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{{Otheruses|Occult (disambiguation)}}
{{Not verified|date=March 2007}}
{{portalpar|Occult}}
The word '''occult''' comes from the [[Latin]] ''occultus'' (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to 'knowledge of the hidden'. In the [[medical]] sense it is used commonly to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g. an "occult bleed."
The word has many uses in the [[English language]], popularly meaning 'knowledge of the [[paranormal]]', as opposed to 'knowledge of the [[measurable]]',{{Fact|date=March 2007}} 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. The terms ''[[esotericism|esoteric]]'' and ''arcane'' can have a very similar meaning, and the three terms are often interchangeable.
The term ''occult'' is also used as a label given to a number of [[organizations]] 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 [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Odinism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] or [[Islam]].
The word "occult" is somewhat generic, in that most everything that isn't claimed by any of the major religions is considered to be occult (and many things that are). Even [[Kabbalah]] has been considered an occult study, 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.
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]].
The occultist [[Aleister Crowley]] likens the approach of conventional science to the process of measuring ten yards with a stick about which we really know nothing but that it is one tenth of the ten yards in question. Every "fact" we hold true of the physical universe is merely an idea stated in relationship to other ideas, and if we try to establish any such "fact" in absolute terms we find it is impossible. If A is defined as BC, where B is DE, C is FG and so onwards the terms of dependency increase exponentially, and we even come to the point where Z is circularly defined in terms of A.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |authorlink=Aleister Crowley |title=[[777 and other Qabalistic writings]] |chapter=What is a "number" or a "symbol"?}}</ref>
[[Alchemy]], a precursor to modern science, 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. Since then, most scientists have seen alchemy as a misconseption based on the idea of five elements, and most occult practices as medieval nonsense.
==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.
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 mystical branches of 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.
== Aspects of the occult teachings ==
*''See [[:Category:Occult]]''
==See also==
* [[List of magical terms and traditions]]
* [[Magical organization]]s
* [[Paranormal]]
==References==
<references/>
*[[Benjamin Walker]], ''Encyclopedia of the Occult, the Esoteric and the Supernatural'', Stein & Day, New York, 1980, ISBN 0-8128-6051-9.
==Readings==
*"The Book of the Law", Aleister Crowley. Weiser Books.
*"Tree of Life", Israel Regardie. Llewellyn Publications.
*"Sistemagia", Adriano Camargo Monteiro. Madras Editora.
*"A Cabala Mistica", Dion Fortune. Editora Pensamento.
*"Initiation Into Hermetics", Franz Bardon. Merkur Pub Co.
==External links==
* [http://www.amsterdamhermetica.com University of Amsterdam Center for Study of Western Esotericism] -- Research & BA/MA programs in 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.
* [http://www.esotericarchives.com Esoteric Archives: Occult Literature]
* [http://athenaeum.asiya.org/ Magickal Athenaeum — Collection of occult works in PDF Format]
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[[Category:Occult| ]]
[[Category:Esotericism]]
[[af:Okkultisme]]
[[ar:تنجيم]]
[[bg:Окултизъм]]
[[da:Okkultisme]]
[[de:Okkultismus]]
[[et:Okultism]]
[[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]]
[[sq:Okultizmi]]
[[fi:okkultismi]]
[[zh:神秘学]]
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