Introduction and links to related topics Below are some short introductions. Click on the blue hyperlinked word to get more related articles.
Vampire - A person who, for sexual or ritual reasons, drinks the blood of others.
The vampire is usually believed to be a restless soul of a heretic, criminal or suicide - that refuses to join the ranks of the dead but instead leaves its burial place - in its original body or taking possession of another''s corpse - and becomes a bloodsucking creature in order to continue enjoying the pleasures of the living. The belief in vampires dates back to antiquity. Ancient Mesopotamians feared that corpses not properly buried would rise from their graves and attack the living to suck their blood. Homer''s Illiad tells of Odysseus traveling beyond the Gates of Hercules to the land of the dead where he pours out blood to attract them that he might gain information from them. Western notions of the vampire come primarily from Slavic folklore, especially as it was interpreted by the author Bram Stoker in his novel Dracula (1897). In some isolated regions of eastern Europe, peasants still hang wreaths of garlic over their doors - a preventive measure cited in Dracula - as protection against evil spirits, but many other aspects of Stoker''s story may have been his own invention.
Psychism - the act of being consciously psychic, in which the Psychic Mind and Conscious Mind are linked & working in harmony. Ritual Consciousness is a form of psychism.
Yevo - Extreme power word. A variation, no doubt, of "Jehovah." Depending on its peculiar ritual pronunciation, its vibration could kill a person from a great distance.
Guru Purnima - (Sanskrit) Occurring on the full moon of July, Guru Purnima is for devotees a day of rededication to all that the guru represents. It is occasioned by padapuja- ritual worship of the guru''s sandals, which represent his holy feet.
See: guru-shishya system.
Athame - 1. The ritual knife often associated with the elements of air and the direction of the east, through some traditions attribute it to fire and the south. The knife was traditionally black-handled, but many modern Pagans now seek handles of natural wood. In some Celtic Circles, the athame is called the "Dagger" or "Dirk". In Ireland it is known as the scian. (CMM)
2. Cleansed and Consecrated ceremonial knife used in ritual work. Never used for blood-letting and rarely used to cut anything on the material plane. (TRASB)
Kitchen Magick - A practical tradition of witchcraft mainly for suburban or lower budget witches that allows one to utilize household items instead of the often difficult to obtain ritual items.
Athame - Ritual dagger used by Neopagan Witches, borrowed by Gerald Gardner from medieval grimoires. Probably was originally “athane.” May be pronounced as “ATH-ah-may” or “ah-THUH-may” (it''s all “ah-THAYM” to me).
Flagellation - In the Christian tradition, self-inflicted whipping as a ritual of purification or penance.
In other traditions, being whipped is part of the ordeals associated with rites of passage.
Athame - A Wiccan ritual knife. Generally double edged with a black handle, but not always. This knife is seldom used for physical cutting, if at all, and need not be sharp. It is *never* used to draw blood and Wicca do not draw blood or use blood in ritual. Its primary use is as an energy directing device, much like the wand, though with different common uses. compare
Incense - Ritual burning of herbs, oils, or other aromatic items to scent the air during acts of magick and ritual, and to better help the witch attune to the goal of the working.
Lamp - The spiritual focus of the circle is the flame of the lamp, which is always lit during rituals, and which resides in the middle of the altar top. The absolute magical center of the circle is the invisible point where the flame of the lamp tapers up and vanishes into infinity. Usually a ceramic or metal oil lamp is used, but a candle is acceptable. Some groups maintain a perpetual flame on their altars. This is beyond the reach of small circles or individuals, but the flame should be maintained without failing in the astral temple in the mind of each ritualist. This is the true occult perpetual lamp.
The flame is the focus of the awareness of those working the ritual. They direct their prayers to it and meditate upon it. The point at which it disappears into infinity marks the doorway in the Veil of Unknowing, which the ritual is designed to open. The flame should be conceived by the Magus as burning in the center of his or her being, throwing its light across the circle of self. When the circle is filled with light, the self is purified and exalted.
Grounding - To disperse excess energy generated during magickal work by sending it into the earth. It also means the process of centering one''s self in the physical world both before and after any ritual or astral experience.
Dianic Feminist Wicca - A Wiccan tradition started by Ann Forfreedom that includes both female and male practitioners , solo practitioners, mixed covens and all female covens. Dianic Feminist Wiccans must have a Priestess present for a Circle ritual to be held and encourages practitioners to be involved in feminist and humanist issues. Groups work either skyclad or robed.
Spell - SPELL:
1) A way of working some type of Magick; to make things happen by paranormal means.
2) a magical ritual or an act wherin a person actively bends & gives directive to natural energies for a needed purpose.
Great Rite - GREAT RITE, THE
1) The symbolic sexual union of the Goddess and the God which is enacted at Bealtaine in most traditions, and at other Sabbats in many others. It symbolizes the primal act of creation from which all life comes. The sexual union is symbolized by ritually placing the athame, inside the chalice of cauldron, a womb symbol.
2) Also known as "Sacred Marriage." An actual sexual union between high priest and high priestess, or a sexual union between a initiator and a neophyte (seeker) during initiation which passes the dormant power of the initiator into the seeker.
3) Sexual Ritual is the main part of a 3rd Degree Initiation of some Traditions.
Phallic - Phallic, Phallicism, Phallus [from Greek phallos penis]
The phallus occurs frequently in Greek mythologic and mystical representation: it is carried by Pan; borne in Bacchic processions; carved on the pedestals of the Hermae in the streets of Athens. There is no reason, apart from appropriateness, for preferring or rejecting one part of the body rather than another as a symbol, so that the phallus of Pan may be quite on a par with the wings on the feet of Hermes.
But the symbol has gone through stages of degradation, from being an emblem of spiritual generation to one of mere physical procreation, when physical procreation itself, once thought of in purity and with reverence, acquired associations of profligacy, sin, and shame. The words are chiefly used in The Secret Doctrine in reference to the degeneration of ancient doctrine and ritual from their originally exalted form into a materialized form, whether in Hebraic systems, Dionysion or Bacchic rites, Hindu ceremonial, etc.
All archaic and ancient mankind was strongly addicted to expressing spiritual and abstract cosmic verities under the forms of things which were concrete and visible. Thus not only has the sun at various times been an emblem of the light of the cosmic spirit or Logos, shining throughout the entire time period of the universe; but the moon has always been the symbol of the lower mind, the brain-mind reflecting the light of the spirit, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun.
In this impersonal and abstract manner of representation did the ancients symbolize the formative, creative, or procreative forces or energies of nature under appropriate emblems drawn from the animal kingdom, and most commonly from man himself. Thus it was that the phallus in Classical antiquity stood as the emblem of the abstract creative forces of the universe, as well as the solar system, and even of earth; precisely as the linga in India has always expressed the identic cycle of thought.
Likewise the female organ has frequently been used to express the generative and maternally productive powers of nature. Modern European sophistication unwillingly recognizes this truth, and insists in giving to these symbols the most offensive of constructions. Yet even Western religious iconology has followed the same line of thought, and whether we refer to the lamb, or to the serpent or dove, we ascertain exactly the same thing.
Noot - Noot (Egypt, Egyptian). The heavenly abyss in the Ritual or the Book of the Dead. It is infinite space personified in the Vedas by Aditi, the goddess who, like Noon (q.v.) is the "mother of all the gods".
Exorcism - The act of ritual expulsion of demons or evil spirits or negative forces from an individual or place . In the New Testament, exorcisms are a central part of the public ministry of Jesus.
Christianity has utilized exorcisms in a variety of ways: as an integral part of baptismal liturgies in which prayers and rites are used to symbolize the person''s departure from sin and entrance into the body of Christians; as blessings to separate material things from profane use in order to dedicate them to divine use (e. g. , the exorcism of water used in baptism); and as a rite to free persons from demonic possession. In the Roman Catholic Church this rite can only be done with episcopal authorization.
Fundamentalist and Pentecostal churches attempt to drive out the demonic with sessions of prayer, the laying on of hands, and the reading of scripture. In some forms of early Christianity there was a separate clerical office for the exorcist.
Thurible - Three-legged dish for burning ritual frankincense and other sacrifices.
Magick Circle - a circular boundary drawn invisionary blue flame or white light that protects you from outside forces while conducting rituals. Never step outside the circle while performing the ritual unless precautions have been taken like a door being cut. Nobody should step in during a ritual, unless they are following a pathway made for them. Door is cut by athame or wand. Circle should never be left hanging after ritual. Must be closed as it was opened ceremoniously. It is considered the doorway between worlds and allows us to move between the two. Some circles can be permanently or physically or temporarily with herbs, sand, salt, chalk or nine foot cord. Circle is cat with blue or white light. Before area is used; clean the area, cleansing, consecrating and make sure necessary supplies are there. (TRASB)
Wand - One of the ritual tools used in Wicca, generally it is another tool of energy direction, much like the athame. The specific choice of wand vs athame varies among Wicca, almost all choose athame over wand for circle casting and many prefer the wand when calling the Goddess and God.
Libation - a portion of food or drink ritual given to a deity, natural spirit or discarnate. (CMM)
Asperger - A vessel or a bundle of fresh herbs used for sprinkling an area with water for ritual purification.
Puja - ("worship"): ritual worship, which is an important aspect of many forms of yoga, notably bhakti yoga and Tantra
Stale - The besom or ritual broom''s handle.
Pranagnihotra Upanishad - (Sanskrit) A minor Upanishad which explains how to transform the external ritual of the fire sacrifice into pranagnihotra, "the sacrifice offered in the prana fire" of one''s own being.
Drawing Down The Moon - A ritual used during the Full Moon by Witches to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity, usually the Goddess. Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into the body of the High Priestess by the High Priest.
Upaya - (Sanskrit) "Means."
A term used in Kashmir Saivism to describe the means to move from individual into universal consciousness.
anavopaya: "Individual, or limited means." Also called kriyopaya, the way of ritual worship, hatha yoga, concentration and yogic breathing.
shaktopaya: "Way of power." Active inquiry through mental effort, emphasizing control of awareness, japa and meditation.
shambhavopaya: "Way of Shambhu (Siva)." Also called icçhopaya, "Way of will." Seeing Siva everywhere; surrender in God.
anupaya: "Nomeans." Not really a means, but the goal of the first three upayas - the transcendent condition of Siva Consciousness. The spontaneous realization of the Self without effort. Also called pratyabhijna upaya, "way of recognition."
See: Kashmir Saivism.
Magic Circle - A mandala-mudra-mantra combination used around an area where all or part of a ritual is to take place, so that an individual or group can more easily control the energies generated.
Ritual - RITUAL:
1) (noun) a system of rites, the order prescribed for a ceremony. (adjective) relating to rites. General usage: refer to Sabbats such as "The Rites of Spring". Ritual is used more often when referring to Magickal practices.
2) A ceremony or festival.
3) A spell.
3) Specific movements and manipulations to produce desired effects. In religeon, its purpose is to unite Self with the Divine. But in magick, it''s to allow the person to move energy in desired ways.
Esbat - A ritual usually occurring on the Full Moon and dedicated to the Goddess in her lunar aspect.
Ullambana - Ullambana (Sanskrit). The festival of "all souls", the prototype of All Souls’ Day in Christian lands.
It is held in China on the seventh moon annually, when both " Buddhist and Tauist priests read masses, to release the souls of those who died on land or sea from purgatory, scatter rice to feed Pretas [ classes of demons ever hungry and thirsty] , consecrate domestic ancestral shrines, . . . . recite Tantras . . . accompanied by magic finger-play (mudra) to comfort the ancestral spirits of seven generations in Naraka" (a kind of purgatory or Kama Loka) The author of the Sanskrit-Chinese Dictionary thinks that this is the old Tibetan (Bhon) " Gtorma ritual engrafted upon Confucian ancestral worship," owing to Dhamaraksha translating the Ullambana Sutra and introducing it into China.
The said Sutra is certainly a forgery, as it gives these rites on the authority of Sakyamuni Buddha, and " supports it by the alleged experiences of his principal disciples, Ananda being said to have appeased Pretas by food offerings ". But as correctly stated by Mr. Eitel, "the whole theory, with the ideas of intercessory prayers, priestly litanies and requiems, and ancestral worship, is entirely foreign to ancient and Southern Buddhism ".
And to the Northern too, if we except the sects of Bhootan and Sikkim, of the Bhon or Dugpa persuasion - the red caps, in short. As the ceremonies of All Saints’ Day, or days, are known to have been introduced into China in the third century (265-292), and as the same Roman Catholic ceremonial and ritual for the dead, held on November 2nd, did not exist in those early days of Christianity, it cannot be the Chinese who borrowed this religious custom from the Latins, but rather the latter who imitated the Mongolians and Chinese.
Grounding -
1. living on the ground where you or your ancestors were born or near it.
2. going down into the psyche and bringing into consciousness what is now in the shadows and letting it mingle with the conscious mind. (Robert Bly)
3. the process by which electricity, poetry and the authentic life become possible. (Robert Bly) (NAD)
4. to disperse excess energy generated during any magickal or occult rite by sending it into the earth. It can also mean the process of centering one’s self in the physical world both before and after any ritual or astral experience. (CMM)
Solomon - Solomon, King of Israel and Judah shelomoh (Hebrew) [from shalom prosperous cf Arab zuleima, Greek Salomon Latin solomo, genitive solomonis, French Salomon]
Peace, prosperity; according to orthodox Biblical chronology, he lived 993-953 BC, the youngest son of David whom he succeeded through the influence of his mother Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan. Throughout the East, especially in Arabia and thence in Europe, there are many legends of his wisdom and magical powers, and notably with regard to his seal, the six-pointed star or double interlaced equilateral triangles (Solomon''s seal); his meeting with the Queen of Sheba and his answering of the questions and riddles propounded by her and others; and his judgments. Solomon is said to have gotten "his secret learning from India through Hiram, the king of Ophir, and perhaps Sheba" (IU 1:135, 136n).
If the exoteric literal account in the Bible is accepted, Solomon in his later years showed himself as very far from wise, indulging in licentiousness and idolatry (1 Kings 11); further, he began his reign with the murder of Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei and his last recorded act was that he sought to kill Jereboam.
In Freemasonry, King Solomon is especially honored as the builder of the Temple and as the first of the Three Grand Masters -- the other two being Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram Abif -- all of whom were concerned with the building of the Temple. The evil ending of Solomon''s life, according to the Biblical account, is almost overlooked in Masonic ritual and literature. In the Jewish Encyclopedia ("Solomon"), according to one writer, Solomon is represented as "the wise king par excellence"; and "in Arabic literature, Solomon is spoken of as ''the messenger of God'' "; according to another writer in the same work, however, "a critical sifting of the sources leaves the picture of a petty, Asiatic despot, remarkable, perhaps, only for a love of luxury and for polygamous inclinations." Only by interpreting the Bible esoterically can we arrive at the truth regarding King Solomon; and such interpretation fully corroborates the characterization of "the wise king par excellence"; and fully supports both Masonic ritual and tradition in regarding King Solomon as the first and chief of the Three Grand Masters.
What then is the explanation of the otherwise contradictory statements in the Bible regarding Solomon? Even from a historical and ethnological standpoint one may find a clue, for along purely exoteric lines there is nothing foreign in Solomon''s "idolatry" and his worship of other deities. The same racial strain ran through all the surrounding peoples as in Israel, and the respective worships, gods, and goddesses were all closely interrelated, derived from the same Babylonian concepts, appearing under different names -- Blavatsky shows the identity of the mystery gods of the Phoenicians, Chaldeans, and Israelites (SD 2:3). The gods and goddesses of the nations surrounding the Jews were all theologically interrelated, aspects or permutations of the same basic idea; and, as worshiped by the people, all were variants and, in their exoteric forms, degradations of the original conception on which every great theogony and cosmogony was built (cf SD 2:535 et seq).
As for Solomon''s 700 wives and 300 concubines, these "are merely the personations of man''s attributes, feelings, passions and his various occult powers: the Kabbalistic numbers 7 and 3 showing it plainly. Solomon himself, moreover, being, simply, the emblem of Sol -- the ''Solar Initiate'' or the Christ-Sun, is a variant of the Indian ''Vikarttana'' (the Sun) shorn of his beams by Visvakarman, his Hierophant-Initiator, who thus shears the Chrestos-candidate for initiation of his golden radiance and crowns him with a dark, blackened aureole -- the ''crown of thorns.'' (See The Secret Doctrine for full explanation.) Solomon was never a living man. As is described in Kings, his life and works are an allegory on the trials of Initiation" (BCW 10:162-3n).
Solomon the Wise is a type-figure, and the legendary story of his life, wisdom and glory, and temptations and apparent fall, is a variant of the traditional history of certain wise ones recounted in every world-religion. Even granting that a king names Shelomoh reigned over Judah and Israel, the Biblical account and the many traditions of his life are an allegory of initiation.
Passing Over Ritual - a ritual observed when a love one dies. Depending on one’s tradition this ceremony includes keening and candle lighting, feasting and revelry, sitting up with the body, ritualized fare will speeches, drinking and storytelling. (CMM)
Moon Magick - any magick using the phases of the moon as a spell or ritual component.
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