Gnosticism Emphasis
A collection of ancient religious ideas and systems that emphasize esoteric knowledge (gnosis) as the path to spiritual enlightenment and salvation.
Divination Prophecy
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through various methods, such as tarot reading, runes, scrying, or pendulum work.
Sufism Searching
A mystical Islamic tradition that focuses on the inward search for God and strives for spiritual closeness to the divine through practices like meditation, poetry, and dancing.
Occultism Origins
A broad category that encompasses various practices and beliefs related to the hidden or arcane, including magic, rituals, and secret societies.
Esoteric Christianity
A form of Christianity that emphasizes hidden or mystical teachings, often focusing on spiritual growth and the inner transformation of the individual.
Magick Will
A system of magick, which Aleister Crowley defined as "the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with the will." It incorporates ritual, mysticism, and self-transformation.
Tantra Enlightenment
A set of esoteric spiritual practices rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism, which focuses on the use of rituals, meditation, and physical practices to attain spiritual enlightenment.
Anthroposophy Spirituality
A spiritual philosophy founded by Rudolf Steiner that covers a wide range of topics, from education (Waldorf schools) to biodynamic farming and spiritual science.
Runology Practices
The study and use of runes (characters from various ancient alphabets, especially those used in Germanic languages) for divination, magic, and spiritual practices.
Sacred Geometry
The study of geometric patterns and shapes that are believed to hold symbolic or mystical significance in the creation of the universe, spiritual development, and the laws of nature.
Gnosis of the Pythagoreans
A set of teachings attributed to Pythagoras and his followers that focus on mathematics, philosophy, and the nature of the soul, including the idea of reincarnation.
The Golden Dawn (Occult Order)
A 19th-century occult society that practiced ceremonial magic, alchemy, and divination. It was highly influential in the development of modern Western esotericism.
Rosicrucianism
A mystical and esoteric tradition that blends alchemy, Kabbalah, and Christian mysticism. Its secretive society emerged in the 17th century, aiming to bring about spiritual enlightenment.
Zoroastrian Mysticism
The mystical and esoteric aspects of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion. This includes an understanding of the duality of existence (good vs. evil) and the cosmic struggle.
Shamanism
Indigenous spiritual practices that involve mediating between the physical world and the spirit world, typically through trance, ritual, and the guidance of spirits or ancestors.
Enochian Magic
A system of ceremonial magic based on the writings of Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley in the 16th century. It involves communication with angels and the use of a unique language.
Psychic Phenomena
The study of extrasensory perception (ESP), telepathy, clairvoyance, and other phenomena that are outside the realm of ordinary perception.
Occult Numerology
The belief in the mystical significance of numbers and their influence on human events, destiny, and character. It often involves analyzing personal data (e.g., birth dates) to uncover hidden meanings.
Esoteric Taoism
A form of Taoism that emphasizes the internal, mystical practices of Taoist meditation, breathwork, and alchemy to achieve spiritual immortality and harmony with the universe.
Tibetan Buddhism and the Vajrayana Path
The mystical practices within Tibetan Buddhism, including the use of mantras, meditation, visualization, and tantric techniques to accelerate spiritual realization.
Theosophical Yoga
A blend of Western esotericism and Eastern mysticism, emphasizing the use of yoga, meditation, and spiritual teachings to attain enlightenment and understanding of the divine.
The Cult of the Dead
Ancient esoteric practices related to death, the afterlife, and ancestor worship. These rituals often involve communication with the deceased and spiritual rites to ensure safe passage to the afterlife.
Occult Anatomy
A study that blends spiritual and physical anatomy, often exploring how the body’s energetic centers (such as chakras) align with mystical or occult concepts.
Eschatology
The study of the end of the world, the ultimate destiny of humanity, and the final events in the divine plan, often within the context of religious or philosophical systems. Eschatology examines apocalyptic visions and prophecies.
