Secret Histories and Spiritual Revolutions

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Occult (but were afraid to ask)

I am excited to announce my new online course, Secret Histories and Spiritual Revolutions, exploring the history of Western occultism from the Renaissance to today. This is a subject I have been thinking about for a long time! I think it is a great moment to dive into it.

The seminar starts Sunday, April 23rd, at 1 pm EST (9 am PST, 6 pm CET). Each session will be three hours long, starting with a presentation followed by a discussion.

Sessions will be live on Zoom, with recordings available the next day. There will also be suggested readings and optional visualization / meditation / ritual exercises. Certificate of completion available.

The course is $249.99. You can sign up for an Early Bird Special for the next week, at 40% off ($149.99). For paid subscribers to this newsletter, the Early Bird discount is 50% ($125.00) I will send out a separate email to paid subscribers with the code. There will be a number of lower-priced and scholarship tickets for those who need them.

Secret Histories and Spiritual Revolutions 

Exploring the Western Occult Tradition for Personal and Planetary Transformation

Join us on a guided tour through the secret history of Western esotericism, from ancient initiatory schools to contemporary techniques for finding illumination. Over six weekly sessions, you will dive deep into the roots of Hermeticism, Gnosticism, Anthroposophy, and other occult traditions, and explore their influence on contemporary movements including the psychedelic renaissance, chaos magic, and the post-New Age quest for self-actualization. 

Through a series of presentations and discussions, you'll discover the beliefs, practices, and key figures of Western esotericism. You will learn how their ideas and practices can help transform your life today. From John Dee to Dion Fortune, Paracelsus to Cagliostro, Rudolf Steiner to Terence McKenna, you’ll gain insight into influential figures and movements, including the Rosicrucians, Golden Dawn, and Theosophy, among others. The history of occultism in the West is characterized by an enduring tension between the quest for spiritual gnosis or direct knowledge and the often-repressive social, religious, and intellectual structures that oppose this quest.

We will cover modern phenomena such as channeling, crop circles, and the psychedelic revival The discoveries of quantum physics (the 2022 Nobel Prize went to experiments proving the universe is “not locally real”) and the revived philosophy of analytic idealism give us a new basis for anchoring ancient hermetic principles. 

This seminar isn't just about theory and history. You'll also gain practical knowledge of techniques and exercises inspired by Western esotericism, such as meditation, visualization, energy work, and ritual, to inspire inner illumination. These tools will help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, the world around you, and the interconnectedness of all things.

By investigating the core beliefs and practices of Western esotericism, you'll tap into your own unique gifts and learn strategies for overcoming obstacles in your personal growth. This seminar will equip you with new knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges of today’s contemporary world — where we confront what some have called “the meta-crisis” — and unlock your inner reserves of wisdom, power, and creativity.

Whether you're a spiritual seeker, an occult enthusiast, or simply wish to access the hidden mysteries of the cosmos, you will find this journey into the heart of Western esotericism illuminating and invaluable. The six sessions take place every Sunday, starting on April 23, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm EST / 10 am to 12:30 pm PST / 6 pm to 8:30 pm CET. (We will skip May 21, and return on May 28).

Session One: Introduction and Early History 

We start by framing the Western occult tradition in relation to Eastern mysticism and indigenous shamanic practices. We consider recent discoveries in quantum physics that support the “perennial philosophy” and postmodern occult thought. 

We review Gnosticism, Hermeticism and the ancient Mystery Schools, then turn to the birth of modern occultism in the Renaissance, with Pico della Mirandola’s failed effort to restore the initiatory tradition, and the Rosicrucian movement. The Rosicrucian Manifestos, published anonymously in the early 17th century, presented the vision of a secret society dedicated to spiritual initiation and the renewal of society through the use of esoteric knowledge. The movement was suppressed and outlawed by the Church, in collusion with European monarchies. 

Alchemy played a pivotal role in the development of Western esotericism, providing a framework for spiritual and psychological transformation and a language of symbols that could express profound truths. Isaac Newton maintained a life-long interest in alchemy as a means of unlocking the secrets of nature and of spiritual transformation. His fellow occult visionary, Francis Bacon, promoted a new method of inquiry based on observation, experimentation, and induction, which laid the groundwork for modern science. Jonathan Dee, Queen Elizabeth’s court magician, discovered an angelic language, Enochian, channeled by a mysterious rogue. 

Session Two: Occultism in the Ages of Enlightenment and Romanticism 

"The Great Work is, before all things, the creation of man by himself, that is to say, the full and entire conquest of his faculties and his future; it is especially the perfect emancipation of his will, assuring him universal dominion over Azoth and the Light; it is the transmutation of the eternal, and not the vulgar gold of the alchemists." - Eliphas Levi

We explore the occult currents in the Enlightenment (18th century), which was deeply influenced by Freemasonry. Freemasons played a critical role in the American and French Revolutions. We will inquire into the Illuminati, one of the most controversial secret societies in history, inspiring numerous conspiracy theories and myths. While their actual influence on the esoteric tradition is debated, the Illuminati remain a fascinating topic for exploration, with connections leading to secret societies in American Ivy League universities. 

We’ll explore the intersection of Romanticism and the Occult in the late 18th to early 19th centuries. This period of art, literature, and philosophy emphasized individual experience and emotions, often embracing supernatural themes and symbolism, as well as explorations of altered states such as hypnagogia. William Blake (1757-1827) believed that the true method of knowledge is through experimentation, while Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) sought to create a new approach to a science illuminated by subjective experience. Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) emphasized the importance of play in authentic self-expression. Hegel integrated a mystical ideal of universal evolution into his philosophy.

We'll delve into the enigmatic figure of Count Alessandro di Cagliostro (18th century), an Italian adventurer who claimed to possess the secrets of ancient wisdom and the power to heal and transform individuals and society. Eliphas Levi (1810-1875), a French occult author and ceremonial magician, influenced the development of Western esotericism, particularly the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The Golden Dawn synthesized various esoteric traditions, including Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and ceremonial magic. It significantly influenced subsequent occult and magical movements.

Session Three: Late 19th and Early 20th Century Occultism

In our third meeting, we'll explore the influence of notable figures on the Western esoteric tradition in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. We'll start by examining Madame Blavatsky (1831-1891) who started the Theosophical Society. Blavatsky believed that Theosophy was not a religion or a philosophy, but rather a scientific effort to understand the laws that govern the universe. It was an early effort to meld Western and Eastern mysticism. 

We'll also discuss Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) and Thelema, an esoteric philosophy that Crowley developed in the early 20th century. A raucous iconoclast, Crowley famously declared, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law," and believed he was the “Great Beast 666” of Revelation. The poet W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) joined the Golden Dawn, and started his own magical order. Yeats stated that "The mystical life is the center of all that I do and all that I think and all that I write."

We'll look at the impact of the Golden Dawn and its belief in the attainment of “the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel” as a means of achieving one's true will. Furthermore, we'll examine the influence of Madame Blavatsky’s Theosophy on modern Western spirituality. Rudolf Steiner (1860 - 1925) broke off from Theosophy to start his own movement, Anthroposophy, with the goal of studying “the laws of the universe and man’s relation to them.”

Session Four:  Modernist Occult Movements 

In our fourth weekly seminar, we'll examine several notable figures who contributed to the Western esoteric tradition in the 20th century. Alice Bailey was a theosophist who founded the Arcane School and wrote extensively on esoteric philosophy. She introduced the concept of the "Seven Rays," which is believed to be the seven fundamental energies that underlie all of creation.

Dion Fortune (1890 - 1945) was a British occultist who founded the Society of the Inner Light and authored several influential books on magic and the Qabalah. She believed that magic was a practical tool for personal and spiritual development, and that the Qabalah offered a roadmap for understanding the universe and the self.

G.I. Gurdjieff (1866 - 1949) was an influential spiritual teacher who founded the Gurdjieff Work, which focused on self-awareness and spiritual development through physical exercises and mental practices. He believed that most people lived their lives in a state of "waking sleep" and that self-awareness was the key to unlocking higher levels of consciousness.

P.D. Ouspensky (1878 - 1947) was a student of Gurdjieff who went on to develop his own teachings on spiritual development, including the concept of "self-remembering." This concept involves bringing one's attention to the present moment and developing a more conscious, aware relationship with oneself and the world.

Austin Osman Spare (1886 - 1956) was a British artist and occultist who developed his own unique system of sigil magic. He believed that the creation of personalized symbols, or sigils, could be used to manifest one's desires and bring about personal transformation.

Lastly, we'll discuss Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and founder of Anthroposophy, which combined elements of Christianity, Theosophy, and esoteric science. Steiner believed in the existence of a spiritual world beyond the physical, and his work focused on developing a deeper understanding of the relationship between the spiritual and material realms.

Session Five: Traditionalism

Traditionalism is a philosophical school that emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional religious and cultural values in the face of modernity. The traditionalists see themselves as defenders of the perennial wisdom at the heart of all great religious and philosophical traditions and argue that this wisdom has been lost or obscured in the modern era. We will explore the ideas and influence of three key traditionalist thinkers: Rene Guenon, Fritjof Schuon, and Julius Evola. 

Rene Guenon (1886 - 1951) was a French philosopher and spiritual teacher who played a key role in the development of traditionalist thought. Guenon's central idea was the concept of the "primordial tradition," which he believed to be the universal source of all traditional wisdom. He argued that the West had lost touch with this tradition, leading to the spiritual crisis of modernity. Guenon was critical of Western esotericism, which he saw as a deviation from the true tradition. Despite his criticisms, Guenon's work has been influential in traditionalist circles and has been cited by figures on the far right.

Fritjof Schuon (1907 - 1998) was a Swiss philosopher and metaphysician who emphasized the esoteric unity of all religions, arguing that they all point to the same transcendent reality. He believed that this unity could be experienced through spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer. Schuon was also critical of the excesses of modernity, which he saw as leading to the spiritual and moral decline of society. Like Guenon, Schuon's work has been influential in traditionalist circles and has been cited by figures on the far right.

Julius Evola (1898 - 1974) was an Italian philosopher and far-right political activist who believed in the superiority of traditional aristocratic values over the egalitarianism of modern society. He was critical of democracy, liberalism, and modern science, which he saw as leading to the spiritual and cultural decline of the West. Evola's work has been influential on the far right and has been cited by figures such as Steve Bannon. Despite the controversies surrounding his views, Evola's work offers a critique of modernity that is worth considering.

Session Six: Occultism Now 

In this last session, we explore the esotericism from WWII to the present. This session will cover a wide range of topics, from the Nazi Occult Movement and Eastern Mysticism to the psychedelic movement and the appearance of Crop Circles in English fields. We will discuss the role of figures such as Jack Parsons (1914 - 1952), who combined his scientific work with a deep interest in the occult. Meher Baba (1894 - 1969), an Indian spiritual master who moved to America in the 1920s, believed in the unity of all religions and taught that the purpose of life was to realize God through love and service to others. We will also examine the”crazy wisdom” teachings of Chogyam Trungpa (1939 - 1987), a visionary leader who brought the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism to the West, and Osho (1931 - 1990), an Indian spiritual teacher who blended Eastern and Western philosophies.

Additionally, we will explore the impact of the psychedelic renaissance on the modern occult tradition, including the work of Timothy Leary (1920 - 1996), and his six circuit model of the brain, and Robert Anton Wilson, a writer and philosopher who coined the term “Chapel Perilous,” questioning our assumptions about reality. We will also discuss the ideas of Jose Arguelles and Terence McKenna (1946 - 2000). McKenna theorized that psychedelics, particularly DMT, could help people connect with a hyperdimensional reality as we approached the “End of Time.” Jose Arguelles (1939 - 2011), similarly, believed we were on the cusp of an epochal transformation. 

Finally, we will touch on the contemporary practices of Joe Dispenza, a chiropractor who explores the connection between the mind and the body, and Bashar, a channeled entity who claims to be from the future. We will consider ideas from some current thinkers such as David Icke, Graham Hancock, David Luke, and Nassim Haramein. We will consider the status of occult and esoteric knowledge today, and where the future may lead us.