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PODCAST

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 -

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All Episodes

33:30

What are the Mayan Secrets of the Oldest American Book?

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/27

900 years ago, a set of Mayan scribes composed what is now the oldest American book. But it remains mysterious. On its pages various deities seem to menace, capture and behead victims, attack sacred temples and threaten the world order all on specific dates in the religious 260 days Mayan Calendar. What scholars have revealed is a complex astrological almanac detailing specific dates in the four phases of the planet Venus and the doom that came with them. Let's explore the Códice Maya de México

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15:39

Occult Film Review and Analysis - A Dark Song

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/27

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/esotericachannelRecommended

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24:20

Esotericism in Philosophy: Pythagoras and Parmenides

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/24

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

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50:59

What is Theurgy? Proclus and Pagan Salvation

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/23

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

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60:05

The Mystical Theology of Love - Bernard of Clairvaux

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/21

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 -

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15:34

Introduction to Western Esotericism

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/21

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 levelSupport Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannelRecommended Readings:Antoine Faivre - Western Esotericism: A Concise History - ISBN-13: 978-1438433783Arthur Versluis - Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to

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78:25

Introduction to Alchemy (FIA Lecture)

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/21

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/esotericachannelSupport Adam McLean's art and research: https://www.alchemywebsite.com/bookshop/index.htmlSupport the Flint Institute of Arts: https://flintarts.org/join-and-give/ways-to-giveRecommended Readings:Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy

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27:27

How to Study the Occult and Western Esotericism

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/21

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:

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24:09

Necromancy and Magic - The Munich Necromancer's...

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/21

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/esotericachannelRecommended Readings:Richard Kieckhefer - Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Fifteenth Century - ISBN-13:

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10:05

Win a 1300 Year Old Incantation Bowl Fragment - New...

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/14

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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27:58

Mystical Language - Hildegard of Bingen's Lingua...

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/14

The first in a series here at Esoterica exploring esoteric languages and symbol systems! This video takes a look at the Lingua Ignota (Unknown Language) of the 12th century mystic and polymath Hildegard of Bingen.Support Esoterica on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannelO Orzchis Ecclesia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGCAOf9gjBMRecommended Readings:Sarah Higley - Hildegard of Bingen’s Unknown Language: An Edition, Translation, and Discussion - ISBN-13: 978-1403976734Hildegard's

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92:46

How Angel Magic Gave Us the Internet - The...

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/14

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

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3:50

Esoterica - Patreon Pitch

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/14

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

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36:27

Who was the Demon Belial?

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/13

The demon Belial seems to have emerged from an obscure force of nature to then become the leader of the Apocalyptic forces of Evil in the Dead Sea Scrolls. And, while only mentioned only once in the New Testament, Belial has become an important evil spirit in both contemporary Goetic magic and Popular Culture alike. But, what are the origins of Belial, a demon that once sat at the apex of the diabolical hierarchy?Consider Supporting Esoterica!Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannelMerch

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24:14

Five Misconceptions about Alchemy

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/13

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/esotericachannelRecommended Reading:Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary

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34:11

Mysticism vs Satan - Hildegard of Bingen's Mystical...

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/13

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

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3:47

Esoterica Channel Trailer

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/13

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

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17:44

Does ESOTERICA use AI?

ESOTERICA ·

2026/05/13

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/

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