What is Occult?
[[Image:Baphomet.png|thumb|right|[[Magician]]'s interpretation of [[Baphomet]].]]'''Occult''' refers to an area of [[knowledge]] or [[thought]] that is hidden.<ref>Crabb, G. (1927). English synonyms explained, in alphabetical order, with copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co.</ref> The word occult has many uses in the [[English language]]. Often it means knowledge that lies outside the range of normal [[experience]] or scientific explanation. The term sometimes means knowledge meant only for certain people or knowledge that must be kept hidden. For most occultists it is the [[Research|study]] of a deeper spiritual reality.<ref>Blavatsky, H. P. (1897). ''Occultism of the secret doctrine''. [Whitefish, Mont.]: Kessinger Pub., LLC.</ref> The term occult is also used as a label given to a number of [[magic]]al organizations or orders, and the teachings and practices as taught by them. The name also extends to a large body of literature and spiritual [[philosophy]]. ==Occultism== Occultism is the study of occult. It can involve such subjects as magic (alternatively spelled and defined as [[magick]]), [[extra-sensory perception]], [[astrology]], [[spiritualism]], [[numerology]] and lucid dreaming. There is often a strong [[religion|religious]] element to these studies and beliefs, and many occultists profess adherence to religions such as [[Gnosticism]], [[Hermeticism]], [[Satanism]], [[Thelema]], and [[paganism|Neopaganism]]. While [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Islam]] are generally not considered as occult, some of their modern interpretations can be, such as the interpretation of Hinduism within Theosophy or the various occult interpretations of the Jewish [[Kabbalah]]. ==Science and the occultism== [[Alchemy]], is considered an occult practice. Alchemy used to be common among scientists, such as [[Isaac Newton]].<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/newton/alch-newman.html Newton's Dark Secrets].</ref> During the [[Age of E