Occult 22487 224594027 2008-07-09T15:56:22Z Mladifilozof 589644 /* External links */ {{Otheruses|Occult (disambiguation)}} The word '''occult''' comes from the [[Latin]] word ''occultus'' (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to "knowledge of the hidden".<ref>Crabb, G. (1927). English synonyms explained, in alphabetical order, with copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.</ref> In the [[medical]] sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g. an "occult bleed"<ref>Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. Harvard Medical School 2005. 1272 pages ISBN 0684863731</ref> 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]]",<ref>Underhill, E. (1974). ''Mysticism'', Meridian, New York,.</ref><ref>http://www.icrcanada.org/kundandpara.html</ref> 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 is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences.<ref>Blavatsky, H. P. (1897). ''Occultism of the secret doctrine''. [Whitefish, Mont.]: Kessinger Pub., LLC.</ref> The terms ''[[esotericism|esoteric]]'' and ''arcane'' can have a very similar meaning, and the three terms are often interchangeable.<ref>Houghton Mifflin Company. (2004). ''The American Heritage College Thesaurus''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Page 530.</ref><ref>Wright, C. F. (1895). An outline of the principles of modern theosophy. Boston: New England Theosophical Corp.</ref> The term ''occult'' is also used as a label given to a number of [[magical organization]]s 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 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 (paranormal)|magic]] (alternatively spelled and defined as [[magick]]), [[extra-sensory perception]], [[astrology]], [[spiritualism]], [[numerology]] and [[lucid dream]]ing. There is often a strong [[religion|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]]. [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox]] members of such religions are likely to consider such interpretations as false; For example, the [[Kabbalah Centre]] has been criticised by Jewish scholars.<ref>ABC News: [http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=855125&page=1 What's Behind Hollywood's Fascination with Kabbalah?]</ref> [[Image:Baphomet.png|thumb|right|[[Baphomet]] is typically associated with the occult.]] 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]]: <blockquote> "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."<ref>Goodrick-Clarke, [[The Occult Roots of Nazism]] (1985), p.17 </ref> </blockquote> 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,"<ref name=GoodrickClarke18>Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 18</ref> 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."<ref name=GoodrickClarke18/> In this concept, ''occultism'' largely overlaps with the scope of [[Western esotericism]], as already indicated in the quote. Based on his research into the [[Esotericism in Germany and Austria|the modern German occult revival 1890-1910]], 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.<ref>Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 29</ref> That the Kabbalah has been considered an occult study is also perhaps because of its popularity among [[magi]] (the biblical [[biblical Magi|wise men]] who visited the [[Infant Jesus]] are said to have been magi of [[Zoroastrianism]]) and [[Thelema|Thelemites]]. Kabbalah was later adopted by the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn|Golden Dawn]] and brought out into the open by [[Aleister Crowley]] and his protégé [[Israel Regardie]]. Since that time many authors have emphasized a [[syncretism|syncretic]] approach by drawing parallels between different disciplines.<ref name=IAO131>[[IAO131]]. [http://www.geocities.com/hdbq111/JoTS/JoTS1-1.pdf Thelema & Buddhism] in ''[[Journal of Thelemic Studies]]'', Vol. 1, No. 1, Autumn 2007, pp. 18-32</ref> 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 [[soul|spirit]]. The term can refer to [[mind|mental]], [[psychology|psychological]] or [[spirituality|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 (spirituality)|focus]]. A focus may be a physical object, a [[ritual]]istic action (for example, [[meditation]] or [[chant]]ing), or a medium in which one becomes wholly [[immersion|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 [[Immanuel Kant|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'.<ref>[[Arthur Schopenhauer|Schopenhauer, Arthur]]. ''[[The World as Will and Representation]]''</ref> 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 [[Noumenon|'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]]. <ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/newton/alch-newman.html Newton's Dark Secrets].</ref> During the [[Age of Enlightenment]] alchemy and science went their separate ways. [[Isaac Newton]] was accused of introducing occult agencies into [[natural science]] when he postulated [[gravity]] as a force capable of [[action at a distance|acting over vast distances]].<ref>Edelglass et al., ''Matter and Mind'', ISBN 0940262452. p. 54</ref> ==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. 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 [[rabbi]]s and their chosen students). 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]]. 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). [[Rosicrucian]]ism, 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 [[mantra]]s to elaborate rituals involving sex or animal sacrifice, sometimes performed in forbidden places such as cremation grounds. [[Tantra|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 [[Tantra|tantriks]] were held in great dishonor. ==See also== {{portalpar|Occult}} *[[Ariosophy]] *[[Channelling (mediumistic)]] *[[Esotericism in Germany and Austria]] *[[Journal of Thelemic Studies]] *[[Left Hand Path]] *[[List of magical terms and traditions]] *[[Nazi occultism]] *[[Theosophy]] ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== *{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Occult, the Esoteric and the Supernatural |first=Benjamin |last=Walker |authorlink=Benjamin Walker |publisher=Stein & Day |location=[[New York City|New York]] |year=1980 |isbn=0-8128-6051-9}} ==Further reading== * Bardon, Franz (1971). ''Initiation into Hermetics''. Wuppertal: Ruggeberg. * [[Dion Fortune|Fortune, Dion]] (2000). ''The Mystical Qabala''. Weiser Books. ISBN 1578631505 * Regardie, I., Cicero, C., & Cicero, S. T. (2001). ''The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic''. St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn Publications. * Rogers, L. W. (1909). 'Hints to Young Students of Occultism''. Albany, N.Y.: The Theosophical Book Company. ==External links== {{Wikiquote|Occultism}} * [http://www.thelemicstudies.com Journal of Thelemic Studies] - the first non-partisan, academic journal investigating the occult tradition of Thelema, founded by the infamous Aleister Crowley * [http://www.amsterdamhermetica.com University of Amsterdam Center for Study of Western Esotericism] * [http://www.huss.ex.ac.uk/research/exeseso/ University of Exeter Centre for the Study of Esotericism (EXESESO)] * [http://www.esswe.org ESSWE] European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism, with many links to associated organizations, libraries, scholars etc. * Joseph H. Peterson , [http://www.esotericarchives.com Twilit Grotto: Archives of Western Esoterica] (Esoteric Archives: Occult Literature) * Asiya, [http://athenaeum.asiya.org/ Magickal Athenaeum] (Collection of occult works in PDF Format) * {{CathEncy|wstitle=Occult Art, Occultism}} *[http://www.innerquest.org.ph/ Inner Quest] All things occult [[Category:Occult| ]] [[Category:Esotericism]] [[af:Okkultisme]] [[ar:تنجيم]] [[bg:Окултизъм]] [[ca:Ocultisme]] [[cy:Yr Ocwlt]] [[da:Okkultisme]] [[de:Okkultismus]] [[et:Okultism]] [[es:Ocultismo]] [[fa:نهان‌شناسی]] [[fr:Occultisme]] [[hr:Okultizam]] [[id:Okultisme]] [[it:Occulto]] [[he:אוקולטיזם]] [[mk:окултизам]] [[nl:Occultisme]] [[ja:オカルト]] [[pl:Okultyzm]] [[pt:Ocultismo]] [[ru:Оккультизм]] [[sr:Окултизам]] [[sq:Okultizmi]] [[fi:okkultismi]] [[sv:Ockultism]] [[th:สิ่งลึกลับ]] [[zh:神秘学]]