Contemporary Esotericism

The study of contemporary esoteric discourse has hitherto been a largely neglected part of the new academic field of Western esotericism. Contemporary Esotericism provides a broad overview and assessment of the complex world of Western esoteric thought today. Combining historiographical analysis with theories and methodologies from the social sciences, the volume explores new problems and offers new possibilities for the study of esoterica. Contemporary Esotericism studies the period since the 1950s but focuses on the last two decades. The wide range of essays are divided into four thematic sections: the intricacies of esoteric appeals to tradition; the role of popular culture, modern communication technologies, and new media in contemporary esotericism; the impact and influence of esotericism on both religious and secular arenas; and the recent de-marginalization of the esoteric in both scholarship and society.

Egil Asprem is Research Fellow at the Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam and author of Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic and Modern Occulture. Kennet Granholm is Docent and Assistant Professor in History of Religions at Stockholm University and author of Embracing the Dark: The Magic of Dragon Rouge - Its Practice in Dark Magic and Meaning Making.