Special Note: At the risk of belabouring the extremely obvious, this page is a work in progress, with quite a distance to go before it sleeps.
Definitions, Premisses and Info

Ba - In an Ægyptian Paradigm the Ba has independent existence but also functions as a component of a sentient Being during a particular incarnation and/or series of incarnations. When discussed in reference to a particular Individual within a specific incarnation the Ba may be considered as the natural home of the psyche and the conscious mind of the person. The Ba also was the seat of the Intuition and Imagination of the Being. Together with the Ka it could travel through the Umbras or Levels, transitioning the membraenes between them, but once in the Kingdom of Reeds the Ba could remain there alone, representing the Entity, allowing the Ka to guard the other interests of the Entity. If considered within a Sanatana Dharma Chakric context, the Ba might be considered to work in the arena of the Ajna Chakra. (It is interesting to note that the Sanatana Dharma term for this chakra is the only one out of these seven which has worked it's way into common parlance in the West, though it is referred to as the Pineal Chakra in some cases.) A more complete listing of the various component parts in this particular system of reconstituted Ægyptian Parts of the Entity.

Baculum - When the term Baculum [in Aleister Crowley's 777 Tables of Correspondences as Wand, key number 4, 12, 20 and 31] is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a practitionor's Wand of Force (hence the Latin term referring to force) used to represent the component of Will and Intuition in Workings and help focus or direct the flow of the Energy created, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. Baculum is also used in some Traditions to refer to the practitionor's or group's ceremonial Staff, Rod and/or Broomstick.

Bahá'í - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents as such, and holding the teachings of Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad as primary or critical parameters of their Spiritual Paradigm. The Bahá'í Faith arose from Islam, in some ways similar to the way Christianity arose from Judaism. It has since grown to be a worldwide faith. It is most commonly spelled Bahá'í, although alternate spellings of Ba'Hai, Bahai, and Bah'ai are sometimes seen. Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad (1819-1850 CE) assumed the title Bab which means the Gate. On 23 May 1844 He announced the "Declaration of the Bab." He explained that the purpose of His mission was to herald the arrival of "One greater than Himself", Who would fulfill the prophetic expectations of all the great religions. This date is regarded as the founding of the Bahá'í Faith. His followers became known as Babis. 20,000 were martyred for their beliefs. His movement caused much religious ferment. This led to His execution in 1850 by order of the Shah's chief minister at the instigation of Muslim clerics, who saw His movement as a threat to orthodox Islam. Bahá'ís believe that there is only one God who is the source of all creation. • God is transcendent and unknowable. However, He has sent, and will continue to send, great prophets to humanity, through which the Holy Spirit has revealed the "Word of God". The Great Manifestations of God up to this time have been: 1. Adam (? BCE) 2. Abraham (? BCE) 3. Moses (1456 BCE) 4. Krishna (1249 BCE) 5. Zoroaster (1000 BCE) 6. Buddha (757 BCE) 7. Jesus Christ (34 CE) 8. Mohammed (613 CE) 9. The Bab (1844 CE) 10. Baha'u'llah (1863 CE) (Dates shown are common estimates from historical and Christian sources; BCE dates are very approximate) A new prophet is not expected for many centuries. • The Bahá'ís believe in an essential unity of the great religions of the world. However, this does not mean they believe the various religious creeds and doctrines are identical. Rather, they view all religions as having sprung from the same spiritual source. The social and outer forms of different religions vary due to the circumstances at the time that they were founded. Other differences in doctrine and belief can be attributed to later accretions, after the death of the founder.

Banner - When the term Banner is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a device made out of fabric which through the symbology of its design and/or materials represents a particular group, idea or force, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Banners of the East - When the term Banners of the East is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to

Banners of the West - When the term Banners of the West is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to

Bardic Wicca - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. A mix of Celtic Wicca and Celtic Druidry.

Barter Opposite -

Basque - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents which holds teachings originating in and/or interpolations thereon as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm.

Batraquomancy - A type of divination using observation of appearance and/or behaviour of frogs A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Bearors of the Gifts and Persuasions - Persons acknowledged to have skill, trained and/or innate talent for one of the Gifts or Persuasions other than the types of Healing for example: any of the types of Divination and/or any type of ExtraSensory Perception or Power.

Beauty - As a concept difficult to define in the same way that Goodness is, both because Beauty is such a subjective determination and because what is usually referred to is the Experiencing and/or Effects of perceiving that which is determined to be Beauty.

Belief -

Bell - When the term Bell is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a cup shaped, saucer shaped or hollow spherical metallic device that gives forth a ringing sound when struck by a clapper, hammer or loose ball inside, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. Often utilized for signalling various phases of a Working

Belomancy - A type of divination by observing placement of dropped arrows, in some cases a type of sortiledge A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Benevolence - To be benevolent is to be possessed by a desire for the good of others and a willingness to forward that good actively. Since the good of others takes many different forms it requires a range of different responses. Benevolence, therefore, may take the form of compassion, mercy, kindness, or generosity. While benevolence is quite properly understood as a general attitude of goodwill towards others and as the specific forms such goodwill might take, the term has also come to be used more recently in a much narrower sense, to refer to acts of charity. An act of charity occurs when some benefit is freely bestowed by one individual with a surplus on another who is in need. This narrowing of the meaning of benevolence means what was initially a term used to describe an uncontroversially desirable attitude to others has come to be used, perhaps, to put a good face on the largess of the better-off to the worse-off. It thereby introduces doubts about the moral value of benevolence. The question of the moral importance of benevolence is often addressed by way of a comparison with the alternative major 'other-regarding' virtue, justice. Benevolence is said to depend, for instance, on the agent's feeling concern for others, while the demands of justice are recognized by reason and are thus independent of the vagaries of individual emotional capacity. This particular contrast owes a great deal to Hume's influential account of benevolence as a natural and essentially sentiment-based virtue, which has led some to conclude that it is inadequate to meet the demands of morality because it is neither impartial nor, ultimately, open to rational assessment. There are, however, other conceptions of benevolence which evade these criticisms. Utilitarianism, for example, may be described as a theory of universal benevolence, which refuses any necessary connection between feeling and right action. Nevertheless, its highly stipulative definition of benevolence is challenged by the Humean recommendation that we ought to assess and be critical of our moral relationships from the point of view of sentiment. A second possible contrast between justice and benevolence consists in the assertion that, because it is by definition concerned with what is strictly due to others, justice marks the boundaries of what we are morally obliged to do, while benevolence consists in morally desirable, but in the final analysis optional, actions. However, this view merely reflects the largely unargued assertion that justice is of overriding moral importance. To conceive of justice and benevolence as independent and mutually exclusive in this way may be mistaken: the two notions seem rather to be logically correlative and, therefore, they cannot be explicated independently of each other. And if they are logically correlative, i.e. related not only at the level of certain particular conceptions of each, but in all and any full and coherent conceptions of either, then fully to understand a conception, or to achieve a proper conception, of either justice or benevolence requires making explicit the conception of the other that it implies and from which it partly derives.

Besom - When the term Besom is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a bundle of twigs or broom, in some cases an actual broom, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Bhakti Yoga, The Path of Devotion or Divine Love (one of four main paths of Yoga) - This path appeals particularly to those of an emotional nature. The Bhakti Yogi is motivated chiefly by the power of love and sees God as the embodiment of love. Through prayer, worship and ritual he surrenders himself to God, channeling and transmuting his emotions into unconditional love or devotion. Chanting or singing the praises of God form a substantial part of Bhakti Yoga.

Bibliomancy - A type of divination from lines or passages from the Abramic texts commonly collected and referred to as the bible A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

BiLocation - One of the Gifts or Persuasions that allows an Individual to be in two places at once.

Bioôrheômancy - A type of divination using BioRythms A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Black Forest Clan - (see The Black Forest Clan)

Black Mirror Objects - When the term Black Mirror is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to an implement in the form of a mirror with a black nonreflective surface that is specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Black Mirror Scrying -

Blue Star Wicca - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding the Tradition developed by Frank Dufner and Tzipora Katz as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. Founded in 1976 Norristown, PA by Frank Dufner ("the Wizard") and Tzipora Katz, who later moved to Manhattan where they trained and initiated a number of people. Early rituals were based on Alexandrian and Greco-Roman Traditions. After Frank and Tzipora's divorce, in the early 1980's, Kenny Klein became high priest, steering the Tradition towards a more traditional British form, discarding Alexandrian and ceremonial rituals and replacing them with British Isles folkloric Craft practices.

Boko-Maru - in the context of the Vonnegutian Bokononist Religion is a ritual for "the mingling of awarenesses". It consists in two people extending their legs, thrusting their arms behind them for support, and putting their bare feet together.

Bokononism - A MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by it's members and/or adherents as such, and holding the teachings contained about Bokkonon in Kurt Vonneguts satirical novel "Cat's Cradle" as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. Mr. Vonneguts' representations of Bokonon's ironic observations appeal to many, in a somewhat similar manner to the Erisian, and/or Discordian teachings.

Bolline - When the term Bolline is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a white handled knife, single edged to reflect it's working nature, and used in ritual purposes of cutting herbs, or engraving candles, etc.,specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. It is a physical reality working tool as differentiated from the magickal Athamé. The white handle is in reference to the Bolline's difference from the black handled Athamé. Occasionally the Bolline may also take the form of a miniature scythe, a curved bladed tool; in this form it is a magickal sickle used often to cut herbs and mistletoe

Bon - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding as the traditional Tibetan teachings prior to their syncretization with Buddhism as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. The native Tibetan religion that was later merged with Buddhism and Tantrism

Bon Pa -

Book - When the term Book is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to any bound text that is used in a Working, whether read from or simply as an Sacramental Object on an Altar. Best specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Book of Light- When the term Book is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a journal for recording Magickal Learnings and Teachings from experiential study, in reference to Conscious Spiritual Evolution, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Book of Shadows- When the term Book is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a journal for recording Magickal Learnings and Teachings from experiential study, in reference to Individual Inner Workings, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Book of the Dead - (if reference is to the Ægyptian recension, see The Book of Shadowing Forth by Day)

Book of the Law - (if reference is to Thelemic subjects, see The Book of The Law)

Borderlands - The area where the normal consensus Reality bumps up against and/or interacts with other Realities. Some would say that these phenomena, whether, Fairies of the Shee, Angels, Heavenly Bridegrooms (and/or Brides, and so forth), and the UFO phenomena, while not the same things, exactly, all do share Borderlands characteristics.

Borderlessness -

Botanomancy - A type of divination using leaves, branches or plants, often by burning, as a form of pyromancy A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Boundary Conditions -

Bow - When the term Bow is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a type of implement made ordinarily of a strip or compound strip of wood, metal or some other flexible material (for Magickal uses plastic is normally contraindicated) with a cord that connects the two ends so that strip of flexible material is bent in an arc and is under tension, so that it may be used to propel arrows, by nocking the arrow on the cord and drawing it back against the tension so that when release it will be propelled through the air towards some specific target, i.e.: the type of bow that is used in archery but specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Bow and Arrow - When the term Bow and Arrow [in Aleister Crowley's 777 Tables of Correspondences, key number 13 and 30] is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to either a bow and arrow or arrows specifically made for general of particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. Normally should be made of wood, metal and natural cording to the extent possible.

Bracelet - When the term Bracelet is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to ceremonial jewelry worn either around the wrist or the upper arm symbolizing the Communicative Energy Centers and in some cases as a badge of office or indication of achievement, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Brahmacharya - The Yama that is called Brahmacharya is categorized as non-excess in all things (control of all senses), obviously this is an oversimplification but a useful one for metaphysical study. The Yamas are one of the Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga from the traditions of the Indus Valley. The Yamas or restraints (Don'ts) are divided into five moral injunctions, aimed at destroying the lower nature. They should all be practiced and developed by the letter but also more importantly in the spirit. They should all be practiced in word, thought and deed. The other four of the five Yamas are:
Ahimsa or non-violence
Satyam or non-lying
Asteya or non-stealing
Aparigraha or non-covetousness

Brain -

Brazier - When the term Brazier is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to some sort of portable fire holder, usually raised and usually portable. Braziers are normally specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Bread - When the term Bread [in Aleister Crowley's 777 Tables of Correspondences, key number 20] is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a baked grain product specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. The Bread should be made from a dough that will rise and then be cooked, and should be made of grain or in some cases a flour made of other vegetable items from which it is possible to make flour.

BreastPlate - When the term BreastPlate is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a consecrated object which is designed to cover the Breast or Chest of the practitionor in a Working and ordinarily represents both protective forces and heraldic functions, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. The BreastPlate may be a symbolic statement of the identity, claims, goals and/or abilities of the practitionor with the Magickal intent of effectuating the furtherance of those concepts in Durative Time.

British Traditional Wicca - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding the teachings of the Gardnerian and the Alexandrian Wiccan Traditions and their branches and offshoots, and/or interpolations thereon as primary or critical parameters of their Spiritual Paradigm. British Traditional Wiccan groups can trace their lineage to Gerald Gardner, and/or to Alex and Maxine Sanders. Some British Traditional Wiccans practice the arts of Traditional Witchcraft from ancestors in ancient Europe, such as those that have been preserved and passed on by the Ordo Anno Mundi, a magical order of Initiates dedicated to the training of its members in the arcane sciences of nature. British Traditional Wiccans experience the same Mysteries, using substantially the same rituals and techniques. Variations may exist between individual Covens, Lineages and Traditions but it is the same Initiatory Mystery Path. The British Traditional groups view Wicca as an Initiatory, Oathbound, Magick-using, Pagan Mystery Priest/Priestesshood celebrating the Mysteries contained in the Legend of the Descent of the Goddess and in the Charge of the Goddess.

British Traditional Witchcraft - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding the teachings of one or more Hereditary, or Traditional, British source as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. In most cases British Traditional Witchcraft is considered only to include those having lineage of initiation from a British Hereditary and/or Traditional source. Some interpretations of the term British Traditional Witchcraft also include the Gardnerian and the Alexandrian Wiccan Traditions, their branches and offshoots and several others derived from British sources such as Sybil Leek's Horsa Coven, Plant Bran, and the Clan of Tubal Cain. Some British Traditional Witches consider the term Wicca a synonym for British Traditional Witchcraft, while others reserve the term Wicca for the Gardnerian and Alexandrian Traditions and their offshoots and consider Wicca to be a wholly-contained subset within British Traditional Witchcraft.

Brujeria - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding an integration of shamanic Native American belief from the region now called Mexico and some teachings of the Roman Catholic variety of Christianity as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. Practitioners are called Bruja (female) and Brujo (male); and Curandera (female) and Cureandero (male). Both Curanderos and Brujos use herbal and folk remedies.

Bubliomancy - A type of divination by opening a book, manuscript or text of any sort and selecting lines or passages at random A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Bubliotreptosomancy - A type of divination by the Book of Changes, commonly called the Yi Jing or I Ching, an ancient Chinese Daoist text A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Buddhism - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents as such, and holding the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and/or interpolations thereon as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. (also see: the complete entry on Buddhism.) Most of the Traditions which are selfdefined as Buddhist, interpret these teachings to include that suffering is the basic nature of our current existence and that enlightenment from this condition involves the extinction of the false self to effectuate merging with Nibbana, though their interpretation of the nature of Nibbana often are quite different. Buddhism, like most of the widespread religions of the world, is divided into a number of different Traditions (See other entries reflecting some of these Traditions: Amarapura (Sri Lankan) Buddhism, Engaged Buddhism, HinaYana Buddhism, Madhyamika Buddhism, MahaYana Buddhism, Maitreyan Buddhism, Meditational Buddhism, Original Source ReConstructionist Buddhism, Pali Canon Fundamental Buddhism, Philosophical Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, Rational Humanist Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism, Western Emergent Buddhism and Zen Buddhism.)

Builders of the Adytum - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by its members and/or adherents holding as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. Builders of the Adytum was founded in the United States of America by Paul Foster Case in the early 1900s. Case was a profound sage whose life was dedicated to the task of making some, but not all, of the Western Tradition of spiritual training sufficiently public so that any serious spiritual aspirant could have access to it. His work became the foundation for Builders of the Adytum. Central to this tradition is the application of the powers of consciousness to the solution of the many problems faced by aspirants in their daily lives. To this end, Builders of the Adytum offers its members a correspondence curriculum based on the Sacred Tarot and Holy Qabalah, the object of which is the self-transmutation of the aspirant's personality. Success with this work, however, requires self discipline and perseverance on the part of the aspirant. If you are not capable of self discipline, or are not interested in transforming your personality so that it may contribute to life more effectively, Builders of the Adytum cannot help you. It exists only for serious spiritual aspirants who are ready and willing to take responsibility for their spiritual unfoldment. The major objective of B.O.T.A. is to promote the welfare of humanity, which is embodied in their seven-point program:

1. universal peace
2. universal political freedom
3. universal religious freedom
4. universal education
5. universal health
6. universal prosperity
7. universal spiritual unfoldment. B.O.T.A. was founded in 1922 by Dr. Paul Foster Case for the study of practical occultism. The organization is now led by Dr. Ann Davies. As a recognized world authority on the Tarot and Kabbalah, Dr. Case was given the task by the Inner School of reinterpreting the Ageless Wisdom into terms understandable to the modern Western mind. The primary purpose of B.O.T.A. is to teach and practice the doctrine of the Oneness of God, the brotherhood of man, and the kinship of all life patterned after the Ageless Wisdom mystery schools of spiritual training, as particularly exemplified by the Kabbala

Building Energy- Garden of Life considers Building Energy a Pagan Sacrament. In a preliminary description Building Energy may be an Act and/or Process performed by all Celebrants for the effect of gathering and increasing Physical, Mental and Spiritual Energies to be directed at one or more specific Stated Goals. At a Celebratory Working this process is ordinarily led by one or more Officiants, proficient in Working with the Spiraling Energies. For example: when a Priestess Leads the Celebrants in the Dance of Life and Weaves the Built Up Energy into a Pattern that will Enhance and Multiply the Strength of that Energy, perhaps while making silent or verbal Affirmations along with various Symbolic Gestures Sacred to a Tradition. Dance, Chant, Artistic Creation, Song, Stimulation of the Senses, and Visualization are some of the Forms Building Energy may take.

Below please find the wording that Garden of Life uses in it's Articles of Organization to delineate this Sacrament:
an Act, Acts, a Process, Processes and/or Series of Acts and/or Processes performed by all Celebrants for the effect of gathering and increasing Physical, Mental and Spiritual Energies to be directed at one or more specific Stated Goals. At a Celebratory Working this process is ordinarily led by one or more Officiants, proficient in Working with the Spiraling Energies (often characterized as Feminine), such as when a Priestess Leads the Celebrants in the Dance of Life and Weaves the Built Up Energy into a Pattern that will Enhance and Multiply the Strength of that Energy, perhaps while making silent or verbal Affirmations along with various Symbolic Gestures, which have become Sacred to our Tradition. Some of the Forms this Building may take are Dance, Chant, Artistic Creation, Song, Stimulation of the Senses, and Visualization.

BullRoarer - When the term BullRoarer is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a slat or slats of wood tied into thongs that when whirled around creates an intermittent roaring sound.

Burin - When the term Burin [in Aleister Crowley's 777 Tables of Correspondences, key number 15] is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to an engraving tool, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same. The Burin a blade tool often made simply with a wooden handle carved by the user and a sharpened nail. Some very traditional Burins are made out of Flint or Obsidian, flaked on either or both ends to form a small chisel or grooving tool.

Burning Times - (see The Burning Times)

Busy, Busy, Busy - in the context of the Vonnegutian Bokononist Religion is what a Bokononist whispers "whenever [he] thinks about how complicated and unpredictable the machinery of life really is."