Occult symbols are fast replacing Christian symbols in culture. Encourage you to use this list to warn others, especially children who intentionally wear and display them because they are popular.
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden, secret), referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g. an "occult bleed" may be one detected indirectly by the presence of otherwise unexplained anaemia.
The word has many uses in the English language, popularly meaning "knowledge of the paranormal", as opposed to "knowledge of the measurable", usually referred to as science. The term is sometimes popularly taken to mean "knowledge meant only for certain people" or "knowledge that must be kept hidden", but for most practicing occultists it is simply the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends beyond pure reason and the physical sciences. The terms esoteric and arcane can have a very similar meaning, and the three terms are often interchangeable.
ALL-SEEING EYE: A
universal symbol representing spiritual sight, inner vision, higher
knowledge, insight into occult mysteries. Look at your $1
bill.
EYE
in top Triangle of the PYRAMID: Masonic symbol for the
all-seeing eye of god - an mystical distortion of the omniscient
(all-knowing) Biblical God. You can find it on the $1 bill. See triangle,
Eye
of Horus and the Franklin Institute
website
ALCHEMY:
This simple 17th century "sign"
illustrates the blending of geometric shapes -- circle, triangle, square
-- representing the various "elements" needed for spells and magic. It's
interesting to note that some of the more popular occult computer games
also involve "elements" needed for magic and spell-casting.
AMULET: A magic charm (such as this
little Navajo bear earring), worn to bring good luck and protection
against illness, accidents and evil forces. Don't believe it!
ANARCHY: Popular among school
aged children today, this symbol for anarchy fits the message that
pervades the most popular video games, role-playing games, movies and
television. The lines of the "A" often extend outside the
circle. To many satanists and other fast-growing occult groups it
represents their slogan, "do what thou wilt." A former occultist
explained that it represents the ASMODEAS: a
demonic force driving teenagers toward sexual perversion and suicide.
ANKH: An Egyptian occult symbol cross symbolizing a mythical eternal life,
rebirth, and the life-giving power of the sun.
ANGEL: Symbol of
good and evil spirits in religions around the world. This picture shows a
Tibetan guardian angel. For a comparison between Biblical angels and
occult angels read chapter 8 in A Twist of Faith
ARROW: These two pictures shows the
astrological sign for the archer (Sagittarius) -- part of the zodiac. But,
through history, the arrow has also symbolized war, power, swiftness, the
rays of the sun, knowledge... as well as deities such as the Greek god
Apollo and goddess Artemis (both hunters), the Hindu weather
god, Rudra; and various gods of sexual attraction: Eros
(Greek), Cupid (Roman), Kama (Hindu).... On ancient Roman
coins, it represented the Zoroastrian god, Mithra. The native
American Cheyenne warriors revered the "sacred medicine arrows" as
symbols of male power. Arrows held by skeletons would point to disease or
death. Today, occult symbol usually just point in the preferred direction.
Crystal (Gazing) BALL: Used for divination (fortunetelling, scrying, clairvoyance...).
When the heavy crystal balls were too expensive, witches often used
glass-ball fishing floats, colored glass balls, or magic mirrors. One
website that markets these balls beckons: 'Why not buy one and try your
own free psychic reading." Scroll down to "Magic Mirrors"
BAT: A symbol of good fortune in the East, it represented
demons and spirits in medieval Europe.
BLAIR WITCH: A five-pointed compound symbol
with a center triangel (see below) pointing down. The five lines resemble
the microcosmic man with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with
a pentagram in the background)-- a magic symbol or charm among medieval
alchemists and wizards.
BUTTERFLY: Reminds Christians of the amazing
transformation that takes place through Christ's redemption and
regeneration. When "born again," we become "a new creation." (2 Cor.
5:17) To many pagans, its mythical meaning is linked to the soul (of
the deceased) in search of reincarnation."
CHAOS: A self-made form of
occultism taught through role-playing games such as Warhammer. According
to one devotee, "Chaos is the opposite of order. Since everything changes,
there is no right or no wrong -- only the quest for pleasure. The
8-pointed star represents the many different directions of chaos and the
many ways you can follow it. We worship deamons and angels, and when we
die, Chaos rewards us with the pleasures we liked in life. Chaos occult symbol is
everywhere, it blows in the wind..."SeeChaos
Magic
CIRCLE
(sacred hoop,
ring): An ancient and universal symbol
of unity, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To
earth-centered religions throughout history as well as to many
contemporary pagans, it represents the feminine spirit or force, the
cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth, and a sacred space. (See next
item) Gnostic traditions linked the unbroken circle to the "world serpent"
forming a circle as it eats its own tail.
CIRCLE with a DOT (BINDU) in the center: In the complex
symbolic system of Hinduism and Buddhism, the bindu (dot) represents
the male force. Together, the circle and the bindu symbolize the merging
of male and female forces. (See "Sun Sign" below and "Circle"
above)
CIRCLE
(quartered): The sacred circle filled
with a cross, four equal lines pointing from the center to the spirits of
the north, east, south, and west -- or to the basic element: earth, water,
air (or wind), and fire. In Native American traditions, it forms the basic
pattern of the MEDICINE WHEELand
plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many contemporary pagans
consider it their main symbol for transmitting the energy of the
goddess. (Scroll down to sun wheel) Churches have used
variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it the Celtic
Cross.
COMPASS (Masonic): The Masonic symbol of the
compass and the T-square represents movement toward perfection and a
balance between the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and
oriental mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represent spirit.
The ruler (part of a square) represent the physical. Some public schools
pass out pencil cases and other gifts decorated with this
emblem.
COW:
It symbolized the sky goddess Hathor to
Egyptians, enlightenment to Buddhists, one of the highest and holiest
stages of transmigration (reincarnation) to Hindus.
CRESCENT MOON:
A symbol of the aging goddess (crone)
to contemporary witches and victory over death to many Muslims. In Islamic
lands, crescent can be seen enclosing a lone pentagram.
CROSS: While anyone--even pagans--now use the cross as
decoration or as an occult symbol, Christians must continue to treasure
the cross of Calvary. But be careful what kind of cross you wear - and
what message you communicate to others. To understand the Christian
significance of the cross and appreciate its excruciating cost to our
crucified and resurrected Christ, read "The Cross".
Inverted cross: Originally represented the apostle Peter's
humility in his martyrdom. He insisted that he be crucified upside-down,
because he felt that he was unworthy to die in the same position as
Christ. But today, especially in the rock music culture, it generally
represents the opposite: satanism and its mockery of Christ. Lucifer
continues to twist God's wonderful truths and works into lies and
deceptions.
CROSS (IRON or EISERNAS KREUZ): Also called Mantuan or Maltese cross. First linked to an ancient
goddess temple on Malta, it was adopted as the Iron Cross in Prussia.
During the First World War, it appeared on German fighter planes and
tanks. Later, it became a fascist symbol in France, Portugal and other
nations. Compare it with Swastika 3 below.
Double-headed Eagle: A Masonic seal
and initiation symbol. The number inside the pyramid over the eagle's head
is 33. The eagle is a universal symbol representing the sun, power,
authority, victory, the sky gods and the royal head of a
nation.
DRAGON: A mythical monster made up of many animals:
serpent, lizard, bird, lion... It may have many heads and breath fire. To
mediaeval Europe, it was dangerous and evil, but people in Eastern Asia
believe it has power to help them against more hostile spiritual forces.
In the Bible it represents Satan, the devil.
DREAMCATCHER: An American Indian
magic spiderweb inside a sacred circle. After making dreamcatchers in
crafts lessons in school, many children hang them on or near their beds.
They have been told that these occult symbols will block bad dreams but
allow good dreams to pass through the center. Don't believe that
myth!
ELEMENTS: The
four basic elements to many pagans are earth, water, air (wind or spirit)
and fire. Many consider the first two passive and feminine - and the last
two active and masculine. In Wiccan or Native American rituals, the
"quartered circle" (similar to the the Medicine Wheel) represents a
"sacred space" or the sacred earth. The four lines may represent the
spirits of the four primary directions or the spirits of the earth, water,
wind and fire.
(This set of elements differs from those used in alchemy
(above).
EYE OF HORUS:
A favorite crafts project in schools,
it represents the eye of Egyptian sun-god Horus who lost an eye battling
Set. Pagans use it as a charm to ward off evil. (See All-Seeing
Eye)
Notice that the picture shows a compound symbol
- several symbols joined together to give a more complex meaning. It
includes an unbiblical cross and, at the bottom, part of a face inside the
rays of the sun. (See Sun)
FROG: A symbol of fertility to many cultures. The Romans
linked it to Aphrodite, the Egyptian to the shape-shifting goddess Heket
who would take the form of a frog. To the Chinese, it symbolized the moon
-- "the lunar, yin principle" bringing healing and prosperity.[1]Since frogs need watery
places, their image was often used in occult rain charms.
HEXAGRAM (see
"triangles) or
SIX-POINTED STAR: When surrounded by a circle,
it represents the "divine mind" (a counterfeit of God's wisdom) to
numerous occult groups through the centuries. Many still use it in occult
rituals. But to Jewish people, it is their Star of David.
ITALIAN
HORN (Cornu, Cornicello, Wiggly Horn, Unicorn horn, Lucifier's horn or
Leprechaun staff). The ancient magical charm or amulet worn in Italy
as protection against "evil eye" has also been linked to Celtic and Druid
myths and beliefs. Other superstitions link it to sexual power and good
luck. It is often worn with a cross (for double protection or luck?). In
pre-Christian Europe, animal horns pointed to the moon goddess and were
considered sacred.
LIGHTNING BOLT: In ancient
mythologies from many cultures (Norse, Roman, Greek, Native American,
etc.) the lighting bolt would be hurled by male sky gods to punish, water,
or fertilize the earth or its creatures. Navaho myths linked it to the
Thunderbird, the symbol of salvation and divine gifts. On children's toys,
it represents supernatural power. Double bolts, popular with contemporary
skinheads, symbolize Nazi power.
LIZARD:
Its "sun-seeking habit symbolizes the soul's
search for awareness." To the Romans, who believed it hibernated, the
lizard meant death and resurrection.
Magic
MIRROR: Used for "scrying" (foretelling the future, solve
problems, answer questions....) The preferred spectrum might
decorated with "magic signs" during full moon rituals. Rosemary Ellen
Guiley explains: "The ancient art of clairvoyance achieved by
concentrating upon an object-- usually one with a shiny surface-- until
visions appear....The term scrying comes from the English words descry
which means 'to make out dimly' or 'to reveal." The Encyclopedia of Witches and
Witchcraft, 307.
MANDALA: The Hindu term for"circle". In Hindu and Buddhist meditations, it is used to raise
consciousness. In meditation, the person fixes his or her mind on the
center of the "sacred circle." Geometric designs are common. The center of
some mandalas show a triangle with a bindu (dot) inside a circle. It
represents the merging of male and female forces.
MASONS
(Freemasons): The Masonic symbol of the
compass and the T-square represents movement toward perfection and a
balance between the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and
oriental mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represent spirit.
The ruler (part of a square) represent the physical. Some public schools
pass out pencil cases and other gifts decorated with this emblem. See
All-Seeing Eye, Eye of Horus, and
Dreamcatcher. Read "Masonic Centers are dream catchers," then "Brotherhood of Darkness"
by Dr. Stan Monteith.
MASK: Used by pagans around the world to represent animal
powers, nature spirits, or ancestral spirits. In pagan rituals, the wearer
may chant, dance and enter a trance in order to contact the spirit world
and be possessed by the spirit represented by the mask. The mask pictured
represents the mythical Hindu elephant god, Ganesha.
MEDICINE SHIELD: A round shield
decorated with personal symbols or pictures of the animal spirit(s)
contacted on a Spirit Quest or through a classroom visualization
simulating an American Indian ceremony. Its basic image is often the form
of the "medicine wheel" or "quartered circle."
OM: Sanskrit letters or symbol for the "sacred" Hindu sound om (ohm or
aum) called "the mother of all mantras. Apparently, the four parts
symbolize four stages of consciousness: Awake, sleeping, dreaming, and a
trance or transcendental state.
PEACE SYMBOL or NERO'S CROSS: A broken, upside-down cross.
To Roman emperor Nero, who hated and persecuted the early Christians, it
meant destruction of Christianity. Revived in the sixties by hippies and
others who protested nuclear weapons, Western culture, and Christian
values, it now symbolizes a utopian hope for a new age of global peace and
earth-centered unity. But many of heavy metal rock fans would agree with
Nero and use it to mock Christ and His followers.
PENTACLEor PENTAGRAM
(FIVE-POINTED STAR pointing up): A standard
symbol for witches, freemasons, and many other pagan or occult groups. To
witches, it represent the four basic elements (wind, water, earth and
fire) plus a pantheistic spiritual being such as Gaia or Mother Earth. The
pentagram is also "used for protection. to banish
energy, or to bring it to you, depending on how it's drawn," wrote
a Wiccan visitor.
PENTAGRAM (FIVE-POINTED STAR pointing down): Used in occult rituals
to direct forces or energies. Often represents satanism, the horned god or
various expressions of contemporary occultism, especially when a goat-head
is superimposed on the inverted pentagram.
PHILOSOPHERS STONE: The symbol for the Alchemist
quest for transformation and spiritual illumination, it was also the
British title of the first Harry Potter book (the U.S. publisher changed
it to Sorcerer's Stone). The double-headed eagle in the center is a
Masonic seal.
PHOENIX: A universal symbol of
the sun, rebirth, resurrection and immortality, this legendary red "fire
bird" was believed to die in its self-made flames periodically (each
hundred years, according to some sources) then rise again out of its own
ashes (some say after three days) -- as in this picture from a 5th century
Turkish mosaic. Linked to the worship of the fiery sun and sun gods such
as Mexico's Quetzalcoatl, it was named "a god of Phoenecia" by the
Phoenician. To alchemists, it symbolized the the destruction and creation
of new forms of matter along the way to the ultimate goal: the
philosopher's stone.
SCARAB: Symbol of the rising sun, the Egyptian sun god Chepri
(or Khepera), and protection from evil. To ancient Egyptians, the
dung beetle rolled its dung balls like Chepri rolled the sun across the
sky. The "sacred" symbol adorned popular seals, amulets and magic charms
(worn as protection against evil spirits or to overcome barreness) first
in Egypt, then in Phoenicia, Greece and other Mediterranean lands. Medieval alchemists used its pattern in their
magical diagrams.
SERPENT
OR
SNAKE: Most earth-centered or pagan cultures worshipped the serpent. It
represents rebirth (because of its molting), protection against evil,
either male of female sexuality, rain and fertility, a mediator between
the physical and spiritual world.... The list is endless, but in the Bible
it usually represents sin, temptation, destruction, and Satan. (See
"dragon") The circular image of the serpent biting its tail links the
mythical significance of the serpent to that of the sacred "circle." See "uroborus."
SPIDER:
Linked to treachery and death in many
cultures, it was seen as a "trickster" in ancient Africa, a "spinner of
fate" in ancient goddess cultures and -- in ancient Greek myths -- the
goddess Arachne turned into a spider by her jealous rival Athena.
"Christian" cultures have linked it both to an evil force that sucked
blood from its victims and to "good luck" because of the cross on the back
of some species. The Chinese have welcomed the spider descending on its
thread as a bringer of joys from heaven.
SPHINX: Ancient Egyptian and Babylonian
guardian of sacred places --an idol with human head and a lion's
body. The Greek sphinx would devour travelers who failed to answer her
riddle. According to A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
(by Arthur Waite, xii) the masonic sphinx "is the guardian of the Mysteries
and is the Mysteries summarized in a symbol. Their secret is the
answer to her question. The initiate must know it or lose the life of the
Mysteries. If he can and does answer, the Sphinx dies for him, because in
his respect the Mysteries have given up their meaning." (An occult, counterfeit view of redemption)
SPIRAL:
Linked to the "circle". Ancient symbol
of the goddess, the womb, fertility, feminine serpent force, continual
change, and the evolution of the universe. (Illustrated at this website)
SQUARE: In contrast to the circle which often symbolizes the
sacred and spiritual (including the "sacred" earth), the square represents
the physical world. Like the quartered circle, it points pagans to the
four compass directions: north, east, south and west. While the circle and
"spiral" symbolize female sexuality in many earth-centered
cultures, the square represents male qualities.
SUN FACE: The
pictured image is part of an 18th century Masonic ritual painting, but it
illustrates a symbol that has been central to most major spiritual systems
of history. Since the sun god usually reigned over a pantheon of lesser
gods. his symbol played a vital part in pagan worship (and in the rituals
of occult secret societies) around the world. In Inca myths, the sun was
worshipped as the divine ancestor of the nation.
SUN & MOON JOINED AS ONE: A universal pagan expression of
the merging of opposites. Like the "Yin Yang" (below), the marriage
of the male sun and the female moon
represents unity in diversity, compromise instead of conflict, and
conformity to a new consciousness where all is one.
SUN and SUN SIGN: The sun was
worshipped as a personified, life-giving deity in Babylonian, Egyptian,
Greek, Roman, and other major civilizations of history. The more common
symbol is the familiar face in the center of the sun's rays. (This will be
explained in our report on the Teletubbies. (See sun symbol below the
picture of the "Eye of Horus") A dot or point in the center of a circle
symbolizes the blending of male and female forces. (See air, which
also represents spirit, among the symbols for Elements) Hindus call the
midpoint in a circle the bindu - the spark of (masculine) life within the
cosmic womb.
SUN SIGN 2: Found in Turkey and
believed to represent the sun and the four directions. (See
"Swastika" 1 and 2). Compare the curving lines with the primary
lines of Swastika 3, the iron cross. Notice also that without the
horizontal line, the symbol resembles the outline of the
"Yin-Yang."
SUN WHEEL or RING CROSS: A universal symbol found on ancient slabs in Nordic countries, in
pre-Columbian America and in Mediterranean countries. "Today, it is
used as a log by some new fascist organizations," according to the
Dictionary of Symbols.[3] Like the swastika and other sun symbols, it represents
power and supremacy. See also "Circle (Quartered)". It
serves as a logo for the Swedish national socialist party, Nordiska
Rikspartiets (scroll to
drawing of the sun wheel on a banner), and for the French Jeune Nation.
SWASTIKA 1:Ancient occult symbol of the sun and the four
directions. Revived by Hitler, it represents racism and the "white
supremacy" of neo-nazis. Like other occult symbols, it is often placed
inside a "circle".
SWASTIKA 2(Crux
Dissimulata): An ancient swastika which
symbolized the four winds or directions and their corresponding spirits.
It was also a "fire and sun symbol occurring initially in Asia and later
among the Germanic tribes," according to The Herder Symbol
Dictionary.[4] "The cross inscribed in a circle mediates between the
square and the circle," emphasizing the "joining of heaven and earth....
and "the perfected human being."
SWASTIKA 3: A contemporary
variation of the many swastikas with labyrinth patterns. Like the two
swastikas above, its arms point counterclockwise indicating a mystical,
lunar and female orientation. Compare its two intersecting lines
with "Sun Sign 2, its curved arms (following the shape of the circle) with
Swastika 2, and its dark areas with the "Iron Cross."
THEOSOPHY: A
simplified version of the symbol behind the occult beliefs of UN leader Robert
Muller (his World Core Curriculum became a worldwide pattern for
global education) and education leader Shirley McCune (see Star Wars
Joins United Religions at the Presidio.) Notice the "ankh" in the
center. The more elaborate version inserts a variety of other symbols such
as the OM, pentagram, cross, etc. (Because of its dark occult meaning
and similarity to some of the complex magical signs used in alchemy and
masonic rituals, we prefer not to post it.)
TOAD: Linked to witchcraft and other occult
practices.
TONGUE
(protruding): Linked to flame, fire, fertility,
sexual power and spiritual power. In nations around the world, images of
deities or masks with protruding tongues have indicated active and
occupying spiritual forces -- often a union of masculine and feminine
spirits. Such images were vital to pagan rituals invoking [demonic]
spirits. The occult symbol for sexual/spiritual forces represented by gargoyles with
protruding tongues which adorned Gothic cathedrals were believed to
protect the buildings from other spiritual powers.
TOTEM: Carved,
painted representation of power animals or animal-human ancestors. To
American Indians in the Northwest, who believe that all of nature has
spiritual life, the animals in their totems poles represent the spiritual
powers of animal protectors or ancestors.
TRIANGLE (earring pictured): Associated with the number three.
Pointing upwards, it symbolizes fire, male power and counterfeit view of
God. (See "pyramid") To Christians, it often represents the Trinity.
Pointing down, it symbolizes water, female sexuality, goddess religions
and homosexuality.
See a large picture of Kabbalistic
triangles and how they are used together in ritual
magic.
UNICORN: To many New Agers, it means power,
purification, healing, wisdom, self-knowledge, renewal and eternal
life. Origin: In the 4th century BC, Greek historian Ctesias told
about a wild animal with healing powers and a spiral horn on its forehead.
Medieval myths suggested it could only be caught with help from a virgin
who would befriend it.
UROBORUS: The "circular" (see
earlier symbol) serpent biting its own tail represents eternity and the
cycles or "circle of life." Medieval alchemists linked it to the cyclical
processes in nature. The uroborus pictured here (encircling the UN
symbol for humanity seen inside a "triangle" (see above) was the official
symbol on for the 1996 United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
pictured on all its literature.
WHEEL:
A universal symbol of or cosmic unity,
astrology, "the circle of life," evolution, etc. The pagan sacred circle
plus any number of radiating spokes or petals form the wheel - a Wheel of
Life to Buddhists, a Medicine Wheel to Native Americans, a Mandala to
Hindus. It symbolizes unity, movement, the sun, the zodiac, reincarnation,
and earth's cycles of renewal. Pagans use it in astrology, magic and many
kinds of rituals. (See "Medicine Wheel" and Circle-Quartered)
Tibetan Prayer WHEELS:
"devices for spreading spiritual blessings and
well being. Rolls of thin paper, imprinted with many, many copies of the
mantra (prayer) Om Mani Padme Hum... are wound around an axle in a
protective container, and spun around and around. Tibetan Buddhists
believe that saying this mantra, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes
the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the
embodiment of compassion." (From The Prayer
Wheel)
WHEEL OF DHARMA: Buddhist wheel of life and
reincarnation.
WISHBONE: Civilizations dating back to the 4th Century (Etruscans, Romans...
Britain, America) have held turkey or chicken wishbone contest.
Pulling the dry turkey or chicken bone until it snapped ("lucky break"),
they believing the winner's wish or dream would come true. In today's
increasingly superstitious culture, many believe that this symbol will
"catch" their dreams, bring good luck, and make their wishes come true. As
in contemporary witchcraft or magic, the object becomes a channel of
"good" energy. Astrology and horoscopes link it to Saggitarius. It might
also be confused with the Lambda (looks like a lower case, upside-down
"y"), the Greek letter adopted by the International Gay Rights Congress in
1974 as the global symbol of homosexual "pride".
WORLD TRIAD: Originally an oriental symbol, it was "adopted by western
Gnostics as an emblem of cosmic creativity, the threefold nature
of reality or fate, and the eternally spiraling cycles of
time... In Japan it was maga-tama or mitsu tomoe, the
world soul.... In Bhutan and Tibet, it is still known as the Cosmic
Mandal, a sign of the Trimurti."5 Like the yin yang (below), it also represents
eternity. This is also the symbol for U.S. Department of
Transportation. Another Gnostic symbol is the "Uroborus" (see symbol
above).
YIN YANG: A Chinese Tao picture of universal
harmony and the unity between all opposites: light/dark, male/female, etc.
Yin is the dark, passive, negative female principle. Yang is the light,
active, positive principle. Since it represent monism (all is one) and
pantheism (all is God), it opposes Christianity, which shows us that there
is only one God (monotheism), and only in Christ can we be one. This
picture the yin yang on a ring and earrings illustrates its popularity. It
fits the consensus process, the vision of global unity, and the blending
of opposing energies at the heart of Holistic Health.
COMPOUND SYMBOLS
ASTROLOGICAL CHART: used by medieval
alchemists in divination. Notice the symbol of the intellect and of
the planet (and Roman god) Mercury inside the center
"triangle" (see above). This triangle is surrounded by a hexagram and two
smaller triangles positioned as male and female energy - and seven more
concentric "circles". Compound symbols within magical codes and names
inside multiple circles have been used by occultists and sorcerers in many
parts of the world. It is still used in African witchcraft.
