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The term occult sciences was used in 16th-century Europe to refer to [[astrology]], [[alchemy]], and [[natural magic]], which today are considered pseudosciences. The term occultism emerged in 19th-century France, where it came to be associated with various French esoteric groups connected to [[Éliphas Lévi]] and [[Papus]], and in 1875 was introduced into the English language by the esotericist [[Helena Blavatsky]]. | The term occult sciences was used in 16th-century Europe to refer to [[astrology]], [[alchemy]], and [[natural magic]], which today are considered pseudosciences. The term occultism emerged in 19th-century France, where it came to be associated with various French esoteric groups connected to [[Éliphas Lévi]] and [[Papus]], and in 1875 was introduced into the English language by the esotericist [[Helena Blavatsky]]. | ||
Throughout the 20th century, the term was used idiosyncratically by a range of different authors, but by the 21st century was commonly employed – including by academic scholars of esotericism – to refer to a range of esoteric currents that developed in the mid-19th century and their descendants. Occultism is thus often used to categorise such esoteric traditions as [[Spiritualism]], [[Theosophy]], Anthroposophy, the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]], and New Age. | Throughout the 20th century, the term was used idiosyncratically by a range of different authors, but by the 21st century was commonly employed – including by academic scholars of esotericism – to refer to a range of esoteric currents that developed in the mid-19th century and their descendants. Occultism is thus often used to categorise such esoteric traditions as [[Spiritualism]], [[Theosophy]], Anthroposophy, the [[Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]], and [[New Age]]. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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Unlike older forms of esotericism, occultism does not reject "scientific progress or modernity." In his work about Lévi, the German historian of religion Julian Strube has argued that the occultist wish for a "synthesis" of religion, science, and philosophy directly resulted from the context of contemporary socialism and progressive Catholicism. Similar to spiritualism, but in declared opposition to it, the emergence of occultism should thus be seen within the context of radical social reform, which was often concerned with establishing new forms of "scientific religion" while at the same time propagating the revival of an ancient tradition of "true religion." | Unlike older forms of esotericism, occultism does not reject "scientific progress or modernity." In his work about Lévi, the German historian of religion Julian Strube has argued that the occultist wish for a "synthesis" of religion, science, and philosophy directly resulted from the context of contemporary socialism and progressive Catholicism. Similar to spiritualism, but in declared opposition to it, the emergence of occultism should thus be seen within the context of radical social reform, which was often concerned with establishing new forms of "scientific religion" while at the same time propagating the revival of an ancient tradition of "true religion." | ||
Another feature of occultists is that—unlike earlier esotericists—they often openly distanced themselves from [[Christianity]], in some cases (like that of Crowley) even adopting explicitly anti-Christian stances. This reflected how pervasive the influence of secularisation had been on all areas of European society. In rejecting Christianity, these occultists sometimes turned towards pre-Christian belief systems and embraced forms of Modern [[Paganism]], while others instead took influence from the religions of Asia, such as [[Hindu]]ism and [[Buddhism]]. In various cases, certain occultists did both. Another characteristic of these occultists was the emphasis that they placed on "the spiritual realization of the individual," an idea that would strongly influence the twentieth-century New Age and Human Potential Movement. This spiritual realization was encouraged both through traditional Western 'occult sciences' like alchemy and [[ritual magic]], but by the start of the twentieth century had also begun to include practices drawn from non-Western contexts, such as [[yoga]]. | Another feature of occultists is that—unlike earlier esotericists—they often openly distanced themselves from [[Christianity]], in some cases (like that of Crowley) even adopting explicitly anti-Christian stances. This reflected how pervasive the influence of secularisation had been on all areas of European society. In rejecting Christianity, these occultists sometimes turned towards pre-Christian belief systems and embraced forms of Modern [[Paganism]], while others instead took influence from the religions of Asia, such as [[Hindu]]ism and [[Buddhism]]. In various cases, certain occultists did both. Another characteristic of these occultists was the emphasis that they placed on "the spiritual realization of the individual," an idea that would strongly influence the twentieth-century [[New Age]] and Human Potential Movement. This spiritual realization was encouraged both through traditional Western 'occult sciences' like alchemy and [[ritual magic]], but by the start of the twentieth century had also begun to include practices drawn from non-Western contexts, such as [[yoga]]. | ||
==Modern usage== | ==Modern usage== | ||