Haunted By The Occult

Gothic Literature, Western Esotericism, and Modern Pagan Shadows

By Erick DuPree

Enter the haunted corridors of Gothic imagination, where castles crumble, ghosts linger, and desire itself becomes uncanny. From Walpole’s Castle of Otranto to Shelley’s Frankenstein, from Brontë’s storm-wracked moors to Stoker’s immortal Dracula, the Gothic has always been more than entertainment—it is a mirror of Western culture’s shadows and suppressed desires.

In this sweeping exploration, anthropologist Erick DuPree reveals how Gothic literature drew upon occult traditions—alchemy, secret societies, Spiritualism—and how its imagery of forbidden books, vampires, and restless spirits continues to resonate with modern Pagans and seekers today. Moving between history, literature, and lived practice, DuPree shows how the Gothic functions as both cultural critique and ritual script: a stage for confronting fear, longing, and the persistence of mystery.

Haunted By The Occult reveals:

• How Gothic novels foreshadowed psychoanalysis and shadow-work

• The role of Spiritualism, séances, and occult revivals in shaping modern spirituality

• Ways Gothic archetypes continue to guide contemporary Pagan practice

Rich with scholarship and alive with personal reflection, this book invites readers into the liminal space where literature, esotericism, and ritual converge—an initiation into the wisdom of haunting.

Available: Winter 2026