Stoic Origins of Western Occultism, Perennialism, Esoteric Hermeneutics & Magical Correspondences

Stoicism is very much in vogue from tech to the military but it may also lay at the very origins of Western Esotericism. Much of the theory of western occultism - that is to say that one can harness hidden powers in the cosmos - actually has important origins in Stoic Philosophy. Overwhelmingly known for their rationalism, materialism and famous for the notion of apatheia or the extinction of the pathe or passions or emotions, Stoicism contributed three quintessential elements to the development of western occultism: (1) ancient, sagely proximity to divine wisdom (perennialism and prisca theologia), (2) the concealment of that wisdom in religious texts and myths along with the method by which just those secrets are revealed or allegoresis and (3) the cosmic system of connections or sumpatheia by which which all of reality is united into one vast cosmobiology thus setting the stage for the metaphysical correspondences underwriting everything from magic to alchemy. Join me as we explore the Stoic background to Western Occultism.

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#stoicism #occult #stoicism #philosophy

Recommended Readings:

Brennan - The Stoic Life: Emotions, Duties, and Fate - 978-0199217052
Long & Sedley - The Hellenistic Philosophers - 978-0521275569
Sambursky - Physics of the Stoics - 978-0691606873
Hackett Stoic Reader - The Stoics Reader - 978-0872209527

[MarlonOwnsYourCake]

The broicism shade in the intro gave me life 😂

[mattosborne]

I have never seen anyone make this subject so accessible and I have studied classical philosophy.

[Non-dual-mind]

Finally, someone separates real Stoicism from the people who've heard the phrase and just try to act stoic. I've grown to dislike people who use these ideas to be more successful. It's just shallow to the nth degree. As always, superbly eloquent Dr. Sledge.

[Lyrog]

Your channel is an actual gem, thank you for making this content

[TheModernHermeticist]

Terrible etymologizing is a time-honored tradition stretching back to the ancient sages, so it's definitely good enough for us.

[soraxp]

As somebody who reads Epictetus almost weekly I thank you very much for making this video. I can't tell you how excited I was to see this title as one of my notifications

[spacecowboy]

Today of all days; you decided to post this. Stoicism is hiding behind every corner that i look around these days. Today I noticed a connection between the Stoics and the Gnostics in the way that they each hold the "I am" or "Self" as the source of all and knowing what is not "Self" as the way to fullfilment. I would love to listen to a conversation between you and Miguel on Aeon Byte Radio. I feel you would be a good scholarly balance to his...lack of.... Thanks!

[ggunnelspct]

As a practicing Stoic I’ve definitely seen hints of this in the writings of the classic Stoics

[johncollins]

The doctor killing it again! I cannot thank this man enough.

[crazyballs]

He was my philosophy teacher, a while back i thought i was mistaken but looked him up, he's even nicer in person. Wow i am honored to have him teach me.

[benitoharrycollmann]

You are bestowing a great benefit upon society by making these videos freely available to everyone. It seems in this modern age that we often times mistake that which is simply sensory, with That which is sincerely sublime. Your content truly helps in distinguishing between the two. Thank you for your service.

[jeremyheckathorn]

I love the birds in the background. You can tell he is used to not having to think of birds chirping. All joked aside another great video from the channel that reignited my interest with religious historical studies even as a long time atheist.

[Fz]

Doctor, this might be your most foundational and contextualizing video yet, in respect to categorical Western practice. Amazing stuff, thank you very much.

[dlloydy]

Wow what a fantastic episode Dr S. I love this stuff. Having gotten a bit lost in ‘traditional’ Stoicism I went the path of bro Stoicism only to realise it’s ‘trendy’ nature fits right into the personal development vibe. Look forward to more of this if possible…please!?

[giannists]

Big Thank you as always Dr. Sledge, don't know if those ideas are common in academia, but would never would have reached me if it was not for Esoterica.. Being native in greek helped me maybe absorb around 7% of the episode, the next 10 times I hope I 'll be around 50%.. Please follow up on the item with additional episodes!

[dKonstructed]

Hi Dr. Sledge. Thank you for commenting on the Tech Dood-bro brand of stoicism that has permeated the self-improvement industry. Awesome commentary on classical Stoicism as well. I've only read The Meditations, so I was unaware of the depth of the philosophy. Thumbs up!

[Nivloc]

Your description of the Stoic Sympatheia to my mind sounds like a reflection of current physics theory of Entanglement. Everything in the Universe is entangled with everything else. Everything old is new again.

[SirCoughsalot]

By far one of my favorite videos so far.

Any chance we could get a video on Epicureanism one day?

[JA_Michael_]

Hands down the GOAT, D J Sledge. We’re all blessed for you sir

[seanpanick]

Stoic metaphysics *and* esotericism?! Best. Day. Ever.