eek! my first Concern

[Mizzou]

ok, I just read something on the net, it had spells, it had a lot of information on astral projection and stuff... im thinking I went somewere im not suposed to be. :sadeyes: the guy's picture looked evil, and he kept refering to the "Occult" can someone please explain to me, exactly what the Occult is?

[Jenett]

Occult basically means 'hidden'. It's often used as a sort of group term for magic, esoteric religious traditions (more on what that means in a second), and things like astral travel, some kinds of psychic work, stuff like that.

Often, you do see it sort of slung around as a "Oooh, aren't I cool" thing - but it also has a bunch of legitimate uses. It's sometimes a useful catchall to include both a number of religions, and things like magical orders, which don't otherwise have a handy term to refer to them in general.

Esoteric is another word that basically means 'hidden' (the opposite in this use is exoteric - something that's obvious and out in the open). Esoteric is often used to describe some religions (including Wicca), often mystery religions - where the core of the religion focuses on stuff that not everyone has immediate access to - some of it relies on the people going through certain experiences (initiation, etc) to begin to understand some kinds of concepts.

All of that said, from the other stuff you said, it sounds like it's a site that's using the word occult for the 'ooh, I'm cool' factor - and those generally aren't your best resource.

[Mizzou]

when you read it, it sounds very good, but the way he was saying Occult and stuff, I dunno, how I was brought up as a christian (which im not any more) made it seem like I dunno... I guess iv always thought of it like an Evil word. something that.. oh no body goes there kinna thing.

sorry if im offending anyone.
but thanks for the deffinition

[Jenett]

Bear in mind that much of Christianity is *very* open about what they do and why they do it in a ritual sense. This is partly because Chrisitianity has a doctrine about spreading the faith - they want to be open and public and share things, because they want to share their beliefs.

A lot of Christian groups have turned this around, and said "If we can't just walk in and see what you do, there's something Bad going on." Which isn't necessarily true - sometimes it's just stuff that's private, or confidential, or limited to a smaller group.

But people get scared sometimes by what they can't see for themselves, and start thinking that just because it's hidden, there has to be something wrong going on. That's why the occult has gotten a bad reputation in part, because the people who are making judgements about it often don't actually know what's going on - and they make up fantastical stories about what must be happening.

(Think about all the stories of witches in fairy tales and literature. What people actual do at full moon rituals is often very different from those stories, but the stories still go around.)

The thing is, though, there's lots of 'hidden' stuff in everyone's lives - you have relationships with your friends and family that include stuff you don't share outside those people - even if it's just little jokes and sayings or traditions. Maybe confidences about problems they're having, or stuff they're a little embarassed about or nervous about.

When people say that anything that's hidden has to be wrong, they're usually forgetting about the fact that it's that option for confidentiality that allows closer and more intimate relationships to develop, that it's human nature to have some of that.

Now, there *are* groups that use secrecy and privacy to be abusive and hurtful (just like there are abusive families that use secrecy to protect the abusers). But that doesn't mean all non-public stuff is bad, just that you need to look at the specifics.

[Faeawyn]

when you read it, it sounds very good, but the way he was saying Occult and stuff, I dunno, how I was brought up as a christian (which im not any more) made it seem like I dunno... I guess iv always thought of it like an Evil word. something that.. oh no body goes there kinna thing.

sorry if im offending anyone.
but thanks for the deffinition
You are just too cute. Reading this gave me a visual of a little girl walking in on something she thinks she's not supposed to see...and tip toeing back out :lol:

[Mizzou]

lol, I did, did I?
well im glad it amuses you. but thank you all for the help :) im hopeing I wont judge anything liek that.. but i'll keep my wits about me :hehehehe:

[xblue420x]

I'd have to say what Jenett said sums it all up. When I think of 'Occult' I think of the mysteries..the things that very few people know about today..ancient religions that people have been trying to discover or tiny villages hidden so far back in jungles that its almost impossible for anyone to get to anymore..Of course thats just my idea of the word but like Jenett said, to the general pubic its usually anything thats hidden or secret, most people summerize pagan, heathen, wiccan etc religions or lifestyles as occult. Also alot of people use it to refer to the darker paths in paganism. When your first starting out it hard to tell the difference between the 'ohhh im so cool look at my evil webpage' ones and the ones that are actually serious about it and just grouping pagan related things together, but if your like me and spend every free second lookin stuff up online youll be able to tell them apart in a week hehe

[Ghreyd]

Do worry, it doesn't mean you are in a cult. Two very different words. (then again, even the cult leaders wont admit it's a cult until it is time to eat the poisoned pudding, hehehe.) No, the Occult is neither good, nor bad. It is what is in the heart of the practitioner.

[DarkDancer]

Hey Mizzou, if something worries you or you are just curious about something, this is a good place to ask... ;)

[Caliburn]

Well sweetheart, I think as Wiccans, and exploerers of the ocult, we need to face up to the fact that not eevryone is a peaceful magick-maker. Remember, everyone cna use magick, and not everyone beleives in Karma to boot. Black-Magick exsists, definatly, but w ejust need to ignor eit because we're the moral-majority, you see?

[Mizzou]

ah, I see... i guess the word "Occult" just made me feel wierd cuz im new to this religion (sorry, i dont know what else to call it) and from all the TV shows that show improperly what this stuff means and stuff. so im glad you clearned it up for me :)

[Mab]

well, honey, if you got a wierd feeling, maybe you should take it as warning. The word "occult" doesn't mean anything bad in itself, but I have heard some ppl use it as sort of a dark power word. If the site seemed scary & the guy seemed wierd or scary or any of it seemed negative to you, maybe that WAS the wrong place for you. Not that the occult is wrong, but maybe that site was one of those questionable places.

THIS, on the other hand, is a great place to learn.....very positive here.

[Kalika]

ok, I just read something on the net, it had spells, it had a lot of information on astral projection and stuff... im thinking I went somewere im not suposed to be. :sadeyes: the guy's picture looked evil, and he kept refering to the "Occult" can someone please explain to me, exactly what the Occult is?


You're going to come across some sites that... while at first glance seem nice... once you get more into them... they really aren't.

If you are looking to learn more - keep browsing the board here, and check out the links section. :)

Be careful of what you take to heart too... especially as a beginner. Check and cross-reference things until you get a good bullcrap meter going. :) It doesn't hurt to stumble across something a little off once in awhile - as long as you take it for what it is.

There are alot of meanings for "occult", depending on who is using the word. It looks like he was using it as a generalization of things that are considered pagan. (from your description anyways) This is the way you'll see alot of people use the term.

You've already gotten some great answers, so that's all for now. :p

Blessings,

Kalika

PS - I'm not saying that site wasn't a quality site... I don't know what you looked at. :)

[Kalika]

Well sweetheart, I think as Wiccans, and exploerers of the ocult, we need to face up to the fact that not eevryone is a peaceful magick-maker. Remember, everyone cna use magick, and not everyone beleives in Karma to boot. Black-Magick exsists, definatly, but w ejust need to ignor eit because we're the moral-majority, you see?

:)

That's just the thing about paganism in general. There is no "in general". There are those who believe in white, grey, and black magick - there are those who believe that all magick is pure, and it is the user's intent that makes it work for good or ill.

You don't need to ignore the fact that it exists - you need to make the decision of what your intent will be in practicing magick. What is your goal? Why do you want to practice? Do you feel comfortable doing so?

(Caliburn - I'm not picking on you sweetie - just thinking out loud. :) )