Talk with Prof. Dr. Kocku von Stuckrad – Tenured Professor in Religious Studies at the University of Groningen – 21. Oktober 2025

Talk –

Youtube –

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Publications

https://www.kockuvonstuckrad.com/publications

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*6. April 1966 – Kpando, Ghana – Abitur und Studium

1995 – Der Titel der Magisterarbeit von Prof. Dr. Kocku von Stuckrad lautet: „Frömmigkeit und Wissenschaft: Astrologie in Tanach, Qumran und frührabbinischer Literatur“.

1997 – Lilith: Im Licht des schwarzen Mondes zur Kraft der Göttin – 4. Auflage 2009 – https://www.astro.com/astrowiki/en/Lilith – aus dem Klappentext: „Kocku von Stuckrad, Religionswissenschaftler und Astrologe, ….zeigt einen neuen Weg für die Annäherung an Lilith. Wer nach konkreten Beweisen für die Existenz Liliths sucht, kann fündig werden, doch das Bild, das dann entsteht, ist keineswegs schwarzweiß. Lilith ist eine Erscheinungsform der Großen Göttin, die viele Namen trägt und viele Aspekte mühelos in sich vereinigt….“

1999 – Dissertation: Das Ringen um die Astrologie: Jüdische und christliche Beiträge zum antiken Zeitverständnis – (Religionsgeschichtliche Versuche und Vorarbeiten 49)

2002 – Habilitation Universität Bremen – Schamanismus und Esoterik: Kultur- und wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Betrachtungen

Dozententätigkeit / Wiss. Mitarbeiter im Fach Religionswissenschaft in den Jahren 1997 bis 2002 an der Universität Bremen – in dieser Zeit war Prof. Dr. theol. Hans G. Kippenberg Lehrstuhlinhaber für Religionswissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt „Geschichte und Theorie der Religionen“. – https://www.uni-bremen.de/religionswissenschaft/personen

Homepage – https://www.kockuvonstuckrad.com/bio/?utm_source=chatgpt.com – https://www.rug.nl/staff/c.k.m.von.stuckrad

Astrotalk Prof. Stuckrad Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCKPz4q3EX-uI8ZQvBJxa-b78ImfZ31gk

Horoscopes and Public Spheres: Essays on the History of Astrology (De Gruyter, 2005) – https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110925128/html?srsltid=AfmBOooymtCW8n_pQffS5YUF1KKPfkwKFp28R8DXQ6SlD3rgYZK31GO2 –

Introduction: Horoscopes and History
GÜNTHER OESTMANN, H. DARREL RUTKIN und KOCKU VON STUCKRAD – Part I: Horoscopes and the Public Sphere in Antiquity – Sulla’s Horoscope? (Firm. math. 6,31,1) – WOLFGANG HÜBNER – What Was Agrippina Waiting For? (Tacitus, Ann. XII, 68-69) – JOSÈPHE-HENRIETTE ABRY – The Emperor Hadrian in the Horoscopes of Antigonus of Nicaea – – STEPHAN HEILEN – The Possible Survival of Babylonian Astrology in the Fifth Century CE: A Discussion of Historical Sources – NICHOLAS CAMPION – Part II: Medieval Astrology: Muslim and Jewish Discourse – Māshā’allāh’s Zoroastrian Historical Astrology – DAVID PINGREE – Circular Motions: Private Pleasure and Public Prognostication in the Nativities of the Mughal Emperor Akbar – EVA ORTHMANN – The Horoscope of Iskandar Sultan as a Cosmological Vision in the Islamic World – ANNA CAIOZZO – Historical Horoscopes of Israel: Abraham bar Ḥiyya, Abraham ibn Ezra, and Yosef ben Eliezer – – JOSEFINA RODRíGUEZ-ARRIBAS – Part III: The Use of Horoscopes in Renaissance and Early Modern Europe – Various Uses of Horoscopes: Astrological Practices in Early Modern Europe – H. DARREL RUTKIN – Reading Health in the Stars: Politics and Medical Astrology in Renaissance Milan – MONICA AZZOLINI – Evidence and Conjecture in Cardano’s Horoscope Collections – STEVEN VANDEN BROECKE – The Function of Horoscopes in Biographical Narrative: Cardano and After – KOCKU VON STUCKRAD – J. W. A. Pfaff and the Rediscovery of Astrology in the Age of Romanticism – GÜNTHER OESTMANN

Biography & Academic Career

Director of the Graduate School of Religion, Culture and Society at the University of Groningen since September 2023 Kocku von Stuckrad. – The Graduate School of Religion, Culture and Society

The Graduate School of Religion, Culture and Society (GSRCS) is the central hub for PhD research and advanced graduate education in Religious Studies at Groningen. It integrates interdisciplinary perspectives and connects research to wider societal themes.

  • Focus Areas:
    • Religion and culture in historical and contemporary contexts
    • Intersections of religion with philosophy, science, politics, law, and the arts
    • Diversity, inclusion, and pluralism in global and European contexts
    • Societal impact of religion in relation to sustainability and social cohesion
  • Programs:
    • Offers supervision and training for PhD candidates in Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, and interdisciplinary projects
    • Provides graduate-level research seminars, workshops, and advanced methods training
    • Prepares candidates for both academic careers and non-academic professional contexts (policy, cultural institutions, NGOs, education, etc.)

Responsibilities of the Director

As Director, von Stuckrad oversees the strategic, academic, and administrative direction of the Graduate School. His responsibilities include:

Strengthening international networks and collaborations with other institutions.

Academic Leadership

Shaping the research agenda of the school, aligned with both faculty strengths and university-wide priorities (e.g., “Sustainable Society”).

Ensuring that the school’s programs are internationally competitive and interdisciplinary.

PhD Supervision and Quality Assurance

Overseeing PhD admissions, supervision quality, and graduate progress.

Coordinating supervisory teams across disciplines and departments.

Graduate Training and Curriculum Development

Designing and monitoring advanced courses, research seminars, and transferable skills training.

Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration between theology, humanities, social sciences, and law.

Institutional and International Representation

Acting as the school’s representative in university-wide graduate research councils.

Broader Career Context

  • Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies (2013–2017) – built experience in managing research, education, and faculty governance.
  • Chair of interfaculty program “Diversity, Inclusion and Pluralism” – integrated societal themes into university research.
  • Visiting Professor at Sciences Po Paris (2022) – reinforced international scope before assuming the GSRCS directorship.
  • Since 2009 – Professor of Religious Studies, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
    Research areas: European history of religion, Western esotericism, the relationship between religion, nature, and science, and methodological and theoretical approaches in the study of religion.
  • 2003–2009 – Universitair Docent (Assistant Professor), University of Amsterdam, at the Center for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents. Served on the executive board for graduate program reform and chaired the departmental assembly in religious studies. – (tenured)
  • 2002–2003 – Visiting Professor of Contemporary Religion, University of Bayreuth.
  • Before 2002 – Research and teaching in Germany with a focus on the cultural history of astrology, Jewish and Christian contributions to concepts of time in antiquity, and the history of esoteric traditions.

Between 2003 and 2009, Kocku von Stuckrad served as an Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) at the University of Amsterdam, specifically within the Centre for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP). This period marked a significant phase in his academic career, during which he contributed to the establishment of Western esotericism as a recognized field of scholarly research. – https://www.amsterdamhermetica.nl – The HHP Centre, founded in 1999, is renowned as the world’s leading institution for academic research and teaching in the field of esotericism, offering comprehensive programs from Bachelor’s to PhD levels. Under von Stuckrad’s tenure, the centre solidified its position as a pivotal hub for the academic study of esoteric traditions, spanning from Mediterranean antiquity through the medieval period, the Renaissance, and into modern times. The HHP Centre remains the only institution globally providing a complete academic study program in the history of esotericism .

Since 2009 Kocku von Stuckrad helds a tenured full professorship in Religious Studies at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. His tenure there is marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to the academic study of religion. – Academic Roles at the University of Groningen. – His current position is Director of the Graduate School of Religion, Culture and Society at the university.

Director of the Graduate School of Religion, Culture and Society
Since September 2023, von Stuckrad has been serving as the Director of the Graduate School. This role involves overseeing graduate-level education and research in the fields of religion, culture, and society, ensuring the integration of interdisciplinary approaches and fostering academic excellence.

Full Professor of Religious Studies
Since September 2009, von Stuckrad has been a full professor in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. His research focuses on the European history of religion, the history of science, and philosophy in Europe and North America. He has published extensively on these topics and has been a prominent figure in the academic study of religion.

Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
From September 2013 to August 2017, von Stuckrad served as the Dean of the Faculty. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the faculty’s academic and administrative functions, including research and education strategies. He chaired the Faculty Board and directed the Groningen Centre for Religious Studies. Additionally, he led the inter-faculty research program „Diversity, Inclusion and Pluralism“ within the university’s „Sustainable Society“ focus area.

Honorary Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark
In 2011, von Stuckrad was appointed as an Honorary Professor of the Study of Religion at Aarhus University. This position reflects his recognition and contributions to the field of religious studies beyond the University of Groningen.

Guest Professorship at Sciences Po Paris
From January to April 2022, von Stuckrad held a guest professorship at the Chair for the Study of Religion, Center for International Studies of Sciences Po Paris (CERI-CNRS-Sciences Po), in cooperation with the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA). This role involved delivering lectures and engaging in research collaborations in the field of religious studies.

Von Stuckrad’s research interests lie in the discursive structures that attribute meaning to and produce knowledge about „religion“ in changing historical settings. He examines how religion’s cultural meaning and impact are shaped by interactions with other societal domains, particularly philosophy, science, art and literature, law, and politics.

Academic Degrees & Education

2002–2003: Visiting professor, chair of Contemporary Religion, at the University of Bayreuth

2001–2003: Post-doctoral research project “The Formation of Shamanic Discourses in Religious Studies and Esotericism,” funded by the German Research Foundation DFG, University of Bremen

2000–2001: Academic administrator for the application phase of a Collaborative Research Center (SFB) devoted to “Religious Pluralism in Europe,” Universities of Erfurt and Bremen

1999–2000: Postdoctoral faculty, Department of Religious Studies (Cultural History of European Polytheisms/Comparative Religion), University of Erfurt

1996–2003: Adjunct Lecturer for Religious Studies at the University of Bremen

Master’s (M.A.) – 1995

  • Fields: Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Jewish Studies
  • Institutions: University of Bonn and University of Cologne
  • Honors: Graduated summa cum laude (“with distinction”)
    Kocku von StuckradWikipedia

Doctorate (PhD) – Dr. phil. – 1999

  • Field: Religious Studies, University of Bremen
  • Honor: Summa cum laude
  • Dissertation: Das Ringen um die Astrologie: Jüdische und christliche Beiträge zum antiken Zeitverständnis, which explores the role of astrology in ancient Jewish and Christian contexts, focusing on concepts of time and contested knowledge in antiquity.
    Kocku von Stuckrad+1WikipediaWikidata – He completed the PhD within the doctoral program in Religious Studies at the University of Bremen from 1996 to 1999, supported by a doctoral fellowship.
  • Kocku von Stuckrad
  • Additionally, between 1998 and 1999, he was a visiting doctoral student at the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt.
  • Kocku von Stuckrad

Habilitation – 2002

  • Institution: University of Bremen
  • Qualification: Venia legendi—that is, his formal authorization to teach University-level Religious Studies at professorial rank
    Kocku von StuckradWikipedia
  • The work forming the basis of his Habilitation is associated with his expanded study on shamanism and esoteric traditions: Schamanismus und Esoterik: Kultur- und wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Betrachtungen (2003) – The title of Kocku von Stuckrad’s Habilitation thesis at the University of Bremen (2002) was:
  • Schamanismus und Esoterik: Kultur- und wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Betrachtungen
  • (Shamanism and Esotericism: Cultural and History-of-Science Perspectives)
  • It was later published as a monograph in 2003 (Leiden/Boston: Brill).
  • This work expanded on his discourse-historical method, analyzing how concepts like “shamanism” and “esotericism” were constructed in European cultural and academic contexts, and it marked his transition into a leading figure in the study of Western esotericism.
    WikipediaWikidata – The discourse-historical method is central to Kocku von Stuckrad’s scholarship, and understanding it helps to see why he has been so influential in Religious Studies. Here’s a clear breakdown:

    What is the Discourse-Historical Method?
    It is an approach to the study of religion that treats “religion” not as a timeless essence or fixed category, but as something produced, negotiated, and transformed through discourse.
    By “discourse,” von Stuckrad (drawing on Michel Foucault’s discourse theory) means all the ways in which knowledge is expressed, structured, and made authoritative: in texts, practices, institutions, and power relations.
    The historical part stresses that discourses are always embedded in specific times, places, and cultural settings. They change across history and carry traces of earlier layers of meaning.

    Core Principles in von Stuckrad’s Method
    Religion as a Discourse, Not a Substance
    Instead of asking “What is religion really?” he asks “How do people in different times and contexts talk about and construct something they call religion?”
    Knowledge Production
    He investigates how ideas about religion intersect with science, philosophy, politics, and law, and how certain knowledge is legitimized or marginalized.
    Historical Layering
    Every discourse is historically layered: for example, concepts like “gnosis,” “shamanism,” or “esotericism” are not timeless truths, but have histories shaped by cultural conflicts and scholarly traditions.
    Power and Exclusion
    Following Foucault, he emphasizes that discourses are not neutral; they produce boundaries of inclusion/exclusion (orthodoxy vs. heresy, science vs. superstition, “religion” vs. “magic”).
    Comparative Without Essentialism
    Instead of assuming universal features of religion, the method compares how different discursive formations talk about “religion.”
  • 1999 – PhD (Dr. phil.) in Religious Studies, University of Bremen — summa cum laude.
  • 1996–1999 – Doctoral program in Religious Studies, University of Bremen,
    with a doctoral scholarship.
  • 1998–1999 – Visiting doctoral student at the Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies, University of Erfurt.
  • Undergraduate & Graduate Studies – Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Jewish Studies at the Universities of Bonn, Cologne, and Bremen.

Monographs

  1. Frömmigkeit und Wissenschaft: Astrologie in Tanach, Qumran und frührabbinischer Literatur (1996)
    Piety and Science: Astrology in the Tanach, Qumran, and Early Rabbinic Literature.
  2. Das Ringen um die Astrologie: Jüdische und christliche Beiträge zum antiken Zeitverständnis (2000)
    The Struggle over Astrology: Jewish and Christian Contributions to Ancient Concepts of Time.
  3. Einführung in die Religionswissenschaft: Gegenstände und Begriffe (with Hans G. Kippenberg, 2003)
    Introduction to the Study of Religion: Topics and Concepts.
  4. Schamanismus und Esoterik: Kultur- und wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Betrachtungen (2003)
    Shamanism and Esotericism: Cultural and Historical Perspectives.
  5. Geschichte der Astrologie: Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart (2003; revised edition 2007)
    History of Astrology: From the Beginnings to the Present.
  6. Was ist Esoterik? Kleine Geschichte des geheimen Wissens (2004)
    What is Esotericism? A Brief History of Secret Knowledge.
  7. Western Esotericism: A Brief History of Secret Knowledge (2005)
    Western Esotericism: A Brief History of Secret Knowledge.
  8. Zo zijn we niet getrouwd‘: religie, natuurwetenschap en de radicalisering van de moderniteit (2010)
    So We’re Not Married: Religion, Natural Science, and the Radicalization of Modernity.
  9. Locations of Knowledge in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Esoteric Discourse and Western Identities (2010)
    Locations of Knowledge in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: Esoteric Discourse and Western Identities.
  10. The Scientification of Religion: An Historical Study of Discursive Change, 1800–2000 (2014)
    The Scientification of Religion: An Historical Study of Discursive Change, 1800–2000.
  11. Die Seele im 20. Jahrhundert: Eine Kulturgeschichte (2019)
    The Soul in the 20th Century: A Cultural History.
  12. A Cultural History of the Soul: Europe and North America from 1870 to the Present (2022)
    A Cultural History of the Soul: Europe and North America from 1870 to the Present.
  13. Nach der Ausbeutung: Wie unser Verhältnis zur Erde gelingen kann (2024)
    After Exploitation: How Our Relationship with the Earth Can Succeed.

Edited Volumes

  1. The Brill Dictionary of Religion (2006)
    The Brill Dictionary of Religion.
  2. Religion in Cultural Discourse: Essays in Honor of Hans G. Kippenberg (2004)
    Religion in Cultural Discourse: Essays in Honor of Hans G. Kippenberg.
  3. Polemical Encounters: Esoteric Discourse and Its Others (2007)
    Polemical Encounters: Esoteric Discourse and Its Others.
  4. Kabbalah and Modernity: Interpretations, Transformations, Adaptations (2010)
    Kabbalah and Modernity: Interpretations, Transformations, Adaptations.
  5. Horoscopes and Public Spheres: Essays on the History of Astrology (2005)
    Horoscopes and Public Spheres: Essays on the History of Astrology.
  6. The Brill Dictionary of Religion: Volumes I–IV (2006)
    The Brill Dictionary of Religion: Volumes I–IV.
  7. From Discussion to Experience: Religious Studies at the University of Amsterdam (2009)
    From Discussion to Experience: Religious Studies at the University of Amsterdam.
  8. Religion in Cultural Discourse: Essays in Honor of Hans G. Kippenberg (2004)
    Religion in Cultural Discourse: Essays in Honor of Hans G. Kippenberg.
  9. European Religious History (2009)
    European Religious History.

Selected Journal Articles

  1. „Situated Knowledges and Diffractional Definitions of Esotericism“ (July 2024)
    Situated Knowledges and Diffractional Definitions of Esotericism.
  2. „Decentering Humanism in Philosophy and the Sciences: Ecologies of Agency, Subversive Animism, and Diffractional Knowledge“ (December 2023)
    Decentering Humanism in Philosophy and the Sciences: Ecologies of Agency, Subversive Animism, and Diffractional Knowledge.

Wolfgang Döbereiner was a prominent German astrologer who developed the “Münchner Rhythmenlehre” and trained many astrology students through his school in Munich Wikipediaastromind.deastrologie

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Key Non-Academic Roles and Organizations

  • Co-Founder and Co-Director of Counterpoint: Navigating Knowledge (since 2018): This is an independent, global research center and information hub co-founded with Whitney A. Bauman. It focuses on integrating diverse knowledge systems (academic and non-academic) to address ecological, economic, political, and social challenges. Activities include hosting events, publishing policy papers, reports, blog posts (e.g., von Stuckrad’s contributions like „Doggerland Entanglements“), and producing art and fiction to foster planetary community dialogue. The center emphasizes non-academic forms of knowledge, such as ritual and creative expression.
  • Associate Member of the Board of Directors, Mensch Umwelt Tierschutz – Tierschutzpartei (Animal Protection Party) (since November 2024): He serves in this capacity for the federal state of Berlin, indicating involvement in political advocacy related to animal welfare, environmental protection, and human-animal relations.

Media and Public Engagements

Von Stuckrad regularly appears as an expert in leading newspapers and other media outlets, discussing topics like religion, esotericism, animism, and the human-nature relationship. Examples include:

  • Interviews and podcasts, such as on the Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) covering Western esotericism and monotheist astrologies.
  • YouTube talks, including „The Relational Turn and the Study of Religion“ and „European Animisms Today.“
  • Conversations in non-academic forums, like with Teya Brooks Pribac on animal studies and knowledge navigation.
  • Contributions to public radio and online platforms, such as discussions on overcoming human-nature separation and the scientification of religion.

His books, such as A Cultural History of the Soul: Europe and North America from 1870 to the Present and Western Esotericism: A Brief History of Secret Knowledge, often appeal to general audiences interested in cultural history, spirituality, and environmental themes, extending beyond strictly academic readership.

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The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) is a scholarly audio series hosted by Earl Fontainelle, exploring the historical and philosophical dimensions of Western esoteric traditions, including topics like Hermeticism, Kabbalah, alchemy, and astrology. It draws on academic research to provide in-depth, chronological analyses, often featuring expert interviews.

Regarding Prof. Dr. Kocku von Stuckrad’s contributions, he has appeared as a guest on the podcast to discuss Western esotericism broadly as well as specific themes like monotheist astrologies (e.g., astrological practices within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic contexts in late antiquity). Key episodes include:

  • Kocku von Stuckrad on Western Esotericism: A methodological discussion on esotericism as an „order of knowledge,“ its historical development, and academic challenges in studying it. This episode serves as an introduction to the field and references von Stuckrad’s extensive publications.
  • Monotheist Astrologies in (Late) Antiquity: A conversation focusing on the integration of astrology in monotheistic religions during antiquity, including its discursive and cultural roles. Recorded on March 30, 2023.

The podcast is available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the official website (shwep.net), where episodes can be streamed or downloaded for free. For a full archive, visit https://shwep.net/.

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Copyright

Volker H. Schendel only has the right to publish the respective conversation uncut and unedited on freely accessible video platforms (i.e. no paywalls) and on his homepages. – My guest has the right to shorten, edit or add to the mp4 file as he wishes and to publish it on his websites and video-platforms according to his liking.