Taschen Library of Esoterica

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Taschen's Library of Esoterica

Introduction

The Library of Esoterica is made up of six beautiful oversized visual histories of esoteric fields that use both ancient art and modern imagery to showcase insights from artists and practitioners. These are really solid tomes – most having over 500 pages – and coming in at 17 × 24 cm (6.7 × 9.5 in) and weighing over 1.5 kg (≈3.5 pounds).

The first two volumes also have a pocket-sized edition available as well – these are signficiantly smaller at 14 x 19.5cm (5.5 × 7.7 in), and contain around half of the content of the full volumes.

The books share a cohesive series design, with spines quarterbound in white textured paper with red text and gilt accents, and contemporary photographic covers (they look rather better face out than as a series of uniform spines, it must be said), and hybrid/burst bindings (sewn signatures set in glue).

The paper stock is strong, capturing images that are beautifully reproduced in size and detail. And the content is fascinating, diverse and multidisciplinary – blending history, art, anthropology, and insights from a wide array of scholars and other contributors.

The series is edited by Los Angeles-based author, filmmaker, and journalist Jessica Hundley, who often explores counterculture, metaphysics, and magic in her work. And it is published by Taschen, who are well-known for their high-quality books. Page stock and gilt stamping was changed around the time of printing the sixth volume (Spirit Worlds) which also affects later printings of earlier titles – this has resulted in slightly thinner volumes with brighter gilt, but they remain high quality and value for money.

Titles in the Series

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Spirit Worlds

Taschen, Jun 2025. 9783836590617.

“A voyage through mysterious and haunted lands, Spirit Worlds delves into the art, rituals, and global mythologies of the spirit realms.”

Includes a variety of interpretations of the afterlife drawn from cave paintings to contemporary art, while weaving together different mythologies and perspectives.

Sacred Sites

Taschen, Jul 2024. 9783836590600.

“Taking us on a journey through the history of sacred art and architecture, Sacred Sites explores the myriads of ways in which we imbue our environments with profound and enduring meaning. From our early designation of nature and the body as temple to our futuristic embrace of imaginary realms, we travel the vast and mystical landscapes of myth, religion, and imagination.”

Plant Magick

Taschen, Sep 2022. 9783836585644.

“A visual journey through our interdependent evolution with nature, Plant Magick celebrates botanicals as creative muse – from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings to visionary art inspired by psychoactive plants, cacti, and mushrooms.”

Witchcraft

Taschen, Sep 2021. 9783836585606.

“Initiating readers in the fascinating and complex history of witchcraft, from the goddess mythologies of ancient cultures to the contemporary embrace of the craft by modern artists and activists, this expansive tome conjures up a breathtaking overview of an age-old tradition.”

Filled with gorgeous art and fascinating essays by a variety of authors.

Astrology

Taschen, Nov 2020. 9783836579889 | Pocket ed: May 2025, 9783836599801.

“This vibrant visual history of Western astrology explores the symbolic meaning behind hundreds of images, from Egyptian temples and illuminated manuscripts to contemporary art from across the globe. Works by artists from Alphonese Mucha and Hilma af Klint to Arpita Singh and Manzel Bowman are sequenced to mirror the spin of the planets and the wheel of the zodiac. Astrology celebrates the stars and their mysterious influence on our everyday lives.”

Tarot

Taschen, Jun 2020. 9783836579872. Pocket edition: May 2025, 9783836599795.

“To explore the Tarot is to explore ourselves, to be reminded of the universality of our longing for meaning, for purpose and for a connection to the divine. This 600-year-old tradition reflects not only a history of seekers, but our journey of artistic expression and the ways we communicate our collective human story.”

A beautifully illustrated review of tarot card art from the 1400s to the present, drawing on around 100 different decks. There is a section exploring the meaning behind each card, sequenced acording to the 78 cards of the Major and Minor Arcana.

Taschen Library of Esoterica

Taschen's Library of Esoterica

Introduction