The Western Esoteric Traditions: A Historical Introduction [Hardcover]

This introductory text is the fruit of a fairly new field of recognized academic studies which developed as a result of the pioneering literary efforts of scholars such as D. P. Walker (1914 - 1985) and Frances A. Yates (1899 - 1981) who took the subject of Western esotericism seriously rather than denigrate it as an area filled with superstition and irrationalism as many earlier scholars in different specialized fields had done. Other scholars of esotericism who have contributed to this growing field include but are not limited to Henry Corbin, Francois Secret, Antoine Faivre, Arthur Versluis, Joscelyn Godwin, and Wouter Hanegraaff, the last being the senior editor of the landmark Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism (2005), a collaborative effort by many scholars. Goodrick-Clarke is also a recognized scholar in this field and introduces it to the reader in his own introduction which also addresses the question of how esotericism is defined by those dedicated to studying it.

As clarified in the introduction, Western esotericism is rooted in the Hellenistic philosophy of classical paganism as expressed in Alexandrian Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism which have syncretized with the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, leaving vital traces within each. Through the Italian Renaissance, a Hermetic revival occurred as a result of the rediscovery of ancient texts which further resulted in the development of magic, astrology, alchemy, and Cabala through prominent individuals such as Marcilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Johannes Reuchlin, Johann Trithemius, Henry Cornelius Agrippa, John Dee, and Paracelsus, each given significant attention. The development of German Naturphilosophie, Christian theosophy through Jacob Boehme and his followers (such as Gichtel, Pordage and Law), and Pietism are also covered before thoroughly introducing us to Rosicrucianism in the early 17th century, high-grade Freemasonry and Illuminism in the 18th century, and the ideas and practices of Emanuel Swedenborg and Franz Anton Mesmer which significantly impacted esotericism.

Within the context of Rosicrucianism, the content of the manifestos are discussed along with Johann Valentin Andreae and the Tubingen Circle; in England, Michael Maier, Robert Fludd, and Comenius and the Origins of the Royal Society are covered. The impact of Rosicrucianism and theosophy on Freemasonry are explored as well as the following types of Freemasonry: "Scottish" and Chivalric, German Templar, and Egyptian. Within the context of Freemasonry and Illuminism, the following are also discussed: Martines de Pasqually and the Elect Coens, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, Martinesism, Martinism, Willermozism, The Illumines of Avignon, and Count Cagliostro.

Not only are the ideas of Swedenborg and Mesmer presented but also how they contributed to spiritualism and healing movements in the 19th century, including the United States which birthed Andrew Jackson Davis as the main theologian for spiritualism; Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, Warren Felt Evans and others who developed the New Thought Movement; and Mary Baker Eddy who founded Christian Science. A separate chapter is dedicated to ritual magic from 1850 to the present. Within this chapter, one is introduced to Eliphas Levi and the French Occult Revival, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and its members, and special attention is given to the contributions of A. E. Waite, Aleister Crowley and Thelemic magick, and Dion Fortune and the Inner Light. I was, however, disappointed to see the section on Crowley end with the following: "Gerald Gardner (1884 - 1964), the founder of modern witchcraft, introduced Crowleyan magick into the neopagan Wiccan movement." For a better understanding of the influential role of Crowley and ritual magic, including the grimoires, on Wiccan practices, I recommend Wicca: Magickal Beginnings (2008) by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine.

Helena Blavatsky and her Theosophical Society are given a separate chapter which expounds on her influences, travels, developing doctrines, and legacy. The last chapter titled "Modern Esotericism and New Paradigms" discusses theosophical heirs such as Annie Besant, Charles W. Leadbeater, and Rudolph Steiner (who developed his own religious system called "Anthroposophy"). It also has a section on Fourth Way Groups, introducing Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. Additionally, it covers the scientization of esotericism, New Age science, and Carl Jung's influence on esotericism. One individual I would have liked to see introduced within the context of Steiner is Valentin Tomberg who anonymously wrote Meditations on the Tarot: A Journey into Christian Hermeticism which is recognized by some, including esoteric scholar Antoine Faivre, as a masterpiece of 20th century esoteric/mystical literature.

Goodrick-Clarke's book not only includes valuable footnotes and recommendations for further reading for each chapter, but also includes a helpful index as well as over 30 illustrations comprised of portraits, diagrams, plates, charts and other relevant pictures to supplement the text. This historical introduction to Western esotericism deserves wide readership.

I recently completed my MA in Western Esotericism at the University of Exeter and studied under Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke. He is the Director of the Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO) at the University of Exeter. This book is structured in the same fashion as the MA program at Exeter and provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics in the field of Western esotericism. The book is chronological and begins in ancient Alexandria, through the Italian Renaissance, post-Reformation Germany and into the Age of Enlightenment. Goodrick-Clarke covers complex topics such as Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism, Alchemy, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism and Theosophy but makes it understandable even to novice readers. The underlying theme behind the subject of Western esotericism is the continuity in the different schools of thought that can be traced though the two thousand period from ancient Alexandria to the present day. This is a subject that has been overlooked for many years due to its association with the occult and magic. Thanks to the work of Goodrick-Clarke and scholars such as Antoine Faivre and Wouter Hanegraaff it is now being given the respect it deserves. This is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning more.

Goodrick-Clarke provides an excellent overview of esoteric traditions in western religions, philosophies, and systems of thought. He begins in the Greco-Roman period, and ends at the modern New Age movement. In between Goodrick-Clarke takes the reader on a somewhat wild ride among diverse systems of theosophy, spiritual psychology, occult magic, metaphysical speculation, and more. For anyone unfamiliar with these trends, this book will be very informative. A wide base of material is presented in a readable and enjoyable manner.