Define

General Discussion
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How would you define occultism and occult traditions to a normie

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Dunno. Everyone I tell my spiritual beliefs to thinks I’m insane.

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I say:

‘You know like when you make a wish on your birthday candles and then blow them all out? Or when you wish on a dandelion and then blow on it? Or you know how you wish on a shooting star? Or you know how you wear that hamza pendant for protection against the ‘evil eye’? Or you know how on Christmas you leave out milk and cookies for Santa as ‘an offering’? Yeah it’s kinda like that…’

Basically I try to point out all the ‘muggle magick’ that they already do so they don’t have a fucking leg to stand on when they try to criticize me :slightly_smiling_face:

GG

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I just wouldn’t.

I’ll listen to them spout rubbish and let them do it. No pearls before swine.

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Amen to that, doubly so if they have any “lucky” things, including lottery numbers, bingo pen, etc. :+1:

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If I had to do it, I’d do this.

I’ll explain that occultism first comes from the Latin word Occultus meaning hidden. I’ll then say that Science relates to the study of the practical/physical universe. Occultism relates to different studies and topics that are about the abstract/metaphysical universe and how the two interconnect. I’d explain what you see on tv, satanic cults sacrificing children or animals, is just propaganda. Occultism has existed in various ancient and modern civilizations. Different societies had their own methods and occult philosophies, usually practiced by priests to what ever god or gods they worshiped. This includes Nordic Runes, Japanese Onmyoji, and Hebrew Kabbalah. Even early Christians practiced their own occultism, but of which much was taken from the Hebrews or Greeks.

I’d say occult traditions are very different from cults or religions. Occultism utilizes natural laws as a sort of device, and that grimiores are much like manuals. A tradition is something like a college major; a focus and study on a particular occult subject that comes with its set of philosophies and beliefs. Many traditions draw their lineage from ancient cultures. Such as Asatru (Norse) and Santeria (African). However, some are more modern. While traditions are similar to religions in that they involve spiritual ideologies and belief in some deity or pantheon, they are not taken as seriously. Many of their philosophies deal with life affirming concepts and encourage positive behavior and enjoying life. Occultists may take ideas from eclectic sources if they want to forge their own unique paths.

Much of the occult community consider living sacrifice a crime. It is generally believed that one does not harm another outside of self defense.

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I don’t! The people around me think that Occultist are sacrificing virgins to the devil, naked under the full moon and then have sex orgies with the corpse. :tipping_hand_woman:

Edit: oops sorry for the reply Lady_Eva lolz

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From personal experience I wouldn’t waste me time explaining to other people! Because either people get scared or treat you like a weirdo…from an early age I learnt that, scolded for telling people what is to be, to pass, to keep my opinions to myself…which I did and have for over 30+ years…surpressing my true nature. My advice is better to know what you are, knowledge is power.

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Okay, many of you are missing the point. Let’s say someone was a beginner occultist or some one who was interested. How would you explain these things to them?

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To be honest, I think that’s a journey or choice that the individual has to research themselves, you are born wanting answers, until an individual is in that frame of mind and has reached that point in their life, it’s a waste of time explaining…it will fall on deaf ears.

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Don’t forget when the bride and groom kiss!

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‘Define’ seems to imply giving a literal definition rather than explaining to someone who’s open minded.

So I’d probably be like “ritual magick and witchcraft.”

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If you wanted to try and ‘convince’ an atheist minded person about magick for some reason;

You could probably say something like " hypnosis is objectively real, and someone may self-hypnotize themselves through ritual, thereby producing a change in their behavior and life."

Technically this is a concept no one can really dismiss as superstition.

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In that case…at first I would answer with something quick like “It’s what connects the Physical with the Spiritual, the Science with the Beliefs.” If I sense that the person is truly interested and not just curious (something I’m not interested to invest precious time on), then I’ll get into it for real.

My approach with teachings in real life isn’t based on lecturing (which is something boring for most and one sided) but on deep conversations, on questions and answers. Only that I am the one asking their opinion and we analyze it together, showing them different variations and meanings. So I can’t give you a pattern, it’s not something I’m writting down and repeat it over and over, each conversation is unique.

But I can tell you that as a fan of the Peripatetic School I’d take that person on a walk all the way from home to a mountainside or forest while having this conversation and at the end of it I’ll explain that each person has a unique course that has to engrave in his life and walk on it, stepping from the material world to the spiritual, just as we walked from the big city to the nature.

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OK. Humans have five senses and all of these senses are very limited. Occultists recognise and specialise in going beyond the five limited senses to explore and work with what is beyond the normal human capacity to sense.

Al.

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“Inner spiritual stuff” is probably all the effort I’d be willing to make

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It depends on whether or not they have a religion that the follow.

I generally try not to talk to any religious people. I have a tendency to become overly passionate about trying to explain why I don’t like religion.

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This topic shows how normies kinda-sorta wanting to know what “the occult” is are the child of the work of the greats.

@Satanswife & @Uncle-Al are probably two of the most extreme people on this forum in their own ways, but, both are correct:

Anyone who has tried to change reality using their mind (luck, hope, wishing, prayer, etc) fits this category.

Magick and the occult are about trying to change outcomes using your mind.

Ever just WISHED and hoped it would be true?

This is what normies do all the fucking time. :man_shrugging:

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How would anyone define occultism, the word occult comes from the Latin occultus which translates to clandestine, hidden, secret.

Should knowledge of the occult be hidden or knowledge of the paranormal as opposed to facts and knowledge of the measurable, usually referred to as science. Many beleive that practitioners of the occult soundly defy scientific theory although there maybe some truth in this can you think of a better way to get ahead.

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Me? Dear old uncle Al extreme? I’m a gentle and delicate snowflake Magician! As Crowley once stated (giving evidence in his failed defamation case), ‘You can call me little sunshine.’ I was and remain deeply hurt and wounded by Lady Eva’s callous aspersion. To know me is to love me – just ask anyone (who hasn’t been on my receiving end).

Al (aka Little Sunshine).

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