Description
Book SynopsisDespite the dramatic expansion of modern technology, which defines and dominates many aspects of contemporary life and thought, the Western magical traditions are currently undergoing an international resurgence. How can we account for this widespread interest in ancient magical belief systems? In historical terms, Gnosticism and the Hermetica, the medieval Kabbalah, Tarot and Alchemy, and more recently, Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry, collectively laid the basis for the modern magical revival, which first began to gather momentum in Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Modern Western magic has since become increasingly eclectic, drawing on such diverse sources as classical Greco-Roman mythology, Celtic cosmology, Kundalini yoga and Tantra, shamanism, chaos theory, and the various spiritual traditions associated in many different cultures with the Universal Goddess.In this overview of the modern occult revival, Nevill Drury traces the rise of various forms of magical belief and
Trade ReviewDrury is a skilled word craftsman, making his prose a pleasure to read. The many years he has spent researching this field are reflected in his masterly analysis, with information presented in a flowing, yet systematic fashion. I expect Stealing Fire from Heaven will immediately be recognized as filling an important gap in the literature. * James R. Lewis, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Tromso, Norway *
Table of ContentsPREFACE; INTRODUCTION; NOTES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX
