The Hidden Gods of New York City | Harlem and Midtown

As we continue walking through the immense power of New York City, we encounter the HIdden Ones hiding in plain sight. And the cultural, artistic, and performative sides of Manhattan, we realize that the Gods of Old are far closer than we think...

WE ARE GOING TO SALEM!
Instagram: @beyondtheseaspodcast
EMAIL ME: beyondtheseaspodcast@gmail.com
Tarot Collaboration: @thefeatherwitchnyc
Weekly Book: The Tombs of Atuan
Podcast website: https://beyondtheseas.buzzsprout.com/
More info: https://www.kierandanaan.com/beyond-the-seas

Author Interview Collaboration
Crossed Crow Books (@crossedcrowbooks)

Music
-“Your Will” by Simon Wheeler
-"Intimacy" by Ben Winwood
-"Aurora" by Michael FK
-"100 Stars Vanished" by Beneath the Mountain
-"Irish Mountains" by Ben Winwood 

Cheers Magick Makers, 
Kieran

Chapters

• 0:00 The Call of the Muses
• 4:50 Grand Tidings!
• 12:25 Harlem and Midtown
• 24:46 Unraveling the Masks
• 34:01 Outro

Transcript

The Muses enacted Far-Seeing, their enjoined hands clasped and clutched.

Their gift of Sight, along the woven threads of reality’s fabric,

Showed things that were, are, and sometimes…yet to be.

For, as Odin and Cerridwen walked under the night-shrouded trees of Manhattan,

So too did The Muses watch and attend. 

For the machinations of the Hidden Ones were already in motion. 

Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, and Erato began the chant,

Their sisters joining the refrain in harmonic cadences. 

Lilting and melodic did the notes and chords ring,

Building to a frenetic climax and release. 

It was a beacon—a Call—to all of the Hidden.

Forth into the night did the Call escape and fly,

Stopping devilish Dionysus in his cups,

Dancing Shiva in his spiral movements,

Ishtar and Astarte in their pleasure-filled movements,

And even a humble Saint Genesius in his nightly prayers.

For the Call joined heart to heart, and hand to hand, 

As no other Call had ever yet done. 

And in that moment, the Hidden around New York City knew,

That their work…

Had finally begun.

(transition music)

            Grand tidings and welcome to you on this, the forty-first episode, of Beyond the Seas. My name is Kieran and here we are again, back at it for another week. It has been such a treat getting to watch the show grow and find its way to new Magick Makers the world over—and we have some very exciting treats coming up over the next few months. Thus, the plugs: @beyondtheseaspodcast, on Instagram, and Claudia’s account, @thefeatherwitchnyc, to follow along with the weekly tarot collaboration reels, wherein Claudia teaches the tarot one card at a time, one week at a time. And also, our collaboration with Crossed Crow Books in Chicago, @crossedcrowbooks! And don’t forget to leave a five-star rating and review, so the show may continue its trek through the interwebs towards new listeners and practitioners. I am so excited to be here with all of you today, and sending you my love and thanks for joining me here. 

            And now, artistic and literary updates! Dial M for Murder is going smashingly well down here in Cape May, and the audiences are loving it. I have such a treat in this gig: I have the entire second act off, so I have been doing a lot of podcast work, reading, and crossword puzzles backstage. I love being able to do all my favorite things at work, and enjoying my coworkers’ performances from behind-the-scenes. Tickets are available at eastlynnetheater.com, as well as at the door, if you happen to find yourself in the area. Now, the book: The Tombs of Atuan is my beach read, and I love how it takes on the perspective of the priestesses who guard the Tombs, which our dear friend Ged the Archmage is soon to visit. I didn’t have the chance to finish it quite yet, but look forward to a review of it coming up next week. What I did read, though, was some of Edgar Allen Poe’s works, from a tome that I borrowed from my hosts’ library here in Cape May. I reread The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, and so many others. I did not know that Poe was one of my favorite authors of all time until that book randomly leapt out at me this week. So, grab some of his works this week, too, as well as The Tombs of Atuan, to follow along with the literary fun. 

            And now, the Card of the Week! Claudia sent me a reel only this morning, on Sunday when I am recording the episode, from ReWilding for Women, and Sabrina there talks about the astrology of this weekend granting opportunities for choice points and crossroads. And Claudia’s Card of the Week is, scarily enough, saying exactly the same thing: The Four of Swords. Here is a moment to lay down, close your eyes, and travel within. What no longer serves you? What areas of your life weigh you down and hold you back? What do you want to dispose of, karmically speaking, so as to create space for joy and abundance in your life? The time has come to make those hard moves forward, to let go of the things that are ultimately harming us, and step forward onto the path of change and growth. Therein lies the best versions of ourselves and the potential we hold within. It is sure to be a powerful week, Magick Makers, so take a deep breath and let go, let go, let go. Because I am doing exactly that, and while it is not easy, it is ultimately the right thing. 

            And now, the Wine of the Week! So Jane and Mark, my hosts, are two of the most generous people I have ever known before—and the dinners they have made and served us this past week were to die for. Each one came with wine, of course, and it was at the latest one that I found this week’s bottle to review: Talmard’s 2015 Macon-Uchizy White Bordeaux. I normally am not a white wine drinker, so this bottle was a super find to discover. It has notes of peach, tobacco, lilies, mint, and a hint of cinnamon. Pair it with homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh basil from the back garden, moist mozzarella, and ice cream sandwiches. 

            And, finally, this week’s topic. Continuing on with our intrepid travels through the Hidden Gods of New York City Series, we next turn our attention to two of the most popular areas: Harlem and Midtown Manhattan. With the vibrancy of culture, arts, and performance, these areas attract not only tourists, but also avid residents who thrive off of the underlying pulse these neighborhoods contain. What places hold the most energy, in these areas? Why are the arts here so important to our discussion today? And, most importantly, how might we connect and work with the Gods who preside over them?

            For now, grab your favorite bottle of red, find a comfy chair, and close your eyes as I tell you the tale of The Hidden Gods of New York City | Harlem and Midtown—and take you…

            Beyond the Seas. 

            (transition music)

            Picture it: 125th Street, lined with the street vendors, murals, music, and energy filling the air. It is the most direct conduit to the American Black artistic movement of the early twentieth century: jazz, theater, plays, and written works all hail from this most magickal section of the city. Then farther south, on the opposite side of Central Park, is the most attended portion of the island: Midtown Manhattan. It is here that Broadway lights up eight shows a week, in Times Square 42nd Street. Street performers, costumed characters, aspiring artists, bands, and ticket hawkers line the streets between 38th and 50th. 

            There is a pulsating energy, much like that of the Upper East Side, that pervades these two areas of the city. They are two of the most artistic hubs in the world, and much creativity and inspiration arise from them. And with the foot traffic of so many people traveling through, who all inherently come from away, the exchange of energies, thoughts, and divine representation intersect along the blocks and avenues. I equate Harlem with The Gods of Music and Joy, and Midtown with The Gods of Theater and Creativity. Thus, let us first turn our attention to the traditional details of these two areas.

            Harlem is the area between 110th Street an 155th, which is almost four miles long. You will find such famous sites as the Apollo Theater, National Black Theater, Astor Row, and Langston Hughes House, to name a few. It is the home of many of the American Black community, as well as Spanish and Asian communities. Its architecture is nothing short of spectacular and continuously pays homage to the many artists, craftsfolx, and creative minds of the past and present. 

            Midtown Manhattan is bound, at the top, by 59th Street and Central Park, and the argument of where it ends is a little more lugubrious: some say 34th or 23rd Streets, others as far downtown as 14th. Regardless, it is this portion of the city that contains the most tourist attractions like Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Fashion Avenue, Koreatown, Penn Station, The Theater District, so so so many things; and one of my favorite spots—that also includes the fanciest public bathrooms—Saks Fifth Avenue. You will find such famous landmarks as The Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, Carnegie Hall, United Nations Headquarters, the Plaza Hotel, and the OG Macy’s, to name a few. It contains an affluent population, totaling no more than 26,000, and the majority of the skyscrapers in Manhattan. 

            Ergo, back up to Harlem we go. When I ride the M60 bus along 125th street, which runs the length of Harlem before entering the bridge to Queens, I see The Muses inspiring all around me. These nine goddesses of art, literature, and song, to name a few, thrive within the saxophonists on 125th and Amsterdam. They are in the murals painted by children on Park Avenue, that showcase the culture of their neighborhood, families, and friends. The Muses reside mainly in the Apollo Theater, which houses infamous performances like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Sammy Davis Jr., and James Brown. And most powerfully, they are in the Harlem residents who walk up and down 125th, where they sit together outside bodegas and shops, laughing; smiling; clapping each other on the back; and creating circle wherever space is found. 

            In the laughter of children with their parents, I hear Marimba, the Goddess of Music. As Harlem is home to the Harlem Renaissance—itself the container of some of the most spectacular jazz clubs and artists, like Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole, to name a few—it is apparent that Marimba rules in the chords, notes, and songs of the underlying urban symphony. She abounds in the laughter of the communal nature of its residents and maintains their longevity, momentum, and love. 

            Ishtar and Astarte, two counterpoints and foils in and of themselves, preside over the love and relationships that thrive in Harlem. It is impossible to not feel the presence of community while you walk within its confines, as fresh opportunities for love, meaning, and magick abound. I see both of these Goddesses in the couples that ride the M60 bus with me. I feel them when I see the dancers on the streets following the beating of drums and other instruments. And, as they are both the Queens of the Universe, I hear them most prominently in the fast-paced, witty intonations of Harlem itself. 

            It is clear that the arts and performative ways are inherently a part of New York City. It is home to music, ballet, opera, and theater. And so, as we move down the length of Central Park, we hit the world’s mecca of stage performers in Midtown Manhattan. It is here that The Gods of Theatre and Creativity are literally alive, as Tony and Oscar-winning actors perform nightly on the stages of Broadway. Fun fact: in last year’s profit reports from the Broadway League, over 12 million people attended these shows and made a yearly profit of over $1.5 billion. 

            Of course, Dionysus is Lord and Savior of this portion of Manhattan. He dances alongside the tappers and aerialists on the Broadway stage, and sheds his godly tears during the heartbreaking ballads of the divas and leading players. He toasts his horn of wine après-show, cheering on those who are willing and brave enough to chase after and follow their dreams. He acts alongside all the tourists when they leave the theaters and continue to discuss the shows seen, smiling in revelry and delight as his art form maintains its place in modern society. He is within me, always, in every audition, rehearsal, and performance I conduct in my professional acting career. I have so much to thank him for, not limited to my love of wine, and I dedicate this moment to him. 

            Shiva, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance, is within the pulsing heart of Manhattan: Times Square. There, on the never-ending bright lights, screens, and signs, he showcases the media and marketing of our modern day. From the men who leap over one another to crowds of adoring onlookers, to the SAG television shows I have shot in Times Square—even the naked singing Cowboy himself—Shiva leads and fuels the energy of this magickal place as he dances in the lights that never turn off. There is an energy highway that spirals up and out into the heavens from Times Square: the crossing of many ley lines, it is impossible to not feel the movement of energy, excitement, ambition, and glory from Shiva in Midtown Manhattan. 

            Lastly, Saint Genesius is the silent watcher from the darkened stages long after the shows have ended. In the theater, by tradition, there is always a ghost light that is left on in the dark space of the theater, once it is closed for the night. This light guides the way of the artistic and theatrical souls who linger in these magickal places and creates a beacon for safety and community for Those on the Other Side. And, much like the Hermit, Genesius guides and watches over those on the other side of the veil. And lends aid to the many actors, myself included, who audition daily in Midtown Manhattan—wishing and praying fervently that, perhaps one day, all of their dreams will come true. Like a patient and wise old man, Saint Genesius lives in the patience and ambition of all dreamers in New York City. 

            Thus, the Hidden Ones of Harlem and Midtown are as present as may be, for they live in the dreams and energies of the New Yorkers who dare to follow them. Who wish to sustain and support their communities and loved ones. Who wish and pray for the success and freedom that all humans deserve. And perhaps, if one listens most closely in the early hours of the morning—or the late hours of the night—one would hear Marimba playing on 125th street and Dionysus laughing uproariously on 42nd. And what a powerful act of magick that would be. 

            Refill your drinking horns, your goblets, your chalices, for the second half of The Hidden Gods of New York City | Harlem and Midtown, after this brief break.

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            It is best to be balanced, in order to be whole. For within us all lies both shadow and light. Tragedy and comedy, as it were, right? And with the arts of The Hidden Ones in mind, it is most powerful to connect with them through song, dance, and chant. Thus, when ready to connect to these creative deities, I proffer my ritual titled Unraveling the Masks.

            Gather such simple tools as a white candle, a bottle of red wine, rose essential oil, and citrus incense. Also, as I do not personally mind technology within the circle, your phone that houses your favorite playlist. 

            Begin the rite by grounding and centering, focusing upon the breath and how it changes your body during each inhalation and exhalation. How much awareness do you have in this moment? Where in your body is it most focused? As you settle into yourself, visualize the joys of your life—as well as the sorrows. Become even more aware of how those events caused those invisible masks to manifest upon your spirit, creating distance between your true self and the self presented to society. 

            When ready, cast the circle or tread the compass round in your traditional manner. Invoke the Four Directions, asking their aid in revealing what has been hidden and bound within you. Call upon Ishtar and The Muses, Dionysus and Shiva, as Guides and Helpers along your journey between the worlds. Take five slow deep breaths, one each for the elements that make up your body and spirit. Breathe in, breathe out—focus upon those masks. 

            Take up the rose essential oil and anoint the white candle first, then place a few drops on your pressure points: third eye, wrists, and feet. Light your white candle and stare into its flames. If comfortable, touch the areas of your body in which you feel those masks reside, either physically as knots or spiritually as blocks. When ready, say the following:

            “Muses of the Past, inspire my heart. 

            Ishtar of the Heavens, enflame my body. 

            Dionysus of the Vine, reward my work. 

            Shiva of the Cosmic Dance, ignite my spirit. 

            Ye Gods of the Ways and Arts of Old,

            I honor you this night, this hour,

            As we together create the story 

            And unravel the threads that bind its uses.

            Great Gods of All, journey with me 

            And lead me ever onwards to the truth of Me,

            As I bring myself to My Self.”

            Now, breathe deeply into your spirit and know that this ritual, this moment with these Hidden Ones, is a powerful act of Shadow Work and offering. Unraveling the Masks is an intention to reveal the inner you, the truest self of you, in this most protected and safe space—wherein Deity and your ancestral spirits and guides dance alongside you. For the Dance of Shiva, the Spiral Dance itself, is now what we seek.

            Uncork your bottle of red and offer it to the Gods, pouring some into your altar’s chalice of choice. Then, pour yourself as little or as much as you want—there is no shame in this moment. Indulge in the revelry of being alive, in your body, in this moment. Then, pull out your phone, and hit that play button—really let the party begin. 

            In your circle or compass, sing, dance, chant words of power and love—cry, scream, rage to the heavens if you feel it, all to not only raise energy, but also weaken the ties of the masks that shroud your inner light. As you build to a frenzy, to that climactic moment of release, visualize these masks covering your true self shaking; cracking; breaking; falling away. Feel the physical release within you as these emotions and weights are lifted away from your spirit and reveal what has been bound for so long: you. The all that is you.

            And know, that in this moment of bravery and revelry, the Gods are smiling for you. Dancing with you. Singing with you. Being with you. There is nothing short of limitless freedom in this moment, with an absence of self-consciousness and inhibition. When you reach that climactic moment of release, having spent your energies in the unraveling of your masks, pause in that rush of joy as you stand in the all that is you. Breathe hard and fast, then soft and deeply. Take another sip of wine, if you wish. Ground yourself in this moment, knowing the Gods have watched over you and guided you along the way. As they will always continue to do so. 
             The new you, that has always been within you, will thank the Gods and allow them to stay if they will. Release the Four Directions in your traditional manner, as well as open the circle. Simply put, you have journeyed between the worlds and are forever changed. 

            For that is what the theater practitioner does, as well: when I perform, I travel between the worlds and come back changed, having inhabited another being and learned from it. Ironically enough, it is by first putting on a mask that I am more able to learn about myself afterward. But in this instance, it is the revealing of inner truth through song and chant that mirrors the lessons the actor brings to the audience, from a whole other world. Touching heart to heart and hand to hand, it is one of the most ancient of magicks—and of the most powerful that survives today. Travel among the worlds, now and always, to heal not only yourself, but also the world at large. 

            For in that manner, your magick, my magick—our magick—will always be made stronger…because of it. 

            (transition music)

            The stories, research, and production elements were done and edited, respectively, by me, Kieran, with sources attached in the description. If you want to be a guest on the show, or have a topic you wish me to explore and discuss, send me an email at beyondtheseaspodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to hit the follow button, on whichever platform you enjoy the podcast, and look forward to more content next week. Until then, seek the veil between the worlds, and allow yourself to travel…Beyond the Seas.