From sentto-1040416-307-963599250-heypresto=luckymojo.com@returns.onelist.com Fri Jul 14 11:25:09 2000 Return-Path: sentto-1040416-307-963599250-heypresto=luckymojo.com@returns.onelist.com Received: from hn.egroups.com (hn.egroups.com [208.50.99.199]) by ultra.sonic.net (8.8.8/8.8.5) with SMTP id LAA03658 for ; Fri, 14 Jul 2000 11:25:08 -0700 X-envelope-info: X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1040416-307-963599250-heypresto=luckymojo.com@returns.onelist.com Received: from [10.1.10.38] by hn.egroups.com with NNFMP; 14 Jul 2000 18:27:31 -0000 Received: (qmail 1594 invoked from network); 14 Jul 2000 18:27:29 -0000 Received: from unknown (10.1.10.142) by m4.onelist.org with QMQP; 14 Jul 2000 18:27:29 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO csimo01.mx.cs.com) (152.163.225.74) by mta1 with SMTP; 14 Jul 2000 18:27:29 -0000 Received: from MikeBispham@cs.com by csimo01.mx.cs.com (mail_out_v27.10.) id a.e3.719f028 (3318) for ; Fri, 14 Jul 2000 14:27:22 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: To: sacredlandscapelist@egroups.com X-Mailer: CompuServe 2000 32-bit sub 44 From: mikebispham@cs.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list sacredlandscapelist@egroups.com; contact sacredlandscapelist-owner@egroups.com Delivered-To: mailing list sacredlandscapelist@egroups.com Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 14:27:22 EDT Reply-To: sacredlandscapelist@egroups.com Subject: [sacredlandscapelist] Esoterica.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Status: RO Crossposted from: ESOTERICA@H-NET.MSU.EDU Dear All, What follows are some announcements of general interest concerning Western esotericism. First: the results of our survey; second, a conference agenda; and third, an unusual conference on the Italian Renaissance to be held in Florence. Currently, we're beginning to put together the next issue of *Esoterica*, so if you've anything - book reviews or articles - to send us, please do so as soon as possible. We plan to notify in the next week or so those who've submitted articles for consideration. In the meantime, with best wishes Arthur Versluis ******************************************************* Esoteric Studies Professional Organization Survey Results From: John Richards Introduction In March, 2000, a survey was sent out on the Esoterica listserv and posted on the Esoterica web site for the purpose of determining interest in the establishment of a professional esoteric studies organization. We received 30 completed questionnaires from nine different countries. We would like to thank the respondents for taking the time to respond to the survey. The results of the survey, as well as the latest developments in the quest to form an organization are presented below. Purpose The purpose of this survey was to determine if there was a sufficient amount of interest among scholars working in the area of esoteric studies to warrant the formation of a professional organization. For the purpose of this survey, several subject areas were identified as being associated with the field of esoteric studies. These areas included such diverse but related topics as alchemy, Hermetism and Hermeticism, gnosis, Gnosticism, magical traditions, secret or semi-secret societies, and so forth - in other words, the range of fields and subjects covered by the journal Esoterica. Background At the beginning of the year, I contacted Professor Joscelyn Godwin at Colgate University to inquire if a professional esoteric studies organization existed. He informed me that he was not aware of any, but suggested that I contact Professor Arthur Versluis at Michigan State University. This survey was developed as a result of our conversations on the topic. Results 1. Respondents Thirty completed questionnaires were received, representing the following nine countries: Austria - 1 Italy - 1 Canada - 2 The Netherlands - 4 China - 1 Scotland - 1 France - 3 United States - 15 Great Britain - 2 The respondents reported having the following institutional affiliations: College/University - 24 Institute - 2 Other - 1 None - 3 The following areas of interest were reported: Alchemy Arthurian/Grail Studies Astrology British Occultism (19th-20th Centuries) Celtic Studies Comparative Mysticism Egyptian Magic Esotericism in American Religious Traditions Esoteric Christianity Esotericism and Art Esotericism and Literature Esotericism and Music Freemasonry Gnosticism Gurdjieff Hermeticism History of Esoteric Currents since the Renaissance Kabbalah Knights Templar Magic Medieval Magic Methodology in Esoteric Studies Mystery Schools Mysticism Naturphilosophie Neoplatonism New Age New Religious Movements Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Occult Movements Perennialism Renaissance Magic Ritual Magic Secret Societies Shamanism Sufism Theosophy 2. Do you believe that there is a need for a professional esoteric studies organization? Yes - 29 No - 1 3. If you answered yes to question 2, would you be interested in helping with the development of an organization? Yes - 24 No - 5 Possibly - 1 4. Would you be willing to serve as an officer in the organization? Yes - 14 No - 14 Possibly - 2 5. If you answered yes to question 4, what office would you be willing to consider? (check all that apply) President - 2 Vice President - 1 Secretary - 2 Treasurer - 0 Board Member - 11 Other - 4 (Editor, Webmaster, Consultants) 6. Would you prefer the scope of the organization to be: (select one) International - 28 North American - 1 American - 0 No Response - 1 7. Would you be willing to have your contact information and areas of interest included in a membership directory for the purpose of professional networking? Yes - 29 No - 1 8. Would you be interested in attending a professional conference on esoteric studies? Yes - 28 No - 1 Possibly - 1 9. If you answered yes to question 8, which of the following would you be interested in doing? (check all that apply) Help organize a conference - 8 Present a paper - 20 Participate on a discussion panel - 13 Chair or moderate either a paper or panel presentation - 10 10. Please list the subject areas that you believe a professional esoteric studies organization should include. History of esoteric currents since the Renaissance Psychology of esotericism Sociology of esotericism Political impact of esotericism Esotericism in art, literature, and music The occult sciences Christian Kabbalah Hermeticism Alchemy Rosicrucianism Freemasonry Gnosticism Medieval magic Nineteenth and twentieth century occult movements Knights Templar Arthurian/Grail studies Medieval witchcraft Esoteric symbolism Methodology in Esoteric Studies New Age Movement Ritual magic Sufism Astrology Tarot Secret societies Paganism/Neopaganism Western and Eastern mysticism Egyptian and Greek mystery traditions Jungian psychology Gurdjieff Comments Most of the comments were directed at offering enthusiastic support for the project. However, the following three areas of concern arose in more than one survey: 1) that the focus of the organization should be interdisciplinary (transdisciplinary); 2) that membership should be restricted in some way in order to maintain a high level of professionalism; and 3) that an emphasis should be placed on gaining acceptance from established scholarly societies. The only area of conflict or debate was over the question of whether the focus of a professional organization should be restricted to Western esotericism. There were a number of comments supporting both sides of this issue. Conclusion During the course of gathering this information we learned about the existence of an on-going project to professionalize the field of esoteric studies. For the past couple of years Professors Antoine Faivre and Wouter Hanegraaff have been working on developing a professional network of esoteric studies scholars. One of their eventual goals is to create an international esoteric studies organization. In light of this fact, we believe that the goal of developing a professional organization can best be served by supporting the efforts of Professors Faivre and Hanegraaff. It is our contention that a combined effort will facilitate cooperation among scholars, the development of professional standards, as well as, the acceptance of esoteric studies as an academic discipline. Professor Arthur Versluis and I will be working on assisting the efforts of Professors Faivre and Hanegraaff by helping to establish the American end of their international network. This work will consist of gathering contact information, identifying funding sources for research, compiling lists of academic courses related to esoteric studies, networking with established scholarly societies, disseminating information, and so forth. The idea behind the development of a network is that it will eventually serve as the foundation for establishing a professional organization. If you should have any interest in working on the development of a professional network please feel free to contact me at: Prof. John D. Richards Dept. of Sociology and Philosophy West Virginia State College Institute, WV 25112 Phone: (304) 766-3048 Fax: (304) 766-5186 Email: jrichards@citynet.net ******************** Announcing the Western Esotericism Section of the IAHR: THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS CONGRESS THEME OF THE CONGRESS History of Religions: Origins and Visions WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM I CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and J. A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Wouter J. Hanegraaff Wouter J. Hanegraaff, Introductory Address Kocku von Stuckrad, "The Beginning of a Mutual Enrichment: Jewish Mystical Discourse and Hermetic Esotericism in Late Antiquity" Annine van der Meer, "The Harran of the Sabians in the First Millennium A.D.: Cradle of a Hermetic Tradition?" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM II CONVENORS : Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Antoine Faivre Wouter J. Hanegraaff, "Lodovico Lazzarelli's Use of Jewish Mystical Sources" Jean-Pierre Brach, "Christian Kabbalah" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM III CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Jane Williams-Hogan Susanna Akerman,"Der Lwe aus der Mitternacht and Johannes Bureus' Roscrucian Papers" Arthur Versluis, "Jacob Bhme and Kabbalah" Elliott Wolfson, "Secrecy and the Disclosure of Withholding in Kabbalistic Hermeneutics" RECEPTIONS North American Association for the Study of Religion ( pool deck area) [by invitation only] 9:30 pm.. Western Esotericism and Jewish Mysticism Symposium (Jewish Club) [Everyone is welcome] 9:30 p.m. WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM IV CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Wouter J. Hanegraaff Albert Roodnat, "J.B. van Helmont's Concept of Butler's Stone and Middle-Life" Allison P. Coudert, "Seventeenth-Century Natural Philosophy and Esotericism at the Court of Sulzbach" Gary W. Trompf, "Esoteric Newton and the Kabbalists' Nosh: Natural Law between Mediaevalie and Modernity" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM V CONVENORS : Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Jan Snoek Olle Hjern, "Esoteric Christianity in Sweden: Emmanuel Swedenborg, the Last Judgement and the New Age" Jane Williams-Hogan, "Emanuel Swedenborg and the Jewish Kabbalah: Organic or Syncretic Relationship?" Tomas Mansikka and Nils G. Holm, "Philalethes and Swedenborg: August Nordenskjld and the Revival of Utopian Alchemy" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM VI CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Antoine Faivre Martha Keith Schuchard, "Judaized Scots, Jacobite Jews, and the Development of Kabbalistic Freemasonry" John Collett, "The Integration of Kabbalah with Other Religious Ideas in Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma, 1871" Pierre Riffard, "Esoterisms and Religion" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM VII CONVENORS Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Antoine Faivre Henrik Bogdan, "Kabbalah and Western Esoteric Rituals of Initiation" Marco Pasi, "British Occultism and Kabbalah: From the Golden Dawn to Israel Regardie" Yuri Stoyanov, "Enochic Apocalypticism and Mysticism in Some Currents of Modern Western Esotericism" WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM VIII CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Arthur Versluis Jan Snoek, "Influence of Kabbalism on Freemasonry?" Ralph Liedtke, "Hermeticism and Kabbalah in Friedrich von Hardenberg" Jean-Pierre Laurant, "The Nineteenth Century Reads Kabbalah" FRIDAY SESSION 1 8:30-10:30 a.m. WESTERN ESOTERICISM AND JEWISH MYSTICISM IX CONVENORS: Wouter J. Hanegraaff and Jan A. M. Snoek CHAIR: Jan Snoek Eliane Moura Silva, "Esoteric Spirituality in Brazil: The Communion of Thought Esoteric Circle (1908-1943)" Ana Maria Binet, "Jewish Mysticism and Western Esotericism in the Works of a Portuguese Poet, Fernando Pessoa" Colette Rayment, "Hiroshima and the Emanations of Glory" Antoine Faivre, Concluding Address ********************** Finally: THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE AND THE ESOTERIC TRADITIONS: HERMETIC, CABALISTIC AND NEOPLATONIC PHILOSOPHERS AND THEIR INFLUENCE TODAY FLORENCE, ITALY, 8-12 Sept., 2000 Presented by the New York Open Center and Lapis Magazine Faculty includes Joscelyn Godwin, Robert Bly, Christopher McIntosh, Anthony Rooley, Jay Kinney, Christopher Bamford, Angela Voss, and Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, among others. Topics include Ficino, Pico, and similar figures with related themes (alchemy, Hermeticism, and so forth) For more information, visit www.opencenter.org or email nyocreg@aol.com