Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition: Studies in Western Esotericism

A historical and interpretive study of three aspects of Western esotericism from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.
Not only does this book present the current state of research in esotericism, but it also explores three main aspects of the field from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. Previously published in French and now available in English for the first time, Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition traces the history of the theosophical current, its continuity and shifts, against the background of social and cultural events. The book also covers the Paracelsian course, the romantic Philosophies of Nature and the Occultist movement. The book provides glimpses into the notions and practices of the so-called "active" and "creative" imagination, and questions how they serve as a bridge into certain kinds of mystical experience. It also examines the place that the notion of "tradition" occupies in some major exponents of western esotericism.

About the author

Antoine Faivre is Directeur d'Etudes a l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Section des Sciences Religieuse), Sorbonne, Paris.

Product details

• Authors: Antoine Faivre
• Assisted by: Christine Rhone (Translation)
• Publisher: Global Academic Publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.02.2000
• EAN: 9780791444351
• ISBN: 978-0-7914-4435-1
• No. of pages: 269
• Dimensions: 171 mm x 236 mm x 22 mm
• Weight: 540 g
• Series: SUNY Series in Western Esoteri
• Subject: Guides > Spirituality > Ancient knowledge, ancient cultures