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Standard Vocabulary of Theology

NOTE: Terms marked with an asterix (*) are subjects that I know much more about.

Abraham
an Old Testament patriarch and founder of the Hebrew people.1
Aesir
the principal race of the Norse Gods.1
ahimsa
the Hindu and Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living being. 4
Akashic Record (a.k.a. Akashic Chronicles)
the historical records of all world events and personal experiences of all thoughts and deeds which have taken place on earth. These are indelibly imprinted upon the Akasha.2
alchemy
a power or process of transforming something common into something special. 1
Allah
the Supreme Being of Islam.1
Anabaptists
Protestant sectarian of a radical movement arising in the 16th century and advocating the baptism and church membership of adult believers only, nonresistance and the separation of church and state.1
Anglican Communion
the national church of England.4
annotate
to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comments.1
animism
attibution of conscious life to nature or natural objects.1
Anthroposophy
a 20th century religious system growing out of theosophy and centering on human development.1
apostolic succession
in Christian theology, the doctrine asserting that the chosen successors of the apostles enjoyed through God's grace the same authority, power, and responsibility as was conferred upon the apostles by Christ.8
Aramaic
a Semitic language known since the ninth century B.C. as the speech of the Aramaeans and later used extensively in southwest Asia as a commercial and government language and adopted as their customary speech by various non-Aramaean peoples including the Jews after the Babylonin exile.1
asceticism
practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and esp. spiritual discipline.1
Ashkenazim
In modern times the term Ashkenazim refers to the German Jews as distinguished from the Sephardim, the Jews of Spain and Portugal.8
astrology
the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestial events by their positions and aspects. 1
athame
A ritual dagger with a double-edged blade, used by Witches to draw their magic circles and to store and direct energy during magical rituals. 5
atheism
a disbelief in the existence of deity.1
aura
The name given to a subtle envelope of vital energy which apparently radiates around natural objects, including human beings, animals and plants. 2
B.C.E.
before the Common Era.4
Baha'ism
religious movement originating in Iran in the 19th century and emphasizing the spiritual unity of mankind.1
baptism
a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water and admitting the recipient to the Christian community.1
bar/bat mitzvah
a Jewish boy who reaches his 13thbirthday and attains the age of religious duty and responsibility; the initiatory ceremony recognizing a boy as a bar mitzvah.1
Beltaine (or May Day)
May Eve festival (on or around 1 May). One of the Ancient Celtic "Fire Festivals."5
besom
broom, esp. one made of twigs.1
biofeedback *
the technique of making unconscious or involuntary bodily processes (as heartbeat or brain waves) perceptible to the senses (as by use of an oscilloscope) in order to manipulate them by conscious mental control.1
Blavatsky, H.P.
Russian traveler and theosophist.1
blot
a mark of reproach, a moral flaw, a backgammon man exposed to capture. 1
bolline (BO-LEEN')
Practical knife of witchcraft used for practical purposes such as cutting herbs and inscribing objects.5
Book of Shadows
Also known as a Witches Grimoire. Traditionally this is a hand written book of a Witches spells, rituals, poems, recipes and inspirations. 5
Brahman
Hindu of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood. 1
Brith Milah (bris)
covenant of circumcision.1
Buddha
a person who has attained Buddhahood (a state of perfect enlightenment soughtin Buddhism).1
Burning Times
The term refers to that period in history when people accused of Witchcraft were hunted and executed by burning or being hanged.5
C.E.
Common Era.4
Candomble
A religion based on African traditions with elements derived from Christianity, practiced chiefly in Brazil.4
canon law
The body of officially established rules governing the faith and practice of the members of a Christian church.4
cantor
a synagogue official who sings or chants liturgical music and leads the congregation in prayer.1
Cathars
a member of one of the various ascetic and dualistic Christian sects flourishing in the middle ages teaching that matter is evil, and professing faith in an angelic Christ who did not really undergo human birth or death. 1
Celt
a member of a division of the early Indo-European peoples distributed from the British Isles and Spain to Asia Minor.1
chakra
A yoga term, derived from the Sanskrit for 'wheel', used to denote a series of circular vortices on the life force of a person, at which points energies are recieved, transformed and distributed.2
channeling
The process by which a medium can communicate information from nonphysical beings, such as spirits, deities, demons or aliens through entering a state of trance or some other form of altered consciousness.2
chaos theory
in mathematics, physics, and other fields, a set of ideas that attempts to reveal structure in aperiodic, unpredictable dynamic systems such as cloud formation or the fluctuation of biological populations.8
Charge of the Goddess
The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers, or "hidden children". Normally delivered by the High Priestess at every coven Circle. Also known as "The Charge of the Goddess". 5
chi
The vital force believed in Taoism and other Chinese thought to be inherent in all things. 4
circumcision
a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the Jewish religious community.1
cone of power
Power or energy raised in the circle by the Witches assembled, and sent out into the world to work magick.5
Conservative Judaism
The branch of Judaism that allows for modifications in Jewish law when authorized by the Conservative rabbinate.4
cosmos
an orderly harmonious systematic universe.1
coven
an assembly or band of witches.1
covenant
a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.1
Crowley, Aleister
English magician and occultist, who described himself as the "Beast of the Apocalypse' and was called by the media "The Wickedest Man in the World". 2
daimon
The Greek daimon means 'divine power', 'fate', or 'god'. To the Greeks daimons were intermediary spirits between human beings and the gods, acting as spiritual advisors.2
Dalai Lama
the spiritual head of Lamaism.1
Dee, John
English mathematician and astrologer, who was advisor to Queen Elizabeth I on occult matters.2
Delphi
An ancient town of central Greece near Mount Parnassus. Dating to at least the seventh century B.C., it was the seat of a famous oracle of Apollo. 4
deosil
In a clockwise or sunwise direction.5
dharma
an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law; the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence.1
Dodona
An ancient city of northwest Greece. It was a center of Pelasgian worship dedicated to Zeus.4
dowsing
to use a divining rod to find (as water) by dowsing.1
Druidism
the system of religion, philosophy, and instruction of the druids.1
Eddas
A collection of Old Norse poems, called the Elder or Poetic Edda, assembled in the early 13th century. 4
Eightfold Path
Buddhism...there is a path to the cessation of suffering, the "eightfold path" of right views, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.8
elements *
one of the four substances air, water, fire and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe.1
Emperor Julian
Sometime in the course of his studies, Julian abandoned Christianity. Although as emperor he issued an edict of religious toleration, he did try unsuccessfully to restore paganism; the result was much confusion since Christianity was rent by the quarrel over Arianism. His short reign was just, and he was responsible for far-reaching legislation. 8
entropy
the steady degradation or disorganization of a system or society.1
Epictetus
Phrygian-born philosopher who popularized the Stoic ethical doctrine of limiting one's desires, believing that one should act in life as at a banquet by taking a polite portion of all that is offered.4
Epicureanism
A philosophy advanced by Epicurus that considered happiness, or the avoidance of pain and emotional disturbance, to be the highest good and that advocated the pursuit of pleasures that can be enjoyed in moderation. 4
esbat
The term of the traditional meeting of a coven on a new or full moon. 5
Essenes
a member of a monastic brotherhood of Jews in Palestine from the 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D. 1
eucharist
Christian Science: spiritual communion with God.1
evocation
the act or fact of evoking (the summoning of a spirit).1
familiar
a spirit often embodied in an animal and held to attend and serve or guard a person.1
feng shui *
The ancient Chinese occult study of the hidden currents and forces that cover the surface of the earth.2
Freemasonry
the principles, institutions, or practices of Freemasons (a member of a major fraternal organization called Free and Accepted Masons or Ancient Free and Accepted Masons that has certain rituals).1
fundamentalism
a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles.1
futhark
the runic alphabet.1
gematria *
A Kabbalistic system for discovering the hidden meaning of letters words and sentences, using numbers and letters of the alphabet. 2
gentile
a person of a non-Jewish nation or of non-Jewish faith.1
gnome
an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhabits the earth. 1
Gnosticism
the thought and practices especially of various culta of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis.1
Golden Dawn *
occult-oriented fraternal organization established by the Freemasons in England (1888), led by S. L. MacGregor Mathers (1854-1917). The order's rituals were derived from writings by Fred Hockley, and members had to demonstrate competence in mysticism.8
gospel
having a basis in or being in accordance with the gospel.1
grail
the cup or platter used according to medieval legend by Christ at the Last Supper and thereafter the object of knightly quests.1
guru
a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism.1
Haggadah
ancient Jewish lore forming especially the nonlegal part of the Talmud. 1
hajj
the pilgrimage to Mecca proscribed as a religious duty for Muslims.1
halakhah
the body of Jewish law supplementing the scriptural law and forming especially the legal part of the Talmud.1
hallow
to make holy or set apart for holy use.1
handfasting
a contract or covenant especially of betrothal or marriage.1
havdalah (variation of habdalah)
a Jewish ceremony marking the close of a Sabbath or holy day.1
Heathen
an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible.1
henotheism
the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.1
hermetic *
of or relating of the Gnostic writings or teachings arising in the first three centuries A.D. and attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.1
hierophant
a priest in ancient Greece, specifically the chief priest of the Eleusinian mysteries.1
homeopathy
a system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in healthy persons produce symptoms of the disease treated.1
HP (High Priest) / HPs (High Priestess)
The term given to the male / female leader in a coven. 5
I Ching
The name of a sacred book, also called The Book of Changes, which forms the basis for an ancient Chinese divinatory system. 2
icon
a conventional religious image typically painted on a small wooden panel and used in the devotions of Eastern Christians.1
imam
the prayer leader of a mosque.1
Imbolc
This is one of the eight Sabbats which celebrates the transition of the Goddess from Crone to Maiden.5
Indo-European
of, relating to, or constituting the Indo-European languages (a family of languages comprising those spoken in most of Europe and in parts of the world colonized by Eurpoeans since 1500 and also in Persia, the subcontinent of India and some parts of Asia.1
invocation
the act or process of petitioning for help or support; a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship).1
Jung, Carl Gustav
Swiss psychologist.1
Kabbalah (variation of cabala)
a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy marked by belief in creation through emanation and a cipher method of interpreting Scripture.1
karma
the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddahism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine his destiny in his next existence.1
kashrut
the Jewish dietary laws.1
kindred
a group of related individuals; of similar nature or character.1
kundalini
Energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine until it is activated, as by the practice of yoga, and channeled upward through the chakras in the process of spiritual perfection.4
Law of Return / Threefold Law / Law of Threefold Return
The law that any act will return with three times the energy of the original act in the same or a future life. 5
liberation theology
A school of theology, especially prevalent in the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America, that finds in the Gospel a call to free people from political, social, and material oppression.4
lingam
A stylized phallus worshiped as a symbol of the god Shiva. 4
Magen David
A six-pointed star, a symbol of Judaism, that is formed by placing two triangles together, one inverted over the other or interlaced.4
magic(k) *
the use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces; an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source.1
Mahayana
One of the major schools of Buddhism, teaching social concern and universal salvation and active in Japan, Korea, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, Vietnam, and China.4
mana
the power of the elemental forces of nature embodied in an object or person.1
Mani
Persian prophet and founder of Manichaeism. His religious movement, a rival to early Christianity, professed that the world is a fusion of the equal but opposite forces of good and evil.4
mantis
diviner, prophet.1
mantra
a mystical formula of invocation or incantation (as in Hinduism). 1
matriarchy
a family, group or state governed by a matriarch; a system of social organization in which descent and inheritance are traced through the female line.1
miasma
defilement.1
Michael
The guardian archangel of the Jews in the Hebrew Scriptures.4
Muhammad
Arab prophet of Islam. 4
monism
the view that reality is one unitary organic whole with no independent parts.1
monotheism
the doctrine or belief that there is but one God.1
Moses
In the Bible, the Hebrew prophet and lawgiver who led the Israelites out of Egypt.4
mudra
symbolic hand gestures used in religious ceremonies and dances of India.1
mysticism
the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (as intuition or insight). 1
mythos
a pattern of beliefs expressing often sumbolically the characteristic or prevalent attitudes in a group or culture.1
Nanak
Indian religious leader who broke from orthodox Hinduism to found Sikhism. 4
Nation of Islam
A religious and cultural organization founded in 1931 in the United States, espousing Islamic principles and favoring political, social, and economic independence for African Americans.4
naturopathy
a system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural agents (as air, water and sunshine) and physical means (as manipulation and electrical treatment).1
NDE
Near Death Experience.4
Neo-Paganism
Any of various religious movements arising chiefly in the United Kingdom and the United States in the late 20th century that combine worship of pagan nature deities, particularly of the earth, with benign witchcraft. 4
New Age
A term which became popular in the 1980s and is used to describe a nebulous, quasi-religious set of beliefs, encompassing a wide array of notions, such as spiritualism, astrology, mysticism, the occult, reincarnation, parapsychology, ecology and planetary awareness, as well as a commitment to complimentary medicine and the pseudoscientific applications of the 'healing powers' of crystals and pyramids.2
Nichiren
Japanese Buddhist monk and founder of a sect of Buddhism that bears his name. 4
numen
a spiritual force or influence often identified with a natural object, phenomenon, or locality.1
numerology
the study of the occult significance of numbers.1
occult
matters regarded as involving the action or influence of supernatural powers or some secret knowledge of them.1
offertory
the period of collection and presentation of the offerings of the congregation at public worship.1
ogham
the alphabetic system of 5th and 6th century Old Irish in which an alphabet of 20 letters is represented by notches for vowels and lines for consonants and which is known principally from inscriptions cut on the edges of rough standing tombstones.1
oracle
a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak.1
Orphism
a mystic Greek religion offering purification of the soul from innate evil and release from the cycle of reincarnation.1
Orthodox Judaism
The branch of Judaism that is governed by adherence to the Torah as interpreted in the Talmud.4
Pagan
a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome).1
Pali
series of Buddhist texts.1
pantheism
a doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe. 1
Passover
a Jewish holiday beginning on the 14th of Nisan and commemorating the Hebrews liberation from slavery in Egypt. 1
pastor
a clergyman serving a local church or parish.1
patriarchy
social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependance of wives and children, and the reconing of descent and inheritance in the male line.1
pentagram
a figure of a 5 pointed star usually made with alternate points connected by a continuous line and used as a magic symbol.1
Pentecost
a Christian feast on the seventh Sunday after Easter commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.1
Plato
Greek philosopher. 4
Plotinus
Egyptian-born Roman philosopher who founded Neo-Platonism. His writings are collected in The Enneads.4
polytheism
belief in or worship of more than one god.1
priest
one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between man and God.1
Qur'an (variation of Koran)
the book composed of sacred writings accepted by Muslims as revelations made to Muhammad by Allah through the angel Gabriel.1
rabbi
a Jew qualified to expound and apply the halakah and other Jewish law.1
Rastafarians
a religious cult among black Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of blacks and their return to Africa.1
rebbe
a Jewish spiritual leader or teacher.1
Reform Judaism
The branch of Judaism introduced in the 19th century that seeks to reconcile historical Judaism with modern life and does not require strict observance of traditional religious law and ritual.4
rite of passage
A ritual or ceremony signifying an event in a person's life indicative of a transition from one stage to another, as from adolescence to adulthood. 4
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year, observed on the first day or the first and second days of Tishri and marked by solemnity as well as festivity.4
Rosicrucianism
an adherent of a 17th and 18th century movement devoted to esoteric wisdom with emphasis on psychic and spiritual enlightenment. 1
rune
any of the characters of any of several alphabets used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3rd to the 13th centuries. 1
sabbat
A specific celebration in the Wiccan/Pagan tradition.5
sacrament
a formal religious act that is sacred as a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality.1
sacrifice
an act of offering to deity something precious.1
salamander
an elemental being in the theory of Paraceleus inhabiting fire.1
Samhain
One of the eight Sabbats which is celebrated on or around 31 October. It is a festival which celebrates the end of summer. Also known as Halloween. 5
Santeria
An African-based religion similar to voodoo, originating in Cuba and Brazil, which combines the worship of traditional Yoruban deities with the worship of Roman Catholic saints.4
Satanism
the worship of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian rites.1
shamanism
a religion of the Ural-Altaic peoples of northern Asia and Eurpoe characterized by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons and ancestrial spirits responsive only to the shamans.1
shema
the Jewish confession of faith 1
Shinto
the indigenous religion of Japan consisting chiefly in the cultic devotion to deities of natural forces and veneration of the Emporer as a descendant of the sun-goddess.1
siddur
a Jewish prayer book containing both Hebrew and Aramaic prayers used in the Ashkenazic daily liturgy.1
sigil *
a sign, word or device of supposed occult power in astrology or magic. 1
Sikhism
monothiestic religion of India founded about 1500 by a Hindu under Islamic influence and marked by rejection of idolatry and caste.1
skyclad
The term used for ritual nudity.5
Smith, Joseph
American founder of Mormon church.1
smudge / smudging
The practice of waving smoldering incense or herb bundle about an individual or area to cleanse or purify.5
Socrates
Greek philosopher.1
Solon
Athenian lawgiver.1
spell
a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power.1
spiritualism
A system of religious beliefs centered on the assumption that communication with the dead, or spirits, is possible.2
Steiner, Rudolf
Austrian philosopher, scientist, artist and educator who was the originator of the social philosophy called Anthroposophy. A Christianized version of Theosophy, this doctrine asserts that humans possess a faculty of spiritual cognition, or pure thought, which functions indepentently of the senses. 2
Stoicism
a school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium about 300 B.C. holding that the wise man should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submissive to the natural law.1
Sufism
Islamic mysticism.4
Summerlands
A spiritualist word for the Heaven which souls enter after death. Often used by believers in Reincarnation to denote the astral stage of rest after physical death.5
Sun Dance
A religious ceremony widely practiced among Native American peoples of the Great Plains, typically marked by several days of fasting and group dancing and sometimes including ritual self-torture, as in penance or to induce a trance or vision.4
Sunna
the body of Islamic custom and practice based on Muhammad's words and deeds. 1
sutra
a precept summarizing Vedic teaching, also a collection of these precepts. 1
sylph
an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus that inhibits air. 1
syncretism
the combination of different forms of belief or practice.1
taboo
forbidden to profane use or contact because of supposedly dangerous supernatural powers.1
Talmud
the authoritative body of Jewish tradition comprising the Mishnah and Gemara.1
Tanakh
The sacred book of Judaism, consisting of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings; the Hebrew Scriptures.4
Tantra
one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices. 1
Tao
the creative principle that orders the universe as conceived by Taoists. 1
Tarot
any of a set of 22 pictorial playing cards used for fortune-telling and serving as trumps in tarok.1
tefillin
the phylacteries worn by Jews.1
tetragrammaton
the four Hebrew letters usually transliterated YHWH or JHVH that form a biblical proper name of God.1
thaumaturgy
the performance of miracles.1
Theban
An ancient city of Boeotia in east-central Greece northwest of Athens. 4
Theosophy
A term derived from the Greek theos ('god') and sophia ('wisdom') which means wisdom of or about God. In a general sense, theosophy refers to a broad spectrum of occult or mystical philosophies, often pantheistic in nature.2
theurgy
the art or technique of compelling or persuading a god or beneficent or supernatural power to do or refrain from doing something.1
Torah
the body of wisdom and law contained in Jewish Scripture and other sacred literature and oral tradition.1
transcendence
the quality or state of being transcendent (exceeding or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience and knowledge).1
transsubstantiation
the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the eucharistic elements at their consecration became the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearance of bread and wine. 1
trinity
the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead according to Christian dogma.1
troth
loyal or pledged faithfulness; one's pledged word.1
undine
an elemental being in the theory of Parcelsus inhabiting water.1
Unitarian Universalism
A religious association of Christian origin that has no official creed and that considers God to be unipersonal, salvation to be granted to the entire human race, and reason and conscience to be the criteria for belief and practice.4
Valhalla
the great hall in Norse mythology where the souls of heroes slain in battle are received.1
Vanir
a race of Norse gods who became united with the Aesir.1
Veda
any of four canonical collections of hymns, prayers and liturgical formulas that comprise the earliest Hindu sacred writings.1
veneration
respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication or talent of a person.1
Vestal Virgin
a virgin consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to the service of watching the sacred fire perpetually kept burning on her altar.1
vision quest
A period of spiritual seeking among certain Native American peoples, often undertaken as a puberty rite, that typically involves isolation, fasting, and the inducement of a trance state for the purpose of attaining guidance or knowledge from supernatural forces.4
votive offering
offered or performed in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion. 1
Voudoun (a.k.a. Voodoo)
A religious system with followers predominantly in Haiti in the West Indies, and in other contries to which Haitians have immigrated. 2
warlock
A derogatory term for someone who has betrayed the craft and/or uses their skill for evil/negative purposes.5
watchtowers
Originally from the Enochian branch of Ceremonial Magick, now incorporated into many "Traditions" of Wicca, these are the four elemental "directions" or "quarters" (corresponding to the appropriate points on the compass) called to protect the Circle during its establishment. 5
Wiccan Rede
The simple rule of Wiccans which states "An harm ye none, do what ye will." 5
widdershins
In a contrary or counterclockwise direction.4
Yggdrasil
The great ash tree that holds together earth, heaven, and hell by its roots and branches in Norse mythology.4
yin-yang
An old Chinese symbol for the universe that has become integrated in Western ideography. 7
yoga
a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation.1
Yom Kippur
a Jewish holiday observed with fasting and prayer on the 10th day of Tishri in accordance with the rites.1
yoni
A stylized representation of a vulva worshiped as a symbol of a goddess or Shakti.4
Yule / Winter Solstice
One of the eight Sabbats celebrated on or around 23 December. This festival celebrates the Winter Solstice when the God is reborn from the Goddess. 5
Zen
a Japanese sect of Mahayana Buddhism that aims at enlightenment by direct intuition through meditation.1
zodiac
an imaginary belt in the heavens usually 18 degrees wide that encompasses the apparent paths of all the principle planets except Pluto, has the ecliptic as its central line and is divided into 12 constellations or signs each taken for astrological purposes to extend 30 degrees of longitude.1
αγαθος δαιμων [aga thos dea mon]
a guardian spirit or semi-devine being, in the form of a snake, that protects the home and the community.
Ανθεστηρια [An the steer eea]
literally "feast of flowers", the three day festival of Dionysus at Athens, in the month of Anthesterion. 6
Ανθεστηριον [An the steer eeon]
eighth month of the Attic year falling from mid January to mid February.
Απολλον Αλεξικακοσ [Apollon Alek seek akos]
Apollon who wards off evil.
Αριαδνη [Aree ad nee]
wife of the god Dionysos.
δαδουχος [da doo hos]
torch bearer 3
Διωνυσος [Deeo nee sos]
Dionysos, god of wine and chaos.
Εκας! Εκας! Εστε βεβηλος! [Ekas! Ekas! Este veveelos!]
literally "Far off! Far off! Even to the profane!" commanding any evil spirits to leave the area.
Εκητι Ξθονια [Ek ee tee H thon ee a]
Hekate "of the earth", guide of spirits on the earth.
Ερμης Ξθονιος [Erm ees H thon ee os]
Hermes "of the earth", guide of spirits in the underworld.
Ιστια [Ees tee a]
hearth; house, home, family; altar; Hestia.3
Ηφαιστοσ [Ee fes tos]
Hephistos, god of forge and industry.
ευφημια ‘στο! [ee feem eea sto!]
Let there be solemn silence!
γοης [go ees]
one who speaks with spirits.
ιερευς [ier EES]
priest.3
ιερεια [ier EEA]
priestess.3
ιερος κηρυξ [ieros kee reeks]
literally "sacred herald", person that leads the participants in any verbal parts of the ritual.
ιερος γαμος [eeeros gamos]
sacred marriage, or ritual sex, used to promote fertility.
καθαροι [kath are]
pure spirit.
κηρ [keer]
fate, death; goddess of death; doom, destruction, mischief, evil.3
κρατηρ [kra teer]
mixing vessel, bowl; 3 [in which the wine was mixed with water.]
μαγειρος [mag eer os]
sacrificing priest or cook.
μαγεια [may EE a]
magic.
μιαροι [meeare]
polluted spirit.
μιασμα [may EE a]
stain, defilement, pollution, abomination.3
οινοχοος [e no hoos]
cupbearer.
περιρραντηιον [pereer rant EER eeon]
holy water vessel.3
πιθοιγια [peeth e geea]
festival of the opening of casks of new wine, held at the Anthesteria
σπονδη [spon dee]
drink-offering, libation.3
σπονδφορος [SPOND o foros]
one who offers libations.
τεμενος [temenos]
piece of land cut off for a certain purpose, crown-estate; sacred land, precincts of a temple.3
χοες [hoees]
three quart wine jug; second day of Anthesteria, including many drinking contests and fertility rituals.
χυτρα [hee tra]
literally "pots", third day of Anthesteria honoring and placating ancestral spirits.
ψυχπομποι [psee ho pomp e]
guide to spirits.
υδροφορος [EEDRO foros]
watercarrier.
Θαρρει παντ αγαθα πεπραγαμεν [tharee pant agatha pepragamen]
"be brave for all good things have come to pass"
χερνιπς [hern EEPS]
water for washing the hands, purifications with holy water.

Works Cited

  1. Webster's ninth New Collegiate Dictionary ISBN 0-87779-510-X
  2. Dictionary of the Occult ISBN 1-86019-341-2
  3. Langenscheidt's Pocket Dictionary: Classical Greek ISBN 0-88729-081-7
  4. http://www.dictionary.com/
  5. The Eclectic Teaching Circle of NOLA
  6. The Perseus Digital Library
  7. Symbols.com
  8. Bartleby's Columbia Encyclopedia

Theoroi Hellenionou.
Approved
08-Oct-02.