Occult Belief or Practice How New Age Groups Use Occult Power
Astrology, Horoscopes, and the Zodiac
Some New Age writers and practitioners incorporate teachings about astrology, horo- scopes, and the zodiac into their belief sys- tem. This is offered as a means for the stars and planetary systems to guide the subject and is often called Elysian Astrology. 
Auras 
In the occult, these are colored light emana- tions that surround people. Some New Age adherents claim special power to see these auras and claim to interpret moods and per- sonal characteristics by defining the colors of light. 
Automatic Writing 
Some New Age authors claim to have con- tact with spirits that take over their bodies and write through them. This is a form of mediumship. Writers such as Alice Bailey, Ruth Montgomery, and Jane Roberts are examples.  Also rappers like Jay-Z make this claim (*truthunedited)
Clairaudience 
The practice of hearing audible voices that other people do not naturally hear. Many New Agers use this occult practice. 
Clairvoyance 
This is the practice of seeing things that other people do not naturally see. Usually this comes through dreams, visions, or pre- cognition. 
Crystals and Colored Stones 
As with occult practitioners, New Agers often believe that energy or vibration quali- ties exist in certain stones and crystals. These are used for a variety of rituals, including physical healing and meditation. 
Divination 
This is any means of predicting an unknown event with the aid of physical objects or events that are read or inter- preted, such as tarot cards, runes, crystal gazing, omens, scrying, palmistry, and dreams. Curious New Agers and psychics employ these. 
Extrasensory Perception (ESP) 
The occult experimentation with ESP existed prior to the New Age era. ESP is used by “gifted” New Agers who claim the ability to know things through premoni- tions that are not common to other people. 
Medium 
A person who acts as a conduit for commu- nication between the spirits and humanity through a variety of manifestations. This action is centuries old in the occult and is openly practiced by New Agers.
Numerology 
New Agers mimic the occult with numerol- ogy by affixing values and meanings to cer- tain numbers in order to interpret them as meaningful signs for past or future events. 
Out-of-Body Experiences 
Some New Age groups, Theosophy, and Rosicrucians practice out-of-body travel and astral projection. 
Parapsychology 
Academic study of occult powers and per- ceived gifted powers of certain individuals began at Drew University in the 1920s. Parapsychology is of great interest to New Agers because it appears to deal with latent powers. 
Psychic 
A person who acts as a medium and who uses auras, numerology, divination, clair- voyance, clairaudience, oracles, telepathy, or ESP as a means for communicating unknown information to the participant. Although psychics have long existed inde- pendent of the New Age movement, they are also found within it. 
Psychokinesis and Telekinesis 
In the occult, psychokinesis is the belief that gifted people can move physical objects by use of their mental powers. New Agers believe that these powers belong to gifted people. 
Pyramidology and pyramid power 
Pyramids are believed to have mystical power in their hieroglyphics and structure. Pyramid Power in the New Age is based upon the idea that the pyramid shape draws power and energy from the universe; there- fore, pyramid-shaped objects, such as hats, tents, and crystals, hold special significance in the New Age.
Séance 
A session with a medium before one or more people, in which the medium attempts contact with deceased humans, angels, or other spirit-beings, usually directed toward contact with a specific departed person known by the participant. 
Spirit Guide 
Spirit guides are historically rooted in Mayan occultism. The New Age teaches that spirits, either independent spirit-beings or spirits of the deceased, make contact with the living to assist them through life. These are called spirit-guides. 
Telepathy 
New Age writers and adherents sometimes claim telepathy as a medium for communi- cation with the living or dead. It is said to be nonverbal communication directly from one mind to another.