Esotericism refers to knowledge suitable only for the advanced, privileged, or initiated, as opposed to exoteric knowledge, which is public. It is used especially for mystical, occult and spiritual viewpoints. Esotericism - Etymology. Esoteric is an adjective originating in Hellenic Greece under the domain of the Roman Empire; it comes from the Greek esôterikos, from esôtero, the comparative form of esô: "within". Esoteric refers to anything that is inner and occult. It ...

Including:

• Esotericism - Etymology
• Esotericism - Esoteric vs. Esotericism
• Esotericism - Nuances
• Esotericism - Scope
• Esotericism - Historical sketch
• Esotericism - Esoteric themes
• Esotericism - Traditions
• Esotericism - Esotericism in popular culture

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Esotericism, Esotericism - Etymology, Esotericism - Esoteric vs. Esotericism, Esotericism - Nuances, Esotericism - Scope, Esotericism - Historical sketch, Esotericism - Esoteric themes, Esotericism - Traditions, Esotericism - Esotericism in popular culture

Read more here: » Esotericism: Encyclopedia II - Esotericism - Nuances

Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist involves a spiritual interpretation of alchemy. Umberto Eco has written fiction with esoteric themes, notably the satirical novel Foucault's Pendulum. The plot of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code involves a centuries-old secret society called the Priory of Sion, charged with preserving certain secrets relating to Jesus Christ and the Merovingian kings. ...

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Esotericism, Esotericism - Etymology, Esotericism - Esoteric vs. Esotericism, Esotericism - Nuances, Esotericism - Scope, Esotericism - Historical sketch, Esotericism - Esoteric themes, Esotericism - Traditions, Esotericism - Esotericism in popular culture

Read more here: » Esotericism: Encyclopedia II - Esotericism - Esotericism in popular culture

B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum), which is registered as a non-profit tax-exempt religious organisation, is a worldwide mystery school based in Los Angeles. B.O.T.A. members receive lessons covering subjects such as self-awareness, esoteric psychology, Tarot, Qabalah, Astrology, and meditation techniques. These symbolic systems are explained as representing parts of the Self, a more reasoned use than tra ...

Including:

• Builders of the Adytum - What is an Adytum and why build one?
• Builders of the Adytum - Regional organizations
• Builders of the Adytum - Study Groups
• Builders of the Adytum - Group Ritual

Read more here: » Builders of the Adytum: Encyclopedia - Builders of the Adytum

The term Western mystery tradition (also Western Esoteric tradition) refers to the collection of the mystical esoteric knowledge, such as Kabbalah, of the western world. Western mystery tradition - History. The Western mystery tradition traditionally started in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome and Israel, while it contains many characteristics from the Pagan people of Ancient Britain and Scandinavia, such as the Celts. Ancient figures associated with the Western tradition include Plato, Pyt ...

Including:

• Western mystery tradition - History
• Western mystery tradition - The Dark Ages
• Western mystery tradition - The European Enlightenment
• Western mystery tradition - The Second World War
• Western mystery tradition - The Collapse of the Soviet Union
• Western mystery tradition - Today
• Western mystery tradition - Philosophy
• Western mystery tradition - Initiation
• Western mystery tradition - The Main Themes
• Western mystery tradition - The Teachings
• Western mystery tradition - Organisations
• Western mystery tradition - People
• Western mystery tradition - Texts

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Divination is the practice of ascertaining information from supernatural sources. If a distinction is to be made with fortune-telling, divination has a formal or ritual and often social character, usually in a religious context; while fortune-telling is a more everyday practice for personal purposes. Divination is often dismissed by skeptics as being mere superstition: in the 2nd century, Lucian devoted a witty essay to the career of a charlatan, Alexander the false prophet, trained by "one of those who advertise enchantments, ...

Including:

• Divination - Methods of divination incomplete
• Divination - For further reading
• Divination - Popular
• Divination - Academic

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Mysticism, from the Greek μυω (muo, "to conceal"), is the pursuit of achieving communion with or conscious awareness of ultimate reality, the divine, spiritual truth, or God through direct, personal experience (intuition or insight) rather than rational thought; the belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible through personal experience; or the belief that such experience is a genuine and important source of knowledge. In the Hellenistic world, ...

Including:

• Mysticism - Types of mystical experience
• Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology
• Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism
• Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery
• Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism
• Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism
• Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism
• Mysticism - Examples in major traditions
• Mysticism - Hindu mystics
• Mysticism - Chinese mystics
• Mysticism - Christian mystics
• Mysticism - Islamic mystics
• Mysticism - Jewish mystics
• Mysticism - Other mystics

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In the teaching of the Master Beinsa Douno (Peter Deunov), the Universal White Brotherhood is the equivalent of the Angelic hierarchy in traditional Christianity: Seraphims - Brothers of Love; Cherubims - Brothers of Harmony; Thrones - Brothers of Will; Dominions - Brothers of intelligence and joy; Virtues - Brothers of movement and growth; Powers - Brothers of outer forms and the arts; Principalities - Brothers of time, state and tact; Archangels - Brothers of fire and heat; and Angels, bearers of life and vegetation. The color white ...

Including:

• Great White Brotherhood - Esoteric Christianity
• Great White Brotherhood - Ancient Occultism
• Great White Brotherhood - Eastern Esotericism and Theosophy
• Great White Brotherhood - Russian sect
• Great White Brotherhood - Relevant external links

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The Rosicrucian Order is a legendary and secretive Order dating from the 15th or 17th century. It generally is associated with the symbol of the Rose Cross, which is also found in certain rituals beyond "Craft" or "Blue Lodge" Freemasonry. The Rosicrucian Order is viewed among earlier and many modern Rosicrucianists as an inner worlds Order, comprised of great "Adepts." When compared to human beings, the consciousness of these Adepts is like that of demi-gods. This "College of Invisibles" is regarded as the source permanently b ...

Including:

• Rosicrucian - Origins
• Rosicrucian - History
• Rosicrucian - Influence on Freemasonry
• Rosicrucian - Rose Cross: Alchemy and Divine Sciences of Healing & of the Stars
• Rosicrucian - The Manifestos
• Rosicrucian - Modern groups
• Rosicrucian - Esoteric Christianity groups vs. Para-Masonic groups
• Rosicrucian - List of 'Para-Masonic' groups
• Rosicrucian - List of 'Esoteric Christianity' groups
• Rosicrucian - Reference literature

Read more here: » Rosicrucian: Encyclopedia - Rosicrucian

Religion (see etymology below) —sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine; and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. In its broadest sense some have defined it as the sum total of answers given to explain humankind's relationship with the universe. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken ...

Including:

• Religion - Etymology
• Religion - Religion and science
• Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics
• Religion - Esotericism and mysticism
• Religion - Spirituality
• Religion - Myth
• Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions
• Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs
• Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion
• Religion - Development of religion
• Religion - Religion today
• Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others
• Religion - Exclusivism
• Religion - Inclusivism
• Religion - Pluralism
• Religion - Syncretism
• Religion - Universalism
• Religion - Systemization
• Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe
• Religion - Related philosophical stances
• Religion - Compare with

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After Twelfth Night the Carnival season starts, which lasts through Mardi Gras. In some places such as New Orleans, Louisiana, the night of January 6 with the first Carnival celebrations is called Twelfth Night. In some places, Twelfth Night celebrations include food traditions such as the king cake or tortell. Twelfth Night is when all Christmas Decorations should be removed so as not to bring bad luck upon the home. If decorations are not rem ...

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Twelfth Night holiday, Twelfth Night holiday - Origins and history, Twelfth Night holiday - Traditions, Twelfth Night holiday - Influence on Literature, Twelfth Night holiday - Modern Esotericism

Read more here: » Twelfth Night holiday: Encyclopedia II - Twelfth Night holiday - Traditions

Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs. These include efforts to determine the meaning and application of "sacred" texts and beliefs in the context of the student's personal worldview. This generally takes one of three forms: one's own — efforts by believers to ascertain the meaning of their own sacred text or other traditions, and to conform their thoughts and actions to the principles enunciated in those traditions. For most believers, this involves ...

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Religion, Religion - Etymology, Religion - Religion and science, Religion - Philosophy and metaphysics, Religion - Esotericism and mysticism, Religion - Spirituality, Religion - Myth, Religion - Approaches to the study of individual religions, Religion - Methods of studying religion subjectively in relation to one's own beliefs, Religion - Methods of studying religion objectively in a scientific and religiously neutral fashion, Religion - Development of religion, Religion - Religion today, Religion - Approaches to relating to the beliefs of others, Religion - Exclusivism, Religion - Inclusivism, Religion - Pluralism, Religion - Syncretism, Religion - Universalism, Religion - Systemization, Religion - Religion and other approaches to forming beliefs about the nature of the universe, Religion - Related philosophical stances, Religion - Compare with

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B.O.T.A. has Study Groups and Pronaos healing ritual work in many cities throughout the world. NORTHEAST AREA MIDWEST / SOUTHEAST SOUTHWEST / ROCKY MT. NORTHWEST AREA SOUTHERN CALIF. / ARIZONA / NEVADA SOUTH AMERICA & MEXICO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND B.O.T.A. BRANCH B.O.T.A. IN EUROPE Builders of the Adytum - Study Groups. These groups are open to all and afford an opportunity to interact with those who share a common sp ...

See also:

Builders of the Adytum, Builders of the Adytum - What is an Adytum and why build one?, Builders of the Adytum - Regional organizations, Builders of the Adytum - Study Groups, Builders of the Adytum - Group Ritual

Read more here: » Builders of the Adytum: Encyclopedia II - Builders of the Adytum - Regional organizations

Adytum is Greek for “Inner Shrine” or “Holy of Holies” and Builders refers to the emulation of the Carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus, whom many people believe was versed in the Qabalistic Tradition. However, B.O.T.A. is not a strictly Christian organization, nor is it Jewish. B.O.T.A. accepts the Qabalah as the mystical root of both ancient Judaism and the original Christianity, but people of all faiths are warmly accepted if they are mystically inclined. The means whereby higher consciousness, illumination, may be gained include ...

See also:

Builders of the Adytum, Builders of the Adytum - What is an Adytum and why build one?, Builders of the Adytum - Regional organizations, Builders of the Adytum - Study Groups, Builders of the Adytum - Group Ritual

Read more here: » Builders of the Adytum: Encyclopedia II - Builders of the Adytum - What is an Adytum and why build one?

Books written by René Guénon (ordered chronologically according to their first publication date): Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines (Introduction générale à l'étude des doctrines hindoues, 1921) Theosophy: History of a Pseudo-Religion (Le Théosophisme - Histoire d'une pseudo-religion, 1921) The Spiritist Fallacy (L'erreur spirite, 1923) East and West (Orient et Occident, 1924) Man and His Becoming according to the ...

See also:

René Guénon, René Guénon - Bibliography

Read more here: » René Guénon: Encyclopedia II - René Guénon - Bibliography

The Western mystery tradition traditionally started in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome and Israel, while it contains many characteristics from the Pagan people of Ancient Britain and Scandinavia, such as the Celts. Ancient figures associated with the Western tradition include Plato, Pythagoras and other Greek philosophers, Hermes Trismegistus, Akhenaten and other pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece were the most known sources of what we currently call Western Mystery Tradition. Egypt was considered more advanced in mysticism, and thus many Ancient Greek philosophers t ...

See also:

Western mystery tradition, Western mystery tradition - History, Western mystery tradition - The Dark Ages, Western mystery tradition - The European Enlightenment, Western mystery tradition - The Second World War, Western mystery tradition - The Collapse of the Soviet Union, Western mystery tradition - Today, Western mystery tradition - Philosophy, Western mystery tradition - Initiation, Western mystery tradition - The Main Themes, Western mystery tradition - The Teachings, Western mystery tradition - Organisations, Western mystery tradition - People, Western mystery tradition - Texts

Read more here: » Western mystery tradition: Encyclopedia II - Western mystery tradition - History

Today, the Western mystery tradition is a mixture of ancient philosophy, paganistic and Christian thought, medieval ideas, and also contains some imports from Asia and modern Science. However, the true Tradition, seems to focus on individual spiritual progress through initiation into some sort of brotherhood, group rituals, study of philosophy and the cosmic laws and their practical application with the aims of alchemy, meditation, divination and ritual magic. ...

See also:

Western mystery tradition, Western mystery tradition - History, Western mystery tradition - The Dark Ages, Western mystery tradition - The European Enlightenment, Western mystery tradition - The Second World War, Western mystery tradition - The Collapse of the Soviet Union, Western mystery tradition - Today, Western mystery tradition - Philosophy, Western mystery tradition - Initiation, Western mystery tradition - The Main Themes, Western mystery tradition - The Teachings, Western mystery tradition - Organisations, Western mystery tradition - People, Western mystery tradition - Texts

Read more here: » Western mystery tradition: Encyclopedia II - Western mystery tradition - Philosophy

Modern people who are related to the Western mystery tradition include: Aleister Crowley, occultist Dion Fortune, magician Harvey Spencer Lewis, founder of AMORC Max Heindel, author of The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception S. L. MacGregor-Mathers, founding member of the 1888's Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn Historical individuals who are related to the Western mystery tradition include: Hermes Trismegistus, ancient mythical figure Akhenaten, Ancient Egy ...

See also:

Western mystery tradition, Western mystery tradition - History, Western mystery tradition - The Dark Ages, Western mystery tradition - The European Enlightenment, Western mystery tradition - The Second World War, Western mystery tradition - The Collapse of the Soviet Union, Western mystery tradition - Today, Western mystery tradition - Philosophy, Western mystery tradition - Initiation, Western mystery tradition - The Main Themes, Western mystery tradition - The Teachings, Western mystery tradition - Organisations, Western mystery tradition - People, Western mystery tradition - Texts

Read more here: » Western mystery tradition: Encyclopedia II - Western mystery tradition - People

Theistic, pantheistic, and panentheistic classical pantheist/cosmotheist metaphysical systems most often understand mystical experience as individual communion with a god or goddess. One can receive these very subjective experiences as visions, dreams, revelations, prophecies, and so forth. Thomas Aquinas, a Christian mystic of the 13th century, defined it as cognitio dei experimentalis (experiential knowledge of God). In Catholicism the mystical experience is not sought for its own sake, and ...

See also:

Mysticism, Mysticism - Types of mystical experience, Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology, Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism, Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery, Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism, Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism, Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism, Mysticism - Examples in major traditions, Mysticism - Hindu mystics, Mysticism - Chinese mystics, Mysticism - Christian mystics, Mysticism - Islamic mystics, Mysticism - Jewish mystics, Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism

The term Perennial Philosophy, coined by Leibniz and popularized by Aldous Huxley, relates to what some take to be the mystic's primary concern: [W]ith the one, divine reality substantial to the manifold world of things and lives and minds. But the nature of this one reality is such that it cannot be directly or immediately apprehended except by those who have chosen to fulfill certain conditions, making themselves lo ...

See also:

Mysticism, Mysticism - Types of mystical experience, Mysticism - Mysticism and epistemology, Mysticism - Subjectivity and mysticism, Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery, Mysticism - Mysticism and syncretism, Mysticism - On the difficulty of defining mysticism, Mysticism - Theosophy and Occultism, Mysticism - Examples in major traditions, Mysticism - Hindu mystics, Mysticism - Chinese mystics, Mysticism - Christian mystics, Mysticism - Islamic mystics, Mysticism - Jewish mystics, Mysticism - Other mystics

Read more here: » Mysticism: Encyclopedia II - Mysticism - Self-transcending self-discovery