Stanislav Petrov was a lieutenant colonel in the Soviet military during the Cold War. Twenty-nine years ago today, as he was sitting in the command center for the Oko nuclear early warning system, he noticed U.S. ICBMs coming toward the Soviet Union. He looked at the blips on his screen, thought for a moment, and decided not to press the button that would start World War III.

It turned out that he was correct in doing so, as the blips on his screen were, in fact, a technical malfunction. So in honor of the man who chose to let all of us around the world continue to live in relative peace, harmony, and healthy radiation levels, I am offering my album 49N 15E as a “name your price” (even free!) download over at Bandcamp.

The album is based on the very codes that Stanislav Petrov and other military members likely used during the Cold War to communicate with others in military intelligence. Track 7, The Petrov Alternative, was inspired by Petrov’s wonderful inaction.

I hope you enjoy.

Ritual is a dynamic union of self and spirit, above and below—so why should it be static? Learn to incorporate movement into your ritual with focused intention and discover a much more powerful experience. We’ll look at the parts of various rituals from start to end, and how different sacred movements (gestures and dance steps) can be applied – for groups, covens, as well as solitary practitioners.

49N 15E CDs are back in stock! Head over to CD Baby for the Cold War soundtrack.

Thing the Second

Last October, I released a digital EP called The Vault of the Bone Thief. It’s a soundtrack for a horrible misadventure involving caves and the walking dead. Fun! High quality digital downloads are available at Bandcamp.

Inspired by shortwave numbers stations, 49N 15E is my tribute to the secret world of intelligence, spies, and cryptography. It’s also the soundtrack to my Cold War nightmares.

There’s a release party in the works – details to come!