Western and eastern esotericism timeless tradition of. Request pdf western esotericism and rituals of initiation for more than three hundred years the practice of masonic rituals of initiation has been part of. He is the author of western esotericism and rituals of initiation 2007, and coeditor of aleister crowley and western esotericism oup, 2012. For more than three hundred years the practice of masonic rituals of initiation has been part of western culture, spreading far beyond the boundaries of traditional freemasonry. Henrik bogdan teaches in the department of religious studies and theology at goteborg university in sweden. Nonetheless, these rituals have received little scholarly attention until now. The original twovolume edition of the esoteric tradition was com piled from material dictated by g. The body of light in the western esoteric tradition. Henrik bogdan attempts to fill this gap in the record with his dissertation covering initiations in western occultism. The technique suggested by ashcroftnowicki is the simplest and most direct.
Esotericism in the academy history of hermetic philosophy. Project muse western esotericism and rituals of initiation. On the basis of primary sources and secondary literature, this module examines the history of western esotericism during the renaissance and early modern period. The quest for gnosis can take many forms, from contemplative practices and intense textual study, to elaborate theurgic rituals, to the sacramental ingestion of hallucinogenic substances in contemporary neoshamanic practices. Pdf western esotericism and rituals of initiation by. Rather, western esotericism is an attempt to cobble together a seamless web of occult concepts. Request pdf western esotericism and rituals of initiation for more than three hundred years the practice of masonic rituals of initiation has been part of western culture, spreading far beyond.
These ideas and currents are united by the fact that they are largely distinct both from orthodox judeochristian religion and from enlightenment. Ebook western esotericism and rituals of initiation as pdf. Whether the bride and groom fall in love or someone makes the match, meeting involves ritual. This paper examines, from an emic stance, a strand of western esoteric wisdom that offers a particular perspective on psychospiritual development in relation to. Posts about eastern esotericism written by secretdoctrine. Introduction the neophyte, robed in white, is secluded with but a single candle and a skull or similar device to meditate upon. He is the author of western esotericism and rituals of initiation 2007, and co. However, while no specific rituals are employed, as in a. It also has a second meaning where it serves to designate a type of knowledge, emanating from a spiritual center to be attained after. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation, new york 2007. Esotericism definition is esoteric doctrines or practices. Henrik bogdan, western esotericism and rituals of initiation authors.
Learn from western esotericism experts like amy blackthorn and israel regardie. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation henrik. The major task of editing and condensing the text into a single volume was done by a. 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. Western esotericism rituals of initiation henrik bogdan and. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation request pdf. Rituals of initiation, secret societies, and masonic initiatory societies. Bogdan also shows how different rituals convey different elements of the western esoteric tradition. True spiritual initiation causes a profound shift in ones perceptions and awareness of what is true. On the basis of primary sources and secondary literature, this module examines the. The academic study of western esotericism is one of those new developments in the study of religions which may strike the casual observer as having appeared almost overnight, due to the fact that its gradual development over the past decades is easily overlooked. Pdf download western esotericism and rituals of initiation s u n y seris in western esoteric. The ancient mysteries are mentioned, but emphasis is placed on medieval fraternities, rosicrucian and masonic orders, and a number of modern orders.
In the late seventeenth century, several european christian thinkers presented the argument that certain traditions of western philosophy and thought could be categorised together, thus establishing the category that is now called western esotericism. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny press. Many of these pseudosciences, protosciences, or bodies of occult belief are themselves quite ancient, and predate any body of learning that can claim this title for instance, some of the various texts associated with hermeticism such as the corpus hermeticum were actually written during antiquity, in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries ce. The book is extremely comprehensive and engages with contemporary. Initiates, eager to go deeper in the understanding of esotericism, created several new degrees which were used in small groups of brethren. This is the developing field focused on the esoteric beliefs and practices of the west, which are now termed western esotericism within academia faivre, access to western esotericism 7. Daily theosophy quotes thursday 6th june 20 it was thought by h. Western esoteric rituals of initiation in which he analysed the devel opment of masonic rituals of initiation from the early 1700s to the 1950s. Rejected knowledge in western culture, wouter hanegraaff presents a historiographical analysis of the study of esotericism, also known as the occult, magic, or. As will always be the case with an edited collection like this one, some of the essays are stronger than others, and some contribute to the overall goals of the volume. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series in western esoteric traditions ebook. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation by henrik bogdan. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series.
Western esoteric rituals of initiation can be regarded as mirrors of contemporary esotericism as they reflect the esoteric currents and notions, which are in vogue at the time when the rituals were written. Historical exploration of masonic rituals of initiation. Western esotericism, also known as western mysticism, western mystery tradition, and western hermetic tradition is a term used to cover certain occult practices including alchemy, astrology, herbalism, tarot, gnosticism, hermetism, spiritualism, numerology, kabbalah, ritual magic, and other bodies of occultic lore. The concept of western esotericism is a modern scholarly construct rather than a preexisting, selfdefined tradition of thought. An inquiry into a contemporary western shamanic initiation by sarah kerr a dissertation submitted to the faculty of the california institute of integral studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in humanities with a concentration in. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The integration of psychological and spiritual development in western esoteric thought gary raucher1 abstract. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series in western esoteric traditions bogdan, henrik on. Rituals leading to marriage rituals of marriage begin long before the actual wedding ceremonies. Western esotericism, also known as esotericism, esoterism, and sometimes the western mystery tradition, is a term under which scholars have categorised a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements which have developed within western society. Esoteric candles and wax, altar candles defumadores and mixtures complete cash displays for shops incense esoteric powders and pembas posters, printings, prayers esoteric voodoo items, vodun, vudu, saints items afro brazilian rituals, saints items rituals planetary, witchcraft, angelic. He holds what was for over three decades the only chair in the world devoted explicitly to the western esoteric tradition.
Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series in western esoteric traditions kindle edition by bogdan, henrik. Henrik bogdan explores the historical development of these rituals and their relationship with western esotericism. Esoteric principles theosophical society in america. Read western esotericism books like blackthorns botanical magic and the golden dawn for free with a free 30day trial. Western esotericism or hermeticism also western hermetic tradition, western mysticism, western inner tradition, western occult tradition, and western mystery tradition is a broad spectrum of spiritual traditions found in western society, or refers to the collection of the mystical, esoteric knowledge of the western world. The ancient mysteries are mentioned, but emphasis is placed on medieval fraternities, rosicrucian and masonic orders, and a. Antoine faivre is a major contributor to the ongoing scholarly endeavour to recognise esotericism as a legitimate and fruitful area of academic research.
Pdf western esotericism and rituals of initiation by henrik. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation henrik bogdan. Initiation implies an inner human change that is secret or esoteric by virtue of its very nature. View western esotericism research papers on academia. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation published by state uiversity of new york press, 2008. Meditate upon your death keep your death always before your eyes. Esotericism as well as the relevance of the latter to the history of science and philosophy. Esotericism definition of esotericism by merriamwebster. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series in western esoteric traditions. Aliza kelly faragher, allure, a beginners guide to casting your own spells at home, 26 mar. The practice or process known as initiation is of common, central significance to all mystical schools and nothing is more surrounded by mystery, secrecy and misunderstanding.
Thus the wisdom religion, which was one in its foundations, became differentiated into innumerable traditions. Lori lee oates ex historia 218 wouter hanegraaff, esotericism and the academy. Isbn 9781557002167 pdf ebook isbn 9781557002174 softcover library of congress cataloginginpublication data purucker, g. Several aspects of the egyptian and greek ancient mysteries were enacted in rituals and initiations. The connection of this rite with the theosophical society goes back to madame blavatsky who was personally initiated into the memphismisraim rite by john yarker in 1877. Western and eastern esotericism timeless tradition of wisdom. Rejected knowledge in western culture, wouter hanegraaff presents a historiographical analysis of the study of esotericism, also known as the occult, magic, or witchcraft. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation suny series in.
Mingling with the older races, the aryan initiates established schools of the mysteries adapted to the cultural and social conditions in which they found themselves. Oct 29, 2006 one of the central elements in western esotericism is the concept of initiation as a important signpost in the area of selftransformation. Dress, makeup, hairstyles, ornaments, and other efforts to enhance personal appearance are often ritualistic efforts to attract the opposite sex, as are flir. The academic study of western esotericism was pioneered in the early 20th century by historians of the ancient world and the european renaissance, who came to recognise that although it had been ignored by previous scholarship the impact which prechristian and nonrational schools of thought had exerted on european society and culture was worthy of academic. Yarker was a internationally famous, mason, ts member. Download western esotericism and rituals of initiation s u n y. Its purpose is to publish current research on religion and to offer a platform for scholarly cooperation and debate within the field. At this particular point in history, there occurred a period of intensified syncretism in which a number of diverse traditions intermingled. Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item. Introduction to western esotericism ma course in interdisciplinary historical and religious studies tuesdays, 15. This includes, but is not limited to, alchemy, theosophy, herbalism. The historian of esotericism antoine faivre noted that never a precise term, esotericism has begun to overflow its boundaries on all sides, with both faivre and karenclaire voss stating that western esotericism consists of a vast spectrum of authors, trends, works of philosophy, religion, art, literature, and music. In access to western esotericism, he says that esotericism conjures up chiefly the idea of something secret, of a discipline of the arcane, of a restricted realm of knowledge 5.
Initiation implies an inner human change that is secret or esoteric by virtue of its very. One of the central elements in western esotericism is the concept of initiation as a important signpost in the area of selftransformation. Gnostic esoteric ritual first degree liturgical agenda. Important renaissanceera forerunners of modern western esotericism included cornelius agrippa, paracelsus, pietro dabano, and athanasius kircher. Western esotericism and rituals of initiation start download portable document format pdf and ebooks electronic books free online rating news 20162017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader. Spirit of restoration the transforming light of the seventh ray it is clear that humanity has entered into a period of profound evolutionary change. Western esotericism and new religious movements oxford. The body of light in the western esoteric tradition general.
600 1380 1172 736 523 81 820 1564 130 1058 590 1584 874 647 310 1297 733 1037 560 1257 1040 713 406 100 1032 878 1308 1189 15 698 329 650 387 181 1076 1297 337 1383 617