From its earliest days, America served as an arena for the revolutions in alternative spirituality that eventually swept the globe. Esoteric philosophies and personasfrom Freemasonry to Spiritualism, from Madame H. P. Blavatsky to Edgar Caycedramatically altered the nation's culture, politics, and religion. Yet the mystical roots of our identity are often ignored or overlooked. Opening a new window on the past,Occult Americapresents a dramatic, pioneering study of the esoteric undercurrents of our history and their profound impact across modern life.