arcana
Closely guarded secrets
Arcana are secrets or mysteries, especially specialized knowledge known only to initiates.
The word appears most often in discussions of esoteric subjects—occult practices, ancient rituals, or the inner workings of complex institutions: the arcana of high finance, the arcana of parliamentary procedure.
In tarot, the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana are the two divisions of the deck.
The singular arcanum is rare.
Mystical metal transformation
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
ritual · incantation · conjuring · grimoire · sigil · talisman · amulet · pentagram
Experiential sacred understanding
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
- gnosticismPrivileging inner revelation
neoplatonism · vedanta · mysticism · initiation · illumination · enlightenment · revelation · mysteries
Ship's flat surface
- suitsFormal business clothing
- cupsSmall drinking containers
- wandsSlender implements for conjuring
- pentaclesStar-shaped occult symbols
swords · reading · spread · fool · magician · high priestess · empress · emperor
Information deliberately kept concealed
- mysteriesUnexplained phenomena or events
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- crypticObscure in meaning
- veiledConcealed or obscured
concealed · obscure · clandestine · esoterica · forbidden knowledge · sacred mysteries · occluded · shrouded
alchemy
Mystical metal transformation
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
divination · ritual · incantation · conjuring · grimoire · sigil · talisman · amulet · pentagram · seance
gnosis
Experiential sacred understanding
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
- theosophyMystical divine knowledge system
gnosticism · neoplatonism · vedanta · mysticism · initiation · illumination · enlightenment · revelation · mysteries · secret doctrine
deck
Ship's flat surface
pentacles · swords · reading · spread · fool · magician · high priestess · empress · emperor · hierophant
hidden knowledge
Information deliberately kept concealed
veiled · concealed · obscure · clandestine · esoterica · forbidden knowledge · sacred mysteries · occluded · shrouded · undisclosed
- magicwizard, wand, sorcerer, witchcraft, mage
- alchemyalchemy, alchemist, philosopher's stone, transmutation, elixir
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- RPG mechanicsmin-maxing, level up, XP, HP, power leveling
- curiositiesoddities, curiosities, rarities, wonders, anomalies
- Tarottarot, tarot cards, tarot reading, the fool, the magician
arcanacommon knowledge
Widely shared information
public knowledge · open secrets · general knowledge · conventional wisdom · public information
arcanabasics
Foundational knowledge of something
fundamentals · rudiments · ABCs · essentials · first principles
arcanabasics
Foundational knowledge of something
fundamentals · rudiments · ABCs · essentials · primer
- arcane knowledgeObscure, specialized understanding
- arcane ritualsSecret ceremonial practices
- arcane magicMysterious supernatural knowledge and power
- arcane symbolsMysterious signs with hidden meaning
- major arcanaTarot's twenty-two trump cards
- arcane energySupernatural force from secret knowledge