Author(s): Antoine Faivre; Christine Rhone (Translator)

Occulture

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.Antoine Faivre is Professor Emeritus at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Religious Studies), Sorbonne. He has published extensively, including Access to Western Esotericism and The Golden Fleece and Alchemy, both also published by SUNY Press. Christine Rhone has translated numerous books, including Faivre's Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition: Studies in Western Esotericism, also published by SUNY Press.

Staff recommendation - Ever since reading Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke’s ‘The Western Esoteric Traditions’ (OUP, 2008), I have taken up exploring further appraisals and studies of this extensive tradition.
It came as a surprise to learn that quite a number of universities now have dedicated departments teaching subjects in this area. The existence of these streams in academia is, I feel, a legitimising reality check of a area that can sometimes seem little more than ... a bunch of outlier titles on a bookshelf. Notwithstanding, the obvious existence of Societies and groups dedicated to the maintenance of these traditions.
So, while aimed at students and novices, it is certainly written in an, accessible (though not unchallenging initially), academic style.
What I really enjoyed about it was its succinct encapsulations of Western Esoteric Traditions. Even moreso, its analysis of the ‘5 Meanings of Esotericism’ - it’s the etymologist in me ;)