Occultism through my Eyes

What is Occultism ?

Occultism is an ephemeral thing. Is it a religion ? Is it a science ? Is it an art ? Or is it a way of life ? For me it is all these things. Least of all it is a science.

Occultism as Science

I define a science as being a method of exctracting the same outcome from occurances by use of a set procedure of events. If you throw an egg in a hot pan it always cooks. Not always will the same thing happen when you perform a ritual or enact a force-of-will. At least in my experience, occult rituals do not always produce the same effect, and that variety of effects can be quite disparate. One day you get precisely what you want, the next you get a result almost perfectly opposite to your intentions. If occultism is a science, it is one to which we do not know the governing rules.

Occultism as a Religion

Occultism as a religion ? How can that be ? Surely Occultism is anti-religious ? *EeeeeeeP* Incorrect. Occultism is a way of looking at the world, much like any other religion. Think about the roots of the word.... "Occult" - Hidden, mysterious, beyond the range of normal knowledge Concise oxford dictionary So, by this definition and Occultist is a follower of the hidden and mysterious. Now I sound like What's-is-name Warrick from *The Extraordinary*. No I don't watch the X-Files. Occultism embraces many lesser-known deities, gods and general Pagan entities. You may know of Pan of the Woods, one positive Occult deity. Maybe you may know of The Black Goat With A Thousand Young ? Hmmm, a nastier deity there. Occultism is knowledge, knowledge of flok-law and tradition. An Occultist pays homage, to some degree, to the Lesser Gods, the Old Gods, the Forgotten Gods. Occultism is pantheistic. But is it REAL ? If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked thaty question, I'd be able to sue Bill Gates and win... More on that topic later .

Occultism as an ART

Occultism as an Art.... An art as in "The Art", "The Way", "The Art of the Unknown" ? I don't think so. In the eyes of some, magick or Occultism i s The Art, but those people are sometimes seen as a little immature. In my humble opinion, if you need to agrandise your beliefs by giving them a "mystic" name, then maybe you need a little more confidence in yourself, and maybe then your attempts at "doing things" will be more productive. It can, however, be also argued that it all comes down to the power and strength of your own belief. So if making a big name for what you do, by calling it "The Art" or "The Black Arts" makes you believe in it more, then who am I to say you are wrong. Indeed what righj does anybody have to make such a comment? Occultism is definitely an Art in that it seems to take a certain "flair" to bring about any real change in the world. It is not a power that can be taught with any great degree of success to one who is not favourably talented. Much in the same way as I could attend singing lessons for years and years, and while my ability to hold tones would increase, I would never become a singer of renown. I simply do not have a musical voice, even less do I have an artistic hand. I could never be termed a master of fine art, painting, sculpture or music. It seems to me that the ability to cause change in the world by use of mental, or will power alone is linked closely to one's creative ability, I believe that the more vividly you can visualise things, the more clearly you can focus on what you want, and unambiguously focus your thoughts upon it, the more magickal ability you have the potential to develop. Like Musical ability, Psychic ability is not something that you are born inate with, even the most incredible virtuoso had to learn his trade. So it is with magickal ability, you must practise and train your mind like a bodybuilder trains and builds his body. Start with small tasks and slowly build up both "size" of task and "endurance" or confidence in your ability.