The Occult Book A Chronological Journey from Alchemy to Wicca

Explore the occult from ancient times to the modern day with one of its most respected scholars and practitioners.
Take an enlightening journey through occult history, exploring 100 dramatic incidents, arcane knowledge, and key historical figures from around the world. John Michael Greer delves into two millennia of tradition, from the earliest alchemists to pagan rituals; from the Philosopher’s Stone to Cabala, the first tarot, and the Knights Templar; and from the first horoscopes to fortune-telling trials and the birth of modern witchcraft, or Wicca. Each entry features a stunning image or intriguing item of ephemera.

John Michael Greer began his career with 20 years of intensive training in the Golden Dawn system of ceremonial magic, and then took up the study of Druidry in the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids (OBOD), the largest contemporary Druid order. He was elected to the post of Grand Archdruid in another Druid order, the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), where he served until 2015. He is also a Freemason as well as a Knight Templar in the York Rite, among other high degrees. He has also studied astrological magic, traditional Southern conjure, and Tai Chi. In addition, he has a degree in the Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington. He has a total of 45 titles in print or forthcoming that he has written, cowritten, translated, or edited; 27 of these explore occultism or pagan nature spirituality. He lives in northwestern MD.