B


Ba’al Shem (HEB) A phrase meaning “Master of the Divine Name”, used by Hasdim and scholars of quabalah to describe someone who possessed knowledge of the Lost Word, the Secret Name of God. See Tetragrammation.

Balefire A traditional fire lit outdoors during Yule, Beltane, and Litha.

Bandha (SKT) A ritual hand position used to focus, channel, or retain prana or various vital airs. Probably the best-known bandha is the formation of a circle with the thumb and index or middle finger. Bandhas are frequently used in conjunction with asana, mantra, and pranayama. See Mudra.

Banishing A ritual to ground, dissipate, neutralize, or otherwise get rid of unwanted spiritual energies or forces, in general or specific. Frequently used as a part or stage in larger rituals. See Exorcism.

Baptism From the Greek baptein, “to dip”. Ritual immersion in water usually used to symbolize purification, repentance of sin, and rebirth. See Lustration.

Barakah (ARB) Soul power. A blessing bestowed by a holy person. See Mana; Prana.

Barbarous Names The so-called “Barbarous Names of Invocation” are words or names of power which appear frequently in medieval grimoires. Many people believe these words were originally names of deities in ancient languages, but centuries of dogmatic use and translation have stripped them of nearly all meaning and trace of origin.

Some ceremonial magickians theorize that it is exactly this lack of meaning and context which imbues the barbarous names with power, that they cause a deep subconscious reaction because they cannot be shunted aside by the normal/verbal self.

Still others believe that the Barbarous Names have accumulated magickal potency through the years of ritual and consecrated use, obtaining a sort of inertia or resonance. See Goetia.

Beltane A sabbat held between spring and the onset of summer, from April 30th to May 1st. This date traditionally marks the end of the Handfast season for the year. See Wheel of the Year page.

Besom The “witch’s broomstick.” A bundle of twigs and herbs making or attached to a handle. It is used to cleanse and purify sacred spaces.

Bhakti Yoga (SKT) The yoga of devotion and worship. Krishna devotees and members of some Christian sects could be said to be bhakti-yoga practitioners. The best exposition of this approach is found in the Bhagavad Gita.

Bhumi (SKT) Sa (TUB). Literally “stage’. The phases of a bodhisattva on the way to the attainment of Buddhahood. Generally, each bhumi is associated with a paramita (transcendental activity). The number of bhumis and paramitas differs according to the source.

The Ten Bhumis

Tibetan Pronunciation	Tibetan Spelling	Sanskrit	English	Associated Paramita
Raptu gawa	Rab tu dga’ ba	Paramudita	Very joyful	Dana
Trima mepa	Dri ma med pa	Vimala	Stainless	Sila
O jepa	Òd byed pa	Prabhakari	Luminous	Ksanti
O trowa	Òd phro ba	Arcismati	Radiant	Virya
Shintu jang kawa	Shin tu sbyang dka’ba	Sudur jaya	Difficult to conquer	Dhyana
Ngontu gyyrpa	Mngon du gynr pa	Abhimukhi	Face to face	Prajna
Ringtu songwa	Ring du song ba	Durangama	Far going	Upaya
Mi yowa	Mi g.yo ba	Acala	Immovable	Pranidhana
Legpe lotro	Legs pa’I blo gros	Sadhumati	Having good intellect	Bala
chokyi trin	Chos kyi sprin	Dharmamegha	Cloud of dharma	Jnana

See Paramita.

Bija Mantra (SKT) Seed or Root Mantra. The sound or word connected with the material principle of a chakra or laya center.

Some people define bija mantra as the original or basic vibration of a mantra. See Mantra.

Binding An act using magick to restrain someone or something. This is to “bind” them either from an action or to something or someone.

Bindu (SKT) Thig-le (TIB). Literally, “drop”, “dot”, or “point”. See Nadi; Prana.

Blessed Be A derivative from the ritual of the Five-fold Kiss. A simple blessing frequently used by Wiccans and pagans as a greeting or a goodbye. A common abbreviation is BB or B*B. See Five-fold Kiss

Blood of the Moon A female’s menstrual cycle. Usually considered an important and crucial time for magickal operations, especially if it crosses the new or full moon.

Bodhi (SKT) Byang-chub (TIB). Enlightenment. Illumination, in Buddhist terminology. Transcendental understanding.

Bodhisattva (SKT) Byang-chub-sems-dpa’ (TIB). In Mahayana Buddhism, one who has taken a vow to relinquish personal enlightenment to work for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. Formally, this vow is continuously renewed in order to maintain resonance with the “Mahayna mind of bodhicitta.” Bodhisattva deities represent the qualities of bodhicitta (the enlightened mind) active in our lives. See Ascended Master; Great Work.

Body of Light The astral body. Often used to refer to a ritually constructed vehicle for astral travel. See Astral Projection; Simulacrum.

Bolline; Boleen A consecrated white handled knife used in rituals. It is usually reserved for the preparation of herbs during the ceremony but occasionally it is used for carving and cutting magickal symbols into ritual objects.

Book of Shadows A term originated by Aleister Crowley for a book of rituals, recipes, journal entries, laws and rules, and other documents. Each Book of Shadows is singular as the individual, or in the case of a coven, decides what is essential for their book.

Brahmarandhra (SKT) tshans.bu (TIB). The “Gate of Purity”. A spot at the top of the head described as a hidden aperture. According to some, this spot is the exit for the enlightened soul upon death of the body. The Hopis also believe that the soul leaves via the top of the back of the head.

Many sources give this spot as one of the main exits for the astral body during projection. The other spot most frequently mentioned is the solar plexus. See Astral Projection; Soul.

Broom Closet Not to be taken literally. This is a term used to describe someone who is "in the broom closet", i.e.: Someone who is not public with their pagan practices.

Buddha (SKT) The Awakened One. Usually used to refer to the historical Gautama. See Bodhi; Bodhisattva.

Buddhi (SKT) Wisdom independent of knowledge or learning. See Neshamah

Bull-Roarer A flat piece of wood attached to a string. A bull-roarer produces a humming noise when spun around. It was used by Native Americans and is still used by Australian Aborigines in rituals. It is sometimes referred to as a “spirit catcher.” See Nada

Burning Times A phrase used to describe the period of execution of individuals accused of witchcraft during the persecution of the Inquisition from the Middle Ages and onwards. Most executions were actually hangings, not burning. While the actual numbers of executions are not clear, it is claimed that thousands and even millions were killed. Only a small fraction may actually have been practitioners. Many were heretics or Christians accused of witchcraft by individuals who wished them executed for personal reasons.



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