ESOTERICA

ESOTERICA

I'm Dr. Justin Sledge and welcome to Esoterica: Where we explore the arcane in history, philosophy, and religion. This channel produces content relating to topics such as alchemy, magic, Kabbalah, mysticism, hermetic philosophy, theosophy, the occult and more using the best academic scholarship currently available. Support Esoterica with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel New to Esotericism? Checkout out my Study Guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing Interested in Rare, Occult Books? Check out our bookstore - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/ Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store Contact Esoterica - https://www.justinsledge.com/contact About Dr. Justin Sledge: https://www.justinsledge.com/

  1. Esotericism in Philosophy: Pythagoras and Parmenides

    12 min ago

    Esotericism in Philosophy: Pythagoras and Parmenides

    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/esotericachannelRecommended Readings:Kirk, Raven and Schofield - The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts - 978-0521274555Philosophy Before Socrates - Richard D. McKirahan - 978-1603841825Eric Dodds - The Greeks and the Irrational - 978-0520242302 Walter Burkert - Lore and Science in Ancient Pythagoreanism - 978-0674539181Charles Kahn - Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans - 978-0872205758Peter Kingsley - Ancient Philosophy, Mystery, and Magic: Empedocles and Pythagorean Tradition - 978-0198150817Parmenides - Martin Heidegger - 978-0253212146 (caveat lector!)#esotericism #presocratic #philosophy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 min
  2. John Dee - The Monas Hieroglyphica - Part II - Alchemy and Cabala

    1 hr ago

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

    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=sharingStandard text and translation of the Monas Hieroglyphica - C. H. Josten, Ambix, 12:2-3 (1964): 82-221I'll provide more recommended readings on the Monas Hieroglyphica in the third episode.#dee #enochian #monas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    40 min
  3. How Medieval Incantations Worked

    2 hr ago

    How Medieval Incantations Worked

    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/esotericachannelMerch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/storeNew to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharingRare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/Recommended Reading:Van der Lugt - The Learned Physician as a Charismatic HealerBulletin of the History of MedicineVol. 87, No. 3 (Fall 2013), pp. 307-346 (40 pages)https://www.jstor.org/stable/26305934 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  4. What is the Hermetic God and Demiurge?

    3 hr ago

    What is the Hermetic God and Demiurge?

    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__VSQzcDemiurge 2 - https://youtu.be/GWHLuZgixHIDemiurge 3 - https://youtu.be/xfG0w4k6EA8Demiurge 4 - https://youtu.be/kq-CoIFf8l0Thumbnail art from Zdzisław Beksiński Consider Supporting Esoterica!Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannelOne Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannelMerch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQ/storeNew to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharingRare Occult Books - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/Recommended Readings:Hermetic Spirituality and the Historical Imagination - https://amzn.to/4r7cRRBHermetica I: The Corpus Hermeticum, Asclepius, and Nag Hammadi Hermetica Ordered as a Path of Initiation - https://amzn.to/47P4kvfDr. David Litwa's YT channel - @m.davidlitwa The Demiurge in Ancient Thought: Secondary Gods and Divine Mediators - https://amzn.to/49tSc3Z Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  5. Kabbalah - Merkabah Hekhalot and Sar Torah Mysticism - Ancient Chariot and Angelic Kabbalah

    4 hr ago

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

    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/esotericachannelRecommended Readings:James Davila - Hekhalot Literature in Translation: Major Texts of Merkavah Mysticism - 978-9004252158James Davila - Descenders to the Chariot: The People Behind the Hekhalot Literature - 978-9004115415Vita Daphna Arbel - Beholders of Divine Secrets: Mysticism and Myth in the Hekhalot and Merkavah Literature - 978-0791457245Gershom Scholem - Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism - 978-0805210422Menachem Kellner - Maimonides' Confrontation with Mysticism - 978-1904113294Michael D. Swartz - Scholastic Magic: Ritual and Revelation in Early Jewish Mysticism - 978-0691010984 (Great text mostly dealing with Sar Torah Mysticism)#merkavah #kabbalah #hekhalot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  6. Magical Symbols - History of Sigils Angelic Alphabets and Symbols of Power

    5 hr ago

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

    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/esotericachannelRecommended Readings:Richard Gordon's article - https://www.academia.edu/13925134/Charakteres_between_Antiquity_and_Renaissance_Transmission_and_Re-inventionDon Skemer - Binding Words: Textual Amulets in the Middle Ages - 978-0271027234#magic #sigil #seal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min
  7. Esoterica - Patreon Call

    6 hr ago

    Esoterica - Patreon Call

    Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannelEsoterica 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 min
  8. Kabbalah and Zohar - Advice and Tips for Starting to Study the Zohar - the core text of the Kabbalah

    7 hr ago

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

    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=sharingZohar Editions from Starter to AdvancedZohar: Annotated & Explained - 978-1893361515 - Best text for absolute beginnerZohar: The Book of Enlightenment (Classics of Western Spirituality) - 978-0809123872 - More diverse texts, still great for absolute beginnerThe Pritzker Zohar in 12 volumes - https://www.sup.org/zohar/ - Best translation in EnglishSefer Zohar (Hebrew/Aramaic) - Margaliot 3 volume edition - Standard edition for both Academic and Religious referenceFrom here, move on to both academic and religious commentariesThe 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 challengeIdra 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
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About

I'm Dr. Justin Sledge and welcome to Esoterica: Where we explore the arcane in history, philosophy, and religion. This channel produces content relating to topics such as alchemy, magic, Kabbalah, mysticism, hermetic philosophy, theosophy, the occult and more using the best academic scholarship currently available. Support Esoterica with Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel New to Esotericism? Checkout out my Study Guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing Interested in Rare, Occult Books? Check out our bookstore - https://www.esotericaoccultbooks.com/ Merch - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel/store Contact Esoterica - https://www.justinsledge.com/contact About Dr. Justin Sledge: https://www.justinsledge.com/

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