Western Esotericism and the Science of Religions - JSTOR
Esoteric Subjects
Freemasonry – Freemason.com
WHAT IS FREEMASONRYFreemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. It unites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind. Freemasonry offers a system or blueprint for the good man to further improve his character and actions through its system of degrees, symbols, and fellowship opportunities.The United Grand Lodge of England reports that worldwide membership totals more than 6 million Freemasons, 1.1 million of whom are in North America. With over 60,000 Masons and 430 local Lodges, Ohio has one of the largest Masonic memberships of any state in the country.
Rosicrucianism
Theosophy:
A system of belief based on mystical insight into the nature of God and the soul
n. theosophism, theosophist, theosopher.
Hermeticism
Kabbalah
Gnosticism
Alchemy (in its spiritual aspects)
- Modern Usage:
In contemporary usage, “esoteric” often describes ideas or subjects that are highly specialized, obscure, or difficult to understand. This broader use extends beyond spiritual or mystical contexts to include any highly specialized knowledge in various fields.
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