Religious Studies Review
December 1, 2025
Moslem Tahiri
Divine Knowledge in the Mystical and Sadraean Tradition provides a comparative analysis of divine knowledge within Islamic mysticism, particularly Ibn ʿArabī's school, and Mullā Ṣadrā's Transcendent Philosophy. The author examines ontological, epistemological, and hierarchical aspects, highlighting commonalities and distinctions between the two traditions. Key concepts include the unity of the knower and the known, gradation of existence, and presential versus acquired knowledge. The work argues that Transcendent Philosophy synthesizes philosophy and mysticism while offering a more systematic articulation of mystical concepts. It also addresses divine knowledge's relation to human free will and critiques perspectives from al-Suhrawardī, Avicenna, Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, and Mullā Ṣadrā. The book is noted for its theoretical depth and clear language but may challenge non-specialists and lacks engagement with contemporary issues.
Religious Studies Review
December 1, 2024
Elena Popov
Ayahuasca, originally used in Indigenous Amazonian rituals, has spread globally and is adapted in diverse cultural contexts. In Peru, it remains tied to Indigenous traditions and shamanic tourism. In Australia, New Age retreats emphasize environmental spirituality and reconnection with nature. In China, corporate users employ ayahuasca for personal growth and workplace success. Gearin's ethnographic research examines how ayahuasca rituals are transformed by Western consumerism and therapeutic demands, highlighting the interplay between cultural adaptation, spiritual practice, and commodification. The book contributes to understanding the globalization of Indigenous practices and the evolving role of psychedelics in modern society.
Religious Studies Review
September 1, 2022
Manon Hedenborg
The study of new religious movements and contemporary esotericism has increasingly recognized gender as an essential category for analysis. The 2019 founding of the Esotericism, Gender, and Sexuality Network (ESOGEN) reflects this growing scholarly focus. Manon Hedenborg White's work, particularly her 2020 book *The Eloquent Blood*, analyzes constructions of femininity and feminine sexuality in modern occultism, with emphasis on Thelema—a movement established by Aleister Crowley in the early twentieth century that was shaped by changing attitudes toward women.
Religious Studies Review
February 20, 2020
The Theosophical Society, founded in 1875, played an influential role in shaping alternative religious and cultural movements by popularizing Eastern religions and philosophies in the West. This academic anthology is the first dedicated to studying the early Society's engagement with the East (1875–1900). It examines how Theosophists approached, represented, and interacted with Eastern cultures, comparing them to contemporary Orientalists. Topics include Sanskrit, Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, yoga, and Eastern masters as portrayed in Theosophical journals and modernist literature. The volume also explores connections between Theosophy, Hindu reform movements, and Indian politics, offering insights into nineteenth-century esotericism, globalization, and cross-cultural dynamics.
Religious Studies Review
May 29, 2018
A. Roukema
The book examines how the fiction of Charles Williams, a member of the Inklings, was shaped by his involvement in modern occult movements, especially his initiation into A.E. Waite's Fellowship of the Rosy Cross. It analyzes Williams's seven supernatural fantasy novels for their depictions of magic, kabbalah, alchemy, and ritual experience. The author argues that esoteric knowledge often blends into fiction because of its narrative and adaptable nature, particularly for writers drawn to the syncretism and lived fantasy of modern occultism. This analysis also offers broader approaches to understanding how religious experience can be expressed seriously in fiction.