Buzz
Throughout human history, both religious convictions and the belief in supernatural forces have simultaneously offered comfort and instilled fear. These ideas, as evidenced by prehistoric cave art, have existed long before agriculture, civilization, or even writing systems, and they predate the agricultural revolution when early humans began to master the land and domesticate animals.
Despite the fear often associated with Christianity’s influence on occultism, the practice itself isn’t inherently harmful. In many cases, it acts as a form of spiritual exploration for those who engage in it, similar to the reverence of unconventional deities like Satan. Below are 10 peculiar and fascinating occult traditions from history.
10. Séances
Séances are mystical rituals performed by mediums, typically with the intention of communicating with the deceased or spirits from other realms. The term 'séance' originates from the French word meaning 'sitting,' where participants 'sit' in a circle to make contact with spirits from beyond.
Typically, participants form a circle of six to eight individuals, joining hands and minimizing distractions in order to focus on summoning spirits from the afterlife. Some mediums claim to hear voices from beyond the grave and even witness spectral apparitions manifesting during these sessions.
On occasion, it is believed that the spirit communicates directly through the medium. There are reports of ghosts using various tools, such as the notorious Ouija board, or even manipulating pens or pencils to write messages on paper or other surfaces.
The medium is considered the central figure during a séance, believed to facilitate communication with the deceased. Some accounts describe mediums allegedly levitating during these sessions. However, modern science remains skeptical, as no conclusive evidence has emerged to support such extraordinary claims.
So, what exactly is happening here? Does a séance truly tap into supernatural powers? Or is it simply a case of individuals believing in what they wish to believe, forsaking rational thought in the process?
9. Symbolism
In the realm of the occult, symbolism holds significant power, often serving to connect individuals with hidden realms or to awaken the unconscious mind. The pentagram, a widely recognized symbol today, has deep roots that stretch back to ancient Babylon. The star represented the path Venus appeared to trace in the sky, as well as various cultural beliefs. Over time, its meaning has shifted, taking on different interpretations depending on the individual.
Sigils are essentially unique symbols representing various deities, angels, or demons. These marks are created with the intent to channel specific attributes or powers from these entities. This method allows practitioners to seek guidance or strength that they might not typically possess.
Then there is Baphomet, one of the most iconic symbols in occultism, originating from the heresy and witchcraft trials of the medieval period. It first appeared with The Order in 1118, where it was used as a protective symbol for Christians traveling through the Middle East.
Baphomet is commonly depicted as a goat with a pentagram on its head. As The Order and its affiliated Christian groups grew in influence, they became a political threat to the Church. In response, the symbol was appropriated and eventually banned by the Church through a series of political actions.
Over time, this symbol became associated with torture at the hands of the Church, which used it to punish heretics.
8. Necropants
Necropants are a bizarre and unsettling aspect of occultism originating in Iceland. They consist of the skin from the legs and feet of the deceased, worn by the living. In the 17th century, Icelandic people were fascinated by rituals involving the dead, often using body parts like ribs and sheep’s skin to create nightmarish, hybrid creations that continue to shock us today.
For the creation of necropants, a sorcerer had to receive permission from the deceased person to use their skin for this purpose. It was believed that wearing them would bring the wearer immense power, fortune, and even wealth—provided they could endure the gruesome ritual.
Initially, necropants were considered mere myth. However, many examples have since been discovered and are now displayed in museums.
7. Divination
Divination refers to the practice of seeking knowledge or foresight about future events through various methods, such as fortune-telling, Magic 8 Balls, or even interpreting the random patterns of tea leaves or palm readings. Psychics and tarot card readings also fall under this umbrella.
At times, practitioners engage in crystal gazing, while at other times, they focus on candle flames or even water pools. These methods rely on the practitioner’s intuition and inner guidance to receive spiritual insights about what lies ahead.
These divinatory practices carry a dark history of bloodshed and persecution, often at the hands of the Church, which continues to view divination as a demonic act tied to Satan. However, those involved in the occult perceive it quite differently.
Dating back to St. Augustine of Hippo in the 5th century AD, who claimed that any pagan rituals and beliefs were of the Devil, the Christian Church grew progressively harsher in its treatment of these practices. By the 13th century AD, any form of divination or attempts to predict the future were labeled as demonic worship.
Between 1450 and 1600, during a period of intense persecution of divination and similar activities, the Christian Church was responsible for the death, torture, and mutilation of tens of thousands of accused 'witches.'
6. Satanism
While Satanism and the occult are distinct practices, they have historically shared many common elements. The origins of true Satanism remain shrouded in mystery, as the Church swiftly eradicated these cults whenever they emerged. Nevertheless, Satanic cults have been officially documented in Europe and North America dating back to the 17th century.
Satanism traces some of its origins to dark figures who have long been associated with the occult throughout history. Examples include Hades, the ancient Greek god of the underworld, and Marduk. These figures were worshipped for thousands of years, linking Satanism with occult practices, as these entities are technically pagan gods rather than Satan himself.
By the 20th century, Satanism had gained significant traction. The Church of Satan was founded in America in the 1960s, and various small cults began to emerge around the globe. While these groups don't have millions of members like some other religions, their often strange and sometimes violent rituals—such as murder or suicide—have brought significant attention to the movement.
Despite their distinctions, both Satanism and the occult are viewed as one and the same by the Christian Church.
5. Human Sacrifice
Human sacrifice, a practice still carried out in certain occult traditions, was exemplified in the 1995 murder of 15-year-old Elyse Pahler. She was lured into a eucalyptus grove, where she was killed, and her body was found eight months later. The perpetrators were three teenagers: 17-year-old Royce Casey, 14-year-old Joseph Fiorella, and 16-year-old Jacob Delashmutt.
This murder displayed all the grim traits of a Satanic ritual or occult act, with the teens returning to desecrate Pahler's body over the following weeks. When Casey confessed, he described the crime as a sacrificial act in the name of Satan. To authorities, this was undeniably an occult human sacrifice, mirroring ancient practices.
Similar cases have surfaced globally. In the 1990s, the media was consumed with reports of such murders in the United States. One infamous case involved the Vampire Cult, led by 16-year-old Rod Ferrell, responsible for the ritualistic murders of a family in Florida.
The members of this cult engaged in drug use, blood rituals, and sexual acts, before traveling from Kentucky to Florida to murder Naomi Ruth Queen and Richard Wendorf. Although rare, human sacrifice still makes its way into modern society, often connected to occultism.
4. Magick
In occultism, Magick (a variant spelling of 'magic' to differentiate it from 'sleight-of-hand' or 'stage' magic) refers to the practice of invoking extra-sensory forces to understand and dominate the spirit realm, and even control people and objects. The term itself is derived from Early Modern English, used in works such as the 1651 translation of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's *De Occulta Philosophia, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, or Of Magick*. Aleister Crowley defined magick as the 'Science of understanding oneself and one’s conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action.'
Magick rituals and their practitioners are seen as conduits through which supernatural forces can influence and alter human events and conditions. Those who practice 'white magick' aim for beneficial or positive outcomes, while 'black magick' practitioners seek harm and negative results. Ritual aspects of magick include banishing, invocation, evocation, purification, consecration, and divination (as previously discussed).
Magick has been practiced since the dawn of humanity, originating from our desire to control the environment, ensure survival, and influence fate, either by harnessing natural forces or by appealing to higher powers. Anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski identified three functions of magic: to produce, to protect, and to destroy. The three elements involved are spells and incantations, rituals or procedures, and altered states of consciousness, achieved through fasting, meditation, chanting, visualizing symbols, sleep deprivation, dancing, staring into flames, inhaling fumes, taking drugs, and more. Magick is practiced globally by skilled individuals, either born with their powers or trained to develop them.
3. Hermeticism
Hermeticism is an ancient tradition of esoteric knowledge that encompasses a wide array of texts and teachings. It is one of the oldest forms of occult practice, emerging from the blending of Greco-Roman and Egyptian cultures, where philosophy met mysticism.
While 'popular' Hermeticism typically involves practices like astrology, 'learned' Hermeticism delves deeper, aligning more closely with the modern concept of Gnosticism. Its primary goal was to gain true understanding of divine knowledge and to transform the natural world through understanding the supernatural.
In a profound sense, this fundamental concept laid the groundwork for many of the scientific advancements we know today, by taming the unknown and making it comprehensible. Alchemists, Freemasons, and Gnostics all trace their roots to the Hermetic tradition.
Scholars have proposed that alchemy was never truly about turning base metals into gold, but rather about the insights gained during the process. The act of mixing metals in pursuit of gold was symbolic, representing the search for knowledge and the futility of chasing material wealth like gold.
Given that Hermeticism is rooted in Pythagoreanism, which is based on mystical principles of natural harmony, this connection seems quite plausible. Pythagoras was deeply focused on uncovering the secret, fundamental substance of the universe, a pursuit that aligns with the objectives of occultism. Alchemy emerged from this tradition.
However, Hermeticism diverges from science in its objectives. While science aims to study the natural world, Hermeticism seeks to explore the supernatural realm, hoping to uncover insights from what isn't easily visible or intuitive. Beyond ancient religions, Hermeticism represents the broader concept of searching for deeper, more fundamental knowledge, which serves as the foundation for all occult practices.
2. Old Moore’s Almanac
Dating back to 1697 in Ireland, *Old Moore’s Almanac* is a charming occult publication filled with prophecies about the future. It is one of the oldest continuously published works, featuring horoscopes and other methods that supposedly allow individuals to guide their futures.
What was once an anonymous publication has now evolved into a full-fledged magazine, complete with an interactive website, offering a wealth of occult wisdom for anyone curious about what the future holds. It also provides weather forecasts.
Over time, this original almanac inspired many imitations and counterfeits. In 1851, an Irishman named John Francis Nugent launched a spin-off called *Nugent’s Old Moore’s Almanac*. He was upfront about the fact that it was essentially a knock-off, despite the original being in circulation for over a century.
The two almanacs were rivals until Nugent's death in 1866. Interestingly, the editor of *Old Moore’s Almanac* also served as the editor for *Nugent’s Old Moore’s Almanac*, simultaneously working for both publications for many years.
1. Demonism
Demonism involves practitioners attempting to summon the power of actual demons and bend them to their will. In Christian and certain occult traditions, demons are considered fallen angels who are dedicated to corrupting all things good and spreading evil throughout the world.
Christianity, dating back to the early teachings of the Holy Bible and the first Christians, speaks of these dark figures, who have remained a constant theme in much of recorded history. Some figures, such as Santa Muerte (Our Lady of Holy Death), a death saint, even appear outside of Christian doctrine and have been present for tens of thousands of years.
John Milton's *Paradise Lost*, published in 1667, depicts these fallen demons cast out of Heaven according to Christian doctrine. After being cast into the dark and fiery abyss, Satan addresses the demons with these words:
Fall’n Cherube, to be weak is miserable Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure, To do ought good never will be our task, But ever to do ill our sole delight, As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist. If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labour must be to pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil.
For centuries, occultists have believed they can harness dark spirits for evil purposes. Through ritualistic incantations, practitioners have summoned various demons across different cultures throughout history—starting with Satan, the leader of all demons, and extending to Ukobach, the demon in Hell responsible for tending to the flames.
Ihrinwe, also known as 'The Lord of Blood,' is believed to be the driving force behind humanity's most heinous acts. It is thought that figures like serial killers and tyrannical dictators may be influenced by this demonic entity, potentially responsible for many of the atrocities committed throughout history.
