Dark Enlightenment: The Historical, Sociological, and Discursive Contexts of Contemporary Esoteric Magic (Aries Book Series, 18)

In Dark Enlightenment Kennet Granholm Explores The Historical, Sociological, And Discursive Contexts Of Contemporary Esoteric Magic. The Book Is Focused On The Sweden-originated Left-hand Path Magic Order Dragon Rouge In Particular, But Through A Detailed Contextualizing Examination Of This Case Study It Offers A Broader Visage Of Contemporary Esotericism In General. The Author Takes Cue From Both The Historiography Of Western Esotericism And The Sociological Study Of New Religions And Religious Change, Aiming To Provide A Transdisciplinary Framework For A Comprehensive Study Of Esotericism In Late Modernity. --page [4] Of Cover. The Study Of Contemporary Magic -- Major Trends In Post-enlightenment Esotericism -- Dragon Rouge : History, Philosophy, Structures -- Ethnographies Of Dark Magic -- The Discursive Formation Of Dark Magic -- The Impact Of Broader Societal Discourses -- Esotericism In Late Modernity. By Kennet Granholm. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Dark Enlightenment 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 List of Images 12 Introduction 14 The Structure of the Book 17 1 The Study of Contemporary Magic 22 What is Magic? 22 The Study of Esotericism: Historiographical Approaches 25 The Study of Esotericism: Sociological Approaches 32 An Emerging ‘New Paradigm’ in the Study of Esotericism 37 Social Constructionism, Discourse, and Discourse Analysis 43 Esoteric Currents as Discursive Complexes 49 2 Major Trends in Post-Enlightenment Esotericism 53 The Theosophical Society 54 The Nineteenth Century ‘Occult Revival’ 56 Aleister Crowley and Ordo Templi Orientis 60 Neopaganism 65 Satanism and the Left-Hand Path 71 The ‘New Age Movement’ and the Popularization of Esotericism 79 3 Dragon Rouge: History, Philosophy, Structures 83 History 83 Basic Tenets 90 Structures 102 4 Ethnographies of Dark Magic 113 Course on Dark Ceremonial Magic 113 The Ceremonial Opening of Lodge Sinistra 122 Initiation into Degree 2.0 130 The Nature of Dragon Rouge Ritual Practice 138 5 The Discursive Formation of Dark Magic 142 The Left-Hand Path Discourses in the Context of Dragon Rouge 142 The Ideology of Individualism 142 The Goal of Self-Deification 147 Antinomianism 152 The Complex of Left-Hand Path Discourses 159 6 The Impact of Broader Societal Discourses 162 The Dark Feminine Divine 162 Discursive Realities 169 Ultimate Authority and Degree Structures - Non-Hierarchical Hierarchy? 170 Vegetarianism, Animal Rights, and Environmentalism 174 Feminism and Gender Equality 179 7 Esotericism in Late Modernity 186 Modernity and Esotericism 186 Late Modernity, Esotericism, and Dragon Rouge 195 Concluding Remarks 210 Bibliography 214 Index 239 In Dark Enlightenment Kennet Granholm provides a detailed look at the Left-Hand Path magic order Dragon Rouge in particular and explores the contexts of contemporary esoteric magic in general