If you enjoy this episode, we’re sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects. In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we’ve got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge. So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below. Thank you and enjoy the episode! Links For The Occult Rejects https://linktr.ee/theoccultrejects Occult Research Institute https://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/ Cash App https://cash.app/$theoccultrejects Venmo @TheOccultRejects Buy Me A Coffee buymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejects Sources used: Core biography / historical framing Werner Sundermann, “Mani”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Best concise scholarly entry on Mani’s life, mission, martyrdom, and later memory. Iain Gardner, The Founder of Manichaeism (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Best modern monograph for Mani as preacher, healer, founder, and public religious figure. Cosmology / beliefs Werner Sundermann, “Manicheism i. General Survey”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Best single source for the World of Light, World of Darkness, the First Man, the rescue of trapped Light, ethics, ritual, and church structure. Encyclopaedia Iranica, “Manicheism” parent entry. Useful hub for the whole Iranica Manichaeism set. Encyclopaedia Iranica, “Manicheism ii. The Manichean Pantheon”. Best source for the sun, moon, divine beings, and cosmic devotional imagery. Art / imagery / thumbnail motifs Klaus V. Kessler, “Aržang”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Best source for Mani’s Book of Pictures and the historical basis for portraying him with scripture and sacred imagery. Scripture / canon / imperial framing Encyclopaedia Iranica, “Šābuhragān”. Key source for Mani’s Middle Persian book dedicated to Shapur and for his scriptural project in an imperial setting. Encyclopaedia Iranica, “IRAN ix. Religions in Iran: Manicheism”. Strong for Mani’s aim to spread the religion “in all tongues and in all lands,” plus canon, mission, and church organization. Mission / spread Werner Sundermann, “Manicheism V. Missionary Activity and Technique”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Best source for how deliberately organized and wide-ranging Manichaean mission was. Mani and the wider world of gnosis Encyclopaedia Iranica, “Gnosticism”. Helpful for positioning Mani in relation to gnosis and his Jewish-Christian baptist background without flattening Manichaeism into generic “Gnosticism.” On Saturday, April 25th, 2026, the 2026 Southeastern Masonic Symposium is happening in person at the Asheville Masonic Temple (80 Broadway St., Asheville, NC) I’ll be there in person, so, come down and meet me and the rest of the crew. John Michael Greer — prolific occult and esoteric historian with 70+ books, including Circles of Power and the award-winning New Encyclopedia of the Occult; an initiate across Hermetic, Masonic, and Druidic lineages, and former Grand Archdruid (AODA). Collin Conkwright (American Esoteric) — creator behind American Esoteric, focused on ancient philosophy & comparative religion and serious work around universalism and the Western tradition; also publicly listed as a Master Mason and writer. Ike Baker — independent scholar & esoteric instructor, a practicing ceremonialist and initiatic Mason (Blue Lodge + York Rite), also connected with Martinism and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn; host of the ARCANVM podcast; author of A Formless Fire and Aetheric Magic. Thom Carter — a Brother out of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 (Asheville, NC) and part of the presenting lineup for the symposium. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-asheville-masonic-symposium-tickets-1980822909645?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
