As an ode to GRR’s Slavic neighbors who live in Brighton Beach / Coney Island (aka- Little Odessa) – Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the overwhelming rich and wide ranging realm of Slavic legend, folklore and myth. First off, its the Pagan Slavic Gods and Goddesses , enigmatic elemental and fertility deities whose names survived the process of Christianization but whose cultic rites and rituals remain something of a mystery. Then its the folkloric concept of the otherworld, a far off golden kingdom and a type of Heaven whose gateways are guarded by powerful malevolent beings and the concepts direct links to the far more ancient Shamanistic , trance invoked spiritual journeys that crossover into other realms. Next up, its some of the many household spirits – spectral ,supernatural beings like Domovoi/ Domovik – a gaurdian entity that prtects the home and is treated like one of the family. aswell as some of his more malevolent cousins – spectral creatures like the Bannik that haunts bathhouses , spas and saunas. And last but not least , its some of the deadly femme fatale nymphs, like Vila and the Rusalaka. Eternally young and beautiful Demi – Goddesses with long hair and translucent skin, who have links to much older forest and river dieties – and can not only lure a mortal to his death but also steal his soul.

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Recorded live at the break of dawn on the Riegelman Boardwalk in historic Coney Island , GRR yet again travels where others fear to tread as Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines The Black Death epidemics that plagued western civilization on and off for centuries.  A cataclysmic, apocalyptic event that in its wake acted as a type of stimulus for massive religious , economic , technological and social changes. Jack draws parallels between the catastrophic events of the past and the Covid 19 pandemic currently raging across the planet – need we say more folks!

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First off,its the ancient Shamans who surrounded by the sounds of nature link their music to the voices of spirits and deities in order to establish a supernatural connection. Then its the first Great Civilizations (Mesopotamia and Egypt) whose priests would chant hymns,prayers and incantations with a harp and drum in order to calm the hearts of the Gods. Next, its The East – where the magical power of sounds were thought to be transcendent and the key to celestial harmony. Then its the Israelites who influenced by their exposure to other cultures chant and sing to biblical passages. Up next, The Greeks and Romans who utilize music as an essential link to the divine rites and rituals of their Gods. And the Christians who at first consider all music the work of Heathen Gods then later use music as a way to open up the heart to pious feelings and bring the light of truth to the soul. And finally its the flip side of the coin as throughout history dance and dance music was considered to be diabolical and dangerous , filled with a malevolent power that can seduce or destroy humanity.

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In God Rock Radio’s second Easter Special and companion piece to History & Mystery of The Eucharist (GRR#90) – Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the evolution of the Christian Mass or Eucharistic Worship service.  First off, its the early Judeo-Christians who relate the presence of Christ in what they called the Lord’s supper and link the bread and wine to their sacred ritual gathering or communal meal. Then its the early Church Fathers who formulate a more whole or complete ritual action and The Mass switches from Greek to Latin and takes on elements of Gallic ritual and ceremony. Up next, the Middle Ages when the role of the Laity in Eucharistic Worship changes from active participation to passive adoration as the spectacular cathedrals increase the distance between the main altar and the congregation. Then its the Protestant reformers who ex-communicated from Catholicism are now free to reinvent The Mass while the Catholics in response begin a counter reformation that zealously stimulates painters,sculptors ,writers, musicians and architects. And last but not least its the snail paced change in Catholic Worship that is sparked off by 19th Century monks who investigate dusty and moldy archives , restore Gregorian chants to celebrations and spark off a debate within the Catholic world that is still raging on two centuries later.
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In part 2 , Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia continues his epic examination of the puzzling enigmas and mysteries of Renaissance art. Deciphering some of the great mythological masterpieces from such artistic luminaries as the ethereal Botticelli, the playfully impish Bellini and the sensuously seductive Titian. Then its the flowering of art and culture in the princely city of Florence, Italy. The intellectual center of Renaissance Europe. A liberal haven ruled over by the Medici dynasty, who claim descent from the goddess Venus and run the cosmopolitan metropolis as a type of benevolent dictatorship, that protected writers, thinkers and artists from church scrutiny and possible retribution. Next up its the stern Dominican friar – Savonarola , a preacher of political frankness and emotional intensity who denounces the church as corrupt and laments the materialism of the Medici clan. his combination of revivalism and fundamentalism soon gains steam and spreads across Italy. And last but not least … its the Borgia Pope ( Alexander VI) whose sexacapades and administrative skills would become the stuff of Renaissance legend. Blessed with endless energy (in more ways than one) the cunningly ruthless Spaniard proved himself a more than able Pontiff and restored much of the church’s power and glory after decades of division and weakness.

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In another amazing entry in GRR’s  interfaith spirituality series -Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the survival of Pagan mythology in a Christian world. The how and why ancient fables ,folk tales , legends and myths were renovated, perpetuated and reconsecrated during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Jack digs deeply into the mysterious and enigmatic works of art and literature and gives instruction on how to decipher the Da vinci code and fully understand their allegorical , symbolic , emblematic and spiritual significance.

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In the response to the events of this past Jan. 6th , Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia travels back a century to explore the deep venomous roots of the current waves of Fascism and antisemitism ravaging the nation like a deadly cancer. First off, its political gangs , thugs and criminals that managed to reach the pinnacles of power in Washington. Groups like The American Protective League – who were given nifty badges and with the help of the F.B.I , the police , draft boards and vigilante volunteers rounded up tens of thousands of socialists , pacifists and intellectuals during a period of martial law that was virtually been erased from the history books.  Then its The Ohio Gang – who managed to latch themselves onto a dim-witted , over sexed dark horse Republican presidential candidate – Warren G Harding , who gets elected in 1920. The Ohio Gang then sets up an alternative White house where they loot and pillage the federal government from top to bottom, in an orgy of corruption. And last but not least its Henry Ford, Uber titan of  industry and king of the American Antisemites. His series of hateful newspaper articles (The International Jew) were reprinted in book form and translated into several languages (including German) . The unholy text highly influencing Adolf Hitler and the rapidly rising Nazi party.

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Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia continues his examination of the transcendentalists , a significant if under appreciated group who played a decisive role in the introduction of Eastern thought and spiritual values into American culture. This time out its the 2nd and 3rd wave, later followers like James Freeman Clarke and Samuel Johnson – who dedicated their lives to writing informative volumes on the religions of Persia, India and China.  The dynamic duo also helped to form The Free Religion Association and were instrumental in the concept of a World Congress of Religions.  Next up – its Paul Carus – a spiritual maverick who edits two groundbreaking periodicals and collaborates with experts from Asia , working endlessly to cultivate lasting friendships and creating contacts between East and West.  And last but not least …Lafacadia Hearn – who decides to take an oceanic pilgrimage to Japan and transforms himself , in an almost superhuman effort to burrow deeply into its inner soul (every aspect of Japanese spirituality and culture).

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In the first of a series of programs dealing with interfaith spirituality , Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the transcendentalist movement of the mid 19th century. A decisive event that ignites the first flowering of American artistic genius and lays the foundation for the modern interest in Eastern philosophy , spirituality and art. A loosely bound group of rebellious philosophers and writers from rigid puritanical and Calvinistic New England , the transcendentalists many of whom were Unitarian ministers , firmly believed in the essential unity of all creation and assimilated eastern thought and spiritual values into their own intellectual views. In part 1 – its the Father of The Transcendentalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson – who devours the great literary classics of the East (44 books) and then infuses the spiritual values of Hinduism and Confusianism into his journals, essays and poetry. Then its his friend and acolyte – Henry David Thoreau – who finds himself attracted to the Eastern concepts of self discipline and detachment , and decides to undertake a two year Zen-like experiment at  Walden pond.

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In the conclusion to GRR’s epic examination of the origins and development of astrology, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia takes a wild ride around the cosmic circle of the zodiac and documents the largely unknown story of the mystic astral arts.  First off, its the early stages of human development as pre historic star gazers feel compelled to paint , carve and engrave signs of the constellations (celestial maps) transforming their humble cave dwellings into cavernous cathedrals. Linking the star patterns to animals , the symbol of the circle and the far more ancient totemistic primal religion in the process. Over the course of many centuries the planets and stars (visible to the naked eye) are assigned specific qualities , associations, rituals and purposes. This astral mythology and celestial spirituality merges and is transferred, adapted , and absorbed by virtually every culture growing more and more complex and sophisticated over time. Next up, its the casting of a celestial map (horoscopes) , the astral configuration at the exact time and place of an individual’s birth – which can determine the cosmic forces that act on each of the 12 stellar mansions or houses (the signs of the zodiac) and can be used as a guide by the astrologer to tap into a persons full spiritual potential. Then last but not least – Jack visits the 12 signs aka the celestial houses or astral mansions of the zodiac digging deeply into each individual signs rich amalgamation of symbolism , allegory , mythology and spirituality.

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