dog

en-noun

dog (countable and uncountable, plural dogs)

Australian Kriol: dog

Bislama: dog

Gullah: dog

Sranan Tongo: dagu

Tok Pisin: dok

Torres Strait Creole: dog

desc

→ American Sign Language: Kop@Inside-PalmForward 1o@Inside

→ Dutch: dog

→ Esperanto: dogo

Ido: dogo

→ French: dogue

→ German: Dogge

→ Italian: dogo

→ English: dogo

→ Portuguese: dogue

→ Russian: дог (dog)

→ Spanish: dogo

→ Volapük: dog, doeg

Inherited from Middle English dogge (akin to Scots dug), from Old English dogga, docga, of uncertain origin.
The original meaning seems to have been a common dog, as opposed to a well-bred one, or something like 'cur', and perhaps later came to be used for stocky dogs. Possibly a pet-form diminutive with suffix -ga (compare frocga (“frog”), *picga (“pig”)), appended to a base *dog-, *doc- of unclear origin and meaning. One possibility is Old English dox (“dark, swarthy”) (compare frocga from frox). Another proposal is that it derives from Proto-West Germanic *dugan (“to be suitable”), the origin of Old English dugan (“to be good, worthy, useful”), English dow, Dutch deugen, German taugen. The theory goes that it could have been an epithet for dogs, commonly used by children, meaning "good/useful animal". Another is that it is related to *docce (“stock, muscle”), from Proto-West Germanic *dokkā (“round mass, ball, muscle, doll”), whence English dock (“stumpy tail”).
In 14th-century England, hound (from Old English hund) was the general word for all domestic canines, and dog referred to a subtype resembling the modern mastiff and bulldog. By the 16th century, dog had become the general word, and hound had begun to refer only to breeds used for hunting. In the 16th century, the word dog was adopted by several continental European languages as their word for mastiff.
Despite similarities in forms and meaning, not related to Mbabaram dog.

hond

morally reprehensible person — see also scoundrel

it is easy to find a stick to beat a dog

on the Internet nobody knows you're a dog

the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog

(cartomancy) The eighteenth Lenormand card.


technoshaman

One involved in the techno-shamanism movement.


Heathen

Pertaining or adhering to the Germanic neo-pagan faith Heathenry.

hedensk

pertaining or adhering to the faith of Heathenry


Heathen

[…] these examples, and others I have come across, illustrate most strikingly how Heathens follow a reactionary politics carefully constructed by politicians and pundits to help whites feel like victims, thereby making them useful political tools.

2013, Jennifer Snook, “Reconsidering Heathenry: The Construction of an Ethnic Folkway as Religio-ethnic Identity”, in Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions, volume 16, number 3, page 61:

An adherent of the Germanic neo-pagan faith of Heathenry.


semiquadrate

(astrology) An aspect of the planets when distant from each other by half a quadrant, or forty-five degrees, or one sign and a half.


expectations game

en-noun

expectations game (plural expectations games)

"But at this point his team has fumbled the expectations game to the point where the governor will need to perform at a level well above anything we’ve seen from him to date if he wants to pull off the "W"."http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/28/the-debate-expectations-game.html

Efforts to influence opinion through diminishing expectations of one's performance or creating elevated expectations for an opponent


partile

(astrology, of planets) joined in aspect by a perfect measure, with no variance


ghostlore

From ghost + lore (“learning, knowledge”).

Three other sections of the state are important in this connection: the Adirondack Mountains and parts of the Catskills, which while sparsely settled and only slightly represented in this collection, have much good ghostlore yet to be collected.

1982, Louis Clark Jones, Three Eyes on the Past:

When one person tells another of a frightening experience, he is passing on ghostlore.

1995, Charles Edwin Price, Haunted Tennessee:

From ruthless gangsters to restless mail order kings, from the Fort Dearborn Massacre to the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the phantom remains of the passionate people and volatile events of Chicago history have made the Second City second to none in the annals of American ghostlore.

2004, Ted Okuda, Jack Mulqueen, The Golden Age of Chicago Children's Television:

Ghost stories and tales of railroad heroics and tragedy may have mixed to create this unique type of ghostlore.

2019, Matthew L. Swayne, Haunted Rails: Tales of Ghost Trains, Phantom Conductors, and Other Railroad Spirits, Llewellyn Worldwide, →ISBN:


heavenly stem

One of the ten terms used in East Asian cultures to represent

(historical or astrology) A day of the traditional ten-day week.


earthly branch

earthly branch (plural earthly branches)

branca terrestre

set of twelve terms in East Asian cultures

One of the twelve terms used in East Asian cultures to represent

(astrology) The twelve animals representing the Chinese zodiac, (particularly) as a birthyear.


broom closet

By analogy with closet, and due to the association of witchcraft with brooms.

(figuratively, often humorous) The metaphorical place in which a Wiccan's religious identity is hidden.


voodoo doll

From a mistaken belief that the use of such effigies features in the voodoo religion of either Haiti or Louisiana.

A poppet; a doll made to resemble a person in order to cast spells on them or to galvanize some change in them by modifying the doll, often by inserting pins and needles or by binding it.

ninot de vudú

doll fashioned to resemble a person for usually malicious magical intent


kolovrat

Ultimately from Proto-Slavic *kolovortъ. In historical records, similar symbols were recorded as ладинец (ladinec) in Russian or słoneczko in Polish.
This spelling was influenced by Russian коловра́т (kolovrát), the more well-known form of the symbol invented by the neo-pagan leader Alexey Dobrovolsky in the 1990s.

In contrast, Krasnodar respondents were keen to differentiate between the kolovrat and the swastika, while recognizing the symbolic connections between them: […]

2009, George McKay, Michael Goddard, Christopher Williams, Neil Foxlee, editors, Subcultures and New Religious Movements in Russia and East-Central Europe, Peter Lang, →ISBN, page 284:

(paganism, politics, fascism, nationalism) An eight-spoked swastika used by Slavic neopagan, fascist, and nationalist groups.


ceraunomancy

From cerauno- + -mancy; based on earlier ceraunoscopy.

(uncommon) The magical or supernatural power of conjuring or controlling thunder or lightning.


navamsa

(astrology) In Vedic astrology, a ninth part or division of a zodiac sign.


Book of Shadows

Book of Shadows (plural Books of Shadows)

Witches keep their magickal records in Books of Shadows, and you will need your own Book of Shadows, too. As you learn, you'll add to it frequently, and your book will grow and grow.

2003, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, →ISBN, page 99:

I have discovered some of the most amazing pre-made Books of Shadows through a company called Brahm's Bookworks.

2004, Patricia Telesco, The Teen Book of Shadows, →ISBN:

Some Books of Shadows are passed from one Wiccan to another, usually upon initiation, but the vast majority of Books of Shadows today are composed by each individual Wiccan.

2009, Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's Book of Shadows, →ISBN, page 13:

A book containing religious text and instructions for Wiccan magical rituals.


metagnomy

From meta- (“beyond”) + -gnomy, from physiognomy.

(rare, literary) Divination, clairvoyance.


Odyssean Wicca

A branch of Wicca based in Canada which emphasises a balance between Goddess and God.


Faery Wicca

A branch of Wicca that emphasises beings of legendary folklore, especially faeries.


Gardnerian Wicca

A branch of Wicca which emphasises Gerald Gardner's teachings, the Book of Shadows and initiation.


Dianic Wicca

A branch of Wicca that is gynocentric and worships only a goddess, often an exclusively female sect


Celtic Wicca

A branch of Wicca that incorporates some elements of Celtic mythology.


Eclectic Wicca

A branch of Wicca based on individuals inventing their own spiritual practices rather than following tradition or by combining multiple traditions in a syncratic manner


Alexandrian Wicca

The name of the tradition is a reference both to founder Alex Sanders and to the ancient occult library of Alexandria.

A branch of Wicca originating from Britain which practises ceremonial magic.


technomancy

A category of magical abilities that either affect technology, or to magical powers that are gained through the use of technology.


septile

(astrology) An angle of roughly 51.5° (1/7 of the 360° ecliptic).


Asatruar

Breaking an oath is the worst thing an Asatruar can do.

2011, Selene Silverwind, The Everything Paganism Book: Discover the Rituals, Traditions, and Festivals of This Ancient Religion:

Many modern Ásatrúar worship her [Eir] for good health and healing.

2020, Mathias Nordvig, Ásatrú for Begginers: A Modern Heathen's Guide to the Ancient Northern Way, page 33:

This [Thor's hammer] is a very popular item today, worn by modern Heathen and Asatruar as symbols of their faith in the Norse Gods but it has roots int he pagan past.

2020, Morgan Daimler, Pagan Portals - Thor, page 46:


Theodism

Learned borrowing from Old English þēod (“nation, people, tribe, race”) + -ism

lbor

A form of Germanic neopaganism developed in the United States, based on Anglo-Saxon practices in England before conversion to Christianity.


Mabon

Coined by Aidan A. Kelly around 1970 as a reference to Mabon ap Modron, a character from Welsh mythology.

(Wicca) A pagan and Wiccan holiday celebrating the second harvest at the time of the autumnal equinox.


Ostara

Related to Easter, which see for some more information.

A pagan and Wiccan holiday celebrating the spring equinox, sometimes also called Eostre or Easter.


Imbolc

Uncertain; common explanations include the following:
* From Old Irish i mbolg (“in the belly”), referring to pregnant ewes.
* From Old Irish imb-fholc (“to cleanse or wash oneself”), referring to a ritual cleansing.
* Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *h₂melǵ- (“to milk; milk”), though the connection between the milking of animals and the festival is not clear. Some descendants of this root have meanings related to cleansing (for example, Persian مالیدن (mâlidan, “to rub, smear”), Sanskrit मर्जति (marjati, “to clean, wipe”)), so the root could also have the sense of purification.

noncog

[T]hat the ancient Irish, at some remote period, did divide the year into the three seasons of Samh, summer, Gamh, winter, and Imbolc, spring (omitting the Foghmhar, or autumn), is quite evident from the fact, that Cormac Mac Cuileannain and the other old glossarists, explain Samhain, or November eve, by Samh, summer, and fuin, the end; that is, the end of Samh, or summer.

1862 June 10, Eugene O’Curry, “Lecture XXX. [Of Music and Musical Instruments in Ancient Erinn.]”, in W. K. Sullivan, editor, On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish. A Series of Lectures, volume III (Lectures, Vol. II), London, Edinburgh: Williams and Norgate; Dublin: W. B. Kelly; New York, N.Y.: Scribner, Welford, & Co., published 1873, →OCLC, page 217:

Invite, but never command, friendly spirits, faeries, or elementals to join you as you wish. In some traditons it is common to invite ancestors to join you, especially during the dark days from Samhain to Imbolg when it is believed that the portal between our dimensions is at its thinnest.

1994, Edain McCoy, “Appendix Three: Outline for Ritual Construction”, in A Witch’s Guide to Faery Folk: How to Work with the Elemental World: […], St. Paul, Minn.: Llewellyn Publishers, published 2004 (13th printing), →ISBN, page 354:

In the Celtic world many celebrations were built around the ancient calendar of events or great feasts. The four great feasts of the year were Samhain (1st November), Imbolg (1st February), Bealtaine (1st May) and Lughnasa (1st August). Notice that each of the feasts begins each of the four seasons of the year – winter, spring, summer and autumn.

2002, Liam Lawton, “How Can I Repay the Lord”, in Song of My People, Dublin: Veritas Publications, →ISBN, page 28:

The Festival of Imbolc commences on February eve, or January 31, and usually concludes on February 2. Imbolc has three major associations: the veneration of fire and water, the quickening of new life in the womb, and the lactation of ewes. The association of Imbolc with fire comes from its place as the midpoint between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox.

2007, Judy Ann Nock, “Season Three: Imbolc: First Light in the Dark of Winter”, in The Provenance Press Guide to the Wiccan Year: Spells, Rituals, Holiday Celebrations, Avon, Mass.: Provenance Press, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster, →ISBN:

Never leave incense, candles, or anything else burning when you are not in the room to ensure you will be around for many more Imbolcs to come.

2015, Carl F. Neal, Imbolc: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Brigid’s Day (Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials), Woodbury, Minn.: Llewellyn Publishers, →ISBN:

Brigid has also been described in relation to the different cycles as the Earth Mother. […] In another version of the Threshold Rites, a sheaf of wheat from the Samhain harvest was placed outside doors of homes on the eve of January 31. Some believed that the Goddess was present in the sheaf in her winter Cailleach form. Upon Imbolc, the sheaf becomes the infant Goddess Brigid once again, marking the fragile beginnings of the new agricultural cycle.

2015, Courtney Weber, “Imbolc: Brigid the Springtime Goddess, the Mother, and the Midwife”, in Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess, San Francisco, Calif.: Weiser Books, Red Wheel/Weiser, →ISBN, page 149:

(British, Ireland) A Gaelic and Wiccan festival celebrated on 1 or 2 February which marks the beginning of spring.

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Penguin Books
University of Wales Press

聖布里吉德節

Gaelic and Wiccan festival which marks the beginning of spring

Yule • Imbolc • Ostara • Beltane • Litha • Lammas


hyleg

From medieval Latin, from Arabic هيلاج (haylāj), from Middle-Persian ŠḆKWN-k' (hilag, “releaser”), a calque of Ancient Greek ἀφέτης (aphétēs).

(astrology) In Hellenistic astrology, the planet with the greatest essential dignity in five important natal chart positions: the degree of the Sun; the degree of the Moon; the Ascendant; the Lot of Fortune; and the prenatal syzygy (that is, New Moon or Full Moon, whichever most closely preceded the birth).


Age of Aquarius

In 1904 we entered the Age of Aquarius, which will last another 2,000 years and will be an age of joy, of science and accomplishment, focused on the life of Christ.

1954 April 5, Robert Wallace, “Stargazer for Stars: Astrologer Richter does Hollywood's forecasts”, in Life, volume 36, number 14, retrieved 2013-10-24, page 155:

The unprecedented close grouping of seven planets in the sign of Aquarius at the time of the new moon of February 1962; an astronomical formation considered by some astrologers to mark the beginning of earth's entry into the Age of Aquarius.

1963, Natalie N. Banks, The Golden Thread: The Continuity of Esoteric Teaching (1999 reprint), p. 39 (Google preview)

(astrology) A historical period corresponding to the astrological sign of Aquarius, concerning the timing of which (past, present, or future) there is a wide range of views.


notarikon

Alternative form of notariqon (canonical)

From Hebrew נוטריקון, borrowed from Ancient Greek νοταρικόν (notarikón).

der

Hebrew נוטריקון

A cabalistic method of deriving a phrase from a word, using the letters of the word as initial letters of words in the sentence.


Wiccanist

At least, their coming out in that work would appear to establish the fact of their having been written by some Wiccanist, and Murray, we suppose, was hardly one of that tribe.

1837, Southern Literary Messenger, volume 3, page 270:

All I could come up with was trading out the word "Wiccan" for "Shinto" in the last refrain: "Hey there Mister Wiccanist! Merry Fuckin' Christmas! God is gonna kick your ass, you degenerate heathen scum

2001, Dustin Mephisto, “Re: Mithter garrithon missed one......”, in alt.religion.wicca (Usenet):

A few years ago he'd narrowly escaped death at the hands of bomb-throwing Wiccanists.

2011, Chris Moriarty, The Inquisitor's Apprentice:

(rare) An adherent of Wiccanism; a Wiccan.


book of shadows

en-noun

book of shadows (plural books of shadows)

The true origins of his book of shadows have been disputed for decades. It is unlikely that such books existed in earlier times, as folk magic generally was passed orally through the generations.

2008, Rosemary Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca, →ISBN, page 36:

(uncommon) Alternative letter-case form of Book of Shadows


water carrier

(astrology) Aquarius, or a symbol for it.


Ox

(constellation): Semantic loan from Chinese 牛宿 (Niúxiù).
: (surname): From ox, the animal.
: (Oxford): Clipping

(astronomy) A Chinese constellation located near Capricorn, one of the 28 lunar mansions and part of the larger Black Turtle.

The second of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.


black witch

There were supposed to be three kinds of witches, the black variety that always worked evil, the white, always good and rendered human beings great services and the gray ones, good or bad as they saw fit. The black witches are the most interesting since they are figuratively more colorful, with a definite personality, ill disposed as they are.

1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 261:

Prosecutions of black witches suspected of doing harm to other people were numerous enough.

1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 238:


white witch

it was unclear whether the client of the white witch was committing an offence or not, and he very seldom made an appearance in the law courts.

1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 239:


notory

en-adj

notory (comparative more notory, superlative most notory)

more notory (comparative)
most notory (superlative)

From Late Latin notorius, variant form of notarius (“notary”).

Most clergy […] asserted the futility of the notory art, on the grounds that it was impossible for men to make contact with the spiritual world.

1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 260:

(now rare, historical) Pertaining to magical signs or symbols.


judicial astrology

A brief Declaration against Judicial Astrologie.

Similarly in Cambridge it was maintained in 1603 that judicial astrology was a mere imposture.

1971, Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic, Folio Society, published 2012, page 340:

natural astrology
natural astrology#English

(historical) The supposed divination of human affairs based on the motions of the stars and planets (as opposed to natural astrology).


genius hominis

A borrowing of Latin genius hominis (“tutelary deity of a/the person”), from the nominative possessive form of homo (“person”).

bor

The tutelary deity or spirit watching over a particular person.

guardian angel

as a benevolent spirit in monotheistic contexts


lunar mansion

(astronomy, astrology) a segment of the ecliptic (often called a station or house) through which the moon moves in its orbit around the earth, often used by ancient cultures as part of their calendar system.

اختر

a segment of the eliptic through which the moon moves


Taurine

Although it would seem that later Hindu Zodiacs began with the Ram also, established perhaps through Greek influence, yet early astromers testify to an ancient order in which Aquarius, on the banks of the Ganges, as in China, marked the Winter Solstice, an arrangement which as we have seen in our study of the "Yellow Way", would correspond to the Taurine Era of the Vernal Equinox.

1913, Goodsell Observatory of Carleton College, Popular Astronomy, volume 21, page 158:

Just as the world recently moved from a "Taurine Age" to a "Piscean Age," we are now in that hazy astrological area where the "Piscean Age" is ending and an "Aquarian Age" is beginning.

1990, Joyce Wilson, Canadian Book Review Annual, page 94:

Even within the code of such worship, the choice of a calf, redolent of the former zodiacal Taurine age, is an offensive and retardataire sign in the age of Ares and suggests spiritual and social reaction and cowardice.

1996, Trustees of Boston College, Religion and the Arts: A Journal from Boston College, volume 1, page 68:

(astrology) Of or pertaining to the zodiacal sign Taurus.


subtle body

Translation of सूक्ष्म शरीर (sūkṣma-śarīra) or सूक्ष्म देह (sūkṣma-deha).

(occult, parapsychology) The embodiment of the soul or mind; part of the bodymind of the human being in syncretic, esoteric philosophy.

(occult, theosophy) Those parts of the septenary, the 'seven principles of man' which constitute each human being, contrasted with the gross body, the physical human body.


psychomanteum

Coined by Raymond Moody in 1993 in his book Reunions: Visionary Encounters with Departed Loved Ones.

A dark, mirrored room dedicated to communication with the spirit realm.


genius familiae

head

genius familiae (plural genii familia or genii familiae)

genii familia (plural)
genii familiae (plural)

From Latin genius (“lar”) + familiae (“of (a) person”), genitive singular form of familia (“family”, “household”) = “(guardian) spirit of a family”.

A spirit presiding over or guarding a family or household.


-mance

to carry out a specified form of divination


-mance

I very much look forward to this on my Dorianmance playthrough.

My Andersmance was taken at a more leisurely pace, so I really got into the depth and grief over his character and his romance.

My own Galemance run will go full swing once my Astarionmance one wraps up, so more to come soon ☺

2023 September 19, Irma 'Aimo (@aimostudio), Twitter:

(fandom slang, video games) A suffix attached to a noun or character's name to create a word for an in-game romance subplot or mechanic.


New Thought

The ordinary Christian will read the claims of the New Thought fakers with contempt; but have I not shown the Catholic Church publishing long lists of money-miracles?

1917, Upton Sinclair, The Profits of Religion […] :

A spiritual movement, sometimes classed as a Christian denomination, promoting the ideas that Infinite Intelligence, or God, is everywhere, spirit is the totality of real things, true human selfhood is divine, divine thought is a force for good, sickness originates in the mind, and "right thinking" has a healing effect.


shamanize

en-verb

shamanize (third-person singular simple present shamanizes, present participle shamanizing, simple past and past participle shamanized)

shamanizes (present singular third-person)
shamanizing (participle present)
shamanized (participle past)
shamanized (past)

To act as a shaman; to perform the work of a shaman.


nakshatra

Borrowed from Sanskrit नक्षत्र (nákṣatra).

A lunar mansion in Hindu astrology; one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic.


egregore

From French égrégore (“spirit of a group”), from the Ancient Greek substantive of ἐγρήγορος (egrḗgoros, “wakeful”) meaning watcher, angel in the Book of Enoch.

In magical esoteric circles an egregore is commonly understood to be a magical psychic entity consciously or unconsciously created by a couple or a group as an encapsulation and merger of their collective aspirations and ideals.

2013, Anaiya Sophia, Sacred Sexual Union: The Alchemy of Love, Power, and Wisdom:

(occult) An autonomous psychic entity that is composed of, and influences, the thoughts of a group of people.


The Fish

(astronomy, astrology) Synonym of Pisces


Wiccaphobia

. The incidence of Wiccaphobia and Phasomophobia ...

2014, Patricia Smith, Introducing Overcoming Phobias: A Practical Guide:

I've treated her for her Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorders as well as Wiccaphobia and Arrhenphobia

1998 wsa, Re: Left-Wing Evangelicals? Chuck's Response Group: soc.religion.quaker
Wiccaphobia and homophobia are troubling, but not as dangerous as planning to take over the Republican Party I think it would be hard to find any large number of Evangelical Friends particularly interested in taking over the Republican Pary.

2001 christopher hortin, Re: Muggles - 1, Wizards - 0 Group: alt.fan.harry-potter
At the root of it is Wiccaphobia -- I think many extremists (not all of them Christians) fear the Wicca/Neopagan movement, and I fear they've made Harry their scapegoat.


electromancer

(science fiction) Someone who practices the divination of electricity.


claircognizant

en-adj

claircognizant (comparative more claircognizant, superlative most claircognizant)

more claircognizant (comparative)
most claircognizant (superlative)

Exhibiting or relating to claircognizance.


oenomancy

From Ancient Greek οἶνος (oînos, “wine”) in conjunction with μαντεία (manteía, “divination”). By surface analysis, oeno- + -mancy.


goddessdammit

(rare, chiefly paganism or humorous) Synonym of goddammit


kau cim

Borrowed from Cantonese 求籤／求签 (kau4 cim1).

Does not speak with words but pushes / His Kau Cim sticks into my hands.

2022, Janice Barr, Northern Territory Literary Awards, page 28:

A Chinese fortune telling practice involving numbered sticks that represent particular answers to questions.


veche

From Old East Slavic вѣче (věče), Russian вѣ́че (vě́če, “ru-PRO”)
or modern Russian ве́че (véče)

(paganism) a modern assembly of Rodnovers, atavistically based off the medieval veche.


Goddess knows

(uncommon, chiefly paganism) Synonym of God knows


fortune stick

6 Fortune sticks used in Chinese temples. Yunan.

1871 September 11, Indian Museum: Minutes of the Trustees, page 143:

Ho chun thought that while they were there, they had better try throwing the fortune sticks, as he knew it would please them, so he picked up a tall round box, full of bamboo sticks, and explained it to them.

1904, Jessie Juliet, Little Almond Blossoms: A Book of Chinese Stories for Children, page 142:

Mei Li ran happily down the hill. Surely, if the fortune sticks said she was going to rule a kingdom she would.

Ah Ching went to the temple on her behalf on every major festival to kou chim, that is to ask one's fortune through the use of fortune sticks.

2000, Mimi Chan, All the King’s Women: The Story of a Hong Kong Family, page 32:

One of a set of numbered bamboo slips that correspond to messages concerning the future, drawn by a supplicant in Taoist divination.


chindi

According to Navajo beliefs, a harmful ghost that leaves a person's body when they die and may remain around their possessions.


alectryomancer

I was unprepared for the change in attire and started slightly when the alectryomancer reappeared.

1985, Cathleen Jordan, Alfred Hitchcock's no harm undone, page 113:

The alectryomancer sometimes wishes to know the name of a person and allows a bird to pick corn grains from letters drawn in a circle on the ground.

2001, Clifford A. Pickover, Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction, page 81:

The alectryomancers knew how to tap the power of the living chicken.

2008, Bob Sheasley, Home to Roost: A Backyard Farmer Chases Chickens Through the Ages, →ISBN:


perispirit

From peri- + spirit.
In Allan Kardec's 1857 book The Spirits Book (Le Livre des Esprits in original French), the term is defined with a direct analogy to perisperm (“layer of nutritive tissue that surrounds the embryo of a seed in some angiosperms”).

(spiritualism) A layer of an abstract, ethereal material that is said to serve as the bond between one's spirit and physical body.


anthracomancy

From anthraco- + -mancy, from Ancient Greek ἄνθραξ (ánthrax, “coal”) and μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”).

Around the vestry were tripods for anthracomancy, skulls for necromancy, mirrors for enoptromancy, or perhaps for putting on stage makeup.

2015, John C. Wright, The Architect of Aeons, page 322:


hexadecile

From hexa- + decile or hexadeca- + -ile.

But becauſe ſome Aſpects are more Effectual than others, therefore they are (reſpectu graduum, Scientiæ and Congruentiæ, necnon Efficacitatus) thus to be Diſposed: viz. ☌. ☍. ◻. △. ⚹. SS. Q. Bq. Vc. Dec. Td. Sq. SSq. whereunto are added (as in the laſt and loweſt degree of Dignity and Efficacy) the Quindecile, Hexadecile, Vigintile, and the Icoſiteſſeragonall, (or figure of 24 ſides), which are only considered in Venus and Mercury with the Sun.

1683, George Wharton, “Of the Planetary Aspects, both Old and New, their Characters, and Æquations”, in John Gadbury, editor, The Works of that Late Most Excellent Philosopher and Astronomer, Sir George Wharton, Bar[onet]. Collected into One Entire Volume, London: Printed by H. H. for John Leigh, at Stationers Hall, →OCLC, page 92:

(astrology, obsolete) The aspect or position of any two celestial bodies separated by 22.5° (that is, 360° divided by 16) as they appear to an observer on earth.


hexadecile

(astrology, obsolete) Of or denoting a hexadecile aspect.


Akashic Records

(esoterism, occult) Mythological records or archives, in a spiritual plane, containing information about everything that ever happened.

Arquivos Acásicos

spiritual records about everything that ever happened


transmedium

This happened when it was a one to one reading but didn't take place when giving a demonstration. I was asked to give a demonstration in a Masonic hall with a good friend of mine who was a transmedium in Lincoln.

2014, Matthew Wilson, The Chronicles Of A Medium Perception: The Amazing Martelo:

[…] during the course of a reading I am receiving messages from other spirits and feeling other people's emotions, and therefore I could technically be considered a medium, transmedium, or channeler in those moments.

2015, Debra Lynne Katz, Extraordinary Psychic: Proven Techniques to Master Your Natural Abilities:

A psychic who is able to cross boundaries between the natural and supernatural worlds.


thunder cross

The swastika, especially in Latvian contexts.


marriage line

The marriage line (Diagram 24, No. 12), runs from the percussion side of the hand, and takes its course across the mount of Mercury, sometimes drooping towards the line of heart, or taking a curve towards the fingers, these having their seperate^([sic]) significations or meanings.

1993, A. Raphael, Cheirosophy (the Hand): A Scientific Treatise on Palmistry, →ISBN:

When the marriage line sends an offshoot into the mount of Apollo, the subject will marry a rich person, or one well versed in art.

1996, Francis Thomas, Secrets in the Hand: Palmistry Simplified, →ISBN, page 85:

If there is a break in the line of life at the same position as what could be a backup marriage line, the health lines take precedence.

2001, Rita Robinson, Discover Yourself Through Palm Reading, →ISBN:

Most palmists find that reading the marriage lines is a lot like predicting the weather: sometimes they are right on, and sometimes they're not even in the ballpark.

2008, Jon Saint-Germain, Lover's Guide to Palmistry: Finding Love in the Palm of Your Hand, →ISBN:

(palmistry) Any of the short horizontal lines under the little finger and going to the edge of the palm.


brontomancy

From bronto- + -mancy, from Ancient Greek βροντή (brontḗ, “thunder”) and μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”).


archaeomancy

From archaeo- + -mancy, from Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos, “ancient”) and μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”).

2004 May 20, Peter N. Peregrine, “Predicting the Future State of the World Using Archaeological Data: An Exercise in Archaeomancy”, in Cross-Cultural Research, volume 38, number 2, title, page 133:

He thinks that in ancient Camanac if skills like yours were common they'd have had names for them– archaeomancy, chronomancy, kineomancy. That sort of thing.

2014, C. L. Holland, Conversations with Dragons, page 8:


abacomancy

Translingual: from Hebrew אָבָק (avák, “dust”), and from Ancient Greek μαντεία (manteía, “prophecy”).

bor

Hekuba planned every single day of Calliope, Gadukz's and even to a lesser amount Castor's life since the moment one of the royal Slaugh foresaw their union with her powers of Abacomancy.

2015, Selena Thane, Jinn Benevolence: Tuath Dé, Smashwords:

"I have asked for a close colleague of mine to come and perform a small abacomancy."

2016, P.L. Jones, Into the Shadows: A Rosedown Seminary Novel, Archway Publishing, →ISBN:

(rare) Divination using dust, dirt, silt, sand, ashes, or smoke. Patterns in the medium under various circumstances are interpreted to envision future events.


Cap

Caps are also naturally inclined towards stability and security—they're totally different from noncommittal Sagittarius men. If you're looking for someone who's ready to commit rather than stay in a situationship, odds are that he might be a Capricorn.

2022 December 8, Jake Register, “Everything You Need to Know About Dating a Capricorn Man”, in Cosmopolitan:

(astrology, informal) Clipping of Capricorn.


Black Mass

An enormous number of monks and priests gave themselves up to sorcery, and there was no lack of apostate priests to perform the ceremonies of the Black Mass.

1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 101:

Generals gathered in their masses / Just like witches at black masses

1970, “War Pigs”, in Paranoid, performed by Black Sabbath:

Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church

A ritual, allegedly celebrated by witches, characterized by the inversion of the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church.


time twin

(astrology) Either of two people born at the same time on the same day and thus supposed to have similar traits or life events.


leyak

From Balinese leyak (“black magic; sorcerer”).

uder

Meanwhile the leyak has become invisible and the servant is very much relieved, but just then the patih sees it as it is disappearing behind a group of children, who squirm about uneasily.

1941, Philip Hanson Hiss, Bali, page 45:

A leyak can transform himself, or rather, his spirit, into another form – a monkey, a bird, a ghostly light, a body without a head – the variety is endless.

1990, Fred B. Eiseman, Jr., Bali: Sekala and Niskala, Tuttle Publishing, page 128:

She was like a Balinese leyak, one of the spirits of humans most often seen in the form of a blue flame that darts from coconut tree to coconut tree, at night.

2000, Tobias Schneebaum, Secret Places, page 146:

A Balinese witch or practitioner of black magic.


evennight

From Middle English *even-night, from Old English efnniht, from Proto-West Germanic *ebnanaht (“equinox”), equivalent to even- + night. Cognate with Old Frisian evennacht, ivinnacht, Old Norse jafnnætti. Compare also Dutch nachtevening (“equinox”).

inh

Ostara's Day is the first Sunday following the Spring Evennight, which means it can never be later than March 31, even when March 24 is the previous Sunday, and the old date is used, March 25, for the beginning of spring.

1992, Stephen A. McNallen, Maddy Hutter, The Runestone - Volumes 1-12:

"I have told the leaders of Kaar that wolves will only come back to the village if a krianan brings them. They are choosing a new krianan at their Spring Festival on Even Night."

2015, Dorothy Hearst, Spirit of the Wolves:

"I'll be there. At the even-night." Five months away.

2016, Victoria Whitworth, Daughter of the Wolf:

Belly round now with the child. Please bring Grandmother to me. The harvest had been gathered less than a month ago and in three days folk would be celebrating the 'even night', the feast of Mabon, when day and night were equal in length, and beer and wine would be drunk in huge amounts in thanksgiving of the safe bringing in of the earth's bounties.

2016, Joanna Courtney, Helen Hollick, Annie Whitehead, 1066 Turned Upside Down:

(rare, historical, Germanic paganism) Equinox.


Chironic

en-adj

Chironic (comparative more Chironic, superlative most Chironic)

more Chironic (comparative)
most Chironic (superlative)

(astrology) Pertaining to Chiron, an asteroid-comet Centaur


technomagic

(informal) The use of technology that is impressive and difficult to understand, especially in the field of computing.


Kipper

en-noun

Kipper (countable and uncountable, plural Kippers)

(cartomancy) A type of fortune-telling cards.


druidcraft

The practice, art, or skill of Druidry, casting spells; sorcery; witchcraft


muhurtam

Borrowed from Sanskrit मुहूर्तम् (muhūrtam).

(India, Hinduism, astrology) An auspicious day on which an important event, usually a wedding, can be held.


rashifal

Borrowed from Hindi राशिफल (rāśiphal), itself borrowed from Sanskrit राशिफल (rāśiphala).

horoscope, particularly one derived from Indian astronomy


Lenormand

Lenormand (countable and uncountable, plural Lenormands)

Named after Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand, a fortune-teller during the Napoleonic era.

There are three kinds of Lenormand cards: Petit Lenormand, Grand Jeu Lenormand and Petit Jeu Lenormand.

The large card is from a Lenormand fortune-telling deck (French, c. 1860) with mythological and astrological symbols.

1960, Otto C. Lightner, Pearl Ann Reeder, Hobbies - Volume 65, page 126:

German, Austrian and even Belgian and Swiss cardmakers have made and still make these 'Petit Lenormands'.

1996, Michael Dummett, Ronald Decker, Thierry Depaulis, A Wicked Pack of Cards: Origins of the Occult Tarot, page 141:

It is wonderful how literal and direct the Lenormand cards will be if you allow them to speak clearly and simply.

2013, Marcus Katz, Tali Goodwin, Learning Lenormand: Traditional Fortune Telling for Modern Life, →ISBN:

Combining the simplicity of the traditional but little-known Lenormand deck with the familiarity of the tarot, Dunn creates a unique learning format blending these two powerful systems.

2013, Patrick Dunn, Cartomancy with the Lenormand and the Tarot, →ISBN:

A type of fortune-telling cards named after Marie Anne Lenormand.


earth mother

(paganism) Alternative letter-case form of Earth Mother


teleplastic

Of or relating to the materialization of spiritualistic phenomena.


Antlered God

(Wicca) The second major supernatural figure in the Wiccan religion, a triune god equal to the Goddess, split into the aspects of Father, Master, and the Sage.


lychnomancy

From Ancient Greek λύχνος (lúkhnos, “lamp”) + -mancy.

A form of divination using a lamp or a candle flame


laibon

A shamanistic seer and healer among the Maasai people.


valknut

Derived from Old Norse valr (“the slain”) and Old Norse knútr (“a knot”), meaning "knot of the slain". The term was coined in later history, as it is not known what name was used by the historical Norse for that symbol.

A symbol consisting of three interlocked triangles, used by ancient Germanic peoples, but of uncertain meaning.


jumbie

From Kongo zumbi (“fetish”). Doublet of zombie.

If one wants to see “jumbies” “duppies” ghosts, all that is necessary is to put in your eye the tears from the eyes of a pie-bald horse. It is no use explaining to a negro that what he has taken to be a “jumbie” or apparition, is a tree or rock or other natural object.

1882, G.H. Hawtayne, “Occasional notes: West Indian Folk-lore”, in Timehri: Being the Journal of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana, volume 1, page 145:

Jethro stomped away up the hill, though the trail was supposed to be haunted by spirits of the dead called jumbies. He didn't care. He didn't believe in jumbies.

1979, Susan Cooper, Jethro and the Jumbie, page 5:

(chiefly Caribbean) A ghost or evil spirit.


witchdom

witchdom (countable and uncountable, plural witchdoms)

From Middle English wicchedome, from Old English wiċċedōm, equivalent to witch + -dom.

Chilled with affright young Zarah felt the sinewy arm, / That had won champion’s belt, now tremble under hers, / As smitten suddenly by witchdom’s with’ring charm.

1879, Troubadour [pseudonym], Zarah: A Romaunt of Modern Life, London: Samuel Tinsley & Co., […], →OCLC, page 28:

The exercise of witchcraft or of supernatural powers; witchery


A∴A∴

Aside from OTO, the most influential Thelemic organization historically is A∴A∴. Unlike OTO, A∴A∴ work is traditionally solitary. Therefore, it is common for Thelemites to combine A∴A∴ affiliation with membership in a fraternal[…]

2019 October 14, Manon Hedenborg White, The Eloquent Blood: The Goddess Babalon and the Construction of Femininities in Western Esotericism, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 196:

The symbols, rites, and initiatory degrees of the A∴A∴ order closely mimicked those of the Golden Dawn, but blended into the magic mix was Thelema, a religion invented by Crowley.

2021 July 20, Richard Zenith, Pessoa: A Biography, Liveright Publishing, →ISBN:

(occult) A Thelemic spiritual organization founded in 1907 by British occultists Aleister Crowley and George Cecil Jones.


make the passes

en-verb

make the passes (third-person singular simple present makes the passes, present participle making the passes, simple past and past participle made the passes)

makes the passes (present singular third-person)
making the passes (participle present)
made the passes (participle past)
made the passes (past)

[…] he did not stop to think, but hastened to make the ‘passes’ as the technical phrase styles certain unmeaning motions of the hands and arms.

1837, anonymous author, Means Without Living, Boston: Weeks, Jordan & Co., pages 37–38:

Every man and woman, it appears, may magnetize; but the number susceptible of the magnetic influence is much more limited. Every one may make the “passes;” but some mysterious or unexplained condition is necessary in order to imbibe the mysterious fluid. One patient will go into magnetic sleep in a minute or two; another will resist for hours […]

1838 July, “Animal Magnetism”, in Tait’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume 5, number 55, page 460:

1901, Henry Abbey, “Veera” in Phaëthon, with three other stories in verse and a prose contention, Kingston, NY: Styles & Kiersted, p. 62,
Her story done, the maiden begg’d of me
To set out for my kingdom, with the dawn.
“Not yet,” said I, “not yet,” and then I made
The passes with my hands and fix’d my will
To sway her will, till, with a questioning glance,
She fell into a calm, Mesmeric sleep.

At six, Dr Andrew came to the Raja’s room and, after a little cheerful talk, began to make the passes. In a few minutes the patient was in deep trance.

1962, Aldous Huxley, chapter 8, in Island, London: Chatto & Windus, page 126:

(hypnotism) To perform a hypnotic technique involving running the hands over the head and body of the subject.


clairgustant

A person who has the psychic ability of clairgustance.


classical planet

en-noun

classical planet (plural classical planets)

(astrology, astronomy) The seven non-fixed astronomical objects in the sky, as opposed to the fixed stars.


magic mirror

Chinese magic mirror
Chinese magic mirror


moontime

From moon + time, as the lunar cycle is traditionally linked to menstruation.

(feminist paganism) The time of menstruation.


unmagic

en-verb

unmagic (third-person singular simple present unmagics, present participle unmagicking, simple past and past participle unmagicked)

unmagics (present singular third-person)
unmagicking (participle present)
unmagicked (participle past)
unmagicked (past)

However, he obediently sat down and shut his eyes. After a while he opened them and said, “I must have been able to 'unmagic' a crow just by being kind to it, and I was able to contact trees and things in the garden."

2012, Anne Poltera, Castle Magic and the Sinister Encroaching Fir Wood, page 163:

(transitive) To deprive of magic or of magical prowess


Taixuanjing

From Mandarin 太玄經／太玄经 (Tàixuánjīng, literally “Canon of Supreme Mystery”).

zh-m

A Chinese divinatory text composed by the Confucian writer Yang Xiong (53 BCE-18 CE), similar to and inspired by the I Ching, and having 81 ternary tetragrams.


mount of Venus

(palmistry) The elevation at the base of the thumb.


runelore

In fact so serious a discrepancy could only arise in the infancy of this little-studied Old-Northern Rune-lore, when the material was so comparatively slender and the few monuments gave scarcely any acknowledged formulas.

1884, George Stephens, The Old-Northern Runic Monuments of Scandinavia and England, London: Williams and Norgate, page 213:

Runelore is dominated by the figure of Ódhinn. It is the path exemplified by him that the runester seeks to travel.

1989, Edred Thorsson, Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology, York Beach, Me.: S. Weiser, page 175:

(fantasy, paganism) The study of runes, typically for magical or religious purposes.


All-Father

From all + father. The sense used to refer to Odin was a calque of Old Norse Alfǫðr.

(Germanic paganism, Norse mythology) Odin.


refranation

en-noun

refranation (usually uncountable, plural refranations)

(astrology) The failure of a planetary aspect to occur.


Scorpionic

en-adj

Scorpionic (comparative more Scorpionic, superlative most Scorpionic)

more Scorpionic (comparative)
most Scorpionic (superlative)

From Latin Scorpiō (stem Scorpiōn-) + -ic.


malefic planet

(astrology) A planet thought to bring bad luck to those born within its radius.


tertiary planet

en-noun

tertiary planet (plural tertiary planets)

(astrology) An aspect in astrology, a calculated node in a reading, that is not a real planet.


Rodnovery

A borrowing from Russian роднове́рие (rodnovérije) with the suffix -ery, derived from Russian род (rod, “tribe, origin”) + Russian ве́ра (véra, “faith”).

kolovrat

a swastika-like symbol used to worship the gods

volkhv

a Rodnover priest, usually a high priest; a sorcerer in Slavic folklore

zhrets

a Rodnover priest; a Slavic pagan priest


demonifugic

This refers to a demonifugic talisman endorsed in the Shangqing tradition. See Robinet, Taoist Meditation, p. 32.

1998, Stephen Eskildsen, Asceticism in Early Taoist Religion, fn. 36, page 200:

Among the flora and fauna mentioned in the older sections of the Classic of the Mountains and the Seas, thirty-nine species are mentioned as having medicinal (primarily demonifugic) value and twenty-nine were worn on the body for protection against demons.

2004, Richard Von Glahn, The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture, page 109:

(occult, often Chinese mysticism) Of, relating to, or resembling a demonifuge.


witchcamp

At my first Reclaiming witchcamp, within two weeks of arriving in San Francisco, my morning class teachers surprised me by opening with a discussion of gifts and commodities.

2015, R Morgain, “Sacred materialism: Things and relations in a US Pagan community”, in The Australian Journal of Anthropology:


Reclaiming Wicca

A branch of Wicca which emphasises Starhawk's teachings, The Spiral Dance and feminism.


antivertex

(astrology) The point exactly opposite the vertex.


orbuculum

Modern coinage from Latin orbis; not attested in classical Latin.


maraka

(astrology) In Hindu astrology, a planet that causes death at the end of a person's lifespan.


kigaku

A form of fortune-telling of Japanese origin based on Chinese twelve year zodiac cycle calendar, and the five traditional elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.


lovespell

A Wiccan ritual meant to attract or distract someone sexually or romantically usually performed either by decorating poppet likeness with flowers or by inscribing their name and attaching their picture on a candle


athamé

(hyperforeign) Alternative form of athame


white handled knife

white handled knife (plural white handled knives)

One of the ceremonial tools of Wicca, used specifically for the ritual cutting of plants and herbs; a boline.


hagstone

An adder stone, a stone with a naturally occurring hole through it.

(Wicca) A ceremonial stone with a hole drilled into used to ward off evil or see into other worlds.


candle magick

(Wicca) The ceremonial use of candles for specific intentions and involving a complex color correspondence system.


burning times

(derogatory) The era of persecution and execution of suspected witches, often incorrectly expanded to include the Early and High Middle Ages.


money spell

A Wiccan ritual meant to attract money, employment, and fortune performed either by decorating poppet likeness with coins, bills, and gems or by inscribing imagery of currency on a candle


cone of power

(Wicca) Mental energy amassed individually or collectively for a magickal purpose.


binding spell

A Wiccan ritual meant stop someone from committing harm usually performed either by tying up a poppet likeness or by inscribing their name on a candle


crystal magick

(Wicca) The ceremonial use of crystals for specific intentions and healing energies


Great Earth Mother

Great Earth Mother (plural Great Earth Mothers)

In the East women want to identify themselves with their biological function. And that makes them all woman. Compartmentalisation is our big crime in the West. Normah should have been the Great Earth Mother.

1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 397:

(paganism, archaeology) Alternative form of Earth Mother


chantment

From Middle English chauntement, a clipping of enchauntement (modern English enchantment).

My lytle chyldren they ſhall beare
theſe preſentes to the Bryde,
That fyrſte wyth ſlybber ſlabbar ſoſſe
of chauntmentes ſhalbe tryed.

1556, Seneca, translated by Iohn Studley, THE ſeuenth Tragedie of Seneca, Entituled MEDEA […] , Thomas Colwell, act 3, page 28a:

Truly then, Sancho, thou muſt have travelled by Chantment. I don't know whether I travelled by Chantment ; but this I know, that about Five Miles off I met my Lady Dulcinea. How ! ſays he, and gave ſuch a Spring, I thought he would have leapt over the Wall.

1734, Henry Fielding, Don Quixote in England […] , George Falkner, page 51:

The Old Language dropped like rain, chantment blurring down her arm, and when the changeling set itself more firmly, its small hands creeping up to grasp her arm, and drew again on the wound, she winced.

2016, Lilith Saintcrow, Roadside Magic, Hatchette UK, →ISBN, page 63:


decanate

Of decan + -ate. Attested from the 17th century.

If any planet be in his decanate, or face, he has the least possible essential dignity

1852, William Lilly, An Introduction to Astrology, page 70:

Each 30° sign is divided into three 10° sections called decanates (figure 11 and chart 5).

2007, Kris Brandt Riske, Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Astrology, page 31:

(astrology) Face, one of three parts into which each zodiac sign is divided; a decan.


paranatural

From para- (“above, beyond; abnormal”) + natural (“of or relating to nature; as expected; reasonable”); compare paranormal, supernatural.

prefix

(science fiction, fantasy) A paranormal entity.


nightmarcher

From night + marcher. Calque of Hawaiian huakaʻi pō.

... happening in, will not become confused and angry in his efforts to get out. Beds should not be placed directly opposite doorways. One keeps indoors when the Nightmarchers are abroad. On certain nights these progressions of ghosts can […]

1988, John Donald Kingsley, The Antioch Review:

The tail of that sinuous line of nightmarchers seemed very horrible, and as I saw them wriggling into a venerable tomb they seemed more horrible still. Then I noticed that the tomb's floor had an aperture down which the throng was sliding, and ...

1997, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, Crawling Chaos: Selected Pulp Fiction:

[…] understood the vision of nightmarchers described by the Chinese man. Sometimes the phantom marchers will be seen stopping at the house of a dying person, to prepare to escort them into the afterlife. In this case, the nightmarchers were […]

1999, Glen Grant, Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawai'I, Mutual Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 122:

"And he hide; da buggah wen hide; if you discovered by a nightmarcher, they take you, boy. So, folks, always watch da road. Go where it's safe." The haole couple next to me nervously chuckled. An understated fright.

2002, Rona Tamiko Halualani, In the Name of Hawaiians: Native Identities and Cultural Politics, U of Minnesota Press, →ISBN, page 166:

Something from Irene's journals, about what to do if you happen across a nightmarcher on a moon-filled night.

2018, J. Lincoln Fenn, The Nightmarchers, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:

In Hawaiian folklore, a ghost of an ancient Hawaiian warrior who marches together with other such ghosts on certain sacred nights from their burial sites or the ocean to the sites of ancient battles or sacred places.


wizzy

"Do your stuff, Wizzy!"

When this had been done, the wizard instructed the children to put on smiley faces and sing happy songs as they danced around Douglas the Dragon. “You're bonkers, Wizzy!” yelled Frances McNally as she picked her nose, scrutinised its ...

(Can we date this quote?), William Forde, Douglas the Dragon - Omnibus Edition, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 90:

... called Ton... oh, you already have... So, you want the great and powerful Wizard's assistance in giving you mere directions, you snivelling little..." "Hey wizzy, stop the insults and make with the local information, this is a short story, not a major ...

2005, Jude Rawlins, Cul de Sac: Lyrics, Prose and Poems 1987-2004, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 164:

Alex: Wizzy wizzy wizzy! WizTech students: Oy oy oy!

2011, Wizards of Waverly Place, season 4 episode 19:

The fact is, there's only room for one wizard in the area, and you'we proved it isn't me! Not me. ... “I didn't want a second rate wizard taking my place! My place, no. ... Wizzies you have to be ceerful of, but I'm not afeared o' them. Nay, King ...

2014, Damian Perry, Dwarves in Space, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 51:


Witchblr

But what ties Witchblr and the Cult of Kek together, despite their diametrically opposed viewpoints, is that each is dissatisfied with the real world and their inability to change those circumstances, and thus each has created its own sheltering cosmology.

2018 April 3, Emma Grey Ellis, “Witches, Frog-Gods, and the Deepening Schism of Internet Religions”, in Wired:

Witchblr is a mixture of fashion and wellness trends, spiritual beliefs and feminist politics.

2018 November, Jen Tombs, “Be Witched”, in Study Breaks, volume 30, number 8, page 19:

Granted, most millennial denizens of “Witchblr” are more likely to cleanse their homes with sage, say, or practice mindfulness meditation than to cast a curse on Republican lawmakers.

2019 June 7, Tara Isabella Burton, “The Rise of Progressive Occultism”, in The American Interest, volume 15, number 1:

(Internet slang) The community of witches and occult-oriented blogs on Tumblr.


Lingqijing

From Mandarin 靈棋經／灵棋经 (Língqíjīng, literally “Divine Chess Classic”).

zh-m

A Chinese divinatory text, of unknown time and authorship, describing divination involving twelve pieces resembling those for xiangqi.


antimeme

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-antimeme.wav

From anti- + meme. In the sense of "an image macro which intentionally subverts one's expectations", first recorded in 2009 and now chiefly associated with the r/antimeme subreddit, created February 8, 2012.

I know it's every citizen's civic duty to keep his antimeme vaccinations up to date. But some perverse streak inside me (possibly, now that I think about it, an anti-antimeme meme) made me keep postponing my appointment until it was just too late.

1998, Christine Beckert, David Bischoff, Carroll Brown, et al., The Best of Pirate Writings: Tales of Fantasy, Mystery & Science Fiction, Padwolf Pub Incorporated, →ISBN:

As an antimeme to both Christianity and these secular dominant ideologies, humanism in the West was, by the middle of the century able to gain dominance in what had become, effectively, a vacant niche.

2003, David Hurst, On Westernism: An Ideology's Bid for World Dominion:

Notable as well are periodic claims that memetics will make the world a better place, by creating an antimeme meme which will teach us to defend ourselves against the ravages of the selfish memes, ...

2004, William F. Harms, Information and Meaning in Evolutionary Processes, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 65:

We have to start spreading antimemes.” “Fight fire with fire?” she said.

2010, Michael Flynn, In the Country of the Blind, Macmillan, →ISBN:

(memetics, science fiction) A meme deployed to nullify or protect against another meme.

SCP-055 is a "self-keeping secret" or "anti-meme". Information about SCP-055's physical appearance as well as its nature, behavior, and origins is self-classifying.

2008, Sam "qntm" Hughes, “SCP-055 - [unknown]”, in There Is No Antimemetics Division:

An antimeme is an idea with self-censoring properties; an idea which, by its intrinsic nature, discourages or prevents people from spreading it.

2018, Sam "qntm" Hughes, There Is No Antimemetics Division:

(memetics, science fiction) A unit of information that prevents itself from being spread, often by erasing itself from any mind that it enters.

my favorite parts of these viral memes are the antimemes that appear after we all get sick of them lol

2018 March 18, @rocknraymond, Twitter, archived from the original on 2023-11-03:

(Internet slang) An image macro which intentionally subverts one's expectations by not including a joke; a meme antijoke.


come out of the broom closet

en-verb

come out of the broom closet (third-person singular simple present comes out of the broom closet, present participle coming out of the broom closet, simple past and past participle come out of the broom closet)

comes out of the broom closet (present singular third-person)
coming out of the broom closet (participle present)
come out of the broom closet (participle past)
come out of the broom closet (past)

Coined by analogy with come out of the closet, with the proverbial hiding place being changed to a broom closet, a jocular reference to stereotype of witches riding brooms.

Second, despite constitutional guarantees of religions freedom and practice, and despite the rhetoric of tolerance with which religion in American society is cloaked, "coming out of the broom closet" and declaring oneself Wiccan or Witch remains a very risky act for many people, precisely because of the different cultures in which they reside.

2005, Douglas E. Cowan, Cyberhenge: Modern Pagans on the Internet, page 36:

In 1986, a federal appeals court ruled that Wicca is a legal religion. That means that the practice of Wicca is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Ever since the ruling, more and more Wiccans have "come out of the broom closet."

2006, Denise Zimmerman, Katherine Gleason, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, unnumbered page:

I cannot claim that I ever came out of the broom closet, because I didn't even know that I had the option of hiding in said closet when I began to self-identify as a Pagan at the age of seventeen.

2009, “Junior Crone”, in Arin Murphy-Hiscock, editor, Out of the Broom Closet: 50 True Stories of Witches Who Found and Embraced the Craft, unnumbered page:

(idiomatic) To publicly reveal that one is a Wiccan or some other type of neopagan.


luck ball

[T]he priest or priestess had to learn how to make love charms and various objects to cause enchantments; such as fingers-of-death, hands-of-love, luck balls and tricken-bags, the names of which adequately express their purpose.

1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 190:

"I have no belief in your tricken-bags, your luck-balls, your mysterious revelation from the snake, and spells from conjure-stones."

2013, David Murray, Matter, Magic, and Spirit: Representing Indian and African American Belief, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, page 58:

A type of charm designed to bring good luck, consisting of a ball containing a mixture of herbs and other magical ingredients.


cardiognosticism

For quotations using this term, see Citations:cardiognosticism.

(spiritualism) Mystical knowledge of, or the ability to know, a person's heart (thoughts and feelings).


Lovecraft Country

From Lovecraft + country. Coined by Keith Herber, later used and popularized by the role-playing games publisher Chaosium.

2009, Keith Herber, Miskatonic River Press, "New Tales of the Miskatonic Valley", →ISBN
An anthology of six scenarios designed for use with the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game. Set in Lovecraft Country, a fictional area of New England created by horror author H.P. Lovecraft.

Ramsay Campbell, who created a version of Lovecraft country in and around Liverpool, and Southern Gothic writer Fred Chappell.

2013, Charles L. Crow, A Companion to American Gothic, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN:

It also established Miskatonic University and Arkham as key locations in Lovecraft Country

2014, Paul Roland, The Curious Case of H.P. Lovecraft, Plexus Publishing, →ISBN:

Very early, he started to create Lovecraft country; a geography of terror that came to include “witch-haunted Arkham” and “shadowed Innsmouth," places he describes in such minute detail that ingénues in Lovecraft lore, for almost a century now, have often assumed these places could be located on maps of Massachuesetts and set out in search of them.

2016, W. Scott Poole, In the Mountains of Madness:

Lovecraft's writing has inspired games as well: a popular role-playing game, The Call of Cthulhu, is set within Lovecraft country, the blend of fictional and real locales, mostly in New England, in which he set his tales.

2018, H.P. Lovecraft, Leverett Butts, H.P. Lovecraft, page 1:

Horror in Lovecraft Country: 2 Hours of Music for Lovecraftian Gaming

2019, Graham Plowman, "Horror in Lovecraft Country", ASIN B07X5VPYC6

2020, Golden Goblin Press, "Children of Lovecraft Country", →ISBN
Children of Lovecraft Country: Six Stories of Growing Up in Arkham, Kingsport, Dunwich, and Innsmouth.

(horror fiction) The fictionalized universe populated by the supernatural beings of H.P. Lovecraft's horror fiction and that of other authors inspired by Lovecraft's works, especially the fictionalized version of New England.


memetic hazard

Warning. Unidentified object. Warning. Unknown hazard. Possible radiation hazard. Possible biohazard. Possible memetic hazard.

2008 July 18, Sam Hughes, “halfway homes, catacombs, twilight zones”, in Fine Structure, retrieved 2020-08-31:

(caution: TV Tropes is a recognized memetic hazard. Don't click the link unless you have a high resistance to interesting things and/or a day or two of spare time to kill)

2009 December 22, Bryan Derksen, “The old "Galactic Federation" meme”, in rec.arts.sf.science (Usenet), message-ID <8HhYm.116799$gg6.81292@newsfe25.iad>:


infohazard

Blend of information + hazard or info + hazard.

A basilisk, in this context, is information that can hurt you simply because you are aware of it. Yudkowsky uses the term 'infohazard'.

[2019 June 13, Tom Chivers, The AI Does Not Hate You, Orion Publishing Group, →ISBN:

If a meme is any idea that gets in your head, then an "infohazard" is a meme that's actively harmful to its host.

2019 August 28, Fletcher Wortmann, “Infohazard Warning: How Internal Memes Infect Your Brain”, in Triggered, Psychology Today, retrieved 2020-08-31:

(chiefly science fiction) A piece of information which is directly harmful to one who knows it.


Wiccanness

A number of people are arguing that Wicca should be better (i.e., its elements more clearly) defined as a religion, and that there should be a minimal establishing criteria for Wiccanness.

1996 January 28, Felis Uncia, “Re: Differences between a Witch and a wiccan...”, in alt.religion.wicca (Usenet), message-ID <aceltDLwwM2.9FK@netcom.com>:

I am under the impression that the formal declaration of "Wiccanness" has a profound effect on the lives of many, many people who choose this Path.

1999 July 10, Baird Stafford, “Re: At peace”, in alt.religion.wicca.moderated (Usenet), message-ID <1duqb01.172oq2b1hivw5gN@tsmlb1-54.gate.net>:

And I don't think this view is contrary to my professed "Wiccanness" at all. Reincarnation is a very real and tangible thing to me, if not in the traditional sense.

2000 March 24, deò, “Re: Re:Regression”, in alt.religion.wicca.moderated (Usenet), message-ID <jeSC4.68538$Hq3.1660912@news2.rdc1.on.home.com>:

Are you Wiccan? Do you involved in a Wiccan community? / This is a requirement for proper judgement of someone's Wiccanness.

2002 April 13, Parse Tree, “Re: Troll Magazine?[TROLL]”, in alt.slack (Usenet), message-ID <IyKt8.21380$AX.3983817@news20.bellglobal.com>:

Firstly, the issue didn't seem to be Jewishness but Wiccanness.

2002 November 23, Aqua, “Re: Out to the Shrink!”, in alt.polyamory (Usenet), message-ID <3ddede8b@duster.adelaide.on.net>:

Tho several of the ladies wore crosses, there was a definite air of ... um...Wiccanness about.

2004 September 6, Jackdaw, “Re: folks near Sarum”, in uk.religion.pagan (Usenet), message-ID <chi882$5nd$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk>:

For me, personal contact with nature *is* the essence of my Wiccanness.

2005 February 24, -A., “Re: 'Grounded' Paganism”, in alt.religion.wicca.moderated (Usenet), message-ID <111qnvio0tn3s2e@news.supernews.com>:

It's high-schoolish now to think you can't deny your Wiccanness and your already published status (not that you would want to.)

2005 September 30, Sergeant Tibbs, “Re: Witch link to missing man (slightly political reply)”, in alt.religion.wicca.moderated (Usenet), message-ID <lci%e.685$qX7.522@newssvr22.news.prodigy.net>:


Wiccandom

(very rare) The religious world of Wicca.


Mars effect

(astrology) A purported statistical correlation between a person's athletic success and the position of the planet Mars relative to the horizon at the time and place of their birth.


Sag

For example, a Sag girl living on a farm could pick and chop cotton better than her brothers.

1996, Thelma Balfour, Black Sun Signs: An African-American Guide to the Zodiac, page 180:

If you have a Sag cat, it's going to be hard keeping it inside all the time - or even half the time. If you've got an animal that traditionally stays in cages, don't expect to have a real happy enclosed Sagittarian critter.

1998, Diana Nilsen, Your Pet's Horoscope, page 75:

(astrology, informal) Clipping of Sagittarius.


Rodnover

en-adjective

Rodnover (comparative more Rodnover, superlative most Rodnover)

more Rodnover (comparative)
most Rodnover (superlative)

A Calque of Russian роднове́р (rodnovér) with the suffix -er, derived from Russian род (rod, “tribe, origin”) + Russian вера (vera, “faith”).

Pertaining to Rodnovery (Slavic Neopaganism).


Rodnover

A follower of Rodnovery (Slavic Neopaganism).


contrantiscion

(astrology) The point opposite an antiscion, having the opposing sign and degree.


bicorporeal

(astrology) Synonym of mutable (“being one of the signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, associated with adaptability, flexibility and sympathy”)


alchochoden

To his judicial astrology , And trowl the Trine , the Quartile , and the Sextile , Platic aspect , and Partile , with his Hyleg , Or Alchochoden , Cuspes , and Horoscope

1625 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, The Staple of Newes. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot […], published 1631, →OCLC, (please specify the page), (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

(obsolete, UK, dialect, astrology) The planet which bears rule in the principal places of an astrological figure when a person is born.


retrogradant

(obsolete, astronomy, astrology) retrograde


Jupiterian

en-adj

Jupiterian (comparative more Jupiterian, superlative most Jupiterian)

more Jupiterian (comparative)
most Jupiterian (superlative)

(astrology, rare) Pertaining to the planet Jupiter.


infortuning

(astrology) The malign influence of a planet


bracelets of fortune

(palmistry) Lines going around the wrist, associated with Neptune.


Devil's Sea

An area in the Pacific Ocean, sometimes considered to be a paranormal location.


Dragon's Triangle

The Devil's Sea or Dragon's Triangle is a region of the Pacific around Miyake Island, about 100 kms south of Tokyo. One of the triangle's corners is said to be on the island of Guam.

2019, Kamran Faqir, The Rise Of The Antichrist: The End Of Days Series: Book One, Troubador Publishing Ltd, →ISBN, page 447:


spookological

In an autobiographical essay published in 1997, Money explains “[t]he general tendency is to want to say that gender identity is either biological or not biological — to which my jocular response is that if it’s not biological, then it must be spookological or occult, for there is a biology of learning and remembering, and it does affect the brain, doesn’t it?”

2017 June 30, Michaela Koch, Discursive Intersexions: Daring Bodies Between Myth, Medicine, and Memoir, Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 123, →ISBN:

(informal) Relating to the study of ghosts.


astrocartography

A form of astrology that links elements of the birth chart with locations on Earth, resulting in travel recommendations.


gythja

(Germanic paganism) A priestess of the modern Norse religion.


fluffy bunny

en-noun

fluffy bunny (countable and uncountable, plural fluffy bunnies)

(Wicca, paganism, informal, derogatory, countable) A casual, naive practitioner of Wicca or another neo-pagan religion, especially one deemed to have a superficial understanding.


WitchTok

Is ‘WitchTok’ to blame for the popularisation of manifestation amongst Gen Z?

2020, Phoebe Bowers, "The Dawn of Manifesttion", Quench (Cardiff University), November 2020, page 9

On TikTok, the 'WitchTok' community grew exponentially, with influencers posting tarot card readings, manifestations, and good luck spells that their followers could watch from home.

2021 January 22, Caitlin O'Sullivan, “Something Wicked”, in Cherwell, Oxford University, page 3:

Today is the day to take a risk (and maybe finally try out that spell you saw on WitchTok)!

2021 February 14, Gina Feliz, “Nasstrology: Valentines Day Edition”, in The Nassau Weekly, page 9:

(Internet slang) The community of witches and occult-oriented accounts on TikTok.


clairalient

en-adj

clairalient (comparative more clairalient, superlative most clairalient)

more clairalient (comparative)
most clairalient (superlative)


godspouse

This could be just an important conversation or something as formal and intense as a marriage to a mortal godspouse. Occasionally it will involve an […]

2009, Kenaz Filan, Raven Kaldera, Drawing Down the Spirits: The Traditions and Techniques of Spirit Possession, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:

Anya Kless is a dual-tradition, polytheistic pagan priestess, godspouse, and spirit worker. She is the primary author and editor of Lilith: Queen of the Desert and is at work on an upcoming book on the godspouse path.

2012, Gina Pond, Sarah Thompson, Calyxa Omphalos, Philip Tanner, Jacobo Polanshek, Gender and Transgender in Modern Paganism, Circle of Cerridwen, →ISBN, page 122:

(paganism, especially Germanic paganism) A mortal person who marries a deity.


glyphomancy

en-noun

glyphomancy (usually uncountable, plural glyphomancies)

A method of divination which interprets glyphs or symbols.


Saturn return

The first year of the Saturn return is filled with the ambivalence of whether one really wants to grow up or not.

2000, Erin Sullivan, Saturn in Transit: Boundaries of Mind, Body, and Soul, page 73:

It is not unusual at all to see individuals get married, get divorced, have a child, change a career, go back to school, make a major move, or even lose a loved one during their Saturn return.

2013, Sandy Anastasi, Astrology: Art and Science, page 222:

During their Saturn Return, Taureans will have a revelation that will offset all of their pre-existing beliefs.

2021, Lisa Stardust, Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating This Cosmic Rite of Passage, page 38:

(astrology) A transit in which Saturn returns to the position it occupied at the moment of a person's birth, occurring for the first time from age 27 to 30 and said to be a time of change, challenge, and maturation.


moon block

A crescent carved from wood or bamboo, used in Chinese divination, producing one of four possible answers based on its orientation after being dropped.


LWB

The cards require interpretation, and the interpretations offered by the LWBs, traditional or not, are ultimately only scaffolding on which to hang your own intuition, which is something you acquire over a period of time and with much trial and error.

2008, Paul Huson, “The Arcane Roots of Tarot”, in The Witches' Almanac, number 27, page 13:

The goal is not to memorize the cards in the LWB, but to develop a relationship with the cards.

2013, Patrick Dunn, Cartomancy with the Lenormand and the Tarot: Create Meaning and Gain Insight from the Cards, page 62:

Looking back, I think that learning by the LWB was a great way to start.

2023, Julia Gordon-Bramer, Tarot Life Lessons: Living Wisdom from the Major Arcana:

(tarot) Little white book; a type of small instructional guide included with mass-market tarot decks.


scrying stone

Synonym of crystal ball (“globe for divination”)


volkhv

From Russian волхв (volxv), and from Old East Slavic вълхвъ (vŭlxvŭ).

(historical, paganism) A pre-Christian priest from Slavic cultures.

(religion, paganism) A priest from Slavic neopaganism.


dasha

dasha (countable and uncountable, plural dashas)

(astrology) One of various systems of Hindu astrology based on planetary periods, in which these planetary periods have good or bad effects depending on their placement by sign, house, combinations with other planets, and aspects.


nonagenary

From Latin nōnāgēnārius (“containing 90”) either directly or via Middle French nonagénaire, from Latin nōnāgēnī (“90 each”) + -ārius (“-ary”), from nōnāgintā (“nine tens, 90”).

As for Mars, as he is neerer to the Sunne, so feeleth he the Sunne beames by a quadrant aspect, to wit, ninetie degrees: wherupon that motion tooke the name, called the first and second Nonagenarie, from both risings.

1601, Pliny, translated by Philemon Holland, The Historie of the World, volume I, page 10:

(astronomy, astrology, obsolete) Synonym of square or quadrature: a rising at a 90 degree angle to the position of another heavenly body, particularly the sun.


clairolfaction

The term olfaction was first known to be used in the early to mid 19th century. French clair 'clear' + from Latin olfactic 'a smell' (from olere 'to smell' + fact 'made', from the verb facere) + -ion.

The ability to acquire psychic knowledge or information using ones sense of smell


magyckal

en-adj

magyckal (comparative more magyckal, superlative most magyckal)

more magyckal (comparative)
most magyckal (superlative)

I'm not sure about the precise genus and species of the various magyckal creatures gamboling in the background, but I suspect that EarthLink employs a few trolls.

2005 September 19, James Kibo Parry, “Disturbing commercial #20050920a.”, in alt.religion.kibology (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-18:

Never!!! That would be revealing my sooper seekrit magyckal skillZz and chit..

2006 September 22, blu, “PING Froup”, in alt.buzzard.rules (Usenet), retrieved 2022-04-18:

"Tis precisely what I think happened," Elyzabeth told them. "and even though the self-styled witches had no magyckal powers, I ken they bound Eustacia to a promise to use her's for the good of the coven."

2021, Sue Buttermark, Confessions of A Faerie Princess: Sorcery School Summer:

(uncommon, sometimes humorous) Alternative spelling of magical.


Alfridary

(astrology) A system of planetary periods of apparent Persian origin, somewhat similar to the Hindu dasha system.


Great Goddess

Gone is the obese Great Goddess; come is the sleek young maid, the Queen of Heaven.

1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 165:


Great Mother

In the mystery of the writing of language, the two had become the one; the stylus of the scribe was like the older Neolithic statues of the Great Mother carved on the phallus.

1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 22:


Romuva

From Lithuanian Romuva, a Baltic pagan temple known in mediaeval records as Romowe. The term "Romuva" means "sanctuary" or "adobe of inner peace", from the Baltic root ram-/rām- (peaceful, quiet), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rem-.

(religion) a neopagan religion from Lithuania that practices reconstructions of the ancient Baltic polytheistic religion.


astrodiagnosis

The relatives of this case finally consulted me for astrodiagnosis. Saturn in the 7th house with afflicted Moon, no doubt indicates a tumor.

1972, Jagannath Rao, Principles and Practice of Medical Astrology, page 151:

The use of astrology to diagnose illness.


Great Father

In this ode to the Great Father, the land of the Sumerians is literally awash with semen.

1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 162:

(paganism, religion) The preeminent male deity of various religions.


Ivanovism

new religious movement
new religious movement

A Slavic neopagan new religious movement based on the teachings of the Russian mystic Porfiry Ivanov (1898–1983), who elaborated his doctrines by drawing upon Russian folklore.


Platonic month

Sumerian civilization lasted for an entire Platonic month from 4000 to 2000 B.C.

1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 207:

(astronomy, astrology) One twelfth of a Great Year, corresponding to one of the zodiacal ages (roughly 2000 years).


cecaelia

Apparently coined around 2007 on a discussion thread on Seatails, a mermaid-enthusiast messageboard created by Kurt Cagle, who created a Wikipedia article on the cecaelia (originally “Cecælia”), inspired by Cilia (a cilophyte in “Cilia”, a seven-page short comic story published in issue #16 of the Vampirella comic magazine, released in March of 1972), cilophyte, Coleoidea, and the song “Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel, about a fickle and demanding lover (according to Cagle).

During planning for the film, Ursula was not originally designed as a cecaelia (a composite mythical being, combining the head, arms and torso of a woman, and from the lower torso down, the tentacles of an octopus or squid as a form of mermaid or sea demon). It was thought that she would be another sea creature, such as a rockfish-like mermaid.

2010, Joshua C. Shaffer, Discovering the Magic Kingdom: An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 40:

A mundane company had hired him to summon up a cecaelia demon. For the amount of money they were paying, and considering that cecaelia demons were lesser demons who could scarcely cause all that much fuss, Magnus had agreed to not ask questions.

2013, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (And Who You’re Not Officially Dating Anyway) (The Bane Chronicles), Margaret K. McElderry Books, →ISBN:

A spear of flame lanced out to strike the cecaelia. It shrieked and writhed as the heat seared its flesh, dropping its spear to bat at the smoldering wounds. Torius took the opportunity to drive his cutlass up into its chest. Still the thing clutched him, tentacles wrapping his arm and snaking around his neck. Celeste darted forward, but before she could reach him, an arrow transfixed the cecaelia’s head, and it fell.[…]She had seen that the pirates outnumbered the cecaelias, but the longer reach of the invaders’ spears and their entangling tentacles were wreaking havoc.

2013 April, Chris A. Jackson, “A Surprise Engagement”, in Pirate’s Honor (Pathfinder Tales), Paizo, →ISBN, pages 113–114:

An officious Cecaelia rapped the floor of the platform sternly and called the court to order. After a few more raps and some stern looks, there was silence. She bowed deeply to Atlantica who bid her to continue with a wave.

2014, Jolie Jaquinta, “Throne of the Sea”, in Red Queen, →ISBN:

URSULA |Film| “The Little Mermaid” (1989) |Voiced by| Pat Carroll |Special attributes| She’s a cecaelia (a human-octopus mashup) with magical powers.

2014 May 30, Sarah Bryan Miller, “They’s the Best at Being the Worst”, in Go! Magazine (St. Louis Post-Dispatch), page 17:

Mademoiselle halted momentarily to marvel at a cecaelia rising furiously from the waves being whipped into foam by her tentacles and brandishing a trident high above.

2014 June, Christian Vago, The Rotted Garden (The Mademoiselle de Commercy Series; volume one), FriesenPress, →ISBN, page 441:

Ursula’s form is a cecaelia, a half human and half octopus.

2015, Harpa Omarsdottir, “Ursula”, in Disney Villains Hairstyles & Looks, Edda Publishing USA LLC, →ISBN, page 6:

While the Disney’s corporate Wiki site page on Ursula identifies her as a “villainous cecaelian sea witch” and characterises the cecaelia as “a legendary hybrid of human and octopus”, the figure of a monstrous tentacled female has little precedent in Western mythology or folklore. Rather than deriving from these sources, the cecaelia is a more modern figure that developed as a distinct entity within a dispersed node of fantasy aficionados and artists.

2017, Philip Hayward, “Becoming Ariel, Becoming Ursula”, in Making a Splash: Mermaids (and Mermen) in 20th and 21st Century Audiovisual Media, John Libbey Publishing Ltd, →ISBN, page 37:

“Do you know what happens when you swallow a cecaelia’s tentacles” smirked Agalia when suddenly Zwart let out a squeak and grabbed his stomach and to everyone’s surprise cried out helplessly.[…]“They are the Seven High Sentinels of the Kingdom of Durkinbird, appointed by the King himself from each clanring to serve the palace and the kingdom, don’t be deceived by their cheerful behaviour, they are dignified warriors that guard the King and his palace and each one of them is strong enough to take down an entire army of cecaelias in mere seconds, the fact that the King has summoned all of them to carry out a task, the task must be mighty dangerous.”

2017, Daryl Rodrigues, Quzil Scarlett & the Kingdom of Durkinbird, Notion Press, →ISBN:

Ursula is a Cecaelia; half-human, half-octopus.

2020, James Egan, 3000 Facts about Animated Films, Lulu, →ISBN, page 191:

The lead cecaelia ship left its fleet formation to dock with the main mermaid ship. Aboard Titan’s Caravan’s ship, all watched as the cecaelia leaders walked with their long tentacles, their bodies riding along.[…]The same water fae were present from the meeting on Queen Issaleth’s red ship, and the room was filled with water to everyone’s chest—except the cecaelia. With their tentacles, their upper torsos hung well above the water.[…]Cecaelia are said to have bodies free of bones (though not true) because of their seemingly impossibly fast movements, flexibility, reflexes, and speed.

2021, Austin Dragon, Siren Storms of Madness (Fabled Quest Chronicles; book five), Well-Tailored Books, →ISBN:

In Asian and North American folklore, Cecaelia is described as an “octopus-woman.”

2022, Phoebe Im, Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters: Learn How to Draw Over 60 Enchanting Creatures, Rock Point, →ISBN, page 16:

“I saw a man with a shark tail before,” Elva put in. “They are called triakis, and the octopus people? Those are cecaelia.”[…]They turned to find an elderly cecaelia entering the pavilion, flanked by four guards.[…]Morgan bellowed to the mass of mermaids, naiads, triakis and cecaelia.

2022, C.A.Watts, Mattara (The Ventura Series), Ballads & Bards Bookhouse, →ISBN:

Risa can manipulate the power of the High Seas, and transform into a cecaelia, famous throughout Nassau as Sumitomo’s sorceress, predicts the outcomes of battles and potential threats, she tells the fortunes of pirates whether they die at land or sea, also Sumitomo’s lover, Risa’s devoted to Sumitomo, would do anything he asks of her, she betrayed clan Fujiwara for him, she’s blinded by love and lust, Sumitomo completely has her under his control.

2022, Marcel, Revenge Tale: Kill Mara, Dorrance Publishing Co, →ISBN, page 149:

A composite mythical being, combining the head, arms and torso of a woman (more rarely a man) and, from the lower torso down, the tentacles of an octopus or squid as a form of mermaid, sea witch, or sea demon.


UPG

Initialism of unverified personal gnosis.


Vanatru

From Old Norse vanir (“Vanir”) + trú (“faith”), after the pattern of Ásatrú.

Where Asatru is derived from an Old Norse phrase meaning "True to the Gods [Æsir]," Vanatru is typically focused on the other family of deities listed in Norse mythology, the Vanir.

2010, Nicanthiel Hrafnhild, Sea Sky Soil: An Introduction to Waincraft, unnumbered page:

While this tradition is no worse than any others—and certainly it has been observed that super-traditional mystery-religion Wiccan practice has a strong relationship to Vanatru, or Frey-and-Freya worship—it wasn't the right thing for me.

2013, Raven Kaldera, The Pathwalker's Guide to the Nine Worlds, unnumbered page:

Vanatru and Rokkatru are newer traditions that branched off from Asatru.

2019, Ryan Smith, The Way of Fire and Ice: The Living Tradition of Norse Paganism, page 9:

A form of Norse neopaganism or Asatru that focuses on veneration of the Vanir deities.


Wiccatru

'Northern' can refer to any ragbag of Wiccatru slung together to sell a book to suckers.

2001 September 27, Dirk Bruere, “Re: What is Asatru?”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

Interesting? To whom? Asatruar have been laughing at this childish gibberish for almost a decade now, although Wiccans seem to find it very profound. So why are you banging the tin drum for Wiccatru, anyway?

2003 January 11, Rorik, “Re: Wicca-Asatru”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

Some heathens denigrate such practices as “Wiccatru.”

2021, Diana L. Paxson, Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism, unnumbered page:

(slang, usually derogatory) A syncretic form of Asatru that incorporates Wiccan beliefs, practices, or elements.


Rokkatru

From Old Norse røkkr (“twilight”) + trú (“faith”), referencing Ragnarok, the apocalyptic battle foretold in Norse mythology, itself from regin (“gods”) + rǫk (“fate, judgment”).

Rokkatru is a form of heathenry that many shy away from. The term Rokk as some people say, means dark or shadow. Rokkatru is a practice of heathenry that deals with worshiping the Jotunar, or the Giants.

2019, Theorodic Dukka, A Heathen's Guide Experiences & Advice On Magic & Spiritworking, pages 7–8:

Rokkatru is a controversial addendum to the family; in response to the shunning of Loki and his family in American heathenry, some who honor Loki, Angrboða, Fenrir, et al. responded by framing a subset of heathenry that focuses on the Jotuns and forces of chaos (hence the name Rokkatru, referencing faith in the bringers of Ragnarok).

2022, Lea Svendsen, Loki and Sigyn: Lessons on Chaos, Laughter & Loyalty from the Norse Gods, page 89:

A form of Norse neopaganism or Asatru that focuses on veneration of the Jotun and chaotic deities such as Loki.


fluff bunny

(Wicca, paganism, slang, derogatory) Synonym of fluffy bunny.


Nazitru

Ah well. I'll sign off now and exit this newsgroup yet again. The same Nazitru scum as always predominates and I doubt if I could provide enough entertainment to make watching their antics worth it.

1997 November 15, Al Billings, “Nazitru, Race and "Folkish" Asatru”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

The only form of Asatru I am totally agianst is Nazitru and the extreme racialists, […]

2000 March 9, Swain Wodening, “Re: Racialist and Universialist Bigotry”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

Ain't fair to judge a religion based on *cherrypicked* followers. Asatru looks like crap if you only look at the skinhead Nazitru wannabes.

2007 June 7, Scott Lowther, “Re: Being known by long term results ...”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

(slang, derogatory, often used attributively) Any form of Asatru which incorporates or centers white supremacist ideology.

Wotanism

a similar neo-Nazi sect themed after Norse paganism

folkish

Germanic pagan sects with far-right beliefs, US usage


fluffbunny

[…] and I am an Elder of one of the initiatory Trads which does not necessarily subscribe to either the fluffbunny versions of Wicca nor any of the rosier New Age views.

1997 September 7, RMcGuire, “Re: soc.religion.asatru”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

It is a source of acute embarrassment to me that airheaded fluffbunnies like those who began this thread believe they have *anything* in common with Asatruar.

1999 April 30, Rorik, “Re: They WHAT?”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):

My wording in the old description may have been too "fluffy", but that does not make me a stereotypical fluffbunny.

2000 November 15, Ingeborg S. Nordén, “Re: New e-list: Huggy Heathens”, in alt.religion.asatru (Usenet):


Ynglism

Borrowed from Russian инглиизм (ingliizm). May be reanalyzed as Yngling (“a Scandinavian royal dynasty”) + -ism, in analogy with the Russian word.
In Ynglist belief, the name refers to a fiery primordial radiance known as the "Ynglia" emanated by the supreme god "Ramha".

af

(religion, paganism) An esoteric Rodnover (Slavic Neopagan) sect from Russia.


Lot of Fortune

(astrology) The primary Arabic lot (or 'part') still in use. It is defined as λ_H ± (λ_☾ − λ_☉) – that is, a longitudinal distance along the horizon from the ascendant, H, that is equal to the longitudinal separation of the Sun and Moon. For some, λ_H + (λ_☾ − λ_☉) is the Lot of Fortune and λ_H − (λ_☾ − λ_☉) the Lot of Spirit; more often, λ_H + (λ_☾ − λ_☉) is the Lot of Fortune during the day and λ_H − (λ_☾ − λ_☉) the Lot of Fortune at night.


tonalamatl

From Classical Nahuatl tōnalāmatl (literally “book of days”).

bor

A divinatory almanac used in central Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest, and structured around the sacred 260-day year.


witchism

AFAIR, there's no mention of witchiness or otherwise in the conditions, unless it's picked you up a conviction for theft or fraud along the way, in which case you've got a problem. I'd have thought that the biggest problem with witching and being a postie would be sleep deprivation from all those full moon ceremonies clashing with the 5am starts [1]
Rob.
[1] Vagueness and ignorance of witchism deliberate, he said, trying to avert a new thread...

2000 December 7, Rob Linham, “OFF: Ask Umra”, in uk.media.radio.archers (Usenet), retrieved 2022-08-22:

> LOL. I know it well enough to teach it in Colleges around the world.
Maybe that's causing some of our worldly problems. What exactly do you teach? Nazism/witchism! Regards, BB

2001 August 27, FuselOil, “What is the culture of the nazis/witches?”, in alt.fan.oj-simpson (Usenet), retrieved 2022-08-22:

Bush worships a 40' stone owl and thinks that he, G Dubya Bush, is God. Basic witch-ism. Why else could he think the military has to uphold an oath that he doesn't?

2006 December 26, humbubba, “Hey, Bush, who's our enemy today?”, in alt.politics (Usenet), retrieved 2022-08-22:

What, did you boast to Zephyra that witchism ran in your family?

2010, Kathy Reichs, “The Witch in the Wardrobe” (35:06 from the start), in Bones, season 5, episode 20, spoken by Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz):

Do what you like, where you expect happyness from, the concequences will come. All I'm trying to do is make the case that witchism isn't a way for a lot of happynessr. That is the case no more no less. Better choose wisely because the effects once entrenched can be long lasting.

2010 December 19, jos boersema, “Jesuscult down, worse cults starting up already.”, in alt.messianic (Usenet), retrieved 2022-08-22:


Gungnir

Learned borrowing from Old Norse Gungnir (“the swaying one”).

lbor

(Norse mythology and paganism) The spear of the Norse god Odin, which is believed to never miss its target.


innerstanding

(spiritualism) Comprehension of one's own purported innate knowledge.


quesited

(astrology, divination) The object or goal that is sought in divination.


starfall

en-noun

starfall (countable and uncountable, plural starfalls)

It may not be uninteresting to state that a brilliant and persistent rain of meteors, observed on the same November night both here and at Muscat, has been regarded as the certain sign and portent of ills present and to come, by Arabs in high places, who associate the troubles in the interior and along the Arabian coast with this splendid starfall.

1855, Royal Geographical Society, Proceedings and Monthly Record of Geography, London, pages 128–129:

Although there was no display of the November meteors last year [1867] in any part of Europe, yet the calculations of astronomers respecting the hour and character of the starfall accorded very closely with the results actually observed.

1872, The Student, “The November Shooting Stars”, in Richard Anthony Proctor, editor, Essays on Astronomy, page 119:

More than thirty-four thousand stars fell in one hour, and the starfall continued all night.

2005, Druzelle Cederquist, The Story of Baháʼuʼlláh, Promised One of All Religions, page 13:

(meteorology, astrology, rare) A great number of stars descending downward within outer space or the atmosphere; a meteor shower.


cognitohazard

Blend of cognition + hazard. Probable origin is from the SCP Foundation website.

The symbol on that piece of paper is a cognitohazard which puts everyone who reads it in a week-long coma.

SUMBITCH. I started listening to http://nyan.cat/ again and now I can't turn it off. #memetic #cognitohazard #scp

2011 April 28, @triggurgoat, Twitter, archived from the original on 2023-01-03:

CAUTION! High-grade Cognitohazard in effect!

2011 July 29, @LexLevinholt, Twitter, archived from the original on 2023-01-03:

The one about Qpple hardware being a cognitohazard?
(I made that up, BTW. :D )

2013 February 27, neurotrashboy, “Place name of the week”, in alt.running.out.of.newsgroup.names (Usenet), retrieved 2022-12-09:

SCP-2359’s primary anomalous property is a cognitohazard that propagates to anyone who makes visual, auditory or informational contact with it. The infection impresses a false identity and memories of SCP-2359 onto the mind of the affected subject.

2016 January 29, StringentCurry, “SCP-2359”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 2022-12-11:

Numerous people have reported, or, more accurately, been discovered, as having been subjected to the proscribed work The King in Yellow. […] For one thing, we’re not even sure there’s anything useful in the King play. It’s a complete cognitohazard.

2017, Zachary Adam, Sanity Line (Arcane Revolution Series), CreateSpace, →ISBN:

The last week was devoted to an equally theoretical threat—weaponized cognitohazards. Brown notes. Things that you could be hurt, or possibly killed, by just seeing or hearing them… and what would happen if they got on the Internet. How would people protect themselves?

2018, Paul Briggs, Altered Seasons: Monsoonrise, Secant Publishing, →ISBN:

“Says here you’re on the front lines, not search and rescue. Do you have the cognitohazard equipment?”

2020, Azalea Ellis, Gods of Ash and Amber (Seeds of Chaos), Seladore Publishing, →ISBN:

TL;DR: “Infohazard” means any kind of information that could be harmful in some fashion. Let’s use “cognitohazard” to describe information that could specifically harm the person who knows it.

[2020 February 2, eukaryote, “A point of clarification on infohazard terminology”, in LessWrong, archived from the original on 2022-12-11:

Curses! Foiled again by the cognitohazard of Harry Styles’ painted nails!!!!!!

2022 August 26, Ryan Broderick, Garbage Day, retrieved 2023-10-16:

Awawawa is a cognitohazard that spreads specifically among submissive trans people

2022 December 6, @circleoflust, Twitter, archived from the original on 2023-01-03:

(neurology, chiefly science fiction) An image, pattern, sound, or any other kind of sensory signal that directly causes harmful or undesired physiological or physical effects to one who senses or perceives it.


cognitohazardous

en-adj

cognitohazardous (comparative more cognitohazardous, superlative most cognitohazardous)

more cognitohazardous (comparative)
most cognitohazardous (superlative)

Rapidly-flashing lights are cognitohazardous to people with certain forms of epilepsy, resulting in seizures.

Had the unknown girl who'd written those things somehow added to the end of the book without realizing what it was? Or had it acquired cognitohazardous properties after she was already dead?

2014, Matt Dymerski, The Portal in the Forest, Proximate Publishing, →ISBN:

(neurology, chiefly science fiction) Being, containing, or pertaining to a cognitohazard.


Saggie

Sagittarius. You don’t have a verbal filter (do you ever wonder why you get in so many fights?) and it’s tough to try and curb your tongue. Living with another Saggie means you’ll never have to, you can both gob off to your heart’s content and no one will cry about it.

2019 April 1, Kerry Ward, “Who your ideal housemates are, based on your star sign”, in Cosmopolitan:

One of the challenges of dating a Saggy is that they can't stand talking about feelings. As candid as they are, a Sagittarius would much rather get into a philosophical debate than tell you why they're upset, and that def seems to be the case for Symoné.

2020 July 2, Corinne Sullivan, “Raven-Symoné's Zodiac Sign Says She's A Spontaneous & Intense Partner”, in Elite Daily:


Fool

(tarot, often capitalized Fool) A particular card in a tarot deck, representing a jester.


choiceless awareness

Freedom is found in the choiceless awareness of our daily existence and activity.

2023 February 2 (last accessed), Jiddu Krishnamurti, “The Core of the Teachings”, in jkrishnamurti.org, archived from the original on 2023-01-17:

(philosophy, psychology, spiritualism) The state of unpremeditated, complete awareness of the present without preference, effort, or compulsion; popularized in the mid-20th century by Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

الوعي بلا اختيار

the state of unpremeditated, complete awareness of the present without preference, effort, or compulsion


godsdamned

Bet they're not godsdamned bandits at all, but more like, godsdamned deserters.

2010, Chris Bunch, Dragonmaster: The Omnibus Edition:

(fantasy) Synonym of goddamned (in fictional worlds having more than one god)