The Covert Occult: The Relationship Between Politics, Intelligence, and the Occult

There are more intersections between politics and the occult than many people realize. From the Renaissance to the Cold War, intelligence agencies have turned to occult thinkers and supernatural research in pursuit of strategic advantage, influence, even weaponization. This discussion examines documented examples of how and why powerful government institutions have continually turned to esoteric practices and knowledge, often through clandestine means. What were the results of these complex dynamics, and what can we learn from them today?