I


Iao A Gnostic term equivalent to the Tetragrammaton of the Quabalah. Sometimes interpreted as Iota (eternal present), Alpha (creation), and Omega (destruction). See Divine Name

I Ching (CHI) The Chinese Book of Changes. An ancient text detailing the method and interpretation of a sortilege divination system using dried yarrow stalks or coins to randomly generate on of 64 permutations of “hexagrams.” Each hexagram represents a particular combination of yin and yang, the dual cosmic principles, and is considered to be symbolic of various physical and psychic situations. Various parables and comments are included in the text of the I Ching to aid in the interpretation of the hexagrams. The I Ching has fascinated many Western scholars, the most notable being Carl Jung, the psychologist. See Hexagram; Trigram.

Icon From the Greek eikon, meaning “an image.” Usually used to refer to a pictorial image of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint. Loosely used to mean any sacred image.

Ida (SKT) The Moon Channel. A nadi (subtle pathway) beginning in the muladhara chakra (base of the spine) and spiraling counterclockwise around the spine (sushumna), passing through the ajna chakra (brow) and ending at the left nostril. The Ida nadi is complemented by the pingala nadi. The two nadis together are sometimes represented by the caduceus of Mercury. See Chakra; Nadi; Pingala; Vayu.

Ideogram A picture or symbol used in a system of writing to represent a thing or idea, but not necessarily a particular word or phrase for it. A true ideogram conveys its meaning without preconditioning or cultural context. No one has ever discovered or created a true ideographic language. See Pictograph

Idol An object or image, frequently consecrated, considered to actually be the god or spirit represented and possessed of divine or magickal power.

Ignis Elementaris Alchemical Sulphur. See Principia Chymia

Ignis Leonis Elemental Fire. Also called Fire of the Lion, Aether, Pyr, Aethos, and Jupiter Argos. See Esh; Secret Fire.

Ileidos (alsoIliades and Ileidus) The word ileidos was created by Paracelsus to denote the “incorporeal elements.” Ileidos includes elemental Air, spirit, the firmament, and heaven. It is that which permeates everything. See Ruach

Iliaster (also Eliaster or Illiadum) The occult virtue of Nature. Life force. There are four “iliastri” of human beings.

Iliaster	Element	Description	Phase of Life
Primus	Earth	The Implanted Iliaster	The span of life
Secundus	Water	The Prepared Iliaster	The life itself, derived from the four elements
Tertius	Air	The Distilled or Refined Iliaster The Astral Power	Extended longevity The Spark of Life derived from the quintessence of things
Quartus (Magnus)	Fire	The Great Iliaster Eternal Life	The passage of the soul to heaven while still embodied, as in the examples of Enoch and Elias (“Eliaster”) The “translation’ of the dense body

Iliaster is described as “the first chaos of the matter of all things, constituted of Sulfur, Salt, and Mercury.” See Guna; Prana; Principia Chymia.

Imbolc Pagan sabbat generally celebrated on February 2nd.

Incantation; Incant The verbal part of a spell.

Incommunicable Axiom See Ineffable Name; Lost Word.

Ineffable Name A name for God which either must not or cannot be spoken. See Tetragrammaton

Initiate 1.) Someone possessed of a secret or interior knowledge gained through experience.

2.) Someone who has approached the occult through systematic training, usually through a lodge or other organization. See Adept

Initiation 1.) An intense personal experience resulting in an integration or validation of previous personal development

2.) A ritual used to signify entrance or progression in a magickal or religious organization, frequently intended to bring about such an intense personal experience.

Used informally to mean the knowledge or access to secret or occult information. Also used to refer to any rite of passage.

INRI One of the most pervasive acronyms in religion and the occult. INRI appears on innumerable churches, paintings, and crucifixes, and is used in almost as many Hermetic orders. One interpretation is Igni Natura Renovatur Integra, or “all of nature is restored by fire.” A less lofty but equally common version is “Iron Nails Ran In.” The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn attributed the cycle of the resurrection of Osiris to the word:

Letter	Hebrew Letter	Deity	Astrological Correspondence	Concept
I	Yod	Isis (I)	Virgo	Creation
N	Nun	Apophis (A)	Scorpio	Destruction
R	Resh	Osiris (O)	Sol	The God Slain and Risen
I	Yod	Isis, Apophis, and Osiris (IAO)		The Trinity

See Notariqon

Inspiration From in-spirare (LTN) “to breath.”

1.) The drawing of air into the lungs.

2.) The act or power of moving the intellect or emotions.
See Genius; Spirit.

Insufflation To blow or breathe upon. Frequently used in healing to transmit the life force. Some practitioners recommend alternating cold and warm breath. Many shamanic healers also use the technique of drawing out harmful energy or spirits using the breath. See Ch’i; Prana.

Intelligence In magick, a force or power (usually discarnate) that serves as guide or informant to a magickian or magickal order. See Spirit

Invocation A ritual or segment of a ritual to establish communication with some entity seemingly inside one’s self. See Evocation; God-form; Possession.

Inward Silence The silencing of the emotions and thoughts that may disturb the effectiveness of a ritual.

I Shin Den Shin (JAP) “From my soul to your soul.” Direct transmission without words. See Neshamah; Prajna.



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