What is the history of Western esotericism?

Western esotericism encompasses a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements in Western society that stand distinct from orthodox Abrahamic religion and Enlightenment rationalism. Its earliest traditions, such as Hermeticism and Gnosticism, emerged during Late Antiquity in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the field has since evolved through the Renaissance, the rise of 17th-century initiatory societies, and 19th-century occultism. Although these disparate currents were grouped together starting in the 17th century and late 18th century, serious academic study of the field only emerged in the late 20th century.

What we know

• Western esotericism is united by its distinctness from both orthodox Abrahamic religion and Age of Enlightenment rationalism. [2]
• The earliest traditions of Western esotericism emerged in the Eastern Mediterranean during Late Antiquity with Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Neoplatonism. [2]
• Renaissance Europe saw intellectuals combine pagan philosophies with Kabbalah and Christian philosophy, producing movements like Christian Kabbalah and Christian theosophy. [2]
• The academic study of Western esotericism has taken place within academia since the early 20th century and was pioneered by scholars like Frances Yates and Antoine Faivre. [2, 3]

Still open

• Academics debate numerous definitions of Western esotericism, viewing it variously as a perennial hidden inner tradition, an enchanted worldview against disenchantment, or a collection of culture's rejected knowledge.

Where to go next

• what caused itHow did Hermeticism and Gnosticism begin?
• whenWhat was the influence of the Age of Enlightenment on esoteric thought?
• whoWho were Frances Yates and Antoine Faivre?
• compared withHow does Eastern esotericism compare to Western traditions?
• a case in pointWhat role did Freemasonry play in 17th-century esotericism?
• an unexpected connectionHow does Western esotericism relate to modern science and pseudoscience?Western esotericism has actively contributed to and influenced various forms of Western science, pseudoscience, art, literature, and music alongside traditional religion.

Sources

• [1]Western esotericism (Wikidata Q7988482) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Western esotericism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Academic study of Western esotericism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Eastern esotericism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism · CC BY-SA 4.0