THE 70'S OCCULT EXPLOSION

BY THE CLOSE OF THE 1960'S. the occult in all its forms -- Astrology, ESP, Tarot, Magic(k), etc., had established itself in the firmament of popular culture. What had begun as an interest in alternative forms of philosophy and spirituality nurtured and sustained in large part by the psychedelic experience and prevailing drug culture had not unexpectedly evolved into commercialism. Occult shops, mystics, seers, prophesiers and hacks had popped up like magic mushrooms across the US, the UK and other parts of the world that had embraced the hip culture.

This collection of articles from the March 1970 issue of McCALL'S are a testament to how far the occult had come and what it had grown into. From seances to star-gazing, these topics are covered within the context of their contemporary relevance (another well-worn 60's word!). Key here is Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s survey of Madame Blavatsky, who was largely responsible for bringing metaphysics and mysticism into the modern age.