Spiritualism and the Occult: Ghosts, Mediums, and Séances

The occult is a topic that has fascinated and intrigued humans for centuries. It refers to mysterious and hidden knowledge or practices that surpass the boundaries of conventional understanding. The word "occult" comes from the Latin word "occultus," which means "secret" or "hidden." The history of the occult can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Babylon, and Greece. These civilizations had belief systems and practices involving astrology, divination, and the worship of deities. They believed that by tapping into these supernatural forces, they could gain insight into the future, manipulate reality, and acquire power.

I personally agree with most of this thesis (with the possible exception of the actual scope of such powers, should they exist), and I enjoyed the fictionalization of these ideas in Wilson's novel [b:The Mind Parasites|14495|The Mind Parasites|Colin Wilson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166638267s/14495.jpg|1789515]. But the problem I have with the book is Wilson's self-admitted credulity, and the overtly biased way in which he presents his facts in an attempt to exploit his readers' credulity. I'm not proposing that he did it on purpose; contrarily, I suspect that it was entirely unconscious on his part. But the result is nonetheless disappointing, considering how intelligent the author undoubtedly is.

Dunne s ideas about three different Selves and three different Times, Wilson gives a brief explanation of the idea, using Priestley s example of a person in an airplane crash. Threaded with dramatic accounts of witch trials and devil s pacts, this time-tested reference offers a compelling look at The Worship of the Witch, Demons and Familiars, the Sabbat, and Diabolic Possession and Modern Spiritism.

They believed that by tapping into these supernatural forces, they could gain insight into the future, manipulate reality, and acquire power. During the Renaissance period in Europe, interest in the occult experienced a resurgence. Scholars and philosophers delved into the study of alchemy, astrology, and Hermeticism, seeking to unlock the secrets of the universe.

The Occult - A History

Colin Wilson's great classic work is a comprehensive history of mystery and "magic". His genius lies in producing a skilful synthesis of the available material; clarifying without simplifying, seeing the occult in the light of reason and reason in the light of the mystical and paranormal. It is a journey of enlightenment - a wide-ranging survey of the whole subject and an insightful exploration of Man's latent powers. Republished two years after the author's death and with a new foreword by bibliographer Colin Stanley, Wilson brings his own refreshingly optimistic and stimulating interpretation to the worlds of the paranormal, the occult and the supernatural. "The Occult is the most interesting, informative and thought-provoking book on the subject I have read" --Sunday Telegraph … (more)

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Partially magic is the wonder of the uninformed viewer. But reality has its levels. What is magic to one level of understanding is commonplace to another. But all knowledge fits into a context, which has to be respected/

Wilson can be credited with putting together a clear/concise effort to try to shed light on what has often been misunderstood. ( )

Wilson is one of my favorite writers (his [b:The Outsider|67880|The Outsider|Colin Wilson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170680654s/67880.jpg|3310176] is one of my all-time favorite books), and both his best and worst qualities are on full display in this giant compendium. With his totally engaging writing style and encyclopedic knowledge (the man must have read literally thousands of books in his life), he leads the reader on a mostly interesting journey through the most notable events and people in the history of the occult. Though noticeably long, his treatment of the subject gives you the impression that the book has "earned" its length.

Wilson's main thesis, if he can be said to have one, is that common man is going about his business in a state of veritable sleepwalking, and that we all have the potential to utilize our Faculty X to expand our consciousness and tap into almost unimaginable psychic powers. Certain individuals are born with a naturally enhanced capacity for this Faculty X, but we can all cultivate this ability through concentration, meditation, and other eastern-ish practices.

I personally agree with most of this thesis (with the possible exception of the actual scope of such powers, should they exist), and I enjoyed the fictionalization of these ideas in Wilson's novel [b:The Mind Parasites|14495|The Mind Parasites|Colin Wilson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166638267s/14495.jpg|1789515]. But the problem I have with the book is Wilson's self-admitted credulity, and the overtly biased way in which he presents his facts in an attempt to exploit his readers' credulity. I'm not proposing that he did it on purpose; contrarily, I suspect that it was entirely unconscious on his part. But the result is nonetheless disappointing, considering how intelligent the author undoubtedly is.

There are many examples of this with his descriptions of all of his mages and mediums and whatnot, but unfortunately the book took me so long to read that I can't remember most of the examples off the top of my head, and don't want to waste the time to search them out. The general gist is that he would describe the phenomena surrounding one of his occult figures in rather fantastic terms, and then I would research the figure online for about 5 minutes and find out that the actual circumstances of these events was altogether less remarkable. Now it could be argued that the sources I'm finding on the internet are just naturally more skeptical and biased against such happenings, but I don't think that disproves that Wilson himself is quite biased toward them.

There are also times when Wilson takes such startling leaps in logic that a critical reader can't help but be jarred right out of the proceedings. I remember one specific example since it occurred in the last chapter, which is still fresh in my mind. While discussing J.B. Priestley and J.W. Dunne's ideas about three different Selves and three different Times, Wilson gives a brief explanation of the idea, using Priestley's example of a person in an airplane crash. I will sheepishly admit that I was too tired to think that hard when I read it, but it was not a very intuitive analogy, or a very intuitive concept and it seemed pretty far-fetched to me. But Wilson wholly accepts the rather radical notion that there are actually three parallel Times and then spends several pages recounting events while referencing Time Three. Perhaps by the end of the book I was just tired of thinking so much and eager to get it over with. . .

In any case, as a fairly exhaustive and very engaging history of the major figures and events in the history of the occult, this book easily succeeds. As a convincing argument for the presence of these different phenomena, it leaves one wanting. But I've read enough by now to know that most of this stuff is a matter of faith anyway. The fact that there's no clear evidence doesn't necessarily mean that occult phenomena don't exist, but it does mean that I can stop hoping to find hard proof for them, even from Colin Wilson. ( )

A very sane survey of the many forms of the Occult, (phenomena and faculties hidden, forgotten or not yet evolved), most of which he debunks ( )

There are also times when Wilson takes such startling leaps in logic that a critical reader can't help but be jarred right out of the proceedings. I remember one specific example since it occurred in the last chapter, which is still fresh in my mind. While discussing J.B. Priestley and J.W. Dunne's ideas about three different Selves and three different Times, Wilson gives a brief explanation of the idea, using Priestley's example of a person in an airplane crash. I will sheepishly admit that I was too tired to think that hard when I read it, but it was not a very intuitive analogy, or a very intuitive concept and it seemed pretty far-fetched to me. But Wilson wholly accepts the rather radical notion that there are actually three parallel Times and then spends several pages recounting events while referencing Time Three. Perhaps by the end of the book I was just tired of thinking so much and eager to get it over with. . .

Figures such as Paracelsus, Johannes Kepler, and Giordano Bruno made significant contributions to the occult knowledge during this time. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the occult became more closely associated with secret societies, such as the Freemasons and the Rosicrucians. These organizations claimed to possess hidden knowledge and held rituals and initiations to pass on their teachings. They were particularly popular among the intellectual and literary elite of the time, including figures like Aleister Crowley and Madame Blavatsky. The 20th century saw a further popularization of the occult through various cultural movements, such as Theosophy, New Age spirituality, and the rise of interest in witchcraft and magic. Books on topics like tarot, astrology, and witchcraft became widely available, and interest in these subjects soared. Today, the occult continues to captivate people from various backgrounds and walks of life. While some still perceive it as a dark and mysterious realm, others view it as a source of spiritual awakening and personal empowerment. With the rise of the internet and social media, information on the occult is more accessible than ever before, allowing individuals to explore and engage with these practices and beliefs in new ways. In conclusion, the history of the occult is a long and complex one, intertwined with human curiosity and the desire to connect to something greater than ourselves. It has evolved and adapted over time, retaining its allure and attracting new followers. Whether seen as a fascinating realm of hidden knowledge or dismissed as mere superstition, the occult remains a subject of intrigue and fascination in the present day..

Reviews for "The Occult and Religion: The Intersection of the Mystical and the Sacred"

1. John - 2/5 - I was highly disappointed with "The Occult: A History". The book promised to provide an in-depth exploration of the history of occult practices, but I found it to be lacking in substance. The author presented a shallow overview of different occult practices without delving into the details or providing any significant analysis. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of occult history.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Occult: A History" was a complete letdown for me. I had high hopes for a book that would delve into the mysteries and secrets of occult practices, but the content fell flat. The author only scratched the surface of various occult topics and failed to provide any depth or meaningful insights. The writing style was boring and lacked the captivating storytelling I had anticipated. I found myself struggling to finish the book and ended up feeling unsatisfied. Save your time and skip this one, especially if you're looking for a comprehensive exploration of the occult.

3. Robert - 2/5 - As someone with a genuine interest in the occult, I was thoroughly disappointed by "The Occult: A History". The book lacked coherence and organization, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. The information provided felt disjointed and incomplete, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the author's biased perspective was evident throughout the book, which undermined the credibility of the content. Overall, this was not the comprehensive history I was hoping for, and I would recommend seeking alternative sources for a more accurate understanding of the occult.

4. Emily - 2/5 - "The Occult: A History" failed to live up to my expectations. The book promised to provide an in-depth exploration of occult practices, but it fell short in delivering valuable insights. The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing occult topics rather than providing a scholarly examination of the subject. Furthermore, the writing style was unnecessarily convoluted, making it difficult to grasp the main arguments. If you're looking for a serious and well-researched exploration of the occult, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

The Occult and Popular Culture: Influence on Books, Films, and Music