Nadas (SKT) The internal noises. The nadas are encountered during different stages of meditation, as sounds arising out of internal silence prior to hearing the “voice of silence.” Some authorities list five nadas, others seven, or even ten. Few sources agree as to which sounds comprise the nadas or their order. The list includes cymbals, bells, thunder, bamboo flutes, the sound of a shell, a conch, trumpets, the song of a nightingale, and tinkling ornaments. Nada is also described as the prolongation of sound as when chanting Om (Aumgn). The gn is denoted by the dot in the Om character. This dot is also called Bindu. SeeOm
Nadis (SKT) The “nerves” of the subtle body. The nadis are channels for prana and the various other vayus (vitalairs). Perhaps hundreds of nadis have been mapped out, but there are 14 main channels most often discussed in yogic literature. These are: 1) shushumna; 2) ida; 3) pingala; 4) gandhari; 5) hasthajihva; 6) Kuhu; 7) saraswati; 8) pusha; 9) sankhini; 10) paysawini; 11) varuni; 12) alambhusa; 13) vishvodhara; and 14) yasavini. SeeChakra; Ida; Pingala; Prana; Shushumna; Vayu.
Nagas (SKT) Serpent spirits in Hindu mythology who lived in vast and beautiful temples and palaces beneath the earth. According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha taught the doctrine of the absolute void (sunyata) to the nagas because it would not be understood by the people of his time. The nagas gave this teaching to Nagarjuna (Arjuna of the nagas) seven centuries later. SeeSunyata
Naiads (GRK) Nymphs of rivers, streams, or fountains in Greek mythology. SeeDevas
Nara (SKT) Literally “man.” The original eternal archetypal mold for humanity. Equivalent to the Hebrew term Adam Kadmon (the Heavenly Man). SeeAdam Kadmon; Narayana; Purusha.
Narayana (SKT) The Son of Nara. The most sacred name of Vishnu (Hindu god of preservation), sometimes translated as “Moving on the Waters” because Narayana was born from the Primorial Egg which floated upon the waters before creation. The Universe coalesced into existence because of Narayana’s will. Some sources also relate Narayana to Brahma because of this role in creation. SeeNara
Necessitas The mother of the Three Fates in Roman mythology. Necessitas is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Themis. SeeParcae
Necromancy Generally applied to any form of magic performed in connection with either the body or spirit of a dead person. In specific, the practice of summoning the spirits of the dead for purposes of divination. Many rites are performed to give aid to the souls of the deceased such as Egyptian mummification, the Catholic mass for the dead, and the Buddhist banquet for hungry ghosts (pretas). Usually, necromancy refers to the use of the dead for the magickian’s own purposes without the dead person’s permission. For this reason (among others) necromancy is considered to be immoral (as well as inadvisable). SeeQlippoth; Shell
Necronomicon A pseudo-grimoire. The idea of such a book was made popular by H.P. Lovecraft in his fictional writings. An unknown author actually wrote it and some people believe it is a valid source of occult information.
Neo-paganism A general term for the nature-oriented Witchcraft cults which have revived, sprung-up, and surfaced in the last several decades. Most Neo-pagans practice some form of Nature/Goddess worship and/or magick, frequently in the Celtic or Saxon traditions. Many spiritually inclined feminists have gravitated towards Neo-paganism as a vehicle of women’s mysteries. SeeGoddess; Wicca
Nephesh (HEB) The ethereal double. The subtle body linked to the physical body by prana (SKT). The astral body. The animal soul. The nephesh forms a link between the physical body (guph) and the ruach. SeeLinga Sharira
Neshamah (HEB) Intuition. The faculty of understanding. The Higher Manas (SKT). Sometimes called the “real ego.”
Neti, Neti (SKT) Literally, “not this, not that.” It refers to the idea that the supreme godhead is transcendent and cannot be described or understood.
New Age The modern movement which involves combining metaphysical concepts with the practice of an organized religion.
Nichush (HEB) A prophetic sign or omen. Any event or being may emerge as an omen, becoming a nichush at that time. This doctrine assumes that all things and all events are connected. SeeKol; Prophecy.
Nirvana (SKT) From nir-va, “to blow out.” Cessation. Mya-ngan-las’das-pa (TIB) Liberation as described by Buddhist philosophy. Freedom from samsara. Union with sat=chit-ananda as one in Brahman. Usually considered to be equivalent to samadhi. SeeSamadhi; Samsara.
Niyama (SKT) Observances. Right conduct. Niyama is considered to be the third of the eight angas or limbs of yoga. There are usually said to be five observances.
Niyama
English
Santhosha
Contentment
Tapas
Conditioning and purifying the body
Swadhyaya
Study of self
Prasadana
Attentiveness or purity of mind
Shaucha
Cleanliness
Ishwara
Pradihana Attentiveness to God
seeAngas
Norns The three goddesses of fate who guard the world-tree, Yggdrasil. They are Urd (the past), Verdandi (the present), and Skuld (the future). SeeMoerae; Parcae.
Notariqon (HEB) From the latin word notarius, or “shorthand writer.” A qabalistic technique for deriving meaning by viewing words as acronyms of phrases and visa-versa. As an example, if I take the Hebrew phrase Oreb Zaraq (The Raven of Dispersion, Qlippoth of Netzach) and write the first letter of each word, I find the Hebrew word oz (strength, violence, or glory). Though notariqon is most often practiced with Hebrew or Latin, it may be applied to any language. Temurah and gematria are similar techniques for permutation of words. Both they and notariqon are usually considered to be part of the “literal qabalah.” SeeAgla; Ararita; INRI.
Nous (GRK) A term used by Aristotle to denote Divine Mind or Soul. Nous is equivalent to the Sanskrit Manas.