Is magic inherently evil, or is this a cultural construct shaped by power, religion, and philosophy? In this video, we explore the historical and theological framing of magic as ‘evil,’ from ancient texts like The Book of Enoch to the European witch trials and the controversial ideas of Aleister Crowley. We’ll examine the concept of evil itself, from Augustine’s privatio boni to Nietzsche’s critique of moral binaries, and explore how magic has been interpreted in monotheistic, polytheistic, and modern esoteric traditions. Join us as we challenge the assumptions surrounding magic and evil and uncover their complex interplay across cultures and time.
CONNECT & SUPPORT
MY COURSES https://drangelapuca.com/courses
WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER https://www.drangelapuca.com/#newsletter
BOOK A TUTORING OR A LECTURE https://drangelapuca.com/services
BECOME MY PATRON! https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca
SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ️https://ko-fi.com/drangelapuca
ONE-OFF DONATIONS https://paypal.me/angelasymposium
JOIN MEMBERSHIPS https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join
MY PODCAST https://open.spotify.com/show/2TKoWTGe6OKRokHN2zUIxM?si=dd9f50a734b14f86
MY MERCH https://drangelapuca.creator-spring.com/
FOLLOW ME
– YouTube (@drangelapuca)
– Instagram (@drangelapuca)
– TikTok (@drangelapuca)
– Twitter (@angelapuca11)
– Facebook (Dr Angela Puca)
REFERENCES
References
Andrews, C., & Faulkner, R. O. (1990). The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. University of Texas Press.
Augustine of Hippo. (397–426). On Christian Doctrine.
Crowley, A. (1904). The book of the law.
Crowley, A. (1929). Magick in theory and practice. Castle Books.
Dodds, E. R. (1951). The Greeks and the irrational (2nd ed., Vol. 25). University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.8501105
Douglas, M. (1966). Purity and danger: An analysis of concepts of pollution and taboo (1st ed.). Routledge.
Federici, S. (2004). Caliban and the witch. Autonomedia.
Lopez, D. S., Jr. (2009). Buddhism and science: A guide for the perplexed. University of Chicago Press.
Nietzsche, F. (2013). On the genealogy of morals: A polemic. C.G. Neumann
Oomen, B. (2006, November). Witchcraft, violence, and democracy in South Africa. PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review, 29(2), 305–310. https://doi.org/10.1525/pol.2006.29.2.305
Pinch, G. (1994). Magic in ancient Egypt. University of Texas Press.
Ricoeur, P. (1985). Evil, a challenge to philosophy and theology. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 53(4), 635–650. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/LIII.4.635
Stuckenbruck, L. T. (2017). The myth of rebellious angels: Studies in Second Temple Judaism and New Testament texts. Eerdmans Publishing.
The Book of Enoch.
Yates, F. A. (1964). Giordano Bruno & Hermetic tradition (1st ed.). Routledge.
MY SET-UP ️
– Canon 90D camera https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
– Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
– Teleprompter ️ https://amzn.to/3linWCB
– Shure SM7B Microphone ️ https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK
– Microphone stand https://amzn.to/3FueJOn
– Lights https://amzn.to/3Zdk8k1
– DJI Wireless microphones https://amzn.to/3NWAVVQ
00:00 Introduction
03:04 Support Angela’s Symposium
04:13 Conceptualising Evil
10:31The Historical Association of Magic with Evil
17:25 Magic and the Relative Nature of Evil
22:53 Case Studies
23:27 1. Magic and Evil in The Book of Enoch
24:56 2. The Witch Trials of Early Modern Europe
26:22 3. Aleister Crowley and the Reclamation of Magic
27:43 Analysis of Case Studies
28:54 Section 6: Conclusion
32:49 Support Angela’s Symposium
️ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts ️
Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
Published on January 19, 2025
