MYSTICISM, MYTHOLOGY AND MAGIC IN THE WORLD OF ART Although religion has been the dominant subject of art for many centuries, magic and mysticism have long been intertwined in a dark curtain hanging over a large segment of the art world. The whole world is alive and full of soul, both light and dark. “Every material form may be thought to attract an appropriate soul, as firewood treated with sulfur attracts flame.” Although there is no historical or scientific evidence for the legitimacy of séances, magic or communication with the deceased, in the book Occult and Supernatural Phenomena by DH Rawcliffe, he reminds us of the importance of hallucinations and other fantastic experiences of the subconscious. These often provide strange and impressive experiences, interpreted as being of supernatural origin. As we study art, we can only begin to wonder what spirits might have visited the great masters, what hallucinations they might have experienced, and how their paintings were influenced by the dark corridors of their subconscious. Using Spirit Communication to Communicate with the Masses The term occult means “knowledge of the hidden,” as opposed to knowledge of what is measurable or scientific. These beliefs about magic, astrology, alchemy, and other supernatural studies have been practiced since recorded human history. Primitives believed that external manifestations of fearful and capricious spirits had to be supplicated, and so a caveman recorded his belief system on his walls as a daily reminder of his dependence on these invisible forces. His superstitions and expectations led him to illusory interpretations of natural events. Thus, as his mental and artistic developments advanced, his spirits became gods, then… middle of paper… into witchcraft, this revisits the medieval and unfounded views on witches perpetuated by the Spanish Inquisition that we see in his first works. It is almost difficult to deny the existence and presence of spirits, good or bad, when studying literary art and theory. Do these spirits represent an independent force completely separate from our imagination, or is “evil spirit” simply a pseudonym given to the darker layers of the subconscious that some artists are not afraid to use to create shocking, yet powerful images and statements? ? These images and ideas can be disturbing at times, but they are still relatable as we all as humans have those sad and dark places within us. The reason these might make us feel uncomfortable as viewers is because not everyone is ready to walk down those dark and threatening corridors of our minds..