OCCULTISM is a study and application of the occult, or hidden
principles and forces of the Universe, or, in its more limited sense,
of Nature.
The study of occultism is called speculative. The application of that
study is practical occultism.
Speculative occultism includes opinions and teachings, often so widely
at variance with commonly received beliefs that it would be extremely
unwise to subject it to the criticism of persons generically called
the world. Speculative occultism of course might be regarded as
_speculative only_, were it not possible by the aid of practical
occultism to demonstrate its truths.
The subjects which engage the attention of the speculative occultist
are THE CREATOR, or creative power; WORLD BUILDING, and the order and
design of the earth and its spirit spheres; MAN, and his relations to
the Creator, the earth, and his fellow-man.
DESCENT OF SPIRIT into matter, and its growth through embryotic
stages, during which period it is first _elemental_, then _animal_,
then _man_.
ASCENT OF SPIRIT out of matter, and its progress through future stages
of growth as planetary and solar spirits.
Besides these purely theoretical subjects are suggestions concerning
the best methods of communing with spiritual existences, and of
receiving information from lower and higher states than man. These,
together with _some mental exercises and practices_, form the main
themes of consideration in the colleges of speculative occultism.
Spirit Communion, together with Astronomy, Astrology, Mathematics,
Geometry, Music, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, and Psychometry, are
all kindred branches of study which must engage the attention of the
true occultist.