The Mystai Podcast Chris Lyon

In this revival episode of the Mystai Podcast, I caught up with Dr Justin Sledge from Esoterica on a retrospective of our experience over the last 3 years. We discuss academic models of Western Esotericism & some of the challenges and opportunities in the field. In light of B.C Otto's recent paper on Frater Acher's Arbatel experience in the journal of Entangled Religions, 14(3), we also discuss the extent to which modern practitioners' experiences can be approached for academic study from Phenomenological and Ethnographic perspectives to inform our understanding of the lived experience of historical manuscripts. In the second half, we unpack the history & reception of the Hermetic tradition & speculate on its authors, practical experience and spread out of Egypt.

Check out Justin's Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel

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I am currently teaching a lecture series on Ancient & Late Antique Hermeticism. Do check it out! https://www.mystai.co.uk/way-of-hermes

#hermeticphilosophy #hermeticism #hermestrismegistus #esoterica #esotericism #occultism #greekmagicalpapyri #neoplatonism

This week i'm joined by Sara Mastros, author of the recent Sorcery of Solomon the King and translator of the Orphic Hymns Grimoire. We discuss her new work with the Sefer Ha'Ot and various Jewish Pentacles as well as her inspirations, background and approach to magical cosmologies. We also touch on the process of hermeneutics and translation and the role of meter in magic and poetry!

Check out Sara's YouTube channel and instagram here: https://youtube.com/@SaraMastros?si=oobkVBxl8wyw2d4n

https://www.instagram.com/saramastroswitchlessons/

Sara teaches lessons on witchcraft at her website here: https://www.mastroszealot.com/courses-lessons

The Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 Planetary Pentacles of the Magician King: https://a.co/d/d7Y2ZLD

The Orphic Hymns Grimoire: https://a.co/d/6W1DwxL ___________________________________________________________________________

Pre Enrollment & sign up for the waitlist on the new Hermetica Course is live now: https://www.mystai.co.uk/way-of-hermes

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This week I sat down to chat with Dr David Litwa, translator of Hermetica II, including the fragments of Stobaeus, the Oxford & Vienna Hermetica & fragments from Church Fathers & antique authors in reference to Hermes Trismegistus. We discuss the current scope of Hermetic Literature as well as theories regarding Hermetic Communities & their interactions with early Christian groups. We also examine the figure of Hermes himself, how he was received in various circles up to the Medieval Period & his many roles throughout Hermetic influenced traditions.

We equally discuss modern scholarship of the Hermetica, including Christian Bull's hypothesis of disenfranchised Egyptian priests & Hermetic Lodges, Wouter Hanegraaff's theories of Hermetic Spirituality & Christian Wildberg's forthcoming new translation of the Corpus Hermeticum, following his amendments to the marginalia.

David is a scholar of ancient Mediterranean religions with a focus on the New Testament and early Christianity. He currently works at Boston College and is the unit chair of the Bible, Myth, and Myth Theory Group at the Society of Biblical Literature, as well as a member of the Society of New Testament Studies (SNTS).

You can connect with him on his patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdavidlitwa

David's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@m.davidlitwa

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Pre Enrollment & sign up for the waitlist on the new Hermetica Course is live now: https://www.mystai.co.uk/way-of-hermes

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This week I am joined by Philip Carr-Gomm, the previous Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD) for a fireside chat style episode of Into the Cauldron. Philip began studying Druidry as a spiritual path with Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. Later he took a degree in psychology from University College London, and trained in psychotherapy for adults at The Institute of Psychosynthesis, in play therapy for children with Dr Rachel Pinney, and in Sophrology – a system of mind-body training for deep relaxation and personal development.

We talk about the Order, the cycles of nature & wheel of the year and the process of using nature as a way of returning to one's sense of home & hearth as well as his journey creating Druidcraft Tarot. OBOD is the most popular Neodruidic order in the world and bases its initatory system on the concept of the three roles of bards, ovates and druids originally from the writings of the ancient Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who in his Geographica, written in the 20s CE, stated that amongst the Gauls, there were three types of honoured figures: the poets and singers known as bardoi, the diviners and specialists in the natural world known as o'vateis, and those who studied "moral philosophy", the druidai. It is also partly based on the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards.

Check out Philip's website here: https://philipcarr-gomm.com/

Check out OBOD's website here: https://druidry.org/

Interested in Esoteric Scholarship & historical Occult practice? Check out our flagship training program: https://www.mystai.co.uk/omm

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In this episode I am joined by Matthias Castle, the forthcoming translator of the new English edition of the Ars Notoria. We establish the historical tradition and textual evolution of the Notary Art, from its origins with Apollonius of Tyana's Flores Aurei & the angel Pamphilius all the way down to the Summa Sacrae Magicae & De Arte Crucifixi. Matthias is an independent scholar of classical studies, medieval history, and the Western esoteric tradition. After graduating from Emory & Henry College with a degree in religious studies and philosophy, Castle’s Latin expertise, rich historical understanding, and keen research skills developed into the more than twenty-year ambitious investigation and translation project that resulted in his new book Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon, coming out November 28th with Inner Traditions.

The 13th-century magical treatise offers a secret account of the sacred angelic magic revealed to King Solomon. This new complete translation features both the short and long versions (A, A2 & B) based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition and includes all of the original figures (notae), essential for inspection during ritual. You can connect with Matthias on his website at www.matthiascastle.com and I recommend you read his blog on the topics discussed in this video. His book is released November 28th and can be found in most bookstores & online retailers.

Check it out here: https://www.innertraditions.com/books...

Interested in Esoteric Scholarship & historical Occult practice? Check out our flagship training program: https://www.mystai.co.uk/omm

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This week I am joined by Samuel David, author of the recently released book The Red Shepherd: Towards a New Image of Dumuzid to discuss aspects of Mesopotamian magic and his work with these Mysteries. Samuel is a Mesopotamian polytheist, artist, writer, researcher, and educator based in the American Midwest. His presentations at local pagan festivals, national, and international conventions include lectures, rituals, and workshops and his adaptation of “The Descent of Inanna” has been featured as classroom material for California State University, Los Angeles’ 2020 ancient history syllabus.

As a representative for Temple Sangamon, chairperson for The Council of Near Eastern Pagan Religions, and founder of the religious non-profit organization known as Four Reeds, he actively networks and collaborates with others to represent and protect the interests of those who seek to revive the worship of the Ancient Near Eastern gods.

This episode sheds light on the intricate practices and beliefs surrounding the revered Shepherd of Mesopotamian lore. With evidence sourced from various historical documents and archaeological findings, we aim to provide a balanced and well-researched viewpoint.

Samuel's new book has been released through Anathema, and you can find it here: https://www.anathemapublishing.com/books-prints/p/the-red-shepherd

He is also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodandring/

Interested in Esoteric Scholarship & historical Occult practice? Check out our flagship training program: https://www.mystai.co.uk/omm

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