The Occult

1. Magic as the Future Science: Expanding Human Potential

Magic was not the 'science' of the past. It is the science of the future.

Redefining Magic. The book challenges the conventional view of magic as a primitive attempt at science, positing instead that it represents the science of the future. This perspective suggests that the human mind is on the cusp of developing new powers, once considered magical, that will revolutionize our understanding of reality.

Faculty X. The author introduces the concept of "Faculty X," a latent human potential for grasping reality beyond the limitations of our senses. This faculty is linked to creativity, intuition, and psychic sensitivity, and its development is crucial for the next stage of human evolution.

Power and Knowledge. Knowledge is fundamentally driven by the need for power, not just over others, but over oneself. By connecting with the subconscious mind, we can tap into a source of power, meaning, and purpose that transcends personal preoccupations and unlocks our hidden energies.

2. The Occult 5%: Leadership, Sensitivity, and Latent Powers

One person in every twenty possesses them [occult powers] in some form.

Dominant Minority. The book draws a parallel between the "occult 5%" and the "dominant 5%" found in various social and biological contexts, suggesting that leadership and psychic sensitivity may be linked. This minority possesses a greater ability to focus, concentrate will, and access subconscious powers.

Deep-Trance Subjects. Deep-trance hypnotism reveals that only 5% of people are "deep-trance subjects," capable of accessing the subconscious mind to an unusual degree. This further supports the idea that a small segment of the population has heightened access to latent mental powers.

Instinct and Intellect. The development of intellect has led to a decline in instinctive powers, but these powers have not vanished. By recovering these lost abilities, we can achieve a more balanced and complete understanding of the universe.

3. The White Goddess: Poetry, Intuition, and the Lunar Realm

The most important single fact in the early history of Western religion and sociology was undoubtedly the gradual suppression of the Lunar Mother-goddess's inspiratory cult...

Lunar vs. Solar. Robert Graves's theory of poetry links creativity with "psychic" sensitivity, associating "muse poetry" with the White Goddess of primitive lunar cults and "Apollonian poetry" with intellect and reason. The suppression of the lunar goddess has led to a dominance of rational thought, but a recovery of the "lunar" forces is necessary for balance.

Poetic Intuition. Graves's discovery of the White Goddess mythology was driven by poetic intuition and a series of strange coincidences, revealing a universal symbol in pre-Christian poetry and mythology. This underscores the power of intuition in accessing hidden knowledge.

The Tree Alphabet. The White Goddess mythology is connected to an ancient Celtic tree alphabet, which served as both an alphabet and a sacred calendar. This alphabet represents a knowledge system as complex as modern physics, but based on "lunar" rather than "solar" forces.

4. Tapping the Subconscious: Techniques and Dangers

In the great crises of life, when existence itself is threatened, the soul attains transcendent powers.

Conscious Control. The book explores the possibility of conscious control over the subconscious mind, drawing examples from telepathy, astral projection, and the "evil eye." While these powers may seem mysterious, they can be developed through training and auto-suggestion.

Emotional Upset. Serious emotional upset can stimulate psychic faculties, as seen in the case of playwright Strindberg, whose mental crisis led to involuntary astral projection. This highlights the connection between emotional intensity and access to hidden powers.

Psychic Self-Defense. Dion Fortune's theory of "psychic self-defense" suggests that the human mind can repel hostile psychic forces and that a healthy, optimistic mind can ward off misfortune. This underscores the importance of mental and emotional well-being in protecting oneself from negative influences.

5. The I Ching: A System for Understanding Change

The universe is a total construction of waves and vibrations whose inner content is "meaning"...

The Book of Changes. The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese system of oracles and wisdom based on the interplay of Yin and Yang, representing the positive and negative, or solar and lunar, principles. It is a tool for understanding the patterns of change in the universe and human life.

Hexagrams and Archetypes. The I Ching uses sixty-four hexagrams, each composed of six Yin and Yang lines, to represent archetypal situations and conditions in human life. By consulting the oracle, one can gain insight into the present situation and guidance for the future.

Beyond Fortune-Telling. While the I Ching can be used for fortune-telling, its true value lies in its wisdom and its ability to connect the individual with the broader patterns of the universe. It is a tool for self-understanding and personal growth.

6. The Tarot: A Map of the Subconscious

The important difference between a man and his dog is not only that the dog is colour-blind, but that the man has a wider range of response in almost every field.

Symbolic Language. The Tarot pack, with its seventy-eight cards and rich symbolism, is a map of the subconscious mind. The twenty-two trump cards, or Major Arcana, represent archetypal figures and situations, while the Minor Arcana depict the everyday aspects of life.

Intuition and Interpretation. The Tarot is not a tool for predicting the future, but for stimulating intuition and gaining insight into the present. By studying the cards and their meanings, one can develop a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

The Importance of Meaning. The power of the Tarot lies in its ability to evoke "meanings" that are not apparent to ordinary consciousness. By engaging with the cards, one can tap into a deeper level of understanding and gain access to hidden knowledge.

7. Evolution Beyond the Physical: Purpose and Meaning

Man must believe in realities outside his own smallness, outside the 'triviality of everydayness,' if he is to do anything worthwhile.

Inward Evolution. Human evolution is not just a physical process, but an inward journey toward greater subtlety and depth. This involves turning to the hidden levels of our being, to the "occult," and grasping meanings and vibrations that have so far been too fine to grasp.

The Role of Meaning. Man lives and evolves by "eating" significance, as a child eats food. The deeper his sense of wonder, the wider his curiosity, the stronger his vitality becomes, and the more powerful his grip on his own existence.

Evolutionary Appetite. Man has a "latent sense" or "evolutionary appetite," the desire to make contact with reality. This sense, labeled Faculty X, is the key to all poetic and mystical experience, and its awakening brings a new, poignant quality to life.

8. The Problem of Negativity: Hypertension and the Loss of Meaning

Boredom is lack of the capacity for registering subtle vibrations.

Triviality of Everydayness. The main trouble with human beings is their tendency to become trapped in the "triviality of everydayness," in the suffocating world of their personal preoccupations. This leads to a loss of meaning and a decline in vitality.

Subconscious Hypertension. Civilized man tends to suffer from subconscious hypertension, a state of permanent vigilance and anxiety that prevents him from registering subtle vibrations and grasping deeper meanings. This is a disease of consciousness, not just of civilization.

The Importance of Interest. To counteract hypertension, it is necessary to cultivate interest and attention to detail. By concentrating on small tasks and finding joy in the present moment, we can release the tension in our minds and renew our vital springs.

9. The Power of Symbols: Unlocking Subconscious Forces

The universe is a total construction of waves and vibrations whose inner content is "meaning"...

The Psychic Ether. The fundamental proposition of magic or occultism is that there is a kind of "psychic ether" that carries mental vibrations. This ether connects all things and allows for the transmission of thoughts and feelings.

Symbols and the Subconscious. The subconscious mind can be trained to respond to certain formulae or symbols. By using symbols that are charged with meaning, we can tap into the hidden powers of the subconscious and influence our reality.

The Importance of Belief. The exact wording of a magical invitation is of more importance to the magician than to the forces being invoked. The magician must believe in the objective validity of what he is doing in order to control the release mechanism of his power.

10. The Importance of Balance: Solar and Lunar Knowledge

Civilisation cannot evolve further until 'the occult' is taken for granted on the same level as atomic energy.

Solar and Lunar. There should not be a conflict between "lunar" and "solar" knowledge systems, for all knowledge must be either true or false. The conflict arises from the narrow dogmatism of "scientific" modes of thought.

The Two Drivers. Man is like a car with two drivers: the conscious personality and the subliminal impulses. In civilized man, the role of the subliminal "driver" is relatively automatic, but in "magical" societies, it is just as important.

The Need for Integration. If man is really to evolve, then he must develop depth, and power over his own depths. He must somehow return to the recognition that he is potentially a "mage," one of those magical figures who can hurl thunderbolts or command spirits.

11. The Role of the Poet: Bridging the Conscious and Subconscious

A poet is simply a man in whom the links with our animal past are still strong.

Poetic Sensibility. The poet is a man in whom Faculty X is naturally more developed, allowing him to tap into subconscious forces and perceive meanings that are not apparent to ordinary consciousness. He is a bridge between the conscious and subconscious realms.

The Psychic Ether. The fundamental proposition of magic or occultism is that there is a kind of "psychic ether" that carries mental vibrations as the "luminiferous ether" is supposed to carry light. This is the foundation of telepathy and other psychic phenomena.

Multi-Mindedness. The poet cultivates "multi-mindedness," passing out of his own identity into that of people or even objects. This allows him to achieve direct contact with the "psychic ether" and access the vast, strange forces that surround us.

Last updated: April 14, 2025