The Occult David Bowie
The Starman's Gnostic Odyssey from Trauma to Transcendence
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Publishing:11th Feb '27
£15.99
This title is due to be published on 11th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Exploring David Bowie’s path of spiritual transformation and self-knowledge
• Illuminates how Bowie’s music, personas, and personal struggles reflect core Gnostic principles and the quest for awakening
• Details the influence of Jungian psychology, shamanic traditions, and esoteric philosophy on Bowie’s artistic evolution and spiritual practice
• Unveils the mystery of Bowie’s enigmatic Blackstar death ceremony, a Gnostic ritual of cosmic communion
The Occult Davie Bowie is a unique study of David Bowie’s journey from a traumatic childhood in post-war Britain to his emergence as a global icon.
Miguel Conner reveals how each stage of Bowie’s evolution mirrors the Gnostic quest for self-knowledge and liberation. Each of Bowie’s personas—including Ziggy Stardust, Major Tom, and the Thin White Duke—function as archetypal representations of psychological and spiritual transformation.
Bowie’s engagement with Gnostic mysticism informed his art—culminating in his Blackstar death ceremony, which functions as a spiritual technology for transformation. Conner unveils Bowie’s life as a wounded healer immersed in Gnostic concepts like the divine spark, the counterfeit spirit, and Shadow integration, offering readers accessible tools for understanding and applying these principles in daily life.
Conner shows how Bowie’s practices of self-mythologizing, persona creation, and music as ritual can support self-discovery and healing—using approachable models that help navigate trauma, addiction, and the challenges of identity to illuminate your own search for meaning, healing, and transformation.
“David Bowie’s journey from devastating post-WWII poverty, running alongside mental illness and addiction, took him through the Gnostic hell of fallen man to create something truly magical and original in both his music and his persona. He ultimately transformed into an elevated man, living his version of heaven in this riveting tale of the untold Gnostic journey of a game-changing rock star.” * Regina Meredith, host of OpenMinds on Gaia TV and cofounder of Conscious Media Network *
“David Bowie may have been the Man Who Fell to Earth, but he was one alien determined to get off it again. Miguel Conner’s infectious account of the Gnostic proclivities of the Thin White Duke makes for addictive reading.” * Gary Lachman, author of Touched by the Presence: From Blondie’s Bowery and Rock and Roll to Ma *
“Peering into the manifold layers of the psyche of David Bowie seems like a Herculean task, and who better to go spelunking into the caves of a Starman than Miguel Conner? The hidden diamond dog mines of one of the world’s greatest artists are laid bare for all to behold in this delightful volume that will leave your eyes and mouth agape with wonder.” * Maja D’Aoust, Witch of the Dawn, author of Astrology of the Shadow Self, Familiars in Witchcra *
“A mind-bending, reality-shaking adventure through outer space and inner space to find the deepest truths about Bowie. And if you’re ready to travel beyond the beyond, you couldn’t hope for a more knowledgeable, imaginative, or friendly guide than Conner. Escape velocity achieved!” * Peter Ormerod, author of David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God *
“Bowie, the man who chatted about The Tibetan Book of the Dead poolside in the 1970s during an interview for Creem magazine, would have enjoyed The Occult David Bowie’s insightful survey of his mysticism and mythology more than any other biography written about him. It captures the magical play of light and shadow that entranced several generations of his adoring fans while exploring his transformative cultural impact with a keen eye and wit.” * Ronnie Pontiac, author of The Rosicrucian Counterculture and American Metaphysical Religion *
ISBN: 9798888505496
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 18mm
Weight: 524g
328 pages