Occultist

An occultist is a person who believes in or practices occult arts, such as ritual magic, astrology, alchemy, seances, or other activities claiming the use of secret knowledge or supernatural powers or agencies.

Simply believing in magical systems does not generally qualify one to be considered an occultist. Most occultists are also authors, either of magical grimoires or other esoteric or metaphysical texts. Some occultists focus on one type of occult art, Tarot cards, for example.

List of occultists

This list comprises and encompasses people, both contemporary and historical, who are or were professionally or otherwise notably involved in occult practices.

• Robert Ambelain, French author of Masonic and astrological works.
• Pamela Colman Smith, Golden Dawn member, artist who designed the Waite-Smith tarot deck.
• Jacques Collin de Plancy, French occultist, demonologist and writer.
• Aleister Crowley, English occultist and ceremonial magician, founder of the Thelema religion.
• Damien Echols, American author and ceremonial magician.
• Dion Fortune, considered one of Great Britain's most famous occultists.
• Anton LaVey, occult author, founder of the Church of Satan.
• Timothy Leary, psychologist, member of the Illuminates of Thanateros.
• Sybil Leek, witch and occult author.
• Eliphas Lévi, French occult author and ceremonial magician.
• Marie Laveau, American New Orleans Voodoo practitioner
• Travis McHenry, author, Tarot creator, and ritual magic practitioner.
• Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers, founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
• Papus, pseudonym for Gérard Encausse, occult author.
• Israel Regardie, occult author, magician, pupil of Aleister Crowley.
• A.E. Waite, occult author and member of Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.