Secrets of the Occult

By: Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Richard B. Spence

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

From spirituality to politics and science, the occult has had an astonishing influence on the human experience across the centuries. It may surprise you to learn that everyday activities like attending church services or reading your daily horoscope all fit the broad definition of the occult. As you will see in the 24 illuminating episodes of Secrets of the Occult, the mystic and obscure are threaded through our ordinary lives in more ways than you may realize.

This revealing course is taught by Richard B. Spence, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Idaho, and covers a wide array of subjects and experiences that fall under the umbrella of the occult and stretch from the ancient world to the 21st century. According to Professor Spence, “Occultism posits that we inhabit a limited spectrum of reality within a much larger one. We’re arguably surrounded by a larger world that we normally can’t see, or touch, or knowingly interact with. This larger world is hidden or ‘occulted’ from us. However, the beliefs and practices broadly referred to as occultism aim to reveal, access—or even control—elements of this hidden world.” Throughout these episodes, you will uncover these hidden elements and consider what these revelations have to say about our perception of the world.

Whether you accept occult perspectives as possible truth or reject them as desperate fantasy, the occult still has something to say about our relationship to the world, and even to reality itself. Science has solved many of the great mysteries of the universe, and yet, there are still so many questions left unanswered. Could some of these answers be found in the realm of arcane knowledge and mystic beliefs? What can the occult teach us about the universe and our place in it? With this journey through the occult across the ages, you will get the chance to pull back the curtain shrouding these mysteries and decide for yourself.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 The Great Courses (P)2022 The Teaching Company, LLC

A better title would be “History of the Occult”

I’ve listened to several of the Great Courses and they are best described as introduction to . . . They are a good jumping off point if what you hear interests you and you want to know more. It would be nice if there was a for further reading section. The only difficulty I had with this course is that the narrator spoke too fast for my taste. I tried to slow down the narration but it made his voice sound like he was high. Otherwise, not a bad way to spend a few hours of your time.

the best

This is hands down the best The Great Courses audiobook that I have ever listened to! It wa sinformative, but oh sooo entertaining!

Great Occult History Rundown

This is a great series of lectures to get an overall history of the occult. There is enough nuance and detail to make a person even more interested in the stories behind many of the topics. One thing is for sure: Aleister Crowley is a giant in the world of modern occult lore!

Well rounded non biased

Lots of information. Gives good starting points to further investigate . Non biased approach. Well narrated.

amazing course

loves it. it really kept the information very fun and informative how it was put together. each chapter by itself holds up and the over all listen was something I quite enjoyed very much

Good overview

Relatively good overview of the paranormal but was light on a lot of details. E.G.: Crowley had ecstatic experience that led him to pursue that avenue of knowledge but it was never revealed what that experience was. Did describe the key fundamental of ‘personal will’ well though…

Awesome!

I could listen to the instructor teach anything. Great delivery, engaging voice and well organized.

Loved it!

I don’t have any missing call when you have nothing else to do but I love listening to all driving and working. One thing that I concluded is that the occult is close to worthless. Not knocking the book at all but if aliester crawly who is basically the most versed magician of our time died sick, penyless and a loser then I guess magick doesn’t work. This audible was so good though!

basic overview

like a lot of "occult exposes", is a bit of a mix of pop culture phenomena and legitimate apocryphal/mystical history. you will hear things you've heard before and also probably some new things.

Doesn’t Confirm but doesn’t Debunk

Covers a wide range of occult topics and does so while connecting up many strands to each other. He also presents the topics even-handedly.

His voice is (for me) perfect. So much so that I was able to play at 1.4 speed without any problems.

Although I’ve enjoyed many of the Great Courses, this might be the first that I was a bit disappointed that it was only 24 lessons.