The Akâsa is the indispensable agent of every Krityâ, (magical performance) either religious or profane. The Brahmanical expression “to stir up the Brahma” _Brahma jinvati_—means to stir up the power which lies latent at the bottom of every such magical operation, for the Vedic sacrifices are but ceremonial magic. This power is the Akâsa or the _occult_ electricity; the alkahest of the alchemists in one sense, or the universal solvent, the same _anima mundi_ as the astral light. At the moment of the sacrifice, the latter becomes imbued with the spirit of Brahma, and so for the time being is Brahma himself. This is the evident origin of the Christian dogma of transubstantiation. As to the most general effects of the Akâsa, the author of one of the most modern works on the occult philosophy, _Art-Magic_, gives for the first time to the world a most intelligible and interesting explanation of the Akâsa in connection with the phenomena attributed to its influence by the fakirs and lamas. ANTHROPOLOGY—the science of man; embracing among other things: _Physiology_, or that branch of natural science which discloses the mysteries of the organs and their functions in men, animals, and plants; and also, and especially, _Psychology_, or the great, and in our days, so neglected science {xxviii} of the soul, both as an entity distinct from the spirit and in its relations with the spirit and body. In modern science, psychology relates only or principally to conditions of the nervous system, and almost absolutely ignores the psychical essence and nature. Physicians denominate the science of insanity _psychology_, and name the lunatic chair in medical colleges by that designation. CHALDEANS, or Kasdim.—At first a tribe, then a caste of learned kabalists. They were the savants, the magians of Babylonia, astrologers and diviners. The famous Hillel, the precursor of Jesus in philosophy and in ethics, was a Chaldean. Franck in his _Kabbala_ points to the close resemblance of the “secret doctrine” found in the _Avesta_ and the religious metaphysics of the Chaldees. DACTYLS (_daktulos_, a finger).—A name given to the priests attached to the worship of _Kybelé_ (Cybelè). Some archæologists derive the name from δάκτυλος, finger, because they were ten, the same in number as the fingers of the hand. But we do not believe the latter hypothesis is the correct one. DÆMONS.—A name given by the ancient people, and especially the philosophers of the Alexandrian school, to all kinds of spirits, whether good or bad, human or otherwise. The appellation is often synonymous with that of gods or angels. But some philosophers tried, with good reason, to make a just distinction between the many classes. DEMIURGOS, or Demiurge.—Artificer; the Supernal Power which built the universe. Freemasons derive from this word their phrase of “Supreme Architect.” The chief magistrates of certain Greek cities bore the title.