Occultism

From SourceryForge

Occultism is the practice of occult theory and knowledge. The belief in, or study of the action or influence of supernatural powers not explained by known scientific principles of nature. Also, the attempt to bring hidden or mysterious forces within human control by scientific methods. Such occult sciences are alchemy, astrology, divination, and practices of witchcraft and magic which were believed to impart physical and spiritual knowledge and power to the practitioner.

Modern occultism today has its earliest roots in the theory of animal magnetism, developed by Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer late in the 18th century. Mesmer asserted that certain individual possess occult powers similar to a magnet that draws spirits or supernatural phenomena around them. These theories eventually evolved to the spiritualism movement, primarily based upon the belief that spirits of departed people could speak through living people called mediums. After the turn the century, occultism expanded to include serious investigations of other phenomena such as Extra-Sensory Perception (or E.S.P.), telepathy and other forms of mind over matter.

Source of information: Infopedia CD-Rom, 1995