Adept
An adept is an individual identified as having attained a specific level of knowledge, skill, or aptitude in doctrines relevant to a particular author or organization.
Etymology
The word "adept" is derived from Latin adeptus 'one who has attained' (the secret of transmuting metals).
Authors
H. P. Blavatsky
Madame Blavatsky makes liberal use of the term adept in her works to refer to their minor function as caretaker of ancient occult knowledge. She also mentions their great compassionate help for humanity and such lesser powers of the adept as being able to take active control of elemental spirits as well as the physical and astral (conditions of non-adepts.
Alice Bailey
In Alice Bailey's body of writing she outlines a hierarchy of spiritual evolution and an initiatory path along which an individual may choose to advance. In her works an Adept is defined as a being who has taken five of the seven initiations.
Orders
Various occult organizations have steps in which an initiate may ascend in their own magical system. Some call these steps degrees or grades.