Occultism: Difference between revisions
Dascent-wiki (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Dascent-wiki (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
== 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., | * '''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, | * '''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, | * '''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''': | * '''Islamic Golden Age''': Geber's alchemy, Brethren of Purity encyclopedias | ||
* '''Medieval Europe''': | * '''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]] | ||
* [[Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa|Agrippa]]'s systematic magic in '' | * [[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) | ||
* [[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 | * [[Aleister Crowley]]'s Thelemic system | ||
* | * 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'' ( | * ''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), | * Universal life force: [[Prana]] (Hinduism), Qi (Taoism), Odic force (Reichenbach) | ||
* Etheric bodies: | * Etheric bodies: Auras, [[Chakras]], and subtle anatomy | ||
=== Spiritual Evolution === | === Spiritual Evolution === | ||
* Human ascent through initiation (e.g., | * Human ascent through initiation (e.g., Eleusis, Mithraic rites) | ||
* [[Theurgy|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine | * [[Theurgy|Theurgical]] practices to unite with divine | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
== Controversies == | == Controversies == | ||
* '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as | * '''Religious opposition''': Condemned as maleficium in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism | ||
* '''Scientific critiques''': | * '''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''': | * '''Literature''': Goethe's ''Faust'', Lovecraftian mythos | ||
* '''Art''': | * '''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'') | ||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
<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 | ||
* [[Esoteric Christianity]] | * [[Esoteric Christianity]] | ||
* [[Anthroposophy]] | * [[Anthroposophy]] | ||
* | * Parapsychology | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 104: | Line 104: | ||
===Categories=== | ===Categories=== | ||
[[Category:Esotericism]] | [[Category:Esotericism]] | ||
[[Category:Occult| ]] | [[Category:Occult|Occult ]] | ||
[[Category:Spirituality]] | [[Category:Spirituality]] | ||
[[Category:Metaphysics]] | [[Category:Metaphysics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:29, 14 September 2025
Occultism
Common occult symbols representing interconnected esoteric traditions
| Classification | Esotericism, Metaphysics, Spirituality |
| Origin | Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece; systematized during European Renaissance |
| Key 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.[1]
Etymology and Definitions
[edit | edit source]The term emerged in 16th-century Europe via French occultisme, gaining prominence through Éliphas Lévi's 19th-century writings.[2] 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
[edit | edit source]Ancient Foundations (Pre-5th Century CE)
[edit | edit source]- Mesopotamia: Apotropaic rituals, omen interpretation (e.g., Enuma Anu Enlil tablets)[3]
- Ancient Egypt: Heka (magic) as divine force, Book of the Dead funerary spells[4]
- Hellenistic period: Syncretic blending of Egyptian, Greek, and Near Eastern traditions; Hermetic corpus, Chaldean Oracles
Medieval Synthesis (5th–15th Century)
[edit | edit source]- Byzantine Empire: Preservation of Greek esoteric texts
- Islamic Golden Age: Geber's alchemy, Brethren of Purity encyclopedias
- Medieval Europe: Solomonic grimoires (e.g., Key of Solomon), Christian Kabbalah
Renaissance and Enlightenment (15th–18th Century)
[edit | edit source]- Marsilio Ficino's translations of Hermetica
- Agrippa's systematic magic in Three Books of Occult Philosophy (1533)
- Rosicrucian manifestos (1614–1616) inspiring esoteric societies
Modern Revival (19th Century–Present)
[edit | edit source]- Spiritualism movement (1848–1920s)
- Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (1888–1903) synthesizing Tarot, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah
- Aleister Crowley's Thelemic system
- Neopagan reconstruction (e.g., Gardnerian Wicca)
Fundamental Principles
[edit | edit source]The Law of Correspondences
[edit | edit source]"Doctrine of signatures" linking macrocosm (universe) and microcosm (human):[5]
- As above, so below (Hermetic axiom)
- Symbolic systems: planetary correspondences, Tree of Life pathways, elemental affinities
Vitalist Cosmology
[edit | edit source]- Universal life force: Prana (Hinduism), Qi (Taoism), Odic force (Reichenbach)
- Etheric bodies: Auras, Chakras, and subtle anatomy
Spiritual Evolution
[edit | edit source]- Human ascent through initiation (e.g., Eleusis, Mithraic rites)
- Theurgical practices to unite with divine
Core Practices
[edit | edit source]| Practice | Purpose | Key Tools/Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Ritual Magic | Invoking/evoking spiritual entities | Circle of Art, Sigils, Elemental weapons |
| Divination | Unveiling hidden knowledge | Tarot, I Ching, Scrying, Runes |
| Astrology | Mapping cosmic influences | Zodiac, Natal chart, Planetary aspects |
| Alchemy | Spiritual transformation | Great Work, Ouroboros, Athanor |
Major Traditions
[edit | edit source]Western Esotericism
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- Tantra: Sacred sexuality and energy work
- Sufism: Islamic mysticism with occult sciences (ḥurūf)
- Dzogchen: Tibetan "Great Perfection" techniques
Controversies
[edit | edit source]- Religious opposition: Condemned as maleficium in Canon Episcopi (9th century), associated with Satanism
- Scientific critiques: Randi's debunking of paranormal claims, Cargo cult science accusations
- Cultural appropriation: Unauthorized use of indigenous practices (e.g., Native American rituals)
Influence on Culture
[edit | edit source]- Literature: Goethe's Faust, Lovecraftian mythos
- Art: Blake's visions, Surrealist automatic drawing
- Cinema: Occult cinema subgenre (e.g., The Ninth Gate, A Dark Song)
See Also
[edit | edit source]- List of occult terms
- History of magic
- Esoteric Christianity
- Anthroposophy
- Parapsychology
References
- ↑ Hanegraaff, Wouter J. (2013). Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed. Bloomsbury Academic, p. 74.
- ↑ Faivre, Antoine (1994). Access to Western Esotericism. State University of New York Press, p. 11.
- ↑ Rochberg, Francesca (2016). Before Nature: Cuneiform Knowledge and the History of Science. University of Chicago Press, p. 111.
- ↑ Pinch, Geraldine (1994). Magic in Ancient Egypt. University of Texas Press, p. 39.
- ↑ Sloane, Douglas. (2016). The Magical World of the Alchemist. Thames & Hudson, p. 45.
Categories
[edit | edit source]Occult
This content is generated full or partially by Ai. Click to report inaccurate content.
