1. A person who is very skilled or proficient in a particular ability as in “When it comes to magick, he is an adept.” A description of such a person as in “He is adept at astrology.” In certain magickal orders, an adept is a person who has achieved a certain level of advancement in that group, sometimes using the original Latin form of the term, adeptus. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, there are two different grades, the Adeptus Minor and the Adeptus Major. Each has subgrades, such as the Neophyte Adeptus Minor.
2. Unfortunately, the term is used loosely and variously to mean either one who has reached a recognized higher grade in one of the initiatory orders, one who has made contact with their Holy Guardian Angel, one who has "crossed the Abyss," or for an advanced student. It is not a “grade” or “credentialed position” universally recognized like an academic degree. Beware of the self-annointed!
We are deeply saddened to share the news of Rachel Pollack’s passing. Llewellyn has had the good fortune to work with Rachel on multiple books and decks over the years, all of which greatly impacted the tarot world. Rachel leaves an incredible...