In this episode of Spirit Box, I sit down with Gabriel Kennedy to discuss his new book, Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson. We explore Wilson’s life, influences, and enduring ideas, with a particular focus on his concept of Chapel Perilous—an initiatory state of uncertainty, where perception is destabilized, and transformation is possible.
Our conversation takes us through Wilson’s time in Ireland, his engagement with esoteric and mystical traditions, and the deep imprint of Irish history and culture on his work. We also examine the broader themes of language loss, intergenerational trauma, and how these forces shape identity and collective memory. Gabriel shares the extensive research that went into writing his book, including interviews with nearly 75 people, and how Wilson’s ideas remain relevant in today’s world of uncertainty and paradigm shifts.
In the Plus show, we go deeper into Robert Anton Wilson’s time in Ireland and the profound themes he explored in The Widow’s Son. Gabriel and I discuss how Wilson’s time in Ireland, following personal tragedies, shaped his later works and connected him to the country’s cultural and historical complexities. Through the novel’s protagonist, Wilson examines intergenerational trauma, Irish identity, and the lingering scars of colonial history—ideas that remain deeply relevant today.
We also explore the lasting impact of language loss in Ireland, tracing its roots to the famine and the cultural suppression that followed. Drawing on Translations by Brian Friel, we discuss how language shapes perception and identity, and how its revival is an act of cultural reclamation. This ties into a broader conversation on intergenerational trauma, the epigenetic effects of famine and stress, and the ongoing resurgence of ancestral practices like stone lifting and the Irish language.
The conversation weaves together mysticism, history, and deep cultural memory—tracing how the echoes of the past still shape the present.
Show Notes:
Book website Robert Anton Wilson Biography - Explore the Life of a Visionary Author
Prop’s Substack | Gabriel Kennedy aka Prop Anon | Substack
About – Gabriel Kennedy – Medium
Chapel Perilous: The Life and Thought Crimes of Robert Anton Wilson – Gabriel Kennedy’s biography of RAW.
Cosmic Trigger: Volume One – Wilson’s exploration of Chapel Perilous and his experiences with synchronicity, psychedelics, and the occult.
The Widow’s Son – A novel exploring Irish history, identity, and intergenerational trauma.
Prometheus Rising – A deep dive into consciousness, psychology, and personal reality tunnels.
The Illuminatus! Trilogy (co-written with Robert Shea) – A countercultural classic blending conspiracy, satire, and esotericism.
Translations – Brian Friel’s play about language loss and cultural identity in Ireland.
The Graves Are Walking: The Great Famine and the Saga of the Irish People – John Kelly’s historical account of the Irish Famine.
The Atlantean Irish – Bob Quinn’s exploration of Ireland’s connections to North Africa and ancient maritime cultures.
Grant Morrison Disinfo 2000 speech - Just epic.
The White Boys - 18th century Irish direct action society.
Coffin ships - a popular idiom used to describe the ships that carried Irish migrants escaping the Great Famine.
Bloomsday - annual celebration of the life of James Joyce observed in Dublin on June 16th.
Keep in touch?https://linktr.ee/darraghmasonMusic by Obliqka https://soundcloud.com/obliqka
