Glossary of the Occult
amulet ornament inscribed with a magic spell or sign, usually worn around the neck or wrist to ward off evil and to help the wearer.
animism belief that inanimate objects, such as rocks, trees, the wind, are alive and have souls
astrology study of the position of the stars in order to understand and predict the influence on human affairs and world events such as floods, earthquakes, etc.
augury practice of divination; omen, sign, portent
bewitch to influence, especially harmfully, but witchcraft; to cast a spell
black magic witchcraft. Sometimes called black art
charm act or spell having magic power. Something worn by a person to ward off evil
clairvoyance ability to discern things that are not yet present to the senses
conjure to summon a departed spirit or a devil, often by incantation
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coven an assembly of ( thirteen ) witches
crystal gazer person who uses a crystal ball to look into the future
curse to call harm or injury upon a person; or the injury that comes in response to the invocation
demon evil attendant power or spirit, subservient to Satan
divination practice of seeking to foretell or foresee the future and discover hidden knowledge, often by means of omens, augury, or other occult means
exorcism ritual used to drive away an evil spirit
E.S.P. abbreviation for extra-sensory perception
extra-sensory perception ability to gain insights or knowledge without the use of ordinary senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.)
familiar spirit embodied in an animal which attends, serves and guards a person
fetish object regarded as magical or sacred by primitive people, for use in avoiding evil and attracting good for the owner
fortune-teller one who tells future events, usually for individuals
hex to affect by an evil spell; or the sign used to ward off evil spirits
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horoscope diagram showing position of planets and stars with their signs of the zodiac, used by astrologers to foretell events of a person's life and give related guidance
incantation charm or spell that is spoken or sung as part of a magical ritual.
magic supernatural power over natural forces, by use of charms, spells, etc. (Not to be confused with sleight-of-hand tricks often performed on stage.)
medium individual who acts as a means of communication between this world and the spirit world, with ability to talk to and call up the dead
necromancy conjuring spirits for the purpose of revealing the future or influencing future events
occult secret, mysterious, relating to supernatural agencies or forces
Ouija board flat wooden surface with the alphabet and other signs, used to obtain spiritualistic or telepathic messages about the future or other hidden knowledge. This is sometimes considered a game.
palmistry reading a person's character or future by the lines on his palms
phrenology reading a person's character or future by the conformation of his skull
poltergeist noisy, mischievous ghost who is said to be responsible for strange noise such as
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rappings or knockings, or movement of inanimate objects. Poltergeists seem to be especially ready to perform around young girls.
precognition discernment about an event not yet experienced, achieved by means beyond the ordinary physical senses
premonition uneasy anticipation of an event without any conscious reason for anxiety
presentiment feeling that something is about to happen
psi generic symbol for the transcendent aspect of human personality. From first letter of Greek word psyche (soul)
psychic person who is sensitive to nonphysical forces and their significance in the material world
psychic phenomena events that cannot be explained by physical reference, so are attributed to nonphysical or spiritual forces
reincarnation rebirth of a soul into a new human body or other form of life. An element of the Hindu religion
Satanism devil worship, usually involving a travesty of Christian rites
seance group meeting to receive communication from spirits. A medium usually presides at a seance.
seer one who predicts future events or developments
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soothsaying act of foretelling future events
sorcery use of power obtained from control of, or the help of, evil spirits, especially for divination or necromancy
spell spoken word or pattern of words with magical power
spiritism, or spiritualism belief that departed spirits commune with living people, usually through a medium, but sometimes through other psychic phenomena
tarot cards set of 22 picture playing cards used in fortune-telling
telepathy, or mental telepathy communication from one mind to another without use of the ordinary physical channels of hearing, seeing, touching, etc.
trance state of partially suspended animation
voodoo religion derived from African ancestor worship practice by Negroes of the West Indies, involving spells, necromancy, and communication with animistic gods
warlock one who works black magic; obs. a male witch
witch woman or man who practices the black arts; one who had supernatural powers because of a pact with the devil
witchcraft communion with the devil for purposes of working evil
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witches' sabbath or sabbat midnight assembly of coven of witches for performing rites
wizard skilled magician, sorcerer
zodiac imaginary belt of planets and constellations in twelve houses which affect human experience, represented by astrological signs
BOOKS FOR MORE READING
The Bible, especially the records of Jesus' life on earth: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Revised Standard Version and Jerusalem Bible are very readable.
Garrett, Eileen J. The Sense and Nonsense of Prophecy. New York: Garret-Helix, 1969.
Glendenning, O. N. V. The World of the Witches. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964.
Koch, Kurt. Between Christ and Satan. Baden: Evangelization Publishers, 1967.
-------. Christian Counseling and Occultism. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1965.
Lea, Henry C. Superstition and Force. Philadelphia: Collins, 1878.
Lewinsohn, Richard. Prophets and Prediction. London: Stecker & Warburg, 1958.
M'Donald, W. Spiritualism. New York: Carlton and Porter, 1866.
Meerlo, Joost A. M. Hidden Communion, Studies in the Communication Theory of Telepathy. New York: Garrett Publications, 1964.
Oesterreich, T.K. Possession, Demonical and Other. New York: Richard R. Smith, 1930.
Phillips, J.B. Ring of Truth. New York: Macmillan Co., 1967.
Pike, James A., with Kennedy, Diane. The Other
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Side. Garden City: Doubleday & Co., Inc.,1968.
Proceedings, Society for Physically Research. London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co., 1901.
Rhine, J.B. Extra-Sensory Perception. Boston: Bruce Humphries, 1935.
Upham, Charles W. Salem Witchcraft. Boston: Wiggin & Lunt, 1867.
Williams, Charles, Witchcraft. Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1959.
