Secrets of the Occult

By: Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Richard B. Spence

From spirituality to politics and science, the occult has had an astonishing influence on the human experience across the centuries. It may surprise you to learn that everyday activities like attending church services or reading your daily horoscope all fit the broad definition of the occult. As you will see in the 24 illuminating episodes of Secrets of the Occult, the mystic and obscure are threaded through our ordinary lives in more ways than you may realize.

This revealing course is taught by Richard B. Spence, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Idaho, and covers a wide array of subjects and experiences that fall under the umbrella of the occult and stretch from the ancient world to the 21st century. According to Professor Spence, “Occultism posits that we inhabit a limited spectrum of reality within a much larger one. We’re arguably surrounded by a larger world that we normally can’t see, or touch, or knowingly interact with. This larger world is hidden or ‘occulted’ from us. However, the beliefs and practices broadly referred to as occultism aim to reveal, access—or even control—elements of this hidden world.” Throughout these episodes, you will uncover these hidden elements and consider what these revelations have to say about our perception of the world.

Whether you accept occult perspectives as possible truth or reject them as desperate fantasy, the occult still has something to say about our relationship to the world, and even to reality itself. Science has solved many of the great mysteries of the universe, and yet, there are still so many questions left unanswered. Could some of these answers be found in the realm of arcane knowledge and mystic beliefs? What can the occult teach us about the universe and our place in it? With this journey through the occult across the ages, you will get the chance to pull back the curtain shrouding these mysteries and decide for yourself.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 The Great Courses (P)2022 The Teaching Company, LLC

A better title would be “History of the Occult”

I’ve listened to several of the Great Courses and they are best described as introduction to . . . They are a good jumping off point if what you hear interests you and you want to know more. It would be nice if there was a for further reading section. The only difficulty I had with this course is that the narrator spoke too fast for my taste. I tried to slow down the narration but it made his voice sound like he was high. Otherwise, not a bad way to spend a few hours of your time.

Engaging and Informative

Presented in an engaging way. Includes a broad scope of ideas and information. The drawback of an audio presentation is the lack of a written bibliography.

interesting

Interesting over view of the occult and more of a history of the occult, but still a good listen

The Male Gaze on the Occult

I LOVE the Great Courses I am an amateur student, constantly absorbing new info. as a result, sometimes I know a few things about what is being lectured about. I dabble in the occult. Pull tarot. Build alters. Study with teachers, not academics. was really excited to listen to this series. UGH. It might as well have been taught in 1955. Very very old school ideas that did not age well. If you are interested in the occult, do NOT listen to this. If you want to "prove" that the occult is BS, this is for you.

How do you do an entire lecture on Modern Witchcraft and speak only of MEN? No seriously how?

amazing course

loves it. it really kept the information very fun and informative how it was put together. each chapter by itself holds up and the over all listen was something I quite enjoyed very much