Glossary
The members of the Psivamps Mailing List have compiled and defined a number of terms that are commonly used in discussions. This will hopefully eliminate a good bit of confusion for those who are completely new to the whole psivamp/psion scene as well as for those who may just use different words than other people. If you would like to contribute to this list, please send your words with definitions to cheshire@msn.com so that they can be added. Also, if you've heard a particular word that isn't on this list and you'd like it defined, send me a not and it'll be added.
appalachian cunningwork - Folk magic system based on Celtic herbal magic, German hexcraft, Cherokee medicine, and African Rootwork. Money and Property spells are rare, but there are more than enough Vengeance, Love, and Protection spells.
astral - comes from a Greek word meaning "related to a star" and originally was used to describe where the Greek gods lived. See also 'astral plane'.
astral plane - a parallel world that reflects the physical world, only on a higher vibrational level. Sometimes called 'astral' for short.
astral projection - sending out one's consciousness to another location apart from one's body. This is not the same as going out of body, as one may astrally project while still remaining awareness of one's body and physical surroundings. Doing so is called bilocation.
aura - The biomagnetic/psychic energy field around a person/living or non-living thing.
awakening - The mental, emotional, spiritual and physical process of becoming aware of your vampirism. This term can also apply to other types of otherkin.
battery - A device or object used to store psychic energy so that it can be tapped at a later time.
beacon - A particular feeling or energy signature generated by vampires. The beacon can be masked, and modified, but generally cannot be eliminated.
bi-location - see 'astral projection.'
biofeedback - A technique of treating one's self by using signals from one's own body. The term was coined in 1969 to describe the procedures used to train research subjects to consciously control involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and body temperature.
born-psi - A person who is genetically inclined to use psi abilities. These abilities usually awaken spontaneously (without training) around age 5, or in a person's teens. Of course training is required to learn to control and improve these abilities.
chakra - A center of spiritual energy in the body. Different systems account for anywhere from 4 to 10 major chakras with many minor ones.
chaos magic - System of magic that breaks down spellcasting to the bare essentials. Sygils (symbols that represent the intention of a spell) and Servitors (magically constructed entities) are prevalent in this system. The main practice of this system uses a temporary belief structure established by the Chaos mage to lull the rational mind and simulate the subconscious where magical thought resides.
chi - In Chinese belief, chi is the life energy that permeates the universe. In the human body, it flows through channels called meridians. Health and sickness are attributed to the flow (or lack thereof) of a person's chi. See also 'prana,' 'ki.'
conduit - a person able to pull in and redirect energy.
counselor - One of three castes in the Kheprian system. A specific type of pranic vampire, who has the ability to feed other pranic vampires, often without the detriments other vampires would find in trying to feed one of their kind.
direct summoning - Form of Summoning (calling and directing entities) found in the Direct Magic System, a magic system that drops complex ritual use, focusing on the strenght, knowledge, and power of the individual mage. Their form of Summoning in theory focuses on generating emotional energy as "bait" for the entity they wish to summon.
divinatory necromancy - Basically talking to the dead, whether it be talking to thin air with the dearly departed, doing a ritual to call your ancestors, a seance, or astrally seeking a dead being to talk to.
ectoplasm - dense energy just above but still perceptable on the physical plane.
electrokinesis - The psychic ability to manipulate electricity and cause it to move from one point to another.
empath - a person who is able to psychically detect the emotions of others.
empathy - The ability to psychically detect the emotions of others.
energy signature - The remnant of a person's pattern which they may leave behind on objects they handle, or as part of psychic actions they take. Each pattern is unique, like a fingerprint, and allow a person to be identified. Patterns can be masked, and modified, but generally cannot be eliminated (some people can cut through the masking or modification to find the true pattern).
ether - the astral plane
galdur - Rune-chanting spells; Runes associated with one's intent and need are chanted to produce an effect.
generator - One term for a person who is a specialty born-on (a type of born-psi_ who has a hyperactive energy generation ability, along with other distinctive traits.
grounding - Making a connection with the ground in order to prevent overload or (in earth-energy working) draw up earth energy. The value of grounding depends on the system one is trained in. It can be considered basically the same as electrical grounding.
harvest - To gather energy in order to feed.
hedgecraft - Old form of witchcraft found in the places of Britain and America where people don't visit much. The name comes from the hedgerows that marked where civilization ended and the wild world began. Necromancy and Astral Projection are prevalent in this tradition.
ki - In Japanese belief, ki is the vital energy, or life force, of the universe. It is much the same as 'chi.' See also 'prana,' 'chi.'
kundalini - In Indian belief, kundalini is the energy coiled at the base of the spine. When awakened, this energy rises up along the spine, passing through the chakras, ending at the chakra above the head and creating a connection with the Divine.
kundalini yoga - Form of yoga that aligns the chakras (energy centers), then draws up a stream of energy called the Kundalini (loosely translates as Snake) from the root chakra at the bottom of the spine up the crown chakra at the top of the head. It's recommended that this is done slowly and carefully while learning it as the Kundalini can cause shock to the nervous system.
lightwork - A New Age energy system based on Reiki, Kundalini Yoga, and Synconicity. Its believed by many practitioners that its a Divine Mission for Lightworkers to be born on Earth to bring about great changes in spiritual evolution.
mundane - A somewhat rude term (to some :>) for persons who are not psychically aware, magically aware, pagan, SCA, Furry, etc, etc - usually used by people in a fringe group to denote those who fall into the average area of the bell curve of "normal." Literally, common, everyday, and boring.
nil (noun) - One term for a person who is not psychically active, and has no capability to become so.
non (noun) - A person born without psi genetics, but who generally may learn to use psi abilities with training.
phoenix - An Egyptian mythical bird that lives for 500 years before building itself a fire which is set alight by the setting sun, and arising young again from the ashes the next day. Also, one term for a generator. See 'generator.'
phoenix psychic - Another term for a generator. See 'generator.'
prana - The Sanskrit word for "breath." It has come to be accepted as meaning "life energy," but it is a clumsy translation of a broad, esoteric idea. It would be more accurate to say that prana is the "breath that gives life." Prana is not sexual energy. See also 'chi,' 'ki.'
psi - A Greek letter used in parapsychological experiments to denote the unknown factor. It has come to be used to refer to psychic phenomena. Also a specific type (the most common type) of psychic ability utilizing energy generated and directed by the mind and nervous system.
psion - A person who uses psi abilities.
psionics - The practice of using psi abilities.
psychic attack - An aggressive action against another using psychic ability.
psychic vortex - areas of enhanced linear energy flow that exists in dimensions deeper than electricity and magnetism.
psychokinesis - Formerly called telekinesis, this is the psychic ability to move objects and matter without physically touching them or affecting them with other material objects.
qui gong - Chinese and Japanese energy system based on cultivating, circulating, and using the life energies within and around the practitioner.
radiant (noun) - a person with the inborn ability to generate an excess of energy. See also 'generator'.
reiki - (pronounced ray-key)A Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It is also a form of hands-on energy healing. The reiki healer receives a series of attunements to open him or her up to the reiki energy.
scan - To use psychic abilities to actively try to find out information about a person/place/thing. Although most use it without knowing how it works, it involves sending a beam of energy out to the target, and gleaning information from the bounce-back.
shield - A psychic energy barrier/interference patter that a person puts around themselves (or another person/place/thing) to prevent other psychic energy from penetrating.
shielding - The practice of putting up/using a shield.
stav - Icelandic form of meditation/exercise/sparring that uses body positions based on Runes.
sygilcraft - Creating and using symbols to represent the intent and focus of a spell. The easiest form is writing the statement of intent, eliminating repetitive letters and jumbling the rest into a single icon. Other methods include converting the letter to numbers and drawing a geometric shape based on the sum, or find a pre-existing icon to represent your intent (charging a picture of Mr. Moneybags from Monopoly to get money).
tai chi - Most famous and popular of the Chinese "soft" martial arts (as opposed to the "hard" forms of Kung Fu, Karate, etc.). Uses fluidic movements to control body and calm the mind, as well as cultivate chi (life energy). Makes a surprisingly good fighting style, too.
telekinesis - This term was replaced in the parapsychological community because it was considered less accurate. (It means "distance movement." Psychokinesis means "mind-movement.") See 'psychokinesis.'
tendril - An extension of the aura that is used to reach out and latch on to another person's aura. Some use tendrils for feeding and for scanning.
trancendental meditation - AKA Western Yoga, based on Mantra (sounding) Yoga and Zazen (sitting meditation) and visualization. Used primarily to attain higher awareness of oneself, the universe, and the Divine. Mainly used for stress therapy.
wiccan energywork - A generalized term for the energy system used specifically in Wicca that utilizes the energy found in Nature and the Divine to work one's Will along the standards of the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law.