Occult Practices

noun A 2014 horror film directed by Scott Cooper, starring Johnny Depp

• The controversial movie depicted a ritualistic Black Mass ceremony.
• Have you heard about that new horror film with a Black Mass scene?
• I can't believe they're actually planning a Black Mass in the abandoned church.
• The corrupt politician's actions were like a Black Mass on society.

noun a secret or esoteric doctrine or science

• The study of cabala involves decoding esoteric texts and symbols.
• Have you heard about cabala? It's all about uncovering hidden meanings.
• I don't really get into that cabala stuff, it's too out there for me.
• Learning about cabala is like unraveling a complex puzzle with layers of meaning.

noun a member of a cult, often characterized by extreme devotion to a particular belief or leader

• The cultist was arrested for his involvement in the illegal activities of the group.
• I heard that the cultist got caught doing some shady stuff.
• That cultist dude is always up to no good.
• She was a cultist of fashion, always following the latest trends.

adjective intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest

• The professor's lecture on quantum physics delved into esoteric theories that few could fully grasp.
• I don't understand why she's always into such esoteric stuff like astrology and tarot cards.
• Some people think yoga is just an esoteric trend, but I find it really relaxing.
• His esoteric taste in music makes him stand out from the mainstream crowd.

noun extra sensory perception

• Many scientists are skeptical about the existence of ESP.
• Some people believe in ESP and claim to have experienced it firsthand.
• I have a feeling my friend has ESP because she always knows what I'm thinking.
• Having good ESP in business can help you anticipate market trends and make strategic decisions.

noun a term used to refer to magic or trickery, often associated with incantations or spells

• The magician performed a series of intricate hocus pocus tricks during the show.
• I don't believe in all that hocus pocus magic stuff.
• She tried to pull off some hocus pocus to get out of doing her chores.
• The CEO used some financial hocus pocus to make the company's profits appear higher than they actually were.

noun a curse or expression of hatred or ill-will towards someone

adjective relating to or involving a curse

• The priest warned of the malediction that would befall those who disobeyed the commandments.
• She believed that the malediction was the reason behind her bad luck.
• Some people think that breaking a mirror brings seven years of malediction.
• His harsh words felt like a malediction on her spirit.

noun a letter of an ancient Germanic alphabet, related to the Roman alphabet, or a character or symbol representing a word, syllable, or sound in this alphabet

• The archaeologist discovered a rune inscribed on the ancient tablet.
• I found a cool looking rune while exploring the forest.
• Check out this sick rune I just drew on my notebook.
• The rune symbolizes protection and strength in Norse mythology.

noun witchcraft or wizardry

• The magician performed an incredible feat of sorcery on stage.
• I can't believe how good she is at sorcery!
• Did you see that guy do his sorcery trick? It was insane!
• Her ability to persuade others with her words is like a form of sorcery.

noun a belief or doctrine that spirits of the dead, surviving after the mortal life, can and do communicate with the living, especially through a person (a medium) particularly susceptible to their influence.

• Spiritualism is a belief system that focuses on connecting with a higher power or spiritual realm.
• Some people turn to spiritualism for guidance and comfort during difficult times.
• I'm not really into all that spiritualism stuff, but to each their own.
• The artist's paintings were a form of spiritualism, capturing the essence of the human soul.

noun a person who believes in or seeks to communicate with the spirits of the dead

adjective relating to or characteristic of spiritualism or spiritualists

• The spiritualist conducted a meditation session to help individuals connect with their inner selves.
• My friend is a spiritualist and she loves to talk about the power of positive energy.
• I heard that new age spiritualist is hosting a crystal healing workshop next weekend.
• The poet was considered a spiritualist of words, weaving emotions and imagery into his verses.

noun the performance of miracles or magic

• The study of thaumaturgy involves the exploration of supernatural powers and miracles.
• I heard that guy practices thaumaturgy, whatever that means.
• Some people believe in thaumaturgy, but I think it's just a bunch of hocus pocus.
• Her ability to calm the room with her presence was like a form of thaumaturgy.

noun In Hindu mythology, a type of demon or evil spirit that haunts cremation grounds and feeds on human flesh.

• The pishacha is a malevolent spirit in Hindu mythology.
• I heard a spooky story about a pishacha haunting the old graveyard.
• Don't be scared, it's just a bunch of pishachas messing around.
• The negative thoughts in his mind were like pishachas, feeding on his fears and doubts.

noun a person who worships or reveres the devil or Satan

• The accused was rumored to be a devil-worshipper, according to the testimonies of multiple witnesses.
• I heard that guy over there is a devil-worshipper, can you believe it?
• Stay away from that devil-worshipper, they're bad news.
• Some people consider anyone who goes against their beliefs to be a devil-worshipper.

noun the art or practice of foretelling the future by studying the palm of the hand

• Chiromancy, also known as palmistry, is the art of reading a person's character or future from the lines on their palms.
• Have you ever had your palm read? It's like chiromancy, where they tell you about your future based on your hand lines.
• I don't really believe in all that chiromancy stuff, it seems kind of sketchy to me.
• In a way, chiromancy is like trying to predict the future by reading the signs that are right in front of you.

noun A female devil or demon; a female evil spirit or supernatural being

• The deviless was known for her cunning and manipulation in the political arena.
• I heard that deviless is always causing drama wherever she goes.
• That deviless is always up to no good, watch out for her.
• She had a reputation as a deviless, charming and dangerous in equal measure.

noun a reading or consultation by a psychic, often involving the interpretation of supernatural or paranormal phenomena

• She scheduled a psychic reading to gain insight into her future.
• I'm getting a psychic reading next week, wanna come with?
• I heard she gives bomb psychic readings, you should check her out.
• His intuition was so strong, it was like he was giving me a psychic reading.

noun a Latin term meaning 'action at a distance'

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The concept of actio in distans refers to action at a distance in physics.
• Actio in distans is like when you can affect something far away without touching it.
• I heard about actio in distans, it's like magic or something.
• In a figurative sense, actio in distans can be seen as influencing someone's emotions from afar.