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Daath (HEB) Sometimes called Knowledge, Daath lies in the center of the veil or Abyss of the Sephiroth (Tree of Life), formed by the interaction of the sphere of Binah (wisdom) and the sphere of Chokmah (understanding). The Daath point is the interface between these two spheres (the male and female principles of the Spiritual Triad) and so is occasionally called the false or 11th Sephira.

In Aleister Crowley’s system of magick the Daath point was considered a gateway to the path crossing the Abyss (which must be crossed by the adept in order to transcend illusion). This gateway is guarded by Choronzon, the Breaker=down of All Thought and Form (a “demon” or being originating with the Enochian system but given sparse mention in Dr. Dee’s manuscripts). This could be taken to mean that the seeker must in the end transcend even knowledge itself in order to overcome duality. Choronzon can be considered as equivalent to Nyarlathotep in the Cthulhu Mythos.

Some people believe the Daath point to be a “hole” in the Sephiroth which permits access to nonhuman or undiscovered universes. See Abyss; Sephiroth.

Daemon (GRK) A term for spirit.

Daka (SKT) Literally, “one who goes into the sky.” Dpa’bo (TIB). Literally, “hero” or “warrior.” Formally, a masculine Yidam of semi-wrathful appearance. Generally, a type of protector or messenger. See Yidam.

Dakini (SKT) Mkha’-‘gro-ma (TIB). Literally, “one who goes up into the sky.” A female Yidam of wrathful or semi-wrathful appearance. Dakinis embody compassion, emptiness, and Prajna. Traditionally tricky and playful beings, they represent also the fertility or receptivity which allows the play of samsara and nirvana. Generally, a type of protector or messenger. See Yidam.

Dark Night of the Soul A phrase used by St, John of the Cross to describe the depression, isolation, and alienation which afflicts some mystics just prior to the realization of transcendence. Hence the saying, “It is always darkest before the dawn.” See Abyss.

Darshan (SKT) “Sight” or “vision.” The act of seeing a saint or guru, which confers a spiritual blessing. Supposedly, eye contact with a saint or guru establishes a permanent and important psychic link. This is often done formally, in the case of vowed disciples or chelas.

Days of Power Important magickal days through out the year. See Sabbats

Decanate A division of the Zodiac consisting of 10 degrees. Consequently, there are 36 decanates. See Quinance.

Degree The level or status of a practitioner of magick in various traditions. One is required to successfully complete various tests of knowledge and practical experience to progress to another degree within their tradition.

Deity The personification of some force or concept of great magnitude. A being embodying the essence or entirety of an aspect of existence. See Elder God; God: Goddess; Godhead; Pantheon.

Demon From daimon (GRK), a spirit. A term usually used to refer to the personification of something we consider evil or unpleasant. Sometimes used to describe ungoverned passions or desires. A demon may also be thought of as a spirit of entropy, or the embodiment of some force or concept moving backwards in time in relation to us.

The phrase “personal demon” has been used to refer to both the source of genius and inspiration of individuals and to their fatal flaws. See Spirit; Qlippoth.

Deosil Clockwise direction. Used to describe the direction of movement during rituals. A custom used to draw down the power of the sun. In this operation a person typically circles three times deosil. This movement is associated with blessings, luck, and good health or fortune. The opposite of deosil is Widdershins.

Deva (SKT) A celestial being. The term deva is applied both to various classes of spirits and to a number of gods in Hinduism. Devas seem analogous to angels in the Hebrew quabalah. See Spirit.

Dharana (SKT) The act of concentration, or the ability to focus on an object or image without becoming distracted. One of the eight limbs of yoga. See Angas; Yoga.

Dharma (SKT) Chos (TIB), “Truth” or “Law.” To maintain or support. Rectitude or righteousness. A way of life, which consolidates one’s mental, moral, and ethical gains. The correct understanding of one’s place in the present incarnation (self, family, society, etc.). Lower dharma is how things work in the material world. Higher dharma is understanding of self and the cycle of samsara. Dharma is that which burns away, purifies, or minimizes karma. Formally, dharma is the transmission of Buddhist doctrine and teachings. See True Will.

Dharmachakka (SKT) Chos-kyi-Ìkhor-lo (TIB). Wheel of Dharma. A title of the heart chakra. See Anahata; Chakra; Dharma.

Dharmakaya (SKT) Literally, “body of the law.” A body or vehicle of higher consciousness representing enlightenment itself. Dharmakaya is part of the trikaya, or three bodies of Buddhahood. The rupakaya, or “form-body” (made up of the sambhogakaya, or “enjoyment body,” and the nirmanakaya, or “emanation body”), is the dharmakaya’s means of communication. The sambhogakaya is considered the environment of compassion and communication. The nirmanakaya is the Buddha that actually takes form and lives life as a human being. The trikaya is sometimes said to correspond to mind, speech, and body. See Buddha; Bodhisattva; Dharma.

Dharmapala (SKT) Chos-skyong (TIB). Literally, “protector of the dharma.” In Vajrayana Buddhism, a type of deity who protects the practitioner from deceptions and sidetracks. Dharmapalas are part of the fabric of the dharma and are not part of the “six realms”.

Dharmapalas serve and protect the integrity of the teachings and practice) or the Vajrayana transmission) via the four karmas of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying. See Augoeides; Holy Guardian Angel.

Dhyana (SKT) Meditation. The second stage of concentration, following dharma. The state of clear attention or consciousness unbroken by separate thoughts. Dhyana precedes samadhi. The words Ch’an and Zen both mean dhyana. See Angas; Ch’an; Zen.

Distillation An alchemical operation wherein a liquid is boiled until it vaporizes and is then recondensed by cooling. Distillation was an alchemical symbol of purification. The resulting vapor was considered to be the spirit of the substance distilled. See Alchemy; Spagyric Art.

Divination From the Latin divinatio, the faculty of foreseeing. Any of the various methods for generating omens, such as cartomancy (divination using cards), rhabdomancy (divination using rods), or geomancy (divination using earth). See Geomancy; I Ching; Mantic Arts; Prophecy; Tarot.

Divine Name A name or formula representing an aspect of the entirety of God. Usually resonated or chanted during a ritual.

Probably the best known divine name in the West is YHVH, a Hebrew word meaning “He is,” used to represent the God-aspect of Kether (the first Sephirah or emanation of the Tree of Life). This is the name, which was mistranslated in the King James Bible as Jehovah. The Gnostic term IAO and the Hindu word AUM are also well known divine names. See Mantra; Tetragrammaton.

Do (JAP) Way. See Tao

Dolmen A Breton word meaning “table of stone”, describing a large unhewn stone resting on two or more supports. Such megaliths were often placed on sites, which acted as foci fo earth energies. See Cromlech

Dracomancer One who invokes dragons in their magickal operations.

Draconian Current A phrase used by Kenneth Grant (head of the British O.T.O.) to denote the magickal tradition behind his system of tantra. Supposedly of ancient Egyptian origin, the Draconian Current is named after Draco, the son of Typhon (the Primeval Mother), See Kundalini; Tiamat.

Dracontia Many temples and sacred sites have been associated with dragons, probably because of their connection with primeval earth forces. This is particularly true of megalithic sites such as Carnac in Brittany. See Dragon Tracks

Dragon Originally associated with water, lightning, and earth energies. Generally a symbol of great primeval power. See Draconian Current; Dracontia; Dragon Tracks; Tiamat.

Dragon Tracks A Chinese term for the lines of flow of earth energies. See Ley Lines

Drake A term used to identify a young dragon.

Drawing Down the Moon A ritual performed by the High Priest invoking the Goddess to manifest in the High Priestess.

Dreamtime The Shamanic concept of a parallel world to this one.

Druidism An ancient Celtic order of priests, bards and ovates. It has recently undergone a modern revival into neo-paganism. See Druidism page.

Dryads (GRK) In Greek mythology, nymphs living in and ruling over woods and trees. See Devas

Duality The law of duality; the fact that everything must co-exist alongside its own opposite.

Dumo (TIB) See Tumo

Dweller on the threshold A hostile spirit or being peculiar ro each individual, comprised of the accumulated “bad karma” of that individual. Such a being could be thought of as the personification of all that holds the seeker back from enlightenment. In this sense, it is like a negative Holy Guardian Angel. In some systems, the occultist must confront the Dweller on the astral planes and overcome it. This concept may have originated in the novel Zanoni by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Compare also with “The Lurker on the Threshold” by H. P. Lovecraft. See Astral Projection

Dzo A West African term approximately equivalent to the Polynesian word mana. See Mana



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