Occult materials refer to objects, texts, or practices that are associated with the occult or occultism. The occult is generally defined as a set of beliefs or practices that involve the supernatural, mystical, or esoteric. The term occult itself means "hidden" or "secret," and many occult materials are considered to contain hidden knowledge or insights into the spiritual or mystical realms. One of the most well-known occult materials is the occult book. These books often contain information on various aspects of the occult, such as divination, astrology, magic, and ritual practices. Some famous examples of occult books include "The Book of the Law" by Aleister Crowley, "The Kybalion" by the Three Initiates, and "Grimoire of the Necronomicon" by Donald Tyson.
The University of Arizona Press
Native peoples of the Amazon view objects, especially human artifacts, as the first cosmic creations and the building blocks from which the natural world has been shaped. In these constructional cosmologies, spears became the stings of wasps, hammocks became spiderwebs, stools became the buttocks of human beings.
A view so antithetical to Western thought offers a refreshing perspective on the place and role of objects in human social life—one that has remained under-studied in Amazonian anthropology. In this book, ten scholars re-introduce objects to contemporary studies of animism in order to explore how various peoples envision the lives of material objects: the occult, or extraordinary, lives of “things,” whose personas are normally not visible to lay people.
Combining linguistic, ethnological, and historical perspectives, the contributors draw on a wealth of information gathered from ten Amerindian peoples belonging to seven different linguistic families to identify the basic tenets of what might be called a native Amazonian theory of materiality and personhood. They consider which objects have subjective dimensions and how they are manifested, focusing on three domains regarding Amazonian conceptions of things: the subjective life of objects, considering which things have a subjective dimension; the social life of things, seeing the diverse ways in which human beings and things relate as subjectivities; and the historical life of things, recognizing the fact that some things have value as ritual objects or heirlooms.
These chapters demonstrate how native Amazonian peoples view animals, plants, and things as “subjectivities” possessing agency, intentionality, and consciousness, as well as a composite anatomy. They also show how materiality is intimately linked to notions of personhood, with artifacts classified as natural or divine creations and living beings viewed as cultural or constructed. The Occult Life of Things offers original insights into these elaborate native ontologies as it breaks new ground in Amazonian studies.
Read More"Not only a welcome addition to the anthropological study of indigenous Lowland South American societies, but also a contribution to the comparative study of materiality and personhood conducted in other regions such as Melanesia, Africa, and Euro-America.” – Paolo Fortis, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
“An important and thoughtful book that brings to the fore the ways in which other systems of epistemology and ontology shape the materiality of the world…poised to influence a whole generation of scholarship on Amazonia and beyond.” –Neil Whitehead, American Ethnologist
Occult Decoding the Visual Culture of Mysticism, Magic and Divination
A clear, concise, and detailed historical exploration of the eclectic and arcane visual and material culture of the occult.
Focusing on a carefully curated selection of esoteric art and artifacts, Occult explores the meaning and mystic power of occult manuscripts, ritual objects, and symbols from around the world. The author identifies five central elements of occultism—alchemy, astrology, magic, mysticism, and divination. Key symbols are highlighted and examined, and important rituals and practices are explained to provide new insights into the philosophies and beliefs of occultists from antiquity to today.
The book begins with an introduction that clarifies what we mean by "occult." Occult is then organized into three broad sections, each containing three themed chapters—exploring the foundations of the occult, the philosophy of occult magic, and the modern occult revival. Readers are guided from ancient beliefs to the rebirth of the occult in the nineteenth century with spiritualism, theosophy, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and on to the twentieth century’s anthroposophy, New Age, and occulture movements.
Throughout, illustrated narrative text is interspersed with double- page presentations of the key practices, figures, and symbols relevant to that theme. Artworks and artifacts are examined in detail: the practices depicted are identified and explained, and the hidden symbolism decrypted. As the book progresses, readers will not only come to understand the mysterious practices and secret ciphers of the occult, but will also discover the beliefs, rituals, and philosophies of occultists around the world from their origins in the early esoteric traditions of the Ancient Egyptians to their reinterpretation in modern occultism.
Some famous examples of occult books include "The Book of the Law" by Aleister Crowley, "The Kybalion" by the Three Initiates, and "Grimoire of the Necronomicon" by Donald Tyson. These books are revered by practitioners of the occult as sources of knowledge and guidance. Occult materials also include various objects and tools used in occult rituals and practices.
Contributors
Peter Forshaw
Peter Forshaw is a writer and researcher interested in the history of alchemy, magic, Kabbalah, astrology, ritual activity, and esotericism. He is an associate professor at the Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy, University of Amsterdam, and a council member for the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry.
These can include items such as crystals, talismans, amulets, wands, and pentacles. These objects are believed to possess spiritual or supernatural powers and are often used in rituals to invoke or channel these energies. For example, crystals are believed to have specific properties and energies that can be used for healing, protection, or spiritual exploration. Additionally, occult materials may include divination tools such as tarot cards, pendulums, or scrying mirrors. These tools are used to gain insight into the past, present, or future and are often seen as a way to communicate with the divine or spiritual realms. Tarot cards, for example, are used for divination and are believed to provide guidance and insights into various aspects of a person's life. It is important to note that occult materials and practices are often associated with different belief systems and traditions, such as Wicca, Thelema, or Hermeticism. These materials are often used by practitioners who adhere to these beliefs as tools for personal and spiritual development. While occult materials may be viewed as mysterious or esoteric by some, they hold great significance for those who practice and study the occult..
Reviews for "The Origins of Occult Materials: A Journey through Ancient Civilizations"
1) Emily - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Occult Materials" after hearing so many great reviews, but I found it to be quite disappointing. The pace was incredibly slow, and I felt like it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The characters were also very one-dimensional, and I had a hard time connecting with any of them. Overall, I just didn't find it as gripping or exciting as I had anticipated.
2) John - 1/5 - "Occult Materials" was a total waste of my time. The story was convoluted and confusing, with no clear direction. The author seemed to simply throw in random plot twists that didn't make sense and only served to frustrate the reader. The writing itself was also lackluster, filled with cliches and repetitive descriptions. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging occult thriller.
3) Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Occult Materials" as a fan of the genre, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot lacked originality and seemed to follow a predictable formula. The characters were also quite forgettable and lacked depth. The writing itself was average at best, with nothing particularly striking or memorable about it. Overall, it was an underwhelming read that failed to meet my expectations.