Secrets of the Occult

De: Richard B. Spence, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Richard B. Spence

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.

Engaging and Informative

Presented in an engaging way. Includes a broad scope of ideas and information. The drawback of an audio presentation is the lack of a written bibliography.

interesting

Interesting over view of the occult and more of a history of the occult, but still a good listen

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

Well rounded non biased

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

Favorite thing on Audible this year

Wonderful series. Handled with great respect for a tricky subject. Willing to let people speak for themself without right out trashing their points. Enjoyed the breadth of the study in terms of periods of 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!

Mispronunciation is infuriating!

I like the story. It’s interesting. I like the narrator’s voice. What I can’t stand is the narrator’s many mispronunciation’s.

Absolutely fantastic!

Richard B. Spence’s Secrets of the Occult is an exciting series for anyone curious about the hidden side of history. It goes into topics like alchemy, astrology, secret societies, and how these ideas shaped the world.

What makes this series so interesting is how it shows the occult isn’t just spooky stories—it has influenced science, art, and even politics. Spence explains how early scientists, like John Dee, mixed magic and science to discover new things. He also talks about other historical figures. He explains things clearly and keeps the stories fun and easy to follow. He balances the facts with fascinating tales, so it never feels too heavy. The experience pulls you in. The best part? Spence treats the occult seriously without making it seem scary or silly. He helps you understand why people believed in these ideas and how they’ve shaped history.

If you love history, mysteries, or learning about unusual ideas, this series is perfect. It’s great for anyone who wants to explore the secret side of the past.

Highly recommended this.

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!