General

Occult Germany

Old Gods, Mystics and Magicians

by Christopher McIntosh Review by David Lorimer, April 2024

Published: 2024
Publisher: Inner Traditions
Format: Paperback
Pages: 241 pp.
ISBN: 9781644117347

Publisher’s description

An exploration of German esoteric history from prehistory to the present • Examines the survival and revival of the old pre-Christian gods, investigates prehistoric sacred sites, and reveals ancient shamanic traditions • Looks at Rosicrucianism and the distinctive Germanic forms of astrology, alchemy, and the Kabbalah • Discusses German poets, philosophers, and mystics, such as Dr. Johann Faust, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Meister Eckhart, Hildegard of Bingen, and Jakob Boehme No country is richer in occult and esoteric traditions than Germany. In this magical journey through the inner history of Deutschland, Christopher McIntosh explores many of these traditions from prehistory to the 21st century. Recounting the longstanding magical tradition of Germany, McIntosh investigates the numerous prehistoric sacred sites that point to a nearly-forgotten ancient shamanic civilization. He examines the survival and revival of the old pre-Christian gods in folklore, customs, and practices as well as witchcraft. He looks at Germany’s rich and many-faceted spiritual heritage and explores Christian mysticism and theosophy as exemplified by Meister Eckhart, Hildegard of Bingen, and Jakob Boehme. Examining Rosicrucianism, which originated in Germany, the author also looks at other secret societies that flourished in Germany such as speculative Freemasonry, the Fraternitas Saturni, and the Golden and Rosy Cross. He explores how the Church sought to stamp out the old gods and pagan beliefs, as well as how periods of the Church’s heaviest oppression produced immortal poets, philosophers, theologians, artists, and mystics. He examines the distinctive forms adopted by astrology, alchemy, and the Kabbalah in Germany as well as the esoteric influences on Romanticism. Exploring more recent centuries, the author looks at the Nordic revival in the 19th century and the influence of Theosophy and the movements that grew out of it, such as Steiner’s Anthroposophy. Examining the esoteric traditions of the 20th century, he looks at the work of neo-Nordic occultists and esoteric writers like Meyrink and Hesse. He explores certain occult aspects of the Third Reich, which resulted in a backlash against the occult. He also looks at modern occult practices and the rise of neopaganism. Revealing both the enlightened and the dark sides of occult Germany, the author shows how this country has long been a cauldron in which esoteric ideas have flourished, spread, been condemned, and lauded, leaving an enduring mark.

In this engaging personal odyssey and exploration, the author takes the reader 'on a magical journey through the enchanted land of Germany' where he has lived for 30 years. He explores the connection between history and myth 'and how the one is constantly turning into the other.' He sees the spirit of Germany still questing for the Holy Grail, but as 'the wounded King and his ailing country, waiting for the knight Parsifal to come and bring healing.' Readers come to appreciate the resonant animating spirit running through Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Boehme, Paracelsus, Durer, the work of alchemists, Rosicrucians, esoteric orders and Freemasons, the poetry of Goethe, the music of Wagner, and the impassioned prose of Nietzsche. There are also magical places like Heidelberg and enchanted landscapes and places of power reaching back into prehistory and paganism, not forgetting the darker expressions in the Third Reich. The quest is fundamentally about bringing together spirit and matter, sun and moon, masculine and feminine, classicism and romanticism – and the lasting message is 'that the world of nature, and indeed the whole universe, is ensouled.' And it is encouraging to reflect that the esoteric-hermetic-alchemical worldview is still alive and that the author senses the arrival of a new Rosicrucian moment.

Related to this book