Access to Western Esotericism

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Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 1438402236
Total Pages : 388 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (384 download)

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Book Synopsis Access to Western Esotericism by : Antoine Faivre

Download or read book Access to Western Esotericism written by Antoine Faivre and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 1994-12-05 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first systematic treatment of esotericism to appear in English. Here is also a historical survey, beginning with the Alexandrean Period, of the various esoteric currents such as Christian Kabbalah, Theosophy, Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, and Hermeticism. Common characteristics of these currents are the notion of universal interdependency and the experience of spiritual transformation. The author establishes a rigorous methodology; provides clarifying definitions of such key terms as "gnosis," "theosophy," "occultism," and "Hermeticism;" and offers analysis of contemporary esotericism based on three distinct pathways. The second half of the book presents a series of studies on several important figures, works, and movements in Western esotericism—studies devoted to some of the most characteristic and illuminating aspects that this form of thought has taken, such as theosophical speculations on androgyny, rosicrucian literature, and Masonic symbolism. The book is completed by a rich and selective Bibliography conceived as a means of orientation and a tool for research.

Access to Western Esotericism

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Author :
Publisher : SUNY Press
ISBN 13 : 9780791421789
Total Pages : 388 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (217 download)

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Book Synopsis Access to Western Esotericism by : Antoine Faivre

Download or read book Access to Western Esotericism written by Antoine Faivre and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 1994-12-05 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first systematic treatment of esotericism to appear in English. Here is also a historical survey, beginning with the Alexandrean Period, of the various esoteric currents such as Christian Kabbalah, Theosophy, Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, and Hermeticism. Common characteristics of these currents are the notion of universal interdependency and the experience of spiritual transformation. The author establishes a rigorous methodology; provides clarifying definitions of such key terms as “gnosis,” “theosophy,” “occultism,” and “Hermeticism;” and offers analysis of contemporary esotericism based on three distinct pathways. The second half of the book presents a series of studies on several important figures, works, and movements in Western esotericism—studies devoted to some of the most characteristic and illuminating aspects that this form of thought has taken, such as theosophical speculations on androgyny, rosicrucian literature, and Masonic symbolism. The book is completed by a rich and selective Bibliography conceived as a means of orientation and a tool for research.

Western Esotericism

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Author :
Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 1438433794
Total Pages : 139 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (384 download)

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Book Synopsis Western Esotericism by : Antoine Faivre

Download or read book Western Esotericism written by Antoine Faivre and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2010-10-06 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A survey of Western esoteric currents since late antiquity, with an emphasis on the last six centuries. Widely received in France, this brief, comprehensive introduction to Western esotericism by the founder of the field is at last available in English. A historical and pedagogical guide, the book is written primarily for students and novices. In clear, precise language, author Antoine Faivre provides an overview of Western esoteric currents since late antiquity. The bulk of the book is laid out chronologically, from ancient and medieval sources (Alexandrian hermetism, gnosticism, neoplatonism), through the Renaissance up to the present time. Its coverage includes spiritual alchemy, Jewish and Christian Kabbalah, Christian theosophy, Rosicrucianism, Illuminism, ‘mystical’ Free-Masonry, the Occultist current, Theosophical and Anthroposophical Societies, the Traditionalist School, and ‘esotericism’ in contemporary initiatic societies and in New Religious Movements. Faivre explores how these currents are connected, and refers to where they appear in art and literature. The book concludes with an annotated bibliography, which makes it an essential resource for beginners and scholars alike. Antoine Faivre is Professor Emeritus at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Religious Studies), Sorbonne. He has published extensively, including Access to Western Esotericism and The Golden Fleece and Alchemy, both also published by SUNY Press. Christine Rhone has translated numerous books, including Faivre’s Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition: Studies in Western Esotericism, also published by SUNY Press.

Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition

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Author :
Publisher : SUNY Press
ISBN 13 : 9780791444351
Total Pages : 310 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (443 download)

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Book Synopsis Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition by : Antoine Faivre

Download or read book Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition written by Antoine Faivre and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 2000-02-17 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A historical and interpretive study of three aspects of Western esotericism from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.

Western Esotericism

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Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1351537164
Total Pages : 180 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (515 download)

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Book Synopsis Western Esotericism by : Nicholas Goodricke-Clarke

Download or read book Western Esotericism written by Nicholas Goodricke-Clarke and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-05 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Esotericism is the search for an absolute but hidden knowledge accessed through mystical vision, the mediation of higher beings, or personal experience. In Western cultural history esoteric approaches to religion have often been in conflict with - and suffered at the hands of - more established forms of religious belief and practice. 'Western Esotericism' presents a very broad and engaging history of the people and ideas which have shaped occult history from antiquity to today. Throughout the history of esotericism the dynamic of concealment and revelation has characterized the search for secret knowledge. Pursued both publically and privately, esotericism has come to influence more mainstream religious practice and culture and has significantly shaped our understanding of modernity. Today, esotericism continues to be practised by a range of both established and new religious movements. 'Western Esotericism' presents the essential guide to one of the most fascinating, provocative, and sustained of religious traditions.

The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism

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Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 1316679357
Total Pages : 820 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (166 download)

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Book Synopsis The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism by : Glenn Alexander Magee

Download or read book The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism written by Glenn Alexander Magee and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2016-04-18 with total page 820 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mysticism and esotericism are two intimately related strands of the Western tradition. Despite their close connections, however, scholars tend to treat them separately. Whereas the study of Western mysticism enjoys a long and established history, Western esotericism is a young field. The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism examines both of these traditions together. The volume demonstrates that the roots of esotericism almost always lead back to mystical traditions, while the work of mystics was bound up with esoteric or occult preoccupations. It also shows why mysticism and esotericism must be examined together if either is to be understood fully. Including contributions by leading scholars, this volume features essays on such topics as alchemy, astrology, magic, Neoplatonism, Kabbalism, Renaissance Hermetism, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, numerology, Christian theosophy, spiritualism, and much more. This Handbook serves as both a capstone of contemporary scholarship and a cornerstone of future research.

Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed

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Author :
Publisher : A&C Black
ISBN 13 : 1441188975
Total Pages : 225 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (411 download)

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Book Synopsis Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed by : Wouter J. Hanegraaff

Download or read book Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed written by Wouter J. Hanegraaff and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2013-02-14 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Western esotericism has been a pervasive presence in Western culture from late antiquity to the present day, but until recently it was largely ignored by scholars and surrounded by misconceptions and prejudice. This accessible guide provides readers with the basic knowledge and tools that will allow them to find their way in this bewildering but fascinating field. What is it that unites phenomena as diverse as ancient gnosticism and hermetism, the "occult sciences" of astrology, alchemy, and magic, rosicrucianism, as well as Christian theosophy, occultism, spiritualism, and the contemporary New Age spiritualities? What can the study of them teach us about our common cultural and intellectual heritage, and what is it that makes them relevant to contemporary concerns? How do we distinguish reliable historical knowledge from legends and fictions about esoteric traditions? These and many other questions are answered clearly and succinctly, so that the reader can find his way into the labyrinth of Western esotericism and out of it again.

Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation

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Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 0791480100
Total Pages : 250 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (914 download)

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Book Synopsis Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation by : Henrik Bogdan

Download or read book Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiation written by Henrik Bogdan and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-02-01 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Historical exploration of Masonic rituals of initiation.

New Approaches to the Study of Esotericism

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Author :
Publisher : BRILL
ISBN 13 : 9004446451
Total Pages : 263 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (44 download)

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Book Synopsis New Approaches to the Study of Esotericism by :

Download or read book New Approaches to the Study of Esotericism written by and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2020-12-15 with total page 263 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume offers new approaches to some of the biggest persistent challenges in the study of esotericism and beyond. Commonly understood as a particularly "Western" undertaking consisting of religious, philosophical, and ritual traditions that go back to Mediterranean antiquity, this book argues for a global approach that significantly expands the scope of esotericism and highlights its relevance for broader theoretical and methodological debates in the humanities and social sciences. The contributors offer critical interventions on aspects related to colonialism, race, gender and sexuality, economy, and marginality. Equipped with a substantial introduction and conclusion, the book offers textbook-style discussions of the state of research and makes concrete proposals for how esotericism can be rethought through broader engagement with neighboring fields.

Contemporary Esotericism

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Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1317543572
Total Pages : 448 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (175 download)

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Book Synopsis Contemporary Esotericism by : Egil Asprem

Download or read book Contemporary Esotericism written by Egil Asprem and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-09-11 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The study of contemporary esoteric discourse has hitherto been a largely neglected part of the new academic field of Western esotericism. Contemporary Esotericism provides a broad overview and assessment of the complex world of Western esoteric thought today. Combining historiographical analysis with theories and methodologies from the social sciences, the volume explores new problems and offers new possibilities for the study of esoterica. Contemporary Esotericism studies the period since the 1950s but focuses on the last two decades. The wide range of essays are divided into four thematic sections: the intricacies of esoteric appeals to tradition; the role of popular culture, modern communication technologies, and new media in contemporary esotericism; the impact and influence of esotericism on both religious and secular arenas; and the recent 'de-marginalization' of the esoteric in both scholarship and society.

Restoring Paradise

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Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 9780791484852
Total Pages : 204 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (848 download)

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Book Synopsis Restoring Paradise by : Arthur Versluis

Download or read book Restoring Paradise written by Arthur Versluis and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-02-01 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Focusing on how spiritual initiation takes place in Western esoteric religious, literary, and artistic traditions from antiquity to the present, Restoring Paradise provides an introduction to Western esotericism, including early modern esoteric movements like alchemy, Christian theosophy, and Rosicrucianism. The author argues that European and American literature and art often entail a written transmission of spiritual knowledge in which writing itself works to transmute consciousness, to generate, provoke, or convey spiritual awakening. He focuses on several important figures whose work has not received the attention it deserves, including American writer and Imagist poet H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) and British painter Cecil Collins, among others. While Arthur Versluis presents a new way of understanding Western esotericism in a contemporary light, above all he has crafted a book about knowing, and about how we come to know, and what "knowing" by way of literature and language actually means.

Aleister Crowley and Western Esotericism

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Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0199996067
Total Pages : 432 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (999 download)

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Book Synopsis Aleister Crowley and Western Esotericism by : Henrik Bogdan

Download or read book Aleister Crowley and Western Esotericism written by Henrik Bogdan and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2012-09-05 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume is the first comprehensive examination of one of the twentieth century's most distinctive iconoclasts. Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a study in contradictions. Born into a fundamentalist Christian family and educated at Cambridge, he was vilified as a traitor, drug addict, and debaucher, yet revered as perhaps the most influential thinker in contemporary esotericism. Moving beyond the influence of contemporary psychology and the modernist understanding of the occult, Crowley declared himself the revelator of a new age of individualism. Crowley's occult bricolage, Magick, was an eclectic combination of spiritual exercises drawn from Western European magical ceremonies and Indic sources for meditation and yoga. This journey of self-liberation culminated in harnessing sexual power as a magical discipline, a "sacrilization of the self" as practiced in Crowley's mixed masonic group, the Ordo Templi Orientis. The religion Crowley created, Thelema, legitimated his role as a charismatic revelator and herald of a new age of freedom. Aleister Crowley's lasting influence can be seen in the counter-culture movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s and in many forms of alternative spirituality and popular culture. The essays in this volume offer crucial insight into Crowley's foundational role in the study of Western esotericism, new religious movements, and sexuality.

Western Esotericism in Scandinavia

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Publisher : BRILL
ISBN 13 : 9004325964
Total Pages : 716 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (43 download)

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Book Synopsis Western Esotericism in Scandinavia by :

Download or read book Western Esotericism in Scandinavia written by and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2016-06-21 with total page 716 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Western Esotericism in Scandinavia is a detailed encyclopaedic work covering all major esoteric currents in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

Hermes Explains

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Publisher : Amsterdam University Press
ISBN 13 : 9048542855
Total Pages : 337 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (485 download)

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Book Synopsis Hermes Explains by : Peter Forshaw

Download or read book Hermes Explains written by Peter Forshaw and published by Amsterdam University Press. This book was released on 2019-05-28 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Few fields of academic research are surrounded by so many misunderstandings and misconceptions as the study of Western esotericism. For twenty years now, the Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (University of Amsterdam) has been at the forefront of international scholarship in this domain. This anniversary volume seeks to make the modern study of Western esotericism more widely known beyond specialist circles, while addressing a range of misconceptions, biases, and prejudices that still tend to surround it. Thirty major scholars in the field respond to questions about a wide range of unfamiliar ideas, traditions, practices, problems, and personalities that are central to the field. By challenging many taken-for-granted assumptions about religion, science, philosophy, and the arts, this volume demonstrates why the modern study of esotericism leads us to reconsider much that we thought we knew about the story of Western culture.

Arguing with Angels

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Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 1438441924
Total Pages : 235 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (384 download)

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Book Synopsis Arguing with Angels by : Egil Asprem

Download or read book Arguing with Angels written by Egil Asprem and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-04-02 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fascinating work explores John Dee's Enochian magic and the history of its reception. Dee (1527–1608/9), an accomplished natural philosopher and member of Queen Elizabeth I's court, was also an esoteric researcher whose diaries detail years of conversations with angels achieved with the aid of crystal-gazer Edward Kelley. His Enochian magic offers a method for contacting angels and demons based on secrets found in the apocryphal Book of Enoch. Examining this magical system from its Renaissance origins to present day occultism, Egil Asprem shows how the reception of Dee's magic is replete with struggles to construct and negotiate authoritative interpretational frameworks for doing magic. Arguing with Angels offers a novel, nuanced approach to questions about how ritual magic has survived the advent of modernity and demonstrates the ways in which modern culture has recreated magical discourse.

Magic and Mysticism

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Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN 13 : 9780742558366
Total Pages : 192 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (583 download)

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Book Synopsis Magic and Mysticism by : Arthur Versluis

Download or read book Magic and Mysticism written by Arthur Versluis and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2007 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides overview, from antiquity onwards, on various Western religious esoteric movements. This book includes topics such as: alchemy, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy and more.

John Dee's Occultism

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Publisher : State University of New York Press
ISBN 13 : 0791484424
Total Pages : 384 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (914 download)

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Book Synopsis John Dee's Occultism by : Gyorgy E. Szonyi

Download or read book John Dee's Occultism written by Gyorgy E. Szonyi and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2010-07-02 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Delving into the life and work of John Dee, Renaissance mathematician and "conjurer to Queen Elizabeth," György E. Szo‹nyi presents an analysis of Renaissance occultism and its place in the chronology of European cultural history. Culling examples of "magical thinking" from classical, medieval, and Renaissance philosophers, Szo‹nyi revisits the body of Dee's own scientific and spiritual writings as reflective sources of traditional mysticism. Exploring the intellectual foundations of magic, Szo‹nyi focuses on the ideology of exaltatio, the glorification or deification of man. He argues that it was the desire for exaltatio that framed and tied together the otherwise varied thoughts and activities of John Dee as well.