About the Publisher

William J. Kiesel is the publisher and editor of Ouroboros Press which has been operating since the turn of the current century. His long years in the antiquarian and esoteric book trade gave him access to rare books and manuscripts not generally available to the public. William has cultivated a lifelong care of books and has involved himself in every aspect of bookmaking, from bookbinding and typography to handset letterpress. Today he works with translators of Arabic, Latin, and German to provide rare texts to the English speaking world.

William Kiesel is a member of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism. ESSWE Website


In addition to his work as a publisher and editor, William gives presentations on Alchemy and the Western Esoteric Tradition. His practical experience and historical knowledge of occult literature and culture spans two decades and draws from such diverse areas as Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Qabalah, Thelema, Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Near Eastern Esotericism and Ceremonial Magic. Esoteric symbol systems in religion, mythology and folklore are among his objects of continual study in historical and contemporary contexts. He is a natural teacher and good orator with the distinct talent of making the enigmas of esoteric symbolism clear to the curious.

A few presentations given in recent history:

-The Royal Art: Introduction to Alchemical Symbolism
-Atalanta Fugiens: Alchemical Music in Renaissance Hermeticism
-Iconography in the Western Esoteric Tradition
-The Alchemical Bestiary: Animal Symbolism in Renaissance Hermeticism
-The Circle of Arte: Magic Circles in European Grimoires


Listen to an interview with William on the Occult of Personality website or read an interview with him on Reading Local Seattle. Emily Pothast wrote a few kind words on her blog Translinguistic Other as well.

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