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

- A period of time, the changing of which is often characterized by major shifts in the Paradigms of the Civilization of such Era, and correlated to Astronomically determinable changes, most often the Precession of Equinoxes as the Vernal Equinox moves to a new Constellation of the traditional Zodiac approximately every two millennia. In addition to the Ægypto-Sumerian above, the Mayan Culture also speculated Aeons of approximate two millennia duration based on the apparent position of the Galactic Center.

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

Earth Magick - A magickal system that draws primarily on the Element of Earth and the reverence of Nature.

Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Culture -

Earth-Oriented-Spirituality Traditions - Any religion which reveres the Earth, and Nature, as the manifestation of the Divine, and calls for harmony with Nature and all life and for ecology. Many pagan traditions are Earth religions.

Earth Power Patterns - Energy that forms patterns around and/or on the Earth, such as Hartmann Grids and Geopathic Zones, Ley-Lines and Crop Circles.
Hartmann Grids are composed of lines that form a grid around the earth running north to south and east to west. The north-south lines appear approximately every 6 feet 6 inches and the east-west lines appear approximately every 8 feet 2 inches. They extend to a height of 60-600 feet and were detected in 1950 by German medical doctor Ernst Hartmann. The worst place a person can sleep or work is over junctures or "Hartmann knots", where two Hartmann lines cross and radiation is intensified.
Geopathic Zones's direction is random and may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. When natural radiation rises through the earth, its wavelength can be distorted by weak electromagnetic fields from subterranean running water, mineral concentrations, fault lines, underground cavities or other unnatural fields (high tension wires, satellite towers, electrical street poles, or fuse boxes). These distorted radiation fields can be harmful to some living organisms.

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica - 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.

Eckankar Religion of the Light and Sound of God - 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. Eckankar is a unique religious and spiritual path, sometimes called the Religion of the Light and Sound of God. Its name can be translated " co-worker with God". Eckankar members are called ECKists or ECK chelas. ("Chelas" means "student"). Eck teachings have ancient roots. Unfortunately much knowledge was lost to history until Paul Twitchell (Paulji) rediscovered it. He founded Eckankar in 1965 and established it as a non-profit religious organization in 1970. Details of Twitchell's life are obscure: his date of birth has been listed variously as 1908, 1912 and 1922. Eckankar followers believe that he studied under two Eck Masters: Sudar Singh in Paris and India, and an elderly monk Rebazar Tarzs in Tibet. They believe that he received the title of the 971st Eck Master from Tarzs in 1965, thus becoming the latest in a series of Masters which began before recorded history. Some of the past Masters are known historical figures; most have been solitary practitioners or have taught small groups. Paul Twitchell apparently gained additional knowledge from Kirpal Singh, an Eastern Guru, founder of the Ruhani Satsang movement. After Paul Twitchell's death in 1971, Darwin Gross, the 972nd Eck Master became the Mahanta of Eckankar. (A Mahanta is the spiritual leader of Eckankar, a "living manifestation of God"). Subsequently, Sri Harold Klemp (1942-) became the 973rd Eck Master in 1981; he now heads the movement as its Mahanta.
Beliefs:
• Sugmad is a sacred name of God. God is perceived as neither male nor female.
• An ECK current connects every person with the Heart of Sugmad. It flows from the Creator to the lower levels of existence and then returns to God.
It is often called the Holy Spirit. ECK manifests itself in two forms:
• an "Inner Sound", the "Voice of God calling us home". The Sound may be present as a sound of nature or as music.
• an "Inner Light which is a beacon to light our way". During spiritual exercises, the light sometimes materializes as "brightness or colors on your inner visual screen".
• Eckankar believes in the duality of the soul and body. The soul is the inner, most sacred part of an individual. It is eternal, without beginning or end. It lives only in the present. One's soul can exist and travel separately from the body and even from the mind.
• A person is capable of exploring other planes of existence, through Soul Travel.
Unlike "Astral Projection" which is taught by other spiritual traditions,
Soul Travel is not limited to the Astral Plane; it allows you to go further and explore any of the God worlds.
• Among the 11 worlds there are 5 lower (psychic or material) and 6 upper (spiritual) planes.
Each has a regular name; a classical name; an associated sound and light; a Temple of Golden Wisdom and a guardian.
The lower planes are:
• Physical plane: the coarsest material level
• Astral plane: the "source of human emotion, psychic phenomena, ghosts and UFO's".
• Causal plane: where memories of previous lives are stored
• Mental plane: which contains the source of ethics, moral teachings and philosophy
• Etheric plane: this is the boundary with the higher worlds.
It is the source of the "subconscious and primitive thoughts".
Before entering the spiritual levels, the chela (student) discards their mind and continues in their Tuza (soul).
• Eckankar has a concept of Karma that is somewhat similar to that found in Sanatan Dharma.
Through attachment to the five passions (anger, greed, lust, undue attachment to the physical world and vanity) one's bad karma accumulates.
This requires a person to be reincarnated at death, in order have an opportunity to work off the debt of karma in their next life.
The goal of Eckists is to pay off all of this accumulated debt and achieve Self-Realization in their present life.
Once this state is reached, at death one need not return and spend another lifetime on earth. One is freed from the endless cycles of reincarnation.
• Eckankar is regarded by its followers as the best (but not the only) path to God-realization. Christianity is recognized as an alternate path that can aid a follower to achieve a degree of enlightenment. Christians, and others, may join Eckankar without renouncing their existing religion.
Practices:
• Eckankar does not attempt to evangelize the world by aggressively converting individuals to their religion. They do not actively proselytize. However, they do advertise their presence and distribute literature to interested persons.
• Members generally sing or chant a mantra for 20 to 30 minutes each day. HU (pronounced "hue") is a common mantra; it is an ancient name for God, and is considered a love song to God.
• Various spiritual exercises are promoted by the organization: chanting, contemplation, meditation, singing, trance work and visualization techniques are used to achieve soul travel. Travel during dreams is an area of growing importance in the movement. Dreams are regarded as an important teaching tool; a "look into the heavenly worlds". Members are urged to keep a dream journal to facilitate study.
• Worship Services consist of a readings, singing "HU", silent contemplation and an open discussion. It "may also include music, group singing and talks".
• Initiations mark an individual's spiritual progress within Eckankar. At the Second Initiation, one makes a personal commitment. At the fifth initiation, one becomes a Mahdis (High Initiate) and a member of the ECK clergy.
• Members who have reached the Second Initiation are urged to conduct a partial or full fast each Friday.
• Eckankar considers abortion, divorce, sexual orientation, and a decision to terminate life to be personal matters.
They discourage the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Many followers are active in a community service.

Eckankar Texts: Shariyat-Ki-Sugmand is the Eckankar Scripture. Paul Twitchell wrote many books including Eckankar, The Key to Secret Worlds, Consciousness, The Key to Life, and Stranger by the River.

Eclectic - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation of Experiential Spiritual Methodology, which is ordinarily characterized by much emphasis being placed on locating Forms and Techniques from a variety of sources, trying out the ones that seem promising and accumulating those that appear to work for the Individuals involved. selecting and integrating beliefs, forms and techniques from diverse traditions and methodologies in a continual process without solidification into a new tradition

Eclectic Magick - A form of Ceremonial Magick which is Magick that calls upon the aid of beneficent spirits and is based upon a blend of doctrines of Plato and other Greek philosophers, Oriental mysticism, Judaism and Christianity. Eclectic Magick draws from these sources in addition to a variety of different sources including Enochian Magick, Thelemic Magick, Egyptology, Alchemy and Chaos Magick.

Eclectic Paganism - 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 as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm.

Eclectic 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. ECLECTIC WICCA: Wicca traditions that combine elements from several different traditions to form their own unique system of reverence and/or magick. Many solitary practitioners are considered to be Eclectic.

Eclectic 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 as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. Eclectic Witch-Most simply put, an Eclectic Witch is an individual who picks and chooses from many different traditions to create a personalized form of witchcraft that meets his or her own needs and abilities.

Eclecticism - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation toward the Divine includes parts from more than one of the other Orientations.

Eclecticist - Individual who adheres to an eclectic approach, gathering parts from disparate sets.

Ecstasy - A state of being beyond reason and/or self-control characterized by intense emotional excitement and/or other sensations, rapturous delight typically manifested by intense activity or by profound calm and abstraction of mind, often referred to respectively as Dionysian or Apollonian Ecstasy, the intensity of the experience not being related to the type of manifestation.

Ecstatic - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation of Experiential Spiritual Methodology, infusion with awe and wonder towards the holy, spiritual and/or otherworldly occurrences and/or impressions

Ecstatic States - States characterized by Ecstasy, a state of Exaltation or Rapturous Delight usually of either a Dionysian (extroverted, demonstrative) or Apollonian (profound calm or abstraction of Mind, harmonious, measured and/or balanced) class. Which class does not reflect upon the intensity of the Experience, an Apollonian Ecstatic State may be extremely potent and a Dionysian one mild, or vice versa. The State itself is Beyond Reason and Self-Control through intense emotional excitement or other Sensation. The Greek root words imply Being without a place to stand, i.e. outside normal reality, out of the box.

Ecstatic Trance - A Trance State in which intense absorption in Divine or Cosmic Matters is accompanied by a loss of sense perception and voluntary control.

Ego - the ego is the centre of the field of consciousness and gives the individual his or her sense of purpose and identity. It organizes the conscious mind, mediating consciousness with the unconscious. The Ego is the precious "light" of consciousness which must always be guarded.

Egoism - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is

Egoism - 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. Belief that human conduct is governed by self-interest. Psychological egoism holds that all human beings are, as a matter of fact, motivated to act only in pursuit of their own (at least apparent) advantage, never for the sake of others. Ethical egoism is the normative theory that right conduct can be defined in terms of (an enlightened notion of) one's own welfare. Though often held jointly, the distinction between fact and value clearly renders the two views distinct: some might argue that human beings ought to act on their own behalf even though they don't always do so, while others could suppose that they invariably do act selfishly even though they ought not

Egotism - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is

Egregore -

Egregoric Campagne -

Eidos - Greek term for figure or shape. In the philosophy of Plato, the eidos is the immutable genuine nature of a thing, one of the eternal transcendent forms apprehended by human reason: Nous. By extension, Husserl used the term "eidetic" for the phenomenological apprehension of essences generally.

Eight Limbs of Yoga - (from the traditions of the Indus Valley)
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi, there may be a correlation between Karma Yoga and Yama; between Bhakti Yoga and Niyama; between Raja Yoga and Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana; and between Jnana Yoga and Samadhi.

Eikásia - Greek term used by Plato, to signify human imagination, which is focused exclusively on temporal appearances.

Eireannach - 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. Pronounced AIR-un-n'yock, this name is a catch-all of many Irish-influenced traditions.

Elan Vital - This is a topic that is neither unique to homeopathy nor an invention of Samuel Hahnemann. In fact, every healing philosophy and medical modality has some term for it, some method of naming this invisible, intangible force that animates us and allows our bodies to be self-healing, as do most Spiritual Traditions. This Energy and/or substance is also sometimes known as: Elan Vital [("momentum of life") for Bergson], Archeus [for Paracelsus], Lebenskraft [for Hahnemann], Chi [in Chinese Medicine], Orgone [for Reich], Entelecheia [for Aristotle], and Dynamis [(energy) for Hippocrates] Jay Yasgur's Dictionary of Homeopathic Medical Terminology gives us a good working definition of Vital Force: "That energy which maintains life in the individual. It is unique from person to person, each being endowed with his or her own quality of it. The vital force (Vitalism) is a unique principle distinct from chemical or physical phenomenon." This is the invisible force in each of us that allows our bodies to sustain life. In many other cultures and other healing systems it is referred to in other ways, from the dynamism of the ancient Greeks to the chi of Chinese medicine. But what it is, or where in the body it exactly exits, or what exactly it is comprised, no one can really say. Hahnemann referred to it as "Lebenskraft," which translates into English as "Vital Force," and, while the idea was not new with him, the term was Hahnemann's. He wrote: "In the healthy condition of man, the spiritual vital force, the dynamism that animates the material body, rules with unbounded sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious, vital operation as regards both sensations and functions, so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy instrument for higher purposes of our existence." Therefore, according to this quote, and to many others in The Organon, we would be mistaken to simply consider the Vital Force to be the human immune system. Although the immune function is certainly part of the Vital Force's many tasks; Hahnemann tells us that it is much more. It is the source of our senses and sensation, our animating function, our spark of life. And, so, we may be tempted to call the Vital Force the Soul. And certainly Hahnemann, steeped as he was in the Christian faith, must have also been tempted. But he never called them by the same name. For Hahnemann, the Vital Force was a gift from God, but one that remained separate from the soul. The soul was for him and for many others in the Vitalist movement the persona, the essence of the being. The Vital Force, on the other hand, was the energy that was equally available to all living things. It is the energetic connection to the source: to God. If this Vital Force remains untinged, the organism enjoyed total health. But, if the Vital Force became darkened, became blocked, illness set in.

Electromagnetism - A form of energy that comes from an electric charge in motion, electromagnetism is used in medicine to relieve muscle aches, suppress pain, stimulate knitting of broken bones, pulverize kidney stones, and more. To heal broken bones, specialized electrodes that create a weak electromagnetic field are applied externally across a plaster cast or fracture site and worn during sleep until complete healing.

Elemental Cleansing Set - When the term Elemental Cleansing Set is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to sets of implements used in and/or before Magickal Workings to perform Cleansings on the Celebrants, based on the different Elemental concepts, such as Spirit, Air, Fire, Water and Earth, specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same,

Elemental Correspondences to Directions - The correlation of particular Elements to each Direction for utilization in Magickal Workings. Earth to North, Fire to East, Air to South, Water to West and Spirit to the Center, and Earth to North, Air to East, Fire to South, Water to West and Spirit to the Center, are the two most widespread correlations used in the modern Pagan Community. Indeed the Earth to North and Water to West is quite widespread across all times and Traditions. Generally speaking (which is never that safe) the Ægyptian and Sumerian based Traditions lean more to the first and the Celtic more to the second usage.

Elemental Implements - When the term Elemental Implements is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to any implements specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same, designed to correlate with specific Elements, such as Spirit, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

Eleusinian - 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.

Elijan 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 which holds teachings originating in and/or interpolations thereon as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm.

Emanation - That which inevitably flows outward from the transcendental central principle of reality ("the One") in the neoplatonic philosophy of Plotinus. Individual things, including human beings, are therefore presumed to be nothing more than the faint ripples left by a primordial big splash. The timeless reality of a central intelligence, Plotinus held, inexorably results in the formation of both soul as an active principle of organization and, eventually, inert matter.

Emergent property - An irreducible feature (now commonly called supervenient) of a complex whole that cannot be inferred directly from the features of its simpler parts,. Thus, for example, the familiar taste of salt is an emergent property with respect to the sodium and chlorine of which it is composed.

Ends/Means Dichotomy - It is a common philosophical assumption that all actions can be analyzed as means to the achievement of some end or goal or purpose. With this goes the idea that the end of a particular action may in turn be a means to some further end, and perhaps also (though this does not necessarily follow) that all sequences of means and ends terminate in some one ultimate end - for example, happiness. Thus I may go for a walk, this activity being a means to the end of taking some exercise, which in turn is a means to the end of improving my health - and this, perhaps, is a means to the ultimate end of my happiness.
A natural objection would then be that though some actions are performed for the sake of an end, others are not. My going for a walk may not be with the aim of taking exercise and improving my health - I may simply like going for a walk. The defender of the 'ends-means' analysis can then say, however, that if the action is not a means to an end, then it is an end in itself; every action must still, therefore, be either an end or a means. There is no doubt that all actions can be fitted into this ends-means framework. It may nevertheless be misleading, for what it naturally suggests is a division between actions as means and something like states of affairs as ends. This way of thinking becomes particularly contentious when applied to the moral assessment of actions. It leads easily to the view that actions can be assessed as right or wrong simply by reference to their effectiveness in bringing about desirable ends. Such a view of morality is referred to as a 'teleological' view or consequentialism. A classic example is utilitarianism.
This kind of moral position can perhaps be argued to be a correct one, but it is not just self-evidently correct. A traditional criticism has been that morality is not just a matter of ends, it also imposes certain moral constraints on the way in which we pursue our ends; whatever we are aiming at, we ought not to try to achieve it by killing innocent people, by torturing or enslaving people, by lying or deceiving. Such actions are said to be wrong in themselves, whatever ends they may or may not achieve. This position is sometimes called a deontology, and if the constraints are thought of as ones to which there can be no exception, it may be called a form of 'absolutism'. It is not refuted simply by asserting that the ends-means analysis necessarily applies to all actions, for this would be a misleading application of that claim.
The point can be illustrated by the use that is made of the dictum 'The end justifies the means'. Strictly interpreted, it may be unexceptionable, for what else could justify something as a means if not the fact that it will effectively achieve its end? However, it does not follow that all actions can be justified only in this way, as the teleological moralists would assert. All the more dangerous is the use of the maxim 'The end justifies the means' to suggest that because some particular end is thought to be supremely important - the triumph of a particular religious creed, or the capture of political power by a particular party - the use of any means whatever is morally acceptable.

Energeia - Greek term for the function or activity of a thing. More technically, in the philosophy of Aristotle, energeia is the actuality characteristic of every individual substance.

Energy - When the term Energy [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

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

Engaged Buddhism - When used in reference to 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 of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and/or interpolations thereon as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm. "We called it engaged Buddhism. Mindfulness must be engaged. Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise, what is the sense of seeing?" is a helpful quotation from Thich Nhat Hanh as far as delineating Engaged Buddhism . Some postulate that there is no monolithic Buddhism as such, but that there are Buddhisms such as Sinhala Buddhism or more precisely Sinhala Theravada Buddhism, Siam or Thai Buddhism, Myanmar or Amarapura Buddhism and so forth. The complete entry on Engaged Buddhism (also see: the complete entry on Buddhism.)

Enneagram - Occult symbol. A circle with its circumference divided by nine points; has connections with the "Tree of Life" in Qabala, astrology, or divination.

Ennui -Ennui

Enochian - When used in reference to a Language.

Enochian - 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.

Enochian Magick - A system of magick that teaches communication with angels and spirits and travel through various planes, or Aethyrs of consciousness. Enochian magick apparently originated with John Dee and Edward Kelly in the 16th century and communication with spirits involved the Nineteen Calls (or Keys): incantations in the Enochian language, a complex language of unknown origin. Enochian magick was revived by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and studied at length by Aleister Crowley.

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

Enoptromancy - A type of divination using mirrors A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Entelexeia - Aristotle's Greek term for the complete reality or actuality of a thing, as the soul is of the human body. For Leibniz, then, an "entelechy" is the active force resident in every monad.

Entheogen -

Entomomancy - A type of divination using the observation of the behavior and appearance of insects. A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Environmental Dating - From various environmental factors such as: Dendrochronology or Tree-ring dating (It had been recognized since at least the fifteenth century that trees produce annual growth rings, and their physiology was well understood by the eighteenth century. ... Because annual growth rings are subject to seasonal factors that affect their thickness, distinctive patterns recognized in different samples of timber may be compared and used to establish their contemporaneity); Varves (Thickness of sediment in lake bed sections); Pollen analysis (Palynology is the branch of science dealing with microscopic, decay-resistant remains of certain plants and animals. It has many applications including archaeological palynology, Quaternary palynology, and stratigraphic palynology.); Sea bed deposits; Fresh Water paleolimnology (Paleolimnology is the study of past freshwater, saline, and brackish environments. In some cases, the history of the water body itself is important, but typically information is used in a wider geographical and ecological context) and the study of diatom algae; Ice sheet cores;

Epicurean - 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.

Epiphany - An experience usually involving Manifestation (or a Showing) of some external portion of the Divine Force, that inculcates a sudden intuitive grasp of a major Truth, in the person or persons experiencing the Epiphany.

Epiphenomenalism - Belief that consciousness is an incidental side-effect ("epiphenomenon") or by-product of physical or mechanical reality. On this view, although mental events are in some sense real they have no causal efficacy in the material realm.

Epistêmê - Greek term for an organized body of theoretical knowledge. According to Plato, this encompasses the upper portion of the divided line.

Epistemology - Theory of Knowledge or that which is capable of being known; the study of the methods of obtaining knowledge; and the nature of the essential elements of the matrix upon which knowledge, that is capable of being deliberated upon rests: premises, reasons, foundations, principles, causes, basics, collections of data, or other grounds of a sufficient or determining condition, especially with reference to the current boundaries and validity of that which is Knowable. Branch of philosophy that investigates the possibility, origins, nature, and extent of human knowledge. Although the effort to develop an adequate theory of knowledge is at least as old as Plato's Theaetetus, epistemology has dominated Western philosophy only since the era of Descartes and Locke, as an extended dispute between rationalism and empiricism over the respective importance of a priori and a posteriori origins. Epistemology (as a sub-discipline of Philosophy): The study of knowledge. Many disciplines that we can study gain knowledge for us, but philosophers wonder about the faculty of knowing. How is it that we have knowledge? What is knowing? What things are know-able? Is there anything that is unknowable by humans? Who knows?

Epoxhê - Greek term for cessation or stoppage; hence, in the philosophy of the skeptics, the suspension of judgment. Only by refusing either to affirm or to deny the truth of what we cannot know, they supposed, can we achieve the ataraxia of a peaceful mind.

Epsophêkamancy - A type of divination using astral knocking, table tilting A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Ergodicity - An English word from the Greek root meaning work, deed, act and/or fact, and the Greek root meaning journey or way; that when used in context of Garden of Life refers to the State of Existence where anything is possible, all things are potential, neither this or that, their "what-ness" undetermined or aorist (undefined); as in the Chapel Perilous concept of the Grail Christians, the Schrödinger's Cat conundrum and the concept of synchronicity in general, and vast fields of modern physics.

Erisian - 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.

Erisian/Discordian/Mummuist - When this designation is used to refer to a MetaPhysical Orientation as to Tradition, Culture or Preferred Flavour, which is primarily defined, usually selfdefined by it's members and/or adherents holding as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm.

Eromancy - A type of divination using water vessels A general Divinatory System list with short definitions

Ethical Egoism - What is right is to do what is in our own intelligent best interest. Proponents: Ayn Rand (American) Notes: People ultimately do what they want to do, and don't do what they don't want to do. What we should really do, then, is what we want, provided that it will benefit us individually. One's first moral duty is to the self, before others. Egoists argue that selflessness isn't possible because when we do something for other people, it is to receive social approval for ourselves, so we're really not being selfless after all. To Rand's credit, she is always consistent and never arbitrary, and she clearly is proud of the achievements of humanity in such areas as science and industry. Criticisms: Most Egoists are written off as selfish conservative extremists by those who think ethics is about how we treat other beings. This is probably missing the point, but there are still some serious criticisms: egoists don't recognize that one could act selflessly, and also without any concern for approval, such as a desire to do what is right and just, or a desire to express love. Egoism also believes in the intrinsic value of Reason, and justifies the exploitation of the environment, because it's in our best interest to use things that are useful to us when they can make our lives easier. However, the Tragedy of the Commons illustrates what can happen when resource use is unrestrained; in effect, sometimes it is in our best interest not to do what is in our best interest! Sometimes what is in our best interest is not what is immediately desirable.

Ethical Relativist - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is The view that moral appraisals are essentially dependent upon the standards that define a particular moral code, the practices and norms accepted by a social group at a specific place and time. Given that there is in fact a plurality of social groups, with differing mores, the relativist argues that there exists no point of view from which these codes can themselves be appraised, no 'absolute' criteria by which they can be criticized. In support of his claims, the relativist refers to anthropological evidence of cultural diversity, historical and geographical, now known to be enormously greater than could have been suspected by moralists like Hume or Kant. The relativist theory also draws on notions extensively deployed elsewhere in recent philosophy, such as 'alternative conceptual schemes' and 'language-games'. On some accounts cultural divergence can amount to 'incommensurability', the complete absence of common concepts and perspectives. Accepting the prima-facie divergences of moral outlook, a critic can none the less argue that the relativist tends to exaggerate their implications. Some common basic human values can be discerned over a great range of cultures, communities, social groups: e.g. moral condemnation of the leader who uses his power to exploit and oppress his people; and the agreement, among radically different groups, about the need for impartial determination of disputes by an authorized individual or body. Some writers, John Finnis for one, propose several 'basic forms of good' including knowledge, life, sociability, 'practical reasonableness', that underlie and give a rationale to moral rule-making, and provide significant common ground between groups and their codes. That suffices to give access to reasonable dialogue and makes possible criticism both of one's own moral outlook and of the outlooks of others. It has sometimes been thought that moral relativism gives a special support to toleration as a moral attitude to codes which diverge from one's own. Paradoxically, however, if that were accepted as a universal (and universally morally approvable) attitude, it would contradict the relativism which disallows any universally authoritative principles! Moral relativism, as opposed to other forms of relativism, is the view that moral standards are grounded only in social custom. The most famous statement of relativism in general is by the ancient Greek sophist Protagoras (480-411 BCE): "Man is the measure of all things," or in a more complete and contemporary translation, "A human being is the measure of all things - of things that are, that they are, and of things that are not that they are not." This reflects the view of many of the sophists that social convention (nomos) has a status above nature (physis). Although Protagoras's claim applies to any proposed standard of knowledge, moral values are at least part of his position. David Hume (1711-1776) hints at the notion of moral relativism in his brief essay "A Dialogue," appended to his Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751). However, for much of the history of moral philosophy, moral relativism was a controversial position that stood in sharp contrast to more conventional theories that advocated an ideal standard of absolute morality. At times, the notion of moral relativism was developed more by philosophical critics of relativism, rather than by overt philosophical defenders of relativism. More recently, writers both inside and outside of the field of philosophy have advocated moral relativism. For example, anthropologist William Graham Sumner dramatically expresses the notion of moral relativism here: The "right" way is the way which the ancestors used and which has been handed down. The tradition is its own warrant. It is not held subject to verification by experience. The notion of right is in the folkways. It is not outside of them, of independent origin, and brought to test them. In the folkways, whatever is, is right. This is because they are traditional, and therefore contain in themselves the authority of the ancestral ghosts. When we come to the folkways we are at the end of our analysis. [Folkways (Boston: Ginn, 1906)] Arguments for moral relativism often involve two principal contentions: 1.Primacy of De Facto Values: our conceptions of morality should be based on how people actually behave (de facto values), and not on an ideal standard how people should behave (ideal values). 2.Cultural Variation: in point of fact, our main moral values vary from culture to culture. As to the first of these, moral relativists note that there are two ways that we can approach morality: as de facto morality or as ideal morality. De facto morality concerns they way people in fact behave, and involves the moral principles that are actually in place in a given culture. By contrast, ideal morality concerns the way people should behave, irrespective of their actual behavior.

Ethical Scepticism - When we speak of ethics, we are really expressing subjective approval or disapproval of human behavior. Proponents: A. J. Ayer, Moritz-Schlick, other Logical Positivists, some existentialists. Notes: Ethical Scepticism is born out of the view of Logical Positivism, which is the origin of this theory. Logical positivism proposes that empirical science is the only source of true knowledge about anything. All propositions must make some reference to the observable world. It follows that since statements about ethics make no reference to the world (discussing, as they do, what behavior should be and not what it is) that they are really empty concepts, "pseudo-concepts", and therefore are not real. When we say that a thing is good or evil, were are really saying whether we like or dislike the thing. Essentially, we choose our principles because we like them, and the only reason that we like them is because we like them. Ethics becomes a matter of aesthetics in this case; a matter of taste and preference. Criticisms: All this is predicated on the proposition, already stated, that "no claim about truth can be made unless it refers to something in the observable world". That claim by itself makes no reference to anything in the observable world! Since it is possible to make that kind of claim, then it is possible to make other truth claims that are not related to the observable world, including claims about morality. Let no one when he is young delay to study philosophy, nor when he is old grow weary of his study. For no one can come too early or to late to secure the health of his soul. --Epicurus, Letter of Epicurus to Menoeceus

Ethics - A Field of Study primarily incorporating the examination of that which is honoured, encouraged, required, recommended, permitted, discouraged, despised, and/or forbidden in human behaviour. (as a sub-discipline of Philosophy): The study of morality. "Morals" and "Ethics" are usually used interchangeably, and refer to the theories regarding what is "the good life". An anthropologist might study what people do, but a philosopher studies what people should do. What is Right and Good? What is Bad? What is Evil? Can anything be done about evil? What rules should people follow in order to get along peacefully with one another? If you have never wondered about the meaning of life, then why are you still alive? Ethics is the study of right or good action. How do we know what is right, what is moral, what is just? What is happiness? How do we attain it? How can we deserve it? Many different answers have been given to these questions. The Two Central Errors in Western Ethical Theorization http://www.omkarananda-ashram.net/ethics.html The doctrine of the autonomy of ethics and the final purposes of Eudaemonism (A system of ethics that evaluates actions in terms of their capacity to produce happiness.) which seek to make ethics self-sufficient and a totally independent discipline, and the naturalistic and other cognate ethical schools which attempt to constitute ethics into a natural science, go to demonstrate the two central errors within the framework of Western ethical theorization. These errors emerge as much from a failure to grasp the origins, the nature, and the destiny, of the ethical impulse, as from the paucity of vision and experience that cannot be expected to present any view of man except the erroneous. Ethics is the field of philosophy that explores the nature of human behavior as it ought to be (as opposed to how it is; that is the concern of psychology). Ethicists use the tools of reason to determine what is "good" and "evil", what kinds of actions are morally "right" and "wrong", and why we should do the things that are "right". It is this field of philosophy that earns for philosophers the reputation of being socially inept but otherwise utterly brilliant madmen. Western Philosophical Ethics http://www.uoguelph.ca/~bmyers/westethic.html An Introduction by Brendan "Cathbad" Myers Edition 1.2: July 1997 Immanuel Kant was a real pissant who was very rarely stable. Heidegger Heidegger was a boozy begger who could drink you under the table. David Hume could out-consume Schopenhauer and Hegel, And Wittgenstein was a beery swine who was just as sloshed as Schlegel! There's nothing Neitzsche couldn't teach ya 'bout the raising of the wrist, Socrates himself was permanently pissed....

Etiology - A Field of Study primarily incorporating the examination of Causes, Causation and/or the demonstration of Causes into its interpretation of the World.

Etruscan - 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.

Eudaemonism - When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation toward the Divine, that Happiness is Divine.

Eudaemonism - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is

Euhemerism - The Field of Study based on the Interpretation of Mythology as traditional accounts of the lives of historical personages and events after the teachings of Euhemerus that the Gods were mortals which had attained deification.

European 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 as such, and holding as a primary or critical parameter of their Spiritual Paradigm.

Euthumism - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is

Evocation - practice aimed at bring out submerged potentialities in the individual When used in reference to a MetaPhysical Orientation of Experiential Spiritual Methodology, that

Evocation / Invocation - Garden of Life considers Evocation and Invocation a Pagan Sacrament. In a preliminary description Evocation or Invocation may be an Act and/or Process performed by an Officiant in an attempt to become an Open Vessel for the Divine Essence of this Cosmos. Evocation performed at a Celebratory Working, ordinarily consists of an Officiant standing before an Altar, Evoking and Communicating with Her/His Eternal Self the Desire to Manifest a Facet of the Divine Essence, whether in a specific Tradition or the Facet that She/He will one day be. Invocation may include sending out a call for Assistance from any of Those Who have Gone Before, and with Whom the Officiant's Essential Nature has Resonance. Ecstatic Trance, Centering, Grounding, Dance, Chant, Dream, Song, Stimulation of the Senses, and Visualization are some of the Forms this Evocation and/or Invocation 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 an Officiant to become an Open Vessel for the Divine Essence of this Cosmos. This process when performed at a Celebratory Working, ordinarily consists of standing before an Altar, Evoking and Communicating with Her/His Eternal Self the Desire to Manifest a Facet of the Divine Essence, whether in a specific Tradition or the Facet that She/He will one day be continually. This Process may also include Invoking or asking for Assistance from any of those Individuals who have Gone Before (Attained Translation through one or more Gateways between Planes), and with Whom the Officiant's Essential Nature has Resonance. Some of the Forms this Evocation and/or Invocation may take are Ecstatic Trance, Centering, Grounding, Dance, Chant, Dream, Song, Stimulation of the Senses, and Visualization.

Evolutionism - When used in reference to a point of view within the field of Ethical, Value and/or Behavioural Matters, this is a Point of View in which the prime parameter for effectuating a course of action is determined by choosing that which is

Ewer - When the term Ewer is used in reference to a Magickal Implement, Sacred Object, Ceremonial Tool and/or Focus it generally refers to a vase shaped pitcher with a handle and a pronounced pouring lip specifically made for general or particular Magickal Working, and/or consecrated to the same.

Exemplors -

Existentialism - What is right is to live an authentic life. Proponents: Kirkegaard (Danish), Sartre (French), Heidegger (German), Pascal (French). Notes: Existentialism began with Kirkegaard's famous declaration that "Truth is Subjectivity", to describe what he felt was the absurd nature of reality; that reality is experienced not absolute, therefore meaningless and incoherent. He went on to argue that a leap of faith into the arms of God would end this absurdity (he was, after all, a Lutheran minister). His Religious existentialism attacked the idea that christianity was a rational religion, and that it is the very irrationality of faith that makes christianity morally right. Later philosophers such as Nietzsche and Sartre later argued that you cannot be free in the existential sense if you give away your freedom to an authority, even if it is something as absurd as faith. Jean-Paul Sartre explained existentialism in three ways: first, that the emphasis of philosophy should be on the individual human being, because anything else would leave out the uniqueness of humans; second, that life really doesn't have any inherent meaning of its own because we are more acquainted with our inner subjective experience of reality than whatever objective truth may or may not be out there; third, that individual humans are free and that freedom is a distinctly human property. Angst is the awareness of our freedom, which is said to be the cause of human suffering. But we can't escape this awareness because, as Sartre describes, freedom is a "necessary truth". We're not made human by either intrinsic human nature nor by environmental nurturing, but by our conscious choice to be what we are. Any attempt to deceive ourselves into thinking that we are not free is illusory, though such deception may temporarily relieve us of angst. If we don't choose to be what we are, we become a mere "efficient animal" as Nietzsche described. What we must do, then, is attempt to lead authentic lives, that is, as the creators of our own sense of meaning. However, since there is no meaning, the attempt is futile (hence, we feel angst, alienation, nothingness). Existentialism argues that the very search itself is sufficient. Criticisms: Existentialism is criticized for treading the edge of Nihilism, which is the belief that absolutely nothing is meaningful, given that we "can't take it with us" after death. One logical paradox is that if we try to make meaning in our lives by defining ourselves, such as "I am a student", the act of definition separates the self that is describing and the self that is described, hence, we experience alienation from ourselves, and the angst gets worse. We can never be mere objects that can be consistently and accurately described. Sartre offers no exact course of action to avoid experiencing angst or alienation, except to say that we should live authentically (that is, fully conscious of our freedom and fully responsible for all decisions we make) and condemn any other way of life. Finally, though this is more of an observation than criticism, in existentialism there can be no universal theory of human nature and all generalizations on humanity are false and misleading, which for some people robs them of a sense of stability in life. But that is, says Sartre the absurd nature of human life! Perpetually faced with choices and freedom, there can be no stability, only angst.

Experiential Spiritual Methodology -

Exploitation -

Extraterrestrial Focus Spiritual Traditions -

Extrovert & Introvert - When used in reference to the field of Analytical Psychology the two poles of psychic orientation. In the extrovert attitude, energy flows outwards towards the world and is motivated and oriented by external, objective factors. Introverted energy withdraws from the world and is motivated and oriented by inner, subjective factors.