Occult

:For other uses of this term, see occult (disambiguation).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The word occult comes from Latin occultus (hidden), referring to the 'knowledge of the secret' or 'knowledge of the hidden' and often meaning 'knowledge of the supernatural', as opposed to 'knowledge of the visible' or 'knowledge of the measurable', usually referred to as science. The modern term's meaning is often imprecisely translated and used as a term for 'secret knowledge' or 'hidden knowledge', in the sense of meaning 'knowledge meant only for certain people' or 'knowledge that must be kept hidden'. For most practicing occultists, however, it is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that cannot be understood using pure reason or material science.

Related Topics:
Latin - Knowledge - Secret - Supernatural - Science

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ancient Greek term for occult is esoteric.

Related Topics:
Greek - Esoteric

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some people, especially Conservative Christians, use the term in a derogatory, connotative sense to refer to a number of practices which they disapprove of on religious grounds, but which for the most part are not considered occult by those who participate in them. These include the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, heavy metal music, and sometimes even Catholicism. In cases like these, however, as there is nothing secret nor hidden, the term 'occult' would not accurately denote role-playing games, "Harry Potter" books or heavy metal music.

Related Topics:
Conservative Christians - Religious - Role-playing game - Dungeons & Dragons - Heavy metal music - Catholicism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~