the occult

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Jan 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

cayacia	13 Jan 2002
what exactly is the occult? I've never really understood it other than the general knowledge that it is a not-so-good thing. I think it's by time I found out, too. Especially since I unknowingly bought the Brotherhood of LIght Egyptian deck and it had an add in it for books on the occult. It kinda turned me off on them so I havn't used them at all. Love,

Kiama	13 Jan 2002
The word 'ocult; simply means 'secret' or hidden'. It can be applied to Kabbalah, Hermetica, and even teh Tarot. S'pose its kinda an umbrella term for the things most peopleon here study Kiama

cayacia	13 Jan 2002
Quote: Kiama (14 Jan, 2002 09:21): The word 'ocult; simply means 'secret' or hidden'. It can be applied to Kabbalah, Hermetica, and even teh Tarot. S'pose its kinda an umbrella term for the things most peopleon here study Kiama Ah, the Kabbalah...something that I saw on the discount bookselves at B&N for a month but never picked it up. I felt like I should have, as though it were calling me ("Pick me up and read me, Becky!" but I never did. I'm awful about these things, aren't I? But I'm curious still, because if that's all the occult is, then what gives it such a bad rep? The reason I really need to know is for my own reassurances and for that of my friend Shannon whom I just finnally managed to admit to that I was using the Tarot. (she's very Christian orientated and I'd been worried what she would think. Dumb me, she was very open minded, as I should have known she would be)

tarotbear	13 Jan 2002
It's people like Miss Cleo who give us a bad rap. People think that is what we all act/look/think/speak like. DO WE? Because the 'occult' is things that are hidden from the rest of the schmoes out there...they figure it has to be bad, and nothing sells better than trashing something and having people believe you. Just look at all the ministers out there telling people to burn Harry Potter books. Do you think if they told their followers to burn salami sandwiches that anyone would pay attention to them? The best way to trash something is to create an atmosphere of suspicion and hatred for it...whether it's true, makes sense, or anything else. If you think the 'occult' is bad - you are lying to yourself.

blue	13 Jan 2002
Schmoes? Tarotbear, you silver tongued devil!

Greenman	13 Jan 2002
actually 'occult' means 'hidden knowledge'. and it seems to me that knowledge has always been a taboo in mainstream religion, specifically Christianity (bite the apple anyone?). so after years of mostly bad PR, is it any wonder that the word 'occult' is second only to 'witch' on the list of scarey, misunderstood words?

Jewel	14 Jan 2002
Quote: Greenman (14 Jan, 2002 14:18): actually 'occult' means 'hidden knowledge'. and it seems to me that knowledge has always been a taboo in mainstream religion, specifically Christianity (bite the apple anyone?). so after years of mostly bad PR, is it any wonder that the word 'occult' is second only to 'witch' on the list of scarey, misunderstood words? ~Giggles madly~ Ohhhh how true that is! Well put Greenman ... this was worth going "below the line" for ~giggles~. I think we can also add that Hollywood and TV have not done much to help our cause either ~shrugs~. As I began to explore and learn "occult" teachings I was amazed!!! It was not what I had expected based on my original assumption of what "occult" was thanks to society in general. I am glad I took the initiative to begin learning. It has trully enriched my life and I have yet to encounter anything "evil" as I was assured was there. Then again I have not been seeking evil only knowledge. The Qabalah is most interesting, and takes years and years of study. I have been at it for about 3 years and I would not even venture to say I know anything *LOL* ... but it sure has been a lot of fun researching and learning and I shall continue to perservere. As for other things falling under the blanket of the "occult" are: alchemy, astrology, numerology, Tarot, magik. As someone else mentioned earlier .... pretty much most of the interests you find here on these boards are of the "occult." Love & Light,

Greenman	14 Jan 2002
i agree about the qabala. absolutely fascinating. i've been at it about five years now, and the more i learn the more i realize that i know even less than i thought i knew (does that make sense?). oh well, it is still very rewarding somehow!

purplelady	15 Jan 2002
Quote: [b] cayacia (14 Jan, 2002 11:09): Ah, the Kabbalah...something that I saw on the discount bookselves at B&N for a month but never picked it up. I felt like I should have, as though it were calling me ("Pick me up and read me, Becky!" but I never did. I'm awful about these things, aren't I? If you feel the book is calling to you then by all means follow your intuition! I've found the best books this way.

Jewel	15 Jan 2002
Quote: Greenman (15 Jan, 2002 10:00): i agree about the qabala. absolutely fascinating. i've been at it about five years now, and the more i learn the more i realize that i know even less than i thought i knew (does that make sense?). oh well, it is still very rewarding somehow! That makes perfect sense to me! I know exactly what you mean and feel exactly the same way. Love & Light,

tarotbear	16 Jan 2002
Knowledge is Power. The best way to keep control over a large group of people is to deny them knowledge, whether it is the USSR 'washing' news stories so only what they want the people to know is told, or by book burnings where knowledge is destroyed. There is much knowledge in the occult, or Occult. By giving the general populace the idea that certain books, movies, etc are 'bad' because they contain great truths or knowledge is one way to 'scare' people into believing it is 'bad'. Unfortunately throughout history, this has worked very well. 'The Occult' means many things to many people. Knowledge is power. If A = B and B = C, then A = C.

cayacia	16 Jan 2002
However, havn't there been some rather questionable thing done under the title "occult" that make everything else seem so scary. I think that's why my friend (Shannon) is a little weary of it all. She was telling me something about a friend of her fathers who was killed from being involved ?? I don't know the whole story but I know it's probably one incident that has soiled the name in her mind.

Greenman	16 Jan 2002
there have been "questionable" things done under every banner you can think of m'dear. i would echo much of what TarotBear posted, except to add that the kind of 'news washing' that he referred to is alive and doing very well right here in the good ol' USA as well.

New River	16 Jan 2002
Hi everyone. i just had to get in on this. i grew up hearing the word occult said as if it were just the word, 'cult'. it conjured pictures of sacrifices, drinking blood and people running naked in the moonlight........ of course this came from a 'religious' background, read christianity. yikes! i still want to look over my shoulder and see if anyone's watching me write this! okay, i'm over the indoctrination of the past and the grownups in my life who didn't care enough to look for their own truth. i have a way of pointing out what has been done in the name of religion, i.e. the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc. and going on my way. these things are way scarier to me than the unknown. and greenman is right, 'news washing' is very much alive and well right here right now. so always question, question , question. no matter who it comes from. knowledge can only be hidden if we don't look for it. love, light and hope, New River

The the occult thread was originally posted on 13 Jan 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.