The paper discusses work of Dragutin Ilić (1858-1926), a poet whose critical reception gave new results during the last decade, particularly in analyzing the texts unpublished or unappreciated during his lifetime. Esoteric and occult sources are important for better comprehension of his work. Spiritism and theosophy of H.P.Blavatsky influenced the literature of 19th and 20th century, and the ultimate source of some of the motifs is even older. In his main works (Bright pictures, My confession, The poem of one life, After a billion years) influence of before mentioned teachings can be discerned. Ilić himself mentions spiritism but theosophical themes are also visible (picture of India and Tibet as lands of hidden wisdom, idea of Christ acquiring knowledge in India, e.g). His drama The Original Sin revalorizates the Lucifer as noble rebel and giver of knowledge, which is common topic in romantic and fin-de-siecle literature but in contemporary occultism, too. Careful comparison of Ilić ‘s themes with main themes of theosophy and spiritism, thus confirms the hypothesis of Ilić’s acquaintance with esoteric teachings.