Glossary
This is a living guide to the language of spirit. These words appear throughout the writings on Rise Like a Phoenix, and this page is here as a companion to bring clarity, depth, and light to the journey.
A
- Astral Body
- The subtle layer of our being associated with dreams and emotional experience. Often described as the vehicle of consciousness in out-of-body or visionary states.
- Astrology
- The study of celestial patterns as reflections of inner and outer life. In esoteric astrology, planets and signs reveal the soul's journey, not just worldly events.
C
- Causal Body
- The subtle sheath where the soul's purpose and karmic seeds are stored. Often called the "body of causes", it preserves the essence that carries from one life to the next.
- Chakra
- An energy center within the subtle body that governs specific aspects of physical, emotional, and spiritual life. Balancing the chakras is key in many healing traditions.
- Cosmology
- The mystical map of creation, describing how spirit manifests into matter. The blog explores cosmology through the lens of Qabalah and other esoteric teachings.
- Cyclic Moment
- A turning point within time where a soul encounters the fruit of past causes. These repeating patterns mark thresholds of growth, urging awareness and transformation.
D
- Dharma
- The divine order or innate law that upholds the harmony of the universe. It reflects one’s true path, the alignment between personal action and cosmic truth. Living in accordance with dharma restores balance, integrity, and purpose to both the individual and the whole.
I
- Incarnation
- The soul's entry into physical life, taking on form to fulfil karmic lessons and unfold its journey toward awakening. Each incarnation is both a continuation and a fresh beginning.
K
- Karma
- The law of cause and effect, where every thought, word, and action plants a seed that shapes future experience. Not punishment, but a path of learning and soul growth.
- Kundalini
- The coiled, dormant energy at the base of the spine, often symbolized as a serpent. When awakened, it rises through the chakras, bringing transformation and expanded awareness.
M
- Maya
- The veil of illusion that shapes how we perceive reality. It makes the transient appear permanent and the separate seem real. Seeing through maya reveals the deeper truth that all is one.
- Mental Body
- The subtle layer shaped by thought, ideas, and perception. It is where rational thinking and logic originate.
P
- Punya
- Spiritual merit earned through selfless action, kindness, and alignment with dharma. Punya refines the heart and creates favorable conditions for spiritual growth.
Q
- Qabalah
- A mystical tradition rooted in Jewish esotericism, exploring the Tree of Life as a map of the soul, creation, and divine mysteries.
S
- Samskara
- A deeper impression etched into the causal layers of being, formed through past actions, emotions, and experiences. Samskaras act as the karmic seeds that give rise to recurring thoughts, reactions, and life patterns, until they are brought into awareness and transformed.
- Self
- The eternal essence beyond body, mind, and personality - pure consciousness untouched by change. Realizing the Self is awakening to one's true nature as divine awareness itself.
- Subtle Body
- The energetic counterpart to the physical body, composed of layers that carry thought, emotion, vitality, and spirit. It is the field through which consciousness extends beyond the purely material.
T
- Tarot
- A deck of 78 archetypal cards used as a mirror of the soul. Each card carries symbolism that speaks to both the unconscious and higher guidance.
V
- Vasana
- The subtle tendency or energetic imprint that shapes our habitual desires and inclinations. Vasanas are like faint trails in consciousness; the residual drives that influence how we perceive, choose, and react, often below the level of awareness.
This glossary is not complete. It will grow as the journey unfolds. Return here any time you encounter a word that feels mysterious. May these meanings bring clarity to your path.