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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 06:59:29 AM

Title: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 06:59:29 AM
Have you ever experimented with "occultism"? Occultism understood very broadly here, by the way, including tarot, other forms of divination, astrology, goethia, "chaos magick", sigils, runes, perception-enhancing or altering drugs etc.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 07:13:54 AM
Ok, a question. This thread has 5 views so far, yet no answer. The thread title is pretty much straightforward - it is what it says on the box, as it were. So why click on the thread if you do not intend to post in it?  :huh:
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Tamas on January 24, 2013, 07:23:03 AM
Occultism is stupid.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Josquius on January 24, 2013, 07:36:46 AM
When I was a 13 year old into Buffy and the like I played with such stuff for fun. Never believed any of that nonsense even then though.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: garbon on January 24, 2013, 07:40:51 AM
I cast spells all the time.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: jimmy olsen on January 24, 2013, 07:51:55 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 06:59:29 AM
Have you ever experimented with "occultism"? Occultism understood very broadly here, by the way, including tarot, other forms of divination, astrology, goethia, "chaos magick", sigils, runes, perception-enhancing or altering drugs etc.
Purge the heretic!
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Caliga on January 24, 2013, 07:52:17 AM
I used to play with Ouija boards but I never 'believed' in them... fun toy though.

Also does D&D count as occultism?  I know it does to religious wackos, but not sure about you people.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Scipio on January 24, 2013, 07:57:27 AM
Occultism, no.  Occultation, yes.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Monoriu on January 24, 2013, 08:07:42 AM
No.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Valmy on January 24, 2013, 08:20:01 AM
'Experimented' sounds pretty intense.  I just had fun with that stuff but I never thought it was anything but a fun thing to do.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 08:22:42 AM
I casted a magic missile at the darkness once.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Valmy on January 24, 2013, 08:23:18 AM
Quote from: Caliga on January 24, 2013, 07:52:17 AM
Also does D&D count as occultism?  I know it does to religious wackos, but not sure about you people.

Religious wackos believe that tarot and all this stuff has actual supernatural powers but it is demons and the devil.  I think for D&D to count you actually have to be doing for all the demonic mojo.  'My halfling rogue is driving me from Jesus!!!111'
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Valmy on January 24, 2013, 08:23:44 AM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 08:22:42 AM
I casted a magic missile at the darkness once.

IF THERE ARE ANY GIRLS AT THE BAR I WANT TO BANG THEM!
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Lettow77 on January 24, 2013, 08:36:24 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 07:13:54 AM
Ok, a question. This thread has 5 views so far, yet no answer. The thread title is pretty much straightforward - it is what it says on the box, as it were. So why click on the thread if you do not intend to post in it?  :huh:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_m5768k3Zy21r0yamfo1_400.jpg&hash=a5fbd2efda95c760d76110ddd2674f501e8da429)
please respond ;-;
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Ed Anger on January 24, 2013, 08:40:12 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Neil on January 24, 2013, 08:50:47 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 07:13:54 AM
Ok, a question. This thread has 5 views so far, yet no answer. The thread title is pretty much straightforward - it is what it says on the box, as it were. So why click on the thread if you do not intend to post in it?  :huh:
I think that they were expecting a more obvious 'Look at me!  Look at me!' so that we could all laugh at you.  People are a little confused.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Grey Fox on January 24, 2013, 08:56:16 AM
Bloody Mary! Try Mart, you might die.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 24, 2013, 09:10:33 AM
@ Lettuce:  :lol:
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:35:50 AM
No.

My in-laws are into that stuff. Apparently, a lot of folk Catholics are big into various types of expressly Catholic voodoo. Only used for divination and protection, of course, and so "good" not "bad". 

My wife met a woman in Ukraine who made a living basicially by selling her skills at black magic (such as casting curses at her client's enemies). She thought this woman was very creepy - not because black magic works, but because malice is malice even if it is totally fraudulent. Allegedly, this woman appeared to believe in her own powers (of course, being an accomplished fraud would require such an appearance).
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:35:50 AM
My wife met a woman in Ukraine who made a living basicially by selling her skills at black magic (such as casting curses at her client's enemies). She thought this woman was very creepy - not because black magic works, but because malice is malice even if it is totally fraudulent. Allegedly, this woman appeared to believe in her own powers (of course, being an accomplished fraud would require such an appearance).

Pretty much every Catholic woman I know believes in crap like fortune telling, ghosts, astrology, etc. to some degree.  Even my wife was fooled by that John Edward douchebag.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 09:50:28 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:35:50 AM
My wife met a woman in Ukraine who made a living basicially by selling her skills at black magic (such as casting curses at her client's enemies). She thought this woman was very creepy - not because black magic works, but because malice is malice even if it is totally fraudulent. Allegedly, this woman appeared to believe in her own powers (of course, being an accomplished fraud would require such an appearance).

Pretty much every Catholic woman I know believes in crap like fortune telling, ghosts, astrology, etc. to some degree.  Even my wife was fooled by that John Edward douchebag.

Well, to be fair, Catholicism is often mixed up with a lot of other folk beliefs - it certainly is for Ukranian Catholics. So believing the one would naturally expose the believer to beliving in the other. 

I like how the character Sargent Harper (who was Irish Catholic) put it in the Sharpe series: "I believe in god the father, god the son, and the 'shee riding the wind".  :D
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 10:40:23 AM
I was raised Mexican Catholic. Of course I have. In fact, I still light candles, smudge doors, and sprinkle salt for protection. At this point, it's simply habit, but it also stems from a certain amount of superstition. (I also don't split the pole if I can help it, or step on a crack in the sidewalk.)

I have a tarot deck that I use often (for fun), and I believe that there are energies at play that we don't understand.

However, I do not believe in things like crystal healings, reiki, the chakra, and a variety of other New Age stuff that's out and about. I do believe in the placebo affect with those things, though - and that's real enough for some people.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 10:48:17 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
Well, to be fair, Catholicism is often mixed up with a lot of other folk beliefs - it certainly is for Ukranian Catholics. So believing the one would naturally expose the believer to beliving in the other. 

I can accept that.  But I'm trying to figure out the "woman" factor.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 10:53:33 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 10:48:17 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
Well, to be fair, Catholicism is often mixed up with a lot of other folk beliefs - it certainly is for Ukranian Catholics. So believing the one would naturally expose the believer to beliving in the other. 

I can accept that.  But I'm trying to figure out the "woman" factor.

In my experience, in folk Catholicism women tend to be the enforcers of religious standards generally. The men go along with it, but it is the women who make them do religious stuff like go to church regularly, etc.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 10:53:59 AM
I do find amusing occultists who believe occultism is cool and rebellious forbidden fruit - when pretty well every Catholic folk-type believer believes in much the same stuff.  ;)

Well, maybe not the tantric sexy stuff.  :lol:
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2013, 10:59:09 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 09:50:28 AM

Pretty much every woman believes in crap like fortune telling or astrology, etc. to some degree. 

FYP
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Grey Fox on January 24, 2013, 11:10:43 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 10:53:33 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 10:48:17 AM
Quote from: Malthus on January 24, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
Well, to be fair, Catholicism is often mixed up with a lot of other folk beliefs - it certainly is for Ukranian Catholics. So believing the one would naturally expose the believer to beliving in the other. 

I can accept that.  But I'm trying to figure out the "woman" factor.

In my experience, in folk Catholicism women tend to be the enforcers of religious standards generally. The men go along with it, but it is the women who make them do religious stuff like go to church regularly, etc.

That's how Roman Catholicism works. Wife are the enforcers.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: chipwich on January 24, 2013, 11:11:54 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 07:13:54 AM
Ok, a question. This thread has 5 views so far, yet no answer. The thread title is pretty much straightforward - it is what it says on the box, as it were. So why click on the thread if you do not intend to post in it?  :huh:

no
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:12:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2013, 10:59:09 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 09:50:28 AM

Pretty much every woman believes in crap like fortune telling or astrology, etc. to some degree. 

FYP

:yeahright:

You keep telling yourself that.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:20:28 AM
Quote from: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:12:36 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on January 24, 2013, 10:59:09 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 09:50:28 AM

Pretty much every woman believes in crap like fortune telling or astrology, etc. to some degree. 

FYP

:yeahright:

You keep telling yourself that.

Prove us wrong :P
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:25:28 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:20:28 AM

Prove us wrong :P

Okay. I'm a woman, and I don't believe in fortune telling or astrology. :)
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Sheilbh on January 24, 2013, 11:27:46 AM
Lord no - that opens the door to evil.

I always give money to the gypsy women though, because they can curse you.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:32:34 AM
Quote from: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:25:28 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:20:28 AM

Prove us wrong :P

Okay. I'm a woman, and I don't believe in fortune telling or astrology. :)


Yes but I pronounce you GUILTY of the "etc." part that you conveniently omitted :angry:



:P :hug:
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:45:32 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:32:34 AM
Quote from: merithyn on January 24, 2013, 11:25:28 AM
Quote from: derspiess on January 24, 2013, 11:20:28 AM

Prove us wrong :P

Okay. I'm a woman, and I don't believe in fortune telling or astrology. :)


Yes but I pronounce you GUILTY of the "etc." part that you conveniently omitted :angry:



:P :hug:

:rolleyes: :P
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Eddie Teach on January 24, 2013, 12:30:29 PM
Quote from: Lettow77 on January 24, 2013, 08:36:24 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 07:13:54 AM
Ok, a question. This thread has 5 views so far, yet no answer. The thread title is pretty much straightforward - it is what it says on the box, as it were. So why click on the thread if you do not intend to post in it?  :huh:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_m5768k3Zy21r0yamfo1_400.jpg&hash=a5fbd2efda95c760d76110ddd2674f501e8da429)
please respond ;-;

I was waiting to see something like this.  :D
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 12:31:17 PM
Well, to answer my own question, I have dabbled with various stuff from i-ching, tarot, astrology, sigils, Aleister Crowley style magick, chaos magic and the like.

The rational part of me does not believe in it, but I also think it can be fun (especially when trying to summon demons while naked with your best straight friend who also happens to be hot, for example) and I think a lot of it is really psychotherapy in disguise (for example, tarot provides a "narrative" that helps you make sense of chaotic events around you, thus increasing your inner peace etc.)

In any case, if I were to believe in anything supernatural, I'd rather believe that I am a magician than worship some sort of a god. If we can't rule in our own dreams, we are pretty fucked. ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Ed Anger on January 24, 2013, 01:16:04 PM
Your black bread alchemy will lead to your ruin.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Grey Fox on January 24, 2013, 01:18:04 PM
Seedy, I'm calling you out right here unemployed moderator of Asian Love.

Why is it everytime Tim post a new thread it's the end of the world but when Martinus does this, it's okay?
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Viking on January 24, 2013, 01:25:09 PM
I got into D&D when I was 7 and never confused it with reality.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 02:00:19 PM
Quote from: Viking on January 24, 2013, 01:25:09 PM
I got into D&D when I was 7 and never confused it with reality.
Well you wouldn't necessarily realize it if you were would you?
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: MadImmortalMan on January 24, 2013, 02:03:10 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 02:00:19 PM
Quote from: Viking on January 24, 2013, 01:25:09 PM
I got into D&D when I was 7 and never confused it with reality.
Well you wouldn't necessarily realize it if you were would you?

He's disbelieving the illusion.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 02:05:27 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on January 24, 2013, 02:03:10 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 02:00:19 PM
Quote from: Viking on January 24, 2013, 01:25:09 PM
I got into D&D when I was 7 and never confused it with reality.
Well you wouldn't necessarily realize it if you were would you?

He's disbelieving the illusion.

He always makes his saving throw.  That guy drives the GM crazy!

And Marti, rather than start threads which ask questions that only you answer - just talk to yourself.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 24, 2013, 02:43:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 24, 2013, 01:18:04 PM
Seedy, I'm calling you out right here unemployed moderator of Asian Love.

Why is it everytime Tim post a new thread it's the end of the world but when Martinus does this, it's okay?

Probably because whenever I ban Tim, he gets unbanned immediately by his flanneled Canadian ass daddy.

Ergo, if we have to suffer Timmay, it's only fair we have to suffer Marti.

Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 03:01:28 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 24, 2013, 02:43:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on January 24, 2013, 01:18:04 PM
Seedy, I'm calling you out right here unemployed moderator of Asian Love.

Why is it everytime Tim post a new thread it's the end of the world but when Martinus does this, it's okay?

Probably because whenever I ban Tim, he gets unbanned immediately by his flanneled Canadian ass daddy.

Ergo, if we have to suffer Timmay, it's only fair we have to suffer Marti.

Are you telling me Neil is to blame for Marti?
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Razgovory on January 24, 2013, 03:06:51 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 12:31:17 PM
Well, to answer my own question, I have dabbled with various stuff from i-ching, tarot, astrology, sigils, Aleister Crowley style magick, chaos magic and the like.

The rational part of me does not believe in it, but I also think it can be fun (especially when trying to summon demons while naked with your best straight friend who also happens to be hot, for example) and I think a lot of it is really psychotherapy in disguise (for example, tarot provides a "narrative" that helps you make sense of chaotic events around you, thus increasing your inner peace etc.)

In any case, if I were to believe in anything supernatural, I'd rather believe that I am a magician than worship some sort of a god. If we can't rule in our own dreams, we are pretty fucked. ;)

That's it, rationalize you magical thinking.  You dabbled in it because you wanted more control over your life.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 24, 2013, 03:25:59 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 03:01:28 PM
Are you telling me Neil is to blame for Marti?

Yes.  Yes, I am.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 03:42:42 PM
My revulsion for all things Edmontonian is complete!
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Valmy on January 24, 2013, 03:59:44 PM
The haterade flows with such supernatural force through CC I wonder if he has not gotten possessed from playing too much D&D.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Barrister on January 24, 2013, 04:01:15 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 03:42:42 PM
My revulsion for all things Edmontonian is complete!

:(
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 24, 2013, 04:14:09 PM
Question for the Ouija Board players:  how long did you sit there like a doofus with your fingers on the thingie before you gave up or went ahead and moved it?
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: crazy canuck on January 24, 2013, 05:11:37 PM
Quote from: Valmy on January 24, 2013, 03:59:44 PM
The haterade flows with such supernatural force through CC I wonder if he has not gotten possessed from playing too much D&D.

I was never good at saving throws. :(
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Camerus on January 24, 2013, 06:27:42 PM
I tried internet tarot once when I was bored at work.

Generally though I tend to channel my irrational impulses into Languish posts.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: DontSayBanana on January 24, 2013, 07:03:38 PM
Never messed with any "occultism," myself.  Closest I get is having a giggle with a dining partner over how apt or wildly inaccurate the Chinese zodiac signs on the placemat are. :D
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on January 24, 2013, 07:04:37 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on January 24, 2013, 06:27:42 PM
I tried internet tarot once when I was bored at work.

Generally though I tend to channel my irrational impulses into Languish posts.
Yes.  It shows.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Caliga on January 24, 2013, 07:36:59 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 24, 2013, 04:14:09 PM
Question for the Ouija Board players:  how long did you sit there like a doofus with your fingers on the thingie before you gave up or went ahead and moved it?
Never.  It always seemed to move on its own.  I forget what that phenomenon is called but I can tell you I never once chose to move the planchette.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: The Brain on January 25, 2013, 02:14:39 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 24, 2013, 06:59:29 AM
Have you ever experimented with "occultism"? Occultism understood very broadly here, by the way, including tarot, other forms of divination, astrology, goethia, "chaos magick", sigils, runes, perception-enhancing or altering drugs etc.

No.
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: Viking on January 25, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 24, 2013, 04:14:09 PM
Question for the Ouija Board players:  how long did you sit there like a doofus with your fingers on the thingie before you gave up or went ahead and moved it?

No need for fraud, you just need the ideomotor effect

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_phenomenon
Title: Re: Have you ever experimented with occultism?
Post by: merithyn on January 25, 2013, 02:37:48 PM
Quote from: Viking on January 25, 2013, 02:24:29 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on January 24, 2013, 04:14:09 PM
Question for the Ouija Board players:  how long did you sit there like a doofus with your fingers on the thingie before you gave up or went ahead and moved it?

No need for fraud, you just need the ideomotor effect

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_phenomenon

That's pretty cool. I've never heard of that before, but it does explain the whole Ouija Board thing. I may have to apologize to my childhood friend who I blamed for moving the disk. :blush: