The use of tarot cards has been going on for hundreds of years. Tarot cards fringe on a subject called the new age, and mysticism. This brings up an important topic, as we have seen that in drug use, there is a case for such a view, but does it apply to tarot?

This kind of fusion with the new age and mysticism is close to occultism. Many people who generally go into the many branches of the occult often have started with a keen interest in astrology, and or then into tarot cards and reading the cards.

Does this necessary mean that most people who get into tarot will go into the occult sciences? I don’t believe it does. However, it is a point to consider. And it depends on the person rather than simply stating that tarot cards get people into occultism.

For example many people meditate, but not all of those people will practice yoga or even get into deep occult topics. Again, it depends on what the person is seeking. If a person doesn’t find the answers they seek with the popular religions or seek to find out more than simply believing what has been written, that person likely will delve into the occult.

Many people who get into divination of some kind, whether it is astrology or tarot card reading, will not pursue it for life. Many choose to dabble, to find some answers, and that is how it finishes for most.

It is the few who will continue to read tarot cards for a lifetime. However, it happens. And even then it is not something that will cause all those people to get into the occult sciences, Wicca, etc.

The world has many branches, and many religions, and though occultism can not really be defined as a religion, in the Judeo-Christian religion sense, it is still a path that many people choose to follow. Occultism and mysticism seem to provide people who are seeking a more depth, to find the answers they seek.

A point to remember is that occultism and a cult are totally different things. A cult generally has a bad objective, whereas occultism has a positive objective. History has made us weary and rightly so, because it is not like a religion such as Christianity which is in the norm, above the table, and everyone knows what is going on.

Wicca for example has many branches which make up Wicca, and defining a doctrine for how things operate is not something that happens in Wicca or any other occult paths.

I guess we have sidestepped a bit from the tarot cards, and occultism question, but it is hard to define a simple yes or no. Looking at research, and how people generally act with topics of divination, it is not a cause for concern that people will jump into the new age, and stay.

However for many people tarot cards have been an entry point. For others, it has allowed them to dabble, and then leave. I guess it depends on what people want out of tarot, and the questions and answers they seek to be resolved.

The mysteries of the occult have interested men and women throughout history. Even the very name occult makes us think of ancient oracles, demons and ghosts. To solve and understand these mysteries, people have invented the occult sciences, which include astrology, divination, sorcery, demonology, necromancy, wizardry and many others. Those who have tampered with the occult in the past claim to have supernatural powers themselves, but usually this is nothing more than figments of there over charged imagination. Conjurers however, never claim they have powers they do not really have, but base their part on his or her perception, psychology, and hard practice. When practicing on stage, a conjurer is never opposed to a little trickery to enhance his presentation.

John Henry Anderson named himself the Great Wizard of the North in the early 1800’s. This famous Philippe usually appeared in a costume of an oriental wizard, who claimed he had powers of second sight, but even some of this can be traced directly to the use of magic. Bill Robinson used his skills to expose the frauds carried out by spiritualists, along with John Maskelyne, Harry Kellar, and Harry Houdini. Their targets were men like the Davenport brothers, who claimed to be spiritualists, but were nothing more that skilled conjurers.

Some of the most dramatic conjuring illusions ever presented on stage were inspired by eerie tales of the occult. Even today, the influences of the occult (reciting magic formulas, devil costumes, mysterious puff of smoke which leads to something vanishing) can be seen in contemporary conjuring acts.

The occult trick that follows has nothing to do with ancient black arts, but has been modified by masterful conjuring tricks. However, if you can master this and others like it, you will be spooking and fascinating people everywhere you go.

Devils black mark
You will need: a teaspoon and a cigarette

To prepare the trick: In advance, moisten the tip of your middle finger of your right hand. Dip the moistened tip into some cigarette ashes and shake off any excess. Hide the ashes that you used.

Perform the trick: Hold you hands naturally at your side and as for a volunteer from the audience. Ask to see her hands and pretend you are reading her palms. Then ask her to turn her palms down so you can examine the backs. Take a hold of their hands so your fingers are touching her palms. Gently press your middle finger onto her left palm to leave a black mark. Tell her you need her to move her hands apart further and bring them about six inches farther apart then let her hands and yours drop to your sides. Ask her to make tight fists with her hands. When she does point back and forth between both of her fists. If she tells you to stop at her left fist, tell her to lower her right. If she tells you to stop at her right fist, tell her to lower her right fist. Remind her to keep her hand tightly closed. Now ask an audience member who smokes to light the cigarette and flick some ashes onto your spoon. Step away from the volunteer, mutter some magic words, and blow the ashes of the spoon towards your volunteers fist. Tell her the devil has been to work on her and if she opens her fist she will have proof because the devils black mark will be in her palm.

Nazis-the occult conspiracy is a documentary about how Hitler and the Nazis made use of occultism to win the war, and to remind the Germans that they were the best humans on the planet, the master-race. There are better documentaries around, but this is a solid documentary. There are many rare pictures from Nazi-Germany to be seen here, and you get to learn more about the religous beliefs of nazi-leaders like: Hitler, Goebbles, Göring, Hess and Himmler. Narrator: Malcolm mcdowell Total Duration of film: 48 mins.