Austin Case

Austin Christopher Case is an MA graduate and Merit scholarship recipient in Western Esotericism and Mysticism from the department of Religious Studies at the University of Amsterdam, and holds a BA in Religious Studies and Esoteric Studies with a Minor in Philosophy,  from Webster University, St. Louis. His areas of focus have included ‘The Pragmatic Aspects of Paradigmatic Ritual Magic’ (BA thesis), while his MA thesis was entitled ‘Exploring Tenuous Spaces: A Psychological Investigation of Astral Projection in the Golden Dawn’ (achieved with Merit).

He has received several scholarships and awards for his academic work, including Departmental Honors from Webster Religious Studies Department, the Webster University Arts and Sciences Scholarship and the SBC Foundation Scholarship. Austin speaks six languages, with conversational skills in German, ancient Akkadian, French, Thai, and Dutch, has travelled extensively for volunteer work and is recipient of the World Traveler Award.

Austin’s further areas of research  interest include: The history of Kabbalah from roots in Merkavah mysticism to modern Esoteric and New Age traditions. Investigations of instances of induced altered states occurring in different Western Esoteric traditions. The historical delineation of Mesmerism to its influences in Parapsychology; focus on instances of Near Death Experiences. Analytical and iconographic inquiry into the influence of various esoteric traditions on Western Art from the Renaissance to the Modern/Post-modern.

Publications

“Exploring Tenuous Spaces: A Psychological Investigation of Astral Projection in the Golden Dawn”; MA Thesis – University of Amsterdam, 2009. http://bit.ly/awcQ0n

“A Mentally Integrative Model of Abraham Abulafia’s Mysticism”; University of Amsterdam, 2009.  http://bit.ly/aMo7i3

“From the Spirit to the Brain: The Transition from Parapsychological to Brain Based Models of Explaining Near-death Experiences”; University of Amsterdam, 2009. http://bit.ly/93HlSq (Publication in ‘Skepsis’ pending.)

“The Psychedelic Hermes: Endogenous DMT in the Hermetica”; University of Amsterdam, 2009.  http://bit.ly/aaKWXN