Esotericism
A scholarly field and a word for teachings meant for a circle of initiates, including hermetic, Kabbalistic and astrological streams.
Also: esoteric, Western esotericism, inner teaching
Esoteric derives from Greek for inner, and was first used for teachings reserved for close students. Academic study of Western esotericism has grown since the 1990s, with chairs at Amsterdam and Exeter. Wouter Hanegraaff describes it as a set of currents in European thought, including Hermeticism, alchemy, astrology, natural magic, Christian Kabbalah, Rosicrucianism and Theosophy, often pushed to the edge of both church and university. Scholars debate whether it is one thing or many. Practitioners may use the word for any hidden or initiatory teaching, in the East as well. Its contrast, exoteric, means what is open and shared with outsiders.