Join host Greg Carlwood, of The Higherside Chats podcast as he talks cinema symbolism with returning guest, Robert Sullivan.
While the topic of cinema symbolism isn’t new to THC, considering the size and scope of the Hollywood’s reach, it may be time to take another look at the esoteric allegory and cinematic sorcery used to encode eternal archetypes, alchemical transofrmation, and occult ritual.
Fortunately, today’s returning guest, Robert Sullivan, once again joins The Higherside to help us unfold the symbols and subtext behind the Hollywood machine. As a best selling author, lawyer, and 32nd degree Freemason, Sullivan offers an unmatched understanding of the deeper meaning behind some of society’s most beloved films.
3:20 Kicking things off, Robert discusses the importance of his work, the transformation of this new medium and how movies have become mythology that has permeate the culture and affect the collective consciousness. Driving home this point, Sullivan walks through history’s greatest masterpieces from Shakespeare’s cryptic messages and Mozart’s masonic inspired opera “The Magic Flute” to films such as “Frankenstein”, “The Wizard of Oz” and the “James Bond” series. Through writing his book, “The Royal Arch of Enoch”, Sullivan discovered an intricately woven web of esoteric themes such as Gnosticism, occult symbolism, and eternal archetypes appearing in many of the mainstream cinematic classics cherished in our society.
5:30 Greg and Robert discuss the life, work and beliefs of Alan Moore, famed creator of the graphic novels “The Watchmen” and “V for Vendetta”.
11:42 Robert details examples in Gnostic themed films such as “The Wizard of Oz”, “Alice and Wonderland”, and “V for Vendetta”, that include an initiation into mystery school traditions through suffering, anti-materialism, and rejection of a false reality, resulting the receiving of gnosis.
22:30 Greg and Robert discuss the aspect of actor selection that Sullivan refers to as, occult selection. Robert explains that while there has been a more obvious push for occult symbolism in film from the music, imagery and dates used, another form of cinematic sorcery involves using the actors themselves as cultural valences through esoteric baggage from previous roles.
28:30 Robert breaks down Disney and the occult, the geometry of Epcot Center, and John Dee’s influence.
34:00 Greg and Robert continue to discuss the impact of people like John Dee, the use of occult mathematics, and their deconstruction of the material world. Sullivan expands on their application of the number nine, it’s unique qualities, and it’s numerological importance.
42:00 After covering the deep laden symbolism of “The Lion King”, Greg and Robert move on to another chunk of films that has taken hold in the collective consciousness and imprinted on the ethos, J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series.
Become a Plus Member at www.TheHighersideChatsPlus.
– the Joker’s embodiment of the Hanged Man tarot card, in multiple films
– tarot’s relationship to Kabbalah and how both relate to “Robin Hood”
– magic, Masonry, & the Church
– archetypes of the Spaghetti Western genre
– “The Shining” and the Moon Landing and how Robert’s background as a Freemason colors the lens from which he views the moon landings
– Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut”
– how to rectify political and historical figures who have abused power and caused suffering being Freemasons or belonging to certain groups, and not condemn the group itself
– the relationship between the original Illuminati and the Jesuits
-The Warriors: a Gnostic perspective
A few valuable resources from the interview:
Robert Sullivan’s 1st appearance on The Higherside Chats “The Secrets of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy and Symbolism”:
Robert Sullivan’s 2nd appearance on The Higherside Chats “Cinema Symbolism and Esoteric Archetypes of Hollywood”:
Here is a list of the movies mentioned in the interview:
“Evil Speak”
“Metropolis”
“Frankenstein”
“James Bond”
“The Wizard of Oz”
“From Hell”
“The Matrix”
“The Truman Show”
“The Watchmen”
“V for Vendetta”
“Alice and Wonderland”
“Blade Runner”
“Halloween 3”
“Stargate”
“The Shining”
“Eyes Wide Shut”
“The Omega Man”
“The Matrix Reloaded”
“Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens”
“The Matrix Revolutions”
“The Dark Knight”
“The Exorcist”
“Dune”
“Lost Highway”
“The Lion King”
“Harry Potter”
Want more Robert Sullivan?
Check out his website:
And be sure to grab a copy of his books, including “The Royal Arch of Enoch”, “Cinema Symbolism” and “Cinema Symbolism 2”:
Follow him on Twitter:
Subscribe on Youtube:
Want to hear more THC?
Become a plus member and gain access to the additional hour as well as the THC forums at:
If you want to stay connected to The Higherside Chats, join us on social media:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Youtube:
Reddit:
Review us on iTunes:
And be sure to check out The Higherside Clothing:
