mystics
Seekers of transcendence
Mystics are people who seek direct experience of the divine or ultimate reality through contemplation, meditation, or spiritual practice.
The term suggests someone who pursues knowledge beyond ordinary understanding—through intuition rather than reason.
Christian mystics sought union with God; Buddhist mystics pursue enlightenment.
The word can carry skepticism: She dismissed him as one of those mystics.
As an adjective, mystic means the same as mystical: mystic visions, mystic traditions.
Divination card set
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- esotericAccessible to few
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
- occultismBelief in supernatural forces
divination · astrology · cabala · ritual · arcane · grimoire · incantation · enchantment
One who renounces indulgence
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
- gnosticismPrivileging inner revelation
dervish · mantra · nirvana · satori · zen · yogi · chakras · fakir
Obscure in meaning
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
- esotericAccessible to few
veiled · obscure · paradox · ineffable · secretive · unknowable · hidden · elusive
Awe-inspiring greatness
- ascensionMovement to higher position
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- ineffableBeyond verbal expression
- transcendentalismIntuition-based idealist philosophy
metaphysical · otherworldly · ecstasy · beatific · cosmic · unity · numinous · divine
One who perceives beyond senses
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- prophecyForetelling of future events
- omenProphetic indicator
- seerOne who envisions futures
visionary · revelation · diviner · augur · soothsayer · foresight · premonition · channeler
tarot
Divination card set
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- esotericAccessible to few
- hermeticismAirtight, impervious condition
occultism · divination · astrology · cabala · ritual · arcane · grimoire · incantation · enchantment · theurgy
ascetic
One who renounces indulgence
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
- kabbalahJewish mystical tradition
gnosticism · dervish · mantra · nirvana · satori · zen · yogi · chakras · fakir · monk
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- unfathomableBeyond comprehension or measurement
esoteric · veiled · obscure · paradox · ineffable · secretive · unknowable · hidden · elusive · occluded
sublime
Awe-inspiring greatness
- ascensionMovement to higher position
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- ineffableBeyond verbal expression
transcendentalism · metaphysical · otherworldly · ecstasy · beatific · cosmic · unity · numinous · divine · infinite
clairvoyant
One who perceives beyond senses
seer · visionary · revelation · diviner · augur · soothsayer · foresight · premonition · channeler · medium
meister
Informal term for expert
- Christian Saintshagiographies, Catholic martyrs, confessors, hermits, holy women
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- Colonial Catholicismfriars, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, Augustinians
- holy peoplesaint, saints, prophet, holy men, martyr
mysticsrationalists
Advocates of reasoned thinking
empiricists · logicians · scientists · skeptics · positivists
mysticsmaterialists
Prioritizers of physical possessions
pragmatists · hedonists · secularists · realists · careerists
mysticsatheists
Those without religious faith
nonbelievers · agnostics · secular humanists · infidels · literalists
- mystical creaturesSupernatural beings from folklore
- mystical experiencesTranscendent encounters with ultimate reality
- mystical powersSupernatural abilities beyond explanation
- mystical artsSupernatural esoteric practices
- mystical journeyTransformative search for meaning
- mystical visionsSupernatural perceptions of beyond