Looking For Mr Wednesday: Towards An Odian Philosophical Framework

The thesis explores the theory and praxis of Odianism in order to articulate the fundamentals of a possible philosophical framework underpinning the Odian paradigm of reality. It is argued that Odian magical praxis needs to be understood as a discrete category of experience offering a specific understanding of and a particular route to selfbecoming. Magic is a problematic category to define and shares fuzzy boundaries with a number of other concepts related to non-ordinary states of consciousness. The thesis seeks initially to clarify the specific nature of magic and to contextualise Odianism within the broader Western Mystery Tradition. The main body of the thesis considers the philosophical framework proposed by contemporary Odianism. This narrowing of focus is inevitably limiting, but necessary to allow a sufficiently detailed examination of a particular approach to magical praxis. The thesis explores Odian epistemological, ontological and ethical positions. Odian magical praxis is examined in the context of those philosophical perspectives. Particular attention is paid to the concept of Odian self-development or Self-becoming. It is argued that Odianism regards non-ordinary consciousness as essential to all forms of magical praxis. The thesis concludes by exploring the wider relevance and value of Odian perspectives and of magical praxis in general.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Sharp, Christopher Jon

Language dc:language

en