“The headiest wine is freedom.” — Табор уходит в небо (All Gypsies Go To Heaven)

You know what’s really fucked up?

I was reading an interview with Jacqueline Lovell, and since this was at the height of #metoo the casting couch inevitably came up. She worked for Playboy, Penthouse, Zalman King, Charles Band, and did a bunch of other porn, erotica and horror shoots. None of them gave her any trouble. A couple even treated her like family, and looked after her when she had taken on a pretty sketchy project. She didn’t go further into it, but if really pressed I’d put money on it being Black Sea 213, Here’s the synopsis from Letterboxd:

They Live the Way They Love… Close to the Edge.
Mercenaries selling nuclear arms on the black market pose as models so they can set up an innocent photographer to take the blame.

Look, I didn’t say she was freaking Marlon Brando or Brad Pitt, alright? The comments on IMDB are pretty funny, and accurate. But this aside is already overlong so I can’t delve into them, or the movie itself. But if that doesn’t tell you what you’re in for, check the cast and production list, and remember that this film was made in the late ’90s.

Actually, that makes my point hit all the harder. She didn’t even have trouble on that set.

You know where she encountered the casting couch? Hollywood, when she was just starting to go mainstream. Not the “degenerates” and post-soviets, but establishment Hollywood producers, directors and in at least one case a fellow actor.

Everyone says it’s her porn background that kept her from breaking through, but what if it was Jacqueline Lovell’s refusal to trade sex for roles that killed her career? As a devotee of the God of Theater I hate what these predators and педерасты have done to, and in the name of, Dionysos’ sacred art.

For fuck’s sake, just hire a prostitute. But I suppose it’s not really about the sex but the control, manipulation, and degradation. (Totally not going to touch on the occult angle. Nope. That is one fucked up rabbit hole, and even sticking to the documented evidence makes you sound completely crazy if you connect the dots in certain ways. So we are sticking to moral outrage.)

A pox upon you, Hollywood! A pox, I say!

I’m glad that streaming has made it possible for artists like Jacqueline Lovell and Edward Nyahay to release passion projects like Krush the Serpent and Forest Bathing: Friends W/Benefits directly to the audience, bypassing the Hollywood studios. Without giving up all the money. Without compromising their vision. Without having to lick Robert De Niro’s hairy, saggy nutsack to get a speaking part on a movie no one’s gonna watch anyway because the studios are acting like all the good ideas dried up in 2012 and so have been churning out formulaic slop or endless sequels, prequels, reboots, copies, etc. and movie-lovers are just staying home. Except when an interesting, original idea slips through. Because they do still fucking exist. And as long as there are Gods of art, and Muses to inspire people, they will continue to exist.

If you were alive in 1995 (and I realize that a significant portion of my readership was not, which is kind of mind-boggling) and a consumer of pornography/erotica (which I no longer am) you are probably familiar with the model-actress Jacqueline Lovell, who worked primarily under the sobriquet Sara St. James. The year of her debut she was awarded the title “most photographed model” which is certainly a promising way to begin one’s career.

From there she progressed to commercials, background work (including films like Forrest Gump) television shows, and B movies, especially for Charles Band’s Full Moon and Surrender Cinema studio, who put her in everything they could. (Her best role probably being Loretta in Head of the Family or Sun in Femalien.) This is actually how I was introduced to her ahem copious acting talents. In all seriousness there was something about her that made her stand out from the crowd, and it wasn’t T&A or her ability to do a shitty southern accent.

After reaching the pinnacle (a couple Zalman King flicks) she stopped taking what she described as “sexploitation roles” where she had to “strip naked every 15 minutes” and relocated to New York City where she enrolled in acting classes and began appearing in the various Law & Order spin-offs, more crowd and body double work, and … that was pretty much it. (Actually, while putting this together I found her SAG-AFTRA page and she has done a lot more movie and television work than I thought, some of it quite recent. Good for her.)

She disappeared in the early 2000s, which spawned a bunch of rumors on various forums and websites. As it turned out, she met auteur Edward Nyahay in 1999 (whom she married later that year), moved to Florida where he had a bunch of family who helped raise their daughter, and eventually returned to California where she had grown up. In addition to Zyla Faustina Pelagia Nyahay the couple’s relationship proved incredibly fruitful, as they made a number of short and long-form films, released several albums together, wrote for and edited numerous industry magazines, and were active members of LA’s art scene, until 2023 when Zyla was hospitalized with a rare form of cancer, contracted several viruses and became septic, which she succumbed to on December 21.

Although Jacqueline Lovell stopped blogging and scrubbed the various personal websites she had maintained since the 2010s from the ‘net, this tragedy does not seem to have affected her faith which she had rediscovered after meeting Edward, having previously abandoned it after a difficult stint in the California foster care system. In fact the couple describe themselves as dual faith Byzantine Catholics and Occultists, which is reflected in a lot of their independent movies and music projects such as Krush the Serpent (which is about a grieving widow who makes a pilgrimage to Amsterdam to visit the shrine of Our Lady of All Nations which was largely filmed on the fly, dodging the authorities since they lacked the requisite permits) and Forest Bathing: Friends W/Benefits (which is about the Japanese therapeutic practice 森林浴 or shinrin-yoku) an episode of which featured the Archangel Zadkiel amid the usual nudity and long, artsy shots of the California wilderness.

Jacqueline currently describes herself as an Oracle, “shekinah of the Divine Feminine” and a “light-worker” which a lot of the music she makes with Edward Nyahay seems to be about, as you can tell from this song “Seidr Shift.” She has certainly come a long way from Hideous! in which she played a topless criminal in a gorilla mask (I’m sure there was more to the plot, but that’s honestly all I remember) though I’m not sure that’s what she imagined when she sought to expand her artistic œuvre.

Here is acclaimed Pagan historian Ronald Hutton giving a talk on the mysterious Mr. D. I could only get a third of the way through it because it’s Ronald Hutton but I didn’t hear anything I hated. A couple things I might quibble over, sure, but I see where he’s going with it and it’s not an uninteresting take. I will always be indebted to the man’s research because it was through Triumph of the Moon that I first learned about Ernest Westlake, Harry Byngham and the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, which represents an important link in the chain of the modern worship of Dionysos. It is especially important within the Starry Bull tradition of Bacchic Orphism (their feast day according to the calendar of the Bakcheion is October 30th) because the whole Order of Woodcraft Chivalry thing was an application of the principles, theories, and theology of scholar and prophet Jane Ellen Harrison. (She’s honored on April 15th.) Her book was a dialogue with the Friedrich Nietzsche / Georges Bataille / Vyacheslav Ivanovich Ivanov strain of Dionysianism (sometimes agreeing with them, sometimes not; she was also having a separate conversation with James G. Frazer, Erwin Rohde, and Ulrich Von Wilamowitz-Moellendor but that’s less interesting) and was as instrumental in popularizing the deity as Walter Otto and Carl Kerényi. One could even argue that she had a wider influence outside academia than those two luminaries (who are honored on September 23rd and April 14th, respectively) since — at least according to an interview he gave — it was through Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion that Jim Morrison (July 3rd) was introduced to Dionysos. In fact he’s even shown reading from it in Oliver Stone’s hagiography/biopic. Though amusingly Val Kilmer is not holding the edition that Jim would have had in the 60s, but instead the later reprint that was in circulation at the time of filming was used. I readily admit that I am a nerd for knowing that, but this is our history, a record of the re-emergence of Dionysianism, and I think that’s worth remembering and preserving. (Even if I haven’t updated Eternal Bacchus in a coon’s age because of all the projects I’m always juggling.)

Probably my favorite production:

I’ve been listening to Jonathan Hultén a lot lately, and had to share. Think Neo-Folk meets Dark Country meets 2000s pop meets a production of Cabaret at a drag club in a shabby and slightly dangerous part of the city. This was the song that introduced me to Hultén, and it remains one of my favorites. Where Devils Weep is pretty good too. Not going to share my favorite favorite; you’ll have to find that on your own.

Instead of Nolan’s ugly travesty I would recommend watching Το βλέμμα του Οδυσσέα (Ulysses’ Gaze) by Greek director Theo Angelopoulos, which is a modern adaptation of Homer’s epic set in the Balkans during the war. It’s a pretty loose adaptation at times (a statue of Lenin stands in for Polyphemos) but unlike that other movie it actually has Greeks in it. I can’t even begin to summarize the plot; Wikipedia makes a noble effort, but doesn’t quite succeed in shooting the arrow through the axes. It’s a cinematic journey you have to experience to truly appreciate. Plus it has Harvey Keitel in it, and a beautiful score by Kim Kashkashian.

A friend and I were discussing Jewish polytheism when the Exodus came up. He wrote:

Like, here’s the thing. It’s not even comparable to Passover. Middle Eastern deities fight all the time and the Exodus narrative never says that the Egyptian Gods are unworthy of worship. It’s just a victory for Yahweh. Not to mention, Passover as a festival predates the Exodus narrative. You could totally celebrate Passover without the Exodus narrative. Might look a little different but it’s obviously something that’s possible.

To which I replied:

And yeah, the Jews and Samarians at the Elephantine fortress celebrated Passover without any reference to the Exodus. They even got instructions from the Jerusalem priesthood on the proper way to observe it at their current location and there’s no mention of the Exodus. Now either this part of the tradition was added later (which is really late) or was omitted because they lived in Egypt. And read the text again. It’s a theomachia with Yahō demonstrating his power (or Yahō and his comrades Deber and Qeteb who are frequently depicted together in the Tanakh) over the Egyptian Gods. Each of the plagues represents a different God, from Heqet (frogs) to Osiris (death of the firstborn. Some put Horus there, but it works either way.) And that’s assuming the theomachia theory is correct. I’m not sure I buy it, especially since there’s a strong indication that the nameless Pharaoh of Exodus was a member of the Hyksos dynasty who not only enslaved the Jews, but the Egyptians too, and committed atrocities against the temples and priesthoods of the indigenous Gods, not to mention aligning themselves with Apophis. Though I haven’t seen any scholars arguing in favor of this theory I suspect the plagues may have originally been sent by the Egyptian Gods working alongside Yahō to liberate the country from Hyksos rule. A later redactor (most likely E or J, or even Josiah) removed direct references to the Netjeru but didn’t know enough about Egyptian religion to conceal the nature of the plagues, which reveal their power in action. I like it because it makes Exodus an Avengers-style team-up rather than a dick-waving contest.

Everything is different when seen through polytheist eyes. I want to see a polytheist Exodus movie so bad (as long as it’s not directed by Christopher Nolan.) And seriously, fuck the Hyksos. Those guys were jerks.

The next batch of prayers — which establishes the liturgical core of the Hymnōdai — are going into the BBCP (Bacchic Book of Common Prayer) without first being posted here. I’m riding a rush of inspiration and writing a minimum of 10 to 20 prayers a day, so if I post them all here it’s going to completely flood my blog, leaving room for nothing else. If there’s something you’d like to see addressed don’t hesitate to ask; otherwise I’ll catch you on the flip side when this creative frenzy subsides. Be well, and reverence the Gods.

Dionysos, guardian of the innocent
and defender of the vulnerable, hear this prayer,
and look upon all children, keeping them safe
from those who would exploit, abuse, or corrupt them.
Surround our young ones with protection,
loving communities, stable and supportive families,
and vigilant guardians. Dionysos who rules from Nysa,
I pray, send the fiercest among your Furious Host
to hound the corruptors of innocence
to the ends of the earth and beyond.
O Dionysos who is inventive
when it comes to punishing the wicked,
let all those who prey upon children be exposed,
let their schemes fail, their control be broken,
their secrecy torn to shreds, and their victims
delivered from their grasp forever.
May the truth come to light,
may there be nowhere for them to hide,
and may justice be done
according to your sense of right.
O Dionysos who is inventive
when it comes to punishing the wicked,
may you show these defilers of children
the same mercy you showed Pentheus,
Lykourgos, and the daughters of Minyas.
May the friends of these villains turn on them,
may their families hate them,
may their employers fire them,
may their communities cast them out,
may their name stink like the filth that they are,
and may they never be able to shake off
what they have done
or escape the consequences
of their vile and perverted deeds.
O Dionysos, compassionate and comforting God,
strengthen the survivors, heal their wounds,
and restore their sense of dignity and safety.
Give courage to those who must tell their stories,
and may the harmed find hope and peace once more.

Dionysos, King of Monsters,
Lord of the untamed and the terrifying,
Master of all that dwells beyond
the boundaries of ordinary sight, I honor you.
You who walk among wild beasts and strange spirits,
who crown the forgotten and welcome the outcast,
who reveal the sacred power hidden within what others fear,
be present with me. Teach me not to tremble before the unknown,
but to approach it with wisdom, reverence, and courage.
Show me the beauty that dwells within the fierce and strange.
Rule over the monstrous powers within my own soul—
my power, my savagery, my unruly desires—
that they may become sources of strength
rather than mindless destruction.
Dionysos, Horned and Serpent-Crowned King,
guardian of wonders and horrors alike,
lead me through the twisting corridors of the Labyrinth
and into deeper mysteries of the divine.
Hail Dionysos, Monstrous King,
may your unrivaled power guide and protect me.

Dionysos, Lord of the wandering road,
friend of strangers and those without shelter,
look with kindness upon all who sleep beneath the open sky.
Grant them safety through the night,
warmth in the cold,
shelter from the heat,
food for their hunger,
and companions who will treat them
with dignity and compassion.
Guide generous hearts to aid them,
open doors that have long been shut,
and lead them toward refuge, stability, and hope.
Bless all who suffer, O Dionysos,
for you know the path of the vagabond and the outcast.
And may your grace be with them today and always.

Dionysos, Compassionate One,
who drinks with kings and beggars alike,
remember those who have no home to call their own.
Be a roof over them in the storm,
a fire beside them in the cold,
and a light before them in times of uncertainty.
Protect them from violence and despair.
Send them friends in place of loneliness,
kindness in place of rejection,
and hope in place of fear.
May they find shelter, peace, and renewed strength.
And may we never turn our eyes away from their need.
Dionysos Phileleos, hear this prayer,
and bless all who are in need, and struggle.

Dionysos, Lord of Mercy,
you who know exile, wandering, and rejection,
look upon those who suffer without shelter.
See those who lie awake through cold nights,
those who hunger when others feast,
those who are ignored, mocked, or forgotten.
See those burdened by illness,
grief, loneliness, addiction, and despair.
Where their bodies ache, bring relief.
Where their spirits are broken, bring comfort.
Where they have lost hope, kindle the flame of courage.
Stand beside those who endure rain without a roof,
Sun without shelter,
and hardship without a helping hand.
Guard them from violence, exploitation,
and all who would take advantage of their vulnerability.
Dionysos, friend of the downtrodden,
let no suffering escape your notice.
Send compassionate hearts to aid them,
safe places to receive them,
and better days to restore them.
May those who are cast aside be remembered,
those who are weary find rest,
and those who wander find a home.
In your kindness, hear their cries and bring them peace.

Dionysos, Lord of the Sacred Frenzy,
patron of poets, singers, dancers, and dreamers,
breathe your divine exaltation into my soul.
God who inspires and is served by the Hymnōdai,
awaken the sleeping spark within me.
Break the chains of doubt and hesitation.
Open hidden paths of thought and imagination.
May my words flow with clarity,
may vision arise from mystery,
and may creativity bloom
like the vine in spring within me.
Grant me the courage to create,
the wisdom to shape what is given,
and the perseverance to bring it into the world.
Dionysos who unlocks hearts and minds,
let your holy fire kindle my creativity,
that I may honor beauty, truth, and wonder
through all my works.

Dionysos, revealer of hidden things,
Lord of inspiration and divine insight,
be present with me as I seek understanding.
Remove confusion from my mind,
deception from my sight,
and fear from my heart.
Grant that I may perceive what is true,
reject what is false,
and receive only that wisdom
which is beneficial and just.
If it pleases you, guide this divination,
that it may be conducted
in reverence, clarity, and good order.
Dionysos, wise and mysterious one,
illumine the path before me.

Dionysos, Lord of joy and delight,
source of laughter, music, and celebration,
bless the pleasures that nourish body, mind, and spirit.
May I receive life’s gifts with gratitude,
enjoy pleasure without excess,
and find happiness in moments both great and small.
Bless the sharing of food and drink,
the company of friends,
art that stirs the soul,
and the love that binds people together.
Grant that pleasure may bring renewal
rather than emptiness,
wisdom rather than folly,
and gratitude rather than pride.
O generous Dionysos Charidōtēs,
fill my days with abundant delight
and teach me to rejoice in the joys of life.

Dionysos Chrēstotēs,
you who grant courage,
be near to all who suffer.
Strengthen the weary when their burdens grow heavy,
steady the fearful when darkness surrounds them,
and uphold the brokenhearted when sorrow
weighs too heavily upon their souls.
Dionysos Saōtēs,
grant endurance to those who face pain,
hope to those who feel abandoned,
and perseverance to those who struggle day after day.
May they find within themselves a strength greater than despair,
a light that banishes grief,
and a purpose that makes sense of their suffering.
Dionysos Psychotrophos,
who teaches resilience through trial
and grants joy after hardship,
and strength to those who feel they have none left,
help them endure what must be endured,
cleverness to find the way out of their labyrinth of woe,
and guide them ever towards healing, restoration, and peace.

Dionysos, master of the wild places,
companion of beasts and guardian of living things,
protect those who roam the forests,
those who graze in the fields,
those who soar upon the wind,
and those who dwell in the depths of the waters.
Grant health to the animals in our care,
comfort to those who suffer,
and safety to those who are vulnerable.
Teach us to treat all creatures with respect and gratitude,
remembering that they share with us the gift of life.
May the wild flourish, may the endangered endure,
and may harmony grow between mankind and the animal world.
Dionysos, promoter of nature’s abundance, savage God,
let your blessing rest upon every creature that breathes,
and bless the humans who dedicate themselves to caring for them.

O Dionysos Zeuktēr and Zōophoros,
bless this land and all who dwell upon it.
May the fields be fruitful, the waters pure,
and the forests filled with life.
Grant peace among neighbors,
prosperity for honest labor,
and strength to those who face hardship.
May the people of this place live with wisdom,
generosity, and reverence for the gifts of the earth.
Let collaboration flourish between humanity and nature,
and may future generations inherit a land
that is healthy, beautiful, and abundant.
Hail, Dionysos, giver of growth and joy.
May your blessings rest upon this land
for as long as its inhabitants keep their compacts.