Occult

Occult
Part of a series on

Spirituality

Spirituality
Outline of spirituality

Category:Spirituality

The occult (from the Latin word occultus "clandestine, hidden, secret") is "knowledge of the hidden".[1] In common
English usage, occult refers to "knowledge of the paranormal", as opposed to "knowledge of the measurable",[2][3]
usually referred to as science. The term is sometimes taken to mean knowledge that "is meant only for certain
people" or that "must be kept hidden", but for most practicing occultists it is simply the study of a deeper spiritual
reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences.[4] The terms esoteric and arcane have very similar
meanings, and the three terms are interchangeable.[5][6]
It also describes a number of magical organizations or orders, the teachings and practices taught by them, and to a
large body of current and historical literature and spiritual philosophy related to this subject.

Occultism
Occultism is the study of occult practices, including (but not
limited to) magic, alchemy, extra-sensory perception, astrology,
spiritualism, and divination. Interpretation of occultism and its
concepts can be found in the belief structures of religions such as
Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Theosophy, Wicca, Thelema, Satanism,
and neopaganism.[7] A broad definition is offered by Nicholas
Goodrick-Clarke:
OCCULTISM has its basis in a religious way of thinking,
the roots of which stretch back into antiquity and which may
be described as the Western esoteric tradition. Its principal
ingredients have been identified as Gnosticism, the
Hermetic treatises on alchemy and magic, Neo-Platonism,
and the Kabbalah, all originating in the eastern
Mediterranean area during the first few centuries AD.[8]

Reconstruction of the "Holy Table" as used by John

Dee.

From the 15th to 17th century, these ideas that are alternatively
described as Western esotericism, which had a revival from about 1770 onwards, due to a renewed desire for
mystery, an interest in the Middle Ages and a romantic "reaction to the rationalist Enlightenment".[9] Alchemy was
common among important seventeenth-century scientists, such as Isaac Newton,[10] and Gottfried Leibniz.[11]
Newton was even accused of introducing occult agencies into natural science when he postulated gravity as a force

Occult
capable of acting over vast distances.[12] "By the eighteenth century these unorthodox religious and philosophical
concerns were well-defined as 'occult', inasmuch as they lay on the outermost fringe of accepted forms of knowledge
and discourse".[9] They were, however, preserved by antiquarians and mystics.
Based on his research into the modern German occult revival (18901910), Goodrick-Clarke puts forward a thesis
on the driving force behind occultism. Behind its many varied forms apparently lies a uniform function, "a strong
desire to reconcile the findings of modern natural science with a religious view that could restore man to a position
of centrality and dignity in the universe".[13] Since that time many authors have emphasized a syncretic approach by
drawing parallels between different disciplines.[14]

Science and the occult

To the occultist, occultism is conceived of as the study of the inner nature of things, as opposed to the outer
characteristics that are studied by science. The German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer designates this "inner
nature" with the term Will, and suggests that science and mathematics are unable to penetrate beyond the relationship
between one thing and another in order to explain the "inner nature" of the thing itself, independent of any external
causal relationships with other "things".[15]Wikipedia:No original research Schopenhauer also points towards this
inherently relativistic nature of mathematics and conventional science in his formulation of the "World as Will". By
defining a thing solely in terms of its external relationships or effects we only find its external or explicit nature.
Occultism, on the other hand, is concerned with the nature of the "thing-in-itself". This is often accomplished
through direct perceptual awareness, known as mysticism.
From the scientific perspective, occultism is regarded as unscientific as it does not make use of the standard
scientific method to obtain facts.

Occult qualities
Occult qualities are properties that have no rational explanation; in the Middle Ages, for example, magnetism was
considered an occult quality.[16] Newton's contemporaries severely critiqued his theory that gravity was effected
through "action at a distance" as occult.[17]

Religion and the occult

Some religions and sects enthusiastically embrace occultism as an integral esoteric aspect of mystical religious
experience. This attitude is common within Wicca and many other neopagan religions. Some other religious
denominations disapprove of occultism in most or all forms. They may view the occult as being anything
supernatural or paranormal which is not achieved by or through God (as defined by those religious denominations),
and is therefore the work of an opposing and malevolent entity. The word has negative connotations for many
people, and while certain practices considered by some to be "occult" are also found within mainstream religions, in
this context the term "occult" is rarely used and is sometimes substituted with "esoteric".

Christian views
Christian authorities have generally regarded occultism as heretical whenever they met this: from early Christian
times, in the form of gnosticism, to late Renaissance times, in the form of various occult philosophies.[18] Though
there is a Christian occult tradition that goes back at least to Renaissance times, when Marsilio Ficino developed a
Christian Hermeticism and Pico della Mirandola developed a Christian form of Kabbalism,[19] mainstream
institutional Christianity has always resisted occult influences, which are:[20]
Monistic in contrast to Christian dualistic beliefs of a separation between body and spirit;
Not monotheistic, frequently asserting a gradation of human souls between mortals and God; and
Sometimes not even theistic in character.

Occult
Furthermore, there are heterodox branches of esoteric Christianity that practice divination, blessings, or appealing to
angels for certain intervention, which they view as perfectly righteous, often supportable by gospel (for instance,
claiming that the old commandment against divination was superseded by Christ's birth, and noting that the Magi
used astrology to locate Bethlehem). Rosicrucianism, one of the most celebrated of Christianity's mystical offshoots,
has lent aspects of its philosophy to most Christianity-based occultism since the 17th century.

Hindu views
Tantra, literally meaning "formula", "method", or "way", (parallel to the Chinese Tao, which also means "the way"
or "the method"), and also having the secondary meaning of "loom", "thread", or "warp and woof", is the name
scholars give to a style of religious ritual and meditation that arose in medieval India no later than the fifth century
CE, and which came to influence all forms of Asian religious expression to a greater or lesser degree.[21] Tantra is at
the same time a method of psychoanalysis, a way of integrating the body, mind, and spirit, and a way of using the
mind or will to cause change in one's external situations and circumstances, hence "magic". It includes amongst its
various branches a variety of ritualistic practices ranging from visualisation exercises and the chanting of mantras to
elaborate rituals. Alchemy, astrology, herbalism, yogic practices, sex magic, and trance also together form the
multifaceted and multilevel nature of Tantra. Yantra, literally: "instrument" or "tool" are geometric diagrams are
considered to be the subtle or finer representation of the psychological or natural powers that are the deities, the
proper use of which would result in the yantra becoming "activated" and infused with the particular powers and
capacities of the said deity, for the practitioner or adept to put to his or her use.
Occult concepts have existed in the Vedic stream too. The Atharva Veda, representing an independent tradition
markedly different from the other three Vedas, is a rich source parallel to the Vedic traditions of the Rig, Sam, and
Yajur Vedas, containing detailed descriptions of various kinds of magical rituals for different results ranging from
punishing enemies, to acquisition of wealth, health, long life, or a good harvest.

Religious Jewish views

In Rabbinic Judaism, an entire body of literature collectively known as Kabbalah has been dedicated to the content
eventually defined by some as occult science. The Kabbalah includes the tracts named Sefer Yetzirah, the Zohar,
Pardes Rimonim, and Eitz Chaim.
Although there is a popular myth that one must be a 40-year-old Jewish man, and learned in the Talmud before one
is allowed to delve into Kabbalah, Chaim Vital says exactly the opposite in his introduction to Etz Chaim. There he
argues that it is incumbent on everyone to learn Kabbalaheven those who are unable to understand the Talmud.
Further, the father of the Lurianic School of Kabbalah, Isaac Luria (known as the Ari HaKadosh, or the "Holy
Lion"), was not yet 40 years old when he passed away.

Notes
[1] Crabb, G. (1927). English synonyms explained, in alphabetical order, copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. New
York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
[2] Underhill, E. (1974). Mysticism, Meridian, New York.
[3] (http:/ / www. icrcanada. org/ kundandpara. html)
[4] Blavatsky, H. P. (1897). Occultism of the Secret Doctrine. Whitefish, MT: Kessinger Publishing.
[5] Houghton Mifflin Company. (2004). The American Heritage College Thesaurus. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Page 530.
[6] Wright, C. F. (1895). An outline of the principles of modern theosophy. Boston: New England Theosophical Corp.
[7] Nevill Drury., The Watkins Dictionary of Magic, ISBN 1-84293-152-0. p. 03
[9] Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 18
[10] Newton's Dark Secrets (http:/ / www. pbs. org/ wgbh/ nova/ newton/ alch-newman. html).
[11] Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) (http:/ / kirjasto. sci. fi/ leibnitz. htm)
[12] Edelglass et al., Matter and Mind, ISBN 0-940262-45-2. p. 54
[13] Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 29

Occult

[14] IAO131. " Thelema & Buddhism (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ query?url=http:/ / www. geocities. com/ hdbq111/ JoTS/ JoTS1-1. pdf&
date=2010-01-17+ 12:04:48)" in Journal of Thelemic Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, Autumn 2007, pp. 18-32
[15] Schopenhauer, Arthur. The World as Will and Representation
[16] Religion, Science, and Worldview: Essays in Honor of Richard S. Westfall (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=jbLWJPca_zoC&
pg=PA185& lpg=PA185& dq=occult+ qualities& source=web& ots=UPY2bsdAcp&
sig=pOwVAmv9XFFq_Qu6x5x3D97oeEU#PPA187,M1), Margaret J. Osler, Paul Lawrence Farber, Cambridge University Press, 2002, ISBN
0-521-52493-8
[17] Gerd Buchdahl, "History of Science and Criteria of Choice" p. 232. In Historical and Philosophical Perspectives of Science v. 5 (ed. Roger
H. Stuewer)

References
Walker, Benjamin (1980). Encyclopedia of the Occult, the Esoteric and the Supernatural. New York: Stein &
Day. ISBN0-8128-6051-9.
Harold W. Percival, Joined the Theosophical Society in 1892. After the death of William Quan Judge in 1896,
organized the Theosophical Society Independent and then wrote Thinking and Destiny which covers in plan terms
the purpose of the universe and occult meanings.

Further reading

Bardon, Franz (1971). Initiation into Hermetics. Wuppertal: Ruggeberg.

Fortune, Dion (2000). The Mystical Qabala. Weiser Books. ISBN 1-57863-150-5
Gettings, Fred, Vision of the Occult, Century Hutchinson Ltd, 1987. ISBN 0-7126-1438-9
Martin, W., Rische, J., Rische, K., & VanGordon, K. (2008). The Kingdom of the Occult. Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Publishing.
Molnar, Thomas (1987). The Pagan Temptation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; 201 p.
N.B.: The scope of this study also embraces the occult. ISBN 0-8028-0262-1
Regardie, I., Cicero, C., & Cicero, S. T. (2001). The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic. St. Paul, MN:
Llewellyn Publications.
Rogers, L. W. (1909). Hints to Young Students of Occultism. Albany, NY: The Theosophical Book Company.
Shepard, Leslie (editor), Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology, Detroit, MI: Gale Research Co., 1978
Spence, Lewis, Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology (http://books.google.com/
books?id=U1qqguX24fAC&printsec=frontcover), 1920.
Davis, R., True to His Ways: Purity & Safety in Christian Spiritual Practice (ACW Press, Ozark, AL, 2006),
ISBN 1-932124-61-6.

External links
Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, University of Amsterdam (http://www.
amsterdamhermetica.com)
University of Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO) (http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/
exeseso/)
ESSWE (http://www.esswe.org) European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism, with many links to
associated organizations, libraries, scholars etc.
Joseph H. Peterson, Twilit Grotto: Archives of Western Esoterica (http://www.esotericarchives.com) (Esoteric
Archives: Occult Literature)
Asiya, Magical Athenaeum (http://asiya.org/index.php?topic=MagicalAthenaeum) (Collection of occult works
in PDF Format)

"Occult Art, Occultism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.

Occult
eLibrary of ancient books (http://transcommunication.org/) on occultism, spiritism, spiritualism, sances,
development of mediumship in the Western and Oriental Traditions. Many technical advice on ITC and EVP, and
practical tips concerning the development of different forms of Mediumship provided by medium Maryse Locke.
the MYSTICA.ORG (http://www.themystica.org/mystica/default.html) An on-line encyclopedia of the occult

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Occult Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=566291976 Contributors: 999, A13ean, Aaron Brenneman, Aeqea, Aeusoes1, Alan Liefting, Alansohn, Aleister Wilson, Alexander
Tendler, Algebra, Alyblaith, Amalas, Andonic, Angel2000, Anyep, Arion 3x3, Arthur Warrington Thomas, Arvedui, Ashami, Ashmoo, Asterion, AxelBoldt, B. Whitestone, BD2412, Bart133,
Baumfreund-FFM, Bazonka, Beetstra, Belovedfreak, BenStevenson, Betacommand, Bigjake, Bill Thayer, Blackmetalbaz, Blindogenius, Bluberry939, Bobo192, BorgQueen, Boycotthell2005,
Bradeos Graphon, Brandon5485, Bringer of Darkness, Bro. John, Bunzil, BurgererSF, CWii, Calibas, CanisRufus, Carlon, CatherineMunro, Catherineyronwode, Ccc-media, Chaos, Charles
Matthews, Chemical Halo, Cherubinirules, Christina Silverman, CindyC78, Coconuteire, Compfreak7, Conversion script, CorrectKnowledge, CruelSister, Cthompsonguy, Cuchullain, CzarNick,
DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DMG413, Dan, Darrell Greenwood, Davidlivingston, Davidlwinkler, Deconstructhis, DiarrheaOmellette, Dionisio23, Diptanshu.D, Discospinster, Dr. Gold, Dr. John Gold,
Dragenfly, Drakonicon, Dream of Nyx, DreamGuy, Easprem, Editor2020, Eep, Eglino, El C, Epbr123, Epiphyllumlover, Epothes, Everyking, Faeden1, Farhansher, Firefly322, Flyboy Will,
Forteanajones, Fragglet, Frater Xyzzy, Frater5, Freyr, Friginator, Fuzzypeg, Fyodor Dos, GW4psychic, Gabbe, GalaazV, Gary D, Gcfromct, Gcm, Gene Ward Smith, General Wesc, Geogerus,
Gerard armando, Ghislainearsenault, Glenn, GoRight, Gogo Dodo, Goldom, Goopsy, GossamerBliss, Gregbard, Groundpounder, Gtrmp, Gunnerclark, Gwalla, Gwernol, H. 217.83, Hadal,
Haeinous, Hairy Dude, Hanuman Das, Harry Potter, Hayabusa future, HelenOnline, Henry123ifa, Hgilbert, Holizz, Hu12, Huntster, Huss4in, IPSOS, Iaberis, Ian.thomson, Infinitysnake,
IntoTheNIGHT, Iridescent, Ixfd64, J04n, JASpencer, JLMadrigal, Jamescrouch74, Jameshfisher, Jayjg, Jeffq, Jeraphine Gryphon, Jkelley, Jkelly, Joeyiscool12341, Johan1298, JohanL, John
Hyams, Johnuniq, Joshua Jonathan, JoshuaWestfalen, Josiah Rowe, Joy, Jpgordon, Juliancolton, Jusdafax, Jusjih, Kabir Talat, Karl-Henner, Kazuba, Kephri-ra, Keraunos, Killbilly,
KingRantheMan, Knotwork, KoL, Kralizec!, Krash, Kumioko (renamed), Kuru, Kwamikagami, L Kensington, LFaraone, Lajj831, Lankiveil, Laurence Boyce, LeafromOZ, Lenoxus, LibLord,
Lichtkind, LizardJr8, Loganloganlogand, Lommer, Loremaster, Lucyintheskywithdada, Luis Dantas, MSJapan, Machine Elf 1735, Mandarax, Manyminds17, Martinphi, Mattis, McGeddon,
Mdwall, Me I'm the grea tone, Mehtank, Melodychick, Mets501, Michael Essmeyer, Michaelbusch, Mirv, Mladifilozof, Modernist, Motuleos, Natalie Erin, Naturaldoubt, Ndteegarden,
Niceguyedc, Nick Number, Nihthasu, NinjaCharlie, Ninly, Nk, NortyNort, Nunh-huh, Nymf, Occult wizard, OffsBlink, OlEnglish, Ospalh, PFHLai, PM GL PA, Pacobob, Paul 94Leask420,
Paul-L, PaulVIF, Pdwerryh, Pearle, Perfecto, Pergamino, Pharaoh602, Philosavant, Piano non troppo, Pigman, Pigsonthewing, Pinethicket, Pitshot, Portalian, Portillo, Prcchati, Psionicpigeon,
Qirex, QueenCake, RJHall, RL Barrett, Ray Dassen, Reddi, Redeagle688, Redhand9113, Reflections of Memory, Reidlophile, Ria777, Rivertorch, Rjm656s, Rjwilmsi, RlyehRising,
Rodneyorpheus, Rohanidoc, Rosewater Alchemist, Ryouga, Sam Spade, San de Berg, Sandstein, Schmiteye, Sdirrim, SeoMac, Shadowjams, Siriuslee, Skinhat, Smalljim, Smithasalma, Solar,
Somecallmetim, SonoftheMorning, Spiel496, StAnselm, Stephenb, SteveBaker, Streetsanto, Sylartk, Synergy, Szalas, TalonKarrde, Tamir-Yehuda Ben Avraham, Tapir Terrific,
Thadius856AWB, TheGreenKnight, Thismightbezach, Thobe, Titoxd, Tktktk, Tobi, Torchrunner, Traveler100, Trc, Treisijs, Trusilver, Tsuzuki26, Twinsday, Tysalpha, Una Smith,
VQHernandez, Vassyana, Veinor, Velderia, Vidkun, Vinug, Vipinhari, Viriditas, Vrenator, WPANI, Wayne Slam, Waysofman, WegianWarrior, Weyes, Widr, WikHead, Wikidbitch, Wikiklrsc,
Wragge, Wwwdlhow27, XLerate, Xeeria, Xxglennxx, YuukiKiryuu, Zahid Abdassabur, Zara1709, , 524 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Katie Walking Labyrinth 2.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Katie_Walking_Labyrinth_2.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0
Contributors: JamesJen
File:Holytable.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Holytable.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:The .:X
Image:wikisource-logo.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Wikisource-logo.svg License: logo Contributors: Guillom, INeverCry, Jarekt, MichaelMaggs, NielsF,
Rei-artur, Rocket000

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/