esotericism
Loading your saved state.
esotericism
A collective term for various spiritual teachings, practices, and worldviews that appeal to secret knowledge accessible only to the initiated. These often stand outside established religions and scientific methodology.
Sie beschäftigt sich seit Jahren mit Esoterik und liest Bücher über Astrologie und Tarot.
She has been involved with esotericism for years and reads books about astrology and tarot.
The ending '-ik' often marks abstract concepts, fields of knowledge, or art forms in German. This pattern helps you recognize the word as a system of thought, similar to 'Physik' (physics), 'Logik' (logic), or 'Politik' (politics).
Für viele ist Esoterik keine Wissenschaft, sondern ein Glaubenssystem.
For many people, esotericism is not a science but a belief system.
'Esoterik' (esotericism) is a collective term. Typical topics associated with it are astrology, tarot cards, healing stones, and alternative healing methods.
Ihr Interesse an Esoterik begann mit einem Buch über die Bedeutung von Kristallen.
Her interest in esotericism began with a book about the meaning of crystals.
The word is frequently used in fixed constructions with certain verbs and prepositions, for example 'sich für Esoterik interessieren' (to be interested in esotericism) or 'sich mit Esoterik beschäftigen' (to engage with/study esotericism).
Er beschäftigt sich in seiner Freizeit intensiv mit den Lehren der Esoterik.
In his free time, he engages intensively with the teachings of esotericism.
religion
'die Religion' and 'die Esoterik' both have to do with belief, spirituality, and things that cannot be directly proven. However, 'Religion' usually means a specific belief system or personal belief in a higher power. This often includes rules, festivals, rituals, and communities. 'Esoterik' is a collective term for various spiritual ideas and practices that often exist outside major religions and sometimes refer to secret knowledge. The words can be confused because both sound spiritual. In practice: with church, mosque, temple, prayer, or a religious tradition, 'Religion' usually fits; with card reading, energies, or secret spiritual knowledge, 'Esoterik' is more likely to fit.
Wir reden in der Küche über Esoterik, weil Tom sich für Heilsteine interessiert.
We are talking about esotericism in the kitchen because Tom is interested in healing crystals.
In der Schule sprechen wir heute über Religion und ihre Rolle im Alltag.
At school today, we are talking about religion and its role in everyday life.