Local independent Ouija-themed experimental art film

Uzi's Party is a film being produced by local filmmaker and Brain Frame creator Lyra Hill.  As of right now there are 3 days remaining to reach the goal on Kickstarter, and it's not very far from actually happening.

From the Kickstarter page:

Uzi's Party is a film about a sleepover, a séance, and the singular aesthetic capabilities of 16mm film.

Five girls gather to hang out and commune with a Ouija board. The host, Uzi (short for Fairuza) tries to keep things in order while her party goes awry. After a short session with the Ouija board, one of the girls is no longer herself - or is she?

The girls in Uzi's Party will all be played by the same actress. And the footage will be shot in-camera, via matting, multiple exposure, and body doubles. What will begin as a stylized, strange (and funny) teen drama will eventually become a disturbing, complex inquiry into possession, identity, and the psychology of young women. As the story progresses, the visual logic will slowly fall apart until you, like the girls in the film, are no longer sure what's real and what's not.

Of particular interest to those of you following Occult Chicago, the $200 pledge gift:

$200: Sacred objects made by Pagan priestesses

I am blessed to have grown up in a tradition that worships the Earth and the Divine Feminine, and even luckier to have this community donate artwork to Uzi's Party, my own mystical project. 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1877334389/uzis-party-an-experimental-teen-drama-on-16mm-film

Tubal Cain and the White City

Ray Johnson tracked down the whereabouts of a statue of Tubal Cain which was a part of the Columbian Exhibition of 1893.  Long thought missing, it turns out Tubal Cain is safe and sound in Peotone, IL.

Please read more at:  http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-strange-haunted-history/2013/01/tubal-cain-left-the-white-city-with-no-forwarding-address/

The Second City, witchcraft and comedy

Many thanks to Chas Clifton for forwarding this article to me.  Taki's Magazine details the mysterious figure of Del Close and his connection to both the national comedy scene and witchcraft.

"From the late 1960s until his death in 1999, Close taught long form at Second City Toronto and Chicago and served as SNL’s “house metaphysician.” No wonder the names of his other devoted disciples read like a comedy hall of fame: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Andy Dick, Chris Farley, Shelley Long, and Gilda Radner, to name a very few."

 

 

 http://takimag.com/article/comedy_for_the_devil_kathy_shaidle/print#ixzz2WleB8gib

Call for Summer Solstice events

Please send public Summer Solstice event listings to:  occultchicago@gmail.com

Sabaen Order photograph

Without a doubt, the most popular subject here on Occult Chicago is the Sabean Religious Order. 

I've recently come across some more information about Odun Arechaga and the Sabaens, and a few people have emailed me with their personal involvement with the group.  I'll share some of this once I have a chance, but for now enjoy this photograph.

Advertisement for Thee Satanic Chuch, 1974

I recently came across this 1974 advertisement for Thee Satanic Church.

Not to be confused with the Church of Satan, Thee Satanic Church (at various times / incarnations known as Thee Satanic Orthodox Church of Nethilim Rite, among other things) was run locally by Terry Taylor.

For more information, see the previous post about Terry Taylor and Satanism in Chicago.

Does anyone know if Terry Taylor is still around? 

Dr. Bronner, public crucifixion and Chicago

In honor of Easter, a Chicago story related to a crucifixion.

I'd always assumed that Dr. Bronner's religious essays on the side of soap bottles was somehow related to an extremely right-wing Christian sect.  To be honest, I'd never thought much of it.

Image courtesy Wikipedia.

Recently we have been moving toward more natural products in our home, and Jane purchased a gigantic bottle of Bronner's 18-in-1 soap.  I started reading the bottle and noticed an interestingly singular amalgamation of various belief systems - Christianity, Judaism and references to authors such as Rudyard Kipling.

Bronner it seems has a much more fascinating background than one might anticipate. 

Not surprisingly, a bit of research brings Bronner's antics directly through Chicago.

Three are Sought in Crucifixion of Chicago Man - The Evening Independent, March 10, 1945

An escape from a mental institution in Elgin immediately followed this incident.