Esotericism in Western Culture

This expanded new edition of Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed (2013) brings foundational text up to date, providing readers with the knowledge and tools that will enable them to explore further.

Wouter J. Hanegraaff surveys key topics for which “esotericism” has become the preferred label: gnosticism and hermetism in antiquity, the so-called “occult sciences” (astrology, alchemy, magic), Renaissance hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Christian theosophy, occultism, spiritualism, and related currents up to and including the New Age.

The scholarship and coverage in this edition has expanded to cover not just the primarily “pagan” and Christian but also the Jewish and Islamic dimensions, as well as the global dissemination of esotericism. New sections in the book include Jewish Esotericism, Islamic Esotericism, global perspectives and politics, as well as a new final chapter on The Future of Esotericism. The book has been updated throughout to reflect current scholarship and increased accessibility for non-specialists.