What's New From And With Tom Swiss?

What is Tom up to now? What's he been writing and recording, and what events is he scheming? Bookmark this page and check back often!

Masculine Archetypes Series

I'm 7/8 of the way through a series of medium-long posts at The Zen Pagan about a set of archetypes of the mature, healthy masculine. You can read my take on the Magician, the Healer, the Lover, the Preacher, the King, the Captain, and the Warrior. Still to come: the Trickster.

Send Tom to New Zealand!

October marks the 50th Anniversary of the Seido Karate dojo in Nelson, NZ, founded by Eiko Hanshi Andy Barber. They're planning a big celebration! I'm going to go judge a tournament, but more than that, I'm going to help maintain and build community ties with my fellow Seido karateka. It is a privilege to be part of the World Seido Karate family.

But traveling to the other side of the world isn't cheap. I'm asking for your support in this community-building endeavor. Learn more at catonsville.seidomd.com/events/oct2024/send-tom-to-nz/

The Catonsville Dojo

We've moved the Catonsville Seido Karate program to its own space! (Well, we share it with a aikido group a few nights.) I'm very excited about this opportunity for expansion. I'll also be doing some healing arts classes here. We have a grand opening weekend Novemember 2 and 3 with free classes and demonstrations.

Upcoming Events

Constellation Burn


Posted on Sunday September 22, 2024

Look for me at Constellation Burn in Bedford PA. I'll be there Friday October 11 through Monday the 14th.

50th Anniversary of Nelson Seido Karate


Posted on Monday September 23, 2024

October 26 and 27, I'll be attending the 50th Anniversary of the Seido Karate dojo in Nelson, NZ, founded by Eiko Hanshi Andy Barber. And you can help me get there!

Catonsville Dojo Grand Opening


Posted on Monday September 23, 2024

November 2 and 3, join us for free classes and demonstrations as we celebrate the new location for Catonsville Seido Karate!

More information here

Recent posts at The Zen Pagan

Masculine Archetypes: The Warrior at Mabon


Posted on Sunday September 22, 2024

Of all the archetypes we're considering, the Warrior may be both the most problematic and the most promising. Why is the Warrior so fraught? Because the Powers That Be have always needed men to fight their wars....There are two words that we must focus on to understand the Warrior: "mission" and "boundaries".

Masculine Archetypes: The Captain at Lughnasadh


Posted on Thursday August 01, 2024

The Captain is in the field or on the ship with those he leads, in the fray with them, leading the charge. And the Captain cares directly for his men. He is mentor and caretaker, even if he can also be a stern taskmaster. The captain goes down with the ship because he puts his men ahead of himself. But as a leader of Warriors, he puts the mission before all.

Masculine Archetypes: The King At Midsummer


Posted on Thursday June 20, 2024

He does not command, he is not a conqueror. Instead the King is the conduit of blessings for his people. This kingship is all duty and no power, no temporal power at least.

Deconstructing the Bears Vs. Men Memeplex


Posted on Sunday May 05, 2024

In this memeplex we can find misandry, a romantic misview of nature, a base rate fallacy, myths about violent crime and about the gender distribution of power, and a disregard of positive helping behavior by men. So there's a lot to unpack.

Masculine Archetypes: The Preacher at Beltane


Posted on Wednesday May 01, 2024

The Preacher does not issue orders or set himself above those he speaks to in a power hierarchy. The authority he has is "moral authority", rooted in the rightness of what he says and in congruence between those words and his actions.

Recent posts at The Weird Turn Pro

Imane Khelif And The Paranoid Style In American Politics


Posted on Tuesday August 27, 2024

It has become the deep belief of many in Blue Tribe that Khelif is not intersex, but that she was falsely accused as part of a dastardly plot by Russia to boost its international prestige.

When censoring fascists, who gets to decide who's "fascist"?


Posted on Sunday May 30, 2021

Giving anyone the power to label someone "fascist" and censor them is far more of a threat than a handful of Nazi punks.

1917: The Real Start of the Israel-Palestine Conflict


Posted on Monday May 24, 2021

The story starts with British imperialism

Police violence: seeing the fnords


Posted on Wednesday May 12, 2021

Imposition of Order = Escalation of Disorder. "Armed with the Law of Eristic Escalation and Fenderson’s Amendment any
imbecile – not just a sociologist – can understand politics."

The Weird Turn Pro: Commentary from a weird perspective.


Posted on Wednesday May 12, 2021

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” — Hunter S.

Videos on YouTube

Tom Swiss - Poetry Open Mic at The Bun Shop, Apr 12 2024


Posted on Tuesday May 21, 2024

Reading three poems at the Bun Shop open mic, April 12 2024, Towson MD,

"Keep Going", a song by Tom Swiss


Posted on Wednesday January 24, 2024

Part 19 of the 2024 fun-a-day: a new song, "Keep Going". For everyone going through rough times.

When it seems you just can't catch a break
When the troubles just keep growing
When life seems like endless heartache When you're going through hell.... Keep going
Keep going
Keep going

The Magician At Midwinter (Masculine Archetypes Part 1).


Posted on Sunday December 24, 2023

The Magician At Midwinter. "The Magician is the keeper of hidden knowledge, the master of special skills and powers. He is the yin/yang compliment of the King. Where the King is a widely known public figure, the Magician is isolated in his tower, intent on his chosen field of study and artistry." Part 1 of a serious of 8 posts on the topic of archetypes of the mature sacred masculine I'll be doing over the coming year.

"Hail Eris, All Hail Discordia" (original song)


Posted on Sunday January 29, 2023

For the 2023 #FunADay project, a new song. A hymn of sorts to my patron Goddess, who asked me to remind you that you are free. Hail Eris!

Song: "Leadbetter's Tavern", Tom Swiss


Posted on Friday January 20, 2023

For part of my #FunADay project in January 2023, I wrote a song about Baltimore's best dive bar. Miss that place and its "Music EFN."