Lexicon of Paganism, Mystery Religions, And Magical Creatures
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
Glossary of Terms D - F
Devil’s
Mark: This is a superstitious notion from the Middle Ages. The
mark is placed on a person's body who has been selected by the devil for
diabolical service. These marks were actually birth marks or other physical
blemishes. People accused of witchcraft were shaved completely so they could
be thoroughly examined for this mark. Any blemish was said to be the devil's
mark. Sometimes it was said that the Devil's mark was impervious to pain
so the accused witch would be cruelly stuck with needles and burned in many
spots of the body to find the mark. Often, because Witch Hunters were not
paid if their victim was not found to be a witch they would use false pins
called bodkins which retracted when stuck onto the skin, making the victim
feel no pain and hence, finding the cursed devil's mark. At this point the
most likely innocent witch would then be tortured and burned at the stake.
Dark Elves: These are the beings of the plane of the Elves
of the underworld in Norse cosmology. They are Elves who will entrap humans
perpetually in the Elf kingdom, the Land of Summer's Twilight. They bear
gifts and with them, entrap people forever in their dimension of reality.
Sometimes it is said that Shakespeare's son Hamnet was taken into the Land
of Summer's Twilight by the Fairy Queen Titania.
Dragons: The word dragon comes from the Latin word Draco.
These creatures are the best-known magical creatures across all world mythology
and are found in almost all folklore. The dragon was always guarding its
possession of a vast secret treasure. They are the most challenging creature
a hero can face. The Dragon is a symbol of many real and fictional kings,
including King Arthur Pendragon (Pendragon meaning “head of the dragon”
or “chief dragon”). Dragons are usually misunderstood, and once
the hero talks with dragons, he or she usually finds them beneficial rather
than harmful. It was believed Dragons came from hot places like Ethiopia
or India. Britain was extremely plagued by Dragons. Even invading Norsemen
from Scandinavia decorated their ships to look like dragons. The patron
saint of England and protector of Ethiopia St. George was famous for slaying
a fierce dragon. Some benevolent dragons became protectors of villages,
living in a cave outside the small town. Sometimes virgins were sacrificed
to a dragon as a yearly gift in exchange for assistance or just as a ransom
to keep the dragon from burning down the village and eating everyone. Draconite
is a stone supposedly found inside a dragon's head, acting as its brain.
The stone must be taken while the dragon is alive, or it loses its hardness
and vanishes as the dragon dies. Draconite hunters would wait for the dragon
to emerge from its cave and gave it herbs that would make it sleep. Then
the men would cut the stone from the dragon's head. It was a luminous white
stone worn on the crowns of kings of the east. The stone is so hard no inscription
can be carved on it. Dragon's blood was also a magical part of many potions
in ancient legends.
Edda: This was the title of ancient lore in the Norse Traditions.
The Elder, or Poetic Edda, is a collection of poems composed between 800
and 1270 C.E., while the Prose Edda was written by Sturluson in 1222 C.E.
as a codification of Norse and Teutonic mythology containing many references
to ritual and divination of the Rune magicians.
Eldar: These were were ancient tree gods that conferred
the wisdom of the ages upon those who sought them out. This was also a name
an adept in the Norse traditions earned after proving oneself proficient
in magic.
Elves: These were perfected beings that live on a plane
of greater light and life. They are both good and evil. Elves may be remnants
of the Ancient civilizations that preceded humanity as we know it upon the
earth. They were masters of beauty, song, enchantment and magic.
Erilaz: A vikti, rune magus, who is also a priest, a godhi.
Erkling: This was an evil monster in the Black forests
of Germany that snatched children. From Germanic legends it is said the
Erklings would call to the children to play games, and then they would never
be seen again. This was a wives tale to keep curious children close to home
away from the wolf, cougar, and bandit infested forest. The Erkling was
said to eat children in a stew he made from them in his cave.
Etin: A type of giant renowned for strength.
Faerie: These are the airy sylphan form of the elves. The
fairie exist at the border between earth and the land of summer's twilight.
Faerie can be caught and made to do one's bidding, but they are hard to
handle and very whimsical. They are composed of fire and light like Genies.
Formali: Formulaic speeches used to combine actions with
magical intent.
Fyfolt: An archaic English designation for the solar cross
or swastika.
Fylgia: The “fetch,” a numinous being attached
to every individual. It is the repository of all past action and which accordingly
affects the person's life (like karma).