Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr Liana Saif, a luminary in the field of esoteric studies, as we delve into the profound Arabic roots of Western esotericism. Dr. Saif’s distinguished academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of research into the cross-cultural exchange of esoteric and occult knowledge between the Islamicate and European worlds. In this exclusive interview, we uncover the historical connections and influences that Arabic scholars and texts have had on developing Western esoteric traditions.
In 2021, Liana Saif (PhD, 2012) joined the Centre for the Study of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam as an Assistant Professor in the History of Esotericism in the Middle Ages. Prior to this, she was a research associate at the Warburg Institute and the Université Catholique de Louvain, and she held a post-doctoral fellowship at the British Academy at the University of Oxford (St Cross). Saif’s work focuses on Islamic esotericism and the occult sciences, with a special interest in the exchange of esoteric and occult knowledge between the medieval and early modern Islamicate and European contexts. Her book *The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy* was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2015. She is currently preparing a long-awaited critical translation from Arabic into English of Maslama b. Qāsim al-Qurṭubī’s (d. 964) *Ghāyat al-ḥakīm*, known in its Latin translation as the *Picatrix*. She has conducted research on the tenth-century secret brotherhood Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ (The Brethren of Purity), the pseudo-Aristotelian Hermetica, and Jābir ibn Ḥayyān (Geber in Latin). She is also active as a curator and exhibition consultant (British Museum, Ashmolean, Jeddah Dome, Museum of San Diego) deepening her interest in the material and artistic manifestations of the occult and the esoteric. Saif is a founding member of the European Network for the Study of Islam and Esotericism (ENSIE).
Dr. Saif’s role in translating and interpreting essential Arabic texts for a modern audience is pivotal. Her work bridges centuries of knowledge, uncovering the shared heritage of Islamicate and European esoteric traditions. Throughout this dialogue, she shares her insights into the seminal works and figures that have shaped the esoteric landscape, from the Hermetic corpus to the alchemical treatises of Jābir ibn ḥayyān.
This interview is a treasure trove for scholars, students, and anyone intrigued by the rich tapestry of cultural exchanges that have shaped Western esoteric thought. Join us as we delve into the intricate web of connections that link the Arab world with the Western esoteric tradition, guided by one of its most passionate and knowledgeable scholars.
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Published on April 15, 2024
