Willow's Pagan Place
Wiccan Dictionary and Magickal Jargon
(Learning to Speak the Lingo)
Whether you are in the world of sports
or the sphere of artists, all fields
have their own special buzz-words. The Craft world has tailored
language,
as well. Listed below are those words that you will come into
contact
with frequently during your studies. Give them the once over to
begin,
then turn to the exercise at the back of this chapter.
adept:
An individual who through serious study and accomplishments
is considered highly proficient in a particular magickal system.
A person
can be an adept at Egyptian magickal practices, but a total
failure
at practical kitchen magick.
Akashic records:
In the early part of this century the famed psychic
Edgar Cayce brought to general society the thought form of
Akashic
records. Supposedly, there is a giant data base somewhere that
can be
accessed for information on subjects such as past lives, healing,
and
other magickal/spiritual practices. This record system cannot be
accessed by material equipment, such as a PC networking with a
larger
computer In this case, the mind of the psychic or Witch accesses
the
data through Universal connections.
altar:
A special, flat surface set aside exclusively for magickal
workings
or religious acknowledgement.
amulet:
Usually considered an object of protection that has been charged
deflect specific negative energies or thought forms. Amulets can
be
made of feathers, plants, beads, etc. The horseshoe and the
four-leaf
clover are two examples of amulets.
ankh:
An Egyptian hieroglyphic that is widely used as a symbol for life
, love, and reincarnation. It is depicted as a cross with a
looped top.
Aradia:
A champion Italian Goddess sworn to protect her people against
the aggression of masculine faith and its persecutors during the
reign
of medieval terror. The original Aradia was a female Christ
figure in
Italy who taught around 1353. She was imprisoned more than once,
escaped several limes and eventually disappeared. The second
Aradia
you will hear about is Leland's Aradia, a book detailing
information
from an Italian Gypsy Witch. The third Aradia is the daughter of
Diana and Lucifer (God of the Sun). She is considered the Queen
of the Witches.
Arcana:
The two halves of a Tarot deck, The Major Arcana
consists of 22 trumps depicting dominant occurrences in our
lives. The
Minor Arcana consists of 55 suit cards, sometirnes called the
lesser
Arcana) that assist in fleshing out the trump situations, or
indicate
smaller occurrences in our lives. See also Tarot cards.
astral:
This word conjures lots of definitions, To keep it simple, let's
describe it as another dimension of reality. I have heard it
referred to as
"dreamtime," which I think is an excellent label. This
reference is
from the Australian Aboriginal people and thek teachings, which
are well word' your further study.
astral
travel/projection: The process of
separating your astral
body from your physical one to accomplish travel in the astral
plane or dreamlime.
atharne:
A cleansed and consecrated ceremonial knife used in ritual
work by Witches. The knife is never used for blood-letting, and
rarely used for cutting anything on the material plane.
Balefire:
You don't get to see too many of these today. In country
settings its function was both magickal and practical. Holidays
at
which you would most likely see this type of celebration are
Beltane
, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
bane: Another word for bad, evil, destructive.
banish:
To magickally end something or exorcise unwanted entities. To
rid the presence of.
hi-location:
This is an interesting practice. You use a type of astral
projection to travel in everyday reality by retaining the
capability to
be aware of your present surroundings. Synonymous terms are
over-looking and mind-travel.
bind: To magickally restrain something or someone.
Blood of the Moon:
A woman's menstrual cycle. If this cycle occurs
over a Full or New Moon (and you can arrange that) she is far
more
powerful than during any other time of the month, as long as she
acknowledges this strength within herselt For too many years
women
have been told that they must regard their cycle with an unkind
eye,
calling it a curse when actually it is a boon. Society has so
dictated
this to them that many feel weak, tired and disoriented because
they
are supposed to. Wrong. if you can rearrange your thinking on
this matter,
the Blood of the Moon can pack a powerful wallop for you. If you
feel
spacy, try grounding.
Book of Shadows:
A relatively new term for the collection of information
in book form for a Witch's reference. Much akin to a magickal
cookbook.
Another name for this text would be grimoire.
bolline:
A curved, white-handled knife used for practical magickal
purposes such as cutting. For instance, the knife can be used to
harvest herbs, cut a branch for a wand, inscribe candles, etc.
Burning Times:
You will hear this often. It is in reference to a historical
time from around 1000 ('through the 17th century when it is said
that
over nine million 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.
Historians indicated that the majority of people tortured and
murdered
were women and children.
Cabala:
Also seen as Kabbala(h) and Qabala. The ancient Hebrew
magickal system.
Call: Invoking Divine forces.
chakras:
Seven major energy vortexes found in the human body.
Each is usually associated with a color. These vortexes are:
crown
- white; forehead (third eye position) - purple; throat - blue;
chest
- pink or green; navel - yellow; abdomen - orange; groin - red.
Smaller vortexes are located in the hands and feet, as well.
Charge, The:
Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valiente,
it is a story of the message from the Goddess to Her children.
channeling:
This is a New Age practice wherein you allow a disincarnate
entity to "borrow" your body to speak to others either
through automatic
writing or verbally. Channe}ing does not have a very good track
record
simply because it is difficult to prove and the information
imparted is
usually not about things that can be "tested." Subjects
normally involve
distant prophecy, what the after-life is like, the structureof
other dimensions,
words of wisdom that everybody really needs to know before it is
too late, etc.
Channeling is the new buzz-word for mediumship. The best known
and most accurate medium within our present century was the late
Edgar Cayce. Most book stores still carry some of his materia
l and it is well worth your time to read. Channeling is not the
same as contacting the dead for information or help:
charms:
Can either be an amulet or talisman giat has been charmed by
saying
an incantation over it and instilling it with energy for a
specific task.
Cone of Power:
Psychic energy raised and focused by either an individual or
group mind (coven) to achieve a definite purpose. The most
interesting
Cone of Power raised in recent history was that of the Witches of
England
who stood together, despite their differences, to turn Hitler
back from the
shores of their beloved country.
cleansing:
The act of removing any negative energy, vibrations or images
from an object or place by utilizing positive, psychic energy
consecration:
The act of blessing an object or place by instilling
it with positive energy.
coven:
A group of thirteen or fewer Witches that work together
in an organized fashion for positive magickal endeavors or to
perform religious ceremonies. The covenstead is the meeting
place of the Witches, and is often a fixed building or place
where the Witch can feel safe and at home.
Days of Power:
Although usually refened to as Sabbats, there
are other days throughout the year that can be considered days of
power. These days can be triggered by astrological occurrences,
your birthday, a woman's menstrual cycle (also known as the Blood
of the Moon),or your dedication/initiation anniversary.
dedication:
Unlike the initiation ceremony that brings one into an order,
the dedication of a Witch is that process where the individual
accepts
the Craft as their path, and vows to study and learn all that is
necessary
to reach adeptship in a given tradition. In a dedication, you
consciously
prepare yourself to accept something new into your life and stick
with
it, regardless of the highs and lows this action may produce.
deosil:
Clockwise movement. Most rituals and ceremonies, even spells,
call for deosil movement at some point in their construction.
divination:
The art of using magickal tools and symbols to gather
information from the Collective Unconscious on the nature of
people, places, things, and events in the past, present and
future.
dowsing:
The art/science of using a pendulum or stick to find
the actual location of a person, place, thing or element. Dowsing
can also be used to answer yes or not questions, and quite a
science has developed by holding a pendulum over
a specially designed chart to answer specific questions
on life patterns.
Drawing Down the
Muon: A ritual used during the Full Moon
by
Witches to empower themselves and unite their essence with
a particular deity, usually the Goddess.
Earth magick:
A practical form of magick wherein the powers
and forces of Earth Mother are used to conduct magickal workings
or celebrations. Usually items associated with the Earth and
nature
hold a particular significance in the ritual or spell.
Elder:
Many Wiccan organizations have a group or board of
Elders who oversee the operations of the church and its variety
of functions. These people have usually gained their positions
through a combination of their abilities which may include
education, experience, magickal adeptship and counseling.
elements:
Usually counted as four: Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
However, many Witches add Spirit or Akasha to this category,
as well. Each element has a direction within a magick circle or
working: East = Air; South Fire; West = Water; North = Earth;
Center Spirit or Akasha.
Enchantment:
A magickal object that must be kept absolutely secret
and hidden from all human eyes and affects a hidden aura.
Enchantments
must be charmed first. Gems and magickal writing are good items
to
use for Enchantments.
evocation: To call something out from within.
familiar:
An animal who has a spiritual bond with a Witch; often is the
family pet. Familiars can also be entities who are created to
protect
your home from the astral.
fascination:
A mental effort to control another animal or person's mind.
It has been referred to as "mind-bending:" Although the
technique of
fascination runs a borderline when considering humans, it should
not
be totally trashed. Using it for a love spell would be unethical,
and
much like committing psychological rape. But if you found
yourself
in an unsafe situation where your person (or friend or family
member)
is in real physical danger, I wouldn't have the guts to tell you
not to use
all the tools and skills available to you.
Gaea/Gaia:
Greek Goddess, now meaning Earth Mother or Mother Earth.
Environmental action groups use this term almost as much as we
do,
if not more these days.
Green Man: Another name for the God, as in his kingdom of the forest.
Guardians:
Ceremonial magicians use the Guardians of the Watchtowers or
Guardians of the Four Quarters. Some Witches use them, too. There
are
those that see these Guardians as ugly little biddies, such as
lizards,
dragons, etc. But I have always envisioned them as the angels
Michael, Ariel, Raphael and Gabriel.
handfasting: A Wiccan or Pagan marriage ceremony
initiation:
An experience that so transforms the individual that their
concept of personal and worldly reality has been altered. A
dedication ceremony should not be confused with an initiation.
invocation: To bring something in from without.
Karma:
The belief that one's thoughts and deeds can be either
counted against them or added to their spiritual path during
several
life times. In Sanskrit it means "action." Follows the
law of cause
and effect.
left-hand path:
I never heard this one until I started networking
across the country with other magickal individuals. It is a term
that points to those people who feel that they are justified in
using magick for purposes that are not constructive to other
human beings. It is a reference that they are possibly a
self-serving
individual. Conversely, the right-hand path is considered
positive in nature.
macrocosm: The world around us. microcosm: The world within us.
magic(k):
The art and science of focusing your will and emotions to
effect change both in the world around you and the world within
you.
Magick is neither good nor evil, positive nor negative. It is the
use of
the power that determines the path it will take.
magick circle:
A circular boundary drawn in visionary blue flames
or white light that protects the Witch from outside forces while
conducting
ritual magick. One must never step outside the circle while
performing a ritual
unless the appropriate precautions have been take to cut a door.
Nor should
anyone step in during a ritual, unless they are following a
pathway made for
them. The door is usually cut with the athame or wand. This
circle should
never be left hanging after your ritual is over. This means that
it must be
closed just as ceremoniously as it was opened. The magick circle
is
considered the doorway between the worlds and allow us to move
between
the two. Some Witches draw the circle in the physical, either
permanently
on the floor or for temporary use with herbs, sand, salt, chalk
or a nine-foot
cord. The circle is still cast with blue or white light by the
High Priestess/Priest
or individual designated to do so. In some covens, the person is
in charge of
a particular quarter is responsible for preparing the area before
the coven
members arrive. This includes cleaning the area, cleansing,
consecrating,
and making sure all the necessary supplies have been transported
to the location.
magickal Systems:
Can refer to Traditions, denominations, sects, or
pantheons. It is a basic set of guidelines relating to specific
Gods
and Godesses or cultural traditions.
New Age:
Usually refers to mixing metaphysical practices with
a structured religion.
neopagan:
Follower of a nature-based religion. The term Neopagan
means "new Pagan" and is not a popular term. It seems
to be a direct result
of the New Age lingo.
pantheon:
No, we are not talking about a building, but a collection or
group of Gods and Goddesses in a particular religious or mythical
structure.
Examples are: Greek pantheon, Roman pantheon, Egyptian pantheon,
Teutonic pantheon, etc.
pentacle:
A circle surrounding a five-pointed, upright star (known as a
pentagram).
Worn as a symbol of a Witch's belief and used in magickal
workings
and ceremonies. Each point on the star has a specific meaning:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Pentacles are never worn
inverted
in the Craft. Many Witches consider this blasphemy of their
faith.
However, an inverted pentagram is used in some second degree
initiations, not to indicate evil, but to fulfill a function of
growth.
Priestess:
A female dedicated to both the service of her chosen deity/ies)
and humankind. A High Priestess is the feminine leader of a coven
or
Wiccan organization and plays the role of Goddess in certain
ceremonies. A solitary Witch can be a Priestess by dedicating
herself to a particular God or Goddess.
Priest:
A male dedicated to both the service of his chosen deity(ies)
and humankind. A High Priest is the male leader of a coven or
Wiccan organization and plays the role of the God in certain
ceremonies.
Note:
Neither male nor female has dominion over the other
in the Craft. The High Priest and High Priestess in a coven
environment should work as a balanced team. On occasion they
draw in the energy of the God and Goddess repective to their
sex in order to further a positive magickal working or to
celebrate
a holiday. These people must be skilled in magick and ceremony,
but they also need maturity, wisdom and a great degree of
humility.
They are required to be diplomatic and merciful when the
situation
demands. Their job is nat an easy one. You will hear reference
to the Great Rite, wherein the High Priest and High Priestess
magickally draw in the energy of the God and Goddess through
sexual interaction, either simulated or real. However, if
intercourse
actually takes place, it is almost always done in privacy, out
of sight ofthe other coven members. In the 1970s sexual
intercourse among coven members was promi'tnt in some traditions.
In the 1990s with the threat ofthe AIDS virus and society's shift
to more conservative views on sexuality, actual intercourse is
not as
widely practiced. I would also like to add that sex magick is not
a requirement
for any individual to practice Witchcraft.
reincarnation: The belief that one has lived before in another lifetime.
ritual:
A focused mental/physical ceremony to either honor or thank
one's chosen pantheon, or to perform a specific magickal working
or act.
runes:
A set of symbols that are used both in divination and
magickal workings. There are several types of runes with
different
origins. A few are the Norse, Scandinavian and Germanic runes.
Unlike the Tarot, they are an integral part of a magickal system
with its own pantheon, should you care to use it. They can
function
as an alphabet and are useful in vision questing, dream recall
and
controlling your environment.
scrying:
A diviriation method using specific tools such as a bowl
of inked water, a mirror, crystal ball, etc., where the diviner
"sees"
either normal visual pictures, mental visual pictures, or
information
without any pictures at all!
sigil:
A magically oriented seal, sign, glyph, or other device used
in a magickal working. The most powerful sigils are those that
you create yourself. Sigils can be used on letters, packages,
clothing, on paper tucked in your pocket, etc.
Skyfather:
Assigning deification to the sky as a male entity.
Although shamanistic in its origin, I personally think it
compliments
Earth Mother perfectly and refer to it often. Skyfather is also
used
in Native American belief systems.
skyclad:
In some traditions, for example the Alexandrian, it is the
act of celebrating or doing a magickal working in the nude.
This shouid not be misconstrued with sexual contact. There are
many solitaries that prefer to work skyclad, feeling that the
absence of clothing leaves their energy unhindered during the
ceremony.
spell:
Extended mental and emotional energy spoken aloud, written,
spoken. to oneself, drawn or even danced. To work, it should be
clear, concise, focused and emotional. The need must be
present to bring any spell to a successful culmination.
spiral:
The sacred spiral plays an important part in magickal workings.
It is the symbol of "coming into being." A spiral dance
celebrates the
spiral symbolism.
talisman:
An object that has been magickally charged in order to bring
something to the bearer. Such an item could be a gemstone to win
a court case, or a drawing to put in your pocket that will bring
good luck.
Tarot cards:
A set of 78 cards which carry pictures and symbols
used to connect the diviner with the collective unconscious.
No one knows the specific origin of the cards, and there are
many beautiful decks now on the market. Although the
Rider/Waite deck is well known, I prefer the Witches' Tarot
or the Robin Wood Deck. The cards can be used to determine
the past, present and future of an event or person and can become
powerful tools in magickal workings and rituals.
Tarologist:
One who is adept at the art and science
of handling the Tarot.
visionquesting:
Using astral projection, bi-location, or dreamtime
to accomplish a specific goal. Also called pathworking.
webweaving:
Networking with other magickal people through
conversation, in writing, or by computer to gather information
to mutually assist each party in their studies and life goals.
Wheel of the Year:
One full cycle of the seasonal year,
beginning with the Samhain celebration.
widdershins:
Counterclockwise motion used in some
magickal workings or ceremonies.
working:
As in magickal working. The process of using
magick to reach a desired positive goal.
These words by no
means encompass all the terminology
of the Craft. Various Traditions and covens have their
own terminology that they do not share with those
outside their circle