Atlas Obscura is excited to present a lively and intellectually vibrant presentation, with PEN Award-winning historian and occult scholar Mitch Horowitz (“Solid gold”—David Lynch), who will explore the little known historical ties between alternative spirituality and radical politics!
During this 90-minute online experience, Mitch will take you on an extraordinary journey to discover the shared roots of alternative spirituality and progressive politics. You’ll meet America's first female presidential candidate (dubbed “Mrs. Satan” in the press); discover the remarkable ties between Spiritualism, seances, and liberatory movements; understand the esoteric references in the talks of pioneering Black nationalist Marcus Garvey; and trace the thought connections between occultist Madame H.P. Blavatsky, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. This is real history that opens a new window on our shared past and present—and reveals how avant-garde spirituality and protest politics have always grown together.
Zoom!
Mitch Horowitz is a historian of alternative spirituality and one of today’s most literate voices of esoterica, mysticism, and the occult. He is among the few occult writers whose work touches the bases of academic scholarship, national journalism, and subculture cred. Mitch is a writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library, lecturer-in-residence at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, and the PEN Award-winning author of books including Occult America; One Simple Idea; and The Miracle Club. Mitch’s book Awakened Mind is one of the first works of New Thought translated into Arabic. The Chinese government has censored his work. Twitter: @MitchHorowitz | Instagram: MitchHorowitz23
Once registered, you can access the Zoom room for this experience through your confirmation email or Eventbrite account.
This online experience will be recorded. A temporary link to the recording will be provided in a follow-up email to all ticket holders within 72 hours after the event. Access to this recording will be available for seven days.
We provide closed captioning for all of our Online Experiences, as well as transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or access needs.
This event is one of Atlas Obscura’s new Online Experiences. At Atlas Obscura, our mission has always been to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. Now, more than ever, there’s a need to stay connected—not only to our sense of wonder, but to each other.
We encourage you to follow and share the hashtag #AOExperiences for inspiring stories, more incredible online experiences, and live streams with Atlas Obscura and our friends.
