Topic: Tarot

Matt Dragonstone details his journey from a childhood fascination with the occult to a career in academia and eventually professional astrology. Despite earning a PhD in post-structuralism and ancient Greek philosophy, he felt stifled by the "atheistic materialist indoctrination" of the university system. He describes the transition from a depressing corporate insurance job to openly practicing as an astrological magician and tarot reader at age 33.

A viral photo from 2007 featuring Lionel Messi holding infant Lamine Yamal is analyzed as a potential "code marker" for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finale in New York. The analysis highlights the number 19, noting Yamal's age and the 19th Tarot Arcana, the Sun. This alignment is presented as an example of ritual theater or synchromysticism within a simulated reality.

Carlwood discusses a viral 2007 photo of Lionel Messi holding a baby who turned out to be rising star Lamine Yamal. He analyzes the numerological significance of the date July 19th and the number 19, suggesting the 2026 World Cup finale is being set up as a "solar ritual" or passing of the torch.

In response to a listener question, Greg Carlwood identifies the high-quality, academic-level courses on Rune Soup as White's primary legacy. He praises White's ability to provide professional structure to obscure subjects like fairies, tarot, and grimoires. White's goal was to prepare his "minions" to navigate chaotic times better than any other community.

Maja D'Aoust identifies tarot and the I Ching as the most efficient tools for demonstrating that material reality is a facade to those without spiritual backgrounds. She recounts performing "sneak attack" readings for skeptical lawyers that resulted in existential breakthroughs similar to psychedelic experiences. These divination methods are presented as low-effort alternatives to intensive spiritual labor or vision quests for thinning the veil of consensus reality.

The "Blackjack 21" progression is discussed as a 20-year ritual cycle beginning with the 2001 gateway. Hoffman connects the Tarot's Tower card (16) and the Five of Pentacles (5) to the 9-11 attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, totaling 21. He characterizes the cryptocracy as "virtuoso players of games of hazard" and critiques Donald Trump and Elon Musk as a "Novus Ordo Saeclarum" revival rather than a genuine alternative.

Greg Carlwood highlights an eerie connection in Dean Koontz's 1981 novel *The Eyes of Darkness*, which mentions a biological weapon called "Wuhan 400." Hoffman and Carlwood note that dividing 400 by 19 (from COVID-19) results in approximately 21, further encoding the "21 Gateway" theme. This is presented as evidence of long-term planning or a "magnetic attraction" of symbols seeded as far back as the 1910 publication of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.

Mario Garza, headmaster of SymbolicStudies.com and a veteran graphic designer, joins the program to discuss the importance of symbolism. The conversation highlights how corporate logos, ancient gods, and geometric tapestries influence reality. Garza’s background in art direction serves as the foundation for his deep lessons on the tarot's major arcana and astrological symbols.

Mario Garza concludes the interview by directing listeners to SymbolicStudies.com and his social media channels for further research on the Tarot and the Major Arcana. Greg Carlwood reflects on the importance of the polar versus solar dynamic, noting how it aligns with previous discussions on the Bach Saga and ancient cosmology.

Miguel Conner previews his upcoming books, *The Occult Elvis* and a work on David Bowie, exploring the mystical lives of these cultural icons. He also mentions the release of the Gnostic Tarot and the Virtual Alexandria Academy. The segment concludes with a discussion on the suppression of the divine feminine, referencing Dr. Joanna Kutylo’s work on the Kundalini experience and the idea that controlling women is a prerequisite for controlling nature.

Peter Mark Adams describes the unique characteristics of the Sola Busca deck, noting its departure from traditional Tarot structures and its complete lack of Christian symbolism. The deck was created by a Renaissance master engraver but lacks a clear provenance for 300 years of its 500-year existence. Adams spent three years decoding its multi-layered symbolism, which includes provocative imagery such as decapitations and infants over fire pits.

After disappearing for centuries, the Sola Busca deck resurfaced in the hands of the Milanese Cerbaloni family in the 19th century. Photographic images of the cards were sent to the British Museum in 1909, where they influenced Pamela Colman Smith's design of the popular Rider-Waite Tarot deck. In 2009, the Italian Ministry of Culture purchased the original deck for 800,000 euros, placing it in the Brera Gallery in Milan.

Daniel Rechshan discusses his transition from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to exploring the spiritual through art and magic. He recounts a harrowing experience involving a mysterious blood infection that occurred after studying John Dee's magic mirror in London. A doctor reportedly described the infection as "ancient blood," leading Rechshan to view the ailment as a spiritual sickness resulting from his ritual work.

The fundamental difference between divination and magic is that divination seeks to discover what will happen, while magic seeks to change it. Dr. Skinner evaluates various systems, noting that the I Ching (Yi Jing) is excellent for advice, while the Tarot provides detailed information when performed in the right frame of mind. He asserts that magic, when executed correctly, is more than a "probability enhancer"—it is an exact method for producing specific results.

The guest discusses how long-term practice leads to an "unerring sense" of which magical techniques to use for specific goals. He recounts his 60-year history with Tarot, starting in 1962 when only two decks were widely available: the Church of Light and the Rider-Waite-Smith decks. He also briefly mentions his time working as a "master psychic" for the Psychic Friends Network before the organization faced IRS scrutiny.

Peter Mark Adams provides updates on his research into the Sola Busca Tarot deck, noting a shift in his interpretation from Gnostic Christian to a purely Hellenistic perspective. He explains that the deck's metaphysics were intended to support legitimate power rather than being inherently evil. The discussion touches on the work of David Betts and Ludwig Klages' book, Cosmogonic Eros, regarding embodiment as a primary spiritual aim.

Troy McLachlan discusses the work of Peter Mark Adams, specifically the book Game of Saturn, which documents a Saturn cult among the elites of the Italian Renaissance. The Sola Busca tarot deck is identified as evidence of an unbroken link between ancient Saturn worship and modern occult practices. The discussion addresses the disturbing themes of ritual sacrifice and the psychological motivations of those who follow these traditions.

Nick Hinton describes the Institute of Folly, a project inspired by William Blake and the tarot archetype of the Fool, representing infinite potential. The initiative aims to disrupt consensus reality by encouraging people to adopt new narratives through decentralized pamphlets. Hinton also explains how listeners can acquire his books via direct message on social media while he develops a more formal web presence.

Lon Milo Duquette returns to the program to discuss his latest book, Allow Me To Introduce: An Insider's Guide To The Occult. Duquette is introduced as the Deputy Grandmaster of the Ordo Templi Orientis and an expert in ceremonial magic and Kabbalah. The discussion frames magic as a tool for personal empowerment and active engagement with the universe against authoritarian systems.

Gordon White previews his upcoming "Wealth Magic" course at Rune Soup, which focuses on core Chaos Magic techniques and "belief shifting." He argues that traditional intersectional frameworks can be self-limiting and that the fastest way to overcome oppression is to "belief shift" into a state where those barriers do not exist. The course aims to challenge members' excuses and help them achieve prosperity through psychological and magical adjustments.