Archive of past events

   

Conference "Esoterik in der Aufklärung: Rezeption - Integration - Konfrontation"

15-18 March 2006
Location:University of Halle/Saale (Germany)
Date(s):15-18 March 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Exploring Religion, Nature, and Culture"

6-9 April 2006
Inaugural conference of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture (ISSRNC)
Location:University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
Date(s):6-9 April 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Witchcraft and Masculinities in the Early Modern World"

21-23 April 2006
An international conference hosted by the Department of History, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester.
Location:University of Essex, UK
Date(s):21-23 April 2006
Read more 
   

Conference on Astrology and Divination: Seeing With Different Eyes

28-30 April 2006
Keynote speakers include: Gregory Shaw (Stonehill College), Mass.Peter Struck (University of Pennsylvania), Barbara Tedlock (State University of New York, Buffalo). Other speakers to include: Geoffrey Cornelius (Kent), Dennis Tedlock (Buffalo), Angela Voss (Kent)
Location:University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Date(s):28-30 April 2006
Read more 
   

David Pingree Memorial Seminar: Empires and Exact Sciences in Pre-Modern Eurasia

29-30 May 2006
Historians of science devote great attention to the imposition and reception of modern scientific theories in colonial societies. Typical themes include the ways science was used rhetorically and politically to maintain the superiority of the colonizers, and strategies of rejection and appropriation by the colonized. Important as they are, these topics can give the misleading impression that encounters with alien science were strictly a phenomenon of modern global imperialism. In fact, political expansion and exposure to new cultures have been reflected in changing scientific traditions since antiquity, including the spread of Graeco-Roman dominance into the Near East and North Africa, and the subsequent merging of many former territories of the Roman Empire, along with parts of Iranian, Indian, and Chinese cultures, into the growing realm of Islam. This seminar will address the explicit recognition and assimilation (or modification) of ‘foreign’ elements in the exact sciences, changes within existing scientific traditions in imitation of foreign texts and practices.
Location:Leiden
Date(s):29-30 May 2006
Read more 
   

ASE conference: Esotericism, Art, and Imagination

8-11 June 2006
This is the second conference of the Association for the Study of Esotericism (ASE).
Location:University of California, Davis, USA.
Date(s):8-11 June 2006
Read more 
   

Kabbalah Seminar in Jerusalem

3-23 July 2006
A new and unique summer study program fusing traditional text-study, modern academic scholarship, and experiential spiritual practice.
Location:Jerusalem
Date(s):3-23 July 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Alternative Expressions of the Numinous"

18-20 August 2006
Inaugural conference of the Queensland Society for the Study of Religion (QSSR).
Location:Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date(s):18-20 August 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "An Esoteric Quest in Central Europe: From Renaissance Bohemia to Goethe's Weimar"

31 August - 8 September 2006
The New York Open Center and Lapis Magazine Online host a conference titled: "An Esoteric Quest in Central Europe" from August 31 until September 8. The conference will be held at three differenct places in Central Europe, starting in the Czech Republic and moving to Weimar in Germany.
Date(s):31 August - 8 September 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Astrology and the Body, 1100-1800"

8-9 September 2006
Two-day conference organized by Hilary Carey, Lauren Kassell and Rob Ralley, to be held at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, 8-9 September 2006.
Location:University of Cambridge, UK
Date(s):8-9 September 2006
Read more 
   

The 6th EASR Conference/IAHR Special Conference: "Religious History of Europe and Asia"

20-23 September 2006
One topic of this conference is "Esotericism".
Location:Bucharest, Romania
Date(s):20-23 September 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Symbolism in 18th-Century Gardens"

28-29 September 2006
This conference aims to provide an introduction into the masonic and esoteric symbolism in 18th-century garden architecture, provide an overview of recent academic research into the subject, and raise awareness of the importance of preserving the remaining sites as a part of our cultural heritage.
Location:Schwetzingen (Germany)
Date(s):28-29 September 2006
Read more 
   

Conference "Die Enzyklopädik der Esoterik: Allwissenheitsmythen und universalwissenschaftliche Modelle in der Esoterik der Neuzeit"

28-30 September 2006
The conference "Die Enzyklopädik der Esoterik: Allwissenheitsmythen und universalwissenschaftliche Modelle in der Esoterik der Neuzeit" is the 61st "Wolfenbütteler Symposion"
Location:Wolfenbüttel (Germany)
Date(s):28-30 September 2006
Read more 
   

Annual Meeting of the AAR with sessions on Western Esotericism

18-21 November 2006
The Western Esotericism Group of the American Academy of Religion has two sessions (one co-sponsored with the Critical Theory and Discourses on Religion Group) at the Annual Meeting of the AAR in Washington, DC, November 2006.
Location:Washington, DC, USA
Date(s):18-21 November 2006
Read more 
   

Conference on "The Occult in 20th Century Russia"

11-13 March 2007
The conference is organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Osteuropakunde (DGO)/ working group "Russian and East European Culture" (Prof. Birgit Menzel, University of Mainz/Germersheim), in cooperation with the Harriman Institute/Columbia University (Prof. Catharine Theimer-Nepomnyashchy) and will take place in the European Academy in Berlin. Conference languages are English and Russian.
Location:Berlin, Germany
Date(s):11-13 March 2007
Read more 
   

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry

25-27 May 2007
International academic conference under the patronage of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, The United Grand Lodge of England, and the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
Location:Edinburgh, UK
Date(s):25-27 May 2007
Read more 
   

CESNUR Conference on "Globalization, Immigration, and Change in Religious Movements"

7-9 June 2007
The next conference of CESNUR will also include panels on new religious movements and on "Internationalization of Western esotericism: West, East and what about Middle East?". The Call for Papers is out now. Deadline for submitting proposals is 10 January 2007.
Location:Bordeaux, France
Date(s):7-9 June 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "Kabbalah and Modernity"

4-6 July 2007
This international conference, hosted by the Center for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, brings together leading scholars, in order to break new ground for a better understanding and conceptualization of the role of Kabbalah in modern religious, intellectual, and political discourse.
Location:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date(s):4-6 July 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "Naturmagie und Deutungskunst"

13-15 July 2007
17. Tagung der Christian Knorr von Rosenroth-Gesellschaft Topic: "Naturmagie und Deutungskunst: Wege und Motive der Rezeption von G. B. Della Porta in Europa"
Location:Sulzbach (Germany)
Date(s):13-15 July 2007
Read more 
   

Inaugural Conference of the ESSWE on "Constructing Tradition: Means and Myths of Transmission in Western Esotericism"

20-22 July 2007
The inaugural conference of the ESSWE will be held at the University of Tübingen, Germany, 20-22 July 2007.
Location:University of Tübingen, Germany
Date(s):20-22 July 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "Western Esotericism" in Åbo, Finland

15-17 August 2007
International conference on "Western Esotericism," organized by the Donner Institute, Åbo (Turku), Finland. Conference language is English. A Swedish Call for Papers is out now.
Location:Åbo (Turku), Finland
Date(s):15-17 August 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "An Esoteric Quest for The Golden Age of Andalusia"

15-20 September 2007
"An Esoteric Quest for The Golden Age of Andalusia: Sufis, Kabbalists and Christian Philosophers in Medieval Spain" A five day conference in Granada, Spain From the organizers' announcement: Our conference will be a quest for the beauty and spiritual philosophy of the golden age of Andalusia, a time when a culture of tolerance among Muslims, Christians and Jews produced works of enduring spiritual and artistic genius.
Location:Granada (Spain)
Date(s):15-20 September 2007
Read more 
   

Conference on 'Divination and Dialogue'

5-7 October 2007
This is the second conference on Divination at the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK, entitled 'Divination and Dialogue'. Keynote speakers: Philip Peek, Barbara Tedlock, Juha Pentikainen.
Location:Canterbury, UK
Date(s):5-7 October 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "Forms and Currents of Western Esotericism"

29-30 October 2007
Il convegno, primo in Italia e unico nel suo genere, è dedicato alla storia, ai personaggi, ai testi e alle dottrine dell’esoterismo occidentale. Curato da Alessandro Grossato, il convegno riunisce a Venezia i massimi esperti di una materia relativamente nuova, ma il cui studio è in crescente sviluppo presso molti Atenei d’Europa, e non solo. Le loro relazioni danno conto dello stato attuale degli studi e delle ricerche riguardanti le principali forme e correnti dell’esoterismo occidentale, partendo dagli ultimi secoli dell’Antichità per arrivare, attraverso il Medioevo e il Rinascimento, fino all’Età contemporanea.
Location:Venice, Italy
Date(s):29-30 October 2007
Read more 
   

Conference "Visions of Utopia: Masonic, Religious and Esoteric"

3-4 November 2007
The idea that a perfect society could be planned, created and sustained can be traced back to Plato’s description of Atlantis, but it entered the popular imagination during the religious and cultural upheavals of Renaissance and Reformation when, in the early sixteenth century, Sir Thomas More published Utopia, his speculative vision of an ideal society. Since that time speculative philosophers, enthusiasts, dreamers, visionaries and reformers – of every shade of religious, political and philosophical opinion – have presented countless other visions of the ideal society to the world at large, ranging from Sir Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
Location:London, UK
Date(s):3-4 November 2007
Read more 
   

Annual Meeting of the AAR with sessions on Western Esotericism

17-20 November 2007
The Western Esotericism Group of the American Academy of Religion will sponsor 2 sessions this time, at the meeting in San Diego, California.
Location:San Diego, California
Date(s):17-20 November 2007
Read more 
   

Second major international meeting of the ISSRNC: “The Re-Enchantment of Nature across Disciplines: Critical Intersections of Science, Ethics, and Metaphysics”

17-20 Janary 2008
The second, major, international meeting of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture (ISSRNC), “The Re-Enchantment of Nature across Disciplines: Critical Intersections of Science, Ethics, and Metaphysics,” will be held 17-20 January 2008 in Morelia, Mexico and will be hosted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Morelia, Mexico.
Location:Morelia (Mexico)
Date(s):17-20 Janary 2008
Read more 
   

Conference on "Imagining Outer Space, 1900-2000"

6-9 February 2008
This conference on the cultural history of outer space, space travel and space exploration examines the manner in which Europeans imagined outer space over the course of the twentieth century.
Location:University of Bielefeld, Germany
Date(s):6-9 February 2008
Read more 
   

Workshop on "Emblems, Magic, and Hidden Knowledge"

25 March 2008
On March 25, a conference on "Emblems, Magic, and Hidden Knowledge" will be held for students as well as independent and established scholars, in collaboration with the department History of Hermetic Philosophy (GHF, Religious Studies) of the University of Amsterdam. Particular emphasis will lie on the role of imagery and emblems in magic and alchemy, and in pursuits and conceptions of (hidden) knowledge; however, questions related more generally to the study of Western esotericism and its methodology will also be addressed. For the program, see "Read more."
Location:University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date(s):25 March 2008
Read more 
   

Conference "Music and Esotericism"

14-18 April 2008
The Academia Belgica (Rome) is hosting a conference on "Music and esotericism: Art and science of sounds facing the occult knowledge. Musique et ésotérisme : L'art et la science des sons face aux savoir occultes. Musica e Esoterismo: L'arte e la scienza dei suoni si incontrano con i saperi occulti". For the Call for Papers and more information, see "Informazione ricerca" on the website provided below.
Location:Rome (Italy)
Date(s):14-18 April 2008
Read more 
   

ASE Third International Conference: "Nature, Religion, and Esotericism"

29 May - 1 June 2008
The Association for the Study of Esotericism (ASE) is hosting its third biannual North American Conference on Esotericism at the College of Charleston, in Charleston, SC, USA. The conference addresses various topics in Western Esotericism, particularly related to themes exploring the relationship between esotericism, religion, and nature. The Call for Paper is available (see "read more").
Location:Charleston, SC (USA)
Date(s):29 May - 1 June 2008
Read more 
   

Research Symposium for Postgraduate Students at the University of Kent

31 May - 1 June 2008
The University of Kent will host a Symposium for postgraduate students in applied theology, cultural study of cosmology and divination, mysticism and religious experience, as well as religious studies.
Location:University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Date(s):31 May - 1 June 2008
Read more 
   

Conference "Trance-Medien und Neue Medien um 1900"

2-4 July 2008
Zwei große Globalisierungsschübe werden durch das Auftreten Neuer Medien mitgestaltet: durch analoge Neue Medien um 1900, und durch digitale Neue Medien in der Gegenwart. Für die Moderne ist bekannt, dass das Auftreten Neuer Medien mit zentralen Debatten über die „Modernität“ und „Modernisierung“ von Trancepraktiken einherging. Insbesondere der Spiritismus und die Entstehung der modernen Esoterik um 1900 lösten durch ihre Praktiken und ihre kosmologischen Ansprüche eine fortwirkende Debatte über die Modernität von Trancemedien und ihre Verwendung Neuer Medien aus. Eine Vielzahl von Diskursen und Praktiken im ersten Globalisierungsschub setzte Trance-Erfahrungen in Neue Medien um, legitimierte Trance-Medien durch Neue Medien, und bezweifelte und bekämpfte Trance-Erfahrungen durch den Rekurs auf Neue Medien; doch auch in den entlarvenden Praktiken gingen Austreibungen und Beschwörungen ständig ineinander über. Es ist daher nicht die scheinbare „Abseitigkeit“ des Spiritismus und der Esoterik, aus denen die Sprengkraft der Kontroversen rührt, sondern ihre zentrale Stellung in der Dynamik der modernen Kosmologie. Aus dieser Stellung erklärt sich, warum die lange Debatte um spiritistische Praktiken und Postulate sich um 1900 in einer solchen Vielzahl von ästhetischen, wissenschaftlichen und esoterischen Gestalten niederschlagen konnte, und zwar in allen künstlerischen Avantgarden seit dem späten 19. Jahrhundert; in der Theoriebildung verschiedener wissenschaftlicher Disziplinen, insbesondere der modernen Ethnologie, der Psychologie und der Psychiatrie; in neue Kategorisierungen und Organisationen der entstehenden Esoterik und „okkulter“ Praktiken und in den Kernbestand der späteren Medientheorien. For the conference program, click "read more"!
Location:Universität Siegen, Germany
Date(s):2-4 July 2008
Read more 
   

Third Annual Alternative Expressions of the Numinous Conference

15-17 August 2008
The Esoteric Studies Research and Teaching Group in conjunction with the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics at the University of Queensland presents the 3rd Annual Alternative Expressions of the Numinous Conference
Location:University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Date(s):15-17 August 2008
Read more 
   

ESSWE at the EASR

7-11 September 2008
ESSWE has no conference in 2008. Instead, ESSWE is organizing two panels for the 2008 conference of the European Association for the Study of Religions (which will be held in Brno, Czech Republic from 7 to 11 September 2008). The two sessions will address the following topics: ‘Ex Oriente Lux: The Presence of Western Esotericism in Eastern Europe’ ‘The Political Temptations of Western Esotericism’
Location:Brno, Czech Republic
Date(s):7-11 September 2008
Read more 
   

Annual Meeting of the AAR with sessions on Western Esotericism

31 October - 4 November 2008
The Western Esotericism Group of the American Academy of Religion is hosting three sessions at this year's annual meeting of the AAR in Chicago, 31 October - 4 November 2008.
Location:Chicago, IL (USA)
Date(s):31 October - 4 November 2008
Read more 
   

Conference "From Ma'ashallah to Kepler"

13-15 November 2008
Conference "From Ma'ashallah to Kepler: The Theory and Practice of Astrology in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance," held at the Warburg Institute, London, UK, from 13-15 November 2008.
Location:London, UK
Date(s):13-15 November 2008
Read more 
   

Conference: The Threat and Allure of the Magical in Literature, Language, Philosophy, History and the Arts

13-15 March 2009
"The Threat and Allure of the Magical in Literature, Language, Philosophy, History and the Arts" 17th Annual Interdisciplinary German Studies Conference at the University of California, Berkeley March 13-15, 2009 Dating back to the 9th Century Old High German Merseburg Incantations (die Merseburger Zaubersprüche) and their influence on the fairy-tale world of the Brothers Grimm, references to the magical boil forth from a wide range of cultural forms, from Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) in music to Werner Herzog’s Invincible in film. In silent film, modern literature and the arts, magic both heralded and haunted an artistic revolution in which the avant-garde and the occult recurrently intersected. In critical theory, ideology is often described in terms of a spell. Accordingly, this conference presents an opportunity to explore these cultural encounters with the magical and further inquire why this space of radical alterity carries such an allure and/or threat.
Location:Berkeley, California, USA
Date(s):13-15 March 2009
Read more 
   

Conference "Unbegreifliche Zeiten: Wunder im 20. Jahrhundert"

18-21 March 2009
Unbegreifliche Zeiten. Wunder im 20. Jahrhundert Essen, 18. bis 21. März 2009 Internationale Konferenz in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Kulturwissenschaftlichen Institut (KWI), der Gerda Henkel Stiftung und dem Arbeitskreis Geschichte + Theorie (AG+T) Organisation: Alexander C.T. Geppert und Till Kössler For a German description and program see "read more"
Date(s):18-21 March 2009
Read more 
   

Astrology: Magic, Divination and Destiny

22-24 May 2009
Astrology: Magic, Divination and Destiny: A module from the Master’s program from Lampeter University, Wales, UK in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology Liz Greene, Nick Campion and Bernadette Brady This is one of the modules for the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Lampeter University
Location:Amstelveen (The Netherlands)
Date(s):22-24 May 2009
Read more 
   

Second International Conference of the ESSWE in Strasburg

2-4 July 2009
"Capitales de l’ésotérisme européen et dialogue des cultures / Capitals of european esotericism and transcultural dialogue" International Conference organized by the University of Strasbourg (Equipe d’accueil d’Etudes germaniques, EA 1341/UDS) and the Maison interuniversitaire des Sciences de l’Homme-Alsace (MISHA) in partnership with the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism (ESSWE). 2-4 July 2009 in Strasburg, Maison interuniversitaire des Sciences de l’Homme-Alsace.
Location:Strasburg, France
Date(s):2-4 July 2009
Read more 
   

Conference "Konversion und Transformation des Wissens: Interreligiöser Austausch im vormodernen Europa"

10-12 July 2009
19. TAGUNG DER CHRISTIAN KNORR VON ROSENROTHGESELLSCHAFT "Konversion und Transformation des Wissens Interreligiöser Austausch im vormodernen Europa" For the conference program, please see the PDF provided on the conference website.
Location:Sulzbach-Rosenberg (Germany)
Date(s):10-12 July 2009
Read more 
   

Conference "Religion, Nature, and Progress"

23-26 July 2009
The Third International Conference of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture is devoted to the topic "Religion, Nature, and Progress." The conference will be held 23-26 July 2009 at the University of Amsterdam.
Location:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date(s):23-26 July 2009
Read more 
   

Esotericism Panel at EASR Conference Messina (Italy)

14-17 September 2009
EASR conference devoted to "Religion in the History of European Culture” Messina, 14-17 September 2009 Panel: ‘The presence of esoteric currents and ideas in Italy from the 18th century to our days’ Convenor: Marco Pasi (University of Amsterdam)
Location:Messina, Italy
Date(s):14-17 September 2009
Read more 
   

The 6th International Conference on "The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena"

18-23 October 2009
The sixth international conference on "The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena," celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first astronomical uses of the telescope, will be held at the Palazzo Franchetti in Venice (Italy). The Conference will explore humanity's fascination with the sky, which has been a strong and often dominant element in human life and culture. It provides a meeting place for scholars from a variety of disciplines and artists to present and discuss their studies on the cultural impact and inspirations of astronomical phenomena.
Location:Venice (Italy)
Date(s):18-23 October 2009
Read more 
   

Conference "Alternative Spiritualities, the New Age and New Religious Movements in Ireland"

30-31 October 2009
"Alternative Spiritualities, the New Age and New Religious Movements in Ireland": Interdisciplinary conference at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (October 30th - 31st, 2009). Welcome address: Prof. Tom Inglis (UCD) Plenary lectures: Prof. Eileen Barker (LSE) Prof. Paul Heelas (Lancaster University)
Location:Maynooth (Ireland)
Date(s):30-31 October 2009
Read more 
   

The Esoteric Crossroads: Intercultural Patterns in Early Modern Esotericism

7th April 2010
Only 5 places left!
Location:Capri, Italy
Date(s):7th April 2010
Read more 
   

The Rosicrucian Conference 2010: The Rosicrucian Tradition, Past, Present & Future

8-9 May 2010
The Rosicrucian Conference 2010: The Rosicrucian Tradition, Past, Present & Future 8-9 May 2010 Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus The aim of the conference is to clear away popular misconceptions and to clarify the historical origins and the philosophical and spiritual nature of Rosicrucianism – a movement that came to light in Christian Europe during the period following the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and which is a central feature of Western Esotericism. The speakers at this international conference are drawn from a wide spectrum of experts and authorities in the fields of Rosicrucianism and Western Esotericism, with two keynote papers to be delivered by Professor John Warwick Montgomery, author of The Cross and the Crucible, a seminal and magisterial study of J.V. Andrea’s The Chemical Wedding; and Wouter Hanegraaff, Professor of the History of Hermetic Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam, and President of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism. Professor Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, Chair of Western Esotericism, Department of History, University of Exeter, is also addressing the conference.
Date(s):8-9 May 2010
Read more 
   

ESSWE Thesis Workshop - Alchemy: Between Science and Religion

24 June 2010
A one-day workshop for graduate and postgraduate students organised by the Chair for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, University of Amsterdam, on Thursday 24 June 2010. Speakers: > Prof. Lawrence Principe (Johns Hopkins University) > Dr Stephen Clucas (University of London) > Dr Jennifer Rampling (University of Cambridge)
Location:Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date(s):24 June 2010
Read more