Buy These Books - Essential Library for Studying Western Esotericism & the Occult
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- Опубликовано: 11 апр 2024
- Building a reliable library of Esoteric and Occult books is simply difficult. What sources are accurate? What translations are dependable? What editions are the best? After years of building my own library I created a master list of what I take to be the most important academic volumes for the study of Western Esotericism through c. 1650. With hundreds of books in numerous fields, I've created a massive, though systematic, list that I think contains the essential books you should have in your library of Esoterica, the Arcane and the Occult! Check this list out and start building your own Esoteric Library!
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Find the Complete Bibliography list here: www.justinsledge.com/esoteric...
or via Google Docs here: docs.google.com/document/d/1c...
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this is legit one of the most valuable channels on youtube
💯
my bookbinding hobby may just become very useful now. print pdf, turn into hardcover leather book, put on book shelf.
I was wondered if that was possible! Good to know
Don't let Brill read this
That's cool
A few nights ago, I went to a metal gig to see a band called Spite - brutal, awesome metal! Anyway, there was an advert for a rock group called Esoterica playing later in the month and as I moshed the night away dodging stage divers I occasionally broke into a smile thinking of Doctor Sledge up on the stage delivering an extremely informative and witty lecture in front of a rowdy and drunken crowd, having to shove stage divers out of his way and occasionally demanding the audience forms a brutal pit in which the occupants fear for their lives!
Spite is sick.
@@rogeliodominguez5651yup, seen them twice now, the second time was at a tiny venue where I was middle of the front. Close enough to smell the singer!
Dr. Sledge: "And John Dee and Edward Kelly asked how to find buried treasure."
The Mosh Pit: WOOOO YEAHH BURIED TREASURE *crashes into each other*
I have had Esoterica promoted on my Instagram feed. I always get them mixed up with the excellent funeral doom metal band Esoteric. Both are English as well.
@@pinkcupcake4717"Erotic Binding Magic" and "Immortality Technology" are always crowd pleasers. Demiurge got actual airplay though, so I just groan when I hear it.
It would be phenomenal to have Esoterica Publishing someday to reclaim, proofread, and re-print all these super expensive and out of print works, either as physical books and/or PDFs
THIS is the video I've been wanting. Filtering through countless modern ~spiritualism~ books is exhausting (especially as someone who wants to focus into astrology and astrological magic), thank you for the shortcut to the good stuff!
View the Bibliography here - docs.google.com/document/d/1caKNlW7sogEF7lAeYNbOQF9pt5O5b70yAXa-icUJO3o/edit?usp=sharing
You should pin this comment
something i'd recommend is setting the titles to each section as headers to populate the outline and make it easier to go through. if you switch it to pageless mode (under Format) it'll also be cleaner to read on a computer. i'm excited to have a list like this
Great recommendation - done!
I think I missed how to access the list.
🙏🌍🕊🕊
@@ancientwisdom108 View > Show outline
Uneven is a considerable understatement. It’s been largely through your channel and Dr. Angela that I’ve distilled my library down to the good stuff
two legends!
"From the ether"... .Love the delivery.
"Yes Guillermo, I know how the Ether works"
This video exemplifies why I think you're one of the best channels on RUclips (in this field, at least)! Thank you Dr. Sledge, for your commitment to transparency and empowering others to learn seriously.
Justin,
You are truly doing wonderful, important work. I’m consistently in awe of the quality and generosity of your contributions. I do not think it is an understatement to say that Esoterica is a great gift to humanity, and I truly admire your commitment to the earnest pursuit and sharing of knowledge of these subjects. There simply is no other single source of this caliber, that covers such a broad array of subjects so deeply, in such a delightful presentation, and I do not think there will every be another. _You_ are the secret sauce-thanks to your generosity, integrity, creativity, sweat equity, mentality, and intellect.
Thank you! 🙏
Such a kind comment! Thanks so much it really warms my heart and I appreciate it deeply.
The profound giving heart of the true academic is on display here, thank you for this resource Dr Sledge! I hope this little beginners list fuels not only a passion for further study amongst viewers, but a greater drive to make accessible and preserve the harder to find, and more expensive volumes. It sucks that texts go out of print.
My brother became very curious about all of these topics and I'm happy to say I highly recommended this channel and this video was perfectly timed. Thanks Doc!
Pro tip: If you find a pdf but want to have a physical book you can let one print for you. Where I live this is even possible with books who still have a copyright, as long as you only do it for personal use. I am currently editing a pdf I found for a lightnovel I would like to read and it will cost just 10€ to make it a book.
I don't have words to express how thankful I am for this Doc, your experience is indispensable beyond description.
10:12 This is such a welcome little pep talk. I'm a practitioner, but I've still felt called to dive deeper: our local college library had a copy of James P. Allen's "Middle Egyptian: an Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs." I'm about 3 chapters in, and while it is slow going, the more I learn, the more "do-able" this feels, which is astonishing to me. Taking notes, making flash-cards, quizzing myself, and just really *thinking* about language is giving my mind such a healthy ongoing challenge! Taking myself "back to school," purely for the challenge, enjoyment, and empowerment of it, is a choice I am not regretting.
I'm already compiling a little "wish list" from the Esoterica library to help supplement this pursuit. Thank You, Dr. Sledge, for putting this "next level" within reach for practitioners.
As a fellow bibliophile I appreciate this list. I read a lot of myth, biblical mysticism, epic poetry etc. in college (many years ago unfortunately). Recently I started reading about theosophy because of the RUclipsr Styxhexenhammer666 and I discovered your channel and have been binge watching your videos. I look forward to learning more!
I would add the following titles:
Faraone, Tovar - Greek and Egyptian formularies:Text and translation. (As an addition to Betz Greek magical papyri)
F. L. Griffith - The Leyden Papyrus.
Erik Hornung - The One and the Many: conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt.
Frances Yates - The art of memory.
Marsilio Ficino - Dionysius the Aeropagite. Parts 1, 2, 3.
Steven Botterrill - Dante and the mystical tradition: Bernard Clairvaux in the Commedia.
Gosh, I can’t wait to use the channels partnership with Brill to secure some of these texts!
This dropped at the perfect time for me. I've got a creative project around HP Lovecraft. I've taken the recrurring character of Randolph Carter and imagined a modern day Miskatonic student finding his lost journals. The student is then sharing Carter's notes on Lovecraft's own stories as well as on some essoteric texts that I am imagining Carter researched. Now I have a great list of texts to pull from. Thank You!
This is exactly what I needed! Turns out my uni library has the entire Lynn Thorndike collection (in the bowels of compact storage but available nonetheless) Thank you Dr. Sledge!
the timing!!! ❤❤❤ i was literally just looking to make the jump to also reading books on esotericism!! legit so perfect. your timing and scholarship is impeccable, dr. sledge! thank you!! ❤❤❤
The timing is rather odd. I started getting addicted on reading academic and historical books about magic last week and was looking for a good reading list this Tuesday.
I especially wanted a good recommendation on the Bible, since it's hard to find non-christian recommendations, even in the scholar field. In fact, I even looked in your channel for it. A few days later you posted it. I'm so happy!
Timing is PERFECT, as it was meant to be. A little magick happened right there!
The timing is uncanny for me as well: I'm three weeks into teaching myself Middle Egyptian, and this serendipitous pep talk from Dr. Sledge is giving me some extra fuel!
Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall, I'd start there
@@cuervojones4889 I love to think that.
@@lewismillar-nelson4953 Thank you for the recommendation.
I looked it up and apparently it is not considered accurate anymore, with people pointing out his giant bias of Freemasonry. I don't know if that affects the whole book, tho. As I learn more, I will definitely check it out for myself at some point.
Still can’t believe I’m learning about all this stuff for free. Much appreciated and keep up the fantastic work
8:58 Being a practitioner, I have found the most relevance in studying the solidly known historical foundations and engaging with others, historians, practitioners and the general public on topics in esotericism on those grounds by far more productive. To my mind, the mythological elements are for me and me alone to find myself in; by sticking to what can be known and internalizing that the importance of mythology as the importance of imagination, I can not only maintain the purity of my practice and avoid corrupting the practice of others (except nazis, corrupting their practices is called praxis) but it's very helpful in never suddenly realizing I fell into a narcissistic personality cult.
I also would love to hear you talk about Mesmerism.
conjuring up books from the ether is the only magic i know ;)
It's an excellent magical skill to have!
Well done sir. your vid strikes me as a modern version of the bibliography of Dr John Dee's library, But... with modern scholarship as we understand it. A very well direct discussion of the subject, from a academic perspective, not that of a practitioner. For that I applaud. Well done. I have also been studying this field for a long time. I also am a collector of such bits of subjects of forgotten lore. You sir I respect. Well Done.
Thanks for the syllabus professor
The broad strokes of the first 2/3rds of the video can apply to so many disciplines. Just great advice in general.
Thank you for putting together this list! I purchased the first book after seeing an early video we’re you advised getting it and I am reading it now. It is an awesome book. I can’t wait to get some of the others and boost my library. I love your channel.
Thank You SO MUCH for this!
Had I the money I would throw it at you for compiling such an invaluable resource!
I remember a few years ago you had some obscure texts that you mentioned you wanted to sell but were considering options. By the time I saw the video there were too many comments to be seen, but at that time I was going to suggest scanning/ digitizing & creating your own saleable digital copies. A "Dr. Sledge Library of the Obscure and Esoteric" would be a great way to support yourself/ the channel or other such philosophical endeavors.
I love that these texts have endured some academic rigor as well as an academically rigorous filter of your scholarship as well.
Hurray! You even gave an entry level survey!!
Thank you again.
Your care for the field is a blessing to us all. Thank you again, for the furtherance of a beautiful science.
I’m glad I’ve been on the right track building out this large portion of my library. Many of your recommendations are already on my shelves or on my wishlist. Some of these have definitely been recommended by other scholars I follow as well.
Thank you for making this video and list!
I just ordered the Guide for the Perplexed! 🤘
I think one of the most spiritual exercises is reading old books on ancient history with a problem in mind, because once that connection is made, wow what a mindgasm. It's like slowly putting a mental puzzle together and fitting one of those pieces, that historical picture becoming clearer, nothin better. It's actually one of the reasons I believe in the transmigration of souls, I believe the most accurate way of explaining it is that it's a feeling of retrieving lost data, recollecting lost memories.
After every video I've seen, after every book I've read, I'm only left in more wonder and awe. humbled by how little I know and driven to deepen my understanding on such an equally fascinating and misunderstood field of study.
Surely one of the most hype videos of all time
Your eloquence remains inspirational! Thank you!
Thank you for your tireless work on bringing topics like this to the general public, and people who might be interested in learning more about what you cover on your channel. Your list is truly an invaluable tool to those who wish to study these amazing topics further. Thank you again, sir.
Some damn fine recommendations here, folks!
Many of these are absolutely essential!
Great work as usual, Dr. Sledge!
Thanks, Dr Sledge, for doing this list! I saw on your Community page that you were going to do this episode today and I actually wrote myself a note so I wouldn't miss it! 😊
Looking forward to your exploration into Freemasonry. I have learned more from literature on the subject than I have from speaking to any Freemason directly , but I suppose that’s intentional.
Love this! You are the man as usual, my dude!
It's a pity that academic literature is so hard to find and acquire, somehow both priced as a luxury and dismissed as unimportant.
Thanks for making it more accessible and identifiable.
Thank you Justin, i always struggled to fins channels that i trust or at least am interested in, your videos go above and beyond, they are the measuring stick i use every time i have a collage paper, thank you
Thank you doctor for your insightful resources and wonderful channel, which I’ve become addicted to.
Dear Dr. Sledge (dear Justin), this time you have outdone yourself! Again, I would say. There are not enough words to thank you for such generosity: such a curated and accurate list is a gift to all your supporters and followers: thank you very, very much, my good “doc”!❤❤❤
This has to be the best channel on youtube. Just wow. I already have too many books. Thanks for feeding my thirst for esoteric knowledge 😭❤
Thank you Dr Justin! This is an incredible resource! Just, wow :)
Thorndike at the Internet Archive for the win
They have Only a few volumes I have a full set of 8 if anyone is interested
Thanks for such an invaluable resource!
Dr. Justin i just wanna say you are a legend and we will sing hymns in your honor for generations. thank you so much!
Highly appreciate your work. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. Yet, you transmit knowledge with passion and a sharp sense of humor. Treasure of modern times.
I feel like I am witnessing something seminal. I feel like this library document may be a turning point for the study of “Western” esotericism.
this is one of the best videos you've made
This is absolutely incredible! Thank you so much for doing this. Your videos, as well as those of other channels you frequently collaborate with, have been an indispensable resource during a period of resurgence in my interest in these topics. Reliable and accessible information felt out of reach for a long time, which is a big part of why it slipped out of my immediate interest, but I have held a lifelong fascination with magick, alchemy, all things esoteric and mystery schools, and contextual information about the history of contemporary religion and it's etymology. I always appreciate your book recommendations, and have been wanting to go through and consolidate some of the ones in my immediate interests for a while, so thanks for saving this procrastinator that time. I'll try to put the time I saved to actually reading lol.
The language section is particularly valuable, since most language courses are designed to make the learner a bad tourist, not someone who can read texts in the language.
Oh wow! How timely! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Thanks for keeping me educated so I can encourage others to do proper media analysis on media and where to find the source of info
thank you for providing so much wonderful insight and incredible resources, dr. sledge! i will be taking note of what books to invest in looking for in the future.
Thanks for posting this. Super, super helpful!
Thanks for making this video I got busy and had already forgotten the suggestion you made in your last live.
20 30 years ago my friends & I would have committed crimes to get our hand on this bibliography.. just gd amazing !!! Thank You Professor Spooky!
Very nice of you to share the must read books...I recently found your channel and enjoy your clear presentations....I was gifted my 1st book on "magic" to read at about 15 yrs old... and I was sucked in immediately....living near the Wheaton IL theosophical campus..I was invited in and shown their extensive library...the kind folks there allowed me access to that extensive library...after moving to Austin TX in 1971...they were more than kind as they mailed me books...read them and remailed them.. some staff of the UT at Austin were also kind and awarded me the 1st non student library card... allowing me access to their 19 libraries... sharing your library with your listeners is quite kind and reminded me of the kind folks that shared with me... cheers from Mexico!
What a fantastic idea, thank you Justin!
Hope the list helps the community and hope you are well, friend!
Thank you Dr. Sledge! You are a godsend. I've been waiting for this. I'll try not to go broke buying all these books.
Thank you for your videos, your book recommendations and most of all your empowering words. I’m deeply interested in this subject but am easily intimidated in many paths of learning. I am frequently and easily discouraged when I go to learn a new thing, especially if the teacher is haughty or mean about it, which is often enough the case in academic or professional matters.
It’s very encouraging and refreshing to hear someone, even a stranger, say, “You can do this.” You are appreciated, Doc.
Be well.
You definitely can.
Now this is video we all been waiting for. 👏🏽🍻
Wow! A dream come true. You're the best!
Thank you so much for all your work, and knowledge ❤️
This is so valuable! Thank you!
I love you channel man! Thank you so not only teaching me so much. Bet thank you even more for giving me the tools teach myself.
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed.
Perplexed, to say the least. Thank You for this Generous gift of knowledge. Such a tremendous kindness is very much appreciated. 💜
Awesome list.
Heavy Metal - bringing balance to the force since Elvis left the building.
this is great, thank you for everything that you do!!!!!
Awesome gift this bibliography! Thank you!
Justin you are simply a treasure.
Wow this is quite the list. Thank you.
Thanks a lot. The list is impressive and helpful. My wife tells me I read too much but I will try with some of these. Greetings from Poland.
massive thanks for making this video
Thanks a lot Dr. Sledge! A lot of these books I never heard of, but I do have some of them. Plese continue with more recommendations!!
Just ordered Hanegraaff, can't wait to dig into it and take it from there.
Great resources! Thank you!
My personal collection already consisting of translations for the Nag Hamadi Library, the Books of Enoch and a book call 'Trials, Tribulations and Triumph' which concerns topics of Catholic Mysticism such as the Apocalypse and the Great Catholic Monarch.
Now my collection is going to balloon greatly, thank you Dr. Sledge!
My demented ravenous need for more books should be on a tshirt.
heck yeah, thank you Doc!
Great list, will be picking up a few of these. Prof. Hanegraaff is excellent!
Thank you for the list, I got some reading to do.
Thanks! I have been thinking about asking you for a reading list. I do get recs from bibliographies and, um, am approaching the final third my life, god willing and the creek don't rise, so I know I will get to a fraction of this and of my other interests, but am grateful that you have put this out there and for all your other work. Blessings to you.
U have no idea, Dr. Sledge, how helpful the topic of this presentation is to me! I was discussing with my wife only the other day how i would love to have a magic wand and turn myself into Corso from The Ninth Gate lol. Thank u so much for the list. Fascinating subject, and I'm a lifelong devotee to esoteric literature myself.
Thank you so much for this!
BOOKS! A list of books! A list of awesome books! Perfect BD gift! Thank you for this list!
This is a great show! I’m inspired. Great information!
In the words of Dr. Irving Finkel: "For those of you who never thought you might spend your life reading cuneiform, what a foolish decision that was...and perhaps we're in time to rescue you so you can immediately drop everything and take up cuneiform studies."
I really appreciate this list, sir. Figuring out where to start has been difficult, despite my own habit of reading modern scholarly articles on a range of topics over the past decade. This field in particular has proven dense and nigh-impenetrable for someone without a degree in philosophy or the classics (maybe for them, too, I wouldn't know).
My pocketbook, however, has some choice words for you, as seven minutes with your bibliography is set to cost me over a hundred dollars. Well worth it, and far cheaper than what a solo meandering would cost, but still.
Only $100? Just wait.....and worry.
@@TheEsotericaChannel - Thank you for the warning, sir. Lol. That price is just for the specific list of primers that I've been missing.
I'm so glad you're giving good recommendations of books to read I'm tired of luke warm esoteric authors just selling books to profit. I want the real genuine information and you never fail to provide Mr. Sledge 🙏
i was just asking a friend of mine who's a lot more well versed in occult topics than i am for just this kind of list. thank you doctor sledge!
Thank you, thank you.....just thank you ❤️