OCCULTISM
In broad terms occultism is the study of hidden or arcane forms of knowledge. The word occult (Latin occultus) means covered over or concealed. The practice of occultism arose during the Dark Ages in response to the hostility and intolerance of the Christian church and has been influenced by various sources including Hermeticism and the Jewish Kabbalah. Today occultism embraces many popularised forms but is broadly inspired by symbols, ideals and rituals that originate from ancient Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Celtic sources (ie. pre-Christian forms).