F
Fagail
The "parting gift of the fairies, of Gaelic origin. This may be of a pleasant or unpleasant nature-it may be death, or the conversion of a…
Fairies
A species of supernatural beings, and one of the most beautiful and important of mythological conceptions. The belief in fairies is very…
Familiars
Spirits attendant upon a magician, sorcerer, or witch. The idea probably arose out of that of fetishism (q.v.) especially as many familiars…
Fantasmagoriana
The title of a collection of popular stories, dealing mainly with apparitions and spectres, which was published in Paris in 1812. The…
Fascination
From Latin fascinare, to enchant. The word in its general, acceptation signifies charm, enchant, to bewitch, by the eyes, the looks…
Fat of the Sorcerers
It was said at one time that the devil made use of human fat for his sorceries. The witches anointed themselves with this fat in order to…
Faust
A magician of the sixteenth century, famous in legend and literature. There is sound proof that such a person existed. Trithemius (q.v.)…
Fendeurs
A supposed French Rosicrucian Society, concerning which very little is known. It flourished in the middle of the seventeenth century; and…
Ferarius
This alchemist is supposed to have been an Italian priest of the thirteenth century, but nothing is known concerning his career. Various…
Fern
The common Fern, it was believed, was in flower at midnight on St. John's Eve, and whoever got possession of the flower would be protected…
Fetch
According to Irish belief, the apparition of a living person; the Irish form of the wraith (q.v.) It resembles in every particular the…
Fetishism
The term fetishism is employed in more than one sense. Thus it may mean in some cases pure idolatry or the worship of inanimate objects…
Fey
To possess second sight. (See Teutons.) Fiction, English Occult: English literature, as it is known to-day, really begins with the…
Fingitas
The tradition concerning this stone is remarkable. It is described as quite transparent and hard like marble. It is related that a certain…
Finn Mac Cummal
In Irish romance, Captain of the Fianna and the centre of the Ossianic tales. His father Cumhal, chief of the clan Basena, was slain at…
Fire
Many nations have adored this element. In Persia a chimneyless enclosure was made, and into it fire was introduced. Essences and perfumes…
Fire-ordeal
The fire-ordeal is of great antiquity, and probably arose from the conception of the purifying influence of fire. Among the Hindoos, from…
Fong-Chur
A mysterious operation practised in China, in osophy, Logos.) the disposition of buildings, and particularly of tombs. If someone should…
Fong Onhang
Fabulous birds to which the Chinese attribute he is treated with much respect. almost the same qualities as are attributed to the phenix…
Fongities
A gem said to assuage anger. in gold, silver, or brass, according to their means. Fontaine, John : This Flemish alchemist and poet appears…
Fortune-telling
Fortune-telling in Britain, was formerly included under the crime of Witchcraft, and was made punishable by death under the Statute of 1563…
Fountain Spirits of Behmen
According to Jacob Behmen, there were in nature seven active principles, the "Fountain Spirits, or "Mothers of Existence." These were-the…
Fourth Dimension of Space
There are three known dimensions in space typified in the three geometric figures-a line, having length, a surface, length and breadth, a…
Fox Family
(See Spiritualism.) Fox, Sisters: Two American girls who in 1847 practically commenced the practice of spirit-rapping in Arcadia, New York…
France
Magical practice in pre-Roman France was vested in the druidic cast, and was practically identical with that of the same body in Britain…
Fraud
A very large part is played by fraud in spiritualistic practices, both in the physical and psychical, or automatic, phenomena, but…
Freemasonry-History and Origin
Though it would not be exactly correct to say that the history of Freemasonry was lost in the mists of antiquity, it is competent to remark…
Friends of God
A mystical society founded in Germany in the fourteenth century, for the purpose of ministering to the poor by preaching and sacrament. Its…
Futhore
(See Teutons). G after the craft first made its appearance, the King commissioned the director of his mint, one Nicholas Janson or Jenson…
Fanny – Fredegonda
(See Poltergeists) (See Spiritualism.)