who you are, you will naturally attract people like you if you put in the effort. You must wake up with a toxically positive attitude of Asgardick kápros might thrusting into a day of maximum productivity. If you want to begin this journey, then it’s imperative to set aside the dweeby outlooks permeating this internet sphere. Nihilistic, misanthropic nonsense must be set aside to bring this ancient future back. From Odin to Christ, our ancestors recognized the importance of self sacrifice for something greater than themselves. The inevitable hedonism brought on by destroying all positive higher aims with weak worldviews will not be an asset to tending the garden, feeding the animals and breeding an army. Uplifting chaos as something worthy shows a lack of taking responsibility and an inability to establish order. 

I had zero practical lifestyle experience for living a life like this till I moved into it. I’ve learned a lot, but I’m still a budding wizard’s apprentice in all aspects of living a rural lifestyle. But if I can do it, anyone can if they choose to put themselves in a position to learn. It’s simple but the most challenging thing I’ve ever done.

If this is the lifestyle you want, if you want to be a man and not a meme, to rebuild a culture and community worthy of respect, take the first step. Things will fall into place if you believe in yourself and your quest. Everything will be more challenging than anything you’ve experienced so far but the rewards will be more than the Dragon’s hoard you imagined. So go forthrightly into the world. Stop stalling, time is limited; there is no ideal moment except now. Our ancestors are watching.

My name is Winston. You can follow my journey to Agartha on Instagram @boar_94. Message me if you want to work.

Ioan:

Halithaz welcomes you, Sean. I’d like to start by asking you a little

bit about the bind rune that you have chosen for the project, and

perhaps giving an explanation as to how the project came about.

Sean:

Hello,

OATJ was formed in 2015, by myself as a spiritual folk project.

Song context is about nature, forging your own spiritual path, and

what dwells beyond. I named the project after my two German

Shepherds, Osiris and Jupiter. We have a full-length that will be released this year,

as well as a cover EP that is full of cover songs from artists we enjoy.

I actually just started writing for what comes after.

The bindrune consists of Algiz, Othala, Tiwaz, Ansuz, Gebo, Raido, and

Fehu. Bind is supposed to represent my spiritual path with this

project, life and death mysteries among nature, and the growth of

knowledge among the presence of ancestors and gods.

Creation of the bind was a month long meditation process.

I meditated on all the runes, wrote down what stood out, and what

meaning I intended for use. Something that stood for my spiritual

growth.

Ioan:

You have mentioned in previous interviews that you have always

seen your musical path as being synonymous with your spiritual

path. In what ways have such mediums as runeworking or

meditation helped with the creation of melodies, songs, albums or

even concepts?

Sean:

Like the above creation of our bindrune, I do meditate on runes

depending on my intuition at the time. Also, everyone has their own

ways of doing some things, I do what works for me, others can do

what works for them. Meditation definitely helps with my day to

day life, especially when I’m having a tough time.

So, my second and third full length albums “Uthuling Hyl “ and

“Nordlige Rúnaskog “ are meditative concept albums that I did very

in depth inner workings on. Most of the song titles are in mixed

Icelandic/Norwegian/Gaelic/Slavic/Indian/and Germanic. I dwelled

on the feeling of the songs and their intention. Like Uthuling Hyl

means “Hollowed Howl” to me, as well as Nordlige Rúnaskog

means “Northern Rune Forest “. Both albums are supposed to be

cryptic like a goetia and have more deep cosmic meaning of my

ongoing spiritual path and inner workings.

Ioan:

One rune I have always found to be truly important to the work of

artists is Ansuz. Could you perhaps give us a little interpretation of

this rune from your own understanding of it, and how it fits into

your life?

Sean:

Communication with ancestors/ other planes of existence, and

nature in its most primeval state. Inner void workings.

Ansuz is a very important rune for communication, inner self

workings, and tapping into the vast cosmic planes.

Ioan:

Exciting news has reached us that you will be heard on this next

series of the popular TV show Vikings! How did that come about?

Sean:

Eisenwald and I have been working on getting my music in TV and

movies, and companies took interest, so there are even more

appearances in the near future. So keep you eye out.

Ioan:

Oftentimes it becomes apparent to many songwriters, or artists of

any medium, that they might take for granted the power of

inspiration, or the feeling of deep and overwhelming awe. Do you

believe yourself to be the true creator of these songs, or do you

perhaps see yourself more as a translator for something that our

human senses cannot fully comprehend?

Sean:

Depends on the state I was in when in when writing the song(s).

Sometimes something sparks awe, the goosebumps quiver down

your body and gives you that sense of enlightenment during writing,

sometimes it’s a process of a feeling of that song.

Ioan:

History, and Germanic tradition, is no doubt deeply important to

the roots of this new wave of music. Yet I get the feeling that you

take history with a grain of salt, and try to better understand the

riddles and mysteries of comparative mythology within your music.

Would you say this is correct?

Sean:

Mostly correct.

It is an ongoing learning process within and among. I interpret what

certain mysteries mean to me and carve out my own path.

Ioan:

How has the thematic trajectory of your music changed, if at all,

since Uthuling Hyl? Has your focus shifted in the specific aspects of

Germanic spirituality you explore through Osi and the Jupiter’s music?

Sean:

The two albums were more cryptic and deep inner workings. All my

albums have a spiritual presence with me. OATJ is a folk / neofolk

act. I am a singer-songwriter that builds my own myth and folklore

through song influenced by nature.

Ioan:

Your sound, while comparable to some of your contemporaries

making similar neofolk music, is quite unique. What are some of the

influences that have helped to shape the sound of Osi and the Juipter over the years?

Sean:

So being a person born in 82’, I grew up on new wave, old country.

In the 90’ I got into a lot of metal. I’d say OATJ’s musical

influences are mainly Einar Selvik, Townes van Zandt, Ulver, and Goblin,

but there are a lot more that help inspire as well.

Ioan:

In the description of your 2020 release ‘Appalachia’ on Bandcamp,

you state that the release was “dedicated to my homeland and the

spiritual connection to the dense forested mountains.”

In what ways do you see Appalachia as resonating with your already established sound?

Sean:

First album “Halls of the Wolf “ is a straight acoustic folk album with

a few weird songs thrown in. Then “UH” and “NR” were concept

spiritual albums. What is after will be a collaboration of all.

I play folk music, and sing/play/write about my spiritual path.

Appalachia, these hills, have a mythical and old calling to them.

I have family in PA, as well as Tennessee, and I’ve grown up about an hour from

the WV border.

Ioan:

With music so heavily embedded in folk and myth, it seems natural

that you record using mainly traditional instruments, if we were to

exclude more commonly used instruments, what would you say is

your favoured instrument of choice?  

Sean:

Acoustic guitar, my Taylor 324.

I’d love to get a Martin D-35.

Ioan:

What first piqued your interest in Germanic spirituality? Is there a

particular god or particular gods that you find yourself coming back

to channel through Osi and the Jupiter?

Sean:

My grandfather would read me old Scandinavian and German stories

when I was a child, I believe that’s what first sparked my interest.

There are not one particular god I find myself coming back to all the

time, the embodiment of cosmic void I guess I’d say. Different times

I feel connection to different deities. Right now Frey has been on

my mind.

Ioan:

Thank you Sean, the final words are yours.

Sean:

Best of health, and may nature guide you.

My name is Stroke of Moonlight. I am a self taught artist from Canada. My artwork focuses on the idea that we can only find transcendence through Chaos. This is not a Nihilistic idea as I do not believe that there is any transcendence IN Chaos. To dwell in the darkness is to succumb to it. What I suggest is using Chaos as a tool to become stronger. For example weightlifters use the chaos of the iron to damage their bodies in a controlled way. When the body heals the muscles grow back stronger than before the chaos was introduced. Art, weight training, discipline, occult magic they are all branches of the same tree. To seek chaos in this way is akin to those who once searched for the Philosopher’s Stone. Lead to gold, pain to fire, emptiness to creation. It’s all the same.  

My work is also heavily influenced by Northern Mythology. This is my way of honoring my ancestors, and like Odin, Vili, and Ve I find an ecstatic rush of lust, quickly followed by a sense of dread at the chance of creating a new order everytime I put paint to brush.

Chaos is the most potent form of ultimate creative potential and like Ymir (The Roarer) I bellow into the void and create a new world on paper, computer, 3d space ect…

The Magician is the artist. He who can create, manipulate, or distort realities of not only their own realities but also the realities of those around them and those who view their work. The magician can lead the world into insanity or he can shift the realities of those around him, including his own, into enlightenment. The Shamans and the Warriors have the highest burden. This burden being of leading their chosen tribe to either grandeur or destruction.

The magician who wishes to channel this Chaotic energy can do so with the use of three runes. Thurisaz, Kenaz, and Isa.

:Thurisaz: Allows the Magician to invoke Chaos. (The most potent form of ultimate creative potential)

:Kenaz: Allows the Magician to manifest the Sacred Flame of Creation to illuminate the vast darkness of Chaos (The Flame of  Loki / Prometheus)

:Isa: Allows the Magician to manifest the freezing mists of Niflheim to slow their thoughts and allows them to travel to other worlds through the thick mists. (The Ultimate Unknown parallels with the Daring Explorer)

Together they form Ginnungagap, Loki, and Gullveig / Hel.

“Art is the cure to the sickness of the modern world. The Creators / Artists must take up the role of the Prometheus archetype. They must bring the Flame to man. Both nurturing and destructive. The weak will not be able to stand the light as it will bring to light everything they hate or are running from.”

I am happy to announce that my youtube channel The Black Flame Society is now live. In these videos I will show some of the behind the scenes of my creation process along with lore and explanations on the stories that have been passed verbally for centuries. Most of these stories have almost passed into the void and are diluted in some aspects. It is important to make sure these stories remain for generations to come. It would be an insult for those who are now gone to not keep their legacy intact. Death will only truly come when no one remains to remember your name.

“Step into Stroke of Moonlights realm and see past the illusion of the personal superficial mundane world and enter into the supernatural mystical realm of art.”