Glossary of
Esoteric Terms

The unconditioned, infinite source and ground of all existence, complete in itself and free from all limitations.

The recognition that the universe is infinitely rich and that supply is unlimited.

Growth or accumulation by external additions; how thought builds material conditions.

The sum total of all that one has ever said, thought, done, or seen, both consciously and unconsciously.

In occultism, one who has reached the stage of Initiation and become a Master in the science of Esoteric philosophy.

To state positively and maintain as being true, regardless of contrary evidence. In New Thought practice, repeating an affirmation leads the mind to a state of consciousness where it accepts what it wishes to believe.

The Lord of Fire in the Vedas; one of the oldest and most revered gods in India. In esoteric teaching, Agni represents the triple aspect of fire and is the symbol of the mental plane.

Ain Soph, or Ein Sof, is a Kabbalistic term meaning "Without End" or "Infinite," representing the utterly transcendent, unknowable, and limitless aspect of God prior to any emanation or creation.

From the Sanskrit for "aether," "sky," or "atmosphere. " In Theosophy, Akasha is the highest of the seven cosmic planes and the subtle spiritual essence pervading all space.

A compendium believed to contain all universal events, thoughts, words, emotions, and intent ever to have occurred in past, present, or future, encoded in the non-physical mental plane.

Albedo is the second stage in the alchemical Magnum Opus, representing purification, whitening, and the transformation of base matter into a pure, receptive state.

An ancient art and science concerned with the transformation of matter and consciousness. Its threefold aim was to find the Philosopher's Stone, discover the Elixir of Life, and achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold, all understood as metaphors for spiritual evolution.

An amulet is an object, often worn, believed to possess protective or magical properties, warding off evil or bringing good fortune.

Having the characteristics of both sexes. In metaphysics, it refers to the Father-Mother God principle, the unity of masculine and feminine aspects within the Absolute.

In Theosophy, the path or bridge between higher and lower mind, serving as a medium of communication between the two.

A method of describing God by stating what God is not.

In New Thought teaching, that which seems to be as distinguished from what actually is. Negative thinking produces conditions that appear true but have no inherent power or reality.

The mental process of associating new ideas with existing knowledge; how concentration works.

A Platonic ideal form existing in Universal Mind, after which all physical forms are patterned.

The central axiom of Hermetic philosophy, derived from the Emerald Tablet: "That which is above is as that which is below; and that which is below is as that which is above, for performing the marvels of the Kosmos".

An individual who has completed their cycle of incarnations and attained a perfected state of consciousness, continuing to guide humanity from higher planes.

In Theosophical usage, the centre to which a Master gathers disciples and aspirants for personal instruction.

The non-physical or etheric counterpart of the physical body, believed to separate from the body during sleep, meditation, or at death.

The Astral Light is an invisible, subtle medium or fluid that permeates the universe, serving as a repository of all thoughts, emotions, and events, and acting as a connecting link between the spiritual and material realms.

The thought plane closest to the earth plane. A non-physical realm of existence where the astral body operates, containing thought-forms, emotional energies, and discarnate entities.

Also known as out-of-body experience (OBE) or soul travel; the practice in which a person's astral self separates from the body and travels to other locations or astral realms.

The study of the correlation between celestial phenomena and events on earth. In esoteric tradition, it is one of the original "occult sciences" dating to the 16th century.

In esoteric teaching, a continent believed to have been submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. Theosophy considers it the home of the Fourth Root Race.

In Theosophy, the Universal Spirit; the seventh and highest principle in the septenary constitution of a human being.

Atonement, or "at-one-ment," in New Thought, signifies the realization of one's inherent unity with the Divine, the Universal Mind, or God.

In Haanel's Master Key System, attention is the essential faculty by which the conscious mind directs the creative process.

A subtle invisible essence or field emanating from human beings and all living things. In New Thought, it is the mental atmosphere surrounding a person.

A method of spirit communication in which a person writes without conscious intention, believed to be directed by a spiritual entity or the subconscious mind.

A ceremonial magical practice to clear negative or unwanted energies from a space or person.

That which has existence. In metaphysics, the ground of all that is.

Constructive thought directed toward anyone or anything.

A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who postpones final liberation to compassionately assist all sentient beings in achieving enlightenment.

A personal journal of magical practices, rituals, and spiritual experiences maintained by practitioners of Wicca and ceremonial magic.

In Theosophy, the spiritual soul; the sixth principle of the human constitution and the vehicle of Atma.

A New Thought practice, primarily articulated by Florence Scovel Shinn, involving the release of problems and anxieties to the subconscious mind or Divine Intelligence for resolution.

The Causal Body, in Theosophy, is the highest subtle body, serving as the vehicle for the reincarnating ego and storing the essence of all experiences across lifetimes.

That which stands back of things as the Intelligent Cause. In New Thought, First Cause is God, the Life back of all things.

In Haanel's framework, the physical organ system of the conscious (objective) mind. It puts the individual in "conscious communication with every part of the body" and responds to every sensation of light, heat, odor, sound, and taste.

A branch of Western occultism involving elaborate rituals, symbols, and invocations to achieve specific spiritual or material objectives, often drawing upon Hermetic, Kabbalistic, and Neoplatonic traditions.

The disciplined method of thought and action, as described by Wallace Wattles, that aligns individuals with the creative power of Formless Substance to manifest desired outcomes, particularly wealth.

In Hindu and yogic systems, one of the energy centers in the subtle body, typically seven in number, running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.

A modern magical tradition emphasizing individual experimentation, belief as a tool, and the use of sigils and altered states of consciousness to achieve desired outcomes.

In New Thought, "Christ" (from the Greek Cristos, meaning "anointed" or "enlightened one") is a Universal Idea, the total manifestation of God in creation.

Citrinitas, or 'yellowing,' is the third alchemical stage, symbolizing the dawn of spiritual illumination and the transition from base matter to gold.

The ability to perceive sounds beyond the range of normal hearing; supernormal auditory perception.

The ability to see objects, events, or truths beyond ordinary sight; mental or spiritual vision.

The law of balance in the mental world; the spiritual equivalent of cause and effect.

Bringing the attention to a single point of focus; essential to meditation, prayer, and magical practice.

The perception of existence. In New Thought, consciousness is the primary reality, the medium through which Spirit expresses itself.

In Haanel's philosophy, thoughts that are positive, creative, and aligned with the Universal Mind, as distinguished from destructive thinking which produces inharmony, lack, and disease.

The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of ancient Greco-Egyptian texts presenting philosophical and religious teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic deity combining the Greek Hermes and the Egyptian Thoth.

The second Hermetic Principle, stating "As above, so below; as below, so above." It posits a direct relationship and analogy between all planes of existence: physical, mental, and spiritual, where patterns and laws manifest similarly across all levels.

Perception of the Whole; a state of awareness in which one perceives unity with the entire universe.

Haanel's term for the Infinite, All-Originating Mind. The Master Key is presented as "a means of tapping the great Cosmic Intelligence and attracting from it that which corresponds to the ambitions, and aspirations of each reader".

A central concept in Thomas Troward's work. In The Creative Process in the Individual, Troward identifies three phases: (1) Imagination, forming a mental concept; (2) Will, the determination to carry out the thought; (3) Action, the materialization of the idea.

Haanel's adaptation of economic language to mental law: "Our circumstances and environment are formed by our thoughts...

In New Thought, to bring about a greater good through the mental and spiritual activity of thought directed toward a definite end.

The mental act of denying false appearances. In New Thought practice, denial is used to clear the mind of limiting beliefs before affirmation.

In New Thought, Desire is the initial impulse or mental blueprint that precedes manifestation, serving as the fundamental starting point for the creative process of bringing thoughts into material reality.

In Theosophy, the blissful after-death state where the higher triad (Atma-Buddhi-Manas) dwells between incarnations.

Dharma, in Theosophy, refers to the inherent law, duty, or right conduct that sustains cosmic order and individual spiritual evolution.

The process by which the Universal takes on particular forms through individual thought.

Entities that exist outside of a physical body.

Troward's distinction: the individual distributes (directs) the Originating Spirit rather than originating it.

The art of obtaining knowledge of future events or hidden things through supernatural means, including tarot, astrology, runes, scrying, and other methods.

The inherent perfect blueprint or ideal form for every individual and aspect of creation, originating from Universal Mind or God.

God conceived as Universal Intelligence or Cosmic Mind. In New Thought, Divine Mind is the source of all ideas and the creative power of the universe.

Spiritual Causation operating through Universal Law.

One of the New Thought denominations, founded by Nona Lovell Brooks. Also used generically to mean the facts known about mental and spiritual law.

A belief in more than One Power behind all things. In New Thought, duality results from a fear-based belief in separation from God or Good.

That which follows cause. All manifestation is effect, and all effect is subject to its cause.

In New Thought, the real self; the inner man. In Haanel's Master Key System, the "I" is given extensive treatment: "The 'I' is not the physical body...

A concept in Western esotericism of a non-physical entity or thoughtform that arises from the collective thoughts and emotions of a distinct group.

Unevolved entities in the invisible world; nature spirits associated with the four elements (earth, water, fire, air).

The Elixir of Life is a legendary alchemical substance believed to bestow immortality or eternal youth upon its consumer, often associated with the Philosopher's Stone.

The Hebrew title expressing absolute Divine power; the plural name of God in the Old Testament.

An ancient Hermetic text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, containing the foundational axiom "As above, so below".

Troward's concept that one must "enter into the spirit" of a thing to reproduce it in experience.

The study of inner, hidden, or secret knowledge. Western esotericism encompasses traditions such as Hermeticism, Kabbalah, alchemy, Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, and related currents.

Ether, in esoteric traditions, is a universal, formless medium intersphering all things and space, pliable to thought and word, and identified by some as the Primary Substance projected by Universal Spirit.

The Etheric Body is a subtle energy body, in Theosophy, that interpenetrates and extends slightly beyond the physical form, serving as its blueprint and the vehicle for life force.

In New Thought, that which seems destructive; a misunderstanding of the true nature of reality. Evil has no independent existence or power.

Evocation (Conjuration) is the magical act of calling forth a spirit or entity to manifest externally, often within a designated ritual space, for specific purposes, using incantations, rituals, and other magical tools.

In New Thought, evolution refers to the progressive unfolding of consciousness and the realization of one's inherent divine nature, leading to higher states of being and expression.

The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In New Thought, faith is a mental attitude so inwardly embodied that the mind can no longer deny it.

In New Thought, "Feeling" refers to the emotional state that impresses the subconscious mind, acting as the creative force for manifestation.

That which is the cause of all things, the Uncreated, from which all Creation springs. First Cause is both Masculine and Feminine in nature.

Form-and-being is a foundational concept in Troward's Edinburgh Lectures, distinguishing between the distinctive quality of Spirit as Thought and Matter as Form, where Form signifies the relative and Being (Spirit) represents the absolute.

The ultimate stuff from which all forms are created; universally present in an unformed state, awaiting the action of conscious intelligence.

The Four Worlds, or Olamot, in Kabbalah, represent a hierarchical model of reality's descent from the divine to the material, encompassing distinct spiritual and physical realms.

A Kabbalistic method of interpreting Hebrew scriptures by computing the numerical value of words based on the values of their constituent letters.

The Gender Principle, a fundamental Hermetic law, posits that all phenomena embody both masculine and feminine aspects, representing the active, directive force and the receptive, generative force respectively, which together drive creation across all planes of existence.

From the Greek for "knowledge"; direct experiential knowledge of the divine, as opposed to intellectual or doctrinal belief.

In New Thought: The First Cause, the Great I Am, the Absolute, the One and Only. Spirit, Creative Energy, Love, Wisdom, Intelligence, Power, Substance, Mind.

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a late 19th and early 20th-century magical order that taught a comprehensive system of occultism, including ceremonial magic, Qabalah, astrology, and alchemy.

In New Thought, gratitude is the conscious appreciation of existing blessings, serving as a vital mechanism for aligning with Universal Mind and attracting desired outcomes.

In alchemy and Hermeticism, the process of working with prima materia to create the Philosopher's Stone.

A textbook of magic, typically including instructions for rituals, the creation of talismans and amulets, and methods of summoning supernatural entities.

In Haanel's system, the principle by which thoughts take form and materialize: "Thought is spiritual energy...

Any act that has become part of the subconscious mentality through repetition.

A key term throughout Haanel and Troward. Haanel states: "The laws under which we live are designed solely for our advantage...

In New Thought, to make whole. Mental healing is the revealing of the Truth that one is already divinely perfect.

In New Thought, heaven is a harmonious state of being; hell is a discordant state of being. Both are states of consciousness, not physical locations.

Hermes Trismegistus, "Thrice-Great Hermes," is a syncretic figure combining the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth, revered as the legendary author of the Hermetic Corpus.

The foundational laws of Hermetic philosophy as presented in The Kybalion (1908): Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender.

A philosophical and spiritual tradition based on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. It influenced alchemy, astrology, and theurgy, and its core principles are codified in The Kybalion and the Corpus Hermeticum.

A foundational axiom in Troward's philosophy (Chapter 2 of the Edinburgh Lectures): "The descent from personality, as we know it in ourselves, to matter, as we know it under what we call inanimate forms, is a gradual descent in the scale of intelligence.

In New Thought, the third Person of the Trinity; the Servant of the Spirit; the Universal Subjectivity or World-Soul through which Spirit manifests.

From the universal standpoint, "I Am" means God; from the individual standpoint, the Real Man or True Self.

A self-existent thought-form independent of the thinker, distinct from ordinary "thought."

In Haanel's Master Key System, the mental process that precedes visualization and materialization. "You must first idealize; you must form a mental image of what you wish to achieve...

Inspiration reaching a Cosmic state; direct contact with Reality or God. A complete intuitive perception of Truth.

The imaging faculty; the power of the mind to form mental pictures or concepts. In New Thought, imagination is a divine creative faculty through which Spirit manifests.

Immortality, in New Thought, refers to the eternal nature of the individual's spiritual essence, distinct from the perishable physical form. It posits that consciousness, as an emanation of Divine Mind, is indestructible and transcends bodily death.

The Spirit of God embodied in all Creation. In Theosophy, the process by which the Monad takes on successive physical bodies for the purpose of spiritual evolution.

The Real Idea of a person, as distinguished from the outer personality. In New Thought, individuality is the divine and eternal aspect of selfhood.

In esoteric traditions, a formal or ritual advancement to a higher level of spiritual knowledge and practice.

Inner Conversation is a New Thought concept, primarily articulated by Neville Goddard, referring to the continuous internal dialogue that shapes an individual's perception and experience of reality.

The ability to know without any process of reasoning. In New Thought, God knows only intuitively, and human intuition is a faculty of the indwelling Spirit.

Inverted use of the creative power is Troward's term for the misuse of mental law, where dwelling on negative conditions causes the creative power to operate in reverse, manifesting the very conditions feared, rather than desired ideals.

Invocation is the act of calling upon or summoning a deity, spirit, or higher power for assistance, guidance, or presence, often within a ritualistic context.

Ideas involved in Mind. In New Thought philosophy, involution precedes evolution, Spirit first conceives ideas inwardly before they manifest outwardly.

In New Thought, Jesus Christ represents the supreme demonstration of spiritual principles, embodying the awakened imagination and the creative power of consciousness.

The Jewish mystical tradition, encompassing a body of esoteric knowledge about the nature of God, the universe, and the soul.

In New Thought and Theosophy, the subjective law of cause and effect. The accumulated consequences of past thoughts, words, and actions that shape present and future experience.

Active thought producing motion and change, as opposed to latent potential.

In Hindu and yogic traditions, a dormant spiritual energy located at the base of the spine that, when awakened, rises through the chakras to produce spiritual illumination.

A book published in 1908 by "Three Initiates" (widely attributed to William Walker Atkinson) that presents the Seven Hermetic Principles.

Mind in action. In New Thought, there is only One Law operating through the universe, the Law of Mind.

The Law of Assumption, a core tenet of New Thought, posits that by intensely feeling and believing a desired outcome as already fulfilled, one can manifest that reality into existence.

The principle that subjective tendencies set in motion are bound to attract corresponding experiences. Also known as "Mental Gravitation" by Haanel, who posits that thoughts attract conditions of similar nature with scientific certainty.

The New Thought principle asserting that thought operates according to immutable laws, influencing one's character, circumstances, and health.

In Haanel: "Thought is spiritual energy... How is it carried?

Two contrasting approaches to spiritual practice: the Right-Hand Path seeks divine union, the Left-Hand Path emphasizes self-deification.

Hypothetical alignments of ancient sacred sites and natural landmarks, believed by some to represent channels of earth energy.

Living in the End is a New Thought practice of psychologically inhabiting the state of a desired outcome as if it has already been achieved, thereby manifesting it into reality.

The Word of God; the creative principle through which the Absolute manifests.

In Haanel's system, love is the principle by which thought is given vitality, answering the question: "How is thought given vitality? By the law of love."

The Universal World; the great cosmos. Contrasted with microcosm (the individual).

Distinguished from stage magic by its spelling (popularized by Aleister Crowley), it refers to the art and science of causing change to occur in conformity with Will.

In Theosophy, a Mahatma is an advanced soul or 'Master' who has achieved a high degree of spiritual evolution and wisdom, guiding humanity from behind the scenes.

The destructive use of mental power, whether conscious or unconscious; negative mental influence.

In Theosophy, the mind principle; the fifth of the seven principles. Higher Manas is the spiritual, heaven-aspiring intellect; Lower Manas is the thinking faculty influenced by desire.

The objectification of ideas; the process by which spiritual principles take visible form in the physical world.

A mantra is a sacred utterance, word, or phrase, often repeated, used in meditation and spiritual practices to focus the mind and invoke specific states of consciousness or divine energies.

World of mental illusion; the doctrine that the physical world is not ultimate reality but a projection of consciousness.

Contemplation and communion with God. In New Thought, meditation is the recognition of God within.

The ability to communicate with spirits of the deceased or other non-physical entities.

Mental Diet is a New Thought practice, popularized by Neville Goddard, involving the conscious monitoring and control of one's inner thoughts and mental conversations to align them with desired outcomes.

What one receives corresponds to what one imagines and believes one can receive. The inner mental image must match the desired outer experience.

Haanel's term for the practice of regularly clearing the mind of negative, destructive, and unworthy thoughts.

The science of Mind and Spirit; a systematic knowledge of the laws of the Mental and Spiritual World.

The Kybalion's art of changing mental states, forms, and conditions into others.

Merkabah refers to the divine chariot or throne-chariot described in the biblical vision of Ezekiel, interpreted in Kabbalah as a vehicle for mystical ascent and a complex system of esoteric knowledge concerning the divine realms.

That which is beyond the known laws of physics. In New Thought, the study of the underlying spiritual principles governing reality.

The Middle Pillar is a Kabbalistic energy circulation practice developed by Israel Regardie, based on the central column of the Tree of Life, designed to activate and balance divine energies within the practitioner's body.

In New Thought, Mind is both conscious and subconscious. There is one Mind, God, and within this One Mind are many mentalities.

In Theosophy, the indivisible divine spark in every being; often referring specifically to Atma-Buddhi.

One who senses the Divine Presence. Mysticism is the direct, experiential apprehension of Ultimate Reality.

Necromancy is a form of divination involving the summoning of the spirits of the dead for the purpose of gaining knowledge, foretelling the future, or exerting influence.

The Kybalion's technique of rising above undesired vibrations by polarizing to the opposite pole.

New Thought is a spiritual-philosophical movement originating in 19th-century America through the work of Phineas P. Quimby, emphasizing the creative power of mind, mental healing, and the indwelling nature of God.

In alchemy, the first stage of the Great Work, symbolized by blackening. It represents the death or dissolution of the old self.

Nirvana, in Theosophy, refers to a state of profound spiritual liberation and union with the Absolute, transcending individual consciousness and the cycles of reincarnation.

Numerology is the esoteric study of the mystical relationship between numbers and events, objects, or living beings, asserting that numbers carry symbolic meaning and influence.

In both Haanel and Troward, the conscious, reasoning mind that operates through the cerebrospinal nervous system and the five senses.

Being controlled by thoughts, ideas, or psychic influences; loss of mental sovereignty.

From the Latin occultus, meaning "hidden" or "secret. " The study of hidden spiritual realities extending beyond pure reason and the physical sciences.

The three infinite attributes of God or Universal Mind: all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing.

The foundational principle of New Thought: God is the Source of all that is, and God is all that is.

Thomas Troward's preferred term for the First Cause or God, used extensively in The Dore Lectures and The Creative Process in the Individual.

Pathworking is a meditative practice involving guided visualization through the paths connecting the Sephiroth on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, aiming for spiritual insight and personal transformation.

A pentacle is a ritualistic object, often a disk or tablet, inscribed with a pentagram or other magical symbols, used in Western Esoteric traditions for protection, evocation, or focusing magical intent.

The complete and unhindered manifestation of one's unique divine purpose and inherent spiritual gifts, aligning individual life with cosmic intention.

In Haanel's system, the natural result of a properly functioning Solar Plexus radiating vital energy unimpeded by fear or resistance.

In alchemy, the legendary substance capable of transmuting base metals into gold and conferring immortality.

Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-1866) was an American clockmaker and mesmerist, widely recognized as the foundational figure of the New Thought movement, who developed a system of mental healing predicated on the belief that illness originates in erroneous thought patterns.

Different rates of vibration or levels of reality. Most esoteric systems identify multiple planes, physical, etheric, astral, mental, causal, and spiritual.

The fourth Hermetic Principle: "Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites".

Latent mental power possessing inherent qualities for development but not yet active.

In New Thought, one who practices mental and spiritual healing.

In Theosophy and Hindu philosophy, the Life Principle or vital energy that animates all living beings.

The practice of declaring spiritual truth rather than petitioning God; prayer as affirmation.

In alchemy, the primal, formless substance from which all matter derives.

The first and most fundamental Hermetic Principle: "THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental".

The fifth Hermetic Principle: "Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides".

The teaching that when people learn to change their thinking toward abundance, God can manifest it in their lives.

Relating to the soul or subjective nature. All people are psychic, but not all are mediums.

Reading from the soul side of things; the ability to perceive information about a person or object by touching it.

In New Thought, Purpose signifies a definite intention or conscious aim that directs an individual's creative mental activity toward a desired outcome.

In Kabbalah, the Qliphoth (or Kliffot) represent the inverse, shadow, or demonic counterparts to the holy Sefirot on the Tree of Life, embodying forces of chaos, impurity, and separation.

Human beliefs operating through the mentality of the individual. The collective subconscious thought-patterns of humanity.

In New Thought, Reality refers to the absolute, unchanging spiritual truth or Divine Mind, from which all manifest experience derives. It is often distinguished from perceived or phenomenal reality.

Subjective comprehension of Truth. In Science of Mind treatment, the third step, clearly affirming and accepting the desired experience as already done.

A central concept in Troward's Edinburgh Lectures (Chapter 8). The individual mind acts on the Universal through thought, and the Universal responds by bringing the corresponding conditions into manifestation.

Rebirth in the flesh; the doctrine that the soul or spirit returns to physical embodiment multiple times for spiritual growth.

The New Thought denomination founded by Ernest Holmes in 1927, based on the Science of Mind philosophy.

In New Thought, resurrection signifies a spiritual awakening, a transformation of consciousness from a limited, material focus to an expanded awareness of one's divine nature and inherent power.

Revision is a New Thought practice, notably taught by Neville Goddard, involving the mental alteration of past events to align with desired outcomes, thereby influencing future manifestations.

In Theosophy, the major evolutionary stages of humanity.

A Western esoteric tradition based on the teachings of the legendary Christian Rosenkreuz.

In alchemy, the final stage of the Great Work, symbolized by reddening.

Sacred Geometry refers to the universal patterns, shapes, and proportions found in nature and art, believed to reveal the underlying structure of the cosmos and divine creation.

Samadhi is a state of meditative absorption, profound concentration, and spiritual ecstasy, representing the culmination of yogic practice and a union with the Divine.

Samsara refers to the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by karma, which binds the individual soul (Jiva or Monad) to the material plane.

Science of Mind refers to Ernest Holmes's foundational 1926 text and the New Thought philosophy it espouses, presenting a systematic approach to understanding the relationship between mind, spirit, and manifestation.

The practice of gazing into a reflective surface to receive spiritual visions.

A gathering in which participants attempt to communicate with spirits of the deceased.

In Kabbalah, the ten emanations through which the Infinite reveals itself, arranged on the Tree of Life.

A consciousness of the self as a reality; recognizing the "I" as an expression of Universal Mind.

Troward identifies two degrees of self-recognition: (1) The lower degree, which sees the self as separate from all other entities (ego vs.

In Theosophy, the seven primary energetic emanations from the Divine.

A symbol or seal used in ceremonial magic.

In Haanel, "The Silence" is the practice of physical stillness and mental quietude that is "the first step to self-control, self-mastery".

In New Thought, missing the mark, a mistake, not an inherent moral stain.

A major concept in Haanel's Master Key System. The Solar Plexus is "the organ of the subconscious mind" and the body's central energy distributor, likened to "the sun of the body.

Solve et Coagula, Latin for "dissolve and coagulate," is a fundamental alchemical principle describing the process of deconstruction and reconstruction, leading to purification and transformation.

In New Thought, the relationship of the individual to God as the divine offspring of Spirit.

The Creative Medium of Spirit. In New Thought, the Soul of the Universe is the Universal Creative Medium through which Spirit manifests form.

Troward's term for the individual's role in directing Universal Spirit into particular forms.

A spell is a ritualistic act or formulaic utterance intended to produce a specific magical effect, often involving focused intent, symbolic actions, and energetic manipulation.

God, within whom all spirits exist. The Self-Knowing One; the Conscious Universe; the Absolute.

Troward establishes at the very beginning of the Edinburgh Lectures that Spirit and Matter are the two poles of one reality: Spirit's distinctive quality is Thought (unlimited by space and time); Matter's distinctive quality is Form (limited by space and time).

The New Thought principle that vocalized affirmations or declarations possess creative power, shaping reality through the energetic vibration and conscious intent embedded in the spoken word.

The automatic mental emanation of the subjective state of thought; the continuous flow of mind.

The subconscious mind, also known as the subjective mind, is a powerful, impressionable mental faculty operating beneath conscious awareness. It is the seat of habits, emotions, and automatic bodily functions, directly influencing physical reality and manifesting dominant thoughts and beliefs.

A precise distinction from Troward: "Existence" means "standing out", things are called into existence by a power which itself does not stand out but subsists.

The formless back of all forms; the universal "stuff" from which all things are created.

Troward's principle that the subjective mind is amenable to suggestion from the objective mind.

The Superconscious Mind is the aspect of consciousness believed to be directly connected to the Divine Mind or Universal Intelligence, serving as the source of intuition, inspiration, and higher wisdom.

A magical practice based on the principle that like produces like or that things once connected remain linked.

In Haanel's framework, the physical organ system of the subconscious (subjective) mind, as distinguished from the cerebrospinal system of the conscious mind.

The Tabula Smaragdina, or Emerald Tablet, is a foundational Hermetic text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, famously articulating the principle "As above, so below."

An object inscribed with symbols or charged with spiritual energy.

A deck of 78 symbolic cards used for divination, meditation, and self-exploration, comprising Major Arcana (22 archetypal cards) and Minor Arcana (56 elemental cards).

Thought transference between minds without visible means of communication.

The Kybalion's name for the Absolute: the Infinite Living Mind underlying all manifestation.

In New Thought, the principle that releasing resentment and forgiving others is essential for removing mental blocks, allowing for the manifestation of desired outcomes and spiritual liberation.

The principle of not actively opposing negative circumstances, but rather allowing them to dissipate through non-engagement, often by focusing on positive affirmations and divine truth.

An organization founded in 1875 by H.P. Blavatsky, H.S. Olcott, and W.Q. Judge, dedicated to promoting universal brotherhood, studying ancient religions and philosophies, and investigating the hidden laws of nature and the latent powers in humanity.

Literally "divine wisdom"; the knowledge of things divine. The modern Theosophical movement, founded by Helena Blavatsky in 1875, synthesizes elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Western esotericism.

The practice of rituals performed to invoke the action of God or divine beings.

Haanel's central thesis: "Thought is a creative energy that manifests its objects. " He identifies thought as spiritual energy, carried by the law of vibration, vitalized by the law of love, and taking form by the law of growth.

All thought has definite form on the subjective side of life. In esoteric tradition, concentrated thought creates energetic structures on the astral and mental planes.

Tikkun, meaning "repair" or "rectification" in Kabbalah, refers to the cosmic process of restoring divine harmony after the "Breaking of the Vessels," and individually, to each soul's unique spiritual work.

The act of changing the nature or substance of something. In alchemy, converting base metals to gold; in metaphysics, elevating consciousness.

A five-step form of affirmative prayer in Religious Science/Science of Mind: (1) Recognition, (2) Unification, (3) Realization, (4) Gratitude, (5) Release.

In Kabbalah, the diagram of the ten Sefirot, representing the structure of the universe and the path of spiritual ascent.

In New Thought, God expresses Itself in three aspects: Spirit, Soul, and Body (or Mind, Idea, and Expression).

That which Is. In New Thought, spiritual Truth is unchanging, eternal, and beyond appearances.

In Science of Mind treatment, the second step: affirming one's oneness with God.

(1) The Absolute Oneness of God and the individual. (2) A major New Thought denomination founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1889.

A central concept in Troward's Edinburgh Lectures (Chapter 3), establishing that all individual minds are rooted in One Universal Spirit.

Divine Principle in action. The impersonal operation of Mind through which cause produces effect on all planes.

The Creative Medium of Spirit; the One Mind of God in which all individual mentalities exist. In Haanel: "The Universal Mind is the life principle of every atom which is in existence.

In Haanel's physiological framework of mind, the nerve that connects the cerebrospinal system (conscious mind) to the sympathetic system (subconscious mind), "enabling a unified physical and mental experience".

The art of mentally projecting a thought-form into the Universal Creative Medium. Haanel defines visualization as "the process of making mental pictures" and teaches it as a progressive skill developed across 24 weeks.

The doctrine that living organisms are animated by a non-physical vital principle or life force.

The use of supernatural or spiritual powers for benevolent purposes.

Wicca is a modern, syncretic, nature-based neopagan religion, primarily characterized by the veneration of a Horned God and a Triple Goddess, and the practice of ritual magic.

Troward devotes an entire chapter of the Edinburgh Lectures to the Will, defining it as the central controlling power that regulates both intuition and imagination.

The mental and emotional state of experiencing one's desire as already realized, a core principle for manifestation in New Thought.

The thought of God or of the individual. In New Thought, "the Word" is the creative power of consciousness.

A foundational dichotomy in Haanel's Master Key System. "We are related to the world without by the objective mind...

The Universal Creative Medium, or World-Soul, is the subjective aspect of the universe through which Spirit creates form. Ernest Holmes called it the Creative Medium. It is equivalent to the Anima Mundi of classical philosophy.

Yoga is a diverse group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices originating in ancient India, aimed at achieving union with the divine or ultimate reality.