Dr Sasha Chaitow outlines the core concepts of Western Esotericism as an academic discipline and examines how to embark on its study. (Lecture 1 of 12) In this first of twelve lectures comprising a complete introduction to the field, students explore the main concepts, terms and historical contexts needed to develop a scholarly appreciation of Western Esotericism. Chaitow begins by examining the definition of esotericism, covering the most important interpretations. Next, she outlines the history of the field's academic study, from its onset in the 1930s through its various stages of development to the modern day. This includes a discussion of how the study of Western Esotericism directly impacts our understanding of other academic disciplines – from philosophy of science and theology to anthropology – and therefore our broader appreciation of Western history and culture. Chaitow then introduces a selection of definitions critical to the discipline. She explains the differences between esotericism, mysticism and occultism, alongside concepts such as ‘gnosis’, ‘magic’, ‘syncretism’ and ‘occulture’. Other interdisciplinary academic terms necessary for rigorous study are also given. Finally, Chaitow considers the key ongoing debates within the modern study of Western Esoterism, and how the discipline might be expected to change in the future. A reading list is provided for all those wishing to engage in further research. Once students have watched this lecture, they will have the option to purchase the next eleven lectures comprising the rest of the course. (See below.) WHO IS THIS LECTURE FOR? We recommend this lecture for anyone seeking an academic, yet accessible, approach to Western occult history. It is both suitable for scholars interested in the role esoteric traditions have played in wider Western culture, and practitioners looking to gain a deeper intellectual understanding of their own path. It is also a perfect introduction for those considering advanced academic study in the discipline. ABOUT THE FULL COURSE This is the first lecture of twelve, together comprising a complete academic introduction to Western Esotericism. Each lecture focuses on a new period of esoteric history, covering its developments, key ideas and context within broader Western culture. It begins by exploring Hermeticism and Neoplatonism in the Hellenistic period, moving on to examine alchemy and kabbalah during the Renaissance, and then through to the multiple occult movements of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The course concludes with an examination of modern occult traditions and occulture. Originally structured as a course held over 12 months in 2022-3, we are now making these lecture recordings available to purchase online for the first time. We have made the first lecture in the course free, exclusively for Treadwell’s members. If you are interested in continuing your studies after watching this lecture, please contact us on onlineshop@treadwells-london.com to explore the full programme. Each lecture will be available to purchase as both a standalone recording, and as part of the full course. SPEAKER BIO Dr Sasha Chaitow earned her PhD in Cultural History/Western Esotericism at the University of Essex. She holds an MA in the History of Western Esotericism (University of Exeter, 2008), and an MA in Literature (University of Indianapolis, 2004). She has published two books based on her research, is working on two more, and has also published extensively in peer-reviewed journals as well as magazines and professional journals. In her parallel career as a visual artist, she has produced 13 solo art exhibitions in the UK, Greece, and Sweden and frequently participates in curated group exhibitions. Full CV: www.sashachaitow.co.uk/about-2 Original Event Date: 16 November 2022

Julian Vayne and a longstanding animist Pagan Federation member exchange thoughts on sacred animals in esoteric and magical practice. Sacred animals appear in many cultures, taking on various roles from guides to spiritual antagonists. They are a well-known concept, but perhaps for this reason, one often taken for granted. What if animals were to be considered valuable in their own right, rather than as stereotypes with set significances, as described in many magical traditions? Can a deeper meaning be found within the independence of sacred animals, and in humanity's relationship with that independence? Less of a 'skip through flower-filled meadows with butterflies', this conversation is a cheerful but challenging 'running across thin ice with tigers'. It explores the successes and failures of the current conservation movement and the importance of recognising a spiritual component in modern environmental work. It's followed by a Q&A. SPEAKER BIOS Gordon is an animist pagan, working closely with a mixture of faith and nature groups to promote deeper spiritual awareness of the living world. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Pagan Federation and has been an active member of the wider pagan community for many years. Gordon’s own practice is deeply involved with the spirits of landscapes, wildlife and the faerie realms. Blog: creepingtoad.blogspot.com Julian Vayne is an occultist with over 35 years’ experience. His work is informed by chaos magic, Wicca and eastern mysticism. A regular workshop leader and speaker, he is co-organiser of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, and sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies. He is also the author of several works, including Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychadelic Ceremony. His books, essays and articles are published in both the academic and esoteric press. Site: https://julianvayne.com Original Event Date: 12 September 2023

Hannah Sanders probes the folklore of magical circlets, from crowns to garters to beaded necklaces. Circlets, crowns, garters and beaded necklaces are used by witches across the globe as conveyors of status, keepers of secrets and markers of celebration. In this class, Hannah Sanders explores the various traditions surrounding circlets in folk magic. She also teaches the art of creating a witch’s necklace. SPEAKER BIO Hannah Sanders has a doctorate in anthropology and is a longstanding practitioner of folk and herb magic. She was the last apprentice of writer and tarot reader Joyce Collin-Smith, and she is the granddaughter of a well-known Irish fortune teller. Professionally, she is a traditional folk singer. Original Event Date: 21 March 2024

Suzanne Corbie shares time-tested ways to magically prepare a space for spells and devotional work. The demarcation of magic circles and sacred spaces is integral to almost every magical system across the world. In this class, Suzanne Corbie, a Wiccan priestess with over 40 years' experience, explores a variety of methods to create sacred space and perform magic spells without the need for long, complicated rituals. SPEAKER BIO Suzanne Corbie has been engaged in esoteric and folkloric traditions for more than four decades. For the last 25 years, she has lectured and taught on tarot and witchcraft, in person and online, nationally and internationally. She is a longstanding Wiccan priestess, and also holds a Master's degree in 'Myth, Cosmology & the Sacred'. Original Event Date: 1 August 2023

Rebecca Beattie introduces the key gods in the Ancient Egyptian pantheon and explores the history of their worship. The deities of this pioneering civilisation have long fascinated magical practitioners of the Western Mystery tradition and in other traditions all over the world. This workshop introduces some of the key figures in the Ancient Egyptian pantheon, and examines how they have been worshipped across history. It also introduces practical ways of working with them today. SPEAKER BIO Rebecca Beattie has spent over two decades practising and studying magic and witchcraft . A Wiccan priestess of 15 years, she has a rich understanding of the history and traditions underpinning pagan practice. She also has a doctorate in Creative Writing and is a published author. Her books include 'Nature Mystics: The Literary Gateway to Modern Paganism' and the seasonal toolkit for navigating major life changes, 'The Way Through the Woods'. Original Event Date: 27 March 2023

Take a trip with two experts on psychedelic history as they discuss ecology, altered states and modern pagan practice. In this video, Andy Letcher and Julian Vayne meet for a mind-expanding exchange. They delve into everything from entheogenic culture, to druids, to magic mushrooms, to the indigenous music of the British Isles, to the contemporary use of Fly Agaric. There's also a Q&A afterwards. Be prepared for far-out theories, kaleidoscopic concepts and otherworldly anecdotes. SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES Dr Andy Letcher is a Senior Lecturer at both Schumacher College, Devon UK – where he is the Programme Lead for the MA Engaged Ecology – and at the University of Exeter, where he teaches on the PGCert Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine and Culture. He is the author of 'Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom', and numerous papers on psychedelics, ecology, animism and paganism. He is currently researching ritual and animistic usage of psychedelics by contemporary British Druids, and the contemporary use of the Fly Agaric mushroom. Julian Vayne is a British occultist, independent scholar and author with over four decades of experience within esoteric culture. Julian is a co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, a founding member of the post-prohibition think-tank Transform. He sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Julian facilitates psychedelic ceremony, as well as providing one-to-one psychedelic integration sessions and support. In addition to exploring traditional sacred medicines, Julian’s work includes the first published accounts of the entheogenic ritual use of ketamine and several novel psychedelic sacraments. Original Event Date: 10 April 2024

Suzanne Corbie explores the deeper meanings of the tarot’s twenty-two major cards. The imagery of the tarot is filled with hidden depths – each card contains a wealth of correspondences relating to the Qabalah, alchemy, witchcraft, angels and more. In this workshop, Suzanne Corbie examines the symbolism contained within the major arcana of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, helping participants to deepen their interpretative skills and understanding of the cards. These skills can be used for more effective tarot readings as well as aiding meditation. SPEAKER BIO Suzanne Corbie is a Wiccan priestess with over 40 years' experience. She was previously a tarot reader at Treadwell's for many years. Original Event Date: 29 August 2023

Rebecca Beattie introduces the seven planetary powers – seen by the pre-moderns as the governing energies of all nature. This lecture gives an introductory overview of the pre-modern planetary powers that have been called upon by magical practitioners since ancient Babylon. Rebecca discusses each planet – Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – and outlines their mysteries, symbols and attributes. She then covers how one can work magic with each of them using their corresponding colours, crystals, herbs, plants and foods. SPEAKER BIO Rebecca Beattie has spent more than 20 years studying and practising witchcraft and Wicca, and has a deep understanding of the history and traditions underpinning them. A published author, her books include 'Planetary Magic: A friendly introduction to creating modern magic with the seven energies' and 'Wheel of the Year: A Nurturing Guide'. Original Event Date: 13 February 2023

Dr Alexander Cummins and Hannah Sanders discuss the rich history of cunning magic and the traditions it has inspired. Cunning magic is not merely confined to dusty history books. It's very much still used today and has inspired a wealth of magical traditions. This engaging conversation explores the taut thread running from legends to modern magic. Learn who cunning folk were, what did they did, and what they still do. SPEAKER BIOS Dr Alexander Cummins is a contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic. His magical specialties are the early modern grimoires, divination (especially geomancy) and the myriad folk necromancies of working with the dead. Hannah Sanders has a doctorate in anthropology and is a longstanding practitioner of folk and herb magic. She was the last apprentice of writer and tarot reader Joyce Collin-Smith, and she is the granddaughter of a well-known Irish fortune teller. Professionally, she is a traditional folk singer. Original Event Date: 21 November 2023

Doctoral researcher Anna Titov examines the philosophical connections between magical acts and environmentalism. In this rigorously researched lecture, Anna looks at contemporary witchcraft through the lens of ideas from 20th century phenomenology through to object-oriented ontology. She asks the timely question: can magical practice help us to halt our damage of the environment? As she explores, witchcraft practice involves the creation of an ‘otherworld’ – an act performed in order to bring change into the 'real' world. It can therefore be seen as an act of self-preservation in response to the ‘Anthropocene’ (the era of human-made change on our planet, most notably including the climate crisis). She asks: how do witchcraft practitioners create these 'otherworlds' for change? What is the interaction between the liminal element inside them and our perception? She also examines the empathic connections that witchcraft practitioners form with nonhuman entities (and therefore the overall environment). In doing so, Anna invites us to consider that magical practice may indeed be a first step towards stopping the destruction of our world. SPEAKER BIO Anna Titov is a writer and researcher in philosophy. She is pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value (Pardubice), focussing on notions of subjective physical experience in the wake of a waning natural world. She completed an MA in Continental Philosophy at Warwick in 2021, with a dissertation that looked at trans-anthropocentrism in Nietzsche's middle writings. Her areas of interest are Nietzsche, phenomenology, embodied philosophy, and esoteric spirituality. Original Event Date: 27 September 2023

Pagan scholar Peg Aloi and Pagan Fed president Sarah Kerr discuss paganism and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s–90s, before turning their attention to the renewal of alarmism today not only on the fringes, but in various parts of the mainstream media and political institutions. What is happening? Do Pagans again need to worry about being demonised after thirty years of relative acceptance and truthful presentation of their ways? Or is this a blip? This is an important conversation that every Pagan will want to take note of.

Julian Vayne and Steve Dee explore the varied elements of their heady magical practices, from Chaos Magic to Zen. Steve Dee (author of ‘Chaos Monk’, ‘A Gnostic’s Progress’ and ‘The Heretic's Journey’) joins his magical partner and co-author Julian Vayne for a heart-to-heart about their occult fusion practices. Expect a conversation that ranges far and wide across the esoteric terrain. In this video, they cover everything from mental health, mindfulness and wellbeing through to the use of embodied practices such as pilgrimage. They also speak about BDSM as a transgressive and transformative magical technology. Along the way, they dive deep into the gnostic current of heretical Christian sects and re-imagine witchcraft for the 21st century. Join them for a journey into the darkness of gnostic illumination. SPEAKER BIOS Julian Vayne is a longstanding occultist who brings experience from a range of esoteric traditions. Also an author and public speaker, he is co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, and sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies. Original Event Date: 25 May 2023

Living legend Janet Farrar joins us for a conversation between priestesses, as she and Rebecca Beattie share their thoughts on the craft, priestesshood, and the past, present and future of Wicca.

Dr Jonathan Woolley and Dr Rebecca Beattie discuss celebrations, connection and the Wheel of the Year. They talk about their shared understandings of the deeper meanings of the festivals, the cultural significance of hidden practices and how the public image of their respective traditions have changed over time. Original event date: 26th April 2023

Suzanne Corbie and Rebecca Beattie, both Wiccan initiates, talk about what it means to be a priestess.

Chaos magician Mark Vincent Smith and spiritualist medium Charlie Hall share their experiences working with spirits of all forms. In a fun, wide-ranging conversation, they compare notes on how spirits have interacted with people throughout human history. Both share experiences, anecdotes and a few hair-raising tales. After a lively discussion, they lead an interactive Q&A, with questions put forth by members of their enthralled audience.

Christina talks to philosopher Patricia MacCormack, who champions the power of queer chaos magic in the current apocalyptic era. In this memorable conversation recorded at Treadwell's in the presence of a live audience, Patricia argues that chaos magic – especially what she calls 'chaosium cunnis' ('cunt chaos') – offers a place of respite and transgression in the world's current state of affairs. As she explains how magic can help bring into being a queer chaos world, she digresses into such fabulous side-bars as squid vulvae, tentacled torment and eco-mucous – and ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, hope and grace. Patricia and Christina also celebrate her book THE AHUMAN MANIFESTO, which launched these ideas. A provocative yet hopeful conversation, very much not to be missed! Original event date: 2nd September 2022

A lively conversation between author and Gardnerian priestess Thorn Mooney and Rebecca Beattie, as they discuss their lives in the Craft and compare notes on what it means to walk the path of priestess and witch. They tell the stories of their routes into Wicca, coven work, and how their dedicated vocation has formed their lives, both inside and outside the tradition. Original event date: 2nd October 2022