Living a Creative Life through Occult Philosophy involves delving into the realms of spirituality, mysticism, and the hidden aspects of existence. By looking into these realms, you embark on a journey of self-discovery and creative expression that goes beyond the surface of understanding artistry.
From this perspective creativity is seen as a channel to connect with the divine and the mysteries of the universe. It is viewed as a sacred act, a means of communicating with higher realms and tapping into the well of cosmic inspiration. By delving into the depths of spirituality, you open yourself up to the vast array of energies and archetypes that can fuel creative endeavours.
Here are some principles and practices that have helped my own creative life and maybe they can guide you in your quest for a creative life should you so wish.
Know Thyself
The principle of “Know Thyself” is a fundamental concept in occult philosophy and an important step towards living a creative life. Delving deep into self-reflection and self-awareness allows you to gain a profound understanding of who you are at your core. Self-reflection involves taking the time to explore your inner self. It requires introspection and a willingness to examine your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. By engaging in self-reflection, you become aware of your thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours, both positive and negative. Through self-awareness, you gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, desires and fears. By recognising your unique talents and inclinations, you can harness them in your creative pursuits.
Embrace Intuition
Intuition is a powerful tool for creativity, allowing you to tap into the hidden realms of inspiration and imagination. Practicing meditation, journaling, or any other activity helps you quieten down the mind and listen to your intuition and trust your inner guidance. To do this, it is important to create a space for stillness and silence in your life. Other practices such as mindfulness, or walks in nature can also help quieten down the mind and by calming the mental chatter, you create a productive ground for intuitive wisdom to emerge.
Embody the Divine
Creativity is a divine expression that flows through us all. Connect with the spiritual aspects of your being and invite the energy of inspiration to flow through you. This could be achieved through rituals, prayer, or other spiritual practices that resonate with you. By acknowledging the divine nature of creativity, you open yourself up to a deeper connection with the creative source. You realise that creative abilities are not solely dependent on your personal efforts, but are also influenced by unseen forces and energies. This understanding allows you to approach your creative endeavours with a sense of respect and to recognise that you are a conduit for something greater than yourself.
Balance and Harmonise
By seeking balance and creating a harmonious environment, you provide the necessary support for your creative life to thrive. It is important to balance the different dimensions of your mind, body and spirit by engaging in activities that nourish your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A balanced environment supports the creative process. So surround yourself with people, objects, and settings that inspire and support your own creative process. Consider organising your physical space in a way that encourages focus, inspiration, and relaxation. A clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing environment helps create a conducive atmosphere for creativity to flourish.
Aligning with the rhythms of nature and the cycles of life can also contribute to your overall balance. Find ways to connect with nature. Whether by spending time outdoors, gardening, contemplating the beauty of the natural world and watch the seasons, the natural elements, and the celestial movements. This connection with nature can provide grounding, inspiration, and a sense of interconnectedness with the larger cosmos.
Embrace the Shadow
Explore the shadow aspects of your psyche—the unconscious and suppressed parts of yourself. The shadow holds deep creative potential and hidden insights. Welcome these aspects of yourself to unlock new streams of creative expression. The shadow encompasses aspects of your being that you may consider undesirable, unacceptable, or contradictory to your self-image. It includes fears, insecurities, unresolved emotions, and aspects of your personality that you may have deemed “negative” or “unacceptable.” However, within the shadow lies a supply of raw energy and wisdom.
By exploring the shadow, you invite these buried aspects to come into the light of awareness. This exploration requires courage, self-compassion, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about yourself. It may involve delving into your past experiences, childhood wounds, and unprocessed emotions. Through shadow work, you begin to welcome and join these aspects of yourself. It is not about indulging in negativity but acknowledging and acepting the full spectrum of your humanity.
Engage with Symbols and Archetypes
Symbols are representations that carry layers of meaning beyond their literal interpretation. They evoke emotions, stir the imagination, and communicate ideas that may be difficult to express through words alone. Engaging with symbols allows you to access the collective unconscious, where archetypes reside. Archetypes are universal patterns of human experience that are deeply ingrained in our psyches. Mythology is a rich source of symbols and archetypes. Studying mythological stories and their associated symbols can provide a wealth of inspiration for your creative endeavors. Mythological narratives often carry universal themes. Things such as the hero’s journey, the battle between light and dark, or the quest for self-discovery. By delving into mythology, you can tap into the timeless wisdom in these stories and apply it to your own creative expression.
Cultivate Inspiration
Surround yourself with inspiration by seeking out experiences, art, literature, and people that ignite your creative fire. Explore different artistic mediums and different perspectives. Engage in practices like free writing, brainstorming, or collaging to stimulate your imagination. Connect with like-minded individuals, seek out fellow artists, writers, or creative individuals who share your passion for exploration and self-expression. Engaging in creative collaborations, workshops, or artistic communities can provide opportunities for sharing ideas and sparking inspiration with others. Also nature has long been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and philosophers. Taking walks in natural surroundings and observing the rhythms of nature ignites creativity providing a connection with the larger universe.
Embrace Mystery
Cultivate a sense of wonder and awe by allowing yourself to be open to serendipitous encounters, synchronicities, and the magic of everyday existence. Creativity can arise from the depths of the mysterious and the unexplainable and by understanding this, you open yourself up to a world of limitless possibilities and inspiration.
It is important to approach life with an open mind and a willingness to explore beyond the boundaries of conventional understanding. To acknowledge there are aspects of reality that are beyond our comprehension and that the creative process taps into these realms of mystery. Find inspiration in the awe-inspiring vastness of the cosmos, the complexities of nature, or the depths of human emotions and nurture a childlike curiosity that continuously seeks to unravel the mysteries of life.
Embody the Creative Process
Creativity often thrives on taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what is familiar or safe. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and exploring these unconventional ideas and methods of expression can lead to fresh new ideas and creations that vibrate deeply in your artistic vision.
It is also important to note that failure is an essential part of the creative process. Some of the most profound discoveries and life changing experiences come from setbacks or perceived failures. So it is important to learn from mistakes, adjust your course, and keep moving forward with resilience and determination.
Living a creative life through occult philosophy is a way of life. It is a different way of looking at things and most importantly a deeper connection with the creative source.
If you enjoy fortean and occult topics don’t forget to check out Hocus Focus with myself and Thomas Sheridan every Sunday night on YouTube at 8pm UK/Irish time.
