Upstate cauldron
Book Description
Between 1776 and 1914, the rolling hills and fertile valleys of Upstate New York became an extraordinary laboratory for spiritual experimentation. This remarkable region witnessed the birth of countless prophets, visionaries, and alternative communities, each seeking to forge new paths beyond conventional religious boundaries.
Joscelyn Godwin takes readers on a captivating journey through this unique spiritual landscape, exploring not only famous movements like the Shakers, Mormons, and Spiritualists, but also more than forty lesser-known groups and leaders whose stories have remained largely hidden. These diverse spiritual pioneers shared fascinating common threads that reveal the deeper currents of American religious innovation.
The author illuminates how these homegrown spiritualities drew from Western esoteric wisdom traditions while offering liberation from rigid Christian orthodoxy. Many grappled with questions of human sexuality and threw themselves into the progressive reform movements of their era, creating communities that challenged social norms on multiple fronts.
Enhanced with maps and photographs of surviving structures and monuments, this comprehensive exploration includes a detailed gazetteer of 150 significant locations throughout the region. This practical guide transforms the book into both an illuminating historical study and a valuable resource for modern spiritual seekers interested in visiting these sacred sites and understanding the rich tapestry of alternative spirituality that flourished in America's formative centuries.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 375 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Esoterik
- ✓ Explore Neue Religion
- ✓ Explore New york (state), social conditions
- ✓ Explore 02.50 esoteric and occult sciences
- ✓ Explore New york (n.y.), social conditions
- ✓ Explore Religiöse Gruppe
- ✓ Explore Occultism
