Wyrd terms

ANTHROPODERMIC BIBLIOPEGY

; The practice of binding books in human skin.

APOTROPAIC

; Intended or having powers to ward off evil.

ARBORGLYPH

; The carving of shapes and symbols in the bark of living trees.

TO DITHER

; To tremble of shiver with cold (provincialism from Yorkshire).

DOLMEN

; A structure consisting of one large unhewn stone resting on two or more unhewn stones placed erect in the earth: a term also frequently used as synonymous with cromlech.

DOWNS

; Rolling hills in southern England, The name comes from the Old English dūn (“hill”).

TO FATHOM

; To measure with the width of your arms stretched, it creates a strong connection between the body and the space and the land. It is also the action of bringing somebody closer to your heart and embrace them in your arms.

GENIUS LOCI

; Protective spirit of a place.

GRIM

; Old anglo-saxon word for devil.

HAUNTOLOGY

; Refers to the return or persistence of elements from the past, as in the manner of a ghost, introduced by Jacques Derrida.

KATABASIS

; In mythology and folklore katabasis refers to a trip to the underworld, or the land of the dead in search of knowledge, a quest object or a loved one.

KENOPSIA

; The eeriness of places left behind.

KRATT

; A kratt was a magical creature in Estonian folklore formed from hay or of old household implements by its master, who then had to give the devil three drops of blood for the devil to bring life to the kratt.

LYCH

; Old term for corpse.

MENHIR

; A single tall standing stone as a monument, especially of prehistoric times.

NUMINOUS

; A place rich with the presence of spirit. To be innumined (hans poutianen). Becoming aware of the numinous nature of the landscape around us and the corresponding numinous qualities inside of us. This is where art meets magic.

PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY

; The study of specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behaviour of individuals and also how the human psyche leave traces on the landscape over long periods of time.

SIGIL

; A sign, word, or device held to have occult power in astrology or magic.

TENEBRISM

; A style of painting using very pronounced chiaroscuro, with darkness a dominating feature of the image.