Boris Brander
PhD Researcher
Department of Study of Religion toni.a.brander@utu.fi |
Esotericism; Witchcraft; Study of Magic; History of Magic; Folk Belief; Social Class Study
I specialize in the study of esotericism, witchcraft and the history of magic.
I'm currently working on my PhD disseration which explores the esoteric worldview and magical practices of the so-called Tattarisuo coven and the agency of its members, which were both constrained and enabled by class and gender. The Tattarisuo coven was a group of folk magic practitioners from working-class backgrounds who used body parts in their magical rituals and were convicted of grave robbery in Helsinki in 1932. Using a microhistorical approach, I try to shed light on new historical interfaces and theories around the Tattarisuo case. I examin the concept of vernacular ritual magic, as well as the political and social influences behind the coven's magical activities. My dissertation asks how the development of the coven members' esoteric worldview and rituals was influenced by their working-class background, the living conditions of the poor working-class population of Helsinki, and the political climate of the time. The research focuses on the hybrid interplay between vernacular and ritual magic, and on the relationship between magical practices and social status. The dissertation examines the overlooked interwar period and brings new perspectives to existing research on early 20th century magical practices, which lie at the interface between the study of religion, folklore, and history.
- Aleksandra Ionowa: The Esoteric Art of Finland’s Forgotten Mediumistic Artist (2025) Brander, Boris
- Aurora-seura (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Einari Lankinen ja Kupittaanpuiston ”antivakoilupenkki” (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Esoteerinen kirjakauppa Humanova (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Henkisen temppelin rakentajat – Turkulaisen vapaamuurariuden historiaa (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Kasvisravintola Verso (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Magiaa ennen ja nyt (2024) Magiaa ennen ja nyt Brander, Toni
- Pimeyden Ruhtinaan palveluksessa – Tapio Kotkavuori ja Setin temppeli (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku (2024) Brander, Boris; Bäckström, Janne; Huhtala, Atte
- Tiedettä hämärän rajamailla – Parapsykologisen tutkimuksen historia ja ParaNet-tutkijaverkoston vaiheet Turussa (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris; Bäckström, Janne
- Turun esoteerinen underground (2024) Salatieteiden Suomi - Esoteerinen ja okkultti Turku Brander, Boris
- Velhon lait iankaikkisesta iankaikkiseen – Tattarisuon noitapiirin vernakulaari rituaalimagia (2024) Magiaa ennen ja nyt Brander, Boris
- Perttu Häkkinen - Valonkantaja (2023) Brander, Boris; Cederberg, Aki; Iitti, Vesa; Niemelä, Jussi K.
- ”Velhon lait iankaikkisesta iankaikkiseen” : Tattarisuon noitapiirin harjoittaman magian rakentuminen Helsingin tuomiokunnan välikäräjien pöytäkirjoissa vuonna 1932 (2023) Brander, Boris
- Tulipunaisen porton ja Babalon-jumalattaren johdattama matka feminiinisyyden rakentumiseen länsimaisessa esoteriassa (2021)
- Uskonnontutkija