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

Latest Episodes:

Mithras and the Stars: Astral Elements in the Cult of Mithras Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

We discuss all the amazing astral imagery associated with Mithraic temples, the extraordinary testimonies to ascent of the Mithraic soul given by Celsus and Porphyry, and ask what it all means. Salvation, astral ascent, initiatory mysteries, and weird planetary orderings abound.

Mysteries of the Rock-Born God: The Roman Cult of Mithras Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

We introduce the enigmatic evidence for an innovative initiatory cult of the Roman empire, the mysteries of Mithras. Come for the underground cave-temples, stay for the mysterious ravens and uncomfortably-placed scorpions.

Jean-Marc Narbonne on Plotinus in Dialogue with the Gnostics May 04, 2021

Show notes

A leading scholar of the interconnections between Plotinus' thought and the thought of the Gnostics whom he disliked so much, Jean-Marc Narbonne discusses some of the Plotinian texts and ideas which make more sense if we see them in dialogue with the Gnostics.

Dylan Burns on Sethian Gnosticism Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

We discuss the Platonistic Sethian tractates and the movements which lay behind them with Copticist and scholar of Platonistic esotericism Dylan Burns. Ancient texts, methodological distinctions, cosmic catastrophe, and salvation abound.

The Esoteric Plotinus, Part II: Unsaying the Real Apr 13, 2021

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We discuss the ineffable in Plotinus: how it is deployed, how it is esoteric, how scholars have tried to deal with it, and how not least among its paradoxical functions is to call us to the highest initiation.

Plotinus on Astrology with Marilynn Lawrence Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

We speak with Marilynn Lawrence, authority on Platonism, Hellenistic astrology, and the intersection of the two, about Plotinus' theoretical writings on the science of the stars.

The Esoteric Plotinus, Part I: Philosophic Silence and Esoteric Reading Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

We discuss aspects of the esoteric found in two distinct sources – Porphyry's Life of Plotinus and Plotinus' own writings – and think through them. The esoteric Platonist exegete meets the late pagan holy man; are they the same person?

Plotinus the Magician? Ritual Practice and Power in Platonism Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

We discuss Plotinus on ‘magic’, in theory, and, yes, in practice. Come for magic as applied physics, stay for the apotropaic chickens.

Mateusz Stróżyński on Spiritual Practices in Plotinus Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

We discuss Plotinian anthropology and spiritual practices with Mateusz Stróżyński. Come for the stripping away of the illusory, bodily self, stay for the luminous, all-encompassing sphere of the higher reality.

We are the One: Plotinus’ Participatory Metaphysics Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Plotinus' universe is uniquely full of the human self, which extends all the way from the sucking mud of matter's non-existence to the ultimate profundity of the One's non-existence, and all the existent bits in-between. We discuss some of the ways in which this human metaphysical terrain is explored in the Enneads.