Everything about Occultism totally explained
The word
occult comes from the
Latin word
occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the
medical sense it's used to refer to a structure or process that's hidden, for example an "occult bleed" may be one detected indirectly by the presence of otherwise unexplained
anaemia.
The word has many uses in the
English language, popularly meaning "knowledge of the
paranormal", as opposed to "knowledge of the
measurable", usually referred to as
science. The term is sometimes popularly taken to mean "knowledge meant only for certain people" or "knowledge that must be kept hidden", but for most practicing occultists it's simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences. The terms
esoteric and
arcane can have a very similar meaning, and the three terms are often interchangeable.
The term
occult is also used as a label given to a number of
magical organizations or orders, and the teachings and practices as taught by them. The name also extends to a large body of literature and spiritual philosophy.
Occultism
Occultism is the study of occult or hidden wisdom. To the occultist it's the study of "Truth", a deeper truth that exists beneath the surface: 'The truth is always hidden in plain sight'. It can involve such subjects as
magic (alternatively spelled and defined as
magick or
Magyk),
extra-sensory perception,
astrology,
spiritualism,
numerology and
lucid dreaming. There is often a strong
religious element to these studies and beliefs, and many occultists profess adherence to religions such as
Gnosticism,
Hermeticism,
Luciferianism,
Thelema, and
Neopaganism. While
Christianity,
Judaism,
Hinduism,
Buddhism, and
Islam are generally not considered as occult, some of their modern interpretations can be, as the interpretation of Hinduism within
Theosophy or the various occult interpretations of the Jewish
Kabbalah.
Orthodox members of such religions are likely to consider such interpretations as false; For example, the
Kabbalah Centre has been criticised by Jewish scholars.
The word "occult" is somewhat generic, in that almost everything that isn't claimed by any of the major religions can be considered the occult. Even religious scientists have difficulties in defining occultism. 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."
From the 15th to 17th century, these
Free Masons kinds of ideas had a brief revival, that was halted by the triumph of empirical sciences in the seventeenth-century. "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 discurse," and were only preserved by a few antiquarians and mystics. However, from about 1770 onwards, a renewed desire for mystery, an interest in the Middle Ages and a romantic temper encouraged a revival of occultism in Europe, "a reaction to the rationalist Enlightenment."
That the Kabbalah has been considered an occult study is also perhaps because of its popularity among
magi (the biblical
wise men who visited the
Infant Jesus are said to have been magi of
Zoroastrianism) and
Thelemites. Kabbalah was later adopted by the
Golden Dawn and brought out into the open by
Aleister Crowley and his protégé
Israel Regardie. Since that time many authors have emphasized a
syncretic approach by drawing parallels between different disciplines.
Direct insight into or perception of the occult doesn't consist of access to physically measurable facts, but is arrived at through the mind or the
spirit. The term can refer to
mental,
psychological or
spiritual training. It is important to note, however, that many occultists will also study science (perceiving science as a branch of Alchemy) to add validity to occult knowledge in a day and age where the mystical can easily be undermined as flights-of-fancy. An oft-cited means of gaining insight into the occult is the use of a
focus. A focus may be a physical object, a
ritualistic action (for example,
meditation or
chanting), or a medium in which one becomes wholly
immersed; these are just a few examples of the vast and numerous avenues that can be explored.
Science and the occult
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
Kantian 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'. 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.
Alchemy, is considered an occult practice. Alchemy used to be common among scientists, such as
Isaac Newton. During the
Age of Enlightenment alchemy and science went their separate ways.
Religion and the occult
Some religious denominations view the occult as being anything supernatural or paranormal which isn't achieved by or through
God, 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".
In Judaism, special spiritual studies such as
Kabbalah have been allowed for certain individuals (such as
rabbis and their chosen students). These studies don't conform to mainstream Jewish ritual. Also, some forms of
Islam allow spirits to be commanded in the name of
Allah to do righteous works and assist steadfast
Muslims. Furthermore, there are 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 Christian-based occultism since the 17th century.
Tantra, originating in India, includes amongst its various branches a variety of ritualistic practices ranging from visualisation exercises and the chanting of
mantras to elaborate rituals involving sex or animal sacrifice, sometimes performed in forbidden places such as cremation grounds.
Tantric texts were at one stage unavailable for mass public consumption due to the social stigma attached to the practices. In general,
tantra was predominantly associated with black magic and the
tantriks were held in great dishonor.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Occultism'.
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