arcanist
Wielder of mysteries
An arcanist is a practitioner of arcane or secret knowledge, particularly one who studies and wields mysterious or magical arts.
The term appears primarily in fantasy fiction, tabletop games, and video games to describe characters who derive power from esoteric learning rather than divine favor or innate ability.
The arcanist consulted ancient texts before attempting the ritual.
Unlike a wizard or mage, arcanist often emphasizes the scholarly or secretive nature of magical practice.
Practitioner of sorcery
- sorcererWielder of arcane power
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
- spellcasterOne who performs magic
- magicianPerformer of illusions
conjurer · enchanter · thaumaturge · necromancer · warlock · witch · occultist · magus
Accessible to few
- occultConcealed from view
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- cabalisticRelating to secret mysticism
- reconditeObscure and specialized
abstruse · cryptic · forbidden · ancient · secret · hidden · lost · eldritch
Performing magical incantations
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- conjurationMagical act of summoning
- evocationCalling forth to mind
summoning · divination · transmutation · abjuration · necromancy · thaumaturgy · warding · scrying
Textbook of sorcery
- spellbookVolume containing magical instructions
- staffOrganization's workers collectively
- wandThin ceremonial stick
- orbLuminous celestial body
amulet · talisman · familiar · crystal · rune · glyph · sigil · pentacle
Supernatural indwelling power
- aetherHypothetical light-wave medium
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- elementalBasic, of natural forces
channeling · invocation · ward · enchantment · glamour · hex · curse · charm
Complete change of form
- elixirMythical healing draught
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- potionEnchanted liquid mixture
- tinctureHerb steeped in alcohol
alembic · crucible · distillation · homunculus · base metals · sublimation · calcination · hermeticism
mage
Practitioner of sorcery
- sorcererWielder of arcane power
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
- spellcasterOne who performs magic
magician · conjurer · enchanter · thaumaturge · necromancer · warlock · witch · occultist · magus · hedge witch
esoteric
Accessible to few
- occultConcealed from view
- hermeticImpenetrably closed off
- cabalisticRelating to secret mysticism
recondite · abstruse · cryptic · forbidden · ancient · secret · hidden · lost · eldritch · mystical
spellcasting
Performing magical incantations
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- conjurationMagical act of summoning
evocation · summoning · divination · transmutation · abjuration · necromancy · thaumaturgy · warding · scrying · enchanting
grimoire
Textbook of sorcery
- spellbookVolume containing magical instructions
- staffOrganization's workers collectively
- wandThin ceremonial stick
orb · amulet · talisman · familiar · crystal · rune · glyph · sigil · pentacle · cauldron
mana
Supernatural indwelling power
- aetherHypothetical light-wave medium
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
elemental · channeling · invocation · ward · enchantment · glamour · hex · curse · charm · binding
transmutation
Complete change of form
- elixirMythical healing draught
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- potionEnchanted liquid mixture
tincture · alembic · crucible · distillation · homunculus · base metals · sublimation · calcination · hermeticism · reagent
arcanistempiricist
Knowledge-from-experience advocate
scientist · rationalist · materialist · skeptic · layman
arcanistscientist
One who studies nature
empiricist · rationalist · technologist · engineer · physicist