Paganism: negotiating between esotericism and animism under the influence of Kabbalah

Harvey, Graham (2012). Paganism: negotiating between esotericism and animism under the influence of Kabbalah. In: Huss, Boaz ed. Kabbalah and Contemporary Spiritual Revival. Goldstein-Goren Library of Jewish Thought (14). Beer Sheva: Ben-Gurion University, pp. 267–284.

Abstract

In this chapter I am interested in two broad currents – identified as esotericism and animism – within Paganism today. It is important to 267 note at the outset that although these two currents might have emerged Graham Harvey from distinct sources, they usually flow in the same rivers: sometimes causing turbulence as they oppose each other, sometimes mingling together into in a new fluid reality. The two currents cannot be entirely isolated and my purpose is not to insist that one is more definitively Pagan than the other. It is also vital to indicate that while esotericism and animism are significant elements in the formation of early twentyfirst century Paganism, they are not alone; there are other contributors to the continuing evolution of this remarkably diverse religion. Finally, it is noteworthy that the tension between these currents is increasingly commented upon by Pagans (although not always using the terms employed here) at the present time and, therefore, we should expect further evolutions and diversification.

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