Occultism - Revision history

Dascent-wiki at 06:29, 14 September 2025

2025-09-14T06:29:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:29, 14 September 2025
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	== Historical Development ==		== Historical Development ==
	=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===		=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===
	* '''Mesopotamia''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>		* '''Mesopotamia''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., Enuma Anu Enlil tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>
	* '''Ancient Egypt''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>		* '''Ancient Egypt''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, Book of the Dead funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>
	* '''Hellenistic period''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]		* '''Hellenistic period''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, Chaldean Oracles

	=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===		=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===
	* '''Byzantine Empire''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts		* '''Byzantine Empire''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
	* '''Islamic Golden Age''': ~~[[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|~~Geber]]'s alchemy, ~~[[Ikhwan al-Safa\|~~Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias		* '''Islamic Golden Age''': Geber's alchemy, Brethren of Purity encyclopedias
	* '''Medieval Europe''': ~~[[Solomon\|~~Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]		* '''Medieval Europe''': Solomonic grimoires (e.g., Key of Solomon), Christian Kabbalah

	=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===		=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===
	* [[Marsilio Ficino]]'s translations of [[Hermetica]]		* Marsilio Ficino's translations of [[Hermetica]]
	* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)		* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''Three Books of Occult Philosophy'' (1533)
	* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies		* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies

	=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===		=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===
	* [[Spiritualism]] movement (1848–1920s)		* Spiritualism movement (1848–1920s)
	* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah		* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah
	* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s ~~[[Thelema\|~~Thelemic]] system		* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s Thelemic system
	* ~~[[Neopaganism\|~~Neopagan]] reconstruction (e.g., ~~[[Gerald Gardner\|~~Gardnerian Wicca]])		* Neopagan reconstruction (e.g., Gardnerian Wicca)

	== Fundamental Principles ==		== Fundamental Principles ==
	=== The Law of Correspondences ===		=== The Law of Correspondences ===
	"Doctrine of signatures" linking macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (human):<ref>Sloane, Douglas. (2016). ''The Magical World of the Alchemist''. Thames & Hudson, p. 45.</ref>		"Doctrine of signatures" linking macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (human):<ref>Sloane, Douglas. (2016). ''The Magical World of the Alchemist''. Thames & Hudson, p. 45.</ref>
	* ''As above, so below'' (~~[[Emerald Tablet\|~~Hermetic axiom]])		* ''As above, so below'' (Hermetic axiom)
	* Symbolic systems: [[Astrology\|planetary correspondences]], [[Kabbalah\|Tree of Life]] pathways, [[Alchemy\|elemental affinities]]		* Symbolic systems: [[Astrology\|planetary correspondences]], [[Kabbalah\|Tree of Life]] pathways, [[Alchemy\|elemental affinities]]

	=== Vitalist Cosmology ===		=== Vitalist Cosmology ===
	* Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), [[Qi]] (Taoism), [[Odic force]] (~~[[Baron Carl~~ Reichenbach~~\|Reichenbach]]~~)		* Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), Qi (Taoism), Odic force (Reichenbach)
	* Etheric bodies: ~~[[Aura]]s~~, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy		* Etheric bodies: Auras, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy

	=== Spiritual Evolution ===		=== Spiritual Evolution ===
	* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., ~~[[Eleusinian Mysteries\|~~Eleusis]], ~~[[Mithraism\|~~Mithraic]] rites)		* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., Eleusis, Mithraic rites)
	* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine		* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine

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	== Controversies ==		== Controversies ==
	* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as ~~[[Maleficium (sorcery)\|~~maleficium]] in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism		* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as maleficium in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism
	* '''Scientific critiques''': ~~[[James Randi\|~~Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations		* '''Scientific critiques''': Randi's debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations
	* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)		* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)

	== Influence on Culture ==		== Influence on Culture ==
	* '''Literature''': ~~[[Johann Wolfgang von~~ Goethe~~\|Goethe]]~~'s ''Faust'', ~~[[H.P. Lovecraft\|~~Lovecraftian]] mythos		* '''Literature''': Goethe's ''Faust'', Lovecraftian mythos
	* '''Art''': ~~[[William Blake\|~~Blake]]'s visions, ~~[[Surrealism\|~~Surrealist]] automatic drawing		* '''Art''': Blake's visions, Surrealist automatic drawing
	* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''The Ninth Gate'', ''A Dark Song'')		* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''The Ninth Gate'', ''A Dark Song'')

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	<div style="column-count:2; column-gap:20px;">		<div style="column-count:2; column-gap:20px;">
	* [[List of occult terms]]		* [[List of occult terms]]
	* [[History of magic]]		* History of magic
	* [[Esoteric Christianity]]		* [[Esoteric Christianity]]
	* [[Anthroposophy]]		* [[Anthroposophy]]
	* [[Parapsychology]]		* Parapsychology
	</div>		</div>

Dascent-wiki at 11:44, 15 August 2025

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	===Categories===		===Categories===
	[[Category:Esotericism]]		[[Category:Esotericism]]
	[[Category:Occult\| ]]		[[Category:Occult\|Occult ]]
	[[Category:Spirituality]]		[[Category:Spirituality]]
	[[Category:Metaphysics]]		[[Category:Metaphysics]]

Dascent-wiki at 11:32, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T11:32:01Z

Dascent-wiki at 11:29, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T11:29:03Z

Dascent-wiki at 11:28, 15 August 2025

2025-08-15T11:28:48Z

Dascent-wiki at 15:32, 13 August 2025

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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 13 August 2025
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	{{Ai/tags\|Ai/~~Gemini~~\|tg-ai-deepseek}}		{{Ai/tags\|Ai/Deepseek\|tg-ai-deepseek}}

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	{{Ai/tags\|Ai/Gemini\|tg-ai-~~gemini~~}}		{{Ai/tags\|Ai/Gemini\|tg-ai-deepseek}}

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← Older revision		Revision as of 10:44, 13 August 2025
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	[[Category:Metaphysics]]		[[Category:Metaphysics]]
	{{Occult}}		{{Occult}}


			{{Ai/tags\|Ai/Gemini\|tg-ai-gemini}}

Dascent-wiki at 10:15, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T10:15:29Z

Show changes

Dascent-wiki: Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Occultism}} {{Infobox esotericism | name = Occultism | image = Occult_symbols_collage.png | caption = Common occult symbols representing interconnected esoteric traditions | classification = Esotericism, Metaphysics, Spirituality | origin = Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece; systematized during European Renaissance | concepts = Correspondences, Hidden forces, Spiritual evolution, Microcosm-macrocosm analogy..."

2025-08-13T09:54:05Z

Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Occultism}} {{Infobox esotericism | name = Occultism | image = Occult_symbols_collage.png | caption = Common occult symbols representing interconnected esoteric traditions | classification = Esotericism, Metaphysics, Spirituality | origin = Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece; systematized during European Renaissance | concepts = Correspondences, Hidden forces, Spiritual evolution, Microcosm-macrocosm analogy..."

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Occultism}}
{{Infobox esotericism
| name = Occultism
| image = Occult_symbols_collage.png
| caption = Common occult symbols representing interconnected esoteric traditions
| classification = [[Esotericism]], [[Metaphysics]], [[Spirituality]]
| origin = Ancient [[Mesopotamia]], [[Egypt]], and [[Greece]]; systematized during European [[Renaissance]]
| concepts = [[Correspondences]], [[Hidden forces]], [[Spiritual evolution]], [[Microcosm-macrocosm analogy]]
| practices = [[Ritual magic]], [[Divination]], [[Astrology]], [[Alchemy]], [[Meditation]]
| influences = [[Hermeticism]], [[Neoplatonism]], [[Gnosticism]], [[Kabbalah]]
| influenced = [[Thelema]], [[Wicca]], [[New Age movement]], [[Western mystery tradition]]
}}

'''Occultism''' (from Latin ''occultus''—"hidden, concealed") refers to the study and application of purported supernatural or paranormal knowledge and practices beyond the realm of ordinary human perception. It encompasses diverse traditions seeking to understand and manipulate unseen forces, cosmic laws, and spiritual realities through ritual, symbolism, and inner transformation.

== Etymology and Definitions ==
The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings. Occultism distinguishes itself from:
* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions
* ''[[Religion]]'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces
* ''[[Science]]'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning

== Historical Development ==
=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===
* '''[[Mesopotamia]]''': [[Apotropaic magic|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)
* '''[[Ancient Egypt]]''': [[Heka (god)|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells
* '''[[Hellenistic period]]''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]

=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===
* '''[[Byzantine Empire]]''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
* '''[[Islamic Golden Age]]''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias
* '''[[Medieval Europe]]''': [[Solomon|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]

=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===
* [[Marsilio Ficino]]'s translations of [[Hermetica]]
* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)
* [[Rosicrucianism|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies

=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===
* [[Spiritualism]] movement (1848–1920s)
* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah
* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Thelema|Thelemic]] system
* [[Neopaganism|Neopagan]] reconstruction (e.g., [[Gerald Gardner|Gardnerian Wicca]])

== Fundamental Principles ==
=== The Law of Correspondences ===
"Doctrine of signatures" linking macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (human):
* ''As above, so below'' ([[Emerald Tablet|Hermetic axiom]])
* Symbolic systems: [[Astrology|planetary correspondences]], [[Kabbalah|Tree of Life]] pathways, [[Alchemy|elemental affinities]]

=== Vitalist Cosmology ===
* Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), [[Qi]] (Taoism), [[Odic force]] ([[Baron Carl Reichenbach|Reichenbach]])
* Etheric bodies: [[Aura]]s, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy

=== Spiritual Evolution ===
* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., [[Eleusinian Mysteries|Eleusis]], [[Mithraism|Mithraic]] rites)
* [[Theurgy|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine

== Core Practices ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; border:1px solid #a0a0a0; width:100%;"
|+ Comparative Occult Practices
! Practice !! Purpose !! Key Tools/Systems
|-
| [[Ritual Magic]] || Invoking/evoking spiritual entities || [[Circle of Art]], [[Sigil]]s, [[Magical weapons|Elemental weapons]]
|-
| [[Divination]] || Unveiling hidden knowledge || [[Tarot]], [[I Ching]], [[Scrying]], [[Runes]]
|-
| [[Astrology]] || Mapping cosmic influences || [[Zodiac]], [[Natal chart]], [[Aspect (astrology)|Planetary aspects]]
|-
| [[Alchemy]] || Spiritual transformation || [[Magnum opus (alchemy)|Great Work]], [[Ouroboros]], [[Athanor]]
|}

== Major Traditions ==
=== Western Esotericism ===
* '''[[Hermetic Qabalah]]''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology
* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"
* '''[[Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)

=== Eastern Traditions ===
* '''[[Tantra]]''': Sacred sexuality and energy work
* '''[[Sufism]]''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''[[Ilm al-huruf|ḥurūf]]'')
* '''[[Dzogchen]]''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques

== Controversies ==
* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)|maleficium]] in [[Canon Episcopi]] (9th century), associated with [[Satanism]]
* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, [[Cargo cult science]] accusations
* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., [[Native American Church|Native American]] rituals)

== Influence on Culture ==
* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]]'s ''[[Faust]]'', [[H.P. Lovecraft|Lovecraftian]] mythos
* '''Art''': [[William Blake|Blake]]'s visions, [[Surrealism|Surrealist]] automatic drawing
* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')

== See Also ==
<div style="column-count:2; column-gap:20px;">
* [[List of occult terms]]
* [[History of magic]]
* [[Esoteric Christianity]]
* [[Anthroposophy]]
* [[Parapsychology]]
</div>

{{Reflist}}

===Categories===
[[Category:Esotericism]]
[[Category:Occult| ]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]
[[Category:Metaphysics]]
{{Occult}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 15 August 2025
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	The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:		The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:
	* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions		* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions
	* ''[[Religion]]'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces		* ''Religion'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces
	* ''[[Science]]'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning		* ''Science'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning

	== Historical Development ==		== Historical Development ==
	=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===		=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===
	* '''[[Mesopotamia]]''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>		* '''Mesopotamia''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>
	* '''[[Ancient Egypt]]''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>		* '''Ancient Egypt''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>
	* '''[[Hellenistic period]]''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]		* '''Hellenistic period''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]

	=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===		=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===
	* '''[[Byzantine Empire]]''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts		* '''Byzantine Empire''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
	* '''[[Islamic Golden Age]]''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias		* '''Islamic Golden Age''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias
	* '''[[Medieval Europe]]''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]		* '''Medieval Europe''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]

	=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===		=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===
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	== Major Traditions ==		== Major Traditions ==
	=== Western Esotericism ===		=== Western Esotericism ===
	* '''[[Hermetic Qabalah]]''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology		* '''Hermetic Qabalah''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology
	* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"		* '''Thelema''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"
	* '''[[Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)		* '''[[Chaos Magic\|Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)

	=== Eastern Traditions ===		=== Eastern Traditions ===
	* '''[[Tantra]]''': Sacred sexuality and energy work		* '''Tantra''': Sacred sexuality and energy work
	* '''[[Sufism]]''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''~~[[Ilm al-huruf\|~~ḥurūf]]'')		* '''Sufism''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''ḥurūf'')
	* '''[[Dzogchen]]''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques		* '''Dzogchen''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques

	== Controversies ==		== Controversies ==
	* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in [[Canon Episcopi]] (9th century), associated with [[Satanism]]		* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism
	* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, [[Cargo cult science]] accusations		* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations
	* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., [[Native American ~~Church\|Native American]]~~ rituals)		* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)

	== Influence on Culture ==		== Influence on Culture ==
	* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''[[Faust]]'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos		* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''Faust'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos
	* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, [[Surrealism\|Surrealist]] automatic drawing		* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, [[Surrealism\|Surrealist]] automatic drawing
	* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')		* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''The Ninth Gate'', ''A Dark Song'')

	== See Also ==		== See Also ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:29, 15 August 2025
Line 17:		Line 17:
	The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:		The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:
	* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions		* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions
	* ''Religion'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces		* ''[[Religion]]'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces
	* ''Science'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning		* ''[[Science]]'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning

	== Historical Development ==		== Historical Development ==
	=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===		=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===
	* '''Mesopotamia''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>		* '''[[Mesopotamia]]''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>
	* '''Ancient Egypt''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, ~~'''~~Book of the Dead~~'''~~ funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>		* '''[[Ancient Egypt]]''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>
	* '''Hellenistic period''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]		* '''[[Hellenistic period]]''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]

	=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===		=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===
	* '''Byzantine Empire''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts		* '''[[Byzantine Empire]]''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
	* '''Islamic Golden Age''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias		* '''[[Islamic Golden Age]]''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias
	* '''Medieval Europe''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]		* '''[[Medieval Europe]]''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]

	=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===		=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===
	* Marsilio Ficino's translations of [[Hermetica]]		* [[Marsilio Ficino]]'s translations of [[Hermetica]]
	* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)		* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)
	* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies		* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies

	=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===		=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===
	* Spiritualism movement (1848–1920s)		* [[Spiritualism]] movement (1848–1920s)
	* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah		* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah
	* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Thelema\|Thelemic]] system		* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Thelema\|Thelemic]] system
	* Neopagan reconstruction (e.g., ''Gardnerian Wicca'')		* [[Neopaganism\|Neopagan]] reconstruction (e.g., [[Gerald Gardner\|Gardnerian Wicca]])

	== Fundamental Principles ==		== Fundamental Principles ==
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	=== Vitalist Cosmology ===		=== Vitalist Cosmology ===
	* Universal life force: Prana (Hinduism), Qi (Taoism), Odic force (Reichenbach)		* Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), [[Qi]] (Taoism), [[Odic force]] ([[Baron Carl Reichenbach\|Reichenbach]])
	* Etheric bodies: [[Aura]]s, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy		* Etheric bodies: [[Aura]]s, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy

	=== Spiritual Evolution ===		=== Spiritual Evolution ===
	* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., Eleusis, Mithraic rites)		* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., [[Eleusinian Mysteries\|Eleusis]], [[Mithraism\|Mithraic]] rites)
	* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine		* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine

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	== Major Traditions ==		== Major Traditions ==
	=== Western Esotericism ===		=== Western Esotericism ===
	* '''Hermetic Qabalah''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology		* '''[[Hermetic Qabalah]]''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology
	* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"		* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"
	* '''[[~~Chaos Magic\|~~Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)		* '''[[Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)

	=== Eastern Traditions ===		=== Eastern Traditions ===
	* '''Tantra''': Sacred sexuality and energy work		* '''[[Tantra]]''': Sacred sexuality and energy work
	* '''Sufism''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''ḥurūf'')		* '''[[Sufism]]''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''[[Ilm al-huruf\|ḥurūf]]'')
	* '''Dzogchen''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques		* '''[[Dzogchen]]''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques

	== Controversies ==		== Controversies ==
	* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism		* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in [[Canon Episcopi]] (9th century), associated with [[Satanism]]
	* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations		* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, [[Cargo cult science]] accusations
	* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)		* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., [[Native American Church\|Native American]] rituals)

	== Influence on Culture ==		== Influence on Culture ==
	* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''Faust'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos		* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''[[Faust]]'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos
	* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, Surrealist automatic drawing		* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, [[Surrealism\|Surrealist]] automatic drawing
	* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')		* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:28, 15 August 2025
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	The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:		The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French ''occultisme'', gaining prominence through [[Eliphas Lévi\|Éliphas Lévi]]'s 19th-century writings.<ref>Faivre, Antoine (1994). ''Access to Western Esotericism''. State University of New York Press, p. 11.</ref> Occultism distinguishes itself from:
	* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions		* ''[[Esotericism]]'': Broader study of hidden knowledge across religions
	* ''[[Religion]]'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces		* ''Religion'': Focuses on communal worship rather than individual mastery of forces
	* ''[[Science]]'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning		* ''Science'': Rejects materialist empiricism in favor of analogical and symbolic reasoning

	== Historical Development ==		== Historical Development ==
	=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===		=== Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE) ===
	* '''[[Mesopotamia]]''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>		* '''Mesopotamia''': [[Apotropaic magic\|Apotropaic]] rituals, [[omen]] interpretation (e.g., [[Enuma Anu Enlil]] tablets)<ref>Rochberg, Francesca (2016). ''Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science''. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.</ref>
	* '''[[Ancient Egypt]]''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, [[Book of the Dead]] funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>		* '''Ancient Egypt''': [[Heka (god)\|Heka]] (magic) as divine force, '''Book of the Dead''' funerary spells<ref>Pinch, Geraldine (1994). ''Magic in Ancient Egypt''. University of Texas Press, p. 39.</ref>
	* '''[[Hellenistic period]]''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]		* '''Hellenistic period''': Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; [[Hermes Trismegistus\|Hermetic]] corpus, [[Chaldean Oracles]]

	=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===		=== Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century) ===
	* '''[[Byzantine Empire]]''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts		* '''Byzantine Empire''': Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
	* '''[[Islamic Golden Age]]''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias		* '''Islamic Golden Age''': [[Jabir ibn Hayyan\|Geber]]'s alchemy, [[Ikhwan al-Safa\|Brethren of Purity]] encyclopedias
	* '''[[Medieval Europe]]''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]		* '''Medieval Europe''': [[Solomon\|Solomonic]] grimoires (e.g., [[Key of Solomon]]), [[Christian Kabbalah]]

	=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===		=== Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century) ===
	* [[Marsilio Ficino]]'s translations of [[Hermetica]]		* Marsilio Ficino's translations of [[Hermetica]]
	* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)		* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa\|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in ''[[Three Books of Occult Philosophy]]'' (1533)
	* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies		* [[Rosicrucianism\|Rosicrucian manifestos]] (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies

	=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===		=== Modern Revival (19th Century–Present) ===
	* [[Spiritualism]] movement (1848–1920s)		* Spiritualism movement (1848–1920s)
	* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah		* [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]] (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah
	* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Thelema\|Thelemic]] system		* [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Thelema\|Thelemic]] system
	* ~~[[Neopaganism\|~~Neopagan]] reconstruction (e.g., ~~[[Gerald Gardner\|~~Gardnerian Wicca]])		* Neopagan reconstruction (e.g., ''Gardnerian Wicca'')

	== Fundamental Principles ==		== Fundamental Principles ==
Line 49:		Line 49:

	=== Vitalist Cosmology ===		=== Vitalist Cosmology ===
	* Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), [[Qi]] (Taoism), [[Odic force]] (~~[[Baron Carl~~ Reichenbach~~\|Reichenbach]]~~)		* Universal life force: Prana (Hinduism), Qi (Taoism), Odic force (Reichenbach)
	* Etheric bodies: [[Aura]]s, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy		* Etheric bodies: [[Aura]]s, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy

	=== Spiritual Evolution ===		=== Spiritual Evolution ===
	* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., ~~[[Eleusinian Mysteries\|~~Eleusis]], ~~[[Mithraism\|~~Mithraic]] rites)		* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., Eleusis, Mithraic rites)
	* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine		* [[Theurgy\|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine

Line 72:		Line 72:
	== Major Traditions ==		== Major Traditions ==
	=== Western Esotericism ===		=== Western Esotericism ===
	* '''[[Hermetic Qabalah]]''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology		* '''Hermetic Qabalah''': Blends Jewish mysticism with Egyptian/Greek cosmology
	* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"		* '''[[Thelema]]''': Crowley's system centered on "Do what thou wilt"
	* '''[[Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)		* '''[[Chaos Magic\|Chaos magic]]''': Postmodern paradigm manipulation (1970s–present)

	=== Eastern Traditions ===		=== Eastern Traditions ===
	* '''[[Tantra]]''': Sacred sexuality and energy work		* '''Tantra''': Sacred sexuality and energy work
	* '''[[Sufism]]''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''~~[[Ilm al-huruf\|~~ḥurūf]]'')		* '''Sufism''': Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (''ḥurūf'')
	* '''[[Dzogchen]]''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques		* '''Dzogchen''': Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques

	== Controversies ==		== Controversies ==
	* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in [[Canon Episcopi]] (9th century), associated with [[Satanism]]		* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as [[Maleficium (sorcery)\|maleficium]] in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism
	* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, [[Cargo cult science]] accusations		* '''Scientific critiques''': [[James Randi\|Randi's]] debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations
	* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., [[Native American ~~Church\|Native American]]~~ rituals)		* '''Cultural appropriation''': Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)

	== Influence on Culture ==		== Influence on Culture ==
	* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''[[Faust]]'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos		* '''Literature''': [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe\|Goethe]]'s ''Faust'', [[H.P. Lovecraft\|Lovecraftian]] mythos
	* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, ~~[[Surrealism\|~~Surrealist]] automatic drawing		* '''Art''': [[William Blake\|Blake]]'s visions, Surrealist automatic drawing
	* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')		* '''Cinema''': Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., ''[[The Ninth Gate]]'', ''[[A Dark Song]]'')