K


Ka or (Khat) The ancient Egyptian word for the etheric double or body of habits. Supposedly the ka lived on in the tomb after death of the body. Provisions were left in the tombs by the relatives of the deceased, particularly since the ka might haunt them if it were displeased. Some consider the ka to be equivalent to the astral body, the part of the soul sometimes used as a vehicle for the consciousness in the mortal planes. See Astral Planes; Astral Projection; Ghost; Kama-Rupa.

Kabbalah (HEB) See Qabalah

Kalpa (SKT) The longest desirable span of time. A day and a night of Brahma, constituting a manvantara (cycle of manifestation and universal activity) and a paralaya (absence of manifestation and cycle of universal inactivity) together. See Age; Yuga.

Kama (SKT) Desire. Kama is the memory or impression of experiences, pleasant or unpleasant, which generate emotion. The memories of pleasures and pains previously experienced in connection with an act or object recur as feelings of liking or disliking when the act or object is again encountered. Kama is the foundation of habits. See Nephesh

Kama-rupa (SKT) A body of habits or desires. An “astral shell” or eidolon which persists after the death of the physical body, but slowly breaks up and fades away unless given energy by the desires of those who wish to preserve it or are otherwise attached to it. See Ghost; Ka; Shell.

Kanea (HEB) A “magick square” used in talismanic magic to produce sigils. Sigils are produced by converting a word or name into numbers and then tracing the numbers on the kamea appropriate to the force being channeled. See Magic Square; Sigil; Talisman.

Kanda (SKT) The dwelling place of the fire- serpent, kundalini, at the base of the spine. See Chakra; Kundalini.

Karma (SKT) Literally “action” or “doing.” Any action may be called a karma if there is intention in the act (even if your intention was not what you thought it was). When a person builds a house, that is karma. When a rock rolls down a hill, however we do not say that it acts, but simply that it moves. Of course, there are some people who would argue that a rock intends to roll. This is perhaps the reason it is still a rock. Karmas are formally thought of to be of three varieties: wholesome, tending towards liberation and enlightenment; unwholesome, tending towards the maintenance of confusion and pain; and neutral. Karma is frequently thought of (informally) as guilt or responsibility which one carries from one incarnation to the next that must be worked off like a penance. This is true only to the extent that any intention tends towards attachment. See Dharma; True Will.

Karma Yoga (SKT) Union through right livelihood. Karma yoga is work actuated by unselfishness, contributing to the welfare of others and the world as a whole. There have been many wealthy or titled people who have regarded themselves as trustees rather than owners. An industrialist who is concerned with the continuing welfare of customers and employees, the impact of manufacturing on the environment, and the long-term benefit to society rather than immediate profit and the short-term goal could be said to be practicing karma yoga. Karma yoga may be practiced in all walks of life, regardless of wealth or station. See Angas; Karma; Yoga.

Karrezza A techuque used in sexual tantra and magic to focus energy. Karrezza involves extended ritual erotic stimulation without orgasm. Supposedly the sexual energies can be directed to cause higher states of consciousness. The technique may also be used for other ritual purposes. Some say that the rerouted energy gives birth to magickal forms on other planes. See Kundalini; Tantra.

Kerub Compositie elemental spirits built up into Egyptian-style telesmatic images by the members of the Golden Dawn for use with the Enochian magickal system. They are primarily based on the four elemental symbolic creatures; man, lion, eagle, and ox. See Cherubim

Khara An ancient Egyptian word for a part of the soul of a human being. The astral body. See Ka

Khas Am Pekht An Egyptian-derived magickal phrase used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn translating as “Light in Extension.”

Khaib The shadow. An ancient Egyptian term for the Body of Habits, the part of the human soul which leaves the body at death and may continue an independent existence. The khaib is symbolized by a shadow cast in sunlight. See Ka

Khaibit (EGY) The shadow. One of the five bodies of the human being. See Haidit

Khandas A Buddhist term for the Sanskrit word skandhas, the five attributes. See Skandhus

Khu Literllay “clear” or “luminous.” The ancient Egyptian word for the immortal part of the soul. The casual body. Symbolized by a plume of flame.

Ki (JAP) The ocean of energy. The invisible activity of the cosmos. Ki is the Japanese form of the Chinese word ch’i. It is also used by some parapsychologists to refer to the human aura and mesmeric emanations (animal magnetism). See Ch’i; Mana; Prana.

Kia A term used by Austin Osman Spare to refer to the atmospheric “I,” symbolized by the eye. It is the complement of the ZOS. See ZOS

Kibric An alchemical term for the First Matter of Mercury and all fluids. The Father. That from which Mercury comes. The Philosopher’s Stone. Some use the word Kibric to denote the Airy form of Spirit. (Aether). See Lapis Philosophorum; Mercury; Prima Materia.

Kikai (JAP) Literally “Ocean of Energy.” The lower abdominal area, particularly the hara point. See Ch’i

Kilas A Buddhist term for Kleshas. See Kleshas

Kischuph (HEB) The higher magickal influence. Material kischuph involves the use of various substances to control the elements of nature. See Magick

Kitchen Magick; Kitchen Witchcraft A practical tradition of witchcraft used mainly by suburban or lower budget witches that is designed to allow one to utilize household items instead of the often difficult to obtain ritual items.

Kleshas (SKT) Dug (TIB) Literally “poison.” The five kleshas are the root poisons or five sources of trouble. They are considered to be the root causes of embodiment, stemming initially from ignorance. The kleshas are said to be weakened by the practice of daily virtues (kriya yoga) and destroyed by the constant practice of meditation (dhyana). The five kleshas are:

Sanskrit	Tibeta	English
Avidya (Moha)	Gti-mug	Ignorance (delusion)
Asmita	Nga-rgyal	Self personality (egoism)
Raga	`Dod-chags	Desire or Passion
Dwesha	Zhe-sdang	Aversion or aggression
Abhinivesha	Phrag-dog	Possessiveness (fear of death)

See Kriya Yoga

Kol Literally “all.” A voice. The voice of God.

Konx Om Pax A magickal phrase derived from ancient Greek. It was used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn to mean “Light in Extension.” The phrase Konx Om Pax was also used in the incantations of the mysteries of Eleusis.

Kosha (SKT) A kosha is a vessel in which something is stored or contained like a sheath. People are described as having five koshas which together comprise three shariras or bodies (sometimes also called dehas or upadhis).

Kosha	English	Upadhu
Annamayakosha	The Vessel Composed of Food (The Physical Body)	Sthula-upadhi
Pranamayakosha	The Vessel Composed of Prana	Sukshma-upadhi
Manomayakosha	The Vessel Composed of Mind (Manas, Chitta, and Hama)	Sukshma-upadhi
Vijnanamayakosha	The Vessel Composed of Wisdom	Sukshma-upadhi (Buddhi)
Anandamayakosha	The Vessel Composed of Joy (The Ahankara)	Karana-upadhi

See Sharira

Kriya Yoga (SKT) Bya-ba (TIB), meaning “action.” Hriya derives from the root kri (SKT), meaning to act or react. Kriya yoga was divided by Patanjali into three practices; tapas (bodily self-government), swadhyaya (mental study), and ishwara-pranid-hana (an emotional attitude of attentiveness to God). Kriya yoga emphasizes purification, ritual action, and the understanding that all phenomena are inherently pure and naturally sacred. Considered by many to be a yoga for daily life, it is also regarded as a preliminary yoga to be undertaken prior to systematic meditation. Faithful practice of kriya yoga is said to weaken the kleshas (five sources of trouble). See Klesha; Sacred Outlook; Yoga.


Kshana (SKT) The smallest unit of time. The least amount of time taken by anything to manifest a change. See Kalpa

Kuei (CHI) The yin aspect of the human soul. Also the part considered by the Chinese to remain following death. Sometimes used to denote any earthly spirit. See Hun; Shell.

Kundalini (SKT) Literally “serpent power.” The kundalini or fire snake is described as sleeping coiled at the base of the spine. This power can be made to awaken and rise, revivifying and transforming the power centers (chakras) as it ascends. Aleister Crowley thought that kundalini was equivalent to the magickal power or current. See Chakra; Laya Yoga; Shushumna.


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