Western esotericism is a term which categorizes a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements largely distinct from orthodox Judeo-Christian religion. The earliest recognized traditions were disseminated from the Eastern Mediterranean during Late Antiquity, where Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Neoplatonism developed as schools of thought distinct from what became mainstream Christianity.

Ancient History, Esoteric Mythology, Occult Mysticism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsI60KcuiUA

Atlantis, Inner Earth, Ancient Occult Mysteries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ythcq0FxDak

Renaissance Europe saw increasing interest in many of these older ideas, with various intellectuals combining "pagan" philosophies with the Kabbalah and Christian philosophy, with the more socially controversial aspects going underground as alchemy.

Species with Amnesia: Our Forgotten History
http://amazon.com/Robert-Sepehr/e/B00XTAB1YC/

Robert Sepehr is an anthropologist and author
(books also available through other book outlets)
http://amazon.com/Robert-Sepehr/e/B00XTAB1YC/

Thank you for supporting Atlantean Gardens
https://www.patreon.com/AtlanteanGardens