Indigo Moon

06/02/2026

https://youtu.be/5XI8ivdma2Q?si=NdyjctvNCsXisKz4

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06/02/2026

06/02/2026

https://youtu.be/KcwFNyiobwo?si=Cz8C-naDzr63XGFH

28/01/2026

Short answer: there isn’t one fixed number — Gnosticism isn’t a single religion, it’s a family of movements.

Big picture

Scholars usually talk about 6–10 major types of Gnostic traditions, depending on how finely they split them. If you zoom out, there are about 7 main streams, with lots of sub-groups inside each.

The main types of Gnosticism
1. Sethian Gnosticism
– Very myth-heavy, cosmic diagrams, divine realms
– Focus on Seth (third son of Adam) as a spiritual ancestor
– Texts: Apocryphon of John, Gospel of Judas
2. Valentinian Gnosticism
– More philosophical and Christian-friendly
– Talk of pleroma (fullness), aeons, divine pairs
– Almost became mainstream Christianity
– Texts: Gospel of Truth
3. Basilidean Gnosticism
– Complex cosmology with many heavens
– Emphasised secret knowledge and liberation of the soul
4. Ophite Gnosticism
– “Serpent” symbolism (from ophis, snake)
– The serpent in Eden seen as a revealer, not a villain
5. Carpocratian Gnosticism
– Radical ideas about freedom from law and material constraints
– Very controversial even in their own time
6. Thomasine Gnosticism (debated)
– Based on the Gospel of Thomas
– Less myth, more “knowledge through inner awakening”
7. Manichaeism (often included)
– Global religion blending Gnosticism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism
– Strong light vs darkness dualism

If you count later or related movements

You could also add:
• Mandaeans (still exist today)
• Hermeticism (overlaps but not always classed as Gnostic)
• Cathars (medieval, neo-Gnostic)

So… how many?
• Broad answer: ~7 major types
• Strict academic answer: 10+, depending on classification
• Loose / symbolic answer: many, because Gnosticism values personal revelation