And one of the reflections in that mirror is of humanity’s belief since prehistory in the occult, a hidden, supernatural dimension whose denizens—from gods to demons—can and do intervene in human affairs of their own volition or at the behest of an individual adept in the arts of summoning them, either in a religious or in a secular venue. Shaman, celebrant, magus, or witch, all essentially perform rituals to evoke the supernatural being(s), for purposes of worship, emulation, or service.

Stages of Evil: Occultism in Western Theater and Drama