The Encyclopaedia of Gothic

The Alchepaedia of Terms & Phrases

The following is a collection of various terms collected over the past 5 years on the internet. If you believe that your terms, or writings are listed here, either because you do not believe that you authorized it, or because you no longer wished to have it published, or because you wish to have it changed please contact me through email. If you have a term or something you wish to add to the Encylopaedia, please also contact me by email.

Absinthe: is an alcoholic drink made with an extract from wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). It is an emerald green drink which is very bitter (due to the presence of absinthin) and is therefore traditionally poured over a perforated spoonful of sugar into a glass of water. The drink then turns into an opaque white as the essential oils precipitate out of the alcoholic solution. Absinthe was once popular among artists and writers and was used by Van Gogh, Baudelaire, and Verlaine, to name a few. It appears to have been believed to stimulate creativity. However, in the 1850's, there began to be concern about the results of chronic use. Chronic use of absinthe was believed to produce a syndrome, called absinthism, which was characterized by addiction, hyperexcitability, and hallucinations. This concern over the health effects of absinthe was amplified by the prevailing belief in Lamarckian theories of heredity. In other words, it was believed that any traits acquired by absinthists would be passed on to their children (1). Absinthe's association with the bohemian lifestyle also worked to compound fears about its effects, much as has happened with marijuana in America. Absinthe was subsequently banned in many countries in the beginning of the 1900's. Agla: Quabbalistic term, and talismanic symbol, (a cross crosslet over a circle), derived from the Hebrew Atha gibor leolam Adonai ~ 'Thou art mighty forever, O Lord'. Said to invoke good luck and bring great wealth. Amzer: The First Prophet, from earliest Sumerian canons and the Apocryphal writings. The illegitimate and only male offspring of Adam and his first spouse Lilith, outcast by both and adopted by Yhaweh, The Creator, (later to be known as God). Anointed Amzer, (a precursor of Mamzer, Hebrew for bastard), and appointed the covert messiah, he was then charged for eternity with The Mission. Anglo-Saxons: Name given to the Germanic-speaking peoples who settled in England after the decline of Roman rule there. They were first invited by the Celtic King Vortigern, who needed help fighting the Picts and Scots. The Angles (Lat. Angli), who are mentioned in Tacitus Germania, seem to have come from what is now Schleswig in the later decades of the 5th cent. Their settlements in the eastern, central, and northern portions of the country were the foundations for the later kingdoms known as East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria. The Saxons, a Germanic tribe who had been continental neighbors of the Angles, also settled in England in the late 5th cent. after earlier marauding forays there. The later kingdoms of Sussex, Wessex, and Essex were the outgrowths of their settlements. The Jutes, a tribe about whom very little is known except that they probably came from the area around the mouths of the Rhine, settled in Kent and the Isle of Wight. The Anglo-Saxons eventually formed seven separate kingdoms known as the heptarchy. The term Anglo-Saxons was first used in Continental Latin sources to distinguish the Saxons in England from those on the Continent, but it soon came to mean simply the English. The more specific use of the

term to denote the non-Celtic settlers of England prior to the Norman Conquest dates from the 16th cent. In more modern times it has also been used to denote any of the people (or their descendants) of the British Isles Ankh: Ancient Egyptian symbol for life and immortality (or afterlife), and the key of wisdom and secret knowledge. The ankh's form represents the sun over the horizon, with the Nile flowing out below, or alternatively, the combined fertility symbols of the female over the male genitals. Arianism: The doctrines of Arius, denying that Jesus was of the same substance as God and holding instead that he was only the highest of created beings, viewed as heretical by most Christian churches. Arachnid: A type of arthropod of the class Arachnida, including spiders, possessing only two main body regions and having eight legs. Araneum: (Latin); Spiders web. Baby Bat: a term which probably was originally meant to be deragatory, has now come to mean either a young goth or a new-comer to the scene. In its first meaning it would almost seem synonymous with Spooky Kids, but Baby Bats don't have the "poseur aura" about them. Instead, they usually tend to go on to be accepted as a Goth. In the second meaning it is just someone who has recently become a Goth, and therefore doesn't know as much about the culture. These are the kind of people that whould accidentally ask the DJ at the local Goth club to something by Switchblade Symphony, not realizing the last song was by Switchblade Symphony. Beowulf: An Old English poem of 3,182 lines, surviving in a 10th-cent. manuscript. It tells of two major events in the life of the Geatish hero Beowulf: the first when, in his youth, he fights and kills first Grendel, a monster who has been attacking Heorot, the hall of the Danish king Hrothgar, and then Grendel's mother who comes the next night to avenge her son; the second, 50 years later, when Beowulf, who has for a long time been king of the Geats, fights a dragon who has attacked his people, in a combat in which both Beowulf and the dragon are mortally wounded. The historical period of the poem's events can be dated in the 6th cent. from a reference to Beowulf's king Hygelac by the historian Gregory of Tours; but much of the material of the poem is legendary and paralleled in other Germanic historical-mythological literature in Norse, Old English, and German. Although it has been suggested that the date of the poem may be nearer to that of its manuscript in the 10th cent., the poem is generally dated in the 8th cent., perhaps in its second quarter, at a time when England was being won over from paganism to Christianity. This date is taken to account for the strong thread of Christian commentary which runs through the poem, seemingly inappropriate to the date of its historical events. The degree of Christian morality inherent in the poem has been one of the two principal critical talking points about Beowulf; the second is the consistency or otherwise of the poem's construction. W. P. Ker (in Epic and Romance, 1896) regarded the monster stories as insignificant and the peripheral historical allusions as weighty and important. This view was most famously opposed by Tolkien in 'The Monsters and the Critics' (1936) where he argued that it was precisely the superhuman opposition of the heathen monsters that elevated the poem to heroic stature, and that all the other allusions were related directly to the transient grandeur of Beowulf's life and battles with the monsters. Beowulf is much the most important poem in Old English and it is the first major poem in a European vernacular language. But, apart from this pre-eminence in its period, the poem is remarkable for its sustained grandeur of tone and for the brilliance of its style,

both in its rather baroque diction and in the association of the elements of its plot. Ed. F. Klaeber (1922, etc.); C. L. Wrenn (1953; rev. W. F. Bolton, 1973); trans. E. T. Donaldson (1966); G. N. Garmonsway and others in Beowulf and its Analogues (1968); R. W. Chambers, Beowulf: An Introduction (3rd edn. with supplement by C. L. Wrenn, 1959); L. E. Nicholson ed., An Anthology of Beowulf Criticism (1963). Byzantine: Of Byzantium or the Eastern Roman Empire. The highly decorated style of art and architecture developed in the Eastern or Greek Empire during the period AD330 to 1453, from which much of the European gothic style derived. 'Caput Mortem': (Latin); 'Deaths head'. Cartouche: An oval shaped frame containing Egyptian hieroglyphs. Celtic: Of a group of western European peoples emerging about 500 BC, probably from the Rhine region of Europe, and including the pre-Roman inhabitants of Britain and Gaul and their descendants, esp. in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany, and the Isle of Man. Known especially for their distinctive art styles, including spirals, key patterns, knot work forms and animal patterns. Originally pagan and spiritually led by the powerful Druids, the Celts began to be converted to Christianity by around the 1st Century AD. At the Synod of Whitby in 664, they broke away from the Roman Church to form their native Celtic Church. Chartreuse: is an herb liqueur made by The Charterhouse Order of Carthusian Monks of the Convent of the Grande Chartreuse at Grenoble in the French Alps - more specifically, three monks who do not speak to each other. They each only know two-thirds of the recipe and as the Chartreuse is made, the liqueur is passed on to each monk to complete his part of the recipe. Although no one knows the full recipe, it is believed to contain mint, licorice, lime, and ginger to name a few. All total, it is made of 130 different herbs found in the Alps. The recipe was passed on to the Carthusian monks in 1605 by the Marechal d'Estrees. The alchemist monks spent 10 years perfecting the recipe before passing it on as a health tonic. The elixir became world-renowned for it's curative powers. The recipe was reworked again in 1757 to become just a liqueur. Chartreuse comes in two colors, green and yellow. The green has an almost florescent color, although the yellow also has a vibrant color to it. These colors are natural. Descriptions of the taste vary greatly, ranging from "It tastes like heaven in a bottle," to "Oh god, I swear it's floor polish remover." It's an herb liqueur so it has quite a range of flavors in one sip. It is also potently strong and has a heady aroma to it. The yellow has a slightly more citrus-y flavor. The green, nicknamed green fire tops off at a lovely 110 proof, while the yellow is mellower at 80 proof. Many add Chartreuse to a mixed drink so one can enjoy the added flavor of the herbs without worrying about burning a hole in ones throat. There is also a special kind of Chartreuse called Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolonge, (V.E.P.) which comes in an original bottle from the 1840's and is encased in a wood box. The V.E.P.'s are slightly mellower in flavor so they go down smoother. Liquor stores in bigger cities usually carry it, and an extremely well-stocked bar will have it. A regular bottle of Chartreuse runs around $40. The V.E.P. can be upwards into $80$100 or more. Bars tend to serve it for about $5 for a glass that has around 2-3 shots in Legend has it that Chartreuse makes your eyes glow green if you drink enough of it, but apart from severe intoxication, large quantities offer no unusual side effects Chi-rho: (Greek); An acronym, also a monogram of chi (K) and rho (R) as the first two letters of Khristos (Christ), widely used in Christian symbolism and iconography in

ancient times. Corporate Goth/CorpGoth: 1) A term used to describe Goths who hold professional jobs that might require a suit and tie, or any Goth who has to balance their work life with personal life. This can also include a style of fasion that mixes Gothic themes into corporate attire. 2) A Website and community created by Dark Wyccan and designed as a networking and support group for goths who have to deal with being a Goth in the workplace. Their membership is worldwide and they will occationally hold parties or events where there is enough interest. Death Metal: Call it what you will, Black Metal, or Death Metal. This is the extreme end of Gothic Rock. The metal infuence dominates, with screaming, whining guitars, aggressive drums, and excessively harsh, low-pitch vocals. 'Deus et Natura': (Latin); Deus et Natura no faciunt frustra ~ 'God and Nature do not work together in vain' Disc Rot: If you have any CDs manufactured by PDO between 1988-1993, you may have noticed a bronze discoloring around the outside edge of the label side of the CD on some discs. This is what is known as "bronzing", or "disc rot". Along with this comes a gradual deterioration of data on the CD starting with the last track and moving inwards over time. The symptom of the deterioration is a crackling, staticky noise not unlike that of a scratchy vinyl LP. Horrible, eh? A good reason to buy everything on vinyl, if it were possible. Doom Cookie: 'Doom Cookie' is a derogatory term directed particularly at young gothy females. When this writer first heard the term it was used to specifically describe someone who was looked upon as being other-than-genuine for some reason or another. To give an example, a girl walking around in knee-high black platform boots, a latex corset and stockings with a bat pattern on them who's at an utter loss when asked who Peter Murphy is would have fit very well within this description. However, as time and opprotunistic slander is wont to do, the meaning and application of the term has somewhat broadened in scope. The most solid definition one might have for the term now-a-days would probably be 'Young-Goth-Chick-That-I-Don't-Like.' Electro-Gothic: Bands in this category are clearly influenced by the traditional gothic rock sound, but have an elecronic twist. Keyboards and synthesizers do not necessarily have to dominate the music, but they are a significant part of the bands' sound. Some bands may rely entirely on digital instruments. Elektro Body Music (EBM): Elektro Body Music is a small fringe genre of music that developed off of a combination of the new wave/synthpop and euro-industrial styles. Combining elements of both with moving (not necessarily heavy) and accelerated rhythms and BPMs, with synthesizer and keyboard based melodies, EBM seeks to infuse into a persons body to move them similar to what trance might do. It is heavily computer influenced and usually 100% electronic in its arrangement, and lacks the guitars and other similar conventional instruments. Popular bands of the EBM genre include Noxious Emotion, ThouShaltNot, Glis, Psyche, etc. Ethereal Darkwave: Darkwave has been used to specifically define an industrial sound coming out of Germany, the ethereal sounds of bands from the Projekt label, a well as serve as a generic term relating to dark music that is enclusive of everything that may be classified as industrial and gothic, and finally as a way of differentiating the more traditional Gothic Rock sounds from all other dark music that the gothic subculture

listens to (all that which is goth except for rock sounding goth!). There are usually musicindustry related reasons behind each definition...but that will be left among you to discuss amongst yourselves. In this subcategory, the darkwave term is pared with ethereal to describe beautiful, soft music. This grouping encludes bands which captivate your mind, and create a soaring or ominous sensation within your spirit. Nothing harsh or aggressive here. Everything from angelic to sorrowful to romantic vocals, chants, tribal, and stong easatern (east of Europe) influence. Fat Bob: Fat Bob is a nickname for Robert Smith of the Cure. It was originally given to him by Siouxsie. They apparently were once friends until they had a falling-out. She began calling him "Fat Bob" which had to do with the fact that when The Cure first started, Robert was quite thin, but gained a lot of weight when The Cure hit it big in the late 80's early 90's. The name caught on with some since, apart from the weight, Robert Smith wore oversized loosely knitted sweaters. The phrase can also mean the hair-do he made famous, involving a lot of teasing, blow-drying, and AquaNet Fetish: In the gothic scene, the term fetish is typically used to define a fashion of attire: Leather Clothing, Latex and PVC, Lace Lingerie, Corsets, Collars and Chains, etc. Not all who wear such outfits do so for the sake of the actual sexual fetish such clothing may imply. Many wear them for fashion only, while others are more involved with the fetish itself. Generally it is best not to make any assumptions based one one's attire or appearance in the scene. Fishnets: Clothing that has a net-like appearance, typically stockings, shirts and gloves. Black, often ripped, fishnets tend to be common in gothic fashion for either gender, although other colors are also used. Fleury: a heraldic term meaning decorated with fleurs-de-lis. (Middle English from Old French flo(u)r) Goth Card: A fictional gothic membership-like card from which points are added or subtracted for being "goth" or "ungoth". This insider joke was apparently invented on uk.people.gothic where it was teased the points could be used for purchases, favors, etc. Phrases such as "Youre wearing white?? Hand over your goth card!" have become common throughout the scene Goth Code: The Goth Code is an abbreviation-based self-description mechanism, commonly used in at the tail of messages to Usenet and email. Vesion 1.0-Beta was first released on 20 Oct 1995. It used a few Geek Code v2.0 portions for versions 1.1 through v3.1. Goth.Code 98, the most recent version, was released 19 Feb 1998. Goth.Code initially took inspiration from The Twink Code and The Bear Code, both gay . signature codes created as on-line versions of the Hanky Codes used by some gay scenes in the USA. Goth Code cannot be used as a communication mechanism. You can't write messages to people in Goth.Code. Is Goth Code prescriptive? It's merely a short-hand way to catagorise yourself. You'd become insane if you tried to be all of the options provided in Goth.Code as the options presented are often mutually exclusive. The Goth Test: Unlike most tests of this nature, the Goth Test was developed in 1991 as a joke, but has become quite popular and the base on which similar tests were developed. (Version 1.1) Scoring - Count 1 for each item that you have done, or each question that you can answer correctly. If you don't know the 'correct' answer then you've got it wrong.

And now, the test: Section 1 - What *do* you look like? 1. Do you have black, purple, or white hair? 2. Do you dye your hair? 3. Do you dye your hair every 4 weeks? 4. Every week? 5. Do you have or have you ever had hair extensions? 6. Is there such a thing as 'too much' hairspray? 7. Do you own more eyeliner pencils than ordinary pencils? 8. Do you wear your makeup to bed? (bonus point if you don't go to bed) 9. Could you underpin a building with your foundation? 10. Does it take you more than an hour to get ready to go out? 11. Can you put eyeliner on without using a mirror? 12. Has anyone asked you if you 'sharpen your feet'? 13. Do you have more buckles than toes? 14. Have you worn fishnet on your arms? 15. Do you set off the metal detector at airports? Section 2 - Music, Musicians, Muses 16. Do you know every Sisters of Mercy Song? 17. Can you do the actions? 18. Have you ever seen - Bauhaus? 19. The Virgin Prunes? 20. Alien Sex Fiend? 21. The Sisters of Mercy? 22. The Fields of the Nephlim (or the Nephlim) 23. Can you name the original line-up of Christain Death? 24. Have you ever ligged a band on the goth list? 25. Have you ever had a pass to one of these bands? 26. Did you use it? 27. Have you been to an aftershow party with a famous goth band? 28. Were the members of the band scared of you? 29. Was the last song you heard gothic? 30. Have you been in a goth band? Section 3- Clubs 31. Have you been to a goth club? 32. Did you stay until the end? 33. Can you slamdance? 34. Can you chicken dance? 35. Can you do the backwards & forwards bending over like Peter Murphy Dance? 36. Do you drink snakebite? 37. Did you go to the Batcave? 38. Are you on the guest list? 39. Are you on first name terms with the DJ? 40. Are you the DJ? Section 4 - The Undead 41. Have you got naturally pointy teeth? 42. Have you worn plastic vampire teeth other than at Halloween?

43. Did you pick someone up as a result? 44. Have you had sex with the undead? 45. Have you been to the Wiredog Club (or equivalent)? 46. Are you a vampire? 47. How do you do your makeup if you haven't got a reflection? 48. Have you ever drunk blood? 49. Have you ever drunk human blood? 50. From a glass? Section 5 - On the road 51. Have you ever been in a following? 52. Did you ever follow Southern Death Cult, Play Dead, X-Mal, The Sisters? 53. Have you contributed to a fanzine? 54. Have you edited a fanzine? 55. Have you sold a fanzine? Section 6 - At the movies 56. Have you seen The Hunger? 57. Have you seen Return of the Living Dead? 58. Have you seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show? 59. Have you seen the Addams Family (TV Show)? 60. Do you think it's better than the Munsters? Section 7 - Hardercore than thou? 61. Do you own...A Tarot Deck? 62. ... Lots of weird silver jewelery? 63. ... Mainly black clothes? 64. ... More boots than shoes? 65. ... An original copy of Walk Away (with the flexi)? 66. ... An inflatable bannana? 67. Have you ever been called a goth? 68. Did you deny it? 69. Do you ever refer to other people as mini-goths or quantum-goths? 70. Do you get upset when it rains, but still sing 'I love the rain?' 71. Have you been on alt.gothic since it started? 72. Have you actually read Shelley? 73. Do you have a fetish? 74. Have you flirted with magick or alternative religions? 75. Do you object fundamentaly to this test even though you scored over 80 points on it? Section 8 - What's the difference between a Casual and a Redneck? 76. Do the people you meet on the streets often ask you if you're on your way to a funeral? 77. Do you encounter carloads of people who make sarcastic comments about the fact that Halloween is X months away? 78. Do your teachers, peers, etc., often recommend that you see a counselor? 79. Do you have a pet snake, spider, or a reasonable facsimile thereof? 80. Have you painted your bedroom black? 81. Are your parents/friends afraid that you've committed suicide if you stay in your room for more than an hour at a time? 82. Do you habitually wear dark sunglasses, at all hours of the day?

83. Do you go by a Gothic/Romantic name on the net? (i.e. made up) 84. Do you go by a Gothic/Romantic name in real life? (i.e. made up) 85. Is there any difference between a Casual and a Redneck? 86. Have you ever been propositioned by a drunk Casual/Redneck? 87. Did you hospitalise them? 88. Did you hospitalise them in a really messy way? 89. Have you ever gone up to a bunch of these people and said 'What the F**k do you think you're looking at?' 90. Do you have the scars to prove it? Section 9 - Brown Questions (Art & Literature) 91. Have you read any Poe? 92. ................. Dante? 93. ................. Shelley? 94. Who was 'Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to know?' 95. Can you tell the difference between Norman and Gothic Churches? 96. Have you read any Lovecraft? 97. ................. Gothic Novels? 98. ................. de Sade? 99. Do you like pre-rapheltie or romantic art? 100. Have you heard Verdi's Requiem? Section 10 - Courtesy of the University of London Union Old Goth Barstaff soc. 101. Can you name all the bands on the Merciful Release label? 102. Do you know what the Birthday Party were called before they were called The Birthday Party? 103. Who play 'House Music for Goths?' 104. Do you own a pair of crimpers? 105. Do you tie an obscene number of scarves to your waist? 106. Do you know what this signifies? 107. Have you ever been part of a pyramid? 108. Do you know the name of Eldritch's cat? 109. Does God drive a white Merc? 110. Who's the fairest of them all? Section 11 - Drugs 111. Do you or have you ever smoked? 112. ..............................Clove, Marlborough, or Death? 113. Have you ever had speed before breakfast? 114. ....................... instead of breakfast? 115. Is caffine more important than sunlight? Goth as Fuck: A high compliment of one's gothic character. It is used to praise someone or something in terms of being gothic. Often this saying is abbreviated "GAF" when used in e-mails and on newsgroups. The detailed origins of this phrase are unknown to the author, although is seems to be derived from similar statements of that nature such as "Punk as Fuck" and "Queer as Fuck". Goth, History of: It's been said that if goth didn't exist, somebody would have to invent it. The truth is, goth has pretty much always existed, in most cultures; it was just never identified or named as a separate movement before the mid-19th century. It is not a strictly western-European phenomenon (Russian culture, for example, has always been

remarkably goth), but the identifying factors and naming conventions have all pretty much come from western Europe. "Goth" originally referred to Germanic tribes who conquered and controlled much of Europe in the Middle Ages. "Gothic" referred to a style of art and architecture, and was originally a demeaning term used by people during the Renaissance, to indicate their contempt for the "crude" and "unenlightened" culture of the Goths as compared to their own. The Middle Ages were, in fact, quite gothic. There was a fascination, bordering on obsession, with the contrast between good and evil, with death, and with the struggle between purity and decadence. There was also a great deal of remarkable and striking art and literature on these themes produced during this time (roughly 300-1300 C.E.), and all of this no doubt was a factor in the appreciation the Romantics developed for this period in history. In the early 19th century, an artistic movement called Romanticism arose. It was focused around fantastical themes, the ongoing struggle between good and evil, sensuality, and frequently death. From this movement arose a smaller movement, personified by writers like Byron and Shelley, that was increasingly morbid and decadent. This more morbid style came to be known as gothic, in part because of the appreciation of its leaders for the "Gothic" style of the Middle Ages. Victorianism repressed the sensuality of Romanticism and gothic, but kept the good-evil dichotomy and the obsession with death, overlaid with a strict morality that nevertheless kept the darker impulses bubbling and more likely to burst out in bizarre ways. As the 20th century dawned and technology began to race ahead, most of Victorianism was discarded (though in America the repression of sexuality would remain a large aspect of the culture). The two World Wars gave people more death and despair than they could ever have wanted, and in their wake a determination arose to make life more purposeful and enjoyable (this compounded by technology and increasing wealth for the working classes). The identifiably distinct goth subculture we know now began to flower in the early '80s. It's no coincidence that this was the Thatcher/Reagan era, when the superiority of Anglo culture was being forced down the world's throat, when conservatism and conformity and being bright and happy and avoiding anything disturbing were being touted as the only acceptable behaviors, and the economy was in recession, with the difference between rich and poor beginning to grow alarmingly. What began as a reactionary movement found continued life in the ever-increasing anxiety and isolation of our culture, and it continues today. Goth, the goth "mood" and goth thinking have become increasingly visible over the past few years, with the popular success of bands such as Nine Inch Nails, movies such as Seven , and TV shows such as "The X-Files" and "Millenium." Right now it's rather trendy to seem "goth": witness the proliferation of not-seen-in-nature makeup colors. But for the most part this is just a trend. The media has become ever more voracious for new trends, new looks, new ideas to fill up the vast maw of popular culture, and it just took awhile for them to get around to goth. In another year or two, the interest will have waned; pop culture will have moved on to something else, and goths can go back to being their glorious, perverse, but ignored selves. Goth, What is: Well, first of all, it has very little to do with those Germanic tribes that overthrew the Roman Empire.

Goth is a subculture, style, and way of thinking. That sounds awfully pretentious, but that's another facet of goth. The common thread in goth culture is an appreciation for the dichotomy of life, the contrast between light and dark, good and evil, with an awareness that the two can't exist without each other, and that the traditional value judgments assigned to those opposites are not necessarily true. Goths tend to have a dark and perverse sense of humor, a love of history, literature, and music, and far too many bottles of black nail polish. But trying to slot goths into orderly little sections is pretty much impossible. The spectrum of interests, styles, and activities is far too broad. Sometimes the clothes can be a clue, but not always. Just look for that appreciation of darkness--that's the most reliable indicator. The goth subculture frequently revolves around a music scene, which likely arises from the current subculture's roots as a spinoff of punk. Several of the "classic" goth bands such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Damned were originally considered punk. Music is not the only art form in goth, though. Artistic endeavor of all kinds is welcomed and encouraged. The goth subculture is itself quite balkanized. Though there is a close link between the "classic" goth music scene and the industrial music scene, there are people on both sides who shun the other. Some goths who like the "classic" look of velvet and lace look down upon goths who prefer fishnet and leather. Some goths who like pop-culture entertainments and things that are lighthearted are ostracized by others who believe that nothing is worthwhile unless it is obscure and dark. Like any culture, it has divisions and cliques. Much of goth culture is superficial, artificial, and pretentious, and this isn't helped by the fact that many people who consider themselves "true goths" look down upon those they consider "poseurs". Some of the young people who now consider themselves "goth" will grow out of it and move on to other things. Others won't. Some will move on, but feel vaguely displaced in "normal" culture, and will re-discover themselves through some avenue that leads back to goth culture and thought. (see Things That Are Goth ) But there is also a lot of goth culture that is rich, thoughtful, and very satisfying. Goths read things like Dante, Byron, and Tolstoy--not because we "have" to, because we want to. We watch German Expressionist silent films and relate the details as eagerly as other people talk about the latest Hollywood effects extravaganza. Goths are likely to have spirited discussions about the evolution of religion and its place in modern society. And we tend to identify, if not empathize, with the underdogs and downtrodden--don't be surprised to find a fair number of goths helping out at the local youth shelter or AIDS fundraiser. Being goth is, in the end, a form of tribalism, a way for people of like interests and mindset to find each other and have a place to belong. Like most tribes, goths will often try to keep out those who are not "of" the tribe (hence the pretentiousness and disdain for "poseurs"). But it can also be a wonderfully welcoming and comfortable place for those who do fit in, and full of patience and enthusiasm for people who are genuinely interested in finding out what we're about. Goths will try to keep out those who don't belong, and those who are interested in exploiting us because we look different and have interests outside the mainstram; but we will also try to protect our own. For someone who doesn't feel that they really "fit in" with mainstream culture, discovering gothdom can be a wonderful feeling. We're not really that terribly different from any other subculture. We just dress more

imaginatively. Goth Talk: A satirical skit from the comedy TV show Saturday Night Live. It has gained notoriety in the gothic scene since it often contains inside jokes about spooky kids. The skit stars Azrael Abyss - The Prince of Sorrow (Chris Kattan) and Circy Nightshade (Molly Shannon) who are two teenagers who have a low budgeted cable access TV show called......GOTH TALK. Gother-than-thou: A condescending attitude some Goths or wanna-be Goths have in which they consider themselves more Gothic than others, be it in style, mannerism or knowledge of the scene. Although we all have our moments, such a pretentious attitude us generally not welcome in the Gothic scene. The phrase was adapted from the more common saying "holier-than-thou." Gothic Abbreviations: AG alt.gothic AGF alt.gothic.fashion ASF Alien Sex Fiend BPM Beats Per Minute (relates to music) C1, C2... Convergence #... (annual) DCD Dead Can Dance EBM Elektro Body Music EG Encyclopedia Gothica FotN Fields of the Nephilim GAF Goth as Fuck JtHM Johnny the Homicidal Maniac LAM London after Midnight NIN Nine Inch Nails RHPS Rocky Horror Picture Show SBS or SS Switchblade Sympony SDC Southern Death Cult SoM Sisters of Mercy SSB Sunshine Blind UPG UK.People.Goth Gothic-Industrial: This grouping encompasses bands that clearly embrace various aspects and styles that are found in both Industrial and Gothic genres. Some bands are not necessarily making any particular effort to make a bridge between the two; they are just making their art the way they are inspired. In other cases it is done specifically with that purpose in mind. For instance, both the bands Collide and Malign create their music to take advantage of both genres, Collide weaves ethereal vocals with rich industrial textures and a pounding dance beat. Malign places sinister gothic vocals and melodies with powerful cascades of industrial-strength electronics. Gothic Music: Origins of gothic music stem from the Punk Rock of the 1970's, as segments of that culture sought music that had more substance, romance, and a broader range of emotional appeal. Generally speaking, gothic music explores the sorrowful mysteries of life using intelligent, poetic lyrics with artistic and emotionally charged melodies. However, since its punk beginnings, it has diversified so much that it encompasses many styles of music; it's not just rock anymore. Gothic Rock: Gothic Rock, or Death Rock is guitar based music. Basically, these bands have the standard rock line-up of musicians: guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocalist.

Other elements can also included, which tend to amplify the gothic sound, however, the guitars and drums still dominate. This grouping includes the early punk sound as well. Goths Against Gulls: Goths Against Gulls, (GAG) is a movement like none other. Originated in Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK from the regular visitors to the bi-annual festival. The driving force of the movement is the result of a number of unfortunate incidents that happen too often to be put down to mere chance. they take 2 main forms. Firstly, is the penchant for gulls to attack you personally. It is guaranteed that if you finally afford the full length black velvet cape and choose to wear it on the way to any event, one of natures winged miracles will ensure that at least a part of that cape is white before you reach your destination. The second, and this is a scientifically provable example, is that if you park a black motor vehicle on a street (which self respecting goth would drive anything else) it WILL be targetted and scarred, ensuring you will be driving something resembling a prop out of 101 dalmations. Grim Reaper: from medieval European folklore, the generic name given to the personification of death, the arbitrary collector of mortal lives. Also known as 'Death' and the 'Grim Sage', and often confused with 'Old Father Time'. The 'Reaper' is generally depicted as a priest-robed skeletal being, carrying a scythe, needed for his eternal work of the harvesting of souls. The word grim, meaning severe, cruel, harsh is Old English, derived from ancient Germanic. Hex: A magic spell; a curse; a charm; magic sign; an enchantment; something which affects luck; a witch; a wizard; to bewitch; cast a spell on. Induction Principle, the: Advanced scientific technique for cognitive transfer, first developed in the mid C.18th, by harnessing astrological powers and natural forces to transfer life and intelligence to the torpor of the deceased. Attributed to Dr von Rosenstein of Vienna, tutor to Frankenstein, who abused his privileged knowledge and in attempting to reanimate a corpse, created an unholy monster, thus bringing von Rosenstein's name into disrepute and permanently rendering all such research an anathema. Industrial: Industrial was spawned from musicians using a vast array of materiel as unconventional instrumentation to produce their acoustic art. From that, musicians realized they could sample those sounds, and replay them electronically. That further progressed into more of a mainstream sound; you start banging on things, people will eventually start dancing to it! Industrial music tends to have a political theme. Subjects of war, governments, buearocracies and social systems are apparent, although other aspects of life are also expressed, "I love you, I hate you, I want to break you into dust" (Cubanate). Loads of aggression and anger typify this music. It can be an excellent catharsis. Labyrinth: Directed by Jim Henson (of Muppets fame), written by Terry Jones and featuring David Bowie, Labyrinth was a movie put out in 1986 and has since built a cultlike and loyal following within the goth scene similar to the RHPS (Rocky Horror Picture Show). It includes original music by David Bowie and the cast includes him as Jareth along with Jennifer Connelly as Sarah. The plot of the movie is Sarahs fall into a fantasy realm filled with bright and interesting characters. Sarah is forced to take responsibilities for her fantasy-driven actions and along the way grows up so to speak. Much of the imagery within Labyrinth is darker themed,

and is also very medieval in costume and scene design as well. Labyrinth remains a popular film for its music, cast and scenes Manic Panic: It all began in the year 1977 when sisters Tish and Snooky Bellomo opened up MANIC PANIC, the first Punk boutique in the USA. Singers in the original "Blondie" lineup and many other popular punk acts of the day, the sisters were pioneers of the scene. Performers from childhood, this dynamic duo was famous for making bold fashion statements. "People were always imitating us" says Tish. Once for a show they created dresses out of pillow cases and all their fans wanted to know where they could buy them. "So we grabbed some of our designs from our closet and opened up a shop on St.Mark's Place". Their mom coined the name "MANIC PANIC" and the rest is history. Now, more than twenty years later, the little shop is gone. "We're so big now we had to move into a big warehouse in Tribeca", exclaim the sisters. Tish and Snooky began manufacturing the world's first alternative cosmetics and hair color and their line has grown into accessories that are distributed worldwide.Devotees today include such luminaries as Cyndi Lauper, rock bands like Aerosmith, Rancid, Green Day (the list goes on!),basketball star Dennis Rodman, and fashion designer Todd Oldham to name a few. As their supply grows, so does the demand. "Who'd a thunk it?" says Snooky. The demands of running the MANIC PANIC empire have not completely altered the sisters' lifestyle. They still perform frequently and their costume closet takes up a large chunk of warehouse space. "Everything we sell, we wear!" they attest. Though other companies have attempted to knock off their products, Tish and Snooky remain unswayed by the competetion. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We never dreamed we'd have this huge business. We just adored Punk style and wanted to share our ideas with people.We don't just sell it... we LIVE it!" Mansonite: The term "Mansonite" refers to those individuals who worship Marilyn Manson. Mansonites typically try to look like Marilyn Manson in dress and makeup or obsess with him and his music in general. Makeup style tends to be considered overdone and tacky by most gothic standards, and are commonly seen on "goth makeover" episodes of such cheesey talk shows as "Jenny Jones." Although some goths do like Manson's music, the term Mansonite is considered derogatory in the gothic scene, used to refer to teenagers that lack identity and hope to be considered "cool" and "gothic" by going overboard in the style. Many goths are fed up with the media's characterization of them as Manson worshipping Spooky Kids and so have developed a distaste to Manson, and above all Mansonites. Mission The: The theosophic mission charged to Amzer, after the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, to assist in the triumph of the power of good over that of evil, and to establish and protect a divine lineage of sacred and just leaders, who would one day, save the souls of all mankind, and lead humanity to a life of tolerance, fairness, peace and respect. Mourning: The act of expressing grief; the dress or other tokens of mourning; the period during which one is mourning a death. Necromancer: (Middle English via Old French nigromancie from medieval Latin nigromantia, changed from Late Latin 'necromantia', from Greek 'nekromanteia' (as necro-, -mancy), meaning 'black' and 'divination by'): a sorcerer: a practitioner of witchcraft involving the reanimation of the dead: a magician who can predict the future by communication with the dead.

Net.goth: Like many things this started out as part of a joke, a score of over 80 on the Goth Test qualified one as a net.goth. Since then it has been used as a general handle for a goth who communicates a great deal via the internet, particularly one who frequents alt.gothic. Nice Boots...: Part of the phase "Nice boots, wanna fuck?" where the second half is typically assumed. This phrase developed around 1995/1996 on the alt.gothic newsgroup in a joke thread about gothic pickup lines and has been used since, typically jokingly to show one's interest in another or simply to be coy. NINny: NINny is a derogatory term use to reference overly enthusiastic fans of the band Nine Inch Nails ("NIN") who worship Trent Reznor. As with other Spooky Kids, Ninnys are often mistaken as goths by the media and by themselves. Noir: (French); Black, dark. Ossa: From the Latin, Os and Ossis; bone, the very soul. Also, the name of the mountain in Thessaly, Greece, or Roman Macedonia, where the Viking Varangian Guards believed their god to live. Ossa Ravenhead: Viking cult warrior god of wisdom and strength. Adopted as the principle guiding spirit by many elite Scandinavian explorers and warriors, including the famous Varangians, pioneers of Byzantium and Russia Pauper's Grave: In former times, peasants and poor common people would consider themselves very lucky to be able to be buried in a rude wooden casket, as most would go straight into the dust or mud of a shallow grave. Pentagram (also pentacle and pentangle): One of the oldest and most powerful images in religious, occult and hermetic symbology. The five-pointed star, an outstretched figure of a man, represents the microcosm, mankind as the universe in miniature. Its unbroken, continuous configuration, represents perfection, and is capable of binding evil powers. The fife points also represent the alchemical elements of fire, water, earth, air and spirit, and in Christianity, they stand for the fife wounds of Christ. Pointing upwards the pentagram invokes the forces of Heaven, but inverted, it can depict the Devil's Goat, and a soul resigned to the underworld. Perkygoff Manifesto: 1. we realize, and perhaps even declare publically, the simple fact that our attire and decorative tastes are downright *silly*, yet in the face of this impractical and sometimes even inconvenient nature of things, we LAUGH! yes, all those skirts make the boys have to piss like girls, but hey! it contributes toward greater understanding between the sexes! 2. there *is* no "standard" behaviour or code of any sort for a member of the so-called "underground", you silly gits! why, who ever thought of anything so bleeding preposterous?! if i want to skip across the dance floor to see a friend, well damn it all, im *going* to! and about that smile i was wearing last week at the club, yes, it *was* mine! no, my mother did *not* make me wear it! 3. um, just cause i look like a "goth" right this very instant does *not* preclude me *not* looking like a goth sometime tommorrow. after the shock and horror of this realization passes by, you will note that its actually quite fun to inject a little variety into things. 4. on *that* note, neither are we required to listen *solely* to "goth" or "death rock" or "darkwave". we *are*, however, allowed to physically assault the next person who scowls at us for slapping that p-funk, hard techno, or riot grrrl record on the turntable immediately after playing sisters or somesuch. 4.5 and while im thinking about it, were also allowed to clobber anyone at a club who

whines about the dj playing too much "goth" and not enough "death rock" or something of that ilk. 5. but, if theres one thing we *mustnt* ever do, under any circumstances, it is lord our knowledge over that of others. if there is a sin, dear perkygoths, it is self-righteousness and pomposity. we simply *mustnt* go out and wave all that nifty info we just read out of good old mr. mercers handy-dandy goth guide as if wed known it all along. cause face it, most of us werent even there when half of that stuff happenned. (there *are* exceptions, of course, but they arent allowed to lord their knowledge either, nor are they supposed to reflect in a nostalgic and whiney manner) 6. oh! right! back to perky! um, stomping in mud puddles in perfectly acceptable. dancing and *realizing* that you look like a complete idiot is heartily encouraged. continuing to dance, no matter how amny other peple are also noting that you look like an idiot, is even more heartily encouraged. remember kids, the looks or the lifestyle? the lifestyle, of course. youre a perkygoth. dont just look like a looney, *act* like one! its much more fufilling than primping in a mirror all night. 7. um, i forgot the rest. probably didnt even think of them to begin with. ive prolly lied about everything so far. uh, am i getting paid to do this? what was i saying? 8. just remember, fun is your middle name. or at least its *somewhere* in your vocabulary. whatever youre doing, think to yourself: "am i having FUN?" if no, time to do something else. a short attention span means you dont have *time* to get bored and mope! Plantagenet: The English royal house from 1154-1399, beginning with Henry II and ending with the abdication of Richard II. The family then became bitterly divided and branched into the houses of Lancaster and York, culminating in the Wars of the Roses, and the death of Richard III at the battle of Bosworth in 1485. The Plantagenets sponsored the development of the great English gothic architectural tradition. Polyamory: Polyamory, translated, means "many loves." Briefly, a polyamorous person is one who feels it is natural to romantically love more than just one person at a time. A polyamorous person may have more than one person that s/he considers to be a "spouse," for example. Polyamory is about love, without constraint by the dictates of society, defined only by the parameters that we, as individuals, impose upon it. Some Goths are polyamorous (typically abbreviated as "poly"), others think they are but are really just looking for sex, and still others want nothing to do with it. Although polyamory is commonly accepted in the Gothic scene, it is not a defining aspect of it. Pugin: Augustus.W.N 1812-1852; English scholar, architect and designer, largely responsible for the Gothic Revival of the Victorian era. Pugin, together with Charles Barry, built the Neo-Gothic Houses of Parliament at Westminster, between 1840-60. PVC: Polyvinylchloride - or PVC was one of the earliest and is still the most widely used plastics today. Goths know it best in the form of tight shiny clothing, particularly pants, but it touches almost all aspects of our lives - from soft hygienic nappy liners for babies to blood transfusion sets for accident victims; from fresh food packaging for families to document protection for students; from high visibility clothing for workers to inflatable paddling pools for children. It pipes us our water and takes away the effluent, covers our walls and floors, underpins our communications and keeps our cars safely on the road. It helps us tunnel under mountains, carries our coal from mines, saves on house maintenance and rescues lives at sea. PVC is light, non-flammable, robust and durable; it is impermeable and does not

deteriorate, is easy to maintain and gives excellent value for money; and its physical and mechanical characteristics make it ideal for many different uses. (..and you just thought it made your ass look good) PVC is a plastic, composed of macromolecules which are themselves made up of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. It is made by combining ethylene, produced by refining petroleum, with chlorine, produced from rock salt. PVC differs from other plastics in that petroleum represents only 43% of its composition, and rock salt 57%. Reliquary: A specially made receptacle, from a ring or pendant, to a chest or a display case, to protect or display a holy relic. Sacratum: (Latin); a hallowed or sacrosanct thing. Sandman: The Sandman character is derived in the main part from European folklore. Traditionally, every night as a child falls asleep, the Sandman would come and sprinkle some of his dream dust upon the child's eyes to enable her to dream. The original D.C. Comics Sandman character was a wealthy socialite crime-fighter . Neil Gaiman's character is a much more unsettling supernatural creation, tall and gaunt, with black hair, pale white skin and piercing dark eyes. The Sandman comic is a captivating mix of contemporary horror, mythology, magical fantasy and disturbing realism. The stories have a multi-threaded complexity that cannot but enthrall the reader, and the attention to detail is fascinating - and an indication to the enormous amount of background research and reference each issue involves. The title is nearing the end of its run, Gaiman having almost completed the story arc he started with the very first issue. Amazingly, D.C. (or rather, their "mature readers" imprint, Vertigo) has agreed the only person to write Sandman shall be Neil Gaiman, and will not bastardize and ruin the memory of the title by letter someone else take the comic in their own personal direction - for Neil Gaiman's vision is something special. Perhaps, next time we are falling into a deep sleep, ... if we open our eyes and look at the figure at the end of the bed ... the figure with the bag of sand... perhaps we will see Neil Gaiman. Scarab: A beetle revered in ancient Egypt as sacred, under the name Kephri, and a symbol of self-generation and new life. Seven Angels: According to the revered medieval magical work, The Arbatel of Magic, the heavens were divided into provinces that were ruled by seven planetary angels. Each angel possessed a magical seal, which alchemists and magicians used extensively in the making of amulets and spells. The angels each had attributed to them, power over the planet, day of the week and metal, corresponding to their planet. These are as follows: Angel's Name Planet Day of the Week Metal Phul Moon Monday Silver Phaleg Mars Tuesday Iron Ophiel Mercury Wednesday Quicksilver Bethor Jupiter Thursday Tin Hagith Venus Friday Copper Aratron Saturn Saturday Lead Och Sun Sunday Gold Snakebite: A popular drink originating in the UK made by mixing half a pint of cider

with half a pint of lager. Snakebite and Black is the same but with a shot of blackcurrant cordial included. This drink is often hard to find (at least made properly) in the US. It was adopted by goths in the late eighties/early nineties due in part to the purple color of Snakebite and Black and also due to its former position as a cheap, lethal student favorite. (Hence the term "snakebite.") There are many who say that this drink can get one drunk quickly or that it can cause one to become nauseous. However, this is due primarily to over indulgence of a tasty drink that has a significant alcohol content. Soligram: from Latin solus (solo), and Greek gramma (that that is written or drawn), as in a solitary magical pentagram. Spooky Kid: Originally this term was synonymous with "Mansonite" since Marilyn Manson's band was originally called Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. However, the term "Spooky Kid" has come to have a more broad reference in the gothic scene to incorporate all teens that identify with the gothic scene in order to find an identity. Such individuals are known to go overboard in makeup and dress under the premise "if a little is cool, that alot must be cooler!" (i.e. they try to be goth, which only makes them less goth.) Goths consider the term derogatory, and find it annoying that the immature antics of spooky kids are often what is used by the media to define goth. While goths consider spooky kids brainless poseurs, spooky kids tend to consider goths snobs and elitists due to the way they are treated by goths. Tamagothi: Tamagothi is a parody of Tamagotchi and Gigapets. The original concept and artwork was created by R. Hunter Gough. It has now been developed into a free downloadable program for most operating systems. By controlling the amount of light, drugs and angst your virtual pet receives, what starts out as a cute little throbbing skull can become among other things, a Mopeygoth, Raver or even a Murphygothi. 'Tempus Mori': (Latin); 'Time for death'. Theosophic Mission: A righteous objective, inspired or directed by The Creator, usually charged to one imbued with divine wisdom and a special gift for abnormal control over natural forces. Principally, the original Theosophic Mission, commonly known as The Mission, was that given by God to Amzer on his anointment. Threepenny Hex: A 'threepenny bit' or 'threepence', was until 1971 when Britain adopted the decimal currency system, a distinctive small chunky eight sided brass coloured coin, worth three old pennies. (see also 'Hex'). Theurgy: A beneficial magical science practiced by the early Egyptian Neoplatonists. A system of white magic, or a supernatural or divine agency of good spirits, especially in human affairs Trenchcoat Mafia: The self-assigned name of a group of outcast students at Columbine High School in Colorado (USA). In 1999 two of these alleged members (Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold) went on a killing spree in their school killing 12 students and one teacher, injuring many more. They then killed themselves. During the media coverage, they were quickly associated (mistakenly) with the gothic scene due to the fact that they sometimes wore black clothes and trenchcoats. Afterwards copycat-like activities and bomb threats rocked schools across the US adding to the media attention. Unfortunately since this incident, many ignorant people now feel that the gothic scene is a threat to society - and many schools have taken action against gothic students- No doubt this stigmatism will last a long time.

Vertigo: Vertigo was launched by DC Comics in 1993 to offer innovative graphic stories to adult readers of non-traditional comics. These psychologically compelling, cuttingedge titles have tremendous range, from science fiction to horror to dark fantasy. The Sandman library includes titles written by the award-winning author Neil Gaiman. In addition, Vertigo offers many other titles, ranging from the fast-paced black humor of PREACHER to the edgy science fiction of TRANSMETROPOLITAN. von Rosenstein, Dr Felix Maximilion: C.1710-1790. Mysterious, reclusive Viennese pioneer in advanced scientific techniques, including the unprecedented Induction Principle. Known by his advocates as the 'Father of the Art of Science'. Wyverex: Winged, legless dragon of immense power and ferocity, from medieval European lore. Feared by evildoers as a righteous and relentless defender of good. Believed in the medieval period by many alchemists to be their patron guardian, arbiter and Recording Angel. Yhaweh: Earliest post-Jewish Mesopotamian form of Jehovah, later to become known as God. Originally spelt in Hebrew form without vowels; YHWH, the name was sacred, and was not to be spoken. Yhaweh also evolved in Gnostic lore, to become Abraxas, the supreme being, which was eventually corrupted and became known as a demonic creature

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