occultist

[ uh-kuhl-tist ]

noun

1. a person who believes in or practices occult arts, such as magic, astrology, alchemy, seances, or other activity claiming the use of secret knowledge or supernatural powers or agencies:

   Get your fortune told by an experienced occultist, or go on a ghost tour or paranormal investigation with one of our trained guides—if you dare!

Word History and Origins

Origin of occultist¹

occult ( def ) + -ist ( def )

Example Sentences

But so strong is the human urge to predict the future that late-19th and early 20th century occultists adopted the cards as a tool for their mystical explorations.

From Los Angeles Times

She also purported to be the reborn “Madam Blavtski,” likely referring to Russian mystic Helena Blavatsky, the founder of the Theosophy occultist movement.

From Salon

A magical movie, a ghostly girlfriend, an evil occultist.

From Los Angeles Times

Through Tristán’s neighbor, they discover an unfinished film written by a Nazi occultist.

From New York Times

What’s more, it turns out that the occultist’s inner circle included Ambrose Bierce, Jack London, Dashiell Hammett and, most important, the Weird Tales author Clark Ashton Smith.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• magician