Lughnasadh vs Lammas: The Truth About the First Harvest Festival July 26, 2026Was Lughnasadh really an ancient Celtic fire festival, and is it actually the same celebration as Lammas?
Should Practitioners Do What Academics Say? June 28, 2026Are academics in the study of magic and esotericism trying to tell practitioners what to believe, or is this a misunderstanding of what academic research actually does?
ESBAT: The History of Wicca’s Full Moon Ritual May 24, 2026What is an Esbat, and is it really an ancient full moon ritual?
What Is a Cult? How High-Control Religious Groups Manipulate Belief March 15, 2026This episode explores what religious cults are, how scholars study them, and the techniques high-control groups use to shape belief and behaviour. Drawing on Religious Studies, psychology, and contemporary case studies, I examine charisma, manipulation, coercive control, thought reform, and why people may find it difficult to leave. We also consider how similar dynamics can [...]
Shadow Work in Paganism and Esoteric Practices March 1, 2026What is shadow work, really? Is it therapy, initiation, political reclamation, or a commodified self-help trend?
Does Quantum Physics Prove Magic or Consciousness? A Critical Scholarly Analysis January 25, 2026In this episode, I critically examine the widespread claim that quantum physics provides scientific proof for magic, esotericism, and spiritual practice. I explore what prominent scholars have actually proposed about possible links between quantum mechanics, consciousness, and interconnected phenomena, carefully situating these ideas within their proper academic and disciplinary contexts.
Did Ronald Hutton Really “Erase” Wicca’s History? A Scholarly Answer January 18, 2026We examine the critical exchange between Ben Whitmore’s Trials of the Moon and Ronald Hutton’s responses to it, using the debate as a lens through which to explore contemporary tensions in the historiography of witchcraft and Pagan origins. Whitmore, writing from within the Pagan community, accuses Hutton of adopting an overly sceptical methodology and of [...]
On Cults and MessiahswithDon Lattin October 20, 2025Don Lattin, a former journalist, is author of Jesus Freaks: A True Story of Murder and Madness on the Evangelical Edge; Following Our Bliss: How the Spiritual Ideals of the Sixties Shape Our Lives Today; The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in [...]
Universal Divine or Cultural Construct? Perennialism vs Constructivism September 28, 2025Is there such a thing as a universal human experience of the divine, or are all encounters shaped by culture, language, and power? In this video, we explore the classic debate between perennialism and constructivism, from William James and Mircea Eliade to Steven Katz, Talal Asad, and beyond. Drawing on philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and neuroscience, [...]
Ancient Roman Paganismwith@AdMaioraVertite June 22, 2025In this special episode—presented for the first time in Italian with (alas, literal and not always accurate) English subtitles—Dr Angela Puca is joined by Emanuele Viotti, founder of Ad Maiora Vertite, for a discussion on the religion of ancient Rome.
Is Magic EVIL? January 19, 2025Is 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 [...]
BAPHOMET – The Real (Esoteric) History November 24, 2024Join me as we unravel the enigmatic history of Baphomet, a figure that has fascinated and mystified across centuries. From its medieval origins in the trials of the Knights Templar to its profound reinterpretation by 19th-century occultist Eliphas Lévi, this episode explores how Baphomet evolved into an icon of mysticism, balance, and duality. Discover its [...]
Is Thelema Left-Hand Path? Academic vs Practitioner PerspectiveswithMarco Visconti June 2, 2024Is Thelema Left-Hand Path? Academic vs Practitioner Perspectives.
Left-Hand Path Online CoursewithReligious Studies PhD Dr Angela Puca May 23, 2024SIGN UP HERE https://drangelapuca.com/courses
Islamic Esotericism & Western Magical Practice #islam #islamic #islamiceducation March 3, 2024What is Islamic Esotericism, and how does it relate to Western Esotericism?
