Recently finished doing research at the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents Department at the University of Amsterdam using 4E Cognition and Conceptual Metaphor approaches to explore practices of Ritual Magic. The main focus is the embodiment and extension of metaphor through imaginal and somatic techniques as a means of altering consciousness to reconceptualize the relationship of self and world. The hope is to point toward the rich potential of combining the emerging fields of study in 4E Cognition and Esotericism. It may show that there is a lot more going on cognitively in so-called "magical thinking" than many would expect there to be...

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382061052_Experiencing_the_Elements_Self-Building_Through_the_Embodied_Extension_of_Conceptual_Metaphors_in_Contemporary_Ritual_Magic

For those wondering what some of these ideas mentioned above are:

4E is a movement in cognitive science that doesn't look at the mind as only existing in the brain, but rather mind is Embodied in an organism, Embedded in a socio-environmental context, Enacted through engagement with the world, and Extended into the world (4E's). It ends up arriving at a lot of ideas about mind and consciousness that are strikingly similar to hermetic, magical, and other esoteric ideas about the same topic.

Esotericism is basically rejected knowledge (such as Hermeticism, Magic, Kabbalah, Alchemy, etc.) and often involves a hidden or inner knowledge/way of interpretation which is communicated by symbols.

Conceptual Metaphor Theory is an idea in cognitive linguistics that says the basic mechanism through which we conceptualize things is metaphor. Its essentially says metaphor is the process by which we combine knowledge from one area of experience to another. This can be seen in how widespread metaphor is in language. It popped up twice in the last sentence (seen, widespread). Popped up is also a metaphor, its everywhere! It does a really good job of not saying things are "just a metaphor" and diminishing them, but rather elevates them to a level of supreme importance.

Basically the ideas come from very different areas of study (science, spirituality, philosophy) but fit together in a really fascinating and quite unexpected way. I give MUCH more detailed explanations in the text, so check it out if this sounds interesting to you!!!

Do you know where I can find it?

Dear everyone!

If this post is not fit for this subreddit, I apologize for the intrusion!

I just wrote and passed a master's thesis with the highest grade. It's about a new ways to approach literary parallels between Biblical and cuneiform literature, with spotlights on Noah and Utnapishtim in Genesis in the Standard Gilgamesh "epic", and the births and childhoods of Moses and Sargon in Exodus and the Sargon legend. The entire 6-part thesis series is now published on Substack!

The below link will take you to an overview of every part of it, starting with the introduction, pinned at the top of the page, and the rest are found just below:

https://magnusarvid.substack.com/

Thank you immensely for your time and interest!

I am in my early 40s, having earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) at Baruch College in my 30s. Since the early 2000s, I have an interest in Western Esotericism. However, I did not think about the academic study of it until I started following the Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) and Esoterica on Youtube. for the past few months, I have been drawn to the Western Esotericism and now hope to become a university professor on the subject, earning a second Master's Degree and then a PhD, with my specialization being on magic in Pre-Christian Rome.

However, I notice from my research that only four or five universities in Europe and one in Texas, which focus on my proposed area of study. I feel that I cannot go too far though as my parents are nearing their 80s. Also, attending the University of Amsterdam (UVA) for the study of Western Esotericism would be like attending the Sorbonne University for the study of Medicine.

What I am wondering is if anyone has studied at the post-Bachelor programs in CUNY for either Cultural Anthropology, Pre-Modern History, or Liberal (Arts) Studies? As esoterica in still finding its place in academia, does anyone know if these three programs are chaired or administrated by those who would be adverse to my studies? I know the State University of New York (SUNY) at one time had Professor David Applebaum at New Paltz University facilitate a series of books on Esotericism but I am not sure where CUNY stands. If not CUNY, are there any alternatives in the New York Metropolitan area?

I was creeping on Justin Sledge's Reddit (no shame here) and he mentioned this group in passing. The constant paywalls kind of skeeve me out but I'm intrigued -- they even publish research articles in-house. Does anyone here have any experience with this organization, or is a member and can vouch for them?

ⲭⲁⲓⲣⲉ, I am currently completing a masters with a thesis on the Greek Magical Papyri. My background is in ancient history and I am being supervised by some exceptional papyrologists. I had planned to do my PhD overseas with more of a religious studies focus, but still rooted in ancient world studies. However, after a discussion with my supervisor I’m concerned I don’t have the language requirements needed for the kinds of programs I want to enter. The Australian system is pretty bad here, I have a little Greek and Coptic but not at the level expected for many PhD programs. One suggestion my supervisor made is to look into reception studies, which I think slots quite well into Western Esotericism. I am wondering if there are any scholars in the field with recommendations or suggestions going forward in this direction?

Hi, I read Hanegraaff’s book on Hermeticism last year. It was a great read and pulled together a wealth of information. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling he presents an over simplified univocal version of Hermeticism that pushes the evidence a lot further than it perhaps should be. I think in general these religious currents were messier ideas than they’re often made out to be. Hermes name appears attached to all kinds of texts in the technical hermetica, and I think the so-called philosophical hermetica should be understood as an equally messy collection of soteriology and metaphorical speculation.

Like I said, I really enjoyed the book, this is a good faith criticism. I just wonder if Hanegraaff’s often big history focus blinds him to the more granular details. I was wondering if others have felt the same, especially those coming from a papyrology background or those who focus specifically on late antique religions.

(Note: this is outside my specialty, so I’m making no claim to be an expert: I’m completing a Masters on the Greek Magical Papyri)

I am looking for any short-form content creators on TikTok or Instagram who academically engage with esotericism. I already spend a huge portion of my time reading, watching, and listening to long-form content. But I feel like I want to immerse myself even more when I am relaxing by scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. If there are any really good accounts or pages you good folks think are worth checking out. Let me know! Thanks in advance.