Theurgists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A practitioner of theurgy, engaging in rituals believed to invoke the presence of divine beings or forces
2. An individual involved in spiritual practices aimed at achieving a union with the divine through magical means
3. Someone who uses esoteric methods and religious rites to influence or connect with higher spiritual entities

Etymology: Theurgy comes from Greek "theourgia", built from "theos" (god) and "ergon" (work), so the core sense is "god-working": a rite that compels or draws a divine power into human affairs. Late antique Neoplatonists such as Iamblichus used the term for this kind of ritual practice, distinguishing it from ordinary philosophical contemplation. Theurgists were the people who performed it. The word "theurgist" is simply English "theurgy" with the suffix "-ist" added, the same ending found in "chemist" or "pianist", meaning a practitioner of a particular art. The suffix passed into English through Old French "-iste" and Latin "-ista", both borrowed from the Greek "-istēs", which marks someone who does or follows something. English was therefore only adding a familiar person-ending to a Greek-derived noun.