Beschrijving

This reference work offers an expansive, richly cross-referenced compilation of nearly 3,000 entries that span people, texts, symbols, concepts and practices drawn from both Eastern and Western mystical, occult and esoteric traditions. It covers material ranging from major figures in mystical history, to arcane rites and symbolic languages, to lesser-known practices, folk traditions and spiritual technologies of transformation. With its breadth, the book functions as a gateway into the hidden or less readily accessible domains of human spiritual endeavour. Beyond simply listing names or terms, the work emphasises relationships between entries, showing how one concept leads into another, how symbols resonate across traditions, and how myths, rituals and philosophies intersect in the esoteric “underground” of culture. It offers succinct explanations of magical formulae, sacred texts, spiritual beings, archetypal patterns and transpersonal states, enabling both students and curious readers to map out the interconnected terrain of mysticism. The book also locates each thread within its cultural and historical context — for example tracing how ancient myth gives way to Renaissance occultism, or how modern metaphysical movements repurpose older esoteric motifs. For anyone seeking a solid and accessible reference in the field of esoteric studies, this book stands out for its clarity of organisation, its inclusive scope and its cross-cultural coverage. Whether you are a newcomer curious about tarot, alchemy, shamanism or sacred geometry, or a more advanced practitioner or scholar looking for quick orientation, the dictionary gives you a dependable roadmap. It invites exploration and discovery, helping uncover connections you may not have known were there, and encouraging deeper reflection on the ways the mystical and the ordinary intersect in the human experience.