Cult and Occult

Cult — used to mean a small devotional group (or a sub-group of a religion like the Marian cult in Catholicism). Nowadays the term is used for mind-control outfits like the Moonies or Heaven's Gate, which are centered on a charismatic and frequently mad leader. (Or jocularly, as in referring to The X-File's "cult following".)

Occult — used to mean hidden, secret and, by extension, probably evil or at least dangerous. In these days of bulging New Age book stores and general information overload, the original meaning seems outdated. It is now more often used to refer to practices of inner exploration, whether solo or as part of a group.

Because cults, in the modern sense, are into mind control and therefore discourage inner exploration (though they may use some of the traditional occult trappings), they and the occult don't really mix.

The Occult

The occult used to be concerned with conjuring up and commanding angels, demons and assorted spirits, and exploring the hidden realms (all of which could be equated with the unconscious). Nowadays we might look on the whole subject as antiquated psychology.

Practitioners would say there is more to it than that, and at any rate the human mind, though recently embracing science, is still more comfortable with the old-fashioned approach when it comes to exploring itself and the meaning of existence.

A lot of modern occult practice could be viewed as a kind of self-reprogramming, which is generally safer than having a cult do it for you. Because occult work requires a lot of time and tedious effort, most people don’t pursue it seriously (hence “dabblers in the occult”). Many so-called occult groups tend, like Wicca, to be 90% worship (of nature deities) or celebration of the seasons, and maybe 10% magic (a kind of active prayer) or occult work.

Conventional religious people might disagree, but for most of us the occult is not intrinsically evil, merely a way of studying ourselves and the nature of the universe. Most experienced occultists find that using their “powers” to influence the outer world is difficult and unpredictable, and eventually settle for using it to improve the state of their souls in an unorthodox way.

Books on magic(k) are widely available and will tell you more about the occult than you ever wanted to know, while at the same time dispelling most of your fears.

A safe group?

What To Look For

  

Or a cult?

What To Watch Out For

At first you find the people a mite flakey but basically reasonable and the group activities appealing.

 

Your first impression is of creepiness, but great efforts are made to make you doubt your judgment.


You find the leader approachable and s/he makes no special personal claims.

 


You find the leader, often remote, is considered more than mere mortal.


You are encouraged to ask questions about this group and explore others.

 


Your questions are met with bafflegab and vague promises.


You are not asked for money (beyond reasonable sharing of modest costs.)

 


You're constantly asked for money — possibly everything you've got.


You are expected to continue your job or studies.

 


You're supposed to give up your worldly life.


You are expected to continue to live where and how you were.

 


You may be expected to move into their controlled environment.


You can challenge the leadership, beliefs, practices, methods, etc., and make jokes about them.

 


Your challenges and tough questions are taken as destructive. They're humorless about their beliefs.


You are expected to maintain contacts with friends and family.

 


You're told that outsiders, including your family, are bad influences and you should avoid them..


You are expected to attend meetings only as you wish, and warned to practice mind techniques (visualizing, chanting, etc.) for very limited times.

 


Your life is theirs. They mess with your mind through droning lectures, humiliation and/or "love-bombing" and incessant chanting or praying.


You are free to leave at any time.

 


You find leaving is frightening, either emotionally or because of threats.

You can find many books on cults and mind-control at bookstores and libraries. Note that cults are frequently religious (including the nominally Christian), but may also be based on politics, racism or nationalism, therapeutic techniques — almost anything where the human desire for Answers and a Wise Leader are perverted to enslave you.

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