Occultism of the Silver Age of Russian Culture in the Evaluation of Nikolai Berdyaev

The article analyses Nikolai Berdyaev’s approach to occultism of the Silver Age, which he regarded as an ambiguous phenomenon. For Berdyaev, occultism was not merely charlatanism or psychopathology but a realm of unexplained phenomena that might have significant spiritual importance. Berdyaev distinguished positive aspects of esotericism from negative influences of occultism. In his era, dominated by mysticism and Gnosticism, occultism and theurgy were subjects of intense spiritual quests. Berdyaev emphasised that magic, as a form of deterministic control over the world, differs from mysticism, which leads to divine freedom. The philosopher criticised the fascination with occultism, perceiving it as lacking true freedom. Berdyaev also explored the connections between occultism and magic, astrology, and demonology, analysing them in the context of personalism and spiritual freedom.