
At a Glance
362 Pages
22.5 x 14.5 x 2.5
Paperback
RRP $53.99
$52.75
or 4 interest-free payments of $13.19 with
orShips in 10 to 15 business days
An Enthralling History of the People, Ideas, and Practices that Shaped Today's Occult
In his most sweeping historical work, occult scholar and widely known voice of esoteric ideas Mitch Horowitz presents a lively, intellectually serious historical exploration of modern occultism, from astrology and alchemy to the dawn of Theosophy and modern witchcraft, and the spiritual revolutions that followed. In this erudite, vibrant, and full-circle history, Mitch explores:
- The roots of "hidden wisdom" in the late-ancient philosophy of Hermeticism, a marriage of classical Egyptian and Hellenic thought.
- The rebirth of pre-Christian spiritual ideas during the Renaissance, along with variations of Kabbalah, alchemy, gnosticism, and other esoteric traditions—and the backlash culminating in the Thirty Years' War.
- The rise of the modern "secret society" including the Rosicrucians, Freemasons, Illuminati, and Enlightenment-age Royal Society.
- The migration of religious radicals to the New World ranging from Shakers to Pietists to Mesmerists—and how enslaved people devised the syncretic magickal system of hoodoo.
- The new wave of Western occultism ignited by Romantic poets and dramatists, French mage Eliphas Levi, and African American magick worker PB Randolph.
- How globe-travelling occult explorer Madame HP Blavatsky revolutionized the world through Theosophy.
- Transcendentalism and the growth of New Thought and mind metaphysics.
- How late-19th and early-20th century scientists devised clinical protocols to study the supernatural, giving rise to parapsychology.
- Questions of occult influences on fascistic movements (a historically fraught topic rife with misunderstanding); the marriage between esoteric and progressive movements.
- Remarkable and diffuse figures, including Manly P. Hall, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, Edgar Cayce, Gerald Gardner, and G.I. Gurdjieff.
- How socially rebellious movements, including the Beats and the Woodstock Generation, helped popularize psychedelia, Zen, yoga, and Eastern religious expressions.
- New understandings of interdimensional mechanics that are loosening the hold of materialism on modernist thought today.
Each chapter is rounded out with key terms and supplemental readings for a full-360 tour of modernist arcana and a historical journey that leaves your experience of esoterica forever changed.
"I admire Mitch Horowitz enormously. He has struggled virtually single-handedly to get the American intelligentsia to give occult and esoteric currents the serious attention they deserve."—Richard Smoley, author of Hidden Christianity
"In many ways, Horowitz is the perfect mix of Manly P. Hall, Joseph Campbell, and Prometheus, eloquently carrying the torch of mythic and spiritual illumination into the 21st century."—Carl Abrahamsson, author of Occulture
"The New Age has always been gnostic, by which I mean the movement has often been both fiercely critical of society and deeply rooted in transcendent experience. Whenever I am asked about it, I reply: 'Go read Mitch Horowitz. You will see'."—Jeffrey J. Kripal, Associate Dean of the Humanities, Rice University
Industry Reviews
"An amazing author...We are all so lucky to have you out there on the frontlines. You are a wonderful bridge connecting these ethereal, misunderstood, eyeroll-y subjects with a great methodology and with a great way of articulating them."-Duncan Trussell, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour
"Wonderfully comprehensive...even to attempt this kind of history was a very challenging task-which Horowitz ably and amazingly pulls off...fluidly weaves in the origins, personal histories, and real-world impacts...a glorious historical mosaic that won't soon be forgotten...The clarity of this exquisite picture, woven with an obsidian thread, invites each of us to transcend and transform."-Jordan Gruber, Quest magazine
"A masterful exploration of the intricate and often misunderstood world of occult history, striking a rare balance as a work of scholarly rigor and engaging storytelling...both enlightening and deeply fascinating...a seminal work that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding...a key resource."-Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch
"Horowitz effortlessly navigates between believer and critic, presenting readers with a clear-eyed view of his subject matter, neither letting occultists off the hook nor treating them cynically...vitally important."-Zack Kruse, Mutant Graveyard, Substack
"Mitch Horowitz is the thinking man's mage."-Douglas Rushkoff, Team Human
"Both a fascinating read and a veritable encyclopedia of occultism's history over the past two millennia...Horowitz has, in effect, catalogued an up-to-date version of significant information which...could form the basis for a current and timely addition to Manly P. Hall's magnum opus."-Alan Glassman, New Dawn magazine
"I loved this book. I had so much fun reading this. The number one thing I wanted to note is the overwhelming generosity that I felt in this book towards not just the subject matter but the wide variety of possible readers."-Colin Dickey, author of Ghostland
"Mitch Horowitz has crowned his series of specialized books by writing about that indefinable 'thing' that underlies them all. He approaches it with openness and good humor, treating the founding parents (few of whom would call themselves occultists) with the affection they deserve. The later chapters benefit from his knowledge of popular culture and scientific speculation, and the whole book from his nose for arcane sources. Highly recommended as a gateway for the curious and a recreation for veteran readers."-Joscelyn Godwin
"Presents a sprawling history of the occult, looking at its revival in Renaissance-era Europe and the threads that connect it to antiquity and the present. While he examines many different strains within occultism, including those associated with fascism, Horowitz presents a frequently liberatory view-socially and personally-of the diverse movement."-Will Solomon, CounterPunch
"Are you a seeker? If so, you have probably encountered the work of Mitch Horowitz, one of the leading American historians of alternative spirituality...Horowitz has taken occult ideas and traditions often dismissed as strange or unserious-including witchcraft, astrology, alchemy, extrasensory perception, telepathy and seances-and made them accessible to uninitiated readers...Modern Occultism covers everything from Kabbalah to the African American 'sex magic' pioneer Paschal Beverly Randolph to the Church of Satan."-Andrew Esensten, J. The Jewish News of Northern California
"A genius at distilling down esoteric concepts"-Filmmaker Magazine
"I admire Mitch Horowitz enormously. He has struggled virtually single-handedly to get the American intelligentsia to give occult and esoteric currents the serious attention they deserve."-Richard Smoley, author of Hidden Christianity
"In many ways, Horowitz is the perfect mix of Manly P. Hall, Joseph Campbell, and Prometheus, eloquently carrying the torch of mythic and spiritual illumination into the 21st century."-Carl Abrahamsson, author of Occulture
"The New Age has always been gnostic, by which I mean the movement has often been both fiercely critical of society and deeply rooted in transcendent experience. Whenever I am asked about it, I reply: 'Go read Mitch Horowitz. You will see'."-Jeffrey J. Kripal, Associate Dean of the Humanities, Rice University
ISBN: 9781722506261
ISBN-10: 1722506261
Published: 19th September 2023
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 362
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: G&D Media
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.5 x 14.5 x 2.5
Weight (kg): 0.63
Shipping
| Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
|---|---|---|
| Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
| Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
| Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
You Can Find This Book In

The Black Bird Oracle
The exhilarating new All Souls novel featuring Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont
Paperback
RRP $24.99
$21.75
OFF

Mistborn Wax & Wayne The Complete Series
The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning, The Lost Metal
Multi-Copy Pack
RRP $79.99
$58.99
OFF






















