Theosophy, Imagination, Tradition : Studies in Western Esotericism

Faivre (religious studies, E. P. H. E., Sorbonne) surveys the current state of research into esotericism, and explores three main strands of it from the Renaissance to the 20th century. He traces the history of the theosophical current, its continuity, and its shifts, against the background of social and cultural events. He distinguishes and describes the Paracelsian course, the romantic Philosophies of Nature, and the Occultist movement. Several of the chapters have been published separately. The original Acces de L'esoterisme occidental, Tome II was published by Editions Gallimard in 1996.

Antoine Faivre is Professor at the E.P.H.E. (Religious Studies), Sorbonne.