occultism

Occultism is a broad set of beliefs and practices that claim access to hidden or transcendent knowledge about reality, consciousness, and the divine. The term comes from the Latin occultus meaning hidden or secret, and it is used to describe traditions that seek insight beyond ordinary perception through study, initiation, and ritual.

Historically, occult currents emerged from late antique and medieval interest in Hermeticism, alchemy, astrology, and Kabbalah, and they evolved through the Renaissance and the modern era. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, occultism experienced a revival within Europe and North America via spiritualist and esoteric societies, speculative theosophy, and organized orders. Notable strands include Hermeticism and alchemical symbolism, magical practices, and the study of hidden correspondences across nature and the universe.

Practices commonly associated with occultism include ritual magic, divination (such as tarot and astrology), meditation and mysticism, alchemy as a symbolic discipline, ritual theater and initiation rites, and the study of correspondences in nature, language, and number. The aims range from personal transformation and spiritual ascent to the acquisition of hidden knowledge and practical power.

In contemporary contexts, occult ideas influence various spiritual movements, popular culture, and esoteric publishing. They are often debated or disputed by mainstream science and religion, which may view occultism as unverified or speculative. Despite controversy, occultism remains a persistent strand of Western esotericism, continuing to attract adherents and scholars interested in its history, symbols, and cultural impact.