Novelty, Antiquity, and Agrippa with Mat Dragonstone
Mar 15, 2024
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Join Dr. Mat Dragonstone on a deep dive into logical fallacies like appeals to antiquity & novelty in Agrippa's work. Explore the impact on modern magicians, post-modernism, Derrida's philosophy, and integrating ancient ideas in contemporary occult practices.
Bridging antiquity with novelty in occult philosophy leads to practical paths for spiritual growth.
Balancing theory and practice enhances understanding of occult philosophy for magical efficacy.
Integrating reason and mystical gnosis fosters comprehensive occult studies for personal and spiritual evolution.
Deep dives
Engaging with Three Books of Occult Philosophy
Exploring the text 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy' involves diving in, finding ideas, and testing them to see if they are worth exploring or applying in a modern world. The process entails evaluating the philosophical foundations laid out in the text and reevaluating ideas that were discarded, aiming to augment practices with logical and reasonable understandings to push practitioners forward on a practical path to Gnosis. The engagement with the text focuses on leading to a deeper gnosis by consciously applying philosophical insights to transform them into practical paths for spiritual awareness.
Navigating between Theorizing and Practical Application
In the realm of astrological magic, there exists a dichotomy between practitioners who emphasize theorizing and those inclined towards practical application. Theorists engage deeply with the ideas present in texts like 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy' to draw out philosophical insights for practice, while practitioners may tend to focus on the operational aspects without delving into the underlying philosophical justifications. Striking a balance between theory and practice can lead to a comprehensive understanding of the occult philosophy, enhancing the efficacy of magical work and spiritual growth.
Philosophical Engagement and Practical Insight
By engaging with texts such as 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy' in a philosophical manner, practitioners aim to uncover hidden truths and practical insights that can inform their magical work and spiritual understanding. The process involves delving into the intellectual underpinnings of the text while seeking to apply these insights to enhance their practice. The blend of theory and practice allows for a deeper exploration of occult philosophy, enabling practitioners to bridge the gap between esoteric knowledge and practical magic for holistic spiritual development and magical efficacy.
Balancing Reason and Mystical Gnosis
The integration of reason and mystical gnosis is a central theme in engaging with occult texts like 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy.' A balanced approach to utilizing both logic and spiritual insight allows practitioners to deepen their understanding and application of esoteric teachings. By recognizing the value of philosophical inquiry alongside practical magical work, individuals can harmonize intellectual exploration with spiritual practice, fostering a holistic approach to occult studies and magical endeavors for personal growth and spiritual evolution.
Harmonizing Logic and Spiritual Practice
Harmonizing logic and spiritual practice is essential in navigating the complexities of occult philosophy presented in texts such as 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy.' By embracing reason as a tool for understanding and exploring esoteric teachings, practitioners can bridge the gap between intellectual inquiry and mystical experience. This integration of rational thought with spiritual insight fosters a comprehensive approach to occult studies, enabling individuals to develop a nuanced understanding of the occult tradition while cultivating their magical skills for transformative personal and spiritual growth.
Rejoice, lovely listeners! In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Mat Dragonstone, astrologer, Tarot reader, astro-mage, all round nice guy. This is part two of our discussion on Agrippa, and you should definitely listen to part one on Mat's podcast before listening to this one.
Our discussion begins with a conversation about two logical fallacies: the appeal to antiquity, and the appeal to novelty. We look at how these fallacies influenced Agrippa's work in Three Books of Occult Philosophy, but that's not all! We also discuss how these fallacies may be impacting today's magicians and practitioners, and then look at ways to mitigate the confusion and wrong-turns this appeal could take. This involves a discussion of post-modernism and Jaques Derrida, which Dr. Dragonstone is well-equipped to handle because his PhD is a real honest-to-gosh philosophy degree!
This is a fascinating episode, and we only had mild internet troubles that I managed to almost completely edit around. Grab a caffeinated beverage for this one!
Sword + Scythe creates handmade materia magica, amulets, astrological talismans, and provides divinatory services under the auspices of Mars and Saturn. Visit at swordandscythe.com
