trans- prefix meaning: across, beyond, through, on the other side of, to go beyond
state: a condition or way of being that exists at a particular time
An unabashed play on words, a ‘trans- state’ is, among other things, a coincidentia oppositorum. An alchemical wedding that defines the fixed place, where boundaries are actively transgressed.
Trans- States conferences are each themed upon a Major Arcana Tarot card. The first was The Hanged Man and focused on boundary-crossing, liminality, and the queering of normativity. The second was The Tower, which broadened its scope to include the shock and awe of revelatory and paradigm-shifting occultural experiences, the impact and implications of anti-structure, of alterations in consciousness, and of the revolutionary aspects of paranormality.
The theme of this conference is The Magician card. The contemporary Tarot Magus is an adept of the mystical arts, but the forebearers of this image are even more firmly rooted in the mercurial archetype of the Trickster. Master of stage(d) magic, sleight of hand, spectacle, and misdirection; everything they do is for show—the Magician is nothing without their spellbound audience. Juggler, gamester, huckster, provocateur, and virtuoso performer, The Magician occupies the streets and avenues, the highways and byways, the thoroughfares and village squares. Places of commerce and community, of trade and treachery, of discovery and deception. Quick-witted, unfathomably dexterous and expertly skilled, The Magician appears to perform the impossible and produce the hitherto unimaginable: making space for the virtual to emerge within the bustling midst of the everyday.
The Art of Deception is the art of technē. It is the art, skill, craft, and means by which practice brings about accomplishments that are quite simply—beyond belief.
This transdisciplinary conference and art exhibition will explore the complex interrelationships between contemporary occulture, deception, persuasion, trickery, manipulation, communication, mastery, craftiness, sleight of hand, commerce, technē, technology, and techgnosis.
To find out more about the Trans- States organisation, visit our ‘About’ page.
Independent scholar and author
Underground icon, independent scholar, author, award-winning journalist, sometimes podcaster, and popular speaker. (more…)
Professor in English Studies
Professor in English Studies in the Division of Literature and Languages at the University of Stirling. (more…)
Contemporary magician and author
Contemporary English magician, publisher and author on magic and philosophy, who publishes under many aliases, including, most famously, Ramsey Dukes.
The Trans- States Media team has documented the vast majority of our presentations from our conferences. Playlists containing all of our presentation recordings so far can be found below. For other media, such as photographs taken by our team, navigate the ‘Media’ section of the main site navigation. Huge thanks to all of our Trans- States Media team for all their hard work in capturing our very special events!
Trans- States Media also recently produced a short film collaboration with performance artist Stefanie Elrick, of her 2016 “ReInState: A mirror ritual”. To watch the film visit https://trans-states.org/new-short-film-reinstate-a-mirror-ritual/.
From the SHWEP podcast blog: We speak with Cavan McLaughlin, the guiding force behind a very interesting conference called Trans-States, which blurs the boundaries between the study of the esoteric and the esoteric itself. What happens when art, performance, ritual, magic(k), and a
University of Northampton, 9 & 10th September 2022. trans- prefix meaning: across, beyond, through, on the other side of, to go beyond. state: a condition or way of being that exists at a particular time. An unabashed play on words, a ‘trans-
Many thanks to Dr Scott Jeffery for another wonderful conference report in the BASR (British Association for the Study of Religions) Bulletin. Arguably, this year’s Trans-States conference (held 13th-14th September) lived up to its title even more that the original conference in
Registrations must be done one at a time. If you have additional members of your party, please register them after completing your purchase.
REFILLABLE WATER POINTS
For ecological reasons no plastic water bottles will be provided at the conference. We suggest you bring your own refillable water bottle; there are water fountains available in the Creative Hub for this
ACCOMMODATION:
Sunley Hotel - Our on-campus hotel at Waterside. https://www.sunleyhotel.com/ Sunley is offering a special conference rate. Contact them via phone or email and mention you are booking for the 'TRANS- STATES Conference' to get the reduced rate. Rooms are limited. This offer expires on July 28th and rooms are limited, so we expect them to be booked out far in advance of that.
Room Only - £60.00 (Per room, per night, inc. of VAT)
Room and Breakfast - £65.00 (Per room, per night, inc. of VAT)
Additional hotels close to the event:
Local Premier Inn - Located just a five-minute walk from Waterside Campus. https://www.premierinn.com/gb/
Hotel Ibis Northampton - Located in Northampton town centre next to the train station, and approximately a 15-minute walk to Waterside campus. https://www.accorhotels.com/
INFORMATION ON CAR PARKING AT WATERSIDE:
Free parking is available at the University's Park and Ride facility (see the above travel link). Registrants can take the bus to Waterside for the reduced rate of £1.20. It is about a 15min journey.
There is also a limited number of car parking available on Waterside campus charged at £3/day but vehicles will need to be pre-registered.
If you are intending to park at Waterside please email us and this can be arranged (subject to availability).
ACCESSIBILITY:
The Creative Hub is equipped with male, female, disabled and all gender toilets. The building has both stairs and lifts, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
Creative Hub
The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus
University Drive
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 5PH
