86. Victorian Occultism (Part 2)
In this episode we discuss modern occultism, from its beginnings in the ashes of the hermetic traditions to its peak fervor under charismatic figures like Aleister Crowley, finally taming into Wicca and modern paganism on a path to the modern New Age movement. Yumiko Hutchenreuther returns as guest.
Thanks to Mike and Donna Bleskie, Ian Davis, Perry, Kimberlyn Crowe, Levent Kemal Sadikoglu, Russ Mangum, Priit Parkson, and more for supporting the show! If you’d like to do the same, please visit http://www.patreon.com/hi101.
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Not to be too pedantic, but Nicholas II was not technically the “Tsar” of Russia. He was instead “Emperor and Autocrat”. The title of Tsar of Russia was dropped by Peter the Great.
I mean yes, you’re correct, but I’d also agree that it’s a pretty pedantic point. Titles are kind of messy. Tsar was really only dropped as a title because of Peter’s attempts to reform Russia in a more European framework after consolidating so much territory; the title was seen as both uncouth (due to perceived Slavic inferiority) and potentially incorrect (due to the existence of a Holy Roman Emperor, a position which the etymology appeared to challenge and which at the time was thought to be singular and supreme). Peter dropped “Tsar” (derived from Caesar, following the convention of early Roman Emperors) and adopted “Imperium” (the Latin word for Emperor) in his official title; he simply swapped one language for another under cultural pressure, while millions of his subjects continued to refer to him as Tsar Pyotr Velikiy, and his successors commanded the same from their people. The intent, implied position, and widespread use all remained.
You aren’t wrong, but in this case, I believe that clarity and convention take priority unless specifically relevant. To call the last Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias by the title of Emperor in his own language in passing seems well within reasonable bounds.