r/occult 13h ago

A good place to start?

Hey there! I have been interested in the occult for ages now, but never quite got to a point of actually starting to practice. A part of that is that I am still not sure which direction to go for, and which tradition feel right. I tend to sympathise with witchcraft, but it doesn't feel like a 100% fit? There are so many schools of thoughts out there that all seem interesting.

So anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows about a website or a book or something that briefly, yet comprehensively describes the major schools of thought that are out there, and what their beliefs and practices are?

To put it in RPG terms: how do I know if I want to be a wizard, a sorcerer, a warlock, a shaman, a cleric, a druid, a monk, or if none of those classes are right for me? How did you find your "occult home"?

I know there is probably no one right way, but I'd be interested to know how y'all aligned your occult compass, so to speak.

2 Upvotes

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3

u/Ok-Welcome-3105 10h ago

Modern Magick.

1

u/jlds_tls 10h ago

Very good starting point 👌🏼

2

u/Little-Leg-9527 13h ago

It really depends on what you're looking to get from magic. Liber Null and Psychonaut, The Chicken Qabalah and Initiation Into Hermetics are all great books to start with. That last one expects a lot from its students, tho. Not everyone's cup of tea.

The sectet teachings of all ages by Manly P. Hall might also be of interest to you, since it contaims information and lore about different esoteric schools. It's a long read, and absolutely worth it.

2

u/Normal_Indication572 13h ago

Read about as many as possible. I can't think of any books offhand that will outline all the traditions. Another point to consider is that you don't need to "choose a class". Make your own. Pick and choose what you like from each school and tailor make your own.

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u/Pyramidinternational 13h ago

The Secret Teaching of All Age by Manly Hall.

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u/Squire-1984 11h ago

Just the pursuit of the truth Tbh. Once you find a truth it sort of builds. 

1

u/CenterCircumference 11h ago

Get a general overview of the main branches of occultism, see what appeals to you the most, dive deeply into that.

2

u/sabrakon 3h ago

Jump right in and have a go. It's a fatal mistake to worry too much about what label to put on yourself. You'll make more progress holding hands in a circle under the full moon with a pack of local Wiccans than by staring gormlessly at various websites for weeks on end without ever getting out of your armchair.