The word occult comes from the Latin occultus
(clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to the 'knowledge of the
secret' or 'knowledge of the hidden' and often popularly meaning
'knowledge of the supernatural', as opposed to 'knowledge of the
visible' or 'knowledge of the measurable', usually referred to as
science. The term is sometimes popularly taken to mean 'knowledge
meant only for certain people' or 'knowledge that must be kept
hidden', but for most practicing occultists it is simply the study
of a deeper spiritual "reality" that extends beyond pure reason and
the physical sciences. The term esoteric can have a very similar
meaning, and the two terms are often interchangeable.
The term occult is also used as a label given to a
number of organizations or orders, and the teachings and practices
as taught by them. The name also extends to a large body of
literature and spiritual philosophy. -- From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
