The Association for the Study of Esotericism is seeking paper and panel proposals for its second North American Conference on Esotericism to be held 8-11 June, 2006, at the University of California, Davis. As the title suggests, we especially seek paper proposals on topics pertinent to Western esotericism, art and the imagination. However, we are interested in all aspects of the study of Esotericism, and hope to run sessions including papers on Magic and Secrecy, Antique, Medieval and Modern Theurgy and Mysticism, American and European Spiritualism, Folk magical traditions in North America, Nineteenth and Twentieth century occultism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Alchemy, Astrology, New Religious Movements, and Asian influences on Western traditions, among others.

We welcome scholars from a wide range of perspectives, including anthropology, American studies, art history, history, history of religions, literature, philosophy, religious studies, medieval studies, sociology—the full range of academic disciplines and fields that bear upon this area of study. This is an interdisciplinary field of research, and we believe everyone will benefit from the cross-fertilization of perspectives.

If you wish to submit a paper proposal for review and possible presentation at the conference, please send it by regular email to conference organizers at ASEconf2006@yahoo.com

In order to encourage graduate study in the field, again we will offer a modest prize for the best graduate student paper presented.

No attachments, please: simply copy and paste your abstract into ordinary email. Please limit abstracts to a paragraph or at most to one single-spaced page, and indicate your academic affiliation and/or other academic qualifications. Do note that our previous conference was at maximum capacity, so please submit your proposal sooner rather than later so as to avoid being disappointed. We hope to post a preliminary schedule early in 2006.

For more information on the ASE and our previous conference in June, 2004, see our website at http://www.aseweb.org