Divination. The process of Will working to expand Gnosis; to interpret signs, omens, events or experiences for the purpose of gaining information or discerning events to come. Examples include nihliomancy (divination through sensory deprivation or nothingness), tasseomancy (reading the patterns in tea leaves, rope marks or more), and astrology (associating events and tendencies with placement of celestial bodies). A.K.A.: Augury, Fortune-telling.
Dominance. The behaviors and signals of authority or superiority. A.K.A.: Control, Forcefulness, Power (Social or Psychological).
Dominant. The willful partner in a dynamic or encounter, the person whose ideas and desires are being followed. A.K.A.: Alpha, Boss, Dom, Dominant Partner, Master, Mistress, Top Dog.
Dungeon. See Play Space, Temple.
Dungeon Monitor. An individual who has been appointed to watch over a Play Space. A.K.A.: DM, Dragon, Guardian, Person in the Orange Vest, Helpful Human, Protector, Spotter.
Ecosexual. (Sexual) An individual who is aroused by or sexually partnered with the planet Earth; (Cultural) An individual whose adherence to environmentalism extends to their romantic and/or sexual life (particularly their choice of partner). A.K.A.: Sacred Erotic Path of the Earth and Plants.
Energetic Body. See Astral Body.
Energetically Transmitted Diseases. Any behavioral, energetic, astral or psycho-somatic change in an individual transmitted or caused by emotional or energetic contact with another individual or energetic source. A.K.A.: Chi Imbalance, Energy Imbalance, ETDs, Karma, Other People’s Baggage.
Energy. That which powers the universe and all things within it; that which causes Will to manifest; the “stuff that dreams are made of.” A.K.A.: Aether, Chi, Desire, Élan Vital, Id, Juice, Ki, Koach-ha-guf, Mana, Pneuma, Potential, Power, Prana, Qi, Ruach, Spiritus, Vibration.
Energy Vampire. See Psychic Vampire.
Entheogen. A psychoactive substance used in a specific sacred, shamanic, magical, religious or spiritual context; a substance that affects brain chemistry to change mood, perception, behavior or consciousness.
Erotic Power Exchange. Any Power Exchange that has sexual, erotic, or Kink overtones or undertones in its considerations or resources. See Power Exchange. A.K.A.: Dominance/Submission, Internal Enslavement, Mastery/Slavery, Role-Playing, Total Power Exchange (TPE).
Ethics. A branch of philosophy; a set of principles for determining moral behavior for an individual, group, or society. Ethics help an individual determine what should be done in a given situation, and what would be inappropriate.
Evocation. To project internal Energy to affect an individual’s life or experiences; to call out a Spirit, Deity, entity, Archetype or other form of Energy. A.K.A.: Archetypal Work, Improvisation, Intuition, Law of Attraction, Manifesting, Role-Playing, Shapeshifting, Spell Casting, Summoning, Will Working.
Exhibitionism. Sexual or erotic stimulation or arousal from having other people watch the individual engage in sexual, erotic, sensual or kinky activities.
Fair Energetic Exchange. The experience or agreement wherein a person gives an amount of time, resources, Energy or effort, that they experience as reciprocal and appropriate to the output of resources or benefit that they received in any given situation. A.K.A.: FEE.
Faith. Belief or trust in a person, idea, thing, or outcome.
Feeding. The process of moving Energy from one individual or space to another through the application of Will. May be done consciously or unconsciously, through Soul Cords, Chakras, creating Catharsis for others, or many other means.
Fetish. (Anthropological) An object or item that gives its bearer or owner magical powers, blessings, or other abilities. A.K.A.: Amulet, Holy Object, Power Object, Talisman, Vessel. (Sexual) An object, item or activity that gives explicit sexual or erotic arousal to an individual.
Fetishism. Sexual or erotic stimulation or arousal from engaging with specific objects, items or behaviors. A.K.A.: Partialism, Paraphilia.
Fluid Bonding. An active consensual agreement between two or more individuals to practice unprotected sexual intercourse or other unprotected exchanges of bodily fluids. Not to be confused with accidental condom breakages or other one-time fluid exposures.
Gnosis. Knowledge, Energy, or information attributed to some form, often ascribed to a Deity, greater power, or universal consciousness; the experience of enlightenment or mystical insight.
Ground Crew. An individual or team that works to help make sure that a Horsing ritual is a success (within a variety of definitions of success), and that the spirits and humans involved all have the best experience possible. Ground Crew may also assist in other non-horsing related ritual work. A.K.A.: Helpers, Support Staff.
Grounding. The process of discharging Energy whose influence is not currently needed; becoming fully aware and present in a specific place and time. A.K.A.: “Coming Down,” Clearing Your Head, Perspective, Rootedness.
Guardian. The watchful, helping or protective individual, entity, object or process in a Sacred or spiritual working. In some cases, a Guardian may also serve as the Guide. A.K.A.: Angel, Dragon, Ground Crew, Guide, Protector, Spotter, Watcher.
Guide. The person leading or staying with a person who is going on an energetic journey; the person running the Altered State experience or holding space for those experiencing Altered States. In some cases, the individual applying tools or techniques for someone who wants to experience an Altered State. A.K.A.: Technician.
Horse. A human Vessel. See Vessel.
Horsing. The process of providing (giving over or sharing) an individual’s Energy to be directed by and/or making space in one’s body for a higher power, Spirit, Deity, Archetype or concept. A.K.A.: Being a Vessel, Being Ridden, Calling In, Channeling, Drawing Down, Invocation, Masking, Possession.
Invocation. To invite external Energy to have an influence on an individual’s life or experiences; to bring in a Spirit, Deity, entity, Archetype or other form of Energy. A.K.A.: Archetypal Work, Aspecting, Assumption, Being Ridden, Calling In, Channeling, Conjuration, Drawing Down, Horsing, Invoking, Prayer, Role-Playing, Shapeshifting, Spirit Identification, Spirit Possession, Theosophy.
Journeyer. The person experiencing an energetic journey, engaging in an Altered State of Consciousness or questing on a path of Sacred Kink. A.K.A.: Path-Walker, Psychonaut, Seeker.
Ka-See-Ka. In Mandan, an older man who has undergone the O-Kee-Pa ritual before and is there to assist or guide the new initiate into the experience. In Sacred Kink, an individual who has taken a Path before, and is there to assist, guide or provide information to the Journeyer. A.K.A.: Elder, Friend, Guide, Guru, Spotter.
Kink. The great big world of sexual adventure including but not limited to Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, Fetishism, Fantasy Role-Playing, Cross-dressing, Erotic Power Exchange, Swinging, “Naughty Sex” and BDSM.
Kinkster. An individual who engages in Kink activities of some sort. A.K.A.: Fetishist, Happyist, Hedonist, “In the Scene,” Leather, Pervert, S&Mer.
Leather. (Profane) Tanned or processed animal hide. (Sacred) An identity or connection with the material qualities and traditions surrounding Leather. See Appendix 3.
Left Hand Path. The belief and practice that Will flows out from the practitioner to the Universe; use of Sex Magic, intoxicants, animal sacrifice, eating meat and other taboo behaviors to indulge in the world and find a path towards universal bliss in Tantric practices. See also Thaumaturgic. A.K.A.: LHP
Magic. The act of making Will manifest through application of Energy and Gnosis in a specified manner. A.K.A.: Fu, Magick, Manifesting, That Which Science Has Yet To Explain, Will Working, Woo, Woo-Woo.
Masochism. Sexual or erotic stimulation, pleasure or arousal from consensually experiencing pain or extreme sensation. Not to be confused with Clinical Masochism, which infers deriving pleasure from receiving any form of pain.
Master. The authoritative, possessing or determining partner in a dynamic or encounter; an individual whose identity or role is
intertwined with serving a higher vision, control, or Dominance. A.K.A.: Caretaker, Guru, Handler, Lady, Lord, Mistress, Owner.
Mastery. The process or act of directing the Energy in an individual’s possession towards a higher purpose (which may include the Energy of another person).
Mistress. See Master.
Munch. An informal gathering for people involved with or interested in kink, usually in a public venue.
Mundane. See Normal.
Negotiation. The process of coming to consensus as to the activities, roles or responsibilities of all partners involved in a Scene or relationship. This may include establishing boundaries and limits for play or Sacred working. A.K.A.: Sharing Desires, Open Dialogue, Active Collaboration.
Normal. Experiences or states of being that an individual is mentally prepared to categorize; a base state of being. A.K.A.: As Is, Expected, Mundane, Routine, Standard.
Ordeal Path. Use of purposeful and intentional pain, suffering, challenges, endurance, or pushing an individual past or through their perceived limits to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Paraphilia. A sexual Fetish that is a deep and abiding need, that in some extreme cases interferes with normalized sexual interaction, emotional connection, and ability to function in the world at large. A.K.A.: Clinical Fetishism.
Partialism. A sexual Fetish that is of interest or attraction, but does not interfere with normalized sexual interaction or emotional connection. A.K.A.: Kinky Fetishism.
Path. A route or approach to Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis. Some individuals use a Path for one encounter, while others follow a Path for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
Path of Asceticism. Use of minimization, purification, restriction, cleansing and stillness to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Path of Breath. Use of breathing techniques, voluntary and involuntary air to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Path of Rhythm. Use of repetitive body motion, touch, noise, or visual cues to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Path of Ritual. Use and repetition of visual, auditory, olfactory or kinesthetic cues, rites and activities to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Path of Sacred Plants. Use of specific plants, herbs, strong drink, chemicals, and other external inputs to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy or Gnosis.
Path of the Flesh. Use of input from tactile, sensual, sexual or ecstatic body experiences to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy and/or Gnosis.
Path of the Horse. Use of Invocation, Evocation, Shapeshifting, and Horsing to access Altered States of Consciousness, Energy and/or Gnosis.
Path Worker. An individual who has chosen a specific Path to Altered States of Consciousness for personal growth and revelation and is living or actively following that Path. A.K.A.: Journeyer, Path-Walker.
Play Party. An event, gathering or party where individuals, pairs or groups engage in Kink activities. A.K.A.: Convention, Fetish Event, Fun Time, Gathering, Play Event, Play Night, Scene Gatherings, Scene Night, Scenes.
Play Space. A location where individuals, pairs or groups engage in Kink activities. A.K.A.: Den of Hedonism, Dungeon, House, Scene Space, Temple.
Polyamory. The practice of having more than one intimate sexual or emotional relationship at a time with the consent of everyone involved. A.K.A.: Consensual Non-Monogamy, Ethical Sluts, Open Marriage, Polyfidelity, Polygamy.
Power Exchange. Any trade, gain or loss of power in exchange for other considerations, power or resources. See Erotic Power Exchange. A.K.A.: Compromise, Employment, Negotiation, Trade Offs.
Possession. See Evocation, Invocation, and Horsing.
Processing. The time, activities, discussion or support needed by an individual to integrate their experience or knowledge learned from a Scene or other experience. This may or may not take place as part of Aftercare, and may or may not involve the individuals who were part of the Scene. A.K.A.: Sorting, Therapy.
Profane. The things we find fun, enjoyable, sexy, full of personal pleasure, hedonism or pragmatism; the things our Mundane self knows to be valid, true, useful or valuable. It is important to note that in the context of Sacred Kink, we are not using Profane to refer to a notion of bad or evil in any way.
Projection. Placing our own concept of what a person is or who we think they should be over who or what they actually are. Applies to places, activities and concepts as well. A.K.A.: Expectations, Projecting.
Psychic Vampire. An individual that fuels their own Energy by Feeding off the Energy of others. This might be done unconsciously, with consenting individuals, from ambient space energy, or maliciously. A.K.A.: Drama Queen, Energy Vampire, Ethical Psychic Vampire, Healer, Mage, Vampire, Wizard.
Psychonaut. An individual who actively engages in investigating their own mind, body, or Spirit through a variety of tools; Literal translation: “sailor of the soul”; in some circles, an individual who uses Entheogens to explore Altered States of Consciousness. A.K.A.: Journeyer, Seeker.
Punishment. Providing an unpleasant or negative stimulus, usually as a response to poor behavior, disobedience, or going against the desired system of conduct. A.K.A.: Correction, Discipline, Negative Reinforcement, Reparation.
Queer. (1) An umbrella term for persons operating beyond a gender or identity binary. (2) Individuals operating outside social or societal constructs of identity or sexuality. (3) A sexual orientation categorized by an interest or attraction to individuals, unfettered by gender identities or labels.
Recapitulation. To integrate Energy or part of the Astral Body back into one’s being, that was lost through a traumatic experience or blocked by one’s emotional journey. A.K.A.: Soul Retrieval.
Religion. An organized approach to Spirituality that involves specific beliefs, practices, symbols and stories, that can provide meaning to someone’s experiences of life, divinity, and ultimate truth.
Right Hand Path. The belief and practice that Will flows from the Universe into the practitioner; use of asceticism, meditation, and other practices to examine the self and its connection to the divine and place in the world in Tantric practices. See also Theurgic. A.K.A.: RHP
Role-Playing. (Profane) Play acting an imagined role in a scenario. A.K.A.: Dress-Up, Make-Believe, Playing Pretend. (Sacred) Invoking or Evoking an Archetype, persona or myth. A.K.A.: Storytelling, Horsing.
Sacred. The things we find holy, full of Energy, Spirit, passion or universal truth; the things our higher self knows to be valid, true, useful or valuable.
Sacred Kink. Using Kink activities or practices for Sacred and spiritual exploration. A.K.A.: Erotomancy, PsychoSpiritual Work, Qadishti BDSM, Sado-Erotic Ecstasy, Sado-Shamanism, Shamanadom.
Sadism. Sexual or erotic stimulation, pleasure or arousal from consensually inflicting pain or extreme sensation. Not to be confused with Clinical Sadism, which infers deriving pleasure from any form of pain inflicted.
Safer Sex. Sex that is performed with conscious analysis and reduction of the risks involved. See Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Energetically Transmitted Diseases (ETDs).
Safewords. Signals or tools for communicating during a Scene or interaction. Examples include the “Stop-Light System” (Red = Stop, Yellow = Pause, Green = Go), Absurd Words (Asparagus = Stop that action now), Bandana Drops (Holding onto a hanky and dropping when needing to check in) or Direct Plain Language (“No really, stop that”). A.K.A.: Cues for Checking-In, In-Scene Communication, Keywords, Stop-words.
Scene. (A Scene) A Kink/BDSM/Alternative sexual encounter that has a specified beginning, middle, and end. In some cases, a scene can be defined in advance, or examined in retrospect. A.K.A.: Ritual, Working, Play (The Scene) Slang or shorthand for the Kink/BDSM/Alternative sexuality community or communities. A.K.A.: The Community, The Lifestyle, Leather Community, Kink Community, Kink Communities.
Seeker. S
ee Journeyer.
Sex. (1) Interacting with the physical form that include kink, sensual experiences, oral to genital interaction, genital touch, use of vibrators or objects in a sexual manner, or different types of genital to genital contact. (2) Interactions that sensually, erotically, or passionately connect individuals with themselves or one another. (3) Physical interactions between two or more people involving genital contact on one or more partners. (4) Actions with an erotic or sexual intent that raise Energy through intimate physical, Astral, mental, or emotional connection. (5) Penile to vaginal intercourse. See Chapter 4, Path of the Flesh, for further discussion of the definitions of Sex.
Sex Magic. Magic done whereby the Energy being used came from sexual practice, tension, connection or power.
Sexual Continence. Refraining from all sexual contact, even when married or in relationship.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Any illness or disease that transmits by means of sexual contact, or in some cases, body fluids, IV drug use, or other fluid transmission. A.K.A.: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), STDs, Venereal Disease (VD).
Shapeshifting. Adjusting an individual’s personal Energy to be in line with their (or another’s) current Will; an individual taking on a shape or Energy other than their Normal state of being.
Shielding. The use of Energy or Will to create a Guardian or barrier between energies or things. Size, duration, portability, purpose and permeability vary. A.K.A.: Circle of Protection, Energetic Shielding, Psychic Shielding, Wards.
Signal Clarity. Making sure that the message received in Divination, divine connection or through personal Gnosis has been interpreted correctly and not been polluted by Mundane or Profane desires.
Slave. The serving, possessed or dedicated partner in a dynamic or encounter; an individual whose identity or role is intertwined with service, surrender, or Submission. A.K.A.: Acolyte, Owned, Pet, Property, Vassal.
Slavery. The process or act of surrendering an individual’s Will to a higher purpose (which may include the Will of another).
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