OCCULTISM (Lat. occulere, "to hide"), belief in hidden or mysterious powers not explained by known scientific principles of nature, and the attempt to bring these powers within human control by scientific methods. The medieval concept of occult properties included only those properties that may be revealed by experimentation. The alchemists, astrologers, seers, and others who practiced this "science" of experimentation were a small group, usually in conflict with orthodox theology. Consequently, their work was considered mysterious, and the term occultism gradually came to denote the study of supernatural forces. Nevertheless, all the so-called natural sciences stemmed from occultism, and early scientists were frequently called magicians and sorcerers because of the mystery attributed to their investigations by most of their contemporaries.
Modern occultism is generally considered to have begun with the concept of animal magnetism, first developed by the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer in the late 18th century. Mesmer believed that certain individuals possess occult powers, comparable to the powers of the magnet, that can be used to invoke the supernatural. In the mid-19th century occultism took the form of spiritualism, a belief that the spirits of the dead may manifest themselves through the agency of living persons called mediums. After the turn of the century occultism included serious investigations of forms of extrasensory perception (ESP) such as mental telepathy. Although still not within the usual area of scientific research, these are considered by some valid natural phenomena explicable by accepted scientific methods. For further information on this topic, see ~BIBLIO. MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT, ASTROLOGY.
4nongoth's Witchcraft Tutorial - An excellent place for the student to start disciplining themselves and practicing psychic exercises.
The Spiral Nature - A Chaos magick web site. I actually highly recommend a reasonable study of chaos magick to the potential occultist simply because chaos magick is about the mechanics of magick, not the beliefs that clothe them.
The Battle For Your Mind - a very well written article that discusses the phenomena of religious fervor and even basic brainwashing techniques that clever people have used. Very much recommended reading for the beginning explorer.
Psychic Development Links - Diane Vera's resources (check out the rest of her site while you are there).
Occultism Lessons - The Library of Knowledge with free occultism lessons
Magickal Artifacts - Traditions of Magic in Late Antiquity
Phil Hansford's Magick Tutorial - An extensive but summed up occult article touching on different bases in occultism and psychic development.
Anton Mesmer on "Animal Magnetism" - A basic list of Mesmer's theories.
Animal Magnetism, Mesmer Mystifies - Another article on Anton Mesmer.
Links to Occultism - A page with good resources. Check the rest of the site out.
If you need any more resources, check out my links page that has plenty of free resources and good sites to study. Also, my "Library" area has a lot of other good essays too.