Devotional Practice
Folk magic
Protective charms, witch bottles, and everyday materials in local magical traditions, with documented British museum examples.
Results for “Religious experience and discernment”
Organizations & Traditions
Church of Satan
The Church of Satan is the organization founded by Anton LaVey in 1966. Its official account describes Satanism as atheistic and gives Satan a symbolic role.
Organizations & Traditions
Builders of the Adytum
A school of the Western mysteries associated with Paul Foster Case, Ann Davies, Tarot, and Qabalistic study.
Demonology & Spirits
Azazel
Azazel is a figure associated with the Day of Atonement in Leviticus, a rebellious Watcher in 1 Enoch, and a demonological and occult figure in later traditions. This article traces the development of Azazel from ancient Jewish texts through later demonology and modern Satanic interpretations.
Demonology & Spirits
Beelzebub
Beelzebub and related spellings appear in distinct biblical contexts. Later demonological interpretations should not be retroactively read into each earlier occurrence.
Organizations & Traditions
Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis
A modern Rosicrucian organization, usually called AMORC, that teaches through lessons and local study groups.
Theology & Cosmology
Hermetic Qabalah
Western esoteric systems that adapt Kabbalistic ideas through ritual, correspondence tables, and symbolic interpretation.
Texts & Sources
Ars Almadel
An angelic art in the Lemegeton, using a wax tablet, candles, and a hierarchy of heavenly altitudes.
Texts & Sources
Third Enoch
The Hebrew Enochic work associated with heavenly palaces and Enoch’s transformation into Metatron.
Texts & Sources
Book of Jubilees
A retelling of Genesis and early Exodus arranged through jubilees, with angelic revelation, calendar teaching, and expanded narratives.
Demonology & Spirits
Ereshkigal
A Mesopotamian queen of the underworld, known through myths of descent and traditions concerning Nergal.
Devotional Practice
Talismans
Objects prepared or used for a particular effect through inscriptions, images, materials, and ritual meaning.
Devotional Practice
Scrying
A divinatory or visionary practice involving a reflective surface, crystal, or other focus for reported images and messages.
Demonology & Spirits
Astaroth
Astaroth appears in early modern spirit catalogues and later illustrated demonology. Source editions matter when comparing the figure’s rank, appearance, and supposed knowledge.
Texts & Sources
Picatrix
Picatrix is the Latin title associated with an influential Arabic work of astral magic. Its cosmological and ritual framework differs from a catalogue of Goetic spirits.
Demonology & Spirits
Raziel
Raziel is an angel associated with the revelation of divine secrets, especially the legendary book given to Adam. His name appears in Jewish interpretive and magical literature and later Western esotericism, where Agrippa connects him with Chokmah, or Wisdom.
Texts & Sources
Satan in 1 Chronicles
In 1 Chronicles 21, Satan or an adversary incites David to count Israel. Comparison with 2 Samuel 24 raises questions about divine agency, translation, and the development of the adversary figure.
Demonology & Spirits
Mastema
Mastema is a leader of harmful spirits in the Book of Jubilees. His appearances in the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Moses connect temptation, accusation, and hostility with a power that remains subject to divine limits.
Demonology & Spirits
Amon
A Goetic marquis with a wolf-like appearance, associated with knowledge and the making or resolution of disputes.
Demonology & Spirits
Beleth
A Goetic king riding a pale horse, associated with desire and an elaborate ceremonial reception.