Those are very good questions. My opinion would be that there is no real harm in at least learning about the occult and studying various concepts. There are many misconceptions about occultists that you seem to be referring to. Occultists are just like any other demographic of people. We have drug abusers and binge drinkers, just like the rest of the population. But they are fairly easy to avoid if you try.
The other part of your question was about drawing negative energy to you by following a left-handed path. Right-handed paths are not necessarily good and left-handed paths are not necessarily evil. I personally am a student of Satanism. But I follow the belief that a darker, more chaotic following brings change. The only way to get change is through chaos. Does that make the energy I bring in negative? I don't believe so. The energy is just a starting point. It's the purpose and intent put into it that makes it positive or negative. Hope my thoughts help.
May you always find shade on the brightest of days.
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