Magic & Alchemy - The Sigil Magic of Paracelsus - Alchemical Medicine and Astrological Talismans

Paracelsus is renowned as one of the most important innovators in alchemical and medical theory in European history. But, he also earned a reputation as a sorcerer. This reputation as not only a healer but also a magus, rests squarely on a curious volume of talismanic magic known as the Archidoxis Magica first printed in 1591 and rendered into English by Robert Turner as Of the Supreme Mysteries of Nature in 1656. While spurious, this textbook of Paracelsian alchemy, astrology and talismanic magic covers a wide range of topics including cures, counter-magic and alchemical tincture preparations which track the astrological heavens.
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Recommended Readings:
Archidoxis Magica - archive.org/details/bub_gb_qS...
Of the Supreme Mysteries of Nature - archive.org/details/paracelsv...
Paracelsus: Essential Readings - 978-1556433160
Webster - Paracelsus: Medicine, Magic and Mission at the End of Time - 978-0300139112

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel or a one time donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Your support is profoundly appreciated!

[@richardallen7959]

Hello Sir, how can I reach you directly?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@richardallen7959 via my website

[@thetruth4654]

Do you have an Instagram account? Also what did Heralictus mean when he said that Hades and Dionysus where the same?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@thetruth4654 nope and who knows what anything Heraclitus said meant?

[@aminrodriguez4707]

Doctor Sledge, might come off as creepy, but I assure you my goals are not nefarious in any way, that said, I wrote meeting you in my bucket list. Again, rest assured, mine is only the desire of a man living in rather sterile intellectual conditions, to have such scholarly debate about esotericism.

[@aminrodriguez4707]

The "bombastus" part of his name rocks my world, bombastic!!!!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

He wasn't lying either

[@marylong2230]

I need this name on a shirt..like one you’d find at a rock concert…

[@Kid_Ikaris]

The word bombast does come into the English language a few decades after Paracelsus' death. Seems plausible to me it could literally come from his name/style. But then again that's just dubious amateur etymology on my part. Plausible though.

[@manuelgarcia3122]

During my anestisiology residency i came upon my favorit paracelsus quout "nothing is poison, everything is poison, it depends on the dose".

[@bloodboom1]

As a fantasy writer your channel is an amazing resource, particularly when needing to know the origins of a term or name when using it.

[@Kid_Ikaris]

Keep writing fantasy!

[@F3z07]

Where can we find your work?

[@Kid_Ikaris]

@@F3z07 bump.

[@oi690]

Yo I was just thinking that! I’m writing for my D&D campaign and have been using all this for an Apothecary faction I’m cooking up.

[@gabrielWachong]

Dr Sledge, your delivery of the subject matter is amazing. You bring sound scholarly analysis with a good amount of humour and explain the topic clearly enough for a layman like myself to sort of get it. Thank you for your work.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Comments like this just make my day - thanks!

[@JusticeStiles]

I have to agree. It takes a special talent to be both serious, and light hearted at the same time with literally arcane subject matter. Someday, someone needs to compile all the jokes from this channel and present the first manual of arcane humor. I'll be the first one to preorder a copy.

[@gabrielWachong]

@@JusticeStiles I can imagine future neophites studying the lost tomes of hermetic humor. 🤣🤣

[@gabrielWachong]

@@TheEsotericaChannel This channel has been a great source of learning for me. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

[@JusticeStiles]

@@gabrielWachong When telling a hermetic joke, timing is everything. We recommend you consult a table of celestial hours and days. Do not invoke the humor of Jupiter on Saturns day or the punchline is sure to fall flat... (Okay I'll stop now, but this is just too much fun).

[@cryptoram4203]

I cant wait to find some magical treasures. so far I found a beautiful fluoride pyramid hidden in a underflow near a spring by sticking my hand in a random opening that the water was coming out of. Hopefully the next find will have incredible wealth. I let you know

[@d3stRuctv3]

ppl like me take these crystals there and plant them to attempt helping the water pls leave them there

[@ConcretorumAzoth]

since flourite isnt really good to consume I think that pyramid is earned

[@dragonslayer4heavensent234]

PEOPLE are the reasons behind imbalances as is. 😩🤦‍♀️

[@jimnewcombe7584]

And wealth being what exactly? Hopefully you don't mean money.

[@oaxacachaka]

Haha, the trident of boners. That was a funny story. Robert Fludd was a proponent of the weapon salve, swore by it although many people were suspicious of its diabolicalness. One thing that blows my mind about the Renaissance is that these guys could, at just about any time, be condemned for sorcery. People nowadays are afraid of being cancelled on social media, I cannot even fathom being burned alive for my beliefs. These guys were total bad asses, especially revolutionary thinkers like Paracelsus. Fearless confidence.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

Your analogy of the historic condemnation towards the misinterpreted, and that of "counter culture" today, is a veracious account indeed..

[@robertallen4774]

When I was young and collecting folklore in West Tennessee, I came across the idea that if you stepped on a rusty name and it went through your foot, the proper thing to do was rub the nail in salve and stick it up over a door.

[@oaxacachaka]

@@robertallen4774 ever test this idea?

[@robertallen4774]

@@oaxacachaka No. The effects of tetanus seem rather off-putting, so I just had a shot for it and let the interesting folk lore teach me about human nature while Western Science kept me alive

[@corticallarvae]

Saudi Arabia - has this in law

[@Aphercotropes]

Weaving in Einstein's summary of quantum theory was a stroke of genius that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[@CadenMyers]

I feel like I should watch this video...

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yeah, tracks

[@bloglivethehighve]

Bombastus, yeah! Thk you millions ❣️

[@voittaja837]

Interesting that the weapon salve magic is really similar to the one used by Sami people in Finnish Lapland. Even kalevala has some kind of "curse of iron" in it if I remember correctly. Anyway great video!

[@emustockings]

The Bombastus part really sells the name for me. For the anime nerds in the room, I assume this must be who Hohenheim from Fullmetal Alchemist was named after. Fantastic video as always! Your reading lists are my bread and butter.

[@MrPSaun]

Hohenheim and The Dwarf in the Flask who gave Hohenheim his name as a harbinger of the events to come. FMA is incredible for how accurate it is to alchemic theory and tradition.

[@Bildgesmythe]

The best talisman story, EVER!

[@hoverboard]

That trident of exorcism bit sent me, so good 😂

[@TaurusVenus]

A hermetic theory of health, involving balancing astrological talismans, curatives and tinctures. . . Absolutely fascinating. (And lol so funny about the trident!! 😂)

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

You too can own the Viagra Trident - www.etsy.com/listing/523349549/handmade-trident-of-paracelsus - nowhere do they mention what Paracelsus actually says about, fun!

[@TaurusVenus]

@@TheEsotericaChannel 😮🔱⚡️😂😂

[@drphosferrous]

I love that story. Maybe it got confused with the "blasting rod" from the lesser key? That thing never aroused anyone to my knowledge, not even back when it was dr.sledges adult dancer name.

[@TaurusVenus]

@@drphosferrous 😂😂😂

[@robertallen4774]

I wish I knew if Vishnu is involved

[@Garyescargo]

Thank you Doc, every episode is a treasure. Be safe. Peace

[@GreenMonkeyToaster]

Paracelsus, preceded by his friends Orthocelsus and Metacelsus. My organic chemistry books and I will see ourselves out, thank you!

[@jessicaclakley3691]

Thank you Dr. Sledge! That Goonies Paracelsus chef’s kiss sent me lol

[@pauliedibbs9028]

This video is precisely why I love this channel and of course, it's host. 👍😎

[@jaimebrooks51]

Thank you for presenting a well-rounded and grounded examination of ancient philosophy with such humor. Quite refreshing and thought provoking!🌹

[@joeyscott4299]

I am enjoying your channel immensely !!! Thank you !!!

[@artkoenig9434]

This was a wonderful presentation, studded with your usual anecdotes and deadpan humor. Thank you!

[@Writhe_n_Shine]

Best band name alert yet! Quality work as always Dr. thank you for helping me kick of my weekend with great hermetic style.

[@gmccaughry]

'Nother stellar episode! Thanks!

[@TimeandRelativeDimensioninHell]

I so look forward to your videos everytime! Thank you so much!

[@meinbherpieg4723]

This video flew by, was crammed with insight, and I got a new band name. Then I remembered its a 25 minute video. I'm glad I found this channel.

[@evans808274mc9la]

Excellent. Really appreciate the links in the description too!

[@ForksandFreaks]

This has to be one of my favorite episodes, just for the funny quips and stories!

[@johncoltranesethic18]

Gosh, the "Bombastus" hits hard! XD

[@RasCricketSmallAxe]

I do appreciate your videos, brother. Absolute scholarly information in spades every time. Thank you for what you do 🙏

[@robertherring9277]

Awesome video. Your content is amazing! Glad I found you through Gnostic Informant!

[@loriallen67]

Excellent video and great story! Fascinating as usual.

[@gregruland1934]

Much love and respect, professor

[@laurenganim9092]

This was excellent! Your content is incredible, I always leave your videos w 3+ books I want to read! Paracelsus is such an interesting figure & your commentary makes him really accessible; you crack me up as I’m learning. And I really appreciate your commentary & transparency on the whole satanic panic issue you sadly had to experience firsthand. Truly, you are gift ❤️ Keep up the amazing work!

[@marbacc]

I enjoy the information, but your humour is amazing. Thank you Justin.

[@kanlamat1372]

My favourite episode by far. Thx both: This extreeemely satisfying channel and the same Paracelso, as portions of the same body if light 🙏

[@HS-mu8fp]

Hi, Great job as always. I look forward of ESOTERICA take on Hegel and Hermeticism.

[@andresmata4949]

Hegel is hermetic alright

[@maddiebaker4010]

Sir you are a national treasure

[@ashleydewing1420]

I kind of feel bad for Celsus. Some dude gets to be known for being "beyond Celsus" and that's really the only reason many of us know him.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

You could be MetaParacelsus ;)

[@M-CH_]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Ortometaparacelsus.

[@AwwwPishhh]

Dr Sledge, just a quick note to say I loved your recent interview with Douglas Batchelor. I’m now subscribed.

[@GrandAncientOak]

Your intro is phenomenal. Just made me instantly hit the like button.

[@MichaelYoder1961]

From all I've read from and about Paracelsus he promoted what we would now call "holistic" medicine. That a physician should look at the whole person's life - where they lived, what they ate, etc. before trying to diagnose. And he was a proponent of specialization in medicine

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

And pharmaceutical medicine

[@jonnybrandin1362]

My favorite part of your videos is your sense of humor. And your sense of comedic timing when you’re breaking a concept down to analyze it . Good stuff

[@julianiemeyer1010]

Great episode Doc. :) I was happily laughing and gleefully learning about this guy all the way through.

[@Aureus_Jackal]

Whether actually written by Paracelsus or not, this sounds like a text begging for a modern, scholarly translation.

[@Test7017]

😂 sweet

[@ricktalks7420]

Brilliant how you said his name In the beginning. 😁👍🏻

[@ReynaSingh]

These videos are great. Keep it up

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Many thanks !

[@nathanielkingsbury6355]

Fascinating video, as always. On the subject of Fraktur, folks might be amused to hear that in sufficiently esoteric branches of pure math, it is in fact still somewhat in use! (In particular, they are used in algebraic number theory to signify ideals in rings of integers of number fields.)

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

And in papryus notation!

[@jackpayne4658]

Some years ago, I came across a BMW motorcycle repair manual, printed in Fraktur. I think it dated from the 1930s. The illustrations of carburettors (etc) alongside medieval-looking typography seemed quite bizarre.

[@LLShiningOtter]

Once again an amazing video

[@Carcerian]

Excellent Vid!

[@gruesometwosome6098]

Thank you for this really interesting video. I have a lot of books in boxes, so yesterday I went through them.... I found a two volume set of Paracelus, hermetic & the Alchemical writing edited by A. E. Waite published in 1894. I had forgotten l even had the two volumes. So thanks to you for making me get off my arse & finding them, two very large books.... No idea when l'll get round to reading them 🤔 if ever 📚😁 Once again thanks for sharing your amazing knowledge with us, l'm slowly working my way through your videos. Thanks from the UK, & taking your time researching these fascinating subjects it's appreciated 👍

[@Davemac1116]

Thanks Dr. Sledge. (I first read about Paracelsus in Colin Wilson’s ‘The Occult.’)

[@jamesvinciguerra6305]

Doc, I've played at the Hi Tone a couple of times! So cool. LOVE your channel.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Rad - what kind of music?

[@jamesvinciguerra6305]

@@TheEsotericaChannel post punk kind of stuff, I play in a band from Australia called Total Control. Loving the channel so much. Bless.

[@tmpape01]

This was extremely informative. I have to admit my knowledge of Paracelsus was not much more than what was shown in a few episodes of the TV series “Warehouse 13”. This made me follow your links to outset a couple of books to get a better understanding. 😁

[@michalelovecraft999]

I'm new to your channel. I just want to say thank you for your videos, this is some of the coolest information I've ever come across on this subject. Thank you good sir. ✌️😊

[@catoelder4696]

You get better with every video.

[@TheBiblicalRitualCo]

Thanks Justin 🌻

[@gunkwretch3697]

the trident was made famous by Eliphas Levi, in Transcendental Magic... its quite and elaborate interpretation, which also avoids the impotence part, but is almost a western kind of kundalini magnetism, ie sexual energy I suppose, like the khatvenga, but Levi makes out to be the letter Tau etc

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Like a game of occult telephone

[@FreemanPresson]

Thanks for posting this. I had made a note to check on Lévi's trident when I got home.

[@abraalahouzos6755]

I thought I put myself on a "book diet".....until I found your channel. LOVE your work!

[@t.j.9226]

Great episode I had missed earlier! For the sometimes arduous task of reading a text like the 'Archidoxis magica' in blackletter / Fraktur there is a rather recent solution, as Paracelsus scholars Didier Kahn and Urs Leo Gantenbein have launched the extremely helpful THEO project, which can be found online. This open database contains very accurate digitised plain text versions of both the Huser and Sudhoff editions of Paracelsus's works, and thus also includes the 'Archidoxis magica.' The effort of reading a rather archaic form of (Swiss) German remains, of course!

[@johnnewton8017]

Thank you!

[@d3stRuctv3]

Thank you keep pushing and ignore everyone

[@evanpapadakis4015]

Hey man you’re awesome ! Would you ever make a video about your personal beliefs regarding magic ? Or your successes? Thank you !

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Eh, my beliefs are boring compared to boner tridents 🔱 🍆

[@angelorosini4326]

Another Classic!

[@purelyconstructive]

Fascinating stuff! The "remote healing" associated with the weapon salve reminds me very much of some of the techniques used within "Radionics", a system developed during the late 1800s / early 1900s. A "radionics device" is like a dowsing rod that gives more specific data. They usually have an area to put a "witness" (i.e.: a photograph, a sample of hair or blood, etc. of the person that is to be diagnosed and/or healed at a distance by the one operating the device). The operator manipulates a series of dials on the device with one hand, while the other hand rests on a plate that the dials are connected to. The dials represent different characteristics of the person. The operator senses intuitively when a dial is set in a way that is reflective of that person's actual state by paying attention to what the hand on the plate feels as the other hand slowly rotates the dials. It may seem to change in temperature or texture (e.g.: "warm" or "sticky" when on an accurate setting). One can then project a healing intention upon the witness using the information from the dials as a guide. Generally, the idea is that a representation of someone can be used to derive information about them or be used to influence them in some manner. The theory behind this ranges from the type of "sympathetic magic" that was probably common during Paracelsus' time (and earlier) to the "quantum mysticism" that is more prevalent nowadays. It is not so strange if one is of the belief that all things are interconnected in some way, such as through a sort of "immanent" aspect of the "divine" (like "Panentheism"), or through a "quantum potential" (such as that postulated by David Bohm).

[@EvildeadIII]

Dear Dr. Justin Sledge - once again thanks a lot for this great video. Have you considered making these text available (text in languages that most people don't know) into audiobooks? would be a cool thing to put on patreon. Maybe too much effort? - the material is allerede there, and you for sure have the language skills. Since the texts are really old, there should be no copyright issues. Once again, thank you from Denmark.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I have and maybe doing that soon!

[@beauwhitlock5034]

The drummer for Tool Danny Carey has a sigil behind his drums that he says they captured a Daimon in.🎼🤘🎶

[@11.15.M]

Thank you.......🙏 Blavatsky on paracelcus, Very interesting

[@jonathanhenkel368]

I believe Eliphas Levi reproduces the "trident of exorcism" in his "Dogma et Ritual" and may very well be the source of an alternative interpretation of the trident as being for something other than boners.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

"interpretation"

[@SirTorcharite]

If I ever find the secrets of transmuting gold I'm just gonna start mailing dental grills to people at random. Gonna bring back the 00's so quick.

[@beauwhitlock5034]

You shouted out The Hitone and Lamplighter! Nice! Big up from Memphis

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Sacred places for me, especially when the hi tone was on poplar!

[@beauwhitlock5034]

@@TheEsotericaChannel Same. It's called Growlers now. Hi tone moved over here on Cleveland in Crosstown. As did Black Lodge video. All you have to do is click your heels together and repeat "There's no place like home" and you'll be sitting at the bar in Hi tone with a 16oz PBR.😉

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@beauwhitlock5034 tons of great memories in both those places! If you are at the lamp and see chuck tell him I said hey!

[@tara5742]

5 head lol I appreciate all those little silent touches. Especially on my 2nd or 3rd views of these gems

[@amyglynn9273]

He WAS the Martin Luther! I’ve made the same comparison, albeit with way less in my quiver than you’re slinging. I’m new to your work, but so thrilled to stumble onto it.

[@ThisUnifiedField]

All the magic I need: Trust your heart ❤️, trust your intuition ⭐

[@thaisspleen]

Nowadays Esoterica 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@gunkwretch3697]

the Weapon Salve actually makes sense from the Psychosomatic perspective, as there would be an strong mental link in front of the person who is wounded, with the weapons, which must also be healed, according to "sympathetic" magic

[@kellyzero1208]

Thanks for the great video! But I have a question. Isn't interacting with a weapon to heal a wound part of sympathetic magic? A prehistoric idea, described (according to Wikipedia, I haven't read the book) in The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. For example, to heal an arrow wound, you need to break the arrow that caused the wound. Or is it different?

[@SF-og3fq]

The weapon salve, the Goldenbough by Frazier does a good job of explaining how this magic is supposed to work.

[@lynnpayne9519]

I love that book.

[@SCx4]

Hipster Boleskine,LOL! And I thought you had me peaked at Para-Paracelsus...

[@dorothygorska-tyas6958]

Well saiđ đear sir, you certainly possess a witty metaphysical ethos that Sledgehammer's away with most đelightful sway. You adeptly delve into variegateđ đogma that remains in occulted play--hither'n thither--in something of a contemporizeđ way! 💫☝💫

[@daithi1966]

I ain't going to lie, para-Paracelsus made me laugh.

[@andythedishwasher1117]

I liked your parapun.

[@erikday7784]

We have Eliphas Levi to thank for the weird trident interpretation...In his book "Transcendental Magic" he goes on a tangent intending to interpret the meaning of the figure. I'd quote it verbatim, but I have no idea what pile of books in my room it's hidden in.

[@chriskildahl5263]

Para-Paracelsus 🤣 I like you. Subscribed.

[@dangeradams58240]

9:45 - gold

[@-sevda]

as a longtime full metal alchemist fan, i always perk up and geek over his full name, especially his surname 'hohenheim.'

[@andrewjenkins9965]

I feel so weird for someone who got into FMA because of Alchemy, rather than the reverse. 😆 The references and symbolism in that series were so good.

[@-sevda]

@@andrewjenkins9965 i agree!! i will proudly admit, it was my first introduction into alchemy as a kid; caused me to go down this obscure rabbit hole. c: 28 years old and still just as curious as i was then.

[@Goblin_Wizard]

when I make gold, I got you bro

[@populuxe1]

I seem to recall the weapons salve being seriously investigated as a potential method for establishing GMT for calculating geographical longitude at the time of the British Longitude Act in 1714.

[@adambeecroft9305]

U dont say..got reference to fludds use?

[@basecretpal9218]

Interesting, Parace-tamol is the name used in Ecuador for the generic version of aceTAMinophen aka tylenOL.

[@DanKaraJordan]

It is fascinating that Paracelsus' work on psycho-somatic forces was published only about seven years before Michel de Montaigne wrote his essay "On the Power of the Imagination." I had always thought that Montaigne was breaking serious ground here, but it is significant that he has a contemporary considering these ideas just before him.

[@cristosmagillio1950]

Can you tell us about the talisman treasure hunting vs. divination to find gems. If you knew there were gems in a mountainous area, which of the methods would you employ?

[@lynnpayne9519]

So he was the Hoffman of his times. That book about the Mormon Murders would make your hair stand on end. Very explosive!

[@j-henry7391]

That's a wonderful description of the Hi-Tone, you know it's moved twice since it had that place at the Overton Park, the old karate studio that Elvis used to go to, and that big mural on the side of it got painted over, that guy was not me by the way!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Sic transit Gloria mundi

[@seldomscene302]

i'm curious, what are your thoughts on radionics and radiesthesia?

[@thomaswillard1804]

Paradelsus does write of necromancy in the "Astronomia Magna" (if he did write that work) as "divination by the dead," by which he meant something like imaginative dialogue with them.

[@ashlynhorror9505]

Well that was cool

[@liminalsoup3005]

Please do an episode on Dorn! Especially the numerology. "Quando quidem ubi Quatenarius et Ternarius ad Denarium ascendunt, eorum fit ad unitatem regressus. In isto concluditur arcano omnis occulta rerum sapientia” (When the number four and the number three ascend to the number ten, they return to the One. In this secret all the hidden wisdom of things is contained.) Gerhard Dorn, “Congeries Paracelsicae” Theatrum Chemicum, I. [c.1581]

[@timetravelkitty425]

Oh don’t you worry, you’re at the top of a pretty long list of people I would like to patron if I end up transmutating any gold😂

[@ONE-tb3dj]

I had an encounter with a very strange entity. A friend of mine was visiting and somehow we found ourselves in a conversation about God. Next thing I know I'm no longer speaking to my friend but a entity of some kind who claims to be using my friend as a vessel. They refuse to reveal their name saying "every time they do they are killed". They also say, they are not God, not Jesus, not the devil, not a angel, and that he and I where in the garden together. And he needs me to remember who I am so that they can go home. But also refuses to tell me who they think I really am. Then they commanded rain, and it rained. Then they told it to stop, and it stopped emediately. My question: who the hell was I speaking to and how do I find out why?

[@Dan-ol7ed]

What are those cool little boxes on the bookshelf in the background called? I wanna buy some.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Japanese puzzle boxes!

[@Ssatkan]

Is "of the transmutation of metal" the corresponding album name?