Major branches of Traditionalism
| A system of classification that makes a basic distinction between "political" and "spiritual" branches of Traditionalism is an invalid one in the sense that there is a spiritual element in all Traditionalism, including that which I have classified as "political." The reverse, however, is not the case: there are many Traditionalists and Traditionalist groups that have no evident interest in political and social matters, and these are those that have been classified as "spiritual" or, in some cases, as "religious."
The further distinction between "spiritual" and "religious" branches is also in one sense a false one, since spirituality is of course present in religion, but it serves to distinguish between groups that identify primarily with one of the major religious denominations (such as Islam or Christianity) and those that do not. "Spiritual" Traditionalism accounts for almost half the entries in the catalog; "religious" and "political" Traditionalism accounts for most of the rest. |
The Spiritual branch
Most Traditionalist groups and individuals are classified as "spiritual," on the basis that they have no apparent interest in politics, and cannot be identified primarily with a major religious denomination. Groups interested primarily in the work of René Guénon and Frithjof Schuon are normally classified as "spiritual" groups, even though they often have close relations with Islam. The Political branch
Groups and individuals classified as "political" concentrate on political or social issues. They generally have spiritual interests, and may have a religious affiliation too, but are distinguished from groups classified as "spiritual" or "religious" because their primary interest is not religious or spiritual. Groups interested primarily in the work of Julius Evola or Alexander Dugin are often (but not always) classified as "political" groups, even though they often have spiritual interests. The Religious branch
Groups and individuals classified as "religious" have a primary identification with a major religious denomination or, occasionally, with more than one denomination. They have no interest, or only an incidental interest, in politics.
The Cultural branch
Groups and individuals are generally classified as "cultural" if they do not fit into any of the other classifications. It is most frequently "incidentally" Traditionalist groups that are classified as "cultural." Only one important Traditionalist group--Aristasia--falls in this category.
The Scholarly branch
Groups and individuals are classified as "scholarly" if they are part of the generally recognized international scholarly community and do not obviously belong in one of the other categories. Such groups and individuals may be using Traditionalism in their work, or may be working on it as a research subject.
The Commercial branch
Groups are generally classified as "commercial" if their primary motivation is commercial rather than intellectual. Individuals within commercial groups such as publishers or booksellers may have an interest in Traditionalism, politics, religion or whatever, but the group's primary rationale remains commercial.
Unidentified branch
This is a reserve category that is rarely used.
| Major perspectives of Traditionalism |
Guénonian
By "Guénonian" is meant a perspective that emphasizes the study and promulgation of the writings of René Guénon himself. Guénonian groups often have a secondary emphasis, for example on Royalism or Paganism. The sites of these groups are a good source for Guénon's biography and writings.
Schuonian
By "Schuonian" is meant a perspective that emphasizes the study and promulgation of the writings of Frithjof Schuon himself or closely following the approaches and perspectives he established. The sites of Schuonian groups are a good source for Schuon's biography and writings.
Evolian
By "Evolian" is meant a perspective that emphasizes the study and promulgation of the writings of Julius Evola himself or closely following the approaches and perspectives he established. The sites of Evolian groups are a good source for Evola's biography and writings.
Eurasian
By "Eurasian" is meant a perspective that emphasizes the study and promulgation of the writings of Alexander Dugin or closely following his approaches and perspectives. The sites of Eurasian groups are a good source for Dugin's writings. "Eurasian" should properly by "neo-Eurasian," since Dugin reinvented Eurasianism, but did not discover it in the first place.
Muslim
This category is self-explanatory.
Christian
This category is self-explanatory.
Jewish
This category is self-explanatory.
Hindu
This category is self-explanatory.
Buddhist
This category is self-explanatory.
Non-denominational
By "non-demoninational" is meant a perspective that does not identify exclusively with a major religious denomination, but is interested in multiple religious denominations.
Masonic
This category is self-explanatory.
Esoteric
By "Esoteric" is meant a perspective that emphasizes the "Western esoteric tradition," whether in its Hermetic, Gnostic, or Alchemical strands, or some other similar strand. This perspective overlaps with "General spirituality."
General spirituality
"General spirituality" is a catch-all category for groups that are clearly spiritual in their orientation but are neither primarily linked to a major religious denomination nor primarily interested in one of the stands of the Western esoteric tradition. This perspective overlaps with "Esoteric."
NRM
By "New Religious Movement" (NRM) is meant groups that have a primary identification with something akin to a religious denomination, often a reconstruction of a vanished ("pagan") denomination. A group with a message that would, if generally accepted, give rise to a new religious denomination is also classified as an "NRM."
New Right
"New Right" is hard to define, save in comparison to " Old Right ," from which it distinguishes itself but with which it is often confused by outsiders. Evola is an important point of reference for "new right" and "Conservative Revolution" groups, some of which are neo-Pagan as well as political. Old Right
By "Old Right" is meant a perspective close to that of the far right as understood in Europe during the period 1930-60.
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