There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Worship: An Introduction to Hindu Worship

Site Testing

In order to identity an ideal building site, a square pit of one square built (1 cubit x 1 cubit) should be dug out at the centre of the building site, meditating mentally upon the Goddess Earth and praying for plenty of wealth and grains at this site. This is to be performed at an auspicious hour, when the lunar day (thithi) lunar asterism (Natchatram), the astrological dicisious of tone and the rising of the zodiac sign (lagnam) above the horizon are favourably placed.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Site Testing in Vastu

The Markandaya Purana and the Vamana Purana chronicle how Mahishasura, the wicked buffalo-king, a demon possessing monstrous power and deadly weapons of destruction, waged a war against the gods and defeated them.

Mahishasura dislodged Indra and occupied the throne. Indra fled to save himself. This shook the celestial world and so enraged Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva that they began to emit fire from their eyes. From the fusion of these beams of fire, carrying the radiant divine energy, a female figure, Goddess Durga, was born.

(See also: Durga , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Durga: Invincible Durga Is Always On Call  

The Shubh and Laabh of Balancing the Books

The words Shubh Laabh can be seen scripted at the entrance of many big and small business establishments in India. This is also inscribed on the cash-ledger as part of a ritual of sanctification of the new books of account on Dhanteras, the auspicious day two days before Deepavali, when the Indian commercial calendar traditionally commences. What does this legend signify?

Read more here: » Shubh and Laabh: The Shubh and Laabh of Balancing the Books

Circle: The magic circle is drawn in the astral world about the Magus and the place where the ritual is worked. It forms a division between the magical place and the ordinary world, setting the interior space apart. This allows the region inside the circle to hold a heightened charge of magical potency, and because it is a pure space devoted to worship and magic, it permits the manifestation of spiritual Intelligences that could not be readily perceived in the ordinary environment. The circle also acts as a barrier that protects the Magus from the intrusion of discordant, chaotic forces that seek to disrupt communications with higher spiritual beings, or even to harm the Magus in emotional and physical ways.

The circle is always inscribed from the inside, ideally from the center, in a sunwise direction, and visualized as a glowing or flaming band of light that sustains itself in the air at the level of the heart. Often a corresponding physical circle of the same radius is marked on the floor of the chamber beforehand; but the magic circle does not actually exist until it is made in the astral by a deliberate act of will. For convenience, the circle is made of a size great enough to enclose the ritual place. A single ritualist, if working without an altar in a confined space, might project a circle of six feet in diameter. With an altar at the center, the circle might be nine feet in diameter to permit movement around the altar. Since the circle is drawn in the astral, it can be made larger than the actual physical chamber.

Whatever its size, the circle should always be large enough to comfortably hold all who work within it. Because the circle is magically real, even though immaterial, it must never be casually broken. It is extended from the heart center of the Magus clockwise from the point of the right index finger, or the point of the wand, sword, or knife. It should be reabsorbed at the end of the ritual in through the left index finger, or magical instrument held in the left hand, by retracing it widdershins—against the course of the Sun. It must never be stepped through, although this is a common mistake among occultists. To disregard the substantiality of the circle is to weaken it, and so render it a less useful tool.

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

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)

(See also: MAGICK CIRCLE , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Voodoo, Vodou (African, "divine spirits", also Vodou, Vodoun, Vodun)

African- Christian new religion born in Haiti, whose followers worship the "divine spirits" in life and rituals and accept possession by those spirits for healing and spiritual guidance. Originally a pejorative term -"Voodoo" is now acknowledged as the proper designation for the complex beliefs and practices among the majority of the populace of Haiti.

Voodoo began as the clandestine religion of enslaved African sugar-plantation workers in Haiti in the seventeenth century, but its early history is preserved only in scattered eighteenth-century colonial records and ordinance codes. The reports of covert meetings, dances, funeral practices, and even trance possession among enslaved and freed Africans indicate that they preserved ancient traditions in the face of enormous obstacles; the development of Voodoo is itself a tribute to the spirit and stamina of those early devotees. It is rooted in the West African Yoruba, Fon, and Angolan communities, as well as in French Roman Catholicism.

It has primarily continued African priestly roles, ritual themes, symbolism, and pantheons of named female spirits (especially Ezili) and male ones (Ogou, Damballah-Wedo, Legba). Voodoo theology parallels traditional medieval Christianity, for its followers acknowledge a high creator deity, Bondye (Bon dieu), but invoke the intermediary spirits for intercession in human affairs. It is only the intermediaries-identified individually with Christian saints or sacred places-who descend to "mount" their "horses," their followers, during possession rituals.

Roman Catholicism provides the ritual framework for the lives of Voodoo members as well, for they not only follow its traditional liturgical calendar for scheduling pilgrimages and lesser ceremonies but also participate in the common rituals of baptism, marriage, and the Mass. Roman Catholic prayers, some still in Latin, form a significant component of some Voodoo rituals, as do other lesser aspects and ritual objects from traditional Catholic festivals.

The divine spirits (loa or lwa) of Voodoo occupy separate pantheons or nations; two of these, the Rada, whose spirits are generous and benevolent, and the Petro, whose strong spirits evince terrible powers, dominate worship in urban centers. The higher powers (lemiste) are associated with natural dimensions or places, such as sacred springs or cemeteries, and are joined in the spirit world by souls of the dead and ancestral spirits (lemo) and sacred twins (lemarasa). Individual worshipers, drawn to individual spirits by necessity or similarities in personality or temperament, may choose among them for personal devotion but must not neglect those ancestors and spirits traditionally venerated in the family.

Voodoo rituals range from simple devotional acts, such as the lighting of candles with accompanying prayers, to family observances for the family dead to elaborate rituals enhanced by large meals, drumming and singing, and exuberant dance. The spiritual leaders in the Voodoo community are the male hungans and female mambos; in their religious roles, they perform divination and healing rituals for individual members, as well as oversee all training and calendrical ceremonies. As elders and teachers, they guide the possession trance dances, which allow the individual divine spirits to be present among their followers, to receive worship, and to offer healing and counsel.

In Haiti, rural communities continue Voodoo as a family-centered religion firmly tied to traditional agricultural life, while urban centers have interwoven a wider variety of practices, some structured and formal-including rituals of initiation, funeral rites, pilgrimage to Catholic shrines, and festivals-some less so, including not only divination, but also the making of amulets for luck and protection.

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

Air

One of the four elements of astrology (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, associated with mental energy) .

2)One of the four creative elements of ritual magick, associated with the east and with the ritual wand.

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

Communion

The Lord's Supper The central rite of Christian worship, called variously the Eucharist, Holy Communion, Divine Mysteries (Eastern Orthodox), and the Mass (Roman Catholic)

This ritual is said to have developed out of the Last Supper of Jesus and his Apostles just before the crucifixion. Some Christians believe that the wine and bread actually transmutate into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus (see transubstantiation), others do it in memory of Jesus' passion.

The practice is believed by Christians to have evolved from the Jewish Passover. Many scholars claim that communion, also with the word Mass, is derived from the practice of the Zoroastrians. New Agers celebrate a similar ritual which is called Communion with All Life.

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

ALTAR - a table where tools are placed for use during ritual. An altar is generally not a permanent structure, but is set up for each ritual a new.

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

BOOK OF SHADOWS (BOS) - 1. collection of info in book form for reference. Like a magickal cookbook. Grimoire. (TRASB)

2. (Also called “Book of Light’s and Shadows”) BOS is the spell book, diary and ritual guide used by an individual witch or coven. Some say the name come from having to hide the workings from church authorities and others say it means that an unworked spell or ritual is a mere shadow, not taking form until performed by a Witch. (CMM)

(See also: BOOK OF SHADOWS , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

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Mysticism Dictionary - G, Mysticism Dictionary - H, Mysticism Dictionary - I,

Mysticism Dictionary - J, Mysticism Dictionary - K, Mysticism Dictionary - L,

Mysticism Dictionary - M, Mysticism Dictionary - N, Mysticism Dictionary - O,

Mysticism Dictionary - P, Mysticism Dictionary - Q, Mysticism Dictionary - R,

Mysticism Dictionary - S, Mysticism Dictionary - T, Mysticism Dictionary - U,

Mysticism Dictionary - V, Mysticism Dictionary - W, Mysticism Dictionary - X,

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Here are links to all 10 527 archives related to mysticism:

Mysticism Dictionary

Mysticism Dictionary - A, Mysticism Dictionary - B, Mysticism Dictionary - C,

Mysticism Dictionary - D, Mysticism Dictionary - E , Mysticism Dictionary - F,

Mysticism Dictionary - G, Mysticism Dictionary - H, Mysticism Dictionary - I,

Mysticism Dictionary - J, Mysticism Dictionary - K, Mysticism Dictionary - L,

Mysticism Dictionary - M, Mysticism Dictionary - N, Mysticism Dictionary - O,

Mysticism Dictionary - P, Mysticism Dictionary - Q, Mysticism Dictionary - R,

Mysticism Dictionary - S, Mysticism Dictionary - T, Mysticism Dictionary - U,

Mysticism Dictionary - V, Mysticism Dictionary - W, Mysticism Dictionary - X,

Mysticism Dictionary - Y, Mysticism Dictionary - Z, Mysticism Dictionary - Numbers

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Consciousness, Chakras, Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Cosmic Consciousness, Meaning of Dreams, Gaia Hypothesis, Life after death, Prana, Subconscious, Kalki, Mayan Calendar, 2012, Indigo Children, Diksha, Morphogenetic Fields, Enligtenment, Bhagavan, Past Lives, Parapsychology, Psychic Ability, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul

A spiritual dictionary of the 280 most common words in Hinduism. Also see these links: Hinduism, Spirituality, Enlightenment, Spiritual Dictionary and Hinduism Dictionary.