Children of Starry Heaven

Published by Cherry Hill SeminaryFor centuries, people across the ancient Greek-speaking world sought to transcend the mortal human condition and enter into divinity. They explored the hidden structure of the cosmos and pursued direct encounters with supernatural powers in a world where the divine was understood as an immanent reality.From the communes of Pythagoras to the mysteries of Eleusis and Isis, and from the world-denying Gnostics to the religious magic known as theurgy, these efforts gave rise to a rich and enduring spiritual current: the ancient Greek transcendental tradition. In later centuries, that tradition profoundly shaped European and American esotericism, and its influence can still be felt in modern Pagan and occult movements.Children of Starry Heaven offers a clear and accessible introduction to this remarkable tradition. Beginning with the early Orphic cults of archaic Greece and ending with the Hermetic and magical movements of the Christian era, it traces one of the ancient world's most compelling quests: the search to transcend ordinary human existence and encounter the divine.Written for both newcomers and readers already familiar with the subject, this book provides a concise guide to a unique and fascinating spiritual heritage.Robin Douglas is a historian of religions (PhD Cambridge) who is based in London and Glastonbury in the UK. His research is principally on the history of revived paganism and the history of esoteric and occult movements. His other books include Paganism Persisting (with Francis Young: 2024, Exeter University Press) and The Pagan Revival (forthcoming, Equinox Publishing).