Medieval Mystical Women - The Beguines - Hadewijch Mechthild of Magdeburg & Marguerite Porete

The typical view of the middle ages is one of cultural, intellectual and religious stagnation. This is hardly the truth. The European Middle ages were marked by innovations at almost every cultural register including spirituality. This episode explores the radical and probing mystical spirituality of the Beguines, a lay culture of women who worked in the skilled trades, publicly preached, aided the poor and destitute, all as part of their own autonomous spiritual vocation. These women were also extraordinary mystics and theologians. We briefly explore three of these amazing women here: Hadewijch of Antwerp, Mechthild of Magdeburg & Marguerite Porete to reveal how their mysticism abounds in love, light, madness, and annihilation.
This episode is also a collaboration with my colleague Filip Holm over at Let's Talk Religion where he will be exploring the role of women in Sufism / Islamic Mysticism. Check out his video here: • Mystical Love & Sufi W...
#mysticism #beguine #women
Recommended Readings:
Hadewijch: The Complete Works - 978-0809122974
Marguerite Porete: The Mirror of Simple Souls - 978-0809134274
Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Flowing Light of the Godhead - 978-0809137763
Swan - The Wisdom of the Beguines - 978-1629190082
McGinn - The Flowering of Mysticism - 978-0824517434

Пікірлер: 124

  • @TheEsotericaChannel
    @TheEsotericaChannel3 жыл бұрын

    Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel or a one time donation - www.paypal.me/esotericachannel Your support is profoundly appreciated!

  • @stephaniejames6672

    @stephaniejames6672

    3 жыл бұрын

    Please create an Amazon page where we can discover all of your recommended texts and be able to purchase them while sending a commission to you.

  • @stevescott8060

    @stevescott8060

    Жыл бұрын

    Done with Expertise, just excellent. Stories of the Mystical Women are always very Interesting. Acknowledging that what you are doing is in of itself another form of Great Work of the Arts modern video book presentations. Imagine how these videos will be thought of only a hundred years from now. Example, Hey Zernoc do you have that secret illegal Esoterica Video Box Box Set? The one with the Soundtrack? Was Yes Mr. Aboraxon, there's a meeting tonight. Do get arrested for Anti Robotism.

  • @helenbostock2350

    @helenbostock2350

    Жыл бұрын

    I think you explain her ideas honestly and beautiful these women should great.

  • @helenbostock2350

    @helenbostock2350

    Жыл бұрын

    Service is the hands. God is at the head of her reason and relationships with god.

  • @aminrodriguez4707

    @aminrodriguez4707

    Жыл бұрын

    Stirrups? The Huns had them in Europe in thr 5th century....and 8n China since II TO III century d.c

  • @LetsTalkReligion
    @LetsTalkReligion3 жыл бұрын

    Again, great work! I'm glad this came together so well, and that our videos complement each other in such a great way.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely - it's so wonderful to be able to work together on things like this.

  • @chriscoles9962

    @chriscoles9962

    3 жыл бұрын

    Both of your channels are so informative and I can’t thank you enough for giving us these diamonds of knowledge to enjoy. Thank you.

  • @kimberlylloyd5313
    @kimberlylloyd53132 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for giving these amazing women their voices back for the modern ear.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad to do my part to make their voices better known!

  • @sabrinakrisb4672
    @sabrinakrisb46723 жыл бұрын

    In discussions of this topic, I always wonder about how many works were destroyed or simply entirely forgotten until they rotted away. It makes me sad.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    I agree - it's sad. I just want to do my part to elevate these important women's voices. We have so much to learn from people that have been kept silent for so long.

  • @kristyy420
    @kristyy4202 жыл бұрын

    this is wonderful. i love the history of early women mystics

  • @samanthabirdx
    @samanthabirdx6 ай бұрын

    Because of this video I discovered The Mirror. It has become one of my favorite books and I go back to it often. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, it has greatly changed my life.

  • @GR-kt4le

    @GR-kt4le

    3 ай бұрын

    There are *so* many books called The Mirror. Which on are you referring to?

  • @missmiamichic7

    @missmiamichic7

    18 күн бұрын

    @@GR-kt4le 12:40

  • @quorraquar2677
    @quorraquar26772 жыл бұрын

    This one was emotional for me. Thank you Dr. Sledge. 💜

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hopefully the good emotions!

  • @GijsInc
    @GijsInc3 жыл бұрын

    We're reading Hadewijch in the original Middle Dutch for a medieval literature bookclub at my university. Very interesting stuff. Great video! I didn't know much about the other Beguines, so that context was nice.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Super cool - such an amazing person! Good luck with your studies!

  • @BotanyDegreePilkerton
    @BotanyDegreePilkerton2 жыл бұрын

    I'm a Beguine. I came here after reading 21stC Canadian Antibrutality Philosopher, writer, hacker, genius Heather Marsh's 1st book Binding Chaos. She basically TLDR explains how humanity ended up with permanent war and how we can progress forward in a better way, for the sake of the whole species. She gave me back my hope. Must-Read of the century. yw

  • @krcmaine
    @krcmaine Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for bringing these women and their beliefs to our attention. Very facinating and thought provoking.

  • @danterosati
    @danterosati3 жыл бұрын

    "It is only in the nothingness that is the groundless ground for all being that the empty nothingness of the soul, sunk into that nothingness, can actually be saved." Mutatis mutandis, this is also perfect Buddhist Dzogchen. They might say "It is only in the emptiness (ka dag) of the groundless ground (gzhi) for all appearances (gzhi snang) that the empty appearances of sentient beings and Buddhas can actually be liberated."

  • @danterosati

    @danterosati

    3 жыл бұрын

    fantastic episode, by the way! :-)

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    I agree, Dante. It's like these women were able to tap into some truly and profound deep. It's hard not to hear the Upanishads, Stoicism, Potinus ("The flight of the alone to the alone"), etc. These women are such profound geniuses and it's an honor to be able to present them.

  • @greggrobinson5116

    @greggrobinson5116

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking the same thing! Their obsession with love isn't unexpected, but all that talk of emptiness and nothingness... How could that lead to anything other than the destruction of ego and Buddhist liberation? Truly a remarkable movement I'd never even heard of before.

  • @siddislikesgoogle

    @siddislikesgoogle

    2 жыл бұрын

    What these ideologies fail to see is that the emptiness they perceive is meant to be filled by the spirit of the Lord. The soul is a vessel designed to be in communion with the divine - the experience of the infinite by the finite, without godhood but like godhood. To leave ourselves empty, may be peaceful and a realization of our true nature, but its nothing compared to what has been gifted to us.

  • @kbro6618

    @kbro6618

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@siddislikesgoogle how will god fill your cup with blessings if it's already filled to the brim with opinions and unimportant biased ideas.

  • @mistressofstones
    @mistressofstones2 жыл бұрын

    You, Dr, Sir, are a special man in these days who can appreciate the wholeness and sacredness within women. May the god/dess bless you

  • @MrKoalaburger
    @MrKoalaburger Жыл бұрын

    Oh of course you did a vid on Mechtild! Im in the middle of the book and wanted an academic exposition, and I shouldn't be surprised I found this channel lol

  • @PapaYo4XXX
    @PapaYo4XXX3 жыл бұрын

    Liked the video before watching, that's never in question if your presentation is worthy of the simple thumbs up. That said this was an amazing presentation! Thank You as always for you work and help with these topics!

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, friend. I'm glad you enjoy the content!

  • @jcortese3300
    @jcortese33002 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad I found your channel -- your stuff is solid gold, dude.

  • @tishtorture2519
    @tishtorture25193 жыл бұрын

    I love this channel so much. Thank you for all of the amazing content!

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure - thanks for such a kind comment!

  • @AjitTheUndefeatable
    @AjitTheUndefeatable3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for making this video! It is very informative and fascinating. I agree with you that these women are stunning and inspiring!

  • @kimechammaalcoull9373
    @kimechammaalcoull93733 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this profound information and beautiful doorway...so much gratitude🙏🏻🌹

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, of course and I'm glad you find the content interesting!

  • @Ernestiqus
    @Ernestiqus3 жыл бұрын

    Great video! Every video starts me off on another interesting topic, letting me know that there is so much interesting things out there. Constantly increasing my curiosity and letting me know about the known unknowns in the occult spheres

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yep, we are all learning. I hope Esoterica helps to introduce folks to all kinds of amazing stuff like these genius women. Thanks for watching, friend!

  • @AlejandroMS67
    @AlejandroMS6723 күн бұрын

    It's interesting to see Dr. Sledge's evolution if you will, over time, as he's grown clearly more comfortable in his exploratory, revealing and revelatory role today, compared to the more mechanical, relatively robotic script-reading of years prior as shown here. To me this shows his comfort level and expertise has grown as a guide for us, as he takes us on what is today more of a journey, sharing his illuminating scholarly storytelling that shines a light on a path back into history that was once largely veiled if not intentionally censored by greater powers made uncomfortable in their heyday of mismanaged power (to put it mildly).

  • @jamesgardner3321
    @jamesgardner33213 жыл бұрын

    This is such a blessing. The Bequines writings are so True.... Bro James

  • @celinepersad9319
    @celinepersad931910 ай бұрын

    What an interesting channel! I like the texts and visual content you put in your presentation. Very nice to see the Begijnehof in Amsterdam; I grew up there and my mum always took us to this beautiful tranquil place to play on the grass. We also met and were invited in the house of one of the last ‘begijntjes’ who actually still lived there in the sixties.

  • @VOCATUS123
    @VOCATUS1232 жыл бұрын

    I found this video while watching Filip's video on Marguerite Porete!!

  • @PseudoMystic
    @PseudoMystic3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks to Let's Talk Religion I just found your channel and I'm so overjoyed to find a comparative source on this subject that's from a proper academic and not just another occultism quack

  • @TheLittleBirdyKing
    @TheLittleBirdyKing3 жыл бұрын

    Could you do a video on Julian of Norwich. I have not seen much good literature on her theology, just fairly surface level takes about feminism, ignoring the deep interactions that she is clearly having with Christian Theology. She for example seems to me to be proclaiming a kind of incredibly radical panentheism that is more striking than anything else I have seen, with her direct affirmation that suffering is knowledge of God, and that everything that is good is God, also our Souls are Christ. These seem to me to unfortunately lost, and the introduction that I read to her book made her out to be a fideist. It would be good if you could help correct this

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    I plan to! She is a very important mystic and like most mystics, difficult to interpret. I'm not sure when but we will cover her thought and mysticism at some point. Thanks for the recommendation!

  • @paulshaddix5290
    @paulshaddix52903 жыл бұрын

    Stll following your site...i know you already know how much I enjoy your presentations....thank you very much..

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Paul. Your encouragement really does mean a lot to me.

  • @thomasdolcelli4969
    @thomasdolcelli49693 жыл бұрын

    Wow, that real "deep" A lot of that could be used in modern philosophy. Thanhs for posting, I never knew any of this.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    They are such important thinkers and it's a pity they aren't better known. There is so much here that could be put into conversation, for instance, with Heidegger. These women were true geniuses.

  • @DNBon.an808
    @DNBon.an8083 жыл бұрын

    I think I'm a Beguine Thank you, so glad to have found both your channels recently!

  • @petals_n_thornes
    @petals_n_thornes Жыл бұрын

    One does not need to announce herself to be a Beguine. Thank You for your work 🌹🪽

  • @yamlau-gx7nx
    @yamlau-gx7nx4 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this. I feel Meister Eckhart must have been inspired in some ways by the Beguines.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    4 ай бұрын

    definitely was

  • @changer1285
    @changer12853 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this work.

  • @mattisvov
    @mattisvovАй бұрын

    I'm what you'd call a hippie-dippy new-religious type. And I have drawn great inspiration from movements like the Beuines and the Sufis, that spoke the divine in terms of romantic love. I just the other day I held a big party with all my friends where I declared my monogamous relationship with the divine. I am now celibate, and man does it feel good. Though She did reject the idea of this being a permanent state. This is a phase, where I rest in Her embrace so that I may grow. One day, I will be ready to share my love with another flawed and scared human being, and then my celibacy will come to an end. But that day is not today.

  • @obi5402
    @obi540210 ай бұрын

    Fascinating stuff, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Meister Eckhart who I understand was influenced by the Beguines?

  • @PyroNexus22
    @PyroNexus223 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating topic. Thank you!

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @changer1285
    @changer12853 жыл бұрын

    Was that groundless ground of the soul a quote? I just watched let's talk religion's Eckhart video the other day so that stuck out.

  • @SeekersofUnity
    @SeekersofUnity3 жыл бұрын

    Fabulous job 👌

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks brother, shavuah tov!

  • @elfentsuki
    @elfentsuki2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, thank you.

  • @michelleharvey4743
    @michelleharvey47437 ай бұрын

    Does anyone know which of Bernard Mcginn's books speak about the features of Beguine Mysticism mentioned at minute 6:27 : courtly symbolism, love, insanity, longing etc?

  • @warboats
    @warboats3 жыл бұрын

    Pleeeease do an episode on the Cathars!

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Definitely going to happen.

  • @warboats

    @warboats

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@TheEsotericaChannel 😁

  • @thebeatls09k
    @thebeatls09k Жыл бұрын

    I know you touch on some of them in your videos and maybe it's not your specialty, but I'd love to see some videos on some of the mystical saints.. St. John of the cross, st.Augustine of hippo

  • @nicolesawyer-jm6ir
    @nicolesawyer-jm6ir5 ай бұрын

    Thank you !!!!

  • @4katt372
    @4katt3722 жыл бұрын

    Is there any literature on the connection of the French Cathar w/ the Basque people & Rh - blood?

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nothing that's not made up nonsense

  • @helenbostock2350
    @helenbostock2350 Жыл бұрын

    Amen you go there and then you come back to earth. You understand perfect love.

  • @pablovelasquez6917
    @pablovelasquez69173 жыл бұрын

    I have a question. In 9:39 the work of Mechthild of Magdeburg is translated from "Das fliessende Licht der Gottheit" to "the flowing light of the Godhead". Isn´t it a better translation to say "the flowing light of the deity"?

  • @Amfortas

    @Amfortas

    2 жыл бұрын

    Gott=God Heit=Hood So no.

  • @pablovelasquez6917

    @pablovelasquez6917

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Amfortas Danke für den Antwort. Although heit means hood, the use is more extent. Like Wahrheit with Truth (and not realhood or something like that) One says Gottheit to call upon deity. You can also see it in the plural (Gottheiten). It describes a something that has the escence of good, a being with Godhood (or something like that) a deity.

  • @wotchermystic2335

    @wotchermystic2335

    Жыл бұрын

    Godhead is the traditional translation of Gottheit. The word Godhead itself came from the Middle English godhede, which literally means godhood.

  • @pablovelasquez6917

    @pablovelasquez6917

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wotchermystic2335 Thanks for the answer. When i wrote this comment, i was in the beginning of learning mystical words in english. With time i came to understad why it was. So it all makes sense now.

  • @justinthomas7288
    @justinthomas7288 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @thornsilverhollysong1715
    @thornsilverhollysong17153 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for introducing me to the Beguines. As a Pagan mystic and godspouse (of Gwyn ap Nudd), I find myself intensely relating to their ideas. Despite being a non-Christian trans man I've always felt a kinship with nuns, Brides of Christ, and various female mystics, so I'm happy to add the Beguines to that list.

  • @Amfortas

    @Amfortas

    2 жыл бұрын

    What an absolute constellation of larps my dude

  • @e.s.l.1083
    @e.s.l.1083 Жыл бұрын

  • @jeanettewaverly2590
    @jeanettewaverly25903 жыл бұрын

    Wow.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @helenbostock2350
    @helenbostock2350 Жыл бұрын

    Yes that right you choose your professional under gods wisdom. I like to see this sister hood raise again. Thier great opportunity for women. Beautiful woman. Amen. Then women act like a man they get torn down to the love by love.

  • @TeethToothman
    @TeethToothman Жыл бұрын

    When you said "pause button" you sounded like my Mimi. Are you from West Virginia? Lol

  • @TeethToothman

    @TeethToothman

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm just kidding, btw

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    Жыл бұрын

    Mississippi

  • @draoidh6479
    @draoidh64793 жыл бұрын

    We need less useless polemic channels (I'm looking at you Shane Dawson and Onision) and more useful, intellectual centered channels like this one. Other occult Channels that are this good are: El grimorio (The Grimoire, in Spanish. The Channel is in Spanish) And revelando el velo (In Spanish as well). Science and history channels and language learning channels are also greatly needed.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can't speak for the Spanish side of things but I really hope to make Esoterica about the scholarly side of the content and really want to highlight the material and not my beliefs, etc. I also tend to think that if I do express my opinion that I can do so without tearing other folks down. Thanks for watching and for your thoughtful comments.

  • @carolstevens1722
    @carolstevens1722 Жыл бұрын

    I’m probably way off but some of these ideas sound similar to Buddhism. Emptying the soul, etc.

  • @jackpayne4658
    @jackpayne46583 жыл бұрын

    I previously knew very little of the Beguines. The echoes of Meister Eckhart are very loud and clear.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    The influence is certainly the other way around - The Beguines influenced Eckhart, not vice versa ;)

  • @cybercel164
    @cybercel1643 жыл бұрын

    Mary rocks on....

  • @AULSUCKS
    @AULSUCKS2 жыл бұрын

    this truly sounds like the groundwork of Thelema

  • @txikitofandango
    @txikitofandango Жыл бұрын

    The "far near" is Lacan's extimacy

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    Жыл бұрын

    Verily

  • @14Bugsy
    @14Bugsy2 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed the video on Beguiled but honestly winced when you showed artwork by Hildegard of Bingen and said The "Pious silent obedient women". She was anything but silent, but rather a revolutionary feminist German abyss in the 1100s. She was a writer, composer and healer and a strong influence in the Catholic church of her day.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    I was naming a stereotype not describing Hildegard

  • @homebakedgoods
    @homebakedgoods3 жыл бұрын

    Subscribed! Also, I have a potential etymology for Beguine. I can send you info over email.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks - yeah, shoot it over to me via my website if you like!

  • @NahualliUoxtitla
    @NahualliUoxtitla7 ай бұрын

    These were like real-life Bene Gesserits!

  • @helenbostock2350
    @helenbostock2350 Жыл бұрын

    You can choose him.

  • @helenbostock2350
    @helenbostock2350 Жыл бұрын

    I love her tyres of love and her ideas. I have a god head like men have a god head.

  • @alexwschan185
    @alexwschan1853 жыл бұрын

    Wait so all the Beguines are now dead?

  • @paigemprice
    @paigemprice6 ай бұрын

    Sound like early covers to me

  • @TeethToothman
    @TeethToothman Жыл бұрын

    🍯🧊🍯

  • @lorilea3188
    @lorilea31887 ай бұрын

    Gray sisterhood.

  • @cybercel164
    @cybercel1643 жыл бұрын

    The sun of man....

  • @margaretguillory3049
    @margaretguillory3049 Жыл бұрын

    Interestingly, the longing for communion with the erotic divine conjures up the struggle that can occur in sex when the internal orgasm remains elusive. I’m speaking from the perspective of a person with a vagina. Can’t speak for anyone else. However, the well known reference to partner’s having a hard time finding the “spot” implies that this is not uncommon. In my own spiritual experience, the desire to feel that deep relationship with and release into the essential is not dissimilar to physical intimacy. Save your comments. I’m not seeking any assistance.

  • @susiefairfield7218

    @susiefairfield7218

    Жыл бұрын

    .......Never could reach it,..........just slips away but I try.

  • @lola.lola1147
    @lola.lola11473 жыл бұрын

    "Dark Ages" was, actually, the Age of Light.

  • @justdawn9636
    @justdawn96362 жыл бұрын

    I find you analysis disturbing.

  • @TheEsotericaChannel

    @TheEsotericaChannel

    2 жыл бұрын

    why?

  • @codemancz798
    @codemancz7982 жыл бұрын

    It almost sounds like the Beguines accidentally developed Buddhism out of Christianity.

  • @nooneinparticular3370
    @nooneinparticular33702 жыл бұрын

    Ah, yes, the fujoshis of the Middle Ages.

  • @BotanyDegreePilkerton
    @BotanyDegreePilkerton2 жыл бұрын

    Womens labours are dismissed, belittled, unpaid, unvalued, someone SHOULD stay home and protect the household. When I was a tweenie, my mother was always home, so I never snook boys in. My niece on the otherhand is a Latchkey kid, she gets home and brings her bf, and they do things their young not fully developed minds can't handle but which they've seen on their iphones. UBI would right a lot of wrongs and allow parents to stay home to shield their kids from nonsense.

  • @methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669
    @methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669 Жыл бұрын

    Marguerite Porete is a part of my bloodline which is older than dirt. 😇🤍💪☝️🙌🙌🙌💫