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

occult The occult, in the broadest sense, is a category of esoteric supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving otherworldly agency, such as magic and mysticism a ...

practices. People who were or are merely believers of occult practices should not be included unless they played a leading or otherwise significant part in the practice of occultism.

Antiquity

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism prior to the

Middle ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

Abaris the Hyperborean In Greek mythology, Abaris the Hyperborean ( grc, Ἄβαρις Ὑπερβόρειος ''Abaris Hyperboreios''), son of Seuthes (Σεύθης), was a legendary sage, healer, and priest of Apollo known to the Ancient Greeks. He was supposed to ...

, a legendary sage, healer, and priest of Apollo *

Alexander of Abonoteichus Alexander of Abonoteichus ( grc, Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Ἀβωνοτειχίτης ''Aléxandros ho Abōnoteichítēs''), also called Alexander the Paphlagonian ( CE), was a Greek mystic and oracle, and the founder of the Glycon cult that br ...

, founder of glycon-worship and oracle *

Apollonius of Tyana Apollonius of Tyana ( grc, Ἀπολλώνιος ὁ Τυανεύς; c. 3 BC – c. 97 AD) was a Greek Neopythagorean philosopher from the town of Tyana in the Roman province of Cappadocia in Anatolia. He is the subject of ...

, philosopher. * Apuleius, author of a magical novel * Apsethus the Libyan, magician who attempted to prove he was divine * Atomus, magus who worked for Antonius Felix at

Caesarea Caesarea () ( he, קֵיסָרְיָה, ), ''Keysariya'' or ''Qesarya'', often simplified to Keisarya, and Qaysaria, is an affluent town in north-central Israel, which inherits its name and much of its territory from the ancient city of Caesar ...

* Chu Fu (d. 130), Chinese professional witch *

Elymas Elymas , () also known as Bar-Jesus ( grc, Βαριεσοῦ, arc, Bar-Shuma, la, Bariesu), is a Jew described in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13, in the New Testament. He is referred to as a ''mágos'', which the King James Bible translates ...

, jewish magus who opposed Paul on

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ...

Empedocles Empedocles (; grc-gre, Ἐμπεδοκλῆς; , 444–443 BC) was a Greek pre-Socratic philosopher and a native citizen of Akragas, a Greek city in Sicily. Empedocles' philosophy is best known for originating the cosmogonic theory of the ...

philosopher *

Gyges of Lydia Gyges (, ; Lydian: ;Akkadian: , ; grc, Γύγης, Gugēs; la, Gygēs; reigned c. 680-644 BC) was the founder of the Mermnad dynasty of Lydian kings and the first known king of the Lydian kingdom to have attempted to transform it into a ...

, king said to possess magical artifacts *

Hermes Trismegistus Hermes Trismegistus (from grc, Ἑρμῆς ὁ Τρισμέγιστος, "Hermes the Thrice-Greatest"; Classical Latin: la, label=none, Mercurius ter Maximus) is a legendary Hellenistic figure that originated as a syncretic combination of ...

Thoth Thoth (; from grc-koi, Θώθ ''Thṓth'', borrowed from cop, Ⲑⲱⲟⲩⲧ ''Thōout'', Egyptian: ', the reflex of " eis like the Ibis") is an ancient Egyptian deity. In art, he was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or ...

, legendary magician and a god *

Iamblichus Iamblichus (; grc-gre, Ἰάμβλιχος ; Aramaic: 𐡉𐡌𐡋𐡊𐡅 ''Yamlīḵū''; ) was a Syrian neoplatonic philosopher of Arabic origin. He determined a direction later taken by neoplatonism. Iamblichus was also the biographer o ...

, neo-platonist philosopher, espoused theurgy * Iannes and Mambres, magicians at Pharaoh's court mentioned in the

New Testament The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Chris ...

* Julian, theurgist * Mary the Jewess, 4th century alchemist *

Parmenides Parmenides of Elea (; grc-gre, Παρμενίδης ὁ Ἐλεάτης; ) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher from Elea in Magna Graecia. Parmenides was born in the Greek colony of Elea, from a wealthy and illustrious family. His date ...

philosopher *

Plato Plato ( ; grc-gre, Πλάτων ; 428/427 or 424/423 – 348/347 BC) was a Greek philosopher born in Athens during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. He founded the Platonist school of thought and the Academy, the first institution ...

, philosopher *

Pythagoras Pythagoras of Samos ( grc, Πυθαγόρας ὁ Σάμιος, Pythagóras ho Sámios, Pythagoras the Samian, or simply ; in Ionian Greek; ) was an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and the eponymous founder of Pythagoreanism. His poli ...

, Greek mathematician, numerologist, philosopher important in occultism *

Ptolemy Claudius Ptolemy (; grc-gre, Πτολεμαῖος, ; la, Claudius Ptolemaeus; AD) was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist, who wrote about a dozen scientific treatises, three of which were of importanc ...

, astrologer *

Queen of Sheba The Queen of Sheba ( he, מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא‎, Malkaṯ Šəḇāʾ; ar, ملكة سبأ, Malikat Sabaʾ; gez, ንግሥተ ሳባ, Nəgśətä Saba) is a figure first mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. In the original story, she bring ...

, Ethiopian witch * Simon Magus, magician mentioned in

of the

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι� ...

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus ...

. *

Solomon Solomon (; , ),, ; ar, سُلَيْمَان, ', , ; el, Σολομών, ; la, Salomon also called Jedidiah (Hebrew language, Hebrew: , Modern Hebrew, Modern: , Tiberian Hebrew, Tiberian: ''Yăḏīḏăyāh'', "beloved of Yahweh, Yah"), ...

, reputed creator of the

Seal of Solomon The Seal of Solomon or Ring of Solomon ( he, חותם שלמה, '; ar, خاتم سليمان, ') is the legendary signet ring attributed to the Israelite king Solomon in medieval mystical traditions, from which it developed in parallel within ...

and supposed author of the ''

Testament of Solomon The Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphical composite text ascribed to King Solomon but not regarded as canonical scripture by Jews or Christian groups. It was written in the Greek language, based on precedents dating back to the early 1st m ...

'', ''

Key of Solomon The ''Key of Solomon'' ( la, Clavicula Salomonis; he, מפתח שלמה []) (Also known as "The Greater Key of Solomon") is a pseudepigraphical grimoire (also known as a book of spells) attributed to Solomon, King Solomon. It probably dates b ...

'', ''Magical Treatise of Solomon'' and the '' Lesser Key of Solomon'' * St Cyprian of Antioch, 4th century sorcerer *

Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: th ...

, subjected to magical legends *

Vyasa Krishna Dvaipayana ( sa, कृष्णद्वैपायन, Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana), better known as Vyasa (; sa, व्यासः, Vyāsaḥ, compiler) or Vedavyasa (वेदव्यासः, ''Veda-vyāsaḥ'', "the one who cl ...

, author and character of Mahabharat * The Witch of Endor, witch and spirit medium of

King Saul Saul (; he, , ; , ; ) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel. His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BCE, supposedly marked the transition of Israel and Judah from a scattered tri ...

in the

Old Testament The Old Testament (often abbreviated OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew writings by the Israelites. The ...

* Zhang Jiao, leader of the

Yellow Turban Rebellion The Yellow Turban Rebellion, alternatively translated as the Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt in China against the Eastern Han dynasty. The uprising broke out in 184 CE during the reign of Emperor Ling. Although the main rebelli ...

, founder of a

Taoist Taoism (, ) or Daoism () refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家; ''daojia'') or to a religion (道教; ''daojiao''), both of which share ideas and concepts of Chinese origin and emphasize living in harmony with the '' Tao ...

sect of faith healers *

Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang ( zh, t=諸葛亮 / 诸葛亮) (181 – September 234), courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. He was chancellor and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is ...

, advisor to Liu Bei during the

Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms () from 220 to 280 AD was the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and was followed by the West ...

period *

Zoroaster Zoroaster,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label= Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism. He is ...

, founder of the order of the

Magi Magi (; singular magus ; from Latin '' magus'', cf. fa, مغ ) were priests in Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of the western Iranians. The earliest known use of the word ''magi'' is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius t ...

* Zosimos of Panopolis, Egyptian alchemist and gnostic mystic

Middle Ages

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the

(circa 500–1500)'' Abraham abulafia

Abe no Seimei was an '' onmyōji'', a leading specialist of ''Onmyōdō'' during the middle of the Heian period in Japan.Miller, Laura. "Extreme Makeover for a Heian-era Wizard". ''Mechademia 3: Limits of the Human''. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Pre ...

(921–1005), Japanese painter and alleged mage. * Abraham Abulafia (1240–1291), kabbalist "messiah" * Abramelin the Mage (c. 1362–1458), Egyptian sage *

Roger Bolingbroke Roger Bolingbroke (died 18 November 1441) was a 15th-century English cleric, astronomer, astrologer, magister and alleged necromancer. He flourished in the first half of the 15th century. He was tried, convicted and executed for treasonable witchc ...

(d. 1441), astrologer and alleged necromancer * Albertus Magnus (1200–1280), had many magical texts attributed to him *

Marsilio Ficino Marsilio Ficino (; Latin name: ; 19 October 1433 – 1 October 1499) was an Italian scholar and Catholic priest who was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance. He was an astrologer, a revive ...

(1433–1499), astrologer and translator of the "Corpus Hermeticum" *

Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald (1335–1398), Webb, Alfred. A Compendium of Irish Biography'. Dublin: 1878. also known by the Irish Gaelic ''Gearóid Iarla'' (Earl Gerald), was the 3rd Earl of Desmond, in southwestern Ireland, under the first cre ...

(1335–1398), alleged associate with the goddess Áine * Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare (1457–1513), rumored to be a shapeshifter skilled in the black arts *

Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare Gerald is a male Germanic given name meaning "rule of the spear" from the prefix ''ger-'' ("spear") and suffix ''-wald'' ("rule"). Variants include the English given name Jerrold, the feminine nickname Jeri and the Welsh language Gerallt and ...

(1525–1585), rumored to be an alchemist with magical powers *

Gilles de Rais Gilles de Rais (c. 1405 – 26 October 1440), Baron de Rais (), was a knight and lord from Brittany, Anjou and Poitou, a leader in the French army, and a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc. He is best known for his reputation and later c ...

(1405-1440),

serial killer A serial killer is typically a person who murders three or more persons,A * * * * with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant period of time between them. While most authorities set a threshold of three ...

accused of sorcery * Jābir ibn Hayyān (9th-century), Persian-Arab alchemist that influenced all Medieval alchemy * Joachim of Fiore (1135–1202), Christian esotericist who founded his own group called the Joachimites *

John of Nottingham John of Nottingham was a famous 14th century magician, said to have plotted to kill Edward II of England and Hugh Despenser the Younger in 1324 through witchcraft. Background By 1324, Edward II was ruling England with his royal favourite Hugh ...

(14th-century) and Robert Marshall (14th-century), accused of attempting to kill

Edward II Edward II (25 April 1284 – 21 September 1327), also called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. The fourth son of Edward I, Edward became the heir apparent to ...

with magic *

Nicolas Flamel Nicolas Flamel (; 1330 – 22 March 1418) was a French scribe and manuscript-seller. After his death, Flamel developed a reputation as an alchemist believed to have created and discovered the philosopher's stone and to have thereby achieved im ...

(1330–1418), considered one of Europe's greatest alchemists, rumored to have learned the secrets of the philosopher's stone and an

elixir of life The elixir of life, also known as elixir of immortality, is a potion that supposedly grants the drinker eternal life and/or eternal youth. This elixir was also said to cure all diseases. Alchemists in various ages and cultures sought the mean ...

, which granted him wealth and immortality. *

Pietro d'Abano Pietro d'Abano, also known as Petrus de Apono, Petrus Aponensis or Peter of Abano (Premuda, Loris. "Abano, Pietro D'." in '' Dictionary of Scientific Biography.'' (1970). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. Vol. 1: p.4-5.1316), was an Italian philo ...

(1257–1316) astrologer and purported author of the ''Heptameron'', a

grimoire A grimoire ( ) (also known as a "book of spells" or a "spellbook") is a textbook of magic, typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms and divination, and ...

Ramon Llull Ramon Llull (; c. 1232 – c. 1315/16) was a philosopher, theologian, poet, missionary, and Christian apologist from the Kingdom of Majorca. He invented a philosophical system known as the ''Art'', conceived as a type of universal logic to pro ...

(1232–1316), syncretic mystic *

Roger Bacon Roger Bacon (; la, Rogerus or ', also '' Rogerus''; ), also known by the scholastic accolade ''Doctor Mirabilis'', was a medieval English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through emp ...

(1220–1292), philosopher accused of magic *

Michael Scot Michael Scot ( Latin: Michael Scotus; 1175 – ) was a Scottish mathematician and scholar in the Middle Ages. He was educated at Oxford and Paris, and worked in Bologna and Toledo, where he learned Arabic. His patron was Frederick II o ...

(c. 1172–1220), magician * Ímar Ua Donnubáin (13th-century), Norse-Gaelic navigator and sorcerer

16th century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the 16th-century'' Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa00

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (; ; 14 September 1486 – 18 February 1535) was a German polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, and occult writer. Agrippa's '' Three Books of Occult Philosophy'' published in 1533 dre ...

(1486–1535), occult philosopher, astrologer *

Giordano Bruno Giordano Bruno (; ; la, Iordanus Brunus Nolanus; born Filippo Bruno, January or February 1548 – 17 February 1600) was an Italian philosopher, mathematician, poet, cosmological theorist, and Hermetic occultist. He is known for his cosmolog ...

(1548–1600), occult philosopher *

Benevenuto Cellini Benvenuto Cellini (, ; 3 November 150013 February 1571) was an Italian goldsmith, sculptor, and author. His best-known extant works include the ''Cellini Salt Cellar'', the sculpture of ''Perseus with the Head of Medusa'', and his autobiography ...

(1500–1571), sculptor whose diary relates experience summoning spirits * Cosimo Ruggeri (''

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

'' 1571–1615), Italian astrologer and occultist *

John Dee John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, teacher, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divination, a ...

(1527–1608), occult philosopher, mathematician, alchemist, queen Elizabeth's advisor *

Gerhard Dorn Gerhard Dorn (c. 1530 – 1584) was a Belgian philosopher, translator, alchemist, physician and bibliophile. Biography The details of Gerhard Dorn's early life, along with those of many other 16th century personalities, are lost to history. ...

(1530–1584), Belgian follower of Paracelsus *

Edward Kelley Sir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot (; 1 August 1555 – 1597/8), was an English Renaissance occultist and scryer. He is best known for working with John Dee in his magical investigations. Besides the professed ability to ...

(1555–1597), spirit medium and alchemist who worked with John Dee, founder of

Enochian magic Enochian magic is a system of ceremonial magic based on the 16th-century writings of John Dee and Edward Kelley, who wrote that their information, including the revealed Enochian language, was delivered to them directly by various angels. Dee's ...

John Lambe John Lambe (or Lamb) (c. 1545 – 13 June 1628) was an English astrologer and quack physicianRumsey, Thomas R. (1984). ''Men and Women in Revolution and War, 1600-1815''. Longman Group. p. 20. "In 1628, John Lambe, charlatan, astrologer, quack ...

(1545–1628), astrologer to

George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, 28 August 1592 – 23 August 1628), was an English courtier, statesman, and patron of the arts. He was a favourite and possibly also a lover of King James I of England. Buckingham remained at the ...

Nostradamus Michel de Nostredame (December 1503 – July 1566), usually Latinised as Nostradamus, was a French astrologer, apothecary, physician, and reputed seer, who is best known for his book '' Les Prophéties'' (published in 1555), a collection ...

(1503–1566), one of the world's most famous prophets *

Paracelsus Paracelsus (; ; 1493 – 24 September 1541), born Theophrastus von Hohenheim (full name Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), was a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance. He ...

(1493–1541), medical pioneer and occult philosopher * Henry Percy (1563-1632), "Wizard Earl" * Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463–1494), humanist and neoplatonist * Sir

Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebelli ...

(1552–1618), practiced alchemy *

Johannes Reuchlin Johann Reuchlin (; sometimes called Johannes; 29 January 1455 – 30 June 1522) was a German Catholic humanist and a scholar of Greek and Hebrew, whose work also took him to modern-day Austria, Switzerland, and Italy and France. Most of Reuchlin ...

(1545–1622), German cabalist magician, summoned angels * Rudolph II, Holy Roman Emperor (1552–1612), patron of alchemists *

Ursula Southeil Ursula Southeil ( 1488 – 1561; also variously spelt as Ursula Southill, Ursula Soothtell or Ursula Sontheil), popularly known as Mother Shipton, is said to have been an English soothsayer and prophetess. She has sometimes been described as ...

(1488–1561), English soothsayer and prophet *

Krishnananda Agamavagisha Krishnananda Agamavagisha (Devanagari; कृष्णानन्द आगमवागीश, Bengali language: কৃষ্ণানন্দ আগমবাগীশ) (a.k.a. Mahamahopadhyaya Krishnananda Bhattacharya) was a noted Kulin Benga ...

(''fl.'' 1575), tantric guru and scholar from Bengal * Soulmother of Küssnacht (d. 1577), Swiss medium *

Johannes Trithemius Johannes Trithemius (; 1 February 1462 – 13 December 1516), born Johann Heidenberg, was a German Benedictine abbot and a polymath who was active in the German Renaissance as a lexicographer, chronicler, cryptographer, and occultist. He is co ...

(1462–1516), cryptographer and magical writer *

Johann Weyer Johann Weyer or Johannes Wier ( la, Ioannes Wierus or '; 1515 – 24 February 1588) was a Dutch physician, occultist and demonologist, disciple and follower of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. He was among the first to publish agains ...

(aka Johannes Wierus) (1515–1588), German physician, occultist and demonologist

17th century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the 17th-century'' Elias Ashmole by John Riley

* Gironima Spana (1615–1659), Italian astrologer * Elias Ashmole (1617–1692), the first known speculative

Freemason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

* Olaus Borrichius (1626–1690), Danish alchemist *

Thomas Browne Sir Thomas Browne (; 19 October 160519 October 1682) was an English polymath and author of varied works which reveal his wide learning in diverse fields including science and medicine, religion and the esoteric. His writings display a deep curi ...

(1605–1682), hermetic philosopher * Arthur Dee (1575–1661), hermetic author, son of John Dee *

Robert Fludd Robert Fludd, also known as Robertus de Fluctibus (17 January 1574 – 8 September 1637), was a prominent English Paracelsian physician with both scientific and occult interests. He is remembered as an astrologer, mathematician, cosmologis ...

(1574–1637), occult philosopher and astrologer * Isobel Gowdie (d. 1662), self-confessed professional sorcerer * Sir

Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton (25 December 1642 – 20 March 1726/27) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, Theology, theologian, and author (described in his time as a "natural philosophy, natural philosopher"), widely ...

(1642–1726), renowned physicist and alchemist * Ali Puli (17th-century), anonymous author of seventeenth-century alchemical and hermetic texts * La Voisin (1640–1680), French professional magician

18th century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the

Age of Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment or the Enlightenment; german: Aufklärung, "Enlightenment"; it, L'Illuminismo, "Enlightenment"; pl, Oświecenie, "Enlightenment"; pt, Iluminismo, "Enlightenment"; es, La Ilustración, "Enlightenment" was an intel ...

(18th-century)''

* Ulrica Arfvidsson (1734–1801), politically influential Swedish fortune-teller * Gustaf Björnram (1746–1804), Swedish spiritual medium *

Alessandro Cagliostro Count Alessandro di Cagliostro (, ; 2 June 1743 – 26 August 1795) was the alias of the Italian occultist Giuseppe Balsamo (; in French usually referred to as Joseph Balsamo). Cagliostro was an Italian adventurer and self-styled magician ...

(1743–1795), Italian occultist * Clotilde-Suzanne Courcelles de Labrousse (1747–1821), French prophet medium *

Antoine Court de Gebelin Antoine is a French given name (from the Latin ''Antonius'' meaning 'highly praise-worthy') that is a variant of Danton, Titouan, D'Anton and Antonin. The name is used in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, West Greenland, Haiti, French Guiana ...

(1725–1784), connected

tarot The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Tarocchini. From their Italian roots ...

and esotericism * Etteilla (1738–1791), fortune-teller * Marie Kingué (''fl.'' 1785) African kaperlata occultist and faith healer * Marie-Anne de La Ville (1680–1725) French occultist * Henrietta Lullier (1716–1782), French fortune teller *

Marquis de Sade Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (; 2 June 1740 – 2 December 1814), was a French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer famous for his literary depictions of a libertine sexuality as well as numerous accusati ...

(1740–1814), writer and libertine *

Count of St. Germain The Comte de Saint Germain (; – 27 February 1784) was a European adventurer, with an interest in science, alchemy and the arts. He achieved prominence in European high society of the mid-18th century. Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel considere ...

(dl. 1784), alchemist and occultist * Höffern (''fl.'' 1722), German-Swedish fortune teller *

Franz Mesmer Franz Anton Mesmer (; ; 23 May 1734 – 5 March 1815) was a German physician with an interest in astronomy. He theorised the existence of a natural energy transference occurring between all animated and inanimate objects; this he called " ani ...

(1734–1815) German magnetist * August Nordenskiold (1754–1792), alchemist and

Swedenborgian The New Church (or Swedenborgianism) is any of several historically related Christian denominations that developed as a new religious group, influenced by the writings of scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). Swedenborgian or ...

Charlotta Roos Charlotta Roos, née Wrangel (1771-1809) was a Swedish medium. She was the daughter of the lieutenant and noble Henrik Herman Wrangel and Fredrika Philp. In 1791, she married the rich brewer and Swedenborgianist Sven Roos (1746-1798), in and in 1 ...

(1771–1809), Swedish spiritual medium * Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin (1743–1803), founder of

Martinism Martinism is a form of Christian mysticism and esoteric Christianity concerned with the fall of the first man, his state of material privation from his divine source, and the process of his return, called 'Reintegration'. As a mystical traditio ...

, writer known as the Unknown Philosopher *

Emanuel Swedenborg Emanuel Swedenborg (, ; born Emanuel Swedberg; 29 March 1772) was a Swedish pluralistic-Christian theologian, scientist, philosopher and mystic. He became best known for his book on the afterlife, ''Heaven and Hell'' (1758). Swedenborg had a ...

(1688–1772), alchemist, founder of

Swedenborgianism The New Church (or Swedenborgianism) is any of several historically related Christian denominations that developed as a new religious group, influenced by the writings of scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). Swedenborgian or ...

* Henrik Gustaf Ulfvenklou (1756–1819), Swedish spiritual medium

19th century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the 19th-century'' Portrait of Mlle Lenormand from The Court of Napoleon

* Albert Pike (1809–1891), author and 33rd degree

* Evangeline Adams (1868–1932), astrologer to the famous * Francis Barrett (c. 1770 – ''fl.'' 1802), wrote '' The Magus'', a book about magic *

Alexis-Vincent-Charles Berbiguier de Terre-Neuve du Thym Alexis-Vincent-Charles Berbiguier de Terre-Neuve du Thym or better known as M. Berbiguier (1765 – December 3, 1851) was a French author and demonologist who may have been suffering from psychosis. He was born, and died, in Carpentras in the sou ...

(1765-1851), French demonologist *

Algernon Blackwood Algernon Henry Blackwood, CBE (14 March 1869 – 10 December 1951) was an English broadcasting narrator, journalist, novelist and short story writer, and among the most prolific ghost story writers in the history of the genre. The literary crit ...

(1869–1951), member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), founder of

Theosophy Theosophy is a religion established in the United States during the late 19th century. It was founded primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and draws its teachings predominantly from Blavatsky's writings. Categorized by scholars of religion a ...

Mary Emily Bates Coues Mary Emily Bates Coues (, Bennett; after first marriage, Bates; after second marriage, Coues; August 26, 1835 – February 16, 1906) was an American suffragist and society woman of the long nineteenth century, committed to women's rights, spiritu ...

(1835-1906), secretary, Woman's National Liberal Union *

Robert Felkin Dr Robert William Felkin FRSE LRCSE LRCP (13 March 1853 – 28 December 1926) was a medical missionary and explorer, a ceremonial magician and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a prolific author on Uganda and Central Africa, and ea ...

(1853–1926), medical missionary and explorer, member of Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and

Stella Matutina The Stella Matutina (Morning Star) was an initiatory magical order dedicated to the dissemination of the traditional occult teachings of the earlier Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Originally, the outer order of the Stella Matutina was known a ...

, author on Africa and medicine * A. Frank Glahn (1865–1941), German mystic *

Stanislas de Guaita Stanislas De Guaita (6 April 1861, Tarquimpol, Moselle – 19 December 1897, Tarquimpol) was a French poet based in Paris, an expert on esotericism and European mysticism, and an active member of the Rosicrucian Order. He was very celebrated and ...

(1861–1899), occult author *

John George Hohman John George Hohman (also spelled Johann Georg Hohman, and his surname sometimes misspelled as Hoffman), who was active between 1802 and 1846, was a German-American printer, book seller and compiler of collections of herbal remedies, magical heal ...

(''fl.'' 1802–1846), American wizard *

Allan Kardec Allan Kardec () is the pen name of the French educator, translator, and author Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail (; 3 October 1804 – 31 March 1869). He is the author of the five books known as the Spiritist Codification, and the founder of ...

(1804–1869), founder of

Spiritism Spiritism (French: ''spiritisme''; Portuguese: ''espiritismo'') is a spiritualist, religious, and philosophical doctrine established in France in the 1850s by the French teacher, educational writer, and translator Hippolyte Léon Denizard R ...

* Giuliano Kremmerz (1861–1930) alchemist and occult author * Marie Laveau (1801–1881), American

New Orleans Voodoo Louisiana Voodoo (french: Vaudou louisianais, es, Vudú de Luisiana), also known as New Orleans Voodoo, is an African diasporic religion which originated in Louisiana, now in the southern United States. It arose through a process of syncretis ...

practitioner * Marie Anne Lenormand (1772–1843), French fortune-teller favoured by

Joséphine de Beauharnais Josephine may refer to: People * Josephine (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) * Josephine (singer), a Greek pop singer Places *Josephine, Texas, United States * Mount Josephine (disambiguation) * Josephine Co ...

Eliphas Lévi Eliphaz is one of Esau's sons in the Bible. Eliphaz or Eliphas is also the given name of: * Eliphaz (Job), another person in the Bible * Eliphaz Dow (1705-1755), the first male executed in New Hampshire, for murder * Eliphaz Fay (1797–1854), f ...

(1810–1875), French occult author and ceremonial magician * Guido von List (1848–1919), Austrian writer and mystic *

Arthur Machen Arthur Machen (; 3 March 1863 – 15 December 1947) was the pen-name of Arthur Llewellyn Jones, a Welsh author and mystic of the 1890s and early 20th century. He is best known for his influential supernatural, fantasy, and horror fiction. His ...

(1863–1947), member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Moina Mathers (1865–1928), first initiate in Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, wife of

S.L. MacGregor Mathers Samuel Liddell (or Liddel) MacGregor Mathers (8 or 11 January 1854 – 5 or 20 November 1918), born Samuel Liddell Mathers, was a British occultist. He is primarily known as one of the founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a cerem ...

, and Imperatrix of the

Alpha et Omega The Alpha et Omega was an occult order, initially named the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, co-founded in London, England by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers in 1888. The Alpha et Omega was one of four daughter organisations into which the ...

* Samuel L. MacGregor Mathers (1854–1918), founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Papus, pseudonym for Gérard Encausse (1865–1916), occult author *

Jacques Collin de Plancy Jacques Albin Simon Collin de Plancy (28 January 1793 in Plancy-l'Abbaye – 1881 in Paris) was a French occultist, demonologist and writer. He published several works on occultism and demonology. Biography He was born Jacques Albin Simon Colli ...

(1793–1871), French occultist, demonologist and writer * Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825–1875), African American physician and

sex magic Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired re ...

ian *

Grigori Rasputin Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (; rus, links=no, Григорий Ефимович Распутин ; – ) was a Russian Mysticism, mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who befriended the family of Nicholas II of Russia, Nicholas II, the ...

(1869–1916), Russian mystic and healer * Carl Reichenbach (1788–1869), German Occultist * Theodor Reuss (1855–1923), German mason * Arthur Rimbaud (1854–1891), visionary poet, adventurer *

August Strindberg Johan August Strindberg (, ; 22 January 184914 May 1912) was a Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter.Lane (1998), 1040. A prolific writer who often drew directly on his personal experience, Strindberg wrote more than sixty p ...

(1849–1912), dramatist, alchemist * Max Théon (1848-1927), occultist, Kabbalist, founder of the Cosmic Movement *

Arthur Edward Waite Arthur Edward Waite (2 October 1857 – 19 May 1942) was a British poet and scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters, and was the co-creator of the Rider–Waite tarot deck (also called the Rider–Waite–Smith o ...

(1857–1941), occult author and member of Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * William Wynn Westcott (1848–1925), cofounder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Karl Maria Wiligut (1866–1946), Austrian occultist *

William Butler Yeats William Butler Yeats (13 June 186528 January 1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, writer and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and became a pillar of the Irish liter ...

(1865–1934), poet, astrologer, member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn *

Charles Webster Leadbeater Charles Webster Leadbeater (; 16 February 1854 – 1 March 1934) was a member of the Theosophical Society, Co-Freemasonry, author on occult subjects and co-initiator with J. I. Wedgwood of the Liberal Catholic Church. Originally a p ...

(1854–1934), occult books author and influential member of the Theosophical Society Adyar * Annie Besant (1847–1933), British writer, socialist and occultist * Pierre Bernard (yogi) (1875–1955), American occultist, businessman and yogi popularly known as "Oom The Omnipotent" * Damodar K. Mavalankar (1857–1885), Indian Theosophist

20th century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the 20th century'' * Margot Adler (1946—2014), witch and National Public Radio reporter * Mirra Alfassa (1878—1971), Indian poet and mystic * Robert Ambelain (1907—1997), French author of Masonic and astrological works * Kenneth Anger (born 1927), filmmaker, author, and disciple of Aleister Crowley, Crowley * Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki (born 1929), occultist, occult author, teacher * Alice Bailey (1880—1949), English writer, mystic and Theosophist * Franz Bardon (1909—1958), occult author, magician * Christian Bernard (born 1951), former grandmaster and imperator of the mystical organization called Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC) * Michael Bertiaux (born 1935), author of the Voudon Gnostic Workbook, occult artist * William Breeze (born 1955), author, musician, patriarch of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, and caliph of Ordo Templi Orientis. Also known as ''Hymenaeus Beta''. * Kerry Bolton (born 1956), New Zealand neo-Nazi activist and writer * David Bowie (1947—2016), musician and actor * Ray Buckland (1934—2017), author, teacher * William S. Burroughs (1914—1997), author, Beat writer * W. E. Butler (1898—1978), esoteric author * Laurie Cabot (born 1933), witch, high priestess, author * D. J. Conway (1939—2019), occult author * Marjorie Cameron (1922—1995), scarlet woman of Jack Parsons' rituals, artist, actress * Peter J. Carroll (born 1953), occultist, author, founder of Chaos magic * Carlos Castaneda (unknown—1998), sorcerer, writer, anthropologist * Jean Chevalier (writer), Jean Chevalier (1906—1993), occult author, philosopher, theologian * Constant Chevillon (1880—1944), head of FUDOFSI * Gurumayi Chidvilasananda (born 1955), Indian mystic and yogi who (as of 2017) is the spiritual head of Siddha Yoga * Robert Collier (author), Robert Collier (1885—1950), occult author. * Pamela Colman Smith (1878—1951), artist, designed the Rider–Waite tarot deck, Rider–Waite

deck, member of the Hermetic order of the Golden Dawn * Aleister Crowley (1875—1947), English occultist and ceremonial magician, founder of Thelema religion * Jinx Dawson (born 1950), ceremonial magician, artist, founder of rock band Coven (band), recording artist * Samson De Brier (1899—1995), actor and occultist * Maya Deren (1917—1961), filmmaker and Haitian Vodou priestess * Savitri Devi (1905—1982), Greco-French Hindu writer, Nazi spy and leading figure of Esoteric Nazism * H.D., Hilda Doolittle (1886—1961), American Modernist poetry in English, modernist poet, known under the pseudonym H.D. * Gerina Dunwich (born 1959), witch and occult author * Lon Milo DuQuette (born 1948) musician, lecturer, and occultist * Julius Evola (1898—1974), Italian philosopher * Stewart Farrar (1916—2000), Alexandrian Wiccan, journalist, author * Paul Foster Case (1884—1954), founder of Builders of the Adytum, BOTA, adept of the Western mystery tradition, teacher, occult author * Dion Fortune (1890—1946), considered one of Great Britain's most famous occultists, founder of the Fraternity of the Inner Light * Fulcanelli, French alchemist and esoteric author * Henri Gamache (''fl.'' 1940s), authority on the Evil eye, Evil Eye * Gerald Gardner (1890—1946), author and founder of the religion of Wicca * Mort Garson (1924—2008), esoteric electronic music composer * H. R. Giger (1940—2014), artist, designer, member of the Ordo Templi Orientis * Sallie Ann Glassman (born 1954), practitioner of Haitian Vodou * Rudolf John Gorsleben (1883—1930) * Kenneth Grant (1924—2011), occultist, author, pupil of Alister Crowley * John Michael Greer (born 1962), occult author, fantasist, blogger * Eugen Grosche (1888—1964), known as ''Gregor A. Gregorius'', German occultist, author, founder of the lodge Fraternitas Saturni * Manly Palmer Hall (1901—1990), occult author, teacher * Frieda Harris (1877—1962), occultist, artist, painted the Thoth tarot deck * Max Heindel (1865—1919), author * Rudolf Hess (1894—1987), Nazism, nazi interested in magic and the occult * Heinrich Himmler (1900—1945), nazi Reichsführer-SS, Reichsführer Schutzstaffel, SS, also interested in magic * Phil Hine (''fl.'' 1980s), occult author * Murry Hope (1929—2012), occult author * Christopher Hyatt (1943—2008), author, teacher, publisher * Bola Ige (1930—2001), Nigerian lawyer and former minister of power who was a Rosicrucianism, Rosicrucian. * Guru Maharaj Ji (Nigeria), Guru Maharaj ji, Nigerian grand master occultist, self proclaimed living perfect master and god * Alejandro Jodorowsky (born 1929), filmmaker, comic book writer, author and teacher on 'Psychemagia' * Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895—1986), Indian occultist and philosopher, who was declared by the Theosophical Society Adyar as the incarnation of Jesus Christ and Krishna, and was destined to be a world teacher. * Siegfried Adolf Kummer (1899—1977), German occultist * Kurt E. Koch (1913—1987), Christian missionary pastor, demonologist * Konstantinos (occultist), Konstantinos (born 1972), American occultist and writer * Nina Kulagina (1926—1990), Russian psychic; academic studies of her psychokinesis were widely disputed * Dora van Gelder Kunz (1904—1999), occult author * Roger de Lafforest (1905—1998), occult author * Anton LaVey (1930—1997), occult author, founder of the Church of Satan * Timothy Leary (1920—1996), psychologist, member of the Illuminates of Thanateros * Sybil Leek (1917—1982), witch and occult author * Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883—1939), founder of Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, AMORC * Ralph Maxwell Lewis (1904—1987), former imperator of Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, AMORC * Jörg Lanz von Liebenfels (1874—1954), Austrian occultist and pioneer of Ariosophy * James H. Madole (1927—1979), American neo-Nazi, founder of the National Renaissance Party (United States), National Renaissance Party and personal friend of Anton LaVey * Friedrich Bernhard Marby (1882—1966), German rune occultist * Martinus Thomsen (1890—1981), Danish occultist * Alan Moore (born 1953), British writer and occultist * Evan Morgan, 2nd Viscount Tredegar, Evan Morgan (1893—1949), poet and aristocrat Lord Tredegar * Grant Morrison (born 1960), comic writer and magician * Jim Morrison (1943—1971), musician, occultist, member of rock band The Doors * David Myatt (born 1950), allegedly the leader of the Order of Nine Angles * Erwin Neutzsky-Wulff (born 1949), occultist, science fiction writer * Eddie Nawgu (1957—2000), Nigerian sorcerer and self-proclaimed prophet of the Biblical God * Rosaleen Norton (1917—1979), self-proclaimed Australian witch * Pericoma Okoye (born 1948), Nigerian spiritualist and musician * Olumba Olumba, Nigerian self proclaimed God in human form who has been described as an occult grandmaster * Jesu Oyingbo (—1988), Nigerian traditionalist & spiritualist who proclaimed himself to be Jesus Christ * Tommaso Palamidessi (1915—1983), Christian occultist, founder of the Archeosophical Society * Jimmy Page (born 1944), musician, occultist, member of rock band Led Zeppelin * John Whiteside Parsons, Jack Parsons (1914—1952), occultist, author, and rocket scientist * Professor Peller (1941—1997), prominent Nigerian magician * Genesis P-Orridge (1950—2020), of Psychic TV video group and Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth, TOPY, chaos magician * Mark L. Prophet (1918—1973), founder of the Church Universal and Triumphant#The Summit Lighthouse, Summit Lighthouse and proponet of the "I AM" Activity, "I AM" movement who supposedly achieved unification with God and became an 'Ascended Master' * Israel Regardie (1907—1985), occult author, magician, pupil of Aleister Crowley * Jane Roberts (1929—1984), author * Alex Sanders (Wiccan), Alex Sanders (1926—1988), founder of Alexandrian Wicca * Miguel Serrano (1917—2009), Chilean diplomat, author of books on Esoteric Nazism * Pekka Siitoin (1944—2003), Finnish occultist and neo-Nazi * Robin Skelton (1925—1997), British-Canadian Wiccan and poet * Harry Everett Smith (1923—1991), visual artist, experimental filmmaker, record collector, bohemian, mystic, largely self-taught student of anthropology, and Neo-Gnostic bishop * Lionel Snell, occult author, known as ''Ramsey Dukes'' * Austin Osman Spare (1886—1956), author, painter, magician * Ludwig Straniak (1879—1951) * Stephen Skinner (author), Stephen Skinner (born 1948), Australian author * Starhawk, Miriam Simos (born 1951), known under the pseudonym ''Starhawk'', a witch and occult author * Rudolf Steiner (1861—1925), founder of anthroposophy * Gerald Suster (1951—2001), occult author * Ralph Tegtmeier (born 1952), known as Frater U∴D∴, occultist, author, founder of Pragmatic Magic, Cyber Magic and Ice Magic * Howard Thurston (1869—1936), American magician * Paul Twitchell (1908 or 1909—1971), founder of the Eckankar religion and student of oriental occultism * Mellie Uyldert (1908—2009), occult author * Doreen Valiente (1922—1999), priestess and author * Hannes Vanaküla (born 1966), mage * Leila Waddell (1880—1932), mystic and muse * Don Webb (writer), Don Webb (born 1960), author of occult books and former high priest of Temple of Set * Samael Aun Weor (1917—1977), theurgist and founder of a 'Gnostic movement'. * Robert Anton Wilson (1932—2007), author * Catherine Yronwode (born 1947), occult author * Iyke Nathan Uzorma, Nigeria's first documented and self-proclaimed occult grand master * Swami Vivekananda (1863—1902), Indian mystic who supposedly possessed all occult powers known and also was a chief disciple of Ramakrishna. * Nirmala Srivastava (1923—2011), Indian mystic and occultist * Francis Parker Yockey (1917—1960), American neo-fascist lawyer and author

21st century

''People professionally or notably involved in occultism during the 21st century;'' * Margot Adler (1946—2014), American author, journalist, lecturer, Wiccan priestess * Blanche Barton (born 1961), American religious leader who holds the title 'Magistra Templi Rex' within the Church of Satan * Jean-Louis de Biasi (born 1959), author, lecturer, and spiritual teacher * Aleksandr Dugin (born 1962), Russian philosopher, geopolitical analyst and political strategist, commonly referred to as "Vladimir Putin, Putin's brain" * Damien Echols (born 1974), American occultist and author * Lucien Greaves (born 2016) co-founder (alongside Malcolm Jarry) of The Satanic Temple. * Augustus Sol Invictus (born 1983), American far-right attorney, expelled Ordo Templi Orientis member and former U.S. Senate candidate from Florida * Thomas Karlsson (born 1972), Swedish occultist and esoteric author * Konstantinos (occultist), Konstantinos (born 1972), practicing occultist and neo-pagan * Jon Nödtveidt (1975—2006), Swedish musician, member of Temple of the Black Light, committed suicide * Stephen Skinner (author), Stephen Skinner (born 1948), Australian author, editor, publisher and lecturer * Julie Scott (Rosicrucian), Julie Scott (born 1958), Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, AMORC grandmaster. * Catherine Yronwode (born 1947), American writer, graphic designer, and practitioner of folk magic * Kate West (born 1957), British author and Wiccan priestess pp. 47–48, 58.

References

{{Authority control Lists of people by religion, Occultists Occultists,