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

    35 min 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

    39 min
  2. Magic in Theory - The Stellar Ray Theory of Al-Kindi

    35 min ago

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

    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 - 978-1137399465Al-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/i40184716Al-Kindi: On the Stellar Rays - trans. Zoller and Hand - http://www.projecthindsight.com/archives/medieval%20contents/al-kindi.htmlEsmé 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  3. Esoterica Channel Promo

    1 hr ago

    Esoterica Channel Promo

    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/esotericachannelWhat 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 min
  4. The Mystical Dreams of Descartes - Exploring the Origins of Rationalism and Modernity

    1 hr ago

    The Mystical Dreams of Descartes - Exploring the Origins of Rationalism and Modernity

    In this episode we explore the non-rational origins of rationalism by investigating a series of dreams had by Rene Descartes - thought to have founded rationalism and modern philosophy - on the night of November 10/11, 1619. Early in his career Descartes, like many intellectuals of his day, was searching for new intellectual and scientific foundations as the worldview provided by Aristotle had become moribund. In this search, Descartes explores many avenues for the truth from strict logic to mystical Rosicrucianism. In this context, he experiences a profound fit of 'enthusiasm' and has a series of three dreams which ground and propel his own foundationalist project. This episode explores how the origins of rationalism and modernity are simply more esoteric, even mystical, than we typically learn in intellectual history or philosophy classes.Recommended Readings:Adrien Baillet - La vie de Monsieur Descartes - https://archive.org/download/bub_gb_RhNEAAAAcAAJ/bub_gb_RhNEAAAAcAAJ.pdfJohn Cottingham - The Philosophical Writings of Descartes in 3 vols.Alice Browne - Descartes's Dreams - https://www.jstor.org/stable/750999Michael Keevak - Descartes's Dreams and Their Address for Philosophy - https://www.jstor.org/stable/2709883William Shea - Descartes and the Rosicrucian Enlightenment - Metaphysics and Philosophy of Science in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, Pages 73-99Frances A. Yates - The Rosicrucian Enlightenment, pgs 113 et passim#descartes #philosophy #rationalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min
  5. Does ESOTERICA rely on AI?

    2 hr ago

    Does ESOTERICA rely on AI?

    Laying out my position on the use of AI - especially generative AI - here at Esoterica.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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min
  6. Introduction to Merkavah Mysticism - 12 of 15 - Goals of the Merkavah Mysticism

    2 hr ago

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

    Welcome to our seminar on Merkavah MysticismHundreds 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/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/Course Syllabus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URUIb_AkZGM3hXzTnPFAwQYkZf_WgL0Q9wWWqSr2ug0/edit?usp=sharingCourse Materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-93Z0g92p4xMTFRjk5KznFvh65oRjFAo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 13min
  7. How Angel Magic Brought Us the Internet - The Steganographia of Trithemius

    3 hr ago

    How Angel Magic Brought Us the Internet - The Steganographia of Trithemius

    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/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 Readings:Bran, Trithemius and Magical Theology - https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/Trithemius-and-Magical-TheologyDO NOT BUY this book from Amazon. They use a POD service and the book will just fall apart.Skinner & Clark, Steganographia - https://amzn.to/3PocHarDan Harms on the Skinner Steganographia - https://medium.com/@danharms_29771/steganographia-a-review-5b26849f45c7Gamer - Die Polygraphia des Johannes Trithemius - https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/isbn/9789004507753/html?lang=enFrater Acher - https://scarletimprint.com/publications/p/black-abbot-white-magicShumaker - Renaissance Curiosa - Johannes Trithemius and Cryptography The Art Theurgia Goetia - https://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/theurgia.htmSteganographia 1606 - https://books.google.com/books?id=yqRNAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=falseSteganographia 1608 - https://archive.org/details/SteganographiaBSB1608/mode/1upSteganographis Vindicated 1721 - https://books.google.it/books?id=wYFZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP9#v=onepage&q&f=falseJohn 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.htmhttps://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secundeis_id_est_intelligentii/ij48AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1De Septem Secundeis 1522 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secunda_Deis_id_est_intelligen/EaRRAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1De Septem Secundeis 1545 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/De_septem_secundeis_id_est_intelligentii/ij48AAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1Polygraphiae 1613 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Libri_polygraphiae_VI/aN-uEaXeZN0C?hl=en&gbpv=1Liber 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.htmThe infamous Bovillus Epistle p. 172 - https://www.google.com/books/edition/Opuscula_Liber_de_intellectu/jtyJxrDZvsoC?hl=en&gbpv=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1hr 26min
  8. How Medieval Incantations Worked

    3 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

    34 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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