ESOTERICA

Esoteric Language - Hildegard of Bingen's Lingua Ignota (Unknown Language) - Early Constructed Language

Tue, 26 May 2026 02:30:00 -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

How Angel Magic Produced the Internet - The Steganographia of Trithemius

Tue, 26 May 2026 01:30:00 -0000

Did Angel Magic give us the Internet? In around 1499 Johann Trithemius began combining alchemical theory, astrology, the combatory arts and angel magic into a vast occult system by which to rapidly transmit information, acquire languages, induce prophecy and illuminate the soul. He called this occult science the Ars Steganographia and he was condemned for it. Despite rumors that he was a vile necromancer, Trithemius would continue his studies: founding arcane modern cryptology, tutoring Agrippa as he developed the Occult Philosophy, inspiring the development of the Lesser Key of Solomon, uncovering the astral cycles of history and much more. Let's explore the Ars Steganographia!

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/

Recommended Readings:

Bran, Trithemius and Magical Theology - https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/Trithemius-and-Magical-Theology
DO NOT BUY this book from Amazon. They use a POD service and the book will just fall apart.

Skinner & Clark, Steganographia - https://amzn.to/3PocHar
Dan Harms on the Skinner Steganographia - https://medium.com/@danharms_29771/steganographia-a-review-5b26849f45c7

Gamer - Die Polygraphia des Johannes Trithemius - https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isbn/9789004507753/html?lang=en

Frater Acher - https://scarletimprint.com/publications/p/black-abbot-white-magic

Shumaker - Renaissance Curiosa - Johannes Trithemius and Cryptography

The Art Theurgia Goetia - https://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/theurgia.htm

Steganographia 1606 - https://books.google.com/books?id=yqRNAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Steganographia 1608 - https://archive.org/details/SteganographiaBSB1608/mode/1up
Steganographis Vindicated 1721 - https://books.google.it/books?id=wYFZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP9#v=onepage&q&f=false
John Dee's Manuscript copy - https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/digital-exhibitions/manuscripts/early-modern-period/steganographia/

De Septem Secundeis - https://esotericarchives.com/tritheim/tritem.htm
https://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secundeis_id_est_intelligentii/ij48AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
De Septem Secundeis 1522 -
https://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secunda_Deis_id_est_intelligen/EaRRAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
De Septem Secundeis 1545 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secundeis_id_est_intelligentii/ij48AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

Polygraphiae 1613 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Libri_polygraphiae_VI/aN-uEaXeZN0C?hl=en&gbpv=1

Liber octo quaestionum 1534 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Liber_octo_quaestionum_quas_illi_dissolv/vhI8AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

"" - https://www.esotericarchives.com/tritheim/8quest.htm

The infamous Bovillus Epistle p. 172 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Opuscula_Liber_de_intellectu/jtyJxrDZvsoC?hl=en&gbpv=1

Esoterica - Patreon Request

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:30:00 -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!

What was the Demon Belial?

Mon, 25 May 2026 23:30:00 -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/

Five Errors about Alchemy

Mon, 25 May 2026 22:30:00 -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

Mysticism vs Satan - Hildegard of Bingen's Divine Exorcism

Mon, 25 May 2026 21:30:00 -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

Esoterica Channel Presentation

Mon, 25 May 2026 20:30:00 -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

Does ESOTERICA rely on AI?

Mon, 25 May 2026 19:30:00 -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
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/