A clear exposition is given here of the nature of occultism by one who was herself a distinguished occultist.

Occultism is not the practice of magic and the occult arts, which in fact is pseudo-occultism. It is at best a waste of time, at worst an obstacle to spiritual progress. 

Neither is occultism an intellectual view of spiritual reality, and the path to it. This is semi-occultism. The divisible tendencies of he intellect must be transcended to realize the One Reality. However, semi-occultism an be a stepping stone to the truth.

True Occultism is the study of the Divine Mind working in the universe. It calls for perception beyond forms into the inner Reality and involves conquest of the selfish urges an development of the spiritual nature.