Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, known more commonly as Agrippa, was such a famous mystic during the age of the
Renaissance that he is still one of the familiar mystics in history. Though he also worked as a soldier and secret agent,
Agrippa is perhaps best known for his occult writings. These writings, collectively entitled De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres,
are still considered to be the most complete source of Western occult and magic. The books contain ideas on ancient
wisdom and theology, theories about the world of spirits, and of course, various instruction about alchemical practices.
Agrippa had a number of alchemical laboratories, and even taught alchemy in universities throughout France and Italy.

Helena Blavatsky
Though some might call her a charlatan, Helena Blavatsky ranks among the most famous female mystics in history. Just as
controversial in life as she has proven to be in death, Blavatsky was the sole founder of the Theosophical Society, a
Spiritualist organization with ideas inspired by teachings ranging from Christianity to Hinduism. Many of Blavatsky’s most
famous ideas are included in her extremely influential book, The Secret Doctrine.

Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse is best known as a novelist, but a discussion about this famous Swiss wouldn’t be complete without noting
his unique thoughts on mysticism. Though Hesse thought of himself as a Christian, he was passionate about a number of
Eastern philosophies which almost certainly influenced his thought that each human might find his or her own path to God.
Many of Hesse’s thoughts on mysticism are themes in his most famous novels, Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and Demian.

Hildegard von Bingen

Hildegard von Bingen lived between 1098 and 1179, and is one of the earliest known mystics. Hildegard was a child when
she first began receiving visions of God, though it was only later in life, when she became an abbess, that she began to
record her mystic experiences in detail. This collection of divine visions, known as Scivias or Know the Ways, eventually
evolved into Hildegard’s philosophies on everything from natural history to music. Popes, bishops, and kings consulted
her. Hildegard von Bingen died in the late 12th century and was canonized in 2012.

Jabir Ibn Hayyan

Although alchemy is usually associated with manipulating and controlling the natural world in an effort to create things like
gold, Jabir Ibn Hayyan practiced alchemy of a slightly different sort. This Eastern mystic sought “takwin,” or the ability to
create life. Jabir Ibn Hayyan lived in the Middle East during the 8th century. He was the personal mystic and alchemist for
Caliph Harun al-Rashid, a figure famous for his own curiosity and desire to understand existence and nature. Hayyan
worked tirelessly to create life, and wrote down long instructions for creating insects, reptiles, and even humans. Though
others would later get credit for coming up with modern chemical classification, Jabir Ibn Hayyan is recognized for sowing
the seeds.