Occult sound effects refer to the use of specific sounds or audio techniques to create an eerie or mysterious atmosphere, often associated with paranormal or supernatural occurrences. These effects are commonly used in various forms of media, such as films, television shows, video games, and even music. The purpose of occult sound effects is to enhance the overall mood and tone of a scene or piece of content by evoking a sense of unease or tension. These sounds can include anything from ominous whispers, creaking doors, eerie laughter, howling winds, and other unearthly noises. In film and television, occult sound effects are often employed in horror or thriller genres to heighten the sense of dread and suspense. For example, the sound of a ghostly whisper or a demonic growl can help create a chilling atmosphere and build anticipation for a supernatural reveal.
For example, the sound of a ghostly whisper or a demonic growl can help create a chilling atmosphere and build anticipation for a supernatural reveal. In video games, occult sound effects are commonly used in horror-themed games to immerse players in a terrifying environment. The use of creepy audio cues can enhance the feeling of being stalked by a malevolent presence or add complexity to puzzles and mysteries.
Book review: The Magical Tarot of the Golden Dawn – Divination, Meditation, High Magical Teachings
Aeon books revised edition 2019, original edition published 2008.
ISBN 13 – 1911597292
ISBN 10 – 1911597299
This book is probably the most impressive Golden Dawn based Tarot book I’ve read for content and readability—495 pages of a discussion of Book T, and I was in my element! Almost A4 in size means that the text is not overly heavy or unwieldy to read and I poured myself into each word written. The book is methodically laid out starting with the introduction to the reasoning for creating the text and accompanying Tarot deck. (I do have to purchase the deck!) It is evident a great deal of well thought out research has gone into creating the comprehensive content. The style of writing may be too congested or dense for some tastes; however, I did find it a straightforward and easily digestible read. I would recommend this text for starting out on a Golden Dawn Tarot journey; it would give a good solid grounding. The sections regarding Kabbalah and the colour scales were useful. The comprehensive section on colour scales included a brief comparison between Crowley’s and Regardie’s systems, more modern colour names, and the bold claim that the Zalewski deck colouring is the most accurate yet.
The card descriptions are detailed and comprehensive and the descriptions contained some welcome additions that aren’t readily available in other texts that I’ve read previously. For the Major Arcana the card detail is around five pages long and contains numerology relating to the card number including Golden Dawn references, gematria, the Hebrew letter, Kabbalistic association, psychological expression, a card description, divinatory meaning paragraph and a mantra for each card.
The Court descriptions are about three pages long and include I Ching as well as tattvas, decante influences and elemental influences, geomancy, and a divinatory paragraph. The Minor Arcana follows a similar format in length and include angel association, alchemy and Kabbalistic influence as well as the divinatory paragraph. The angel association is a welcomed addition and is not something I’ve studied previously so is now on my ever-growing list!
The book contains various methods of working with the cards including spreads, scrying, dreamwork, and meditation. The dreamwork section will be a challenge for me as I never seem to remember my dreams, but I shall rise to that challenge! The book provides about 12 spreads including the Opening of The Key and a couple of other large spreads which I will work through. It also includes a useful commentary on some of the spreads, which helps to see them working in practice. It did take me a while to follow the Horoscope spread as the two images show different card placements, so I followed the card placement as described in the commentary. This provided some insightful results. Some of the spreads are large, yet it was interesting to find them, such as the seven-card spread in the accompanying photograph, described as a ‘little spread for quick and concise answers.’ The ‘personal tree of power’ spread looks an interesting meditation to work through; I think I have also found another spread to use during my New Year Tarot workings.
The final section of the book , titled celestial Tarot, was interesting and warrants further study as I’m not very knowledgeable on astrology. This leads me to my final comment that a bibliography and index would have been a welcome addition to the text. Sadly, both were omitted and there appear to be no footnotes in the text either, which makes cross referencing difficult as well as searching for particular keywords within the book.
All in all, if you have an interest in the Golden Dawn teachings regarding Tarot, this book is a must for your bookshelf.
Occult sound effects can also be found in music, particularly in genres like dark ambient, experimental, or industrial. Artists may use unconventional sound sources and techniques to create an unsettling sonic landscape that evokes a sense of the occult or supernatural. Furthermore, in some spiritual practices and rituals, occult sound effects are incorporated as a way to invoke specific energies, communicate with spirits, or create a transcendent experience. These sounds can include chanting, drumming, bell ringing, and other ritualistic noises. Overall, occult sound effects play a crucial role in setting the mood and atmosphere in various forms of media and can greatly contribute to the overall experience for the audience or users. By creating an uncanny or supernatural soundscape, these effects evoke a sense of mystery, fear, or fascination, making them a powerful tool for storytelling and entertainment..
Reviews for "Crafting Otherworldly Atmospheres: The Art of Occult Sound Effects"
1. Mike - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Occult sound effect". The sounds were extremely generic and unoriginal. It felt like I had heard the same looped sample in countless other horror movies and games. There was no creativity or unique touch to make it stand out. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for authentic and chilling sound effects.
2. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I didn't find "Occult sound effect" to be as scary as I had hoped. The sound effects were quite predictable and lacked the intensity I was expecting. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere. The whole experience fell flat for me, and I ended up searching for alternative sound effect libraries that offered a more chilling and immersive experience.
3. John - 1/5 stars - I found "Occult sound effect" to be underwhelming and subpar. The sounds were too cliche and lacked originality. It felt like the creators simply compiled a collection of typical horror cliches without adding anything new or innovative. I was hoping for a more unique and spine-chilling experience, but unfortunately, this sound pack didn't deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking truly immersive and terrifying sound effects.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Occult sound effect" didn't live up to my expectations. The sounds were too generic and failed to capture the essence of true horror. I was looking for a sound pack that would send shivers down my spine, but this fell short. The lack of variation and depth in the sound effects made it feel repetitive and unimpressive. I would recommend exploring other options if you're seeking high-quality and truly haunting sound effects.