I just received a copy of the Donner Institute's most recent publication, entitled 'Western Esotericism' Tore Ahlbaeck, ed. Abo (Turku): Finland: Donner Institute, 2008. ISBN: 978-952-12-2082-1
There are several articles in this excellent collection which discuss alchemy in various contexts, and might be of use and interest for other members. Including:
Susanna Akerman, 'Queen Christina's Esoteric Interests as a Background to Her Platonic Academies' pp. 17-38. This is based on Akerman's extensive analysis of Queen Christina's library catalogue.
Thomas Karlsson, 'Kabbalah in Sweden' pp. 78-87, which includes discussion of Bureaus and he Rosicrucians.
Leigh Penman, 'A Second Christian Rosencreuz? Jakob Boehme's Disciple Balthasar Walther (1558-c.1630) and the Kabbalah.' pp. 154-172, this article, by yours truly, contains manuscript evidence demonstrating Walther's knowledge of Kabbalah, alchemy and magical texts, as well as their subsequent impact on Boehme's '40 Questions on the Soul.'
Jole Shackelford, 'Western Esotericism and the History of European Science and Medicine in the Early Modern Period.' pp. 173-203. Mainly based on a discussion of Johann Arndt's relationship to alchemy, along with that of Johann Valentin Andreae.
Other articles in the book cover Scandinavian esotericism, New Age movements, and two theoretical pieces concerning western esotericism as an area of academic inquiry.
