Gender in mystical and occult thought
Book Description
B. J. Gibbons presents a fascinating exploration of how mystical traditions have shaped our understanding of gender and sexuality throughout history. This scholarly work examines the profound influence of Jacob Boehme, a seventeenth-century German mystic, on English spiritual thought and reveals how his ideas transformed concepts of femininity and masculine-feminine relationships.
Drawing from esoteric traditions including alchemy, hermeticism, and Cabalistic teachings, Gibbons traces the evolution of gender concepts within mystical circles from the mid-1600s through the eighteenth century. The study demonstrates how these spiritual movements contributed to shifting perspectives on women's moral and spiritual status during a pivotal period in Western culture.
Readers interested in the intersection of spirituality and social transformation will discover how mystical thought influenced the development of Romantic ideals about womanhood and later Victorian attitudes toward sexuality. The book follows this intellectual journey through various spiritual communities, examining how these ideas eventually reached influential figures like William Blake and the Swedenborgian movement.
This comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights for those seeking to understand how esoteric traditions have shaped modern concepts of gender, sexuality, and spiritual partnership. Gibbons challenges conventional historical narratives while revealing the often-overlooked connections between mystical philosophy and social change, making this work essential reading for students of religious history and gender studies.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 247 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Sex, religious aspects, christianity
- ✓ Explore Occultism, history
- ✓ Explore Influence
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Sex
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Sex role
- ✓ Explore Sex role
