What areas of study do you consider key for an occultist?

[art-vark2323]

I was listening to an episode of the Glitch Bottle podcast recently and they had a guest (I believe he called himself Agrippa) on who runs a school over in Germany and has an online selection of courses for those interested in studying Western Esotericism-- it's called IMBOLC. One of the things that really stood out to me about it was the type of education he purports to give. Some of his classes and courses of study focus on astronomy and physics, which I found interesting. Are there any topics you guys think someone should study if they are, say, getting into Western Ceremonial Magick or any other types of magic you can think of? Right now, I'm trying to get more familiar with the Hebrew alphabet because I'm interested in Qabalah and that's a fairly obvious pick for a study topic, I know. I also keep up with the academic side of studying witchcraft in Western Europe and try to read books and papers written by scholars studying the topic, but I am interested in hearing your opinions on what subjects you think maybe go understudied by occultists.

 

[Morell]

Cool topic!
For something completely universal I would say that you should master proper hand writing and some basic calligraphy if possible. Having well readable journal is a plus, having artistically written (and drawn) material is gold.

Beyond that it seems to depend on what you practice and intent to practice.

 

[Aldebaran]

Astrology.

Astrology is the foundation and structure to all understanding imo. It is the symbolic and structural language that helps make up magics framework. It is foundational to almost all magic systems and lost to those without it.

I say arrogantly over my tea.

 

[Swampdweller900]

Herbology. Plants have accompanied humans and aided our perceptions since forever.

 

[AbammonTheGreat]

Liberal Arts are probably a good outline. Personally though I think... History, Philosophy, Psychology, and General Sciences are essential. Historical magus were generalists in those fields. A wizard should be able to navigate historical material, understand ontology, epistemology, and the reason behind the metaphysics of magic, psychology as it was birthed out of our discipline and is a vital tool, and some type of scientific training to help ground the magus teaching them what is measurable and quantifiable.

 

[taschr]

Interesting to see the diverse set of thoughts on this. I am certainly biased as its the path I discovered magic through, but I would say meditation is the foundation from which the actual practice of magic is possible. Well developed visualization skills and connection to subtle energies are essential and the technique of shifting ones awareness in shape and focus becomes like muscle memory with practice which allows for easier induction of trance states. One can go far with meditation alone.

 

[diego123]

A good topic would be oracles, like tarot, runes, I Ching... since sooner or later you'll find yourself wondering if it was all in your head or something occult, and besides revealing certain things, oracles can be great guides.

 

[AlfrunGrima]

I was listening to an episode of the Glitch Bottle podcast recently and they had a guest (I believe he called himself Agrippa) on who runs a school over in Germany and has an online selection of courses for those interested in studying Western Esotericism-- it's called IMBOLC. One of the things that really stood out to me about it was the type of education he purports to give. Some of his classes and courses of study focus on astronomy and physics, which I found interesting. Are there any topics you guys think someone should study if they are, say, getting into Western Ceremonial Magick or any other types of magic you can think of? Right now, I'm trying to get more familiar with the Hebrew alphabet because I'm interested in Qabalah and that's a fairly obvious pick for a study topic, I know. I also keep up with the academic side of studying witchcraft in Western Europe and try to read books and papers written by scholars studying the topic, but I am interested in hearing your opinions on what subjects you think maybe go understudied by occultists.

Psychology/ how the mind works and how you can work with your mind instead of against it. Brain development in children so that you understand how learning new things works in the brains/human mind......and singing/music.

 

[Rowena]

Meditation.
If you don't learn to control your own mind, whatever magic you practice is going to break it.