| A ADEPT- being highly knowledgeable and proficient in one particular magickal system AKASHIC RECORDS- A type of giant database that can be accessed to mentally to find magickal and spiritual information. A term made famous by Edgar Cayce, a renowned psychic. ALTAR- A flat surface (usually a table, but could be just any flat surface) set aside to be exclusively used for magikal workings AMULET*- an object that is magically charged for the purposes of protection. (i.e. deflecting away negative energy or thoughts) ANKH- an Egyptian symbol for love, life and reincarnation. (a cross with a a loop at the top) ASTRAL- another dimension of reality similar to a 'dream world'. Derived from the Aboriginal people of Australia ASTAL PROJECTION- separating your soul from your body (also know as 'out of body experience or OBE)Many people travel this way throughout the physical and astral world ATHAME*- a knife used (usually 7-10 inch blade) in ritual that is cleansed and consecrated. Pecti-Wittans use this in everyday life and feel that to do so raises the knife's power. Wiccans usually do not practice this. B BALEFIRE- a magical and practical bon fire. Ritually used for Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh and Mabon. BANE- bad, evil, destructive. BANISH- to end or stop something or to exorcise a spirit magically BI-LOCATION- a unique type of astral travel. You are aware of your physical surroundings but still travel out of body. BIND- to magically restrain someone or something. Most witches consider this a practice that is ethically wrong. BOOK OF SHADOWS- a book wherein are kept spells and other magickal things such as: research, study exercises, log of experiences pertaining to psychic experiences, ritual and spell workings, experience with spirits/ gods/deses, etc Basically a personal record of a witch. grimoire. BOLLINE*- a knife with a curved, curved handle used for practical magick like inscribing things, cutting plants and herbs that are to be used for magickal purposes. BURNING TIMES- The period of time between 1000CE-1700CE where an estimated 9 million people (mainly women and children) were tortured and burned for witchcraft. It should be noted that the Christian church and accuser profited greatly by land and wealth seized from those charged with witchcraft. C CALL- Invoking divine forces CHARKRAS- 7 major points of energy on the human body, each with it's related color. They are crown-white; forehead (AKA third eye) -purple; throat-blue; chest-pink or green; navel- yellow; abdomen-orange; groin-red. CHARGE- 1. a poem written to get in touch with the Goddess. (often referred to as The Charge of the Goddess) Originally written in modern form by Doreen Valentine as the message from Goddess to her children. 2. To instill magickal power into an object or person CHANNELING- to allow an entity to speak through you or to use your body. CHARM- an object charged (and thusly, being charmed would mean possesing a magickal charge) CONE OF POWER-Psychic energy raised and focused to achieve a specific purpose. CLEANSING- removing negative energy from a person or object by positive energy CONSECRATION- blessing a tool or other magickal object or place by instilling it with positive energy COVEN- a group of witches that work together as a 'church' would do D DAYS OF POWER- sabbats Or days that have special meaning (birthday, dedication or anniversaries). It can also be a day triggered by rare astrological occurrences DEDICATION- The ceremony where witch commits him/herself to the study of the craft to adeptship. DEOSIL- clockwise; this is most common direction for movement during rituals and spells DIVINATION- using magick tools and symbols to obtain information from the Collective Unconscious (Akashic Records) DOWSING-the using of a stick or pendulum to find the location of a person place, thing or element DRAWING DOWN THE MOON- A ritual to empower witches and unite their essence with a particular deity E EARTH MAGICK- A form of magick in which the powers of the Earth are used in conjunction with the Earth Mother are used in rituals, spells and celebrations. ELDER- Covens usually have a group of witches who oversee the workings and operations of the group. These people would be called Elders. Elders gain this authority through education, experience, adeptship and counseling. ELEMENTAL- ELEMENTS- Primarily Earth (corresponding coordinate would be North), Air (South), Fire (West), Water (East). There is a lesser-known element, but never the less important. It is Spirit (Center; this is used a lot in shamanistic traditions). ENCHANTMENT- A magical item that is to be kept hidden in secret away from eyes that affects a hidden aura. Enchantments must be charmed first and are things such as gems or magickal writings. EVOCATION- to call out from within F FAMILIAR- an animal that a witch has formed a a spiritual bond with or power animal. This would be the same as a fetish in the native american traditions. Familiars can also be entities that protect your home from the astral (*) FASCINATION- referred to sometimes as mind bending. A mental effort to control another beings mind, which is highly unethical, except in an instance where the witch or their loved ones is in physical danger. G GAIA-A term form the Greeks meaning Mother Earth. GREEN MAN- The God as he is referred to in his forest kingdom GAURDIANS- AKA Guardians of the Watchtowers or Guardians of the Four Quarters. They are used in ceremonial magick and often in high magicks. H HANDFASTING- a pagan marriage ceremony, also known as jumping the Broom I INITIATION- The process of being brought into a magickal order whether in a coven or solitarily. It alters your personal and worldly concepts and unites you with the craft. INCANTATION- a spoken spell INVOCATION- bringing something in from without K KARMA-The undying law of cause and effect. What you put out into the spiritual and physical world is what you will get back. In Sanskrit it means 'action'. L LEFT_HAND PATH- A person in the craft that has chosen to use magick that is not constructive for humans and the world in general. A path that is self-serving M MAGIK- it can be defined in many a different way, but generally speaking the art and action of using ones will to manipulate their internal and external enviroments MAIDEN, MOTHER, AND CRONE- the three aspects of the goddess, or triple goddess, denoting the three major phases of life: youth, mother-hood, and the last stage where one has obtained what is was to be learned from the two former stages. MOON PHASE- the cycle of the moons orbit around the earth divided into four major phases of waxing and waning, with four sub-phases during it's month long course. The completed cycle of the moons orbit around the earth is referred to as the lunar year. *It must be noted that all magickal tools should first be cleansed and then consecrated before being used. I also recommend that you cleanse the object every few months there after, also after being handled by someone other than yourself. |
| Pagan Vocabulary this is a work in progress |