The occult is a mysterious and often misunderstood realm of knowledge and practice. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices, and traditions that are often associated with the supernatural and paranormal. The term occult is derived from the Latin word "occultus," which means hidden or secret. The main idea of the occult is the pursuit of hidden knowledge and understanding of the spiritual and metaphysical world. It is a quest for enlightenment and a deeper understanding of the mysteries of existence. Those who delve into the occult may explore various topics such as astrology, divination, magic, witchcraft, and alchemy.
They have taught poetry and (Soma)tic poetry rituals to poets, dancers, and visual artists. They have taught the last two spring semesters at Columbia University in New York City. They teach regularly at Naropa University, Evergreen State College, Pratt Institute, Sarah Lawrence, Sandberg Art Institute in Amsterdam, and the OSU creative writing program in Oregon. They have also been a visiting writer at Brown, Bard, Bennington, CalArts, Pomona, University of Chicago, Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Wyoming, and others. They have given lectures on Ecopoetics and Occult Poetics at KW Museum in Berlin, Contemporary Art Center in Vilnius, Zurich University of the Arts, Kunstverein in Dusseldorf, 21er Haus in Vienna, Bergen Academy of Art, University of Glasgow, and others.
We will discuss how occult and paranormal experiences and practices of poets in the past shaped their praxis and changed the world of poetry, and in some cases even saved lives. In class we will question whether the cards themselves are portals to psychological forces or living gods; is Last Call just fiction, or does it say something about how real practitioners engage with Tarot cards.
Those who delve into the occult may explore various topics such as astrology, divination, magic, witchcraft, and alchemy. Astrology is perhaps one of the most well-known occult practices. It involves the study of the movement and positions of celestial bodies in order to interpret their influence on human behavior and future events.
24PearlStreet Workshops
We will discuss how occult and paranormal experiences and practices of poets in the past shaped their praxis and changed the world of poetry, and in some cases even saved lives. We will read and discuss the occult poetics of Hannah Weiner, Jack Spicer, Robert Desnos, and others. We will also build (Soma)tic poetry rituals as well as collectively build personalized rituals for each participant in the workshop. CA will have follow-up contact with each student after the workshop to discuss the progress of their rituals and writing.
Biography
CAConrad is the author of 9 books of poetry and essays, the latest is titled While Standing in Line for Death (Wave Books, 2017). A recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Literature, they also received The Believer Magazine Book Award and The Gil Ott Book Award. CA is currently working on a (Soma)tic poetry ritual titled, "Resurrect Extinct Vibration," which investigates effects the vibrational absence of recently extinct species has on the body of the poet and the poems. They teach regularly at the Sandberg Art Institute in Amsterdam and their books, essays, films, interviews, rituals and other publications can be found online at http://bit.ly/88CAConrad
They have taught poetry and (Soma)tic poetry rituals to poets, dancers, and visual artists. They have taught the last two spring semesters at Columbia University in New York City. They teach regularly at Naropa University, Evergreen State College, Pratt Institute, Sarah Lawrence, Sandberg Art Institute in Amsterdam, and the OSU creative writing program in Oregon. They have also been a visiting writer at Brown, Bard, Bennington, CalArts, Pomona, University of Chicago, Iowa Writers Workshop, University of Wyoming, and others. They have given lectures on Ecopoetics and Occult Poetics at KW Museum in Berlin, Contemporary Art Center in Vilnius, Zurich University of the Arts, Kunstverein in Dusseldorf, 21er Haus in Vienna, Bergen Academy of Art, University of Glasgow, and others.
We will discuss how occult and paranormal experiences and practices of poets in the past shaped their praxis and changed the world of poetry, and in some cases even saved lives. We will read and discuss the occult poetics of Hannah Weiner, Jack Spicer, Robert Desnos, and others. We will also build (Soma)tic poetry rituals as well as collectively build personalized rituals for each participant in the workshop. CA will have follow-up contact with each student after the workshop to discuss the progress of their rituals and writing.
Divination, on the other hand, is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through various methods such as tarot cards, scrying, or the interpretation of dreams. Magic and witchcraft are closely intertwined with the occult. Magic, in this context, refers to the manipulation of natural forces and energies to bring about desired effects. It may involve rituals, spells, or the use of objects and symbols. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is the practice of harnessing supernatural powers and abilities to achieve personal goals or to influence others. Alchemy is another aspect of the occult that involves the transformation of substances and the pursuit of spiritual transformation. It is often associated with the transmutation of base metals into gold and the search for the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance that is said to have the power to transform other substances and grant eternal life. The occult has a rich and complex history spanning many cultures and time periods. It has been both revered and feared throughout history, with some seeing it as a source of divine wisdom and others as a dangerous practice associated with evil forces. In some societies, practitioners of the occult were persecuted and accused of witchcraft or heresy. Today, the occult continues to be a topic of fascination for many individuals. Some seek to explore it as a means of personal growth and spiritual development, while others are drawn to it out of curiosity or a desire for power and control. Regardless of one's beliefs or motivations, the occult is a subject that invites exploration and offers the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe..
Reviews for "The Occult and Health: The Influence of Alternative Medicine and Energy Healing"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Occult part 1" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The supposed scares and tension fell flat, leaving me feeling bored and uninvested in the story. Overall, I was hoping for a thrilling occult-themed film, but this movie lacked substance and failed to deliver.
2. Michael - 1 star - I was excited to watch "Occult part 1" based on the trailer, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The film relied too heavily on jump scares and cheap horror tactics, which felt predictable and uninspiring. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this movie.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Occult part 1" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The story had potential to be intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The editing was choppy, making it difficult to follow the plot at times. Additionally, the character development was lacking, and I found myself uninterested in the fate of the protagonists. While there were a few creepy moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the film.
4. Mark - 1 star - "Occult part 1" was a complete waste of time. The scares were predictable and unoriginal, relying on tired horror tropes. The plot felt disjointed and lacked clear direction, leaving me confused and disengaged. The acting was lackluster, with performances that felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this film and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a genuinely chilling occult-themed experience.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - As a fan of horror movies, I had high hopes for "Occult part 1," but unfortunately, it fell short. The film lacked suspense and failed to create a truly eerie atmosphere. The jumpscares were more annoying than frightening, and the storyline felt underdeveloped. The weak performances from the cast added to the disappointment. Overall, "Occult part 1" failed to deliver the thrills I was expecting and felt like a wasted opportunity.