Occult science refers to a range of knowledge and practices that are considered hidden, esoteric, or beyond the scope of conventional science and religion. The term "occult" comes from the Latin word "occultus," meaning "hidden" or "secret." In Hebrew, it is translated as מדע סודי (mada sodi). Other relevant translations include okkulte Wissenschaft in German, science occulte in French, and ciencia oculta in Spanish. Occult science encompasses various disciplines such as alchemy, astrology, divination, magic, and mysticism. Historically, these practices were often intertwined with religious and philosophical traditions, seeking to understand and influence the natural world through supernatural or metaphysical means. While mainstream science dismisses occult practices as pseudoscience, they have played a significant role in cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts, influencing art, literature, and even the development of early scientific thought.
Knowledge of the hidden or the paranormal
The occult is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysticism. It can also refer to paranormal ideas such as extra-sensory perception and parapsychology.