Who are the Archons - The Rulers of the Cosmos in Gnosticism & their Origins in Cosmology and Magic

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@johnnyisdead]

What's your favorite band, sir?

[@cosmic_sky_mountain]

the most fully explained digestivve storey on archons ive seen

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

​@@johnnyisdeadI mostly listen to baroque and black metal. Most listened to varies. Been on a dark synth and chip tune bender recently.

[@rcapracp3867]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Are you hip to Igorrr (and associated projects Corpo Mente, Oxxo Xoox, Whourkr, etc.)?

[@RadicalCaveman]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Baroque + black metal = gnostic? Or am I missing something?

[@skylonpro]

The Buddhist wheel of life depicts Samsara (this reality) being ruled by the being Mara….and that our goal is to escape. A Bodhisattva is a being who incarnates to help us leave this realm. This is why both Hindus and Buddhists recognise Jesus as being such a character….with Hindus calling them Avatars.

[@doriesse824]

Maya

[@darealdovahkiin3652]

@@doriesse824 Maya is the world of illusion and the state of human ignorance (avidya), Mara is the entity that rules the realm of Maya 🙌

[@Urantian666]

@@doriesse824 Maya is the illusion or the hologram .. Mara is the demon that is the archon or god of our realm

[@doriesse824]

@@Urantian666 In Hebrew, Mara means "bitter" or "sorrowful".

[@SolidSnake-cn7mo]

Well put.

[@kuulalaak3ri]

High-quality lectures from an expert on fascinating topics, completely for free. Thank you for doing this.

[@360addict70]

I firmly believe that these stories originate from a hierarchy of extraterrestrial life.

[@Truth_Hurts_Bad]

@@360addict70 Same, only not so firm yet, as I haven't dove into the literature. I always consider the extraterrestrial angle when historical topics are presented. The biblical stories clearly state certain aspects of it, but books like Enoch, which were removed from the Nicaean-scrubbed modernized version, indicate the likelihood in more detail. I've been connecting dots, and it definitely corroborates the plausibility of such a reality.

[@360addict70]

@@Truth_Hurts_Bad To me it sounds like we're just a Minecraft world to beings that live forever and want to create and nurture life as their religion (professional gamer Gods). Then you got the beings that try the same thing but keep failing, get salty, and secretly try to halt the progress of life in subtle ways that snowball into self destruction (trash at the game troll Gods).

[@G5VX]

i agree thanks for educating me more so

[@stephenlamley541]

Absolutely I couldn't sub fast enough.

[@gedoplanet]

“Before there was anything, there was nothing. And before there was nothing, there were monsters.” -The Lich

[@TheTotemToter]

@@Samuel42069 🤓

[@jaredbledsoe-sams1361]

@@Samuel42069 no, it's not bullshit, it's an accurate quote. No reason to throw a pissy fit cause you dislike or disagree.

[@user-sl6gn1ss8p]

@@Samuel42069 sounds like something an archon would say

[@user-sl6gn1ss8p]

@@Samuel42069 sure, but at 1:383, I think I'll take my odds : )

[@jaredbledsoe-sams1361]

@@Samuel42069 *in your opinion* it is. You aren't the lone arbiter of what is a good or bad quote. Surely you can be adult enough to state your OPINION of disagreement without the arrogance of assumed authority?

[@rikhenry9701]

Alternatively, "Religious Cosmic Horror"

[@xavierinthetube]

Lovecraft but as a cult

[@azrael_angel_of_death]

"Do not fear"

[@GHETTOE1M1]

Corny ​@@xavierinthetube

[@thesinfultictac5704]

The one thing I know about Archons other than their role in Early Gnostic Christianity, is "YOU MUST BUILD ADDITIONAL PLYONS" to even get them in you base.

[@ShangaelThunda222]

"Power Overwhelming"

[@capealio]

You must combine two lesser beings to create one archon

[@nuetrino]

watch out for that zerg rush

[@capealio]

I just remembered they're called templars

[@kylerocco7467]

YOU MUST CONSTRUCT ADITONAL PYLONS TO PLACE YOUR FLEET BACON.

[@eamonnfear7589]

Quickly becoming my favorite philosophy channel for a deep think

[@ryanprince5824]

An Esoterica video with a Zdzisław Beksiński thumbnail is the highlight of the day 👌🏻

[@ryanprince5824]

@@eljefeamericano4308 ngl I did google it to make sure I was spelling correctly 😅

[@krystynanapieraa4821]

polish alphabet@@eljefeamericano4308

[@miglek9613]

​@@eljefeamericano4308you just need to switch your keyboard to polish, same with any other languages with extra latin inspired letters (speaking as a native speaker of a language with many latin inspired letters)

[@hadeseye2297]

@@eljefeamericano4308 Czemu? Zdzisław Beksiński to pikuś w porównaniu z Grzegorzem Brzęczyszczykiewiczem z Chrząszczyżewoszyc w powiecie Łękołody.

[@Pallasathena-hv4kp]

William Blake’s artwork is such a perfect accent to your presentation. Thank you for your generosity. Sharing your knowledge is a great gift.

[@LambGoatSoup]

"...Ruled over by a host of planetary demons bent on nothing less than the torture and enslavement of the divine spark, hidden, within each human being..." -Esoterica

[@DianaRowanBrightWay]

aka the daily news.

[@qlippoth13]

That being even close to true, I find it most ironic that Avalokitasvara would have chose the ability to sense it all until the last is emancipated rather than just accepting the demonic award of emancipation and exiting this realm. At least this is my understanding of this bodhisattva and how that story integrates into a gnostic perspective.

[@qlippoth13]

@@DrEcKiGeRDaN88 I find etymology stimulating, so yet I did know that. What I didn't know is why the holy sea comitted genocide on the Cathars for the crime of having a different opinion about this world.

[@lightbird27]

​@@DrEcKiGeRDaN88 All "gods" are evil. He will make you go back down here through any means possible like he did me and so many others. Only if you can resist him will he allow you to go, or try to get you on his side. Here's my only warning : when you die and see a tunnel of light, go the other way. Or go on another ride on Earth, and be cattle again for possibly hundreds of years more ... as you see fit.

[@twibute1512]

@@DrEcKiGeRDaN88 It is a tempting road that I find myself drawn too quite often, thinking the more knowledge I have the better equipped I will be. But remember the search for knowledge is far from the search for God. Ecclesiastes 1 says : 16 I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” When I am able to step from this pull and draw for knowledge and understanding I see it’s effect on me. I think it’s important to have balance and realize the part we play in Creation

[@Rick-gm6wo]

Thank you. I've been delving into the realm of "prisoner" status my entire life. The last two decades have brought this revelation into acute focus. John Lamb Lash's work has been particularly enlightening as well. Your contributions are welcome and helpful. Thank you for your research and contributions to our collective awareness.

[@indecent0079]

@@Rick-gm6wo Yes John Lash restoring the myth and her story is not to be overlooked. Once you clear out all the religious clutter and self select into the beauty of the organic light, there are no demons. There are however the Archon proxies walk among us, and it’s plain to know who they are and what they do. Also, the Toxo infection plays a big part and that’s an of planetary parasite. There’s research on Toxo if you haven’t looked into it

[@freigeistvonlebenskunst1982]

The Archons could psychologically represent the animalistic drives of the human psyche. The daimonium of our instinctive underconsciousness, that needs to be faced and mastered - then the animal in us will carry us well on our spiritual evolution into divine superconsciousness. Elsewise our inner demons will drive us passionate through hell on Earth and feed from our emotional desasters, while keeping us imprisoned in unconsciously selfcreated life dramas. Interesting is the rebelling Archon, who appears like an awakend animalistic archetype, the self-reflecting animal in us. Who knows - since Jung and Freud it should be clear, that religious archetypes often represent archetypes of the human psyche.

[@SloochMaGooch]

The Archons are the planets

[@so_what_else_is_new]

Freud was a big fabulator

[@TheSarahJane33]

👏🏼 all of what mankind creates is metaphor and allegory for our experience. As within, so without. We are storytellers and we tell story to pass on wisdom and lessons learned. Humans also tell stories as a means to control narratives and situations. Be careful little ears what you hear 🌀

[@travcollier]

Or could be some cool fantasy stories that folks started to take a bit too seriously. I mean, that has happened repeatedly in relatively modern times. Still happening

[@Ronnie_Darko]

@@so_what_else_is_newsigmon?

[@SamPedroCactus]

After studying and experiencing this reality I believe Gnosticism describes our situation best.

[@willjapheth23789]

I typically don't like cynical stories where all is evil but the gnostic story is kind of inspirational with how good is the underdog, rather than good being super powerful but just ignores a world full of suffering for reasons that are unexplained.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Yes!!

[@agnoopinni]

I find it both inspiring and disheartening

[@willjapheth23789]

Ye it's not a story you want to live in, but it's not completely hopeless like Warhammer 40k or HP Lovecraft type stuff.

[@VVabsa]

​@@agnoopinniI think it makes fighting for the good even more worth it. Instead of staving off evil, you actively try to improve an already evil world.

[@ZeroHxC07]

It is explained. Man sinned, therefore we fell. Suffering is out punishment.

[@TruGouki]

Synchronicity is hitting me like a ton of bricks right now. But im here for it.

[@els1f]

5:05 "this is all a kind of prison" honestly feels right lol

[@MavonEast]

Agreed.

[@gillbenjamin47]

It sure is

[@janeslater8004]

Yes

[@Maddness11]

Oh those tricky feelings .

[@saharafradi]

Not funny at all 😢

[@ohravenous1]

I absolutely adore the Nag Hammadi Texts. They may seem a bit disjointed and fractured but... given enough study they are packed full of wisdom. Literally the book of Wisdom is intact there. THANK YOU for covering these books in depth. As always wonderful job!

[@Wealthy_Mystic]

@@ohravenous1 Do those texts give solutions to archons like how to get rid of them, addictions,laziness,negative thinking,gluttony,lust?

[@katsiduzynski488]

I'd read a long time ago the ancient Greeks recognized the Archons and were extremely afraid of them. Says enough for me.

[@chiefindisguise]

Just discovered this channel, loved the way the host explains very complex and saturated info, his pace and the humor. Excellent content🔥

[@lapurta22]

I always enjoy your videos on gnosticism. In the past the subject has made my head spin until it hurt due to there being so much convoluted modern BS out there. Your study of the original texts, and more importantly your amazing ability to clearly share your understanding with wit, helps to pull the subject matter into laser focus for me. Kudos Dr. Justin. I raise an absinthe to you, sir.

[@ecreacher3515]

Actually absinthe? With wormwood? Just interested in what it's like. I've had it in America and it's just strong black licorice booze.

[@VicSaidThat]

Are you trying to kill off intestinal parasiter or just lubricate your mind ? Serious question.

[@9ahlou592]

Might is well have some cow poop mushroom tea lol

[@AnnoyedGreyCat-ib2hg]

I've actually had those mushrooms.

[@willbass2869]

​@@AnnoyedGreyCat-ib2hgah....getting into Terrence McKinnon territory

[@cpnpcbeats6133]

yaldabaoth is androgyne? call that the themiurge

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Bam

[@illuminate5]

🤭😂

[@DrownedLamp]

Last night I went down a rabbit hole looking up the originis of Philately (the study of postatge stamps/history), realized it looked strikingly similar to a (lich's) phylactery. A tefillin or phylacteries are a set of verses from the Torah put in a container that's worn, a sort of mezuzah amulet(?). Some sections on speech scrolls and knowledge gathering later and I end up looking at the archons and 7 worlds (RIP Pluto). Then I wake up to this. Down I tumble, at least I know ESOTERICA will provide safe footing for a while.

[@AndrewRyan-rd1wl]

Is that the box they wrap around their hand?

[@w8what575]

@@eljefeamericano4308I’ve never played it

[@eyeswideshut1989]

Any line on the building/rebuilding of one?

[@traviscarver4708]

Where do you think ordinances and statutes come from? Where do you think military and the draft comes from? It all comes from Yahweh who, in fact, is the devil according to the bible.

[@jason1440]

It's been a while since I've heard mention of the Archons. These dark entities seem to go under the radar far too easily.

[@Spino-hx2mr]

Gnosticism is UNDERRATED in Storytelling!

[@azrael_angel_of_death]

Genshin impact made me read the archon things It seem a bit stupid but most of the names were like similar sounding to me when I started learning the story before playing the game

[@Armageist]

Weird to me that both Archons and Demons are inherently evil entities, and essentially one in the same, though their Greek definitios might be distinct. Not sure why they need distinct nomenclature, then.

[@dreadbull5039]

Just the way they like it 👀

[@PatriceBoivin]

This business of constructing the Adamic body and then the female deity breathing life into them reminds me of the notion that when idols or statues were created, because of their form in the likeness of the deity, a part of that deity was sucked down into the statue and resided there. Hence the broken noses all over the place, to stop this from happening. The Gurdjieff Work talks about people being hypnotized or distracted by a swarm of I's which carries people from one day to the next. That most people never "self-remember."

[@qlippoth13]

I wonder if Gurdjieff Work was inspiration for John Carpenter's "They Live" film. Also the disfigured effigy is most likely similar to the indigenous (American) death ritual of burning a body face down so it's soul will not be able to reincarnate back into this world.

[@solinvictus77]

@@joshsmith2629 agree , brilliant comment

[@NihilRuina]

7 keepers, 7 gates, 7 Chakras, 7 Hells.. Hell, Hel, Kel: the concealed place. Seven concealed realms lay within. Each realm is home to a keeper who guards it's gate which permits passage onto the next. Only by descending, and passing the trails of Kel, may one ascend.

[@Ericstroman100]

If we are on a Plane IT must be the third because we have the sun. But i dont think There are 7 Planes its Just speculation. Only one earth Here

[@Honeyiroseupfromthedead]

7 rings . 7 rings around Planet Saturn 🪐

[@kasperspardigm]

7 days of week 7 chakras 7 notes on sound scale... 7 colors rainbow

[@seakermac5800]

Dante’s inferno, escaping Hell by going deeper and deeper until it inverted upon coming out the other side. St john of the cross dark night of the soul. Buddha battling and being tempted by every devil and god in existence, etc. cool catch man!

[@jamesharkins6799]

This is true. The stairwell to the rooftop is only accessible from the basement.

[@davidrizzutojr4937]

I want you to please do videos on literally everything and everyone involved in this subject. I feel like as hard as it is for us to wrap our minds around that there is a great deal of truth here

[@elishh8173]

Read about the Cathars. They are gnostics and we're genocided by pope innocent. Yes he called himself that. They fought back but his mercenary knights eventually won. The people cried when the gnostic were lead to the pyres. But the Cathars sang. They were not even afraid of the worst way to die. May God bless them forever!

[@nykkigrim802]

The information you give in this (as well as many previous) episodes is a like a hidden treasure. I’ve read occult books since my teens and no one really brought to light such in depth knowledge - and you make it so much easier to grasp and entertainingly. Thank you💯

[@martinkirsch5969]

Wonderful video, as always! Thank you for your work (fellow prisoner 😉). It's great to encounter someone who knows what he's talking about! I've been interested in Gnosticism for the past 15 years and I've heard so much BS over the years... It's also nice to see some cool art (Zdzisław Beksiński, Nicholas Roerich, etc.).

[@Manwendlil]

Lovecraft was a fan of roerichs paintings...

[@tomusmc1993]

Well. You showed up in my feed, and I checked it out. Your presentation left me floating like a cork on the sea. I have no idea what you are talking about, but your presentation is excellent. Thank you for bringing this knowledge to the masses. It is fascinating.

[@matthewbecker7389]

And when the people needed him the most, the Doctor appeared. Thanks for this, wonderful to have some more clarity regarding the context in how a mythos/movement can come up with an Archon. Also, another circumstance when something happens to have the perfect name. The ancient Gnostics were clearly heavy metal loving lovecraftians before their time. Once again, thanks Doc Sledge! 🙏

[@AC-dk4fp]

When Lovecraft isn't just ripping off Arthur Machen he's mostly just writing a materialist atheist parody of later American Theosophy, which always claimed gnostic influence. Lovecraft's knowledge of Theosophy was entirely second hand through his one Theosophist friend and their knowledge of gnosticism was pretty shallow but the defining lack of any higher non-material reality in Lovecraft applies just as much a nihilistic parody of gnosticism as of Theosophy. Ironically the geo-political demonology of Black Sabbath's War Pigs is closer to St. Paul's non-distheistic anti-Roman archonolgy (2 corinthians 4) which Gnosticism is kind of a de-politicised inner spiritual reworking of. Calling one branch of Christianity more metal than any other is a diservice to the variety of metaphors and interpretations applied in Heavy Metal.

[@Balrog4242]

rofl I had not considered Lovecraft's theology as a parody of Theosophy but that sounds spot on... he was certainly bright enough to peg Blavatsky for a fraud although I can't find any quotes from him ever directly referencing Theosophy or Blavatsky @@AC-dk4fp

[@thwartificer]

Doctor who?

[@alphadraconian3483]

I've been completely immersed in studying these topics, and I really appreciate kind-hearted individuals like you who are passionate about sharing knowledge.

[@J_Z913]

Completely agree about Dr. Litwa's book. His YT channel is also fantastic! We Are Being Transformed also has a bunch of awesome interviews with scholars about this topic.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep to both!

[@milesmageniz2903]

honestly this channel is a rare gem for this reality if you come across it you are fortunate

[@DanielRisberg]

There is actually a 1991 tabletop rgp (Kult) that draws heavily from gnostic philosophy with the Demiurge and his Archons as important entities. Always wondered how a bunch of guys in their 20s stumbled upon gnosticism in the 1990s.

[@midnightblue3285]

Have you played the game ?

[@DanielRisberg]

@@midnightblue3285 Yeah, a little bit back in the 90s. They also released a MTG-style trading card game that I played a bit more of. Still have the cards for most of the Archons :-).

[@Wraithing]

​@@DanielRisberg Excellent game - looked through the comments - glad to see you'd mentioned it. The '90s RPG was great. We enjoyed it a lot. It's been updated several times, but now the full colour (since 2018) edition is called Kult: Divinity Lost from Helmgast. This is a brilliant version and certainly worth checking out - if people like getting together and imagining stories with friends, whilst pretending you're someone else in a desperate world full of body horror, serial killers, demonic overlords and occasionally rolling ten-sided dice (in the real world) to find out if things go well or get worse.

[@MrTrigun1]

Crazy how coincidence happens. I had read about this topic briefly a few years back, and actually have several tabs open in another window relating to the topic that I had planned to read over while off work tomorrow. Then I get home and the first video suggested today is this one. Love the channel. Please keep up the wonderful content!

[@EarthSh4ker]

Cookies

[@krystynanapieraa4821]

or divine or demonic guidance. One can get lost in the maze of synchronicities. When I was focused on them, only synchronicities filled my days,, leading me through the life of hell. .@@EarthSh4ker

[@wbbartlett]

Google loves you

[@Ignisan_66]

There are no coincidences.

[@edgarjones6824]

Dear Doctor Sledge your form is always good ,but this month its been impeccable. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@lobstrocity5534]

You're actually very funny, Dr. Sledge. I love the subtlety ❤❤❤ and the information this channel gives is...second to none, really.

[@leodean4206]

Love the use of Zdzislaw’s art. It’s incredible and genuinely terrifying I love it. Great for the topic of the video.

[@heathercryer3238]

I love what I learn here with every video on this channel…and the dry humor..both keep me coming back for more.

[@jodieg6318]

I feel like many of us first get introduced to Gnostic myth by Lovecraft; Gnostism is the OG cosmic horror.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Agreed 💯

[@elishh8173]

Yes but it's a religion and philosophy that deserves more respect. I dont think anyone would ever say something similar about Islam or Christianity for example.

[@indecent0079]

@@elishh8173I certainly would. They are the spawn and Archon proxies

[@beezzeus001]

The amount of people recently searching for the truth is very interesting. Great work. Endless Divine Love.

[@infectedmushrooms93]

What a wonderful episode! I don't know why but the Gnostics were always very fascinating to me, I can listen about their believes and cosmogony for hours. Personally, I really enjoy it to be so intricate and confusing and absolutely captivating at the same time, I love it being unclear and mysterious. Thank you, Doctor Sledge for sharing your knowledge!

[@StCrimson667]

Delving into the history and philosophy of Gnosticism has really helped me heal a lot of my own religious trauma growing up in a very rigidly Christian family as an LGBT person. I was told my entire life that being different, that doing things in a way other than what the Bible described, and that doubting whether any of this was right or not was bad and shouldn't be allowed, that basically having free will was in itself evil, but, for some reason, it just never gelled with me, I just couldn't bring myself to believe that free will, intelligence, differences and the ability to choose was anything other than a gift and, as a result after 26 years of going to church ever single Sunday, I stopped and haven't been back since. Learning that there was a time when there were strains of Christianity which not only rejected orthodoxy and control, but also embraced free will, the Adam and Eve leaving the garden was not a punishment, but a triumph, it's done a lot to soothe the pain and take heart that those who use this faith to harm, abuse, and control others have always been questioned from the very beginning. It's no wonder the Gnostics were all burned, there will always be a certain type of person who loathes it when orthodoxy is questioned.

[@sillyobserversilly]

im glad you can finally heal from such things. God bless(i dont mean the demurge)

[@seakermac5800]

The lgbt thing is an odd hang up to be honest. Odd to bring up something so silly in relation to the topic of divine beings and eternal existence. Synthesize your sexual energies and become who you are without a strict adherence to a contemporary socio-political cult. The lgbt thing is just a distraction, like my obsession with pro wrestling figurines. Defining yourself by it is very unsettling to me. I hope your life is amazing, but that is solely up to you and not to anyone else. You got this bro!! Let’s do it!

[@danielanderson1931]

@@seakermac5800 Everything you said, 1000% agree with 👍

[@nihiqallam5616]

You got this man ❤

[@timokohler6631]

@@seakermac5800 Are you dense mate? Did you not read that he said he grew up in a rigidly christian household? How the fuck is it "just a distraction" when his own family considers him evil for it?

[@DrPeterMarsh]

Honestly thank you for this. These scriptures mean allot too me personally. And your sober scholarly clarifications really help. Saldobaoth really stuck out too me and i appreciate the highlight.

[@luisbarrera5740]

This is the most interesting video you've ever released. I'm researching all of it right now

[@fabioguerrero3513]

The words of Doctor Justin and his knowledge are rays of light and wisdom in this dark era of Mankind.

[@tanyaideas]

Extremely glad and grateful to have discovered your channel! I have been interested in the gnostic texts for a long time without having been able to discuss these with anyone I know. You explain the mythology and the concepts in such an engaging and interesting way, not at all easy for dense material! Thank you again and please keep up the great work.

[@Liam-B]

I would definitely enjoy a Demon's Souls based on Gnostic cosmology.

[@Tribophopic]

Play Cruelty Squad.

[@petemoss7704]

video games are yldabaoths ultimate weapon bro, are you serious

[@recursiveslacker7730]

@@petemoss7704 the gorbino’s quest of life

[@Boss.X5]

@@petemoss7704 how

[@idzidz833]

@@petemoss7704 lmfao

[@zebracorne]

I came for the academia, stayed for the humour. I'm in love with your channel and your work. Thanks to Dr Angela Puca for talking about you!

[@gmccaughry]

Right up my alley, always a joy to watch your videos, hope Fall's good for you and the family dear Justin!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Thanks, friend! Things are good but heavy these days

[@gmccaughry]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I feel you, I truly do. All seems to be moving in a direction tinged with suffering, turmoil, and deep-cut internal pondering.

[@Hermetic_]

The more I listen to this episode, the more important this particular episode seems to me. I believe I will read the recommended reading list, then come back to this video. Thank you for the upload 👍

[@Bluecho4]

The idea of Sabaoth being a rebel/good Archon has interesting implications for Vampire: The Masquerade. Specifically with the Followers of Set, a Clan of vampires heavily based initially on Robert E. Howard's cult of Set worship in fictional Stygia ("Set" being a giant snake monster; the Followers of Set have weird snake powers). Eventually the Setites would be expanded in lore, using actual Egyptian theology as the basis for their religion of evil (this time, Set was Sutekh, son of Ra and brother of Osiris). But, as part of their revamp (pun intended), they were made as a wide-ranging Clan that syncretized beliefs from everyone as part of their quest to corrupt people and draw them into worship of their vampiric progenitor. This included Gnosticism, where Setites would tell their converts and turned vampiric progeny that the Archons that controlled the world could only be opposed by...doing tons of sin and excess, until you became so glutted that you no longer found power in temptation. And that you could, if you follow Setite teaching, upgrade to taking advantage of people's human frailties yourself. And that all of this would somehow help you escape the trap of the physical world and tweak the noses of the Archons. The Followers of Set ARE vampires, after all, and a deeply screwed cult thereof. It makes sense they'd grab actual beliefs and twist them to suit their own purposes. Important to this discussion is that their Clan founder - [Set] - is the ultimate Snake Guy Vampire who created a whole host of lesser Snake Guy Vampires. And that his Followers claim him to be the one who will lead them against the Archons. In effect, [Set] is Sabaoth to the Clan. And what head is Sabaoth said to have among the Gnostics? That's right, _a snake._ I don't even know if the folks at White Wolf ever knew about that aspect of Gnosticism. I just think it's a really compelling coincidence. And something the Followers of Set would absolutely have jumped on if they wanted to insert themselves into Gnostic communities.

[@CrowdContr0l]

Please put the bong down and touch grass. Your parents are worried about you.

[@milabirch7356]

I'd like to think the folks at White Wolf know a thing or two about gnosticism. One of their other game lines, Mage: the Ascension makes quite a few nods to it. Whether they knew about the snake connection specifically? I have no idea.

[@TheRainbowSquid]

@@milabirch7356 Mage the Awakening (the CofD "equivalent" of Mage the Ascension) is even more vividly Gnostic. However, Mage the Awakening is predominantly based on Theosophy and similar forms of late 19th century/early 20th century lodge occultism.

[@docfortune]

​@AlfredMorganAllen Morgoth is equivalent to Sofia in my opinion, not Satan, and reflects the inversion of the truth by later so-called Christians: you know, the very Archon-like Romans who murdered the Messiah and stole his religion. Sofia represents wisdom and you only gain a full understanding of wisdom through suffering, which is why she was allowed to fuck up and create the Black Iron Prison we call home. She couldn't be taught by being told not to do it, she had to learn through direct experience, gnosis, of her actions what the consequences would be. Unfortunately, that left an entire cosmos of suffering idiots to dangle in the wind like leaves in a hurricane. Having taken pity upon us, the higher powers intervened. To paraphrase Neville Goddard, he asks and answers why does God create this World of Darkness(TM) and death and then descend into it? To prove that it can be overcome.

[@jorgemontesinos8727]

The real Gnostic RPG is "Kult: Death is only the beginning" published in the 1990s, or the new version. I like the old one more. In the game the Demiurge is gone , may be dead, and the illusions are crumbling.

[@rustybuckets2143]

I love these videos! In addition to increasing my knowledge of these topics for my own curiosity, this is great for giving me inspiration for lore in my D&D campaign. The backbone for my setting involves all kinds of deities and occult ideas, and your videos keep increasing my thirst for knowledge about them

[@eypandabear7483]

There is an entire tabletop RPG based on Gnosticism, called “KULT: Divinity Lost”. I never actually played it but the art in the rulebook is great.

[@mikhailthegreatestdragon3627]

Thank God, the Genshin players didn't find this yet

[@aarongreenz]

I've been knowing about the archons (I refuse to capitalize that word) did a couple of decades.. And I've been playing genshin for a couple of years now. It was off putting and a bit concerning for me to find that in this new game that I was enjoying very much, and planning on continuing to play for a long time still, and a game that already had a HUGE following and influence on a wide range of people, was using the terms God's and archons interchangeably! And it still does bother me... but truly, this is no different or worse than the LOOOOONG history of pre-existing, observable machinations throughout our entire recorded history... It's just less veiled and easier to directly see the connection and intent of the creators of the game to associate the divine with the distorted, negative, 'evil' called archons. Oh well... Still a great game!

[@Ullr94]

I found it.

[@duckman2430]

​@@aarongreenz given that the archons in genshin also all have solomonic names i think it's likely hinting at celestia being the true evil of the game

[@parmaxolotl]

Yes I have

[@tartnouveau3652]

I’m a genshin player but I didn’t come here to be obnoxious lol

[@lynnez.2818]

Only one-third of the way through and I am recognising elements of other myths from the Sumerian, Babylonian and Egyptian myths. Fascinating.

[@qlippoth13]

Wow Doc, that was bad ass! The most interesting aspect of all of this IMO is not the information itself but the Qere and Ketiv, as you put it the milieu of those who originally created these writings and practices. I liken this interest to the dynamic of Mnemosyne being projected on to the character Neo of the Matrix, as we all clearly know without any validation there are things we are not permitted to remember, such as our own origin and utility. The description of our shared metaphysical plight being that we are encased in peels arranged as Matryoshka is how I have come to view this as an aphorism... "The question". Lots of cool stuff covered here in your content. Thanks for sharing this!

[@CapePlaysGames]

I am 100% making an ancient Wizard NPC for my Dungeons and Dragons who’s a scholar and historian of gods and ancient powers based on you and this channel. AMAZING.

[@Bildgesmythe]

Interesting cosmology. Thanks for this channel and the Patreon members that support it.

[@jaysindefransisco1118]

Definitely support this channel. You're an amazing presenter. And clearly have a true connection to the mysteries.

[@johnryan2193]

If an electric engineer saw some of those symbols he might recognize them from the recent theory of an electrical universe. 5his is astounding as I just blundered on this theory this morning and here are the same symbols at 34 minutes into this very interesting video. Some of these symbols have been found on rock art worldwide. There is something here that needs further study .

[@thescoobymike]

Love how in depth you go Dr. Sledge

[@AlcoholAndAnimeNight]

The whole distraction through pleasure bit has some strong Simulation Theory/Matrix vibes

[@aprilhumen1229]

Gnostic teaching seems to be the closest and most plausible explanation of the origin of human existence. It certainly seems like we live on a Prison Planet and the aspects of our shadow-being coupled with the material, are keeping us from realizing our divinity. Christ’s words alone, teach us the path to spiritual awakening. Thank you for the book recommendation!

[@AleanFox-d6n]

Most of my practitioner friends with developed "vision" are of the same opinion

[@gnarlantlers70]

I enjoy your channel and content very much. Your delivery and presentation is excellent. With whats goung on right now online i think that the internet needs you to do a video on James Lindsay's Gnosticism

[@CyberClown2077]

Only now do I realize that the lore of Doom and Doom Eternal is a gnostic gospel modernized, all thanks to Dr. Sledge. Gonna have to go replay both now, thank you sir

[@firatmengi5715]

So doomslayer basically kills archons?

[@RobinPortnoff]

Thanks for the deep insight! There is a horror roleplaying game called Kult: Divinity Lost which encapsulates this mythology in the modern world.

[@afull375]

It’s 4:30am and I just got home from work. I cannot think of a better way to wind down than to listen to Dr. Sledge’s amazing work. Thank you for all you do!

[@Iamconnorlee]

It’s 5am and I’m still up. Best to try to wind back down

[@LouisGiliberto]

The various Gnostic theologies are some of the most baroque things I've ever read. Thanks for bringing some clarity to me (and others)!

[@metal87power]

Gnosticism is the perfect inspiration for entertaining fiction: Anime, Literature, and every kind of work.

[@AwesomeHotSauceandKristosCast]

I love your analogy for the Archons. Ha ha. Police are presumably afflicted with the archon complex, too. Not just assistant managers in retail.

[@qlippoth13]

Me: watching Police Activity channel... this checks out.

[@AwesomeHotSauceandKristosCast]

@@qlippoth13 you named yourself 13th daemon, basically? Like in the Gospel of Judas? Where big J calls him 13th daemon? Or am I misinterpreting the intent or reference? I'm kind of still studying all of this. But yeah on the police thing. They have on multiple occasions ruined my life for a time and not because I did anything, but because they could so they did. Like stealing my vehicles, putting me at fault for an accident where some ahole drove right into my door almost killing me because he was dicking with his phone. The list goes on.

[@rogueninja185]

I love the sober presentation of this channels content. Thank you!

[@s1nningjezus207]

It's subtle, but your personality and the little bits of personal opinion and flair you add to these lessons really goes a VERY long way towards making learning about this FUN. Thank you. I'm poor. But I'm buying a shirt as soon as possible. Thank you Justin. ❤

[@eternal8song]

It’s fascinating to learn about this stuff and be able to point to it as where modern fictional mythologies drew from. This video feels almost beat-for-beat the Aldmeri worldview in The Elder Scrolls, just replace Wisdom with Padomay (or Sithis) and the Demiurge with Lorkhan.

[@Master_Chitlin]

I find this subject absolutely fascinating. Thank you for the video.

[@johnbeaubien8826]

36:37 "Keep resisting those Archontic psychical impulses" (!) OMG I love his on-going humourous commentary. Makes this very complicated subject matter worth listening to. In general, also is making the content accessible. Excellent channel!

[@bird-of-hermes3385]

I love gnostic cosmology! Thanks for another fantastic video!

[@thebreezewayboise]

I've watched this episode so many times. One of my favorites

[@abidenizart]

Beksinski is an excellent choice of visual artist to use for this subject, some Gnostic writing really does feel like body horror lol

[@hakankaya3861]

Great work exposing the dark side of re-ality we all go through and suffer..thank you for sharing .

[@joeywhittle44]

This guy’s always got bangers. A+

[@kaidenmunsey7380]

As always amazing content Dr. Sledge. I wanted to comment to state my appreciation for the channel and the service it provides. I myself am a practicing Christian(that is of the mainstream Nicene orthodoxy variety) and I never got why someone would want to believe that everything in the created order is so utterly awful as to believe in Gnosticism. As such this formed a barrier to me for studying it academically as I could not sympathize with the headspace of the writers of these texts. I want to say that your content has greatly enabled me to see what it is about their worldview that gnostics valued and why it is that people in the ancient world would be drawn to such an ideology. To all the modern day practicing gnostics who watch this channel I want to say I see you as a sibling, I respect your practice and I wish public education on this topic was more widely spread so others could too!

[@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim]

you sound very sheltered.

[@alexandriaorcld6365]

thank you!

[@isupportthecurrentthing.1514]

I gained access to the knowledge after reading the Nag Hammadi and giving up all vices for a couple of weeks. At first , it came to me during deep sleep, and while I was reading spiritual texts . Then, one day , I was gifted a full-on vision in which I learned that I am God. He stayed with me for about an hour, answering all my questions through the knowledge . It was a strong communion. I was free. It felt amazing. All fear and worry lifted from my mind, and my heart was full of love . I really wanna get back there. The goal is to learn how to live like that permanently. Enlightenment, Buddha mind , Christ consciousness. Whatever you call it , it's real , and it's joyous.

[@natejoseph4121]

Thank you for all the amazing research you do

[@ethangnasher3848]

Man...Sabaoth's sacrifice for humanity would make for a sick novel/animated series. A creature born from imperfection who saw what is truly divine rebels against his own father and brothers and help the higher emanations/powers to get humanity on the other side, knowing full well he cannot get there himself.

[@SirPhilosopher]

We battle not against flesh and blood but of the spirits of this world-the archons.

[@TiffanyFusini]

I am shocked that this is the first time I have watched one of your videos. And that I wasn't subscribed! But I am now! And as soon as I get my little girl back home and back on my feet financially, I will be donating. How very fascinating!

[@vegetas_conscious]

have you explored mesoamérica mysticism or any other of indigenous peoples, i’m Taíno and would love to learn more of my people practices and beliefs

[@kasperspardigm]

My wife is puerto Rican and we both have a hard time finding info on the tainos

[@generalmarkmilleyisbenedic8895]

What about the previous “indigenous” people that you people would have displaced when you arrived? Stop being a professional victim

[@markwalker3499]

The irony that WISDOM would create such a terrible - maybe the worst possible most unwise error. I would love to marinate that idea and speak on it one day.

[@Writh811]

It's always fascinating to absorb the stories of how others have tried to figure out this big mess we call reality. It is also interesting to see where Gnosticism is used as inspiration in storytelling. The game developers Fromsoft are definitely a fan of slipping Gnostic elements into their stories and worlds for their games. But I gotta say, going through this video really puts one of their more recent offerings into perspective, Elden Ring. Folks talk up and down about Elden Ring and Gnosticism but this discussion really made the plain the borrowed elements in that story. Like how the Greater Will (A unseen seemingly all powerful distant presence) of Elden Ring may be something akin to the Sophia. Both existing on a higher plane and both described as making an "error" or "mistake" that will go on to harm and at the same time establish existence. Sophia made the Demiurge while the Greater Will created the Elden Beast. The Elden Beast is also the Elden Ring which is the power/principal that governs the world in the game. There is a whole bunch more but I've dragged on long enough. I'm curious, if I comb the lore, if I could discern the Archons within Elden Ring (if the developers used them all).

[@michaelthompson8119]

Could you say the Elden ring is similar to the ring of Solomon, lord of the rings. I heard once a long time ago that the ring of Solomon is the representation of the ring everyone lives in under the sun and within the borders of the great ice ring around the firmament. Sorry your comment just brought up an old memory and thought your perspective to be interesting. Now I want to play the game lol

[@Writh811]

@@michaelthompson8119 I'm not sure. My understanding of the Ring of Solomon is different from the wisdom you provide. I know the ring of Solomon as a source of Super natural power that grants command over Super natural beings and command over others. It is possible to glean the Elden Ring within that but I feel like, at least my understanding of Solomon, hasn't appeared yet in game but if it does show up it will be in the DLC because it should likely have a closer connection to Miquella if not be in his possession. Miquella who because of his wisdom and deeper understanding of things once considered divine now considered cursed, is like a twist on Solomon. If everyone's theory on the DLC being in Spirit World with Miquella is right and he offers us a Ring to traverse this now dangerous place that will likely be our Ring of Solomon. This is a good question and something to think on. If life grants me free time over the weekend I'll actually do a bit more research to better understand the Ring of Solomon and I'll try to come back to this with better clarity. Sorry, I don't have more at this time.

[@Haiatola]

@Writh811 I remarked to the friend who linked me this video the same Elden Ring paralels. My personal opinion on this tho isn't that they drew on Gnosticism's cosmogony per se, but rather that (and I'm sorry for my imprecise language, borne of ignorance) the Japanese culture is infused in some manner with ideas that are very much like Gnosticism's - that is to say, the idea that another commenter put forth, "since Jung and Freud it should be clear, that religious archetypes often represent archetypes of the human psyche". Because we're human, we developed similar ideas all over the planet, basically. Specific to Elden Ring, I have to say that this video made its cosmogony make way more sense, and I agree with the paralels you drew.

[@Writh811]

@@Haiatola While you are right that people of the world do seem to form similar patterns in their beliefs, the presence of Gnosticism in Fromsoft's case is actually real. Miyazaki is a huge fan of the manga Berserk. Berserk drew on old Western mystism so directly that very specific and unmistakable iconography of Gnostism and the Cabala are used in the manga. For example the glyths used when Schierke uses spells. But Miyazaki does mix a healthy spoon of Shinto into his stories as well. My favorite example of Miyazaki sneaking Shinto into his narrative would be with Gwyn and his children. Gwyn's 3 most well known children are a banished God of War who wields storms, a beautiful and beloved goddess of the Sun, and a moon god who carries themselves as female. We have no idea who their mother is, if they even have one. In Shinto we have Izanagi, who after fleeing the underworld and abandoning his wife goes to purify himself in a waterfall. From the purifying process 3 great gods are born. First is the beautiful and beloved goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu. Second is the god of the moon who depending on the text you read will be described as male or female, Tsukuyomi. And last a storm god who, for his destructive and brash behavior is banished from heaven, Susanoo. You definitely are right about the commonality of ancient humans' ideas about creation but this time they are being inspired elsewhere.

[@Haiatola]

@@Writh811 Thanks for taking the time to reply and explain! I sincerely wasn't aware of how direct the Shinto influence in the Souls series. The unnamed and banished son in particular, thanks to your explanation, now has a satisfactory explanation. I crave understanding of how these narratives come about and am immensely frustrated when the explanation within the narrative stops at 'the son was banished' with no further clues - at least for someone without the knowledge of what it might be referencing. You've made me finally add Berserk to my reading list; I believed it was more of a visual reference than anything else.

[@graemem111]

Justin, thank you. Thank you for inimitable wisdom and method of delivery. Thank you for making me smile knowingly. And thank you for helping keep me ‘sane’. Please keep up this work; you’ll never know how useful, important, enlightening and truly brilliant your contributions to the discourse are.

[@NinoGucciani]

Binge watching 😊 feel like I'm in a college course class with every vid. I work with my hands w/Bluetooth headphones phone in pocket but even so it doesn't do me justice without the visual aspect, the images that are shown give a better picture 🖼️

[@misterOphilies]

Another great video on Gnosticism. It's so interesting to see how it has permutated throughout the centuries.

[@BoanergesTWELF12]

Sabaouth sounds like he's pulling a Moses in this myth, leading ppl to the promised land even knowing he cannot enter himself

[@feliloki7]

love how thorough your videos are about early Christianity, so very interesting for someone like me who is trying to write a self contained universe with an elaborate cosmology

[@mrfugazi6713]

Are these Archons mythical or do people actually believe that they are real? To be totally honest with I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the Archons, I’m asking because I’m fascinated by what this guy is actually saying, it’s really interesting that’s for sure.

[@CepheusFromTheMoon]

@@mrfugazi6713 I watched one video by a yoga practioner where he claimed in a deep meditation he reached Samadhi and encountered cherubim, he was offered a chance to become like them but he would die (something on a soul level) he got scared and snapped out of the meditation. If that was real then there is something substantial to the mythos.

[@honestreviewer949]

I was raised a Scottish Presbyterian, and through the influence of my Jewish but questioning College friend who laughingly calls himself a 'Protestant Jew', such is his humor, I think I have reached out beyond Christianity to its earlier routes. As a Freemason, I have always questioned the succinct and limited meanings of things in that craft, which obviously have many layers behind them such as the building of Solomon's Temple. As a student of the Goetia, and similar works, we see much more of what Solomon was about, whether myth, or reality. I'm finding your video's very interesting, and answering a lot of questions I had through exposing me to more works to read over.

[@jeffaltier5582]

Love your Gnostic content. My favorite type of video from you. Thank you.

[@cerosis]

I love the little intrusive thoughts additions for band names etc

[@PositiveEnergy733]

If you’re reading this comment, it’s too late, you’ve already been immensely blessed with an abundance of love, wealth, luck, health, joy, and whatever else your heart desires!! I’m so proud of you for surviving everything you’ve been through. This is your sign to go after what your heart most desires for the highest good, it’s your time....

[@janisblan]

the missing bits of all these ancient texts" are the bits that explain the dice rolls and game play rule s

[@CrystalClearStar]

How sweet of you to put something so lovely out there.

[@theclumsyprepper]

Blah, blah, blah.

[@TSmith-yy3cc]

Your economy of language and presentation make your work such a pleasure to listen to. Reading information this dense without this would probably melt my brain. Thank you so much for your work!

[@asprywrites]

That "escape" 8:49 sounds like breaking the wheel of reincarnation to me 😁

[@patrickmcpherson97]

After watching a number of your videos, I decided to subscribe. Hope you keep the great videos coming.