Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
May 2, 2026
Wouter Hanegraaff
The text is a scholarly paper presented at a congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, published in a volume on Western esotericism and the science of religion. It addresses the relationship between Western esotericism and the academic study of religion, likely arguing for the recognition of esotericism as a legitimate field within religious studies or examining its historical and theoretical intersections with the discipline. The paper contributes to the discourse on how esotericism has been marginalized and how it can be integrated into the broader history of religions.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
May 2, 2026
Wouter Hanegraaff
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Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
May 2, 2026
Wouter Hanegraaff, Jeffrey J. Kripal
Western esotericism has often been marginalized in the study of religion and sexuality, yet its traditions offer rich, alternative perspectives on eros and sexual experience. This introductory essay argues that esoteric currents—from Hermeticism and alchemy to modern occultism—have consistently explored the intersections of spiritual and erotic life, challenging conventional boundaries between the sacred and the profane. The authors contend that examining these hidden discourses reveals how sexuality has functioned as a site of spiritual agency, knowledge, and transformation across history. By bringing esoteric materials into dialogue with contemporary religious studies and critical theory, the essay sets the stage for rethinking the role of erotic experience in Western religious and philosophical traditions.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
April 29, 2026
Wouter Hanegraaff
This chapter examines how Western esotericism has been framed through apologetics and polemics, arguing that these rhetorical strategies have shaped both the defense and critique of esoteric traditions. It explores the ways in which proponents and opponents of esotericism have constructed narratives to either legitimize or discredit these practices, often drawing on religious, philosophical, and historical arguments. The text highlights the role of identity formation and boundary-making in these discourses, showing how esotericism has been alternately embraced as a source of spiritual wisdom or condemned as heresy or superstition. The analysis underscores the complexity of defining esotericism amid conflicting perspectives.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
April 28, 2026
Wouter Hanegraaff
The chapter examines the concept of gnosis within Western esotericism, arguing that it represents a form of intuitive or experiential knowledge distinct from rational or doctrinal belief. It traces how gnosis has been understood across various esoteric traditions, emphasizing its role as a transformative insight into the divine or ultimate reality. The text discusses the tension between gnosis and established religious orthodoxy, suggesting that claims to direct spiritual knowledge often challenge institutional authority. It concludes that gnosis remains a central but contested category in the study of esotericism, highlighting its significance for understanding alternative spiritual epistemologies.