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Sapphire's
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Book of Shadows
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A B C E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Balefire - A sacred outdoor fire burned by Witches as part of a Sabbat celebration.
Bane - A deadly herb that possesses poisonous properies. The term is usualy used in combination such as "henbane," "wolfsbane," and "baneberry".
Banish - To release or drive away a conjured spirit.
Banishing Ritual - In Ceremonial Magick, a ritual performed to remove negative or evil influences from the circle.
Banshee - In Gaelic folklore, a female nature-spirit who takes the form of an old woman and presages a death in the family by wailing a mournful tune that sounds like the melancholy moaning of the wind. The banshee is usually heard at night under the window of the person who is about to die.
Baphomet - A demonic deity envisaged as a goat-headed creature with wings, the breasts of a woman, and an illuminated torch between its horns. Baphomet was said to have been worshipped by the inner circles of several occult brotherhoods in the Middle Ages, and was identified with the Devil card of the Tarot by the nineteenth century magickalphilosopher Eliphas Levi.
The symbol of Baphomet, also known as the mysterious "Bearded Demon" and the "Satanic Goat," has often been misinterpreted as one of the Craft in general, however, Witch's do not use this symbol in their rituals, nor do they believe in or worship the Devil of the Christian faith (whom practitioners of Satanism and Devil-worshipping cults revere and associate the symbol of Baphomet with).
Barren Signs - In astrology, the tree signs of the zodiac which indicate a tendency toward barrenness: Gemini, Leo and Virgo.
Baskanion - A phallus-shaped ornament worn on a necklace by children of ancient Greece for magickal protection against the evil eye. The baskanion was also known as probaskanion and fascinum, in ancient Rome this amulet was called the satyrica sigma.
Bell - A hollow, metallic instrument, usually cup-shaped with a flared opening, which emits a tone when struck by a clapper suspended from within or by a separate stick or hammer. Bells have been used by nearly all cultures throughout history as magickal talismans, fertility charms, summons to a deity, and as instruments for sacred music and religious rituals of widely varying beliefs.
Beltane - One of the Sabbats that are worshiped by some Witches, normally at the beginning of May. Aslo known as "May Day, Rood Day, Rudemas, Festival of Tana, Walpurgisnacht, and Walpurga's Night.
Besom - A straw broom used by Witches in certain ceremonies.
Bewitchment - The act of gaining power or casting a spell over another person, place, or object.
Bigghes - In certain traditions, a set of ceremonial jewelry consisting of a leather garter, silver criwn with cresent moon, bracelet and necklace. It is traditonally worn by the High Priestess of a coven.
Bilocation - An unusual phenomenon in which a person and his or her spiritual or astral "double" appears in two differnt, often distant, places at the same time. Very little is understood about bilocation; however, its existence has been known to humanity since ancient times and it has been said that certain mystics, saints, holy men, and magicians experience bilocation and some are even capable of practicing it at will. Often involuntary bilocation is interpreted as an omen of death for the person whose double has been seen.
Binding - In Witchcraft, a magickal spell which usually involves the tyling of knots on a cord, and is performed to control the actions of another or to render a sorcerer or sorceress magickally powerless. Bindings are used by some Witches for the purpose of preventing evil, negativity, or disaster of some kind from ocurring, and also to put an end to the harm caused by gossips, troublemakers and those who commit crimes. Interestingly, there exists a controversy among Witches over how ethical the casting of bindings are. Some Witches feel that such spells violate the Wiccan Rede, while others feel they are perfectly acceptable when warranted, especially if the binding is directed at a situation rather than a specific person
Bindrunes - A powerful magickal talisman, usually made from metal or wood and inscribed or painted with two or more different rune symbols which are superimposed upon one another in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. Bindrunes are sometimes placed on ritual tools, candles and jewelry.
Birthstone - A jewel associated with a specific month or astrological sign of the zodiac. A birthstone is believed to attract good luck and repel negative or evil influences; however, it is said to be unlucky to wear the stone of a month or astrological sign other than one's own. The two expectations to this rule are jade and crystal, which are believed to bring good luck to all who wear or carry them as charms.
Black Mass - In Satanism, a travesty of the Roman Catholic Mass in which sacred bread known as the "host" is stolen from a church and desecrated. Contrary to popular misconception, Witches do not perform any type of a Black Mass.
Blasting - A term used in medieval times for a malicious act of sorcery believed to have been practiced by Witches and designed mainly to destroy the fertility of crops, animals, and even humans. However, this is a misconception, if anything, Witches are known to cast spells and perform special rites that promote fertility, not destroy it.
Bolline - A practicle white-hilted working knife used by Witches to harvest sacred herbs, cut wooden wands, slice bread, and carve magickal symbols in candles and talismans. Unlike the Witches' ritual dagger knwon as an athame, the bolline is generally not used for the storing or directing of energy in spells and rituals.
Bomor - A Malay Shaman who uses various forms of divination to determine the treatment of sick patients.
Book of Shadows - A secret diary of magickal spells and potions kept by many individual Witches or covens. Although a Book of Shadows is traditionally kept confidential, there are a number of modern Witches who elect to have their Book of Shadows published in order to share their knowledge and magickal spells with other Witches.
Bottle Imp - Mainly in Arabian folklore, a supernatural genielike creature who is confiend to a bottle and invoked as needed by a sorcerer's magickal incantation.
Bruja - A name used by the people of Mexico, Central America, and the Hispanic communities throughout the United States for a female Witch.
Bulla - A round hollow object, inscribed with certain magickal words or symbols and filled with various substances. Bullas were popular among the ancient Romans and early Christians who used them as amulets for protection against all evil-natured entities.
Bune Wand - An old Scottish nickname given to the legendary Witches' broomstick.
Burin - An engraving tool used by many Witches and practitioners of the magickal arts to mark names or symbols ritually on athames, swords, bells and other magickal tools.
Burning Times - A term often used by Pagans in reference to the days of the past when it was commonplace in many parts of the world for Witches to be hunted, tortured and executed. The term "burning times" generally refers to the mid-fifteenth to early eighteenth centuries. It was during this dark and violent period in history that the Christian Church and its infamous Inquisition put to death an estimated 30,000 to nine million people in their fanatical effort to rid the world of heretics and Devil-worshippers. While it was believed by most during that time that "purification by fire" was the only true way to destroy the evil that was said to be intrinsic of Witches. Some places employed public hangings as punishment for those who they believed were in league with the Devil
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