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Product Description
The Western Esoteric Tradition, including Hermeticism, Gnosticism, alchemy, magic, and theosophy, can be viewed as a continuous thread running beneath the surface of Western history. Those within the walls of traditional faith, and even more so those outside it, have all drawn upon its perennial wisdom throughout the ages.
The Golden Thread traces the interconnectedness of esoteric wisdom in the Western world, from classical antiquity to contemporary Europe and America. Joscelyn Godwin lends personal perspective to an arrangement of text that is historical and wisdom that is timeless, creating a source of inspiration that calls us to action in our everyday spiritual practice. Every chapter, therefore, makes reference to some aspect of contemporary life and issues of immediate concern.
Elegantly written and not without irony and humor, readers will appreciate the non-threatening tone of Godwin’s writing, which is not meant to preach or convert but rather inform the public on an often baffling field. Educated readers who are curious about the esoteric and mystery traditions and interested in finding surprising, new approaches to subjects that veer away from the trends of current thought will be particularly drawn to this book.
Additional Information
| Author | Godwin, Joscelyn |
|---|---|
| Full Title | The Golden Thread: The Ageless Wisdom of the Western Mystery Traditions |
| Binding | Softcover |
| Publisher | Quest Books (2007) |
| Pages | 172 |
| ISBN | 9780835608602 |
| Language | English |
| Short Description | This is a very good introduction to the initiatory traditions of Western esoterism. It goes through its history from ancient mysticism to the pagan Renaissance and alchemy. |
| Praise | "The Golden Thread weaves deep insights into the history of Western esoteric thought, revealing its hidden though foundational impact on the modern world. Joscelyn Godwin's clear voice guides and expands our understanding in unexpected and rewarding ways, illuminating fascinating and little explored areas of the perennial philosophy. — John Major Jenkins, philosopher. "The Golden Thread is Joscelyn Godwin’s beautifully written and engaging thematic set of meditations on subjects strung like beads along the long golden thread of ancient wisdom. Thoughtful and thought provoking, this is a delightful and erudite collection of gently subversive essays—a book to savor." — Arthur Versluis, author, Magic and Mysticism and The New Inquisitions. |
| Table of Contents | Foreword by Richard Smoley Preface Chapter 1: The Prisca Theologia Chapter 2: The hermetic Tradition Chapter 3: The Orphic Mysteries Chapter 4: Pythagoras and His School Chapter 5: Plato’s Cave Chapter 6: The Power of the Egregore Chapter 7: The Meddling God Chapter 8: The Negative Theology Chapter 9: Cathedrals of Light Chapter 10: The Arts of the Imagination Chapter 11: The Pagan Renaissance Chapter 12: The Philosopher’s Dilemma Chapter 13: Inner Alchemy Chapter 14: The Religion of Art Chapter 15: Wise Men from the East Chapter 16: The End of the Thread? Notes Index Contents |
| About the Author | Born in England, Joscelyn Godwin teaches at Colgate University in New York state. He is the author of Robert Fludd, The Mystery of the Seven Vowels, Harmony of the Spheres, The Pagan Dream of the Renaissance, and Arktos: The Polar Myth in Science, Symbolism and Nazi Survival (available from ITP), and many other books and translations related to the Western esoteric traditions. |
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