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For other uses, see Occult (disambiguation).

The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to "knowledge of the hidden". Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. [1] In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e. Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the g. an "occult bleed"[2] may be one detected indirectly by the presence of otherwise unexplained anaemia. Anemia ( AmE) or anæmia/anaemia ( BrE) (from the Ancient Greek grc-Latn anaîmia, meaning “without blood” is defined as a qualitative

The word has many uses in the English language, popularly meaning "knowledge of the paranormal", as opposed to "knowledge of the measurable",[3][4] usually referred to as science. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Paranormal is an Umbrella term used to describe unusual Phenomena or experiences that lack an obvious Scientific explanation In Mathematics the concept of a measure generalizes notions such as "length" "area" and "volume" (but not all of its applications have to do with Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding 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 is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences. [5] The terms esoteric and arcane can have a very similar meaning, and the three terms are often interchangeable. [6][7]

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. A magical organization is an organization created for the practice of magic or to further the knowledge of magic among its members The name also extends to a large body of literature and spiritual philosophy.

Contents

Occultism

Occultism is the study of occult or hidden wisdom. To the occultist it is 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. Magic, sometimes known as sorcery, is a Conceptual system that asserts human ability to control the natural world (including events objects people and Magick, in the broadest sense is any act designed to cause intentional change Magick, in the broadest sense is any act designed to cause intentional change Extrasensory perception (ESP is the apparent ability to acquire information by Paranormal means independent of any known physical Senses or deduction from previous Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems Spiritualism is a Religion founded in part on the writings of the Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772 Numerology is any of many Systems Traditions or Beliefs in a mystical or Esoteric relationship between Numbers and physical 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. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems Hermeticism is a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is put forth as a This is an article about people who revere the biblical Lucifer Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is an Umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements particularly those influenced by historical 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. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. This article is about the philosophy introduced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה lit "receiving" is a discipline and school of thought discussing the mystical aspect of Judaism. 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 orthodox, from Greek orthodoxos "having the right opinion" from orthos ("right true straight" + doxa ("opinion The Kabbalah Centre is a 501(c(3 not-for-profitspiritual organization with headquarters in Los Angeles California which provides courses online and through its [8]

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. Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke BA ( Bristol) DPhil ( Oxon) is a Professor of Western Esotericism at University of Exeter and author of 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. "[9]

From the 15th to 17th century, these 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,"[10] 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. "[10] In this concept, occultism largely overlaps with the scope of Western esotericism, as already indicated in the quote. Western esotericism (also Western mysticism, Western occult tradition, and Western mystery tradition) is a broad spectrum of spiritual

Based on his research into the the modern German occult revival 1890-1910, Goodrick-Clarke puts forward a thesis on the driving force behind occultism. This article gives an overview of esoteric movements in Germany and Austria between 1880 and 1945 presenting Theosophy, Anthroposophy 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. [11]

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. The Magi (singular Magus, from Latin via Greek μάγος; Old English: Mage; from Persian maguš and Kurdish "Three Kings" or "Three Wise Men" redirects here The Child Jesus, or Divine Infant, represents the infant Jesus until to the age of twelve Zoroastrianism (ˌzɔroʊˈæstriəˌnɪzəm is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings Thelema is a philosophy of life based on the rule or law "Do what thou wilt Kabbalah was later adopted by the Golden Dawn and brought out into the open by Aleister Crowley and his protégé Israel Regardie. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or more commonly the Golden Dawn) was a magical order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries practicing a form of Aleister Crowley, born Edward Alexander Crowley (ˈkroʊli (12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947 was a British Occultist Writer, mountaineer Israel Regardie (Francis Israel Regudy (born on November 17, 1907 in London, England, died March 10 1985 in Sedona Since that time many authors have emphasized a syncretic approach by drawing parallels between different disciplines. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought [12]

Direct insight into or perception of the occult does not consist of access to physically measurable facts, but is arrived at through the mind or the spirit. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living The term can refer to mental, psychological or spiritual training. MIND ( Moving In New Directions) (est 1975 is an alternative education high school in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Spirituality, in a narrow sense concerns itself with matters of the Spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and Faith, a transcendent reality 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. A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness Chant (from Old French chanter) is the Rhythmic speaking or Singing of Words or Sounds often primarily on one or two

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'. Immanuel Kant (ɪmanuəl kant 22 April 1724 12 February 1804 was an 18th-century German Philosopher from the Prussian city of Königsberg [13] 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'. "Noumena" redirects here For the band see Noumena (band. This is often accomplished through direct perceptual awareness, known as mysticism. Mysticism (from the Greek grc μυστικός mystikos, an initiate of a Mystery religion) is the pursuit of communion with identity

Alchemy, is considered an occult practice. Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Alchemy used to be common among scientists, such as Isaac Newton. Sir Isaac Newton, FRS (ˈnjuːtən 4 January 1643 31 March 1727) Biography Early years See also Isaac Newton's early life and achievements [14] During the Age of Enlightenment alchemy and science went their separate ways. The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century

Religion and the occult

Some religious denominations view the occult as being anything supernatural or paranormal which is not achieved by or through God, and is therefore the work of an opposing and malevolent entity. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. 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). Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה lit "receiving" is a discipline and school of thought discussing the mystical aspect of Judaism. Rabbi (pronunciation, although in English usually) in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’ or more literally ‘my great one’ when addressing any master These studies do not 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. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Allah ( Arabic: الله, ʔalˤːɑːh) is the standard Arabic word for ' A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion 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). Esoteric Christianity is a term which refers to an ensemble of spiritual currents which regard Christianity as a Mystery religion, and profess the existence Divination (from Latin divinare "to be inspired by a god" related to Divine, Diva and Deus) is the attempt of ascertaining The Magi (singular Magus, from Latin via Greek μάγος; Old English: Mage; from Persian maguš and Kurdish Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems 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. The term Rosicrucian (symbol the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on

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. Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language Tantric texts were at one stage unavailable for mass public consumption due to the social stigma attached to the practices. Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric In general, tantra was predominantly associated with black magic and the tantriks were held in great dishonor. Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र; " Weave " denoting continuity) tantricism or tantrism is any of several esoteric

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Crabb, G. Armanism and Ariosophy are the names of ideological systems of an Esoteric nature pioneered by Guido von List and Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels Mediumship is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Louisiana Voodoo, and This article gives an overview of esoteric movements in Germany and Austria between 1880 and 1945 presenting Theosophy, Anthroposophy The Journal of Thelemic Studies is an online publication examining Thelema, the psycho-spiritual tradition of Aleister Crowley. The terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path refer to a Dichotomy between two opposing Belief systems whose meanings have varied This is a list of magical terms and traditions dealing with various occult practices traditions and components of Magic. This article describes speculative theories about Nazism Semi-religious developments within post-1945 Nazism are discussed under the term Neo-völkisch movements. This article is about the philosophy introduced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1927). English synonyms explained, in alphabetical order, with copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
  2. ^ Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. Harvard Medical School 2005. 1272 pages ISBN 0684863731
  3. ^ Underhill, E. (1974). Mysticism, Meridian, New York,.
  4. ^ http://www.icrcanada.org/kundandpara.html
  5. ^ Blavatsky, H. P. (1897). Occultism of the secret doctrine. [Whitefish, Mont. ]: Kessinger Pub. , LLC.
  6. ^ Houghton Mifflin Company. (2004). The American Heritage College Thesaurus. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Page 530.
  7. ^ Wright, C. F. (1895). An outline of the principles of modern theosophy. Boston: New England Theosophical Corp.
  8. ^ ABC News: What's Behind Hollywood's Fascination with Kabbalah?
  9. ^ Goodrick-Clarke, The Occult Roots of Nazism (1985), p. The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany 1890-1935 is a book by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke 17
  10. ^ a b Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 18
  11. ^ Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 29
  12. ^ IAO131. Thelema & Buddhism in Journal of Thelemic Studies, Vol. The Journal of Thelemic Studies is an online publication examining Thelema, the psycho-spiritual tradition of Aleister Crowley. 1, No. 1, Autumn 2007, pp. 18-32
  13. ^ Schopenhauer, Arthur. The World as Will and Representation
  14. ^ Newton's Dark Secrets. Published in 1819 The World as Will and Representation is the central work of Arthur Schopenhauer.

References

Further reading

External links

Dictionary

occult

-noun

  1. (usually with the) Supernatural affairs.

-verb

  1. (transitive): To cover.

-adjective

  1. Secret; hidden from general knowledge; undetected
  2. Related to the occult.
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