The Sixth Annual Report of the SHWEP
December 21, 2023
We contemplate the year that was and plot and scheme for the year to come.
The SHWEP Blog
The SHWEP blog is for all manner of things which crop up in the life of the scholar of western esotericism but don’t fit into our chronological framework: the Living Esoteric Cultures Series of interviews, reflections on the academic field of the study of western esotericism, accounts of past or upcoming events, other notifications, and perhaps even the odd blog post.
I was Interviewed on the Weird Christmas Podcast!
December 24, 2022
Mithras, sadly, ain't the reason for the season. And yet ....
The Fifth Annual Report of the SHWEP
December 21, 2022
We reflect on the past year of doing the podcast, and this time we don't bother predicting how at the end of this coming year we will definitely have finally covered Proclus, because it's just never true. We'll confidently promise Zosimus of Panopolis and Julian, but not Proclus.
Lucinda Martin on the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, Past, Present, and Future
December 14, 2022
We are delighted to speak with Dr Lucinda Martin, Director of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica and Ritman Research Institute in Amsterdam, one of the world's great collections for the study of western esotericism. We discuss the history and current activities of this august institution, its recently having been awarded UNSECO status as a cultural treasure of the Netherlands, and more.
Fourth Annual Report of the SHWEP
December 29, 2021
We reflect on the year that was, with the usual divinatory prognostications for the year that will be, and wish our listeners a very esoteric 2022.
Third Annual Report of the SHWEP
December 9, 2020
We reflect on a third year of doing the podcast, some of the things that went well, some unexpected setbacks, and prognosticate big changes to come ....
I Was Interviewed by Freemasons!
December 3, 2019
Some freemasons from Pennsylvania got in touch and asked to interview me. It was interesting and fun.
Second Annual Report of the SHWEP
November 29, 2019
We reflect on a second year of doing the SHWEP, and make some predictions for the next year.
Thoughts on ESSWE 7
July 11, 2019
We reflect on the amazing seventh ESSWE conference, held 2-4 July 2019 in Amsterdam. Western esotericism is coming home!
Blood and Rockets: The Making of an Occult Music Video
May 28, 2019
The first in our Living Esoteric Culture series, looking at the ways in which the esoteric exists in culture, makes culture, sometimes enters into the popular or mainstream, and what happens along the way.
Light in Darkness: An Audio Tour of an Important New Exhibition on the Life and Thought of Jacob Böhme
May 16, 2019
An audio tour of the first major international exhibition devoted to the life and work of the great Christian esotericist Jacob Böhme.
First Annual Report of the SHWEP
November 12, 2018
We reflect on a year of doing this podcast, and on the year to come.
An Interview with Dr Liana Saif on the Present and Future Study of Islamic Esotericism
August 23, 2018
The future of the study of western esotericism will encompass all the western monotheist traditions. And the future is now!
On the Necessity of Useless Scholarship
June 21, 2018
There has never been a better time to study ‘useless’ subjects. Get involved!
