Paranormal Glossery

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A

A2- Military designation for United States Air Force Intelligence.

AAC-Acronym for Alaskan Air Command of the United States Air Force.

AAE-for "alien abduction experience"

Abacomancy- A "divination" practice which interprets patterns in dust or in the funerary ashes of the recently deceased to read future events.

Abatwa- "Little people of South Africa coming from th Zulu traditions.Tiny enought to ride on ants and hide under a blade of glass but but capable of killing and eating large animals. They hid from most humans but can be brought out to give adive or aid to humans.

Abnuaaya- Comes from the Caucusus Mountains and Central Asia. They are called the Almas and Albasty, the wildmen dating back to 1420. They may be theAlmases, the remanents of Neanderthal man or a species similar to the "Yeti".

Abductee- A human or animal which has been taken without consent by an extraterrestrial life form.

Abduction- The act of an unknown life form taking an individual or a group. Many people believe these life forms to be of extraterrestrial origin. Cases of reported surgical operations and collecting of vital liquids such as sperm, ova, and tissue samples and sometimes implanted with unknown devices for future monitoring.

Abominable Snowman- Popular terms for a "Yeti" or "Meh-teh"

Absent Healing- The administering of the healing energies directly from the universal source or though the direction of a spirit doctor to the inflicted without coming in direct contact with a healer or medium.

Absent Sitter- A person who is not not present at the time of a psychic reading, for whom the reading is given. Similar or alternative term is "proxy sitting."

Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese medical practice that involves sticking needles into specific locations on the body. See also healing.

Acutomancy- Use of sharrp sticks or needles dropped on a hard surface and then used to divine the future.

Adamasto- A spirit once believed to haunt the Cape of Good Hope and prophesized doom for those seeking to sail around the Cape to India, experience by famed explorer Vasco de Gama.

ADC-A acronym for the Aerospace Defense Command section of the United States Air Force.

Adept- Term used in Eastern esoteric literature. An individual who has made a deliberate attempt to develop spiritual and psychic qualities to the point that he can control material and spiritual forces. an individual who is considered to have a great spiritual influence over others.

Adjuration- A command for conjuring or exorcising malevolent spirits, in which the offending demon or spirit is subjected to the will of the magician or the exorcist by the use of the name of God

LA-Governmental acronym for Assistant Director for Legal &slative Affairs (National Security Agency).

ADPR- Governmental acronym for Assistant Director for Plans/Resources (National Security Agency).

Aytum- From the Greek term 'aduton', which means a place to which entrance is forbidden. It is the place of the Holy of Holies This is a term alternatively used with 'sanctum sanctorum' or 'Holy of Holies' to describe the innermost sanctum of a temple or church, or an area of sacred space in occult practices.

AEC- Governmental acronym for Automic Energy Commission.

Aeromancy- A divinatory practice using the atmosphere, air or clouds to fortell the future. Examples may include cloud formations, comets and meteors, changes in weather patterns, or wind currents. The term also describes an obscure practice reported to involve the summoning of ghosts and specters (allegedly with the aid of demons) to project images of future events upon the clouds.

AFB- Military acronym for Air Force Base.

AFESC- Military acronym for Air Force Electronic Security Command.

AFGWC- Military acronym for Air Force Global Weather Control

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AFIS- Military acronym for Air Force Intelligence Service. Military acronym for Air Force Operations Center.

AFOS-: Military acronym for Air Force Office of Special estigations, headquartered at Bolling AFB, Washington DC.

AFR- Military acronym for Air Force Regulation.

Afrit- In Arabian traditions, an afrit is the spirit of a murder victim which rises to avenge the crime. The afrit rises from the body of a murder victim in the form of smoke rising from a fire'. The malevolent spirit is terrifying in nature. To remove the violent spirit, an iron nail is driven into the ground where the murder was committed also called "nailing down the ghost". Very similiar to the silver spike used in the killing of the vampires.

AFSA- Governmental acronym for Armed Forces Security Agency, forerunner of the National Security Agency.

AFSAC- Governmental acronym for Armed Forces Security Agency Council.

AFSS- Military acronym for Air Force Security Service.

Agalmatomancy- From the Greek 'algama' (figure) and 'manteia' (divination), the divinatory practice of forecasting future events by reading features of statues. Also called "Idolomancy".

Age of Aquarius- The two-thousand year long period in human history marked by enlightenment, love, and profound peace heralded by the ascension of the constellation of Aquarius into 'the house of the Sun' in "astrology".

Agent- (a) A person called the percipient in an ESP experiment. (b) The subject in a controlled psychokinesis experiment. (c) The person who is the central focus of poltergeist activity.

Agnostic- Individuals who claim only an awareneeness and knowledge of the material worls and disclam any knowledge or awaeness of God or the origin of the universe feeling that such things are unknowable.

Agog-A mysterious creature of Tanzania, described as being a rust colored, woolly-haired mammal which walks upon two legs, most often reported as being between four and four and one-half feet tall. A similar creature, the "sehite", has been reported in the Ivory Coast.

Aigypan- A "sasquatch" like creature of Venezuela, which build primitive tools and weapons, as well as huts for shelter. Some reports even claim that these creatures are carnivorous, sometimes attacking and eating men, but prone to carrying off women, allegedly for breeding purposes. Said to be very dangerous and quite ill-tempered.

Ailuromanc- Also known as "felidomancy", using the movement of cats to tell the future.

Akashic Records- Sanskrit workd, literally translated means that out of which all things are formed. The records are the everlasting records of life for they contain and register all imressions made by all life.

Alaska's Hairy Man- A "sasquatch" like creature found in the Alaskan wilderness, sometimes known by the Eskimo name, "Arulataq".

Albasty- See "Abnuaaya".

Alchemy- An endeavor of human industry that contains two parts: /experimentation and mysticism. First started in the 2nd centruy A.D. and o ntinuing thourgh the Middle Ages; the outstanding effot of alchemists revolved around the transmutation of ordinary metal into precious substances such as gld. Because of the experimentation that it involved, it is called the "father of modern chemistry."

Alectormancy- Also spelled as 'alectromancy' and 'alectryomancy', from the Greek 'alectruon' (cock) and 'manteia' (divination), forecasting future events by placing a rooster or hen into a circle of grain, around which letters of the alphabet have been arranged. Answers to questions concerning the future are interpreted by which letters the bird chooses to feed at.

Aleuromancy: From the Greek 'aleuron' and 'manteia' (divination), the divinatory practice of utilizing flour to forecast future events. One method involved mixing flour and water in a bowl and then interpreting the patterns left at the bottom and sides of the vessel. Another practice involved writing sentences upon slips of paper, which were then baked into balls of dough and divided amongst participants to learn their fates still practiced today in the form of the Chinese fortune cookies.

ALF- Acronym for Alien Life Form.

Alien- Intelligent "extraterrestrial" being or being of extraterrestrial origin. Visitors from other planets, worlds or dimensions. The word itself means 'foreign'.

Alien Abduction-Term used to describe being taken onboard an "alien" craft against one's will or being 'kidnapped' by extraterrestrial beings.

Alien Abduction Experience (AAE- Term used within the field of UFOlogy to describe alien abduction.

Alien Bases- Alleged bases of operation of alien beings present on Earth, rumored to be in the "four corners" region of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

Almas or Almasty- See "Abnuaaya"

Allan Hills 84001- Official designation for a meteorite found in Antarctica. Thought to be a piece of Mars, this meteorite was found to have organic material confirming the existence of life beyond Earth. The validity of the findings is still a subject of intense debate in the scientific community.

Allo- Reportedly stands for 'all others'. One of the four major operational divisions of the National Security Agency's Production Organizations, now known as G GROUP.

Alomancy- From the Greek 'halo' (salt) and 'manteia' (divination), the divinatory practice of forecasting future events by interpreting patterns in randomly scattered salt.

ALP- Acronym for Advanced Language Program.

Alpha Draconians- Reptilian alien beings that are said to have established colonies in Alpha Draconis. Alpha Rhythm Index
Electrical activity in the brain (about 10 cycles per second) associated with a state of mental relaxation.

Alpha Rhythm- A ten cycle per second rhythm of electrical activity in the human brain which is identified with a state of deep mental relaxation. The alpha state is believed to be the mental state in which psychic abilities become most pronounced.

Alphitomancy- Divination by barley in Greek, it is the practice of feeding a criminal suspect a loaf of specially prepared wheat or barley bread or cake. If the person suffers from indigestion or finds the loaf to be disagreeable to the palate, the suspect was deemed guilty. Alternatively used to determine the virginal purity of a potential bride

Altarians- Alleged reptilian inhabitants of the Altair stellar system in the constellation Aquila.

Altered State of Consciousness- One's awarness or ordinary pattern of mental functioning changed in character or in its basic nature.(ASC)- A mental state in which the balance between the conscious and unconscious mind is profoundly changed, such as in the case of "hypnosis" or the dream state.

Alu- An ancient Assyrian name ascribed to a malevolent apparitional form that manifested missing one or more limbs. This evil spirit reportedly would crush the life from victims it caught in its grasp.

Alux- A "sasquatch" like animal found in South America.

AM- Abbreviation for 'ambassador', sometimes used in the field of "Ufology" to describe an "alien" being.

Amniomancy- A divinatory practice in which the coloration of the subtle membrane surrounding the head of a newborn infant is interpreted to forecast the general fortunes of the child in later life

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Amulet- An object, image, or inscription believed to be possessed of magical powers which grant the bearer good fortune or to ward off curses and evil magic.

Ancestor Worship- Religious practices based upon the doctrine of veneration of the dead, normally along family lines.

AN Rating: Classifies any anomalous phenomenon.

AN1 - Anomalies that leave no lasting physical effects, such as lights in the sky and similar phenomena.

AN2 - Anomalies that leave lasting physical effects, such as crop circles, scorched earth, and debris.

AN3 - Anomalies with associated occupants or entities.

AN4 - Interaction of the witness with occupants or entities.

AN5 - Anomalous reports of injury or death, such as unexplained wounds, healing of wounds, or spontaneous human combustion.

ANCIB- Military acronym for Army-Navy Communications Intelligence Board.

ANCICC- Military acronym for Army-Navy Communications Intelligence Coordinating Committee.

Ancient Astronauts-"Alien" beings said to have traveled to earth in times predating recorded history, often said to have played influential roles in the course of human evolution or the construction of mysterious locations such as the Nazca Lines of Peru.

Andrews AFB- Air Force base located a few miles southeast of Washington, D.C. In 1952, mass UFO sightings over Washington, D.C., were tracked on radar from this base.

Anemoscopy- Divinatory practice involving interpreting the movement, sounds, and speeds of the winds to forecast future events, or the size and shape of dust clouds stirred by the winds.

ANG- Military acronym for Air National Guard.

Angakok- Traditional Eskimo mediums, or shamans, who reportedly have the power to communicate with spirits or to raise the spirits of the dead. Native Eskimo beliefs hold that any misfortune at sea is caused by the ghosts of their ancestors and an angakok is often brought in to appease the spirits by communications and frequent offerings.

Angel-A divine being without physical form that is occupied in the service of God. In specific religious literature, such as Spiritualism, considered an entity who has gone thorough the physical change of death and is now a spiritual being.

Angelical Stone-A stone formerly owned by Sir John Dee, court astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I of England, which he claimed to be given to him by the archangels Raphael and Gabriel to grant him powers of divination.

Anima Mundi- A Latin term originally believed to have been proposed by Plato, it translates to 'Soul of the World' and is used to describe a pure ethereal spirit diffused throughout all nature, or the divine essence which embraces and energizes all life in the universe.

Animal Magnetism- Coined from the work of Anton Mesmer. He believed it a property of the human body whereby "poles" within the human body allow the exchange and communication of forces from one physical body to another. This works on a basis similar tot the magnet, hence the name animal magnetism.

Animal Mutilation- In some practices involving occult overtones or ritual magick, an animal is sometimes sacrifices and then ritually mutilated to facilitate various goals associated with the practice. Also see "cattle mutilations".

Animal PSI-The reported ability of animals to employ "psi" talents such as "clairvoyance", "precognition", and "telepathy" to help insure survival.

Animism-(1)Religious practices based on the belief that all living things and natural objects have their individual spiritual essence or "soul". (2)The belief that every object found in nature, whether living or non-living, has a spirit or life-force attached to it which is endowed with the same fundamental reasoning and volition of men. In essence, all of nature is endowed with a pure life essence which holds all things in a symbiotic relationship and a spiritual balance within the universe. This is a core belief in many magical philosophies and practices.

Ankou- Translates roughly to 'graveyard watcher', believed in Eastern European traditions to be a ghost which guards cemeteries or other places of burial. Stories of such spirits are prevalent in European lore, most likely stemming from ancient traditions in which newly created graveyards were perversely 'consecrated' by burying a live human sacrifice to create such a ghostly guardian. The ankou is charged with frightening off anyone who might come onto the grounds to disturb the peace of the departed.
Announcing Dream: Held amongst believers in reincarnation to be a dream announcing an individual's spiritual rebirth.

Announcing Dream-
A dream believed to announce an individual's rebirth. See also reincarnation.

Anomaly-A deviation or departure from the normal or common order, form, or rule. Something which is peculiar, irregular, abnormal, or difficult to classify.

Anomalous Cognition-A fairly recently developed term which is clinically defined as 'a form of information transfer in which all known sensorial stimuli are absent. That is some individuals are able to gain access to information by an as yet unknown process.

Anomalous Experience- A widely general term referring to unusual experiences that cannot be readily explained in terms of current scientific knowledge or understanding.

Anomalous Phenomena-Any given phenomena that cannot be readily explained in terms of current scientific knowledge or understanding. An alternative term is "Fortean phenomena".

Anoxia- See cerebral anoxia.

Anpsi- Animal Psi.

Anthropomancy- From the Greek 'anthros' (man) and 'manteia' (divination), this was a barbaric practice in which the entrails of criminals, prisoners of war, or those who had volunteered for religious rites, who had been ritualistically sacrificed. Alternatively known as "Splanchomancy", the practice was outlawed and abandoned centuries ago, but some contest that the practice is still occasionally utilized by practitioners of "necromancy".

Apantomanc-: A divinatory method by which future events are forecast by interpreting omens drawn by chance encounters with animals, birds, or other creatures.

Aporrheta-A Greek term meaning the secret esoteric instructions and discourses taught to an initiate of the Egyptian and Grecian Mystery Schools of magic and philosophy.

Apparition-A usually spontaneous and unexpected visual appearance of a presence; normally of one that is deceased or at a distance, ghost.

Apport- The dematerialization and transporting of an object from one place ot another; an apparent penetration of matter by matter.

APR-AOerial Phenomena Research Organization. APRO is one of the world's oldest UFO groups. Founded in 1952 and headquartered in Tucson, AZ

Aquarius Projec-: An alleged top-secret U.S. project initiated in 1953 to accumulate as much data as possible about alien life forms.

Arachnomancy- A form of divination based upon the appearance and behavioral patterns of spiders, or the patterns of their webs.

ARC- Governmental acronym for ad hoc requirements committee

Arcanum- In general the term means anything hidden, the plural 'arcana' being applied to all the esoteric wisdom of occult lore, the knowledge that makes the magician 'master of gold and light'. The word is also used to denote any one of the twenty-two picture cards (the Major Arcana) of the tarot deck.

Arcturians- Highly spiritual alien race that are said to reside in a peaceful sector of the Milky Way Galaxy. Their homeworld allegedly is located in the Arcturus star system. The fourth-brightest star in the night sky, this red giant is approximately 34 light-years from Earth. It also is known as Alpha Boötis, Haris-El-Sema, HD-124897, and HR-5340.

ARD-: Military acronym for Airborne Radio Direction Finding.

Area 33-Also known as Technical Area 33 (TA-33) at the Los Alamos National Laboratories, the most remote area in the main Los Alamos complex. Once used for explosive tests, it is now employed for a variety of low-intensity scientific activities, including the area's most obvious feature, a impressive NRAO radiotelescope.

Area 51: Undoubtedly, the most famous of all 'top-secret' experimental test facilities in the world, Area 51 is a top-secret U.S. base conducting highly classified defense projects in the remote Nevada desert. There have been many claims that there are alien spacecraft hidden at the site and that the U.S. government is testing aircraft reverse-engineered from those craft. Also known as 'Dreamland', an acronym form of Data Repository Establishment and Maintenance.

Ariolater- A diviner, a person who foretells the future from omens. The term is said to be from the Sanskrit hira ('entrails'), but some occultists trace its origin to the Latin ara ('altar').

Arithmancy- Alternatively 'Arithmomancy' and 'Arithomancy'. The term comes from the Greek 'arithmos' (number) and 'manteia' (divination), relating to forecasting future events by the use of numbers; esoterically it is concerned with the science of correspondences between gods, men and numbers, as taught by Pythagoras. Arithmancy is also a part of the Jewish "Kabbalah". Also see "Numerology."

ARPA- Governmental acronym for Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Artefect- Parapsychological term indicating false evidence of paranormal phenomena, due to extraneous normal influence.

Arulataq-Eskimo name meaning 'creature who makes a bellowing cry', this is often viewed as "Alaska's Hairy Man", a creature from folklore which inhabits the wilderness of present day Alaska. In traditional accounts, they are described as being ten feet tall in stature, with long arms, and an eerie, bellowing cry. Covered in fur which changes colors according to the season, these creatures use their appearance as a form of natural camouflage to better blend into their surroundings. Reported to be very curious, gentle, and shy by nature. Folklore traditions sometimes hold that they are the evolution of tribal members banished to the wilderness for having broken established laws or customs.

Aruspex- The Latin term for a soothsayer or diviner who interpreted signs to forecast future events.

Aruspicy- The divinatory practice of forecasting future events by interpreting patterns found in the entrails of sacrificial animals or the patterns of the flames in which the entrails of sacrifices were burnt as offerings to the gods.

ASA-Military acronym for Army Security Agency.

ASC- Acronym of "Altered State of Consciousness".

ASD- Governmental acronym for Applied Science Division of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Aspidomancy- An obscure method of "divination" in which the fortune teller conjures a devil or demon to seek visions of the future or to ask advice in regards to future events.

Asport- A term used to describe a "psi" phenomenon involving the disappearance of an object from a location, unhindered by physical barriers such as walls. Usually such a phenomenon allegedly occurs within the context of a "seance", although it has also supposedly been observed during "poltergeist" activities.

Astragalomanc- A term derived from the Greek 'astragalos' (dice or 'knucklebone') and 'manteia' (divination) and originally to describe a method of forecasting future events by throwing of small bones (usually sheep bones) and interpreting the patterns in which the bones fall. Now commonly applied to the use of dice, rather than actual bones.

Astragyromancy- A method of divination done with dice bearing letters and numbers.

Astral- Derived from the Latin term for 'star', it has come to mean the fabric of time and space, a realm of existence beyond physical experience.

Astral Body-Etheric body or double; an exact replica of the physical body; however, non-physical; the means of out of the body exprience (OOBE).

Astral Plane- Term often encountered in theosophy literature. Considered the first sphere or plane after the deth of the physical body. Considered by some to be a material world of refined nature. A spiritual dimension or parallel universe comprised of spiritual energy.

Astral Projection- A spontaneous or induced experience of separating one center of consciousness or astral body from the physical bodyhowever, the astral and physical body remain connected by the silver cord.

Astral Realm- An alternative term for "astral plane".

Astral Ship- An alleged "alien" craft. Astral ships are believed to be either psi-powered or thought-controlled vehicles.

Astral Sphere- A dimension beyond the physical body in which the "astral body" exists.

Astral Travel- The ability to traverse time and space along "astral planes" or an alternative term for "astral projection".

Astral World- See "astral plane" and "astral sphere".

Astrological Medicine- Alternatively "astromedicine". A pseudoscientific form of alternative medicine in which a patient is diagnosed and treated upon the premise that astrological bodies and stellar influences can hold influences over health and the healing of the body.

Astrology- A quasi-science wherein an attempt is made to discover the effect and the influence of heavenly bodies upon human beings and their way of life.

Astromanc-: Divinatory practice in which future events are forecast by the appearance and movement of stars and heavenly bodies.

Astromedicine- See "astrological medicine".

Astronomical Unit (AU-: A measure of distance. The distance from the sun to Earth (approximately 93 million miles) is one A.U

Atavism- A re-emergence of ancestral characteristics, a genetic aberration resulting in a reversion to characteristics from an earlier stage of evolution.

Athame- A ritual knife used in magickal practices to direct the energy of the spellcaster or to perform symbolic 'cutting' or other rituals.

Atheism- A disbelief or denial of the existence of God or a Divine Being.

ATIC- Military acronym for Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This was the controlling agency for "Project Blue Book". In a 1948 top-secret estimate, ATIC concluded that UFOs were interplanetary spaceships.

Atmospheric Apparit-

Atu- A "sasquatch" like creature found in Sumatra. Local folklore tells that these creatures walk with backward-pointing feet, to confuse anyone daring enough to track them. The local Kubu tribespeople also claim that unless tobacco was left for them at night, the Sedapas would go on the rampage, screaming and yelling as they destroyed the natives' camp.

AU- Acronym for "Astronomical Unit".

Aughisky- See "kelpie". Term is applied most often to the area around Loch Ness.

Augu-A soothsayer, prophet, or diviner.

Augury- The general art of "divination", encompassing several different methods of forecasting future events.

Aura-A field of energy surrounding and emanating from a physical being, a place or thing and projecting to the sensitive in a variety of color fields; each color indicating different aspects of the psychological, spiritual and physical conditions of the being.

Austromanc-: "Divination" method which forecasts future events based off wind patterns and shapes taken on by clouds.

Automatic Art- See "automatism".

Automatism- Physical actions not consciously controlled by the person performing them.

Autoscopy- (a) Seeing one's "double" (alternative term: doppelganger) or "astral body". (b) Perceiving one's own body from a position outside of the body itself. See also "out of body experience".

Auto-suggestion- Self suggestion. According to at least one investigator, F.W. H Myers, it is a power exercised by the sublal self. Auto suggestion casn accomplish many things, according to some, including self-ealing, self-inflicted illness and improvement of character to name but a few.

Axinomancy- Alternatively spelled as 'axiomancy', derived from the Greek 'axine' (axe) and 'manteia' (divination), the devinatory practice of heating an axe blade over a fire and forecasting future events by patterns in the metal as it heats, by the coloration of the metal when it becomes heated, or by driving the heated axe into wood and then interpreting the resulting burn patterns left behind.

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Ba- Ancient Egyptian concept of a person's immortal essence. See also "Ka" and "Soul".

Backward Blessing- The practice of saying the Lord's Prayer backwards in order to invoke the devil.

Baka- A Haitian term used to describe a ghostly creature not unlike a "ghoul". The spirit is said to have been a member of a secret society of magic practitioners in life, which initiates them into the mysteries of the afterlife to grant mystical powers. After death, the spirit of the initiate is brought back in the form of a baka to eat human flesh, spread disease and misery, and to seek revenge for insults borne in life.

Ball Lightning- (also known as Globe Lightning) A rare form of lightning which consists of a bright luminous globe that appears to float in the air or move rapidly along other objects.

Balneum Mariae- A double cooker used by Alchemists. (Also known as Mary's Bath)

Band- A band is a peculiar sensation oftenfelt as a band or a strap tightening around the head during development phases of some form of mediumship.

Spirit band is a group of spirit entities joining, in one accord, to assist in the development of a particuular mediumistic activity.

Banshee/Banshi- Also known by the Gaelic term 'bean si', the spirit is aptly described in folklore as 'the lady of death' which haunts ancient Irish family lines. The spirit appears just prior to a family member's death and announces grave misfortune by wailing and crying. The spirit is reported to manifest as either a beautiful young woman dressed in elegant garments of an archaic time, or as an aged hag dressed in grave clothes. Traditions further hold that the spirit form is very shy, easily irritated, capable of flight, and that the spirit will not pay multiple visits in the same generation of the family to which it is attached.

Barbason- A demon fiend.

Bardo- An intermediate state of existence believed to be the state between life and rebirth, celebrated in Tibetian Buddhism.

Barnum Effect- Psychological term for the tendency of individuals to accept very general or vague characterizations of themselves and take them to be accurate. A good example of this can be seen when people believe what is said about them in psychometric tests, personality profiles, astrological predictions, and so on. This phenomenon is named after P. T. Barnum, who believed that a good circus had "a little something for everybody."

Basic Technique- Term used in testing of clairvoyant abilities in hich the top card of a deck is placed to one side, indicating success or failure, after each guess.

Basilisk- A mythological creature who is described as a serpent, lizard or a dragon and is said to kill with it's breath or glance. From the Greek basileus meaning "little king". Said to be a creature hatched from a cock's egg by a serpent, and is said to be the incarnation of the Death God.

Bath-kol- A method of divination among the ancient Jews which is said to be a divine voice announcing the will of God.

Bauta- In eastern Indian traditions, a female "ghost" regarded as an omen of death. See also "paisachi".

Bear-Men-An allegedly mysterious species of hominid native to central Asia, also known as the Kung-Lu or Tok to the Chinese and Dzu-Teh to the Sherpas of Tibet. Described as having a dark, shaggy coat of coarse fur, ranging from dark greys to black in color. Tthe creature is said to walk erect on both legs and is characterised by two subdigital pads under the big toe.

Bean-Si- See "Banshee".

Bean-Nighe- A Scottish spirit highly similar to the Irish "banshee". Also known as the 'little washer by the ford', the spirit appears washing the grave clothes of those about to die, crying and wailing in grief. The bean-nighe is regarded as the spirit of a woman who has died in childbirth, but some traditions hold that the bean-nighe is a supernatural creature which only passingly resembles a human female. These traditions state that the spirit has only one nostril; large, protruding teeth; hanging breasts; and glowing eyes.

Beast of Gévaudan- A beast that terrorized Southeast France from 1764-1767. One hundred and thiry human victims and thousands of domestic animals and livestock lost their lives. Called a demon beat, a "luup-garous known today as a werewolf, a large rabid wolf or baboon. . In September of 1765, a wolf measuring over six feet in length with a weigh of 143 pounds was shot and killed in the region and it was believed that the murderous rampage of the beast was finally at an end. During the following year, several disappearances were reported, but in 1767, the Beast of Geuvedan returned once again with a vengeance. Armed with silver bullets which had been especially blessed by the clergy for the occasion, Jean Chastel shot and killed another creature described as "an abnormally large wolf". Once the entrails were removed, the remains of a young girl were discovered within. The body of the creature was taken to Versailles, where it was put on display until the odor of decay became such that Louis XV ordered it buried immediately. One week after the death of this creature, a female specimen of nearly equal size was killed by Jean Terrisse. Believed to be the mate of the "abnormally large wolf" taken by Chastel, no further incidents were ever again reported in Geuvedan.

Bedroom Visitors- "Alien" visitors who appear in bedrooms late at night, usually appearing to people who are falling asleep.

Behemoth- An animal thought to possibly be a hippopotamus which is mentioned in the Bible. "Behold now be-hemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox." Job 40:15-24

Bekk-Bok- (also known as Almosty and Albasty) An apelike creature that resembles Neanderthal man and are reported to live in the Caucasus Mountains in Central Asia. They have been described as being at least six feet tall with prominent brow ridges, a receding chin and a prominent jaw.

Beliel/Belial- In theology- derived from the Hebrew "Bliol", meaning wicked one, the name assigned to the sixty-eigth demon listed in the Goetia. Generally regarded as one of the principle demons in the heirarchy of the damned, described as two angels perched in a chariot of fire. According to the Goetia, this demon was brought before the Biblical King Solomon and forced to dance while giving Solomon insights into the world of the demonic. A rather notable demon, Beliar is mentioned by name in both the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament. The name is also mentioned in notable works of literature such as Milton's Paradise Lost and described by Victor Hugo as "Hell's Ambassador to Turkey".

Bellatrax- The star system claimed to be the home of a subset species of "grays".

Bell, Book and Candle- After a formal excommunication from the Catholic Church, the officiating ecclesiastic closes the book, throws the candle to the floor, and has the bell rung as they would for one who has died.

Belomancy- A divination using randomly drawn arrows from a quiver or other holder. The arrows are labeled, and the advice or oracle tied to the arrow which travels the furthest is taken to be valid. "For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the end of the two ways, to use divination; he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver." Ezekial 21:21

Belphegor- Described in Kabbalistic writings as an enemy to the sixth Sephiroth "beauty". He has the ability to grant riches, the power of discovery and ingenious invention. His sacramental offering is excrement, perhaps being the reason he is said to be difficult to invoke.

Benshee- Alternative spelling for "banshee".

Bergmonck- A German term for the terrifying apparitional form of a phantom monk which traditionally guards treasure-laden mines within the country.

Bermuda Triangle- A triangular shaped area of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by Bermuda, Puerto Rico and a point near Melbourne, Florida in which a number of aircraft and ships have mysteriously disappeared without a trace. (Also known as The Devil's Triangle and Hoodoo Sea)

Bernarians- Alleged inhabitants of the Barnard's Star solar system.

Bhagavadgita- The "Song of the Adorable". Often called the New Testament of Hinduism; This sacred book of India sets down the wisdom of Krishna, the god-man.

Biabin-Guli-see Bekk-Bokly the Bible is opened at random to a verse or passage, and the chosen passage is then interpreted. Another method of divination used to discover if a person is innocent or guilty of sorcery. The accused is weighed against the great Bible at a local church, and if the person weighs less than the Bible, they are presumed innocent.

Bibliomancy-A divination wherein a book, especial

Bicorn- A mythical beast in early French and English literature that was usually depicted as a grotesquely fat beast who existed by devouring the bodies of virtuous husbands.

Bifrons-One of the three mythical demons that held sway over the dead. Together with Bune, Bifrons was in charge of moving bodies from one grave to another. Biforns had twenty-six legions of hell's army under his command.

Bigfoot- A large, hairy, humanoid creature said to inhabit wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest United States and parts of Canada. Named for the size of it's alleged footprints. (Also known as Sasquatch, and Abominable Snowman)

Billet Reading- A form of demonstrated mediumship by use of a slip of paper upon which the person desiring to make contact with the world beyond writes names, initials, or questions; the medium/ psychic hold the paper and relates the messages received from a discarnate.

Bilocation-Being (or appearing to be) in two different places at the same time. This is accomplished by paranormal means, perhaps through the u se of astral projection.

Bimini-A legendary island of the Bahamas said to be the location of the "fountain of youth".

Biofeedback-A general term for techniques that involve giving a person information about their current physiological state (ex.- heart rate, "EEG"). Biofeedback is used to enable people to control consciously their physiological processes.

Bio-PK- Psychokinetic effects on normal biological processes. Examples may include altering the haemolysis rate of blood cells in a test-tube, or changing the physiological activity of a biological system.

Black Arts- Witchcraft, magic. The term is thought to come from the confusion of etymology of necromancy with the Latin word niger, meaning "black".

Black Helicopters- Mysterious black military helicopters rumored to be involved with "alien" investigations and/or recovery of alien artifacts.

Black Magic-A type of magic, witchcraft or sorcery used for evil purposes. It is a perversion of the magical arts used to destroy others or for personal gain.

Black Mass- A ceremony allegedly held by worshippers of Satan which mocks the Christian Mass. This ceremony is said to be held over the naked buttocks of a woman.

Black Opera- See "Operation Black Opera".

Black Ops- Secret military or paramilitary operations or research projects.

Black Projects- Term used to describe the government-industrial complex classification of sensitive projects that are considered as being essential to national defense.

Black Shuck- See "Old Shuck".

Blind- An experimental control in which subjects are not informed of certain key features of the experiment. Also used to refer to a procedure where a judge is asked to compare targets and responses without knowing which responses were made to which targets. See also double blind.

Blue/Blues- An alleged alien race that resemble the more famous "grays". Blues have almond-shaped eyes, and, according to witness accounts, their skin is translucent. Those who claim to have had encounters with Blues report that they come to Earth with a message of nonviolence, peace and harmony.

Blue Book- See "Project Blue Book".

Blue Bolt- See "Project Blue Bolt".

Blue Cap- A ghostly spirit which haunts mines which, if offered gifts, would assist miners in their work. Reported to appear in the form of a blue-colored flame. If not properly treated, this spirit type would bring disaster to the mine by causing cave-ins or other life threatening calamities.

Bluefly- See "Operation Bluefly".

Blue Paper- See "Project Blue Paper".

Blind- An experimental psi control in which the subjects are not informed of key features or characteristics of the experiment prior to it being conducted. Also used to describe a testing procedure in which a judge is asked to compare targets and responses without knowing which responses correspond to the targets.

Blind Matching (BM)- A testing procedure identical to that of "open matching", except that the key cards are left unseen by the test subject.

Bodmin Moor, Beast of: (Also known as Beast of Exmoor) A large black or dark gray catlike creature said to roam the area of South Molton, Devonshire, England that is responsible for killing farm animals. Although low to the ground, they are said to be able to jump over six feet in the air. Some people think that it may be the offspring of an escaped black puma who mated with another feline, giving rise to the thought that there may actually be more than one creature. Others think that it is a purely paranormal phenomenon.

Bocor- A priest, "shaman", or "witchdoctor" skilled in the rites of "voodoo".

Body Cleansing- The practice of fasting to eliminate toxins in the body in order to maintain health.

Body Snatcher-(Also known as Grave Robber) A person who steals newly buried corpses in order to sell them to universities and medical schools for dissection.

Bogey-beast- Spirits from folklore which take on the form of an evil-looking creature roughly the size of a dog. See also "Bogey" and "Boogie man".

Boggard-Alternative spelling for "boggart".

Boggart: A ghost of English traditions, which plagues victims by placing a clammy hand over their faces and strips the bedclothes from them. Lancanshire, in particular, holds a strong tradition of boggart tales. According to popular folk belief in Lancanshire, hanging a horseshoe over the gate or door of a house will discourage boggarts from visiting during the night.

Bogie- Military aviation term for an unidentified aircraft which poses a possible threat.

Bogy- Also sometimes spelled 'bogie', this is a rather unpleasant spirit type, which delights in tormenting and frightening the living. It was believed that this spirit type took great pleasure in harming infants and children, giving rise to the popular figure of the "boogie-man". Described as black in color; squat and hairy; with ugly, grinning faces. Folklore held that the bogie were the most powerful amongst ghosts for having served the Devil to bring his evil-doings to mankind. Also reported to have the ability to "shape-shift" into animal forms at will and characterized by a wailing noise which sounds either like a child whimpering or a shrill voice sounding as if it repeatedly cried, 'I want my bones'.

Bolinhos- See "Ovni".

Bolomancy- A divinatory technique practiced by the Babylonians, Scythians, Greeks, Arabians, and other cultures of the Classic World, which involved the throwing of feathered arrows into the air. Future events were predicted by the pattern in which the arrows fell and the directions in which the tips were pointed.

Boogie Man- Also known as a "bogie man", an unpleasant spirit form held by folklore to torment and harm young children. Generally regarded by current societal definitions to be a bed time fable told to scare children into better behavior. Origins of this legend stem from the "bogey" spirits.

Book Test- (a) A psi term for a communication in which the sitter is asked to look at a specific page or passage written in a specified book to receive a message of significance or bearing to the question which has been posed. (b) A psi term for an effect in which a psychic or mentalist remotely perceives a specific passage or page of a book without having ever seen it prior to the experiment.

Botanomancy- A form of "pyromancy", this divinatory practice utilized the branches of various herbs, thorn trees, and plants which produced five pointed flowers, upon which a question would be inscribed. After the branches had been burnt, the answer was divined through the patterns left in the ash.

Brahmadaittya- A benign ghost from India, said to be the spirit of a brahmin who dies unmarried. The spirit form is alleged to be selective of its diet, takes up residence in trees, and is kindly disposed to the living, so long as they do not trespass in its domain. Should the living fail to honor the territorial claims of the spirit, it is reported to break their necks.

Brain Sucker: (Also known as Mamlambo) A creature that is half horse, half fish that allegedly inhabits the Mzintlava River in South Africa. Said to be nearly 20 meters (67 feet) long, with short legs, a crocodile-like body, and the head and neck of a snake. Supposedly it kills it's victims by drowning them and then sucking out the blood and brains.

Briaou-(Also known as Nguoirung and Nguoi Rung) The Vietnamese Wild-Man, described as being approximately six feet tall and completely covered with hair except for the knees, soles of the feet, hands and face. Along the Loatian border it is known as Khi-Trau, meaning "buffalo monkey" or "big monkey".

British Society for Psychical Research (BSPR-: (Also known as the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) ) Society founded in London in 1822 as a part of the British National Association of Spiritualists.

Brontoscopy- (Also known as Keraunoscopy and Ceraunoscopy) A method of divination where phenomena of the air such as thunder and lightning are used as a form of prognostication.

Brookins Report: The U.S. government funded study on the possible implications of space discoveries, including alien artifacts. During this time, NASA adopted a policy keeping any UFO-related discoveries secret.

Brothers of the Shadow: (Also known as The Dark Brothers) In the occult they are men and women who choose to follow and practice Black Magic

Brownie: A tiny, good-natured brown elf who secretly helps out with household chores during the night.Broxa: A mystical entity referred to as a witch or a demon in medieval times that could fly, change shape and will read the future, and drank blood like a vampire. In Jewish folklore it is said to be a bird that sucked the milkduring the night.

Brushman: Similar to Bigfoot. Also known as Aralataq, the Eskimo name meaning "creature who makes a bellowing cry". klore contends that the Brushman inhabits the vast tundra in Southwest Alaska.

BUFORA: British UFO Research Association. The largest UFO group in Great Britain, founded in 1964.

Bugaboos- Indian ghosts said to be friendly towards the living. Some cultures regard them as mythical creatures imagined to frighten naughty children, but a tradition does exist which defines the spirit type otherwise. In this case, two spirits (known as Jak and Jakni, male and female) are charged with guarding native villages against malevolent ghosts and spirits. However, these spirits are given to the habit of stealing small items of value or appeal, which they exchange as gifts witne another.

Bumpology- (Also known as Phrenology and Cranioscopy) The study of the structures of the human skull to determine a persons character or mental capacity. Franz-Joseph Gall (1758-1828) claimed that there were twenty-six "organs" in the brain that affected the contours of the skull.

Bune- See Bifrons

Bunyip- A spirit form native to the Aboriginal tribes of Australia, also known as Yaa-loo, Wowee-Wowee, Dongu, or any of a host f other names perculiar to various tribes. Said to be nocturnal creatures, the Bunyip frequents watering holes or fords in streams to kill animals or men who pause to drink there. According to one of the great Aboriginal legends, the "Great Flood" was the direct result of men capturing one of these illusive creatures. In retribution for the unkind treatment extended to the Bunyip, the earth was flooded to destroy humanity.

Bushman- A Canadian version of Bigfoot known by the Salish Indian name meaning "hairy man". In Quebec it is known as Windingo.

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C.

Cabinet- A box or curtained enclosure in which a physical medium is secured and from which various phenomena may manifest lights, objects moving, instruments played. Certain stage magicians can simulate this procedure with great effect.

Call- Response made by a subject in a card-guessing or other ESP test. Candomble- A Brazilian spiritist religion. See also Umbanda, Voodoo.

Card Guessing- An experimental test for ESP in which subjects guess the identity of a set of cards playing cards or Zener cards.

Cartomancy- Fortune telling using cards.

CE Rating: Close Encounter rating.

CE1 - A visual sighting of a UFO within 500 feet.

CE2 - A visual sighting of a UFO within 500 feet with physical evidence.

CE3 - A visual sighting of a UFO with entities aboard.

CE4 - Abduction of a witness.

CE5 - Abducted witness suffers from physical or psychological injuries, or death.

Celestia- Pertaining to the spiritual or invisible heavens

Celestial Being- An angel or more spiritually advanced soul which acts as a teacher or guardian.

Celestial Light- Known within the New Age Movement as "the pure white light of the universe", it is believed to be light and energy transmitted from a more spiritually advanced realm to protect and heal those who invoke it.rians- Alegd "alien" species from the Alpha Centauri star

Centuries- A book completed by Nostradamus in 1555 where more than 900 predictions about the fate of France and the world were written in four-lined rhyming verses called "quatrains".

Cephalomancy- A form of divination using the head or skull of a goat or donkey

Ceraunomancy- A divinatory practice in which lightening is utilized to forecast future events. Differs from "brontoscopy", which is forecasting the future by interpreting the sound of thunder alone.

Ceraunoscopy- Alternative spelling "keraunoscopy", the divinatory practice of forecasting future events by interpreting both thunder and lightening.

Cerealogy- The formal study of crop circle phenomena.

Cerebral Anoxia- A lack of oxygen to the brain, often triggering sensory distortions and hallucinations. Believed to be the physical means by which an explanation for phenomena such as "near-death experiences" and "sleep paralysis" related episodes might be rationally explained.

Ceromancy- A form of divination using the interpretation of shapes produced by dropping melted wax into water.

Ceroscopy-See CeromancyChagrin: Also known as a "cogrino" or "harginn", it is a Gypsy term for a particular type of malevolent ghost. Some distant traditions state that this particular spirit type sometimes takes the form of a yellow hedgehog and is regarded as an omen of disaster.

Chain of Being- An ancient belief system wherein everything was organized using the order of creation, starting from the highest spiritual levels and continuing down to the lowest inanimate objects.

Chakra- A Yogic term used to denote a series of circular life forces around a person. The Chakra's are believed to play an important role in physical, mental and emotional health as well as in spiritual development. The seven most widely referred to Chakra's are; the base of the spine, a spot just below the navel, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow and the top of the head.

Chalcomancy- A form of divination where metal bowls are struck with a mallet and the tones are interpreted.

Champ- Name given to a mysterious creature reported to have been sighted in Lake Champlain, which bears an uncanny resemblance to reports of a similar creature in Scotland's Loch Ness.

Chance- Random or unpredictable influences on events or an unexplained variable within a clinical experiment.

Channeling- The process in which a medium communicates information from spirits and other non-physical beings by entering into a trance-like state or some other form of altered consciousness.

Chaomancy- (Also known as Cometomancy ) A form of divination using aerial visions in the form of clouds.

Charm- A magical formula meant to be sung or chanted in order to achieve a desired effect.

Chartomancy- A form of divination using paper or cards.

Cheiromancy- Also known as "palm reading", it is the divinatory practice of forecasting future events by interpreting the physical characteristics of the hands and fingers, most notably by the lines of the palm.

Chelas- Apprentice to the Adepts, who works for the betterment of all humankind.

Chelation Therapy- A medical therapy developed in the 1940's to treat lead poisoning. The treatmnent consisted of a slow IV drip of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and a synthetic amino acid, combined with exercise and a special diet.

Chemosit- (Also known as Chimset and Chimisit) Considered to be the African version of Bigfoot. A creature as large as a man with long reddish or yellow hair, and a short broad tail. Sometimes travels upright and sometimes on all four legs. Has the general appearance of a large fierce baboon. It is said to attack humans on sight and is blamed for the deaths of several mean as well as livestock.

Chresmomancy- A form of divination in which the ravings of a lunatic are listened to.

Christian Science- A religious healing movement founded by Mary Baker Eddy. Rejects orthodox medical practice.

Chichevache- A monster that survives by eating virtuous or ill-treated women.

Chimisi/ Chemiset- See Chemosit

Chirognomy- (Also known as Palmistry) A study of the form of the hand, specifically the general proportions, shapes of the fingers, color and texture.

Chirology- See Chirognomy

Chiromancy- See Chirognomy

Chiropractic- Therapy based on manipulating the spinal cord. The theory is that "subluxations" or spinal misalignments are the cause of most medical conditions.

Cipher Test- A coded message left by a person who intends to communicate the cipher after death.

Circle - A group of people who hold seances.

Clairaudience- Hearing voices, astral music or discarnate beings. 'The paranormal obtaining of information by hearing sounds or voices.

Clairsentience- An archaic term that refers to the paranormal obtaining of information using faculties other than vision or hearing.

Clairvoyance- A general term that refers to the paranormal obtaining of information about an object or event. In modern usage, this does not necessarily refer to obtaining information visually.

Clairvoyant Medium- A person who obtains information paranormally,often by spirit communication without the need to enter into a trance state.

Closed Deck- A set of cards used in a card-guessing test where each card appears a fixed number of times. Statistical analysis of research data using a closed deck differs from statistical analysis of data using an open deck.

Coincidence- The occurrence, within a short space of time, of two or more meaningfully related events and without any apparent causal connection between them. Coincidences are sometimes bizarre and extraordinarily improbable. See also synchronicity

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Cold Reading- A reading given with no prior knowledge of the sitter. Often a mixture of very general statements which could apply to anyone, together with inferences made from cues presented by the sitter by physical appearance, clothes, tone of voice, or statements made.

Collective Apparition- An apparition seen simultaneously by more than one person.

Collective Unconscious- Concept put forward by C.G. Jung to refer to a level of unconscious thought and experience shared collectively by humans.

Communication- In mediumship, a message purported to be from a discarnate entity.

Communicator- A discarnate entity from whom the medium receives messages.

Confederate- A person who secretly provides information to a fraudulent psychic or mentalist.

Conjuring- Using trickery to simulate paranormal effects, generally for the purpose of entertainment.

Contact Mind Reading- A technique simulating telepathy, in which the "mind reader" (who generally holds a hand or arm) responds to slight muscle movements produced unconsciously by the person whose mind is apparently being read.

Control- (a) In experimental parapsychology a procedure undertaken in order to ensure that the experiment is conducted in a standard fashion and so that results are not unduly influenced by extraneous factors. See also control group, artefact.
(b) In spiritualism, a discarnate entity who communicates with a trance medium and who generally controls the trance state.

Control Group- group of people whose performance is compared with that of experimental subjects. Cf. experimental group.

Corn Circle/ Circular- Formations found in growing crops, most commonly in Southern Britain. Sometimes they are associated with UFO sightings. Many formations appear to have been intelligently created and to have some symbolic meaning. Despite several "confessions" made by various individuals and groups, the crop circle mystery remains unsolved.

Correlation- An association between two or more events or variables.

Correlation Coefficient- A mathematical index of the degree of association between two or more measures.

Cosmic Consciousness- A blissful experience in which the person becomes aware of the whole universe as a living being.

Coven- A group of witches

Crisis Apparition - An apparition in which a person is seen within a few hours of an important crisis such as death, accident or sudden illness.

Cross-correspondence- (a) Separate items of information, received independently by two or more mediums, which make sense only when pieced together.
(b) The cross-correspondences is a classic case of highly complex cross-correspondences which continued from 1901 to 1932 among a group of automatists associated with the Society for Psychical Research.

Cryptomnesia- Knowledge (acquired in normal ways) that may be revealed without the person remembering its source. Such memories may falsely appear to be paranormal revelations. Sometimes cryptomnesia is used as an explanation for apparently paranormal experiences such as xenoglossy or past-life memories.

Crystal Gazing- Staring into a reflecting surface (e.g., mirror, glass, crystal, liquid) in order to obtain paranormal information. Also known as scrying. See also divination.

Cumberlandism- See contact mind reading.

Curse -Words spoken or written in order to influence others paranormally, causing them harm. See also spell, hex.

Chuchunaa- Siberia's Bigfoot, reported by a branch of the Soviet Academy of Science as recently as the 1950's. It is speculated that they may be surviving remnants of paleoasiatic aborigines.

Chupacabra- A creature that is allegedly responsible for draining blood or removing the organs of livestock. His name is Spanish for "goat sucker" due to the earliest report of this creature in Puerto Rico where goats were completely drained of all blood.

Church grims- See "Graveyard ghost".i: (Also known as Dzu-Teh) Himalayan name for Yeti. Describd as very tall and bulky with a long shaggy coat, a flat head, powerful hands and arms and very human-like feet with large claws.

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency- American intelligence agency created in 194nder the National Security Act.

Ciguapa- Wild women that live in the mountains of the Dominican republic.

Cipher Test: A coded message left behind by a person who intends to communicate with the living after death, using the coded message as a means to authentify the existence of an afterlife.

Circle- A protective area or circle cast by Wiccans before performing their rituals. Rituals are most often performed within this circle.

Clairaudience- The auditory form of "clairvoyance" in which information is acquired through sound rather than visual images.

Clairsentience- A general term covering clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc. where information is thought to be gained directly from the physical location/object.

Clairvoyance- Translating literally to 'clear seeing', the term is used to describe a subset of "ESP" phenomena which covers an apparent anomalous transfer of information which acts as if it were the result of visual perception. The perception can appear externally - either replacing the normal visual input or being incorporated into it, as may be the case with "apparitions". Clairvoyance can also take place internally, in the form of mental imagery and intuition. It is also used more generally to mean paranormal acquisition of any information directly from a physical source and not from the mind of another person, as is the case with "telepathy".

Clairvoyant- One who exhibits clairvoyant psi abilities.

Clairvoyant Medium- A person who obtains information through psychic or other 'paranormal' means without the need to enter into a trance state. Sometimes the information perceived is attributed to spiritual entities such as ghosts, spirit guides, guardian angels, or similar disincarnate entities.

Cledonomancy- An informal type of divination using random events or remarks..

Cleidomancy- (Also known as Clidomancy). A term used to describe several different methods of telling the future through the use of a hanging key.

Cleromancy- A form of divination using dice, pebbles, beans, bones or small sticks.

Clidomancy- See Cleidomancy

Climacterics- The ancient belief that certain periods of life are more liable to dangers and changes than others.

Close Encounters- A part of the "Hynek Classification System" of "UFO" sightings, the encounters are broken into five categories:

Close Encounter of the First Kind- A UFO seen at close range, but with no interaction with the environment.

Close Encounter of the Second Kind- A UFO seen at close range, and physical traces or interaction with animals or objects are noted.

Close Encounter of the Third Kind-A UFO seen at close range, and occupants are noted.

Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind- Alien abduction.

Close Encounter of the Fifth Kind-Establishes communication between human and alien.

Closed Deck- A set of cards used in clinical card-guessing tests in which each card appears a fixed number of times to offer data which is interpreted by statistical analysis.

Cloud Dissolving- The ability to make clouds disappear by concentration of will alone.

Cluricaune- (Also known as Leprechaun) A small elf with evil tendencies in Irish folklore who has the knowledge of hidden treasures.

Cock crow- According to an old superstition found worldwide, the crowing of a cock rooster at daybreak is a sign which signals spirits of all types to return to the shadowy realm in which they must spend the daylight hours.

Cocytus- One of the five rivers of Hell where the unburied wander for a century.

Cogrino- See "chagrin".

Coincidence The occurrence of two or more meaningfully related events within a short span of time without any casual connection between them. See also "synchronicity".

Cold Reading: (a) A reading given with no apparent prior knowledge of the sitter in which the reader utilizes a mixture of general statements and subtle leading questions to gain information on the subject by either verbal or non-verbal means (such as tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, etc). The information is then pieced together from the cues offered by the sitter to present a 'psychic' reading.

Cold Spot: An isolated pocket of air which is decidedly cooler in temperature that the surrounding environment. Often believed to be a classic sign of a ghostly presence.

Collective Apparition: A ghostly apparition sighted simultaneously by more than one person.

Collective Unconscious: A psychological concept pioneered by Carl Gustav Jung, referring to a level of unconscious thought, emotion, and experience shared universally by humans.

Communication: (a) In mediumship, a message alleged to have been delivered by a spirit. (b) In UFOlogy, a message alleged to have been delivered by aliens or otherwordly beings.

Communicator: An otherwordly entity from which a medium or contactee receives messages.

Cometomancy: (Also known as Astromancy) The divination of stars.

Condon Report- In 1966, the U.S. Air Force commissioned the University of Colorado to make a scientific study of UFOs. Led by Dr. Edward Condon, the group published the 'Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects'.

Confederate- A person who assists a fraudulent psychic or mentalist by providing them with information or direct assistance which facilitates deception or trickery.

Conjuration- To raise or invoke spirits, demons and storms through the use of rituals.

Conjuretor-A magickal practitioner who practice the raising of spirits, the evocation of demons, or the raising of storms by use of elaborate formulated rituals.

Conjure- Alternative spelling 'conjuror'. One that performs magic tricks or sleight of hand illusions, a stage magician. A sorcerer or sorceress skilled in the magickal arts.

Contactee- An individual who has been or is being contacted by alien beings by either physical or telepathic means.

Contact Mind Reading- A fraudulent technique used to simulate telepathy, in which the 'mind reader' holds a sitter's hand or arm to gauge slight muscle movements unconsciously produced by the sitter in response to the reader's statements.

Control- (a) In clinical parapsychology, a procedure undertaken to insure the scientific validity of the experiment by insuring that data results are not unduly influenced by extraneous factors. See also "artefact". (b) A discarnate entity which communicates through a trance medium. Term is derived from the notion that it is the entity which generally controls the trance state.

Control Group- In clinical psi testing, the term refers to a group of test subjects examined under closely controlled conditions. The results of the control group experiments are then compared and contrasted with those of the "experimental group" to draw conclusions based off established scientific method and protocols.

Corn Circle- Elaborate formations of geometric patterns found in growing crops of corn, alleged to have been intelligently created with great symbolic meaning. See also "crop circle".

Correlation- An association between between two or more events or variables.

Correlation Coefficient- A mathematical index of the degree of association between two or more measures or variables in a given experiment.

Corpse Bird- Also known as a "derwyn corph", the term is drawn from a Welsh tradition. The phantom, in this case, takes on the form of an eerie, frightening bird which sits upon the windowsill of a room where someone is about to die to announce the inevitable death by harshly pecking at the glass. Some variations of the Welsh legend state that the 'corpse bird' follows along familial lines, haunting generation after generation of Welsh families.

Corpse Candles- Also known as a "canhywallan cyrth", it is perhaps the best known of Welsh phantoms. The strange lights are referred to as 'candles' because of the eerie resemblance to a candle's flame. This spirit type is alleged to appear in a house just before someone there is about to die. According to tradition, if the light is small and pale blue in color, the death will be that of a child; however, if it is large and ruddy in color, an adult in the prime of life will be summoned from this life. In the event that the light is large in size, and either a pale shade of blue or a pure white, then the portent of death is for one who is old and has been ill for some time. Welsh history is filled with accounts of encounters with the canhywallan cyrth.

Coscinomancy- Coskiomancy-Similar to Cleidomancy , but involving the use of a hanging sieve instead of a key.

Cosmic Consciousness- A euphoric experience in which the subject becomes aware of the whole universe as a living entity in which all life forms are profoundly linked at some basic level. Also arguably termed as 'enlightenment'.

Coso Geode or Coso Artifact-

Coven- A group of witches or the fundamental unit of interaction for religious ceremony in pagan/neo-pagan worship.

Co-walker- The Scottish equivalent of a "doppelganger", a spirit that exactly matches a human being as they were in life. Tradition holds that the co-walker first appears not long before a person's death, and have a peculiar habit of showing up at funerals in order to terrify mourners.

CP- Military acronym for Command Post.

Craft Recoveries- This term refers to claims that the government of the United States and other official bodies have discovered and hidden alien spacecraft in various states.

Cranioscopy- See Bumpology

Crisis Apparition- An apparitional circumstance in which a person's spirit is seen within a few hours of a profound crisis, such as death, serious accident, or sudden and life threatening illness.

Crithomancy- (Also known as Critomancy) Divination using barley cakes in the hopes of drawing omens from them.

Critomancy- See Crithomancy

Cromniomancy- A form of divination using the color, smell and direction of growth of onion sprouts.

Crop Circles- Elaborate formations of geometric patterns found in growing crops, alleged to have been intelligently created with great symbolic meaning. Sometimes associated with "UFO" sightings. See also "corn circle".

Cross Species Communication- To have a special rapport and understanding with animals, plants or alien beings.

Cross-correspondences- Interrelated bits of information received through "clairvoyant" means by mediums operating independently of one another, sometimes at great distances or at vastly differing points in time. It is only when these independently received messages are brought together that complete "communication" attributed to "discarnate entities" may be deciphered.

Crossroad ghosts- Crossroads have long been regarded as likely places for a haunting or other spirit activity to take place. In archaic times, murderers, sorcerers and suicides were very often buried at crossroads, with a stake or nail driven through the corpse in a symbolic gesture known as "nailing down the ghost". In modern evolutions of the tradition, crossroads of the rural Mississippi Delta area are reportedly frequented by either Lucifer or his minions in their quest to steal the souls of wandering musicians and minstrels seeking to bargain their immortal soul for success in their musical endeavors.

Cryptid- Any unknown living animal that is not currently recognized in the international zoological catalogues.

Cryptomnesia- Knowledge gained through normal means which is related by a subject who does not consciously recall having learned the information in their conventional experiences. Such revelations may deceptively appear to be revelations of great paranormal significance. Cryptomnesia is sometimes used an explanation for such apparently paranormal phenomenon as "past-life memories" or "xenoglossy".

Cryptozoology- The study and research of animal species whose existence has not been proven, or is not formerly recognized by science or currently listed in the world's zoological catalogues.Crystal Gazing- An ancient form of divination utilizing transparent globes, polished quartz or precious stones.

Crystalomancy- The art of gazing into a crystal globe, a pool of water, a mirror, or any transparent object. The person may put him/her self into a hypnotic state to see visions or to summon forth spirits or demons.

CSC- Military acronym for Central Security Control (United States Air Force).

Cumberlandism- See "contact mind reading".

Curinquean- (Also known as Maricox) South American Bigfoot said to measure twelve feet tall.

Curse- (A) An appeal, ritual spell, or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something. (B) The evil or misfortune that comes in or as if in response to such an appeal. (C) Cursed- One that is accursed. (D) A source or cause of evil; a scourge.

Curumin- A young Curupira, that spends it's time playing and chasing the forest animals.

Curupira- (Also known as Matuyu) South American mystical creature or nature spirit. Described as a wild boy with pointed ears, fiery hair and eyes, green teeth, and his feet point backwards. He supposedly helps the forest creatures and is a defender of nature.

Cyclomancy- A form of divination drawing omens from a spinning wheel.

Cyhyraeth- See "Death sound".

Cynthia- Greek Goddess who was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo.

D

Dncy: A form of divination using tears or crying.

Dactyliomancy/Dactyliomancey- A form of divination utilizing rings. Some are used as pendulums while others may be dropped in water. From the Greek dakterlios meaning 'finger ring' and manteia meaning divination.

Daedalus- In Greek mythology he was the architect of the great labyrinth built for King Monis of Crete in order to imprison the minotaur.

Daemon/Daimon-: Also known as Daimon. In Greek it means 'divine power', 'fate' or 'god'. Daemons were intermediary spirits between the gods and humans.

Dal- An alleged alien ancient race of "Lyrians" who resemble Nordic humans. The Dal possess highly advanced technology and are reported to be assisting the "Pleidians" in much the same way they are covertly helping humanity on Earth.

Daphnomancy- A form of divination requiring the listening to the crackle of burning laurel branches.

Dark Star- Rumored military radio call sign for an advanced generation high-tech spy plane, designed by Lockheed Martin, which looks and performs like a "flying saucer".

DAT- Acronym for "Decision Augmentation Theory".

DCD- Governmental acronym for Domestic Collections Division (Central Intelligence Agency).

DCSOPS: Military acronym for Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans (United States Air Force).

DDO- Military acronym for Deputy Director for Operations (United States Air Force).

Death- Generally understood to be the extinction of an organism's life. Many doctrines assert some form of mental or spiritual survival of physical death. (A) The termination of physical existence, the end of life. (B) The state of being dead, the cause or manner of dying. (C) The personification of the destroyer of life, often depicted as a skeletal figure clothed in robes, clutching a scythe. Death Bed Apparition: The "apparition" of a person in the last moments of life which appears to friends or family members to announce the death or to present a final message before passing from this life.

Death Birds- Mysterious subspecies of bat known to feed on human blood. Archaeologist Byron de Prorok is credited with their discovery in 1936, while traveling near Lekempti in southernEthiopia.

Death Chart- Used with the birth chart of astrology it is a means of forecasting the date or time of death.

Death Clicks- Samoan tradition holds that, like the wailing of the "banshee" in Gaelic traditions, a clicking sound produced by spirits is a portent of death within the family.

Death Panorama- The out-of-body experience of the newly departed soul.

Death Prayer- Used to help the departed soul in the spiritual world, or to ask the help of the departed soul.

Death Sound- Also known as the "cyhyraeth", the death sound is a specifically Welsh phenomenon which is ascribed to the country's oldest families. It is described as a wailing or moaning noise heard a a portent of a death in the family. Modern reports of the sound still surface from time to time, primarily in the area of the River Towy.

Death Worm- A fat, red snakelike creature said to have the ability to kill people and animals by spraying a lethal poison or by transmitting a high electrical charge to the victim. The Death Worm is said to be found in the dunes of the southern Gobi Desert.

Deathbed Experience-Term used to describe a dying person's awareness of the approach to the afterlife or the awareness of dead friends or relatives who have come to help the dying 'cross over' to the afterlife.

Decision Augmentation Theory- An attempt to reconceptualise psychokinesis as a precognition-based selection process rather than one of actual influence

Decline Effect- A decrease in performance on a psi test when the test is repeated.

Deism- The belief, based solely upon reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.

Deity- (A) A god or goddess. (B) The essential nature or condition of being a god; divinity. (C) A non-secular title given to God in some occult schools of thought to allow initiates to pray or worship as a group without offending individual interpretations of the divine.DEJÀ VU - Certain events and experiences seem as if you are re-experiencing the event or situation that has happened at another time. As familiar as the experiences are, you cannot recall nor figure out when they happened.

Deja Experience - See deja vu.

Deja Vu- A person's feeling that current events have been experienced before.

Delphi: The ancient town of Phocis, at the temple of Apollo on Mount Parnassus. It is said to be the "navel of the world".

Delta- A term used to refer to any kind of anomalous experience.

Dematerialization- The paranormal fading or disappearance of a physical object.

Demon- A low-level spirit that interacts with the living world, and is concerned with the direction of the lower-plane activities.

Demoniac- Term used to describe a person who is possessed or influenced by a "demon" or evil spirit; generally a person whose faculties are directly controlled by a demon. The term also relates to a person who resembles or possesses the characteristics of a demon or evil spirit

Demonic Possession- The loss of one's will, consciousness, soul, or spirit to evil spirits which seek to inhabit the body of a victim.Possession by evil spirits.

Demonology- One who studies and practices the art of demonology. An individual who specializes in the removal of evil or demonic forces from a given environment using the art of demonology. One who brings demonic forces out of their slumber to be cast away. Someone who uses the art of demonology to incantate demons for ones use in battling them.

Demonic Sins:-A list of seven demons who each have control; over one of the seven deadly sins, and possessing the power to make men and women commit these sins. Lucifer-pride; Mammon-avarice; Asmodeus-lechery; Satan-anger; Beelbebub-gluttony; Leviathan-envy; Belphegor-sloth.

Demonomancy- Also known as Necyomancy. Divination by the summoning or aid of demons.

Dendromancy- Divination using oak or mistletoe. Nothing further is known about this form of divination.

Dermatoglyphics- The study of the skin ridges found on the hands, particularly the fingerprints, but sometimes on the palms also.

Deport- The movement of an object out of a secured, enclosed space by allegedly paranormal means. See also "apport", "dematerialization", and "teleportation".

Deport- The paranormal movement of objects out of a secure enclosed space.

Derwyn corph- See "corpse bird".

Deva- In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Deva are a group of gods. Derived from the Sanskrit for "shining one".

Devil-A demon or evil spirit. The supreme evil spirit. The word is derived from the Hebriac 'Satan' into the Greek 'Diabolos'.

Devil Bird- In Sri-Lanka, the legend tells of a bird who evolved when a man doubted the paternity of his child, so he killed the child and made him into curry. The wife, while eating the curry found the child's finger and ran off into the forest, where she killed herself. According to the Buddhist beliefs, she was then transformed into a bird called an ulama, or devil-bird who utters a spine-chilling scream in grief.

Devil's Mark- A small birth mark, mole, discoloration, boil, or similar defect in the skin, once believed to be the sign of a witch who had exchanged his/her immortal soul to the Devil for magical powers.

Devil's Triangle- See "Bermuda Triangle".DIA- Military/Governmental acronym for Defense Intelligence Agency. The DIA was established in 1961 by Robert McNamara. Its task is to coordinate all U.S. Military Intelligence services.

Dice Test- Experimental psi technique for investigating PK (psychokinesis) phenomena, by which a test subject attempts to mentally influence the roll of the dice.

Dictiomancy- A form of divination using the dictionary opened at random.

Di-di- A large ape-like creature reported to be found in South America. Said to stand five feet tall and to be very aggressive. The beast uses thick branches as a club to attack potential threats or trespassers.

Direct Mental Interaction with Living Systems- Abbreviation of Direct Mental Interaction with Living Systems. Used to denote instances where one person is attempting to influence a distant biological system, usually the physiology of another person. As it is unclear whether this represents an influence ("Psychokinesis"), a case of "ESP" on the part of the influence or an opportunistic selection process, the term 'interaction' has been adopted.

Direct Writing - Direct writing is when spirits actually write using any means. This can be done by slate writing or by pen and paper.

Direct Voice- A disembodied voice which does not seem to emanate from any person in a given environment. Commonly associated with seances of the Spiritualist Movement, direct voices seem to come from out of thin air or through a medium's trumpet which was specifically used for this purpose. Sometimes used by paranormal investigators to describe a ghostly voice which is readily heard without the use of electronic enhancement or recording devices.

Discarnate Entity- A spirit or non-material entity. Often used to refer to the personality of a deceased individual.

Displacement Index- Responses on a psi test that correspond systematically to targets other than the intended one (e.g., those before or after).

Discarnate entity- A spirit, ghost, or other non-physical or non-material entity.

Disembodied spirit-A spirit, ghost, or other non-physical or non-material entity.

Disinformation- Defined as a strategy used by the governments of the world to conceal any knowledge they have of UFOs. It involves the intentional distribution of false information to mislead the public and discredit people who claim to have evidence of UFOs or alien life-forms.

Distant Sightings- Part of the "Hynek Classification System", it is comprised of three primary categories: (A) Nocturnal Light – A light seen in the sky at night. (B) Daylight Disk – An unidentified object seen in the daytime (not necessarily disk-shaped). (C) Radar-Visual – An object seen on radar that is verified by a visual observation

Displacement- Responses on a clinical psi test that correspond systematically to targets other than the one intended (ex., those before or after).

Dissociation- Activities performed outside of normal or conventional conscious awareness, or mental processes which seem to suggest the existence of separate centers or levels of consciousness.

Divination- The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or an alleged supernatural agency.The obtain unknown knowledge or future events from omens.

Diviner- One who foretells of future events based upon the practice of "divination".

Divining Rod-A forked wooden rod cut from the 'Y' shaped branches of trees used for "dowsing". Term also applies to a pair of L-shaped metal rods which are used for "dowsing" and detecting spiritual energies.

Djin- A malevolent "jinnee".

DMILS- Acronym for "Direct Mental Interaction with Living Systems". Psychokinetic influences on physiological processes.

DMZ-Military acronym for Demilitarized Zone. At least one downed UFO was alleged to have been recovered from the DMZ by the United States during the Vietnam War.

Dogon- A tribe in Mali, West Africa who believe that visitors from the star Sirius descended thousands of years ago and taught the people astrology. Although the tribe has no astrological equipment, they have an amazing knowledge of astronomy.

Domovoy- A popular Russian term for a ghost. These types of spirits are regarded to be similar to poltergeists, in that they tend to be rather noisy and generally disturbing in their activities. However, tradition holds that these spirits will also tend to household chores while the home's occupants sleep, if treated with proper respect.

Dongu- See Bunyip

DO- Military acronym for Duty Officer.

Doppelgänger- An ancient German term for a ghost which is the "double" or mirror the double of a living person. The spirit is said to appear before the person its appearance mirrors to announce a terrible tragedy about to befall him or her. See also "co-walker" and "wraith". A spirit of a living person outside of the physical body.

Double- A duplicate of one's own body. See also astral body.

Double Blind- An experimental procedure in which neither the subject nor experimenter is aware of key features of the experiment.

Down Through Technique (DT)- An experimental psi test for "clairvoyance" in which the test subject is required to guess the order of a stacked series of "target" symbols, such as playing cards or Zener cards, in sequence from top to bottom.

Dowsing- The detection of underground deposits of minerals, water sources, lost objects, or even corpses by utilizing a "dowsing rod" or "pendulum".

Draco-See "Draconian".

Draconian- Allegedly "soulless" entities which have been associated with the neo-saurian or reptilian genetic lines. These "alien" beings are said to hail from the Alpha Draconis star system.

Dracula- The name of the vampire in Brom Stoker's book published in 1897. The Transylvanian legend originated with Vlad IV of Wallachia (1430-1476) also known as Vlad the Impaler.

Dragon- A huge winged serpent with short legs, great fangs, and is said to have the ability to breath fire. It is claimed that even after death, one drop of the beast's blood would kill a man.

Drake Equation- A mathematical formula developed by late astronomer Franke Drake to calculate the amount of extraterrestrial life in the universe. Written out, it reads as: N= R* x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L. The variables translate as follows: N= The number of communicative civilizations

The number of civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy whose radio emissions are detectable. R* = The rate of formation of suitable stars

The rate of formation of stars with a large enough "habitable zone" and long enough lifetime to be suitable for the development of intelligent life. fp = The fraction of those stars with planets

The fraction of Sun-like stars with planets is currently unknown, but evidence indicates that planetary systems may be common for stars like the Sun. ne = The number of earthlike worlds per planetary system

All stars have a habitable zone where a planet would be able to maintain a temperature that would allow liquid water. A planet in the habitable zone could have the basic conditions for life as we know it. fl = The fraction of those planets where life develops

Although a planet orbits in the habitable zone of a suitable star, other factors are necessary for life to arise. Thus, only a fraction of suitable planets will actually develop life. fi = The fraction of life-bearing worlds on which intelligence develops

Life on Earth began more than 3.5 billion years ago. Intelligence took a long time to develop. On other life-bearing planets it might happen faster, it might take longer, or it might not develop at all. fc = The fraction of planets on which technology is developed

The fraction of planets with intelligent life that develop technological civilizations, i.e., technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space. L = The "Lifetime" of communicating civilizations

The length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space. The equation produces what is referred to as the "Fermi Paradox".

Dream- A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.

Dreamland- See "Area 51".

Drop-in Communicato-An uninvited spirit "communicator" which takes over control of a "sitting".

Drude- An old English term for a "nightmare fiend". According to several varying traditions and accounts, a young witch becomes a drude when she reached the age of fourty and then acquired the power to plague a victim with terrible nightmares and visions.

Druids- A member of an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, who appear in Welsh and Irish history and legend as a priestly class of prophets and sorcerers.

DS8- Military/Governmental acronym for Defense Secretariat 8 (Great Britain).

Duba- See Chemosit

Duppy-A ghost of West Indian tradition, which can be summoned by a secret ritual to force the spirit to do the conjurer's bidding. Part of the rite is said to involve tossing coins and an offering of rum upon a grave to raise the spirit from its eternal rest. According to these traditions, the duppy is regarded as the personification of evil in mankind. The duppy allegedly operates only at night and is required to return to the grave before dawn; if it is prevented from doing so for any reason, the spirit forfeits its power to do harm to any living person. The West Indians believe that the breath of a duppy will make a victim violently ill, while the mere touch of the spirit will induce epileptic fits and seizures. The traditional method to keep the duppy at bay is to place tobacco seeds around the doors and windows of the home it comes to plague. See also "voodoo".

Durant Report- The first official document released by "The Robertson Panel", a secret group which held meetings in the U.S. Pentagon (14-17 Jan 1953) to deliberate UFO phenomenon. Theconclusion of the report was that all sightings are explainable, but the panel also highly recommended that infiltration monitoring of UFO groups was vital to national security.

Dzu-Teh- See Chuti

E

Each-uisg: known as Kelpie or Aughisky. An amphibian beast in Scottish folklore. According to the legend, a horse would appear to children and lure them to climb onto its back, it would then run back to the water and devour its victim.

Earth Giants: Name given to the discovered remains of human skeletons of gigantic proportions, some measuring 10-12 feet in height.

Earthquake: A series of vibrations in the earth's crust, a pressure wave caused by deep seated disturbances occurring when rocks in which elastic strain had been building up suddenly rupture, and then rebound.Earthquake Effect Index

Earthquake Effect- A phenomenon produced by the "physical medium" D.D. Home, in which the sitting room would begin to violently shake as if an earthquake were occurring.

Easter Island-An island of roughly 45 sq. miles situated in the South Pacific Ocean. The area has great archeological importance due to the Moai and Megoliths that have been found there.

EBE- Acronym for "Extraterrestrial Biological Entity"

Eblis: Also known as Iblis, Iblees and Haris. The fallen angel of Islam. A powerful spirit who some say is the demon Azazel who after being banished from heaven is named Eblis and becomes the ruler of the devils. "Eblis" means "dispair".

Ecstasy: An "altered state of consciousness" in which the subject experiences great pleasure or rapture, either in a physical or spiritual sense.

Ecto- Popularized term for "ectoplasm" or "ectoplasmic mist".

Ectoplasm- (a) Traditionally, a semi-fluidous substance exuded from the bodily orifices of a "physical medium", by which a spirit might materialize. (b) Alternatively, a rare semi-fluidous substance sometimes reported to have been found in environments in which a spirit has materialized. A semi-fluid substance exuded by a physical medium from which materializations may form, milky white in coloration, the substance provides evidence of ghostly interaction with the physical environment or evidence to support the existence of the "kether", or the material comprising the astral plane. Rumored to be highly photo-reactive, dissipating in bright light. No recorded example of this fluid has been produced for laboratory testing. (c) Term popularly used in the amateur ghost hunting community to describe "psychic mist" or ghostly manifestations which appear as a light mist, inexplicable smoke, or a dense fog which may take on apparitional form.

Ectoplasmic mist- Term popularly used in the amateur ghost hunting community to describe "psychic mist" or ghostly manifestations which appear as a light mist, inexplicable smoke, or a dense fog which may take on apparitional form.

EDA- Acronym for "Electrodermal Activity".

EDOM- Acronym for "Electronic Dissolution of Memory".

EEG (Electro-encephalography- A method of recording variations of electrical activity in the cortex of the brain.

Egyptian Days- Sometimes called the "Lucky and Unlucky Days". From a list of fortunate and unfortunate days said to have originated from Egyptian astrological practices.

Ekimu-: An ancient Assyrian term for a spirit which would stand outside of houses to wail in a portent of death to one of the home's inhabitants.

Electional Astrology- The interpretation of astrological charts in order to determine suitable times for marriage, travel, etc.

Electrizers: A group of spirits named by American medium John M. Spear in 1854, who claimed these ghosts had told him that they were prepared to communicate the principle of life to mankind to construct an electrical device powered purely by spiritual energies.

Electrodermal Activity- A measure of skin conductance or resistance to a small electrical current, which is related to sympathetic nervous system arousal. This response can be elicited by external stimuli (a light, tone etc.), or by internal activity (e.g. emotions). The most commonly used measure is "Skin Conductance", which is tested by a method known as "Galvanic Skin Response"..

Electrokinesis- The "psi" ability to generate electrical charges from the power of the mind alone; alternatively used to describe phenomena in which electrical appliances are disrupted by focused and concentrated effort on behalf of the "agent".

Electromagnetic Field: The coupled electric and magnetic fields that are generated by time and varying currents and accelerated charges.

Electromagnetic Field Detector: A device used to detect and measure electromagnetic fields.

Electromagnetic Pulse: (EMP) A burst of electromagnetic energy produced by a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere, considered to be capable of widespread damage to power lines, telecommunications and electronic equipment.

Electronic Dissolution of Memory (EDOM): A Ufology term for "missing time" phenomena. A common feature of reports submitted by "abductees" is an inability to recall events of a given time period. EDOM experience may potentially produce up to twelve hours of missing memories.

Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP): Reportedly, the voices of ghosts and spirits captured on audio recordings. See also "Raudive voices".

Element 115: Allegedly an extraterrestrial element which is used to fuel propulsion systems in anti-gravity driven spacecraft. Element 115 did not come into public awareness until physicist Bob Lazar made public claims to have "reverse-engineered" alien spacecraft at "Area 51".

Elemental: A spirit associated with one of the classical four elements (fire, earth, air and water)..alleged to be spirits which never held an earthly form or experienced life, as understood by human beings, in any manner. These supernatural beings have been reported since the very early times of recorded history; consequently, a great deal of folklore and fairy tales have sprung up around this form of spirit. Elementals are reported to take on the form of strange, glowing lights, sometimes roughly human-shaped, which tend to appear in areas where great tragedies have occurred. They have also been reported in the likeness of peculiar birds and animals. Tradition holds that elementals tend to favor remote areas, such as marshlands and remote deserts, but have also been known to haunt castles and other structures which have withstood profound bloodshed and suffering.

Elemental Divination: Divination by four elements; fire (pyromancy), air (aeromancy), water (hydromancy) and earth (geomancy).

Elemental Spirit: Spirit form associated with one of the classical four elements of earth, air, water, and fire. See also "animism".

Elementary Spirits: Also known as Elementals. Unseen, intelligence that inhabit the four elements. They are; air (sylphs), earth (gnomes), fire (salamanders) and water (nymphs).

Elixir (Elixir of Life): A term derived from Alchemy, referring to a liquid or powder which if ingested would give eternal life.

ELMINT: Acronym for Electromagnetic Intelligence (National Security Agency).

Elongation: Inexplicable extension of the physical body, reported in some "mystics" and "physical mediums".

EM: Electromagnetic energy.

EMF: Acronymn for "Electromagnetic Field".

EMP: Acronym for "Electromagnetic Pulse".

Empath: A subject who demonstrates considerable "empathy", particularly of a "psychic" nature.

Empathy: The ability to comprehend and understand the experience or emotional state of another person or animal. Often used to describe the "psychic" ability to experience another person's sensations, physical pain, or emotions

Empiricism: The theory that all knowledge comes from observation.

Empirical Data: Data collected purely through unbiased observation.

Endor Witch: See "The Witch of Endor".

Engargiya: See Chemosit

Enochian Alphabet: Archaic language alphabet composed of 21 letters. Also known as the "angelic" language.

Enochian Magic: A specialized branch of ritual heremetic magick developed by John Dee and Edward Kelly during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, to whom Dee served as court astrologer. While many students of the occult and arcane subscribe to the theory that this magickal system was revealed to Dee through angelic visions in which he was instructed in the secret language of the angels, others still believe that the system is almost entirely expanded upon the Epochryphal writings of the prophet Enoch who proposed a similar explanation for his seemingly detailed knowledge of both the angelic and the demonic. The Enochian forms of magick were resurrected by the Heremetic Order of the Golden Dawn towards the end of the 19th Century and is still practiced to this date.

Enoptromancy- Ancient form of crystal gazing. See also Caloptromancy

Entity- A spirit, ghost, or other non-physical, non-material intelligence or personality.

Entomomancy- Divination utilizing the appearance and behavior of insects.

Eromancy- Divination by taking omens from the air.

Eromanty:-Regarded as a form of "hydromancy", this archaic and obscure divinatory practice was unique to the ancient Persians and utilized a vase filled with water as its principle focus. After covering their head with a napkin or scarf, the diviner would open the vase and whisper the object of his/her desire to the surface of the water. If bubbles appeared, it was considered as a positive omen.

Eschatology- A branch of theology concerned with death and judgment; heaven and hell and the end of the world.

ESP (Extrasensory Perception- Communication or perception by means other than the physical senses.

ESP Cards-"Zener cards" or specially developed symbolic cards used for the clinical testing of ESP or related psi abilities.

ET- Acronym for "extraterrestrial".

ET Exposure Law- Legislation added to the U.S. Criminal Code without public debate in July of 1969, prohibiting citizens from coming into contact with a "UFO" or with "aliens". A person convicted of breaking this law is punishable by fines up to $5,000 and a potential year long jail sentence. A "NASA" administrator is empower to determine, with or without a hearing, if a person has been exposed to extraterrestrials, and may impose a term of quarantine under armed guard for any length of time which might be determined as necessary.

Ether- Discovered in 1275 by Spanish chemist Raymundus Lullius. The new discovery was given the name "sweet vitriol". In 1540 Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus discovered the hypnotic effects of ether.

Ethereal- Light, airy, heavenly or celestial

Etheric Body- Term used to denote vital forces which permeate the physical body. Also known as an aura.

Evil Eye-An alleged power which gives a person the ability to cause sickness, bad luck or even death with only a glance.

EVP- Acronym for "Electronic Voice Phenomena". See also "Raudive voices".

Evocation- The summoning of evil spirits using a magical incantation or ritual. .Evocation Index

Exmoor, Beast of- See Bodmin, Beast of

Exobiology- The study of the necessary needed conditions to be able to support extraterrestrial life.

Exorcism- A specific religious ceremony designed to drive out or remove spirits from either the bodies of living persons or homes plagued by inexplicable phenomena attributed to spirit activity.

Experiment- A test carried out under scientific methods and protocols to collect data for study.

Experimental Apparition-Archaic term use to describe the "apparition" of a living person. See also "doppelganger" and "double".

Experimental Group- A group of test subjects who undergo a specific experimental procedure. The results of the testing of the experimental group are then compared and contrasted with the results of a "control group" to better formulate or understand a given hypothesis.

Experimental Psychology- Parapsychological research involving experimental methods rather than "survey" techniques or the investigation of "spontaneous cases" of anomalous phenomena.

Experimenter:-The person conducting or presiding over an "experiment".

Experimenter Effect:-The conscious or unconscious effect that an "experimenter's" personality or behavior may have upon the results of an "experiment".

Extispicium- Divination by examining the entrails of sacrificed animals, the entrails are then burned in a sacrificial flame.

Extispicy- See Extispicium.

Extra- (A) A term used to describe faces of the dead which mysteriously appear on photographs. (B) A term used to describe either willing or unwitting assistants who facilitate trickery in perpetuating a hoax.

Extradimensional- Originating outside conventional conception of the time-space reality. See also "extraterrestrial".

Extrasensory Perception (ESP-: The acquisition of information through sources outside the conventional senses. The broad and loose term may encompass such various psi phenomena as "clairvoyance", "telepathy", and "precognition".

Extraterrestrial- Literally, "originating from beyond planet Earth." Term applies to alleged alien beings, space craft, or other items of a celestial origin.

Extraterrestrial Biological Entity (EBE)- Life-form originating from beyond planet Earth.

Eye of Horus- The stylized eye of the falcon-headed god Horus of ancient Egypt. The eye is assocaited with regeneration, health and prosperity.

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F

FAA-Governmental acronym for Federal Aviation Administration

FB Rating- Fly-by rating.

FB1 - A fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky.

FB2 - A fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line, leaving some kind of physical evidence.

FB3 - A fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky, where entities are observed on board.

FB4 - A fly-by where the witness experiences a sensation of unreality, i.e., a phantasmagoric state.

FB5 - A fly-by that causes permanent injury to, or the death of, the witness.

Faery- See "fairy".

Faery dogs: A Scottish spirit form said to appear as sinister dogs the size of young cows. Reported to run in packs, moving in single file in absolute silence. The bark of this preternatural animal is alleged to have the ability to drive men insane or to bring about immediate death from sheer fright.

Fairy- The name given to many supernatural beings that either help or hinder man. There is a strong history of fairies in the Celtic lore of Britain, Ireland and Europe. The word is derived from the Latin fata meaning "fate" which refers to the threes mythical fates, women who spun the threads of life.

Faith Healing- Healing of the physical body through prayer, religious ceremony, or strong belief in Divine powers.

Fakir- An Indian holy man, usually called a sadhu, who is allegedly capable of magical and miraculous feats, but survives by begging. In the Islamic cultures a fakir turns his back on the material world to follow Allah as a beggar.

Fallen Host- Angels who have fallen from God's grace. Fallen angels can be put into two catagories; angels who sided with Satan during the war in heaven, and the fallen Grigori.

False Arrival Apparition- The phenomenon where a person hears or sees another person arrive at a location before they actually do. This is common in Scandanavian countries and a professor of physics at the University of Oslo researched the area and speculated that it is a form of communication that has evolved among people living in remote, isolated locations.

False Awakening- A vivid or lucid dream experience in which the subject believes that he or she has awoken from sleep, but is in reality still very deep in dreaming.

Familial Apparitions- Ghostly apparitions particular to a family line. Most often described as an ancient ancestor who remains earthbound to insure the continuation and prosperity of the family line. In other cases, the spirit of an ancestor follows the family line and appears as an omen of ill fortune, such as in the case of "The Black Friar" who haunted the family of poet Lord Byron.

Familiars- The name given to spirits who aid or attend the needs of witches. Also said to be given to witches by the Devil as a companion and helper. The word is derived from the Latin familiares.

Faraday Cage- A wire mesh structure or enclosure constructed to provide a shield against radio wave interference.

Fascinate- Term derived from the Latin fascinare meaning 'to enchant'. The act of casting spells or throwing evil onto another person, by looking at them.

Fascination- See Fascinate

Fatae-(Latin term) See Fates

Fates- In Greek and Roman mythology, the Fates were three women at a spinning wheel who controlled the destiny of a person. Clotho, who held the material of life; Lachesis, who spun the thread of life; and Atropos, who made the eventual cut that ended life.

Faun-The Roman version of a Satyr, who according to Greel legend was a creature whose bottom half was that of an animal, usually a goat, and whose top half was that of a man.

Favonius- Also known as Zephyr. In mythology, he was the west wind, the son of Astraeus and Aurora, and the brother of Boreas.

FB Rating- Acronym for "Fly-By" Rating. See "Vallee Classification System".

FBI- Governmental acronym for Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Feedback- Giving test subjects information regarding their test performance or receiving their input as to how they perceived the testing procedures.

Felidomancy- See "Ailuromancy".

FEMA- Governmental acronym for Federal Emergency Management Agency. Originally brought into establishment under the Nixon administration to assure the continuation of the U.S. Government in the event of a nuclear strike, FEMA is often viewed as a shadowy secret government with a classified agenda involving UFO phenomenon.

Feng Shui- The art of understanding the concept of space, in terms of direction and physical position, and finding Nature's ideal alignment. In Chinese, Feng Shui means 'water' and 'wind'.

Feral Children- Children who have allegedly been raised or nurtured in the wild by animals, and cannot communicate or behave in a human manner.

Fetish- Dolls or carved stones, animal teeth, claws or bones often worn on the body for their magical powers of protection, luck, love, the warding off of evil, etc.

Fetch- See "co-walker", "doppelganger", and "wraith".

Findhorn- An experimental community started in 1962 on Findhorn Bay in Northern Scotland. The site also had a garden supposedly endowed with special powers.

Fireball- In Scottish traditions, the name most commonly ascribed to "phantom lights" known as the "gaelghan". The phenomena resembles a globe of light and usually travels very gracefully at high speeds across stretches of water.

Fire in the Sky- Title of an autobiographical book based upon the Travis Walton UFO abduction case, later made into a fictionalized movie of the same name. Commonly used as reference name for the case study of the incident.

Fire Walking- Walking on red-hot coals or cinders, without the sensation of pain or physical damage to the body. Sometimes attributed to the power of the will, psychic abilities, or the simple displacement of the weight of the body in performing the task.

Fireti- Also known as Ufiti, a mysterious primate from Malawi, Africa which in the African language means "ghost of the supernatural".

FISA- Governmental acronym for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Flathead Lake Monster- A creature supposedly sighted in Flathead Lake in western Montana since the late 1880's. Descriptions vary from a giant fish to a long snake-like creature or an eel with humps and smooth skin.

Flight 19- Group of five US Navy Grumman 'Avenger' torpedo-bombers reported to have been lost in one of the most famous disappearances in the history of the "Bermuda Triangle".

Floromancy- A type of divination using omens taken from flowers. Based on the belief that flowers radiate vibrations, react to their environment and are affected by electrical currents.

Fly-By (FB Rating-: See "Vallee Classification System".

Flying Discs- Common term for disc-shaped "UFO"s or "Flying Saucers".

Flying Dutchman- Legendary phantom ship celebrated as one of the greatest ghost stories associated with the high seas. The name now encompasses all phenomena associated with ghostly sailing vessels.

Flying Saucer- Popular term for "UFOs", named for pilot Kenneth Arnold's historical report of having witnessed nine boomerang-shaped UFOs in the Pacific Northwest during 1947, which he described as having moved like saucers skipping across water. A newspaper account of Arnold's story coined the term 'flying saucers', which has since become a part of the common language.

Focal Person- Person or "agent" who is at the center of "poltergeist" activity.

Foo Fighters- Shiny, airborne metallic spheres reported by American pilots during the Second World War, named for a luminous phenomena created by 'foo' gas (see "swamp gas"). The term is still occasionally utilized by military pilots to describe any "UFO" which displays aggressive maneuvers.

Forced-Choice Test- A clinical "ESP" test in which the "subject" is required to guess from a list of alternative "targets".

Fortean Phenomena- Highly strange or anomalous phenomena, especially those which greatly challenge conventional scientific knowledge and understanding. Named for American researcher and writer Charles Fort, the term is commonly associated with mysterious rains of living creatures or bizarre phenomena such as monsters and extraordinary coincidences.

Fortune Telling- A general term applied to various practices which seek to divine future events. See also "Divination".

Fossegrim- Also known as a "neck", the term describes a river spirit which takes the form of a ghostly youth, sometimes reported to be sighted seated in the middle of a stream, entertaining himself with playing a harp. The spirit is reported to be harmless, although it can be cruel to young women who are fickle in nature with their affections. In some parts of Europe, superstition holds that carrying an unsheathed knife while in a river-borne boat will "bind the neck". Also see "kelpie".

Fraud- The deliberate deceptive practice of faking paranormal phenomena, generally for the purposes of financial gain, notoriety, or psychological manipulation. Simulating such phenomena for the purpose of entertainment or education, such as in the case of stage magicians and mentalists, is not normally construed as fraud.

Freedom Ridge- A mountainous ridge overlooking "Area 51", so named because it was the only publicly accessible point from which the base could be sighted by land. Long held as a traditional area for "UFO" researchers to observe alleged test flights of recovered alien spacecraft. See also "Whiskey 3".

Free-Response Test- A clinical "ESP" test in which the "subject" responds freely rather than from a list of fixed "targets". The subject may be asked to write down an account of their impressions, or to sketch them, or they may be allowed to speak freely to researchers about their experience. In order to assess the accuracy of the responses, comparison is made with various targets by a "judge". See also "preferential matching".

Funnel ghost-See "vortex".

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G

G2: Military designation for United States Army Intelligence.
Gadett: See Chemosit

Gaelghan: See "fireball".

Galileo Project: See "Project Galileo".

Galley Beggar: A reputed ghostly form found primarily in northern England, said to be very thin or even skeletal in appearance. The name is a form of the Middle English 'galley', which means to frighten or scare.

Galleytrot: An animal spirit resembling a large dog reputed to haunt old burial grounds or areas rumored to contained buried treasure in English traditions prevalent in Suffolk, Essex, and West Suffolk.

GAO: Governmental acronym for General Accounting Office. (United States)

Galvanic Skin Reponse: Test to determine "Electrodermal Activity" by measuring "skin conductance".

Gamalei: Certain gemstones said to be magical by medieval occultists because of a powerful astrological influence.

Ganzfeld: A clinical technique for investigating PSI Phenomena, in which the test subject experience an absence of patterned stimulation. This technique generally involves the subject wearing halved table tennis balls over the eyes while listening to either white or pink noise signals through a headset to induce a state of mild sensory deprivation by providing 'homogenous' sensory fields.

Ganzfeld Stimulation- Experimental parapsychology technique used since the 1970's to create an environment of sensory deprivation in order to stimulate ESP abilities.

Garuda- A mighty mythological bird of India said to have carried the Hindu god Vishnu through the sky.

Gastromancy-"Divination of the Belly". An ancient form of ventriloquism where the voice aounds as though it is coming from the ground.

GCCS- Military/Governmental acronym for Government Code and Cypher School. (United States)

GCHQ- Military/Governmental acronym for Government Communications Headquarters.

GCI- Military acronym for Ground Control Intercept.

Geloscopy- Divination of interpreting the tone of a person's laughter.

Gematria- The Kabbalistic system for discovering the hidden meaning of words and letters ion a text using numbers and letters from the alphabet.

General Extrasensory Perception (GESP-: "ESP" in which it is unclear whether the produced results are attributable specifically to "clairvoyance", "telepathy", "precognition" or "retrocognition".

Genethlialogy- Divination of telling a person's future by the position of the stars at the time of their birth.

Genie- See "Jinnee".

Genii- In Gnostic traditions, the genii are regarded as a form of angel which guides men to higher understanding and wisdom. Plural form of "genius".

Geomancy- A system of divination involving the interpretation of lines or figures.

GESP-Acronym for "general extrasensory perception".

Gévaudan, Beast of- See "Beast of Gevaudan".

Ghost- Loosely defined as the spirit of a deceased person.

Ghost Buster- Based on the popular movie, 'Ghostbusters', the term has come to encompass the segment of the ghost hunting community which actively seeks to banish spirits or to bring about an end to haunting activity by either spiritual or technological means.

Ghost Dance- One of the most noted and famous of all Native American spiritual traditions, this quasi-religious movement was founded in the mid 1800s on the basis of a ceremony designed to pay homage and respect to the spirits of the dead, in hopes that these ghosts would offer assistance and protection against the westward migration of white settlers.

Ghost figures- Term commonly used to describe ghostly faces and figures which appear unexpectedly in photographs of natural formations such as foliage, rock formations, and clouds. Almost invariably a trick of light and shadow.

Ghost globule- See "orb".

Ghost Hunt- Sometimes defined as a pseudo-scientific attempt to prove the existence of a ghost in a particular location, the term has come to mean any investigation into a reported case involving ghostly activity.

Ghost Hunter- A paranormal investigator or one who explores ghostly phenomenon through active research and documentation of alleged cases involving paranormal phenomenon.

Ghost lights- See "phantom lights".

Ghost rockets (Ghostrocketeers)- In 1946, more than two thousand UFOs were reportedly observed flying above Scandinavia. They appeared like conventional missiles, with a flame exhaust at one end, but they traveled at varying speeds and performed exotic maneuvers. There were reports at the time that some had landed and exploded. No one admitted to launching these rockets. Western scientists analyzed fragments from these missiles and said that they were made of an organic substance that resembled carbide. When a Greek investigation publicly announced in 1967 that these were not missiles, the U.S. Army ordered the investigation to close, and further information was covered in a blanket of secrecy.

Ghostly mist- An alternative term for "ectoplasm" or a spirit form resembling a fog, mist, or smoke.

Ghostly transport- Phantom trains, planes, automobiles, carriages, or other forms of transporation.

Ghoul- An Arabian spirit form which appears in a hideously grotesque humanlike form and makes a specialty of stealing corpses. Traditions hold that this spirit form often makes its home near burial grounds and is particularly fond of the bodies of children. Believed to feed upon the bodies of the dead and to make the living violently ill with a mere glance. The tradition of ghouls spread from Arabia to the Far East, into Africa, and then was brought to Europe by returning Crusaders during the Middle Ages.

Giant- In worldwide folklore, giants are large humanoid creature, some with malicious personalities.

Giant Clam- Also known as the Man-Eating Clam and the Killer Clam. The largest bivalve mollusk in the world, at a length of 4 feet, and a weigh of over 500 pounds.

Giant Eel-Giant carnivorous fish of the Anguilliformes order. Some have been measured at more that twelve feet in length.

Giant Squid- Enormous carnivorous mollusks with a long, torpedo-shaped body. Has the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, reaching some eighteen inches across, or the size of a basketball.

Gin-Sung- See Dzu-Teh

Gimmic- In "conjuring" or stage magic, any small concealed apparatus that is used to produce a seemingly 'magical' effect. The term may also be applied to devices employed by fraudulent mediums to deceive others by producing allegedly 'paranormal' results.

Glastonbury- One of the oldest sacred sites in England. It's history is connected with the Holy Grail and Arthurian legends.

Glastonbury Manuscript- A series of automatic writing manuscripts produced between 1907 and 1912 by architect/archaeologist/ghost hunter Frederick Bligh Bond.

Glossolalia Index
Unintelligible speech generally uttered in a dissociated or trance state. Also known as "speaking in tongues". See also xenoglossy.
"Goat" Index
Name given to a subject in a psi test who does not believe in the phenomenon. See also "sheep", sheep-goat effect.
Guardian Angel Index
An angel believed to protect the individual. See also guide.
Guide Index
A spirit who is believed to assist a person's spiritual journey. See also angel, guardian angel.

de circle which is supposedly an earth zodiac, even though some of the symbols present do not appear in the zodiac as we know it.

Glasya- See Caacrinolaas

Glasyalabola- See Caacrinolaas

Glossolalia- Unintelligible speech generally spoken in a "dissociated", 'euphoric' or "trance" state. Also known as 'speaking in tongues'. See also "xenoglossy".

Goat- A name associated with a "subject" in a clinical "psi" test who does not believe in psychic phenomenon. See also "sheep" and "sheep-goat effect".

Goazi-Also known as Guayazi. A South American dwarf hominid.

Godman AF-: Godman Air Force Base (now defunct) in Kentucky. Made notably in Ufology pilot when Capt. Thomas Mantell was asked to investigate a UFO picked up on radar. As a result of this encounter, Mantell's P-51 Mustang crashed, and he was killed. His last message to the control tower was: "It appears to be a metallic object ... of tremendous size.... The object is above and ahead of me ... I'm trying to close for a better look."

Gnosticis-: From the Greek word gnosis meaning 'knowledge', applied to a religious and philosophical movement that influenced the Mediterranean world from the first century BC until the third century AD.

Goetic- Magic involving the binding of evil spirits to the service of humans.

Golem- In Jewish folklore, a figure of a man made of mud or clay that is brought to life when certain holy words that are carved in his forehead or hung around his neck are spoken aloud by a wise Rabbi.

Golub-Yavan: See Almasty

Gorgon- From the Greek gorgos meaning terrible, a Gorgon is a fierce, terrible lokking woman. Medusa is the most famous Gorgon.

Grail, Holy:See- "Holy Grail".

Grails- Allegedly saurian-type "alien" entities which are said to be somewhat taller than the usually encountered "grays", with extremely thin, 'rail-like' torsos and limbs. Reportedly possessed of near superhuman strength.

Grand Grimoir-A collection of spells and magic allegedly written by King Solomon.

Graphology- A method of assessing character and personality from handwriting. Also known as Handwriting Analysis.

Grassman- See Bigfoot

Graveyard ghost- An ancient English tradition holds that the spirit of the very first person buried in a newly consecrated graveyard is charged with guarding the cemetery against the Devil and his minions. Sometimes, a black dog would be buried alive in place of a human being to assume this task. Also known as "church grims".

Grays/Greys- The most commonly reported type of "alien" beings. They are humanoid; their height varies from two feet to five feet; and they usually have black, bug-like eyes, little or no nasal protrusions, and small slits for mouths.

Gray Ladies- Apparitional forms of women dressed in archaic clothes which are gray in color. Most of the stories regarding this apparitional subclass date from the Tudor period in English history, when abbeys and monastaries were destroyed with alarming frequency and resulted in the deaths of many nuns, who were traditionally garbed in gray habits.

Great Zimbabwe- The largest ancient stone structure south of the Sahara, composed of three sets of ruins; the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure.

Greens-"Alien" beings of human sized stature with an olive-green skin coloration.

Green Fireballs- UFO phenomenon once commonly reported, in which the unknown airborne objects were described as appearing like glowing green balls of flame. Reports were taken seriously enough that a governmental conference was held at the Los Alamos National Laboratories on 16 February 1948 to discuss the phenomena in detail to assess their possible threat to national security.

Green Ladies- Phantom apparitions of courtly ladies dressed in green gowns, commonly believed to be attached to family lines and sometimes act as heralds of misfortune or death.

Green Language- Also known as the language of the birds. A secret language of occultists, employing symbolism derived from cosmic truths used by the Rosicrusians and Alchemists.

Gremlin-Originated as early as the Second World War, this is a spirit form accused of vexing airmen by playing sometimes malicious pranks on combat aircrews by causing engines or other key components of the aircraft to malfunction at inopportune moments. The stories of gremlins eventually found their way into large factories and has evolved into a general term for an alleged spirit causing havoc with machinery.

Grigori- The mysterious eighth order of angels created by God to be Earthly shepards to humans. Also known as The Watchers.

Grimoires- A variety of texts listing the names of demons with instructions for raising them to do one's bidding.

Groom Lake- Dry lakebed in the Nevada desert, reported to be home to "Area 51" and "S4".

GSW-Acronym for Ground Saucer Watch, an American UFO research organization founded in 1987.

Guardian Angel-An angelic being believed to protect and guide an individual through their life experience. See also "guide".

Guayazi- See Goazi

Gugu- Sasquatch of the Sumatra

Guide- A spirit which is believed to assist in an individual's spiritual journey or evolution. See also "angel", "guardian angel", and "spirit guide".

Guillotine- A device for decapitating a person by means of a large blade sliding between to grooved posts.

Gul-Biavan- See Almasty

Guli-Avan- See Almasty

Gulf Breeze-Gulf Breeze, Florida, is the location of numerous "UFO" sightings which have been reported since 1987. The most concentrated period of activity took place between November 1987 and May 1988. Most of the activity centered around Ed and Frances Walters, who documented nearly 40 photos of the alleged activity. The photos have puzzled and intrigued scientists and Ufologists for some time now and remain some of the most controversial and spectacular UFO images put forward to date.

Gurdjieff, George Ivanovich (1872?-1949- Regarded by some as the greatest mystical teacher of all time. Spiritual leader of a movement based on enlightenment through the use of meditation and heightened self-awareness.

Gyromancy- A form of divination where the diviner walks around a circle of letters until too dizzy to continue. The letter stopped on, as well as the direction the diviner falls, is then interpreted.

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H

Hallucination- A sensory experience that does not correspond to physical reality.

Hag- An apparitional form reported to resemble a dreadful old woman with matted hair, hooked nose, wild eyes, and claw like fingers. The hag is reported to sit upon the chests of its victims during the night, forcing the air from their lungs or wrapping their claws around the throat of a victim to choke off the air. Many researchers believe that tales of encounters with the hag might be somehow attached to the phenomena known as "sleep paralysis".
Haietlik: Also known as Wasgo. An alleged cryptozoological sea creature of the Pacific northwest coast of the Americas. Native representations of the animal describe it as a long serpent-like beast with small forelegs and a crocodilian or dog-like head.

Haint- Archaic expression with origins in the Antebellum South of the United States meaning "ghost".

Hale-Bopp Companion- An alleged object which followed in the trail of comet Hale-Bopp, said to have been larger than Earth in size and either controlled or populated by an advanced "alien" culture. This object was reportedly the central component of the mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult, which believed that they could make contact with this alien culture by shedding their mortal bodies through ritual suicide.

Hallucination- A sensory perception that does not correspond to physical reality.

Halomancy- Also known as Alomancy. From the Greek halo meaning salt and manteia meaning divination. A method of divination by reading the random patterns in scattered salt.

Hangar 18- Located at "Wright-Patterson AFB" in Dayton, Ohio, and alleged to be the United States Air Force's storage facility for recovered "UFO's" and the bodies of "alien" beings.

Harbor Wave- Also known as Tidal Wave or Tsunami. A wave or series of large destructive waves caused by a seaquake or underwater volcanic eruption.

Harginn- See "chagrin".

Haris- See Eblis

Harpy- A ghost-like creature with the wings of a bird and the face of a woman, believed by the ancient Greeks to be a wind spirit that could interfere with the affairs of men if nor regularly appeased.

Harsh Spinners- See Fates. Also known as Fatae

Harusp-The Latin term for one who practices divination or forecasts the future.

Haruspicy- See Extispicy

Haunting- Term used to describe the appearance on multiple occasions of a ghostly figure which appears of its own violation.Paranormal phenomena such as apparitions, unexplained sounds, smells or other sensations that are associated over a lengthy period of time with a specific location.

Haunting Apparition- A single, ghostly "apparition" which is seen repeatedly in the same location. This form may or may not be cognizant of the living, but is generally regarded to be a conscious "discarnate entity" which does not repeat its actions in a ritualistic manner such as those found in cases involving a "residual haunting".

Healer- Someone who claims to possess "healing" powers

Healing- In paranormal terms, indicative of cures which defy conventional and accepted medical principles. See also "faith healing", "psychic healing", "spirit cures", and "psychic surgery".

Heaven- The abode of God, the angels and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place of existence of the blessed after mortal life.

Hell- The nether world where the dead continue to exist in torment. The realm of the Devil.

Hell Hounds-Ghostly pack of dogs, sometimes referred to as the Devil's hunting pack, found in traditional legends from all points in Europe. These spectral creatures are sometimes held as portents of ill fortune or harbingers of death.

Hellstromism- See "contact mind reading".

Hepatoscop- Also known as Roman Vulcan and Hephaistos. Greek god of fire and craftsmanship.

Heptameron- The title of a book dealing with invoking spirits in the style of the Grimoires

Herbology- Using herbs to promote health and healing

Hermann Prophecies- A book of prophecies written by a monk named Hermann in 1722.

Hermes- Also known as Roman Mercury. Greek god of good luck and wealth. The patron saint of liars, thieves and gamblers.

Hermetica- A mystical wisdom that formed the foundation of Western occultism, allegedly written by Hermes Trismegistus.

Hex- (a) An evil spell or magical curse. (b) To practise black witchcraft or sorcery.Hex Index
(a) An evil spell or magical curse.
(b) To practice witchcraft.

Hexagram- The name given to the six-lined figure made from two trigrams (a triple combination of Yin and Yang lines). Utilized in the Chinese divinatory system of I Ching.

HFDF- Military acronym for High Frequency Direction Finding.

Hibagon- Japan's Sasquatch

Hieromancy- A form of divination by examining the burnt offerings of sacrificed animals.

Hieroscopia- See Hieromancy

Hieroscopy- See Hieromancy

Highjump, Operation- See "Operation Highjump".

Hill Abduction Case- This abduction case is regarded as controversial because it hinges on information gained by performing "hypnotic regression" on Betty and Barney Hill. The Hills claimed they were abducted in September of 1961 in New Hampshire. They witnessed a UFO in the night sky and claimed they were bathed in light. When they returned home, they realized they could not account for more than two hours of the evening. Days later the Hills had nightmares about UFOs. In order to learn more about their experience, the two underwent hypnotic regression therapy. While in a hypnotic state, the Hills were able to recall the abduction with vivid detail.

Hippomanc- Divination from horses

Historical Apparition- A ghostly apparition which appears in the sites associated with great moments in the course of human events, garbed in period clothing and exhibiting mannerisms appropriate to the time period from which it is alleged to have originated.

Hit- A response in clinical psi testing which accurately matches the "target". See also "miss".

Holistic Medicine- The treatment of illness through the use of herbs, vitamins and minerals, exotic diets, prayer and meditaion.

Holy Grail- A symbolic talisman, associated with the cup used at the last Supper by Joseph Arimathea to collect blood from Christ's wounds.

Homeopath:-Popular in India and Europe, it is a system wherein minute doses of a substance are given that in massive doses would produce the effects of the disease. Based on the theory that "like cures like".

Hominid- Term used to describe creatures that are more than just apes, from pre-human bipeds to modern human beings.

Hoodoo: Archaic expression from the Antebellum South of the United States meaning "ghost" or "phantom lights". Believed to have originally been 'who do' or 'who do there'.

Horary Astrology- Interpretation of specific questions by means of an astrological chart.

Horoscope- A form of interpreting the destiny of a person according to the position of the planets at the time of birth.

Hot Reading- A "reading" in which the medium or psychic has been given prior knowledge of the "sitter", often employed for devious or fraudulent means. See also "cold reading".

Hot Spot- A particular location prone to high levels of paranormal activity. A site in which unexplained phenomena has been repeatedly experienced.

Houses- In astrology, there are 12 houses, each one represents an area of your life that is affected by the planets. First house shows outward traits. Second house shows money and possessions. Third house shows communication styles. Fourth house shows your domestic environment. Fifth house shows romance and children. Sixth house shows your work ethics. Seventh house shows marriage and partnership. Eighth house shows sex, death and rebirth. Ninth house shows higher education, religion and philosophy. Tenth house shows your career and image. Eleventh house shows friendship and hope. Twelfth house shows psychological issues and restrictions.

Huna- A Hawaiian religious practice encompassing elements of "clairvoyance", "precognition", "healing", "miracles" and "magic".

Huna Magic- An Hawaiian religious practice involving clairvoyance, precognition, healing, miracles and magic.
H

Hurricane- A tropical cyclone usually covering a large area and accompanied by heavy rain, thunder and lightning.

Hyacinth- Also known as Jycinth, an allegedly magical stone used as protection from lightning. It is also said to strengthen the heart, bring wealth and also wisdom.

Hydra- A grotesque creature with at least seven heads who dwells in swamps and other waterways.

Hydrascopy- The art of predicting the future by using water or rain.

Hydromancy- See Hydrascopy

Hynek Classification System- Created by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, founder of the Center for UFO Studies ("CUFOS") to categorize various "UFO" sightings. The system was later largely superceded by the "Vallee Classification System." Hynek's system classified "UFO" sightings into either 'distant sightings' or 'close encounters'.

Hyperacuit-Exceptionally acute sensory awareness. See also "hyperaesthesia".

Hyperaesthesia- Exceptionally acute sensory awareness. See also "hyperacuity".See hyperaesthesia.

Hypnagogic Imagery-"Imagery" occurring during the hypnagogic state, which occurs while the mind is transitioning into the dream state.

Hypnopompic Imagery-"Imagery" occurring during the hypnopompic state, which occurs while the mind is transitioning from the dream state to awakened awareness.

Hypnosis- An artificially induced altered state of altered consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction.yperacuity Index

Hypnotic Regression- Based on the theory that everything a person sees and hears is stored in the subconscious memory, hypnotic regression tries to access forgotten experiences by placing the subject in a trance to relive the experience.

Hypnotism- The science of dealing with the induction of hypnosis.

I

I Ching- Also known as the Book of Changes, it is an ancient Chinese sacred book. One of the earliest works of Chinese literature. I Ching is traditionally used for divination.

Iapetus-To the Greeks, Iapetus was the father of the human race.

Iatromathematics- The application of astrology to medicine. Also known as Astrological Medicine and Astromedicine.

Ibis- A sacred ancient Egyptian bird possessing a white body and black head and tail. It was believed by the Egyptians to be the incarnation of Thoth.

Iblees- See Eblis

Iblis- See Eblis

Ichor- In Greek mythology, Ichor was the colorless blood of the Olympian gods.

I Ching- Ancient Chinese "Book of Changes". It describes 64 hexagrams (patterns of 6 broken and unbroken lines) which are used in a divinatory practice involving the throwing of yarrow stalks or coins.

Ichthyomancy- A divination by interpreting the shape or the entrails of fish.

ICI- Governmental/Military acronym for Interagency Committee on Intelligence.

IDA-CRD- Governmental/Military acronym for Institute for Defense Analysis - Communications Research Division.

IDP- Military acronym for Intercept Deployment Plan.

Ideokenisis- Visualisation technique utilized to release chronic muscular holding patterns. By using the mind's intention to move in the opposite direction of the habitual contraction, muscle tension is effectively released. Technique sometimes employed in "healing" or "meditation".

Idolomanc- Divination using idols or images.

IEC- Governmental/Military acronym for Intelligence Evaluation Committee.

Ignis Fatuus- Literally translated to 'foolish fire', the term is given to ghostly luminous phenomenon more commonly known as "will-o'-the-wisp", "corpse candles", etc. These are all reportedly strange, dancing lights, sometime reported to be death omens in some traditions. Occasionally attributed to natural phenomena such as igniting marsh gases or ball lightning.

Ikimizi- See Chimiset

I

Invocation Index Summoning benevolent spiritual beings. Cf. evocation.

Illusion- (a) An appearance which leads a subject to draw mistaken conclusions. (b) In stage magic and "conjuring", an orchestrated presentation designed to trick the perceptions of the audience.

Imagery- The ability to perceive images in the mind, whether it is visual, auditory, tactile, etc.

Immortality- Endless life or existence. The quality or state of being immortal; exemption from death and annihilation; unending existence; as, the immortality of the soul.

Implants- Term used for any device place upon or inside the body of a human being by alleged alien beings for purposes of tracking or controlling the person.

Incantaion-Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect. A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell.

Incline Effect- An increase in performance in clinical "psi" tests when the test is repeated. See also "decline effect".

Incorruptibility- Inexplicable lack of decay in a corpse, particularly in the Catholic tradition where the bodies of saints and martyrs do not show signs of decay or decomposition, sometimes decades or centuries after the death of the person.

Incubus- A malevolent male spirit form which sexually preys upon living female victims. See also "succubus".

Indirect Voice-Phenomenon in which a discarnate entity appears to speak using the vocal apparatus of a physical medium or channeler. Often, the voice is reported to sound altogether different from the medium's normal speaking voice. See also "direct voice".

Inner Voice- - Receiving guidance and assistance from inside of you.

Innocence Ghost- Traditionally, the spirit of a woman who is seduced and then deserted by her lover, only to die in a consequence of the act (ex- in childbirth or by suicide in grief over the illicit love affair). The ghost will haunt the woman's seducer and perhaps even generations of his family to come.

INSCOM- Military acronym for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.

INTELSAT- Governmental/Military acronym for International Telecommunications Satellite.

Intuition- The non-paranormal ability to grasp the elements of a situation or to draw conclusions about complex events in manners which may defy a purely rational or intellectual analysis. See also "clairsentience" and "empathy".

Investigation- A detailed inquiry or systematic examination or study.

Invisible assailants- Name given to a spirit classification characterized by inflicting painful and mysterious physical attacks upon the living. See also "incubus", "succubus", and "violent haunting".

Invisibles- Term generally used to describe the unseen playmates of many young children that only they can see. Although it is widely understood that such figures are purely figments of the imagination, it has also been often suggested that children are inherently more apt to see ghosts, an ability which gradually disappears through age and social conditioning.

Invocation- The summoning of benevolent beings. Often considered to be the polar opposite of "evocation", which involves the summoning of evil spirits.

IR- Acronym for infrared.

Iridology- The diagnosis of diseases of the body through the study of the iris of the eye.

IRIS- Governmental/Military acronym for Infrared Intruder System.

Isnashi- Also known as Mapinguary. Brazil's Bigfoot

J

Jacinth- Jacinth- See Hyancinth

Jack- Archaic term applied to particularly terrifying spirits.

Jack in Irons- A "ghost" reported to haunt the back roads of the English county of Yorkshire. Described as being tall in stature, "demoniac" in appearance, and swathed in chains. While the characterization of phantoms wrapped in chains is a popular image, it is a very rare phenomena to have multiple reports of a chained specter, particularly outside of a setting such as a dungeon or prison, where such an appearance might be more readily explained.

Jack-O'-Lantern- Long before the term came to describe a carved pumpkin illuminated with a candle to be set out on Halloween night to frighten off evil spirits, a jack'o'-lantern was another name used to describe the "will-o'-the-wisp", "corpse candles", "iganis fatuus", or other forms of spirits characterized as a luminous ball of light. The jack-o'-lantern was believed to be a wandering soul, unable to find refuge in heaven or hell, which would lead those foolish enough to follow them to their deaths. In other parts of Europe, these were believed to be the spirits of great warriors guarding the treasures which had been buried with them. The skeptical explanation is that these lights are most commonly reported in boggy areas such as marshlands and may be a result of the spontaneous combustion of natural gases found in these areas.

Jack Springheel- See "Springheeled Jack".

Jackdaw of Rheims- Title of one of the best known of 'The Ingoldby Legends' (Reverend Richard Harris Barham) in which the cardinal's rings vanishes.

JANAP- Governmental/Military acronym for Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication.

Janosian- A common point of reference in many cases involving "UFO" abductions, "contactee's" claim that "alien" beings state the planet Janosian was the original home of the human race before migrating to Earth.

JCS- Governmental/Military acronym for Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Jea- A magician who traveled from town to town and made his living by performing acts of charletanry.

Jesodoth- A belief of Jewish origin, in which Jesodoth brought 'Elohim' or understanding and wisdom to the earth.

Jet- Stone used for transformation and meditation

Jettatura-Italian for "evil eye"

Jimbra:Also known as Yowie, the Australian Bigfoot

Jimmy Squarefoot- The alleged ghost of a half-man and half-beast creature which is reported to haunt the Isle of Man. Originally tales implied that this creature was a large, ghostly pig which was ridden about like a horse by a cruel giant. More contemporary reports state that the ghost has the body of a man, but the head of a tusked wild boar.

Jingera- See Jimbra

Jinn- See "Jinnee".

Jinnee- Also known as a "djin", "jinn", or "genie", this Arabian spirit is similar to a ghost, but is kept confined in a brass vessel or a ring from which it can be summoned to do the bidding of its owner. Traditionally believed to be an offspring of elemental fire, some accounts hold that they can be created by sorcery from a man's shadow.

Joshua Project- See "Project Joshua".

JPL- Governmental acronym for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. The laboratory is a government sponsored 'think tank' which routinely debunks many alleged UFO incidents and reported encounters with alien beings.

JRC- Governmental/Military acronym for Joint Reconnaissance Center, a division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, charged with coordinating with land, air, sea, and undersea reconnaissance and intelligence gathering operations.

Judge- Clinical researcher who compares "targets" and "responses" in a psi experiment.

Jumping Worm- Also known as Tatzelwurm, Stoolenwurm and Springwurm. An alleged creature anywhere from five to seven feet in length, a snake-like body with large clawed legs and a cat-like head.

Jungli Admi- Also known as Sogpa, a mysterious primate from India. The Indian Sasquatch

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K

Ka Index - Ancient Egyptian term for the double or astral body. See also Ba.

Kabbalah- See Cabala

Karma- Hindu and Buddhist ethical doctrine of "as one sows, so shall one reap".

Kaki Besar- Also known as Sakai, Malaysian Sasquatch

Kakundakári- See Agogwe

Kamala and Amala:-Two young girls, Kamala (7-8 yrs) and Amala (1 ½ yrs) allegedly discovered in 1920 by Reverend J.A.L. Singh, living in a cave with a family of wolves in India.

Kappa- See Hibagon

Kaptar- See Albasty

Karma-Term used to describe the basic concept of Hinduism and Buddhism in which thoughts and deeds determine the consequences of one's life.

Kaspar Hauser- A sixteen year old boy who appeared in the streets of Nuremburg in May of 1828. The boy could barely walk, and could not use his fingers at all.

Key Cards - Reference cards used to indicate each target alternative in a card-guessing test.

Kirlian Photography- A photographic method involving high frequency electric current, discovered by S.D. & V. Kirlian in the Soviet Union. Kirlian photographs often show coloured halos or "auras" surrounding objects.

Kelpie- Scotland's best known spirit type, a water spirit which haunts rivers, usually luring the unwary to their deaths. According to folklore, the kelpie can take the appearance of a wild man, but more commonly appears as a young horse which tricks humans into climbing onto its back before it plunges with them into deep, treacherous waters. The spirit is said to wail eerily during storms and occasionally slap the water with its tail to produce sounds similar to thunder. Legends state that the spirit can be bound to do the bidding of the living by placing a bridle upon the horse spirit, but if the bridle should be taken off or slip off, the spirit will rebel against its captor and place a hereditary curse upon its assailant and their families.

Keraunoscopy- See Brontoscopy

Kerit- See Chimiset

Key Card-:Reference cards used to indicate each "target" alternative in a "card-guessing" test.

KGB-Governmental acronym for Komitet Gosudarstvennoi Bezopasnosti (Committee for State Security). The secret police of the USSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this bureau was renamed the Federal'naya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti (Federal Security Service), or FSB.

Khi-Trau- See Briaou

Khu- Ancient Egyptian word for a "ghost". According to this tradition, these spirits wandered the earth to haunt their families, spread illness, or to take "possession" of animals. Those persons who died as a result of execution for committing a crime, committed suicide, or drowned at sea, were regarded to become a rather malevolent form of ghost.

Kikambangwe- See Chimiset

Kikimora- Ancient Slavic term for a ghost said to attach themselves to certain households. Properly treated with respect, these spirits would protect the family from misfortune and occasionally assist in housework by tidying up and cleaning.

Kikomba- See Chimiset

Kirk-grim- A general term used to describe any phantom animal believed to haunt old churches.

Kine Pratie- See Bunyip

Kirlian Photography- A photographic process involving high frequency electric currents, discovered by S.D. and V. Kirlian in the Soviet Union. Kirlian photographs are noted for showing brightly colored halos or "auras" surrounding objects.

Kirtland AFB- Located in Albequerque, NM, this Air Force Base is the site of many alleged cases involving "UFO" phenomenon, including reported crashes of alien craft. In perhaps the most famous incident related to this installation, a series of low-level intrusions by "UFO's" during 1980 sent the base into a heightened state of alert as sightings began being reported around the base's nuclear weapons storage facilities. During the incidents, the base's radar systems were rumored to have been jammed and electronic communications systems allegedly disrupted by "extraterrestrial" intelligence.

Knissomancy- Also known as Livanomancy, a form of divination through the interpretation of burning frankincense.

Knockers- Ghosts in Cornish traditions, which dwell in tin mines and indicate large deposits of hidden ore by knocking on the walls of the shaft. Legends state that these were originally the ghosts of Jews who took part in the Crucifixion and were sent to Cornwall to work in the mines as punishment. There were, in fact, traders from the Middle East who bartered for tin in Cornwall during the time of the Biblical accounts and Jews working in the mines during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, lending some passing credence to the legends. The spirits are regarded as basically friendly, but terrified of the sign of the cross. Consequently, Cornish miners will not mark anything with a cross or an "x" for fear of offending the knockers.

Knowingness/Intuition- - To get information without knowing where it came from.

Kobolds- A German spirit very similar to the Cornish "knockers", although they are almost always regarded as malevolent and malicious spirits who causes rockfalls and accidents in mines.

Koddoelo- See Chimiset

Koki-teno- Fox spirits from Japanese traditions. Regarded to be "ghosts" which appear in the form of foxes, but have the ability to change their appearance to that of a beautiful female "apparition" dressed in white, flowing robes. The more malevolent breed of this classification use that appearance to seduce men in order to drain them of their life force.

Kongamato- A pterodactyl-like beast that allegedly lives in the Jiundu swamps in the Mwinilunga District of western Zambia.

Koyoreowen- See Jimbra

Kra-Dhan- See Albasty

Kraken- An enormous horned sea creature of Scandinavian legend and folklore.

Ksy-Giik- See Albasty

Kundalini-In Yogic belief, a source of tremendous vital energy that may be stimulated by various practices. Kundalini, or the "Serpent Power", is believed to provide energy for paranormal phe

Kung-Lu-See Dzu-Teh

Kupier Belt- The Kuiper Belt is a ring of ice formations and asteroids that circle our solar system at 30 to 100 "AU" from the sun. Rumored by some Ufologists to be a base of operations for "extraterrestrial" beings.

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L

Lampadomancy:- Also known as Lychnomancy, a form of divination using a single oil lamp, or sometimes a torch.

Language of the Birds- See Green language

Lares- A term employed by ancient Romans to describe the "ghosts" of people who had led virtuous lives and returned following death to act as advisors or guardian figures.

Lares domestici: Ancient Roman term for a 'household ghost', which reports suggest were very similar to "poltergeists" in that they tended to make considerable noise and throw items around the house.

Larvae- See "lemures".

LASP- Military acronym for Low Altitude Surveillance Platform, a pilotless spy craft some "UFO" researchers believe to be mistaken by witnesses to be of "extraterrestrial" origins.Laying on of Hands- A "healing" practice in which the "healer's" hands are placed on or near the body of the subject in need of healing. Very often associated with "faith healing" and religious practices.

Lecanomancy- A form of divination where precious stones are dropped into a basin of water and the ripples on the surface of the water are interpreted.

Lemures- Also known as "larvae", the name given by ancient Romans to evil ghosts or spirits of the dead which returned to torment their relatives and descendants. Sometimes believed to be the "ghosts" of criminals or those who had led wicked lives. Held to be particularly active during the month of May, regular festivals were established in Roman society to propitiate these spirits. To prevent a family member suspected of becoming a lemure from returning, black beans were often burned around a tomb or gravesite as a body was being laid to rest, under the belief that the smell of the burning beans would drive the spirit away. The only way to drive off a lemure was to gather as many family members and friends together to beat drums in an effort to make enough noise to frighten off the spirit.

Lemuria- Legendary lost continent said to be the original Garden of Eden.

Leviathan- A term used to describe any huge or monstrous creature.

Levitation- A form of psychokinesis (PK) wherein people, animals or objects rise into the air and float.

Ley Lines- Patterns and alignments of invisible earth energy that supposedly connect various sacred places.

Life after Death- See "immortality" and "survival".

Life Review- Flashbacks or the vivid recollection of memories from a person's lifetime, often associated with the "near-death" experience.

Libanomancy- See Capnomancy

Libation- A liquid poured as a ritual offering.

Libranomancy- Divination by examining the smoke rising from burning incense.

Liekko- A Finnish ghost similar to the British "jack-o'-lantern", a small flame-like apparitional form which floats about in a location where death may soon be expected. The word translates to 'flaming one' and is reported to be the spirit of a child who has been secretly buried in the forest.

Life Review- Flashback memories of the whole of a person's life, often associated with the near-death experience.

Lithomancy- Divination by examining the reflections of light off colored or precious stones.

Livanomancy- See Knissomancy

Lo-an- See Jimbra

Loch Ness Monste-: Also known as 'Nessie'. A mysterious aquatic creature said to dwell in Loch Ness in Scotland.

Longbody-Hypothetically, an intricate, living connection which links people, places, and objects together through "synchronicity".

Logarithmancy- Divination through logarithm tables or logarithms.

Lucid Dreamin-: Condition of dreaming in which the subject in unaware that he or she is experiencing a dream. Often associated with feelings of heightened awareness, vivid reality, and the ability to consciously control dream events.Lucid Dreaming Index
Dreaming in which the person is aware that the experience is a dream. Often associated with feelings of aliveness and freedom, and with the ability to control dream events.

Lucidity- (a) An archaic term for "clairvoyance". (b) "Lucid dreaming".

Luminous Phenomena- Strange lights or glowing effect surrounding objects or persons. See also "aura".

Luna-Literally translating to 'moon', this is a term in ufology for a reported "alien" base on the far side of the moon, allegedly seen and filmed by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin in July of 1969. Other NASA astronauts are also said to have reported (an sometimes later denied) UFO encounters on the moon during subsequent missions.

Lunomancy- Divination by interpreting the shadows cast on a person's face which are created by moonlight.

Lycanthropy- A condition in which people may allegedly be transformed into animals. The supposed magical transformation of a person into the form of a wolf.

Lychnomancy- Divination using three candles arranged into the shape of a triangle.

Lychnoscopy- See Lychnomancy

Lyrians- Allegedly an ancient race of humanoid "aliens", from which all other humanoid races are alleged to have evolved. Regarded as being closely related to the "Dal".

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