What does "Occult" mean to YOU?

[Storm]

I think of Black Magic. Would that be about as accurate as you once thinking that the Mormon Church owns Pepsi?

That was me.

 

[doppelganger]

I think of Black Magic. Would that be about as accurate as you once thinking that the Mormon Church owns Pepsi?

Black magic is simply the use of words and symbols to try to injure someone. Evangelicals accusing Mormons of being a "cult" is an obvious example of black magic. Black magic tends to be done in complete ignorance and usually does more damage to the word caster than it does to his or her target.

 

[Riverwolf]

Black magic is simply the use of words and symbols to try to injure someone. Evangelicals accusing Mormons of being a "cult" is an obvious example of black magic. Black magic tends to be done in complete ignorance and usually does more damage to the word caster than it does to his or her target.

Hmm... I would never have considered referring false accusations as black magic. Interesting.

But it is true; not using the Voodoo doll correctly (which is pretty much impossible ) will cause the effect to reflect back onto the user... I think it's twofold, though it could be more.

 

[Willamena]

Hmm... I would never have considered referring false accusations as black magic. Interesting.

If I may ask, what is your image of "black magic"?

 

[zenzero]

Friend UV,

As someone who considers herSelf both Occultic Visionary & Practitioner,
I'm very curious to know what notions this brings to mind for each/all of you.

LAYOFF from such claimers!
would be perceived as when those who do not know themselves as to who they themselves are really; how can they know about other persons or things?

Love & rgds

 

[Riverwolf]

If I may ask, what is your image of "black magic"?

Fire, Fira, Firaga, Blizzard, Blizzara, Blizzaga, Thunder, Thundara, Thundaga... Poison... Sleep... Flare... Meteo... ()

But seriously, Black Magic are spells that are intended to directly harm someone.

 

[Azakel]

I don't want to derail the thread, but to reply to the last few post, I do believe that if one labels Magic you limit it a great deal, and all. To say something is Black Magic or White Magic is just....no such thing really.

 

[Riverwolf]

I don't want to derail the thread, but to reply to the last few post, I do believe that if one labels Magic you limit it a great deal, and all. To say something is Black Magic or White Magic is just....no such thing really.

I think it's less about the spells themselves and more about how they're used.

But I'm not one for Magick, so who am I to speak?

 

[Azakel]

I think it's less about the spells themselves and more about how they're used.

But I'm not one for Magick, so who am I to speak?

That I can understand when one find a need to label Magick for some quick, tab reason.

You had an opinion about something and wish to share that is who you are to speak ^_^

 

[Valjean]

To me it just means "hidden" -- it's literal meaning, I believe. As in "I tested your stool specimen Mr. Smith, and found occult blood, so we're going to do a colonoscopy in the morning." eek

 

[LuisDantas]

Hmm... I would never have considered referring false accusations as black magic. Interesting.

To those who believe in magic, everything is ultimately magical.

Oddly enough, in that they are much alike "hardcore" Christians and Muslims.

 

[LuisDantas]

Friend UV,



LAYOFF from such claimers!
would be perceived as when those who do not know themselves as to who they themselves are really; how can they know about other persons or things?

Love & rgds

Excellent question.

Then again, perception is key. To many people knowing is simply not as important as the confidence or certainty of knowing.

Of course, I am certain myself that you realize how dangerous it is to lend certainty to something that does not earn that quality.

 

[Azakel]

To those who believe in magic, everything is ultimately magical.

Oddly enough, in that they are much alike "hardcore" Christians and Muslims.

Really, that doesn't sound right, not everything is ultimately magical, and no where even close to hardcore Christians or Muslims. Nice generalization.

 

[doppelganger]

I don't want to derail the thread, but to reply to the last few post, I do believe that if one labels Magic you limit it a great deal, and all. To say something is Black Magic or White Magic is just....no such thing really.

Somewhat true, but that's the case with everything. We still have to this to have discussions with each other.

Among those who understand how magic works, we can agree that there are those who cast words and spells in ignorance and do harm to others, and more frequently themselves. I think with that understanding it's okay for us to use "black magic" as a shorthand. We do that every time we use a common noun.

 

[doppelganger]

Really, that doesn't sound right, not everything is ultimately magical.

Everything that affects reality (apparent reality) using words and symbols is ultimately magical.

 

[doppelganger]

Of course, I am certain myself that you realize how dangerous it is to lend certainty to something that does not earn that quality.

Which is what "Gnostics" know.

Sermon - The Agnostic a Gnostic by Robert M. Price

 

[Seven]

As someone who considers herSelf both Occultic Visionary & Practitioner,
I'm very curious to know what notions this brings to mind for each/all of you.

*When you see/hear the word "Occult"...
*When someone says they are an "Occultist",
what does this mean to YOU?
*What are the very first ideas that pop into your mind?
*Beyond that, what are your further considerations of "Occultism" in general?

I will begin to share my own personal thoughts, understanding, and insights,
a little bit later, after some of you have answered.

Magic, mystery, wonder...
I'm a naturalist through and through, so I could never really get into the occult. Yet it's always appealed to me for some reason - more so than any other kind of belief.

 

[Azakel]

Somewhat true, but that's the case with everything. We still have to this to have discussions with each other.

Among those who understand how magic works, we can agree that there are those who cast words and spells in ignorance and do harm to others, and more frequently themselves. I think with that understanding it's okay for us to use "black magic" as a shorthand. We do that every time we use a common noun.

Agreed, I understand the need for labels to help us communicate with each other, and to even keep thing organized.

Everything that affects reality (apparent reality) using words and symbols is ultimately magical.

Agreed, but I think he was meaning it a different way especially when he made mention that we are like those extreme Christians and Muslims. If I understood him wrong then I am sorry, I just woke up about an hour ago.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Occult appears to refer to things mystical in nature, especially with what we would commonly associate with cults.

However, I think your usage is in my own definition of "mytical," referring to the active exploration of reality.

 

[doppelganger]

Agreed, but I think he was meaning it a different way especially when he made mention that we are like those extreme Christians and Muslims. If I understood him wrong then I am sorry, I just woke up about an hour ago.

Oh, I read him to mean that "hardcore" Muslims are just like "hardcore" Christians and that both practice black magic in ignorance.