ESOTERICA

A Primer on Western Esotericism

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:30:00 -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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Ancient Angel Magic - Sefer HaRazim - The Book of Secrets - Jewish Magic

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:51:00 -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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Magical Symbols - History of Sigils Angelic Alphabets and Symbols of Power

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:30:00 -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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What is Theurgy? Proclus and Pagan Liberation

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:30:00 -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!

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:

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

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 03:30:00 -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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Mysticism vs Satan - Hildegard of Bingen's Sacred Exorcism

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 02:30:00 -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

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

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:30:00 -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.

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/

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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Five Myths Surrounding Alchemy

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:30:00 -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

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

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:30:00 -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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The Mystical Theology of Affection - Bernard of Clairvaux

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 22:30:00 -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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Greek Roman Egyptian Magic - Greek Magical Papyri - Books of Magic

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:30:00 -0000

We explore the earliest collection of magical texts in the ancient world - The Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) and the Egyptian Demotic spells. The PGM is the greatest collection of ancient magic. Written on papyrus these collections of spells, incantations, evocations, represent the rich cross-pollination between various cultures, religious systems, and forms of magic and divination. From Egyptian, Roman, Jewish, Greek cultures and religions emerges an amazing religious and magical syncretism. This video introduces the PGM and discusses a collection of spells including: an invisibility lotion, the invocation of Helios, a rare example of lesbian love magic, a curse for your boss, magical athletic ability, protection from demons, an anger management spell and more. This video is part of a series on books of magic in history - subscribe for future videos!

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

Recommended Readings:

Betz - The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation - 978-0226044477
Ankarloo and Clark - Witchcraft and Magic in Europe vol II - Ancient Greece and Rome - 978-0812217056
Ogden - Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman World - 978-0195385205
Waston - Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome - 978-1788312981
Harris - Ancient Egyptian Magic - 978-1578635917

#magic #egyptan #greek

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

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:30:00 -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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Esoterica Channel Promo

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 19:30:00 -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

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

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:30:00 -0000

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How Medieval Incantations Worked

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:30:00 -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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Esoterica - Patreon Call

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:30:00 -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!

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ESOTERICA at 1,000,000 Followers

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:30:00 -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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John Dee - The Monas Hieroglyphica - Part II - Alchemy and Cabala

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 14:30:00 -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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Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 15 of 15 - The Twilight of the Merkavah

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:30:00 -0000

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

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:30:00 -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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Necromancy and Magic - The Munich Necromancer's Manual - CLM 849 - Actual Historical Grimoire of Sorcery

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 11:30:00 -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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Esoteric Film Review and Analysis - A Dark Song

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 10:30:00 -0000

A review and analysis of the 2016 film A Dark Song. I'll be discussing the esoteric and occult aspects of the film including the Abramelin operation, Aleister Crowley's infamous invocation at Boleskine, and some thoughts on how the film deals with the Faustian trope in a novel manner.

A whole video on the Abramelin operation will appear in the future as part of Esoterica's series on books of magic - stay tuned!

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

Recommended Readings:

A Dark Song trailer and rent - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-S3JqJZJ3s

Dehn, Guth, Duquette - The Book of Abramelin: A New Translation - 978-0892542147 - The best edition of the text (sadly, no critical edition of the text exists to date)
Mathers - The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage - 978-0486232119 - Classic but defective
Sadly, it appears that Crowley's Confessions are out of print and very exspensive but I am sure they can be found online
The Boleskine House Foundation - https://www.boleskinehouse.org/ - contact them to help restore this important piece of Scottish and Esoteric history!

#occult #abramelin #crowley

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How to Explore the Occult and Western Esotericism

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:30:00 -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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Hand-Crafted Lilith Incantation Bowls Available - Limited Holiday Supply

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:30:00 -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!

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Primer on Alchemy (FIA Lecture)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:30:00 -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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