--------------------------GENERAL OVERVIEW------------------------
There has always been a strong occult and magick based scene in Philadelphia. Some aspects are more known and some are (obviously) to a lesser extent. This page is set up for people to help one another network.
Now, more than ever in Philadelphia, there is an emergence of a growing culture that combines the occult with a heavy dose of DIY (do it yourself) ideology and ethics which result in a very powerful relationship. This pairing encourages individuality, creative endeavors, true self empowerment, and self sustainability on many different levels within the world of mysticism that goes beyond traditional occult culture alone.
Philadelphia is in an unique-like position of having alot of occult resources, a strong history steeped heavily in a variety of occult practices, and a nice mixture of classic architecture and urban decay to provide a reasonable cost of living-to-creative outlet ratio. There is also a general disinterest by authorities in concerning themselves over artistic endeavors which might not "sneak by" so smoothly in other cities.
The resources are here for ones use. We are taking advantage of it and you might want to as well. We are here to aid in a DIY mystical/ metaphysical revolution within this city and to help each other to discover the holy grail.
--------------------A FEW PHILADELPHIA OCCULT GROUPS-----------------
OTO (ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS)- THELESIS OASIS
The Philadelphia branch is strongly rooted and very knowledgeable
www.thelesis.org
URGLAAWE
Pennsylvania Germanic Heathen Culture
www.urglaawe.org
DELAWARE VALLEY PAGAN NETWORK
A good resource for local pagans
www.dvpn.org
CHURCH OF SATAN
Upholding A.L.'s philosophy while shifting a bit towards the spiritual path
www.churchofsatan.com
CHURCH OF VRILOLOGY
Asatru and Rune based Organization
www.vrilology.org
LOCAL VOODOO INFO ARTICLE
www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/03/29/the-spirits-move-them
ORDER OF THE EVENING STAR
The first order of the Clarian Tradition of the Religio Terranova
www.myspace.com/ordereveningstar
THE UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS
www.ult.org
BROOM CLOSET CALENDER
www.broomcloset.org
ALEISTER CROWLEY MEETUP GROUP
Loosely centered around AC, they delve into all sorts of interesting things
www.occult.meetup.com/206/join
TAROT/ DIVINATION MEETUP GROUP
www.tarot.meetup.com/276/?gj=sj5
MAGICKAL MEETUP GROUP
www.magickal.meetup.com/378/?gj=sj6
ASATRU MEETUP GROUP
www.asatru.meetup.com/cities/us/pa/philadelphia
SANTERIA MEETUP GROUP
www.santeria.meetup.com/cities/us/pa/philadelphia
DRUID MEETUP GROUP
www.druid.meetup.com/cities/us/pa/philadelphia
--------------------PHILLY'S STRONG HISTORICAL PAST--------------------
The mystical climate in Philly is increasingly becoming stronger. Spouting forth out of the ever present aura of Sun Ra to the cave of Johannes Kelpius, comes a new esoteric underground revolution happening in Philadelphia.
JOHANNES KELPIUS
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Kelpius
SUN RA
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Ra
FRANZ MESMER/ BEN FRANKLIN CONNECTION
www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_inquiring_mesmer.html
IDA CRADDOCK
www.idacraddock.org
ODUNDE FESTIVAL
It is an occasion highlighted by a colorful procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit and flowers is made to Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of the river
www.odundeinc.org/When/WhenWhere.htm
THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Experiment
BROTHER DIVINE
Info Coming Soon
JOHN ERNST WORRELL KEELY
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ernst_Worrell_Keely
JENNIFER BATES
www.philly.com/philly/phillywomen/20070522_Bookseller_reflected_in_her_wares.html
PHILLY OTO
They have one of the one longest running presence in the US
www.thelesis.org
THE UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS
The ULT Philly Lodge started in 1909
www.ult.org
FREEMASONS
They have a strong historical presence in Philly and have an amazing temple full of esoteric imagery with parts of it open to the public
www.pagrandlodge.org
MUMMERS
While hardly an esoteric or magical group, they certainly are an inexplicable bizarre culture/ scene/ lifestyle
www.mummers.com
---------IN OUR PRESENT DAY, PHILLY IS SONICALLY CHARGED BY-------
SUN RA
www.myspace.com/sunrasaturn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Ra
RUIN
www.ruinweb.info
www.myspace.com/ruin1981
JUSTIN DUERR AND THE ETHERIC PHOENIX OF L.O.V.E.
www.justinduerr.com
www.myspace.com/ethericphoenix
ONEIRIC IMPERIUM
www.myspace.com/oneiricimperium
DAVID E. WILLIAMS
www.davidewilliams.com
www.myspace.com/davidewilliams
WOE
www.myspace.com/woeunholy
KURSE GO BACK
www.myspace.com/kursegoback
NATALIE WISEBLOOD
www.myspace.com/nataliewiseblood
JEDI MIND TRICKS
www.jmthiphop.com
www.myspace.com/jedimindtricks
SHARRONS FISHTOWN HUMMERS
www.myspace.com/sharronsfishtownhummers
NORTHERN LIBERTIES
www.myspace.com/northernliberties
RADIO ERIS
www.myspace.com/radio5eris.com
TYRANATH
myspace.com/tyranthofficial
VIRGIN VOGUE
www.myspace.com/vvogue
MFM
www.myspace.com/mfm
PORTABLE DARKNESS
www.portabledarkness.com
NORSEWIND
myspace.com/norsewindirish
THE LOST CHILDREN OF BABYLON
www.flashenhanced.com/lcob
www.myspace.com/thelostchildrenofbabylon
THE EXTREMIST
www.myspace.com/mindspear012
DEMIOURGOS
www.demiourgos.org
www.myspace.com/demiourgos
THE ESPERS
www.myspace.com/espers
ELECTROWORX
www.electroworx.com
www.myspace.com/elektroworx
SERPENTS OF WISDOM
www.serpentsofwisdom.org
www.myspace.com/serpentsofwisdom
VEERUNGAAR (Philly/ Seattle)
www.myspace.com/Veerungaar
VIVIAN GIRLS EXPERIENCE
www.myspace.com/theviviangirlsband
TEMPLE OF BON MATIN
www.myspace.com/templeofbonmatin
EULOGY
www.myspace.com/200283948
MYLES OF DESTRUCTION
www.myspace.com/mylesofdestruction
--AMONGST OTHERS--
--------------------THEORIZED AND PRACTICED--------------------
Through Chaos Magick, the Left Hand Path, Asatru, Shamanism, Gnosticism, Hoodoo/ Voodoo, Thelema, Paganism, Kabbalah, Qlippoth, Sufism, etc
--------------------MYSTICAL BASED MARTIAL ARTS--------------------
SEVEN MOUNTAINS SPIRIT FIST KUNG FU
www.sevenmountainskungfu.com
BUJIKAN BUDO TAIJUTSU NINJUTSU
www.phillybujin.com
----------------------BOOK STORES/ LIBRARY-------------------------
GERM BOOKS
Occult and conspiracy theory based bookstore with music coming shortly.
Inside Germ is the Jennifer Bates Art Gallery- go check out some art.
The owners are grand individuals. Support them and the space first and foremost!
www.germbooks.com
2005 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125
215.423.5002
ROBINS BOOKS
Philadelphia's oldest independent bookstore with a nice occult section
www.robinsbookstore.com
108 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-9600
THE FREE LIBRARY
(The largest main library in Philadelphia)
Original magickal documents in the rare books section
http://www.library.phila.gov/
--------------EDUCATED BY WAY OF THE ALMIGHTY INK----------------
*All of the following are available at Germ Books*
"BEHUTET"
Long running and well written magazine
"REVERSAL MAGIC"
Excellent book by Jason Miller
"DECADES OF CONFUSION"
The ongoing mystical art zine by Justin Duerr
----------------------------FILMS---------------------------
TOYNEBEE IDEA
Documentary in the works about the Toynebee Idea
www.resurrectdead.com/
www.myspace.com/40111350
ORDER OF THE QUEST
Order of the Quest is an essential series of Historical Science-Fiction features that unravel ancient bloodlines, secret societies, and monarchies fighting for control of the Planet Earth through history.
www.orderofthequest.net
www.myspace.com/orderofthequest
-----------------------------ART---------------------------------
JUSTIN DUERR
www.justinduerr.com
www.myspace.com/justinduerr
BOOD SAMEL
www.flickr.com/photos/15428113@N00
www.myspace.com/oneiricimperium
JENNIFER BATES
www.geocities.com/theonetruebates
RE BROWN
www.thesnivelinggoat.com
myspace.com/snivelinggoat
DOMINO-SAN!
VJ-Live Projections-Illustration-Comics-Aesthetic Services
www.misterdomino.org
wwww.myspace.com/dominosan
DAVID S. APONTE
www.trackthreestudios.com/David%20Aponte.htm
www.myspace.com/david_s_aponte
JASON LEACH
www.dvlstudio.com
www.myspace.com/darkartistjason
----------------------------PLACES-------------------------------
THE CAVE OF KELPIUS
www.ushistory.org/oddities/kelpius.htm
WHISPERING BENCH
www.ushistory.org/oddities/whispering.htm
GRANDE MASONIC TEMPLE/ LODGE
(symbols of the sun, symbols of the snow...)
www.pagrandlodge.org
MUTTER MUSEUM
Not-so-mystical-but-amazing-nevertherless! A museum filled with rare bizarre medical cases
www..wikipedia.org/wiki/Mütter_Museum
www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp
OTHER
Tons of discreet/ secretive mystical orders, non-cyberspace discussion groups, and ritual sites
----------------------------SYNOPSIS--------------------------
Throw all of this together with a heavy dose of DIY-ness that comes from the punk/ bohemian scene and from the look of how things are shaping up, Philly is becoming a serious major player on the occult based artistic mystical map.
----HELP CHARGE THE MYSTICAL CURRENT and REAP THE BENEFITS----
Into esotericism? Have magical leanings or full on emerged in the occult? Move to Philly. Its cheaper to live than most cities, its close to New York and DC, its practically a perfect environment for artistic endeavors (tons of indy art spaces, low scale/ upscale galleries, alot of museums, general apathy to try and stop guerilla art, lots of DIY show/ event spaces) and it's diverse in the occult community. From Shamans to Hoodou and Voodoo to Sufism to Kali devotees to Asatru to Gnostics to Baphomet conjurers to Thelemites to Chaos magicians to Druidism to Oshun Worship to Radical Fairies to Left Handed Pathers to Pagans to the Church of Satan, etc.
------THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO THE STELLAR JENNIFER BATES------
A true individual and non-apologetic Left Handed Path-er that loved cats and the 1st amendment equally. She had an incredible amount of insightful world/ occult/ conspiracy/ general knowledge which only was trumped by her sense of humor.
(JB*- I hope you like what we are carrying on here. Let us know...)
*Jennifer Bates and Jhonn Balance
