occultism
Study of supernatural
Occultism is belief in or practice of supernatural arts—magic, astrology, alchemy, divination, communication with spirits.
The term covers esoteric traditions claiming hidden knowledge unavailable through ordinary perception or science.
Someone drawn to occultism might study tarot, seek contact with the dead, or pursue mystical enlightenment through secret rituals.
The adjective is occult: occult practices, occult symbols.
Divination card set
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- scryingVisionary surface-gazing
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
- I ChingChinese divination classic
runes · palmistry · crystal ball · pendulum · augury · geomancy · bibliomancy · tea leaves
Jewish esoteric tradition
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
- HermeticismEsoteric Greco-Egyptian spiritual tradition
- GnosticismSalvation through hidden wisdom
- anthroposophySteiner's spiritual development system
Golden Dawn · Wicca · left-hand path · Aleister Crowley · secret societies
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- séanceSpirit communication ritual
- pentagramFive-pointed mystical star
- summoningCalling forth deliberately
conjuring · evocation · invocation · sigil · chanting · grimoire · altar · candle magic
Communicating with the deceased
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- spiritualismCommunion with the deceased
- mediumMiddle size or state
channeling · apparition · psychic · familiar · possession · astral projection · elemental · demon
Information deliberately kept concealed
- arcanaEsoteric specialized knowledge
- mysteriesUnexplained phenomena or events
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- adeptHighly capable, well-versed
neophyte · veiled · esoterica · forbidden knowledge · secret doctrine · inner circle · oath-bound · cryptic
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- transmutationComplete change of form
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
alembic · crucible · magnum opus · mercury · sulfur · salt · homunculus · tincture
tarot
Divination card set
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
- scryingVisionary surface-gazing
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
I Ching · runes · palmistry · crystal ball · pendulum · augury · geomancy · bibliomancy · tea leaves · omen
Kabbalah
Jewish esoteric tradition
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
- HermeticismEsoteric Greco-Egyptian spiritual tradition
- GnosticismSalvation through hidden wisdom
anthroposophy · Golden Dawn · Wicca · left-hand path · Aleister Crowley · secret societies
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- séanceSpirit communication ritual
- pentagramFive-pointed mystical star
summoning · conjuring · evocation · invocation · sigil · chanting · grimoire · altar · candle magic · banishing
necromancy
Communicating with the deceased
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- spiritualismCommunion with the deceased
medium · channeling · apparition · psychic · familiar · possession · astral projection · elemental · demon · angel
hidden knowledge
Information deliberately kept concealed
- arcanaEsoteric specialized knowledge
- mysteriesUnexplained phenomena or events
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
adept · neophyte · veiled · esoterica · forbidden knowledge · secret doctrine · inner circle · oath-bound · cryptic
philosopher's stone
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- transmutationComplete change of form
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
quintessence · alembic · crucible · magnum opus · mercury · sulfur · salt · homunculus · tincture · calcination
- pseudosciencehomeopathy, astrology, phrenology, numerology, palmistry
- religionsChristianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism
- beliefsbelief, beliefs, creed, creeds, faith
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- Occult Traditionsesotericism, Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Gnosticism, Theosophy
- secret societiesFreemasons, Illuminati, secret society, secret societies, Masons
occultismscience
Systematic study through observation
empiricism · rationalism · scientific method · materialism · positivism
occultismatheism
Rejection of deities
secular humanism · disenchantment · irreligion · agnosticism · mundanity