Dictionary of Magic & Occultism - C

Dictionary of Magic & Occultism - B

cadaver A dead body that is usually intended
for dissection. From the Latin cadere,
meaning to fall or to die.
charlatan From the Italian ciarlatano, via seventeenth-
century French ciarlare, meaning
“to babble or patter” or “empty talk.” Someone
who makes elaborate claims or who
pretends to have more skill or knowledge
than is factual, such as a fraud or quack.
chieftain The leader of a clan, tribe, or group.
clairvoyance The ability to visualize or sense
things beyond the normal range of the five
human senses. From the French word clairvoyant,
meaning clear-sighted and voyant,
the present participle of voir to see.
conjurations The act of reciting a name,
words or particular phrases with the intent
of summoning or invoking a supernatural
force or occurrence.
conquistadores From the Latin conquirere
meaning “to conquer.” Spanish soldiers or
adventurers, especially of the sixteenth
century who conquered Peru, Mexico, or
Central America.
consciousness Someone’s mind, thoughts or
feelings, or can be referring to the part of
the mind which is aware of same. The
state of being aware of what is going on
around you, either individually or the
shared feelings of group awareness, feelings
or thoughts.
conspiracy A plan formulated in secret
between two or more people to commit a
subversive act.
contactee Someone who believes to have
been or is in contact with an alien from
another planet.
cosmic consciousness The sense or special
insight of one’s personal or collective
awareness in relation to the universe or a
universal scheme.
cosmic sense The awareness of one’s identity
and actions in relationship to the universe
or universal scheme of things.
cosmology The philosophical study and
explanation of the nature of the universe
or the scientific study of the origin and
structure of the universe.
cosmos From the Greek kosmos meaning
“order, universe, ornament.” The entire
universe as regarded in an orderly, harmonious
and integrated whole.
coven From the Anglo-Norman, mid-seventeenth
century “assembly” and from convenire
meaning convene. An assembly of
or a meeting of a group of witches, often
13 in number.
cryptomensia A state of consciousness in
which the true source or origin of a particular
memory is forgotten or is attributed to
a wrongful source or origin.
cryptozoology The study of so-called mythical
creatures such as the Yeti or Bigfoot,
whose existence has not yet been scientifically
substantiated.
cubit From the Latin cubitum, meaning forearm
or elbow. An ancient unit of length,
based on the distance from the tip of the
middle finger to the elbow which approximated
17 to 22 inches.