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DACTYLI: A class of magicians from Phrygia who are credited with the discovery of minerals, the discovery of notes of the musical scale, the first metal working of iron and copper, the introduction of fire to Crete, and the introduction of musical instruments to Greece. In some mythologies they are the Magnetic Powers whose leader was Hercules. Also known as Dactyls.
DACTYLIOMANCY, DACTYLOMANCY: Divination using rings. Most frequently dactylomancy is done in the form of radiesthesia (divination using a pendulum) and the ring is suspended over various objects. One form uses rings of various metals placed on the fingernails in patterns in conjunction with the planets. Sources indicate it is often used for dowsing.
DACTYLS: A class of magicians from Phrygia who are credited with the discovery of minerals, the discovery of notes of the musical scale, the first metal working of iron and copper, the introduction of fire to Crete, and the introduction of musical instruments to Greece. In some mythologies they are the Magnetic Powers whose leader was Hercules. Also known as Dactyli.
DAEMON (Latin, daemon, "a lesser divinity"), DAEVA (Avestan):
A guardian spirit;
A nature spirit, especially one attached to a place or thing;
An entity or intelligence of a particular force, usually a deity of a rival religion perceived as malicious;
Malicious or cruel spiritual or physical being;
An artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force;
Also known as Daimon(es), Daimonia, Daiver, Daivergoel, Damoin, Demon, Dev (Pahlavi). Div (Persian).
DAGYDE:
A needle, pin, or thorn used in sympathetic magick to cure or to curse. The dagyde is used to indicate the area of the body to which the Power is being directed (e.g.: pins used in working with Voodoo Dolls).
In some traditions, a sacred tool used for sewing Magickal Workings like sachets.
DAIMON, DAIMONIA, DAIVER, DAIVERGOEL, DAIMON :
A guardian spirit;
A nature spirit, especially one attached to a place or thing;
An entity or intelligence of a particular force, usually a deity of a rival religion perceived as malicious;
Malicious or cruel spiritual or physical being;
An artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force;
Also known as Daemon, Daeva (Avestan), Demon, Dev (Pahlavi). Div (Persian).
DAKINI: Female demons who are the attendants of the Goddess Kali in the Hindu Pantheon. They are known for drinking blood and eating human flesh.
DANAAN, The (Old Irish, tuatha: "family, clan"; dé Danann: "of Danu"): The Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of gods who withdrew to live in the hills of Ireland after their defeat by the Milesean Celts. The descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann became known as the Daoine Sídhe, the faery folk and the term sídhe now means faery in the Irish language. In the Theosophy the Tuatha Dé Danann are known as Davana and are enemies of the gods. Also known as Áes Sí, Áes Sídh, Áes Sídhe, Áos Sídhe, the Children of Danu, Davana, the Hill Folk, the People of Danu, the Tuatha Dé Danann. See also Daoine Sídhe, Fae, Faerie, Faery, Fairie, Fairy.
DANCING DERVISH: A member of a Muslim fraternity vowed to poverty and austerity and who practices whirling or howling to attain a state of ecstacy. Also known as Whirling Dervish.
DAOINE SÍ, DAOINE SÍDH, DAOINE SÍDHE (Irish, daoine sídhe: "people of the fairy mound"): A host of supernatural beings and spirits that occupy a limbo between earth and heaven, commonly known as faeries. Both good and evil, faeries have at various times in history been blended and confused with Witches or Demons. Belief in faeries is ancient, dating back to pagan deities, and they exist in virtually all cultures. Faeries come in all shapes and sizes and specific types of faeries are known by different names including: brownie, elf, troll, gnome, pooka, kobold, leprechaun, and banshee. There are four principle theories as to the origins of faeries:
Faeries are the souls of the pagan dead. Being unbaptized, the shades are caught in a netherworld and are not bad enough to descend into hell nor good enough to rise into heaven.
Faeries are fallen angels. When God cast Lucifer from heaven, the angels who were loyal to Lucifer plunged down toward hell with him. But God raised his hand and stopped them in mid-flight, condemning them to remain where they were. Some were in the air, some in the earth, and some in the seas and rivers. This belief is widespread lore in Ireland, Scotland, and Scandinavia;
Faeries are nature spirits. Somewhat similar to the fallen-angel theory, this belief holds that fairies are among the many spirits that populate all things and places on the planet;
Faeries are diminutive human beings. Evidence exists that small-statured races populated parts of Europe and the British Isles in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, before the spread of the Celts. They lived in barrows and in shelters burrowed under hills and mounds. They were shy and hard-working and as the stronger races invaded they retreated into the woodlands to live secretive lives. They were pagan and continued to worship pagan deities. They were close to nature and had keen psychic senses;
Also known as Deena Shee (the oral pronunciation of daoine sídhe), Fae, Fairie.
DAPHNOMANCY: Divination by interpreting a burning laurel branch. If the fire crackles it is a positive sign. A form of pyromancy.
DAYS OF POWER: The Sabbats and any day when personal power is enhanced due to things like astrological occurrences, moon cycles, tidal cycles, or personal events (e.g.: menstruation, birthdays, initiations). See also: Sabbats.
DEAD MAN'S CANDLES: Mysterious lights that portend death. Also called Fetch-Lights, Corpse Candles. Akin to Corpse Light, Jack-O'-Lanter
n, Will-O'-the-Wisp, Fair Light, Fox Fire, Fire Demon, Witch Fire.
DEATH OF THE GOD-KING: The August 1st Greater Sabbat that celebrates the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for dark winter months. The sabbat also marks the weakening of the God as the days grow shorter. Also known as August Eve, Bilberry Sunday, Fraughan Sunday, Crom Dubh Sunday, Domhnach Chrom Dubh, Feast of Bread, Feast of Lug (Lugh), Festival of the First Fruits of Harvest, Festival of the Sacrifice and Death of the God-King, Garland Sunday, Laa Luanistyn, Laa Luanys, Lammas, Lammas Day, Lughnasa, Lughnasadh, Lugnasad, Lúnasa, Lúnasdain, Lúnasdal, Lúnasduinn, Martinmas, St. Martin's Eve.
DEDICATION (Latin, dedicare: "to consecrate, declare): The ritual to set apart someone or thing for a deity or sacred purpose. The dedication ceremonies in religious practice are usually a declaration (vow) of an individual to pursue the traditions and advanced study of a particular faith, often in the capacity of priesthood or adeptship. It differs from Initiation in that the individual has been taught and tested on their understanding of the basic religious doctrine of the faith.
DEENA SHEE (Irish, daoine s ídhe: "people of the fairy mound"): A host of supernatural beings and spirits that occupy a limbo between earth and heaven commonly known as faeries. Both good and evil, faeries have at various times in history been blended and confused with Witches or Demons. Belief in faeries is ancient, dating back to pagan deities, and they exist in virtually all cultures. Faeries come in all shapes and sizes and specific types of faeries are known by different names including: brownie, elf, troll, gnome, pooka, kobold, leprechaun, and banshee. There are four principle theories as to the origins of faeries:
Faeries are the souls of the pagan dead. Being unbaptized, the shades are caught in a netherworld and are not bad enough to descend into hell nor good enough to rise into heaven.
Faeries are fallen angels. When God cast Lucifer from heaven, the angels who were loyal to Lucifer plunged down toward hell with him. But God raised his hand and stopped them in mid-flight, condemning them to remain where they were. Some were in the air, some in the earth, and some in the seas and rivers. This belief is widespread lore in Ireland, Scotland, and Scandinavia;
Faeries are nature spirits. Somewhat similar to the fallen-angel theory, this belief holds that fairies are among the many spirits that populate all things and places on the planet;
Faeries are diminutive human beings. Evidence exists that small-statured races populated parts of Europe and the British Isles in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, before the spread of the Celts. They lived in barrows and in shelters burrowed under hills and mounds. They were shy and hard-working and as the stronger races invaded they retreated into the woodlands to live secretive lives. They were pagan and continued to worship pagan deities. They were close to nature and had keen psychic senses;
Also known as Daoine Sí, Daoine Sídh, Daoine Sídhe, Deena Shee (the oral pronunciation of daoine s ídhe), Fae, Fairie.
DEGREE: A designation identifying the level or status of achievement in an area of study, including some magick traditions (e.g.: Wicca). Degrees are granted based on various tests of knowledge and demonstrations of practical skill and/or experience. The number of Degrees required to be considered adept varies between traditions. Most Wiccan traditions have three Degrees.
DEISM: The belief that a God exists and created the world but did not assume any control over it or the lives of people.
DEITY: A god or goddess.
DELTA STATE: The unconscious state of deep, dreamless sleep where brain waves register at 1-3 cycles per second. Alpha state, at 7-14 cycles per second, is the altered state of consciousness associated with relaxation, meditation and dreaming. Beta State, at 14-30 cycles per second, is the conscious state of being awake, alert and engaged in physical activity. Theta State, at 4-7 cycles per second, is the semi-conscious state associated with drowsiness, euphoria, and deep tranquility.
DEMIGOD:
A lesser or minor god or goddess;
The child of a human being and a god or goddess;
A person regarded as partly divine, especially a religious instructor;
A spiritual being in human form sent to teach humanity;
A hero declared to be a god or goddess.
DEMON (derived from daemon, "a lesser divinity"):
A guardian spirit;
A nature spirit, especially one attached to a place or thing;
An entity or intelligence of a particular force, usually a deity of a rival religion perceived as malicious;
Malicious or cruel spiritual or physical being;
An artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force;
Also known as Daemon, Daeva (Avestan), Daimon(es), Daimonia, Daiver, Daivergoel, Dev (Pahlavi). Div (Persian).
DEMONIC POSSESSION: Being taken over completely by a demon.
DEMONISM:
The worship of demons. Also known as demonolatry;
In nonpagan religions demonism is often used to describe the belief in the existence or powers of demons.
DEMONOCRACY:
The government of demons;
The immediate influence of evil spirits;
A religion involving the reverence of demons at the turn of the 20th century. Not commonly used today.
DEMONOGRAPHY: The history and description of demons and matters concerning them.
DEMONOLATRY: The worship of demons. Also known as Demonism.
DEMONOLOGY:
Magick involving work with malevolent spirits;
The study of demons and beliefs about them and extended by some to include the study of any supernatural beings other than acknowledged deities;
A treatise on demons.
DEMONOMANCY: Divination by evoking demons to reveal information.
DENDROMANCY: Divination interpreting trees, especially oak or mistletoe.
DEOSIL ("with the sun") : Clockwise or sun wise, moving to the right around a circle if facing out, to the left if facing in in the Northern Hemisphere. Most rituals and ceremonies, even spells, call for deosil movement at some point in their construction. The opposite movement is Widdershins.
DERVISH: A member of a Muslim fraternity vowed to poverty and austerity. Some fraternities include the practice of whirling or howling to attain a state of ecstacy and these practitioners are known specifically as Whirling Dervishes or Dancing Dervishes.
DERVISHING: The practice of whirling into a state of ecstacy. Sometimes cited as a form of Gyromancy (divination by interpreting the fall of a person who whirls until they are dizzy and fall down).
DESTINY: The power that determines the outcome of events before they occur or the inevitable event itself. Also called Fate.
DEV:
A guardian spirit;
A nature spirit, especially one attached to a place or thing;
An entity or intelligence of a particular force, usually a deity of a rival religion perceived as malicious;
Malicious or cruel spiritual or physical being;
An artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force;
Also known as Daemon, Daeva (Avestan), Daimon(es), Daimonia, Daiver, Daivergoel, Demon, Div (Persian).
DEVA (Sanskrit, deva: "god; deity"):
In Theosophy, a rank of magnificent celestial beings who possess vast power and knowledge. There are three types of Devas: Bodiless, Form and Passion. Each exist in their own plane of existence and are comprised of different elemental essences.
In Hinduism, a god or good spirit.
In Zoroastrism, a demon or evil spirit.
DEW: Moisture that condenses in droplets due to cooling air. Dew is almost universally associated with purity and divine incarnation or manifestation. It is considered to contain magickal properties affiliated with beauty, innocence and spiritual purity. Alchemists believed that natural dew contained the Divine Salt.
DIAKKA: Term for malicious, ignorant or undeveloped human spirits who have died and who reside in the spirit world.
DIANIC FEMINIST WICCA: A Wiccan tradition started by Ann Forfreedom that includes both female and male practitioners , solo practitioners, mixed covens and all female covens. Dianic Feminist Wiccans must have a Priestess present for a Circle ritual to be held and encourages practitioners to be involved in feminist and humanist issues. Groups work either skyclad or robed.
DIANIC WICCA: A group of Wiccan traditions that focus primarily (but not always exclusively) on the Goddess. Known as the "feminist" movement in Wicca, it was first identified by Margaret Murray in 1921 in "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe". Most Dianic Wiccan traditions follow a Roman or Eclectic Pantheon that reveres Diana, but the term has been applied to traditions embracing other pantheons that are Goddess focused.
DIAPHANE: Cabalistic term for imagination.
DIGESTION: In Alchemy, a kind of Putrefaction in which the nutrients or essences are reabsorbed.
DIONYSIAN: In religious studies, describes "lunar- or nature-oriented" religions that emphasize the ecstatic and emotional aspects, and the liberating of the psyche from the limitations of mundane consciousness, to enable union with the "group mind", or collective consciousness of the group (named for Dionysus, the Greek God of wine and Ecstasy).
DIRECT WRITING: Term for a spirit writing without human or mechanical assistance. Distinct from Autography, Automatic Writing and Psychography which are done through human beings.
DISTILLATION: The sixth operation of alchemical transformation in which matter is concentrated. Denoted by the symbol for Virgo.
DISSOLUTION: The second operation of alchemical transformation in which a solid is either dissolved in, or reduced into, liquid. Denoted by the symbol for Cancer.
DIV:
A guardian spirit;
A nature spirit, especially one attached to a place or thing;
An entity or intelligence of a particular force, usually a deity of a rival religion perceived as malicious;
Beings of malicious intent popularly regarded as fiends;
An artificial elemental created by a person or group for a specific purpose or force;
Also known as Daemon, Daeva (Avestan), Daimon(es), Daimonia, Daiver, Daivergoel, Damoin, Demon, Dev (Pahlavi).
DIVINATION: The art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather information from the Collective unconscious on the nature of people. places, things, and events in the past, present and future. Also known as Dukkerin, Dukkering.
DIVINE POWER: The unmanifested, pure energy that exists within the Goddess and God. The life force, the ultimate source of all things. Akin to the concepts of Akasa and Anima Mundi.
DIVINER: Someone who practices divination. Also known as Ariolater, Aruspex, Clairvoyant, Haruspex, Seer, Soothsayer. See Also: Oracle, Prophet, Theomancer.
DIVINING ROD: A forked rod or branched which is used to for dowsing (locating things underground). Also known as Dowsing Rod.
DJINN: A class of beings described in the Koran, both male and female, between angels and human kind and represented as being created from smokeless fire, abounding particularly in desert places. Popularly djinn are regarded as being able to appear to mankind in the form of domestic animals or of human beings of gigantic size, the benevolent ones appearing in beautiful shape, the malevolent in horrible guise. Also known as Jinn (plural), Jinniy (singular) Jinni, Jinnee, Genie, Genii.
DOLMEN: A prehistoric tomb or monument consisting of a large flat stone laid across several upright stones. Also known as Cromlech, Portal Tomb.
DOMHNACH CHROM DUBH: The August 1st Greater Sabbat that celebrates the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for dark winter months. The sabbat also marks the weakening of the God as the days grow shorter. Also known as August Eve, Bilberry Sunday, Fraughan Sunday, Crom Dubh Sunday, Death of the God-King, Feast of Bread, Feast of Lug (Lugh), Festival of the First Fruits of Harvest, Festival of the Sacrifice and Death of the God-King, Garland Sunday, Laa Luanistyn, Laa Luanys, Lammas, Lammas Day, Lughnasa, Lughnasadh, Lugnasad, Lúnasa, Lúnasdain, Lúnasdal, Lúnasduinn, Martinmas, St. Martin's Eve.
DORJE (Tibetan, dorje, "thunderbolt, diamond"): The scepter of power or wand in Tibet that represents both power and purity. The Indian form of this wand is called Vajra.
DOWSING: Divination to find a person, place, thing or element in buried in the earth. Dowsing will often involve using a pendulum (radiesthesia) or divining rod (rhabdomancy).
DOWSING ROD: A forked rod or branched which is used to for dowsing (locating things underground). Also known as Divining Rod.
DRACOMANCER: A person who works with Dragons in their magick system.
DRACONTIA: Temples dedicated to the Dragon.
DRAGON (Greek, drakon, "the seeing one"): A fabulous monster of enormous size, common to almost all cultures. Descriptions of its appearance vary, but it is most often described as reptilian, red or green in color with a serpent's tail, huge claws, fiery breath and wings. The Western and Middle Eastern Dragons have been revered and vilified by different cultures and sometimes within the same culture at different points in history. In Christianity the dragon came to represent both sin and paganism. The Chinese Dragon (Lung) is still considered a symbol of good fortune, and was the national emblem of the Chinese Empire. There are four types of Chinese Dragon:
T'ien Lung (Celestial Dragon);
Fu Tsang Lung (Treasure Dragon);
Ti Lung, (Earth Dragon);
Shen Lung or Kung Lung (Rain Dragon).
DRAGON'S BLOOD: Mecuric Sulfide, a bright red toxic ore that emits a reddish smoke and oozes mercury as it burns. Also known as Cinnabar.
DRAKE: A young dragon.
DRAWING DOWN: The ritual to summon or invite a non-material force or entity of a higher order of being than oneself (usually an an aspect of the Goddess or the God). Examples include the ritual of Drawing Down the Moon and the Voudoun practice of the deity speaking through a priest or priestesses body. This practice is more commonly known as Invocation. Also known as Aspecting, Calling, Calling Down.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON: A ritual used during the Full Moon by Witches and other pagans to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity, usually the Goddess.
DREAMTIME, The: The collection of events beyond living memory which shaped the physical, spiritual and moral world and which still exist and sustain the present. Dreamtime is the basis of Australian Aboriginal spirituality and Dreamtime stories are the guidelines to understand the role and responsibilities of individuals. Also known as Alcheringa.
DRUÍ (Old Irish, druí, "magician"): Sometimes translated as "druid" and used as the singular form for druid(s), with druid being identified as plural. The word also means magician, wizard, seer and poet.
DRUID (origin disputed):
Persons who practice Druidism or Druidry.
An exalted caste of priests of the Celts. The rituals and teachings of the Druid were highly secret and passed on by oral tradition. Little is known about the Druid, who have been the subject of much research and speculation. Most of what is known comes from the writings of the Greeks and Romans, the opinions of the latter, as conquerors, must be viewed with skepticism. Some knowledge has been garnered from archaeological evidence obtained from graves, shrines, temples and from iconography. There were three castes of Druid:
Druidae (Latin) or Druídh (Irish): philosophers and theologians;
Vates or Mantis (Latin) or Filidh (Irish): diviners and seers;
Bardi (Latin) or Baird (Irish): poets.
DRUIDISM: The pathways based on the practices, rituals, and magick of the early Celtic priestly class known as the Druids. Many expressions of the tradition exist, and their differences have often been cause for dissension in the Pagan community. Also known as Druidry.
DRUID NEW MOON: The six days following the astrological new moon.
DRUIDRY: The pathways based on the practices, rituals, and magick of the early Celtic priestly class known as the Druids. Many expressions of the tradition exist, and their differences have often been cause for dissension in the Pagan community. Also known as Druidism.
DRUID SIGIL: An oak leaf wreath with two staves running through it, often used as a symbol for Druidism/Druidry.
DRYAD (Greek, drys: "oak, tree"]: A tree goddess, spirit or elemental, believed to be a part of the tree itself.
DUBJED: Tibetan term for divination by interpreting images in a reflective or transparent object such as a mirror, crystal globe or pool of water. Also known as Catoptromancy, Crystallomancy, Crystalomancy, Enoptromancy, Scrying.
DUGPA: Adherents of the Buddhist religion of Tibet who, previous to the reform by Tsong-kha-pa in the 14th century, followed sorcery and tantric practices. In Theosophy, dugpa is used as a synonym for those who follow a Left Hand Path, Shadow Path or Black Magick.
DUKKERIN, DUKKERING: Romany term for divination, the art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather information from the Collective unconscious on the nature of people. places, things, and events in the past, present and future.
DURANDAL: A magick sword possessed by Roland.
DYDD CALAN MAI: The May 1st Greater Sabbat that celebrates the beginning of the Light Half of the Year. Also known as Bealtaine, BealeTeine, Bealltuinn, Belltaine, Beltain, Beltaine, Beltane, Beltine, Bel-tine, Boaldyn, Cala' Me, Calan Mai, Calan Me, Cétshamain, Cyntefin, Feast of Bíle, Kala-Mae, Kala-Hañv, Lady Day, May Day, May Eve, Walpurgisnacht.
DYNDEB: The fourth stage in Abred (the Welsh circle of transmigration), intermediate between the third stage of Cydfil (the animal kingdom) and the first stage of Annwn (the elemental kingdoms).
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