What are the Larvae? History of Occult Parassites

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating origins and esoteric significance of the term larva. We begin by exploring its classical Latin meaning as a ghostly apparition or malevolent spirit, drawing from ancient Roman religious traditions. Discover how larvae were seen as dangerous spirits that disturbed the living, and how these concepts evolved over time.

As we trace the term through history, you'll see how larva came to represent not just ghosts, but also astral parasites in modern occultism, feeding off negative emotions and unresolved psychic energy. Learn how figures like Blavatsky, Crowley, and Bardon interpreted larvae as psychic parasites, and how the term has even found its way into modern biological terminology.

We'll also discuss the festival of Lemuria in Roman culture, where rituals were performed to exorcise these malevolent spirits, and the symbolic significance of masks in esoteric traditions.

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REFERENCES 📚 (more on screen)
MacCulloch, J.A. (1930) 'Larvae', in Hastings, J. (ed.) Encyclopaedia of religion and ethics. Vol. 8. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, pp. 765-766.
Greenfield, R.P.H. (1988) Traditions of belief in late Byzantine demonology. Amsterdam: Adolf M. Hakkert.
Russell, J.B. (1977) The devil: Perceptions of evil from antiquity to primitive Christianity. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Flint, V. (1991) The rise of magic in early medieval Europe. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Tertullian (ca. 210 CE) De anima. Translated by P. Holmes, 1870, in Ante-Nicene Christian library: Translations of the writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Vol. 15. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.
Dodds, E.R. (1947) 'Theurgy and its relationship to Neoplatonism', The Journal of Roman Studies, 37, pp. 55-69.
Garland, R. (2001) The Greek way of death. 2nd edn. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Scullard, H.H. (1981) Festivals and ceremonies of the Roman Republic. London: Thames and Hudson.

MY SET-UP 🛠️

00:00 Introduction: Astral Larvae
01:01 The Topic of Lavae came from a Patron
01:47 Support Angela’s Symposium
02:47 Etymology of Larva – Larvae
04:10 The Significance of Larva Meaning Mask
05:35 The Modern Use of Larva in Biology
07:10 The Concept of Larvae Over Time
08:18 Classical Conceptions of Larvae
09:34 The Roman Festival of Lemuria
10:10 Apuleius: The Metamorphoses, or The Golden Ass
11:21 Larvae in Christian Theology
12:51 Larvae in Early Esoteric Thought
13:11 Larvae in Gnosticism
13:56 Early Christian Demonology and the idea of the Larva
14:45 The Larvae in Neoplatonism
16:21 Renaissance and Early Modern Esoteric Interpretations of Larvae
16:51 Marsilio Ficino’s View of Astral Influences
17:29 Paracelsus and Ideas of Spiritual Entities
16:21 Esoteric Revival and Thought-Forms
22:01 Theosophy and Helena Blavatsky’s Concept of Larvae
22:56 The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
23:38 Aleister Crowley and Thelema and Psychological Aspects of Larvae
24:26 Spiritualism and Spirit Possession
26:08 Franz Bardon and Working with Larvae
28:16 Israel Regardie and Psychic Hygiene
29:49 Dion Fortune and Psychic Self-Defense
32:19 Modern Esoteric Practices and Chaos Magic and Psychic Parasites
35:52 Larvae in the Digital Age
37:47 Support Angela’s Symposium

⚠️ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts ⚠️
Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!

[wethepeople]

The magical subjects you cover are so important to the practice. It's nice to see another soul fighting the good fight. Spreading the truth. Thank you ❤

[JosedeNoche]

What I find fascinating about the conception of larvae is that it maintains its core essence of astral/onirique & psychological infestation and disruptive role towards their unweary prey. At the end, it all comes to develop a régime of spiritual & mental hygiene of magical, meditative abd instropective exercises to wander off these negative and malevolent parasites. Great symposium Dr. Angela. This brings a high-lighted insight in comprehending the ethereal nature of these entities 👻

[Anitha..]

very interesting conceptualization. I finally got to the level of development in 2021 when I recognized that some negative thoughts are so alien that they cannot originate from me. It happened really fast and a benevolent voice (more of a thought than a voice) told me to ask 'them' for help. I had recently read about gods of the Sumerians, Greek trying to find resemblance between them and it was clear to me that I needed to ask Apollo to cleanse me. The few moments that followed had changed my life. I did get 'cleansed' which concurred with images that originated from 'him'. no more such thoughts, and I became much much lighter. I used to be a highly rational skeptic who only accepted the ideas of the so called 'scientific method' and reductive materialism. After this I found myself closer to the child I once was, who was able to comprehend the world in its true magical form, seeing it more in its totality without the saddening butchery modern thought and cultural conditioning does to the observer. In summary I definitely think I had many larvae attached to me. Since then using Jungian methods I was able to resolve the problems that made me such a good host for them.

[craigdelaney]

This was Very VERY INFORMATIVE..! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾Well done.👍🏾[and I have a number of the books referenced.😊Thank You!👻

[julians]

A delight to know that Larvae. is not just something related to mosquitos or catapillers. In future, I encourage you. Dr. Angela to make a video on egregores, if it will not be blocked by YouTube, thank you.

[dracul]

I love this channel, you talk about so many fascinating topics that I would never have even thought to research ❤

[oliverkirkland]

It’s amazing how lately YouTube has just been giving me video after video for personal development, I’ve been in a hole for a while, always thinking there’s some sort of demon/ parasite that decided to feed off me, and finally getting some answers it’s really refreshing/ purifying and I’m getting tingles from how amazing the whole cosmos is. Also amazing make up, you look like a Mermaid 👻👻👻👻

[vivamarie]

A very important spiritual subject!! Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Dion Fortune's book Psychic Self Defense was my first exposure to the idea of "larvae". Really appreciate the historical & etymological references. I have several of the books you mentioned & I'm so glad I do! I believe strongly in spiritual hygiene and maintenance. Too often this subject gets either overlooked or thought of as paranoid and outdated. Thank you Angela for an amazing and thought provoking video! 👻

[arnoldworkman]

This is real! Anyone new or experienced in Magick or Esoteric Knowledge. Needs to watch this episode! DR. Puca painstakingly, put this information together inorder to inform. As you'll see thorough out it's segments. The mound of research and energy necessary, to discern this type of knowledge. Thank you DR. Puca for putting this together and sharing it! 🙏

[OCCULTPREPPER]

A wonderful video with a very diverse list of books and references. Keep up your blessed work 👻

[psylegio]

👻 Maybe it is the term larvae itself, but I think the concept of it growing is a fascinating one, regardless of it is external or intrapsychic. I am also thinking of the eye witness accounts of hauntings or oppressions etc, which oftentimes describe an increase over time. Super interesting video!

[martinsolloway]

👻 Fascinating, as always! Thank you for this deeply interesting talk.

[pronoydutta]

👻 its interesting how these concepts show up on D&D as well as Mike Mignola's Hellboy, etc.

Especially the astral plane and a more cosmetic version of insectoid larvae as spiritual parasites.

I never knew larvae meant something else entirely. Great video!

[ariesdraco]

👻This is my first time hearing about Larvae. I enjoyed learning about them while drinking my coffee. The closest thing to them that I knew was the general idea of evil spirits. The entire dimension of astral parasites is new to me.

[LokiSilverFlame]

👻 I love your videos and this one is no exception! I knew about larvae as astral parasites before but after watching your video I realize I did not really know them at all. Continual periodic shadow work is essential for the magician. Thank you for your scholarship, wisdom, and passion for all things occult!

[Boobatz]

Thank you for this important and fascinating video. The information about maintaining a cleansing spiritual practice is very important.👻👻👻

[hellogornto]

I will watch this as soonas i can Angela . I am intrested in your lectures. ThankS❤

[KimberllyBeatrice]

👻 I only understood what ghosts and the hauntings related to them are when I read The Spiritist Fallacy by René Guénon. According to his research, these ghosts are the psychic remains of the deceased and the funeral ritual serves to calm them down. People who die peacefully do not leave these harmful psychic remains.

👻 Great video! 👍

[Keith-id]

Great video, very informative! Thanks👍

[theresetal]

Thank you Dr Angela, another excellent lecture