The Occult in Modern Culture
The occult - literally the hidden - plays a very minor role in cotemporary society. This is , however, only a recent phenomenon as esotericism has played an important role in Western culture until the early twentieth century. Several well known artists such as Mondriaan, Duchamp and Kandinsky were heavily influenced by esoteric traditions. Nowdays, believers in occultism are put in the same category as those who believe that Elvis is still alive. Occultism has come down in the world and the most important cause of this, according to Gibbons (2003), the meeting between the Beatles and the Maharashi Mahesh Yogi in 1967 and the subsequent mass-popularisation and vulgarisation of esotric knowledge. This popularisation of esotericism is commonly known as New Age.
The explosion of New Age as a social movement and vulgarisation of the estoric knowledge is most likely one of the reasons why esotericism is now not acknowledged as one of the major sources of Western culture.
Their christianity obviously did not prevent them from using occult symbolism, a combination which nowdays would be met with great suspicion.
The serious study of esotericism unveils forces within the history of Western culture that contemporary cultural studies ignore. Whether you are a believer or not, the occult can not be ignored.
Some further reading:
The explosion of New Age as a social movement and vulgarisation of the estoric knowledge is most likely one of the reasons why esotericism is now not acknowledged as one of the major sources of Western culture.
 | During a recent visit to Poland I came across some nice examples of esoteric symbolism. This photo is taken at Malbork castle, a former stronghold of the Teutonic knights. This is a detail of a headstone showing some Masonic symbols. The Teutonic knights were a crusading order of knights under Roman Catholic religious vows. |
Their christianity obviously did not prevent them from using occult symbolism, a combination which nowdays would be met with great suspicion.
The serious study of esotericism unveils forces within the history of Western culture that contemporary cultural studies ignore. Whether you are a believer or not, the occult can not be ignored.
Some further reading:
- For some excellent studies in Western esotericism, read Esoterica, a free online scholary journal.
- Tom Gibbons, The occult and early modernism, Quadrant (November 2003), p. 82-84.
Labels: religion
posted by Peter Prevos | 14:01
2 Comments:
Although I agree to some part that the occult does not play a major role in contemporary society, I disagree with the idea that it used to play a larger role. Yes, a number of artists were influenced by esoteric traditions as Theosophy, but esoteric traditions were almost allways operating in the margins of society. According to F. Yates and W.J. Hanegraaff the sixties provided a framework in which certain esoteric traditions could become more mainstream. Hence, the rise of New Age. Furthermore, it is during the sixties that Yates and others started the academic study of esotericism. So, from the sixties on there is a growing interest in esotericism from the academic world, it is even recognized as the third pillar of western culture. The other two being Faith and Reason.
As an aside, Hanegraaff defined the word occult as the modern form of esotericism, therefore occultism can only occur in the modern world. For more information I recommend Hanegraaff's book "New Age Religion and Western Culture".
Thanks for your comments Guido.
I have read (bits of Hanegraaff's book, it is excellent).
I stand corrected - the influence of the esoteric/occult is most likely not much different over time. The emphasis has changed. What used to be hidden is now emerging into the mainstream through the New Age movement.
Occult is latin for hidden, 'the sixties' have, however, popularised what used to be hidden - the occult is not occult anymore. I would use the terms the other way around - esotericism for the current situation and occult for the past.
Peter
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