The Western Esoteric Traditions: A Historical Introduction

Nicholas goodrick-clarke explores these traditions, from their roots in Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism, and Gnosticism in the early Christian era up to their reverberations in today's scientific paradigms. Similarly, in the modern era, dissatisfaction with the hegemony of science in Western culture and a lack of faith in traditional Christianity led thinkers like Madame Blavatsky to look East for spiritual inspiration.

In hellenistic culture, which stretched across Egypt and Western Asia to provinces in India, for example, the empire of Alexander the Great, facilitated a mixing of Eastern and Western cultures. As the greeks absorbed ideas from Egypt, Babylon, and Persia, Assyria, they gave rise to the first esoteric movements.

Goodrick-clarke further examines Modern esoteric thought in the light of new scientific and medical paradigms along with the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung. This introduction to the Western esoteric traditions offers a concise overview of their historical development. Western esotericism has now emerged as an academic study in its own right, combining spirituality with an empirical observation of the natural world while also relating the humanity to the universe through a harmonious celestial order.

From the late sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, post-Reformation spirituality found expression in theosophy, Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. This book traces the complete history of these movements and is the definitive account of Western esotericism. While the study of western esotericism is usually confined to the history of ideas, Goodrick-Clarke examines the phenomenon much more broadly.

He demonstrates that, far from being a strictly intellectual movement, the spread of esotericism owes a great deal to geopolitics and globalization.

Western Esotericism: A Concise History SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions

A survey of western esoteric currents since late antiquity, with an emphasis on the last six centuries. State university of New York Press.

The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology

Nearly half a century after the defeat of the Third Reich, Nazism remains a subject of extensive historical inquiry, and, general interest, alarmingly, a source of inspiration for resurgent fascism in Europe. The fantasies thus fueled were played out with terrifying consequences in the realities structured into the Third Reich: Auschwitz, the hellish museums of Nazi apocalypse, Sobibor, and Treblinka, had psychic roots reaching back to millenial visions of occult sects.

These millenarian sects principally the Ariosophists espoused a mixture of popular nationalism, Aryan racism, and occultism to support their advocacy of German world-rule. This book provides the first serious account of the way in which Nazism was influenced by powerful millenarian and occult sects that thrived in Germany and Austria almost fifty years before the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.

Over time their ideas and symbols, filtered through nationalist-racist groups associated with the infant Nazi party, came to exert a strong influence on Himmler's SS. State university of New York Press. These sects combined notions of popular nationalism with an advocacy of Aryan racism and a proclaimed need for German world-rule.

Goodrick-clarke's powerful and timely book traces the intellectual roots of Nazism back to a number of influential occult and millenarian sects in the Habsburg Empire during its waning years. Beyond what the times literary Supplement calls an intriguing study of apocalyptic fantasies, this bizarre and fascinating story contains lessons we cannot afford to ignore.

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Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed Guides 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. State university of New York Press. 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.

. Used book in Good Condition. Used book in Good Condition. What is it that unites phenomena as diverse as ancient gnosticism and hermetism, rosicrucianism, 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, alchemy, and the contemporary New Age spiritualities? What can the study of them teach us about our common cultural and intellectual heritage, and magic, the "occult sciences" of astrology, occultism, spiritualism, as well as Christian theosophy, so that the reader can find his way into the labyrinth of Western esotericism and out of it again.

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The Secret Teachings of All Ages Reader's Edition

Used book in Good Condition. A classic since 1928, symbolism, ritual, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition. ". Literally hundreds of entries shine a rare light on some of the most fascinating and closely held aspects of myth, religion, and philosophy from throughout the centuries.

More than one hundred line drawings and a sixteen-page color insert reproduce some of the finest illustrations of the original book, while reset and reformatted text makes this edition of The Secret Teachings of All Ages newly accessible to readers everywhere. A classic since 1928, symbolism, ritual, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition.

Like no other book of the twentieth century, Manly P. Used book in Good Condition. Students of hidden wisdom, ancient symbols, and arcane practices treasure Hall's magnum opus above all other works. While many thousands of copies have sold since its initial publication in 1928, The Secret Teachings of All Ages has previously been available only in oversized, expensive editions.

State university of New York Press. Hall's legendary the secret Teachings of All Ages is a codex to the ancient occult and esoteric traditions of the world. For the first time, Hall's celebrated classic is now published in an affordable trade paperback volume.

Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity

Radical movements are feeding on anxiety about economic globalization, affirmative action, and third-world immigration, flashpoint issues to many traditional groups in multicultural societies. More than half a century after the defeat of Nazism and fascism, the far right is again challenging the liberal order of Western democracies.

State university of New York Press. Based on interviews and extensive research into underground groups, Black Sun documents the new Nazi and fascist sects that have sprung up from the 1970s through the 1990s and examines the mentality and motivation of these far-right extremists. A curious mixture of aristocratic paganism, anti-Semitic demonology, Eastern philosophies and the occult is influencing populist antigovernment sentiment and helping to exploit the widespread fear that invisible elites are shaping world events.

A classic since 1928, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition. ". Used book in Good Condition. Black sun examines the new neofascist ideology, showing how hate groups, militias and conspiracy cults attempt to gain influence.

Used book in Good Condition. He paints a frightening picture of a religion with its own relics, rituals, under the proper conditions, prophecies and an international sectarian following that could, gain political power and attempt to realize its dangerous millenarian fantasies.

Mumbo Jumbo

Used book in Good Condition. In it, one of our preeminent african-American authors, Reed, mixes portraits of historical figures and fictional characters with sound bites on subjects ranging from ragtime to Greek philosophy. State university of New York Press. Cited by literary critic harold bloom as one of the five hundred most significant books in the Western canon, Mumbo Jumbo is a trenchant and often biting look at black-white relations throughout history, from a keen observer of our culture.

The classic freewheeling look at race relations through the ages. Mumbo jumbo is ishmael reed’s brilliantly satiric deconstruction of Western civilization, a racy and uproarious commentary on our society. Used book in Good Condition. Scribner. A classic since 1928, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition.

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an essay on magic - SSOTBME Revised

That project never happened, but the material was expanded into a small book published by the author in 1974. Notes: brand new from publisher! 100% satisfaction guarantee. Ssotbme was originally commissioned by christopher mcintosh author of Eliphas levi and the French Occult Revival and other works on Hermetic and Masonic history as an essay for a semi-academic collection of essays on comparative religion.

State university of New York Press. A classic since 1928, symbolism, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition. ". Used book in Good Condition. Used book in Good Condition. Isbn13: 9780904311082. Buy with confidence! Millions of books sold!

Used book in Good Condition. The book was an immediate success with a new wave of practicing magicians in the UK, including Pete Carroll, Ray Sherwin and other members of what was to become the Chaos Magic movement. This new edition, expanded and brought right up to dateThere's much food for thought here, published in 2002, is considerably revised, whether you're just starting in on magic or consider yourself an old hand.

If you've got friends, lovers, bosses, etc. Condition: New.

Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition

Bronowski, new york review of Books State university of New York Press. Wherever she looks, she illuminates. Placing bruno—both advanced philosopher and magician burned at the stake—in the Hermetic tradition, Yates's acclaimed study gives an overview not only of Renaissance humanism but of its interplay—and conflict—with magic and occult practices.

For miss yates has put bruno, for the first time, in his tradition, and has shown what that tradition was. Hugh trevor-roper, new statesman"a decisive contribution to the understanding of Giordano Bruno, this book will probably remove a great number of misrepresentations that still plague the tormented figure of the Nolan prophet.

Giorgio de santillana, american Historical Review"Yates's book is an important addition to our knowledge of Giordano Bruno. Used book in Good Condition. But it is even more important, I think, as a step toward understanding the unity of the sixteenth century. J. Buy with confidence! Millions of books sold! Among those who have explored the intellectual world of the sixteenth century no one in England can rival Miss Yates.

Now she has looked on Bruno. Tracking provided on most orders.

Cardano's Cosmos: The Worlds and Works of a Renaissance Astrologer

A classic since 1928, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition. ". Used book in Good Condition. State university of New York Press. He maps the context of market and human forces that shaped Cardano's practices―and the maneuvering that kept him at the top of a world rife with patronage, politics, and vengeful rivals.

Scribner. This book traces cardano's contentious career from his first astrological pamphlet through his rise to high-level consulting and his remarkable autobiographical works. In cardano's cosmos, anthony grafton invites readers to follow this astrologer's extraordinary career and explore the art and discipline of astrology in the hands of a brilliant practitioner.

Buy with confidence! Millions of books sold! They analyzed the bodies and characters of countless clients, from rulers to criminals, and enjoyed widespread respect and patronage. He was also a leading astrologer of his day, whose predictions won him access to some of the most powerful people in sixteenth-century Europe.

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Introduction to Magic: Rituals and Practical Techniques for the Magus

Used book in Good Condition. So successful were they that rumors spread throughout Italy of the group's power, and Mussolini himself became quite fearful of them. Isbn13: 9780904311082. Used book in Good Condition. Used book in Good Condition. In 1927 julius evola and other leading Italian intellectuals formed the mysterious UR group.

Anyone who has exhausted the possibilities of the mundane world and is ready to take the steps necessary to purify the soul in the light of knowledge and the fire of dedication will find a number of expert mentors here. Rare hermetic texts published in English for the first time. Tracking provided on most orders.

Included in introduction to magic are instructions for creating an etheric double, using fragrances, speaking words of power, interacting with entities, and creating a "magical chain. Among the arcane texts translated are the tibetan teachings of the Thunderbolt Diamond Path, the Mithraic mystery cult's "Grand Papyrus of Paris, " and the Greco-Egyptian magical text De Mysteriis.

A classic since 1928, this masterly encyclopedia of ancient mythology, ritual, symbolism, and the arcane mysteries of the ages is available for the first time in a compact "reader's edition. ". Used book in Good Condition. Includes instructions for developing psychic and magical powers.