Living Round: Octagon Houses and Ideal Form

Jesse Bransford, Associate Professor of Art, New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York City

The octagon is a sacred shape in most cultures, and buildings made to the octagonal plan have a long and storied history. The late-nineteenth century saw a boom in octagonal structures, examples of which can be seen in many early Victorian neighborhoods in the United States. This talk will look at the history of the octagonal form and its connections to the ideas that influenced the New Thought movement, and especially the Spiritualist movement. Sacred geometry, place, and spirit all affect the aims and goals of octagonal constructions. These ideas will be integral to our discussion on this unique moment in American architecture. Originally delivered at the Lily Dale Assembly in 2019, this lecture has significant updates and presents new discoveries.

Jesse Bransford is a New York-based artist whose work is exhibited internationally at venues including The Carnegie Museum of Art, the UCLA Hammer Museum, PS 1 Contemporary Art Center and the CCA Wattis Museum among others. He holds degrees from the New School for Social Research (BA), Parsons School of Design (BFA) and Columbia University (MFA). An associate professor of art at New York University, Bransford's work has been involved with belief and the visual systems it creates since the 1990s. He lectures widely on his work and the topics surrounding his work. He is the co-organizer of the biennial Occult Humanities Conference and an editorial member of the Black Mirror Network. More information can be seen at www.jessebransford.com
‘Remember Mugwort…Oldest of Herbs’: The Nine Herbs Charm, Plant Lore and Anglo-Saxon Magic

Dr. Robert J. Wallis

In this lecture I discuss the significance of the plant mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) in the Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in a tenth century Anglo-Saxon manuscript named Lacnunga or ‘Remedies’ (‘MS London British Library Harley 585’). I begin by considering the widespread folklore surrounding mugwort as famed, sacred and distinguished, variously described as the ‘Mater Herbarum, or Mother of Herbs’, and the ‘female herb par excellence’. I then examine the attention paid to mugwort in the Nine Herbs Charm in which, alongside such plants as plantain, nettle and crab apple, mugwort is marked out as being at ‘the great revealing’ and as ‘the first’ and ‘oldest’ of herbs. I situate this within the broader herbal and charming tradition of the Anglo-Saxon læce, the leech, healer or shaman, apropos the presence of the god Woden in the charm. Based on this textual scholarship and my own experiential research with mugwort, I propose that in a reconstructed heathen tradition she is a powerful plant ally who, if approached with respect, enables cross-species dialogue and visionary experience. It is up to those seeking her ‘charms’ to adjust themselves to meet her.

Dr. Robert J. Wallis is interested in the archaeology and anthropology of art and religion, particularly in animistic and shamanistic contexts; the use of archaeology and anthropology by today’s Pagans and neo-Shamans; and how modern and contemporary artists have engaged with shamanism. He has published extensively on these topics, including six books, dozens of journal articles, book chapters, book and exhibition reviews, and over 100 conference presentations and public lectures internationally. His co-authored book ‘Galdrbok: Practical Heathen Runecraft, Shamanism and Magic’ is due out in paperback in 2020. He is Professor of Visual Culture and Associate Dean in the School of Communications, Arts and Social Sciences at Richmond the American International University in London.

Atalanta Fugiens: The Book as Alchemical Object and Process.
Brian Cotnoir
Atalanta Fugiens (1617/18) by Michael Maier, alchemist and physician to Emperor Rudolph II, is one of the most important and sought-after alchemical texts. The book presents the alchemical process of transmutation through fifty enigmatic copper plate engravings by the master engraver Matthäus Merian, as well as epigrams, accompanying fugues for three voices, and commentary for each emblem. An early example of multimedia, the work itself is non-discursive, and its meaning arises only through an active engagement and participation with the full text, image and music. Unique in its transmission of knowledge, the book is meant to stimulate discussion on alchemical theory and actual laboratory practice in pursuing the completion of the Great Work.
This illustrated and musical presentation will trace the origins and makers of this remarkable work, explore the book’s strategies for communicating its meaning by examining its structure and analyzing a few of the emblems, and will conclude with a brief look at the impact this book has had over time through its various publications and recordings.

Brian Cotnoir is an alchemist, artist, and award-winning filmmaker. A contributor to Frater Albertus’ Parachemy, he is also the author of a series of Alchemy Zines. His books include Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter (2017), The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy, Alchemical Meditations, On the Quintessence of Wine, and the Emerald Tablet, his translations of and commentary on, the earliest Arabic and Latin versions of this seminal text. His Emerald Tablet was part of the Language of the Birds: Occult and Art show in 2016 in New York City. He occasionally gives talks and has presented workshops and seminars around the world on various aspects of alchemical theory and practice based on his research. His film work has been screened at Museum of Modern Art, Sundance Film Festival, HBO, PBS and other international venues. Khepri Press, launched in 2014 with the publication of the Emerald Tablet, is the vehicle and portal for his alchemical work.

More guest speaker information coming soon!