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

Latest Episodes:

Mystagogic Patchwork: Esoteric Writing in Clement’s Stromateis May 30, 2020

Show notes

We explore the esoteric writing methodologies of Clement's Stromateis – the innovative ‘public secrecy’, the reasons for Clement's esotericism, and the evocation of the mysteries and of the ineffable as aspects of esoteric rhetoric.

The Orthodox Gnostic: Introducing Clement of Alexandria May 01, 2020

Show notes

We introduce the life and thought of Orthodox Christianity's favourite in-house Gnostic, the great Clement of Alexandria. Come for the philosophical, esoteric Christianity, stay for the progressive postmortem deification.

The Astrology of Vettius Valens Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

We examine the life, work, and legacy of Vettius Valens, second-century Roman astrologer and author of the Anthologies, the most hard-core practical handbook of astrological practice which survives from antiquity.

Claudius Ptolemy and the Tetrabiblos Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

We discuss Claudius Ptolemy (no relation), synthesiser of Hellenistic astronomy/astrology to the mediæval world and beyond, and his two great works, the Almagest and the Tetrabiblos. Come for the naturalistic account of astral causation, stay for the planetary talismans.

Numerical Mysteries: Nichomachus of Gerasa, Arithmology, and Second-Century Neopythagoreanism Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Speculations about the properties of number have been a major constituent of some western esoteric traditions. In this episode we examine the most important source of much of this tradition of arithmological thought, first- and second-century Neopythagoreanism, and the writings of one crucial thinker in particular: Nicomachus of Gerasa.

Matteo Martelli on the Pseudo-Democritus Mar 04, 2020

Show notes

In the previous episode we surveyed alchemy from its beginnings to the present day; in this episode we go back to the roots. Matteo Martelli has produced the first critical edition of the fragments of the Pseudo-Democritus, our earliest-known work of alchemy. We discuss the secrets found within its pages.

Introducing Alchemy with Lawrence Principe Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Here it finally is: Alchemy! This interview is a superb introduction to the Hermetick Art from Lawrence Principe, a man who knows how to ‘read, read, read’, but also how to practice.

Other Gospels and Alien Gods: Marcion of Sinope Feb 16, 2020

Show notes

We look at Marcion of Sinope, the final arch-heretic in our ‘unholy trinity’. Marcion compiled the first Christian textual canon – he wrote the first Bible – but this was not your grandma's Bible. Demiurgy, transcendence, and some interesting questions of textual hermeneutics abound.

Geoffrey Smith on Valentinus and Valentinianism Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Under the expert guidance of Geoffrey Smith, we explore the world-view of Valentinus – an elite intellectual Christian thinker of the second century – and his legacy – a reputation for the blackest heresy and a demiurgical Christian movement known nowadays as Valentinianism.

I Got Soul, And I’m Super Bad: Basilides of Alexandria Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Basilides of Alexandria, one of the first Christian philosophers and scriptural exegetes, is known as one of the great Gnostic heresiarchs of the second century. But what did he actually teach? It's mind-blowing and it's esoteric.

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