Jade: A mineral that has many shades of green, which can incorporate different hues. Jade’s color can be orange, blue, cream, lavender, and brown and can be translucent or soapy in appearance. This crystal is classed as the ultimate good luck charm and highly prized in Asian societies. It is said to be one of the most robust stones of all, and when worn, it can protect the wearer from ailments, such as spleen, kidney, gallstone, and heart disorders. In China, many mystical things are carved from jade, such as dragons, face masks, and icons. (Hall, 2003.)
Jimsonweed: A plant that is psychotropic and can induce a trancelike state when ingested. Algonquins would use this plant in rituals and ceremonies to cause a feeling of ecstasy, and Zuni and Californian tribes used it to reset broken bones.
Journeying: (See also Astral Plane.) Sometimes referred to as “journey of the moon” or “soul flight.” A form of meditation purported to take a person to the astral plane. To raise one’s consciousness through meditation and transcendental meditation, which is on a deeper level. Journeying originates from a Shamanic belief where one can typically achieve soul flight by using a rattle or drum. Other branches and ideas have sprung up around the world, and people have adapted to their own methods to reach trance level. When this is achieved, it could enable the person on the journey to transcend to a different dimension.
Joy Guide: A highly regarded guide who is extremely intelligent. Joy guides are believed to reincarnate with a chosen soul to bring fun and laughter into their life. Often, the soul that it attaches to does not have the ability to bring balance or harmony into their own lives, so the joy guide encourages them to evaluate their life and make time for pleasure.
Judgment: In the Christian faith, upon death, God determines the purity of the soul and whether it should rise to heaven or descend to hell. Ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis, god of the dead, weighed the heart of the deceased. Buddhism and Hinduism share a common belief that when a person dies and ascends to the spiritual realms, the soul must first have its judgment. Their actions are determined by karma, and their conduct on earth will reflect what their next incarnation might be. Today’s New Age spiritual movements remark that we must view our life from the beginning to the end. Every single part of our spiritual makeup, all our actions, and our nature are shown to us when we die—all our good deeds toward others, as well as the bad deeds. How we have treated the earth, family, friends, and work colleagues is scrutinized and remarked upon. The animal kingdom also has an essential place in the review, with any cruelty to creatures scoring very low. It is reported that the primary offenses are materialism and selfishness. Being wrapped up in one’s own needs and desires, despite what effect that might have on another person, is not a good thing. It appears that judgment could be a daunting experience; however, the higher beings are reported to be loving and patient and do not reprimand anyone for the things they have done wrong. Instead, they simply point out where the soul could have done better. Once the judgment is over and the assessment is finished, the person’s spirit will be taken to another plane or new home, which will represent his or her level of growth and consciousness. Other individuals who are on the same vibration also reside there.
Judgment is the twentieth card in a pack of tarot and represents all things to do with karma and balance.
Jumbee: Also “jumbie.” In Caribbean folklore, “jumbee” is the familiar name given to every single malignant spirit. The concept differs throughout each Caribbean culture, but essentially, those who perform evil acts while living go on to be instruments of evil upon their death. They are declined entry into the spiritual planes and manifest into dark, shadowy figures who then go on to create havoc in the world.
Jumping Magician: A magician who will continually jump or jog on the spot for an extended period of time in order to enter a trancelike state. This practice is believed to alter the state of one’s consciousness and induce a feeling of ecstasy. Those who partake in this act might experience psychic visions or have otherworldly encounters.
Jurgenson Voices of the Dead: EVP (electronic voice phenomena). In 1959, Friedrich Jurgenson, from Molnbo, Sweden, purchased a tape recorder to capture birdsong. When playing back the recording, he heard a female’s voice speaking, which he recognized as that of his late mother. He then started experimenting by asking questions into the recorder and leaving gaps for spirit answers. When played back, he could discern voices speaking in different languages. Later, he started recording radio signals; again, he could make out voices. Jurgenson wrote a book in 1964 called Voices from Space. Early in the 1940s, Reverend Drayton Thomas claimed to have heard his late father’s voice and other disembodied voices on his tape machine while investigating the work of Gladys Osborne Leonard, a well-known medium of that time. (Leopold, 2016.)