What is the Krystiania project?

Krystiania is an independent publishing house, established on the autumnal equinox of 2009. The purpose of Krystiania is to promote a new approach to the esoteric tradition in the Western world, through philosophical and artistic publications. By the Western esoteric tradition, we mean the three main pillars of Western esotericism: Hermeticism, Gnosticism and the Kabbalah.

The new approach which Krystiania seeks to promote may be described using the oxymoron Postmodern Essentialism. This approach has been described by other authors as Incoherism.

The approach of the Krystiania writers is a common focus on the Mystery — what is to be recognized as the singular core of the mystery traditions, and not necessarily the forms that clothe it. Krystiania's project is not a phenomenological one of establishing a common ground; it is rather a project of exploring and presenting the Mystery through a multitude of voices and languages, having a common source.

In a religious and philosophical context — consisting of closed or semi-closed traditional organizations on the one hand, and commercial course-based self-development groups on the other — Krystiania represents a philosophical strand based on erkjennelse or Gnosis. As this core is unchanging, the several forms that it shows forth are open to be shaped and created by the artist, as long as these expressions are respectful and dignified and maintain decorum.

Krystiania's main intention is to be a distributor of quality literature: publishing translations, interpretations and new material, without compromising the one Mystery or the core of its legacy. We intend to publish teaching manuals, artistic and philosophical monographs which transmit genuine teachings in a postmodern era, to both experienced and inexperienced seekers alike, who value the written word as a point of departure for their own inquiries.

Imprints

Krystiania publishes under three imprints.

Krystiania Publishing

Krystiania is a distributor of quality literature — translations, interpretations and new material — that transmits genuine teachings of the Western esoteric tradition into a postmodern era, without compromising the one Mystery at their core.

Artistania

The Artistania is a display of selected artworks by people affiliated with Krystiania, or who are more generally in tune with the structural shapes of Krystianism. The Krystianism of Artistania is the asymmetrical artwork of mirrors and riddles. By the medium of character and colour, the artists introduce the beholder to aspects of religious, philosophical or esoteric tradition, revealed in new and sometimes unexpected ways.

Abracadabra

Abracadabra — the display of the characters of man. This is the floor of the theatre of gods and devils: the art and display of the postures of mankind, its masquerade of personality, its opera of emotions, its ballet of relations, and the curtain fall at the stroke of midnight. The theatre of Abracadabra imitates Life itself, handled, fashioned and twisted by the experienced hand of the adept artist — a play that will never be short of an audience.