A Guide to Chinese Occultism
Summary
This episode explores the history of Chinese occultism, tracing its evolution from Shang Dynasty oracle bone divination to Qing Dynasty literature. It examines Emperor Wu’s pursuit of immortality and the resulting witchcraft persecutions, alongside Ge Hong’s alchemical treatises that synthesized Taoist practices. The discussion also covers Pu Songling’s "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and regional variations, such as southern spirit mediumship and northern temple rituals. Ultimately, the video highlights how these esoteric traditions were integrated into mainstream imperial and folk l…
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