Re-Enchantment of the West, Vol 2

Christopher Partridge is the Professor of Contemporary Religion at University College Chester.

• Introduction; 1. Wellbeing: Subjectivization, the Holistic Milieu, and Healthcare; 2. Eco-enchantment; 3. Cleansing the Doors of Perception: The Contemporary Sacralization of Psychedelics; 4. Cyberspirituality; 5. The Sacralization of the Extraterrestrial; 6. Dark Occulture: Contemporary Western Demonology; 7. The End: Eschatological Re-enchantment; Bibliography; Index.

"'Chris Partridge argues that Western Society is permeated by a broad "occulture" by which he means a reservoir of ideas, beliefs, theories and practices to which new religions, unorthodox spiritualities, film and popular music all draw attention. This re-enchantment of the West should not be seen as a superficial secondary development in the shadow of Christianity. In many ways it is a religious phenomenom in its own right. Partridge's arguments in this regard are well put and I warmly welcome this timely book.' Mikhael Rothstein, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 'In this lively and rigorous study, Chris Partridge refutes the accepted argument that religion is in decline in Western societies, and demonstrates that alternative spiritualities are flourishing today. In my view, this is a monumental work, and it should become a classic.' Daniel Wojcik, University of Oregon. 'Partridge powerfully demonstrates the dimensions of re-enchantment and points to the vital role played by religiosity today. This is among the most important books exploring the nature of contemporary life and makes an invaluable and unrivalled contribution to the study of contemporary culture.' Graham Harvey, The Open University."