Occult
For other uses, see Occult (disambiguation).
The occult (from the Latin word occultus clandes-
tine, hidden, secret) is knowledge of the hidden.[1]
In common English usage, occult refers to knowledge
of the paranormal", as opposed to knowledge of the
measurable",[2] usually referred to as science. The term is
sometimes taken to mean knowledge that is meant only
for certain people or 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.[3] The terms esoteric and arcane can
also be used to describe the occult,[4][5] in addition to their From the 15th to 17th century, these ideas that are alter-
meanings unrelated to the supernatural.
It also describes a number of magical organizations or or- revival from about 1770 onwards, due to a renewed desire
ders, the teachings and practices taught by them, and to a for mystery, an interest in the Middle Ages and a romantic
large body of current and historical literature and spiritual reaction to the rationalist Enlightenment". Alchemy
philosophy related to this subject.
1 Occultism
Reconstruction of the Holy Table as used by John Dee.
Occultism is the study of occult practices, including (but
not limited to) magic, alchemy, extra-sensory perception,
spiritualism, religion, and divination. Interpretation of
occultism and its concepts can be found in the belief
structures of philosophies and religions such as Chaos
magic, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Theosophy, Wicca,
1
Thelema and modern paganism.[6] A broad denition is
oered 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 in-
gredients have been identied as Gnosticism,
the Hermetic treatises on alchemy and magic,
Neo-Platonism, and the Kabbalah, all originat-
ing in the eastern Mediterranean area during
the rst few centuries AD.[7]
natively described as Western esotericism, which had a
[8]
was common among important seventeenth-century sci-
entists, such as Isaac Newton,[9] and Gottfried Leib-
niz.[10] Newton was even accused of introducing occult
agencies into natural science when he postulated gravity
as a force capable of acting over vast distances.[11] By the
eighteenth century these unorthodox religious and philo-
sophical concerns were well-dened as 'occult', inasmuch
as they lay on the outermost fringe of accepted forms of
knowledge and discourse.[8] They were, however, pre-
served by antiquarians and mystics.
Based on his research into the modern German occult
revival (18901910), Goodrick-Clarke puts forward a
thesis on the driving force behind occultism. Behind
its many varied forms apparently lies a uniform func-
tion, a strong desire to reconcile the ndings of mod-
ern natural science with a religious view that could re-
store man to a position of centrality and dignity in the
universe.[12] Since that time many authors have empha-
sized a syncretic approach by drawing parallels between
dierent disciplines.[13]
2 Science and the occult
To the occultist, occultism is conceived of as the study of
the inner nature of things, as opposed to the outer charac-
teristics that are studied by science. The German philoso-
pher Arthur Schopenhauer designates this inner nature
with the term Will, and suggests that science and math-
ematics are unable to penetrate beyond the relationship
between one thing and another in order to explain the in-
ner nature of the thing itself, independent of any external
2 5 NOTES
causal relationships with other things.[14] Schopenhauer
also points towards this inherently relativistic nature of
mathematics and conventional science in his formulation
of the World as Will. By dening a thing solely in terms
of its external relationships or eects we only nd its ex-
ternal 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.
From the scientic perspective, occultism is regarded
as unscientic as it does not make use of the standard
scientic method to obtain facts.
2.1 Occult qualities
Occult qualities are properties that have no known ra-
tional explanation; in the Middle Ages, for example,
magnetism was considered an occult quality.[15] Newtons
contemporaries severely criticized his theory that gravity
was eected through action at a distance, as occult.[16]
3 Religion and the occult
Some religions and sects enthusiastically embrace oc-
cultism as an integral esoteric aspect of mystical reli-
gious experience. This attitude is common within Wicca
and many other modern pagan religions. Some other re-
ligious denominations disapprove of occultism in most
or all forms. They may view the occult as being any-
thing supernatural or paranormal which is not achieved
by or through God (as dened by those religious denom-
inations), 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.
3.1 Christian views
Christian authorities have generally regarded occultism
as heretical whenever they met this: from early Chris-
tian times, in the form of gnosticism, to late Renaissance
times, in the form of various occult philosophies.[17]
Though there is a Christian occult tradition that goes back
at least to Renaissance times, when Marsilio Ficino devel-
oped a Christian Hermeticism and Pico della Mirandola
developed a Christian form of Kabbalism,[18] mainstream
Christianity has always resisted occult inuences, which
are:[19]
Monistic in contrast to Christian dualistic beliefs of
a separation between body and spirit;
Gnostic i.e. involving the acquisition of secret
knowledge rather than based on scripture and open
church tradition
Seen as involving practices such as divination and
calling on spirits which are forbidden in the Bible
Not monotheistic, frequently asserting a gradation
of human souls between mortals and God; and
Sometimes not even theistic in character.
4 See also
Ariosophy
Esotericism
List of occult terms
List of occultists
Magic (paranormal)
Nazism and occultism
Neotantra
Order of the Occult Hand
Onmyd
Renaissance magic
The Morning of the Magicians (book)
5 Notes
[1] Crabb, G. (1927). English synonyms explained, in al-
phabetical order, copious illustrations and examples drawn
from the best writers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.
[2] Underhill, E. (1911). Mysticism, Meridian, New York.
[3] Blavatsky, H. P. (1888). The Secret Doctrine. Whitesh,
MT: Kessinger Publishing.
[4] Houghton Miin Company. (2004). The American Her-
itage College Thesaurus. Boston: Houghton Miin. Page
530.
[5] Wright, C. F. (1895). An outline of the principles of mod-
ern theosophy. Boston: New England Theosophical Corp.
[6] Nevill Drury, The Watkins Dictionary of Magic, ISBN 1-
84293-152-0. p. 03
[7] Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas (1985). The Occult Roots of
Nazism. p. 17. ISBN 0-85030-402-4.
[8] Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 18
[9] Newtons Dark Secrets.

[10] Liukkonen, Petri. Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leib-
niz. Books and Writers (kirjasto.sci.). Finland:
Kuusankoski Public Library. Archived from the original
on 10 February 2015.
[11] Edelglass et al., Matter and Mind, ISBN 0-940262-45-2.
p. 54
[12] Goodrick-Clarke (1985): 29
[13] IAO131. "Thelema & Buddhism" in Journal of Thelemic
Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, Autumn 2007, pp. 18-32
[14] Schopenhauer, Arthur. The World as Will and Represen-
tation
[15] Religion, Science, and Worldview: Essays in Honor of
Richard S. Westfall, Margaret J. Osler, Paul Lawrence
Farber, Cambridge University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-521-
52493-8
[16] Gerd Buchdahl, History of Science and Criteria of
Choice p. 232. In Historical and Philosophical Perspec-
tives of Science v. 5 (ed. Roger H. Stuewer)
[17] Gibbons, B. J. (2001). Spirituality and the occult: from the
Renaissance to the twentieth century. London: Routledge.
p. 2.
[18] Yates, Frances Amelia (1979). The occult philosophy in
the Elizabethan age. New York: Routledge and Kegan
Paul. pp. 15.
[19] Surette, Leon (1993). The Birth of Modernism: Ezra
Pound, T. S. Eliot, W. B. Yeats, and the Occult. Montreal:
McGill-Queens University Press. pp. 1215.
6 References
Walker, Benjamin (1980). Encyclopedia of the Oc-
cult, the Esoteric and the Supernatural. New York:
Stein & Day. ISBN 0-8128-6051-9.
Harold W. Percival, Joined the Theosophical Soci-
ety in 1892. After the death of William Quan Judge
in 1896, organized the Theosophical Society Inde-
pendent and then wrote Thinking and Destiny which
covers in plan terms the purpose of the universe and
occult meanings.
7 Further reading
Bardon, Franz (1971). Initiation into Hermetics.
Wuppertal: Ruggeberg.
Fortune, Dion (2000). The Mystical Qabala. Weiser
Books. ISBN 1-57863-150-5
Gettings, Fred, Vision of the Occult, Century
Hutchinson Ltd, 1987. ISBN 0-7126-1438-9
3
Kontou, Tatiana Willburn, Sarah (ed.) (2012).
The Ashgate Research Companion to Nineteenth-
Century Spiritualism and the Occult. Ashgate, Farn-
ham. ISBN 978-0-7546-6912-8
Martin, W., Rische, J., Rische, K., & VanGordon,
K. (2008). The Kingdom of the Occult. Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Molnar, Thomas (1987). The Pagan Temptation.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing
Co.; 201 p. N.B.: The scope of this study also em-
braces the occult. ISBN 0-8028-0262-1
Regardie, I., Cicero, C., & Cicero, S. T. (2001). The
Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic. St. Paul,
MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Newton, Isaac, Observations upon the Prophe-
cies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John.
Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the
Apocalypse of St. John by Sir Isaac Newton
Rogers, L. W. (1909). Hints to Young Students of
Occultism. Albany, NY: The Theosophical Book
Company.
Shepard, Leslie (editor), Encyclopedia of Occultism
& Parapsychology, Detroit, MI: Gale Research Co.,
1978
Spence, Lewis, Encyclopedia of Occultism and
Parapsychology, 1920.
Davis, R., True to His Ways: Purity & Safety in
Christian Spiritual Practice (ACW Press, Ozark, AL,
2006), ISBN 1-932124-61-6.
Partridge, Christopher (ed.), The Occult World,
London: Routledge, 2014. ISBN 0415695961
Forshaw, Peter, 'The Occult Middle Ages, in
Christopher Partridge (ed.), The Occult World, Lon-
don: Routledge, 2014
8 External links
Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Re-
lated Currents, University of Amsterdam
University of Exeter Centre for the Study of Eso-
tericism (EXESESO)
ESSWE European Society for the Study of Western
Esotericism, with many links to associated organi-
zations, libraries, scholars etc.
Joseph H. Peterson, Twilit Grotto: Archives of
Western Esoterica (Esoteric Archives: Occult Lit-
erature)
4 8 EXTERNAL LINKS

Occult Science and Philosophy of the Renaissance.

Online exhibition from the Louisiana State Univer-
sity Libraries Special Collections. Accessed 2013-
09-15.
"Occult Art, Occultism". Catholic Encyclopedia.
New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.
eLibrary of ancient books on occultism, spiritism,
spiritualism, sances, development of mediumship
in the Western and Oriental Traditions. Many tech-
nical advice on ITC and EVP, and practical tips
concerning the development of dierent forms of
Mediumship provided by medium Maryse Locke.
the MYSTICA.ORG An on-line encyclopedia of the
occult
 5

9 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1 Text
Occult Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occult?oldid=688468882 Contributors: AxelBoldt, General Wesc, Dan~enwiki, Michael
Hardy, Gabbe, Ixfd64, CatherineMunro, Darrell Greenwood, Glenn, Harry Potter, RL Barrett, Lommer, JASpencer, Charles Matthews,
Reddi, Martinphi, Paul-L~enwiki, Lichtkind, Joy, Jusjih, Jeq, Robbot, Pigsonthewing, Sam Spade, Mirv, Hadal, Alan Liefting, Gwalla,
Gtrmp, Gene Ward Smith, Holizz, Luis Dantas, Nunh-huh, Bradeos Graphon, Everyking, San de Berg, Innitysnake, Loremaster, PFH-
Lai, Karl-Henner, Trc, Gscshoyru, Gary D, DMG413, Ashami, Eep, Jayjg, Discospinster, WegianWarrior, RJHall, CanisRufus, El C,
Carlon, Huntster, Lankiveil, Kwamikagami, Hayabusa future, Perfecto, Jpgordon, Bill Thayer, Bobo192, Ray Dassen, Smalljim, Viridi-
tas, Forteanajones, Nk, Solar, Pearle, Hanuman Das, Alansohn, Arvedui, Goldom, Bart133, DreamGuy, LFaraone, Ndteegarden, Freyr,
Arthur Warrington Thomas, Pdwerryh, Ria777, Chemical Halo, Weyes, Alyblaith, Pol098, Pacobob, Wikiklrsc, Tysalpha, Skinhat, Kral-
izec!, GalaazV, Farhansher, Mandarax, Ashmoo, Cuchullain, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Josiah Rowe, XLerate, Gcfromct, Krash, Psionicpigeon,
Algebra, Titoxd, Wragge, FlaBot, Somecallmetim, Margosbot~enwiki, Fragglet, Jameshsher, SteveBaker, Vidkun, Kazuba, Gdrbot, Gw-
ernol, YurikBot, RobotE, Hairy Dude, 999~enwiki, Pigman, Stephenb, Chaos, JohanL, Aeusoes1, BenStevenson, Qirex, Aaron Brenne-
man, Bro. John, Szalas, Ospalh, MSJapan, TalonKarrde, Jkelly, Sandstein, Ninly, Velderia, BorgQueen, Huss4in, Asterion, Sardanaphalus,
Veinor, A13ean, Laurence Boyce, SmackBot, McGeddon, SonoftheMorning, RlyehRising, IntoTheNIGHT, RobotJcb, Vassyana, Por-
tillo, Betacommand, Cthompsonguy, Schmiteye, Blindogenius, Bazonka, Epothes, Mladilozof, John Hyams, Flyboy Will, KoL, Hgilbert,
Fuzzypeg, Wwwdlhow27, Coconuteire, Zahid Abdassabur, Kuru, Dr. John Gold, Tktktk, Dionisio23, Killbilly, Beetstra, Calibas, Dr.
Gold, Mets501, Redeagle688, Spiel496, Epiphyllumlover, Midnightblueowl, PM GL PA, NinjaCharlie, Hu12, Ryouga, Iridescent, Michael-
busch, Catherineyronwode, Lenoxus, Davidlivingston, Tawkerbot2, CmdrObot, Amalas, Fyodor Dos, Boycotthell2005, Gregbard, Cyde-
bot, Gogo Dodo, Jkelley, VQHernandez, Blackmetalbaz, Synergy, Frater5, Bigjake, Rjm656s, Epbr123, Keraunos, Tapir Terric, Bunzil,
Nick Number, PaulVIF, Natalie Erin, LachlanA, Frater Xyzzy, Nihthasu, Drakonicon, Modernist, LibLord, Knotwork, Gcm, Andonic,
TheGreenKnight, CruelSister, Ghislainearsenault, Rivertorch, Kephri-ra, Occult wizard, Faeden1, JLMadrigal, MartinBot, Iaberis, Md-
wall, Trusilver, Ian.thomson, Goopsy, Bringer of Darkness, Geogerus, Arion 3x3, CzarNick, Gerard armando, Belovedfreak, Tsuzuki26,
Juliancolton, Zara1709, Treisijs, Ccc-media, Bluberry939, Thismightbezach, Idioma-bot, Sdirrim, Wikidbitch, VolkovBot, CWii, Jo-
han1298~enwiki, Aeqea, Philip Trueman, Thadius856AWB, Vipinhari, Baumfreund-FFM, Redhand9113, Vinug, Angel2000~enwiki, IP-
SOS, Una Smith, LeaveSleaves, Manyminds17, Me I'm the grea tone, Streetsanto, Groundpounder, Deconstructhis, Xeeria, Gunnerclark,
StAnselm, DiarrheaOmellette, Anyep, Portalian, Motuleos, KingRantheMan, OKBot, Kumioko (renamed), Pharaoh602, Firey322,
Twinsday, Traveler100, Niceguyedc, LizardJr8, Thobe, DragonBot, Nymf, Jusdafax, GoRight, Siriuslee, Alexander Tendler, Burger-
erSF~enwiki, Johnuniq, Editor2020, Lucyintheskywithdada, XLinkBot, Roxy the dog, WikHead, Addbot, Joeyiscool12341, Friginator,
Reidlophile, Diptanshu.D, Rosewater Alchemist, Pitshot, OsBlink, OlEnglish, Bermicourt, Tobi, Legobot, Yobot, TaBOT-zerem, Queen-
Cake, Mtaylor1795, AnomieBOT, Piano non troppo, LeafromOZ, Tamir-Yehuda Ben Avraham, Millahnna, J04n, Brandon5485, Reec-
tions of Memory, Mattis, Shadowjams, , Green Cardamom, YuukiKiryuu, Wikiy2k, WPANI, Pergamino, Haeinous, Rodneyorpheus,
Machine Elf 1735, Aleister Wilson, Henry123ifa, Citation bot 1, Xxglennxx, Pinethicket, Prcchati, B. Whitestone, NortyNort, Torchrun-
ner, HelenOnline, GossamerBliss, Vrenator, SeoMac, GW4psychic, Kitfoxxe, Paul 94Leask420, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, JoshuaWestfalen,
RjwilmsiBot, AsceticRose, Michael Essmeyer, Kabir Talat, Christina Silverman, Wayne Slam, L Kensington, Loganloganlogand, Eglino,
Mlang.Finn, Manytexts, Sylartk, ClueBot NG, Mehtank, CindyC78, Dream of Nyx, Widr, Easprem, Helpful Pixie Bot, HMSSolent,
Jeraphine Gryphon, Waysofman, BG19bot, Jamescrouch74, PhnomPencil, Drageny, Rohanidoc, Compfreak7, Joshua Jonathan, MrBill3,
H. 217.83, Melodychick, Amitrochates, Smithasalma, Davidlwinkler, Naturaldoubt, Philosavant, Cherubinirules, Saha.rj, BadKittieKat76,
Mas Rodin, Lajj831, XercesBlue1991, Mckross2000, Alexis1102, Glorious Sparrow, Vieque, Mystical13, Colecampbell98, DarkMystik1,
ReptilianGod, Riazj14234, Patrick8888888, Jerodlycett, KasparBot, Knife-in-the-drawer, Pandit Gaurav Acharya and Anonymous: 386

9.2 Images
File:Holytable.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Holytable.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors:
Own work Original artist: User:The .:X
File:Pentacle_2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Pentacle_2.svg License: Public domain Contributors:
? Original artist: ?
File:Wikiquote-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: ? Original artist: ?

9.3 Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0