How Occultists Remade the World
The article explores how occultist movements, beginning in the late 19th century, have significantly influenced contemporary spiritual beliefs and practices in the Western world. It traces the origins of this shift to the founding of the Theosophical Society in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, whose blending of Eastern religions, mysticism, and scientific rhetoric helped reshape modern spirituality. Today’s rising interest in astrology, tarot, and New Age ideas reflects a broader cultural transformation initiated by these early occult networks.
- ▪Pope Leo hosted a private meeting with exorcists concerned about a rise in occultism, esotericism, and Satanism.
- ▪In 2025, an estimated 30% of Americans were practicing astrology, tarot, or other forms of divination.
- ▪The Theosophical Society, founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, became a central force in popularizing occult and Eastern spiritual ideas in the West.
- ▪Theosophy introduced concepts such as reincarnation, chakras, and the akashic records to Western audiences.
- ▪Four major occult organizations shaped modern occultism: the Theosophical Society, the Anthroposophical Society, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and the Ordo Templi Orientis.
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How Occultists Remade the World Christopher Coome May 01, 2026 Share Share via X Share via Facebook Share via email Copy link May 01, 2026 Share Share via X Share via Facebook Share via email Copy link This March, Pope Leo hosted a private meeting for several priests from the International Association of Exorcists. Their goal was to lobby the Roman Pontiff into increasing the number of trained exorcists available to every Catholic diocese. The world, they said, was witnessing an unprecedented rise in “occultism, esotericism, and Satanism.” The current exorcists on hand were insufficient to respond to the increasing number of “people seriously disturbed by the extraordinary action of the devil as a result of frequenting occult sects.” Two years prior, Pope Francis had publicly warned that…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Compact Magazine.
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