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A Brief Guide to Secret Religions
This wide-ranging book explores the diversity of esoteric and occult beliefs.
Neo-Paganism is one of the fastest-growing new religions in the western world where witchcraft or Wicca, Druidry, and Urban Shamanism are thriving. Alongside this there has been an upsurge in New Age ideas of an even wider variety, including astrology, Tarot, numerology, and many others. And then there are members of various schools of occult science, practicing High Magic.
Why this new interest in old beliefs? Why are millions of educated people today abandoning both the established religion of their parents and 21st century scientific rationalism and turning to magic and esoteric teachings? In their search for spirituality those who follow these paths claim to be applying ancient wisdom to the modern world. A Brief Guide to Secret Religions , a companion book to A Brief History of Secret Societies , looks at the history and variety of these esoteric movements, where they came from and what they tell us about the world today.
Neo-Paganism is one of the fastest-growing new religions in the western world where witchcraft or Wicca, Druidry, and Urban Shamanism are thriving. Alongside this there has been an upsurge in New Age ideas of an even wider variety, including astrology, Tarot, numerology, and many others. And then there are members of various schools of occult science, practicing High Magic.
Why this new interest in old beliefs? Why are millions of educated people today abandoning both the established religion of their parents and 21st century scientific rationalism and turning to magic and esoteric teachings? In their search for spirituality those who follow these paths claim to be applying ancient wisdom to the modern world. A Brief Guide to Secret Religions , a companion book to A Brief History of Secret Societies , looks at the history and variety of these esoteric movements, where they came from and what they tell us about the world today.
420 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 28, 2011
This ‘Brief Guide’ is a near-encyclopaedic review of the variety of new cults and religions that have appeared in the English-speaking world (the focus is British with a periodic nod to the US) since the early part of the last century. It has excellent notes for further reading.
Barrett, who has written a classic account of the ‘New Believers’ and 'A Brief History of Secret Societies’, is fair-minded and rational at the same time – no mean feat in dealing with some very peculiar spiritual narratives. He has a Doctorate in the Sociology of Religion.
The book is divided into New Age, Hermetic/Occult/Magickal and Neo-Pagan sections, with a chance for practitioners to comment, and a defensive (due to its litigious nature) added chapter on Scientology, comparing it to the narratives of some of the religions outlined in the previous pages.
It is hard to think of a New Religion that has been omitted. The accounts of each (over 40 different types) and of specific ‘styles’ such as the Tarot and Kabbalah, or of issues such as alleged Satanic Child Abuse, are short but precise – and right up to date.
The flow between these ‘churches’ and movements is remarkable, with theosophy playing a founding mother role in the New Age Movements with a pattern of inspired individuals eclectically taking up and transforming pre-existing models (not excluding UFOs) to construct a spiritual meaning.
There are four lessons from the book that seem to say something about human nature. The first is the role of charismatic but irrational leaderships. These are often fantasists and myth-makers but not, generally, bad people at all. They often give a great deal to give meaning to others.
The second is the common construction of false foundation narratives that are imbued with spiritual meaning and then retained as subjective truths even when the objective falsity becomes too obvious to ignore – the a-historical matriarchal mythology of some Wiccans springs to mind.
The third is the propensity to smallness and splits, Many of the noisier churches make unrealistic claims about numbers. Others are tiny, if influential within the wider new age, esoteric or neo-pagan communities. The total number of such religionists is, however, probably quite significant.
The splits too remind one of nothing so much as the groupuscules within the largest new religion of the twentieth century, at least in its dotage – Marxism-Leninism. The bitterness and confusion of personal and doctrinal ambition will be well known to anyone who has been involved with that world.
The fourth is the inheritance from Christianity of a notion of ‘apostolic succession’ that has been transmuted into ‘initiation’ in later religions. The most successful alternative religions, Thelema, Wicca and Druidry, all have histories of transmission and initiation, often disputed.
There is also a degree of cross-over from Christianity into the New Age community even if most neo-pagans still consider the Church (with a big C) as quintessentially malign. There are similar influences from science fiction at the margins and from earlier romantic literature.
Barrett is rightly generous to these religions because they are speaking to a need. If they cannot all be true, they are no more or less rational and true than the revelations out of the desert of their rivals. These are not cults in the worst manipulative sense but, mostly, sincere faith groups.
The wisest of the practitioners (and the quotations given in their own words are very instructive) fully understand their own ambiguities with a certain deliberate liminality. What is remarkable about most of these religions is their tolerance towards each other – except those closest to them.
Yes, magickal and neo-pagan practitioners do tend to look down on the new agers as fluffy. Yes, there are differences of opinion over such issues as sexuality (especially the dualism of male and female) and national organisation but this anarchic movement is now a significant cultural presence.
This book is recommended as a very sound and fair account of the ‘secret religions’ of the British Isles (although their secrecy is very much exaggerated). A small minority may even find it a useful preliminary guide to finding a path that suits them. Personally, I quite like the Raelians ...
Barrett, who has written a classic account of the ‘New Believers’ and 'A Brief History of Secret Societies’, is fair-minded and rational at the same time – no mean feat in dealing with some very peculiar spiritual narratives. He has a Doctorate in the Sociology of Religion.
The book is divided into New Age, Hermetic/Occult/Magickal and Neo-Pagan sections, with a chance for practitioners to comment, and a defensive (due to its litigious nature) added chapter on Scientology, comparing it to the narratives of some of the religions outlined in the previous pages.
It is hard to think of a New Religion that has been omitted. The accounts of each (over 40 different types) and of specific ‘styles’ such as the Tarot and Kabbalah, or of issues such as alleged Satanic Child Abuse, are short but precise – and right up to date.
The flow between these ‘churches’ and movements is remarkable, with theosophy playing a founding mother role in the New Age Movements with a pattern of inspired individuals eclectically taking up and transforming pre-existing models (not excluding UFOs) to construct a spiritual meaning.
There are four lessons from the book that seem to say something about human nature. The first is the role of charismatic but irrational leaderships. These are often fantasists and myth-makers but not, generally, bad people at all. They often give a great deal to give meaning to others.
The second is the common construction of false foundation narratives that are imbued with spiritual meaning and then retained as subjective truths even when the objective falsity becomes too obvious to ignore – the a-historical matriarchal mythology of some Wiccans springs to mind.
The third is the propensity to smallness and splits, Many of the noisier churches make unrealistic claims about numbers. Others are tiny, if influential within the wider new age, esoteric or neo-pagan communities. The total number of such religionists is, however, probably quite significant.
The splits too remind one of nothing so much as the groupuscules within the largest new religion of the twentieth century, at least in its dotage – Marxism-Leninism. The bitterness and confusion of personal and doctrinal ambition will be well known to anyone who has been involved with that world.
The fourth is the inheritance from Christianity of a notion of ‘apostolic succession’ that has been transmuted into ‘initiation’ in later religions. The most successful alternative religions, Thelema, Wicca and Druidry, all have histories of transmission and initiation, often disputed.
There is also a degree of cross-over from Christianity into the New Age community even if most neo-pagans still consider the Church (with a big C) as quintessentially malign. There are similar influences from science fiction at the margins and from earlier romantic literature.
Barrett is rightly generous to these religions because they are speaking to a need. If they cannot all be true, they are no more or less rational and true than the revelations out of the desert of their rivals. These are not cults in the worst manipulative sense but, mostly, sincere faith groups.
The wisest of the practitioners (and the quotations given in their own words are very instructive) fully understand their own ambiguities with a certain deliberate liminality. What is remarkable about most of these religions is their tolerance towards each other – except those closest to them.
Yes, magickal and neo-pagan practitioners do tend to look down on the new agers as fluffy. Yes, there are differences of opinion over such issues as sexuality (especially the dualism of male and female) and national organisation but this anarchic movement is now a significant cultural presence.
This book is recommended as a very sound and fair account of the ‘secret religions’ of the British Isles (although their secrecy is very much exaggerated). A small minority may even find it a useful preliminary guide to finding a path that suits them. Personally, I quite like the Raelians ...
March 3, 2021
This brief guide to secret religions is the most up-to-date book about the various esoteric groups operating now. There's any number of books that describe paganism, Rosicrucian beliefs, and other spiritual mysteries in the abstract - this is the first I have found that explains how that history has burst forth into the modern era. David Barrett is a very objective scholar who recounts the origins of each currently-operating group without judgement, although it often becomes clear through his reporting whether or not a given group is worth investigating.
If there is one weakness to the book, it is that his summaries are more focused on the history and personalities involved with each group rather than an explanation of the teachings. In that sense, this book is a good jumping off point if your looking for a group to explore and want a survey of the options. This book is also a bit more focused on the United Kingdom than it is on the United States; I would be interested to read a similar book written by a U.S. based religious scholar and possibly find out more.
The groups listed in this book are grouped into three rough categories for ease of reference: New Age movements, Hermetic/Occult/High Magic, and Neo-Paganism. The author notes throughout that there is a lot of overlap between the groups, but I would be interested to examine each category in greater detail. Still, you can't beat the breadth of information that he provides; it is up to the individual reader to go deep.
If there is one weakness to the book, it is that his summaries are more focused on the history and personalities involved with each group rather than an explanation of the teachings. In that sense, this book is a good jumping off point if your looking for a group to explore and want a survey of the options. This book is also a bit more focused on the United Kingdom than it is on the United States; I would be interested to read a similar book written by a U.S. based religious scholar and possibly find out more.
The groups listed in this book are grouped into three rough categories for ease of reference: New Age movements, Hermetic/Occult/High Magic, and Neo-Paganism. The author notes throughout that there is a lot of overlap between the groups, but I would be interested to examine each category in greater detail. Still, you can't beat the breadth of information that he provides; it is up to the individual reader to go deep.
May 25, 2013
I'm always a fan of alternative religions and fringe groups. This book was an interesting mix of esoteric, new age and pagan societies. The author gave fairly neutral and objective descriptions of each group. There is an extensive further reading list. The book lived up to the description of being a "brief guide" which was a bit of a contradiction to the other part of the title that said the book was a "complete" guide. The book discussed mostly western practices, so it had a feeling of not really living up to the "complete" part of the title. Perhaps it is because the book is focused mainly on religions that have originated or were introduced to England.
March 13, 2018
Really good demonstration of the interconnectedness of many esoteric groups, but a little inaccessible in areas which required some personal outside research to really grasp the topic of discussion. Very fair and objective to the groups therein, doesn't mock beliefs or practices but does point out potential historical liberties occasionally taken by the groups when discussing their origin myths. Very grounded.
January 1, 2026
This is a great and concise history of many pagan, quasi-religions and alternative religions. The author is good about keeping bias out of his synopsis of each, often telling both sides of the tale if there is a point in question.
I particularly enjoyed the author’s extra effort in explaining the differences and misconceptions about oft misunderstood schools of thought. In particular, his pointing out that Crowley was not a Satanist, that Wicca is a young religion and that Satanism is not an evil group out to eat babies. He even goes so far to speak about the “satanic panic” of the 80’s and how families were upended due to the misunderstood beliefs of Satanic parents.
My favorite thing about this book is the long bibliography in which a treasure trove of information can be gained in the likes of the holy books of every belief he covers.
Overall fantastic resource for anyone who wants to know more and understand the alternative religions of the world.
I particularly enjoyed the author’s extra effort in explaining the differences and misconceptions about oft misunderstood schools of thought. In particular, his pointing out that Crowley was not a Satanist, that Wicca is a young religion and that Satanism is not an evil group out to eat babies. He even goes so far to speak about the “satanic panic” of the 80’s and how families were upended due to the misunderstood beliefs of Satanic parents.
My favorite thing about this book is the long bibliography in which a treasure trove of information can be gained in the likes of the holy books of every belief he covers.
Overall fantastic resource for anyone who wants to know more and understand the alternative religions of the world.
July 26, 2025
Definitely a brief guide, and obviously so since it is only one volume. Nevertheless, this seems to cover the majority of the 'religions' I have heard of although not all would meet my definition of a religion.
An easy read with plenty of references for anyone who wants to research further.
My two main criticisms is that there is focus mostly on UK religions (since the author is in the UK this makes some sense) and I wish there could have been more inclusion of various indigenous religions/beliefs from around the world - this is broadly covered under shamanism but I think a lot is lost with that broad categorization.
An easy read with plenty of references for anyone who wants to research further.
My two main criticisms is that there is focus mostly on UK religions (since the author is in the UK this makes some sense) and I wish there could have been more inclusion of various indigenous religions/beliefs from around the world - this is broadly covered under shamanism but I think a lot is lost with that broad categorization.
March 28, 2023
More like a brief history than a brief guide. Just lots of names and years with maybe a page (or sometimes even just a paragraph) dedicated to the actual teachings. However, it did introduce me to some interesting esoteric religions that I hadn't known about before, so that was cool. I can just look further into those ones if I really want to know what they're all about.
December 4, 2016
there might be some chapters i haven't read yet because i chose to skip around, reading whatever chapter sounded interesting at the moment, but i'm marking this as 'read' anyway.
it's a fun read & has a nice mixture of different kinds of religions, societies and cults.
November 12, 2025
as someone interested in religions and spirituality, esoteric and occult things, this books was awesome. does a great job of giving the origins, facts and beliefs about different groups I hadn't heard of much before. even just reading it my life has a Improved alot as I achieved more gnosis
February 6, 2014
I find this topic very interesting, although the book can be rather dry at times. I wish that it had focused less on the history of the different religions and their leaders and simply explained more of their beliefs. In other words, this is a good book that could have been better executed.
March 12, 2015
This work is a look at alternative non-Christian religions and people who developed them or played major roles. It covers the Wicca, Pagan, and New Age beliefs. This comes across as more of an intellectual study.
March 30, 2015
This book is an excellent starting point on a wide range of occult, new age and pagan beliefs. It provides basic information in a very non-biased fashion. An excellent reference.
April 14, 2015
Fascinating stuff and meticulously researched. A great introduction to a huge range of esoteric and non-mainstream beliefs.
December 28, 2015
It provides basic historical facts but touches very little upon beliefs of the religions described.
January 2, 2016
Very comprehensive overview of different esoteric sects. A little light on the specifics of what each sect actually believes.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews