Podcast episode
We discuss the Iraqi context of the early shī‘ī movements, explore some of the political, esoteric, and politicesoteric concerns of the early partisans of the ahl al-bayt, and then give a basic run-down of some of the most important shiite movements and their imams.
Podcast episode
We discuss politico-religious developments among the Believers in the eighth century, setting the stage for a series of episodes exploring developments in esoteric Islām in the Umayyad period. We also discuss our evidence for how the Believers' movement became ‘Islām’ in the first place, also seemingly an Umayyad phenomenon.
Podcast episode
In this interview, Part II of our discussion of quotidian magical practices in the East-Roman world with Alicia Walker, we explore a wealth of materia magica, which is a fancy way of saying "magical things". Come for the alchemical enamel-ware, stay for the multipurpose magic ring.
Roots of Magic episode
Sara Chiarini has been studying practices for gaining knowledge in the Greek Magical Papyri. The conversation covers typologies, the types of practices involved in doing ancient knowledge-ritual, and the difficult question of ‘belief’ in the efficacy of such practices among practitioners.
Podcast episode
In the previous episode we looked at learned, elaborate, elite magical practices and the books that enabled them in East Rome. In this episode we discuss the magical practices and objects with which normal, non-specialist Romans navigated their mediæval world. Alicia Walker is our guide in the territory where the esoteric becomes everyday.
Podcast episode
In our final episode on the Solomonic Hygromanteia we get to where the action is: it's time to conjure up a demonic host. Featuring an unexpected cameo appearance from the kabbalistic sephirot!
An introduction to the podcast, discussing briefly what we mean by ‘western esotericism’. This episode also answers the burning question, ‘What’s so “secret” about The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast?’ and features a short quiz to test your knowledge of western esoteric history.
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