People often say that modern occultism is part of the Western hermetic tradition. They they go on to equate the Western hermetic tradition with stuff like Hinduism, Buddhism, Santeria, and Chinese traditional religion, as well as belief systems native to the Americas.

This often leads people to believe that modern occultism doesn't have as much to offer people in their country, specifically, because it's more of the same. Except that it does and it's not just about adding Tarot to your I Ching studies or western astrology to Indian astrology. It's not just about adding Enochian geomantic correspondences to cowrie shell readings, or doing a puja/burning a novena candle, to Horus or Osiris.

It's about embracing the spirit of modernity and taking control of your own life, with a mystical mix of beliefs from around the world.

People throughout the east are taking an interest in modern occultism, as you can see by the Rosicrucian Order's growth in leaps and bounds throughout West Africa. Moreover, millions of people in China, India, Thailand among other countries, are digging into the Kabbalistic side of Tarot every day.

The History of Modern Occultism

Modern occultism did not really evolve in a straight line from ancient belief systems in western Europe, although many ancient Pagan traditions have survived especially in eastern Europe. The belief in reviving these ancient systems is called Heathenry, or Reconstructionist Paganism. This is equivalent to people in India reviving Vedic era rituals.

Modern occult traditions started during the occult revival of the 1900s. British, French and American people started reconstructing these beliefs after their countries and lives became industrialized. Having come out of a period of poverty they now wanted to rise higher on Maslow's hierarchy of needs and focus on self actualization. Some famous occultists during this time included Macgregor Mathers, Gerard 'Papus' Encausse, and

Some of the first occult groups founded in this time period were the Order of the Golden Dawn, the Societas Rosicruciana, and the Martinist Order. They focused on kabbalistic magic, which is not actually Jewish in origin, but something else that is related to Freemasonry and early modern science. Reconstructionist paganism, specifically the Druids, and Asian themed spirituality, specifically the Theosophical Society, also started this time.

Eventually many of the members of these groups broke off and created concepts that we know today, such as Wicca, Thelema, Chaos Magic, and the Left Hand Path. They brought even more modern concepts into occultism, such as the creation of sigils with modern Latin alphabets, the idea of egregores or thoughtforms, and pop culture paganism. These are also found in traditional religions, but modern magic definitely sends you the message that you are in control of your own life by doing these things.

The Path of Initiation

One thing that modern magic offers is a path of initiation. This is due to its deep roots in Freemasonry. Even non ceremonial magic groups, such as Wicca and Chaos Magic groups such as Thee Temple Ov Psychik Youth, have a graded system of initiations, similar to the belt system in martial arts.

Whereas in the eastern tradition, it's more common to study with a guru/shifu and go for retreats, the lodge system is more common in the western tradition. Everyone gets a chance to be the lodge master and the group's leadership changes from time to time. No one person is a full time occultist because it's built around the modern, western 9-5 job schedule just like its ancestor, Freemasonry. It's also open to all genders. The money that you pay is for the upkeep of the lodge, not a full time paycheck to your guru.

A Fresh Perspective On The Old School

Today's magicians are very eclectic and I'm often surprised to find references to Afro Caribbean "Obeah and Wanga", as well as the feng shui creation legend, inside works by Aleister Crowley for example. Moreover, Crowley's Tetragrammaton Formula is taken from the feng shui creation legend in that he says that the letters Yud and Hay, in "Jehovah", mean the father and the mother. This is the same idea as the 8 elements in feng shui that are seen as a family. It's almost a universal type of magic.

Moreover some of the old Chinese grimoires have words that are unique and made up almost like the Enochian, and Theban, words and letters channeled by people like John Dee. It's the same with the Gothic Kabbalah grimoire from Sweden, which looked at the old rune beliefs from a kabbalistic perspective.

You can also mix it with whatever things you currently believe in. If you're doing a Wiccan ritual why not stir in gods and goddesses that are you are familiar with, in order to fit the concepts of the God and the Goddess.

Create Your Own System

The goal of many modern occult traditions, especially the really modern ones like Chaos Magic and Left Hand Path, is to eventually create your own system. In the left hand path, this is known as going from "universe A", through the hole of "Daath" or "knowledge" on the qlipothic tree of life, to "universe B". In universe A, you're a creation, while in universe B, you are the creator.

Chaos magic is about ultimately building your own system, creating your own alphabet of desire to symbolize your thoughts and dreams. Thelema is about manifesting your True Will, which is your individual goal in life. "Do that, and no other can say nay". Wicca is about finding personal power within group ritual. A common theme of individuality and self actualization runs through all of these.

However, religions, whether they are Dharmic, Abrahamic, or otherwise, tend to focus on other topics. They're often either about upholding l'ancien regime, or like the guy in 'Fiddler on the Roof' called it, Tradition(TM), or they're about liberation from this wicked wicked world. Modern occultism is about living in this world and embracing all that it is through creating your own reality.

While I am not against religion this is not my path personally. Each person has to make their own decisions about spirituality. This is the occult way.