The
Modern Occultist
Interview #7
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Virginia Monti—better known within the manifestation community as Neyah—has been a prolific modern occultist her entire life; known as the founder and vocalist of the hard rock band, Psychedelic Witchcraft, she’s also an artist and popular manifestation coach through her YouTube and Patreon channels, “Neyah” and “Neyah Visions”—although, as she explained to Modern Occultist magazine, her journey has led her more and more towards teaching the methods and philosophies she credits for much of her success…
MO
For
anyone unfamiliar with your manifestation work, tell us a little about
yourself.
NEYAH
Well, my
work focuses on bridging the gap between the mystical and the practical. I help
people reclaim their inherent power to shape their lives through intentional
living, mindset shifts, and spiritual alignment. Beyond coaching, I am the
founder of the band Psychedelic Witchcraft and run a dedicated
space for psychic tarot explorations,
as I use Tarot not necessarily as a predictive tool, but as a door to one
individualized consciousness.
Ah, and
obviously in case it wasn’t clear from the name of my band, I am a Witch :)
MO
There
seems to be a lot of confusion and diverse viewpoints in the manifestation
community, and from many different coaches. Could you please explain in simple
terms, your personal philosophy on manifestation—for example, how you approach
it, and if you view it as a matter of creating with our minds, a neuroscience,
or are we shifting to parallel realities…
NEYAH
To me,
manifestation is the process of aligning your internal state with your external
desires. I view it as a seamless blend of science, philosophy, magic, and
spirituality. I believe these disciplines are ultimately speaking the same
language, asking slightly different questions but arriving at the same conclusion,
especially in our modern era. For example, looking at the scientific lens: even
without delving into the often-debated realm of Quantum Theory, manifestation finds a firm foundation in Neuroplasticity. By intentionally rewiring the
brain, we bypass old limiting beliefs and prime our perception to recognize
opportunities that were previously invisible to us. If you look closely at the
mechanics of the brain, you’ll find that almost all "mainstream"
manifestation techniques are essentially tools for neurological reprogramming.
Looking
instead at actual philosophy and spirituality, manifestation is the recognition
that we are part of a conscious universe, it’s what Idealist philosophers call "The Universal Mind." This is the core truth behind
terms like "shifting realities" or "tuning your frequency."
We do not attract what we want; we attract what we are. We aren't creating
something from nothing; we are selecting a different version of our experience
from the infinite field of consciousness.
And to
conclude mentioning the Magickal Lens, this to me leads directly into Magick. As Aleister Crowley wisely
stated, Magick is "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in
conformity with Will." It is an intentional act of
the individualized Mind to create a desired outcome. Because "matter"
is ultimately a projection of consciousness, the occultist isn't actually
"bending" external reality. Instead, through ritual and intention,
the practitioner becomes the version of consciousness they wish to experience.
To me, that is the true heart of manifestation: an act of Will that shifts the
internal observer to experience a new external reality.
MO
Can you
please talk about your manifestation journey and how you mastered it (as you described
in your "I Manifested Everything I
Wanted...BUT I Was Doing It ALL Wrong!" video).
NEYAH
My journey
didn't begin with a book or a video; it began with my lineage. I grew up at the
intersection of two very different worlds. My mother was a practitioner of Stregheria (Italian witchcraft) and a Tarot reader. From a very young age, she
taught me that we are not powerless victims of circumstance, but beings with
agency over our reality. By the age of six, I was already having premonitory
dreams and communicating with spirits, including my deceased grandfather, whom
I would describe in detail to my father despite never having met him.
On the
other side, my father was a graduate in Philosophy. He trained me to think
logically and to never accept "blind faith." Our home was a place of
constant debate regarding the existence of God and the nature of life. This
duality therefore of psychic openness balanced by rigorous logical inquiry,
prevented me from ever "shutting down" my abilities, but it also
forced me to break down every assumption until it made sense.
For years,
I studied esoteric circles, but I found much of the knowledge was intentionally
hidden or made "hard to digest." When I was in my 20s, the film The
Secret was released. While simple, I realized it was a pivotal moment in
human evolution. It was the first time the ancient debates of occultists and
philosophers were being translated into a language everyone could understand. I
believe this shift is the only true evolution we need, it’s not about more
technology, but a rise in collective consciousness so that we may use our
technology to create rather than destroy.
My
greatest obstacle was also my most profound teacher. During my parents'
divorce, my mother performed a curse intended for my father (which worked
because my father had an almost mortal car accident that took away his ability
to walk properly for more than ten years, he was cripple, and do we know it was
her? Because when we went to the hospital and she saw my father in that state
the only words she said were “I didn’t want to bring this this far…”),
and shortly after, she began to descend into schizophrenia. It sounds like a
plot from a horror film, but it was my reality. Because of her violent
episodes, I had to move in with my father at thirteen and didn't see her again
until just before she passed away last year.
This
experience taught me that the mind is fragile. It made me realize that spirituality
requires immense discipline and "groundedness." If we do not keep
our minds lucid, we risk tapping into things we cannot control. It taught me
that Magick must be practiced with a stable, healthy psyche.
Since
then, my challenges have been the same ones we all face: identifying
self-sabotaging patterns and habitual thoughts. I mastered manifestation the
moment I realized that no matter the external "curse" or internal
obstacle, I am the Observer. I am the one who decides what can and
cannot be overcome. Once you realize that your core identity is separate from
your thoughts and your past, you realize that truly nothing is impossible.
MO
One of
our magazine’s philosophes is that “occult” subject matter is often history or
knowledge deliberately hidden within antiquity. In that vein, why would
knowledge of manifestation techniques fall under such a category—as suggested
in Rhonda White’s original book, The
Secret?
NEYAH
The
knowledge of manifestation is essentially just an explanation of the laws of
the universe simplified—but it has historically been guarded. The word “esoteric”
stems from the Greek “esôterikos," meaning "belonging
to an inner circle." For centuries, "the occult" was kept for
initiates only, partly for protection and partly for power. Historically, those
who understood that reality is a projection of consciousness were often seen as
a threat to established religious or political institutions. If you know you
are a co-creator of your reality, you are much harder to control.
I find it
difficult to separate esotericism from manifestation; they are two sides of the
same coin. The ancient "grimoire" texts often speak of the inner
movement of consciousness and personal awakening—this is exactly what leads to
manifestation. As the Hermetic maxim says, "As above, so below; as within,
so without." Reality is simply manifested consciousness. People create a
separation between "magick" and "manifestation"
today, but they coexist entirely.
Growing up
in the 1990s in Italy, this secrecy was very tangible. Italian witchcraft (Stregoneria)
and folk traditions were kept strictly within family lineages or small, private
circles to avoid social stigma or "Malocchio" (the
evil eye). If you went to a bookstore back then, you’d only find books on Wicca
or surface-level folklore. These lacked the depth of the Hermetic laws that we
use in modern manifestation. My journey changed when my father gave me the Corpus
Hermeticum at age eleven. Between that foundation and the metaphors in
movies like The Matrix, I began to understand Gnosticism and the idea that we can
"reprogram" the simulation of our lives. In 90s Italy, you didn't
talk about these things freely.
MO
What
are some beginner-level manifestation techniques that you recommend to those
new to it?
NEYAH
In my
opinion, the most effective "method" isn't a ritual; it’s asking the
right questions. We have to start with a fundamental truth: we are all
always manifesting. There is no such thing as a "beginner" or an
"advanced" practitioner; there is only the remembrance of who we
truly are.
When we
start from this premise, we spark a shift in the subconscious. We stop trying
to "get" something and start realizing we are already creating. From
that place of power, manifestation becomes an act of Self-Awareness. I
recommend beginners start with a "Diagnostic Approach" to find their
natural language: Identify your natural cognitive style and don't force a
technique that feels like a chore. Instead, look at how your mind already moves.
Ask:
·
Are
you a daydreamer? Then Visualization or "SATS" (State Akin To
Sleep) will be your most effective tool. Your mind already speaks in
images.
·
Are
you an overthinker? Then Affirmations or "Scripting" will work best.
You can use your internal "chatter" to your advantage by giving it a
new, constructive script.
Beginners
often get lost in the "How" (the technique). I tell them to focus on
the "Who." Ask yourself: "Who is the version of me
that already has this desire?" or "How does that version of me feel
when they wake up in the morning?"
The most
powerful method is simply observing your "mental diet" for one day
without judgment. Once you see the thoughts you are thinking habitually, you
have the power to change them. Ultimately, conscious manifestation is not about
what you do; it is about who you are. When self-awareness is established, your
unique path will be revealed to you from within, not by an outside
"guru."
MO
How do
you manifest yourself? What were the techniques that worked for you, and are
you able to manifest now without using one?
NEYAH
I consider
myself eclectic. I believe manifestation should follow the natural flow of the
mind rather than a rigid set of rules. Techniques are not "magic
spells" in themselves; they are simply tools to get you into a specific
state of being.
Currently,
my practice looks like this: I may affirm for 10 minutes in the morning to set
my mental diet. Instead of just "wanting" something, I ask myself the
right questions to shift my identity. For example: "How would the version
of me who already has this feel right now?" This forces the brain to
bypass the "lack" and step into the reality of the wish fulfilled.
When I want to manifest something quickly, I use rituals, sigils, and
meditations performed in a “State Akin to Sleep” (SATS).
The reason
why I used these ways, and I think they work, is because in the drowsy state
just before sleep, the analytical "conscious" mind relaxes, allowing
us to speak directly to the subconscious mind. The subconscious doesn't know
the difference between a vivid imagination and reality. Once the subconscious accepts
a new "truth" or sigil, the external world has no choice but
to reflect it.
Nowadays,
while I still enjoy these tools, I realize that the ultimate
"technique" is simply the awareness of who I am.
MO
Many
people have trouble executing the technique, as focusing on something while
trying to fall asleep is doing the exact opposite: they can't fall asleep. Would
you have some tips on how to execute SATS effectively? How to drift off, while
someone is focusing on visualizing/affirming/hearing a voice/feeling the wish
fulfilled?
NEYAH
The
difficulty people experience with SATS is not a limiting belief or some hidden
psychological resistance; it is fundamentally a neurocognitive capacity issue.
SATS requires very specific mental functions like sustaining attention and
maintaining identity continuity while allowing the nervous system to drift into
sleep. Modern digital environments systematically weaken these capacities
because endless scrolling and constant stimulation re-train the brain for
hyper-arousal and fragmentation. When someone says they cannot fall asleep
while focusing, it is not an excuse but a reflection of a nervous system that
has been conditioned in the opposite direction. This explains why many people
see results at the beginning that eventually collapse; they used the technique
but never rebuilt the underlying stability of their attention and
self-regulation.
To
practice this effectively, you must keep the approach incredibly simple by
choosing a tiny, three-second scene before you even lie down so your nervous
system has predictability. You do not force concentration or panic when your
mind wanders, because that gentle drifting is exactly the state you are aiming
for. People often sabotage themselves by making scenes too long or approaching
the practice with a dysregulated system trained by junk media, which turns a SATS
is actually very similar to ceremonial magick in that its difficulty
lies not in anything supernatural, but in the internal architecture of
discipline and memory it demands. conditioning process into a stressful
performance. Unless someone has aphantasia, in which case they can use
affirmations to the same effect, the goal remains identity alignment.
Ultimately, expecting to overstimulate your brain all day and then suddenly
retain deep focus at night is a structural contradiction. Once you prioritize
restoring your cognition and calming your nervous system, SATS naturally
becomes effortless and effective.
MO
May we
ask you to share some of your biggest success stories, or perhaps some
(anonymous) clients’ success stories?
NEYAH
My entire
life, from the moment I gained my independence, has been a testament to this
power. Despite all odds, I have experienced every single thing I once
envisioned. I remember it like it was yesterday: I was a girl in Florence with
a dream of being a musician and traveling with bands. At the time, I didn't
even play guitar. Then, I developed edema in my vocal cords and lost my voice
entirely. People mocked me; they called me "delusional" when I
naively shared that I would one day write an album and get signed to a label.
They literally laughed in my face.
I
underwent surgery and couldn't speak for three months. During that silence, I
decided to master the guitar through mental visualization. I watched videos of
Amy Winehouse and "played" her complex jazz chords in my mind. I
practiced until those "mental" chords became muscle memory. By the
end of my speech therapy, I had not only regained my voice but began writing
songs. Within four months, I released an EP. I posted it on Bandcamp and
Instagram, and, true to my vision, I was signed to a record label immediately
despite having zero bandmates or help—I did it all by myself with an old iPhone
and GarageBand.
I then
manifested the "Rock and Roll" lifestyle I’d always wanted. I dated
some of my favorite musicians in the doom metal scene, lived the "Penny
Lane" experience backstage at the world's coolest metal festivals, and did
gigs and more albums, it was a lot of fun to manifest that life for a while
especially before Covid. The successes didn't stop with music; I have
manifested financial miracles, when money appearing in my bank account out of
nowhere when I was down to my last penny; travel, when I was able to fund a
dream trip across the United States through unexpected means; my big
move—relocating to London, a lifelong goal that I achieved despite the
complications of Brexit; and, of course, my marriage, my child, and the viral
growth of my YouTube channel. I share this not to brag, but to prove a point: I
started with a broken voice and no money in a room where people were laughing
at me. If I can shift my reality from that point to this one, anybody can.
MO
What
are the biggest misconceptions and misinformation when it comes to
manifestation?
NEYAH
To be
honest, it deeply annoys me when people try to put "Manifestation"
and "Magick" into two different, inappropriate boxes. If you reduce
manifestation to just repeating affirmations, then yes, you’ve got the entire
thing wrong: affirmations are merely one small cog in a much larger machine. However,
if manifestation is seen for what it truly is, our natural state of being, then
it is identical to Magick. As Crowley defined it, it is the act of causing
change in conformity with Will. Whether you use a sigil or a mental script, the
mechanism is the same.
If I had
to narrow down the biggest mistake people make, it is this: believing you are
your own thoughts. This is the fundamental error that strips people of their
power. You are not your temporary emotions, and you are certainly not the
"chatter" in your head; you are Individualized Consciousness: the
Observer behind the thoughts. When you forget this, you become a slave
to your habitual patterns and self-sabotaging loops. You begin to think that
because a "bad" thought appeared, your manifestation is ruined. That
is an illusion. The moment you stop identifying with the thoughts and return to
your seat as the Observer, you reclaim your agency. To forget who you are is to
forget your power. Everything else is just a technicality.
MO
What is
one book, film, lecture, or teacher that you would recommend to a new student
or occult practitioner?
NEYAH
I believe
the "right" recommendation depends entirely on your personal language
and how you process information. Here is my curated list for different paths:
For the
Spiritual or Faith-Oriented: If you are connected to the idea of God or a
Divine plan, read The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence
Scovel Shinn. It provides an immediate shift in consciousness and is a
beautiful, easy read.
For the
Practical Alchemist of Life : If you want a step-by-step process that will
systematically dismantle and rebuild your life, go for Vadim Zeland’s Reality
Transurfing. It is a profound framework for navigating the
"alternatives space."
For the
Skeptic or Science-Minded: If you are rooted in the modern era and need
biological proof, look to Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Breaking the Habit of Being
Yourself. It explains how to bridge the gap between the brain and your
reality.
For the
Aspiring Occultist: If you are drawn to the Occult, there is no shortcut, you
must commit to deep study. Dive into the Key of Solomon, the
Golden Dawn materials, or the works of Cornelius Agrippa.
The
All-Rounder: If you want the perfect blend of mystical insight and
psychological application, Neville Goddard never disappoints. I recommend
getting his entire collection; his work is the bedrock of modern manifestation.
MO
We
understand that you are also the creator of the band Psychedelic Witchcraft and
that you have a separate channel dedicated to psychic tarot readings. Please
feel free to elaborate on those two subjects of yours as well.
NEYAH
Psychedelic Witchcraft was born out of a desire for
something that didn't exist yet. When I was younger, the music around me didn't
speak to my soul. I loved Metal, but specifically the 70s-influenced Doom bands
that felt atmospheric and ritualistic. I wanted to hear music that talked about
the niche horror movies I obsessed over,the kind only a fanatic would know. I
realized that if no one was making the music I wanted to hear, I would have to
make it myself.
It was my
very first major manifestation. In fact, my first album is titled The
Vision for a reason; it was the first time I held a mental image and
birthed it into the physical world. It turned out that "people like
me" did exist, and they resonated with it deeply. It was a beautiful era
of my life that allowed me to evolve into who I am today.
The Tarot,
on the other hand, is my lifelong companion. It has been with me since
childhood and will be with me forever. I don’t view the cards just as a way to
"see the future," but as a profound tool for meditating,
understanding the subconscious mind, and helping others find clarity.
My YouTube
channel for Tarot
was actually my first platform. It remains a space where I can connect with
something greater than my individualized consciousness. Whether I’m doing
readings online or at live events, it is my way of being of service. I truly
believe the Tarot is one of the greatest tools we have to find clarity, and
once you have clarity, you have the power to manifest anything.
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