Ancient Societies

Ancient Egypt (c. 3150 – 30 BCE)

Practices: Magic (heka) was integral to religion and daily life, involving rituals, spells, amulets, and the invocation of deities.

Decline: The prominence of Egyptian magic waned after the Roman conquest and the rise of Christianity.

Mesopotamia (c. 3500 – 539 BCE)

Practices: Enuma Anu Enlil (astrological texts), various spells and incantations for protection and healing.

Decline: Magic practices continued but were gradually absorbed into religious rituals.

Ancient Greece (c. 800 – 146 BCE)

Practices: Use of oracles, divination, necromancy, and theurgy.

Decline: Continued into the Roman era, with a gradual decline as Christianity spread.

Ancient Rome (c. 753 BCE – 476 CE)

Practices: Divination (augury), astrology, curse tablets, and magical rituals.

Decline: The spread of Christianity led to the suppression of magical practices.

Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Medieval Europe (c. 5th – 15th centuries)

Practices: Alchemy, astrology, necromancy, and various forms of folk magic.

Decline: The rise of the Church led to the persecution of supposed witches and the suppression of magical practices.

Renaissance Europe (c. 14th – 17th centuries)

Practices: Revival of Hermeticism, Kabbalah, alchemy, and astrology.

Decline: The Age of Enlightenment brought a more scientific perspective, reducing the influence of occult practices.Non-Western Societies

China (Ancient and Imperial periods)

Practices: Taoist magic, alchemy, and divination.

Decline: Practices continued but were overshadowed by Confucian and later Communist ideologies.

India (Ancient to Present)

Practices: Tantric rituals, astrology, and Vedic magic.

Decline: While still practiced, mainstream Hinduism and modern scientific perspectives have reduced its prevalence.

Mesoamerica (Pre-Columbian era)

Practices: Mayan and Aztec rituals, shamanism, and divination.

Decline: The Spanish conquest and Christianization led to the suppression of these practices.

Modern Era

19th and 20th Century Occult Revivals Practices: Spiritualism, Theosophy, and various occult orders like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

Decline: While interest in the occult persists, it is often viewed skeptically in mainstream society.

Continuation and Transformation

The practices of occult magic have never fully stopped. Instead, they have transformed and adapted to different cultural and religious contexts.

For example:

Contemporary Paganism: Modern movements such as Wicca and Neo-Druidism have revived and reinterpreted ancient magical practices.

New Age Movements: Incorporate elements of astrology, crystal healing, and other esoteric practices.

Folklore and Folk Magic: In many cultures, folk magic and superstitions continue to be practiced.

Conclusion

Occult magic has been a part of human culture for millennia, evolving and adapting to changing social, religious, and intellectual landscapes. While the prominence of such practices has declined with the rise of scientific rationalism and organized religion, elements of occult magic persist in modern spiritual and esoteric traditions.