The role of the knowledge keeper has been integral to our civilization. Since ancient
times, figures have emerged in society that beckon toward a more mysterious force at work,
offering practices of lost arts that tug at the very fabric of our reality. Through history,
they often appear as druids, court magicians, soothsayers - even alleged demonologists - and
they have undeniably shaped the way that our civilization perceives the spiritual and the
paranormal. Just a little precursor guys - none of the figures that make this list are scary
per se - influential would be a better word, but hey - this channel’s called Top 5 Scary
Videos for a reason, am I right?
What’s going on guys - and welcome back to Top 5 Scary Videos - the scariest channel
on YouTube. As always, I’ll be your humble host Jack Finch - as we peer once again into
the mysterious world of the occult - and take a look at the Top 5 Scariest Occultist’s
Through History.
Roll the clip.
Before we dive into this video horror fans, you know how it is - if you’re a fan of
this video, hit that thumbs up button and subscribe bell, and let us know your thoughts
in the comment box down below. Make sure to stick around till the end - where I’ll be
reading out some of your best comments from the past few days.
Coming in at Number 5 - Aleister Crowley
Born Edward Alexander Crowley on the 12th of October 1875 - this guy is perhaps one
of the most well known occultists in the modern era - who identified himself as the prophet
entrusted with guiding humanity into the Aeon of Horus - an occultist idea that existence
is split into several defined ages of magic that was propagated in Crowley’s own founded
religion, Thelema.
Aleister Crowley was born into a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire - which
seems to be becoming a theme here at Top 5 Scary Videos - because that’s also near
where I grew up as a kid. Spooky, right? Crowley’s life wasn’t a boring one - that’s a definite
- collecting the titles of occultist, magician, poet, painter, novelist - even mountaineer
- and was integral in fleshing out the parameters of modern occultism. During a trip to Cairo,
Egypt - Crowley claimed to have been contacted by a supernatural entity named Aiwass - that
laid out to him The Book of the Law over a three day period - the sacred text that formed
the basis for Thelema. Crowley believed in the power of magick - spelt with a k - which
was an alignment of science and mysticism. He described this magick as the Science and
Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will.
Coming in at Number 4 - Marie Laveau
Born Marie Catherine Laveau on September the 10th 1801 in the French Quarter - Marie Laveau
was a Louisiana Creole practitioner of Voodoo - renowned across the Southern United States
and incredibly prolific in the New Orleans area. She was the daughter of Marguerite D’Arcantel
and Charles Laveau Trudeau, a renowned politician. Marie Laveau practiced the arts of rootwork
and herbalism, combined with the conjuring arts and Native American and African spiritualism
- gaining her the title of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.
The full extent of her voodoo practitioning is unknown, but several historical records
state that Marie Laveau travelled the streets of New Orleans with a mystical presence, stirring
an air of fear in the locals with her all seeing eye of knowledge. It is believed that
she was often in the presence of her familiar - a snake named Zombi, thought to be an avatar
of the Loa god Damballa. Through her divinations and displays of herbalism, she became an important
figure in Creole culture - a potent blend of folklore and ancient magic.
Next up at Number 3 - Roger Bolingbroke
And we’re going deep into British history to find this guy - who was wrapped up in one
of the most renowned cases of alleged treasonous sorcery against the English monarchy. I say
treasonous sorcery - but in all reality, all this guy really did was write a horoscope.
A magic horoscope. That can predict when you die. Eh -- yeah. Roger Bolingbroke was a genius
- incredibly well educated in the fields of astronomy and astrology. He was also a cleric
- a magister - and an alleged necromancer, a practitioner of the arts of the dead - which
is where he met his demise.
Bolingbroke was part of Humphrey of Lancaster’s household - the First Duke of Gloucester - and
was the personal magister to the Duke’s wife - Eleanor Cobham - who could have pretty
much had a spot on this list all on her own. The two of them, alongside a woman named Margery
Jourdemayne - also known as The Witch of Eye - conspired to divine the death of Henry VI
- the then King of England. As you can imagine - things didn’t go to plan - and Roger Bolingbroke
was hung, drawn and quartered - and his head was stuck on a spike at London Bridge. With
all that power of divination - he didn’t see his own death coming, funny how that works,
isn’t it?
Swinging in at Number 2 - Ursula Southeil
Who is definitely someone that saw her own death coming - in fact, she pretty much saw
everything coming - if you’re to believe the power of Ursula Southeils prophecy. Better
known as Mother Shipton - Ursula Southeil was born in 1488 and died in 1561 - although
publication of her written prophecies didn’t appear until 1641 - eighty years after her
reported death. You may already know the legend of Mother Shipton, an ancient woman who allegedly
predicted 9/11 and the whole 2012 Mayan Calendar thing - the majority of which is pure speculation
and fakery from sensationalists.
The real legend of Mother Shipton began in a cave in Knaresborough, Yorkshire - alongside
the Petrifying Well, a natural phenomena that causes slow calcification. She was a soothsayer
- a wise woman who practiced herbalist medicine, telling fortunes for travellers and writing
her esoteric prophecies in scripture for the Yorkshire locals. It wasn’t until the Great
Fire of London in 1666 that society paid any heed to her, although throughout her life
the Northern region of Yorkshire had already cemented her power of divination into their
folklore. After London had burned to a crisp, a few members of the Royal Family noticed
a stark coincidence - in a book that they’d read, the writings of a long dead Yorkshire
mystic - who saw in a vision the great city of London burning - in the year 1666.
And finally - at our Number 1 spot - King Solomon
And it has to be - perhaps the most mysterious and prominent figure in the whole of occultism.
Both the prototype and archetype of the Warrior and the Magician, King Solomon is most widely
associated with the Seal of Solomon - an ancient ring that purportedly had the power to banish
and control demonic forces. He appears in many ancient texts throughout history - the
Hebrew Bible, the Quran and the Talmud - the central text of Rabbinic Judaism - all of
which point to the fact that Solomon was an incredibly powerful and wise figure.
In more contemporary terms, he is often associated with Freemasonry - and the building of the
Masonic Temple. In history though - his story is much more vague, although several texts
allegedly allude to the all powerful artifacts that were bestowed upon him to have control
over the mystical arts. Although the most famous is his Seal - the others are his key,
also known as the Lesser Key of Solomon - a series of coded pentacles often associated
with demonology - and his Table - a tablet of stone that was said to be held by the Visigoths
yet was lost during the Conquest of Iberia, fading into legend.
Well - unfortunately folks, that’s all we’ve got time for in today’s video - but before
we depart, let’s read out some of your more creative comments from the past few days.
Conrad Kujur says - keep up the beautifully scary and entertainingly narrated videos.
These scary videos inspire me heavily as an artist and im very thankful for that. It also
makes you wonder about the universe in different interesting ways. Well Conrad - that’s literally
the highest praise I could ever get - and I’m glad that you find inspiration in the
cosmic mysteries of the universe. Cheers buddy - you keep it up. Grid Cort says - I love
how you entertain your viewers and keeping everything so interesting. Keep it up guys!
And thank you for always respecting our requests. Well Grid Cort - thank YOU for being interested
and entertained - and thank you all for keeping up the awesome requests - we can’t do it
without you.
On that note horror fans - make sure to hit that thumbs up button and subscribe bell,
and show us some love in the comment section below. As always, I’ve been your host Jack
Finch - you’ve been watching Top 5 Scary Videos - and until next time, you take it
easy.