Shawn Gray

University of Exeter, EXESESO (MA in Western Esotericism), Alumnus

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Shawn received his M.A. in Western Esotericism (2010) from Exeter University, and is currently working on a publishing project related to the "Enochian" angel magic of Dr. John Dee, which is one of his main research interests. He is primarily interested in doing a Ph.D. research project on historical influences on Dee, and is hoping to commence this project in 2015. Recent activity:

- Spring, 2014: Review of Glynn Parry's "The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee" (2011). Published in Aries Journal (Brill).
- December, 2013: "The Development of 'Enochian' Magic: From the Book of Enoch to Modernity". Lecture (Japanese). Delivered at Toyo University, Tokyo.
- June, 2013: "Health in Thelema: The Stone of the Wise and the Holy Guardian Angel". Research paper. Delivered at ESSWE (European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism) 4, University of Gothenburn, Sweden.
Supervisors: Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke

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Glyn Parry The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee, London: Yale University Press, 2011. 335pp. ISBN 978-0-300-11719-6

Aries, 2014

Health in Thelema: The Stone of the Wise and the Holy Guardian Angel

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Health in Thelema (ESSWE 4 - Short Version)

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Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism in the Renaissance

Many social, political, cultural, and religious factors contributed to the rise of Neo-Platonism ... more Many social, political, cultural, and religious factors contributed to the rise of Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism at the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. This essay explores the reasons for this transition and the factors which contributed to it, which in turn shed light on why and how Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism offered new perspectives on man and nature at this time in history. Contributing factors which are addressed include the decline of Aristotelianism, interpretations of the relationship between Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism, the role of the Church, scientific advances, and even geopolitical influences.

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Christian Cabala's Relationship to Magic and Alchemy

The relationship of Cabala to magic and alchemy is both long and wide. Its roots reach back into ... more The relationship of Cabala to magic and alchemy is both long and wide. Its roots reach back into Platonic and Hermetic teachings, and there is a great degree of overlap with tangential topics such as astrology, views of contemporary Christian theologians, number symbolism, the expansion of humanist science and forward-reaching connections to the Rosicrucians and more modern magical groups. This discussion of that relationship focuses mainly on the people and ideas of the late fifteenth through early seventeenth centuries. The formation of Christian Cabala is discussed, along with views of how early Cabalists saw themselves as those who were legitimately using God-given powers to learn more about the created universe. Number symbolism, which connects Cabala, magic and alchemy, is also briefly addressed.

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Initiation and the Hermetic Tradition

The theme of initiation is one that has been found in Hermetism since the earliest times. From th... more The theme of initiation is one that has been found in Hermetism since the earliest times. From the millennia pre-dating the composition of the Hermetic texts, rites of initiation went hand-in-hand with ancient religious traditions such as the temple rites of the Egyptians and the Eleusinian Mysteries of the Greeks. As Hermetic thought came into the mainstream in the first two centuries of our era, it was only natural that initiatory rites would develop their own distinct Hermetic flavour. This essay examines the theme of initiation in the Hermetic Tradition, beginning with a brief overview of the Hermetic texts, and an examination of whether the term “Hermetic Tradition” is in fact a valid one. The teachings and characteristics of Hermetism with relation to the theme of initiation are then covered, with attention given to Hermetic teachings, the figure of Hermes Trismegistus, the idea of a hierarchal progression of steps or stages in the initiation process, and the question of whether or not something did in fact exist which could be described as a “Hermetic community.” Finally, these topics are related to the core theme of Hermetic initiation itself – it’s characteristic nature, the initiator figure, the stages of initiation, and the ultimate goal of passing through death to rebirth and transcendent unity with the Divine.

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Glyn Parry The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee, London: Yale University Press, 2011. 335pp. ISBN 978-0-300-11719-6

Aries, 2014

Health in Thelema: The Stone of the Wise and the Holy Guardian Angel

Download

Health in Thelema (ESSWE 4 - Short Version)

Download

Neo-Platonism and Hermeticism in the Renaissance

Download

Christian Cabala's Relationship to Magic and Alchemy

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Initiation and the Hermetic Tradition

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Shawn Gray

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