Renaissance Hermetic & Pagan Revival - Insights from a 16th Century Anthology of Magic & Philosophy

The Renaissance also saw renewed interest in ancient Hermetic and Pagan spirituality, religion ritual and philosophy. Though, just what kinds of texts were these Hermetic Mages actually reading? What ancient Pagan works would one study to become a Renaissance occultist? An interesting volume, first published in 1497, gives up a glimpse into the world of Renaissance interest into Hermetic and ancient Pagan sources. In this episode, I explore and discuss a 1577 edition of this text from my own collection.
#Hermeticism #Occult #Paganism
Read Plato like an ancient Neo-Platonist in this order: Alcibiades, Gorgias, Phaedo, Cratylus, Theaetetus, Sophist, Statesman, Phaedrus, Symposium, Philebus, Timaeus and Parmenides (from Iamblichus)
1497 Reading List:
archive.org/de...
1) 'On the mysteries of the Aegyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians' by Iamblichus (250-325 CE) (Iamblichus de mysteriis Aegyptiorum. Chaldærum. Assyriorum);
2) 'Commentary on Plato's Alcibiades - on the soul and daimones' by Proclus (412-84 CE) (Proclus in alcibiadem de anima atque dæmone);
3) 'On sacrifice and magic' by the same author (Proclus de sacrificio et magia);
4) 'On deities and daimons' by Porphyrius (c 234-c. 304 CE) (Porphyrius de diuinis atque dæmonibus);
5) 'On dreams' by Synesius (5th century CE) (Synesius Platonicus de somniis);
6) 'On daimons' by Michael Psellus (1018-78 CE) (Psellus de dæmonibus);
7) 'The commentary on Theophrastos's On the senses' by Priscian (6th century CE) and Marsilius (Expositio Prisciani et Marsilii in Theophrastum de sensu. phantasia et intellectu);
8) 'An introduction to the Philosophy of Plato' by Alcinus (2nd century CE) (Alcinoi philosophi liber de doctoria Platonis);
9) 'On Plato's Definitions' by Speusippos, Plato's disciple, (407 BCE-339 BCE) (Speusippi Platonis discipuli liber de Platonis difinitionibus);
10) 'Maxims' and 'Symbols' by Pythagoras (560 BCE-480 BCE) (Pythagoræ philosophi aurea uerba; Symbola);
11) 'On Death' by Xenocrates (c. 396 BCE-34 BCE) (Xenocratis philosophi platonici liber de morte); and
12) 'On pleasure' by Marcilius Ficino (Marcilius ficini liber de uoluptate).
16th Century Reading List:
archive.org/de...
1) 'On the mysteries of the Aegyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians' by Iamblichus (250-325 CE) (Iamblichus de mysteriis Aegyptiorum. Chaldærum. Assyriorum); universaltheos...
2) 'Commentary on Plato's Alcibiades - on the soul and daimones' by Proclus (412-84 CE) (Proclus in alcibiadem de anima atque dæmone); (see O’Neill translation)
3) 'On sacrifice and magic' by the same author (Proclus de sacrificio et magia); www.practicalth...
4) 'On deities and daimons' by Porphyrius (c 234-c. 304 CE) (Porphyrius de diuinis atque dæmonibus); www.tertullian... - www.tertullian...
5) 'On daimons' by Michael Psellus (1018-78 CE) (Psellus de dæmonibus); www.esotericarc...
6) 'Corpus Hermeticum, Asclepius' by Hermes Trismegistus (early c's CE) (Mercurii Trismegisti Pimander. Eiusdem Asclepius) gnosis.org/libr...
These translations are public domain but may not be reliable for contemporary academic use.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

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[@Trickybboy]

⁰0

[@miatatommy2000]

Are you related to Sister Sledge?

[@miatatommy2000]

We are family!!!

[@evans808274mc9la]

On another topic, I'd just like to wish Jake Stratton-Kent well has had an unfortunate turn of health this week. I'm sure that many Esoterica subscribers will be familiar with his work

[@beanndip]

I am not familiar and so far I have really enjoyed all of the channels I have found via this channel... Would you mind naming his channel?

[@Tharsismusic]

@@beanndip he's an (excellent) author.

[@duetopersonalreasonsaaaaaa]

I couldn't find anything regarding this online, what has happened?

[@Infictive23]

Blessings of the 107 Current to Jake and all.

[@ErinWi]

@@duetopersonalreasonsaaaaaa He had a stroke. As I'm not on Facebook, I haven't seen any updates about his condition but I hope he recovers to full health very soon.

[@Spoonwranglerz]

your channel sparked my curiosity and had lead me to read many many books on philosophy and the occult. I have learned a lot and I really appreciate your scholarly approach to these subjects. Lots of woo out there so it's really refreshing to learn about these subjects from an academic perspective.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Indeed, it can be exhausting to vade through 19th, 20th and 21st century forgeries and cashgrabs to find any discussion worth anyone's time.

[@charlesrainey1076]

The book size comparison segment made my day. Thank you. I feel doubly rewarded for watching this video.

[@williammartinactor]

I am either going to sound like a broken record, or the boy who cried wolf… This is one of your best. I always say that. I loved the hands-on with the book. Thank you so much.

[@thewizardofawes8194]

The care to provide the sources so carefully and correctly is something that is rarely found in mass digital media. So, folks, Dr. Sledge more amazing than ever: Justin just rocks!

[@mesocratic]

the wear on the pages from countless thumbs holding the book just as you are here, beautiful

[@gabrielWachong]

Me before knowing this channel: "what kind of nerd gets all exited about some old book?" Me today: " Dr. Sledge would please show more zoom-ins to the typography and titles?"

[@rachelellie8145]

Love the shout out to T. Taylor the based. I can't imagine where we would be without his lifelong efforts to bring attention and respect to neglected ancient texts.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

Amazing material, as always. Also, waving a ~450 years old book around is a serious boss move. 😂👌

[@Leiferuphugus]

I've been meaning to renew my Patreon subscription for a few months now. But kept forgetting after getting off of work. This episode is so fantastic I'm going ahead and renewing on the clock before I forget again!!

[@ArtyFartyBart]

Thanks for showing us this book and sharing your sources doc

[@cindyarnold8165]

How fascinating! Such a treat to look through this book I've only heard about for decades. Thank you!

[@Jason-ms8bv]

Thanks for sharing Dr S, I thought I was the only one who didn't get the Parmenidies!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Anyone who says they get the Parmenides is looney tunes

[@kaloarepo288]

I studied Pico della Mirandola when I studied Renaissance and reformation history at university.

[@kristianturcinovic6864]

Great episode Doc!! And Im sure that Foolish fish is proud of you how you did book review! :)

[@matthewsproule]

This was one of your best and most informative videos. I will definitely now try to get a copy of Proclus's commentary on Plato's Alcibiades. Neoplatonism appears abstruse and very abstract without understanding how it was understood in its ancient cultural context.

[@imFurbs]

Justin, I greatly appreciate these videos. Its rare to find videos on youtube covering esotericism with a deep scholastic view. Just want to let you know your work is appreciated. I would love to see some more videos on Atlantis and things that have to do with the topic. It seems like most prominent mystics have literature or opinions on the topic. And also, I would love to see a collab or debate with Robert Sepehr.. I know you guys have your differences, but I haven't found channels on youtube that cover esotericism in depth as you guys. I try to keep an open mind and as much as I find Roberts videos interesting, especially since hes the first big youtuber I've found to cover Rosicrucian and Germanic occultism . I would love to see you guys collab and debate your differences. As a young man who is deeply interested and uneducated in these topic, videos like this do wonders. Thanks Justin!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Unfortunately Mr. Sepehr peddles racist conspiratorial pseudoscience and his 'work' only contributes to damaging the field.

[@imFurbs]

​@@TheEsotericaChannel Which is why I would love to hear a debate between you two. I'm sure you have some very interesting opinions and points that might punch a hole in his hypotheses, and might help people a bit uneducated on the topics like me have a better understanding, and not be lead down a wrong road when doing research. I just try to keep an open mind and get all points of view. I just would love to your point of view on some the topics he covers. Like Germanic occultism, Atlantis, etc. Like I said, I appreciate the videos and look forward to more content.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

@@imFurbs Debates are only useful over reasonable disputes on settled facts. Mr. Sepehr would have to be in the realm of facts to merit such a conversation, much less, debate.

[@LiveFromTheAbyss]

I didn't even know about the Alcibiades! Thanks, it's on my reading list!

[@waaurufu]

Thank you for making me so excited to learn about a new side of history! I've been binging all your videos!

[@helenbostock2350]

It's amazing the written word remain. Beautifully written. You explain very carefully. Then people keep things safe and pass its down to your family member. It's mean it's lasted because its special not for information for everyone else. Information is power if you know some things you know and understand and the other people don't have knowledge than knowledge is powerful

[@DOGMAFREE1]

My names Porfirio.. So learning about Porphiries was interesting

[@LailokenScathach]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@ragnar4269]

now there ! a worthy channel !!!

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

Absolutely enthralling as always, thanks for the video. I was wondering if I could get a quick slapdash explanation for the neoplatonic vegetarianism as described, assuming one can even do so. In Hesiod and Homer animal sacrifice appears as a given and a virtuous offering to the gods, the mode of sacrifice even mythologized with the fat and bones vs the flesh. Given that reality is their vegetarianism anachronistic or are they leaning on the Pythagorean vegetarian paradigm?

[@jrdarby]

A central component of the Platonist’s theurgic enterprise is henosis, unity with the One or the Good. This unitary phenomenon is conceived of as so unbroken and boundless that conceptions and language cannot apply to it, because such are inherently limiting. To achieve henosis, the theurgist would need to become more like the One, essentially lessening their connection to the world of generation and lightening their soul to ascend to something less limited. By imitating the divine, the theurgist attempted to extinguish their existence and become one with the One. The metaphor most often used was that of the One as the sun-a solar deity-which shone rays of divine light onto the aspirant, whose purified soul is enabled to rise back to the sun and become one with it. Platonist cosmology conceived of the world as emanating from the One into various, increasingly distinct (often conceived of as “lower”) forms. At the top (in fact off the chart and beyond the conception of rankings or categorization altogether) exists the One, but nearer the bottom of the ladder Iamblichus included such lesser beings as the daimones mentioned in the books in the video, and below them heroes (mythical humans so remarkable they are regarded as superhuman and potentially of divine origin), humans, and finally lesser animals. To consume flesh was to be like the lesser animal, not like the One or daimones, who exist without eating (but lack the corresponding enjoyment of sensory experience). The same could be said for reproduction. Such activities are also associated with pleasure rather than necessity, and it was this distinction that was also a crucial reason in denying the eating of meat, because pleasure is inherently a sensory activity and was considered inimical to becoming more divine. For more information, I’d highly recommend Algis Uždavinys’ book Philosophy and Theurgy in Late Antiquity. You can also find translations of the original sources online. Check out the links Justin put in the description. Thomas Taylor’s translation of De Mysteriis is in the public domain, but you can get translations of other works by John Dillon, Gregory Shaw, John Finamore, and more. Finamore and Dillon published an excellent parallel Greek-English translation of De Anima, and it’s great fun to read the texts side by side!

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

@@jrdarby Fascinating, thanks for the elaboration. The underlying assumption of meat consumption being a higher form of participation and connected to pleasure is an interesting one, as one could argue agriculture and husbandry are two sides of the same coin, and gathering and scavenging occupy the same connection so there's no difference in passive interaction, meat or plant. I wonder if it boiled down to meat being more expensive to produce and more extravagant at a glance, it's hard to argue a particularly well cultivated fruit is any less about material pleasure and prestige than a flamingo tongue, even if that is indeed the case. Whereas in the days of Hesiod and Homer there was probably a much greater reliance on animals as Greece isn't exactly Sicily, I wonder if this distinction within Hellenic philosophy was ever considered. Seems a little base to analyze it through a materialist lens but the different geographical conditions and resulting cultural norms jump out at me.

[@joshuafischlin4734]

Fascinating. Thank you sir.

[@andrewdunton6304]

I need to catch up..but I am doing it slowly and I still love you and your work my dude sir Scholar!

[@Protogonas]

Love the videos, and all the livestreams Doc. What's your opinion on Alduous Huxley and other "perennial philosophers"? I know there's the classic controversy around perennialists but I can't help but agree with what they represent.

[@orfeotracio]

Two reading suggestions 1. Circular Reasoning Is Not the Uroboros: Rejecting Perennialism as a Psychological Theory by Glenn Hartelius 2. Len Bowman, The Status of Conceptual Schemata: A Dilemma for Perennialists

[@Protogonas]

@@orfeotracio Thank you I shall read into those.

[@analogdefector6033]

I taught Perennial Philosophy in a common ground among world religions book group. If nothing else, the idea is compelling. I became a bit obsessed after reading of Thomas Merton's experience with the Sufis.

[@orfeotracio]

@@analogdefector6033 the problem with Perennialism is that, except a bunch of modern authors, it does not take into account what the pre-modern authors say. Barely nobody in world religious history believed to be part of some sprt of Superreligion that encompasses all.

[@analogdefector6033]

@@orfeotracio but, religion is an approach, not a road map to the Divine. It's fascinating - the way our efforts seem to overlap... and if G_d is G_d (All-in-All)....

[@heliopolitan444]

Iamblichus is *so* important to the practice of Theurgy. it's a bit dense tho. another great book to get in to the practice of Theurgy is "The Practical art of Divine Magic" by Patrick Dunn 😘

[@aminrodriguez4707]

@ESOTERICA pretty sure the dimensions you give are specifically so, ad to make the book easy to hide and transport, same as Mao's red book, the size makes it practical if you have to smuggle it or hide it.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

This was a very common book size known as Duodecimo or 12°

[@Cat-tastrophee]

I believe the reason they recommend you handle documents with bare hands is you can use your touch sensitivity to be very careful. You're more likely to damage the pages when you're wearing gloves because you can't feel as well. Correct me if I'm wrong!

[@balthazarbahdeya1697]

I say Dr. Sledge; when can we expect the intricate explication of Giordano Bruno, or have I missed something. Excellent as alays, Cheers

[@fakhruddinnalawala5451]

Something that I was always curious about is if handling pigskin breaks kosher or not... any thoughts?

[@rossorudolph]

Thanks!

[@benjones1452]

Thanks

[@ArachneAnathema]

The goal of hermeticism was the union of the human soul with the divine? They taught that all things in the material world contained divinity? How interesting! I have learned similar philosophy - the teachings of the Hindu Mystic, Sri Ramakrishna. So much of what you summarized as hermeticism is his Vedanta teaching - the realization that All is One. Fascinating, I can’t think of any way, in a small village in British occupied India, a Hindu priest would have had exposure to Renaissance Hermeticism….the ancient roots of both schools of thought must have cross pollinated somewhere. Or, a general human belief in the divinity of creation itself. Much to ponder.

[@Victoria7livity]

Thank you. “The hair of the dog” - I’m still thinking about that. 🐍

[@experienceanimation217]

John Dee & The Hermes/Thoth/Moses/Fu Hsi connection are my two favourite subjects. Fascinating shit. John Dee's cyphers are just genius

[@Davlavi]

very cool thanks for sharing

[@profbri.02]

33:56 is that quote where George Lucas got the Obi Wan Kenobi pronouncement when he faced off with Darth Vader in the first Star Wars movie? Because, that's just reeeally cool!

[@lindajustacrochetsister4659]

I love ❤️ your channel don't always comment too dumb to do that lol but I have always had questions on Religion I also never miss Let's talk Religion. I have a very Inquisitive mind never too old to learn something new to me

[@astrogypsy]

Thanks Doc. You are effing terrific.

[@annhenry6056]

Wow!! This episode was like book porn!! Your copy is amazing!! Wow!

[@8bitinsanity]

There has to be a feeling close to ecstasy to handle stuff like that. Old books are the best.

[@andrewkuiper8831]

Fantastic video! But where is my precious boy Cardinal Giles of Viterbo!

[@AGS363]

There is a translation of Alkibiades I on Project Gutenberg: www.gutenberg.org/files/1676/1676-h/1676-h.htm And there is a german version if you prefer: www.opera-platonis.de/Alkibiades_I.pdf

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep but not Proclus' commentary

[@DesignEcologies]

Thank you

[@missstella8398]

That is soo cool, i have about 6 small books like this but a bit newer , 1800 . Most are in German

[@nerinat8371]

Thanks so much for sharing

[@WizardOfAtlantis]

"...and this is my copy, from 1577" Is this the occult scholar's version of the mic drop or something? ;)

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Is that a KZbin award behind you?!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep!

[@priestessholleywood]

Thank you for this!

[@analogdefector6033]

I can't stop thinking about these Chaldean Oracles... is there any literature floating around dealing with this??

[@evans808274mc9la]

Belissimo

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it, friend!

[@axelseaton8420]

Which of your vids, do you think gives the best description of what Mysticism is? Also which for Rationalism too. I'm going to ask Filip & Zavi too I think I am on the edge of a small revelation :D

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I have a longish episode on philosophy and mysticism that would be best in that respect

[@AMANAPLANACANALPANTS]

something about alchemists with their gold- computer programmers and their cryptocurrency- attempts at the creating that sublime object

[@sduck122]

Outstanding!

[@Ithirahad]

Renaissance clickbait I guess would be "pickbait".

[@sageh.5228]

Small?? I think that manuscript is actually pretty big, above average at least

[@johnnewton8017]

🤣🤣🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@helenbostock2350]

Thanks you so much you help me understand me. I think. Hum thanks anyway

[@lindajustacrochetsister4659]

Thanks for the links

[@bjrockensock]

Hi. Thanks for your work. I would like to bring your attention to the unfortunate closed caption transcription of the word "esoteric" and its various forms as "terrorists" or similar. I know this is likely a computer doing this but perhaps the careful pronunciation of the word at the outset of your videos may assist in avoiding this unintentionally humorous outcome.

[@johnnewton8017]

Will we ever get an affordable English translation of Lazzarelli? 😔

[@drewfinn2]

Renaissance Click bait hahaHa !!! i just wish to thank you for this wonderful channel and all your excellent Work !! ✨

[@RonJohn63]

35:32 Someone's mentioned that water's hard to cut, right?

[@dylancloud5202]

Great video! Anyone interested in the academic history of occultism and esoterica should definitely check out the SHWEP--The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast!

[@diegooland1261]

cool, thanks for this.

[@anyatranter5588]

Very interesting..

[@simondyda]

I can see Black Letter Press publishing this book.

[@gg3675]

@8:45 I think you meant centimeters not millimeters.

[@nonameronin1]

I don't know whether to bless you or curse you for awakening an interest in old books in me. Probably bless as I'm too cash poor to afford the things 🤣

[@edwardvgarrick8748]

Will you ever discuss topics on Buddhism? I’d look very forward to it

[@johncollins211]

Unfortunately justin doesn't have as much knowledge on Buddhism as he would like to make a video. Fortunately for us he doesn't pretend to know everything which makes him seem more credible. He names other podcast that cover Buddhism. I would suggest let's talk religion and religion for breakfast.

[@edwardvgarrick8748]

@@johncollins211 thank you friend. I just figured it would be a interesting topic to add to his already vast catalog. I watch these channels you have listed thank you once again!

[@ceesno9955]

Is that human skin bound?

[@lindajustacrochetsister4659]

I think Acult was a waste of time

[@idan4989]

לא מצאתי שום דבר בעברית שקשור בהרמטיקה חוץ מערך בויקיפדיה

[@Adam-ui3ot]

Tom Hardy sounds a little different.

[@lindajustacrochetsister4659]

Very Interesting don't subscribe to the ideas but interesting anyway

[@interqward1]

Dr Justin IS a ('an?') Hermetic Mage. Is. Is one. We want to see - SEE - the genies and stuff happening now, on vid.

[@ashleydewing1420]

Around 8:40 I think you meant to say centimeters instead of millimeters. Although, I think having a teensy weensy copy would actually be way more magical!

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

whoops...yep!

[@republiccooper]

This is really trivial, but I'm not a Jew so I really don't know. As a Jew are you allowed to touch pig's hide?

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

Yep, it's mostly allowed

[@republiccooper]

@@TheEsotericaChannel I'm learning. My country has practically no Jews.

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

No, I think it's a very reasonable question

[@gutterhalo]

Thank you so much for your scholastic and academic approach to the esoteric you're a fixture in my home for intelligence

[@Chinnnnuz]

I would just like to say thank you, thank you, thank you! For showing me the literature in which I needed to help explain away the experience I endured for so long. Cornelius Agrippa? Whooo! He writes with that exact form I was desperately yearning for! Boy can that man write!!! Thank you! This channel is amazing, seriously. Love from the UK ❤️

[@Ma-gx1ql]

Is there a decent English translation? Nevermind, you said. Looks like I have a new top of the reading list. Of course, a bit will be rereading. Been really into thunder perfect mind with the Neville Goddard perspective of the "I Am". I also found a recording of it in Aramaic. It makes for great toning. Ps I love foolish fish💖

[@LucOfTheBind]

Why is it that the more I learn about esoteric knowledge, the more it and the world starts to make more sense?

[@dEAthlikEstAtic]

because that's what our world is made up of, something can only start to make sense to you when you take the time to learn what it is.

[@johnlomax2502]

Once again, thank you Sir for your in depth and invaluable scholarly work on the origins and history of esoteric thought in western and European cultures. I wish you and your family and loved ones a joyous, beautiful and meaningful Hanukah and Yuletide season.

[@yochanan770]

Good livestream today - even if it got a little weird - looking forward to future colabs.

[@johnnewton8017]

Coffee creamer?

[@revherring]

In SR Masonry, the "gnosis" was hidden by Enoch before the flood, to be found by Hermes and Pythagorus - each different parts of the gnosis.Pythagorus, of course, geometry and maths. But both also the Lost Name.

[@L3N0R4L4N3]

This was an amazing video over a fascinating topic, as always! And it was awesome to actually get a look at such an old book! If you wanted to do more Foolish Fish-esque book tours on some of your older books, I for one would love it!

[@brianetchieson5958]

I note a still over your shoulder:)

[@andytuesday500]

🤩. Thank you 🙏. I was just reading the translations. I’m very grateful.

[@alexgoncalves1228]

I can’t spell the name of the book but it’s haunted… I seen a face on the side 🧿. I love this channel

[@ricktalks7420]

I guess these guys are rolling in their grave being so close together. 😂🤣

[@MichaelYoder1961]

Love old books. I have a craft book from 1906 for lower class women to make things for middle/upper class houses. Even though it's "modern", it's difficult to translate instructions across the years. They described knitting and crochet work very differently 100+ years ago

[@pentegarn1]

Awesome! But I don't understand why they rag on Margaret Murray and Charles Leland so much today then? To rag on them seems to imply the belief that all these books were around....but nobody dared try practicing any of it. And that little book of yours. It made me realize how boringly symmetrical our books are today. lol

[@TheEsotericaChannel]

I mean the witch cult thesis was clearly wrong even back in the day

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

De Mysteriis Aegyptiorum by Iamblichus added to the list. I have *longed* for book recommendations like this.

[@AfuraNefertiti]

Wow that old grimoire 😍

[@robnorris8053]

Would it be possible for your podcast to avail it's supporters of a comprehensive list of the major texts that are the focus of your excellent podcasts..??? It would be extremely helpful in making purchases of said texts. Thank you for your incredible work.. (tomes that are actually available today)

[@Griwes]

I did *not* expect the choice of book comparisons you've made. Bravo.

[@hab699]

This is awesome! Thank you for producing this type of content!

[@NullStaticVoid]

I feel bad that my Latin is so rusty. I really should have kept up after HS.