Occultism
The word occultism refers to a wide variety of beliefs, rituals, and practices that collectively are based on the theory that spirits and other unknown forces exist and can interact with the known world. Practices most commonly associated with occultism include magic and witchcraft, alchemy (which involves attempts to magically turn base metals into gold and to prolong life), divination, and efforts to influence beings such as demons.
SEE ALSO:
- Demons and the Devil
- Divination, Magic and Spells
- Witchcraft
SOURCE:
The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Paranormal Phenomena – written by Patricia D. Netzley © 2006 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning