esoteric
Known to few
Esoteric is an adjective that characterizes knowledge of subjects that are known or understood by only a few.
Esoteric is primarily associated with the law, academia, and religious or spiritual matters: Tribal elders and medicine men are revered for their esoteric knowledge of the afterlife.
The opposite of esoteric is the little-used technical word exoteric.
Unknown to most
- arcaneUnderstood by few
- crypticObscure in meaning
- reconditeObscure and specialized
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
opaque · impenetrable · unfathomable · hermetic · enigmatic · perplexing · convoluted · intricate
Superior select group
- initiatesStarts or new members
- adeptsHighly skilled people
- secretiveInclined to conceal
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
insular · privileged · restricted · inaccessible · coterie · cabal · enclave · hidden
Beyond ordinary experience
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
- kundaliniDormant spinal life force
chakras · gnosticism · theosophy · tantra · meditation · mantra · metaphysical · ethereal
Mystical metal transformation
- tarotDivination card set
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
kabbalah · hermeticism · grimoire · rituals · runes · sigils · incantation · sorcery
obscure
Unknown to most
inscrutable · opaque · impenetrable · unfathomable · hermetic · enigmatic · perplexing · convoluted · intricate · complex
elite
Superior select group
cloistered · insular · privileged · restricted · inaccessible · coterie · cabal · enclave · hidden · veiled
transcendental
Beyond ordinary experience
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- satoriSudden spiritual awakening
kundalini · chakras · gnosticism · theosophy · tantra · meditation · mantra · metaphysical · ethereal · astral
alchemy
Mystical metal transformation
- tarotDivination card set
- necromancyCommunicating with the deceased
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
astrology · kabbalah · hermeticism · grimoire · rituals · runes · sigils · incantation · sorcery · witchcraft
- witchcraftwitch, spell, spellwork, witches, spells
- mysteriousmysterious, cryptic, enigmatic, arcane, obscure
- complexitycomplex, complicated, simple, intricate, easy
- Unfamiliar Thingsstranger, unknown, mystery, enigma, novelty
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- fancy wordsgrandiloquent, magniloquent, sesquipedalian, pulchritudinous, tintinnabulation
esotericexoteric
Suitable for outsiders
public · common · popular · open · accessible
esotericstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
intelligible · simple · understandable · comprehensible · clear
- esoteric knowledgeUnderstanding restricted to initiates
- esoteric wisdomKnowledge for the initiated