About the author
Egil Asprem is a Norwegian scholar of Western esotericism, professor of history of religions at Stockholm University, known for applying rigorous historical and philosophical method to the study of magic, occultism, and esoteric currents. His book Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic and Modern Occulture (State University of New York Press, 2013) traces the history of John Dee's Enochian system of angelic communication, developed in the sixteenth century, and follows its reinterpretation by later magicians and occult groups up to the present. The book situates Dee's own program of angel contact within Renaissance natural philosophy before examining how twentieth-century occultists, including figures in the Golden Dawn tradition, reworked his system into modern ceremonial magic. Asprem has also published on the history of esoteric discourse, disenchantment, and the academic study of religion more broadly, and his work is widely cited in scholarship on Western esotericism. Arguing with Angels remains a standard reference for readers researching Enochian magic specifically.
📖 Where to start with Egil Asprem
💬 What our editors say about Egil Asprem's books
“Asprem delivers a dense, academic examination of Enochian magic’s lineage, prioritizing historical analysis over practical instruction. While intellectually robust, this book is not suited for casual readers or those seeking…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic & Modern Occulture Asprem, Egil
“Asprem provides a rigorous academic analysis of Enochian magic’s lineage, appealing primarily to those interested in the sociological and historical mechanics of occult survival. However, this text is not for casual readers…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic & Modern Occulture Asprem, Egil
“This text serves as an indispensable academic resource for those interested in the sociological and historical dimensions of modern occultism. It successfully maps the transition of esoteric traditions into digital spaces and…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Contemporary Esotericism Asprem, Egil
📋 Editions by Egil Asprem in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic & Modern Occulture Asprem, E | 2013 | State University of New Yo | 230 | 9781438441900 |
| Arguing with Angels: Enochian Magic & Modern Occulture Asprem, E | — | State University of New Yo | 230 | 9781438441917 |
| Contemporary Esotericism Asprem, Egil | 2013 | Routledge | 480 | 9781908049322 |
| Contemporary Esotericism Asprem, Egil | 2014 | Routledge | 480 | 9781138856110 |
