aries: journal for the study of western esotericism is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering the historical study of western esotericism. it is published by brill academic publishers on behalf of the european society for the study of western esotericism. from 2001-2010, the editor-in-chief was wouter j. hanegraaff. since 2010, the editor-in-chief is peter j. forshaw. two issues are published annually; in recent years the first one is a special issue, devoted to a specific theme proposed by a guest editor.