What Magic Is This? Occultism with Mitch Horowitz
9 snips
Aug 31, 2023 
Mitch Horowitz, a renowned historian of alternative spirituality and author, dives deep into the intricate world of occultism. He explores its multifaceted definition, noting how interpretations vary wildly among practitioners. The conversation highlights the roots of occultism in Renaissance thought and its evolution through key figures like Isaac Newton and Aleister Crowley. Mitch discusses the revival of occult practices in the 21st century, intertwining them with astrology and UFO phenomena, while advocating for an accessible, open-minded approach to its modern resurgence.
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Opening Jokes
- Mitch Horowitz told a joke about Inuit skeptics on the podcast.
- Douglas Batchelor also shared a joke about the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
Defining Occultism
- Occultism seeks to reclaim fragments of pre-Christian spirituality.
- It's a Western tradition due to the schismatic religious history of the West.
Occultism vs. Esotericism
- Esotericism is the mystical inner core of a religion.
- Occultism belongs to no religion; it references wiped-out traditions.
