Torque: A neck piece worn by Celts of high rank. Several have been excavated and have been found to be made of precious metals and embellished with jewels and Celtic desings.

(See also: Torque , Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

ROLFING - a stringent muscular realignment therapy used mainly for back and neck problems developed by Ida Rolf; structural integration v. Rolf to give a Rolfing session. (NAD)

(See also: ROLFING , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Panchkarma Basic Principles

Panchakarma consists of medicated emesis (vamana) to remove excess kapha, therapeutic purgation (viracana) to clear excess pitta, medicated enema (vasti) to eject excess vata, nasal drops or snuffs (nasya) for diseases of the head & neck and bloodletting (raktamokshana) in case of blood disorders. Five purification procedures for removing accumulated toxins and other waste material in the body.

As the humors and tissues are related closely to each other, this discharge procedure affects the tissues indirectly by the strong elimination of related humor. For example, the pronounced elimination of kapha by herb induced emesis causes an effect on the nutrient tissue fluid pool, containing water and electrolytes, plasma, muscle, fat. Or the large release of pitta by selective purgation similarly causes an indirect effect on the total colouring material in the body or blood. Vasti is somewhat different, as it is meant to nullify excess vata and contains warm oleation substances. During its long contact with the membrane of the large intestine, it separates layers of faecal matter and thus enhances better absorption, which is responsible for the ultimate nourishment of all tissues. Nasya in turn cleans the sinus and thereby improves the function of sense organs.

Physical and mental diseases occur due to the vitation of somatic doshas vata, pitta and kapha and due to mental doshas Rajas and Tamas. Volitional transgression, effect of time and senses are the three primary causes responsible for vitation of biological and mental doshas. Food, drinks & environmental factors with similar properties to the doshas vitiates them and cause disease. Panchakarma's purificatory therapies balance out the three doshas, acting both as a curative and a preventive measure.

(See also: Panchkarma , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Loch Ness Monster:

A legendary animal which lives in the depths of Loch Ness, a lake in the Highlands of northern Scotland. The size of this monster, Nessie as it is fondly called, is 12-15 m (40-50 ft) and it has a long, snake-like neck. It is popularly believed to be female.

The sightings date back to 565 CE when the Irish Saint Columba claimed he saw the Niseag (the Celtic name for Nessie) when he attended a burial for a man who had been bitten to death by the monster. While it has been sighted in the subsequent centuries, it was not until the 19th century that the sightings become more frequent.

The most famous encounter was perhaps in the summer of 1933. On that day Mr. and Mrs. Spicer, returning from a trip to London, saw a monster cross the road, with an animal in his jaws, and submerge in the lake. This incident drew the attention of the world press and Nessie became an international phenomena. There have been many expeditions since, but none as successful as to prove its existence. Also the many sightings, photos and films have been inconclusive.

(See also: Loch Ness Monster , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Hierophant. From the Greek "Hierophantes"; literally, "One who explains sacred things ". The discloser of sacred learning and the Chief of the Initiates. A title belonging to the highest Adepts in the temples of antiquity, who were the teachers and expounders of the Mysteries and the Initiators into the final great Mysteries.

The Hierophant represented the Demiurge, and explained to the postulants for Initiation the various phenomena of Creation that were produced for their tuition. " He was the sole expounder of the esoteric secrets and doctrines. It was forbidden even to pronounce his name before an

uninitiated person.

He sat in the East, and wore as a symbol of authority a golden globe suspended from the neck. He was also called Mystagogus" (Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie, ix., F.T.S., in The Royal Masonic cyclopedia). In Hebrew and Chaldaic the term was Peter, the opener, discloser; hence the Pope as the successor of the hierophant of the ancient Mysteries, sits in the Pagan chair of St. Peter.

(See also: Hierophant , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

Cranial Facial Balancing: Method promoted by Innes Frey of New York City. It involves stimulation of cranial nerve endings, lymph drainage reflexes, and meridian points on the face, neck, and shoulders. Such stimulation can effect balance and integration of bodily systems.

(See also: Cranial Facial Balancing , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

EXERSSAGE

StarFace Exerssage is a facial yoga, slow motion movement, and self massage technique integrated with breathing to release jaw tension and other tensions from neuromuscular parts of the face, head, and neck. It is comprised of 24 cranial facial yoga postures and a series of rhythmic contouring and acupressure pulsing massage movements. Connections are made to the vital organs with sound and intention. It facilitates the release of jaw tension, which is thought to be the source of counteracting aging.

(See also: EXERSSAGE , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Windows to the Sky acupressure (Window to the Sky acupressure): a form of acupressure whose focus is the neck. The expression windows to the sky refers to most of the acupressure points thereon.

(See also: Windows to the Sky acupressure , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

TORQUE (Tork) _ a neck piece worn by Celts of high rank. Several have been excavated and have been found to be made of precious metals and embellished with jewels and or intricate Celtic designs. The Irish word for torque is spilled munice and the Welsh word is spelled mwnci. There are pronounced virtually the same. (CMM)

(See also: TORQUE , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Reflexology: Based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the entire body. The practitioner uses fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to reflex zones to help the self-healing process. Some of the benefits are the relief of pain in the neck, shoulder and lower back, to relief of allergic reactions, headaches, upset stomach and colon discomfort.

(See also: Reflexology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

CHAKRAS: the seven vital energy centers of the body. The chakras extend from the base of spine to the crown of head. Located in the rectal area, near the genitals, behind the navel, at the heart, at the neck, between the eyebrows, and on the crown of the head. Each chakra corresponds to certain colors, emotions, organs, nerve networks, and energies.

(See also: Chakras , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Hebel de-Germin, Habal de Garmin hebel de-garmin (Chaldean) (from hebel breath, vapor + gerem a bone)

The breath (life) of the bones, rendered by some Qabbalists as the body of resurrection, referring to the tselem (image) of the deceased believed to remain as an indestructible prototype. Also met with in the Old Testament in the vision of Ezekiel (ch 37) where the army of bones are breathed into life; likewise in Daniel and Isaiah.

A somewhat parallel concept occurs in The Egyptian Book of the Dead:

"Rise up thou, O Osiris, thou hast thy backbone, O still-heart, thou hast thy neck vertebrae and thy back" (ch 155).

Hebel is also the Hebrew spelling of the second son of Adam, usually rendered in English as Abel, brother of Cain.

(See also: Hebel de-Germin, Habal de Garmin , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Rolfing

An alternative healing system developed by Ida P. Rolf (1896-1979), it is a stringent muscular realignment therapy. It is used mainly for back and neck problems and consists of deep massage therapy which "strips" the fascia.

It transcends chiropractic in that it is based on the notion that emotional as well as physical health depend upon being properly aligned. But in rolfing alignment must be of much more than just the spine. To be healthy, you must align your head, ankles, hips, thorax, pelvis, knees, shoulders, ears, etc. , in just the right way. By being properly aligned, gravity enhances personal energy leading to a healthy body and emotional state.

(See also: Rolfing , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Naprapathy: A form of manual medicine in which naprapaths use their hands to manipulate connective tissue. It is designed to release tension and allow the body to reach musculoskeletal balance. Naprapathy can treat a variety of problems, including back and neck pain, headaches and chronic fatigue.

(See also: Naprapathy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

APOTROPAIC

Lit. "turning away", descriptive of any protective device (such as garlic worn around the neck to fend off vampires). It applies to the "Eye of Horus", which is a wooden phallus used to ward off the "evil eye". All apotropaics, however, are defenses against some sort of "eye" and the purpose of such an object is to engage the attention of said eye and thereby detour its malevolence. Hence, the more startling or original the device, the better.

(See also: APOTROPAIC , Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul,)

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY: Developed by Dr William Sutherland in the 1930’s, as an extension of the ancient Chinese Tuina and Osteopathic techniques. The process appears to rely on the practitioner’s healing energies directed into the head and neck. Practitioners claim to feel a slight movement in the bones of the skull which sceptics claim is not possible.

(See also: CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Gorgon (Greek) In Greek mythology, three sisters with wings, brazen claws, enormous teeth, and serpents instead of hair on their heads. The one usually meant is the mortal Medusa, once a beautiful maiden turned into a gorgon by the gods. She was overcome by Perseus who avoided her fatal glance, which would have turned him to stone, by using a mirror.

Pegasus, the winged horse, sprang from her severed neck. Evidently the gorgons represent one of the powers which rule the lower realms of nature which have to be overcome by the aspirant to wisdom in the initiatory trials.

(See also: Gopura , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Ishtalinga: (Sanskrit) "Cherished, chosen or personal mark of God." (Ishta: "sought, desired.") For Vira Saivites it is the personal Sivalinga, ceremonially given by a priest shortly after birth, and worn on a chain or cord around the neck thereafter.

See: Sivalinga, Vira Saivism.

(See also: Ishtalinga , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

CRANIAO SACRAL THERAPY - holistic technique that evolved out of osteopath and focuses on the neck and back. (NAD)

(See also: CRANIAO SACRAL THERAPY , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

small bag, containing charms or talismans, worn around the
neck for power, protection and so on

(See also: mojo bag , Magic, Shamanism, Pagan Dictionary)

Tulasi-mala - a strand of wooden beads made of the tulasi plant, used like a rosary by Vaisnavas for counting their chanting of harinama; a necklace of small tulasi beads, known as kanthi-mala, worn on the neck by Vaisnavas to indicate their devotion to Sri Krsna and acceptance of diksa.

(See also: Tulasi-mala , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Ustrasana: Known as the Camel posture. it stretches the abdominal organs to the maximum firming and slimming the abdomen and waistline, opens the rib cage to give more space to the lungs, produces maximum compression of the neck and spine.

(See also: Ustrasana ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)