Mystical Wonders Discussion Group

infobot · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 95

Esoteric Definition of Occult

For other uses of this term, see occult (disambiguation).

The word occult comes from Latin occultus (hidden), referring to the 'knowledge of the secret' or 'knowledge of the hidden' and often meaning 'knowledge of the supernatural', as opposed to 'knowledge of the visible' or 'knowledge of the measurable', usually refered to as science. The modern term's meaning is often imprecisely translated and used as a term for 'secret knowledge' or 'hidden knowledge', in the sense of meaning 'knowledge meant only for certain people' or 'knowledge that must be kept hidden'. Therefore in the context of this terms contemporary meaning in western societies anything refered to with the term occult is often regarded as superstitious. Today, the term is often known best in the context of occultism.
The ancient Greek term for occult is esoteric. Many people, especially orthodox Christians, use the term to refer to a number of practices which they disapprove of on religious grounds but which those who participate in for the most part do not consider occult. These include the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons; heavy metal music, and sometimes even Catholicism.

Occultism

Occultism is the study of supposed occult or hidden wisdom. It is a 'grey' area, perhaps larger than any other in the realm of religion. It can deal with subjects ranging from talismans, magic (alternatively spelt and defined as magick), sorcery, and voudou, to ESP, astrology, numerology, and lucid dreams. It is all encompassing in that most everything that isn't claimed by any of the major religions is included in the realm of the occult. Even qabalah has been considered an occult study, perhaps because of its popularity amongst magi and Wiccans. Direct insight into or perception of the occult is said not to consist of access to physically measurable facts, but to be arrived at through the mind or the spirit. The term can refer to mental, psychological or spiritual training. 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. The beliefs and practices of those who consider their activities "occult" or part of "the occult" in the more usual western interpretation 'hidden knowledge' (ceremonial magicians, Satanists, and so on) are generally far from being secret or hidden, being found very easily in print or on the Internet. This ready availability is historically recent and corresponds to a reduced interest in traditional religion and the promulgation by occultists of the perception of the occult as a broad term for an alternative to orthodoxy.

History

Occultism has seen countless resurgences throughout history, possibly because some people who investigate the occult seek for meaning in their lives, while critics maintain most people interested in occult knowledge are seeking a means to power over others. Between World War I and World War II the centre of occult and mystical activity was shifted from France to Belgium. Belgium became the main centre for many brotherhoods and secret societies of which many branches still exist today. One of the more recent branches of Occultism originated in the 1970s with the advent of chaos magic which embraces the meta-belief that "Nothing Is True, Everything is Permitted". Chaos magic allows the occultist to deliberately paradigm shift in order to achieve magical results. The most recent resurgence is in a large way due to movies like Necronomicon, and The Craft, and works from authors like Aleister Crowley, Robert Anton Wilson, Israel Regardie and Rudolf Steiner.

See also
â€¢ Anthroposophy
â€¢ Astrology
â€¢ Esotericism
â€¢ Gnosticism
â€¢ Hermeticism
â€¢ Isaac Newton's occult studies
â€¢ Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path
â€¢ List of occultists
â€¢ National Mysticism
â€¢ New Age
â€¢ Theosophy

Nksagar · Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 104 Location: India

Esoteric is in the sense of transcending your mind to a level of uinversal wisdom and is referred as higher knowledge of God,through meditation or invoking the masters of ur choice.

wheras the occult science is that we are approaching the latent science with our bodys contribution more along with more bodily functions,may be dancing, invoking by giving present in for of sacrifice,invoking lower energies such as fire God air God etc .

Katherinanyc28 · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 273 Location: nyc

I was actually taught the same type of information as infobot posted with certain variations. For example, I do not practice vodou in the black or grey areas that someone else might. Esoteric wisdom refers to some as "occult wisdom that is hidden to certain individuals." Occult wisdom signifies secret wisdom. Knowledge that cannot be acquired by just anyone.

Nksagar · Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 104 Location: India

Thank you for understanding the two sciences.

with regards,
Nksagar

	Mystical Wonders Discussion Group Forum Index -> Magick - Occult - Metaphysics	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1