A.·. A.·.: This is a special abbreviation for the name of a magical order, the Astrum Argentum (sometimes the words are reversed or spelled differently) which means “Silver Star” in Latin. The three dots that form a triangle after each “A” not only mean that there is something further that is hidden (that is, there is a spiritual abbreviation), but also form a Masonic symbol indicating that the order possesses the mysterious “Lost Word” of Masonry. Also See: The Astrum Argentum A.·. A.·.: A popular term for all forms of ESP. Also See: The Astrum Argentum Abracadabra: A traditional word of power, used by Western magicians from classical times to the present. Written in the falling way, it was used in talismans to cure fevers and asthma: ABRACADABRA ABRACADABR ABRACADAB ABRACADA ABRACAD ABRACA ABRAC ABRA ABR AB A In recent times, Abracadabra has mostly been used by stage magicians. English mage Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) altered the spelling to make it fit his new magical religion of Thelema, and in this new form the word has been much used in the Thelemite community; see Abrahadabra. Abrahadabra: A rewriting of the famous magical word Abracadabra by Aleister Crowley. This places the name “Had,” a short form of the Egyptian Hadith that, according to some sources, represents Horus of Behedet, an area in Egypt. Hadith is the second person of the Thelemic trinity. Crowley believed it was the Word of the Aeon. One aspect of this is that it has eleven letters, thus linking the symbol of humanity, the pentagram (five identical letters) with the number of God, the hexagram, (six diverse letters). It therefore represents the Great Work of personal spiritual development. Abramelin: The name of an Egyptian magician cited in The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, a magical text translated by S. L. Mathers. The French manuscript was written in the eighteenth century, but it purports to be a translation from an original text in Hebrew, dating from 1458. The grimoire contains elaborate instructions in the form of a six-month program of purification and prayer, designed to lead the magician to higher states of consciousness in which "knowledge and conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel" is possible. Abraxas: A popular magical deity in the ancient world, Abraxas (also called Abrasax) was depicted on classical amulet gems as a humanlike figure with a rooster’s head and serpents for feet, wielding a charioteer’s whip. The letters of his name in Greek add up to 365, the number of days in a year, which marked him as a solar deity and a lord of time. In modern times, Abraxas has achieved a new popularity by way of the writings of psychologist Carl Jung, who gave him a central place in his Gnostic work. The Seven Sermons to the Dead and elsewhere in his writings. Also See: Abrasax Absent Healing: A technique by which a healer is able to help a person although that person is not present. Often described as the “sending of healing energy” to that person. Also See: absint healing, absent heeling, sending healing energy, healing energy, sending healing Absent Sitter: A person not present at a séance, but for whom questions are asked at the séance. Also See: absint sitter Acupuncture: Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and dating back to at least 200-300 B.C.E., it involves inserting very fine needles into specific points of the body. The basic idea is that there are energy pathways in the body known as meridians, and that by stimulating certain points on the meridians with the needles, the body’s energy (qi, pronounced “chi”) can bring balance to the body. The points may also be stimulated with the fingertips, and modern practitioners also use electrical and even laser stimulation. There are also points that are not associated with the meridians. May be a version of the earlier ayurvedic techniques from the pre-Hindu culture of northwest India. Adbertos: (Gaulish) - An offering or ritual in which something is given to the Deuoi. Adept: A person who is very skilled or proficient in a particular ability as in “When it comes to magick, he is an adept.” A description of such a person as in “He is adept at astrology.” In certain magickal orders, an adept is a person who has achieved a certain level of advancement in that group, sometimes using the original Latin form of the term, adeptus. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, there are two different grades, the Adeptus Minor and the Adeptus Major. Each has subgrades such as the Neophyte Adeptus Minor. Adeptus Minor: “Lesser Adept,” the title of the lowest level of the second Order of the Golden Dawn. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was actually composed of three groups. The Outer Order, the Golden Dawn per se, was where students learned about magick and some of its very basic techniques. After going through all the degrees of this Outer Order, a student might be invited into the second or Inner Order, known as the Roseae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis (R.R. et A.C.). Here the student first starts practicing magick based on what they had learned. The first degree of this Order was known as Adeptus Minor. A person who has achieved any of the levels of Adeptus Minor (there were several sub-degrees) could do all of the magick of the system. The third Order was composed of non-physical beings. Aeromancy: Divination through observation of phenomena in the sky. Examples include the interpretation of the appearance of comets (death of a famous person), images of clouds (interpreted similar to interpreting tea leaves), etc. Aesir: Name of one of the principle families or clans of gods described in the Northern mythos. The word Aesir has been translated as "pillar." Aesir is the plural form. The singular form is Ass. Aett: Group of eight runes in a set order. Aett is the singular form and aettir is the plural form. Africa: Definition: The second-largest continent, it has a wide variety of lands, flora and fauna, and people. The population lives in everything from vast, modern cities to very primitive conditions. Composed of 53 independent countries, many scientists believe the human race began here. At its northeastern point is Egypt. Its capitol, Cairo, is the content’s most populous city with a population of over 9.2 million. Egyptian culture goes back thousands of years and heavily influenced Judaism (founded circa 2000 BCE) and, to a lesser extent, Christianity. Its amazing, advanced civilization so long ago fascinated occultists, especially those of the late 19th century such as members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, AMORC, and Aleister Crowley, and they adopted what they believed where Egyptian concepts and rituals. Africans came to the American colonies, probably as indentured servants (agreeing to work for a certain period in exchange for passage, room, and board), but by the early 18th century, this evolved into true slavery and existed until the end of the U.S. Civil War in1865. During this period, millions were transported by force from West Africa. Initially, they were forbidden religion, but they secretly kept their own religions that were marked by a Supreme Being and creator, lesser spiritual entities, and the ability to appeal to them for help. Later, they were indoctrinated into Christianity, but many blended their own faiths with the Christian, equating spiritual powers with Christian saints. This blended system is the source of such faiths as Voudou (spelled in a variety of ways), Santeria, Hoodoo, Palo Mayombe, Umbanda, Candomble, and others. Because the Slaves often stopped off or ended in Haiti, Cuba, etc., these magic-religious faiths are also known as Afro-Caribbean religions. Also See: African African: Definition: 1. Person who comes from Africa; Object or concepts that come from Africa. Also See: Africa Afterlife: Term used by some believers in reincarnation to describe the period of the soul’s or spirit’s existence after the physical death of the body but before reincarnation into a new physical body. There are many theories as to what happens during this period ranging from quiet, rest, and recovery to training in preparation for the next physical incarnation. In some instances the spirit may try to manifest on the physical plane, resulting in their appearance as ghosts. Agent: A person who unintentionally causes unusual physical phenomenon described as poltergeist activity. The person may be shocked to know he or she is the source of the phenomena. Most often the agent is a girl going through puberty, although it may be a boy. AGLA: Famous as part of the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, AGLA is actually an acronym for Ah-tah Gee-boor Lih-oh-lam Ah-doh-nye or “Thou art great forever, my Lord.” Aikido: Aikido is a martial art that relies on harmonious movements and minimal muscular effort to resolve conflicts. Ailm: The 16th letter of the Ogham tree alphabet, representing the letter A and meaning "fir." Fir trees signify a higher, more powerful perspective. Consequently, Ailm gives insight and the potential for great wisdom. It is an indication that you are progressing amd will shortly be able to see ahead much more clearly than before. Aiwass: The entity who communicated the Book of the Law to Aleister Crowley. Aiwass: The name of Aleister Crowley’s Holy Guardian Angel. Crowley spent many years trying to determine if Aiwass was merely his higher self or was, in fact, a non-physical being. Akasha: (Pronounced "ah-kash") Sanskrit word that has been adopted in the West as the name for the fifth magical element.