“Enq: But are not all these Occult sciences, magic, and sorcery, considered by the most cultured and learned people as relics of ancient ignorance and superstition?
Theo: Let me remind you that this remark of yours cuts both ways. The “most cultured and learned” among you regard also Christianity and every other religion as a relic of ignorance and superstition.
People begin to believe now, at any rate, in hypnotism, and some – even of the most cultured – in Theosophy and phenomena. But who among them, except preachers and blind fanatics, will confess to a belief in Biblical miracles? And this is where the point of difference comes in.
There are very good and pure Theosophists who may believe in the supernatural, divine miracles included, but no Occultist will do so. For an Occultist practices scientific Theosophy, based on accurate knowledge of Nature’s secret workings; but a Theosophist, practicing the powers called abnormal, minus the light of Occultism, will simply tend toward a dangerous form of mediumship, because, although holding to Theosophy and its highest conceivable code of ethics, he practices it in the dark, on sincere but blind faith.
Anyone, Theosophist or Spiritualist, who attempts to cultivate one of the branches of Occult science -e.g., Hypnotism, Mesmerism, or even the secrets of producing physical phenomena, etc. – without the knowledge of the philosophic rationale of those powers, is like a rudderless boat launched on a stormy ocean.”
H. P. Blavatsky
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 