How Witchcraft Skepticism produced the Lesser Key of Solomon, Modern Demonology & Psychiatry
Johann Weyer's 1563 De Praestigiis Daemonum (On the Deceptions of the Demons) would prove to be an important opening salvo for skepticism concerning the early modern Witch Trails. In it, Weyer argues that demons can only perform illusions and that the women accused of witchcraft are often suffering from "melancholia" or mental illness and should be helped rather than persecuted. In later editions, Weyer would also include a demonological text he entitled the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum ("False Kingdom of the Demons") to mock the pretensions of would-be necromancers. Ironically, this text would go on to become the foundation of the Goetia in the Lesser Key of Solomon!
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Recommended Readings:
First edition of De Praestigiis Daemonum with Pseudomonarchia Daemonum - www.google.com/books/edition/...
Pseudomonarchia Daemonum - www.blackletter-press.com/pro...
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@alexanderkovalyov5211
Жыл бұрын
Would, the good doctor, have come across another mid-17th century text under the name "Contra Levitatem"? And if you have, would you shed some light on the matter. Please. Thank you.
@EstherYael1984
Жыл бұрын
Justin, I wonder if you can help me. I subscribed to your channel via Patreon last week, charging it to my visa, and this morning received an email with a message from you. When I tried to open it Patreon did not recognize my email address. I don’t know how to correct this. It’s very difficult to communicate with Patreon. Thanks. Esther.
@savantofillusions
Жыл бұрын
Spot on
@user-il6kj5pg6b
Жыл бұрын
@TheEsotericaChannel so here's a theory to throw out there. So could not the devil and his demons used the fear of witches to trick man to murder witches? I had this thought while listening to this video. So thank you for activating my thoughts.
@Channel-sp3fp
Жыл бұрын
The witchcraft is basically deceit, or wrongful persecution of pagans. Christianity spread Noahide Laws, it is Tikkun Olam. Yehoshua Gordan on Habad TV was reading about touching 3 year old girls and the regrowth of their hymens after being injured by an imaginary piece of wood, a lie for the juice to blame the girl and pass capital punishment on her similar to kapparot blood rituals so the juice pedo activities go unnoticed. Citing Niddah 44b and the Mishneh (Sefer Kedushah, Issurei Biah, Chapter 12, Rule 10).
This is one of the most fascinating episodes ever. Weyer actually brought the Devil in court, and argued that contracts with him are null because of standard things like no witnesses or physical contracts 😂 Thank you again Dr. Sledge!
@anglerfish4161
Жыл бұрын
Phoenix Wright'ed the hell out of the Devil!
@JayEAA
Жыл бұрын
@@anglerfish4161 Daniel Webster aint got SHIT on Weyer! Speaking of, the myths about Daniel Webster might be a good Esoterica episode.
@TrinityShining
Жыл бұрын
It's down to st Peter at the end of the day, would he detect for example fake blood used in a signature? Asking for a friend lol
@inabsolutedarkness13
Жыл бұрын
He didn't consider that all witch contracts with the Devil are performed at night and therefore witnessed by Nyx herself
@anglerfish4161
Жыл бұрын
@@inabsolutedarkness13 But can he get the familiars to testify, is the real question
Your explanation of why pacts with the devil wouldn't hold up in court was the entertainment I didnt know I needed 😂
@marsbars6596
Жыл бұрын
Oh yeah? Check your money, education system, and everything in between Satan runs the world through those we call heroes or experts but they're nothing more than just puppets of lucifer! From the pope to Darwin they're all deep in the occult and against Jesus Christ, doubt it not, ok you can go back to sleep now!
My 11th G Grandma was hung at Salem Hills Gallows.. Rest well Margaret Scott.. A sad poor old widow who was taken advantage of. But you live on through your offspring.
@ponyote
Жыл бұрын
Sometimes you just have to live on through the blood.
"There's no such thing as Witches." Weyer ..."He's a witch." The church
@JohnnyKooter
Жыл бұрын
Basically a Monty Python skit.
@ponyote
Жыл бұрын
No one expects the ... oh wait, never mind.
@justinfleming5119
Жыл бұрын
This is how "white supremacism" works too.
@jacopoarmini7889
Жыл бұрын
well, since he's acting in the German world it probably wasn't the Catholics
There is seriously no other channel that presents well researched, academic information in a way that’s so enjoyable and accessible.
@slomosapien156
Жыл бұрын
ReligionForBreakfast has really good stuff as well. He's done companion vids with Dr. Sledge
@Berks11
Жыл бұрын
@@slomosapien156 I’ll check them out!
@scenestealer53
Жыл бұрын
That’s hilarious!
@Camon-bi6ju
Жыл бұрын
Let's talk religion is another great one
I was diagnosed last year with schizoaffective disorder. After learning about the connections you’ve made in this video to the witch trials I kind of understand the modern apprehension people have towards my diagnosis. Thank you for the incredible content!
@swannoir7949
Жыл бұрын
How is that different from schitzophrenia
@jasonpillay9909
Жыл бұрын
@@swannoir7949 Why don't you google it? It's not the diagnosed that invent these definitions.
The whole idea of demons and witches only being able to perform sleight of hand tricks reminds me of Umineko, a visual novel with that being a major premise. The main character has to argue with a self-proclaimed witch on how a series of murders were or weren't done with magic, with the witch having several demons carry out murders and the main character having to demonstrate how they could have been done by humans. It's a pretty fun VN, especially for fans of Agatha Christie or Dante.
@anon_moose
Жыл бұрын
Too bad it's so freaking long. It took me like 70 hours to finish "Questions arc" and I'm only halfway through the story!
Love your work! Great job! . . . the torture and sadistic treatment of witches to extract confessions was, IMO, done simply because the torturers wanted to torture people. "The object of torture is torture" - 1984
@11mr.niceguy11
9 ай бұрын
Some of it was more about obtaining wealth , land and power. And of course what good is all that without causing suffering. Suffering goes without saying. Imagine how primitive we would still be if we had not had our dose of suffering administered by the powers that be. More suffering please.
And this would be why your unique skills, translations and overall point of view is so well suited to review such text. Fantastic and thankyou. It was very difficult to obtain a copy of the Lesser Key of Solomon in the early 1990's ;-)
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
This is an example of a text that is way more obscure than it should be.
@leahmurray666
Жыл бұрын
I just downloaded The lesser key of Solomon. Excited to read it. I have hauntings and an alien visited me a few months ago so I try to learn as much as I can.
@seththorson6164
Жыл бұрын
@@leahmurray666 what did it look like? I’ve seen an entity myself. I physically saw a full entity (not spiritual but actually PHYSICAL) in my old home.
@seththorson6164
Жыл бұрын
@@leahmurray666 It was 100% some other type of being that science never told me or you or anyone we know about
@leahmurray666
Жыл бұрын
@@seththorson6164 amazing tell me what it looked like!! And what happened. . I was filming orbs in my flat. One night I was in bed + there was an alien next to my bed head ( I couldn't see its body, only head). He had a brown humanoid face with deep lines/ wrinkles and a largish nose perhaps. I mentally told him I could see him then he made me sleep . When I woke up I couldn't physically move for ages. A couple weeks ago I was in bed + saw a floating plasma ball for a moment near the spot the alien was. I ran out to tell my bf, came back in bedroom+ saw an orb fly from that same spot across the room. I thought perhaps they were coming back again that night. I woke up through the night with ' invisible arms' around me, then was released. I've had strange hauntings and nite terrors since childhood. Sometimes held down in bed with pressure, or someone sit on the bed but no ones there. I always wondered if it was spirits or aliens. Now I think it's aliens. Tell me about your experience
This reminds me of H.P. Lovecraft jokingly drafting a “family tree” of his fictional entities, which was then picked up as “canon” by later authors.
@TrinityShining
Жыл бұрын
That's not a problem in occult philosophy - it's called unconscious channelling.
@TrinityShining
Жыл бұрын
@@Talitha-hv3ze we haven't reached a consensus on existence yet - first things first
@TrinityShining
Жыл бұрын
@@Talitha-hv3ze I wouldn't know if he exists or not, but I have witnessed his worshippers gathered in a dark hall, murmuring and giggling in unison although otherwise invisible to one another, whilst an eerie light created an enlarged apparition of the fictional bunny rabbit on a vast screen, for which we were required to surrender a small premium to gain admittance and luckily one of our company had brought crisps and popcorn. A good many of the cult members seemed to genuinely believe that the rabbit was real, although the elders confessed that it was designed to invoke entertainment in the form of amusement. Don't let age steal these secrets from you! Hang on to your dreams.
@enijize1234
Жыл бұрын
@@TrinityShining There are many gods, but there can be only ONE godmaker
@illiatiia
Жыл бұрын
@@Talitha-hv3ze I think you're joking, but that's actually a good question. We'd have to define the parameters of "Existence" and "Reality". "Does fiction exist?" Is one of the most layered questions ever. Alan Moore has a crazy video where he's simply musing on it. It's a fun watch!
Dr. Justin, I LOVE your translational asides. So interesting to compare the original intents of the early texts s against the editorial misconceptions of the copiers.
@dannahbanana11235
11 ай бұрын
PREACH lol
The Pseudomonarchia is also a plot device in the gothic horror/folktale movie "The Arcane Sorcerer" (L'arcane incantatore, Italy, 1996, dir: Pupi Avati) which I highly recommend if you're into the old BBC Christmas Ghost Stories film adaptations of M. R. James' et al stories. In my opinion a highly underrated gem.
@dexocube
Жыл бұрын
Hey I watched that one about ten years ago, it was a hard film to track down, but it was worth it. Pupi Avati is criminally underrated, he made some amazing films.
@nickl1615
Жыл бұрын
Danke
I was leaning into Weyer's philosophy as a child in explaining away ghosts. They, the ghosts couldn't hurt we because their hands would just pass through me or pick up anything to hit me because their hands would pass through them. Thank you Weyer, thank you Dr Sledge. Satan is weak, Esoterica is strong ! Keep up the good work!
@seththorson6164
Жыл бұрын
@@nornalhumsn7167 Aliens are more than likely what we have called “demons”
@JoseDeJesus-gi3oh
Жыл бұрын
Most likely if the ghost can touch you make stuff open and close or smell like their favorite perfume ten times out of ten thats not a ghost thats something disguised as the ghost but not a ghost but something that is not that ghost
What a bunch of strange twists of fate. Excellent episode!
Been really excited about this video since you announced. Thank you so much for delivering such high quality, academic content on this topic. Blessings upon you sir!
This is great stuff Justin. I really appreciate your insight into the tone, intentions, and disposition of Weyer and and his contemporaries. These things aren’t always easy to get a handle on for someone lacking your knowledge and expertise of the time and history. The fact that you can imbue it with humor is just as impressive and makes things easier to digest. Many thanks, sir!
@marsbars6596
Жыл бұрын
There's nothing like Yahusha Ha Mashiac aka Jesus Christ who died for us! Sorcerers have no part in the Kingdom of God! Open your eyes and see, open your heart and be free!
There is a channel by the name of Agrippa's Diary that recently popped up a few months ago that I have been watching also. I just thought I'd mention the minor coincidence since you mentioned Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. The narrator for that channel has an amazing voice, and I hope the quality of his content matches the likes of you and LTR. Amazing video as always, Dr. Sledge
I lived on the witches hanging grounds outside Atlanta ref Concord church Smyrna GA people don't realize the last hanging of a person for witchcraft was 1918 in Florida
@1ACL
Жыл бұрын
Oh that figures
@bitteranjel6782
Жыл бұрын
It's funny most people don't realize modern health care is based on kitchen witchcraft
Thank you for plugging your merch Dr. Sledge. I couldn't pass up the "Heretical Witch Army" shirt. As soon as you mentioned it, my eyes popped wide open and I had to get it! As always, your content is excellent! Thank you.
Your manner puts me in mind of a beloved professor from my NYU days, who taught Medieval Jewish Philosophy. I keep expecting to hear something about The Mutakalimun from you. Great stuff. As a (fake) magician and as a writer, I love learning about this stuff.
@JoseDeJesus-gi3oh
Жыл бұрын
you are a magician of the good kind i can tell
You keep expanding my mind in directions I wouldn't have known to go. Thank you, Dr Sledge.
My favorite topic. Thanks again for the marvelous content!
I am obsessed with this channel! I love the knowledge!!! Thank you!!!
"This may have dyer facepalming . ." Crowley does have that affect on people.
Thanks for your fascinating explanations!
Thank you so much Dr. Sledge, I am so thankful for you.
Loving the King Paimon stamp of approval on the video thumbnail. /j
@CLEFT3000
Жыл бұрын
I actually hate that c**t
@CLEFT3000
Жыл бұрын
Crazy comment I know but there’s just something about him/it that irritates me. I have no idea why. An annoying little bish.
Excellent video! You set the framework and Weyer's mindset into context so it's easy to understand the how and why of his work, both good (stop killing women) and the bad (women are weak and easily deceived). I very much enjoy learning a well balance history of the occult and arcane.
I don't know if this is the best youtube channel but it is definitely the best KZread channel.
Interesting time to drop this gem, Doc!
@justinfleming5119
Жыл бұрын
Was there a recent witch burning?
Fascinating video! I had no idea that Freud mentioned Weyer, that is so cool, true father of psychiatry, even. Great stuff as usual, just bought 2 of your t-shirts, too! :)
Sir, your knowledge is impeccable and you have a fantastic sense of humor!! Thank you for this informative segment👍
Thank you, Sir, for your light of mind and generosity of heart.
Great video.. Thanks for the information.
Shalom and warm greetings to you Justin. This was a most fantastic and delicious episode! Thank you 😊👌🌹
This was a much needed video considering modern theistic satanism is based entirely on these ideas
@starshade7826
Жыл бұрын
The only theistic satanists I have encountered were part of "Joy of Satan" and their nonsense is about as plausible as ancient alien hypotheses and flat earth.
Could you perhaps do a video on the 1666 expanded version of " the Discoverie of Witchcraft" in the same vein of " text meant to debunk witchcraft that by virtue of detailing it systematically went on to inform witchcraft" irony?
Love your channel
Somehow I missed this in all the fray of the day's events. So excited!
What a super interesting article, especially about the unpredictable zig zag of historical interpretation!
40 minute episode lessgooo 🔥🔥🔥
I’ve just noticed that even though I am subscribed to your channel, and the bell icon is on “all””, I haven’t been made aware of your recent uploads, I’m i the only one going through this?
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
It randomly happens - no idea why
YES1 i feel like i literally waited forever for a new vid :]
Very excited to see what you have to say about the werewolf phenomenon soon. Personally, I like to believe it originates in remnants of the indo-european "Kóryos" practice, though I have zero evidence to back that claim, and can't wait to learn more from a great channel that always "brings the receipts".
@craigsurette3438
Жыл бұрын
I am in complete agreement that the werewolf myth is probably tied into the Indo European wolf warrior phenomenon. My working hypothesis is that some parts of the Ulfhednar wolf warrior tradition survived into the Christian era. We do know that some werewolves were said to transform themselves via a magical wolf skin belt, vs simply being cursed and becoming wolves involuntariness, which implies a holdover of some sort of animistic wolf magic practice was involved
Fascinating, as always
0ne of the key tests for witchcraft in the Malleus Malificarum was the fact that witches can't cry. Under no circumstances, it was stated, a witch can be made to shed tears.
@JoseDeJesus-gi3oh
Жыл бұрын
Or that you can also flip the script on them while they are in their morph state with a incantation and a “chinga tu madre manana vienes por tu chile y sal “ = fuck you motha fucker tommarow come for your salt and chile “ and saying is who ever comes the next day and knocks on your door and asks for that chile and salt then youll see who is it most likely somebody living close by
Yup... gonna need that merch ya got there ❤😂
WEREWOLVES NEXT 🐺🌕
I'm a big fan of Black Metal & DSBM so I love your merch. Absolutely interesting video as always!
I really enjoy your videos and your knowledge 🇬🇧
One of your best yet Dr Sledge! Looking forward to one on werewolves ;)
Oh, man. I just love your channel so much ❤️ I was just thinking how Heretical Witch Army is an amazing band name ❤️
Extremely interesting video. 👁👌🏽
Thank you!
Man, you start throwing that Hebrew and Latin around, and I start questioning my sexuality. Great episode!
Thanks!
It is SO refreshing to watch an Esoterica video after just watching top ten style medieval "facts" video lol
@TheEsotericaChannel
11 ай бұрын
Yeah, that stuff is often kinda rubbish
But how about the necromancer who summoned the spirit of Samuel to advise King soul?
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
Weyer argues that wasn't actually Samuel
@anno41
Жыл бұрын
@@TheEsotericaChannel haha good stuff, thank you!
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
@A2 nah
Being aware of the demonic trickery is part of what scripture says, my people perish for lack of knowledge. It's not anyone's responsibility but their own to protect" themselves, to seek out how to save" their own soul through a continuous relationship with God through Christ. This way the saying 'what you fear and or deny , owns and controls you'. Recognizing the total spectrum of life and the many layers of the scriptures and divine guidance. The battle is real, spiritual wickedness in highplaces seeps into many . Armor on , shielded up! Thank you for sharing the study delivered.
New sub!!
....very fascinating. So much of "our" realm and the "higher" realms rules are hidden or obscure and even contrary to what we call "law/legal/logic" that experience alone (one's own or another's) are all that can be examined and best to steer well clear of the supernatural.
Great information to add with Steven Skinner's.
I like the addition of the Vaseline glass in the introduction
Would love a Thoth/Hermes hoodie merch option!
really sounds very knowledgeable
I need an Esoterica patch for my battle vest. 🤔
THIS CHANNEL IS FUCKING GOLDDDDD PURE GOLDDDDDD!!! THIS DESERVES A MILLION SUBS ALREADY
Such a great explanation on the whole crazy witchcraft trials. Thanks for your scholarly information. :) What is amazing is that people are using the goetia still. There are people who swear by this. So, whether its silly or delusional, it has its popularity in the modern occult world. I wonder if we all delude ourselves at times?!
The Key was my I introduction into the hermetic arts. As I purchased it in ignorance, Imagine my surprise as they revealed what it was.
11 hours on & have watched another 11 vids (I’m getting better at this LOL). Have returned to watch this one again though:- sending it also to my sister saying “want to be intellectually stimulated -(that’s really stimulated) 🤔AND entertained ? No-one does it better on the planet 🌎 right now then:-THIS guy” Kathy Prince, Australia 🇦🇺
I'm in for an episode on Werewolves.
As a Dutchman I must say that Johannes Wier might indeed not have acted out of mercy or some sense of ethics or moralism; he just really disliked the papals and katholics and attempted to undermine their influence in Europe. This would make more sense, because his original texts in Dutch hardly refer to Birks' Malleus Maleficarum (Witches Hammer), even though it's the book that stoked the fires of the Witch trials. Probably because the book was not approved by the Church, and condemning it would mean agreeing with the papists. All speculation, afcourse.
@MrDalisclock
3 ай бұрын
I keep forgetting just how much the Catholics and Protestants hated each other for centuries until I'm reminded.
Thanks for all the great videos! Would you consider possibly doing a video on The Grand Grimoire: The Red Dragon?
Many many thanks once again for your excellent work. Who said irony was dead? Love the closing comments... a warning to all about the dangers of Tziming in a Tzum neighbourhood. All this must have your Hegel-bumps itching and I forsee another switcheroo in the offing - fifty years from now your videos will be used as kindling for the next round of bonfires. Though I would of course love to be swindled by demons on that prediction... :)
Thanks guy for your work always told people of they own stuff and aromatically got offended never does they argument hold up but express they misunderstanding
Thank you.
Man, I love this show.
23:47 "A fenestris ad parietem"-I'm concerned by how funny I find this.
@TheEsotericaChannel
9 ай бұрын
skeetate, skeetate, skeetate
Ok then. This does put the entire Geotia story under a pile of scrutiny, really. Would be interested to see if it does have any recorded basis in any solid form before this, as most work I have seen doesn't mention it in sufficient specifics to say it is the same thing, let alone any of its content being accurate in any way to anything but this. Guy literally puts Pseudo as the first word, and it becomes the modern dictionary on the subject in all but name.
I needs me some Esoterica hoodies!! Hoodies, I say!
Good video Dr. Sledge. Good to see the history behind the curtain with all of this. Found it equally fascinating that even science itelf in modern psychiatry doesn't escape this either. Like a bad virus, sometimes nothing escapes infection even if symptoms remain somewhat assymptomatic if you will.
a video about the werewolf trials would be great
You are a fascinating human
thanks doc
After the Lazzarelli episode , this is the most interesting one for me.
Oh my gosh. So much bs in Catholic demonology. I pray one day some one would actually translate the sepher qarmaim one day before I die. Great episode. Thank you Sir. ❤
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
I hear, through the grapevine, that a translation might be in the works.
@jbaquinones
Жыл бұрын
@@TheEsotericaChannel that is awesome. Thanks.
Well, that was a wild ride... I dont know whether to love or hate this Weyer guy 😂 Great episode!
amazing video !! may I ask where are all the images and illustrations from ?
Amazing video! Is there a version of the book selling today that is actually faithfull to the original Content and that I can buy these days?
Every video involved with Christian Magic makes the Vatican sound like Hogwarts and Ministry of Magic 😂
@ 4:30, I thought you were going to give us some death metal growls.
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
Cookie Monster has entered the chat
Amazing. Terribly sad. And Amazing.
@4:43 Sounds exactly like the year 2023.
29:57 "In general, Weyer comes down mostly on the side of mercy, education and medical treatment, though sometimes he does get medieval and oversteps himself, noting that in egregious cases of sorcery worldly punishments should suffice when God himself, you know, takes a break and doesn't punish people when they should be punished. Yet, in other places, he even argues against the death penalty for these cases, to fight the fact that Mosaic law makes it explicit they should be killed, suffer not a witch to live; after all he notes there are other places in the Mosaic law that insist on capital punishment, like when your children are bad, and no one does that, so we shouldn't carry out capital punishment just because Moses said so because we don't always do that, so much more the case when you know, witchcraft isn't even possible..." Of course, if Weyer's message had been taken literally, the world might have been deprived of corpse paint, and numerous wooden churches might have still been standing, not to mention not to mention all of the house pets belonging to teenagers that might have lived to produce tens of thousands of unwanted strays. This video is a rim shot to the film careers of Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Our Rabbi Dr. Sledge is the Mel Brooks of actual historians. What would we do without him in this new dark age??? * * * * * This video gets five "pentangles" (NOT drawn by Peter de Abano) PS: Mental note to self to get Agrippa's fourth book.
Lookimg forward to that werewolf episode!!!!
I mean I caaaan write a synopsis, but it’s the footnotes I’d need help with. Zed Mako’s Sinister Thoughts is a good read that seems to touch on a lot via poetry.
It's about time demonic possession be treated like an illness and not a crime.
wow black metal esoterica merch sounds interesting
@TheEsotericaChannel
Жыл бұрын
It's TRVEKVLT ;)
I subscribed. ✅💯☺️🤟