PUCKEREL: Another term for the Fetch, also known as the Puckril, or Bid. .

(See also: PUCKEREL , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Demons

Evil influences which hinder cultivation. These can take an infinite number of forms, including evil beings or hallucinations. Disease and death, as well as the three poisons of greed, anger and delusion are also equated to demons, as they disturb the mind.

The Nirvana Sutra lists four types of demon:

i)               greed, anger and delusion;

ii)             ii) the five skandas, or obstructions caused by physical and mental functions;

iii)            iii) death;

iv)            iv) the demon of the Sixth Heaven (Realm of Desire).

The Self-Nature has been described in Mahayana sutras as a house full of gold and jewelry. To preserve the riches, i.e., to keep the mind calm, empty and still, we should shut the doors to the three thieves of greed, anger and delusion.

Letting the mind wander opens the house to "demons," that is, hallucinations and harm. Thus, Zen practitioners are taught that, while in meditation, "Encountering demons, kill the demons, encountering Buddhas, kill the Buddhas." Both demons and Buddhas are mind-made, Mind-Only.

For a detailed discussion of demons, see Master Thich Thien Tam, Buddhism of Wisdom and' Faith, sect. 51.

 (See also: Demons , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

GRIMORIE: A magickal workbook containing ritual information, formulae, magickal properties of natural objects and preparation of ritual equipment. Often used interchangeably with Book of Shadows.

(See also: GRIMORIE , Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

A dream dictionary with dream-symbols and their meanings.

A spiritual view on dreams and the meaning of dreams by Sri Swami Sivananda, an authority in the vedic sciences and traditions.

NICNEVIN:  Also Gyre-Carling, Scottish Lowlands term for the Queen of Elphame or Daughter of the Bones, this term has certain diabolic associations.

(See also: NICNEVIN , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

ARTHAME: A ritual knife usually used symbolically - also known as athame.

(See also: ARTHAME , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the 3rd degree initiation. More usually, the male and female leaders of a coven.

(See also: HIGH PRIEST/ESS , Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

BANE: That which is harmful, destructive or evil.

(See also: BANE , Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

ASTRAL PLANE: A place which is generally conceptualized as an invisible parallel world which remains unseen from our own solid world of form.

(See also: ASTRAL PLANE , Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

STANG: A forked ritual staff usually of Ash wood that serves as an altar -- additionally it is a physical representation of the World Tree or Irminsul showing the illusion of duality, as well as being a staff of office for the coven Magister or Magistra. Also functions as a simple walking stick and early versions were used to mark ley lines and used as tools to survey the surrounding countryside.

(See also: STANG , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

CASSAP: Someone who is considered very wise and knowledgeable.

(See also: CASSAP , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Awakening vs. Enlightenment

A clear distinction should be made between awakening to the Way (Great Awakening) and attaining the Way (attaining Enlightenment). (Note: There are many degrees of Awakening and Enlightenment. Attaining the Enlightenment of the Arhats, Pratyeka Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, etc. is different from attaining Supreme Enlightenment, i.e., Buddhahood.)

To experience a Great Awakening is to achieve (through Zen meditation, Buddha Recitation, etc.) a complete and deep realization of what it means to be a Buddha and how to reach Buddhahood.

It is to see one's Nature, comprehend the True Nature of things, the Truth. However, only after becoming a Buddha can one be said to have truly attained Supreme Enlightenment (attained the Way).

A metaphor appearing in the sutras is that of a glass of water containing sediments. As long as the glass is undisturbed, the sediments remain at the bottom and the water is clear. However, as soon as the glass is shaken, the water becomes turbid. Likewise, when a practitioner experiences a Great Awakening (awakens to the Way), his afflictions (greed, anger and delusion) are temporarily suppressed but not yet eliminated.

To achieve Supreme Enlightenment (i.e., to be rid of all afflictions, to discard all sediments) is the ultimate goal. Only then can he completely trust his mind and actions. Before then, he should adhere to the precepts, keep a close watch on his mind and thoughts, like a cat stalking a mouse, ready to pounce on evil thoughts as soon as they arise.

To do otherwise is to court certain failure, as stories upon stories of errant monks, roshis and gurus demonstrate.

 (See also: Awakening vs. Enlightenment , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Midwifery: Midwives work with women so they can experience a healthy pregnancy and a safe natural childbirth as well as providing necessary education and follow-up care. Licensed midwives or nurse-midwives (both are recognized in Washington) receive extensive training in gynecology, fetus development, obstetrical complications, nutritional assessment, counseling, community health, family planning, various forms of delivery management, and other issues surrounding pregnancy and birth.

(See also: Midwifery , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

SMOOR: To smother the flames of a balefire or bonfire.

(See also: SMOOR , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

A Dream Dictionary including dreams about:

Cloister, Clothes, Clouds, Cloven Foot, Clover, Club, Coach, Coal-hod, Coals, Coat, Coat-of-Arms, Coca-Cola, Cockade, Cock-Crowing, Cocktail, Cocoa, Cocoanut, Coffee, Coffee House, Coffee Mill, Coffin , Coins, Coke, Coke Oven

For more dream interpretation, see: Dream Dictionary

For more about dreams, see: Dreams.

Deva

Lit., "A shining one".

An inhabitant of the heavenly realms, which is characterized by long life, joyous surroundings and blissful states of mind. In the Buddhist tradition, these states are understood to be impermanent, not eternal.

 (See also: Deva , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Prajna

True or transcendental wisdom. Last of the paramitas. One of the highest attainments of Buddhist practice.

 (See also: Prajna , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

DREWARY: A sexual technique and praxis conducted between consenting magical partners that is a ways and mean to a sacred and venerable spiritual expression of the Nameless Arte, as well as an emulation of the Dame herself in the ecstatic and erotic act of sensual enjoyment using prolonged intercourse near the edge of orgasm.

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PAST-LIFE REGRESSION: Act of using meditation or guided meditation to pass through the veil of linear time and perceive experiences encountered in a previous existence.

(See also: PAST-LIFE REGRESSION , Paganism, Pagan, Pagan Dictionary)

OWD HINERY: Also Auld Chiel. Alternate title or name for the Devil.

(See also: OWD HINERY , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Citta Mind or heart. the two terms being synonymous in Asian religious philosophy.

 (See also: Citta , Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

NOWL: The center, navel or omphalos as in the Pole star or the center of a compass or some other area used for magical workings.

(See also: NOWL , Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)