A Wisdom Archive on Influence

Uparati (Sanskrit) [from upa-ram to cease]
 
A cessation; In Vedantic philosophy a state where the yogi desists from sensual enjoyment or any worldly action, and there is an absence of desires which could be affected by exterior stimuli or influences.

 
(See also: Uparati, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary

Yaksha yaksa (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root yaksh to devour]
 
A class of ethereal, astral, or semi-astral beings, regarded as attendants of Kubera or Kuvera, the deity of riches; occasionally they are associated with Vishnu. The yakshas are variously described as the sons of Pulastya, Pulaha, Kasyapa, Khasa, or Krodha. One legend represents them as springing from the feet of Brahma, while one Puranic account shows them as springing from the body of Brahma with the rakshasas and immediately attempting to devour his body. However, frequently the yakshas are regarded as beings beneficent to humans. In Kalidasa''s Meghaduta, the hero is a yaksha, represented as a banished lover who employs a cloud to bear a message to his beloved.
 
In later popular folklore the yakshas are associated with and classed with the pisachas, and therefore regarded with dread and made responsible for many demoniacal obsessions. "In esoteric science they are simply evil (elemental) influences, who in the sight of seers and clairvoyants descend on men, when open to the reception of such influences, like a fiery comet or a shooting star" (TG 375).

 
(See also: Yaksha yaksa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary

Troll (Scandinavian) In common usage, an evil gnome or spirit depicted in stories as an ugly and dangerous sprite.
 
As a prefix, used in Scandinavian tongues to denote magical or extrasensory means (e.g., trollkonst magic art, trollkaring old woman, hag, who practices magic arts). In this context it has come to mean almost exclusively an evil influence but there remain tales where a troll is seen as a model of gratitude and faithfulness.
 
 This may be a case where the spiritual influences of one culture become regarded by succeeding peoples as demonic. It is also possible that the trolls exemplified less evolved characteristics which become the faithful servants of him who overcomes these weaknesses in himself.

 
(See also: Troll, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary

A dynasty is a succession of rulers who are members of the same family for generations. The term is also used to refer to the period during which that family reigns. A ruler in a dynasty is sometimes referred to as a dynast. A series of dynasties dating back to the Xia (2033 BC) ruled China until the end of the Xinhai Revolution in 1912. Historians traditionally recount China's story within a framework of successive dynasties (See Dynasties in Chinese history). A similar pattern happened in Ancient Egypt and the Persian ... Including:

• Dynasty - Political families in democracies

Read more here: » Dynasty: Encyclopedia - Dynasty

Volundr (Icelandic) In Norse mythology, the hero of "Volundarkvida" or "Volundskvadet"; in German tales he is named Wieland, in English Wayland. In all versions he is a smith, a legendary artisan who was captured and imprisoned by King Nidud (an evil age) and forced to forge treasures of gold and silver for the king.
 
The symbology suggests that the smith represents a race of humanity which had fallen prey to influences of a totally material age when human genius and craftsmanship were prostituted to unworthy ends. The tale ends with the artisan escaping in a flying device of his own making, leaving the evil king bereft of his sons, his daughter, and his smith.

 
(See also: Volundr, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary

Vikartana (Sanskrit) [from vi asunder + the verbal root krit to cut, divide]
 
The one cutting asunder or dividing; a title of the sun as the divider or distributor of solar life, and in a more restricted sense the sun as conqueror of Rahu, the Dragon's head (an eclipse). When taken in a passive sense, it signifies the sun when "shorn of his rays," and hence a name given to an initiated neophyte in a certain stage of his spiritual training, when he is laid on the cross and must make the supreme conquest of the dragon or the influence of the moon.

 
(See also: Vikartana, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary

Nabia (Hebrew, Jewish). Seership, soothsaying.
 
This oldest and most respected of mystic phenomena is the name given to prophecy in the Bible, and is correctly included among the spiritual powers, such as divination, clairvoyant visions, trance-conditions, and oracles. But while enchanters, diviners, and even astrologers are strictly condemned in the Mosaic books, prophecy, seership, and nabia appear as the special gifts of heaven.
 
In early ages they were all termed Epoptai (Seers), the Greek word for Initiates; they were also designated Nebim, "the plural of Nebo, the Babylonian god of wisdom." The Kabalist distinguishes between the seer and the magician; one is passive, the other active; Nebirah, is one who looks into futurity and a clairvoyant; Nebi-poel, he who possesses magic powers. We notice that Elijah and Apollonius resorted to the same means to isolate themselves from the disturbing influences of the outer world, viz., wrapping their heads entirely in a woollen mantle, from its being an electric non-conductor we must suppose.

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

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Virtues One degree in the celestial hierarchy of Dionysius the pseudo-Areopagite, whose doctrines, arising about the 4th or 5th century, have exercised a great influence on Christian thought. He divides the heavenly host into three triads: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones; Dominations, Virtues, Powers; Principalities, Archangels, Angels. As a hierarchy of emanating powers, this system is allied to, and in large part derivative from, Neoplatonic teachings of the time, as well as having strong elements of Pythagorean thought. The Virtues correspond to the planet Mars, according to the hierarchical scheme of the Syrians.
 
See also ANGELOLOGY

 
(See also: Virtues, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

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Zartaoth (Chaldean) Also `Onioth. The mule or ass; in the Chaldean system, one of the hierarchies of nature powers. In addition to Zartaoth, there were Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Thantabaoth, etc. (cf SD 2:115n), all names of the genii presiding over the constellations and therefore by influence over the planets, according to the astrological and astrolatrical systems of the ancient Shemitic peoples.

 
(See also: Zartaoth, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

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Mehen (Egypt, Egyptian). In popular myths, the great serpent which represents the lower atmosphere. In Occultism, the world of the Astral light, called symbolically the Cosmic Dragon and the Serpent. (See the works of Eliphaz Lévi, who called this light le Serpent du Mal, and by other names, attributing to it all the evil influences on the earth.)

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

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Zarevna Militrissa (Russian) [from zarevna (carevna, anglicized tsarina) queen + militrissa grandiloquent title, possibly Greek]
 
Prominent in Russian fairy tales as the queen of heaven, represented with a moon on her forehead; a name of the moon, on account of her regency over the hosts of elemental and other beings working under, by, and through her influences.

 
(See also: Zarevna Militrissa, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

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Nergal (Chald.). On the Assyrian tablets he is described as the "giant king of war, lord of the city of Cutha". It is also the Hebrew name for the planet Mars, associated invariably with ill-luck and danger. Nergal-Mars is the "shedder of blood". In occult astrology it is less malefic than Saturn, but is more active in its associations with men and its influence on them.

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

For more dictionary entries, see » Influence Dictionary