Occult Pdf Library
Hadda Condino
Ancient Philosophy Comparative Philosophy Digital Humanities History of Philosophy History of Religion History of Religions of Western Origin Metaphysics New Religious Movements Other Religion Practical Theology Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Scholarly Communication
It features (in this iteration) twenty-five unique pages with information on and discussion of occult and esoteric topics. It also hosts a forum that can be accessed and utilized by anyone, not just those registered on the Commons. The purpose of the site is to inform three types of interested parties on the highlighted topics: a general audience with no current knowledge of the occult, practitioners of esoteric traditions, and academics. Not only is the site meant to inform, it is a means by which the three groups may interact and discuss the topic to everyone's mutual benefit. This is done by direct invitation in the text as well as with the open forum.
Additionally, the site uses unique icons to direct attention of each group to specific information tailored to them. Various images and decorations are used, along with the general visual design of the site, to aid in expression and visualization of ideas. Particular attention has been paid to the underlying philosophy and historical context of the selected topics. The website will hopefully continue to be active with additional pages added by myself and also grow in depth with future outside interaction.
Ancient Philosophy Commons, Comparative Philosophy Commons, Digital Humanities Commons, History of Philosophy Commons, History of Religion Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Metaphysics Commons, New Religious Movements Commons, Other Religion Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, Scholarly Communication Commons
Colonel Rainsford was also based at Blackheath and was responsible for recruiting and embarking the Hessian troops which were hired as mercenaries to fight in the American revolution. Many thousands of those disbanded soldiers eventually settled in parts of America and Quebec after the war.
Very interesting. I would love to be able to view that Clavicula Salomonis, Codex 1673. If it is ever digitized please let me know.
It is amusing to think that while they were filming Harry Potter at Alnwick Castle, there was a significant collection of real occult manuscripts sitting in its library!
There are many requests for assistance in researching "the occult," as it is popularly called. One person asking this question might be interested in such topics as alchemy, ghosts, magic, palmistry, witchcraft, UFOs, Bigfoot or yoga. Another person might be interested in para-psychology, which is concerned with the scientific investigation of clairvoyance, reincarnation and other paranormal phenomena. The range of interests covered by either category is incredibly wide. Therefore, this guide will not attempt to provide titles dealing with unique subjects within the Occult Sciences or Parapsychology but will direct the reader to general sources and bibliographies. Emphasis is on the most current and comprehensive sources.
The New York Public Library has an extensive collection of materials on the occult. The General Research Division collects a wide range of topics including esoteric magic (as opposed to stage magic, which is collected by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts), spiritualism and witchcraft. There are particularly strong collections on divination and Theosophy. The Science, Industry and Business Library collects materials on alchemy and flying saucers. Books on oriental mysticism and yoga are collected by the Asian and Middle Eastern Division. The Slavic and Baltic Division collects, in the original language, the works of Russian mystics, such as H.P. Blavatsky, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture collects titles on voodoo, santeria and related topics.
There are many other unique subject headings. For instance, there is a specific subject entry for the Tarot. Personalities such as Nostradamus or Aleister Crowley will also have entries in the catalog.
Dictionary of cults, sects, religions and, the occult, edited by George Mather & Larry Nichols. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1993) Pub Cat 94-71; available at the Information Desk in Room 315. Essays on most of the major and many minor unconventional religious organizations, including occult- and UFO-oriented churches, satanism etc. Attempts to relate these churches to Christian teachings. Extensive bibliography appended.
Encyclopedia of the paranormal: a complete guide to the unexplained, edited by Lynn Picknett. (London: Macmillan, 1990) JFF-91 766. The editor does not consider anything in this volume as "occult." Coverage includes UFOs, famous personalities, Marian apparitions and more. Indexed.
Encyclopedia of parapsychology & psychical research (New York: Paragon House, 1991) *R-YLB 91-4528. Covers "weird, occult and new age phenomena". The particular strength of this source is its coverage of personalities, current and historical, who have in any way been associated with the supernatural. Includes an extensive bibliography and appendix of schools offering courses in parapsychology.
Frazer, James George, Sir. The Golden bough; a study in magic and religion 1 vol., abridged ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1974 cl950) *R-ZAC 76-6140. This abridged edition is shelved in the Main Reading Room along with a 1951 edition of the original 12-volume classic work which traces the origins of magic, superstition and religion. The abridged edition claims to eliminate and correct errors in the original edition.
Guiley, Rosemary. Encyclopedia of ghosts and spirits. (New York: Facts on File, 1992) JFF 92-4032. In attempting to include all topics relating to ghosts, spirits and other unusual apparitions, Guiley provides a wide range of information. Most entries include a bibliography of further reading. Some illustrations. Indexed.
Harper's encyclopedia of mystical & paranormal experience, edited by Rosemary Guiley. (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991) *R-YLB 91-7543. Written for the lay person. Covers a wide range of occult, "alternative" or otherwise unusual phenomena, disciplines, philosophies, traditions and concepts. Most entries are of significant length and include extensive bibliographies. Some coverage of personalities but is much stronger on concepts than people.
Chicorel, Marietta. Chicorel index to parapsychology and occult books (New York: Chicorel Library Pub. Corp.,1977) MZC 78-976; available in the Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. This classic work is based on the collections of the Association for Research and Enlightenment founded by Edgar Cayce.
"The Flying saucer contactee movement, 1950-1994: a bibliography" by J. Gordon Melton and George M. Eberhart in The Gods have landed: new religions from other worlds, edited by James R. Lewis. (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1995) (S) JFE 95-1142. Included here because of its unique value. Patrons are cautioned that most of the titles will necessitate using Interlibrary Loan. The monograph itself is of interest since it covers a topic of perennial interest.
Inglis, Brian. Natural and supernatural: a history of the paranormal from the earliest times to 1914 (London: Hoddler and Stoughton, 1977) JFE 78-2766. An objective history written by a member of the Society for Psychical Research. Emphasizes the paranormal over the occult. Extensive bibliography and index.
Wilcox, Laird. Guide to the American Occult: directory and bibliography 1986- (Olathe, Kansas: Editorial Research Service) JFM-90-481. These annual guides list occult organizations, churches, etc. Arranged geographically, alphabetically and by zip code. It also includes extensive bibliographies with brief annotations by Mr. Wilcox. The most current information available.
A Skeptic's handbook of parapsychology, edited by Paul Kurtz (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1985). *R-YLB 93-11127. A collection of essays reflecting the varying opinions of parapsychologists and skeptics. Includes historical overviews and critical essays. Chapter 19 is an annotated bibliography of skeptical literature on parapsychology. Index.
Skeptical Inquirer vol. 1- (Fall/Winter 1976-). JFL 80-349; current issues available in Room 108. Published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, this journal includes critical articles on the paranormal, fringe-science and other unusual phenomena. Special columns include current events, book reviews and selected bibliographies.
There is a multitude of small journals and newsletters dealing with the occult. Consult a librarian at the Information Desk in Room 315 for reference volumes which will provide lists of current titles. NYPL has not attempted to collect these titles due to their ephemeral nature. However, journals considered to be of research value have been acquired. In the Dictionary Catalog, look under the subject heading Occult sciences--Per. & Soc. Publications for older publications. In CATNYP, the subject Occultism will retrieve both journals and monographs.
There is no current specialized index for the occult sciences. However, substantial coverage is given by the standard general indexes such as Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. The following is all that is readily available:
The terms occultism, parapsychology, psychic science, extrasensory perception and many others, used in search strategies, will yield favorable results in many electronic databases. Please consult a librarian at the Information Desk for further information.
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