1.16.2025

Opening the Doors . . .

Hello everyone—and welcome new readers!

First, a recap. In a recent post, I decided to reorganize the order of Ten Doors to Tarot, to be more aligned with Tarot history. Here’s my Trello list of the new view:

Then an interesting thing happened. When I started to create a post for the now-first door, I realized that when you put “Esoteric” and “Magick” next to each other, it raises the question of how they are (a) different, and (b) related.

Here’s what I originally wrote about each door:

I still think those descriptions work pretty well—but for this series of posts, I wanted to add more detail about each door. And for starters, I thought we should consider the difference between two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, sometimes in quite different ways: “esoteric” and “occult.”

These days, I often let my AI sidekick (Gemini Advanced) outline some ideas when I begin a line of research. And Gem did an outstanding job in this case:

Esoteric

Etymology: From the Greek esōterikos, meaning "inner" or "belonging to an inner circle."

Meaning: Refers to knowledge that is intended for or understood by only a small group of people with specialized knowledge or interest. It often implies a hidden, deeper meaning that requires initiation or specific training to grasp.

Examples: Mystical teachings within religions (like Kabbalah in Judaism or Sufism in Islam), secret societies with initiatory practices, and specialized philosophical systems.

Occult

Etymology: From the Latin occultus, meaning "hidden, secret, concealed."

Meaning: Broadly encompasses knowledge and practices related to the hidden or supernatural realm. This can include magic, astrology, alchemy, divination, and communication with spirits.

Examples: Grimoires containing magical rituals, practices like tarot reading or necromancy, and investigations into paranormal phenomena.

Similarities

• Both terms deal with knowledge and practices that are not readily accessible to the average person.

• They often involve a degree of secrecy or exclusivity, with teachings transmitted to select individuals or groups.

• Both can encompass spiritual and philosophical dimensions, exploring the nature of reality, consciousness, and the hidden forces of the universe.

Differences

• Scope: "Occult" is often used more specifically to refer to practices aimed at influencing the world or gaining knowledge through supernatural means. "Esoteric" can encompass a broader range of hidden knowledge, including philosophical and spiritual systems that may not involve direct magical practices.

• Connotation: "Occult" can sometimes carry negative connotations, associated with the forbidden or dangerous. "Esoteric" tends to be more neutral, simply implying restricted access to knowledge.

• Focus: "Esoteric" often emphasizes inner transformation and spiritual development, while "occult" can focus more on external effects and manipulating hidden forces.

Historical Interplay

• The terms have been used interchangeably throughout history. In the 16th century, "occult sciences" referred to astrology, alchemy, and natural magic, all of which could also be considered "esoteric."

• The rise of occultism in the 19th century, with groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, brought renewed attention to both terms.

• Today, scholars of Western esotericism use "esoteric" as an umbrella term encompassing various traditions, including those that might be labeled "occult."

In essence:

Esoteric is about hidden knowledge and inner teachings.

Occult is about hidden knowledge applied to influence the world, often through supernatural means.

All in all—a handy overview . . .

But I was curious about why Gem’s information bank (aka Large Language Model or LLM) specifically mentioned Tarot in the occult camp. So I asked them to look back on the early days of esoteric/occult Tarot and discuss further:

I think that’s an excellent analysis! Before I asked the question, I thought about what my own answer would be—and it was pretty much along the same lines in terms of the Court de Gebelin/Etteila split. But the Levi convergence didn’t occur to me.

In terms of the Ten Doors model, I’ve decided to stay with “Esoteric” for the first door, and let “occult” be a natural transition to the “Magick” door. And that flows nicely out of Gem’s final summary:

While distinct, “esoteric” and “occult” overlap significantly and share a focus on exploring the hidden dimensions of reality and human potential. Understanding their nuances helps navigate the complex world of magical traditions and beliefs.

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There’s almost always an unexpected bonus from any Tarot inquiry—and here’s the surprise today:

If you’re intrigued by this special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can read the gallery texts here—and see all the cards here.

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Next week, the Magick Door . . .

As always, thanks for reading! C