ESOTERICA

Ancient Angel Magic - The Sword of Moses - Harba de‐Moshe - Early Text of Jewish Magic

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:00:00 -0000

The Sword of Moses is a c. 700-1000 CE text of Jewish angel magic which employs an elaborate system of magical words to activate various angelic powers. Indeed, the text itself is said to have been gifted to Moses by the angels themselves. In this episode of Esoterica we explore this ancient magical text, discuss the system of magical words, and detail some of the spells found in this curious text.

Recommend Readings:

Harari - The Sword of Moses (translation) - https://www.academia.edu/9792877/The_Sword_of_Moses_Harba_de_Moshe_A_New_Translation_and_Introduction_2012_
The Sword of Moses (Aramaic - Gaster MS) - https://www.hebrewbooks.org/20266
Debate between Moses and the Angels - Babylonian Talmud 88B and following - https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.89a?lang=bi
View an manuscript of the Sword of Moses - https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/bge/cl0145/60/0/
Harari - Jewish Magic before the Rise of Kabbalah - 978-0814336304
Bohak - Ancient Jewish Magic - 978-0521180986

#magic #angel #judaism

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What is Theurgy? Proclus and Pagan Liberation

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:42:30 -0000

Precious little on pagan theories of salvation survive from the ancient world. However, Proclus' On the Hieratic Art According to the Greeks is an amazingly brief and yet profound introduction to salvation through Theurgy or God-Doing. In this text, we learn of the four-stage process by which one achieves magical powers and immortalization through various forms of theurgy. From recognizing the world as part of the divine flowing out, incantations, divine epiphanies, occult passcodes, animating cultic statues, and conjunctions with the Divine. Surviving in just one manuscript exemplar and first printed in 1497 - both in Ficino's hand and translation - Proclus On the Hieratic Art is one of the most important testimonies to the synthesis of Pagan philosophy and religious ritual!

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New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Proclus' On the Hieratic Art according to the Greeks: Critical Edition with Translation and Commentary - https://amzn.to/4tideKm
-The Thomas Taylor translation is also perfectly fine - listen to it read by @TheModernHermeticist here - https://youtu.be/LXycfJBopWU?si=VNGAqhYbUOxXojWX

The Elements of Theology: A Revised Text with Translation, Introduction, and Commentary - https://amzn.to/4rhrt0N

All From One: A Guide to Proclus - https://amzn.to/4cgidF8

Proclus: An Introduction - https://amzn.to/3O4JTTu

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 12 of 15 - Goals of the Merkavah Mysticism

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0000

Welcome to our seminar on Merkavah Mysticism

Hundreds of years prior to the rise of the Kabbalah, shaman-like rabbinic mystics were described as having made the terrifying and awe-inspiring descent into the Divine Palaces. There they met with and bypassed fearsome angels with magical codes, gained control over angelic powers, became transformed into beings of fire, gained vast wisdom and mounted the very throne of G!d to carefully measure the vast dimensions of the divine body. These experiences and their praxes are recorded in about 50 manuscripts now known as the Hekhalot (lit. palaces) literature. Outside of specialists this late-classical form of (a)(de)scent mysticism is poorly understood and little appreciated. In this course, we will explore the foundations, social origins, myth-world, praxes and the afterlife of Merkavah Mysticism.

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New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Course Syllabus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URUIb_AkZGM3hXzTnPFAwQYkZf_WgL0Q9wWWqSr2ug0/edit?usp=sharing

Course Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-93Z0g92p4xMTFRjk5KznFvh65oRjFAo

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Kabbalah - Merkabah Hekhalot and Sar Torah Mysticism - Ancient Chariot and Angelic Kabbalah

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:45:00 -0000

Jewish mysticism is one of the foundations for Western Esotericism and this video explores some of the earliest strata of those mystical texts. In the Merkaba (chariot) / Hekhalot (palaces) texts mystics describe the terrifying and awe-inspiring descent - not ascent - into the divine palaces, meet with fearsome angels, gain control over angelic power, become transformed into beings of fire, and mount the very throne of G-d to carefully measure the vasts dimensions of the divine body. This video also explores the Sar Torah (Torah Prince) literature where mystics engage in Jewish theurgy in order to gain immediate knowledge of legal, magical, and religious lore. We also setup a future discussion of early Jewish magical texts such as the Sefer haRazim (The Book of Secrets) and the most obscure, taciturn, and amazing Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation).

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Readings:

James Davila - Hekhalot Literature in Translation: Major Texts of Merkavah Mysticism - 978-9004252158
James Davila - Descenders to the Chariot: The People Behind the Hekhalot Literature - 978-9004115415
Vita Daphna Arbel - Beholders of Divine Secrets: Mysticism and Myth in the Hekhalot and Merkavah Literature - 978-0791457245
Gershom Scholem - Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism - 978-0805210422
Menachem Kellner - Maimonides' Confrontation with Mysticism - 978-1904113294
Michael D. Swartz - Scholastic Magic: Ritual and Revelation in Early Jewish Mysticism - 978-0691010984 (Great text mostly dealing with Sar Torah Mysticism)

#merkavah #kabbalah #hekhalot

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Gnostic Baptism Ritual from the Book of Jeu - Pistis Sophia - Nag Hammadi Library - Gnosticism

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0000

While texts from the Nag Hammadi library have revolutionized our understanding of Gnosticism, we still know very little about just how Gnosticism was practiced in the ancient world. What were their rituals, hymns, gatherings, and daily life like? In this episode of Esoterica we explore a Gnostic Baptism ritual found in the Bruce Codex Book of Jeu. What we find is a complex set of rituals by which one purifies one's soul in order to begin one's ascent back to the divine One. We also explore the various layers of reality described in the Jeu I and some connections with ancient magic.

Recommended Readings:

Schmidt - The Books of Jeu and the Untitled Text in the Bruce Codex - 978-9004057548
Evans - The Books of Jeu and the Pistis Sophia as Handbooks to Eternity - 978-9004284463
Lambdin - Introduction to Sahidic Coptic - 978-0865540484
DeConick (ed.) - Practicing Gnosis: Ritual, Magic, Theurgy and Liturgy in Nag Hammadi, Manichaean and Other Ancient Literature - 978-9004256293
Thunder Perfect Mind Prada Ad - https://www.prada.com/us/en/pradasphere/films/2005/thunder-perfect-mind.html

#gnostic #Baptism #Jeu

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Lilith Incantation Bowls - 56 Available

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:47:30 -0000

I've been working with ceramic artist Dee Dee Mangum to recreate Lilith Incantation Bowls - learn more about her work and process in this conversation.

Incantations Bowls Available - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/handcraft-aramaic-incantation-bowl-limited-edition

Learn more about historical Incantation Bowls - https://youtu.be/wyI9m50ODB4?si=0x5tFTPMz_zrEi1k

Get the Aramaic Incantation FREE here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s-dTOknQE7Zi960XP_gvADZMcrbROxB3zjWdC2FRHl4/edit?usp=sharing

Follow Dee Dee - https://www.instagram.com/mcmangumstein/?hl=en

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Witches Witch-Hunting and Magic in Early-Modern Europe (FIA Lecture)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0000

This lecture explore, briefly, the history of witches, the witch-hunts, and the development of magic in early-modern Europe and could serve as a general introduction to the topic. Many thanks to the Flint Institute of Arts and Dr. Alan Klein for sponsoring the lecture.

#witch #witchhunt #demonology

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Hand-Crafted Lilith Incantation Bowls Available - Limited Holiday Supply

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:50:00 -0000

Aramaic Incantations Bowls were an ancient magical technology for warding off the power of demons, especially Lilith, and malevolent sorcery. Numberings in the thousands, these bowls represent a now lost anti-demonic magical tradition. Esoterica has resurrected this practice in the form of a beautiful objet d'art: a hand-made, contemporary bowl featuring a traditional Lilith image and Aramaic inscription composed by Justin Sledge all based on historical examples in a very limited run of 50 bowls.

You can find the bowls for purchase here: https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/handcraft-aramaic-incantation-bowl-limited-edition

Learn more about Aramaic Incantation Bowls: https://youtu.be/wyI9m50ODB4

The Aramaic Incantation, w/ English translation can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s-dTOknQE7Zi960XP_gvADZMcrbROxB3zjWdC2FRHl4/edit?usp=sharing

ESOTERICA sales for the holidays!

Lilith Incantation Bowls back in limited stock - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/handcraft-aramaic-incantation-bowl-limited-edition

20% off any purchase at our Rare Book Store - code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

New Necromantic Mirror of Floron shirt and 15% off all merch with code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://my-store-d6a943.creator-spring.com/

Looking to buy books on western esotericism check out my study guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing

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A Primer on Western Esotericism

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

An introduction to the relatively new field of western esotericism focusing on
the scope of field including magic, mysticism, alchemy, theosophy, and more; several of the dominant academic approaches to the field; where to study western esotericism at the university level

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Readings:

Antoine Faivre - Western Esotericism: A Concise History - ISBN-13: 978-1438433783
Arthur Versluis - Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esoteric Traditions - ISBN-13: 978-0742558366
Kocku Von Stuckrad - Western Esotericism - A Brief History of Secret Knowledge - ISBN-13: 978-1844657476
Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke - The Western Esoteric Traditions: A Historical Introduction - ISBN-13: 978-0195320992
Wouter J. Hanegraaff - Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed - ISBN-13: 978-1441136466

#esotericism #occultism #hermeticism

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 3b of 15 - The Apocalyptic Matrix

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:52:30 -0000

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 14 of 15 - Magical Context and Afterlife

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0000

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Kabbalah and Zohar - Advice and Tips for Starting to Study the Zohar - the core text of the Kabbalah

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:55:00 -0000

I was recently asked about tips for how to start studying the Zohar, the core text in the development of the Jewish Mystical tradition or Kabbalah. I've been study this incredibly challenging text from both religious and academic perspectives for years and here are some tips and advice for anyone - Jewish, non-Jewish, academic, secular, occultist, or just fan of literature - for starting to study this amazing text. Also note the links to the texts below including some recommendations for editions to study at any level of Zohar study.

Sample Section of Talmud - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RLHGFBVl79KWYav7HSgAMblU7Q5lOP4RpTBSjm47tA4/edit?usp=sharing

Zohar Editions from Starter to Advanced

Zohar: Annotated & Explained - 978-1893361515 - Best text for absolute beginner
Zohar: The Book of Enlightenment (Classics of Western Spirituality) - 978-0809123872 - More diverse texts, still great for absolute beginner
The Pritzker Zohar in 12 volumes - https://www.sup.org/zohar/ - Best translation in English
Sefer Zohar (Hebrew/Aramaic) - Margaliot 3 volume edition - Standard edition for both Academic and Religious reference
From here, move on to both academic and religious commentaries

The Zohar can be incredibly challenging to study. Here is a short syllabus in graduated form from easier (Midrash haNe'elam) to more difficult (Idra Rabba) sections:

Midrash haNe'elam / The Hidden Midrash - (2:4a–5b, 14a–22a, 2:35b–40b 46b-47b and volume 11 of the Pritzker Zohar vol. 11 )
The Sava (2:94b–114a - Pritzker Zohar vol. 5) and Yanuka pericopes (3:186a–92a - Pritzker Zohar vol. 9)
The main body of the Zohar - The Introduction being a real challenge
Idra Zuta or the The Lesser Assembly (3:287b–96b - Pritzker Zohar vol. 9)
Sifra di-Tzeni'uta (2:176b–179a - Pritzker Zohar vol. 9)
Idra Rabba or The Greater Assembly (3:127b–145a - Pritzker Zohar vol. 8)

#kabbalah #zohar #mysticism

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 10 of 15 - Dangers and Ordeals

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0000

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Does ESOTERICA rely on AI?

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:57:30 -0000

Laying out my position on the use of AI - especially generative AI - here at Esoterica.

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
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New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

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Magic and Disease - Thinking about the history of magic in the time of COVID-19

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Human beings have fought disease since the dawn of history employing a wide range of tools especially including magic. This episode of Esoterica is a brief tour of some of the magical tools, spells, charms, and amulets magician-doctors have used in their fight against illness through the ages. We begin at the dawn of civilization in ancient Nippur and travel through the times of the Greco-Egyptians, the black death, medieval Christian England, the Renaissance before ending with a Jewish angelic incantation against illness printed in Amsterdam in 1701. Of course, this is only a glimpse of the enormous anti-disease magic out there but I hope it provide some historical and human insight into this ongoing struggle with COVID-19 we are all enduring. I hope you and your loved ones stay safe out there!

#magic #disease #history

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SOLD OUT! Join @ESOTERICA and @Atun-Shei Films Tour of Esoteric New England 2026

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Join Andy Rakich (Atun-Shei Films) & Dr. Justin Sledge (Esoterica) for an October tour of Esoteric New England, October 9-16 2026:

Purchase Tickets here - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/esoteric-new-england-with-andy-justin-october-2026
Donate to the budget of "The Alchemist" ► https://www.paypal.me/atunsheifilms

The tour will start in rural Rhode Island visiting forgotten King Philip's War battlefields, then pass through Providence to see H.P. Lovecraft's old neighborhood. Entering Massachusetts, we'll visit New Bedford, historic center of the whaling industry, and get to see living history sites at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. We'll enjoy fireside drinks in an early 18th century haunted house, explore Walden Pond and the sites where the Revolutionary War began, and check out the headquarters of a Puritan alchemist. Finally, we'll wrap things up (where else) in Salem, center of the 1692 witchcraft delusion and the Halloween capital of America. Full itinerary will be sent upon ticket purchase.

Exact times will be provided closer to the start of the tour.

This tour will be primarily a fundraiser for Andy and Justin’s short “The Alchemist” with the hopes of eventually producing a feature length version. You’ll get to see scripts, our look-book, and help shape our vision for the project: an attempt to center historically accurate alchemy in film.

What’s Included: A week of on-location tours, education, meals, drinks and hang-outs with Andy and Justin.

What’s NOT included: Airfare, hotels, transportation, meals, drinks, site tickets. This will be a bit of gonzo tourism. Participants will have access to a private discord server to coordinate shared hotels, overland transportation to sites, etc.

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Ancient Angel Magic - Sefer HaRazim - The Book of Secrets - Jewish Magic

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:02:30 -0000

The Sefer HaRazim ( Book of Secrets / Mysteries) is an ancient Jewish book of angel magic dating to the 3rd or 4th century CE. It was discovered in the Cairo Genizah in the 1960's in fragments and was edited together over the course of three years by Mordecai‏ Margalioth. In the text we find descriptions of the seven heavens, angelic military formations, and magical spells corresponding to the various heavens and angels. Sefer HaRazim is an interesting combination of both Merkabah mysticism (in which mystics 'descend' to the throne of the Divine through the palaces of G-d) and the sophisticated technologies of Greco-Egyptian magic. This episode explores the text in depth, several of the spells, angelic names and the long-standing impact of this kind of angelic magic on later traditions of magical practice.

Recommended Reading:

Michael Morgan - Sepher Ha-Razim: The Book of Mysteries - 978-0891306153
Margalioth, Mordecai - Sepher Ha-Razim - Jerusalem: Yediot Achronot, 1966
Medieval Latin Translation: https://histbest.ub.uni-leipzig.de/rsc/viewer/UBLHistBestCBU_derivate_00000077/cod_mag_40_jpg/cod_mag_40_001.jpg

#angel #magic #judaism

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Dead Sea Scrolls : Encoded Cryptic Astrological Calendar and Copper Treasure Scrolls

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0000

The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the most spectacular and important archaeological finds of all time. While the Biblical, Non-Canonical and Sectarian texts are more or less well known there remains many esoteric texts have also surfaced. In this episode of Esoterica we explore the enciphered calendar texts traceable to the Book of Enoch, the oldest astrological texts in Judaism, divination by thunder, encoded sectarian texts and even a treasure map cryptically detailing the location of over 100 tons of gold and silver.

Recommended Readings:

Collins - The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Biography - 978-0691191713
Vermes - The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English - 978-0141197319
Lim & Collins - The Oxford Handbook of the Dead Sea Scrolls - 978-0199663088
Stern - Calendars in Antiquity: Empires, States, and Societies - 978-0199589449
Ben-Dov - Head of All Years: Astronomy and Calendars at Qumran in Their Ancient Context - 978-9004170889
Discoveries in the Judaean Desert - https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/d/discoveries-in-the-judaean-desert-djd/
and Articles by Stephen Pfann

#deadseascrolls #astrology #treasure

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Roman Ghost Story - Pliny and the Stoic in a Haunted House - Read in Latin

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:05:00 -0000

There is a longstanding tradition - though nearly extinct now - of telling ghost stories around Christmas-time. In this episode of Esoterica we are going to conjure the tradition up by exploring a Roman ghost story recounted by Pliny the Younger. Here we find a Stoic philosopher in a house haunted by a chain-shaking specter. We'll discover all the classic haunted house tropes here dating back nearly 2000 years! I'll also be reading the tale aloud in both Latin and English if you want to hear it as well.

Recommended Reading:

Pliny's letters in Latin - http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Plin.+Ep.+7.27

The Latter in English - http://www.attalus.org/old/pliny7.html (scroll down to the Sura )

Ogden - Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds - 978-0195385205

#latin #ghoststory #stoicism

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The Lesser Key of Solomon - History of Solomonic Magic and Goetia - Check out updated 2023 video!

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0000

Solomon has been associated with both exoteric and esoteric wisdom - especially magic and control of demons - for millennia. This Episode of Esoterica explores the history of Solomonic magic and the it's most famous expression in the Lemegeton or The Lesser Key of Solomon. We will deep dive into the history of Solomon as a sorcerer, the development of Solomonic Magic, and the composition and structure of the major parts of the Lesser Key, especially the infamous book of demonic conjuring the Goetia.

Check out the updated video here - https://youtu.be/d3DmMeJX-io

Check out Angela's episode: https://youtu.be/8WJzCwK6Hus

Recommended Reading:

Elizabeth M. Butler - Ritual Magic - 978-0271018461 - Best academic study of Solomonic magic, though getting a bit dated
Joseph H. Peterson - The Lesser Key of Solomon - 978-1578632206 - Best edition of the text though Skinner and Rankine's Goetia of Dr. Rudd - 978-0738723556 - has an excellent introduction, well-worth close study

#goetia #magic #occultism

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Gnosticism - The Apocryphon of John - The Fall of Sophia and Origins of the Demiurge Ialdabaoth

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:07:30 -0000

Gnosticism has produced some of the richest and most difficult spiritual texts of the ancient world. With the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library one is confronted with numerous, often obscure and difficult texts - where to begin? This episode of Esoterica argues that the best first text is the Apocryphon / Secret Writing of John, a text found two recensions (long and short) in four manuscripts from antiquity. Here we introduce, summarize and discuss this amazing gnostic text.

Recommended Readings:

Meyer - The Nag Hammadi Scriptures - 978-0061626005
Robinson - The Nag Hammadi Library - 978-0060669355
Davies - The Secret Book of John - 978-1594730825
King - The Secret Revelation of John - 978-0674030558
van den Broek - Gnostic Religion in Antiquity - 978-1107514799
Lambdin - Introduction to Sahidic Coptic - 978-0865540484
Williams - Rethinking "Gnosticism": An Argument for Dismantling a Dubious Category - 978-0691005423

#gnosticism #gnostic #apocryphon

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The Three Books of Occult Philosophy - Cornelius Agrippa - Renaissance Hermeticism Cabala and Magic

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:00:00 -0000

Cornelius Agrippa's 1533 The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is, perhaps, the most famous magical tome in western history. In it, he describes the process by which the magus may return to their prelapsarian, semi-divine state through the process of a reformed natural, celestial and ceremonial magic. Neither a textbook nor a summa, this work is often more celebrated or maligned than actually understood. What does Agrippa actually teach? How do we square his Hermetic idealism with his otherwise radically skeptical attitudes in his other major work of this period? This episode of Esoterica examines this (in)famous text of magic, astrology and cabala.

#agrippa #occult #philosophy #magic

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What is the Ring and Seal of Solomon - The Key to Magic?

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:10:00 -0000

Solomon became universally recognized as a power sorcerer by the turn of the common era. But, where did he get his power? Many legends have grown up around the Ring and Seal of Solomon but what do our earliest sources reveal about this legendary magical ring? From books of magic, pilgrims' tales, Islamic lore and medieval necromancy let's explore the Ring and Seal of Solomon!

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One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
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New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

The Long Life of Magical Objects: A Study in the Solomonic Tradition - https://amzn.to/47JhA4Z
Solomonic Magic: Methodology, Texts, and Histories - https://amzn.to/4nEuypp
Solomon the Esoteric King: From King to Magus, Development of a Tradition - https://amzn.to/48hGbxW
The Testament of Solomon online - http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/testamen.htm
Mccown Critical Edition - https://archive.org/details/cu31924028957400/mode/2up
15th century Harley MS 5596 - http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Harley_MS_5596
Charlesworth - The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha - 978-1598564891
Johnson - The Testament of Solomon: Recension C - 978-1907881947
Demonological Spreadsheet of the Testament - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TLrUUNdQPv9ExCDJ6KE_aJVF7R1ErEavZNFHsA9tIrQ/edit#gid=1286187935 - Courtesy of Patrick M. Dey
The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia - https://amzn.to/4ntcvSW

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ESOTERICA at 1,000,000 Followers

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0000

My deepest gratitude to all of you as @TheEsotericaChannel crosses 1,000,000 subscribers.

ESOTERICA sales for the holidays!

Check out and Subscribe - feel free to add other worthwhile ReligionTube Channels!

Let's Talk Religion - https://www.youtube.com/@LetsTalkReligion
Angela's Symposium - https://www.youtube.com/@drangelapuca
Religion for Breakfast - https://www.youtube.com/@ReligionForBreakfast
The Modern Hermeticist - https://www.youtube.com/@TheModernHermeticist
Seekers of Unity - https://www.youtube.com/@SeekersofUnity
Dan McClellan - https://www.youtube.com/@maklelan
Kipp Davis - https://www.youtube.com/@DrKippDavis

Lilith Incantation Bowls back in limited stock - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/handcraft-aramaic-incantation-bowl-limited-edition

20% off any purchase at our Rare Book Store - code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

New Necromantic Mirror of Floron shirt and 15% off all merch with code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://my-store-d6a943.creator-spring.com/

Looking to buy books on western esotericism check out my study guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing

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How to Explore the Occult and Western Esotericism

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:12:30 -0000

Studying Western Esotericism can be a daunting task. How to even begin? I prepared a self-study guide for getting access to the most reliable and accessible literature on topics in Esotericism up to around 1650, updated for 2026. In this episode I want to walk you through my methodology, the study guide itself and how you can use it to bring yourself up to date on the scholarship. Let's build a library of the occult and the esoteric together!

You can find the study guide here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 15 of 15 - The Twilight of the Merkavah

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0000

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Medieval Mystical Women - The Beguines - Hadewijch Mechthild of Magdeburg and Marguerite Porete

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:15:00 -0000

The typical view of the middle ages is one of cultural, intellectual and religious stagnation. This is hardly the truth. The European Middle ages were marked by innovations at almost every cultural register including spirituality. This episode explores the radical and probing mystical spirituality of the Beguines, a lay culture of women who worked in the skilled trades, publicly preached, aided the poor and destitute, all as part of their own autonomous spiritual vocation. These women were also extraordinary mystics and theologians. We briefly explore three of these amazing women here: Hadewijch of Antwerp, Mechthild of Magdeburg & Marguerite Porete to reveal how their mysticism abounds in love, light, madness, and annihilation.

This episode is also a collaboration with my colleague Filip Holm over at Let's Talk Religion where he will be exploring the role of women in Sufism / Islamic Mysticism. Check out his video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVSZaxcg6RY

#mysticism #beguine #women

Recommended Readings:

Hadewijch: The Complete Works - 978-0809122974
Marguerite Porete: The Mirror of Simple Souls - 978-0809134274
Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead - 978-0809137763
Swan - The Wisdom of the Beguines - 978-1629190082
McGinn - The Flowering of Mysticism - 978-0824517434

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The Philosophy of Witchcraft

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 01:00:00 -0000

The apex of the Witch Trials coincided with the emergence of Modern Philosophy. But, what did these new philosophers think about Witches, Witchcraft, Demonology and the trials raging around them? From Agrippa, Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza and beyond, let's explore how the major philosophers of early modernity reasoned about the realm of the supernatural and witchcraft.

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Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Levack - The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe
https://amzn.to/3xqE1vr

Levack - The Witchcraft Sourcebook
https://amzn.to/3xn6B0M

Peters - Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History
https://amzn.to/4aP0LUC

Mackay - The Hammer of Witches: A Complete Translation of the Malleus Maleficarum
https://amzn.to/4cRfIHy

Clark - Thinking with Demons: The Idea of Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe
https://amzn.to/4cS3Jtk

Hutton - The Witch
https://amzn.to/43TnyML

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The Origins of Dracula - How Printing Made a Monster

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:17:30 -0000

How did Dracula become...Dracula? The grim tales of Vlad III the Impaler, Voivode of Wallachia, are infamous. Touted as a bloodthirsty tyrant and a pious defender of Christendom, much of our knowledge of Dracula's stems from a now lost 1463 anonymous German Pamphlet. Reprinted many times, including woodcuts of Vlad dining among his impaled and mutilated victims, these early texts detail the "frightful and strange" deeds of Vlad Dracula. But, what can we reconstruct of the lost original 1463 "Geschichte Drakole Waide - The History of Voievode Dracula"? And, can we trust such accounts as historically reliable? Was Vlad the Impaler as horrible as recounted? Did he drink the blood of his victims like the Vampire that now bears his name? Let's explore the earliest narratives of Vlad Dracula!

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Cazacu - Dracula - https://amzn.to/4733XwH

Corpus Draculianum - https://www.harrassowitz-verlag.de/search.ahtml?act=suchen&type=quick&keyword=draculianum

Corpus Draculianum YouTube - @CorpusDraculianum

St. Gall 'Dracula" MS - https://www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/csg/0806/283/0/
Dracole Waida - https://bildsuche.digitale-sammlungen.de/index.html?c=viewer&bandnummer=bsb00032879&pimage=00006&v=5p&nav=&l=en

Historia von dem wilden Wüterich Dracole Waida, Straßburg: [Matthias Hupfuff], 1500 - https://dlib.gnm.de/item/8Inc16936/5

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Ancient Christian Magic - Protection, Exorcism, and Love Magic from Ancient Coptic Texts

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0000

While Christianity is often thought of as hostile to any form of magical practice, history reveals that magic has been practiced through all of Christian history. In this episode of Esoterica we explore the earliest Christian magic preserved in Greek and Coptic sources from late-classical Egypt. Here we find a wide range of magical practices from protection, exorcisms, love magic, curses - even a spell for a good singing voice. Studying early Christian magic gives us an important glimpse into a wider range of Christianity than just the world of theologians, monks, and priests.

Recommending Readings:

Meyer and Smith - Ancient Christian Magic - 978-0691004587
Coptic Magical Papyri - https://www.coptic-magic.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/

#magic #christian #coptic

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Kabbalah and Magic in the Renaissance : Hermetic Prophetic and Magical Kabbalah in Jochanan Alemanno

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:20:00 -0000

While not as famous as other kabbalists Jochanan Alemanno has exercised a substantial influence over the development of both Christian and Hermetic Kabbalah through his student Giovanni Pico Mirandola. In this episode of Esoterica we explore a Kabbalistic study guide written by Alemanno which progresses from basic literacy, rabbinic literature, philosophy, alchemy, to kabbalah and finally magic. Here we find a fascinating fusion of magic and kabbalah which opens the door for much in later occult philosophy and practice.

Recommended Reading:

Idel - Kabbalah in Italy, 1280-1510 - 978-0300126266
Novak - Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Jochanan Alemanno -https://www.jstor.org/stable/750969

#kabbalah #magic #hermeticism

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What are the Mayan Mysteries of the Oldest American Manuscript?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:00:00 -0000

900 years ago, a set of Mayan scribes composed what is now the oldest American book. But it remains mysterious. On its pages various deities seem to menace, capture and behead victims, attack sacred temples and threaten the world order all on specific dates in the religious 260 days Mayan Calendar. What scholars have revealed is a complex astrological almanac detailing specific dates in the four phases of the planet Venus and the doom that came with them. Let's explore the Códice Maya de México and the foreboding doom brought by the planet Venus.

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Mayan Bloodletting Mysticism - https://youtu.be/qqsTx0JutsA

The Mesoamerican Calendar - https://youtu.be/t9E_eXE33JE?si=k1aJkBFUkWRnrLlC

Recommended Reading:

Códice Maya de México - https://amzn.to/4qAJSoU
https://archive.org/details/maya-codex-mexico/MCM%20Page.1.jpg
Schele, etc., - Blood of Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art - https://amzn.to/3ZrFRHc
Tedlock - Popol Vuh - https://amzn.to/4r4ZMHE
Coe - The Maya - https://amzn.to/4qAdfYt
Coe, Stone - Reading the Maya Glyphs - https://amzn.to/49Lm9ef
Montgomery - Dictionary of Maya Hieroglyphs - https://amzn.to/49KARCh

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Esotericism in Philosophy: Pythagoras and Parmenides

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:22:30 -0000

Philosophy is taken to be the paragon of rational argumentation and logical analysis but I want to explore the esoteric and mystical aspect of ancient Greek philosophy - a dimension often ignored or unstressed . This is the first in a series that will explore this more arcane side of western philosophy from ancient Greece to contemporary analytic and continental schools.

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Readings:

Kirk, Raven and Schofield - The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts - 978-0521274555
Philosophy Before Socrates - Richard D. McKirahan - 978-1603841825
Eric Dodds - The Greeks and the Irrational - 978-0520242302
Walter Burkert - Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism - 978-0674539181
Charles Kahn - Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans - 978-0872205758
Peter Kingsley - Ancient Philosophy, Mystery, and Magic: Empedocles and Pythagorean Tradition - 978-0198150817
Parmenides - Martin Heidegger - 978-0253212146 (caveat lector!)

#esotericism #presocratic #philosophy

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John Dee - The Monas Heiroglyphica - Part III - Metaphysical Power and Symbolism

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:00:00 -0000

In our final installment of our series on John Dee's famous 1564 Monas Hieroglyphica or the Hieroglyphic Monad we explore how metaphysical power and symbolism are fused in the glyph itself. By locating Dee's thinking in the realist trajectory of Medieval, Renaissance and Hermetic philosophy, we hope to reveal how Dee fused both semiotics (the study of symbols and representation) with ontology (the study of being itself) in a grand effort to both correct all knowledge but also reform reality itself - what Dee calls "The Cabala of What is" or the "Cabala of Reality." This episode also explore how Dee continued this project even during the famous angelic conversations.

Episode I - https://youtu.be/2meS9-YGYhU
Episode II - https://youtu.be/lEwK1dmco3I

These episodes represent a more introductory version of my thesis on the Monas Hieroglyphica prepared at the University of Amsterdam.

You can read the entire thesis here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9iShqG1gJavUXVKVnk2d1UzQVE/view?usp=sharing

Standard text and translation of the Monas Hieroglyphica - C. H. Josten, Ambix, 12:2-3 (1964): 82-221

#dee #enochian #monas

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 13 of 15 - The Sar Torah and Sh’iur Komah

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 21:25:00 -0000

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Magical Symbols - History of Sigils Angelic Alphabets and Symbols of Power

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0000

This video traces the origin and development of magical symbols from late-classical Egypt through their development into Western European Magic. These characters likely began as debased hieroglyphics and would eventually develop into unique symbols of power, the seals and sigils in angelic and demonic mage, and form the basis for angelic script / alphabets. This video is a part of a series on magical and occult symbolism so make to subscribe if that interests you!

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Readings:

Richard Gordon's article - https://www.academia.edu/13925134/Charakteres_between_Antiquity_and_Renaissance_Transmission_and_Re-invention
Don Skemer - Binding Words: Textual Amulets in the Middle Ages - 978-0271027234

#magic #sigil #seal

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Mystical Language - Hildegard of Bingen's Lingua Ignota (Unknown Language) - Early Invented Tongue

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:27:30 -0000

The first in a series here at Esoterica exploring esoteric languages and symbol systems! This video takes a look at the Lingua Ignota (Unknown Language) of the 12th century mystic and polymath Hildegard of Bingen.

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

O Orzchis Ecclesia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCAOf9gjBM

Recommended Readings:

Sarah Higley - Hildegard of Bingen’s Unknown Language: An Edition, Translation, and Discussion - ISBN-13: 978-1403976734
Hildegard's Music on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hildegard+music
Hildegard - Hildegard of Bingen: Scivias - ISBN-13: 978-0809131303
Selected Writings: Hildegard of Bingen - ISBN-13: 978-0140436044
Fiona Maddocks - Hildegard of Bingen - ISBN-13: 978-0571302437
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen - Matthew Fox - ISBN-13: 978-1879181977

#hildegard #ignota #conlang

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Necromancy and Magic - The Munich Necromancer's Manual - CLM 849 - Actual Historical Grimoire of Sorcery

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:00:00 -0000

The first in a series here at Esoterica exploring books of magic or grimoires. This episode takes a look at the Munich Necromancer's Manual: the spells inside (summoning a castle, a 'love' spell and a spell to find buried treasure), the author and their historical context, and more books are medieval magic.

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Readings:

Richard Kieckhefer - Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Fifteenth Century - ISBN-13: 978-0271017518
Richard Kieckhefer - Magic in the Middle Ages - ISBN-13: 978-1107431829
Owen Davies - Grimoires: A History of Magic Books - ISBN-13: 978-0199590049
Witchcraft and Magic in Europe - eds, Bengt Ankarloo and Stuart Clark
- Six Volumes
Magic in History Series - Published by Penn State University Press (various texts and authors)

#necromancy #magic #grimoire

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 8 of 15 - Who is Able to See it?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:30:00 -0000

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John Dee - The Monas Hieroglyphica - Part II - Alchemy and Cabala

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:00:00 -0000

This is the second episode exploring Dr. John Dee's famous 1564 Monas Hieroglyphica. In this episode we continue our discussion of Dee's Semiotic-Ontology (his link of Representation with Being) by exploring his early theories of alchemy and Cabala. Dee was a maverick in both fields. In alchemy, Dee sought to pursue the "Mercury Alone" theory while maintaining a relationship with traditional alchemy and introducing novel Paracelsian elements. In the field of Cabala, Dee employs traditional Jewish techniques for the manipulation of the Hebrew language to transform the Monad itself. When Dee combines the talismanic, alchemical, and cabalistic he will seek a "Cabala of Being" which will reform reality itself - the topic of the third episode.

These episodes represent a more introductory version of my thesis on the Monas Hieroglyphica prepared at the University of Amsterdam.

You can read the entire thesis here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9iShqG1gJavUXVKVnk2d1UzQVE/view?usp=sharing

Standard text and translation of the Monas Hieroglyphica - C. H. Josten, Ambix, 12:2-3 (1964): 82-221

I'll provide more recommended readings on the Monas Hieroglyphica in the third episode.

#dee #enochian #monas

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Medieval Magic - Scholastic Analysis of Magic and Necromancy in the Middle Ages

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:00:00 -0000

Scholasticism was the greatest intellectual movement of the Middle Ages. In this episode of Esoterica we explore the attitudes of medieval philosophers, theologians and scientists concerning magic. From Augustine where magic is a demonic deception to the rise of natural magic and medieval necromancy we will see that just beneath the surface there is a great deal of subtlety among these thinkers. Further, we will also notice that necromancy and black magic are always at the edges acceptable theory and practice.

Recommended Readings:

Kieckhefer - Magic in the Middle Ages - 978-1107431829
Thorndike - History of Magic and Experimental Science vol. 2
Magic in History Series - Penn State

#magic #medieval #demons

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John Dee - The Monas Hieroglyphica - Part I - History and Context

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:32:30 -0000

This is part one of a series discussing Dr. John Dee's revolutionary, though obscure, 1564 text the Monas Hieroglyphica (The Hieroglyphic Monad). In part one we will discuss the philosophical and historical context of the text and present the main thesis of our analysis: Dee is seeking to reform human knowledge through using a powerful symbol to purify specifically alchemy and cabala. Part two will explore Dee's theory of alchemy and cabala and part three will show how the Hieroglyphic Monad has its power through combining the semiotic (representational) and the ontological (being itself).

These episodes represent a more introductory version of my thesis on the Monas Hieroglyphica prepared at the University of Amsterdam.

You can read the entire thesis here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3_C6qUjjeL58EciAl00iXOUWMoKAQtG/view?usp=sharing

Standard text and translation of the Monas Hieroglyphica - C. H. Josten, Ambix, 12:2-3 (1964): 82-221

I'll provide more recommended readings on the Monas Hieroglyphica in the third episode.

#dee #enochian #monas

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 11 of 15 - Qualifications and Praxes of the Merkavah

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:00:00 -0000

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The Mystical Theology of Affection - Bernard of Clairvaux

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:35:00 -0000

Is Love fundamental reality? Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153) is among the pillars of western mysticism. In his mystical theology, he takes John's declaration that "God is Love" to it's radical conclusion: Love is both the means and the goal of all existence. Thus, the soul must undergo a series of transformations through love so as to be raptured up into the Divine Love which is God. Let's explore the mystical theology of Love!

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Bernard of Clairvaux: Selected Works - https://amzn.to/4qU6oZ1
Sermons on the Song of Songs Set - https://litpress.org/Products/CFZ02/Sermons-on-the-Song-of-Songs-Set-Volumes-14
The Mystical Theology of St. Bernard - https://amzn.to/4r2iO1h
The Growth of Mysticism: Gregory the Great Through the 12 Century - https://amzn.to/4caDAYG

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Sefer Yetzirah - Book of Formation - Introduction to a Core Early Text of Kabbalah Cabala Qabbalah

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0000

The Sefer Yetzirah is perhaps the oldest text of what would become the Jewish Mysticism known as the Kabbalah. Though, virtually everything about this brief text is a mystery. When was it written, by whom and exactly what it means are all hotly debated topics by academics, kabbalists and occultists. Indeed, the text is so linked with magical power that commentaries on the text describe how one might construct artificial life itself in the form of the famed Golem. This episode explores the origin, development and contents of this elusive but profound mystical text

Gershom Scholem - Kabbalah - 978-0452010079 (dated but still useful)
Tzahi Weiss - Sefer Yesirah and Its Contexts - 978-0812249903
Peter Hayman - Sefer Yesira: Edition, Translation and Text-critical Commentary - 978-3161483813 (ILL this one)
Don Karr - Notes on Editions of Sefer Yetzirah in English - https://www.academia.edu/22875900/Notes_on_Editions_of_Sefer_Yetzirah_in_English
Aryeh Kaplan - Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation - 978-0877286905 (Lurianic perspective)
Sefer Yetzirah HaShalem - Harav Moshe Tzuriel - (check seforim stores)

#kabbalah #yetzirah #golem

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Gospel of Thomas, Gnostic Egypt and Pistis Sophia w/ Dr. M David Litwa

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:37:30 -0000

Conversation with Dr. M David Litwa on his recent work on the Gospel of Thomas, his upcoming trip to Egypt and why the Pistis Sophia doesn't get studied.

Dr. Litwa's Youtube Channel - @m.davidlitwa
Introduction to the Gospel of Thomas - https://amzn.to/41wMKZh
Egypt Trip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlF3lW3M1fE
Itinerary - https://travefy.com/trip/6yw9rqqtdjzsqz2afmhbc7ckkb53msq
Sign-up - https://portal.argosdestinations.com/public/form/view/68839f3cff70b48bc2be2200

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 7a of 15 - The Map is Not Territory

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:00:00 -0000

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Magic in Ancient Israel and the Hebrew Bible - Divination Necromancy Amulets and the Witch of Endor

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:40:00 -0000

Ancient Israel is one of the most studied cultures of the ancient world. Though, one understudied aspect of their society was the practice of magic. This episode of Esoteric explores what little archaeological and literary evidence remains for the study of ancient Israelite magic. Here we will look at silver amulets found in Jerusalem's tombs and dive into the Hebrew Bible to try to understand the forms of magic that are typically forbidden there. Here we will find various forms of divination and necromancy including the infamous account of the so-called "Witch of Endor."

Recommended Readings:
Yuval Harari - Jewish Magic before the Rise of Kabbalah - 978-0814336304
Gideon Bohak - Ancient Jewish Magic - 978-0521180986
Joshua Trachtenberg - Jewish Magic and Superstition - 978-1614274070 - Dated, proceed critically!

#magic #bible #judaism

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Primer on Alchemy (FIA Lecture)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:00:00 -0000

This is a lecture I gave last year at the Flint Institute of Art on the history, theory, and symbolism of alchemy. It's going to serve as an introduction to alchemy until I make a series for the channel.

Support Esoterica: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Support Adam McLean's art and research: https://www.alchemywebsite.com/bookshop/index.html
Support the Flint Institute of Arts: https://flintarts.org/join-and-give/ways-to-give

Recommended Readings:

Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century. An amazing wok of scholarship.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!

Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation

Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.

#alchemy #transmutation #hermeticism

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Psychedelic Natural Magic - Potions from the 1558 Magiae Naturalis of Giambattista della Porta

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:42:30 -0000

While psychoactive substances are a core component in many religious traditions, with the exception of alcohol, they are conspicuously missing from much of the western European context. Did and how did such substances play a role in religious, philosophy, mysticism, and magic? This episode explores what appears to be an early selection of mind-altering compounds found in the enormously popular 1558 Magiae Naturalis (On Natural Magic). of Giambattista della Porta. Here della Porta describes four such 'potions,' to use his language, which allegedly cause "pleasant madness for a day" and provide for a range of phenomenological effects from 'being silly' to 'thinking one an animal or fish." What role did "potions" like these play beyond recreation - such as the ubiquitous flying ointments of the middle ages? What does it mean for such "potions" to appear in a book on "natural magic"?

Disclaimer and Plea: I've blurred out sections which contain specific ingredients, amounts, and processes for creating the 'potions' described by della Porta for reasons of safety. It is highly unadvised to attempt to recreate or ingest anything described in this text. I also know that early modern translations of this text exist and they are very easy to find. Please respect my wishes to not reproduce the description (in Latin, English, etc.) for how to make these 'potions' in the comments. I want encourage safety, responsible consumption of psychoactive substances, and harm reduction and without specialist vetting I can't reproduce these instructions in good conscious. Comments which violate this request will be deleted.

Recommended Readings:

Giambattista della Porta - 1558 - Magiae Naturalis (On Natural Magic) - https://books.google.com/books?id=R6vzpy4WQYMC&pg=PR5#v=onepage&q&f=false

#magic #psychedelics #occultism

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The Witch Trials and the Rise of Modernity and Capitalism - Sylvia Federici - Caliban and the Witch

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode of Esoterica we explore Sylvia Federici's thesis that the witch trials, rather than being a peripheral event in European history, were pivotal in the transition to capitalism and modernity. She argues that the social instability of the middle ages was tipped into social chaos with the advent of the Black Death. In the aftermath, ruling powers sought to suppress workers' uprisings, women's autonomy, and peasant rebellions. The witch hunts served this task and beta-tested, so to speak, the social and legal procedures which would later be unleashed upon the indigenous people of the new world and African slaves.

Recommended Readings:

Federici - Caliban and the Witch - 978-1570270598
Federici - Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women - 978-1629635682
Levack - The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe - 978-1138808102
Levack, ed. - The Witchcraft Sourcebook - 978-1138774971
Levack, ed. - The Oxford Handbook of Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe and Colonial America - 978-0198723639
Peters and Kors, ed. - Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700 - 978-0812217513

#federici #witches #trials

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Celebrating 5,000 Subscribers + Channel News + Winter Seminar and Summer Class Patreon Goals !

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:45:00 -0000

My sincere thanks to all the subscribers to the channel and especially to our patrons. We hit my 1 year goals for the channel in the first six months - I am humbled and blown away. I had no idea starting this channel it would be noticed at all - Thanks so much.

Head over to Patreon to support the new goals for the channel! Same content (hopefully better!) will continue with new goals!

New Goals - Support Esoterica Here - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Winter 2020 Seminar - This goal will allow me to host a 2020/1 winter seminar on a topic set by my patrons and enjoyed by you! My goal is to provide a reader, discussion group, and 1.5 hour long sessions over the course of 4-5 weeks deeply exploring a text or topic in Western Western Esotericism in addition to my weekly content. This will also support my longer term goal of teaching a university level Introduction to Western Esotericism course next summer!

Next Summer Class - My goal here is to get enough support to teach a university level Introduction to Western Esotericism and Hermetic Philosophy course next summer spanning an entire academic semester starting in May and ending in August. We could meet twice a week for lectures and discussion. I would provide a pdf reader for the class along with discussions and office hours. It would be a fully online course with the sessions available to the public as well - a real attempt in totally open, crowdfunded education on one of the most difficult to find fields in academia.

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Alchemy - Origins of Alchemy in Europe - First Alchemy Book - The Composition of Alchemy ( 1144 )

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Alchemy is one of the more obscure aspect of western esotericism and the history of science. In this episode of Esoterica, we explore the first known European alchemical text The Book of the Composition of Alchemy (Liber de compositione alchemiae) translated from the Kitab al-Kimya (from the circle of Jabbir ibn Hayyan c. 8th CE) by Robert of Chester on February 11th 1144. The book features in microcosm much that will become commonplace in the alchemical tradition: romantic tales of holy masters, the stone of the philosophers, the transmutation of substances, the famous Green Lion, and more. By studying this foundational alchemical text we may better understand the history of alchemy and chemistry.

Recommended Reading and Links:

Stavenhagen - A Testament Of Alchemy - 978-0874510959
Al-Hassan - THE ARABIC ORIGINAL OF LIBER DE COMPOSITIONE ALCHEMIAE The Epistle of Maryānus, the Hermit and Philosopher, to Prince Khālid ibn Yazīd - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/arabic-sciences-and-philosophy/article/abs/arabic-original-of-liber-de-compositione-alchemiae-the-epistle-of-maryanus-the-hermit-and-philosopher-to-prince-khalid-ibn-yazid/BD9E8994AF1B205A13B1498DE548DCA5
Auriferae artis (Latin text) - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Auriferae_artis_quam_chemiam_vocant_anti/A2FWAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
Alchemy website - https://www.alchemywebsite.com/
Purchase some of Adam McLean's art - https://www.ebay.com/str/Esoteric-paintings

Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!

Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation

Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.

#alchemy #hermetic #transmutation

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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 5 of 15 - The Danger of Reading

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:47:30 -0000

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Magic in Theory - The Stellar Ray Theory of Al-Kindi

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0000

This episode is the first in a series focusing on theories of magic. We begin with one of the most popular medieval theories: the stellar rays of Al-Kindi. Al-Kindi, a 9th century Islamicate philosopher, who argued that the stars emits rays which trickle down to the sub-lunar world where they qualify matter. Further, all entities emit rays. Certain occult or hidden rays can be manipulated by the sage to induce apparently supernatural or magical effects though speech, powerful symbols and animal sacrifice. This idea provided a route to natural, as opposed to ritual/demonic, magic in the middle ages and underwrote much of astrological theory. The stellar ray theory would also be built into the famous book of the magic the Picatrix which would be one of the earliest books learned magic to enter Western Europe. Indeed, the argument in defense of occult forces in the universe is essential for modern physics.

Recommended readings:

Pormann and Peterson - The Philosophical Works of al-Kindi - 978-0199062805
Liana Saif - The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy - 978-1137399465
Al-Kindi - De Radiis (pp. 139-260) - Marie-Thérèse d'Alverny and Françoise HudryArchives d'histoire doctrinale et littéraire du Moyen Age, Vol. 41, 1974 - https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40184716
Al-Kindi: On the Stellar Rays - trans. Zoller and Hand - http://www.projecthindsight.com/archives/medieval%20contents/al-kindi.html
Esmé L K Partridge - Al-Kindi's Theory of The Magical Arts: A Commentary on Al-Kindi's Treatise 'On Rays' - https://www.academia.edu/36457042/Al-Kindis_Theory_of_The_Magical_Arts_A_Commentary_on_Al-Kindis_Treatise_On_Rays

#magic #astrology #alkindi

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Mysticism vs Satan - Hildegard of Bingen's Sacred Exorcism

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:50:00 -0000

Can Mysticism Defeat Satan? In 1196 the mystic Hildegard of Bingen was called to help cure a noble woman of demonic possession. However, it became clear that only a divine revelation could combat these demonic forces. And, in a mystical vision, Hildegard received a powerful ritual of exorcism through which She and God alone could contend with the forces of Satan. This Mystical Exorcism is one of the most fascinating in history and may have, unwittingly, helped to form the foundation of the Clerical Necromantic Underground.

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Hildegard of Bingen: Scivias - https://amzn.to/4vEtsyx
Selected Writings: Hildegard of Bingen - https://amzn.to/3OIXxfE
Hildegard of Bingen - https://amzn.to/3OViaFB
Sarah Higley - Hildegard of Bingen’s Unknown Language: An Edition, Translation, and Discussion - ISBN-13: 978-1403976734

The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen - https://amzn.to/4cAzEil
The Personal Correspondence of Hildegard of Bingen - https://amzn.to/4sMOdW8

The Digital Version of the Reisencodex - https://hlbrm.digitale-sammlungen.hebis.de/handschriften-hlbrm/content/pageview/449620

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Egyptian Alchemy : Decoding the Greek - Egyptian Alchemy - The Formula of the Crab / Scorpion

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0000

Alchemy is, perhaps, best known for it's elaborate symbolism but just how far back into history can we trace these allegories, secret codes, and hidden meanings? In this episode of Esoterica we investigate what is likely one of the earliest encoded alchemical texts: "the Formula of the Crab" or "the Formula of the Scorpion." Found in a 10th century Greek manuscript, this formula contain a Greco-Egyptian alchemical process for producing a gold-like alloy of copper, silver, and lead. As we explore the formula we will also discuss how Greco-Egyptian alchemy differed from later theories under the influence of the mercury-sulfur theory of the metals. What will discover is an emphasis on the ability to control the color of metals as opposed to metallic transmutation reflecting the religious vocation of the earliest Egyptian metallurgists.

Recommended Reading:

M. Berthelot - Collection des anciens alchimistes grecs - https://archive.org/details/collectiondesanc23bert/mode/2up

S. Linden - The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton - 978-0521796620

S. Grimes - Becoming Gold: Zosimos of Panopolis and the Alchemical Arts in Roman Egypt - 978-0473407759

#alchemy #egypt #hermeticism

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What is the Dybbuk ? Spirit Possession and Exorcism in the Kabbalah

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:52:30 -0000

The Kabbalah changed a great deal in Judaism including the conception of possession and exorcism. This episode of Esoterica explores the development of these concepts in rabbinical Judaism and the rise of Kabbalah, especially Lurianic Kabbalah in the 16th century. Here we discuss the idea of the Dybbuk - the evil dead returned to possess the living - but also the idea of Ibbur or beneficent spiritual pregnancy in which the soul of the righteous dead actually comes to dwell in the body of the kabbalist!

Recommended Reading:

Ansky - The Dybbuk - 978-1494837532
Chajes - Between Worlds: Dybbuks, Exorcists, and Early Modern Judaism - 978-0812221701
Goldish - Spirit Possession in Judaism - 978-0814330036
Elior - Dybbuks and Jewish Women in Social History, Mysticism and Folklore - 978-9655240078
Winkler - Dybbuk - 978-0910818384
Der Dybbuk Film - https://www.jewishfilm.org/Catalogue/films/dybbuk.html
Dimona Dybbuk Exorcism Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWkfabZApU

#kabbalah #dybbuk #exorcism

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Corpus Hermeticum - Introduction to Hermes Trismegistus and Hermetic Philosophy

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0000

The Corpus Hermeticum are the texts and teachings ascribed to the legendary Egyptian sage, priest, and philosopher Hermes Trismegistus. When translated and published by Ficino in 1471 these texts were heralded as the very source of pure, perennial wisdom. In the subsequent years, these ideas went on to have a massive impact upon what is now called western esotericism. Just what are these teaching? What is the history of the text? How did this pagan wisdom survive into modernity? In this episode of Esoterica we introduce the Corpus Hermeticum, Hermes Trismegistus & Hermetic Philosophy.

Reccomended Reading:

Dillion - The Middle Platonists: 80 B.C. to A.D. 220 - 978-0801483165
Copenhaver - Hermetica - 978-0521425438
Litwa - Hermetica II - 978-1107182530
Salaman, van Oyen, Wharto, Mahe - The Way of Hermes - 978-0892811861
van Bladel - The Arabic Hermes - 978-0195376135
Fowden - The Egyptian Hermes - 978-0691024981
Festugière - La révélation d'Hermès Trismégiste - 978-2251326740

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Was Lilith a Joke? How Bad Translation and Parody Created a Demon

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:55:00 -0000

Since the romantic rehabilitation of Lilith from child-murderer and nocturnal seducer of men to symbol of feminine power and defiance, Lilith has become one of the most recognizable of modern demons. But her origin, first in ancient Mesopotamia and then in the early medieval Jewish literature are marked by curious historical accidents. Curiously enough, Lilith may have emerged as a linguistic mistake and a text meant to parody rabbinic legends. Let’s explore the historical vicissitudes of She of the Night, Lilith.

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Lilith 1 - https://youtu.be/n1EKccz4fS0
Lilith 2 - https://youtu.be/U-jIScgb7Nc
Mirror of Lilith - https://youtu.be/uNfcdZ0UCc4
Lilith & Incantation Bowls - https://youtu.be/wyI9m50ODB4
New Incantation Bowls feat. Lilith - https://youtu.be/0YIZhuIpkPA

ESOTERICA sales for the holidays!

Lilith Incantation Bowls back in limited stock - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/shop/p/handcraft-aramaic-incantation-bowl-limited-edition

20% off any purchase at our Rare Book Store - code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

New Necromantic Mirror of Floron shirt and 15% off all merch with code HOLIDAY at checkout - https://my-store-d6a943.creator-spring.com/

Looking to buy books on western esotericism check out my study guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing

Recommended Readings:

Patai - The Hebrew Goddess
Blair - De-demonising the Old Testament
McDonald - In Possession of the Night: Lilith as Goddess, Demon, Vampire
Chavalas - Women in the Ancient Near East
Naveh, Shaked - Amulets and Magic Bowls
Montgomery - Aramaic Incantation Texts from Nippur

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Win a 1300 Year Old Incantation Bowl Fragment - Novel Occult Book Catalog!

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Win an authentic piece of magical history: a 1300 year old Incantation Bowl Fragment and learn about our new antiquarian occult book catalog!

Check out the catalog here: https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

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Who was Belial, the Demon?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:57:30 -0000

The demon Belial seems to have emerged from an obscure force of nature to then become the leader of the Apocalyptic forces of Evil in the Dead Sea Scrolls. And, while only mentioned only once in the New Testament, Belial has become an important evil spirit in both contemporary Goetic magic and Popular Culture alike. But, what are the origins of Belial, a demon that once sat at the apex of the diabolical hierarchy?

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

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The Devil Rides Out - The Devil's Bride - Occult Film Review and Analysis

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0000

The Devil Rides Out or the The Devil's Bride as it was known in the US is a seminal occult film. Unlike many other films which feature occult or esoteric themes, there is actually a substantial amount of research reflected in this film base emerging from the 1934 novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley. In this more light-hearted episode of Esoterica, we explore this classic 1968 Hammer film with an eye to the occult material in the film itself.

#occultism #film #hammer

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What is the Hermetic God and Demiurge?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:00:00 -0000

The concept of the Demiurge is often associated with the demonic cosmos creator of the Gnostics. But, what do we know about the ancient Hermetic Demiurge? Emerging from the world of Greco-Egyptian religion and philosophy, Hermeticism was a powerfully optimistic means of reuniting one's high consciousness (Nous) with the Divine Parental Light after exorcising one's body of fatalistic daimonic infestation. But, the Hermetic Spiritual Philosophy is ambivalent about the place of any Demiurge in it's cosmology and means of salvation. Yet, some texts do speak of a magnificent Solar Demiurge as the conduit and cosmic artisan. Just what is the place of the Demiurge in Hermeticism?

Demiurge 1 - https://youtu.be/mTnQ__VSQzc
Demiurge 2 - https://youtu.be/GWHLuZgixHI
Demiurge 3 - https://youtu.be/xfG0w4k6EA8
Demiurge 4 - https://youtu.be/kq-CoIFf8l0

Thumbnail art from Zdzisław Beksiński

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Hermetic Spirituality and the Historical Imagination - https://amzn.to/4r7cRRB
Hermetica I: The Corpus Hermeticum, Asclepius, and Nag Hammadi Hermetica Ordered as a Path of Initiation - https://amzn.to/47P4kvf
Dr. David Litwa's YT channel - @m.davidlitwa
The Demiurge in Ancient Thought: Secondary Gods and Divine Mediators - https://amzn.to/49tSc3Z

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Esoterica Channel Promo

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:02:30 -0000

I'm Dr. Justin Sledge and welcome to Esoterica where we explore the arcane side of history, philosophy and religion.

Support Esoterica: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

What is that arcane side? We focus on concepts in what can broadly be called esotericism including: magic, mysticism, alchemy, hermetic philosophy, theosophy, gnosticism, and more

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Win a 439 year old book of Alchemy by Paracelsus!

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0000

Win this wonderful book of alchemy! Learn more in the video.

Esoterica Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esotericaoccultbooks/
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

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Gnosticism - Thunder Perfect Mind - Divine Feminine - Gender, Paradox and Violence

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:51:00 -0000

One of the most enigmatic and alluring text in the Nag Hammadi Library of Gnostic texts is the famed hymn-poem Thunder: Perfect Mind. This episode explores the origins, structure, parallels with an eye to Thunder's treatment of gender, language and colonialism. We also explore to what degree we can call Thunder 'gnostic' at all - why did this document survive in the Nag Hammadi library at all?

Recommended Readings:

Thunder: Perfect Mind - https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/thunder.html
Taussig, etc. - The Thunder: Perfect Mind: A New Translation and Introduction - 978-0230105638
Prada Ad - https://www.prada.com/us/en/pradasphere/films/2005/thunder-perfect-mind.html

#gnosticism #gnostic #hermeticism

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Necromancy - How to Read a Historical Book of Magic / Necromancy - Reading a Real Necronomicon

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:05:00 -0000

This episode celebrates 1000 Subscribers! This time we answers fans of the channel's request for an analysis of a historical book of magic. What if you were to stumble onto an actual copy of the something like the Necronomicon of HP Lovecraft / Evil Dead lore? How would you go about actually reading it? Here, we discuss at length, the various processes scholars perform to understand medieval books - from book binding, to writing media, to medieval Latin and the complex set of abbreviations that often encode the writing of the middle ages - by looking at a page from CLM 849 or the Munich Necromancer's Manual. As you will see, this specific spell is uses demonic magic to produce a magical cloak capable of rendering the magus invisible to all all manner of beings.

Recommended Readings:

Richard Kieckhefer - Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Fifteenth Century - ISBN-13: 978-0271017518
Bernhard Bischoff - Latin Palaeography: Antiquity and the Middle Ages - 978-0521367264

You can also enter for the manuscript just contacting me via my website (https://www.justinsledge.com/contact) with favorite reflections on an episode - I don't this to be strictly based on patron support and that helps to meet legal guidelines so you don't need to pay anything at all to enter!

#magic #necromancy #manuscript

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The Occult in Colonial America - Magic Divination Astrology and Alchemy

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0000

While Puritan spirituality and the Witch Hunts dominate our view of the colonial period of North America, history reveals that a range of occult practices flourished. From magic, astrology, alchemy and various forms of divination - there is plenty of evidence for early American occultism. In this episode of Esoterica, we explore this dimension of early American history.

Recommended Readings:

Godbeer - The Devil's Dominion - 978-0521466707
Butler - Awash in a Sea of Faith - 978-0674056015
Newman - Gehennical Fire - 978-0226577142
Woodward - Prospero's America - 978-1469600871
Works by George Starkey / Eirenaeus Philalethes - https://archive.org/details/collectaneachymi00phil

#magic #alchemy #america #salem

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Re-Creating a 400 year old Alchemy Potion from Wormwood...then Trying it!

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:07:30 -0000

It's often forgotten that Alchemy was central for revolutions in Medicine, especially pharmacology. Following the theories of Paracelsus, I'm re-creating a 400 year old curative potion from Wormwood. How was alchemical medicine made? How did they think it worked? And, what does it taste like and what does it do? Let's re-create some authentic alchemy medicine from 400 years ago!

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/
Recommended Readings:

Linden - The Alchemy Reader
https://amzn.to/3VUhamt

Principe - The Secrets of Alchemy
https://amzn.to/3vSUOqy

Newman - Newton the Alchemist
https://amzn.to/3VK513l

Rampling - The Experimental Fire: Inventing English Alchemy, 1300–1700
https://amzn.to/3VTzlZu

Zuber - Spiritual Alchemy
https://amzn.to/43Qfmg7

Weeks - Paracelsus: Speculative Theory & the Crisis of the Early Reformation
https://amzn.to/3PVbyEG

Paracelsus: Essential Readings
https://amzn.to/43QUSUu

Abraham - A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery
https://amzn.to/3xt3Xqx

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Is the Hermetic Philosophy a Forgery?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:00:00 -0000

The publication of the Hermetic Philosophy in 1471 heralded the possibility to returning to truly primordial wisdom. Indeed, mystical wisdom thought to have the power to restore Human Dignity through the unity of the microcosm with the macrocosm, the occult arts and reuniting the human soul with the divine. Along with Cabala, the Hermetic philosophers sought to reform all domains of philosophy and spirituality. But what if the Hermetica was just an ancient forgery? In 1614 Isaac Casaubon launched an attack on the Corpus Hermeticum on linguistic, philosophical and doctrinal grounds to argue that the texts could not be nearly as old as Moses. Indeed, they were plagiarized frauds. This attack would fundamental alter our understanding of these ancient mystical texts. But, would it hold over time?

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One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Grafton - Protestant versus Prophet
Hanegraaff - Esotericism and the Academy: Rejected Knowledge in Western Culture - https://amzn.to/3IQHIjW
@m.davidlitwa Hermetica I - https://amzn.to/3U7aZJx

Casaubon - https://archive.org/details/bib_fict_4102667/page/65/mode/1up

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Esoterica - Patreon Call

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:10:00 -0000

Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Esoterica hopes for your support as we create videos on alchemy, magic, mysticism, theosophy, hermetica philosophy, kabbalah, gnosticism, new age spirituality!

I will be making videos on the topics above along with ongoing series on books of magic, occult languages, major figures in esoteric spirituality, a chronological introduction to western esotericism, along with film and book reviews and more!

Only a handful of institutions in the world offer high quality, scholarly access to these topics and I want Esoterica to provide content in this field from the most reliable sources available.

Your support makes that possible. Thank you for considering becoming a monthly donor!

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The Women Behind Enochian Magic w/@drangelapuca

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0000

John Dee began to communicate with angels in the 1580s to discover the most fundamental truths of reality. Those angels would reveal novel magical systems, the language God spoke creation into being, techniques for metaphysical espionage, at least a couple detours for treasure hunting, before reaching a scandalous climax in the wife-swapping incident which effectively marks the end of the Angelic conversations. While most of the emphasis in these events are focused on Dee and Kelley, it’s often ignored that their wives - Jane Dee and Joan or Joanna Kelley - were important participants (and victims) of perhaps one of the most intriguing events in the history of western esotericism. Let’s explore the role of the women of the Enochian world, including both earthly wives and daughters but also at least one spiritual creature, Madimi.

Check out Angela's companion video: https://youtu.be/Tx4MjNnWD94

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Readings:

Harkness - Managing an Experimental Household: The Dees of Mortlake and the Practice of Natural Philosophy
Susan Bassnett – Absent Presences: Edward Kelley’s Family in the Writings of John Dee

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Five Myths Surrounding Alchemy

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:12:30 -0000

Alchemy is one of the most misrepresented and poorly understood aspects of Western Esotericism. This video takes a look at five misconceptions from both the scientific dismissal of alchemy to the purely spiritual/psychological interpretation of its processes and symbolism.

Support Esoterica: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel

Recommended Reading:

Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century. An amazing wok of scholarship.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!

Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation

Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.

#alchemy #hermeticism #mysticism

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How Medieval Incantations Worked

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Magical and medicine have long shared a contested border. However, with the introduction of learned medicine into Europe, magical incantations were increasingly sidelined for Galenic principles and practice. However, Urso of Salerno (d. c. 1220) rejected both Church skepticism and Galenic orthodoxy by incorporating Incantations into his medical practice. In his Aphorisms Urso provides one of the most sophisticated theories for the function and application of magical Incantations. Let's explore how medieval incantations worked!

Consider Supporting Esoterica!
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store
New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
Rare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/

Recommended Reading:
Van der Lugt - The Learned Physician as a Charismatic Healer
Bulletin of the History of Medicine
Vol. 87, No. 3 (Fall 2013), pp. 307-346 (40 pages)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26305934

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Alchemy - Where to Begin - Introduction to the Summa Perfectionis (Sum of Perfection) Pseudo-Geber

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:15:00 -0000

Alchemy is one of the most difficult fields of study in Western Esotericism for a host of reasons: texts are often in ancient languages, practically encoded, full of arcane symbolism and obscure instructions. One of the most daunting tasks is even where to begin. There are thousands of alchemical texts spread over 1500 years - which is the best starting point if you want to study alchemy? In this episode of Esoterica, we argue that the Summa Perfectionis (c. 1310) is the best answer. We explore the question of the text's authorship, transmission, composition, alchemical theory of substance, change, and, of course, metallic transmutation.

Recommended Readings

Newman - The Summa Perfectionis of Pseudo-Geber: A Critical Edition, Translation, and Study - 978-9004094642 (ILL this one)

Summa Perfectionis (Latin Reprint of 1542 edition) - 978-0282332815 - read online - https://archive.org/details/geberisphilosoph00gebe/mode/2up

Works of Geber (including the Summa Perfectionis) (English translation of 1678 reprinted in 1928) 978-1162568676 - read online - https://archive.org/details/WorksOfGeber/mode/2up

Other Readings:

Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!

Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation

Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.

#alchemy #geber #hermeticism #occult #chemistry

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How did Magical Mirrors work? The Necromantic Mirror of Floron

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 01:00:00 -0000

Enchanted Mirrors are one of the quintessential objects in the history of magic. But, how were historical mirrors of magic made? What did they do? And, how did they work? Let's explore the history of magical mirrors by turning to perhaps the most famous such mirror of the Middle Ages: The Necromantic Mirror of Floron. Here we find a mirror that will summon a spirit that will answer questions about the past, present and future but only following complex rituals.

Recommended Readings:

Kieckhefer - Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Fifteenth Century - https://amzn.to/3KNmtQO
Page - Spellbound: Magic, Ritual and Witchcraft - https://amzn.to/4o0766a
Foreman - The Cambridge Book of Magic - https://amzn.to/4h9TD9L

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