# Spiritual glossary: A > Plain-English meanings of spiritual, witchcraft, tarot and astrology words beginning with A: Affirmation, Akashic records, Altar, Amulet, Angel number, Arcana URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-a Updated: 2026-10-30 11 terms beginning with A, explained simply. ## Affirmation A short positive statement repeated to focus the mind, such as 'I am calm and capable'. Often used with crystals or at the new moon. ## Akashic records In theosophy, a non-physical record of every soul's thoughts and deeds. The idea was popularised by 19th-century theosophists. ## Altar A table or shelf arranged with meaningful objects: candles, crystals, seasonal flowers, photos. In modern witchcraft it is a focus for ritual. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/witchy-altar-setup). ## Amulet An object carried or worn for protection, such as a hamsa or an evil eye charm. Compare talisman, which is made to attract something. ## Angel number A repeating number sequence, such as 111 or 444, read in modern spirituality as a message. Built on numerology meanings. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/angel-numbers). ## Arcana From Latin for 'secrets'. A tarot deck has 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot). ## Ascendant Also called the rising sign: the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Astrology links it with how others first see you. ## Aspect In astrology, the angle between two planets in a chart, such as a conjunction (0°), square (90°) or trine (120°). ## Astral projection The belief that the consciousness can travel outside the body, for example during sleep or meditation. ## Athame A ritual knife, traditionally black-handled, used in Wicca to direct energy rather than to cut. ## Aura In spiritual tradition, a field of coloured light said to surround a person. 'Aura quartz' is also the name for quartz coated with metal vapour to give a rainbow sheen. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/crystals/aura). ## Other letters [A](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-a) · [B](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-b) · [C](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-c) · [D](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-d) · [E](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-e) · [F](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-f) · [G](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-g) · [H](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-h) · [I](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-i) · [K](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-k) · [L](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-l) · [M](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-m) · [N](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-n) · [O](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-o) · [P](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-p) · [Q](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-q) · [R](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-r) · [S](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-s) · [T](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-t) · [W](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-w) · [Y](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-y) · [Z](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary/letter-z) ## Questions **What does Affirmation mean?** A short positive statement repeated to focus the mind, such as 'I am calm and capable'. Often used with crystals or at the new moon. **What does Akashic records mean?** In theosophy, a non-physical record of every soul's thoughts and deeds. The idea was popularised by 19th-century theosophists. **What does Altar mean?** A table or shelf arranged with meaningful objects: candles, crystals, seasonal flowers, photos. In modern witchcraft it is a focus for ritual. **What does Amulet mean?** An object carried or worn for protection, such as a hamsa or an evil eye charm. Compare talisman, which is made to attract something. **What does Angel number mean?** A repeating number sequence, such as 111 or 444, read in modern spirituality as a message. Built on numerology meanings. **What does Arcana mean?** From Latin for 'secrets'. A tarot deck has 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards. **What does Ascendant mean?** Also called the rising sign: the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Astrology links it with how others first see you. **What does Aspect mean?** In astrology, the angle between two planets in a chart, such as a conjunction (0°), square (90°) or trine (120°). **What does Astral projection mean?** The belief that the consciousness can travel outside the body, for example during sleep or meditation. **What does Athame mean?** A ritual knife, traditionally black-handled, used in Wicca to direct energy rather than to cut. **What does Aura mean?** In spiritual tradition, a field of coloured light said to surround a person. 'Aura quartz' is also the name for quartz coated with metal vapour to give a rainbow sheen. ## Related - [Glossary A–Z](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/glossary) --- Starseed UK describes spiritual uses as tradition and belief, never as health or medical claims. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40.