This is a glossary of words commonly associated with Paganism and Wicca. It is by no means complete. If you have any words/definitions to add, please send an email to our webweaver. (My profoundest "Thank you!" to Ash who did so much work on this file!
Adept:
An individual who through serious study and accomplishments
is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal
system.
Air:
In most magickal traditions
this corresponds with East, the color yellow,
the mind, intelligence and imagination.
Akasha:
The fifth element, the
omnipresent spiritual power that permeates the universe. Also called
simply 'Spirit'.
Alchemy:
A branch of magick developed
in the Middle Ages which sought to magically and/or chemically turn base
metals into gold.
Altar:
A special, flat surface set aside exclusively
for magickal workings or religious acknowledgment.
Amulet:
A magically charged, protective,
object which deflects specific, usually negative energies.
Animism:
The belief that natural objects, and Nature itself,
are alive and conscious; or the belief that an immaterial force animates
the Universe.
Ankh:
An Egyptian hieroglyphic widely used as a symbol
of life, love, and
reincarnation. It
is a cross with a looped top.
Arcana:
The two halves of a tarot
deck. The Major Arcana consists of 22 trumps; the Minor Arcana consists
of 56 suit cards, and is sometimes called the lesser or lower Arcana (or
pips).
Click
here to view our Tarot Page.
Aspect:
The particular principle or part of the Creative
Life Force being worked with or acknowledged at any one time.
Asperger:
A ritual tool used to sprinkle water for purification
purposes. It can be a crafted artifact or something as simple as
a pine cone, a bunch of fresh herbs or a twig tied with with leaves and
needles.
Astral Plane:
A place which is generally conceptualized as an
invisible parallel world which remains unseen from our own solid world
of form.
Astral Projection:
The process of separating your astral body from
your physical one to accomplish travel in the astral
plane.
Astrology:
The study of and belief in the effects the movements
and placements of planets and other heavenly bodies have on the lives and
behavior of human beings.
Click
here to view our Astrology Page.
Athame:
(A-tha-may) The sacred black handled knife of
the Witch. This is traditionally a double-edged
knife with a leaf-shaped blade. Often Athames have sacred symbols
on their hilts. They are not used for actual cutting, which is reserved
for the Bolline, or white handled knife, but for
rituals. The athame is used to direct power
during ritual workings. Depending on the magickal tradition
followed, it is either a symbol for Air or Fire.
The term is of obscure origin, has many variant spellings, and an even
greater variety of pronunciations. It may also be pronounced "Ah-THAM-ee"
(to rhyme with "whammy"); "ATH-ah-may" or "ah-THAW-may".
Attunement:
An activity which brings the minds, emotions,
and psyches of a group into harmony prior to ritual: chanting, singing,
guided meditation, and breathing exercises are
common ways to attune.
Aura:
The energy field of the human body, and especially
that radiant portion visible to the third-eye or psychic vision.
The aura can reveal information about an individual's health and emotional
state.
Automatic Writing:
Form of divination where
the channeler uses a pen, paper and an altered state of consciousness to
receive messages.
Balefire:
A fire lit for magickal purposes, usually outdoors.
They are traditional on Yule, Beltane,
and Midsummer.
Bane:
That which destroys life, which is poisonous,
destructive, dangerous.
Banish:
To magically end something
or exorcise unwanted entities. To rid the presence of.
B.C.E.:
Before Common Era. Synonymous with B.C. without
religious bias.
Bell:
Often used as a ritual tool,
bells can be used to invoke directional energies or cleanse a space.
Associated with the element of Air.
Beltane:
A Wiccan festival celebrated
on April 30th or May 1st (traditions vary). Beltane is also known
as May Eve, Roodmas, Walpurgis Night, Cethsamhain. Beltane celebrates
the symbolic union, mating or marriage of the Goddess and God, and links
in with the approaching summer months.
Besom:
A witch's broom, used for sweeping away energies
among other things.
Bi-Location:
A type of astral projection
during which you maintain awareness of your present surroundings.
Bind:
To magically restrain something
or someone.
Blood of the Moon:
A woman's menses.
Bolline:
The white-handled knife, used in magick and Wiccan
ritual
for carving or cutting materials that are necessary for ritual or healing.
It is also sometimes used for harvesting herbs, and will have a small silver
sickle shaped blade.
Book of Shadows:
A Witch's book of rituals,
spells,
dreams, herbal recipes, magickal lore and so forth. Much akin to
a magickal cookbook. Also known as a BOS. Once hand copied
upon Initiation, the BoS is now photocopied,
typed or given via diskette in some Covens.
No one "true" Book of Shadows exists; all are relevant to their respective
users. May also be referred to as an HD-oS (Hard Disk of Shadows).
Burning Times:
Reference to a historical time from around 1000
C.E. through the 17th century when many people were tortured
and burned by church and public officials on the assumption that they were
the Christian version of Witches. This turned into an extremely
profitable venture, as all land and property was seized from the accused
individual and portions given to the accuser (in reward fashion) and the
remainder seized by the church officials.
Cakes and Ale:
The Wiccan "communion" that
consists of a natural beverage and cake offered to each participant in
a ritual, or eaten by participants at the end of the ritual as a part of
the grounding process.
Call:
Invoke Divine and Elemental
forces.
Candles:
In addition to illuminating the altar,
candles are sometimes used to mark each of the four Quarters,
and can also be used in spell working. They are often anointed with oil
and inscribed with magickal symbols.
Click
here to view our Candle Magic Page.
Casting Stones:
Several systems of divination
call for small stones to be cast upon the ground, or on a special board
or cloth. These stones may be marked with runes, or their color may indicate
their meaning. Also called Lithomancy.
Click
here to view our Divination: General Page.
Casting the Circle:
The psychic creation of a sphere of energy around
the area where a
ritual is to be performed, both
to concentrate and focus the power raised, and to keep out unwanted influences
or distractions. The space enclosed exists outside of ordinary space
and time.
Cauldron:
This is used to make brews, contain a ritual fire,
used for scrying. Can be four-legged or three-legged.
It represents the womb of the
Goddess, as in Cerridwen's
cauldron named Aven, or the source of all plenty, as in the Dagda's cauldron.
Most modern practitioners use it either as a symbol, to cook in for sabbat
feasts, to burn things in as part of a spell, for
scrying, etc.
C.E.:
Common Era. Synonymous with A.D. but without
religious bias.
Censer:
A heat-proof container in which incense is burned.
It is associated with the element of air.
Centering:
The process of moving one's consciousness to one's
spiritual center, leading to a feeling of great peace, calmness, strength,
clarity and stability.
Ceremonial Magick:
A highly codified magickal tradition
based upon Kabbala, the Jewish-Gnostic mystical
teachings.
Chakras:
Seven major energy vortexes found in the human
body. Each is usually associated with a color.
Click
here to view our Chakras Page.
Chalice:
A ritual tool.
It represents the female principals of creation.
Channeling:
A practice wherein you allow a discarnate entity
to "borrow" your body to speak to others.
Chant:
This can be a rhyme, sometimes called a rune,
intoned rhythmically to raise power. Such rhymes can be simple and
repetitive, it makes them easier to remember, but it is not a requirement.
Chaplet:
A circlet for the head usually made of flowers
and worn at Beltane or during a handfasting.
Charge of the Goddess:
Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente,
it is a story of the message from Goddess to Her
children. There are many variations, including Charge of the God,
Charge of the Dark Goddess, etc.
Charging:
Infusing an object with personal
power. Charging is an act of Magick.
Charm:
An amulet or talisman
that has been charged and instilled with energy for
a specific task.
Circle:
Sacred space wherein all magick
is to be worked and all ritual contained. It
both holds ritual energy until the witch is ready
to release it, and provides protection for the witch.
Also, a gathering of Witches or Pagans.
We meet in Circles to worship and work magick. Sometimes the entire
group is also known as the Circle.
This can get a little confusing, "Our Circle is
having a Circle where we will circle in a circle." You mostly have
to figure it out from the context.
Cleansing:
Removing negative energies from an object or space.
Collective Unconsciousness:
Term used to describe the sentient connection
of all living things, past and present, may also be called the Akashic
Records.
Coming of Age Ritual:
At age 13 for boys, and at the time of a girl's
first menses, Pagan children are seen as spiritual
adults. This ritual celebrates their new maturity
and in some traditions, this is the age when they
are permitted membership in covens.
Cone of Power:
Psychic energy raised and focused during ritual
to achieve a definite purpose.
Conscious Mind:
The analytical, materially based, rational half
of our consciousness. The part of our mind that is at work while
we balance our checkbooks, theorize, communicate, and perform other acts
related to the physical world.
Consecration:
The act of blessing an object or place by instilling
it with positive energy for sacred purposes.
Cord:
(May also called a girdle, or cingulum.) In many
traditions, the color signifies a degree.
It may also be used in knot magick, as well as in
binding and loosening
spells.
Corn Dolly:
A figure, often human-shaped, created by plaiting
dried wheat or other grains. It represents the fertility of the Earth
and the Goddess in early European agricultural rituals
and is still used in Witchcraft. Corn dollies
aren't made from cobs or husks but from wheat or other grains; corn originally
referred to any grain other than maize and still does in most English-speaking
countries, except the United States.
Correspondences:
A system of symbolic equivalencies used in magick.
See Magickal Correspondences.
Coven:
A group of thirteen or fewer witches
that work together in an organized fashion for positive magickal
endeavors or to perform religious ceremonies.
Covenstead:
The meeting place of witches,
traditionally a fixed building or place where the witch can feel safe and
at home.
Cowan:
Anyone who is not a Witch,
Wiccan, or Pagan.
Craft:
Short for "Witchcraft,"
or "the Craft of the Wise." Often used because it isn't as much of
a buzzword as "Witch". Generally associated with the practical aspects
of the religion.
Crone:
Aspect of the Goddess represented
by the Wise Old Woman. Symbolized by the waning
moon, the carrion crow, the cauldron, the color
black. Her Sabbats are Mabon
and Samhain.
Cross-Quarter Days:
Refers to Sabbats falling
on the solstices or equinoxes.
Cult:
A group which professes to be spiritual in nature,
but requires a great deal of energy and/or money from its followers as
'proof' of their devoutness. Also frequently dependent on the charisma
of a Leader.
Days of Power:
Days triggered by astrological occurrences, moon
cycles or special events (your birthday, your menstrual cycle, your dedication/initiation
anniversary, etc). See also Sabbat.
Dedication:
The ritual in which an individual
accepts the
Craft as their path and vows to study
and learn all that is necessary to reach adeptship.
It is a conscious preparation to accept something new into your life and
stick with it, regardless of the highs and lows that may follow.
This person may be called a Dedicant, Seeker, or Candidate.
Degrees:
Levels of initiation representing spiritual or
magickal development as well as skill, knowledge, and experience.
See Initiation.
Deosil:
Clockwise, the direction in which the shadow on
a sundial moves as the Sun "moves" across the sky. Deosil is symbolic
of life, positive
magick, positive energies.
Divination:
The magickal art of discovering
the unknown by interpreting random patterns or symbols through the use
of tools such as clouds, tarot cards, flames, and
smoke. Divination contacts the Psychic Mind
by drowsing the Conscious Mind through ritual
and observation or of manipulation of tools.
Divine Power:
The unmanifested, pure energy that exists within
the Goddess and God. The
life force, the ultimate source of all things.
Dowsing:
The magickal art of using
a pendulum or stick to find the actual location of a person, place, thing,
or element.
Drawing Down the Moon:
A ritual performed during
the Full Moon by witches
to empower themselves and unite their essence with a particular deity,
usually the Goddess.
Drawing Down the Sun:
A lesser known and lesser used companion ritual
to Drawing Down the Moon in which the essence of the
Sun God is drawn into the body of a male witch.
Duality:
The opposite of polarity.
When used as a religious term, it separates two opposites such as good
and evil and places those characteristics into two completely separate
God-forms.
Earth:
In many magickal traditions,
the element
corresponds
to the North; the colors black, brown and forest green; and foundation,
stability, the human body, all solid material things, and prosperity.
Earthing:
Sending excess energy into the Earth; done in
ritual after power has been raised and sent to its
goal. (See Grounding.)
Earth Magick or Power:
The energy that exists within stones, herbs, flames,
wind, and other natural objects.
Earth Plane:
Metaphor for your normal waking consciousness,
or for the everyday, solid world we live in.
Elder:
One who is recognized as an experienced leader,
teacher, and counselor.
Elements:
Usually: earth, air,
fire,
water, they are the building
blocks of the universe. Everything that exists contains one or more
of these energies. Some include a fifth element - spirit or Akasha.
Elementals:
Archetypal spirit beings associated with one of
the four elements.
Enchantment:
A spell.
Equinox:
Either of the two times each year (as about March
21 and September 23) when the sun crosses the equator and day and night
are of equal length.
Esbat:
A ritual occurring on the
New or Full Moon and dedicated
to the Goddess in her lunar aspect.
Evocation:
To call something out from within.
Faerie (or Fairy):
Supernatural being who exists in a plane different
from, but close to, the Earth Plane.
Faerie Burgh or Mound:
Mound of earth which opens to a Faerie
colony's underground home.
Familiar:
An animal that has a spiritual bond with a witch;
many times a family pet. Familiars can also be entities that dwell
on the astral plane. (See Totem
Animal.)
Fascination:
A mental effort to control another animal or person's
mind. Often considered unethical.
Fire:
In many traditions, the
element
corresponds
to the South, the color red, energy, will, passion, determination, purpose,
ambition and spirituality.
First Quarter:
One half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct
sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. Here the Moon
is Maiden/Mother.
Folklore:
Traditional sayings, cures, wisdom of a particular
locale which is separate from their mythology.
Folk Magick:
The practice of projecting personal
power, as well as the energies within natural objects such as herbs,
and crystals, to bring about needed changes.
Full Moon:
The visible Moon is fully illuminated by direct
sunlight. Here the Moon is Mother.
Gaea/Gaia:
The Earth, seen as a living, though supernatural,
entity.
God:
Masculine aspect of deity.
(See also Lord.)
Goddess:
Feminine aspect of deity.
(See also Lady.)
Grain Dolly:
A figure usually woven at Lammas
from dried sheaves of grain collected at the previous harvest. The
dolly is traditionally burned at Yule. See also
Corn Dolly.
Great Rite:
Symbolic sexual union of the Goddess
and God that is generally enacted at Beltane
in many traditions. It symbolizes the primal
act of creation from which all life comes. It may also be used to
bind a person to the land, in which case it is frequently referred to as
the sacred marriage.
Green Man:
Another name for the God, referring
to his aspect as Lord of the Woodlands.
Grimoire:
A magickal workbook containing ritual
information, formulae, magickal properties of natural objects and preparation
of ritual equipment. Often used interchangeably
with Book of Shadows.
Grounding and Centering:
The process of connecting oneself to the Earth
(grounding) and aligning one's own energy flow (also called centering).
It is absolutely necessary to Ground and Center before
one does any work at all involving energy or power. If you don't,
you are likely to have a simply horrific headache, at the very least.
You may also faint dead away, or become quite ill.
Grove:
An organized group of Pagans.
Guardians:
The creatures or angels that protect the four
corners (the elements) of the Circle.
Handfasting:
A Pagan wedding.
Healing:
The goal of a great deal of magick,
especially among healing-oriented spiritual traditions,
is healing. Some alternative forms of healing include chakra/energy
work, visualization, herbcraft,
spirit journeys, crystal healing, among many others. Many Witches
are professionals in the fields of healing and medicine.
Heathen:
A non-Christian, from "one who dwells on the heath".
Herb:
A plant or plant part valued for its medicinal,
savory, or aromatic qualities.
Click
here to view our Plant Allies Page.
Herbalism:
Art of using herbs both magically
and medicinally to facilitate human needs.
High Priest:
The primary male leader within a coven.
Usually a third degree initiate who either helped
found the coven, was chosen by the High Priestess, or
was elected by the members.
High Priestess: br>The primary female leader within a coven. Usually a third degree initiate who either founded the coven, or was elected by the members.
Higher Self:
That part of us which connects our corporeal minds
to the Collective Unconscious and with the divine
knowledge of the universe.
Hiving Off:
The process in which a coven
splits off part of itself to form a new, separate entity, generally within
the same tradition. Although sometimes this
is done to keep the coven a manageable size, it may also occur when there
are irreconcilable philosophical or political differences.
Horned God:
One of the most prevalent God-images
in Paganism.
I Ching:
A Chinese system of divination
in which yarrow stalks, or coins are cast to create hexagrams, which are
then interpreted from a standard I Ching book.
Click
here to view our Divination: General Page.
Imbolc:
A Wiccan festival celebrated
on February 2nd, also known as Candlemas, Lupercalia, Feast of Troches,
Oimelc, Brigit's Day, and many other names. Imbolc celebrates the
first stirrings of spring and the recovery of the Goddess
from giving birth to the Sun (the God) at Yule.
Immanence:
The belief that Deity exists
within all things, including people, and cannot be separated from them.
Incense:
Ritual burning of herbs,
oils, or other aromatic items to scent the air during acts of magick
and
ritual, and to better help the witch
attune to the goal of the working. A symbol of Fire
and Air, they may be in the form of sticks, cones, resins,
or dried herbs. The incense chosen will depend on the nature of the
magick being performed.
Initiate:
Someone who has been through a Ritual
of Initiation, and taken vows (mostly to protect
the Craft and other practitioners and dedicate oneself to the Gods.
They vary a bit from Group to Group.) May be a self-initiated witch.
Initiation:
A ritual during which an
individual is introduced or admitted into a coven.
Not to be confused with Dedication.
Coven initiations are generally associated with
Degrees, as follows:
| First: | Seen as Priest/esses of the Lady and Lord. Qualified to teach neophytes if they feel comfortable doing so, qualified to assist in Sabbats and other rituals as the High Priestess designates. May hold minor positions of authority within the Coven such as Scribes and Messengers. May sponsor someone for Coven membership. |
| Second: | Given the title High Priest
or High Priestess, and the POWER to act as an
HPS or HP under the jurisdiction and
authority of a Third Degree HPS or HP. May write and oversee the
performance of rituals, and may be asked to call
Quarters. Is qualified to assist during the
symbolic OR actual Great Rite. May serve
in a position of authority within the Coven as a Mentor, or Mistress or
Master of the Arts, or serve as an Elder on a High
Court counsel. May also serve as an HandMaiden if asked. During the
time one is a Second Degree HPS or HP, she or he is learning to administer
to the needs of the Coven, counsel and advise - a "trainee," so to speak.
2nd Degree initiates may, if given permission, by the HPS, do formal dedications, and in certain circumstances, perform First degree initiations. |
| Third: | Is given the AUTHORITY to use with the POWER given in the Second degree. Is fully qualified to hive off from the Mother Coven and start his or her own family group. If the 3rd Degree HPS remains within the parent Coven, she is qualified to cast the magick Circle and create the temple between the worlds. She may act as the vessel of the Lady during Full Moon rituals when the HPS of the Coven is absent. In the HPS absence, she will also act on behalf of the Coven's HPS in every way, save for banishings and bindings. She is frequently a HandMaiden, teacher, and counselor. May be given positions of authority within the Coven such as Elder. HP or HPS of the 3rd Degree may perform all first and second degree initiations and, if requested, and approved by the HPS, may perform 3rd degree initiations. Is qualified to lead Sabbat celebrations and oversee all ritual work. |
Although there is some discussion in the Pagan community as to whether a self-initiaiton is valid, in my opinion, "The Gods initiate. We just officiate." But only covens use Degrees.
Invocation:
To bring something in from without. An appeal
or petition to a higher power (or powers), such as the Goddess and God.
This is in the form of a prayer. Invocation is actually a method
of establishing conscious ties with those aspects of the Goddess
and God that dwell within us. In essence, then,
we seemingly cause them to appear or make themselves known by becoming
aware of them.
Kabbala:
Mystical teaching from the Jewish-Gnostic tradition.
Ceremonial Magick and the Alexandrian traditions
are based in these teachings. (Also "Qabala.")
Kahuna:
This is a practitioner of the old Hawaiian philosophical,
scientific and magickal system.
Karma:
The belief that one's thoughts and deeds can either
be counted against them or added to their spiritual path across several
life times.
Labrys:
A double-headed ax which symbolizes the Goddess
in Her Lunar aspect. Although its roots are in ancient Crete, many
Dianic Witches use this symbol in their practice.
Lady:
The Goddess. We refer
to Her by any of the names of Her aspects. She is a triple
Goddess; Maiden, Mother,
and Crone, and we identify ourselves with different
aspects
of Her at different points in our lives, as well as appealing to different
aspects for different things. She is all encompassing, containing
especially all creative and procreative properties, all aspects of nurturing
and healing, all forms of birth and rebirth, all growth and plenty.
All women partake of Her nature, and are part of Her. All things
are Her children. She is the earth, the moon, the stars and the rain.
Together, the Lord and the Lady bring forth all the
life that is on the earth.
Last Quarter:
One-half of the Moon appears illuminated by direct
sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. Here, the Moon
is Crone.
Laughter:
Something we do a lot of. We crack jokes,
we commit faux pas, we knock over the altar candles and set ourselves on
fire. (We are never hurt in any of this, mind you. We know
how to extinguish ourselves quite well, thank you.) Not all groups
do this to quite the extent ours does; but then, we all have our own traditions.
Law of Return:
Whatever energy is sent out returns to the sender
multiplied. Some traditions say it is multiplied
by three, and therefore call this principle the "Threefold
Law".
Laws of Witchcraft:
A list of rules for Witches,
focusing on individual conduct and coven operations.
They are sometimes called the 'Ordains'. Several versions exist.
Their origins are unclear: they may be from the Burning
Times, or recent, or a pastiche of ancient and modern. Generally,
each coven has a set of Laws, sometimes divided into Spiritual, Physical
(or Mundane) and Magickal categories.
Left-Hand Path:
The practice of using magick
to control others, to change the will of others, and for personal gain.
Generally frowned upon.
Libation:
Ritually given portion of food or drink to a deity,
nature spirit, or ghost.
Lord:
The God. We refer to
Him by the names of His
aspects. He is the
Horned God of the Hunt, the Lord of Death and Resurrection. We often
refer to Him as the
Laughing Lord. He is
the Consort of the Lady, who dies and is reborn each year.
He is sensuality, strength, music and lust. All men partake of His
nature, and are part of Him. He is the sun, the sky and the wind.
Together, the Lord and the Lady bring forth all the life that is on the
earth.
Lughnasadh:
A Wiccan festival celebrated
on August 1st, also known as August Eve, Lammas, Feast of Bread.
Lughnasadh marks the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut
and stored for the dark winter months, and when the God
is also mysteriously weakens, as the days grow shorter.
Lunar Cycle:
A roughly 29-day cycle during which the visible
phase of the Moon waxes from dark to full
and wanes to dark again. Much magick is geared
to the energies present at certain phases of the cycle.
Mabon: br>On or around September 21st, the Autumn Equinox, Wiccans celebrate the second harvest. Nature is preparing for winter. Mabon is a vestige of ancient harvest festivals which, in some form or another, were once nearly universal among peoples of the Earth.
Macrocosm:
The world around us.
Magic/k:
Using knowledge and focused will to direct energy,
and manifest a change in physical reality.
Magick Circle:
A sphere constructed of personal
power in which rituals are performed. Within
it the
witch is protected from outside forces.
The sphere extends both above and below the surface of the ground.
Magickal Correspondences:
Items, objects, days, colors, moon phases, oils,
angels, and herbs used in a ritual or magickal
working that match the intent or purpose of the celebration or ceremony.
Magickal System:
The basic set of guidelines relating to the worship
of specific Gods and Goddesses
or cultural traditions. Also called a Tradition.
Maiden:
Youngest aspect of the Triple
Goddess. Represented by the waxing moon,
colors white and blue. Her Sabbats are Imbolc
and Ostara.
Male Mysteries:
Pagan study which attempts
to reclaim the power and mystery of the old Gods for today's Pagan males.
May Pole:
Sexual symbol of Beltane
representing the phallus.
Meditation:
Reflection, contemplation - turning inward toward
the self, or outward toward Deity or nature.
A quiet time in which the practitioner may either dwell upon particular
thoughts or symbols, or allow them to come unbidden.
Microcosm:
The world within us.
Midsummer:
The Summer Solstice, usually
near or on June 21st, one of the Wiccan festivals
and an excellent night for Magick. Midsummer
marks the point of the year when the Sun is symbolically at the height
of its powers, and so too is the God. This is the longest
day of the year.
Monotheism:
Belief in one supreme deity
who has no other forms and/of displays no other aspects.
Mother:
The aspect of the Goddess
representing motherhood, mid-life, and fertility. She is represented
by the full moon, the egg, the colors red and green.
Her Sabbats are Midsummer
and Lughnasadh.
Myth:
Body of lore about any land or people that makes
up their mythology.
Neo-Pagan:
Literally, a 'new Pagan'.
General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal,
shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions.
New Age:
The current mixing of metaphysical practices with
a structured religion.
New Moon:
The Moon when it is not illuminated by direct
sunlight. The Moon as Maiden.
Occult:
Literal meaning is "hidden" and is broadly applied
to a wide range of metaphysical topics which lie outside the accepted realm
of mainstream theologies.
Occultist:
One who practices and or studies a variety of
occult subjects.
Ogham:
The ancient alphabet of the Celtic people.
Old Ones, The:
The term which refers to all aspects
of the Goddess and God.
Old Religion:
A name for Paganism.
Ostara:
Occurring at the Spring Equinox,
around March 21st, Ostara marks the beginning of true, astronomical spring,
when snow and ice make way for green. As such, it is a fire and fertility
festival, celebrating the return of the Sun, the God
and the fertility of the Earth (the Goddess).
Pagan:
From the Latin paganus, "country dweller".
One who practices a religion that is not part of the Judo-Christian-Islamic
Hindu Muslim Buddhist etc. mainstream. All Witches
are Pagan. Not all Pagans are Witches, by any matter of means.
Pagan Grove:
A circle, normally set up
for teaching purposes, and led by a Wiccan High
Priestess (HPS) and High Priest (HP.) Groves
tend to be fluid - but then, Pagan groups in general
are like Lava Lamps. They flow, divide, join together, etc.
with amazing frequency.
Paganing:
When a baby is presented in circle to the Goddess
and God, and given a craft name
which s/he will keep until about the age 13 and can choose their own at
their Coming of Age celebration. Also
called Wiccaning.
Pantheon:
A collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in
a particular religious or mythical structure.
Pantheism:
Belief in many deities.
Paganism is pantheistic.
Passing Over Ritual:
Ritual observed when a loved
one has died.
Past Life Regression:
Act of using meditation
or guided meditation to pass through the veil of linear time and perceive
experiences encountered in a previous existence.
Path Working:
Using astral projection,
bi-location, or dream time to accomplish a specific
goal. May also be called vision questing.
Pendulum:
A divinatory device
consisting of a string attached to a heavy object, such as a quartz crystal,
root, or ring. The free end of the string is held in the hand, the
elbows steadied against a flat surface, and a question is asked.
The movement of the heavy object's swings determines the answer.
It is a tool which contacts the psychic mind.
Pentacle:
A circle surrounding a five-pointed, upright star
(pentagram). Often worn as a symbol of a
witch's beliefs. The circle represents: unity
or the World.
Pentagram:
The basic interlaces five-pointed star, visualized
with one point up. It represents the five elements:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. It is a symbol of power and
protection.
Personal Power:
The energy which sustains our bodies. It
originates within the
Goddess and God.
We first absorb it from our biological mother within the womb, and later
from food, water, the Moon and Sun, and other natural objects.
Planetary Hours:
A system of hourly division associated with planetary
energies.
Polarity:
The concept of equal, opposite energies.
The Eastern Yin Yang is a perfect example. Yin is cold; yang is hot.
Other examples: Goddess/God, night/day, Moon/Sun, birth/death, dark/light,
psychic mind/conscious mind. Universal balance.
Polytheism:
Belief in the existence of many unrelated deities
each with their own dominion and interests who have no spiritual or familial
relationships to one another.
Poppets:
Anthropomorphic dolls used to represent certain
human beings in magick
spells.
Priest:
A male dedicated to both the service of his chosen
deity and humankind. All male Wiccans
are priests after they have been Initiated (Self
or Coven). In a coven setting, there may be a High
Priest who acts as an administrator for the coven and a co-leader in
rituals.
Priestess:
A female dedicated to both the service of her
chosen deity and humankind. All female Wiccans
are priestesses after they have been Initiated
(Self or Coven). In a coven setting, there may be a High
Priestess who acts as leader of the coven and in rituals.
Projective Hand:
The 'dominant' hand through which personal
power is sent from the body. Normally the hand used for manual
activities such as writing, dialing the phone, etc.
Psychic Mind:
The subconscious, or unconscious mind, in which
we receive psychic impressions. It is at work when we sleep, dream,
and meditate. It is our direct link with the Divine, and with the
larger, nonphysical world around us.
Psychism:
The act of being consciously psychic, in which
the psychic mind and conscious
mind are linked and working in harmony. Also known as psychic
awareness.
Qabala: See Kabbala
| 1. | The cardinal directions, corresponding to the Elements and protected by the Guardians. |
| 2. | The Sabbats which fall on Equinoxes or Solstices. |
Receptive Hand:
The hand through which energy is received into
the body. The left hand in right-handed persons, the reverse for
left-handed persons.
Rede:
"An it harm none, do what thou will."
The most basic tenet of witchcraft.
Reincarnation:
The process of repeated incarnations in human
form to allow evolution of the sexless, ageless soul. The belief
that souls do not end at death, but wait for a time and then are reborn
to live and learn on this earth again. This is one of the central
tenets of the Craft.
Ritual:
A specific form of movement, a manipulation of
objects or inner processes designed to produce desired effects. In
religion, ritual is geared toward union with the Divine. In magickal
works it produces a specific state of consciousness that allows the witch
to move energy toward needed goals.
Ritual Consciousness:
A specific, alternate state of awareness necessary
to the successful practice of magick. This
state is achieved through the use of visualization
and ritual. The conscious
mind becomes attuned with the
psychic mind,
a state in which the magician senses energies, gives them purpose, and
releases them toward a specific goal. It is a heightening of senses,
an expanded awareness of the nonphysical world, a linking with nature and
with Deity.
Ritual Tools:
General name for magickal tools used by a witch
or magician. They vary by tradition and
usually represent one of the elements.
Runes:
A set of symbols used both in divination
and magickal work.
Click
here to view our Runes Page.
Sabbat:
One of the eight holidays that Wiccans
celebrate. A time for feasting, partying, and general merrymaking.
The word 'sabbat' is given various derivations, but I prefer the argument
that it comes from the French s'ebattre, which means, "to frolic".
See Wheel of the Year.
Samhain:
A Wiccan festival celebrated
on October 31st, also known as November Eve, Hallowmas, Halloween, Feast
of Souls, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples. Samhain marks the symbolic
Death of the Sun God and His passinginto the "land of
the young" where he awaits re-birth at Yule. This Celtic word is
pronounced by Wiccans as: SOW-wen; SEW-wen; SAHM-hain; SAHM-ain; SAV-een
and other ways. The first seems to be the one preferred among most Wiccans.
This festival is considered to be the Witches' New Year.
Scourge:
Small device made from leather or hemp which resembles
a whip and is used in flagellation rites within some traditions.
Scrying:
A method of divination.
To gaze at or into an object (a quartz crystal sphere, a pool of water,
reflections, a candle flame) while stilling the conscious
mind in order to contact the psychic mind.
Scrying allows the scryer to become aware of events prior to their actual
occurrence, as well as to perceive past or present events through other
than the five senses.
Shaman:
A man or woman who has obtained knowledge of the
subtler dimensions
of the Earth, usually through periods of alternate states
of consciousness. Various types of ritual allow the shaman to pierce
the veil of the physical world and to experience the realm of energies.
This knowledge lends the shaman the power to change his or her world through
magick.
Shamanism:
The practice of shamans,
usually ritualistic or magickal
in nature, sometimes religious.
Shrine:
A sacred place that holds a collection of objects
representing a deity.
Sigil:
Magickally oriented seal,
sign, glyph, or other device used in a magickal working. Ones you
create yourself are the most effective. Sigils can be used on letters,
packages, clothing, etc.
Sky-Clad:
Nude. Some traditions
always practice sky-clad, on the principle that clothing interferes with
the vibrations from the Earth. Since many of these same people practice
indoors, and think that wood, steel and concrete don't interfere with these
vibrations, I find myself wondering a bit. But if they feel that
way, hey, they aren't hurting anyone. Others practice sky-clad to
show our freedom, which makes more sense to me, or to remember the burning
times, when it is said that clothing identified the person and the
person's social rank; so it was left outside the Circle for mutual safety.
In those Circles, we are told, masks were also worn.
With the parts usually seen covered, and the parts never seen uncovered,
people were supposedly anonymous. Some groups work sky-clad because
it tends to be quite warm inside a Circle. Some do, because they
simply do.
Solitary:
Pagan who works and worships
alone.
Solstice:
The time of the sun's passing a solstice which
occurs about June 22d to begin summer in the northern hemisphere and about
December 22d to begin winter in the northern hemisphere.
Spell:
A magickal ritual,
usually non-religious in nature and often accompanied by spoken words.
It should be clear, concise, focused and emotional. It is the extension
of mental and emotional energy in order to accomplish a specific goal.
A spell can be written, spoken, drawn, etc. The best spells are the ones
you write yourself. A spell will not work unless true need of it
is present... so don't be getting greedy. Also, magick always takes
the path of least resistance... a spell can only open a "path" which you
will need to take in order to reach your goal.
Spiral:
This symbol signifies an inward journey. It represents
the emergence into consciousness of what was previously hidden. It
also suggests the round of seasons, where life unfolds and fades, unfolds
again in a repeating cycle - it means life.
Spiral, Double:
The double spiral means
descent and return.
Spirit:
The overall energy that runs the universe in a
harmonious way. The 'fifth element'.
Staff:
Ritual tool which corresponds
to the wand or athame, although
seldom used.
Subconscious Mind:
Part of the mind which functions below the levels
we are able to access in the course of a normal working day. This
area stores symbolic knowledge, dreams, the most minute details of every
experience ever had by a person.
Summerland:
The Pagan Land of the Dead.
Sympathetic Magick:
Concept of like attracts like. Most common way
spells are worked.
Talisman:
An object charged with personal
power to attract a specific force or energy to its bearer.
Tarot Cards:
Set of cards which feature pictures and symbols;
used to connect the diviner with the collective unconscious.
Threefold Law:
Karmic principle that energy
released is returned three times over.
Totem Animal:
There is no definition on file in this glossary
for this term. If you would like to see one, send
mail to Ma'at.
Traditions:
Branch of paganism followed
by any individual Pagan or coven.
Traditions, Wiccan:
An organized, structured, specific Wiccan
sub-group, usually initiatory, with often-unique ritual
practices. Many Traditions have their own Book of
Shadows and may or may not recognize members of other Traditions as
Wiccan. Most Traditions are composed of a number of Covens
as well as solitary practitioners.
Click
here for an essay explaining the different terms.
Trance:
A trance is an altered state of consciousness.
Triple Goddess:
One Goddess in all of her
three aspects:
Maiden, Mother,
Crone.
Vision Quest:
In modern times, this refers to the process of
using astral projection, bi-location,
or dream time to accomplish a specific goal. Also called path
working. Its origins are shamanistic.
Visualization:
The process of forming mental images. Magickal
visualization consists of forming images of needed goals during ritual.
It is also used to direct personal power and
natural energies for various purposes during magick, including charging
and forming of the magick circle.
Wand:
Ritual tool representing
Fire.
Waning Crescent:
The Moon is partly but less than one-half illuminated
by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing. The
Moon here is Mother/Crone.
Waning Gibbous:
The Moon is less than fully but more than one-half
illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is decreasing.
Three days after the Full Moon. The Moon
here is Mother.
Waning Moon:
A phase of the moon in which the face of the moon
is getting smaller (the time between a full moon
and a new moon).
Warlock:
Antiquated term misused in reference to a male
Witch. As it means 'oath-breaker'or 'liar', most
Pagans find the term offensive.
Water:
In most magickal traditions
this corresponds with West, the color blue,
the Psyhic Mind, intuition, and emotion.
Waxing Crescent:
The visible Moon is partly but less than one-half
illuminated by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing.
The Moon here is Maiden.
Waxing Gibbous:
The Moon is more than one-half but not fully illuminated
by direct sunlight while the illuminated part is increasing. Three
days before the Full Moon. The Moon here
is Mother.
Waxing Moon:
The phase of the moon in which the face of the
moon is getting larger (the time between a new moon
and a full moon).
Web Weaving:
Networking with other magickal people to gather
information which will mutually assist each party.
Wheel of the Year:
The full cycle of the eight Sabbats
in the Wiccan calendar. They occur at the Equinoxes
and
Solstices (the Quarters)
and on the days marking the midpoints between them (the Cross-Quarters.)
A short list of the names used by my tradition:
| Name(s) | Dates |
|---|---|
| Yule | Winter Solstice |
| Candlemas or Imbolc | Feb. 2 |
| Eostar | Spring Equinox |
| Beltane | May 1 |
| Litha | Summer Solstice |
| Lughnasad | August 2 |
| Mabon | Autumn Equinox |
| Samhain (pronounced Sowen) | October 31. |
Wicca:
A modern Pagan religion with
spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature.
Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess
and God; acceptance of reincarnation
and magick;
ritual observance
of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles
for ritual purposes.
Wiccan Creed:
This is the moral code of all who practice Wicca
and most who practice Witchcraft (also known
as the Rede):
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:Wicce:
An it harm none, do what ye will.
Widdershins:
Counter-clockwise motion, usually used for negative
magickal purposes, or for dispersing negative energies
or conditions such as disease.
Witch:
A practitioner of the Craft. (See Craft)
This term applies equally to either males or females. A practitioner
of
folk magick, particularly that kind relating
to herbs, stones, colors, wells, rivers, etc.
It is used by some Wiccans to describe themselves.
Witchcraft:
The craft of the witch -
magick, especially magick utilizing personal
power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs,
colors, and other natural objects.
Witches' Pyramid:
A creed and a structure of learning that witches
follow: "To Know, To Dare, To Will, and To Be Silent".
Yule:
A Wiccan festival celebrated
on or about December 21st, marking the re-birth
of the Sun God from the Earth Goddess.
It is a time of joy and celebration during the miseries of winter.
Yule occurs on the Winter Solstice.