A Secret History of Secret History, Part I

In the first episode of "The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast," Earl Fontainelle provides a brief overview of Western esotericism, spanning from antiquity to modern times. He begins by defining Western esotericism, drawing from the University of Amsterdam's Center for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents. The episode explores key elements such as Neoplatonism, Hermetism, and Gnosticism, and touches on astrology, alchemy, and natural magic. Fontainelle also discusses the historical context of Late Antiquity and the importance of figures like Plato and Iamblichus, as well as the distinction between "good" and "bad" magic during the Middle Ages. The episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these topics in future episodes, promising interviews with scholars and a detailed look at esoteric movements throughout history.