Spiritual Development Dictionary

Holy Word

Divine name or breath. Logos (Greek). Kalma, Ism-i-Azam (Arabic). Nad, Udgit (Sanskrit). Naam, Gurbani, Dani (Hindi). Rauch (Hebrew)

(See also: Holy Word , Body Mind and Soul)

Mysticism: The direct personal contact with one's concept of God, the Divine, or the Ground of Being.

Natal Chart: Your natal (birth) chart, or horoscope, is drawn from calculations based upon the date, time, and place of your birth. Every element of the horoscope (which, if it’s like most Western horoscopes, will be drawn on a circular wheel) is expressed symbolically. Each symbol in the chart represents a celestial body, sign, house, or aspect.

(See also: Mysticism , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

aberration

The sighting of a subtle body or thing in unexpected circumstances

(See also: Aberration , Body Mind and Soul)

Sex As applied to the organism as a whole, the differentiation of the reproductive function and the character of being male and female.

Organisms reproduce their kind in various ways: fission, gemmation, parthenogenesis, hermaphrodite reproduction, and sexual reproduction. In the course of evolution, organisms pass from one method to another; the passage from the hermaphrodite method to the one in which the sexes are in separate individuals took place in the animals in the third root-race of this round on this globe, and shortly afterwards in humanity (SD 2:184), the latter then being in the fifth subrace of the third root-race.

The process of separation did not occur suddenly, but slowly. This is often called the Fall, and is so in one sense, since it is a descent from spirit toward matter, and was an initiation of the beasts. "THEY (the animals) BEGAN TO BREED. The TWOFOLD MAN (then) SEPARATED ALSO. HE (man) SAID: "LET US AS THEY: LET US UNITE AND MAKE CREATURES.' THEY DID" (ibid.). But from another viewpoint, it was simply a following of the natural course of unfolding progress in evolution. The separation is symbolized by a circle with a vertical diameter.

The hermaphroditic state is repeated in the developing embryo where the organs of both sexes arise from the same germinal layer of cells, and the differentiation does not occur until near the middle of the viable period of fetal life. Today, the orderly unfolding of embryonic cells into a human form is due to following the invisible model which, in keeping with the imbodying ego's karma, is directed by creative spiritual entities and forces.

"Before man could become male and female physically, his prototype, the creating Elohim, had to arrange his Form on this sexual plane astrally. That is to say, the atoms and the organic forces, descending into the plane of the given differentiation, had to be marshaled in the order intended by Nature, so as to be ever carrying out, in an immaculate way, that law which the Kabala calls the balance, through which everything that exists does so as male and female in its final perfection, in this present stage of materiality. Chochmah, Wisdom, the Male Sephiroth, had to diffuse itself in, and through, Binah, intelligent Nature, or Understanding" (SD 2:84). After the separation, the third eye began to disappear, and death as we now understand it was not known until then.

Thus the primeval polarity of all things differentiated on the material plane -- including sexual humanity -- was of immaculate origin and purpose. This sublime ancient teaching has been degraded generally in theological interpretations of cosmic sex symbols in crude physiological terms, such as the substitution of a Jehovistic god of generation for an ineffable, unknown deity.

The originating causes of sex are not rooted in the higher principles or elements of the human composite constitution. It is the effect of former thought-deposits, of emotional and mental tendencies and biases given way to in preceding lives on earth. "The predominating and it may perhaps truly be said that the main cause of sex-change in incarnation is strong attraction to the opposite sex during the few -- or in rare cases it may be a fairly large number -- preceding lives on earth. This attraction, which is the instrumental cause of the tendencies and biases spoken of, arising out of thought and emotional energy, feminizes the life-atoms, or masculinizes them, as the individual case may be, and the natural consequence is incarnation in a body of the sex to which attraction leads" (ET 666). Thus a reincarnating ego may have several incarnations in bodies of one sex, and then incarnate in bodies of the opposite sex for a number of times in succeeding incarnations. How many times, therefore, a reincarnating ego may imbody in a male or a female body is not subject to any arbitrary rule but depends solely upon the karmic impulse laid aside in the treasury of psychomental experiences.

Though the distinction of sex is biologically regarded as a profound and nearly universal attribute of organized beings, yet knowledge of composite human nature shows that it does not reach into the roots of the human constitution. Its causes go no deeper than the lower part of the human ego or soul, the psychophysiological nature. It is an evolutionary condition or cycle of the reincarnating ego's development in this present stage of materiality. Therefore, it is a transitory event in its bipolar earthly experience. As sex has been nature's plan for the race for some 18 million years, it will continue to be the natural plan for some ages to come. Some ages hence, sex differentiation will have given way to the activities of impersonal, spiritual creative energies.

(See also: Sex , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

air signs

Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, associated with mental energy

(See also: Air signs , Body Mind and Soul)

frequency

Vibrational range of energy expressing as matter

(See also: Frequency , Body Mind and Soul)

God-realization

Enlightenment

(See also: God-realization , Body Mind and Soul)

feng shui: The science and study of the effect of environmental factors on living. Includes guidelines for determining the best location and direction of your home and workplace; where the rooms in your home should be to best facilitate energy flow; and how to create a garden that will bring positive energy and good luck into your home.

Includes two major schools of thought. The Form School examines the shape of the land, the shape of your building, and even its direction in relation to the land around it.

The Compass School is based on the pa-kua, an octagonal symbol surrounding the famous yin-yang. Each side is related to one of the eight trigrams from the I Ching, and is related to certain energies. If you are planning a house, you can put a pa-kua over the plans and determine which direction your home should face and the best way to arrange the rooms.

(See also: feng shui , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

Child:

A symbol of innocence. 1. If you were the child, you need to get in touch with your own innocence. If you, as the child, were in trouble, you need to go beyond your innocence and acknowledge the ways of the world. Everything is NOT all sweetness and light!

2. If you were watching children playing, this is a sign of success and happiness, both in your personal and professional life.

Source: Astrocenter, http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/DreamDictionary.aspx

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

Karma: Depending on the culture, the concept of karma has several different interpretations. While some schools of thought use the term to mean a sort of payback for our good and bad deeds, others (notably Buddhist scholars) maintain that karma never means the effect of a good or bad deed, but the deed itself. This initial deed, they argue, sets into motion a chain of events that leads to eiher good or bad situations, depending on the nature of the original deed. Edgar Cayce, on the other hand, taught that the consequences of our actions in this life were not karma, but simply cause and effect. He said that karma was always what we bring into this life as consequences from a past life.

(See also: Karma , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

Astrology: Astrology is a science that examines the action of celestial bodies upon all living beings, non-living objects, and earthly conditions, as well as their reactions to such influences. The study of the stars is one of the oldest sciences known to humankind, tracing its origins back to ancient Sumer and even earlier. The astrological arts were well known to the Egyptians, Hindus, Chinese, Persians, and the great civilizations of the ancient Americas.

Astrology is the progenitor of astronomy, and for many years the two existed as one science. Nowadays, astronomy is considered an "objective" science of distances, masses, speeds, etc., while astrology is a "subjective" and intuitive science that not only deals which the astronomical delineation of horoscopes, but can also be called a philosophy which helps to explain the spiritual essence of life.

(See also: Astrology , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

Friends

Our dreams are full of symbolism with their messengers being all different types of people. It is very common to dream about our friends. These are individual that are emotionally valuable to us and we learn about ourselves through them. Dreams are very rarely prophetic, thus whether your dream was good or bad, don't expect it to come true. This dream is more than likely attempting to bring up uncomfortable feelings that you have about yourself or others. (Remember "uncomfortable" does not necessarily mean bad.) Dreams are created by our own thinking processes, our own thoughts (conscious or unconscious) create dreams, thus, the mind that created the dream also knows its meaning!!!

See also: Meaning of Dreams about People.

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

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

Baby

If the baby was pretty, you will be fortunate through the help of friends. However, if the baby was ugly or in any way displeasing to you, look out for treachery in someone you are inclined to trust. Helpless or sick babies are generally a warning of difficulties ahead, so be cautious in your business and/or or love affairs. A walking baby indicates sudden independence, and if you dreamed of many babies, great satisfaction and happiness are coming your way.

Source: Swoon, http://www.swoon.com

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

Car

The car in your dream may symbolize the physical self or ego development and ego function. In that, it represents the way that you travel through your life's journey. Consider all of the details in the dream, including its emotional content (e.g. difficulty of the road, identity of the driver, direction of the incline). Recurring car dreams usually deal with life's major themes that may include issues of control and sensibility. By carefully examining this dream, you may gain insight into important areas of life, including to how well you are navigating from one stage of your life to another, if you are assertive and take charge or are passive. Dreaming about traveling in a car is a very, very common dream theme that provides valuable information in regard to a specific part of or long-standing theme in your life's journey.

See also: Meaning of Dreams about Journey, Road

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

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

Prana (Sanskrit). Life-Principle ; the breath of Life.

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

Door

1. A passage to a new phase in life, such as childhood to adolescence, or single to married.

2. A new opportunity on the way.

3. Revelation, either personal, spiritual, or universal.

Astrological parallels: Scorpio, Capricorn, Aries.

Source: Astrocenter, http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/DreamDictionary.aspx

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

Ray

(Theosophy) One of seven streams or chanels of force, or emanations, from the Logos; the seven qualities of God expressing individualized attributres of divine nature. Each bequeaths its quality, color, and sound as it impacts consciousness.

The seven Rays are divided into three major Rays of aspect and four minor Rays of attribute. The Rulers, or Chohans, of the Rays are also known as Seven Spirits, or Elder Brothers before the Throne, or (in Eastern thought) Seven Great Rishis.

They are:

I-will, power (red);

II-love, wisdom (blue);

III-intelligence (yellow);

IV-art, harmony, beauty (green);

V-scientific understanding (orange);

VI-devotion (indigo or rose);

VII-ceremonial order (purple)

(See also: Ray , Body Mind and Soul)

abyss

Bottomless or anything too deep for measurement

(See also: Abyss , Body Mind and Soul)

Key

As with most dreams, look for the obvious connections by comparing the details or the theme of your dream to your daily life. Are you trying to figure something out and "unlock" a puzzling question? Do you wish to hide something? Are you locking something up or are you opening the door? Last, but not least, does this dream have any sexual connotations?

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

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

Hats

Hats are usually symbolic of power and authority. They also stereotype the person that is wearing it. Look at the details in your dream especially who is wearing the hat. The type and quality of the hat usually represents the degree of authority and respect that your unconscious mind is giving to the person wearing it. Generally the person wearing the hat is representing a part of you. What is the hat saying about your position in life and your attitude toward it?

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

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

Umbrella

In dreams umbrellas usually symbolize the device that the conscious mind uses to protect itself from the unconscious. Umbrellas might symbolize our unwillingness to deal with negative emotions, psychological baggage, or trauma. If the umbrella is opened, you may be protecting yourself from unconscious materials. If the umbrella is closed, then you may be prepared and be willing to deal with the unfamiliar psyche. Old dream interpretations say that the umbrella is the symbol of security. If the umbrella is broken or turned inside out, your ultimate achievement is possible but delayed.

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

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

Kundalini: Kundalini is a concept often spoken of in relation to the charkas. Mythologically, Kundalini is a serpent Goddess who lies asleep at the base of the spine, coiled three and one half times around the first chakra, awaiting unfoldment. When she is awakened through any of a number of techniques, she unfolds and rises through the center of the body, piercing and wakening each chakra as she goes. When she has risen to the top or crown chakra, then all of the chakras have been opened, and a person is said to experience enlightenment.

(See also: Kundalini , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)