Modern Occultism

History, Theory, and Practice

By: Mitch Horowitz

Narrated by: Mitch Horowitz

From Cleopatra to Chaos Magic: A Vibrant, Epic History of Occultism in Thought and Practice

In his most sweeping historical work, occult scholar and widely known voice of esoteric ideas Mitch Horowitz presents a lively, intellectually serious historical exploration of modern occultism, from astrology and alchemy to the dawn of Theosophy and modern witchcraft—and the spiritual revolutions that followed.

In this lively, full-circle history, Mitch explores:

• Preservation of “hidden wisdom” in late-ancient Hermeticism.
• Rebirth of esoterica during the Renaissance, including Kabbalah, ceremonial magick, alchemy, Gnosticism—and the backlash culminating in the Thirty Years’ War.
• Rise of the modern “secret society,” such as Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and Illuminati.
• Migration of religious radicalism to the New World, including how enslaved people devised the magickal system of hoodoo.
• Wave of occultism ignited by John Dee, the Romantics, Franz Anton Mesmer, Eliphas Lévi, and P.B. Randolph.
• The revolution brought by occult explorer Madame H.P. Blavatsky.
• Growth of New Thought and mind metaphysics.
• How fin de siècle scientists devised clinical protocols to study the supernatural.
• Occult influences in politics: a delicate topic weighed maturely.
• Heterodox movements and figures such as The Process Church, TOPY, Michael Aquino, and Anton LaVey.
• Pioneering voices including Manly P. Hall, Aleister Crowley, Rudolf Steiner, Edgar Cayce, Carl Jung, Gerald Gardner, Jack Parsons, Annie Besant, G.I. Gurdjieff, Alice Bailey, Austin Osman Spare, and Carlos Castaneda.
• Surprising occult influences on wide-ranging modern icons such as Frederick Douglass, Sigmund Freud, and Isaac Newton.
• How models of interdimensionality are loosening the hold of materialism on modern thought.

©2023 Mitch Horowitz (P)2023 G&D Media

Critic reviews

“An amazing author…We are all so lucky to have you out there on the frontlines. You are a wonderful bridge connecting these ethereal, misunderstood, eyeroll-y subjects with a great methodology and with a great way of articulating them.”—Duncan Trussell, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour

“Wonderfully comprehensive...even to attempt this kind of history was a very challenging task—which Horowitz ably and amazingly pulls off...fluidly weaves in the origins, personal histories, and real-world impacts...a glorious historical mosaic that won’t soon be forgotten...The clarity of this exquisite picture, woven with an obsidian thread, invites each of us to transcend and transform.”—Jordan Gruber, Quest magazine

“A masterful exploration of the intricate and often misunderstood world of occult history, striking a rare balance as a work of scholarly rigor and engaging storytelling...both enlightening and deeply fascinating…a seminal work that provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding...a key resource.”—Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch

Very well researched and written.

Mitch always does a fantastic job of research and presentation. This book is a lot to take in because of the sheer amount of information presented. Loved it and will read again.

Comprehensive

Touches on so much you can choose the rabbit holes you’d like to jump into.

Peek the esoteric elephant

I remember hearing that more-than-a-few present-day Buddhist monks in America got their start in the 60s when LSD pulled off the blindfold and let them see the entire elephant. This book offers a similar peek at the esoteric elephant for students of the occult and esoteric (the book explains that difference as well).

The approach to the subject matter was even-handed, open-minded, yet maintained a healthy skepticism. It stripped away much of the salacious elements usually associated with such matters and got straight to the heart of the matter.

Additionally, I appreciated the citations and case studies as well as the genealogy of the traditions. It’s right up there with Catherine Albanese’s, “A Republic of Mind and Spirit: A Cultural History of American” and Mark Booth’s, “The Secret History of the World” as far as thorough, yet approachable guide.

Fantastic and lucid peak behind the curtain

I have followed Mitch Horowitz a bit in the past. He would pop up periodically in podcasts or YouTube videos. This was the best, most thoughtful and insightful, explanation of the occult I have ever ran across. I feel like I have just taken an intensive college course dedicated to the subject. If you find anything about the occult to be mildly interesting then this book is for you! If you are reading my review buy it!

Very interesting

I really really enjoyed this listen, I learned more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the narration also

A new reference tome for the modern occultist

This book - in time - will become the springboard or platform from whence future occultists will commence their research and branch out from there.

Not only is it obviously a document of excellent and erudite research, but it is also read with a passion and a pace that imbues facts with meaning and heart.

If I were to offer a criticism, the footnotes being included did tamper with the flow a little, but not enough to destroy the enjoyment of the reading and story itself. Thanks Mitch.

outstanding listen!

Horowitz provides the reader a wide gamut of history, literature, and philosophy in the light of the occult and Hermeticism.

A thrilling historical perspective

Mitch Horowitz delivers a thoroughly researched and thoughtful history in Modern Occultism. What a valuable resource this is for anyone trying to piece together the long narrative of occult ideas and expressions in western cultures. This could be a graduate level course. Astounding and revealing to see how modern occultism is embedded in so many facets of modern life. Excellent read.

Scratchy audio

Interesting material but the audio is scratchy and the narrator has a head cold. It really detracts from the otherwise good book

Excellent as expected

As always, high-quality, thoughtful, and very rigorous writing by Mitch Horowitz. This is a very historical novel, and much of it is familiar, but it is sprinkled with many insights. I think it’s a book that I will go back to. A lot of big ideas, and it really helps me understand how beliefs have shifted over time and what an incredibly important role they still play.