Discovering The Male Mysteries

In this episode I talk about my personal experiences with messages and signs from a deceased friend.  My experiences led me to read the book "Hello from Heaven" by Bill Guggenheim and Judy Guggenheim.  While initially reluctant to read the book because the title sounded "Christian," I decided to read the book anyway.  There is no Christian agenda in the book, and the authors refer to "Heaven" as higher planes of existence after death.  They did research into the topic with surveys of over many years.  While admittedly, the majority of respondents were either Christian or Jewish, and their religion colors their experiences, the authors do a great job of outlining 12 distinct types of After Death Communications (ADC's) that can be experienced from deceased loved ones.  I give a summary of each type in this episode. Song clips: "Hello (from the Other Side) "Shut Up and Dance" "Haunt You" Links relevant to this show: Hello from Heaven Book- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_from_Heaven! Mel Mystery web

In this episode, I talk about using music in your magick spells, rituals, and other works.  I discuss creating a magickal playlist and what types of music you might want to include.  There is also a segment on the Greek Goddess of male-male love -- Aphrodite Urania. Songs featured include: Music (Madonna), Venus (Bananarama), and We are a Circle (Pagan chant). Web links: My website – www.melmystery.com Arcadia Gathering -- www.olympuscampgroundresort.com/index.php/events/arcadia Brotherhood by the Bog -- www.olympuscampgroundresort.com/index.php/events/brotherhood-by-the-bog-pagan-men-s-retreat Stone and Stang – www.stoneandstang.com Between the Worlds – www.betweentheworlds.org

This episode is about the magickal land of Arcadia in ancient Greece, its theme as a metaphor for a homosexual utopia among 19th century homosexual men, and it being the name for a new gathering for gay and bi Pagan men on the East Coast. The rustic, wooded land of Arcadia was home to Greek gods such as Zeus, Hermes, and Pan, as well as satyrs, centaurs, nymphs, and other magickal creatures.  The “gay god” segment of this episode will focus on the Greek god Pan. The Arcadia gathering is scheduled to take place October 9-12, 2019 in Cumberland, Virginia. Web links: Arcadia Gathering, Virginia -- http://www.olympuscampgroundresort.com/index.php/events/arcadia Between the Worlds Gathering, Ohio -- http://betweentheworlds.org/ Stone and Stang Gathering, California -- http://stoneandstang.com/

This is a continuation of the “conspiracy” episode.  Part one came out in January.  In this episode, I’ll be talking more about the Web Bot and possible biases in the algorithm.  I’ll be exploring why conspiracy theorists are so obsessed with pedophilia.  And I’ll be explaining my own system for evaluating conspiracy theories. Music: Somebody’s Watching Me (Rockwell), I’ve Got a Theory (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Web links: Brotherhood by the Bog Pagan Men's Retreat Arcadia Gathering for Gay and Bi Pagan Men Clif High's Web Bot Website Why Your AI might be racist Yes Artificial Intelligence is Racist Artificial Intelligence is Racist, sexist Crying Pedophilia is the Oldest Propaganda Trick Atrocity Propaganda

Today's episode is all about conspiracy theories -- why we love them, some of the more popular theories, and how right-wing conservatives are a hotbed of conspiracy theories during the Trump presidency.  We'll also explore my friend David's wild "conspiracy" theories about North Dakota. Part 2 will be coming out soon! Music:  X-files theme Web links: Brotherhood by the Bog Pagan Men's Retreat Arcadia Gathering for Gay and Bi Pagan Men Between the Worlds Gathering for Gay and Bi Pagan Men Clif High's Web Bot Website

This episode includes segments on Pagan and magickal superhero archetypes, LGBT superheroes including characters and actors, "research" into naughty superhero sites, and why do villains so often have gay voices and mannerisms. Songs and soundclips include: Holding Out for a Hero, the Smallville theme, and clips from Spiderman, Batman, and others.

Review of my visit to the Between the Worlds Gathering for Queer Pagan Men the week of September 11-15, 2017. Sound clips from Buffy and Bewitched. Drumming music from the Betweenthe Worlds last night drum circle.

Retreats and Gatherings including the Hero's Adventure, Querent, and Between the Worlds - The Gay Guy's Guide to Werewolves book - LGBTQ Werewolf Workshop at Marscon - Mel's Photography - Alternatives HR website -- Activism - Groups including the New Order of Chaeronea and the Order of the Stone Circle - Mel's big project - Personal updates Music Clips include: 9-to-5 - Do the Werebear - Green Acres Links related to this show: Brotherhood by the Bog Pagan Men's Retreat -- http://www.orderofthestonecircle.org/index.php/events/annual-men-s-retreat Querent - https://www.querent.org/ Between the Worlds Gathering -- http://www.betweentheworlds.org/ Mel's Bookstore - http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/melmystery Marscon - http://www.marscon.net/wp/ Mel's Photography site - http://www.matrixwerx.com/ Alternatives HR - http://www.alternativeshr.com/ New Order of Chaeronea - http://www.melmystery.com/index.php/new-order-of-chaeronea Order of the Stone Circle - http://www.orderofthestonecircle.org/  

In 50 Shades of Gay Part 2, I share personal news including updates on my new book "The Gay Guy's Guide to Werewolves and Other Man Beasts," a local Pagan men's retreat I helped put together, the new Querent Queer Spirituality Conference put together by the folks who brought you Coph Nia, and my personal memories of home. The main segment focuses on alternatives to traditional heteronormative relationships including simply living together, civil unions, serial monogamy, casual monogamy, open relationships, Bromances, Boston marriages, BDSM lifestyles, intergenerational relationships, long distance and Living Apart Together relationships, hiring escorts, and being happily single. The Fairy Facts segment talks about a 19th century secret society for homosexuals called the Order of Chaeronea who believed that love in all its forms is sacred.

In this episode, I give an update of what's been happening in the news and what I've been up to since the last episode - this includes the progress I've made on my LGBT werewolf book that will be available for sale soon. I give my review of the 50 Shades of Grey movie that some, even in the LGBT community, have considered controversial. I talk about the traditional marriage and whether LGBT folks should be supporting such a narrow definition of marriage.  I talk about Biblical marriage - it's not what many people think.  I also talk about the history of marriage and the history of formalized same-sex commitments in various ancient cultures. In part 2 of this episode, coming out soon, I will be talking about other types of relationship structures LGBT folks might take part in including: BDSM relationships, polyamory, intergenerational relationships, and more. 

In this episode I talk about the power of names including the names we use as individuals, the names we take on as groups (specifically our sexual identities and spiritual paths), and the names we call others. Individual names include our personal names, family names, nicknames, craft and magickal names, and our true names. Group names include the names we call ourselves based on our sexual identities and our spiritual paths.  Do we call ourselves gay, LGBT, Androphile, Queer, or some other term? As Pagans do we call ourselves the generic Pagan, Druid, Odinist, Wiccan, Witch, or even (gasp) Warlock. Do we call other people names that build the up or tear them down?  What about the term "creepy"? There's also a news update and some cool music and sound clips throughout the episode. Enjoy!

Episode 11 - Part 2 is a continuation of my review of Coph Nia from the standpoint of my personal journey with rites of passage and the hero's journey as a background. It includes an "Earth My Body Chant" by Coph Nia attendees; information on the Coph Nia Calendar which is now available for purchase; a song dedication from me to other Coph Nia 2014 attendees; and a few outtakes from the event.

This episode is part one of a two part review of Coph Nia - a Spiritual Gathering for Gay and Bisexual Pagan Men held this year from August 6-10, 2014 at Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary in Artemis, Pennsylvania. Featured presenters at the event included Erick Dupree, Steve Kenson, Gaffer that Harp Guy, and Mel Mystery. This episode features: An overview and review of Coph Nia, Ordo Aeternus Vovin (OAV) who produced the event, and Four Quarters where the event was held. A transformation chant to the Hindu Goddess Kali Ma led by Erick Dupree. Event reviews from Coph Nia attendees. A touching poem about the event titled "Periculum" read by a Coph Nia attendee who wrote the poem. A performance by Gaffer that Harp Guy focusing on the forbidden love between a Honeysuckle and a Vine Weed. Part 2 will be out soon and will focus on my personal experiences at the event from the point of view of rites of passage and the hero's journey and will feature additional recordings from the gathering.

In this episode: News - Phallicism and Horned Phallic Gods - Hymn to Herne - Unicorns and Phallicism - Austin Powers as a modern Phallic god?

My latest podcast on "The Gay Werewolf Connection". Topics include: Links between homosexuality and werewolves in metaphor and myth including Greek, Roman, Norse, and Celtic mythology. King Lycaon of Greece;  Romulus and Remus in Rome;  Norse Ulfhednar, Vargr, and Berserkers; Celtic Bleiden; European werewolf trials;  links between homosexual initiations and werewolves; shape-shifting; shamanic travel; bears, wolves, otters as gay body archetypes; animal totems; modern furry, therian, and werewolf sub-cultures; similarities to transgenderism;  werewolf rituals; the story of the two wolves inside each of us.

New episode for June 5, 2013. Letters - Inuit Creation Story of Aakulujjuusi and Uumarnituq featuring a male couple and transgenderism - Review of the Book "Gay Witchcraft" by Christopher Penczak - Review of the Movie "Oz: The Great and Powerful" - Music includes "It's Magic" and "Eskimo Love Song" - Plug for Coph Nia: A Mystical Gatherning for Gay and Bisexual Men August 7-11, 2013 in French Lick, Indiana

Episode 7: "Over" the Rainbow - Part 2 - Originally Broadcast in 2010 News - History of the Rainbow Flag - Why some gay men might be over the gay scene - Merits of the gay scene - Creating new scenes

Episode 7: "Over" the Rainbow - Part 1 - Originally broadcast in 2009 Gay people who are over the "gay scene" - Gay Gods: Freyr - Fairy Facts: Bifrost Bridge and Rainbow Serpent - News - Book Review: The Trouble with Normal

Episode 6.5: The Healing Power of the Serpent -- Originally broadcast February 2009 This is a shorter mini-episode. It's about 33 minutes and includes a review of the 2009 Feast of the Red Dragon, a charity event hosted by the DC Radical Faeries, a talk on the healing power of the serpent in mythology, and a dedication to my Dad.

Episode 6: "Men"torship - Originally broadcast August 2008 Gay Gods: The Green Man - Letters - Topic: Mentorship - Interview with a Mentor and a Mentoree - Fairy Facts: Green is Gay - David tells us about the "Green Man effect" - Some cool music from emusic.com - Bloopers Resources and other links: Green Man photo shoot by Mel Mystery , July 27, 2008 (I have a small selection of fantasy images on my photography site including the Green Man, Perseus from Greek mythology and a few others): www.matrixwerx.com Big Brothers hit for backing gay mentors: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/734167/posts White Crane Journal article on "Secret Mentorships": http://whitecrane.typepad.com/journal/2006/10/white_crane_70__9.html Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss: