Overview

From Cleopatra to Chaos Magic: A Vibrant, Epic History of Occultism in Thought and Practice In his most sweeping historical work, occult scholar and widely known voice of esoteric ideas Mitch Horowitz presents a lively, intellectually serious historical exploration of modern occultism, from astrology and alchemy to the dawn of Theosophy and modern witchcraft—and the spiritual revolutions that followed. In this lively, full-circle history, Mitch explores: Preservation of “hidden wisdom” in late-ancient Hermeticism. Rebirth of esoterica during the Renaissance, including Kabbalah, ceremonial magick, alchemy, Gnosticism—and the backlash culminating in the Thirty Years’ War. Rise of the modern “secret society,” such as Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and Illuminati. Migration of religious radicalism to the New World, including how enslaved people devised the magickal system of hoodoo. Wave of occultism ignited by John Dee, the Romantics, Franz Anton Mesmer, Eliphas Lévi, and P.B. Randolph. The revolution brought by occult explorer Madame H.P. Blavatsky. Growth of New Thought and mind metaphysics. How fin de siècle scientists devised clinical protocols to study the supernatural. Occult influences in politics: a delicate topic weighed maturely. Heterodox movements and figures such as The Process Church, TOPY, Michael Aquino, and Anton LaVey. Pioneering voices including Manly P. Hall, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, Edgar Cayce, Carl Jung, Gerald Gardner, Jack Parsons, Annie Besant, G.I. Gurdjieff, Alice Bailey, Austin Osman Spare, and Carlos Castaneda. Surprising occult influences on wide-ranging modern icons such as Frederick Douglass, Sigmund Freud, and Isaac Newton. How models of interdimensionality are loosening the hold of materialism on modern thought.

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9781722506261

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Reviews

"“An amazing author…We are all so lucky to have you out there on the frontlines. You are a wonderful bridge connecting these ethereal, misunderstood, eyeroll-y subjects with a great methodology and with a great way of articulating them.”—Duncan Trussell, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour “Wonderfully comprehensive...even to attempt this kind of history was a very challenging task—which Horowitz ably and amazingly pulls off...fluidly weaves in the origins, personal histories, and real-world impacts...a glorious historical mosaic that won’t soon be forgotten...The clarity of this exquisite picture, woven with an obsidian thread, invites each of us to transcend and transform.”—Jordan Gruber, Quest magazine “A masterful exploration of the intricate and often misunderstood world of occult history, striking a rare balance as a work of scholarly rigor and engaging storytelling...both enlightening and deeply fascinating…a seminal work that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding...a key resource.”—Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch “Horowitz effortlessly navigates between believer and critic, presenting readers with a clear-eyed view of his subject matter, neither letting occultists off the hook nor treating them cynically…vitally important.”—Zack Kruse, Mutant Graveyard, Substack “Mitch Horowitz is the thinking man’s mage.”—Douglas Rushkoff, Team Human “Both a fascinating read and a veritable encyclopedia of occultism’s history over the past two millennia…Horowitz has, in effect, catalogued an up-to-date version of significant information which…could form the basis for a current and timely addition to Manly P. Hall’s magnum opus.”—Alan Glassman, New Dawn magazine “I loved this book. I had so much fun reading this. The number one thing I wanted to note is the overwhelming generosity that I felt in this book towards not just the subject matter but the wide variety of possible readers.”—Colin Dickey, author of Ghostland “Mitch Horowitz has crowned his series of specialized books by writing about that indefinable ‘thing’ that underlies them all. He approaches it with openness and good humor, treating the founding parents (few of whom would call themselves occultists) with the affection they deserve. The later chapters benefit from his knowledge of popular culture and scientific speculation, and the whole book from his nose for arcane sources. Highly recommended as a gateway for the curious and a recreation for veteran readers.”—Joscelyn Godwin “Presents a sprawling history of the occult, looking at its revival in Renaissance-era Europe and the threads that connect it to antiquity and the present. While he examines many different strains within occultism, including those associated with fascism, Horowitz presents a frequently liberatory view—socially and personally—of the diverse movement.”—Will Solomon, CounterPunch “Are you a seeker? If so, you have probably encountered the work of Mitch Horowitz, one of the leading American historians of alternative spirituality…Horowitz has taken occult ideas and traditions often dismissed as strange or unserious—including witchcraft, astrology, alchemy, extrasensory perception, telepathy and seances—and made them accessible to uninitiated readers…Modern Occultism covers everything from Kabbalah to the African American ‘sex magic’ pioneer Paschal Beverly Randolph to the Church of Satan.”—Andrew Esensten, J. The Jewish News of Northern California ""A genius at distilling down esoteric concepts""—Filmmaker Magazine  “I admire Mitch Horowitz enormously. He has struggled virtually single-handedly to get the American intelligentsia to give occult and esoteric currents the serious attention they deserve.”—Richard Smoley, author of Hidden Christianity “In many ways, Horowitz is the perfect mix of Manly P. Hall, Joseph Campbell, and Prometheus, eloquently carrying the torch of mythic and spiritual illumination into the 21st century.”—Carl Abrahamsson, author of  Occulture “The New Age has always been gnostic, by which I mean the movement has often been both fiercely critical of society and deeply rooted in transcendent experience. Whenever I am asked about it, I reply: ‘Go read Mitch Horowitz. You will see’.”—Jeffrey J. Kripal, Associate Dean of the Humanities, Rice University"

A genius at distilling down esoteric concepts - Filmmaker Magazine I admire Mitch Horowitz enormously. He has struggled virtually single-handedly to get the American intelligentsia to give occult and esoteric currents the serious attention they deserve. -Richard Smoley, author of Hidden Christianity In many ways, Horowitz is the perfect mix of Manly P. Hall, Joseph Campbell, and Prometheus, eloquently carrying the torch of mythic and spiritual illumination into the 21st century. -Carl Abrahamsson, author of Occulture The New Age has always been gnostic, by which I mean the movement has often been both fiercely critical of society and deeply rooted in transcendent experience. Whenever I am asked about it, I reply: 'Go read Mitch Horowitz. You will see'. -Jeffrey J. Kripal, Associate Dean of the Humanities, Rice University

Author Information

Mitch Horowitz is a historian of alternative spirituality and one of today’s most literate voices of esoterica, mysticism, and the occult. He is among the few occult writers whose work touches the bases of academic scholarship, national journalism, and subculture cred. Mitch is a writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library and a PEN Award-winning historian whose books include Occult America; One Simple Idea; The Miracle Club; Daydream Believer; and Uncertain Places.The Washington Post says Mitch “treats esoteric ideas and movements with an even-handed intellectual studiousness that is too often lost in today’s raised-voice discussions.” He has discussed alternative spirituality across the national media and collaborated with Emmy-nominated director Ronni Thomas on the feature documentary The Kybalion, shot on location in Egypt. Mitch’s books have appeared in Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French, and Chinese. He received the Walden Award for Interfaith/Intercultural Understanding. The Chinese government has censored his work. Visit him at MitchHorowitz.com.

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