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Occult Russia: Pagan, Esoteric, and Mystical Traditions — Witchcraft Wicca

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Occult Russia: Pagan, Esoteric, and Mystical Traditions

Name: Occult Russia: Pagan, Esoteric, and Mystical Traditions
Price: 20.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: McIntosh, Christopher
ISBN: 9781644114186

✍️ McIntosh, Christopher

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review) 102 sold

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Christopher McIntosh unveils the profound spiritual landscape of Russia, charting its enduring mystical heritage from pre-Christian Slavic traditions and Siberian shamanism to the vibrant esoteric movements of the "Silver Age." This comprehensive volume details how the profound societal shifts of the post-Soviet era ignited a powerful resurgence of ancient beliefs and fostered a fertile ground for new spiritual explorations. McIntosh meticulously traces the threads of magic, myth, and mysticism that have long captivated the Russian soul, offering an unparalleled look at its complex spiritual evolution.

McIntosh, Christopher

📚 all books by this author (8) →

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Witchcraft & Wicca

Praise for this book

“Insightful, meticulously researched, and timely in so many ways, Occult Russia is a passionate journey to the heart and soul of Russia. Christopher McIntosh, author of many groundbreaking books, masterly uncovers the 'hidden history' of the vast northern land, introducing an amazing cast of dramatic and colorful characters, from shamans to commissars, artists to conspirators, mystics to messiahs. . . .”

— David P. Jones, New Dawn magazine

🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2022 📖 280 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781644114186

Fun Fact

McIntosh's "Occult Russia" is a compelling and meticulously researched journey into the often-overlooked spiritual underbelly of a complex nation. It excels in drawing connections between ancient practices and modern revivals, offering a nuanced perspective beyond typical historical accounts. While highly informative, those seeking a purely devotional or uncritical portrayal of any single tradition might find its academic rigor less appealing. It stands as an essential work for anyone interested in the enduring power of esoteric thought within a unique cultural context.

📝 Description: Occult Russia: Pagan, Esoteric, and Mystical Traditions

Explores how the search for meaning in the post-Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual traditions and a plethora of new movements - Reveals the survival of ancient Slavic deities, pagan practices, and folk medicine tradition in modern Russia, including the indigenous pre-Christian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia - Examines the precursors to modern spiritual movements in the "Silver Age" (1880-1920) and discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups - Offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles, branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people In this in-depth look at occult and esoteric traditions in Russia, Christopher McIntosh explores the currents of mysticism, myth, magic, and the spiritual to which the Russian soul has always been attuned. The author explains how the search for meaning in the post- Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual traditions and a plethora of new movements. He examines the precursors to these movements in the "Silver Age" (1880-1920) before the Revolution, when alternative forms of spirituality were finding new life as a reaction to the ongoing climate of violence, revolt, and repression. He discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups and shows how their activities were tolerated and even in some instances encouraged--until Stalin assumed power in 1924. Discussing the spiritual reawakening after the fall of communism in 1989, the author explores the survival of Slavic deities and pagan practices in modern Russia, including the indigenous pre-Christian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia. He examines the resurgence of the Orthodox Church and the burgeoning of alternative forms of spirituality. He offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles, branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people. He also explores the interface between spirituality and the arts and the unique qualities of the Russian language as a medium for the sacred. Revealing the implications of the modern Russian spiritual and esoteric renaissance, McIntosh shows that it still remains to be seen whether Edgar Cayce's prediction of Russia as the hope of the world will come true or if Russia will remain, as Churchill famously stated, "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."

📑 What's inside

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Russia's Mystical Quest
ONE
Twilight
TWO
Fabled Lands
THREE
Reign of the Antichrist
FOUR
A House of Rumor
FIVE
The New Millennium
SIX
The Strange Case of the Book of Veles
SEVEN
Survival of the Old Gods
EIGHT
The New Paganism: A Spiritual Counterrevolution
NINE
Saints, Doctors, and Cunning Folk
TEN
The Woman Clothed with the Sun: Russian Spirituality and the Erotic
ELEVEN
The Pursuit of the Rural Ideal
TWELVE
The Arts and the Spiritual in Russia from the Revolution to the Present
THIRTEEN
The Russian Language
FOURTEEN
The Russian Diaspora
FIFTEEN
In Search of a Vision for the Twenty-First Century
SIXTEEN
"The Hope of the World"?
Notes
Bibliography
Index

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

McIntosh delivers a thorough and engaging survey of Russia's esoteric landscape, successfully connecting ancient pagan roots with modern mystical revivals. The book shines in its detailed exposition of the Silver Age movements and the post-Soviet resurgence of belief, offering rich context for those unfamiliar with Russian spiritual history. However, readers seeking practical magical workings or immediate ritual instructions will find little here, as the focus remains firmly on historical and cultural analysis rather than application. It is not suited for those who prefer brief, anecdotal overviews; this text demands patience for its comprehensive, scholarly approach to a complex subject.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers with a deep curiosity about the spiritual undercurrents of Eastern Europe will find this book an indispensable guide to understanding Russia's complex mystical heritage. It is particularly suited for those interested in how ancient pagan roots and Siberian shamanic practices have evolved into modern esoteric movements. By tracing the threads of magic and myth from pre-Christian times through the Silver Age to contemporary revivals, McIntosh offers a comprehensive view of how societal shifts have fueled spiritual exploration. If you are fascinated by the resilience of belief systems and the intricate tapestry of Russian occult history, this text provides the necessary context and depth to appreciate these enduring traditions.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the enigmatic spiritual heart of Russia, curious about the endurance of ancient paganism, or seeking to understand the esoteric undercurrents that shaped its history and modern identity, this book offers a truly enlightening journey.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

McIntosh delivers a thorough and engaging survey of Russia's esoteric landscape, successfully connecting ancient pagan roots with modern mystical revivals. The book shines in its detailed exposition of the Silver Age movements and the post-Soviet resurgence of belief, offering rich context for those unfamiliar with Russian spiritual history. However, readers seeking practical magical workings or immediate ritual instructions will find little here, as the focus remains firmly on historical and cultural analysis rather than application. It is not suited for those who prefer brief, anecdotal overviews; this text demands patience for its comprehensive, scholarly approach to a complex subject.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While acknowledging its presence, the book deliberately delves into the *non-Orthodox* spiritual currents of Russia, including paganism, esoteric philosophies, and mystical traditions that often exist outside or alongside mainstream religious structures.

McIntosh critically examines the "Book of Veles" as a significant, albeit controversial, cultural phenomenon. He explores both the arguments for its authenticity as an ancient Slavic chronicle and the substantial claims of it being a 19th or 20th-century forgery, without definitively endorsing either view.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Ancient Spiritual Survivals

Discover how Russia preserves its deep pagan roots, exploring the continued veneration of Slavic deities, traditional folk healing practices, and the distinctive pre-Christian customs of groups like the Mari people. The book also illuminates the powerful shamanic traditions that persist in the vast Siberian regions, connecting contemporary spirituality to ancient animistic worldviews.

Esoteric History & Revolution

McIntosh meticulously details the "Silver Age" (1880-1920), a pivotal period that birthed many modern spiritual currents, examining its vibrant occult and mystical societies. He then reveals the profound and often devastating impact of the Russian Revolution on these diverse esoteric groups, tracing their suppression and eventual underground survival through tumultuous times.

Post-Soviet Spiritual Resurgence

Witness the dramatic rebirth of spirituality in Russia following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The book explores how a societal search for meaning spurred a widespread revival of long-suppressed ancient traditions, alongside the emergence of a multitude of new spiritual movements. It highlights the dynamic interplay between historical continuity and contemporary innovation in Russia's spiritual landscape.

📜 Historical context

This work places Russia's occult landscape within a broader historical narrative, illustrating how pre-Christian paganism, Orthodox mysticism, and Western esoteric influences converged and evolved. It highlights the "Silver Age" as a crucible for modern Russian spirituality, demonstrating the resilience of these traditions through periods of both suppression and revival, particularly in the post-Soviet era.

📚 Glossary

Silver Age
Shamanism
Book of Veles

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the survival of ancient pagan traditions in Russia challenge or confirm your understanding of modernity and spiritual evolution?
Consider the 'Silver Age' in Russia. What parallels might you draw between that period of intense spiritual and artistic upheaval and contemporary searches for meaning?
If the 'Book of Veles' were definitively proven authentic or a forgery, how would each outcome impact our understanding of Slavic identity and history?