Description

Reveals the survival of ancient Slavic deities pagan practices and folk medicine tradition in modern Russia including the indigenous preChristian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia

Examines the precursors to modern spiritual movements in the Silver Age 18801920 and discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups

Offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people

In this indepth look at occult and esoteric traditions in Russia Christopher McIntosh explores the currents of mysticism myth magic and the spiritual to which the Russian soul has always been attuned The author explains how the search for meaning in the post Soviet era has given rise to a revival of ancient spiritual traditions and a plethora of new movements He examines the precursors to these movements in the Silver Age 18801920 before the Revolution when alternative forms of spirituality were finding new life as a reaction to the ongoing climate of violence revolt and repression He discusses the impact of the Russian Revolution on spiritual and esoteric groups and shows how their activities were tolerated and even in some instances encourageduntil Stalin assumed power in 1924

Discussing the spiritual reawakening after the fall of communism in 1989 the author explores the survival of Slavic deities and pagan practices in modern Russia including the indigenous preChristian customs of the Mari people and the shamanic traditions of Siberia He examines the resurgence of the Orthodox Church and the burgeoning of alternative forms of spirituality He offers a deep look at the controversial Book of Veles branded by some as a forgery and hailed by others as an epic chronicle of the Slavic people He also explores the interface between spirituality and the arts and the unique qualities of the Russian language as a medium for the sacred

Revealing the implications of the modern Russian spiritual and esoteric renaissance McIntosh shows that it still remains to be seen whether Edgar Cayces prediction of Russia as the hope of the world will come true or if Russia will remain as Churchill famously stated a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma