Kocku von Stuckrad, born 1966, studied Religious Studies, Philosophy and Judaist in the universities of Bonn, Cologne and Bremen, Germany. He currently teaches at the University of Amsterdam, the chair of History of Hermetic Philosophy. The authorship should be numerous publications about the method and theory to the study of religion, history of religion and esotericism, focusing on astrology and religion in modern times. Among the papers include "Das Ringen um die Astrologie" (2000) and "Schamanismus und Esoterik" (2003). He is also coeditor of "The Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature" and "The Brill Dictionary of Religion."