Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

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Exploring the forgotten and rejected story of Western thought

Earl Fontainelle


    • May 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 201 EPISODES

    4.9 from 249 ratings Listeners of Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) that love the show mention: esotericism, scholarship, first rate, occult, ancient, western, practices, philosophy, intellectual, magic, study, order, rather, history, beginning, depth, interested, ideas, topic, important.


    Ivy Insights

    The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) is a captivating and informative podcast that delves into the world of esotericism. Hosted by Earl Fontainelle, each episode explores various aspects of Western esoteric traditions, providing a comprehensive and entertaining survey that would otherwise be difficult to find. This podcast is a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise on esoteric literature and practices.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Fontainelle's ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner. His storytelling skills and charisma make listening to each episode a joy. Additionally, the selection of guest speakers is excellent, with leading scholars in the field sharing their insights and expertise. The episodes are well-structured, providing a chronological overview that allows listeners to understand the historical progression of esotericism.

    Moreover, SHWEP covers a wide range of topics, from ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean studies to the history of science in the Early Modern period. This breadth makes it appealing to enthusiasts and scholars across disciplines. Whether you're interested in philosophy, history, religion, or theology, this podcast has something for everyone.

    While there are many positive aspects about SHWEP, one potential drawback is its niche appeal. The subject matter may not be of interest to everyone, as it focuses specifically on Western esoteric traditions. However, this targeted approach allows for a deep dive into the topic and ensures that listeners who do have an interest in esotericism will find exactly what they're looking for.

    In conclusion, The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in esoterica or those seeking a deeper understanding of history, philosophy, and religion. Fontainelle's passion for the subject shines through in every episode, making it both informative and entertaining. Whether you're a believer or skeptic, scholar or amateur, SHWEP offers valuable insights into the world of Western esotericism.



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    Latest episodes from Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

    Seventh-Century History for Students of Western Esotericism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 55:31


    We return to the history of late antiquity in the eastern Mediterranean and central Asia. Momentous events occur, empires rise and fall, and Jews, Christians, and Muslims all suddenly develop new apocalyptic notions. Come for the dry historical exposition, stay for the esoteric divine kingship.

    Introducing the Qur’an Part III: Qur’ānic Texts vs. the Qur’ān

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 55:06


    We use the history of the text of the Qur'ān, from oral revelation to written ‘book', as both a cool story and as an opportunity for various reflections on more esoteric aspects of the text.

    Introducing the Qur’ān, Part II: Ambiguity and Esoteric Themes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 70:43


    We begin to explore the esoteric side of the Qur'ān, examining several case-studies in terms of ambiguity and esoteric themes. It turns out that every letter of the Qur'ān is an esoteric text.

    Introducing the Qur’ān, Part I: Revelation, Text, and History

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 57:03


    We cover some basic territory in introducing the Qur'ān, the holiest text of Islām. We introduce the text, discuss the traditional story of the Qur'ān's revelation, the modern text-critical enterprise of Qur'anic studies, and try to pin down the elusive character of this book-that-is-not-a-book.

    Fred Donner on the History of Early Islām

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 53:35


    We discuss what little we know and how much we don't know about the nature of the early ‘Believers' movement', the nature and origins of the Qur'ān, the curious case of the so-called Constitution of Medinah, and what went on during the earliest decades of the Arab conquests. Fred Donner is our guide into unknown territory.

    Matthew Melvin-Koushki on Islam, ‘the West’, and Western Esotericism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 64:29


    We welcome Matthew Melvin-Koushki back to the show to discuss how we might improve our historical picture of western esotericism by including the vast majority of the surviving historical dossier of western esotericism. There's only one problem: in order to do this, we need to embrace the Islamicate world as a major part of the west.

    Introducing Islām

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 73:03


    With Episode 200 the SHWEP has reached a milestone of sorts. We are in the seventh century, and the world-order suddenly changes irrevocably as a new political force arises from Arabia: the Believers. We discuss three main respects in which the history of Islam is the history of western esotericism.

    Paul Pasquesi on the Book of the Holy Hierotheos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 57:40


    We discuss one of the lesser-known, but most esoterically-important, classics of Syriac spiritual literature, the Book of the Holy Hierotheos. Hierotheos was said to have been the teacher of Dionysius the Areopagite, but he wrote in Syriac, and taught a suspiciously-Evagrian practice of ascent to god.

    The Pseudo-Dionysios, the Esoteric, and (Christian) Mysticism

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 66:05


    We turn to the questions: What is ‘mystical' in the Corpus Dionysiacum? What is esoteric? The answers we come up with involve pretty much every aspect of the western esoteric traditions, and, after all the initiatory liturgy, esoteric scriptural hermeneutics, and theandric activity are cleared away, there remains the ascent to ‘the ray of the divine shadow'.

    Naming Divine Nothingness: Introducing the Pseudo-Dionysios

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 69:18


    Into the divine darkness of a hyper-non-existent god walks the Pseudo-Dionysios. In this episode we join many esoteric currents from the antique and late-antique past into a new synthesis which will forever shape western esotericism going forward.

    One Empire, Many Names: Reading “Byzantium” with Anthony Kaldellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 82:25


    We are delighted to speak with Anthony Kaldellis about ‘Byzantium', fabled empire full of Greek-speaking Romans which never fell until the fifteenth century, and which plays an outsize role in the history of western esotericism. Come for the historiographical debates about the term ‘Byzantine', stay for the ‘Byzantine' court astrology.

    Contested Esotericisms at the End of Antiquity: Simplicius, Philoponus, and Olympiodorus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 60:17


    We discuss three of the most important thinkers from the final generations of philosophical teaching at Alexandria. One is an upstart Christian. Two are esoteric Platonists of the Golden Chain. One may or may not have been an alchemist.

    The Last Platonists? Philosophic Teaching, Christianity, and Polytheism in Late-Antique Alexandria

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 42:34


    We discuss how Platonist philosophical teaching played out at Alexandria before Justinian's edict of 529 and in its aftermath. Featuring cameo appearances from the fall of the western Roman empire and Horapollo's Hieroglyphika.

    All from Nothing: Sara Rappe on Damascius

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 51:00


    We discuss the great Damascius, final scholarch of the Athenian Academy, with Sara Rappe. Things become very apophatic.

    Hagia Sophia and the Problem of ‘Esoteric Architecture'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 64:02


    We discuss Justinian's great church, Hagia Sophia, the gem of Constantinople and of Orthodox Christianity. We then look at a number of theories out there which read Hagia Sophia as encoding esoteric messages beneath her Orthodox exterior, and use this case-study as a springboard for discussing the thorny problems involved in interpreting architecture, especially esoteric architecture.

    Kevin van Bladel on the Ṣābians of Ḥarrān and the Fate of the Athenian Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 55:03


    We discuss the fascinating town of Ḥarrān (in present-day Türkiye), a place known from late antiquity until at least the eleventh century for its continued tradition of astral, polytheist worship. Kevin van Bladel tells us much to enthral us about this place, but also crushes the dream of a continued tradition of Athenian Late Platonism at Ḥarrān.

    Edward Watts on the Age of Justinian and the Closing of the Athenian Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 69:36


    We discuss the life, times, and reign of Justinian, ‘probably the most consequential Roman emperor, at least since Constantine, and maybe since Augustus.' He transformed the empire; nothing will be the same after his reign. Said reign also saw the closure of the Athenian academy and a number of crucial crises within Christianity, all of which are essential for the history of western esotericism.

    Danielle Layne on Proclus’ Religious Life and Thought

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 51:40


    ‘Our inspired reason, our mad reason, is what nourishes us. it’s like a mother.' This one is absolute fire. We discuss pistis, ‘faith', and the rôle that this (on the face of it, rather un-philosophical) virtue plays in the thought of Proclus. We then move on to his theory of prayer to the gods, in […]

    Graeme Miles on Proclus the Commentator

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 43:23


    We discuss Proclus' titanic labours in the field of commentary – on many Platonic dialogues, but also on the Chaldæan Oracles, the Homeric poems, and a number of other texts – with Graeme Miles, an acute reader of Platonist philosophy and part of the team translating Proclus' Republic commentary into English. Come for Platonic commentary as spiritual practice, stay for the kosmic-astrological reading of the Myth of Er.

    The Esoteric Proclus, Part II: Esoteric Exegesis and the Occult Ontology of Language

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 59:22


    We enter the interconnected webwork of a reality where signs are things, things are signs, and everything means everything, but appropriately. Come for the visionary semiotics, stay for the occult sigils.

    The Esoteric Proclus, Part I: The Life and Thought of an Esoteric Sage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 70:44


    We look further into Proclus' esoteric doings, as a sage whose privileged status is marked by inspirations and epiphanies, omens and miracles. We then attempt a (shamefully oversimplified) summary of some important aspects of his (meta)physics.

    Dylan Burns on Proclus the Successor

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 52:14


    We welcome Dylan Burns back to the podcast to discuss the life, works, and philosophy of Proclus the Successor. ‘All in all, but appropriately to each'

    Hierocles of Alexandria and the Pythagorean Golden Verses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 43:54


    We discuss Hierocles of Alexandria, strudent of Plutarch of Athens made good. He wrote an esoteric commentary on the poem known as the Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans. The poem is full of good advice and the Commentary tells us a lot about the nature and purification of the luminous subtle body.

    The Great God Pan Lives: Introducing the Athenian Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 60:44


    We turn to the final flowering of polytheist Platonist philosophy, centred on Athens (and Alexandria). We review some useful historical data, discuss the history of ‘the Academy' as a notional ‘school' in antiquity, and introduce Plutarch of Athens and Syrianus, teachers of the great Proclus.

    Ↄ. Martiana on Martianus Capella and the Marriage of Philology and Mercury

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 55:37


    We discuss Martianus Capella and his extraordinary and vexing philological ascent-account, the Marriage of Philology and Mercury. Ↄ. Martiana guides us through a geocentric kosmos where liberal arts are planetary spheres, gods are physical elements, the planets are daimones, but absolutely nothing is as it seems.

    Macrobius and the Commentary on Scipio’s Dream

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 49:09


    We explore the rich seam of late-antique esoteric lore that is Macrobius' Commentary on the Dream of Scipio. We discuss who Macrobius was, what he wrote, what he wrote about, and introduce who read him later on. He emerges as a crucial transmitter of astrologised, arithmologically-informed Platonism to the Latin west in the middle ages.

    Augustine of Hippo: Saint of the Exoteric

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 36:52


    We discuss Augustine the anti-esotericist, who denies that Christianity has any esoteric dimensions. He employs the esoteric to do so. Can you trust a guy who does that?

    The Manichæan Catholic: Augustine of Hippo

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2023 47:17


    We turn to one of the most difficult, fascinating, and ultimately consequential thinkers of late antiquity, Augustine of Hippo. In this episode we discuss his relationship with Manichæism and Platonist philosophy, and a few of his important philosophical conclusions.

    Stephen A. Cooper on Marius Victorinus and Latinate Christian Platonism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 70:53


    We discuss Marius Victorinus, a fascinating character from the tumultuous Roman scene in the mid fourth century who converted from Platonism to Platonism-plus-Christianity. His life and thought give us a valuable window onto the cultural scene in fourth-century Rome, as well, as some crucial data for the transmission of Platonist ideas into the Latinate middle ages.

    Gretchen Reydams-Schils on Calcidius and the Timæus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 57:48


    We discuss the Latin translation and commentary of Calcidius with Gretchen Reydams-Schils. Who was Calcidius, where did he get his interpretations of what Plato meant, and, best of all, how did his anti-esotericist approach to Plato feed into western Christian esotericisms? We find out.

    Plato Latinus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 29:41


    The podcast turns from the eastern Roman empire to its western reaches, now falling into strife and decline as we move into the fifth century. In this episode we look at languages, especially Latin and Greek, and discuss how their intelligibility declined in the respective halves of the now-sundered empire. And we discuss the fate of Plato and Platonism in western Europe as we move into a series of episodes discussing late-antique esotericism in Latin.

    Jay Bregman on Synesius of Cyrene

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 50:00


    We dive into the fascinating life and thought of Synesius of Cyrene, Platonist philosopher and student of Hypatia of Alexandria, and Orthodox bishop of Ptolemaïs. Committed Christian or pagan bishop? We'll see ....

    Noble Lies and Philosophic Silence: Hypatia, Synesius, and the New Esotericism in the Fourth Century

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 43:45


    Fear, loathing, violence, and persecution. How does the philosopher operate under such circumstances? We look at the case-studies of Hypatia of Alexandria and her student Synesius of Cyrene, for some pointers.

    Hypatia of Alexandria: The Life and Death of a Philosopher and her City

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 38:00


    In Part I of a two-part-series centred around the great Hypatia of Alexandria, we introduce the life, and the notorious death, of the Late Platonist philosopher Hypatia, one of late antiquity's most evocative enigmas. Plus, a Christian mob didn't destroy the Great Library at Alexandria, but that doesn't mean there weren't some scabrous goings-on.

    ‘And When Rome Falls, Falls the World': The Fall of Rome and Western Esotericism

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 45:50


    The sacking of Rome by Alaric and his Visigoths in the year 410 was an ideologically-charged event that left a permanent imprint on the culture of the west. We discuss two contemporary readings of what this event meant – one a polytheist and one a Christian – and, starting from these case-studies, a few of the crucial themes set in motion by the ‘Fall of Rome' in the history of western esotericism.

    ‘Visibly a Goddess': Heidi Marx on Sosipatra of Pergamum

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 45:25


    We discuss Sosipatra of Pergamum, an otherwise-unknown late polytheist holy woman and philosopher, depicted by her biographer Eunapius as a living goddess as well as a philosophic teacher in the lineage of Iamblichus. Come for the Late Platonist resistance to Christianity in the fourth century, stay for the mysterious Chaldæan strangers.

    Frederico Fidler on Sallustius’ On the Gods and the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2023 60:16


    We are delighted to speak with Frederico Fidler about Sallustius' On the Gods and the World, a short manual of a popular nature outlining how Platonist metaphysics work, how traditional Hellenistic religion is thought to mirror those metaphysical realities, and how esoteric hermeneutics are the key to unlocking the truth in the vast tradition of myth, ritual, and philosophy claimed by Julian, Sallustius, and other late-antique Hellenes. Come for the esoteric myths, stay for the kosmos as esoteric myth.

    Strategies of the Esoteric in the Hellenism of the Emperor Julian: Exclusion and Pluralism in a Late-Antique Polytheism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2023 57:22


    We discuss the dynamics of Julian's esoteric religious/political formulation of Hellenism, and reflect on some of the very strange things that happen when esoteric religions like Iamblichean theurgy (and Christianity) are taken out of the small conclave and projected onto the corridors of power.

    Jeremy Swist on Julian, Part II: The Emperor’s Religio-Philosophic Project

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 34:26


    Our discussion with Jeremy Swist on The Emperor turns metaphysical, theurgic, and religious, as we discuss Julian's incredible synthesis of Iamblichean theology and metaphysics, traditional religions, and politics. Come for the pagan counter-church, stay for the transcendent solar metaphysics.

    Jeremy Swist on the Emperor Julian, Part I: the Political Background and Political Project of the Emperor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 39:15


    Jeremy Swist, specialist on Late Platonism, late antiquity, and the great Julian the Faithful, lays out the political background and political project of The Emperor. Part I of a two-part discussion of late antiquity's greatest statesman. No bias here.

    Joel Kalvesmaki on Evagrius’ Kephalaia Gnōstika: Philosophy, Scripture, and Apophatic Mysticism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 37:22


    In Part II of our discussion with Joel Kalvesmaki we explore the philosophy and mysticism of the Kephalaia Gnōstika, Evagrius' masterwork of mind-bending metaphysical aphorisms.

    Joel Kalvesmaki on Evagrius of Pontus, the ‘Gnostic Trilogy', and the Origenist Controversy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 44:29


    Part I of a discussion of Evagrius of Pontus – ascetic, philosopher, developer of Origen's thought, and mystical writer – with Joel Kalvesmaki. In this episode we cover the life and work of the great sage, in particular his ‘gnostic trilogy', and discuss the ‘Second Origenist Controversy' which would decide the fate of his opinions vis à vis Orthodoxy in the sixth century.

    Theology, Politics, and Radiant Darkness: Michæl Motia on Gregory of Nyssa

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2023 55:18


    Having introduced the Cappadocians, we must of course explore the thought of the Divine Gregory of Nyssa. Michæl Motia is our expert guide through the territories both of late-antique religious politics and the illuminated darkness of divine unknowing at the heart of Christian mysticism.

    Sergey Trostyanskiy on the Cappadocian Fathers, Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 30:50


    In Part II with Father Sergey, we explore the Platonist ‘mystical' themes, esoteric imagery of divine darkness, and the limits of human knowledge in the Cappadocians. Христос воскрес!

    Father Sergey Trostyanskiy on the Cappadocian Fathers, Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 63:21


    We discuss the great theologians, ascetics, and philosophers of fourth-century Christianity, the Cappadocian Fathers with Father Sergey Trostyanskiy. Come for the Philokalia, the collection which smuggles Origenistic and other anathematised ideas into the very bosom of orthodoxy, stay for the presence of divine darkness to the soul.

    Claire Hall on Firmicus Maternus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 37:18


    Firmicus Maternus, a fairly prominent fourth-century intellectual from Sicily, wrote two works which survive: one is our earliest-surviving manual of astrological practice in Latin, and it shows a full-blooded belief in astral determinism, and the second is a rabid Christian polemic against traditional religious practices. Discuss.

    Kocku von Stuckrad on Monotheist Astrologies in (Late) Antiquity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2023 43:59


    ‘With the rise of monotheism in the late Roman world, astrology became a forbidden science and began its long decline.' Starting from this widespread, and completely false historical myth, we discuss the realities of monotheist astrologies across antiquity and beyond with Professor Kocku von Stuckrad.

    Metals, Temples, and Living Statues: Shannon Grimes on Zosimus’ Egyptian Context

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 38:27


    We fill in some of the historical, cultural, and economic background of Zosimus' life and practice with Shannon Grimes. Come for the economics of metallurgy and ancient Egyptian trade-guilds, stay for the living statues.

    Bink Hallum on the Extended Zosimus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 59:17


    We further explore the thought of Zosimus of Panopolis with Dr Bink Hallum, whose PhD research centred on the Arabic Zosimean corpus. We cover the basic (if confusing) textual situation, and then discuss astral influences, daimones and demons, mysterious talismans, Enochic ideas, and much more.

    Matteo Martelli Introduces Zosimus of Panopolis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 54:42


    We discuss the life, work, and thought of Zosimus of Panopolis, greatest alchemist of late antiquity, with Professor Matteo Martelli. All is One!

    martelli zosimus
    Recognising the Real in the Forgery: The Pseudo-Clementine Literature

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 50:02


    We discuss the extraordinary late-antique novel of the early Christian church at Rome, known as the Pseudo-Clementine literature. Gnosticism, Jewish-Christianity, esotericism, scriptural and other forgery, and the problem of authenticity itself loom large as we quite improperly discuss a text meant only for true initiates.

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