Glossary of Spiritual and Religious Words

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Apep

The Egyptian symbol of the Tempting Serpent of Eden, the Luciferic Fire of passion.

Apis

(Egyptian) The sacred bull of Memphis, said to be the incarnation of Osiris or of Ptah. His worship spread throughout the Mediterranean world and was particularly important during the time of the Roman Empire.

\Among the ancient Egyptians, the Sacred Bull Apis had to be young, healthy and strong in order to symbolize the Philosophical Stone. The famous Bull Apis, so adored in the Egyptian Mysteries, was the creator and prosecutor of souls. The symbolic Bull Apis was consecrated to Isis, because it is in fact related to the Sacred Cow, the Divine Mother Isis, whose veil no mortal has ever lifted. In order for a Bull to have the high honor of being promoted to such a category, it was necessary for it to be black and to have on its forehead or on one of its shoulder blades, a white spot in the shape of a crescent Moon. It is also true, that said sacred bull had to have been conceived under the impression of the ray and have under the tongue the mark of the sacred scarab. Apis was the symbol of the Moon, both because of its horns in the shape of a crescent Moon, as well as because, except during the full moon, this celestial body always has a tenebrous part (indicated by the blackness of the Bull\'s skin) and another resplendent side (symbolized by the white spot).\ - The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology

Apocalypse

Generally a reference to the Book written by St. John, which is the last book of the Christian Bible. This book is also called the Revelation of St. John. This controversial and deeply symbolic work is discussed in many of the books of Samael Aun Weor, but especially in The Aquarian Message and The Revolution of Beelzebub.

\The fundamental book of the Great Work, which James carries in his hands, is the Apocalypse (Revelation). Unquestionably, the Apocalypse is the book of Wisdom, which is comprehensible only by the Alchemists. Only the workers of the Great Work can comprehend the Apocalypse. The secret science of the Apocalypse is found in the superior Chemistry, which is Alchemy. The laws of the superior Chemistry or Alchemy, the principles, the order of the Magisterium of the Fire, are found placed in the Apocalypse.\ - from The Pistis Sophia Unveiled

Apocrypha

\But what is an Apocrypha? The very etymology of the term shows that it is simply a secret book, i.e., one that belonged to the catalogue of temple libraries under the guardianship of the Hierophants and initiated priests, and was never meant for the profane. Apocrypha comes from the verb Crypto, [[krupto]], \to hide.\ - The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky -- Vol. 2: ENOICHION-HENOCH.

Apollyon

"And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." - Revelation 9:11

The book of Revelation equated Abaddon with Apollyon, and Cornelius Agrippa positioned him as the monarch in Klipoth, yon in the lower shadow of the Sephirah Tiphereth (Beauty) on the Kabbalistic Tree. Indeed, Tiphereth is governed by the Sun-Apollo (the Cosmic Christ) and the planet Venus-Aphrodite (Goddess of love and beauty).

Tiphereth relates to the Human Soul and the Heart in the physical body. The blood stream places the Astral Light (Apollo) “yon” Tiphereth-the Heart, there in Yesod-Sexual Organs.

Thus, Apollyon is the fallen Tiphereth (the Malachim, the human soul, the psyche) that receives the Astral Solar Light of Apollo (Christ) through the heart, and who thereafter squanders through the sexual organs by means of fornication and adultery (Lilith and Nahemah – Evil Beauty), the negative aspects of Venus-Aphrodite (sexual force).

"There we see Abbadon, the angel of the Abyss, who suffers in the chains and bonds with which he martyrized others." - Occult Medicine and Practical Magic

As described in Revelation, Apollyon (the fallen Tiphereth) opens the gates of the abyss (Klipoth) and unleashes upon the earth his swarms of lustful demons “locusts,” who then proceed to torture those of mankind who do not bear the seal of God (chastity) upon their forehead. After that, (by means of the Great Arcanum) he (Tiphereth, the Human Soul – Willpower - Thelema) is supposed (with the help of Apollo - Christ) to seize Satan himself, bind him and toss him into the bottomless pit (Klipoth) for a thousand years.

Apopi

The Egyptian symbol of the Demon of Desire, one of the Three Traitors, related to the heart and to the Kundabuffer organ. Also known as Sebal (Masonry) or Judas (Christianity).

Aquarius

From Aqua- Aerius \pertaining to water (Aqua) and Aeris (Air),” means, the air (Spirit) as a water carrier.

The eleventh sign of the zodiac (January 20th to February 18th) . Ruled by Uranus. Related to the element air.

The Age of Aquarius is an astrological epoch that began the 4th of February in 1962.

Aquarius pours the Dionysian vibrations of Uranus (Chokmah) into the Earth (Malkuth)
Gnostically, the Dionysian vibrations are the fiery water “Schamayim” or wine from heaven (Gnosis) which is poured into the psyche through three ways:

1: The Lord\'s Baptism (Sexual Alchemy): Consubstantiation. Yesod. “Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” - John 4:14

2 : The Lord\'s Supper (Eucharist): Transubstantiation. Hod. “Whosoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him/her at the last day; for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.” - John 6:54-56

3: The Lord’s Incarnation (Anointment): Permutation. Netzach. “The Man (manas: mind) shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4

“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Mark 1:10,11

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

“The natives of Aquarius are of strict will and possess a formidable intuition. The natives of Aquarius are friends of independence and dearly love polemics and philosophical discussions. The great leaders of Aquarius are the revolutionaries of the era. Aquarians have a great disposition for all studies of occult wisdom.” - Manual of Practical Magic

Aralim

(Hebrew) According to Kabbalah, a being related to the sephirah Binah, equivalent to the Christian hierarchical levels of “Dominions” and “Thrones.”

Arati

Or aratrika (Sanskrit): A form of worship. The circular movement of a flame before the temple deity at the high point of a ritual worship.

Arcanum

(Latin. plural: arcana). A secret, a mystery. The root of the term "ark" as in the Ark of Noah and the Ark of the Covenent.

Arcanum A.Z.F.

The practice of sexual transmutation as couple (male-female), a technique known in Tantra and Alchemy. Arcanum refers to a hidden truth or law. A.Z.F. stands for A (agua, water), Z (azufre, sulfur), F (fuego, fire), and is thus: water + fire = consciousness. . Also, A (azoth = chemical element that refers to fire).  A & Z are the first and last letters of the alphabet thus referring to the Alpha & Omega (beginning & end).

Archangel

(Greek) From arch, chief or primordial, and angel, messenger.

Archetype

From dictionary.com: "the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype."

In Kabbalah, the blueprint or original image from which creation emerges; related to the the first of the four worlds: Atziluth.

"Sexual energy contains within it the living archetype of the authentic Solar Man, which must take shape within us." - Samael Aun Weor, The Mystery of the Golden Blossom

Archeus

The vital principle or force which (according to Alchemy) presides over the growth and continuation of living beings; the anima mundi or malleable power of the alchemists and philosophers.

Archon

(Greek) Literally, "prince" or "ruler." Esoterically, primordial planetary spirits.

Ares

(Greek) One of the twelve gods of Olympus. Ares was associated with the Roman god Mars and the planet Mars. Ares represented the divine forces related to manliness, courage, ferocity in battle, and when placated, the possibility of peace.

"Ares, exceeding in strength, chariot-rider, golden-helmed, doughty in heart, shield-bearer, Saviour of cities, harnessed in bronze, strong of arm, unwearying, mighty with the spear, O defender of Olympos, father of warlike Nike (Victory), ally of Themis, stern governor of the rebellious, leader of the righteous men, sceptred King of manliness, who whirl your fiery sphere [the star Mars] among the planets in their sevenfold courses through the aither wherein your blazing steeds ever bear you above the third firmament of heaven; hear me, helper of men, giver of dauntless youth! Shed down a kindly ray from above upon my life, and strength of war, that I may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from my head and crush down the deceitful impulses of my soul. Restrain also the keen fury of my heart which provokes me to tread the ways of blood-curdling strife. Rather, O blessed one, give you me boldness to abide within the harmless laws of peace, avoiding strife and hatred and the violent fiends of death." - Homeric Hymn 8 to Ares; C7th to 4th B.C.

Arhat

(Tibetan dra chompa) Traditional title given to hinayana practitioners who have eleminated the klesas; in other words, Sravakas and Pratyeka Buddhas (walkers of the Spiral Path). In general use, this term applies to those who have conquered Netzach and beyond.

Aries

(March 21st to April 19th.)  The first sign of the zodiac. Ruled by Mars. Related to the element fire.

\People born under this sign are impulsive and choleric; they become irritated easily. These people are capable of starting new corporations and taking them to a good end. The children of Aries triumph in the military and are very energetic and dynamic. The metal of this sign is iron. Those born under Aries have bad luck in love because they end up quarelling.\ - Manual of Practical Magic

Arik Anpin

(Chaldean) Literally, “the vast countenance," or "the huge face." The Zohar describes it as “the ancient of ancients.” Arik Anpin is the first manifested aspect of divinity, represented in Kabbalah as the first trinity (Kether, Chokmah, Binah).

Aristippus

A Greek philosopher who, wanting to show his wisdom and humility, garbed himself with an old robe, full of patches and holes. In this manner he walked the streets of Athens clutching the staff of philosophy. When Socrates saw him approaching he exclaimed, "Oh, Aristippus, your vanity shows through the holes in your garment."

Ark

Although the word ark does not appear in the Hebrew scriptures (Tanakh or Torah), it does appear in Latin as arca, but translated from two very different words.

1. In relation to Noah's ship and Moshe's cradle, in Hebrew these are תבת, tebah, which means ship or boat.

2. In relation to the container built by Betzalel for Moshe, in Hebrew it is ארון, Aron, spelled Aleph-Resh-Vav-Nun.

The Aron Kodesh (Holy Container) is contracted to Ar-K orally. Inexplicably, these two very different words (boat and container) are translated to Latin as arca, meaning chest, both as a box and the trunk of the human body, and also as a coffin, as that which Joseph was placed within when he died. Thus, for centuries people have conflated several very different things, although they are closely related in the Kabbalistic tradition.

In fact, in the Judeo-Christian scriptures there are many "arks," but to find them one must know the Hebrew letters. Yet, it is not exclusively a Western symbol, as variations of the sacred vessel occur in every religion.

"The Ark is the sacred Argha of the Hindus, and thus the relation in which it stands to Noah's ark may be easily inferred when we learn that the Argha was an oblong vessel, used by the high priests as a sacrificial chalice in the worship of Isis, Astarte, and Venus-Aphrodite, all of whom were goddesses of the generative powers of nature, or of matter -- hence representing symbolically the Ark containing the germs of all living things." ("Isis Unveiled," Vol. II., p. 444.)" - H.P. Blavatsky

Army of the Great Word/Voice

A reference to Elohim Sabbaoth (Hebrew), the army or host of gods and goddesses.

Arsenic Sulphur

We must annihilate the psychic aggregates and the Arsenic Sulphur. The arsenic, poisonous Sulphur is an infernal type of fire within the lower animal depths of the human being. The Arsenic Sulphur is that horrible Python serpent that slithered in the mud of the earth and that the irritated Apollo hurt with his darts. It is the tail of Satan. - from The Pistis Sophia Unveiled

Artemis

(Greek) An Olympian goddess in Greek religion and mythology, daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. Artemis' early worship, especially at Ephesus, identified her as an earth goddess, similar to Astarte. In Classical Greek literature she was portrayed as a deliberate and unshakable virgin, a symbol of having perfect chastity; she punished anyone who attempted to violate this state and required all of her attendents to maintain their chastity as well. She defended chastity among men and women. In later legend, however, she was primarily a virgin huntress, goddess of wildlife and patroness of hunters. As the complement to Apollo, she was often considered a moon goddess and as such was identified with Selene and Hecate; the confusion with Hecate arose because Artemis was considered the bringer of death to women, while her twin brother Apollo brought death to men. In ancient Greece, the worship of Artemis was widespread. The Romans identified her with Diana. She is mentioned in the biblical book of The Acts of the Apostles.

Aryan Race

Quoted from Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary: “From Sanskrit [=a]rya excellent, honorable; akin to the name of the country Iran, and perh. to Erin, Ireland, and the early name of this people, at least in Asia. 1. One of a primitive people supposed to have lived in prehistoric times, in Central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea, and north of the Hindoo Koosh and Paropamisan Mountains, and to have been the stock from which sprang the Hindoo, Persian, Greek, Latin, Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, and other races; one of that ethnological division of mankind called also Indo-European or Indo-Germanic.”

In Universal Gnosticism, this term refers to the vast majority of the popluation of this planet, and is noted for its close relationship with Ares or Mars, the God of War. Compare with \AquAryan\ and \barbAryan.\ The Aryan race, the fifth great race to exist on this planet, is under the guidance of Ares, Mars, the Fifth of the \Seven Spirits before the Throne of God.\

\Every Root Race has seven Subraces. The seed of our Aryan Root Race is Nordic, but when the Nordics mixed themselves with the Atlantean survivors, they gave origin onto the Subraces of the Aryan trunk.

\First Subrace: It flourished in central Asia, in those now vanished kingdoms of central Asia, and whose ruins still exist in the Himalayas around the country of Tibet. Powerful spiritual civilizations of the first Aryan Subrace existed in those regions.

Second Subrace: It flourished in India and the entire south of Asia. In Pearland, the sacred land of the Vedas, in the ancient Hindustan, where the second Aryan Subrace developed, formidable esoteric cultures and tremendous civilizations existed.

Third Subrace: It created powerful civilizations. Babylon, Chaldea, Egypt, etc., etc. were the scenario of very rich and powerful civilizations created by the third Aryan Subrace.

Fourth Subrace: It developed in Rome, Greece, Italy, and Athens, the great city founded by the Goddess Athena. Before their degeneration and destruction, Greece and Italy were marvelous scenarios where the powerful civilizations of the fourth Aryan Subrace developed.

Fifth Subrace: Are the Anglo-Saxon and Teutonic. The First and Second World Wars, with all of their barbarism and moral corruption, point with their accusatory fingers to the men and women of the fifth Aryan Subrace.

Sixth Subrace: The mixture of the Spanish Conquistadors with the Native-American tribes. The effort to form the sixth Subrace in the redskin territory was very difficult, because the English Conquistadors destroyed them; they assassinated them, instead of mixing themselves with the natives. Only in a very insignificant and incipient way was the mixture of blood performed. This is why the Occult Fraternity saw the necessity of converting the North American territory into a melting crucible of races. So, the formation of the sixth Subrace in the United States had enormous difficulties; there, all the races of the world have mixed. The sixth Subrace in Latin America was formed very easily and this is something that must not be ignored by the treatisers of anthropogenesis and occultism.

Seventh Subrace:  The survivors of the new great cataclysm that soon will destroy this Aryan Root Race will be formed by the survivors of the Seventh Subrace; they still do not exist, but they will.

So, this Aryan Root Race, instead of evolving, has devolved, and its corruption is now worse than that of the Atlanteans in their epoch. Its wickedness is so great that it has reached unto heaven.\ - The Kabbalah of the Mayan Mysteries