The intersection of education and esotericism represents an emerging but underexplored field within esotericism studies, education science, philosophy, anthropology, and religious studies. This anthology aims to bridge this gap by examining the profound yet often overlooked influence of esoteric thought on educational practices and institutions. It will investigate the conceptual origins, philosophical frameworks, and practical implementations of "esoteric and occult pedagogies" from their inception to the present day.

Figures such as Rudolf Steiner, Maria Montessori, and Annie Besant exemplify how esoteric ideas have profoundly shaped alternative educational models with lasting global impact. However, the esoteric underpinnings of their philosophies, as well as the broader institutionalization of such ideas, remain underrepresented in scholarly discourse. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining Ideengeschichte (history of ideas), cultural analysis, anthropology, and educational studies, this anthology will explore how these frameworks evolved and adapted across cultural and historical contexts.

We invite contributions that explore themes including, but not limited to:

• The esoteric influences on educational philosophies and practices developed by key educationists.

• Comparative studies of esoteric educational institutions and their impact across cultures and periods.

• The reception, adaptation, and reinterpretation of esoteric educational ideas within diverse historical and cultural settings.

• The intersections of esotericism with mainstream and alternative pedagogical theories (e.g., Reformpädagogik).

• Case studies of schools and institutions implementing esoteric pedagogical philosophies.

• The boundaries and overlaps between esoteric, alternative, and mainstream educational practices, including systematic approaches to categorization and intersections.

• Analysis of occult fiction and other literary works influencing esoteric pedagogies.

• Contributions on the methodologies and approaches to teaching about esotericism.

• Broader theoretical reflections on the historiography and methodology of studying esoteric education.

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts: Please submit a 300–500-word abstract detailing your proposed contribution by January 31, 2025, along with a short bio.

• Article Length: Final articles should not exceed 25,000 characters (including spaces, excluding bibliography).

• Style Guide: A detailed style guide will be provided upon acceptance of your abstract.

• Full Article Deadline: Final contributions are due by November 30, 2025.

This anthology aims to bridge this gap by exploring the profound yet often overlooked intersections between esotericism and pedagogy. It seeks to examine the multifaceted interactions and exchanges between educational institutions, alternative learning practices, and esoteric thought, both globally and across different historical periods. 

Submission Process

Please send abstracts and author bios to yves.muehlematter@uzh.ch by January 30, 2025. For inquiries or clarification about the scope of the anthology, contact yves.muehlematter@uzh.ch or ansgar.martins@googlemail.com.

We look forward to receiving your contributions!