Meteorites [from Greek meteoros above the earth, applied to celestial bodies, meteorological phenomena, and shooting stars]

Masses of stone or various minerals that have fallen on earth from interplanetary space. Planets are surrounded by veils or continents of meteoric stones and dust, and there is a continual fall of it upon the surface of planets. Some meteorites are in swarms orbiting around the sun, and are encountered by the earth periodically.

Blavatsky says that "they were used in the Mysteries for purposes to which we now apply the magnet" (IU 1:282). According to Herodotus, in Babylonia, Thebes, and Lycia, "the priestesses developed the prophetic vision in themselves by pressing one of these sacred stones against their heads and bosoms" (ibid., 331). Also The Mahatma Letters (p. 162) states that "all our temple knives are made of this 'heavenly' iron, which reaches us without having undergone any change -- the magnetism of the earth keeping them in cohesion."

(See also: Meteorites, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Monadic Ray The monad, that divine-spiritual-intellectual seed or originant of each evolving being, does not itself descend into the planes of matter, but shoots forth from itself a multitude of rays.

Each such rays forms the essential nature of the complex evolving being to which it pertains, and hence the monad is the primal or ultimate source of all that being's life and characteristic attributes, the immortal part of the being, whether that being be human, animal, vegetable, mineral, or what not. In man it is his essential self; it persists throughout all the evolutionary transformations in the life cycle and gathers around itself the life-atoms at each new incarnation of the reincarnating ego.

Thus the monad in any person is his inner god, the celestial buddha of his own septenary constitution, or again his individual Immanent Christ.

The rays from the person's individual monad which form the complex essential nature of his being, are the sources of the different centers in the human constitution, and in themselves are children monads, as it were, from their common source.

(See also: Monadic Ray, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Monera, Moneron [from Greek moneres single]

Coined by Haeckel for a group of unicellular organisms, without nucleus and multiplying by fission. Supposed to be neither animal nor vegetable but the root of both, the point at which "organic" life first appears from the minerals. Some of Haeckel's elementary organisms have since proved to be merely chemical.

Often used in the SD to denote a primordial particle of organic life, just as atom and molecule may be used for inorganic matter. Organic or inorganic do not signify living or nonliving, but merely entities or particles without organs even of the most primitive type. All matter, whether organized or in its so-called inorganic forms, is filled with life or vitality, each entity possessing life of its own type and therefore being as fully vitalized in its own sphere as are the most highly organized entities.

(See also: Monera, Moneron, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Non-ego In European metaphysics, that which is external to or other than the ego; the object as opposed to the subject.

Non-ego means both that which has risen above all lower egoities and become universal in its consciousness -- in other words a jivanmukta, a monad which has attained mukti or moksha; and that which is beneath the state of egoity in its evolutionary development, in which this egoity has not yet been emanated or brought forth, such as the minerals, plants, and nearly all of the animal.

Non-ego, therefore, in another sense corresponds to the term Absolute, that which is freed or above the circumscribing limitations of even egoity, which nevertheless is the abstract self or individual; or paradoxically enough the monad or ego in its jivanmukta form, where the ego becomes one with the surrounding cosmic spirit, while retaining its own individuality.

(See also: Non-ego, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of aragonite:

aragonite - a mineral species of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with a crystal structure different from the other two forms of CaCO3 (vaterite and calcite). It is precipitated from ocean surface waters mainly by organisms (e.g., coral) that use it to make their shells and skeletons

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of carbonate:

carbonate - a mineral composed mainly of calcium (Ca) and carbonate (CO3) ions. Carbonates may also include magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and others; rock or sediments derived from debris of organic materials composed mainly of calcium and carbonate (e.g., shells, corals, etc.) or from the inorganic precipitation of calcium (and other ions) and carbonate from solution (seawater). For example, limestone or dolomite

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of detritus:

detritus - the particulate decomposition or disintegration products of plankton, including dead cells, cell fragments, fecal pellets, shells, and skeletons, and sometimes mineral particles in coastal waters

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of hydrothermal vent:

hydrothermal vent - a sea floor fissure from which a spring of geothermally heated mineral and gas rich seawater issues. Hydrothermal vents are found on some oceanic ridges in zones of active seafloor spreading (plate tectonics)

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of geothermal vent:

geothermal vent - a submerged feature consisting of a vent of hot, mineral-rich waters on the ocean floor; geothermal vents are generally located on or near spreading oceanic ridges or on the continental margins of subduction trenches

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of sediments:

sediments - soil, sand, and minerals washed from land into water, usually after rain. They pile up in reservoirs, rivers, harbors, and coastal areas destroying habitats, and clouding the water so that sunlight cannot reach aquatic plants. Careless farming, mining, and building activities expose sediment materials, allowing them to wash off the land after rainfall

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of tube worm:

tube worm - a marine worm in the phylum Annelida, class Polychaeta, that lives within tubular cases made of mineral or chitinous secretions or of aggregated grit. Other worm-like invertebrates in the phyla Pogonophora and Phoronida have also been referred to as tubeworms

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Herbs The very large number of plants used as remedial agents in medicine are the natural remedies in treating disease, divine instructors having revealed to early humanity the great boon of agriculture and the medical use of plants. Echoes of the archaic wisdom appear in Vedic writings, but few can interpret the philosophy of the one Life which functions in the elements and forces of the human body, and their related action in the plants and minerals of the body of the earth.

The Sanskrit word for medicine in general is aushadha (consisting of herbs), and the ancient Hindu materia medica was the source from which subsequent systems of practice in many other countries drew their remedies, when a broad conception of the sacred art of healing marked their highest periods of national attainment. Originally the medical practitioners were as familiar with the mystical and occult properties of plants and minerals as magicians themselves were. Both understood the analogy and interrelations between the principles of the composite human being and all the various elements throughout the realm of nature.

That some plants are attracted by the sun and others by the moon, etc., was explained by a profound knowledge of astronomy and of the occult influences of solar, lunar, and planetary time periods and sidereal forces. This gave the key for the best time, place, and conditions for gathering the herbs, and for the special pharmacy required for bringing out the vital remedial action which, by working with nature, left no unfavorable aftereffects. There is no record of medical laboratory work producing artificial synthetic products which, even when duplicating nature's substances chemically, are not different vitally. Nor was organotherapy resorted to when and where the healing art held a worthy place in high civilizations.

One of the earliest physicians in Europe to bring herbs into medical practice was Paracelsus, who taught that every plant on earth belonged to, or had its origin in, a star. Following him there were many who allocated the herbs and plants as pertaining to the seven sacred planets of the ancients. The Hermetists of old also had the plants so listed.

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

Herbs The very large number of plants used as remedial agents in medicine are the natural remedies in treating disease, divine instructors having revealed to early humanity the great boon of agriculture and the medical use of plants. Echoes of the archaic wisdom appear in Vedic writings, but few can interpret the philosophy of the one Life which functions in the elements and forces of the human body, and their related action in the plants and minerals of the body of the earth.

The Sanskrit word for medicine in general is aushadha (consisting of herbs), and the ancient Hindu materia medica was the source from which subsequent systems of practice in many other countries drew their remedies, when a broad conception of the sacred art of healing marked their highest periods of national attainment. Originally the medical practitioners were as familiar with the mystical and occult properties of plants and minerals as magicians themselves were. Both understood the analogy and interrelations between the principles of the composite human being and all the various elements throughout the realm of nature.

That some plants are attracted by the sun and others by the moon, etc., was explained by a profound knowledge of astronomy and of the occult influences of solar, lunar, and planetary time periods and sidereal forces. This gave the key for the best time, place, and conditions for gathering the herbs, and for the special pharmacy required for bringing out the vital remedial action which, by working with nature, left no unfavorable aftereffects. There is no record of medical laboratory work producing artificial synthetic products which, even when duplicating nature's substances chemically, are not different vitally. Nor was organotherapy resorted to when and where the healing art held a worthy place in high civilizations.

One of the earliest physicians in Europe to bring herbs into medical practice was Paracelsus, who taught that every plant on earth belonged to, or had its origin in, a star. Following him there were many who allocated the herbs and plants as pertaining to the seven sacred planets of the ancients. The Hermetists of old also had the plants so listed.

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

Gnome (from Greek gnome thought, intelligence; or gnomon one who knows, an instructor, interpreter, guardian)

Coined by Paracelsus for the elemental beings pertaining to the element earth, hence popularly believed in Medieval Europe to inhabit mines and caves, pictured as very small men, ugly and often misshapen. The females, called gnomides, were supposed to be of extreme beauty and goodness, being the especial guardians of diamonds.

Elemental beings generally "are the Soul of the elements, the capricious forces in Nature, acting under one immutable Law, inherent in these Centres of Force, with undeveloped consciousness and bodies of plastic mould, which can be shaped according to the conscious or unconscious will of the human being who puts himself en rapport with them" (BCW 6:189). They belong to the three elemental kingdoms below the mineral kingdom.

The element earth is not that which we call earth, which is a compound of all seven of the ancient elements and of all or most of the modern chemical elements. Rather, it is the Hindu prithivi-tattva, whose quality is smell and whose shape is mystically cubic as regards its paramanus. When a person has a predominance of the earth element in his constitution, the gnomes are said to be attracted to him and aid him in things which correspond to the earth principle; these include hidden treasures and wealth. Of course there is the antithetical side of the earth element which produces heaviness, grossness, etc.

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

Anima (Latin) Air, wind, breath; secondarily life, soul, spirit, mind. A distinction, not generally observed, has been made between anima and animus, where animus is very close to the mentality or manas of theosophical terminology and anima is equivalent to the theosophic usage of prana.

Because equivalent to prana, it exists on seven planes, from the atman to the physical; and consequently there is an anima for every class of celestial being, anima not being limited only to human beings, beasts, and other beings having bodies of material substance. From anima came "animal," a being with a living personal soul. The vegetable and mineral kingdoms do not have it; but the earth has, and the earth was called an animal in consequence.

There was in classical times a distinction between three souls of the defunct: anima (pure spirit) went to the heaven world, while manes went to the nether regions, and umbra hovered on earth (IU 1:37). Anima is spoken of as pure spirit because the essence of prana is indeed spirit, as it is derivative directly form the atma-buddhic monad, although colored on the lower planes by its intimate connection with the personal ego or manes.

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

Apperception Perception involving self-consciousness; cognition through the relating of new ideas to familiar ideas. Used by Leibniz to denote a stage higher or more subtle than perception.

The impressions received through perception are apprehended by the mind and are related to other impressions which the memory holds, so that complex ideas are formed. Apperception may be called perception accompanied by awareness and an interpretative power.

In contrast to the theory that the higher faculties of mind are built up synthetically from the lower, Leibniz's views support the theory that the intuitive or original inner powers are primary. "Nascent apperception, which is the Mahat of the lower kingdoms, especially developed in the third order of Elementals . . . (is) succeeded by the objective kingdom of minerals, in which latter that apperception is entirely latent, to re-develop only in the plants"; and "that which is meant by 'animals,' in primary Creation, is the germ of awakening consciousness or of apperception, that which is faintly traceable in some sensitive plants on Earth and more distinctly in the protistic monera. . . . Neither plant nor animal, but an existence between the two" (SD 1:454-5&n; cf ET 940).

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

Acervulus Cerebri Brain-sand; minute particles of a yellowish, semi-transparent, hard, brilliant substance found in the pineal gland in the human brain. Its exceptional absence occurs in congenital idiots, in young children, and in the senile aged. The physiologists report that this "sand" is composed of alkaline phosphates and carbonates and some animal matter, but they fail to account for its presence or purpose.

The fact that this brain-sand is of mineral rather than of osseous character is in keeping with the occult history of the once external, active third eye of early humanity. The ancients knew that, with the racial evolutionary descent into gross matter, this spiritual eye, gradually becoming atrophied and petrified, retreated deeply within the developing brain when its course was run (SD 2:294&n). The pineal gland being the chief organ of spirituality in the human brain at present, this mysterious sand is the result of the work of mental electricity upon the surrounding matter. This is based on the ancient idea that every atom of matter is only a concretion of crystallized spirit or akasa, the universal soul.

See also PINEAL GLAND.

(See also: Acervulus Cerebri, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Gnome (from Greek gnome thought, intelligence; or gnomon one who knows, an instructor, interpreter, guardian)

Coined by Paracelsus for the elemental beings pertaining to the element earth, hence popularly believed in Medieval Europe to inhabit mines and caves, pictured as very small men, ugly and often misshapen. The females, called gnomides, were supposed to be of extreme beauty and goodness, being the especial guardians of diamonds.

Elemental beings generally "are the Soul of the elements, the capricious forces in Nature, acting under one immutable Law, inherent in these Centres of Force, with undeveloped consciousness and bodies of plastic mould, which can be shaped according to the conscious or unconscious will of the human being who puts himself en rapport with them" (BCW 6:189). They belong to the three elemental kingdoms below the mineral kingdom.

The element earth is not that which we call earth, which is a compound of all seven of the ancient elements and of all or most of the modern chemical elements. Rather, it is the Hindu prithivi-tattva, whose quality is smell and whose shape is mystically cubic as regards its paramanus. When a person has a predominance of the earth element in his constitution, the gnomes are said to be attracted to him and aid him in things which correspond to the earth principle; these include hidden treasures and wealth. Of course there is the antithetical side of the earth element which produces heaviness, grossness, etc.

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

Pluto (Hades)

Pluto or Hades are synonymous with hell. Pluto is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon and the ruler of the underworld, or the land of the dead. The kingdom of the dead is located underneath the surface of the earth. It is not only the holding place for the eternally damned, but is symbolic of metamorphoses, mineral wealth, germination and the transition from death to life. From a psychoanalytic point of view, Pluto may represent the deepest and the oldest part of the psyche. It may be the holding place of the darkest and most negative and disturbing elements of the individual. The most destructive emotions and the greatest fears may be hidden there. However, this dark part of the psyche may also hold the greatest amount of transformative energy and power. As the unconscious demons begin to surface and are processed and then assimilated by the conscious mind, the individual begins to develop and experience feelings of completeness and wholeness. Astrologically, Pluto is symbolic of radical reconstruction that rejects harmful elements and is built on a solid foundation. Seeing Pluto in dreams seems to be an extremely valuable message from the unconscious. It suggests that the dreamer needs to contemplate and to explore his inner world; to face his fears and negative traits, to travel inward and then to emerge stronger and more alive than before the psychic or soulful journey began.

Source: Dream Lover Incorporated, http://www.dreamloverinc.com

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Pluto (Hades) , Meaning of Dreams about Pluto (Hades) , Dream Interpretation Pluto (Hades) )

Vital Principle, Fluid, or Force Synonyms for life or jiva, for in theosophy life is not only a force or principle which is an entity, but actually a fluid -- not a mere abstraction signifying haphazard results from natural forces. It is the universal activity of spirit in matter: Purusha-prakriti, consciousness-substance, the First and Second Logos. Cosmically, life is in essence one of the spiritual-substantial aspects of Brahman or paramatman, guided by cosmic intelligence; and this cosmic vital fluid or principle, sometimes called fohat, is the universal source of both energy and matter, the carrier of consciousness.

As the cosmic stuff from which spring in their manifestations the living beings which constitute the universe, it is omnipresent, nor can there be anything without life. But there are many grades or conditions of life, just as there are many orders of living beings who are its aggregate expressions. Thus we can speak of the relatively animate and inanimate, as when comparing a mineral with a plant or a corpse with a living body.

But the mineral has life of its own kind, and what has left the corpse is one kind of life, but the life in the physical atoms remains. Materialistic philosophy, for the purposes of its own analysis, has sought to separate life into two independent elements -- an inert mass or particles, and more or less theoretical forces which actuate them. Unfortunately these forces are defined as functions of the movements of the particles themselves, which is a logical confusion. Others more logically have supposed a vital fluid; but if this fluid is entirely distinct in nature from the dead matter it is supposed to actuate, we cannot explain how the one can come into relation with the other. More recent advances in physics have shown the futility of trying to separate matter from motion or mass from energy.

An example of the dual aspect of substance and force underlies to some extent Weismann's biological analysis of the fertilized cell. Add to his description the directing influence of the dhyani-chohanic astral fluid which on the physical plane is a vital force, i.e., the astral fluid of the reimbodying ego, and this illustrates the vital action of matter-force.

See also JIVA; LIFE-ATOMS; PRANA

(See also: Vital Principle, Fluid, Force, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

SIGNATURES

These are Paracelsus' teachings of natural correspondences. All things have their stamp or signature and that signature is a clue to their connectedness to other things with similar signatures. The understanding of the properties and uses of herbs, stars, minerals, etc. depends on knowing this principle. If, for instance, you had to chose a substance for healing and could not tell the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous plants how would you proceed? Random testing could prove fatal, but if you were to allow yourself to be guided by a plant's similarities to a function or part of the body, you'd probably do considerably better.

For instance, as Arthur Versluis points out, in The Philosophy of Magic, pitch from a pine tree, being the excrescence of a wound in the tree, provides a good poultice, just as vines, being similar to veins, are probably efficacious in aiding circulation. Yellow plants, closely aligned with the color of jaundice, are helpful in treating liver ailments. There is nothing whatever farfetched about such correspondences: they are simple common sense, drawn from the principle of the essential unity of man and cosmos. If we carry the idea of signatures far enough, they can lead us into the heart of the "everything is everything else" gnosis, wherein, as a spider, one can occupy the center and be connected to every strand in the universal web.

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

AMULET

Any unusual object or token whose fascination is intended to fascinate the Fascinator and thereby distract the Fascinator from wreaking his destruction. It is an occult charm serving as a protection against evil. Quite different from a talisman. Although one's own tailored creation is always best, there are a few traditional amulets, such as the kamea, holy inscriptions, idols, garlic, crucifixes, rose madder, etc. In order to provide its protection, the amulet must be worn (and preferably should be clearly visible) or remain in contact with that which is being guarded, such as the animal heads hanging over doorways that the druids and others used.

The value of quartz as an amulet is twofold: it bestows vitality and, as Antitoxin, routs evil spirits. It is effective because it derives from the detritus of other, possibly malignant spirits, in dark mineral springs. However, quartz crystal has been so exploited by New Age merchants that it is rapidly losing its meaning and power.

The most popular origin of the word (Arabic: hamala, "something carried") is the least correct. Latin amuletum, which was a little case or receptacle for carrying magical objects (like the Judaic mezuzah), derives from ampla, ama ("bucket" or something with handles, like a jug). The ama was also a bucket used in putting out fires.

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