Introduction to Western Esotericism

This course aims to introduce and familiarise students with the definitions, characteristics, contents and significance of the historical currents, related traditions, and literature which have come to be defined as the Western Esoteric corpus.

Aspects to be discussed will include the historical backdrop against which Western Esotericism became a current in its own right, beginning with Neoplatonic thought and leading up to the early twentieth century.

This course will also provide an overview of the major traditions, currents, and concepts intrinsic to Western Esotericism, including Hermeticism, Gnosticism, Magic, Kabbalah, Alchemy, theosophy and Initiatory Schools, thus providing students with a firm grounding for any further courses, whether introductory or advanced.

This course will be available as a self-study course from October 2011. The taught version of the course will run in March 2012. For more information about course types please click here.

Coursebooks:

Both these books are required reading for the course. Further reading material will be provided by your tutor. Students enrolling on this course should ensure that they have acquired these books before the course begins.

Prerequisites: None. This course is a prerequisite for several of our other courses. Exceptions will be made only in those cases where students can demonstrate a firm background knowledge of these concepts. If you believe this applies to you, please contact us prior to enrolment.
Languages: Greek/English. Τhis course will be offered in both languages, but as the textbook and the majority of the bibliography are both in English, Greek students are not exempt from the English proficiency requirements for this course. This prerequisite also continues to apply to students whose native language is neither English nor Greek. Please click here for details regarding language requirements.

WE 101 Schedule and Syllabus

1

Introduction to the Western Esoteric Corpus,Definitions and Methodology
2 Historical overview
3 Cosmologies:Hermetism and Hermeticism,Neoplatonism
4 Gnosticism:Origins, Characteristics, Influences on W.Esoteric currents,Later manifestations
5 Magic and the theory of Correspondences, Interrelationships and Influences
6 Kabbalah:Jewish Mysticism,Christan Cabbala and the Renaissance,Qabalah and early modern esoteric schools
7 Alchemy: Origins, Historiography,Practical & Spiritual Alchemy,Main figures and concepts
8 Initiatory Schools: Historical Overview,Content, purpose, influences
9 Research paper due,  Learning Journal due, OR Final examination

 
 

Sasha Chaitow  is the founding director  of Phoenix Rising Academy.

She is conducting her doctoral research at EXESESO, University of Exeter. She holds an MA in Western Esotericism (EXESESO, Exeter, 2008) and an MA in English Literature (Indianapolis-Athens, 2004). Her current area of study focuses on French Symbolist Art in relation to the French Occult Revival in 19thcentury France, and her MA thesis (distinction) focused on the alchemical emblems in Michael Maier’s Atalanta Fugiens.  Her other research interests include art and esotericism, mind and consciousness, ritual and initiation, and Modern Greek Masonic history. 

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D.N., age 31, acquisitions editor
My course presented Western Esotericism in a comprehensible way, it clarified the major concepts and it addressed key movements and personages. Studying each one of these now is much easier than it was. I admit that the first two units were pretty intimidating, but what followed was exactly what the course name promised, a proper introduction to Western esotericism that I am certain will help both scholars and practitioners as well as fascinate those who study it.

D.N., age 31, acquisitions editor Salonica
 

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Our courses are distance learning only - we have no classes in London. All applications must be made by email. Click here to apply.

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Several other websites use a combination of the words "Phoenix Rising" in their name. Phoenix Rising Academy is not affiliated to any other organisation. Any similarity in the name is purely coincidental.

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