Occult Dictionary

ACOLYTE
An initiate into the group.

AGRIPPA
A book of spells written in black or purple pages, and shaped like a man.

ALCHEMY
The attempt to turn base metals into gold or silver.

ALECTROMANCY
Possible answers to questions are placed in balls of dough and baked. One is chosen at random, and the answer contained therein will be presumed to be the correct answer. Modern "fortune cookies" come from this practice.

ALOMANCY
Divination, or the act of foreseeing the future through use of salt.

ALPHA
The main ritual room

ALRAUN
An image made of rowan (mountain ash) wood.

ALTAR
A raised place, structure, object, or elevation used for the practice of magic, worship, or the offering of sacrifice. A ritual table. The body of a female can be an altar.

ALTHAME
A ritual knife.

AMULET
An object worn as a magic charm to protect against harm, evil, or spells.

ANACHITIS
A stone used for summoning, enjoining, or "calling up" water spirits.

ANACITHIDUS
A stone used for "calling up" demons.

ANCIENT ONE
The officiating priestess at a Black Mass is sometimes known as "The Ancient One", regardless of her age.

ANKH
A symbol in the shape of a "T" or cross with a loop on top; the Egyptian sign of life.

ANTHROPOMANCY
An ancient form of human sacrifice.

ANTHROPOMANGY
The practice of eating human flesh, particularly by witches at Sabbat.

ANTI-JUSTICE
See DOUBLE BLADED AXE.

APANTOMANCY
Divination based on seemingly chance meetings with animals. For instance, Mexico City was founded on the spot where Aztec priests saw an eagle sitting on a cactus holding a live snake. Black cat superstitions may come from this practice.

APOTROPAION
A charm that protects against evil spirits or the Evil Eye.

APOTROPAISM
Defensive or protective magic.

ARCANA
A secret process or formula. In Tarot, 22 cards compromise the major arcane and 56 or 52 cards divided into 4 suits are the minor arcane.

ARCHETYPE
A symbolic idea that comes from the overall experience of mankind and is present in each person's subconscious. The concept was developed by Carl G. Jung and others.

ASTRAL PROJECTION
A person's spirit temporarily departs from his body and travels to other places.

ASTROLOGY
The belief that people are controlled by the position of the planets and of certain stars, or that events can be foretold by the observation of celestial bodies.

ATHAME
A knife with a black hilt used by witches.

AURA
An energy field that presumably surrounds all living things.

AUTOMATIC WRITING
Written messages produced by the spirit of a dead person through medium while in a trance.

BACULUM
A witches wand, staff, or broomstick.

BAHIR
A source book of the abala. Presents some of the basic teachings of Judaic mysticism.

BALEFIRE
Ritual coven fire.

BAPHOMET
An inverted pentagram inside a circle. This is a satanic symbol and represents the goat's head.

BELL
Rung to begin and end rituals.

BELTANE
A witches holiday on May eve.

BIND
To cast a spell on someone or something.

BLACK DRAGON
A popular grimoire attributed to Honorius, an occultist of the 15th century.

BLACK MAGIC
Negative, harmful, or destructive magic. Use of power or magic for evil purposes.

BLACK MASS
A ritual by which Satanists or witches blaspheme God and ridicule Christianity, usually by observing a perverted Catholic Mass.

BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
The mark of death.

BLOOD
The part of man which survives death. By drinking of blood one will acquire his divine quality. One will feel or acquire power by rubbing blood on one's body.

BOLLINE
An anthame (knife with black hilt), often with sickle shaped blade.

BOOK OF ENOCH
An extra-Biblical work, apparently written in the 2nd century

BC which forms the basis for much of the mythology associated with witchcraft.

BOOK OF MOSES
The standard magician's code of the Middle Ages. It contains a complicated ritual for the induction of neophytes.

BOOK OF THE DEAD
An Egyptian handbook for guiding the souls of the dead through the underworld.

BOOK OF TOTH, THOTH
A book containing the wisdom of the Egyptian Gods; possibly the origin for the Tarot.

BREEDER
Female who becomes pregnant with the knowledge that the fetus or child will be used for ceremonial or sacrificial purposes.

BRIGID
A witch festival held on February 2nd eve.

CABALA (KABBALAH)
Occultic material that apparently originated in Chaldea and Mesopotamia and was incorporated into ancient Jewish works and traditions; also refers to practices of magic derived from those works.

CANDLES
Black candles are used by Satanists to invoke their evil purposes. White candles are used in lust rituals. Usually no more than one white candle is used. Red candles are sometimes used for other desired purposes.

CANDLE MASS
A witch festival held on February 2nd eve.

CANTRIP
A spell cast by a witch.

CARTOMANCY
Divination or fortune telling by means of cards.

CELEBRANT
Presiding priest/Sacrifist.

CELEBRANTS
Junior mothers and fathers.

CHALICE
Magic cup.

CHAPTERS
Branches of church organization.

CHAM
Words used to invoke a spell. A physical item said to possess supernatural power.

CHURCH OF SATAN
Founded in 1966 by Anton La Vey in San Francisco, California.

CIRCLE
9 ft. diameter on floor. Magic done inside for protection and concentration.

CLAIRVOYANCE
The ability to see people or events distant in space or time.

CONJURATION
The act of summoning a demon.

COVEN
A group of Satanists or witches. Ideal number is 13. May range from 4 to 20 members, sometimes more.

COVENANTOR
Minister of lowest rank.

COVENDOM
The area within three miles of the coven's domain.

COVENSTEAD
Place where the coven meets.

CROSS OF CONFUSION
The cross of confusion is an ancient Roman symbol questioning the existence or validity of Christianity.

CROSS OF NERO (PEACE SYMBOL)
In the 60's, this symbol represented peace, but now, among the Heavy Metal and Occult groups, it signifies the "Cross of Nero". It shows an inverted cross with the cross members broken downward, representing the defeat of Christianity.

CULT
System of religious worship, or a great admiration for a person, thing, idea, etc.

CURSE
A spell or charm invoked against someone or something.

DEGREE
Ranking within the organization.

DEMON
An angel who rebelled against God.

DEMONCRACY
Worship of an evil nature.

DEVIL
Synonymous with demon; the devil refers to Satan.

DISCIPLE
Lay member.

DIVINATION
The attempt to gain information about people or events by super natural means.

DOUBLE BLADED AXE
The Roman symbol of justice was a double bladed axe in the upright position. The representation of "anti-justice" is inverting the double bladed axe.

DRUID
A member of a religious order of priests, prophets, poets, etc., among the ancient cults of Britain, Ireland, and France.

EARS
Signify wisdom and spiritual development.

ELEMENTAL
A familiar, spirit, or one of the four classes of demons.

ELEMENTS
The early Greeks considered Earth, Air, Fire, and Water to be the four elements.

ELF FIRE
Fire produced without the aid of metals, used to light a balefire.

ENOCH
According to Genesis, Enoch was a man who "walked with God" and was taken to heaven without suffering death. Occultists attribute various special powers to him.

ESBAT
Coven meetings; weekly or biweekly.

EVANGELIST
Represents Satan at rituals.

Evil Eye
A superstition which credits certain people with the ability to dispense bad luck with a gaze or stare. People hope to counteract the evil eye by wearing charms or amulets.

EXORCISM
The act of removing demonic control from someone who is demonized; in witchcraft, purifying something from alien influences.

EYES
The evil eye is feared.

FAMILIAR
A demonic spirit who serves a witch or medium, or an animal that it may inhabit.

FASCINATION
The act of charming or casting a spell on someone nearby by projection of power through the eye.

FETISH
An inanimate object presumably inhabited by a spirit.

FINCER
Holds spiritual powers. Index finger is known as "poison, witching, or cursing finger." Must not use this finger to touch a wound or it will never heal.

FIRE
Symbolizes Satan.

GHOST
According to occultists, the spirit of a dead person. Many Christians consider ghosts to be demons masquerading as the dead person.

GOATHEAD
Represents Satan. Satan is believed to walk upright as the front half of a goat.

GRAPHOLOGY
A psychic analysis of someone's handwriting.

GRIMOIRE
A book of spells that belongs to a witch or coven.

HAIR
Holds character. In witch hunt times it was believed that a sorcerer's magical potency was in his hair.

HALLOWEEN
A November eve witches holiday, considered to be the day of the year most suitable for magic or demonic activity.

HEAD
Central powerhouse of the body. Believed to be the seat of the soul and to contain potent magical powers.

HEART
Symbol of eternity and the seat of emotion and intellect. Hearts may be eaten in order to acquire characteristics of the victim. By controlling the heart of another, one can control the entire being.

HEXAGRAM
A six-point talismatic star.

HIGH PRIEST
Top leader or leaders of the male gender.

HIGH PRIESTESS
Top leader or leaders of the female gender.

HEAVY METAL MUSIC
Evolved from the hard rock bands of the 1960's and 1970's, as their music became louder, faster, and more aggressive. Main focus of heavy metal music is drugs, sex, defiance of authority, and a live for today attitude.

HORNED HAND
A hand signal formed by straightening the index and little finger from a closed fist. The horned hand is the sign of recognition between those who are in the occult. It is often used by young people who identify with some of the occult oriented heavy metal rock groups.

ICONS
Sacred ornate frames decorated with red cloth.

INCANTATION
A set of words spoken as a magic charm or to cast a magic spell.

INCUBI, INCUBUS
A demon in male form sent for sexual purposes.

INITIATE
New member.

INVERTED CROSS
The inverted cross is a blaspheme or mockery of the Christian cross.

INVERTED PENTAGRAM
Five pointed star with single point downward.

INVOCATION
Calling a power in general or calling a demon.

IPSISSMUS
Highest order held in Satanism. Rarely attainable during a lifetime.

I.P. messenger
Minister of lowest rank.

JUNG, CARL J.- (1875-1961)
Swiss psychiatrist and psychologist who stressed the effects of conscious and unconscious parts of the mind on human behavior.

KARMA
The idea that our station in life is the result of good or bad things done in previous lives.

KEY OF SOLOMON
Probably the most famous grimoire ever written; some legends hold that it was written by demons.

LADY
Female leader of the coven.

LAMMAS
August witch celebration.

LIGATURE
A spell which prevents someone from doing something.

LINKING
A mental identification with a person or spirit; usually part of a magic practice.

MAGIC
An attempt to influence or control people or events by supernatural means.

MAGIK
Science and art causing change to occur in conformity to the will of the practitioner. Used by Aleister Crowley and others to distinguish between what is often practiced by "weaklings seeking to escape reality" (magic) and Crowley's more systematic occult lifestyle and endeavors(Magik).

MAGISTER
Male leader of a coven.

MAGUS
A male witch.

MAIDEN
Title sometimes given to the "lady's" daughter.

MARE
A demon which sits on the chest and causes suffocation.

MARK OF THE BEAST
Represented by the numbers "666". Taken from Revelation 13:16-18.

MASS
Ceremony

MASTER
Top leader.

MENTOR
Senior brothers and sisters.

MINOR LUMINARY
Lieutenants to leaders.

MISSAL
Book with rituals and teachings.

NECROMANCY
Communication with the supposed spirits of the dead, usually with the use of bones or some parts of the corpse. Also the act of conjuring spirits of the dead to magically reveal the future or influence course of events.

NEOPHYTE
A novice or beginner in a religious order or group.

NESTS
Branches of groups.

NUDITY
Believed essential to raising forces through which magic works.

OCCULT
Phenomena or practices associated with the supernatural or paranormal. Things secret or hidden.

OFFICER
Third leader of the coven, after magister and lady.

O.P. MESSENGER
Student ministers.

OUIJA BOARD
A board with letters and numbers through which supposed spirits can communicate.

PACT
A vow of secrecy given by a witch who joins a coven.

PALMISTRY
The interpretation of lines and formations of the hand.

PENTACLE
A five-pointed star with one point up. Also used as a talisman.

PENTAGRAM
A five pointed star, with two points up represents Satan. Also refers to a talisman.

PHILOSOPHER'S STONE
A psychic substance used in alchemy.

POLTERGEISTS
Rattling Ghost," a ghost that tends to throw or break objects or generally cause mischief; presence of a person who has strong mediumistic tendencies.

POWER OBJECT/SIGN
An object with "witch power" placed in a subject or victim's vicinity to complete a spell.

PRECOGNITION
The psychic ability to see the future.

PROPHETS
Senior brothers and sisters.

PROVISIONAL MASTER
Lieutenant leaders.

PSYCHIC
Pertaining to phenomena which are supernatural, or perhaps actually demonic; or a person who has this power.

READINGS
Information or revelations obtained during a seance.

RESPONDERS
At rituals this person states natures of Lucifer and Christ.

RIGHT PATH
Path taken in white magic.

RITUAL
Tool to focus individual power of the group members on a common concern or object.

ROWAN WOOD
Wood from the mountain ash tree, largely used for making tool handles. Certain groups of people believe the Rowan Tree or Rowan Wood will drive away evil spirits.

RUNIC ALPHABET
Type of alphabet sometimes used by occult groups.

SABBAT, SABBATH
A quarterly or semi-quarterly meeting of witches for celebration or for observance of Black Mass.

SACRIFIEST
Presiding priest- represents Christ.

SALT
Used in rituals by Satanic groups. Often is used on the ground in the circle of worship.

SANCTUM
Main ritual room.

SATAN
"The Adversary"; Satan was the chief of the angels that rebelled against God. He and those who followed him were cast out of Heaven.

SATANIC BIBLE
A satanic work produced by Anton LaVey also known as the Black Pope.

SATANIC RITUAL BOOK
A satanic ritual work produced by Anton LaVey.

SATANISM
The religion devoted to the worship of the devil.

SATANISTS
Practitioners of satanic worship.

SEAL
A demon's summoning diagram or signature.

SEAL OF SOLOMON
A hexagram inside a circle. Is considered a most powerful symbol in the occult.

SÉANCE
A ritual by which a medium calls up the supposed spirits of the dead.

SERPENT
A serpent with horns is symbolic of the demons.

SERVERS
Ritual assistants.

SHADE
The spirit of a dead person.

SHAMAN
A witch or "medicine man".

SHRINE
Ritual table.

SIGIL
A "symbolic signature" inscribed on a talisman.

SKULL
Human or animal used in rites.

SOOTHSAYER
A fortune teller.

SORCERER
A magician, one who practices magic.

SORCERY
Magic, usually or the black variety.

SPELL
An incantation designed to bring about magic.

SPIRITISM
Worship or communication with the supposed spirits of the dead; the Bible seems to indicate that these spirits are demons in disguise.

SUPERIORS
Junior mothers and fathers.

ST. JOHN'S EVE
The midsummer witch celebration.

SUCCUBI, SUCCUBUS
A demon in female form sent for sexual purposes.

SWASTIKA
An ancient symbol or ornament consisting of a cross with arms of equal length, each arm having a continuation at right angles all turning the same way. The swastika was adopted as the symbol of the Nazis in Germany.

SYLPH
An elemental who lives in the air.

TALISMAN
A stone, ring, charm, etc. engraved with figures or characters supposed to have magic power. An amulet.

TAROT CARDS
Cards used as a means of foreseeing the future.

TELEKINESIS
The psychic ability to move objects without touching them.

TELEPATHY
Mind-to-mind communication.

THEBAN ALPHABET
An alphabet originating in Thebes, an ancient city in Greece. The Theban alphabet is often used by occult groups.

TRIANGLE
A triangular area drawn or inscribed on the ground or floor is the place where a demon would appear in conjuration rituals.

UNDINE
An elemental who lives in water.

UROBOROS
A serpent depicted as eating his own tail; this symbol being used to show the unity of the sacrificer and the One being sacrificed.

VARDERIE, VAULDERIE
The witches' Sabbat.

VENFICA
A witch who uses poisons and philters (potions).

VIRGIN PARCHMENT
Piece of skin from a young virgin female. The possessor of the virgin parchment writes a wish in blood on the parchment and then throws the parchment into a ceremonial fire thereby insuring that the wish is granted.

VOODOO
An Occultic religion, originating in the West Indies (Caribbean Area, that utilizes magic, spiritism, and fetishes.

WALPURGIS NIGHT
Beltane (the first day of May).

WARLOCK
Originally meaning "one who breaks faith", it is more often used by non-witches to refer to a male witch. Also used to refer to a male practitioner of Satanism or witchcraft.

WATCHER
A familiar acting as a guardian.

WATER
Symbolizes Christ.

WHITE MAGIC
Magic that is helpful or beneficial.

WICCA
The religion of Witches

WITCH
Practitioner of witchcraft.

WITCHCRAFT
The practice of sorcery or magic.

WITNESS
Student ministers.

WIZARD
"Wise one", a male witch.

WRAITH
A projected astral body or mobile form of witch power.

YIN-YANG
A symbol used by occult members. A circle with two parts which make up the whole. The symbol represents male-female, night-day, black-white, or good evil. All opposites make up the whole.

YULE
A midsummer witch festival.

ZOMBIE
A corpse that acts and moves as though it were alive; or a person completely controlled by a magician.