Our Values

But why Esotericism and the Occult?

Is the occult evil? Hitler’s government (allegedly) engaged in a type of authoritarian occultism that further supported the idea that the occult is evil or “satanic.” The Satanic Panic of the 1980s played on this as well, portraying Ouija boards and tarot cards as portals to Hell. But is that true? Is the occult evil?

Occultism is a type of esoteric thought. The word occult simply means to be hidden, out of sight. Esoteric comes from a Greek adjective suggesting belonging to an inner circle. Esoteric spirituality empowers the magician to find divine connection within, rather than without. This connection is often completely unique to the individual, allowing for a wide variety of schools of thought and religions. Occultism can be used to help or to harm, like anything else.

At the Esoteric Archive of Rochester, we believe that an inward journey to divinity can lead to equality and harmony for all beings, and while we strive to document as many esoteric movements as we can, we are working from a place of social justice. The occult asks us to engage with the world just out of sight; so let’s use those unseen tools to encourage the utopian dreams of the Aquarian age.