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Occultism in a Global Perspective — Occult Philosophy

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Occultism in a Global Perspective

Name: Occultism in a Global Perspective
Price: 63.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781138951730

✍️ Henrik Bogdan, Gordan Djurdjevic

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This groundbreaking collection challenges the prevailing Western-centric view of occult studies, offering a sweeping international overview. Delving into diverse practices and beliefs, from Danish esoteric Satanism to sexual magic in Colombia, and examining occultism's reception in Turkey, India, and the former Yugoslavia, it expands the scholarly understanding of this often-misunderstood field. The essays meticulously explore how esoteric traditions are inextricably linked to their unique social, religious, and political contexts, revealing the profound reciprocal relationships that sculpt regional occult expressions worldwide.

Bogdan, Henrik; , Djurdjevic, Gordan

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Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“A welcome and valuable addition to our knowledge about this wide-ranging subject ... Occultism in a Global Perspective is a book of profound significance for anthropologists.”

— Anthropology Review Database

“The book easily ranks as one of the significant contributions of the year.”

— Heterodoxology blog

“A valuable set of studies of little known movements”

— Magonia Review of Books

🏛 Routledge 📅 2015 📖 272 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781138951730

Fun Fact

This volume is an indispensable addition to any serious collection on esotericism, brilliantly expanding the conversation beyond its traditional Eurocentric bounds. Its rich case studies are both fascinating and rigorously researched, offering a crucial corrective to prior scholarship. While it won't appeal to those seeking practical guides or a singular unifying theory, its academic depth and global scope firmly establish it as a foundational text for understanding occultism's diverse and interconnected manifestations worldwide.

📝 Description: Occultism in a Global Perspective

The study of the ideas and practices associated with occultism is a rapidly growing branch of contemporary scholarship. However, most research has focused on English and French speaking areas and has not addressed the wider spread and significance of occultism. Occultism in a Global Perspective presents a broad international overview. Essays range across the German magical order of the Fraternitas Saturni, esoteric Satanism in Denmark, sexual magic in Colombia and the reception of occultism in modern Turkey, India and the former Yugoslavia. As any other form of cultural practice, the occult is not isolated from its social, discursive, religious, and political environment. By studying occultism in its global context, the book offers insights into the reciprocal relationships that colour and shape regional occultism.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Bogdan and Djurdjevic deliver a rigorous academic challenge to established paradigms, offering a sweeping international overview that is both intellectually stimulating and culturally revealing. The essays meticulously trace how esoteric traditions are sculpted by their unique environments, from Turkey to the former Yugoslavia. However, this volume will not suit casual readers seeking accessible introductions or popular occult guides; it demands patience for dense scholarly analysis. It is strictly for those willing to engage with complex theoretical frameworks and regional specificity rather than broad, generalized spiritual advice.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection is an essential resource for scholars and serious enthusiasts who feel constrained by the narrow scope of traditional Western occult studies. It offers a refreshing, expansive view of esoteric practices, moving beyond familiar narratives to explore diverse global expressions such as Danish Satanism and Colombian sexual magic. Readers seeking to understand how occultism interacts with local political and religious landscapes will find profound insights here. It is particularly valuable for those interested in the reciprocal relationships between belief systems and their regional contexts, providing a necessary corrective to Eurocentric biases while expanding the scholarly understanding of this complex field.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

For scholars, students, and curious readers seeking to broaden their understanding of occultism beyond Western perspectives, this volume offers essential insights. If you're fascinated by the intersection of spirituality, culture, and society, prepare for an expansive journey.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Bogdan and Djurdjevic deliver a rigorous academic challenge to established paradigms, offering a sweeping international overview that is both intellectually stimulating and culturally revealing. The essays meticulously trace how esoteric traditions are sculpted by their unique environments, from Turkey to the former Yugoslavia. However, this volume will not suit casual readers seeking accessible introductions or popular occult guides; it demands patience for dense scholarly analysis. It is strictly for those willing to engage with complex theoretical frameworks and regional specificity rather than broad, generalized spiritual advice.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is an academic anthology featuring scholarly essays. It offers critical analysis and historical context of diverse occult traditions, rather than instructional material for practice.

While it certainly references historical foundations, the book’s primary strength lies in its exploration of contemporary manifestations and the modern reception of occultism across various international contexts.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Global Esoteric Diversity

The book meticulously broadens the geographical scope of occult scholarship, moving beyond conventional English and French-speaking foci. It presents a rich tapestry of case studies from across the globe, showcasing how esoteric practices manifest uniquely in various cultural and national settings, thus correcting previous scholarly imbalances.

Contextualizing Occult Practices

This volume emphasizes that occultism is not an isolated phenomenon but rather deeply intertwined with its surrounding environment. It explores the intricate connections between esoteric traditions and the social, political, and religious landscapes they inhabit, demonstrating how these factors shape and are shaped by occult movements.

Interdisciplinary Insights

Bridging multiple academic disciplines, the work offers a holistic understanding of occultism. By drawing on religion, mysticism, spirituality, and the sociology of religion, it provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing esoteric phenomena, appealing to scholars and enthusiasts interested in the multifaceted nature of hidden knowledge.

📜 Historical context

While occult studies have seen a resurgence in contemporary scholarship, much of the research has historically concentrated on Western European and Anglophone traditions. This collection marks a pivotal moment by actively addressing this geographical limitation, thereby enriching the field's capacity to understand occultism as a truly global and culturally embedded phenomenon.

📚 Glossary

Occultism
Esotericism
Cultural Practice

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might a Western-centric understanding of occultism limit our appreciation of global spiritual practices and belief systems?
Consider an esoteric tradition you are familiar with. How do its social, religious, and political environments shape its manifestation and interpretation?
What are the implications of studying occultism as a 'cultural practice' rather than purely a spiritual or mystical pursuit?