The Association for the Study of Esotericism and Mysticism (ASEM) is a scholarly non-profit organization that unites scholars of a humanitarian disposition who engage in the academic study of esotericism and mysticism.

ASEM aims to unite the efforts of interested scholars to systematically study these promising phenomena, and aids in the creation of original methodologies and a corresponding descriptive language, in describing different worldviews on which esoteric and mystical movements are based, in the analysis of their symbols, categories, and social structures, in codification of the stages of development of these phenomena in history, and so on.

ASEM’s priority aims are to determine the reason for a staunch prevalence of mystical and esoteric aspects in human culture in different states of its history and to determine the extent of their influence on contemporary culture. ASEM aspires to make connections with corresponding scholarly organizations in other regions of the world, scholarly projects, and joint publications.


The main form of ASEM activity is the holding of international scholarly conferences on the study of mysticism and esotericism, which allow for an interdisciplinary coverage of these phenomena, including, but not limited to, the historic, psychological, and philosophical approaches. These conferences with the general title «Mystical and Esoterical Movements in Theory and Practice» are «mobile», meaning that they are held in different cities to attract greater attention of the scholarly community to research in mysticism and esotericism.


ASEM publishes the collected materials of these conferences. ASEM also publishes its own online academic journal, Aliter, twice a year. Aliter articles are published in Russian and English.


All questions of organization are decided by the Board — the executive and coordinating organ of the ASEM, which defines the main directions of its activity.


ASEM invites scholars who study esotericism and mysticism to join its ranks. If you have questions about the association, please, send you inquiries to aiem-asem@aiem-asem.org.

Association Board

ASEM is a nonprofit non-governmental academic organization, it is officially registered in Russian Federation.

Address for correspondence:
191023, Saint Petersburg, Naberezhnaia reki Fontanki, d. 15, Russian Christian Academy for the Humanities
E-mail: aiem-asem@aiem-asem.org