Healing and the Occult

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'The Occult' is a phrase that often provokes a negative reaction amongst those for whom it has sinister connotations. For many people, the occult conjures up associations with satanic cults and the forces of evil; subjects that, understandably, inspire fear and condemnation. Those who are interested in the practices of the occult are considered to be devil-worshipping sociopaths, intent on inflicting harm on others and summoning up evil spirits.

It is true that in any section of society there are those who are going to abuse their position and act unlawfully or immorally, and the occultist community is no different. These cases, however, create a false image of the mystical arts, which have as great a capacity for good as for evil.

It is human nature to be afraid of what is unknown, and that is exactly what the occult is, its literal translation being 'that which is kept hidden'. The term covers many different disciplines, including spiritualism, paganism, white and black witchcraft, shamanism, voodoo, and more widely recognized practices such as tarot and other forms of fortune-telling.

Some people believe that it is wrong to 'dabble' in the unknown and tamper with things that are beyond our common understanding. Surely, however, it is better to strive to understand rather than remain ignorant and fearful? It is perhaps not surprising that the world of the supernatural is particularly fascinating to those people who are interested in alternative and esoteric therapies, as both require an attitude of open-mindedness and a thirst for cosmic communion. Most importantly, they require an acceptance that there are realms of experience that cannot be explained by rational thought or scientific investigation.

The world is defined by our perceptions of it, and five has always seemed an inadequately small number of senses with which to understand such an infinite environment. It almost seems like a rational approach to acknowledge that there must be things beyond our ken, imperceptible or merely intangible.

Faith healing is such a phenomenon, confounding intellect and defying explanation, and healing and occultism can be married to remarkable effect. The forces of the supernatural can be harnessed with beneficial consequence to help the sick and the troubled, if we are to believe the common reports of such cases.

One of the most significant areas of human experience that can be helped by occultist healing methods is the commonly fearful attitude towards death. The disciplines of the occult may help people to come to terms with death, their own or that of loved ones, and accept it as an inevitable part of the universe and its life cycle. For many people it is comforting to believe that there are worlds beyond our own and that death is not the end.

As with any topic of study concerning people's fundamental beliefs, investigation into the occult and its practices should not be taken on lightly, and anyone of an exceptionally superstitious or anxious nature should probably not delve too deeply into the world of the preternatural.