Esoteric traditions
Plain explanations of Kabbalah, Hermeticism, mysticism, magic, witchcraft and New Age movements, with their key texts, ideas and figures.
Featured guides
Each one links on to more specific articles in its topic.
Start here · Essential guide
A plain-language guide to esotericism: what the word means, its core ideas and rites, the main traditions, and how it differs from religion, occultism and mysticism.
Western esotericism explained: what the term means, how it differs from occultism and mysticism, its major traditions, and the thinkers who shaped it.
A plain-language overview of Kabbalah: what the word means, its history and key texts, core teachings like Ein Sof and the sefirot, and why it is debated.
Mysticism is the pursuit of direct, personal experience of ultimate reality. Learn its meaning, common characteristics, main forms and how it relates to religion.
What the occult means, which arts it includes, how occultism developed, and how modern practitioners work today, from ritual magic to divination.
Browse
What esotericism is, how it differs from occultism and mysticism, and where to begin reading.
Hermeticism, Kabbalah and the mystics of East and West, with their texts and core ideas.
Ritual magic, witchcraft and shamanism, and the spiritual movements of the occult revival and New Age.