To many the Occult or even the mention of the word conjours images of Satanic Mass', Witches around a bubbling Cauldron, The "Evil Eye" and all manner of other unsavory and "Demonic" practices.
The word Occult is derived from the latin word meaning: To hide or keep secret. So it is little wonder that since the religious repression of the Dark & Middle Ages that the term Occult has come to symbolize all that is wicked, wrong and evil, for as we know, if there is one single thing that humankind fears most it is the unknown, especially that which they feel is being deliberately kept from them.
So now we understand the meaning of the WORD Occult, we can now explore what the Occult truly encompasses and why it has been a "Secret" for so long.
As mentioned, Occult is that which is "Secret or Hidden" from the every day world. Even this very mundane dictionary explanation of the word actually requires deeper examination to understand it entire meaning. That is to say Occult does not just refer to those facts or knowledge that is secret from the majority of humankind but more importantly, the secret or hidden world of "Spirit" or the "Astral Plane" which coexists similtaniously in the same time and space as our own world that more often than not remains totally unnoticed by those who do not consciously seek it out. Some exceptions of to this Astral World remaining generally hidden and unseen by humanity in general have existed since time immemorial in the form of so called "Paranormal Activity", the manifestation of specters of the dead to physical form as in ghosts or poltergeist, looking to the period around the Dark & Middle Ages the
folk legends of Europe abound with examples of Nymphs, Faries and other ghostly apparitions and if one looks even further to the past, beyond the Dark & Middle Ages, before the advent of Monotheism and it's dogmatic scripture, to a time when Humankind truly believed that their Pantheistic Gods & Goddesses both walked amongst them as well as controlled many if not all aspects of their daily lives, we see FAR more evidence of this coexistent Astral Plane manifesting in the daily lives of humans.
However, even in this bygone era where the veil between our mundane world and that of the Astral would seem to be at it's thinnest, there was still The Occult.
The Occult in our modern vernacular has come to refer to the teachings and knowledge taught, learned and utilized as a method to both communicate with as well as influence the Astral Plane. The knowledge of this practice goes back to the beginning of Humankind, to the very point when Humans gained an awareness of themselves as beings seperate from the rest of the world around them. This is no coincidence. You see the Occult Arts core when stripped back of all it's fancy rituals, mythology, Arcane Wisdom and such is the Art of reconnecting our long forgotten, almost severed channel of communication to the rest of The Universe and reclaiming our foolishly given up right to influence that Universe by virtue of the fact that we are a part of it.
Allow me to explain this last section on our connection to The Universe and thus our ability to Influence it: When Humans (almost simultaneously) evolved Language, Ego and The sense of "Self", we unknowingly but foolishly forfeited our ability to be at one with the World around us, that is to say the WHOLE world around us, including and most importantly The Astral Plane. We began a path that would ultimately lead us to where we are today: So far removed from both the Natural AND the Astral Worlds that we have become isolated, like boats sailing in a seemingly endless sea without hope of finding a dock and land where we could place our feet on the soil of our long passed forefathers to reconnect with them, our fellow Humans and most importantly The Universe as a whole. Here I would like to mention that in my opinion the one exception to this endless isolation for most is Love and a Caring Relationship, in this although our boats still sail those open seas, we no longer sail alone, we sail together with the incomparable connection to another Human, no longer alone yet still not connected to The Universe as a whole.
The Occult Arts so called "Big Secret" ultimately is just various methods of trying to reconnect with The Universe from which we came.
The true "Art" part of the term "Occult Arts" is once the reconnection to The Universe has been made, recognizing that as a part of The Universe, we have the ability to influence EVERY other part of it as well. Just as a slight cut on your toe can cause Septicemia and poison your whole body (a negative example I know, a powerful one also however), so do we all have, as a part of The Greater Universe have the ability to effect and influence change in every other part of it.
This is a phenomenal concept and one that both may or may not ring true to you and also one that may take your subconscious some time to fully digest. It is one thing to intellectually understand a concept (especially one as profound as this) and another to fully comprehend and integrate the idea. It is for this very reason that The Occult Arts exist!! They give our conscious mind a method and a metaphor to understand, utilize and integrate this fundamental idea of reconnection and influencing to and of The Universe.
You see it has been so long since Humankind set sail on our seemingly endless voyage from the soils of our archetypal forefathers that to even attempt to plot a course back "Home" without a map would be entirely fruitless. The study and understanding of The Occult Arts gives us the tools to draw a map, plot a course, find north on the compass and eventually sail "Home".
Occult teachings vary as widely as any other area of study and to fully understand require as much if not more time and dedication as any other field of study as well, however if one is able to set ones metaphorical ship on the right heading, it very quickly becomes clear that this field of study opens doors to far greater things than a good job, it offers rewards far richer than any amount of money. It offers the deepest possible sense of fulfillment, the most incredible feeling of oneness with The Universe, Empowerment and Power as well as the Wisdom beyond every word ever written with which to know when and when not to utilize that power.
There are MANY "Schools" of Occult thought and it is wise to not jump on the first bandwagon that comes along, even though some of their teachings may ring true to you, that doesn't necessarily
mean that's the one for you. ALL legitimate paths to enlightenment share many core principles, they are the Universal Truths which underpin ALL Occult Wisdom and even Contemporary Religious Theology but if the basic framework of the field of study you are looking at doesn't "Feel" right to you then keep looking. Their is really only a couple of rules as to figuring out whether or not a particular spiritual path is for you or not: Firstly, if it costs to learn, it's not on!!! Spirituality is free and those who are truly enlightened will never charge for their time to teach or pass on their knowledge to a new seeker, Neophyte or Initiate, they will be happy to pass on their knowledge free to a worthy seeker as they know that in doing so, they are perpetuating the growth of Humans who's boats are sailing home and docking at long last and this is of hreat benefit to every other person connected to or seeking to reconnect to The Universe. Also if the area of Spuritual learning you are looking at requires you to do things you are not ethically or morally comfortable with, this is also a BIG sign to turn away. Virtually no legitimate Spiritual Teaching will advocate someone crossing personal ethical lines, rather most will help you create a new set of firmer, wiser and more "Universe Friendly" set of ethics. Probably the last rule would be to look deep inside at your reasons for wanting to persue a Spiritual Path. If when you do you end up withthe answer: "I want to learn Witchcraft/Wicca to put a Love spell on a pretty girl" or "I want to Invoke the Goetic Demon Asmodeous to get rich quick" then you should probably re think the whole thing!!!
From Wicca to Hermetics, Buddhism to Zoroastrianism or the the Ancient Mystery Schools of Greek and Egyptian Antiquity the field of Spiritual Study is wide open and now your ultimate goal is clear. If your intention is pure and you're in it for the long haul then I can assure you, this will be not only the journey of this lifetime but one that will mark the beginning of an era for every life you lead after this. (that is if reincarnation is your thing!).
May the sun always be on your cheek and the wind forever at your back.
Blessed be
Frater Argentium.
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