Occultism

Occultism
Esotericism / Secret Knowledge / Magic / Mysticism

Definition:

Occultism (from Latin occultus = “hidden, secret”) refers to the study and practice of hidden forces, secret teachings, and magical traditions beyond the scope of ordinary perception and mainstream science. It encompasses a wide range of practices and philosophies aimed at understanding and working with unseen realities.

Key Characteristics:

Quest for hidden wisdom about nature, the cosmos, and the spirit
Involvement with magic, symbolism, ritual, Hermeticism, alchemy, astrology, Kabbalah
Knowledge is seen as esoteric and initiatory – reserved for the “initiated”
Focuses on both spiritual understanding and practical manipulation of subtle forces

Historical Development:

Antiquity: Hermetic writings, Egyptian and Greek mystery religions, Babylonian magic
Middle Ages: Alchemy, astrology, Jewish and Christian mysticism, secret magical texts
Renaissance: Flourishing of Hermetic philosophy (Ficino, Agrippa, Giordano Bruno)
19th Century: Rise of occult movements – Theosophy (Blavatsky), Eliphas Lévi, Golden Dawn
20th Century: Modern esoteric orders, Aleister Crowley, Anthroposophy, New Age revival

Occult Practices:

Magic and ritual work
Astrology, divination, Tarot, runes
Alchemy and Hermetic philosophy
Spiritualism and communication with the dead
Mystery schools and initiation rites

Relation to Esotericism:

Esotericism = broad term for hidden wisdom and spiritual worldview
Occultism = a branch emphasizing practical techniques, ritual, and magical systems
They overlap, but occultism is often viewed as the “technical” side of esoteric knowledge

Reception & Criticism:

Condemned by religious institutions as dangerous or demonic
Rejected by Enlightenment rationalism as superstition
Revived in Romanticism and modern spiritual movements
In popular culture, often associated (sometimes falsely) with witchcraft, secret societies, or Satanism
In spirituality, interpreted as a path to hidden wisdom and transformation