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occultism

(Encyclopedia) occultismoccultisməkŭlˈtĭzəm [key], belief in supernatural sciences or powers, such as magic, astrology, alchemy, theosophy, and spiritism, either for the purpose of enlarging man's…

maya, in Hinduism

(Encyclopedia) mayamayamäˈyä [key], in Hinduism, term used in the Veda to mean magic or supernatural power. In Mahayana Buddhism it acquires the meaning of illusion or unreality. The term is pivotal…

Albright, Ivan Le Lorraine

(Encyclopedia) Albright, Ivan Le LorraineAlbright, Ivan Le Lorraineôlˈbrīt [key], 1897–1983, American painter, b. North Harvey, Ill. Allied with the Magic Realist group, Albright developed a style…

Amphiaraüs

(Encyclopedia) AmphiaraüsAmphiaraüsămˌfēərāˈəs [key], in Greek mythology, a prophet, one of the ill-fated Seven against Thebes. He foresaw the disaster of the expedition, but Polynices bribed his…

Jay, Ricky

(Encyclopedia) Jay, Ricky, 1946–2018, American magician, actor, and writer, b. Brooklyn, N.Y., as Richard Jay Potash. The grandson of a fine amateur magician, Jay first performed at age four and as a…

amulet

(Encyclopedia) amuletamuletămˈyəlĭt [key], object or formula that credulity and superstition have endowed with the power of warding off harmful influences. The use of the amulet to avert danger and…

Brunhild

(Encyclopedia) BrunhildBrunhildbr&oomacr;nˈhĭld [key], BrünnehildeBrünnehildebrünˌəhĭldˈə [key], or BrynhildBrunhildbrĭnˈhĭld [key], mighty female warrior of Germanic mythology and literature. In…

voodoo

(Encyclopedia) voodoovoodoov&oomacr;ˈd&oomacr; [key] [from the god Vodun], native W African religious beliefs and practices that also has adherents in the New World. Voodoo believers are most…

Lady of the Lake

(Encyclopedia) Lady of the Lake, in Arthurian legend, a misty, supernatural figure endowed with magic powers, who gave the sword Excalibur to King Arthur. She inhabited a castle in an underwater…

Escher, M. C.

(Encyclopedia) Escher, M. C. (Maurits Cornelis Escher)Escher, M. C.môrˈĭts kôrnāˈləs ĕshˈər [key], Du. Escher, M. C.ĕsˈkhər [key], 1898–1972, Dutch artist. Primarily a graphic artist, Escher composed…