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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.
Introduction
Five Meanings of the Word "Esotericism"
Sixth Meaning: A Group of Specific Historical Currents
From the Religionist and Universalist Approach to the Historico-Critical Approach
A New Manner of Constructing the Object
State of Research and Institutionalization
Past and Present Obstacles to the Recognition of this Specific Field
Perspectives: Throwing New Light on Old Questions
1. Ancient and Medieval Sources of the Modern Western Esoteric Currents
I. The First Eleven Centuries
II. In Medieval Thought
1. Alexandrian Hermetism
2. Other Non- Christian Currents
3. In Christian Thought of the First Eleven Centuries
II. Initiatic Quests and Arts
1. Aspects of Theology
2. "Sums" and Universal Syntheses
3. Hermetism, Astrology, and Alchemy
2. Esotericism in the Heart of the Renaissance and the Flames of the Baroque
1. Jewish Kabbalah
2. Chivalry and Initiatic Societies
3. The Arts
I. A Discovery of Humanism: Philosophia perennis
II. The Germanic Contribution: Nature Philosophy and Theosophy
1. Re-emergence and Success of the Corpus Hermeticum
2. Christian Kabbalah
3. Homo Universalis: Activity, Dignity, and Synthesis
III. Readings of the World and of Myths
1. Paracelsism
2. Jacob Boehme and the Theosophical Current
3. The First Rosy-Cross
3. Esotericism in the Shadow of Enlightenment
1. Philosophia Occulta
2. Alchemy: Science of Humanity, Nature, and Myths
3. A Hermetico-Emblematic Art
I. Sunburst of Theosophy
II. From the Arts of Reading to the Art of Subtle Fluids
1. At the Dawn of Illuminism
2. The Great Theosophers
3. Faces of Illuminism
III. A Century of Initiations
1. Continuity of the Occult Sciences
2. Alchemy, Shadow Side of the Enlightenment, and the Light of Mythology
3. Animal Magnetism
4. From Romantic Knowledge to Occultist Programs
1. Strict Observance and Rectified
2. Other Masonic and Paramasonic Systems
3. Initiation in Art
I. The Era of Naturphilosophie and the Great Syntheses
II. Universal Tradition and Occultism
1. Nature Philosophy in the Romantic Era (1790-1847)
2. Main Representatives of This Current
3. Naturphilosophie and Animal Magnetism
4. Esotericism on the Edge of Naturphilosophie (1815-1857)
5. Esotericism in Art (1815-1847)
III. Esotericism in Initiatic Societies in Art (1848-1914)
1. From the Romantic East to the India of the Theosophical Society
2. Advent of the Spiritualism and Occultism (1847-1860)
3. Growth of Occultism in the Era of Scientism, and Continuity of Theosophy (1860-1914)
5. Esotericisms of the Twentieth Century
1. Masonic or Paramasonic Societies
2. The Theosophical Society
3. Esoteric Arts and Literature
I. Gnoses in the Wake of the Western "Tradition"
II. At the Crossroads of "Tradition"
1. "Traditional Sciences," Christian Theosophy, and New Forms of Gnosis
2. Presence of Christian Theosophy
3. Gnosis and Science: Toward a New Pansophy?
III. Arts and Humanities
1. René Guénon
2. The Perennialist Current
3. Initiatic Societies
4. "Tradition": A Multifaceted Notion
Bibliography
1. Arts and Literature
2. Psychology and the Humanities
3. Historiography of Western Esotericism
Index of Names