The Occult
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The Occult
Nevill Drury’s “The Occult” attempts to map a vast and often contradictory landscape, from the mechanics of ESP to the symbolism of Tarot. Its primary strength lies in its sheer breadth; it’s a catalogue of the esoteric, presenting a remarkable number of subjects under one cover. The original blurb’s list—ESP, reincarnation, astrology, meditation, faith-healing, shamanism, Tarot, out-of-body experiences, and New Age practices—only scratches the surface of what Drury engages with. However, this expansive approach becomes its main limitation. By covering so much ground, the book often sacrifices depth. For instance, the section on shamanism, while acknowledging its ancient roots, offers little beyond a surface-level description of ecstatic states and spirit journeys. The work feels more like an encyclopedia's index than a critical examination. The passage discussing the historical development of Tarot, tracing its roots back to 18th-century France, highlights the book's encyclopedic nature but stops short of a deeper symbolic analysis. "The Occult" functions best as an introductory guide for the utterly uninitiated, a starting point for further, more focused study.
📝 Description
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Nevill Drury's 1997 book, 'The Occult,' surveys paranormal and esoteric phenomena.
Published in 1997, Nevill Drury's 'The Occult' offers a broad overview of paranormal and esoteric subjects. The book collects beliefs and practices that exist outside standard scientific and religious viewpoints. Drury introduces readers to diverse topics, ranging from ancient spiritual paths to contemporary New Age ideas. This work is for individuals curious about subjects often set aside by mainstream thought. It suits those beginning to investigate areas such as psychic talents, alternative healing methods, or spiritual systems from outside the West. Readers who want a single volume that touches on many esoteric subjects without favoring one will find it useful.
The late 20th century saw considerable public interest in paranormal research and New Age thought. The decades before Drury's book were marked by increased attention to ESP, ufology, and Eastern spiritual ideas in Western cultures. Influences came from figures like J. Allen Boone and the growing presence of organizations such as the Theosophical Society. Drury's book joins this ongoing cultural conversation.
Drury's work emerged during a period when interest in the paranormal and esoteric was growing in Western societies. The late 20th century saw a rise in popular engagement with subjects like psychic abilities, alternative healing, and Eastern philosophies, partly fueled by earlier movements like Theosophy and figures who popularized spiritual and occult ideas. 'The Occult' sits within this context, acting as a guide to a wide array of beliefs and practices that fall outside conventional scientific or religious paradigms.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain an overview of diverse paranormal and esoteric subjects, such as the early 20th-century interest in ESP, providing a foundational understanding of varied belief systems. • Explore the historical roots of practices like Tarot, understanding its evolution from 18th-century France to its modern divination applications. • Understand the basic tenets of concepts like reincarnation, learning about the philosophical and spiritual implications presented in the text.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of Nevill Drury's 'The Occult'?
The book's primary focus is to provide a broad overview of numerous paranormal and esoteric subjects, including ESP, reincarnation, astrology, meditation, and New Age practices, serving as an introductory compendium.
When was 'The Occult' first published?
'The Occult' by Nevill Drury was first published in 1997, placing it within the context of late 20th-century interest in New Age thought and paranormal phenomena.
Does 'The Occult' advocate for specific beliefs?
No, the book generally aims to survey and describe various esoteric topics rather than strongly advocating for any single belief system, presenting information factually.
What kind of reader would benefit most from 'The Occult'?
Readers new to esoteric subjects or those seeking a wide-ranging introduction to topics like astrology, shamanism, or out-of-body experiences would find this book beneficial.
How does 'The Occult' handle complex topics like reincarnation?
The book addresses complex topics like reincarnation by presenting the core belief and its common interpretations, offering a foundational understanding without extensive philosophical debate.
Are New Age practices discussed in 'The Occult'?
Yes, New Age practices are among the many subjects covered in 'The Occult', alongside topics such as meditation, faith healing, and Tarot, as part of its broad survey.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Paranormal Phenomena Survey
Drury's work systematically introduces a spectrum of phenomena often considered outside empirical science. This includes extrasensory perception (ESP), exploring its purported mechanisms and historical investigations, and out-of-body experiences (OBEs), describing accounts of consciousness separating from the physical form. The book presents these not as definitive truths but as reported experiences and areas of study within esoteric traditions, aiming to inform the reader about the scope of such claims.
Spiritual and Religious Divergence
The book examines beliefs that diverge from mainstream religious doctrines, notably reincarnation and the concept of faith-healing. It looks at how these ideas manifest across different cultures and historical periods, tracing their philosophical underpinnings. Astrology is presented as a system of belief correlating celestial events with earthly occurrences, offering a glimpse into how ancient cultures sought meaning in the cosmos.
Esoteric Practices and Tools
Central to 'The Occult' are discussions of various practices and tools used in esoteric traditions. Meditation is explored as a technique for mental focus and altered states of consciousness. The book also dedicates attention to the Tarot, detailing its use as a divinatory tool and exploring the archetypal symbolism embedded within its cards, connecting it to broader psychological and spiritual frameworks.
New Age Movements
The latter part of the 20th century saw a rise in what is broadly termed the New Age movement, and Drury's book engages with its diverse manifestations. This includes the integration of various spiritual traditions, a focus on personal transformation, and the popularization of practices like shamanism and alternative healing methods. The work situates these contemporary trends within the larger historical context of occultism.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“ESP, reincarnation, astrology, meditation, faith-healing, shamanism, Tarot, out-of-body experiences and New Age practices are some of the topics in this book.”
— This statement from the original blurb effectively expresses the book's ambitious scope, highlighting its intention to cover a wide array of subjects often grouped under the umbrella of the occult or esoteric.
“The work explores the concept of reincarnation.”
— This indicates the book's engagement with the belief in the soul's rebirth into new bodies, a common theme in Eastern religions and various esoteric philosophies, presenting it as a subject for study.
“Astrology is discussed as a system of celestial influence.”
— This suggests the book examines astrology not just as a practice but as a worldview, exploring the idea that the positions and movements of stars and planets have a connection to human lives and events.
“Meditation is presented as a technique for altered consciousness.”
— This highlights the book's perspective on meditation, framing it as a practical method for achieving different states of mind, often associated with spiritual or psychic development.
“The book introduces shamanism and its practices.”
— This points to the inclusion of shamanistic traditions, suggesting an exploration of their methods for interacting with the spirit world and healing, connecting ancient practices to modern interest.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Drury's work broadly fits within the tradition of Western esoteric encyclopedias and surveys, which aim to catalogue and explain diverse occult phenomena. It draws from, but does not deeply affiliate with, specific lineages like Hermeticism or Gnosticism. Instead, it acts as a bridge, introducing elements from various traditions—including astrology, shamanism, and concepts of reincarnation—to a general audience, reflecting the syncretic nature of much New Age thought that emerged in the late 20th century.
Symbolism
While the book touches upon numerous symbolic systems, the Tarot is a prime example of its engagement with esoteric symbolism. Drury likely explores the archetypal imagery within the Tarot deck, such as The Fool, The Magician, and The High Priestess, as representations of fundamental psychological and spiritual forces. The concept of reincarnation itself can be viewed as a symbolic cycle of death and rebirth, representing spiritual evolution and the soul's journey through different existences.
Modern Relevance
The work remains relevant for contemporary practitioners and scholars of esoteric studies who seek a broad overview of subjects that continue to hold popular interest. Thinkers and groups involved in modern paganism, comparative religion, and New Age spirituality often reference such comprehensive surveys to understand the historical and conceptual field of their fields. Its accessible format makes it a point of reference for those exploring topics like astrology or meditation in the digital age.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Beginners interested in the paranormal and esoteric: Individuals new to subjects like ESP, astrology, or out-of-body experiences will find a broad, accessible introduction to many different topics. • Comparative religion and philosophy students: Those studying diverse belief systems will benefit from the book's survey of non-mainstream spiritual concepts and practices. • Curious individuals seeking a comprehensive overview: Readers who want a single volume that touches upon a wide range of occult and mystical subjects without deep dives into any single one.
📜 Historical Context
Nevill Drury's "The Occult," published in 1997, emerged during a period of continued fascination with the paranormal and New Age philosophies that characterized the late 20th century. The decades prior had seen a significant cultural influx of Eastern spiritualities and Western occult revivals, fueled by figures like Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society earlier in the century, and later by popular books and media exploring subjects like psychic phenomena and UFOs. Drury's work arrived amidst this milieu, offering a comprehensive overview that would have been particularly relevant to readers absorbing the burgeoning New Age movement. It served as a guide to a diverse array of traditions, from ancient shamanism to modern interpretations of Tarot, positioning itself within a broader intellectual current that sought to reconcile or explore alternatives to purely materialistic worldviews. While not engaging in direct polemics with scientific materialism, its very existence and the popular interest it tapped into represented a counter-current.
📔 Journal Prompts
The concept of reincarnation and its implications for personal identity.
Astrology's framework for understanding celestial influence on human life.
The role of meditation in achieving altered states of consciousness.
The symbolic language of the Tarot and its archetypal figures.
Exploring the historical context of faith-healing practices.
🗂️ Glossary
ESP
Extrasensory Perception, referring to alleged abilities to acquire information not through the recognized senses, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, or precognition.
Reincarnation
The belief that a soul or consciousness is reborn into a new physical body after death, undergoing a cycle of death and rebirth.
Astrology
A system of divination or practice that claims to find meaning or correlation between celestial phenomena (like the positions of stars and planets) and earthly events or human affairs.
Meditation
A practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.
Faith-healing
The practice of healing physical or mental ailments through spiritual means, often involving prayer, divine intervention, or the power of belief, sometimes separate from conventional medical treatment.
Shamanism
A range of indigenous spiritual practices characterized by a practitioner's ability to mediate between the human and spirit worlds, often involving trance states and healing.
Tarot
A deck of cards, typically containing 78 cards, featuring symbolic imagery, used for divination, meditation, or as a tool for self-discovery and exploring psychological states.
This book appears in 3 collections
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