An Approach to Magical Traditions

Chthonios Books focuses on scholarly research in western esoteric traditions. You might want to go directly to our Homepage, where you can find out about the best books in this and other fields, as well as read some online research and translations. Or browse awhile below.…

This page gives some background material and explains Chthonios’ approach to magical traditions. Other pages look at Ancient Philosophy and Neoplatonism I Ancient Religion and Paganism I Theurgy I Early Christianity and Gnosticism I Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism I Hermetica and Alchemy I Mediaeval & Renaissance Esotericism I Esoteric Traditions.

Esotericism

Esotericism is often thought of as a ‘third force’ in western thought, in contrast to biblical faith and Greek philosophy (particularly that of Aristotle). Traditions in thought and religion can be defined as ‘esoteric’ in three ways :
I) In a general way they can be defined as special teachings or experiences reserved for an inner circle of initiates.
II) Another important perspective sees esoteric traditions as undercurrents in western thought and religion. Historically, the most important early streams here are the teachings of Pythagoras and Plato and their followers. Once dominant in Greco-Roman thought, they were pushed to the margins by the rise of Christian orthodoxy.
III) A third way of seeing western esotericism looks at the heterodox, unorthodox and heretical streams which flourished beneath the domination of Christian orthodoxy and normative Judaism.

Esotericism and Magical traditions

This page is under construction....come back in a couple of weeks for an informative essay on Magical traditions.

For more on ancient Neoplatonism, and some texts which were particularly important for the Renaissance understanding of Magic, see now our online translations and commentaries on ancient texts.

Key concepts and people

Below is a list of some important terms and people (with variant forms) from Magical traditions which Chthonios specialises in. See also Theurgy I Early Christianity and Gnosticism I Ancient Religion and Paganism I Mediaeval & Renaissance Esotericism

Magic — magicians, amulets, sigils, talismans, curse tablets, defixio, defixiones, lamella, lamellae, Ephesia grammata, formula, formulae, spells, magical gems, barbarous names, nomina barbara, voces magicae, systasis, Greek magical papyri, Papyri Graecae Magicae, magus, magi, magia, goeteia, thaumatourgia, thaumaturgy, magical characters, charakteres, symbola, symbols, invocation, evocation, incantation, charms, trance, possession, ritual, rite, ceremonial, grimoires, Picatrix, occult, occultism, witchcraft, witch-craze, doctrine of sympathy, sympathetic magic, correspondences, homoeopathic magic, magia naturalis, natural magic, Inquisition, demons, demonology, black magic, black magicians, sorcery, apotropaic ritual, evil eye, malefic, malevolent.