Modern Esotericism and New Paradigms
Oxford University Press eBooks October 14, 2008 DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195320992.003.0013 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that modern Western esotericism persists by reinterpreting traditional religious and cosmological concepts in response to cultural change, and will continue as long as the West upholds an integrated worldview. |
Abstract
This chapter examines the new paradigms of modern Western esotericism. Esotericism has responded to religious and cultural change in the West. This development is evident in its speculations about the emanations of God transformed into archetypes, from alchemical principles to symbols and from angels to electromagnetic frequencies. This chapter suggests that as long as the West upholds an image of the free human being within an integrated vision of God, heaven, and earth, esotericism will undoubtedly remain a feature of its intellectual and religious landscape.