Occult Terms I

Adept to Sorcerer's Root

Adept
One who has attained knowledge of the Philosophers Stone. Also, member of a magical fraternity. Adepts are known as supreme and secret masters.

Amber
Fossil resin of an extinct species of pine, it is a magical substance of great antiquity. Amber necklaces were prized in ancient Rome. The stone throws off an electrical quality when rubbed or heated.

Arcadian Inscriptions
One of the earliest magical writings known (1200 B.C.). It consisted primarily of exorcisms against unpleasant demons.

Azoth
In alchemy, the word for mercury. Also known as a name of power since it combines the first and last letter of the Hebrew, Greek, Roman and Arabic Alphabets thus containing the total magick power of all four.

Bija mantras
Seed sounds that correspond to the seven chakras (energy centers). Proper recitation activates each chakra.

Demon
In its original Latin form daemon means a spirit, a genie, or genius who gave intuition, insight, and inspiration. Such a spirit allowed human beings to converse with the gods. The Greek word for daemon is daimon. In relation to this, Socrates' daimon, that voice from within, has been variously interpreted as his conscious, higher self, or some divinity connected with himself — never as an evil being.

Devil's Candle
Arabian name for the Mandrake root.

Dolmens
Burial chambers.

Ethnobotany
The study of plants used by traditional cultures to achieve a profound state of consciousness.

Folk Charm
A simple action married to a simple spoken formula; easily memorable. Simple spell.

Grimoires
Word means "black books". Grimoires were magician's textbooks, often containing codes to prevent their use by the uninitiated. Done in manuscript, to this day the words contained within a magical text carry no power unless rewritten in the hand of the practitioner. Examples of grimoires are:

In clear
To write "in clear" is to write in secret code. An in clear spell is one written in code.

Lapis Philosophorum
The Philosopher's Stone

Mantra
A sacred sound, symbolically expressing a particular divine energy.

Maya
Illusion, as in "all is maya".

Menhir
Upright stone.

Ochnomos
From the Greek expression meaning "he who has an eight-lettered name". A name of power.

Om or Ohm
Believed to be the sound that brought creation into being. Reported as the ultimate mystical sound, which repeated sufficiently and with sufficient intensity, produces complete harmony of body and spirit.

Poppet
Witch doll. Similar to a voodoo doll. Poppets were often made from the Mandrake plant.

Ritual
A combination of complex elements, developed over the centuries. A true ritual requires traditional movements, gestures and dress plus sacred objects. The correct colors, sounds, date and time are required.

Salt
The winged dragon in Alchemy.

Shemhamforash
The name Moses pronounced when he divided the Red Sea.

Sigil
A seal; a signet. Also known as "device with mysterious powers", a sign or an image considered magical.

Sky-clad
Nude. It is also understood that bathing nude in moonlight increases female energy (yin).

Sorcerer's Root
German name for the Mandrake root.

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