Sprouting the Second Head: On the Embodied Presence of Poetry and Divination | Òscar Díaz

This week, we welcome guest Òscar Díaz, Poet, Medieval Islamicate Astrologer, and Specialist in Fixed Stars, to chat with us a bit about the intersection between poetry and divination. This conversation speaks like an epiphany of fire, with the spark of inspiration leaping from tongue to tongue. From getting the blood flowing through language, to the art of omen augury, I certainly enjoyed the liminal and whimsical wisdom Òscar was gracious enough to provide. 

In what ways are both poetry and astrology embodied practices? What might djinns, daimons, or demons have to do with creativity and inspiration? Why is there a strong relationship between Venus and diviners? How can a surrender to eroticism and poetry allow us to better explore the risk and inherent fumbles of living an authentic life? In what ways are poetry and magic engaged in a similar process of reality shaping, and, what is the link between shame and interest? All this and more, on today’s episode of SaturnVox

To find more on Òscar, check out their website where you can book them for an astrological reading, and maybe also make some time to read some of their published poetry. Don’t forget also to follow them on instagram or twitter to keep up with whatever workshops and classes they may be offering.

To find more on SaturnVox, check out their instagram and twitter @saturnvox, or, visit their website saturnvox.com.  

This week’s extended episode features Òscar’s musings on the poetics of astrological talisman making, the magic and sound scaping of rhymes, the intimacy of singing one’s prayers, the difference between prayers we write and prayers that have been intoned repeatedly by many over time, and advice on how to give generosity to the self in encouragement to write prayers of your own, so hop on to the Patreon at www.patreon.com/saturnvox where you can further support the show and join in on our community discord server. 

Original music for the podcast performed by Jules M. Dooley, traditional astrologer and sound artist. Follow his experiments with astrology + sound + ai visuals on IG: @glitches_in_the_night_sky

Fallen Angel graphic drawn by the  incandescent tattooer and illustrator @floodtower

SHOW NOTES:

Archilochus of Thasos

Shams al-Ma’arif:  An Arabic Grimoire by Ahmad ibn ‘Ali al-Buni translated by Dr. Amina Inloes, with commentary and illustrations by J.M. Hamade

Starnight Dwell, J.M. Hamade

Holy Daimon by Frater Acher

Dr. Ali A. OlomiI

bn Ezra

Planetary Perfumes by BanexBramble and Sphere and Sundry

Henry Fool