Mark Travers writes about the world of psychology. Belief in the occult—whether it’s astrology, tarot or other mystical practices—can be a source of comfort, guidance and meaning for many.

There is a world beyond the one presented to untrained eyes; one that, once seen, alters the consciousness and makes life among the uninitiated nigh impossible. This is the world of the occult ...

These are among the many fascinating snippets discussed in Liz Williams’s new book, Compendium of the Occult: Arcane Artefacts, Magic Rituals and Sacred Symbolism. Looking at western occult ...