Arnemancy cover image

Arnemancy

Agrippa’s Christian Cabala

Sep 18, 2022
Dr. Justin Sledge of Esoterica YouTube channel joins to discuss Agrippa's Christian Cabala. They explore the origins and development of Christian Kabbalah, its significance in Western occultism, and the influential figures in its evolution. The episode also delves into the works between the Zohar and 13th century, as well as the motivations behind Pico, Royclin, and Agrippa's interest in Kabbalah. Overall, a fascinating discussion on the history, philosophy, and influence of Christian Kabbalah in occult practices.
36:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Christian Kabbalah is a cornerstone of Western occultism, distinguished from Hermetic Kabbalah and Jewish Kabbalah.
  • Christian Kabbalists like Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Johann Reuchlin sought to utilize Jewish wisdom to support their Christian beliefs and challenged exclusive claims of Christianity.

Deep dives

Christian Kabbalah and its Place in Western Occultism

Christian Kabbalah, spelled with a C, is a cornerstone of Western occultism. It is distinguished from Hermetic Kabbalah and Jewish Kabbalah. This episode explores the Christian Kabbalah of occult philosophy and its sources, including the works of Johann Reuchlin and Francesco Giorgi's Deharmonia Mundi. The period of Christian Kabbalah between the Zohar's composition and the 16th century saw an influx of Kabbalistic literature into Christian circles, though the details of this transformation are still not well understood. The focus of Christian Kabbalah was primarily on biblical hermeneutics and divine name speculation, emphasizing the manipulation of letters in scripture to reveal hidden meanings. The Zohar played a minimal role in Christian Kabbalah, with other texts such as the Gates of Light and Reconati's Torah commentary being more influential. Despite its problematic origins and antisemitic roots, Christian Kabbalah's impact on Western esotericism cannot be dismissed.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner