DAT (Decision Augmentation Theory) The theory that attempts to redefine psychokinesis as a precognition-based selection process rather than one of actual influence.
DEATH
The permanent cessation of all life-sustaining bodily functions.
A personification of death, such as the Grim Reaper or Angel of Death; thought to control or influence one’s fate and to be responsible for guiding a soul to the next world.
DEATHBED VISION In the final moments of life, many dying persons witness the appearance of predeceased friends or relatives who come to greet them. These visions seem genuinely surprising and comforting to the failing person as they are being welcomed home or into the next realm.
DEATH BED APPARITIONS (see crisis apparition)
DECLINE EFFECT A performance decline on subsequent PSI tests.
DEJA VU The sensation of having experienced something before.
DEMON Parasitical evil spirits who are believed to be fallen angels (minions of Satan); they roam the earth looking to possess humans and cause them to commit wicked acts. They are not ghosts and do not present themselves accordingly. It is common belief the one opens him/herself up to demonic possession by worshiping Satan or dabbling in occultist practices such as séances and Ouija board games.
DEVA A generally benevolent supernatural being that exists in nature.
DEVIL The supreme supernatural being and evil incarnate according to many religions and cultures. Depicted as the enemy of God and man, leader of all apostate angles (demons), and ruler of hell.
DICE TEST An experimental technique for the investigation of psychokinesis, in which a subject attempts to manipulate the fall of dice.
DIRECT VOICE (DVP): The voice of a ghost or spirit being spoken to the sitters of a seance. The voice usually comes from some point near the medium, but not through the medium. Sometimes a spirit horn or trumpet is used. Direct Writing: When ghost or spirit's handwriting appears directly on a previously unmarked, unwritten surface.
DISEMBOIED SPIRIT An incorporeal supernatural being that possesses the ability make itself visible and audible to the living.
DISPLACEMENT Responses on a PSI test that correspond systematically to targets other than the intended one (those before or after).
DISSOCIATION Activity performed outside a normal state of awareness that suggests the existence of a higher realm of consciousness.
DIVINATION An occultist practice or ritual that seeks to foresee or predict the future or discover secret knowledge through the interpretation of omens, or communication with immortal or supernatural powers.
DIWATA A fairy-like elemental from Philippine mythology that resides in trees, lives in harmony with the earth and is generally benevolent, blessing crops, ensuring health and granting fortune. As a guardian spirit, a diwata may be malevolent, causing illness or misfortune to those that are not respectful of the earth.
DMILS (Direct Mental Interaction with Living Systems) A testing procedure where an individual (agent) attempts to influence the response or behavior of another biological system (humans, animals or fish) from a distance.
DOMOVOI A house spirit or fairy in Slavic folklore that is typically depicted as a small, bearded hairy man, who may take on the appearance of the homeowner or household pet. Their behavior is said to be protective if they are happy and malicious when discontent.
DOPPELGANGER (Doppelgänger) German word meaning ‘double goer.’ This is a paranormal mirror image that one sees of oneself. It is thought to be either a forewarning of bad luck, illness, danger or tragedy, such as impending death.
DOUBLE BLIND An experimental procedure in which neither the subject nor experimenter is aware of key features of the experiment.
DOWN THROUGH TECHNIQUE (DT) An experimental test for clairvoyance in which an individual guesses the order of a stacked series of target symbols (cards) from top to bottom.
DOWSING The detection of underground water or mineral deposits using paranormal means such as a divining rod or pendulum.
DRAGON A mythical creature that possesses serpentine or reptilian qualities. They hold spiritual significance in many religions and cultures. Asian dragons are generally depicted as snake-like creatures that are revered as supernatural representatives of the primal forces of nature. They are thought to be wise and ancient. European dragons are generally shown as magical, fire breathing winged reptilians. Narratives have them guarding treasure, abducting females, and being slain by heroes.
DREAMS Thoughts, images, ideas, emotions, images and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during sleep. The content and reasons for dreams are not fully understood and have been subject to religious, policitical and scientific study throughout history.
DREAM TIME According to the animist mythology of the Australian aborigines, this is the sacred time in which ancestral totemic spirits created the world.
DROP-IN COMMUNICATOR A spiritual entity that upon being summoned at a séance makes its presence known.
DRYAD Tree nymph, generally benevolent supernatural being that exists in nature.
DYBBUK A restless spirit in Jewish folklore that takes possession of a living person.
DUERGAR A race of hideous dwarfs particularly associated with the folklore on Northern England. They are said to enjoy playing tricks on travellers at night and to disappear at dawn.
DWARF Supernatural creatures from Germanic and Scandinavian folklore that are generally portrayed as wise, short and unattractive men. They are skilled metalworkers, miners, and craftsmen that dwell in mountains and under the earth.
DAIKON In ancient Celtic and Visigothic overlapping tribal lore, a subterranean sentinel spirit believed to anchor the boundary stones of sacred groves against intrusion.
DARK WEAVER A demonic fate-entity from early Germanic and Gothic mythology that tangles the spiritual threads of mortals to cause sudden madness or accidents.
DEAD-MARCH PHANTOM A spectral procession from ancient Celtic twilight folklore, seen marching across lonely moors as an omen of collective village calamity.
DEMONIC USURPER A high-ranking fiend in classical demonology that attempts to hijack mediumistic trances to infiltrate the mortal plane without permission.
DOLMEN GUARDIAN An ancient stone elemental from megalithic Celtic lands that awakens during nocturnal solstices to test the courage of wandering travelers.