Hereditary Watch Party and Occult Analysis w/ Aaron Leitch & Marco Visconti

An academic of the occult and practicing occultists Aaron Leitch & Marco Visconti commentary on Ari Aster's 2018 horror masterpiece Hereditary
Check out Aaron's and Marco's for classes, books and more!
Aaron's website - docsolomons.com/wp/
Marco's website - www.marcovisconti.org/

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Aaron's website - docsolomons.com/wp/ Marco's website - www.marcovisconti.org/ Patreon - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel Paypal Donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Merch - kzbin.info/door/oydhtfFSk1fZXNRnkGnneQstore

[@Naguakamolo]

Stupid question. Why when I press on the link to your merch store I get back to your KZbin channel? I don't see any merch store

[@Camille-Kay]

'bird hitting a window is always a bad sign in movies' (very paraphrased) - reminds me of the practice of augurs in ancient Rome.

[@rhondasavage9249]

I was always taught from my grandmothers,mom and aunts a bird hitting a window means there will be an accident a bird flying in the window means a loved one is going to die

[@skypowers.]

What does it mean if a bird gets trapped in your chimney or fireplace?

[@davidallen-ik9uz]

@@skypowers. sleepless night

[@skypowers.]

@@rhondasavage9249 interesting … because last spring we freed a bird who got trapped in my fireplace (an old wood stove style), we got a call that my father in law passed away the same day. Just three days ago a small nuthatch finch found it’s way in. We freed him also and there have been no calls yet 😬

[@samuel56551]

​@@skypowers. Get a chimney sweep out .

[@ActionableInfo]

I am freaking out over the mystery science theatre reference. Seriously, this whole commentary with the three of you was such gold that I’m hoping it becomes a regular series on your channel. Commentary on any esoteric media. So fun and so informative.

[@samuelviden7412]

Notice how the arrival of Paimon at the end of the movie is heralded by tinkling bells? Very much intentional from the director. 😊

[@spuntotheratboy]

For me, Horror as a genre is always fundamentally about grief and regret and sadness, more than jump-scares or gore or even fear.

[@spuntotheratboy]

Also... I cannot agree with Aaron about the last scene, it's soooo beautiful, visually and in the sound, and that contrast with what we're seeing and how we got here is just incredibly powerful.

[@spuntotheratboy]

@@GeorgeBrogan-hz7rn Well, I don't believe good and evil exist as a priori categories in the universe; and on the human scale I don't believe they're necessarily useful or enlightening ways to think about life - but pain is pain (by and large), sadness is sadness; regret and grief, as well as happiness, pleasure, love and fulfillment, these things are what they are, and so while I would broadly say that good and evil are subjective in a sense, they are very definitely not arbitrary - depending on exactly what you mean by "subjective". I suspect that like Fermat's infamous proof, the matter may be too large to explore properly in the KZbin comments section. Although, I am curious about what in my comment prompted you to ask your very interesting question. I thought I was expressing a fairly innocuous opinion about art, and you took it deep!

[@spuntotheratboy]

@@GeorgeBrogan-hz7rn Don't worry, I didn't take offense, it's an interesting question. I'm not saying there's no moral dimension to perception of beauty - like, we're moral beings, there's a moral dimension to everything - but to take that last scene: it's gorgeous, visually, the colours are rich and sumptuous, the lighting low, the music deep and myserious, the whole atmosphere is hushed, expectant, reverential. It's not the chaos and pain that I find beautiful. And I don't feel that the beauty justifies the chaos and pain. In fact, what makes it so powerful as art, I think, is the contrast between the beauty on the one hand, and the chaos and pain on the other. And on the next level up, that's what makes it beautiful as art, rather than just pretty to look at in some contextless way. Which is to say, I suppose, that you can look at a flowery meadow or a mass grave and find beauty or horror in those things, but neither of them is art. And I see no reason why a piece of art shouldn't be beautiful even if it's about something horrific. I mean, in the end, that's what the genre of horror is, at its best, right? Otherwise, why are we watching horror films rather than serial killer documentaries? Or nature documentaries?

[@jenniferclark7907]

I think what filled me with horror and a sense of doom as the film went on, from the miniature art in the beginning to watching each character’s demise or transformation- they had no say, they were pawns in a long game. They were figures in someone else’s plan. Their lives were spoken for by the matriarch of the family. But at the same time, the movie makes you go back and forth in your sympathy for the characters in the movie.

[@bdanniexO]

What a blessing to see the legendary Aaron Leitch on my favorite podcast!!! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting/learning from him at my local FPG. Thanks for the episode!!!

[@paulwilson3476]

This was probably the best 2-and-a-half-hours I've spent. THANK YOU for this content!

[@steveelic3833]

Always an absolute pleasure to hear commentary from all of you. JSK--> his work was also monumental to my practice of Goetia

[@belligirl21]

This is so exciting! Happy to be here 🎉

[@Healitall]

This was a great talk with some commentary on the film in. I liked the lively conversation. Great movie with great directing and acting. Could also not *not* notice that Aaron first says: Oh I don't want to take practicioners who come to me because they saw such or such film, they moslty come for the wrong reasons AND then 3 seconds after say that it was those kinds of films and books that made him want to dive deeper into it and practise it. Interesting.

[@Will425]

I noticed the exact same thing. Pot, this is kettle, over.

[@kheph777]

I can totally see how that came across! To be clear, I'm not concerned if a student has seen such movies or even had their early interest in the occult piqued by them. I'm concerned about students who come to the occult entirely based on a movie they saw (or something similar) with an expectation that what they saw is what magick is/should be like. As a good example, I sometimes have people come to me because they saw A Dark Song, believe that's how Abramelin works, and want me to teach them how. But that's not how Abramelin works, so a lot of UN-teaching has to be done first. And, often, when they learn how it really works, they lose interest.

[@alexanderfaust4192]

Just saw Hereditary for the first time in a theater last week and holy shit it was great. Way more impactful than watching at home. I somehow missed this video from you but wow the timing in discovering it now is perfect. I know people have probably suggested it by now but there's a guy here on YT that made an extremely in depth 4.5 hour analysis that is just absolutely excellent.

[@iceblinkmender]

the climax of this movie is one of the most insane sequences in any horror film. god, I wanna watch it again right now.

[@GilTheDragon]

Loved your guys' discussion. I'm not sure if having the Celestial or centering a Practitioner would have the same... themes and emotions that Aster returns to with each of his movies. I think that's part of why his horror is so affecting. He starts from a strong but inexpressible emotion & sorta builds outba metaphor from there. A practitioner centered piece would be something like... catching a glimpse of The Divine from someone else. & toiling away, doing everything prescribed, shunning all worldly things all chances at some other meaning, & to yet one's calls to the heaven remain unanswered. The knowledge that the Sublime is REAL & the dread despair that it wants nothing to do with one.

[@XfiverX]

I think horror movies are always tangentially interested in occultism, but this was a time where there were a cluster of extremely well made arthouse/occult horror movies, instead of the regular run of the mill film. What's specifically interesting to me about this era of movies, is that this era of arthouse horror film tended to all finish on a held note of euphoric grotesquerie. I'm thinking specifically of Goodnight Mommy, The Witch, Hereditary, Midsommar, Annihilation, and A Dark Song (I'm sure there were probably a few others). Other than Eyes Without a Face, I sincerely struggle to think of a horror film that culminated like these movies did, and I wonder if there has any comparison/analysis of that?

[@palethreshold]

This video came out at the perfect time for me

[@oz9047]

21:00 when I watched it with my family, we noticed that or more-so speculated that Paimon was in this bird. In the movie he seems to transfer largely through decapitation. Once Charlie decapitated the bird, it moved into her though not quite fully possessing. When she loses her head, Paimon moves to Peter. All the while something falls in this trade-off, maybe related to the “As above, so below” as shown in the final scenes. I apologize if this is too obvious or anything. I just thought it was interesting

[@SalomeTheGreat]

I recently watched the movie and I see your point!

[@oliviawright0330]

Dr. Sledge mentioned how the characters were locked in their fate. Yes, and everything they do to fight against their fate only brings it to fruition. I think exploring the futility of the characters' actions is what makes Hereditary such a scary film. We see that trope over and over, from Oedipus to The Wicker Man, and yet I think Hereditary is the scariest and saddest example that I've ever seen. What a great conversation! Such a nice listen while I took down my Halloween decorations.

[@dussiasofficial]

Thanks for this. Many interesting insights

[@LoveLisaRap_7O8]

you guys should do this for the film of The Witch

[@fast.food.ninjalarry954]

Witch is such a little gem. Like out of nowhere is one of my favourite movies do good.

[@rishikesh1087]

In regard to "The Shining." It's pretty interesting to read about how disappointed Stephen King was in the movie and the reasons why. Particularly the vast deviation from the book which I really need to read. I believe in the book there is no question, it is the spirits that are driving this guy insane due to weak character, while ironically Wendy and the kid are the pillars of strength that the spirits can not penetrate and corrupt.

[@JAYNEmeetsWORLD]

Hereditary is my favorite film of all time. It’s actually the reason I started watching this channel. I was brushing up on my demonology. 😅

[@John_7775]

You need Jeezus.

[@grantstfire]

Love your video series. My profession is engineering so I don’t have the same time to invest in these topics that I find so interesting. It’s fantastic that you have a channel breaking these topics down. I bought a Thoth shirt from your shop. 😊

[@drizzd1]

my read on the husband being burned when she tossed the book in the fire was that paimon was just fucking with her. she believed she knew the "rules" of burning the book and this moment was paimon showing her that she had no control over the situation at all.

[@blondefisk]

Please more videos like this, very enlightening

[@gregory_bloomfield]

I love the movie Hereditary. It in in my top 5 horror movies.

[@160p2GHz]

All really interesting. Thanks for doing this. And the bit from Aaron about people saying any spirit is evil reminded me of when I was young and my mother tried to expell a ghost from our house and I felt so sad and offended by it. To me it seemed like it was something that had probably lived in the area longer than we had and we might want to not prejudice it

[@rb919]

🎃Yaaay.. fun for the whole family..👻I'm not sure what possessed y'all to do this but.. I DIG IT!💀

[@sabrinasjourney]

Paimon, obviously 😂

[@rb919]

@@sabrinasjourney🤣Asmoduhhh moment there on my part😇

[@rb919]

@@sabrinasjourney Apple Paimon, a la mode.. always a delish treat in the Fall.. little Paimon-kin spice latté on the side.. with some Milton by the fire.🫠

[@justin8865]

Really intersesting stuff. Would be cool if you did the korean movie " wailing" it deals with korean shamanism

[@Itsunclegabby]

I forgot to watch that one! Thanks!

[@justin8865]

@Itsunclegabby it's a wild ride that blends horror with a little comedy. Probably one of my all time favorites.

[@patzman831]

.

[@lvxleather]

Awesome episode ⚡️🤘🏻

[@fearElohim34]

Aaron, in the end, you stated, "She was just on her damn own with these forces." But that speaks to how well the writing was. She *is* on her own; this is a Hereditary fate. God can't/doesn't "fix" or help with hereditary ailments. If you're parents pass on some genetic mutation, you have to deal with it on your own. It's your burden, and that's how it played out for Ellen's family.

[@patzman831]

How do u know god doesn’t help with hereditary elements?

[@fearElohim34]

@@patzman831 Because we are god.

[@JohnnyKooter]

The Ninth Gate next? 🤞

[@Cats-2079]

Only problem I really have with ceremonial magicians is how similar they sound to fundamentalist christians sometimes. Firm statements about how demons act, as if they are wild animals you can capture on film. Great video though, I do like hearing you guy's perspective even if I don't think anyone KNOWS what's going on. EDIT--I spoke too soon. You guys did mention that you're talking about your experiences, and the actual historical information.

[@alabamapilot244]

This is fun for a change. I'd like to watch your review of The Nineth Gate.

[@marieahmed6758]

Bought some merch like a good Esotericia girl 😂

[@katem3553]

I first watched hereditary a few months after my first child was born. Bad...very, very bad decision. After the car scene I had to stop the movie and hyperventilated for like 10 minutes.

[@Chickenface12345]

Mmmmh yeah.... "new mama brain modified by hormones" isn't a good idea to put through this kind of movies, really 😂

[@kheph777]

OMG! Yeah I know how it can be to slip into very dark thoughts concerning your children. Like, literal horror-movie level scenarios of what could go wrong flash through your mind - and it can get pretty horrible. I couldn't imagine watching this movie when I'm already susceptible to that mindset! :(

[@accelerationquanta5816]

What a weak mind.

[@iceblinkmender]

super interesting conversation, as to be expected! I will say that the point that Aaron and Marco make about viewing a person's place in life as validation for their spiritual path is ill considered. plenty of horrible people with terrible beliefs live long and happy lives at the expense of others.

[@accelerationquanta5816]

There's no such thing as "horrible people" or "terrible beliefs". Morality is a delusion that exists only in your chimp brain.

[@natesinlalaland]

So as someone who is interested in learning about the esoteric it's so interesting hearing practitioners discussing the personal effects different rights have on them 😅

[@CYBERDELICRELICS]

I need to see this movie.

[@nathanielanderson8753]

I think its one of the best horror films of all time

[@spuntotheratboy]

@@-lloygic-3565 I much prefer it to Midsommar which is a terrific movie but just doesn't horrify me like Hereditary.

[@KristenKras]

I am feeling drawn back to the Goetic spirits, I haven't recently had much from the "other side" and that could be part of it. Still, its good to hear other persepectives but also scholarly ones. Especially for people like me who only dabbled here. I had a brief interaction with King Paimon and I knew the movie had made him out to be worse than he truly is. However, you must respect these beings. He is not all bad and very savvy about PR ;)

[@no-kt4uz]

Hail King Paimon. He is very funny too.

[@CallMeJamezCuzDatzAGiantPeach]

"And on this most unholy day we give many thanks to our Lord Paimon by exalting and studying this most beautiful and unholy film"

[@starofsiam1]

A good magician doesn’t worship demons he subordinates them. Just my penny’s worth. It’s up to you…

[@1734-Jason]

Keep up the good work

[@percheroneclipse238]

Thanks!

[@Fr.O.G.]

Watching this is how I'm spending my Halloween (or, after the kids go to bed, Samhain).

[@no-kt4uz]

Enjoyed hearing from you Justin. I cant say I agreed with the others views.

[@choptop81]

I thought Paimon was almost comedically weak in this film, he can’t even possess a body without his cult holding his hand through the entire process? And revealing Charlie was an evil demon the whole time totally obliterated the theme of guilt and grief for me

[@zelenisok]

a kinda random question, did you watch the tv series "evil"? afaik not inspired by any historical grimoire or book, but an interesting take on demon stuff..

[@juliuspleaser4675]

It would be wonderful to have a series on The Seals of Solomon. If only to hopefully get answers to some uncomfortable questions I’ve been carrying around for years.

[@bostonbilly7725]

Cool vid esoterica, hi guys and hi to all the fans etc ❤😊 happy Halloween 👻🎃😊

[@alexanderfaust4192]

Bird hitting a window is not always a bad sign. Was working in a high end jewelry store about 10 years ago and a bird flew into our window and died. Less than 2 hours later I made a huge sale consisting of two new Rolex watches totaling $55K. I got a great commission check that month! It was extremely fortuitous for me :)

[@jonizajmi9992]

Could you do a video on the Book of Angel Raziel, and possibly on the other angel books

[@MorningStarChrist]

"been threatening to do this for a while" xD

[@goregorgegeorge]

2:17:55 there is an indipendent film called The Alchemist Cookbook, about an "actual practitioner" i guess which i hope one day you guys will review completely

[@SalomeTheGreat]

Can y’all analyze Rosemary’s Baby next? 1:49:58

[@Itsunclegabby]

Head over to Joe Girard's work if you appreciate an analysis of The Shining. It might be one of the most through I've seen. I've gone over it 15 times, at least.

[@b0gzie]

I think the Ari Aster movie we are owed is a John dee biopic that treats alchemy/magic seriously and frames it as what it was (both practical science and also the state of the art spy craft of the day). Also I feel like he’s good enough with his characters and writing to make the wife-swapping dynamics really uncomfortable and hilarious. Kinda how midsommar leaned into the relationship stuff. David Eggers arguably accomplished this with The Northman, but I want that for the early modern era in Europe.

[@guerrillastrange]

hell yea brother

[@lizziebanyan9858]

'Look What Happened to Rosemary's Baby' is the sequel.

[@nicholasdappolonia5577]

🐉🖤 this was awesome. I’m definitely gonna check out hereditary.💯 I like your movie idea at the end🥰 it would be awesome🐉🕷🐉🏴‍☠️🐉🎩🤌🏼

[@Bildgesmythe]

What a great way to spend a Halloween evening!

[@AM-vv8zv]

You guys should watch the South Korean film, “the wailing”

[@markmartin2292]

Mother complex (full stop)

[@helenablavatsky9136]

I'd love to listen to your comments on the remake of Suspira.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I liked it just fine.

[@richardknowles6287]

I loved this watch party!! But why not review a film where magic is used for good and not something frightening, like The Secret Garden. I realize the Secret Garden isn't the best example as the one magical ritual involved comes towards the end and there's not a whole lot of magic before or after that--other than seeing out how the children's makeshift ritual worked out so very well. There have to be some other movies to review about the use of magic for good though. The other movies you have watch partied that I've seen so far (A Dark Song and Hereditary) are about using magic to overcome grief but with unfortunate consequences. This one is about using magic to overcome grief in the best possible way. I think it must be Welsh magic of some sort and wish I could understand the Welsh parts of the incantation they say in the beginning of the spell. Here is the scene from the actual ritual itself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/immyenltrbtrqNE

[@alexanderapotheosis7696]

"Surprise! We're actually watching The Strange Thing About the Johnsons!"

[@Sage.Craft.]

Oh man! 😅 so this don’t pick up til close to the end, but it’s very unnerving toward the end 👀 this is like a fundamentalist view toward demons though 😅

[@luisvictorf]

Agreed with the No-War in Heaven

[@Chickenface12345]

Yeah, I don't know if I can say that I AGREE since I had no particular revelation about it, but I sure can say that when I heard of his theory, it really made sense.

[@rishikesh1087]

1:25 I thought the Goetia says that Paimon is loyal to Lucifer....Most loyal to Lucifer.

[@MarcoVisconti]

Commenting as a non-traditionalist, it really doesn't matter. Those hierarchies have little to do with the nature of the spirits.

[@rishikesh1087]

@@MarcoVisconti Thanks!

[@chavaspada]

Lucifer doesn't exist. It's a title "the light bringer". It's like Satan, it basically means judge.

[@MarcoVisconti]

@@chavaspada yes

[@accelerationquanta5816]

Lucifer is just a minor Greek god that represented the planet Venus in it's appearance as the morning star. He's son of the dawn goddess Aurora, and has nothing to do with Christianity beyond their appropriation of his name.

[@SalomeTheGreat]

So what is the spiritual symbology of decapitation in Thelema / Western Tradition? I have my ideas but want further explanation

[@MarcoVisconti]

There isn't one per se in Thelema, besides the concept of "losing the head" as losing the self to aspire to the higher self (using both terms VERY loosely).

[@SalomeTheGreat]

Thank you! ❤@@MarcoVisconti

[@kellyshea7716]

Obituaries? You mean the Irish sports pages?

[@Chickenface12345]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@juliescott4473]

Ok is it Go-et-ee-a or Go-ee-sha?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yes

[@MarcoVisconti]

In Latin, it would be Go-et-ee-ah, but as Justin said... also yes.

[@sabrinasjourney]

​@@TheEsotericaChannel😂

[@fearElohim34]

1:13:52 LMAO

[@OndrejSc]

Do L'arcano incantatore (1996) next.

[@MarcoVisconti]

It’s one of my favourite movies!

[@DruidofLa]

Which Hereditary movie is this?

[@rareutilities4531]

2

[@Itsunclegabby]

There's another?? Hereditary (2018), distributed by A24.

[@fl4avv721]

@@rareutilities4531 they are actually discussing heriditary 0 the origin

[@BMFlame9393]

At first it was kind of annoying that everything about the occult in films is scary but I think it’s a good barrier mental barrier for people to have. It reminds me of the Bible verse “The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom..”

[@kheph777]

Just for the record, when the Bible says "fear" (as in Fear of God), that word doesn't mean "to be scared of", it means "to stand in awe of." You don't have to be afraid of God. ;)

[@BMFlame9393]

@@kheph777I mean I’m in awe of nature but nature is also terrifying

[@ryanpaul1403]

Krallice shirt? Hails brother

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep \m/