leonidas kazantheos | Write Out Loud

Biography

For as long as I can remember I have been passionate about the arts, social change and the sustainable environment. After more than thirty years of voluntary and professional involvement commuting between Yorkshire and Lancashire while working in those areas I finally relocated to Buxton in 2013. This was after the birth of our son Gaspard and to further the career of my French partner, Francoise Collignon who is currently seeking work in the tourism sector. In 1988 I became the Regional co-ordinator for the National Artists Association in Manchester and helped promote the artistic revival in the region. At the turn of the millennium in 2001, while pursuing my vocational interest in symbolism and the natural world, I became involved in environmental conservation and the protection of green space in W. Yorkshire. I was elected editor for Calderdale Friends of the Earth, a monthly postal and online newsletter. In my spare time I was preoccupied as a writer, natural archivist and amateur poet. Over a period of five years I also worked briefly as an architectural technician, landscape designer and mural artist near Holmfirth where I gained invaluable insights into restoration and the development of Green Field and Brown Field sites. In my mid-forties I relocated from Halifax, W. Yorkshire to Manchester where I worked as an artist and freelance set designer for several photographic, film and video companies. My work received reviews in Hotshoe International, Avant Magazine, NME, The Face, the Big Issue and one shot (The Wolf) became a best-selling poster for Athena Posters. In the late 80’s I became an active member of the National Artists Association and a subscriber to the Design & Artists Copyright Society. I subsequently assisted in the instigation of the first Multi-cultural Arts Conference and the first Black Arts Forum in Manchester. I became editor of a quarterly Arts Magazine concerned with promoting and supporting artist’s initiatives in the region. Nevertheless, in my spare time I wrote numerous articles on the natural world and researched aspects of Dream Symbolism and the study of semiotics and gestalts in literature and art. I was involved as facilitator for the local allotments and helped set up a local nature reserve at Hough End. Finally, I was encouraged by a close mentor in America to write more seriously about the work of the literary genius William Shakespeare and to pursue a role as a poet. Although somewhat reluctantly over the past four years I have given poetry performances, workshops and readings in Manchester. I have recently published an anthology of my poetry entitled “Parthenogenesis” and a companion to Shakespeare studies entitled “Shakespeare’s Qaballah”. The links to my current publications: https://www.amazon.com/dp/8182537193 https://www.cyberwit.net/publications/1721 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/8182537193?ref=myi_title_dp I am currently working on a screenplay entitled “Not Without Mustard” about the life of Edward de Vere and a 2-volume work entitled "Shakespeare Revelations".

Samples

On days when I am in a daze, In quietude I sit and think And gaze upon the paper and the ink Or stare beguiled and wonder if I filed the nib enough and is it stiff? Or should I pour another drink? I gather rose-buds while I may On days when I am in a daze, And wonder when I’ll reach a phase Of cool uncertainty, in such a way As I won’t be concerned, and happily Rest upon the lessons learned? In night time splendour I withdraw, I turn the key and lock the door, On days when I am in a daze. In sublime moods and inspirations I retire, Examining the virtue of each metered rhyme And quietly being so amused, I gaze.... But that’s the worth of poetry! Selecting and the patterning of words In some sequential symmetry; On days when I am in a daze I gather rose-buds while I may And smell them in a silent way. For who can say with cool conviction What a poet or a poems’ worth? And if the metre or encryption Is more than just a million miles away? On days when I am in a daze My muse portrays a sullen gaze... So I am ill-disposed to while or stray Or softly still your aching ears With all this mellow, mystic poesy And drown you with my poet’s tears, Or share my lover’s pains in sad essay; On days when I am in a daze, I’m in some kind of ecstasy....

Links to my Blog on Shakespeare Authorship:

A Literary Genius or Fraud? https://qudosacademy.org/2021/11/10/a-literary-genius-or-fraud/ Who Was William Shakespeare? https://qudosacademy.org/2021/11/09/who-was-william-shakespeare/ Astrology in Shakespeare’s England What is often ignored or overlooked by academics is the vast amount of occult references in Shakespeare's plays and poetry to the art of astrology. Qudos Academy examines in detail the "Bard's" interest in astronomy and astrology from the time. https://qudosacademy.org/astrology-in-shakespeares-england/ Dating of Shakespeare’s Plays & Poetry https://qudosacademy.org/dating-of-plays-poetry/ Books dedicated to Edward de Vere https://qudosacademy.org/books-dedicated-to-edward-de-vere/ Creative Anonymity https://qudosacademy.org/creative-anonymity/ Dick Whittington & Shakspere https://qudosacademy.org/dick-whittington-shagsper/ Shakespeare’s Codename a recent update on Shakespeare’s Codename illustrating additional proof that Edward de Vere was a Freemason, spy as well as the prolific playwright and poet "William Shakespeare". https://qudosacademy.org/shakespeares-codename/ Shakespeare’s Poetry, an re-examination of the inspiration for Shakespeare's poetry, its French, Greek and Italian influences. https://qudosacademy.org/shakespeares-poetry/ Shakespeare’s Cosmology https://qudosacademy.org/shakespeares-cosmology/ The “Lost Years” Debate? https://qudosacademy.org/the-lost-years/ The Correct Dating of Shakespeare’s Plays https://qudosacademy.org/the-correct-dating-of-shakespeares-plays/ The Droeshout Portrait https://qudosacademy.org/the-droeshut-portrait/ The Glaring Disparities https://qudosacademy.org/the-glaring-disparities/ The Meteoric Ascent of a Literary Genius https://qudosacademy.org/the-meteoric-ascent-of-a-literary-genius/ The Missing Pieces in the Jigsaw https://qudosacademy.org/the-missing-pieces-in-the-jigsaw/ The Secret Alchemy of Shakespeare https://qudosacademy.org/the-secret-alchemy-of-shakespeare/ The Sonnets Code Deciphered https://qudosacademy.org/the-sonnets-code-deciphered/ The Sonnets Revisited https://qudosacademy.org/the-sonnets-revisited/ The Twin Lives of William Shagsper & Edward de Vere https://qudosacademy.org/the-twin-lives-of-william-shagsper-edward-de-vere/

A Rural Calendar

Fairy Tales, Mythology & Folklore

The Terrors and Delights of Childhood Innocence, an examination of the Origins and Meaning of Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales https://qudosacademy.org/2023/02/20/the-terrors-and-delights-of-childhood-innocence/ Oedipus, Eros & Psyche The second in my series on the meaning of myths and legends, here are the tragic tales of Oedipus, Eros and Psyche and how they reflect the narrative and characters found in Fairy Tales. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/03/04/oedipus-eros-psyche/ The "Drama Triangle" in Fairy Tales, a psychological analysis of the roles, locations and narratives found in fairy tales. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/03/13/the-drama-triangle-in-fairy-tales/ The Polar Myth & the Cosmic Aeons in Human Evolution is the latest post from Qudos Academy. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/04/29/the-polar-myth-the-cosmic-aeons-in-human-evolution/

Occult Science, Alchemy & Magic

She Loves Me Knot an examination of Astrological Synastry as practised still today by the nomadic peoples sometimes referred to as "Gypsy Travellers". https://qudosacademy.org/2022/01/26/she-loves-me-knot/ Group Dynamics & the Enneagram The politics and dynamics of human interaction whenever a group, team or company flexes its "muscle" to operate in a world fraught with self-interest, conflict, disagreement and indifference. https://qudosacademy.org/2022/01/10/group-dynamics-the-enneagram/ Gurdjieff’s Psychodynamics https://qudosacademy.org/2022/07/04/gurdjieffs-psychodynamics/ A deeper understanding of Gurdjieff's system of self-development as described by him as a form of Esoteric Christianity. The Mnemonics of Gurdjieff’s Trilogy https://qudosacademy.org/2022/06/22/the-mnemonics-of-gurdjieffs-trilogy/ "The Way of the Warrior" https://qudosacademy.org/2022/10/12/the-way-of-the-warrior/ The Four Worlds in Qaballah https://qudosacademy.org/2022/11/18/the-four-worlds-in-qaballah/ The Origins and Evolution of Tarot Keys A concise but thorough history of the use of Divination Cards known as the Tarot. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/03/27/the-origins-and-evolution-of-tarot-keys/ The Magic Nine Layout, an interesting study in the numerical and colour significance found within Tarot Cards. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/04/17/the-magic-nine-layout/ The Polar Myth & the Cosmic Aeons in Human Evolution is the latest post from Qudos Academy. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/04/29/the-polar-myth-the-cosmic-aeons-in-human-evolution/

William Shakespeare's Plays & Poetry

Online Academic Papers

The latest in my series of articles entitled "A Rural Calendar" which month by month explores the significance of customs and traditions practised by the inhabitants of the British Isles in the past. https://www.academia.edu/35298281/A_Rural_Calendar My recent paper outlining the forces, personalities and elements that distinguish positive and negative group activity and thought. https://www.academia.edu/107914447/The_Principles_of_Group_Dynamics_in_the_Enneagram Shakespeare's references to astrology and their relevance in Elizabethan England. https://www.academia.edu/104876757/Shakespeares_Astrology Shakespeare's references to the "Music of the Spheres", his philosophical and religious views found in his plays and poetry. https://www.academia.edu/107852594/Shakespeares_Music_Song_and_Dance How was Elizabethan drama originally conceived and developed and how does it differ from today's attempts at staging Shakespeare's Dramas? https://www.academia.edu/107622014/Shakespearean_Drama The Literary Sources, Dramatic Structures and Synopses of Shakespeare's Plays. https://www.academia.edu/107404132/Shakespeares_Cornucopia Shakespeare's Tarochi, A series of posts that compares the 22 Tarot Trumps to the plays of William Shakespeare https://www.academia.edu/108412634/_Shakespeares_Tarochi_ De-Coding Shakespeare is a brief analysis of the secret codes employed in the 1623 Folio which reveal the author's name: https://www.academia.edu/108662075/De_Coding_Shakespeare Shakespeare's Almanack: A study in the Elizabethan festival cycle of dramatic presentations that resonate with time and place or the seasonal round. https://www.academia.edu/113038297/The_Festive_Calendrical_and_Seasonal_Cycle_of_Plays

Tudor History

The Prelude to the Gunpowder Treason. The Discovery & Interception of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. A rundown of the circumstances and events, the leading characters involved and the eventual but remarkable outcome of the Guy Fawkes Conspiracy. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/10/16/the-prelude-to-the-gunpowder-treason/ The Discovery & Interception of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. A rundown of the circumstances and events, the leading characters involved and the eventual but remarkable outcome of the Guy Fawkes Conspiracy. https://qudosacademy.org/2023/10/16/the-denouement-of-the-gunpowder-plot/ Who Killed Christopher Marlowe? The intriguing mystery and circumstances surrounding the apparent accidental death of Sir Christopher Marlowe which some scholars and academics have sought to unravel. Qudos Academy investigates the facts, the false accusations and the rumours in order to establish the truth. https://qudosacademy.org/2022/04/06/who-killed-christopher-marlowe/ Mary Queen of Scots, (Part One) The tragic but intriguing story of the life and troubling events of Mary Stuart who came from the French royal court, became the Queen of Scotland and after abdicating was then imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth 1st. https://qudosacademy.org/2022/04/29/the-true-lamentable-tragedy-of-mary-queen-of-scots/ The second part in the life of Mary, Queen of Scots can be found by clicking on the following link: Mary Queen of Scots, (Part Two) The second part of the tragic but intriguing story of the life and troubling events of Mary Stuart. https://qudosacademy.org/2022/05/09/the-true-lamentable-tragedy-of-mary-queen-of-scots-2/ “Shakespeare’s Nemesis” Based on an analysis of Chris Lautaris's recent book, "Shakespeare & the Countess of Southampton", this is the inside story of a Puritan woman who brought down Shakespeare's career as a playwright in the London theatres. https://qudosacademy.org/2022/06/14/shakespeares-nemesis/

All poems are copyright of the originating author. Permission must be obtained before using or performing others' poems.