K

by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
RikJohnson@juno.com

Return to the Home Page.
Return to the Miscellenous Page.
Return to the Vocabulary Page.

KABALA-- (Hebrew) In its simplest form, the Jewish magickal system that incorporates the Tree of Life as a means of understanding the universe. Also Caballa znd Cabbala.

KARMA-- (Hindu) Holdovers from a previous lifetime. Actions in this life that are the result of previous acts. Eclectic Witches prefer this to the older Wiccan Fate.
Often misunderstood as reward and punishment, it is nothing of the sort.

KARNAYNA-- See Cernunnos.

KERFAN-- See kirfane.

KERFAIN-- See kirfane.

KERFIN-- See kirfane.

KERIDWEN-- (Celt) See Cerridwen.

KERN-- (Italian) The Stag-Horned God. Probably a cognate with Cerne or Herne.

KERNUNNOS-- See Cernunnos.

KEY OF SOLOMON-- A set of magickal books (the Lesser Key and the Greater Key)which were supposedly written by King Solomon of Israel but appeared quite a few centuries later. A lot of Traditional Wiccan magickal usages can be traced to the Keys although this may be because Witches and Jews helped each other escape the xian holy inquisition and there was a trade of knowledge between them.
Many modern Witches use the Key as a referance or a historical work instead of an actual grimoire despite the tracing of many of our workings directly from this work.

KIRILIAN PHOTOGRAPHY-- The process where the aura may be photographed under varying conditions to demonstrate psychics, healings or spirituality.

KIRFANE-- (source unknown) Refers to the White-Hilted-Knife that is used by Witches for cutting. This knife is often confused with and referred to by the term and knife 'Bolline'. This term was discovered in the literature by the HPS of DHC and introduced into Desert Henge Coven vocabulary around 1990 to describe, in a more poetical manner, this tool. It has since spread to the vocabulary of other Witches.
It is interesting to note that the Sikhs possess a small sacred knife called a kirpan which the hide in their turban and which may be related to the Kirfane. Kirfan is Anglo- Saxon for "to cut" and is pronounced 'kar-fahn'.
Other spellings are curfain, curfane, kerfain, kerfan, kerfin, and is pronounced 'kerr-faign' or 'kar-fahn'' or 'ker-fahn'. Also Kerfan, Kerfain and Kerfin.

KLINGON WICCA-- (c 1995) A new Tradition that seeks to combine Wicca with the Star Trek phenomenom. As Wicca is the only major religion that has no devil or war god, one wonders how it can be combined with a fictional people who glorify war and battle. Klingon Witches perform their rites in the Klingon language, use nasty looking triple bladed knives for Athames and wear klingon armor in their rites. Only time will tell if this is a fad, a joke or, like the Discordian religion, a wave of the future.

KNIFE AND CHALICE-- See the Great Rite.

KOAN-- (Buddhist) A question which on the surface seems simple and obvious but after years of meditation, produces deeper meanings. The most famous of these is "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" In America we use the koan "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a noise?" Wicca has it's own version of the Koan but most Wiccans ignore the benefits of contemplation and go for the easy answer.

KYTELER, DAME ALICE-- ( 14th century) Although there were few Witch trials in Ireland, the Kyteler case stands out for its unusual nature. Dame Alice was a wealthy woman who is said to have performed magick to ensure the safety and wealth of her children. When bishop Richard de Ledrede of Ossory ordered her arrested for Witchcraft in 1324, she responded by having him thrown into jail. This act was doubly strange in catholic Ireland where a catholic bishop had more power than the king. The fact that she was able to resist him for so long shows the power of this woman.
Return to Contents.

To contact me or to request topics to be covered, send to RikJohnson@juno.com
by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717

Return to the Home Page.
Return to the Miscellenous Page.
Return to the Vocabulary Page.