Ep336: The Magick of Abramelin - Duncan Barford 3
Freitag, 5. Dezember 2025 · 1 h 48
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Shownotes
In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of “Occult Experiments in the Home”.
Duncan begins with an analysis of the 2016 film, “A Dark Song”, which he believes is the most accurate depiction of occult practice in cinema. Duncan details the plot, breaks down its depictions of ritual, and shares his own emotional reaction to the film's climax.
Duncan then shifts gear and gives a detailed explanation of the infamous Abramelin ritual, a multi-month ritual considered by many to be the most ambitious working a magician can attempt. Duncan gives a survey of the major written accounts of those who have attempted it including Aleister Crowley, Lionel Snell, and William Bloom; reveals why the ritual has such a high failure rate; and shares what he believes is the key to success.
Duncan also analyses the esoteric structure of Coleridge’s poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and interprets it as a description of the spiritual path, proposes an equivalency between success in the Abramelin and Buddhist stream entry, and reveals why he believes the study of history is an obstacle to magickal success.
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Video version: guruviking.com/podcast/ep336-the-magick-of-abr…
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
- Intro
- The Magick of A Dark Song
- The film
- The Abramelin Ritual
- Cinematic depictions of magick
- Spoiler warnings and the plot
- Hiring the magician
- Sophia’s motive for the ritual
- A deep understanding of how ritual works
- Describing the magickal working
- Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel
- The practitioner’s journey
- Characer arcs
- The key of devotion
- The esoteric structure of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
- The cycle of insight
- Crisis, breakthrough, ordeal, union
- Unsettling themes
- Interventus Caninus
- What next after absolution?
- What is the point of the Abramelin Ritual?
- Reflecting on the ending of the film
- Crowley, Snell, Bloom, and Katz - those who attempted the Abramelin
- Mysterious history of the Abramelin Ritual
- Recensions of the Abramelin
- Duncan describes the Abramelin text and ritual
- Why does the Abramelin ritual have such a high failure rate?
- Meeting Lionel Snell
- A tarot reading and why history is an obstacle to real magick
- Daniel Ingram’s revision of traditional fire kasina meditation
- Crowley’s attempts at the Abramelin ritual
- Other accounts
- William Bloom’s attempt
- Secret to success with the Abramelin Ritual
- How to increase the success rate of rituals
- Are you ready to attempt the Abramelin?
- Stream entry and Abramelin
- Duncan reflects on his past claims to attainment
- Questioning pragmatic dharma assumptions and the vogue of stream entry
- Insider vs outsider views
- Does magick really work?
- A story of powerful magickal effects
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Watch previous episodes with Duncan Barford:
- guruviking.com/search?q=barford
To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit:
- duncanbarford.uk
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
