Imagining the occult in the age of enlightenment

This chapter explores the relationship between occult thought and the philosophy of the Enlightenment. In the popular imagination, the Enlightenment is often viewed as opposed to superstition, mysticism and the supernatural. Defined by notions of empiricism and rationality, the Enlightenment is often credited with dispelling the enchantment of previous ages. In reality, however, the relationship between the Enlightenment and occult thought was far more complex, with many key thinkers of the period expressing an interest in mysticism and many occultists couching their ideas in a language of reason and scientific rigour. This chapter therefore explores the dynamic interactions between occultism and Enlightenment philosophy that occurred throughout the eighteenth century.