The occult is an umbrella term for mystical, magical and/or mythical things. It can be hard to define exactly what it includes, even though you'll generally know it when you see it. For example, hexing someone would certainly involve the occult, as would the use of a Ouija board or wearing a protective amulet. However, it would be considered rather insulting to refer to a religion as occult, even if many of its practices and symbols are drawn from pagan origins. Similarly, many hunters of the paranormal might take exception to being lumped in with tarot readers.

Certain occult traditions are steeped in tradition, ritual and secrecy. These traditions tend to share certain characteristics, even when they are very different in specifics, such as which gods may or may not be worshiped. These traditions include a belief in another world, such as an umbra or a parallel universe, where spirits or other creatures live in a world that is similar yet different than ours. Power, often derived from some interaction with that world or its occupants, can be applied to our world through ritual practices, to affect health, wealth, happiness and fate.

Just how occult are you? Take this quiz, and we will peg you to a specific percentage.