Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed

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.

About the author

Wouter J. Hanegraaff is Professor of History of
Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, the
Netherlands, and President of the European Society for the Study of Western
Esotericism.

Product details

• Authors: Wouter J Hanegraaff, Wouter J. Hanegraaff
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 17.01.2013
• EAN: 9781441187130
• ISBN: 978-1-4411-8713-0
• No. of pages: 224
• Series: Guides for the Perplexed; Guides for the Perplexed
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / General, RELIGION / History, Religion: general, History of Religion, Occult Studies, Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems