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Showing 250 pages using this property.

A

Ah‐hi +

'''Ahi '''(''Sk''.), or Serpents. Dhyân Chohans. “Wise Serpents” or Dragons of Wisdom. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Aja +

'''Aja '''(''Sk''.). “Unborn”, uncreated; an epithet belonging to many of the primordial gods, but especially to the first ''Logos''—a radiation of the Absolute on the plane of illusion. Performance, and it had its own appointed Hotri (priest) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Ama +

'''Amia''', (''Chald.''). Mother. A title of Sephira Binah, whose “divine name is Jehovah” and who is called “Supernal Mother”. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Anyamsam Aniyasam +

''A no‐ranîyânsam ''(in ''Bhagavad'' ''gîtâ''). Lit., “the most atomic of the atomic; smallest of the small ”. Applied to the universal deity, whose essence is everywhere [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Ad +

''Ad, ''“the Father”. In Aramean ''ad ''means one, and ''ad‐ad ''“the only one”. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Adept +

''Adeptus'', “He who has obtained.” In Occultism one who has reached the stage of Initiation, and become a Master in the science of Esoteric philosophy. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Anagamin +

''Anagam. ''One who is no longer to be reborn into the world of desire. One stage before becoming Arhat and ready for Nirvâna. The ''third ''of the four grades of holiness on the way to final Initiation [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhuts +

''Bhûta.'': Ghosts, phantoms. To call them “demons”, as do the Orientalists, is incorrect. For, if on the one hand, a Bhûta is “a malignant spirit which haunts cemeteries, lurks in trees, animates dead bodies, and deludes and devours human beings”, in popular fancy, in India in Tibet and China, by Bhûtas are also meant “heretics” who besmear their bodies with ashes, or Shaiva ascetics (Siva being held in India for the King of Bhûtas) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chichhakti +

''Chih‐Sakti''; the power which generates thought [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Chitanuth our +

''Chitons'', a priestly garb; the coats of skin given by ''Java Aleim ''to Adam and Eve after their fall [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Aparoksha +

''Direct perception.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Ilda Baoth +

''Lit''., “the child from the Egg”, a Gnostic term. He is the creator of our physical globe (the earth) according to the Gnostic teaching in the ''Codex Nazaræus ''(the Evangel of the Nazarenes and the Ebionites). The latter identifies him with Jehovah the God of the Jews. Ildabaoth is “the Son of Darkness” in a bad sense and the father of the six terrestrial “ Stellar”, dark spirits, the antithesis of the bright Stellar spirits. Their respective abodes are the seven spheres, the upper of which begins in the “middle space”, the region of their mother Sophia Achamôth, and the lower ending on this earth—the seventh region (See ''Isis Unveiled, ''Vol. II., 183.) Ilda‐Baoth is the genius of Saturn, the planet; or rather the evil spirit of its ruler [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Abba Amona +

''Lit.'', “Father‐Mother”; the occult names of the two higher Sephiroth, ''Chokmah ''and ''Binah'', of the upper triad, the apex of which is Sephira or Kether. From this triad issues the lower septenary of the Sephirothal Tree. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mahoraga +

''Mahâ uraga'', “great serpent”——Sesha or any others [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Neith +

''Neithes''. The Queen of Heaven; the moon‐ goddess in Egypt. She is variously called ''Nout'', ''Nepte, Nur''. (For symbolism, see “Nout”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chnouphis +

''Nouf ''in Egyptian. Another aspect of Ammon, and the personification of his generative power ''in actu'', as Kneph is of the same in ''potentia''. He is also ram‐ headed. If in his aspect as Kneph he is the Holy Spirit with the creative ideation brooding in him, as Chnouphis, he is the angel who “comes in” into the Virgin soil and flesh. A prayer on a papyrus, translated by the French Egyptologist Chabas, says; ‘ O Sepui, Cause of being, who hast formed thine own body! O only Lord, proceeding from Noum ! O divine substance, created from itself! O God, who hast made the substance which is in him! O God, who has made his own father and impregnated his own mother.” This shows the origin of the Christian doctrines of the Trinity and immaculate conception. He is seen on a monument seated near a potter’s wheel, and forming men out of clay. The fig‐leaf is sacred to him, which is alone sufficient to prove him a phallic god—an idea which is carried out by the inscription: “he who made that which is, the creator of beings, the first existing, he who made to exist all that exists.” Some see in him the incarnation of Ammon‐Ra, but he is the latter himself in his phallic aspect, for, like Ammon, he is “ his mother’s husband”, i.e., the male or impregnating side of Nature. His names vary, as Cnouphis, Noum, Khem, and Khnum or Chnoumis. As he represents the Demiurgos (or Logos) from the material, lower aspect of the Soul of the World, he is the Agathodæmon, symbolized sometimes by a Serpent ; and his wife Athor or Maut (Môt mother), or Sate, “the daughter of the Sun”, carrying an arrow on a sunbeam (the ray of conception), stretches “mistress over the lower portions of the atmosphere”. below the constellations, as Neїth expands over the starry heavens. (See “Chaos”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG).

Crescent +

''Sin ''was the Assyrian name for the moon, and ''Sin‐ai ''the Mount, the birth‐place of Osiris, of Dionysos, Bacchus and several other gods. According to Rawlinson, the moon was held in higher esteem than the sun at Babylon, ''because darkness preceded light. ''The crescent was, therefore, a sacred symbol with almost every nation, before it became the ‘standard of the Turks. Says the author of ''Egyptian Belief, ''“ The crescent is not essentially a Mahometan ensign. On the contrary, it was a Christian one, derived through Asia from the Babylonian Astarte, Queen of Heaven, or from the Egyptian Isis . . . . whose emblem was the crescent. The Greek Christian Empire of Constantinople held it as their palladium. Upon the conquest of the Turks, the Mahometan Sultan adopted it for the symbol of his power. Since that time the ''crescent ''has been made to oppose the idea of the cross.” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Ibn Gebirol +

''Solomon Ben Yehudah'': a great philosopher and scholar, a Jew by birth, who lived in the eleventh century in Spain. The same as Avicenna (''q.v''.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Davkina +

''The wife of Hea, “the goddess of the lower regions, the consort of the Deep”, the mother of Merodach, the Bel of later times, and mother to many river‐gods, Hea being the god of the lower regions, the “lord of the Sea or abyss”, and also the lord of Wisdom [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Madhava +

(1) A name of Vishnu or Krishna; (2) The month of April ; (3) A title of Lakshmi when written ''Madhavi.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nishada +

(1) One of the seven qualities of sound— the one and sole attribute of Akâsa; (2) the ''seventh ''note of the Hindu musical scale; (3) an outcast offspring of a Brahman and a Sudra mother; (4) a range of mountains south of Meru—north of the Himalayas [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Magic, Black +

(Vide ''Supra''.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nimitta +

1. An interior illumination developed by the practice of meditation. 2. The efficient spiritual cause, as contrasted with Upadana, the material cause, in Vedânta philosophy. See also ''Pradhâna ''in Sankhya philosophy [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Ayuta +

100 Kôti, or a sum equal to 1,000,000,000 [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lakh +

100,000 of units, either in specie or anything else [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chhandoga +

A ''Samhitâ ''collection of Sama Veda; also a priest, a chanter of the Sama Veda [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Maha Rajikas +

A ''gana ''or class of gods 236 in number. Certain ''Forces ''in esoteric teachings [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Brahmachari +

A Brahman ascetic; one vowed to celibacy, a monk, virtually, or a religious student [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mahavanso +

A Buddhist historical work written by Bhikshu Mohânâma, the uncle of King Dhatusma. An authority on the history of Buddhism and its spread in the island of Ceylon [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhadrasena +

A Buddhist king of Magadha [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Dammapadan +

A Buddhist work containing moral precepts [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Campanella Tomaso +

A Calabrese, born in 1568, who, from his childhood exhibited strange powers, and gave himself up during his whole life to the Occult Arts. The story which shows him initiated in his boyhood into the secrets of alchemy and thoroughly instructed in the secret science by a Rabbi‐Kabbalist in a ''fortnight ''by means of ''notavicon, ''is a cock and bull invention. Occult knowledge, even when a heirloom from the preceding birth, does not come back into a new personality within fifteen days. He became an opponent of the Aristotelian materialistic philosophy when at Naples and was obliged to fly for his life. Later, the Inquisition sought to try and condemn him for the practice of magic arts, but its efforts were defeated. During his lifetime he wrote an enormous quantity of magical, astrological and alchemical works, most of which are no longer extant. He is reported to have died in the convent of the Jacobins at Paris on May the 21st, 1639 [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Chiffilet +

A Canon‐Kabbalist of the XVIIth century, reputed to have learned a key to the Gnostic works from Coptic Initiates; he wrote a work on Abraxas in two portions, the esoteric portion of which was burnt by the Church [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Fahian +

A Chinese traveller and writer in the early centuries of Christianity, who wrote on Buddhism [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Fa‐Hwa‐King +

A Chinese work on Cosmogony [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Jacobites +

A Christian sect in Syria of the VIth cent. (550) which held that Christ had only one nature and that confession was not of divine origin. They had secret signs, passwords and a solemn initiation with mysteries [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Clemens Alexandrinus +

A Church Father and a voluminous writer, who had been a Neo‐Platonist and a disciple of Ammonius Saccas. He lived between the second and the third centuries of our era, at Alexandria [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lactantius +

A Church Father, who declared the heliocentric system a heretical doctrine, and that of the antipodes as a “fallacy invented by the devil” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Ichthus +

A Fish: the symbol of the Fish has been frequently referred to Jesus, the Christ of the New Testament, partly because the five letters forming the word are the initials of the Greek phrase, ''Iesous ''Christos ''Theou Uios Soter, ''Jesus Christ the Saviour, Son of God. Hence his followers in the early Christian centuries were often called ''fishes, ''and drawings of fish are found in the Catacombs. Compare also the narrative that some of his early disciples were fishermen, and the assertion of Jesus― “I will make you fishers of men”. Note also the Vesica Piscis, a conventional shape for fish in general, is frequently found enclosing a picture of a Christ, holy virgin, or saint; it is a long oval with pointed ends, the space marked out by the intersection of two equal circles, when less than half the area of one. Compare the Christian female recluse, a Nun—this word is the Chaldee name for fish, and fish is connected with the worship of Venus, a goddess, and the Roman Catholics still eat fish on the Dies Veneris or Friday. [w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Magnetism +

A Force in nature and in man. When it is the former, it is an agent which gives rise to the various phenomena of attraction, of polarity, etc. When the latter, it becomes “animal” magnetism, in contradistinction to cosmic, and terrestrial magnetism [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chastanier +

A French mason who established in London in 1767 a Lodge called “The Illuminated Theosophists” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Demrusch +

A Giant in the mythology of ancient Iran [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Ophites +

A Gnostic Fraternity in Egypt, and one of the earliest sects of Gnosticism, or ''Gnosis ''(Wisdom, Knowledge), known as the “Brotherhood of the Serpent”. It flourished early in the second century, and while holding some of the principles of Valentinus had its own occult rites and symbology. A living serpent, representing the Christos‐principle (i.e., the divine reincarnating Monad, not Jesus the man), was displayed in their mysteries and reverenced as a symbol of wisdom, Sophia, the type of the all‐good and all‐wise. The Gnostics were not a Christian sect, in the common acceptation of this term, as the ''Christos ''of pre‐Christian thought and the Gnosis was ''not ''the “god‐man” Christ, but the divine EGO, made one with Buddhi. Their Christos was the “Eternal Initiate”, the Pilgrim, typified by hundreds of Ophidian symbols for several thousands of years before the “ Christian” era, so‐ called. One can see it on the “Belzoni tomb” from Egypt, ''as a winged serpent with three heads ''(Atma‐Buddhi‐Manas), and ''four ''human legs, typifying its androgynous character; on the walls of the descent to the sepulchral chambers of Rameses V., it is found as a snake with vulture’s wings—the vulture and hawk being solar symbols. “The heavens are scribbled over with interminable snakes ‘ writes Herschel of the Egyptian chart of stars. “The ''Meissi ''(Messiah?) meaning the ''Sacred Word, ''was a good serpent”, writes Bonwick in his ''Egyptian Belief. ''“This serpent of goodness, with its head crowned, was mounted upon a cross and formed a sacred standard of Egypt.” The Jews ''borrowed ''it in their “brazen serpent of Moses”. It is to this “Healer” and “Saviour”, therefore, that the Ophites referred, and not to Jesus or his words, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so it behoves the Son of Man to be lifted up”— when explaining the meaning of their ''ophis. ''Tertullian, whether wittingly or unwittingly, mixed up the two. The four‐winged serpent is the god Chnuphis. The good serpent bore the cross of life around its neck, or suspended from its mouth. The winged serpents become the Seraphim (Seraph, ''Saraph) ''of the Jews. In the 87th chapter of the ''Ritual ''(the Book of the Dead) the human soul transformed into ''Bata'', the omniscient serpents says:—“ I am the serpent '''Ba‐ta, '''of long years, Soul of the Soul, laid out and born daily; I am the Soul that descends on the earth”, i.e., the Ego [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG).

B

Bythos +

A Gnostic term meaning “Depth” or the “great Deep”, Chaos. It is equivalent to space, before anything had formed itself in it from the primordial atoms that exist eternally in its spatial depths, according to the teachings of Occultism [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Iurbo Adunai +

A Gnostic term, or the compound name for Iao Jehovah, whom the Ophites regarded as an emanation of their Ilda‐Baoth, the Son of Sophia Achamoth—the proud, ambitious and jealous god, and impure Spirit, whom many of the Gnostic sects regarded as the god of Moses. “Iurbo is called by the Abortions (the Jews) Adunai” says the ''Codex Nazaræus ''(vol. iii., p.13 The “Abortions” and ''Abortives ''was the nickname given to the Jews by their opponents the Gnostics [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Burham‐i‐Kati +

A Hermetic Eastern work [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Busardier +

A Hermetic philosopher born in Bohemia who is credited with having made a genuine powder of projection. He left the bulk of his ''red ''powder to a friend named Richthausen, an adept and alchemist of Vienna. Some years after Busardier’s death, in 1637, Richthausen introduced himself to the Emperor Ferdinand III, who is known to have been ardently devoted to alchemy, and together they are said to have converted three pounds of mercury into the finest gold with one single grain of Busardier’s powder. In 1658 the Elector of Mayence also was permitted to test the powder, and the gold produced with it was declared by the Master of the Mint to be such, that he had never seen finer. Such are the claims vouchsafed by the city records and chronicles [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Macroprosopus +

A Kabalistic term, made of a compound Greek word: meaning the Vast or Great Countenance (See “Kabalistic Faces”); a title of Kether, the Crown, the highest Sephira. It is the name of the Universe, called ''Arikh‐Anpin'', the totality of that of which Microprosopus or ''Zauir‐Anpin ''“the lesser countenance”, is the part and antithesis. In its high or abstract metaphysical sense, Microprosopus is Adam Kadmon, the ''vehicle of Ain‐Suph'', and the crown of the Sephirothal Tree, though since Sephira and Adam Kadmon are in fact one under two aspects, it comes to the same thing. Interpretations are many, and they differ [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Falk +

A Kabbalistic Jew, reputed to have worked “miracles”. Kenneth Mackenzie quotes in regard to him from the German annalist Archenoiz’ work on England (1788) :—“ There exists in London an extraordinary man who for thirty years has been celebrated in Kabbalistic records. He is named Caїn Chenul Falk. A certain Count de Rautzow, lately dead in the service of France, with the rank of Field‐Marshal, certifies that he has seen this Falk in Brunswick, and that evocations of spirits took place in the presence of credible witnesses.” These “spirits” were Elementals, whom Falk brought into view by the conjurations used by every Kabbalist. His son, Johann Friedrich Falk, likewise a Jew, was also a Kabbalist of repute, and was once the head of a Kabbalistic college in London. His occupation was that of a jeweller and appraiser of diamonds, and he was a wealthy man. To this day the mystic writings and rare Kabbalistic works bequeathed by him to a trustee may be perused in a certain half‐public library in London, by every genuine student of Occultism. Falk’s own writings are all still in MS., and some in cypher [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Demon est Deus inversus +

A Kabbalistic axiom; lit., “the devil is god reversed”; which means that there is neither evil nor good, but that the forces which create the one create the other, according to the nature of the materials they find to work upon [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Geburah +

A Kabbalistic term ; the fifth Sephira, a female and passive potency, meaning severity and power; from it is named the Pillar of Severity. [ w. w w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Black Fire +

A Kabbalistic term for Absolute Light and Wisdom; “black” because it is incomprehensible to our finite intellects [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Beth Elohim +

A Kabbalistic treatise treating of the angels, souls of men, and demons. The name means “House of the Godsʺ [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hiranyakasipu +

A King of the Daityas, whom Vishnu—in his ''avatar ''of the “man.lion”—puts to death [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kanishka +

A King of the Tochari, who flourished when the third Buddhist Synod met in Kashmir, i.e., about the middle of the last century B.C., a great patron of Buddhism, he built the finest ''stûpas ''or dagobas in Northern India and Kabulistan [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nath +

A Lord: used of gods and men; a title added to the first name of men and things as ''Badrinath ''(lord of mountains), a famous place of pilgrimage; ''Gopinath ''(lord of the shepherdesses), used of Krishna [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Marabut +

A Mahometan pilgrim who has been to Mekka, a saint. After his death his body is placed in an open sepulchre built above ground, like other buildings, but in the middle of the streets and public places of populated cities. Placed inside the small and only room of the tomb (and several such public sarcophagi of brick and mortar may be seen to this day in the streets and squares of Cairo), the devotion of the way farers keeps a lamp ever burning at his head. The tombs of some of these marabuts are very famous for the miracles they are alleged to perform [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Cabletow +

A Masonic term for a certain object used in the Lodges. Its origin lies in the thread of the Brahman ascetics, a thread which is also used for magical purposes in Tibet [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Masben +

A Masonic term meaning “the Sun in putrefaction”. Has a direct reference—perhaps forgotten by the Masons—to their “Word at Low Breath” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Fakir +

A Mussulman ascetic in India, a Mahometan “Yogi”. The name is often applied, though erroneously. to Hindu ascetics; for strictly speaking only [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Dervish +

A Mussulman—Turkish or Persian—ascetic. A nomadic and wandering monk. Dervishes, however, sometimes live in communities. They are often called the “whirling charmers”. Apart from his austerities of life, prayer and contemplation, the Turkish, Egyptian, or Arabic devotee presents but little similarity with the Hindu fakir, who is also a Mussulman. The latter may become a saint and holy mendicant the former will never reach beyond his second class of occult manifestations. The dervish may also be a strong mesmerizer, but he will never voluntarily submit to the abominable and almost incredible self‐punishment which the fakir invents for himself with an ever‐increasing avidity, until nature succumbs and he dies in slow and excruciating tortures. The most dreadful operations, such as flaying the limbs alive; cutting off the toes, feet, and legs ; tearing out the eyes and causing one’s self to be buried alive up to the chin in the earth, and passing whole months in this posture, seem child’s play to them. The Dervish must not be confused with the Hindu ''sanyâsi or yogi. ''(See “Fakir”) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Athenagoras +

A Platonic philosopher of Athens, who wrote a Greek Apology for the Christians in A.D. 177, addressed to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, to prove that the accusations brought against them, namely that they were incestuous and ate murdered children, were untrue [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nous +

A Platonic term for the Higher Mind or Soul. It means Spirit as distinct from animal Soul—''psyche''; divine consciousness or mind in man: ''Nous ''was the designation given to the Supreme deity (third ''logos'') by Anaxagoras. Taken from Egypt where it was called ''Nout'', it was adopted by the Gnostics for their first conscious Æon which, with the Occultists, is the third ''logos'', cosmically, and the third “principle” (from above) or ''manas, ''in man. (See “Nout”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Okhema +

A Platonic term meaning “vehicle” or body [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Al‐Chazari +

A Prince‐Philosopher and Occultist. (See Book ''Al‐Chazari.'') [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Ansumat +

A Purânic personage, the “nephew of 60,000 uncles” King Sagara’s sons, who were reduced to ashes by a single glance from Kapila Rishi’s “Eye” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bona‐Oma +

A Roman goddess, the patroness of female Initiates and Occultists. Called also Fauna after her father Faunus. She was worshipped as a prophetic and chaste divinity, and her cult was confined solely to women, men not being allowed to even pronounce her name. She revealed her oracles only to women, and the ceremonies of her Sanctuary (a grotto in the Aventine) were conducted by the Vestals, every 1st of May. Her aversion to men was so great that no male person was permitted to approach the house of the consuls where her festival was sometimes held, and even the portraits and the busts of men were carried out for the time from the building. Clodius, who once profaned such a sacred festival by entering the house of Caesar where it was held, in a female disguise, brought grief upon himself. Flowers and foliage decorated her temple and women made libations from a vessel (mellarium) full of milk. It is not true that the mellarium contained wine, as asserted by some writers, who being men thus tried to revenge themselves [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Labro +

A Roman saint, solemnly beatified a few years ago. His great holiness consisted in sitting at one of the gates of Rome night and day for forty years, and remaining unwashed through the whole of that time. He was eaten by vermin to his bones [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Narjol +

A Saint; a glorified Adept [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Devapi +

A Sanskrit Sage of the race of Kuru, who, together with another Sage (Moru), is supposed to live throughout the four ages and until the coming of ''Maitreya Buddha, ''or ''Kalki ''(the last Avatar of Vishnu) ; who, like all the Saviours of the World in their last appearance, like Sosiosh of the Zoroastrians and the ''Rider ''of St. Johns ''Revelation, ''will appear seated on a ''White Horse''. The two, Devapi and Moru, are supposed to live in a Himalayan retreat called ''Kalapa ''or ''Katapa''. This is a Purânic allegory [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kiratarjuniya +

A Sanskrit epic, celebrating the strife and prowess of Arjuna with the god Siva disguised as a forester [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Ganinnanse +

A Singhalese priest who has not yet been ordained—from ''gana'', an assemblage or brotherhood. The higher ordained priests “are called ''terunnânse ''from the Pali ''théro'', an elder”(Hardy) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Martinists +

A Society in France, founded by a great mystic called the Marquis de St. Martin, a disciple of Martinez Pasqualis. It was first established at Lyons as a kind of occult Masonic Society, its members believing in the possibility of communicating with Planetary Spirits and minor Gods and genii of the ultramundane Spheres. Louis Claude de St. Martin, born in 1743, had commenced life as a brilliant officer in the army, but left it to devote himself to study and the ''belles lettres'', ending his career by becoming an ardent Theosophist and a disciple of Jacob Boehmen. He tried to bring back Masonry to its primeval character of Occultism and Theurgy, but failed. He first made his “Rectified Rite” to consist of ten degrees, but these were brought down owing to the study of the original Masonic orders—to seven. Masons complain that he introduced certain ideas and adopted rites “at variance with the archæological history of Masonry”; but so did Cagliostro and St Germain before him, as all those who knew well the origin of Free masonry [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Jadoogar +

A Sorcerer, or Wizard [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bardesanes +

A Syrian Gnostic, erroneously regarded as a Christian theologian, born at Edessa (''Edessene Chronicle'') in 155 of our era (Assemani ''Bibl.. Orient. ''i. 389). He was a great astrologer following the Eastern Occult System. According to Porphyry (who calls him the Babylonian, probably on account of his ''Chaldeeism ''or astrology), “Bardesanes . . . . held intercourse with the Indians that had been sent to the Cæsar with Damadamis at their head” (''De Abst. ''iv. 17), and had his information from the Indian gymnosophists. The fact is that most of his teachings, however much they may have been altered by his numerous Gnostic followers, can be traced to Indian philosophy, and still more to the Occult teachings of the Secret System. Thus in his Hymns he speaks of the creative Deity as “Father‐ Mother”, and elsewhere of “Astral Destiny” (Karma) of “Minds of Fire” (the ''Agni‐Devas'') &c. He connected the Soul (the personal Manas) with the Seven Stars, ''deriving its origin ''from the Higher Beings (the divine Ego); and therefore “admitted spiritual resurrection but denied the resurrection of the body”, as charged with by the Church Fathers. Ephraim shows him preaching the signs of the Zodiac, the importance of the birth‐hours and “proclaiming the seven”. Calling the Sun the “Father of Life” and the Moon the “Mother of Life”, he shows the latter “laying aside her garment of light (principles) for the renewal of the Earth”. Photius cannot understand how, while accepting “the Soul free from the power of genesis (destiny of birth)” and possessing free will, he still placed the body under the rule of birth (genesis). For “they (the Bardesanists) say, that wealth and poverty and sickness and health and death and all things not within our control are works of destiny” (''Bibl. Cod. ''223, p.221— f). This is Karma, most evidently, which does not preclude at all free‐will. Hippolytus makes him a representative of the Eastern School. Speaking of Baptism, Bardesanes is made to say (''loc. cit''. pp. 985‐ff “It is not however the Bath alone which makes us free, but the Knowledge of who we are, what we are become, where we were before, whither we are hastening, whence we are redeemed; what is generation (birth), what is re‐ generation (re.birth)”. This points plainly to the doctrine of re‐incarnation. His conversation (''Dialogue'') with Awida and Barjamina on Destiny and Free Will shows it. “What is called Destiny, is an order of outflow given to the Rulers (Gods) and the Elements, according to which order the Intelligences (Spirit‐Egos) are changed by their descent into the Soul, and the Soul by its descent into the body”. (See Treatise, found in its Syriac original, and published with English translation in 1855 by Dr. Cureton, ''Spicileg. Syriac''. in British Museum.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG).

Bagavadam +

A Tamil Scripture on Astronomy and other matters [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Manomaya Kosha +

A Vedantic term, meaning the ''Sheath ''(''Kosha'') of the ''Manomaya'', an equivalent for fourth and fifth “principles” in man. In esoteric philosophy this “Kosha” corresponds to the dual ''Manas.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Annamaya Kosha +

A Vedantic term. The same as ''Sthûla Sharîra ''or the physical body. It is the first “sheath” of the ''five ''sheaths accepted by the Vedantins, a sheath being the same as that which is called “principle” in Theosophy [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kasyapa +

A Vedic Sage; in the words of ''Atharva Veda'', “The self‐born who sprang from Time”. Besides being the father of the Adityas headed by Indra, Kasyapa is also the progenitor of serpents, reptiles, birds and other walking, flying and creeping beings [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Dayus +

A Vedic term. The unrevealed Deity, or that which reveals Itself only as light and the bright day—metaphorically [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Adwaita +

A Vedânta sect. The non‐dualistic (A‐ dwaita) school of Vedântic philosophy founded by Sankarâchârya, the greatest of the historical Brahmin sages. The two other schools are the Dwaita (dualistic) and the Visishtadwaita; all the three call themselves Vedântic. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hebrew Leader⁩⁩, The +

A Weekly Journal in English published in New York in the 19th Century, "devoted to Jewish & General Lierature, Masonic and other Fraternities, Art, Politics, Commerce, News, all topics of current interest". +

Hiram Abiff +

A biblical personage; a skilful builder and a “Widow’s Son”, whom King Solomon procured from Tyre, for the purpose of super‐intending the works of the Temple, and who became later a masonic character, the hero on whom hangs all the drama, or rather play, of the Masonic Third Initiation. The Kabbala makes a great deal of Hiram Abiff [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bifrost +

A bridge built by the gods to protect Asgard. On it “the third Sword‐god, known as Heimdal or Riger”, stands night and day girded with his sword, for he is the watchman selected to protect Asgard, the abode of gods. Heimdal is the Scandinavian Cherubim with the flaming sword, “which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Gandapada +

A celebrated Brahman teacher, the author of the Commentaries on the ''Sankhya Karika, Mandukya Upanishad'', and other works [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Asoka +

A celebrated Indian king of the Môrya dynasty which reigned at Magadha. There were two Asokas in reality, according to the chronicles of Northern Buddhism, though the first Asoka—the grand father of the second, named by Prof. Max Muller the “Constantine of India”, was better known by his name of Chandragupta. It is the former who was called, ''Piadasi ''(Pali) “the beautiful”, and ''Devânam‐piya ''“the beloved of the gods”, and also ''Kâlâsoka; ''while the name of his grandson was ''Dharmâsôká''—the Asoka of the good law‐— on account of his devotion to Buddhism. Moreover, according to the same source, the second Asoka had never followed the Brahmanical faith, but was a Buddhist born. It was his grandsire who had been first converted to the new faith, after which he had a number of edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks, a custom followed also by his grandson. But it was the second Asoka who was the most zealous supporter of Buddhism; he, who maintained in his palace from 60 to 70,000 monks and priests, who erected 84,000 ''totes ''and ''stupas ''throughout India, reigned 36 years, and sent missions to Ceylon, and throughout the world. The inscriptions of various edicts published by him display most noble ethical sentiments, especially the edict at Allahahad, on the so‐called “Asoka’s column ”, in the Fort. The sentiments are lofty and poetical, breathing tenderness for animals as well as men, and a lofty view of a king’s mission with regard to his people, that might be followed with great success in the present age of cruel wars and barbarous vivisection [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lalita Vistara +

A celebrated biography of Sakya Muni, the Lord Buddha, by Dharmarakcha, A.D. 308 [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Noom +

A celestial sculptor, in the Egyptian legends, who creates a beautiful girl whom he sends like another Pandora to ''Batoo ''(or “man”), whose happiness is thereafter destroyed. The “sculptor” or artist is the same as Jehovah, the architect of the world, and the girl is “Eve” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhao +

A ceremony of divination among the Kolarian tribes of Central India [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Luxor, Brotherhood of +

A certain Brotherhood of mystics. Its name had far better never have been divulged, as it led a great number of well‐meaning people into being deceived, and relieved of their money by a certain bogus Mystic Society speculators, born in Europe, only to be exposed and fly to America. The name is derived from the ancient ''Lookshur ''in Beloochistan, lying between Bela and Kedjee. The order is very ancient and the most secret of all. It is useless to repeat that its members disclaim all connection with the “H.B. of L.”, and the ''tutti quanti ''of commercial mystics, whether from Glasgow or Boston [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Ganadevas +

A certain class of celestial Beings who are said to inhabit ''Maharloka. ''They are the rulers of our Kalpa (Cycle) and therefore termed Kalpâdhikârins, or Lord of the Kalpas. They last only “One Day” of Brahmâ [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Asakrit Samadhi +

A certain degree of ecstatic contemplation. A stage in ''Samâdhi.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mercavah +

A chariot: the Kabalists say that the Supreme after he had established the Ten Sephiroth used them as a chariot or throne of glory on which to descend upon the souls of men [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Ogir +

A chief of the giants in the ''Edda ''and the ally of the gods. The highest of the Water‐gods, and the same as the Greek Okeanos [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mandala +

A circle; also the ten divisions of the Vedas [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Assur +

A city in Assyria ; the ancient seat of a library from which George Smith excavated the earliest known tablets, to which he assigns a date about 1500 B.C., called ''Assur Kileh Shergat.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bubaste +

A city in Egypt which was sacred to the cats, and where was their principal shrine. Many hundreds of thousands of cats were embalmed and buried in the grottoes of Beni‐Hassan‐el Amar. The cat being a symbol of the moon was sacred to Isis, her goddess. It sees in the dark and its eyes have a phosphorescent lustre which frightens the night‐birds of evil omen. The cat was also sacred to Bast, and thence called “the destroyer of the Sun’s (Osiris’) enemies” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Agnishwattas +

A class of Pitris, the creators of the first ethereal race of men. Our solar ancestors as contrasted with the ''Barhishads, ''the “lunar” Pitris or ancestors, though otherwise explained in the ''Purânas.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Atri +

A class of Pitris, the “ancestors of man”, or the so‐called Prâjapâti, “progenitors”; one of the seven Rishis who form the constellation of the Great Bear [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Melhas +

A class of fire‐gods or Salamanders [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Abhutarajasas +

A class of gods or ''Devas'', during the period of the fifth Manvantara. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kanishthas +

A class of gods which will manifest in the fourteenth or last manvantara of our world— according to the Hindus [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Barhishad +

A class of the “lunar” Pitris or “Ancestors”, Fathers, who are believed in popular superstition to have kept up in their past incarnations the household sacred flame and made fire‐offerings. Esoterically the Pitris who evolved their shadows or ''chhayas ''to make there‐with the first man. (See ''Secret Doctrine, ''Vol. II.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

College of Rabbis +

A college at Babylon; most famous during the early centuries of Christianity. Its glory, however, was greatly darkened by the appearance in Alexandria of Hellenic teachers, such as Philo Judæus, Josephus, Aristobulus and others. The former avenged themselves on their successful rivals by speaking of the Alexandrians as theurgists and unclean prophets. But the Alexandrian believers in thaumaturgy were not regarded as sinners or impostors when orthodox Jews were at the head of such schools of ''“hazim”''. These were colleges for teaching prophecy and occult sciences. Samuel was the chief of such a college at Ramah; Elisha at Jericho. Hillel had a regular academy for prophets and seers; and it is Hillel, a pupil of the Babylonian College, who was the founder of the Sect of the Pharisees and the great orthodox Rabbis [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhashya +

A commentary [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kalluka Bhatta +

A commentator of the Hindu ''Manu Smriti ''Scriptures; a well‐known writer and historian [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Aditi‐Gaea +

A compound term, Sanskrit and Latin, meaning dual, nature in theosophical writings—spiritual and physical, as Gæa is the goddess of the earth and of objective nature. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Luxor +

A compound word from ''lux ''(light) and ''aur'' (fire), thus meaning the “Light of (divine) Fire.” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhutan +

A country of heretical Buddhists and Lamaists beyond Sikkhim, where rules the Dharma Raja, a nominal vassal of the Dalaї Lama [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Honir +

A creative god who furnished the first man with intellect and understanding after man had been created by him jointly with Odin and Lodur from an ash tree [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Diktamnon +

A curious plant possessing very occult and mystical properties and well‐ known from ancient times. It was sacred to the Moon‐ Goddesses. Luna, Astarte, Diana. The Cretan name of Diana was ''Diktynna'', and as such the goddess wore a wreath made of this magic plant. The ''Dihtamnon ''is an evergreen shrub whose contact, as claimed in Occultism, develops and at the same time cures somnambulism. Mixed with Verbena it will produce clairvoyance and ecstasy. Pharmacy attributes to the ''Dihtamnon ''strongly sedative and quieting properties. It grows in abundance on Mount Dicte, in Crete, and enters into many ''magical ''performances resorted to by the ''Cretans ''even to this day [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Naros +

A cycle, which the Orientalists describe as consisting of 600 years. But what years? There were three kinds of Neros : the greater, the middle and the less. It is the latter cycle only which was of 600 years. (See “Neros”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Harshana +

A deity presiding over offerings to the dead, or ''Srâddha'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Anaitia +

A derivation from Anâ ''(q.v.)'', a goddess identical with the Hindu ''Annapurna, ''one of the names of Kâlî—the female aspect of Siva—at her best [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chavigny +

A disciple of the world‐famous Nostradamus, an astrologer and an alchemist of the sixteenth century. He died in the year 1604. His life was a very quiet one and he was almost unknown to his contemporaries; but he left a precious manuscript on the pre‐natal and post‐natal influence of the stars on certain marked individuals, a secret revealed to him by Nostradamus. This treatise was last in the possession of the Emperor Alexander of Russia [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Chela +

A disciple, the pupil of a Guru or Sage, the follower of some adept of a school of philosophy ''(lit.'', child) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lanoo +

A disciple, the same as “chela” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Gematria +

A division of the practical Kabbalah. It shows the numerical value of Hebrew words by summing up the values of the letters composing them and further, it shows by this means, analogies between words and phrases. [w.w.w.] One of the methods (arithmetical) for extracting the hidden meaning from letters, words and sentences [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Notaricon +

A division of the practical Kabbalah; treats of the formation of words from the initials or finals of the words in every sentence; or conversely it forms a sentence of words whose initials or finals are those of some word [w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hakim +

A doctor, in all the Eastern countries, from Asia Minor to India [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Cagliostro +

A famous Adept, whose real name is claimed (by his enemies) to have been Joseph Balsamo. He was a native of Palermo, and studied under some mysterious foreigner of whom little has been ascertained. His accepted history is too well known to need repetition, and his real history has never been told. His fate was that of every human being who proves that he knows more than do his fellow‐ creatures; he was “stoned to death” by persecutions, lies, and infamous accusations, and yet he was the friend and adviser of the highest and mightiest of every land he visited. He was finally tried and sentenced in Rome as a heretic, and was said to have died during his confinement in a State prison. (See “ Mesmer”.) Yet his end was not utterly undeserved, as he had been untrue to his vows in some respects, had fallen from his state of chastity and yielded to ambition and selfishness [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Anaxagoras +

A famous Ionian philosopher who lived 500 B.C., studied philosophy under Anaximenes of Miletus, and settled in the days of Pericles at Athens. Socrates, Euripides, Archelaus and other distinguished men and philosophers were among his disciples and pupils. He was a most learned astronomer and was one of the first to explain openly that which was taught by Pythagoras secretly, namely, the movements of the planets, the eclipses of the sun and moon, etc. It was he who taught the theory of Chaos, on the principle that “nothing comes from nothing”; and of atoms, as the underlying essence and substance of all bodies, “of the same nature as the bodies which they formed”. These atoms, he taught, were primarily put in motion by Nous (Universal Intelligence, the Mahat of the Hindus), which Nous is an immaterial, eternal, spiritual entity; by this combination the world was formed, the material gross bodies sinking down, and the ethereal atoms (or fiery ether) rising and spreading in the upper celestial regions. Antedating modern science by over 2000 years, he taught that the stars were of the same material as our earth, and the sun a glowing mass; that the moon was a dark, uninhabitable body, receiving its light from the sun; the comets, wandering stars or bodies ; and over and above the said science, he confessed himself thoroughly convinced that the real existence of things, perceived by our senses, could not be demonstrably proved. He died in exile at Lampsacus at the age of seventy‐two [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Khunrath, Henry +

A famous Kabalist, chemist and physician born in 1502, initiated into Theosophy (Rosicrucian) in 1544. He left some excellent Kabalistic works, the best of which is the “Amphitheatre of Eternal Wisdom” (1598) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Coeur, Jacques +

A famous Treasurer of France, born in 1408, who obtained the office by black magic. He was reputed as a great alchemist and his wealth became fabulous; but he was soon banished from the country, and retiring to the Island of Cyprus, died there in 1460, leaving behind enormous wealth, endless legends and a bad reputation [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Heabani +

A famous astrologer at the Court of Izdubar, frequently mentioned in the fragments of the Assyrian tablets in reference to a dream of Izdubar, the great Babylonian King, or Nimrod, the “mighty hunter before the Lord ”. After his death, his soul being unable to rest underground, the ghost of Heabani was raised by Merodach, the god, his body restored to life and then transferred alive, like Elijah, to the regions of the Blessed [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

Ecbatana +

A famous city in Media worthy of a place among the seven wonders of the world. It is thus described by Draper in his ''Conflict between Religion and Science'', chap. i, . . “ The cool summer retreat of the Persian Kings, was defended by seven encircling walls of hewn and polished blocks, the interior ones in succession of increasing height, and of different colours, in astrological accordance with the seven planets. The palace was roofed with silver tiles; its beams were plated with gold. At midnight in its halls, the sun was rivalled by many a row of naphta cressets. A paradise, that luxury of the monarchs of the East, was planted in the midst of the city. The Persian Empire was truly the garden of the world.” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Briareus +

A famous giant in the Theogony of Hesiod. The son of Cœlus and Terra, a monster with 50 heads and 100 arms. He is conspicuous in the wars and battles between the gods [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hippocrates +

A famous physician of Cos, one of the Cyclades, who flourished at Athens during the invasion of Artaxerxes, and delivered that town from a dreadful pestilence. He was called “the father of Medicine “. Having studied his art from the votive tablets offered by the cured patients at the temples of Æsculapius, he became an Initiate and the most proficient healer of his day, so much so that he was almost deified. His learning and knowledge were enormous. Galen says of his writings that they are truly the voice of an oracle. He died in his 100th year, 361 B.c. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Atalanta Fugiens +

A famous treatise by the eminent Rosicrucian Michael Maier; it has many beautiful engravings of Alchemic symbolism: here is to be found the original of the picture of a man and woman within a circle, a triangle around it, then a square: the inscription is, “From the first '''''ens '''''proceed two contraries, thence come the three principles, and from them the four elementary states ; if you separate the pure from the impure you will have the stone of the Philosophers”. [ w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Caesar +

A far‐famed astrologer and “professor of magic,” i.e., an Occultist, during the reign of Henry IV of France. “He was reputed to have been strangled by the devil in 1611,” as Brother Kenneth Mackenzie tells us [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Fire +

A figure of speech to denote deity, the “One” life. A theurgic term, used later by the Rosicrucians. The symbol of the ''living fire ''is the sun, ''certain of whose rays develope the fire of life in a diseased body,'' ''impart the knowledge of the future ''to the sluggish mind, and stimulate to active function a certain psychic and generally dormant faculty in man. The meaning is very occult [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kravyad +

A flesh‐eater; a carnivorous man or animal [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Arian +

A follower of Arius, a presbyter of the Church in Alexandria in the fourth century. One who holds that Christ is a created and human being, inferior to God the Father, though a grand and noble man, a true adept versed in all the divine mysteries [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Adwaitin +

A follower of the said school. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Daksha +

A form of Brahmâ and his son in the Purânas But the ''Rig Veda ''states that “Daksha sprang from Aditi, and Aditi from Daksha”, which proves him to be a personified correlating Creative Force acting on ''all the planes. ''The Orientalists seem very much perplexed what to make of him; but Roth is nearer the truth than any, when saying that Daksha is the spiritual power, and at the same time the male energy that generates the gods in eternity, which is represented by Aditi. The Purânas as a matter of course, anthropomorphize the idea, and show Daksha instituting “sexual intercourse on this earth”, after trying every other means of procreation. The generative Force, spiritual at the commencement, becomes of course at the most material end of its evolution a procreative Force on the physical plane ; and so far the Purânic allegory is correct, as the Secret Science teaches that our present mode of procreation began towards the end of the third Root‐Race [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Anouki +

A form of Isis; the goddess of life, from which name the Hebrew ''Ank'', life. (See “Anuki.”) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Murti +

A form, or a sign, or again a face, e.g., “Trimûrti”, the “three Faces” or Images [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Artufas +

A generic name in South America and the islands for temples of ''nagalism ''or serpent worship [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

Empusa +

A ghoul, a vampire, an evil demon taking various forms [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Muspel +

A giant in the ''Edda'', the Fire‐god, and the father of the Flames. It was these evil sons of the good Muspel Who after threatening evil in Glowheim (Muspelheim) finally gathered into a formidable army, and fought the “Last Battle” on the field of Wigred. Muspel is rendered as “World (or Mundane) Fire”. The conception Dark Surtur (black smoke) out of which flash tongues of flame, connects Muspel with the Hindu Agni [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Farbauti +

A giant in the ''Edda''; lit., “the oarsman”; the father of Loki, whose mother was the giantess Laufey (leafy isle); a genealogy which makes W. S. W. Anson remark in ''Asgard and the Gods ''that probably the oarsman or Farbauti “was the giant who saved himself from the flood in a boat, and the latter (Laufey) the island to which he rowed”—which is an additional variation of the Deluge [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Garuda +

A gigantic bird in the ''Ramâyana'', the steed of Vishnu. Esoterically—the symbol of the great Cycle [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Deva +

A god, a “resplendent” deity. Deva‐Deus, from the root ''div ''“to shine”. A Deva is a celestial being— whether good, bad, or indifferent. Devas inhabit “the three worlds”, which are the ''three planes ''above us. There are 33 groups or 330 millions of them [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nirriti +

A goddess of Death and Decay [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hillel +

A great Babylonian Rabbi of the century preceding the Christian era. He was the founder of the sect of the Pharisees, a learned and a sainted man [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chhanmuka +

A great Bodhisattva with the Northern Buddhists, famous for his ardent love of Humanity; regarded in the esoteric schools as a ''Nirmanakâya.'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Chuang +

A great Chinese philosopher [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hiouen Thsang +

A great Chinese writer and philosopher who travelled in India in the sixth century, in order to learn more about Buddhism, to which he was devoted [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Artephius +

A great Hermetic philosopher, whose true name was never known and whose works are without dates, though it is known that he wrote his ''Secret Book ''in the XIIth century. Legend has it that he was one thousand years old at that time. There is a book on dreams by him in the possession of an Alchemist, now in Bagdad, in which he gives out the secret of seeing the past, the present, and the future, in sleep, and of remembering the things seen. There are but two copies of this manuscript extant. The book on ''Dreams ''by the Jew Solomon Almulus, published in Hebrew at Amsterdam in 1642, has a few reminiscences from the former work of Artephius [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Iamblichus +

A great Theurgist, mystic, and writer of the third and fourth centuries, a Neo‐Platonist and philosopher, born at Chalcis in Cœle‐Syria. Correct biographies of him have never existed because of the hatred of the Christians; but that which has been gathered of his life in isolated fragments from works by impartial pagan and independent writers shows how excellent and holy was his moral character, and how great his learning. He may be called the founder of theurgic magic among the Neo‐Platonists and the reviver of the practical mysteries outside of temple or fane. His school was at first distinct from that of Plotinus and Porphyry, who were strongly against ceremonial magic and practical theurgy as dangerous, though later he convinced Porphyry of its. advisability on some occasions, and both master and pupil firmly believed in theurgy and magic, of which the former is principally the highest and most efficient mode of communication with one’s Higher Ego, through the medium of one’s astral body. Theurgic is benevolent magic, and it becomes goetic, or dark and evil, only when it is used for necromancy or selfish purposes; but such dark magic has never been practised by any theurgist or philosopher, whose name has descended to us unspotted by any evil deed. So much was Porphyry (who became the teacher of Iamblichus in Neo‐Platonic philosophy) convinced of this, that though he himself never practised theurgy, yet he gave instructions for the acquirement of this sacred science. Thus he says in one of his writings, “Whosoever is acquainted with the nature of ''divinely luminous appearances '''''''fasmata '''''( knows also on what account it is requisite to abstain from all birds (and animal food) and especially for him who hastens to be liberated from terrestrial concerns and to be established with the celestial gods”. (''See Select Works ''by T. Taylor, p. 159.) Moreover, the same Porphyry mentions in his Life of Plotinus a priest of Egypt, who, “at the request of a certain friend of Plotinus, exhibited to him, in the temple of Isis at Rome, the familiar ''daimon ''of that philosopher “. In other words, he produced the theurgic invocation (see “Theurgist”) by which Egyptian Hierophant or Indian Mahâtma, of old, could clothe their own or any other person’s astral ''double ''with the appearance of its Higher EGO, or what Bulwer Lytton terms the “ Luminous Self”, the ''Augoeides, ''and confabulate with It. This it is which Iamblichus and many others, including the mediæval Rosicrucans, meant by ''union with Deity''. Iamblichus wrote many books but only a few of his works are extant, such as his “Egyptian Mysteries” and a treatise “On Dæmons”, in which he speaks very severely against any intercourse with them. He was a biographer of Pythagoras and deeply versed in the system of the latter, and was also learned in the Chaldean Mysteries. He taught that the One, or universal MONAD, was the principle of all unity as well as diversity, or of Homogeneity and Heterogeneity; that the Duad, or two (“ Principles”), was the intellect, or that which we call Buddhi‐Manas; three, was the Soul (the lower Manas), etc. etc. There is much of the theosophical in his teachings, and his works on the various kinds of dæmons (Elementals) are a well of esoteric knowledge for the student. His austerities, purity of life and earnestness were great. Iamblichus is credited with having been once levitated ten cubits high from the ground, as are some of the modern Yogis, and even great mediums [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG).

C

Charnook Thomas +

A great alchemist of the sixteenth century; a surgeon who lived and practiced near Salisbury, studying the art in some neighbouring cloisters with a priest. It is said that he was initiated into the final secret of transmutation by the famous mystic William Bird, who “had been a prior of Bath and defrayed the expense of repairing the Abbey Church from the gold which he made by the red and white elixirs” (''Royal Mas. Cyc.''). Charnock wrote his ''Breviary of Philosophy ''in the year 1557 and the ''Enigma of Alchemy'', in 1574 [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Ammonius Saccas +

A great and good philosopher who lived in Alexandria between the second and third centuries of our era, and who was the founder of the Neo‐ Platonic School of Philaletheians or “lovers of truth”. He was of poor birth and born of Christian parents, but endowed with such prominent, almost divine, goodness as to he called ''Theodidaktos, ''the “god‐taught”. He honoured that which was good in Christianity, but broke with it and the churches very early, being unable to find in it any superiority over the older religions [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Karam +

A great festival in honour of the Sun‐Spirit with the Kolarian tribes [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Boehme +

A great mystic philosopher, one of the most prominent Theosophists of the mediæval ages. He was born about 1575 at Old Seidenburg, some two miles from Görlitz (Silesia), and died in 1624, at nearly fifty years of age. In his boyhood he was a common shepherd, and, after learning to read and write in a village school, became an apprentice to a poor shoemaker at Görlitz. He was a natural clairvoyant of most wonderful powers. With no education or acquaintance with science he wrote works which are now proved to be full of scientific truths; but then, as he says himself, what he wrote upon, he “saw it as in a great Deep in the Eternal”. He had “a thorough view of the universe, as in a chaos”, which yet “opened itself in him, from time to time, as in a young plant”. He was a thorough born Mystic, and evidently of a constitution which is most rare one of those fine natures whose material envelope impedes in no way the direct, even if only occasional, intercommunion between the intellectual and the spiritual Ego. It is this Ego which Jacob Boehme, like so many other untrained mystics, mistook for God; “Man must acknowledge,” he writes, “that his knowledge is not his own, but from God, who manifests the Ideas of Wisdom to the Soul of Man, in what measure he pleases.” Had this great Theosophist mastered Eastern Occultism he might have expressed it otherwise. He would have known then that the “god” who spoke through his poor uncultured and untrained brain, was his own divine Ego, the omniscient Deity within himself, and that what that Deity gave out was not in “what measure pleased,” but in the measure of the capacities of the mortal and temporary dwelling IT informed [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Jaimini +

A great sage, a disciple of Vyâsa the transmitter and teacher of the Sama Veda which as claimed he received from his Guru. He is also the famous founder and writer of the Pûrva Mimânsâ philosophy [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kapila Rishi +

A great sage, a great adept of antiquity; the author of the Sankhya philosophy [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lao‐tze +

A great sage, saint and philosopher who preceded Confucius [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Dravidians +

A group of tribes inhabiting Southern India; the aborigines [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

Essenes +

A hellenized word, from the Hebrew ''Asa, ''a “healer”. A mysterious sect of Jews said by Pliny to have lived near the Dead Sea '''''per millia sæculorum'''''—for thousands of ages. “ Some have supposed them to be extreme Pharisees, and others—which may be the true theory—the descendants of the ''Benim‐nabim ''of the ''Bible, ''and think that they were ‘Kenites and ''Nazarites''. They had many Buddhistic ideas and practices; and it is noteworthy that the priests of the ''Great Mother ''at Ephesus, Diana‐ Bhavani with many breasts, were also so denominated. Eusebius, and after him De Quincey, declared them to be the same as the early Christians, which is more than probable. The title ‘ brother’, used in the early Church, was Essenean ; they were a fraternity, or a koinobion or community like the early converts.” (''Isis Unveiled''.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kandu +

A holy sage of the second root‐race, a yogi, whom Pramlôcha, a “nymph” sent by Indra for that purpose, beguiled, and lived with for several centuries. Finally, the Sage returning to his senses, repudiated and chased her away. Whereupon she gave birth to a daughter, Mârishâ. The story is in an allegorical fable from the ''Purânas'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

P

Paean +

A hymn of rejoicing and praise in honour of the sun‐god Apollo or Helios [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hypocephalus +

A kind of a pillow for the head of the mummy. They are of various kinds, ''e.g.'', of stone, wood, etc., and very often of circular disks of linen covered with cement, and inscribed with magic figures and letters. They are called “rest for the dead” in the ''Ritual'', and every mummy‐coffin has one [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Agni Dhatu Samadhi +

A kind of contemplation in Yoga practice, when Kundalini is raised to the extreme and the infinitude appears as one sheet of fire. An ecstatic condition. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bihar Gyalpo +

A king deified by the Dugpas. A patron over all their religious buildings [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Manava +

A land of ancient India; a Kalpa or Cycle. The name of a weapon used by Râma; meaning of “Manu” as,― [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Jainas +

A large religious body in India closely resembling Buddhism, but who preceded it by long centuries. They claim that Gautama, the Buddha, was a disciple of one of their Tirtankaras, or Saints. They deny the authority of the Vedas and the existence of any ''personal ''supreme god, but believe in the eternity of matter, the periodicity of the universe and the immortality of men’s minds (''Manas'') as also of that of the animals. An extremely mystic sect [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Druzes +

A large sect, numbering about 100,000 adherents, living on Mount Lebanon in Syria. Their rites are very mysterious, and no traveller, who has written anything about them, knows for a certainty the whole truth. They are the ''Sufis ''of Syria. They resent being called Druzes as an insult, but call themselves the “disciples of Hamsa”, their Messiah, who came to them in the ninth century from the “Land of the Word of God”, which land and word they kept religiously secret. The Messiah to come will be the same Hamsa, but called ''Hakem''—the “All‐ Healer”. (See ''Isis Unveiled, ''II 308, ''et seq.'') [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

KasiKhanda +

A long poem, which forms a part of the ''Skanda Purâna ''and contains another version of the legend of Daksha’s head. Having lost it in an affray, the gods replaced it with the head of a ram ''Mekha Shivas'', whereas the other versions describe it as the head of a goat, a substitution which changes the allegory considerably [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Cheru +

A magic sword, a weapon of the “sword god” Heru. In the ''Edda'', the Saga describes it as destroying its possessor, should he be unworthy of wielding it. It brings victory and fame only in the hand of a virtuous hero [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Ha +

A magic syllable used in sacred formulæ it represents the power of ''Akâsa Sakti''. Its efficacy lies in the expirational accent and the sound produced [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Assassins +

A masonic and mystic order founded by Hassan Sabah in Persia, in the eleventh century. The word is a European perversion of “Hassan”, which forms the chief part of the name. They were simply ''Sufis ''and addicted, according to the tradition, to ''hascheesl‐eating, ''in order to bring about celestial visions. As shown by our late brother, Kenneth Mackenzie, “they were teachers of the secret doctrines of Islamism; they encouraged mathematics and philosophy, and produced many valuable works. The chief of the Order was called Sheik‐ el‐Jebel, translated the ‘''Old Man of the Mountains’'', and, as their Grand Master, he possessed power of life and death.’ [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kala +

A measure of time; four hours, a period of thirty Kashthas. Time, fate; a cycle and a proper name, or title given to Yama, King of the nether world and Judge of the Dead [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lemuria +

A modern term first used by some naturalists, and now adopted by Theosophists, to indicate a continent that, according to the ''Secret Doctrine ''of the East, preceded Atlantis. Its Eastern name would not reveal much to European ears [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Lotus +

A most occult plant, sacred in Egypt, India and else where; called “the child of the Universe bearing the likeness of its mother in its bosom”. There was a time “when the world was a golden lotus” (''padma'') says the allegory. A great variety of these plants, from the majestic Indian lotus, down to the marsh‐lotus (bird’s foot trefoil) and the Grecian “Dioscoridis”, is eaten at Crete and other islands. It is a species of nymphala, first introduced from India to Egypt to which it was‐not indigenous. See the text of ''Archaic Symbolism ''in the Appendix Viii. “The Lotus, as a Universal Symbol” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Gayatri +

A most sacred verse, addressed to the Sun, in the Rig ‐Veda, which the Brahmans have to repeat mentally every morn and eve during their devotions [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Olympus +

A mount in Greece, the abode of the gods according to Homer and Hesiod [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Ossa +

A mount, the tomb of the giants (allegorical) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Gandhara +

A musical note of great occult power in the Hindu gamut—the third of the diatonic scale [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Apam Napat +

A mysterious being, corresponding to the Fohat of the Occultists. It is both a Vedic and an Avestian name. Literally, the name means the “Son of the Waters” (of space, i.e., Ether), for in the ''Avesta ''Apâm Napât stands between the ''fire‐yazatas ''and the ''water‐ yazatas ''.(See ''Secret Doctrine, ''Vol. II., p. 400, note) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Ogham +

A mystery language belonging to the early Celtic races, and used by the Druids. One form of this language consisted in the association of the leaves of certain trees with the letters, this was called ''Beth‐luis‐nion Ogham'', and to form words and sentences the leaves were strung on a cord in the proper order. Godfrey Higgins suggests that to complete the mystification certain other leaves which meant nothing were interspersed. [w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kasina +

A mystic Yoga rite used to free the mind from all agitation and bring the ''Kamic ''element to a dead stand‐still [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhur‐Bhuva +

A mystic incantation, as ''Om, Bhur, Bhuva, Swar'', meaning “Om, earth, sky, heaven, This is the exoteric explanation [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Abhamsi +

A mystic name of the “four orders of beings” which are, Gods, Demons, Pitris and Men. Orientalists somehow connect the name with “waters”, but esoteric philosophy connects its symbolism with ''Akâsa''—the ethereal “waters of space”, since it is on the bosom and on the seven planes of “space” that the “four orders of (lower) beings” and the three higher Orders of Spiritual Beings are born. (See ''Secret Doctrine ''I. p. 458, and “Ambhâmsi”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Abiegnus Mons +

A mystic name, from whence as from a certain mountain, Rosicrucian documents are often found to be issued— “Monte Abiegno”. There is a connection with Mount Meru, and other sacred hills. [w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hangsa +

A mystic syllable standing for evolution, and meaning in its literal sense “I am he”, or ''Ahamsa'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

O

Om +

A mystic syllable, the most solemn of all words in India. It is “an invocation, a benediction, an affirmation and a promise and it is so sacred, as to be indeed ''the word at low breath ''of occult, ''primitive ''masonry. No one must be near when the syllable is pronounced for a purpose. This word is usually placed at the beginning of sacred Scriptures, and is prefixed to prayers. It is a compound of three letters a,u,m, which, in the popular belief, are typical of the three Vedas, also of three gods— '''A '''(Agni) '''V '''(Varuna) and '''M '''(Maruts) or Fire, Water and Air. In esoteric philosophy these are the three sacred fires, or the “triple fire”in the Universe and Man, besides many other things. Occultly, this “triple fire” represents the highest ''Tetraktys ''also, as it is typified by the Agni named Abhimânin and his transformation into his three sons, Pâvana, Pavamâna and Suchi, “who drinks up water”, i.e., destroys material desires. This monosyllable is called Udgîtta, and is sacred with both Brahmins and Buddhists [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kalahansa +

A mystic title given to Brahma (or Parabrahman); means “the swan '''''in '''''and '''''out '''''of time”. Brahmâ (male) is called Hansa‐Vahan, the vehicle of the “Swan” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Japa +

A mystical practice of certain Yogis. It consists in the repetition of various magical formulæ and mantras [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Digambara +

A naked mendicant. Lit., “clothed with Space”. A name of Siva in his character of Rudra, the Yogi [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Afrits +

A name for native spirits regarded as devils by Mussulmen. Elementals much dreaded in Egypt. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Genii +

A name for Æons, or angels, with the Gnostics. The names of their hierarchies and classes are simply legion [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hypnotism +

A name given by Dr. Braid to various processes by which one person of strong will‐power plunges another of weaker mind into a kind of trance; once in such a state the latter will do anything ''suggested ''to him by the hypnotiser. Unless produced for beneficial purposes, Occultists would call it ''black magic ''or Sorcery. It is the most dangerous of practices, morally and physically, as it interferes with the nerve fluid and the nerves controlling the circulation in the capillary blood‐ vessels [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

F

Flagae +

A name given by Paracelsus to a particular kind of guardian angels or genii [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Khamism +

A name given by the Egyptologists to the ancient language of Egypt. '''''Khami''''', also [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Brothers of the Shadow +

A name given by the Occultists to Sorcerers, and especially to the Tibetan ''Dugpas, ''of whom there are many in the Bhon sect of the ''Red Caps (Dugpa''). The word is applied to all practitioners of black or ''left hand ''magic [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hagadah +

A name given to parts of the Talmud which are legendary. [w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Halachah +

A name given to parts of the Talmud, which are arguments on points of doctrine; the word means “rule” [ w.w.w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Briseus +

A name given to the god Bacchus from his nurse, Briso. He had also a temple at Brisa, a promontory of the isle of Lesbos [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

J

Jahnavi +

A name of ''Ganga, ''or the river Ganges [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Jigten Gonpo +

A name of Avalokitêswara, or ''Chenres‐Padma‐pani, ''the “Protector against Evil” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Makara Ketu +

A name of Kâma, the Hindu god of love and desire [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bhuvana +

A name of Rudra or Siva, one of the Indian ''Trimurti ''(Trinity) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nilakantha +

A name of Siva meaning “ blue throated”. This is said to have been the result of some poison administered to the god [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Izdubar +

A name of a hero in the fragments of Chaldean History and Theogony on the so‐called Assyrian tiles, as read by the late George Smith and others. Smith seeks to identify Izdubar with Nimrod. Such may or may not be the case; but as the name of that Babylonian King itself only “appears” as Izduhar, his identification with the son of Cush may also turn out more apparent than real. Scholars are but too apt to check their archæological discoveries by the far later statements found in the Mosaic books, instead of acting ''vice versa''. “The chosen people” have been fond at all periods of history of helping themselves to other people’s property. From the appropriation of the early history of Sargon, King of Akkad, and its wholesale application to Moses born (if at all) some thousands of years later, down to their “spoiling” the Egyptians under the direction and divine advice of their Lord God, the whole Pentateuch seems to be made up of unacknowledged ''mosaical ''fragments from other people’s Scriptures. This ought to have made Assyriologists more cautious; but as many of these belong to the clerical caste, such coincidences as that of Sargon affect them very little. One thing is certain Izdubar, or whatever may be his name, is shown in all the tablets as a mighty giant who towered in size above all other men as a cedar towers over brushwood—a hunter, according to cuneiform legends, who contended with, and destroyed the lion, tiger, wild bull, and buffalo, the most formidable animals [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mulil +

A name of the Chaldean Bel [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

El‐Elion +

A name of the Deity ''borrowed ''by the Jews from the ''Phœnician Elon'', a name of the Sun [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Aditya +

A name of the Sun; as Mârttânda he is the Son of Aditi. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Ambhamsi +

A name of the chief of the Kumâras Sanat‐Sujâta, signifying the “waters”. This epithet will become more comprehensible when we remember that the later type of Sanat‐Sujâta was Michael, the Archangel, who is called in the Talmud “the Prince of ''Waters''”, and in the Roman Catholic Church is regarded as the patron of gulfs and promontories. Sanat‐Sujâta is the immaculate son of the immaculate mother (Ambâ or Aditi, chaos and space) or the “waters” of limitless space. (See ''Secret Doctrine''‐, Vol. I., p. 460.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Nannak +

A name of the moon; said to be the son of ''Mulil'', the older Bel and the Sun, in the later mythology. In the earliest, the Moon is far older than the Sun [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Indwellers +

A name or the substitute for the right Sanskrit esoteric name, given to our “inner enemies”, which are seven in the esoteric philosophy. The early Christian Church called them the “seven capital Sins ‘: the Nazarene Gnostics named them, the “seven badly disposed Stellars”, and so on. Hindu exoteric teachings speak only of the “''six ''enemies” and under the term ''Arishadwarga ''enumerate them as follows: (1) Personal desire, lust or any passion (''Kâma''); (2) Hatred or malice (''Krodha''); ( Avarice or cupidity (''Lobha''); ( Ignorance (''Moha''); ( Pride or arrogance (''Mada''); (6) Jealousy, envy (''Matcharya''); forgetting the seventh, which is the “unpardonable sin”, and the worst of all in Occultism. (See ''[[Theosophist]]'', May, 1890, p. 431.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

En +

A negative particle, like a in Greek and Sanskrit. The first syllable of “En‐Soph” ''(q.v.)'', or nothing that begins or ends, the “Endless” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Christian Scientist +

A newly‐coined term for denoting the practitioners of an art of healing by will. The name is a misnomer, since Buddhist or Jew, Hindu or Materialist, can practise this new form of Western Yoga, with like success, if he can only guide and control his will with sufficient firmness. The “Mental Scientists” are another rival school. These work by a universal denial of every disease and evil imaginable, and claim syllogistically that since Universal Spirit cannot be subject to the failings of flesh, and since every atom is Spirit and in Spirit, and since finally, they—the healers and the healed—are all absorbed in this Spirit or Deity, there is not, nor can there he, such a thing as disease. This prevents in no wise both Christian and Mental Scientists from succumbing to disease, and nursing chronic diseases in their own bodies just like ordinary mortals [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Innocents +

A nick‐name given to the Initiates and Kabbalists before the Christian era. The “Innocents” of Bethlehem and of Lud (or Lydda) who were put to death by Alexander Janneus, to the number of several thousands (B.C. 100, or so), gave rise to the legend of the 40,000 innocent babes murdered by Herod while searching for the infant Jesus. The first is a little known historical fact, the second a fable, as sufficiently shown by Renan in his ''Vie de Jésus'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

N

Neophyte +

A novice; a postulant or candidate for the Mysteries. The methods of initiation varied. Neophytes had to pass in their trials through all the four elements, emerging in the fifth as glorified Initiates. Thus having passed through Fire (Deity), Water (Divine Spirit), Air (the Breath of God), and the Earth (Matter), they received a sacred mark, a ''tat ''and a ''tau'', or a + and a . The latter was the monogram of the Cycle called the Naros, or Neros. As shown by Dr. E. V. Kenealy, in his Apocalypse, the cross in symbolical language (one of the seven meanings)“+ exhibits at the same time three primitive letters, of which the word LVX or Light is compounded. . . . The Initiates were marked with this sign, when they were admitted into the perfect mysteries. We constantly see the Tau and the Resh united thus . Those two letters in the old Samaritan, as found on coins, stand, the first for 400, the second for 200 = 600. This is the staff of Osiris.” Just so, but this does not prove that the Naros was a cycle of 600 years; but simply that one more pagan symbol had been appropriated by the Church. (See “Naros” and “Neros” and also “I. H. S.”) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Brahma’s Day +

A period of 2,160,000,000 years during which Brahmâ having emerged out of his golden egg ''(Hiranyagarbha''), creates and fashions the material world (being simply the fertilizing and creative force in Nature). After this period, the worlds being destroyed in turn, by fire and water, he vanishes with objective nature, and then comes Brahmâʹs Night [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Brahma’s Night +

A period of equal duration, during which Brahmâ. is said to be asleep. Upon awakening he recommences the process, and this goes on for an AGE of Brahmâ composed of alternate “Days”, and “Nights”, and lasting 100 years (of 2,160,000,000 years each). It requires fifteen figures to express the duration of such an age; after the expiration of which the ''Mahapralaya ''or the Great Dissolution sets in, and lasts in its turn for the same space of fifteen figures [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Manvantara +

A period of manifestation, as opposed to Pralaya (dissolution, or rest), applied to various cycles, especially to a Day of Brahmâ, 4,320,000,000 Solar years— and to the reign of one Manu— 308,448,000. (See Vol. II. of the ''Secret Doctrine'', p. 68 ''et. seq''.) Lit., ''Manuantara''— between Manus [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Ayana +

A period of time; two Ayanas complete a year, one being the period of the Sun’s progress northward, and the other south ward in the ecliptic [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Atarpi +

A personage who was “pious to the gods”; and who prayed the god Hea to remove the evil of drought and other things before the Deluge is sent. The story is found on one of the most ancient Babylonian tablets, and relates to the sin of the world. In the words of G. Smith “the god Elu or Bel calls together an assembly of the gods, his sons, and relates to them that he is angry at the sin of the world”; and in the fragmentary phrases of the tablet: “ . . . . I made them . . . . Their wickedness I am angry at, their punishment shall not be small . . . . let food be exhausted, above let Vul drink up his rain”, etc., etc. In answer to Atarpi’s prayer the god Hea announces his resolve to destroy the people he created, which he does finally by a deluge [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bes +

A phallic god, the god of concupiscence and pleasure. He is represented standing on a lotus ready to devour his own progeny (Abydos). A rather modern deity of foreign origin [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Asat +

A philosophical term meaning “non‐being”, or rather ''non‐be‐ness. ''The “incomprehensible nothingness”. ''Sat'', the immutable, eternal, ever‐present, and the one real “Be‐ness” (not Being) is spoken of as being “ Born of Asat, and Asat begotten by Sat”. The unreal, or Prakriti, objective nature regarded as an illusion. Nature, or the illusive shadow of its one true essence [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Denis, Angoras +

A physician of Paris, astrologer and alchemist in the XIVth century” (R.M.C.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Azareksh +

A place celebrated for a fire‐temple of the Zoroastrians and Magi during the time of Alexander the Great [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Baresma +

A plant used by Mobeds (''Parsi priests'') in the fire‐ temples, wherein consecrated bundles of it are kept [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mandragora +

A plant whose root has the human form. In Occultism it is used by ''black ''magicians for various illicit objects, and some of the “left‐hand” Occultists make ''homunculi ''with it. It is commonly called ''mandrake'', and is supposed to cry out when pulled out of the ground [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Chiim +

A plural noun—“lives”; found in compound names Elohim Chum, the gods of lives, Parkhurst translates “the living God” and Ruach Chiim, Spirit of lives or of life. [ w.w. w.] [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Harivansa +

A portion of the ''Mahâbhârata'', a poem on the genealogy of Vishnu, or Hari [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

P

Padma Asana +

A posture prescribed to and practised by some Yogis for developing concentration [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Berosus +

A priest of the Temple of Belus who wrote for Alexander the Great the history of the Cosmogony, as taught in the Temples, from the astronomical and chronological records preserved in that temple. The fragments we have in the ''soi‐disant ''translations of Eusebius are certainly as untrustworthy as the biographer of the Emperor Constantine—of whom he made a saint (!!)—could make them. The only guide to this Cosmogony may now be found in the fragments of the Assyrian tablets, evidently copied almost bodily from the earlier Babylonian records; which, say what the Orientalists may, are undeniably the originals of the Mosaic Genesis, of the Flood, the tower of Babel, of baby Moses set afloat on the waters, and of other events. For, if the fragments from the Cosmogony of Berosus, so carefully re‐edited and probably mutilated and added to by Eusebius, are no great proof of the antiquity of these records in Babylonia—seeing that this priest of Belus lived three hundred years after the Jews were carried captive to Babylon, and they may have been borrowed by the Assyrians from them—later discoveries have made such a consoling hypothesis impossible. It is now fully ascertained by Oriental scholars that not only “Assyria borrowed its civilization and written characters from Babylonia,” but the Assyrians copied their literature from Babylonian sources. Moreover, in his first Hibbert lecture, Professor Sayce shows the culture both of Babylonia itself and of the city of Eridu to have been of ''foreign importation''; and, according to this scholar, the city of Eridu stood already “6,000 years ago on the shores of the Persian gulf,” i.e., about the very time when Genesis shows the Elohim creating the world, sun, and stars out of nothing [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG).

H

Hotri +

A priest who recites the hymns from the ''Rig Veda'', and makes oblations to the fire [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Asita +

A proper name; a son of Bharata; a Rishi and a Sage [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

E

Ecstasis +

A psycho‐spiritual state; a physical trance which induces clairvoyance and a beatific state bringing on visions [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lebanon +

A range of mountains in Syria, with a few remnants of the gigantic cedar trees, a forest of which once crowned its summit. Tradition says that it is here, that the timber for King Solomon’s temple was obtained. (See “Druzes”.) [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

I

Ilavriti +

A region in the centre of which is placed Mount Meru, the habitat of the gods [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Loka +

A region or circumscribed place. In metaphysics, a world or sphere or plane. The Purânas in India speak incessantly of seven and fourteen Lokas, above, and below our earth; of heavens and hells [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mahar Loka +

A region wherein dwell the ''Munis ''or “Saints” during Pralaya; according to the Purânic accounts. It is the usual abode of Bhrigâ, a Prajâpati (Progenitor) and a Rishi, one of the seven who are said to be co‐existent with Brahmâ [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

G

Gangi +

A renowned Sorcerer in the time of Kâsyapa Buddha (a predecessor of Gautama). Gangi was regarded as an incarnation of Apalâla, the Nâga (Serpent), the guardian Spirit of the Sources of Subhavastu, a river in Udyâna. Apalâla is said to have been converted by Gautama Buddha, to the good Law, and become an Arhat. The allegory of the name is comprehensible : all the Adepts and Initiates were called ''nâgas, ''“ Serpents of Wisdom” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

H

Hwergelmir +

A roaring cauldron wherein the souls of the evil doers perish [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Laena +

A robe worn by the Roman Augurs with which they covered their heads while sitting in contemplation on the flight of birds [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

D

Druids +

A sacerdotal caste which flourished in Britain and Gaul. They were Initiates who admitted females into their sacred order, and initiated them into the mysteries of their religion. They never entrusted their sacred verses and scriptures to writing, but, like the Brahmans of old, committed them to memory; a feat which, according to the statement of Cæsar took twenty years to accomplish. Like the Parsis they had no images or statues of their gods. The Celtic religion considered it blasphemy to represent any god, even of a minor character, under a human figure. It would have been well if the Greek and Roman Christians had learnt this lesson from the “pagan” Druids. The three chief commandments of their religion were:—“Obedience to divine laws; concern for the welfare of mankind; suffering with fortitude all the evils of life” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Asrama +

A sacred building, a monastery or hermitage for ascetic purposes. Every sect in India has its ''Ashrams'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kusa +

A sacred grass used by the ascetics of India, called the grass of lucky augury. It is very occult [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

A

Amdo +

A sacred locality, the birthplace of Tson‐kha‐ pa, the great Tibetan reformer and the founder of the Gelukpa (yellow caps), who is regarded as an Avatar of Amita‐buddha. [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Lamrin +

A sacred volume of precepts and rules, written by Tson‐kha‐pa, “for the advancement of knowledge” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

B

Bumapa +

A school of men, usually a college of mystic students [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

M

Mimansa +

A school of philosophy; one of the six in India. There are two Mîmânsâ the older and the younger. The first, the “Pârva‐Mîmânsâ”, was founded by Jamini, and the later or “Uttara Mîmânsâ”, by a Vyasa—and is now called the Vedânta school. Sankarâchârya was the most prominent apostle of the latter. The Vedânta school is the oldest of all the six ''Darshana ''(lit., “demonstrations”), but even to the Pûrva‐Mîmânsâ no higher antiquity is allowed than 500 B.C. Orientalists in favour of the absurd idea that all these schools are “due to Greek influence”, in order to have them fit their theory would make them of still later date. The ''Shad‐darshana ''(or Six Demonstrations) have all a starting point in common, and maintain that ''ex nihilo nihil fit'' [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Mahayâna +

A school; lit., “the great vehicle”. A mystical system founded by Nâgârjuna. Its books were written in the second century B.C [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

L

Linga Purana +

A scripture of the Saivas or worshippers of Siva. Therein ''Maheswara'', “the great Lord”, concealed in the Agni Linga explains the ethics of life—duty, virtue, self‐sacrifice and finally liberation by and through ascetic life at the end of the ''Agni Kalpa ''(the Seventh Round). As Professor Wilson justly observed “the Spirit of the worship (phallic) is as little influenced by the character of the type as can well be imagined. ''There is nothing like the phallic orgies of antiquity; it is all mystical and spiritual.''” [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

K

Kchana +

A second incalculably short: the 90th part or fraction of a thought, the 4,500th part of a minute, during which from 90 to 100 births and as many deaths occur on this earth [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

C

Crypt +

A secret subterranean vault, some for the purpose of initiation, others for burial purposes. There were crypts under every temple in antiquity. There was one on the Mount of Olives, lined with red stucco, and built before the advent of the Jews [[Category: Theosophical Glossary (CTD terms)]] (TG). +

Property:CTD term description

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