The Occult in Russian and Soviet Culture

This pioneering volume, richly interdisciplinary, is the first work in any language to explore a subject that has long captured interest in the West and is now of great interest in Russia itself. The cultural upheaval following the collapse of the Soviet Union sparked a renewed fascination with the study of Russian religion and spirituality. Within these pages, readers will find a comprehensive examination of the impact of occult beliefs and doctrines on intellectual and cultural life in twentieth-century Russia.

In her introduction, Bernice Glatzer Rosenthal outlines the unique characteristics of occult cosmology that set it apart from mysticism and theology, while placing Russian occultism within its historical and pan-European contexts. The various contributors delve into the diverse realms of occult thought prevalent in prerevolutionary Russia, such as Kabbala, theosophy, anthroposophy, and the allure of Satanism.

Additionally, the volume delves into the presence of occultism in the cultural landscape of early Soviet Russia, uncovers unexpected traces of the occult during the high Stalin era, and explores the revival of occult practices in contemporary Russia. To further aid readers in their exploration of the topic, bibliographical essays are included to guide those seeking Russian occult materials that are available outside of Russia.

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