Occultism
Hidden supernatural knowledge
Occultism is belief in or practice of supernatural powers, hidden knowledge, and mystical arts—astrology, alchemy, divination, magic.
The term derives from a Latin word meaning concealed or secret, suggesting wisdom accessible only to initiates.
She spent years studying occultism before dismissing it as nonsense.
The adjective is occult: occult practices, occult sciences.
Study of evil spirits
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- black magicEvil supernatural practice
- SatanJudeo-Christian arch-enemy of God
- SatanismVeneration of the devil
exorcism · possession · demons · summoning · curses · hexes · dark arts · forbidden knowledge
One claiming supernatural perception
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- chakrasBody's spiritual focal points
- crystal healingTherapeutic use of gemstones
tarot · astrology · clairvoyance · oracle · vibration · energy work · spirit guides · past lives
Esoteric Greco-Egyptian spiritual tradition
- GnosticismSalvation through hidden wisdom
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
- KabbalahJewish esoteric tradition
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
alchemy · arcana · grimoire · initiation · adept · secret doctrine · hidden knowledge · Rosicrucian
Spirit-improvement belief system
- secret societiesOrganizations operating in concealment
- Golden DawnVictorian occult fraternity
- BlavatskyTheosophical movement founder
- lodgeTemporary woodland dwelling
Practice of supernatural magic
- voodooFolk magic, often Caribbean
- neopaganismRevived polytheistic spirituality
- WiccaModern pagan witchcraft religion
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
spellcraft · divination · séance · medium · spirits · ancestor worship · shamanism · folk magic
demonology
Study of evil spirits
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- black magicEvil supernatural practice
- SatanJudeo-Christian arch-enemy of God
Satanism · exorcism · possession · demons · summoning · curses · hexes · dark arts · forbidden knowledge · infernal
psychic
One claiming supernatural perception
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- chakrasBody's spiritual focal points
crystal healing · tarot · astrology · clairvoyance · oracle · vibration · energy work · spirit guides · past lives · third eye
Hermeticism
Esoteric Greco-Egyptian spiritual tradition
- GnosticismSalvation through hidden wisdom
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
- KabbalahJewish esoteric tradition
mysticism · alchemy · arcana · grimoire · initiation · adept · secret doctrine · hidden knowledge · Rosicrucian · esoterica
Scientology
Spirit-improvement belief system
- secret societiesOrganizations operating in concealment
- Golden DawnVictorian occult fraternity
- BlavatskyTheosophical movement founder
Crowley · lodge · initiates · brotherhood · Illuminati
witchcraft
Practice of supernatural magic
- voodooFolk magic, often Caribbean
- neopaganismRevived polytheistic spirituality
- WiccaModern pagan witchcraft religion
ritual · spellcraft · divination · séance · medium · spirits · ancestor worship · shamanism · folk magic · hoodoo
- StrindbergThe Father, Easter, Storm, Inferno, Advent
Occultismmaterialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
science · empiricism · rationalism · scientific method · physicalism
Occultismorthodoxy
Adherence to accepted beliefs
organized religion · established church · Sunni Islam · Roman Catholicism · Christianity