occultism
Sign in to saveThe occult () is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysticism. It can also refer to paranormal ideas such as extra-sensory perception and parapsychology.
AI overview
Occultism refers to beliefs and practices centered on hidden or secret forces—like magic and mysticism—that exist outside mainstream religion and science. It matters because it represents a significant category of human thought and behavior that many people are curious about or believe in, including ideas about paranormal abilities and unexplained phenomena.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Occult sciences
- Occult qualities
- Occultism
- Etic uses of the term
- Modern usage
- Occulture
- Occultism and technology
- See also
- References
- Notes
- Citations
- Works cited
- Further reading
- External links
The occult () is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysticism. It can also refer to paranormal ideas such as extra-sensory perception and parapsychology.
The term occult sciences was used in 16th-century Europe to refer to astrology, alchemy, and natural magic. The term occultism emerged in 19th-century France, among figures such as Antoine Court de Gébelin. It came to be associated with various French esoteric groups connected to Éliphas Lévi and Papus, and in 1875 was introduced into the English language by the esotericist Helena Blavatsky.