Overview

London, more than any other city, has a secret history concealed from view. Behind the official facade promoted by the heritage industry, lies a city of esoteric traditions, obscure institutions, and forgotten locations. Occult London rediscovers this history, unearthing the hidden city that lies beneath our own. From the Elizabethan magic of Dr Dee and Simon Forman, to the occult designs of Wren and Hawksmoor; from the Victorian London of Spring-Heeled Jack, to the fin de sicle heyday of Madame Blavatsky and Aleister Crowley. This book describes these practitioners of the occult and their unorthodox beliefs, alongside the myths and legends through which the city has always been perceived. The role of the occult within London's literary history is also outlined, while a gazetteer maps the sites of London's most resonant occult locations. Today we are experiencing a renewal of interest in the occult tradition, and Merlin Coverley examines the roots of this revival, exploring the rise of New Age philosophies and the emergence of psychogeography in shaping a new vision of the city.

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9780857301345

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Reviews

Splendid, scholarly and suffused with evocative stories and biographical sketches. --Booklist Coverley's approach is an enlightening one. Covering an astounding amount of material, both well known and cult writers feature with equal prominence. --Huffington Post

An interesting book covering Elizabethan, Eighteenth Century, Victorian and Twentieth Century London, looking at witches, witchcraft, Nicholas Hawksmoor, secret societies and more -- Carmen * Zinegeek * a great little reference book, entertainingly written and full of fascinating information about the mysterious side of England's capital city -- Lucya Szachnowski * www.badwitch.co.uk * A neat summary of the occult life of London, with all the usual suspects noted, and linked to premises in the capital where they lived, died, outraged the neighbours and otherwise operated * Magonia *

Author Information

Merlin Coverley is the author of seven books: London Writing, Psychogeography, Occult London, Utopia, The Art of Wandering, South and Hauntology. He lives in London.

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