Magic School: The Western Esoteric Traditions

Treadwell’s bookshop in London is hosting a 10-week evening class history course on the Western Esoteric Traditions, taught by Dr Christian Giudice, starting in April. Here are the details:

The course teaches the rich history of esoteric movements: Renaissance planetary magic, Elizabethan angel magic, alchemy, freemasonry, Rosicrucians, spiritualism, the Order of the Golden Dawn, Thelema, Wicca and more. Arts that form the West’s occult knowledge are joined in a lineage of ideas, and this 10-week course leads you through through it, century by century from the Renaissance up to the present, familiarising you with the key figures and subjects. You will meet John Dee’s angels, Aleister Crowley’s Scarlet Woman, Madame Blavatsky’s Hidden Masters and many more – and you will have read original writings and discussed them all in a friendly group setting.

The history-based course was previously taught at the University of Exeter and the University of Gothenburg. This is the first time it is being offered outside an academic establishment. Weekly illustrated lectures and seminar discussions will be supplemented with primary source texts to be read. Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke’s Western Esoteric Traditions is the main textbook.

It is taught by Dr Christian Giudice, who got his PhD at the University of Gothenburg, where he has run this course. Primary source readings will be provided weekly. Class size is small to ensure group camaraderie and allow individual support.

Dr Christian Giudice’s BA is from Oxford and his MA is in Western Esotericism from Exeter. An active scholar, his research focuses on 20th century occultism, especially the interaction between visual arts and occultism.

There are no academic or background requirements for enrolling on the course at Treadwells,  although a commitment to reading and attendance is required. Email Christina at Treadwell’s at [email protected] with any questions or to be sent copy of the syllabus.

Treadwell’s is at 33 Store Street WC1E 7BS, London. The course starts on Thursday, 4 April, and classes run from 7pm to 9pm. The fee for the 10 weeks is £275. A deposit of £140 must be paid in advance with the balance of £135 on the first night. You can find more details and enrol here: https://www.treadwells-london.com/event/western-esoteric-traditions-course/

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