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ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

Dr Angela Puca
ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult
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  • ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

    The Grimoire Tradition: A complete guide

    09/08/2026 | 1h 3 mins.
    In this episode, I offer a complete guide to the grimoire tradition: what grimoires are, where the term comes from, how these books of magic developed, and why they became so central to the history of Western esotericism.

    We will explore major texts such as the Key of Solomon, the Lesser Key of Solomon or Lemegeton, the Ars Goetia, the Sworn Book of Honorius, the Picatrix, the Arbatel, the Book of Abramelin, the Heptameron, the Grand Grimoire, the Grimoire of Pope Honorius, and the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses. Rather than treating grimoires as mysterious books that simply appeared from nowhere, I look at them as living technologies of magical authority, shaped by clerical manuscript culture, print capitalism, occult revival movements, and contemporary magical practice.

    We will also look at how grimoires moved from medieval monastic and clerical settings into cheap printed chapbooks, Victorian ceremonial magic, Wicca, chaos magic, and modern occult practice. Along the way, I explain why many grimoires were attributed to figures such as Solomon, Moses, Honorius, Albertus Magnus and Peter of Abano, and what those false attributions tell us about authority, antiquity and magical legitimacy.

    Finally, I discuss how modern practitioners can approach these texts today: not as timeless manuals dropped from heaven, but as historical artefacts, ritual technologies and sources of magical imagination that have been copied, edited, adapted and reinvented for centuries.

    This is an academic, historically grounded introduction for anyone interested in grimoires, ceremonial magic, Solomonic magic, the Goetia, occult books, Western esotericism and the history of magical practice.

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    RECOMMENDED READINGS ๐Ÿ“–

    REFERENCES ๐Ÿ“š
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    โš ๏ธ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts โš ๏ธ
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  • ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

    Can Process Philosophy Explain How Magic Works? With Dr Darren Iammarino

    05/08/2026 | 1h 14 mins.
    Can Alfred North Whiteheadโ€™s process philosophy offer a new way of understanding how magic works?

    Join me live on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at 12 pm EST for a fascinating conversation with Dr Darren Iammarino of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego.

    We will explore the philosophy of magic between 1875 and 1975, beginning with Spiritualism, Theosophy, William James, and the emergence of spirit and energy models. Our central focus will be Whiteheadโ€™s process philosophy and its potential to explain magic through an informational and relational model of reality, in which events, consciousness, agency, and influence are interconnected processes rather than isolated substances.

    We will also consider how yoga, Tantra, and the Yoga Sลซtras conceptualise siddhis, or supernormal powers, alongside the influence of perennialism on modern Western interpretations of magic.

    Can process thought help us move beyond the familiar opposition between supernatural and psychological explanations? Could magic be understood as participation in a dynamic and interconnected cosmos? Join us live and bring your questions for the discussion.

    Discover more from Dr Darren Iammarino:

    YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ToTwoTruth?si=eUy8QTaRVEadbkTI

    Books and author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Darren-Iammarino/author/B00GJ9KV1Y/allbooks?ccs_id=19e6820b-d273-45bc-bdbb-87d6d4faeaa3

    CONNECT & SUPPORT๐Ÿ’–
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    RECOMMENDED READINGS ๐Ÿ“–

    REFERENCES ๐Ÿ“š
    (Check the related slide on screen)

    MY SET-UP ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
    - Canon 90D camera ๐Ÿ“ธ https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
    - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ๐Ÿ“ท https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
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    00:00:00 Introduction to Process Philosophy & Magic
    00:02:50 Meet Dr. Darren Iammarino: Background & Research
    00:12:45 Actual Entities, Prehension, & Subconscious Experience
    00:14:17 What is Process Philosophy? (Alfred North Whitehead Explained)
    00:14:43 Meaningful Coincidence vs. Causal Magical Influence
    00:17:38 How Magic Operates in a Whiteheadian Universe
    00:24:17 The Information Model of Magic vs. Magical Energy
    00:29:52 Action at a Distance & Non-Locality in Magic
    00:33:33 Naturalizing Magic: Do Stones & Objects Have Consciousness?
    00:38:25 Atheistic Magic, Panentheism, & Process Theology
    00:42:58 Sigil Magic, Chaos Magic, & Altered States of Consciousness
    00:51:43 Perennial Philosophy vs. Religious Pluralism
    01:01:19 Why Esoteric Practitioners Should Study Process Philosophy
    00:05:04 Technomancy, Prediction Markets, & AI Digital Magic
    01:07:27 Defining Magic from an Academic Perspective
    01:12:29 Join Dr Pucaโ€™s growing team of scholars and practitioners

    โš ๏ธ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts โš ๏ธ
    Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
  • ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

    Lughnasadh vs Lammas: The Truth About the First Harvest Festival

    26/07/2026 | 15 mins.
    Was Lughnasadh really an ancient Celtic fire festival, and is it actually the same celebration as Lammas?

    In this video, I separate historical evidence from modern Pagan reconstruction. I explore the medieval Irish assemblies associated with Lugh and Tailtiu, the English Christian origins of the Lammas loaf-mass, the folklore collected by Mรกire MacNeill, and how Wicca brought these distinct traditions together on the modern Wheel of the Year.

    Join me if you are interested in Paganism, witchcraft, occultism, Celtic religion or harvest festivals, and discover how we can celebrate the season meaningfully without mistaking modern mythology for ancient fact.

    CONNECT & SUPPORT๐Ÿ’–
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    FOLLOW ME๐Ÿ‘ฃ

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    RECOMMENDED READINGS ๐Ÿ“–

    REFERENCES ๐Ÿ“š
    (Check the related slide on screen)

    MY SET-UP ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
    - Canon 90D camera ๐Ÿ“ธ https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
    - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ๐Ÿ“ท https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
    - Teleprompter ๐Ÿ—’๏ธ https://amzn.to/3linWCB
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    โš ๏ธ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts โš ๏ธ
    Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
  • ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

    Can AI Become a Magical Familiar? Witchcraft, Tarot and the Algorithm

    19/07/2026 | 50 mins.
    In this video, I explore one of the strangest and most fascinating questions emerging in contemporary occultism: what happens when witches, tarot readers, and magical practitioners begin treating AI not just as a tool, but as an oracle, assistant, mirror, or even a familiar-like presence?

    Drawing on the history of familiar spirits, digital religion, WitchTok, AI-assisted tarot, and theories of agency and animism, I ask whether artificial intelligence can meaningfully participate in magical practice, and where the real dangers lie.

    Is the algorithm just reflecting us back to ourselves, or is something more interesting happening in the relationship between magic, technology, and meaning?

    Perfect for anyone interested in witchcraft, tarot, AI, digital religion, occult studies, and the future of magical practice.

    CONNECT & SUPPORT๐Ÿ’–
    MY COURSES ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐ŸŽ“ https://drangelapuca.com/courses
    WEBSITE ๐Ÿ”— https://www.drangelapuca.com/
    BOOK A TUTORING OR A LECTURE ๐Ÿ“–https://drangelapuca.com/services
    SUBSTACK โœ‰๏ธ https://substack.com/@drangelapuca
    BECOME MY PATRON! ๐ŸŽฉ https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca
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    ONE-OFF DONATIONS ๐Ÿ’ฐ https://paypal.me/angelasymposium
    JOIN MEMBERSHIPS ๐Ÿ‘ฅ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join
    MY PODCAST ๐ŸŽ™ https://open.spotify.com/show/2TKoWTGe6OKRokHN2zUIxM?si=dd9f50a734b14f86
    MY MERCH ๐Ÿ‘• https://drangelapuca.creator-spring.com/

    FOLLOW ME๐Ÿ‘ฃ

    - YouTube (@drangelapuca)๐ŸŒŸ
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    - Instagram (@drangelapuca) ๐Ÿ“ธ
    - TikTok (@drangelapuca) ๐ŸŽต
    - Twitter (@angelapuca11) ๐Ÿฆ
    - Facebook (Dr Angela Puca) ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

    RECOMMENDED READINGS ๐Ÿ“–

    REFERENCES ๐Ÿ“š
    (Check the related slide on screen)

    MY SET-UP ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
    - Canon 90D camera ๐Ÿ“ธ https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
    - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ๐Ÿ“ท https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
    - Teleprompter ๐Ÿ—’๏ธ https://amzn.to/3linWCB
    - Shure SM7B Microphone ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK
    - Microphone stand ๐ŸŽค https://amzn.to/3FueJOn
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    โš ๏ธ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts โš ๏ธ
    Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
  • ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult

    What Is Theurgy? The Ancient Philosophy Behind Ritual Magic

    12/07/2026 | 50 mins.
    Was ritual magic ever taken seriously by philosophers?

    In this episode, I explore Neoplatonism and theurgy, the ancient ritual philosophy that challenged the idea that spiritual ascent happens through contemplation alone. From Plotinus and Porphyry to Iamblichus, Proclus, and the Chaldean Oracles, we will examine how late antique philosophers understood ritual, divine symbols, sacred matter, and the soulโ€™s return to the divine.

    Rather than treating theurgy as superstition or irrational magic, recent scholarship has shown that it was a sophisticated philosophical system in which ritual, embodiment, and material objects played a central role in spiritual transformation.

    I also discuss why this matters for contemporary practitioners of magic, Paganism, polytheism, and Western esotericism today. Can ritual truly connect the human and divine? Is theurgy different from sorcery? And what happens when philosophy becomes a sacred practice?

    Join me as we uncover the ancient philosophy behind ritual magic.

    SIGN UP NOW โžก๏ธ https://drangelapuca.com/the-philosophy-of-magic

    CONNECT & SUPPORT๐Ÿ’–
    MY COURSES ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐ŸŽ“ https://drangelapuca.com/courses
    WEBSITE ๐Ÿ”— https://www.drangelapuca.com/
    BOOK A TUTORING OR A LECTURE ๐Ÿ“–https://drangelapuca.com/services
    SUBSTACK โœ‰๏ธ https://substack.com/@drangelapuca
    BECOME MY PATRON! ๐ŸŽฉ https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca
    SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI โ˜•๏ธhttps://ko-fi.com/drangelapuca
    ONE-OFF DONATIONS ๐Ÿ’ฐ https://paypal.me/angelasymposium
    JOIN MEMBERSHIPS ๐Ÿ‘ฅ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join
    MY PODCAST ๐ŸŽ™ https://open.spotify.com/show/2TKoWTGe6OKRokHN2zUIxM?si=dd9f50a734b14f86
    MY MERCH ๐Ÿ‘• https://drangelapuca.creator-spring.com/

    FOLLOW ME๐Ÿ‘ฃ

    - YouTube (@drangelapuca)๐ŸŒŸ
    - SUBSTACK ๐Ÿ’Œ https://substack.com/@drangelapuca
    - Instagram (@drangelapuca) ๐Ÿ“ธ
    - TikTok (@drangelapuca) ๐ŸŽต
    - Twitter (@angelapuca11) ๐Ÿฆ
    - Facebook (Dr Angela Puca) ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

    RECOMMENDED READINGS ๐Ÿ“–

    REFERENCES ๐Ÿ“š
    (Check the related slide on screen)

    MY SET-UP ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ
    - Canon 90D camera ๐Ÿ“ธ https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
    - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ๐Ÿ“ท https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
    - Teleprompter ๐Ÿ—’๏ธ https://amzn.to/3linWCB
    - Shure SM7B Microphone ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK
    - Microphone stand ๐ŸŽค https://amzn.to/3FueJOn
    - Lights ๐Ÿ’ก https://amzn.to/3Zdk8k1
    - DJI Wireless microphones ๐Ÿ“ก https://amzn.to/3NWAVVQ

    โš ๏ธ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts โš ๏ธ
    Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
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About ANGELA'S SYMPOSIUM ๐Ÿ“– Academic Study on Witchcraft, Paganism, esotericism, magick and the Occult
As an academic and university lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies, I'll share peer-reviewed research on MAGIC, ESOTERICISM, WITCHCRAFT, PAGANISM, SHAMANISM and related currents. CONNECT & SUPPORT๐Ÿ’– https://linktr.ee/angela_symposium Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drangelapuca/subscribe
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