Occult

The term occult comes from the Latin word "occultus," which means hidden, clandestine, or secret.

In common usage, the occult refers to knowledge of the paranormal. This is often contrasted with science, which focuses on knowledge of the measurable world. The occult encompasses esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices. These ideas generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and mainstream science. They often involve a "hidden" or "secret" agency, such as magic or mysticism. Some people also use the term to describe paranormal phenomena like extra-sensory perception or parapsychology.

In the 16th century, the term "occult sciences" was used to describe specific studies. These included astrology, alchemy, and natural magic. Sometimes, various forms of divination were also included in this category. These practices were grouped together because they shared a common approach. They involved systematic investigations of nature and natural processes. However, these investigations relied on theoretical frameworks involving occult qualities or forces. These qualities were seen as hidden virtues or powers within the natural world. While these sciences overlapped, they remained separate disciplines. Practitioners of one science might even reject others as being illegitimate.

Historically, the concept of an "occult quality" referred to properties without a rational explanation. In the Middle Ages, magnetism was considered an occult quality. Even Isaac Newton faced criticism for his theories. His contemporaries called his ideas about gravity "action at a distance" an occult concept. During the Age of Enlightenment, the view of these sciences changed significantly. Occultism began to be seen as incompatible with the growing concept of science. Using the term "occult science" became a way to argue against mainstream scientific views. It represented a conscious choice to look toward different types of knowledge.

The specific term "occultism" emerged in 19th-century France. The French esotericist Éliphas Lévi was a central figure in this development. He published an influential book on ritual magic in 1856.

Lévi is often called the principal exponent of esotericism in Europe and the United States at that time. He claimed to represent an older tradition of occult philosophy. The term was later introduced into the English language in 1875. Helena Blavatsky, a Russian émigré in the United States, used it in an article. She was the founder of the religion known as Theosophy. Since then, the term has been used in many different ways by various authors.

In the 20th century, different thinkers applied the term to different ideas. The German philosopher Theodor W. Adorno used it as a synonym for irrationality. Other writers used it simply as another word for esotericism. In the 1970s, sociologist Edward A. Tiryakian proposed a specific distinction. He used "occultism" to refer to specific practices, techniques, and procedures. He used "esotericism" to describe the religious or philosophical belief systems behind them. While some scholars later rejected this division, it shows how complex the terminology can be. Other thinkers, like René Guénon, used the terms to separate traditional teachings from new movements.

Today, academic scholars use "occultism" to categorize various esoteric currents. These currents mostly developed in the mid-19th century and their descendants. Notable examples include Spiritualism, Theosophy, and Anthroposophy. Other traditions include Wicca, the New Age movement, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The term also covers the Qabalah and the study of the left-hand and right-hand paths.

Some groups, like the Rosicrucians, are historically adjacent to these traditions. For instance, the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia influenced the founding of the Golden Dawn.

Modern occultism often seeks to bridge the gap between different fields of thought. Many occultists do not reject scientific progress or modernity. Instead, they seek an alternative solution to the rise of materialism. They try to integrate scientific progress with a global vision of the universe. Some groups even seek proofs through scientific tests or specific terminology. This is often seen as an attempt to adapt esotericism to a "disenchanted" world. This is a world where scientific discovery has removed much of the mystery previously found in nature. They aim for a synthesis of religion, science, and philosophy.