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

Having introduced the Cappadocians, we must of course explore the thought of the Divine Gregory of Nyssa. Michæl Motia is our expert guide through the territories both of late-antique religious politics and the illuminated darkness of divine unknowing at the heart of Christian mysticism.

In Part II with Father Sergey, we explore the Platonist ‘mystical’ themes, esoteric imagery of divine darkness, and the limits of human knowledge in the Cappadocians. Христос воскрес!

We discuss the great theologians, ascetics, and philosophers of fourth-century Christianity, the Cappadocian Fathers with Father Sergey Trostyanskiy. Come for the Philokalia, the collection which smuggles Origenistic and other anathematised ideas into the very bosom of orthodoxy, stay for the presence of divine darkness to the soul.

Firmicus Maternus, a fairly prominent fourth-century intellectual from Sicily, wrote two works which survive: one is our earliest-surviving manual of astrological practice in Latin, and it shows a full-blooded belief in astral determinism, and the second is a rabid Christian polemic against traditional religious practices. Discuss.

‘With the rise of monotheism in the late Roman world, astrology became a forbidden science and began its long decline.’ Starting from this widespread, and completely false historical myth, we discuss the realities of monotheist astrologies across antiquity and beyond with Professor Kocku von Stuckrad.

Shannon Grimes, an expert in historical, cultural, and economic background, discusses Zosimus' alchemy in ancient Egypt. They explore the economics of metallurgy, ancient Egyptian trade guilds, and the significance of living statues. The podcast also covers the colorful nature of ancient statues, the history of black bronze statues in Egyptian temples, and the complexities of the Egyptian priesthood.

Dr Bink Hallum, PhD researcher specializing in the Arabic Zosimean corpus, further explores Zosimus of Panopolis. They discuss astral influences, daimones and demons, mysterious talismans, Enochic ideas, and more.

We explore the life, work, and thought of Zosimus of Panopolis, the greatest alchemist of late antiquity, with Professor Matteo Martelli. Topics include Zosimus' birthplace and significance, his critique of priest Nils' operations, the influence of Theosebia in alchemical tradition, manuscripts and translations of Zosimus, the interpretation of alchemy and its relationship to spirituality and laboratory work, the concept of pinuma and its various meanings, and the significance of dreams in spiritual alchemy.

Explore the complicated textual story of the pseudo-clementines, their relationship to authenticity and forgery, and the power struggles within early Christianity. Discover the significance of Clement of Rome and the complications arising from different factions seeking authority from a prestigious text. Delve into the complex textual history of the pseudo-Clementine writings, their origins, variations, and lost originals. Examine Christianity as Jewish monarchy in the Grunshrift and recognitions, and the theme of recognitions in ancient novels. Analyze the esoteric nature of the Pseudo-Clementine literature and the tensions and authenticity within it, including the influence of Rufinus's Latin translation and its impact on medieval hagiographies.

Gnostic religion expert, Charles Häberl, explores the Mandæan community's history and unique practices. Topics include the significance of baptism, the role of John the Baptist, esoteric faith, and the changing dynamics of women's positions within the Mandæan community. The concept of multiple lives, creation in Mandaeism, and the themes and history of Gnosticism are also discussed.