Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

We discuss Marius Victorinus, a fascinating character from the tumultuous Roman scene in the mid fourth century who converted from Platonism to Platonism-plus-Christianity. His life and thought give us a valuable window onto the cultural scene in fourth-century Rome, as well, as some crucial data for the transmission of Platonist ideas into the Latinate middle ages.

Gretchen Reydams-Schils, Latin translation and commentary expert, discusses the interpretation and anti-esotericism of Calcidius. Topics include Christian identity, the historical context of the translation commentary, the influence of Platonism and metaphysics, the triadic structure of reality, Numinius' influence, Porphyry's role, and the significance of Calcidius's commentary on the Timæus.

Exploring the decline of intelligibility in Latin and Greek in the Roman Empire, and the fate of Plato and Platonism in western Europe. Highlighting the impact of language on Western esotericism and the influence of Platonism on Western Christianity.

Explore the life and thought of Synesius of Cyrene, a Platonist philosopher and bishop. Discuss his conversion and controversy surrounding his beliefs. Examine the cultural and religious environment in Alexandria and Athens. Contrast the perspectives of Proclus and Sainesius. Dive into late antiquity and the concept of dreams. Investigate the connections between depth psychology and neo-platonism. Explore the mechanics of geometric forms and the projection of the soul. Discover the rebranding of penuma and the concept of resurrection.

Explore the philosopher's operation under fear, violence, and persecution. Hepesia's esoteric doctrines and her ability to run her philosophical school. The beliefs of Christians during Theophilus's bishopric. Impact of anti-pagan laws in the fourth century. Interpretations of Hypatia's teachings and Sainesius's potential conversion. The clash of philosophical beliefs in letter 105. The concept of the noble lie in late antiquity.

Part I introduces the life and notorious death of Hypatia of Alexandria, a Late Platonist philosopher. It discusses the debunking of the myth of the Great Library's destruction, the civil unrest in Alexandria, and the contrasting views on Hypatia's reputation and alleged involvement in civil unrest.

Exploring the impact of the fall of Rome on Western esotericism, the podcast discusses the competing narratives of progress and decline in Western culture. It examines the historical background leading to the fall, including the arrival of the Huns and the movement of Germanic tribes. The podcast also explores occultists' concerns about collapse scenarios and the intersection with decline narratives in esotericism. Additionally, it delves into the prophecy of a non-Athenian Hierophant and Augustine's arguments against polytheism influenced by the fall of Rome.

We discuss Sosipatra of Pergamum, an otherwise-unknown late polytheist holy woman and philosopher, depicted by her biographer Eunapius as a living goddess as well as a philosophic teacher in the lineage of Iamblichus. Come for the Late Platonist resistance to Christianity in the fourth century, stay for the mysterious Chaldæan strangers.

Frederico Fidler discusses Sallustius' manual on Platonist metaphysics and esoteric hermeneutics. They explore the ambiguity of Seleustius' identity, the role of rituals and sacrifices, the power of words and the world as a myth. They delve into the importance of interpretation, Sallustius' perspective on Egyptians and idolatry, the dating of a text and its relationship to Christianity, and ancient philosophers' perspective on Christianity compared to the focus of the analyzed work.

We discuss the dynamics of Julian's esoteric religious/political formulation of Hellenism, and reflect on some of the very strange things that happen when esoteric religions like Iamblichean theurgy (and Christianity) are taken out of the small conclave and projected onto the corridors of power.