Glossary of Spiritual and Religious Words

All

Hebrew Letter

The Hebrew letters are related with different aspects of the Being; these are developed in the Tree of Life, the spinal medulla. The Tree of Life is also the Tree of Wisdom and the Ten Sephiroth, the twenty-two creative Major Arcana, letters, sounds and numbers, with which the Logos (the Word, God) created the universe. The Hebrew Bible clearly connotes the Word of the Eternal One. However, it was written in Hebrew; therefore those who want to know the secret meaning of the Word of God must study the meaning of each Hebrew letter (because within the Hebrew words, wisdom is hidden). The Angel Metatron, or Enoch, left us the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This great Master lives in the Superior Worlds, in the world of Atziluth, which is a world of indescribable happiness. According to Kabbalah, this world is the region of Kether, a very high Sephirah. All Kabbalists base themselves on the Tarot and it is necessary for them to comprehend the Tarot and to study it deeply. The Universe was made with the Law of Numbers, Measurements and Weight. Mathematics forms the Universe, and the numbers become living entities. The objective of studying the Hebrew letters is to be skillful in understanding the Hebrew Bible, since it is related with the work we must perform in our psyche. Thus, it is obvious that these Kabbalistic studies must be combined with work on oneself. One must be conscious of these studies, for if they remain only in the intellect they will be lost when one dies. Yet, if one is conscious of them, the knowledge will manifest itself from childhood. This is the Kabbalistic language that is used in the White Lodge. Do not forget that the numbers (that we receive in the internal planes) are Kabbalistic additions. One must be completely practical. When the meanings of the twenty-two Arcana are known, then the practical part of predictions must be studied. This is in order to utilize the knowledge intelligently in cases of very important matters. The twenty-two Arcana must be memorized. In order to be a complete Kabbalist one has to study and meditate upon each number and letter; one has to record the teachings within the memory. 

Hei

ה (Hebrew: He, Heh, or Hei) The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it symbolizes the uterus, the primordial matrix or matrass; lo and behold the place where the seed reveals its generation! Its Kabbalistic value is 5.

Heindel, Max

(b. Carl Louis von Grasshoff) was born in Copenhagen, Denmark July 23, 1865. At the age of sixteen years he left home to learn the engineering profession. For a number of years he was Chief Engineer on one of the large passenger steamers of the Cunard Line plying between America and Europe. From 1895 to 1901, he was a consulting engineer in New York city. Max Heindel moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1903. He became interested in the study of metaphysics and joined the Theosophical Society of Los Angeles, of which he was Vice-President in 1904 and 1905. In 1907 he travelled to Germany with his friend Dr. Alma Von Brandis to hear a cycle of lectures by Rudolf Steiner. Heindel returned to America in the spring of 1909 where he at once started to formulate the Rosicrucian teachings, published as a book entitled The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception: it is a work of mystical and occult science (Esoteric Christianity). It contains a comprehensive outline of the evolutionary processes of man and the universe, correlating science with religion. Following the foundation of The Rosicrucian Fellowship at Oceanside, CA in 1909 he started, with the aid of his wife Augusta Foss Heindel the task of distributing and disseminating the Rosicrucian teachings. From 1909 to 1919, suffering a severe heart condition and with an adverse financial situation, Max Heindel was able to perform a valuable work for the brothers of the Rose Cross: he left a legacy of books, lectures and lessons which are translated into many languages all over the world. He died in Oceanside, California on January 6, 1919.

Heliogabalus Stone

A reference to the Cubic Stone of Yesod. Historically, a large black stone, a meteorite, that some describe from its image on coins and in sculpture as shaped like a bee-hive; others as phallic. This stone first appears in history atop its altar in the temple of Emesa on coins minted in the reign of Caracalla. It was taken by Varius Avitus Bassianus, Roman emperor (218-222), during his own reign, to Rome, and placed in a huge temple dedicated to it on the Palatine hill. Each summer, of the three he spent there, he led the stone in ceremonial procession, attended by musicians and dancers, to another palace in a garden at the outer edge of Rome. At the end of summer he would take it back to the Palatine. This is recorded in his coinage, as well as in the written sources. Varius was appointed priest of the sun-god Elagabal, whose name he adopted. Heliogabalus lived in Rome as an oriental despot and, giving himself up to detestable sensual pleasures, degraded the imperial office to the lowest point by most shameful vices, which had their origin in certain rites of oriental naturalistic religion.

Hephaistos

(Greek) The Greek symbol of the sexual force, the equivilent of the Hindu Shiva or Christian Holy Spirit. He was represented as a creative and powerful craftsman who worked in the depths of Earth at a fiery forge. He was known by the Romans as Vulcan. [See Vulcan].

"Strong, mighty Hephaistos, bearing splendid light, unwearied fire, with flaming torrents bright : strong-handed, deathless, and of art divine, pure element, a portion of the world is thine : all-taming artist, all-diffusive power, ‘tis thine, supreme, all substance to devour : aither, sun, moon, and stars, light pure and clear, for these thy lucid parts [of fire] to men appear. To thee all dwellings, cities, tribes belong, diffused through mortal bodies, rich and strong. Hear, blessed power, to holy rites incline, and all propitious on the incense shine : suppress the rage of fire’s unwearied frame, and still preserve our nature’s vital flame." - Orphic Hymn 66 to Hephaestus (3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.)

Heptaparaparshinokh

The Law of 7; The Law of Organization.  This law is visible in the seven notes of the western musical scale, the seven chakras, the seven bodies of the soul, the Seven Spirits before the Throne, etc.

Herakles

Also Heracles or Hercules (Greek Ἡρακλῆς) from Hera, “protectress,” (that has an intimate etymological relation with Eros - Love - the Son of the Divine Mother Aphrodite), related to heros “hero,” originally “defender, protector.” And kleos “glory or aura.” Therefore Herakles means “the aura or glory of Hera” or the “aura or glory of Eros.” The Greek symbol of the Christ.

“Heracles (the Cosmic Christ), the son of Jupiter (IO Peter) and Alcmene, performed the Twelve Labors.” - Samael Aun Weor, The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah

Hercolubus

"An unusual event is going to accelerate the process of swift change to the axis of the planet Earth. I am referring to the planet Hercolubus. This planet is six times bigger than the planet Jupiter. The planet Hercolubus belongs to the distant solar system of Tylo. The solar system of Tylo is rapidly approaching our solar system, and Hercolubus is rapidly approaching Earth. Modern Astronomers have before their sight the planet Hercolubus, or as it is known by modern science, the Barnard star. This planet is a powerful giant that will pass through an angle of our solar system. When this happens, the revolution of the axis of the planet Earth will accelerate violently. Then the final catastrophe will occur. Some scientists believe that they will be able to push this monstrous planet away with nuclear explosions, but this will be useless. It will be impossible to push this tremendous mass of a planet out of the way with mere nuclear bombs. This same planet brought Atlantis to an end. Before Atlantis existed, it annihilated the existence of another continent. We know very well that the continent of Mu or Lemuria sank within the waters of the boisterous pacific ocean after 10,000 years of earthquakes and incessant volcanic eruptions." - Samael Aun Weor, The Aquarian Message

Hermanubis

(Greek) The revealer of mysteries of the lower world, not of hell or hades, but of our Earth (the lowest world in the chain of worlds), and also of the sexual mysteries. He was always represented with a cross in his hand, one of the earliest symbols of generation or procreation.

Hermaphrodite

(Greek) Esoterically means a son of Hermes and Aphrodite, one who physically develops the brain power, objective reasoning (Hermes) by means of the transmutation of its own sexual libido (Aphrodite). Physically, it refers to the human being of the Lemurian epoch, who developed both male and female sexual organs and characteristics in the physical body and who was capable of self proliferating its own species without the necessity of the sexual intercourse. Thus, a Hermaphrodite is a Human Being who physically produces sperms and ovums within their own masculine and feminine sexual genitalia. In order to create they fecundate themselves; they physically unite the outcome of their own two sexual polarities (sperm and ovum) by means of willpower.

Hierarch

The High Priest, one who occupies a position of authority in a religious hierarchy.

Hierophant

From Greek (Hierophantes) High Priest, Judge or Interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge.

Hiram Abiff

A biblical personage; a skillful builder and architect whom King Solomon procured from Tyre for the purpose of supervising the construction of the Temple. According to the Masonic story, Hiram Abiff was murdered by three traitors who were subsequently found by twenty-seven Master Masons.

Hod

(Hebrew הוד means glory, majesty, splendor) The eighth sephirah of the Tree of Life. The Astral World or Astral Body.

Holy Grail

Both historically, as the famous cup that passed through the hands of Jesus of Nazareth, and symbolically, as the sacred, symbolic vessel of the Mysteries, Samael Aun Weor wrote extensively about the Grail. Notable chapters are to be found in The Great Rebellion and The Three Mountains. As a symbol, the cup represents both the woman and her sexual organs, just as the Spear or Lance represents the man or phallus.

Holy Spirit

The Christian name for the third aspect of the Holy Trinity, or "God." This force has other names in other religions. In Kabbalah, the third sephirah, Binah.

"The Holy Spirit is the Fire of Pentecost or the fire of the Holy Spirit called Kundalini by the Hindus, the igneous serpent of our magical powers, Holy Fire symbolized by Gold..." - Samael Aun Weor, The Perfect Matrimony

"It has been said in The Divine Comedy with complete clarity that the Holy Spirit is the husband of the Divine Mother. Therefore, the Holy Spirit unfolds himself into his wife, into the Shakti of the Hindus. This must be known and understood. Some, when they see that the Third Logos is unfolded into the Divine Mother Kundalini, or Shakti, She that has many names, have believed that the Holy Spirit is feminine, and they have been mistaken. The Holy Spirit is masculine, but when He unfolds Himself into She, then the first ineffable Divine Couple is formed, the Creator Elohim, the Kabir, or Great Priest, the Ruach Elohim, that in accordance to Moses, cultivated the waters in the beginning of the world." - Samael Aun Weor, The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah

"The Primitive Gnostic Christians worshipped the lamb, the fish and the white dove as symbols of the Holy Spirit." - Samael Aun Weor, The Perfect Matrimony

See: Power of Tongues

Huehueteotl

The Aztec god of Fire.  This deity is related with the Kabbalistic Kether, the ancient of days and Lord of the Fire of the Fire (Chrestos).

Human Being

In general, there are three types of human beings:

1. The ordinary person (called human being out of respect), more accurately called the intellectual animal

2. The true Human Being or Man (from manas, mind): someone who has created the Soul (the Solar Bodies), symbolized as the chariot of Ezekiel or Krishna, the Wedding Garment of Jesus, the sacred weapons of the heroes of mythology, etc. Such persons are Saints, Masters, or Buddhas of various levels.

3. The Superman: a true Human Being who has also incarnated the Cosmic Christ, thus going beyond mere Sainthood or Buddhahood, and into the highest reaches of liberation. These are the founders of religions, the destroyers of dogmas and traditions, the great rebels of spiritual light.

According to Gnostic Anthropology, a true Human Being is an individual who has conquered the animal nature within and has thus created the Soul, the Mercabah of the Kabbalists, the Sahu of the Egyptians, the To Soma Heliakon of the Greeks: this is “the Body of Gold of the Solar Man.” A true Human Being is one with the Monad, the Inner Spirit. It can be said that the true Human Being or Man is the inner Spirit (in Kabbalah, Chesed. In Hinduism, Atman).

"Every spirit is called man, which means that only the aspect of the light of the spirit that is enclothed within the body is called man. So the body of the spirit of the holy side is only a covering; in other words, the spirit is the actual essence of man and the body is only its covering. But on the other side, the opposite applies. This is why it is written: "you have clothed me with skin and flesh..." (Iyov 10:11). The flesh of man is only a garment covering the essence of man, which is the spirit. Everywhere it is written the flesh of man, it hints that the essence of man is inside. The flesh is only a vestment for man, a body for him, but the essence of man is the aspect of his spirit." - Zohar 1A:10:120

A true Human Being has reconquered the innocence and perfection of Eden, and has become what Adam was intended to be: a King of Nature, having power over Nature. The Intellectual Animal, however, is controlled by nature, and thus is not a true Human Being. Examples of true Human Beings are all those great saints of all ages and cultures: Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, Krishna, and many others whose names were never known by the public.

Human Soul

"The Innermost is the Sephirah Chesed, and Buddhi is the Sephirah Geburah. The Innermost and Buddhi express themselves through the Human Soul. The Human Soul is Tiphereth, willpower, beauty." - Samael Aun Weor, The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah

From the Human Soul descends the percentage of free consciousness that enters into manifestation in a physical body. That Essence is only a fraction of the Human Soul. The Human Soul is incarnated in the Human Being when the Initiate enters into the World of Tiphereth in the Fifth Initiation of Major Mysteries.

Hurucan

Mayan deity responsible for the creation of heaven and earth, along with Gugumatz, according to the Popol Vuh.  See: Gugumatz and Popol Vuh.

Hydrogen

Hydro- water, Gen- generate, genes, genesis etc. The Hydrogen is the simplest element on the periodic table and in Gnosticism it is recognized as the element that is the building block of all forms of matter. Hydrogen is a packet of solar light. The solar light (the light that comes from the sun) is the reflection of the Okidanok, the Cosmic Christ, which creates and sustains every world. This element is the fecundated water, generated water (hydro). The water is the source of all life. Everything that we eat, breathe and all of the impressions that we receive are in the form of various structures of hydrogen. Samael Aun Weor will place a note (Do, Re, Mi…) and a number related with the vibration and atomic weight (level of complexity) with a particular hydrogen. For example, he constantly refers to the Hydrogen Si-12. “Si” is the highest note in the octave and it is the result of the notes that come before it. This particular hydrogen is always related to the forces of Yesod, which is the synthesis and coagulation of all food, air and impressions that we have previously received. Food begins at Do-768, air begins at Do-384, and impressions begin at Do-48. For more understanding see chapters and lectures related to The Pancatattva Ritual and The Transformation of Impressions.

Hyle

Primordial Matter

Hyperborean Root Race

The second Root Race of this terrestrial humanity.

A nation mentioned in Greek mythology. The name means “beyond the North Wind,” thus they are supposed to have been somewhere north of Greece, but the name also means “beyond the mountains” and “those who carry (merchandise) across.” Apollo was said to spend the winter months among them, and his mother Leto was presumed to have been born in their land. Perseus went there searching for the Gorgon, and Heracles chased the Cerynitian hind to their country. The writer Pindar represented them as a blessed people untouched by human afflictions. H. P. Blavatsky places their country around the North Pole, saying it was “The Land of the Eternal Sun,” beyond Boreas, the God of Winter. She asserts that this land was of a near tropical climate. In Universal Gnosticism, they are known to be the Second Root Race of this Terrestrial humanity.

"The second Root Race was governed by Quetzalcoatl; this was the Hyperborean humanity. The degenerated people of the second Root Race converted themselves into monkeys; these are the ancestors of present monkeys. They reproduced themselves by budding, such as the plants do: from their trunk sprout many branches. They were wiped out by strong hurricanes." - Samael Aun Weor, The Kabbalah of the Mayan Mysteries

Hypostasis

(from Ancient Greek ὑπόστασις ‘sediment, foundation’ and later ‘substance, existence, essence’, from ὑπό + στάσις ‘standing’) In the secret teachings, the essential perfect realization and union of the human and divine natures (Bodhichitta and Bodhisattva) within a Buddha of Compassion.

I

Any subjective element in the 49 levels of the mind. Each "I" has its own thoughts, feelings and activities.

"The evil consequences of the abominable Kundabuffer organ are represented by thousands and millions of small “I’s” of an animal-like and perverse nature. In the intellectual animal, there is neither a single command center, nor an “I” or permanent ego. Each idea, each sentiment, each sensation, each desire, each “I desire this,” each “I desire such and such a thing,” each “I love, I do not love,” is a different I. All these small and quarrelsome ‘I’s argue among themselves, they fight for supremacy, they are not connected among themselves, nor coordinated in any way whatsoever. Each of these small “I’s” depends on the changes of the circumstances of life and on the changes of impressions. Each small “I” has its own ideas, its own criteria; true individuality does not exist in the poor intellectual animal. His concepts, actions, ideas, depend on the “I” which dominates the situation in those moments." - Samael Aun Weor, The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology

"When a human being disintegrates all of his defects, then his “I” is dissolved. The truth comes into us when the “I” is dissolved. This is how we become perfect clairvoyants. The truth is born from creative comprehension. The truth is non-temporal, eternal, and divine. The “I” cannot know the truth, because the “I” is just a bunch of memories. The “I” is of time. The “I” is born in time and dies in time. Death is just a subtraction of fractions. After finishing the mathematical operation (death), only the values remain. Later on, such values return into newborn physical bodies. Such values are the “I,” the myself, the returning ego. Therefore, the “I” is just illusion. Any crime, any felony, and any vice are the fatal outcome of the affirmation of the “I,” of the myself. The origin of pain lies within the “I.” The “I” is dissolved when we annihilate desire. Where the truth abides, the “I” cannot abide, because the truth and the “I” are incompatible. The “I” is a transitory error of the Wheel of Samsara (the Wheel of Reincarnation and Karma). The “I” is the heresy of separatism. The “I” is the origin of egotism, hatred, fornication, adultery, envy, anger, etc., etc. The “I” is the thirst of pleasures and the source of pride and vanity. Therefore, in order to incarnate the truth one needs to dissolve the “I.” In order to attain internal peace, one needs to dissolve the “I,” the myself. In order to acquire perfect clairvoyance and supreme illumination one needs to dissolve the “I.” The truth is the Internal Christ of every human being. The “I” is the Satan that we carry inside. Where the “I” is the truth cannot be."The Truth cannot enter where the “I” abides. The Lord is the Truth." - Samael Aun Weor, The Aquarian Message