| Magickal & Occult Dictionary |
| Abalanathanalba Gnostic charm triangle, similar to Abracadabra, used for protection. Traditionally written on parchment, using special ink obtained from the acorn of a balonia oak tree. Abracadabra Calalistic word taken from the name Abraxas. When chanted or when its letters are arranged in an inverted pyramid and whorn around the neck as a talisman for nine days, it is said to possess the magickal power to ward of illness and cure fever. After the nine days, it is taken off and tossed over the shoulder into a stream of eastward flowing water. Cool, rushing water draws the heat of the fever away from the ill person and back to the rising sun. Abramelin Magick Medieval practice of white and black Ceremonial Magick involving spirit communication, word magick, and palindromic magickal squares. It is a system based mainly on Hellenistic theurgy of the lamblichan type with Jewish increments from the Kabbalah. This magick sets forth the semi-Gnostic doctrine that the world was created and is maintained by demons (Powers of Darkness) that work under the command of angelic spirits. Abramelin magicians, with the proper purifications, tools, prayers, and formulas, and the help of angels, can control the demons of darkness and command them to do his or her will. Absent Healing Form of faith healing which involves the projection of positive healing energy to an ill person by a healer who is not present at the time of the healing. A renowned absent healer was Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), also known as the "Sleeping Prophet." Adept Individual, either male or female, who has gained profound magickal powers and insights. Usually this is done through initiation. Adept is used to describe an initiate or occult master. Afterworld The place were human souls go after death, the world of the dead. This concept is shared by all mythologies nad religions. Usually it is thought to be dark and gloomy underground region or bright and happy place in the sky. In Wicca the Afterworld is called the "Summerland." Air One of the four ancient elements of nature. It corresponds to the East Watchtower, and the spirits of the Air are known as Sylphs. Alchemy Ancient occult science of transmutation of base metals into gold or silver by both chemical and spiritula processes. Other major aims included finding an elixir that could make humans immortal, and acquire various methods of creating life artifically. An alcemist is one who practices alchemy. Alchemy was the earlist forms of chemestry and other sciences. The basic fundamentals were developed by the Egyptians, however it was first practiced as we know it in ancient China. Alchemy then spread to Spain by the Muslims, and from Spain spread throughout Europe. Their works were written and drawn in obscure symbols instead of words, and dream-revelations and visions were what their studies were based upon. The height of it's popularity was in the latter part of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Contemporary Western alchemy is no longer concered with the making of gold or elixirs or immortaily, but more concered with spiritual and psychological transformations, untion with the Divine, and the evolution into higher states of consciousness though symbolic "death" and "rebith" of elements. Altar Any table or raised structure on candles and incense are burned, tools of magick are kept, and offerings of any kind are made during spellcastings and rituals. Amulet A concecrated object that possesses the power to protect a person or thing, inspire love, and to attract good luck. Usually a small coloured stone or a piece of metal inscribed with runes or other magikcal symbols. Anathema A sorcerer's curse or offering to a Pagan deity. To anathematize is to place a cure upon. Angelica A mystical plant associated with early Nordic magick. Believe to have the power to guard against evil in many parts of the world adn has both culinary and medicinal properties. According to Nichlas Culpepper it should be gathered when the moon is in Leo. Animism The spiritual belife that everything in nature, animate and inanimate, possesses a an innate soul. Ankh Ancient Egyptian symbol that smybolises life and cosmic knowledge. Used in many spells and rituals involving health, fertility and divination. An-Shet Alternate word for a witch's wand. Appirition The appreance of a person's phantom, living or dead, seen in a dream, trace, or waking state are the result of astral projection or clairvoyance. Aquarius The eleventh sign of the zodiac, sybmolised by the Water Bearer. Aries The first sign of the zodiac, sybmolisied by the Ram. Astral Body Double of the physical body, only made of a much finer substance that has a shining, luminous appearance. The astral body is connected to the physical by an etheric umbilical cord and is able to pass though soild obsturctions and float unhindered by gravity, space, or time. Astral Plane Plane of existance and perception that parallels the dimension of the physical. It is the plane which the astral body reaches during astral projection and death. Astral Projection Out-of-the-body-experince achieved by a number of trance-inducing methods or imagnation techniques. It is the seperation of the consciousness from the physical body and into and altered state of consciousness. Also known as astral travel. Astral Twins Two or more unrelated persons who share the same birthdate, said to possess identical personality traits, and sometimes even matching physical appearances. They must be bore on the same month, day, year, and hour to be true astral twins. Astrology Stargazing, the ancient occult art, science, and divination technique by interpreting certain celestial patterns. Athame A black-handled ritual dagger with a double edged blade. Many Witches use this tool for the drawing of circles and storing and dirceting energy raised during rituals. This is a sacred tool and in many traditions is never used to draw blood. It symbolises the masculine and correspeonds with the element Air. Aura A single or multi-coloured light that radeates from the bodies or both living and non-living things. The aura is created by heat energy and electromagnetic energy. Balefire - A scared outdoor fire burnt during Sabbats, ecspecially Beltane, Summer Solstice, Lammas, and the Autumn Equinox. Bane Something which is destructive or poisonous. Banish - To drive away or release a conjured spirit. Besom - A straw broom used by Witches in their magickal workings. Bewitchment - The act of casting a spell over another person, place, or thing. Bigghes - A set of ceremonial jewelry made up of a leather gater, silver crown with a crescent moon, bracelte, and necklace traditionally worn by the High Preistess of covens in certain traditions of Wicca. Binding - A spell that usually involves the tying of knots or cords preformed to control the actions of another or cause them to be magickally powerless. Bolline A white-handled working knife used in the Craft to harvest sacred herbs, cut wooden wands, slice bread, carve magickal symbols into candles and for other practical uses. This is a femenine tool. Cauldron A black cast-iron pot used by Witches that symbolically combines the four elements, the womb of the Goddess, and is used for many purpoeses brewing potions, bruning incense, and holding herbs to name a few. Censer - A metal vessel with a perforated lid used as an incense burner. Often the censer is carried by a chain and swung, the swinging spreads the fumes better. Chakra The special points of the psychic-spiritual energy in the human body. Each chakra is a whirling lotus petal shaped vortex of multicoloured energy not visiable to the naked eye. Chalice A sacred cup or goblet used to hold consecrated water or wine usually kept on the west side of the alter Channeling The act of communitcating with or serving as a channel for non-physical beings, ghosts, deities, guardian spirits, or others while in a trance-like state. Charm A highly magickal object that is used to counteract misfortune but also to bewitch others. Cingulum A consecrated cord used in some Wiccan traditions to be used while dancing to raise power. Usually this cord is nine feet long and red with nine knots on the cord used for storing built-up energy. This tool can also be used to measureing the circle to be cast. Coven A group of Witches who meet and work magick together on a fairly regular basis. Most covens meet at the Sabbats and Esbats, some practce robed or skyland, each coven and the traditions withing are unique. Traditionally there are 13 memebers in a coven. Covenstead The place where a coven meets. Cowan A term used to mean either an uninitated intruder, or those outside the craft. Dagyde Image-needles or pin used in magick, usually with poppets. Desoil A clockwise motion that symbolises life and positive energy. This is the way in which circles are cast, it's opposite being widdershins. Divination The occult art and practice of discovering the unknown and foretelling events of the future. This is done by interpreting omens, the Tarot, dice, crystal balls, spiritboards, astrology, runes, dreams, etc. Dragon's Blood The resin from the palm tree Daemonorops draco that is used by Witches as a magickal incense for many workings. It is a very powerful herb of love and protection that dispels negativity. There is also a traditonal ink made from dragon's blood. Elements The four basic modes of manifestation of matter and energy; earth, air, fire, and water. Esbat A regular meeting of a Witches' coven or circle that is traditonally held during a Full Moon thirteen times a year. At this time coven members exchange ideas, talk about problems and important issues, preform special rites, work magick and healings, and give thanks and make requests of the Gods and Goddesses. Exorcism The magickal act of purifying something from either all alien influences or certain specific influences. The Great Rite A name for ritual sexual intercourse preformed either actually or symbolically as a religious experince. Often The Great Rite is preformed at the Greater Sabbats and is not mandatory. Green Witch A name for a Witch that is skilled in the art of wortcunning. Grimoire A type of magickal workbook containing various spells, formulas, rituals, and incantations. Hermetic Magick An ancient form of magick that combines Egyptian magickal knowledge with other occult tradiotns and dates from the first centrury A.D High Magick Ceremonial magick. Hoodoo A type of folk magick that combines European techniques with Voodoo rituals. Kabbalah A seceret occult theosophy of Jewish origin based on esoteric interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures. Though looks to be a complicated system of magick it is a tool for communication with God. Karma The laws of cause and effect that applies to all of our actions and the consquences. Low Magick Practical magick such as Witchcraft, spellcraft, hexcraft, and hoodoo. Magician A non-religious practioner of ceremonial or ritual magick. Necromancy Evocation of the dead. Neo-Paganism The practice of modern day Paganism. The conptemporary movement that aims to revive pre-Christian Nature relgions, Goddess religions, and mystery traditions. New Age Contemporary term to describe a spirutal and social movement orginated in the 1950s and 60s in the hippie culture and gained widespread popularity in the mid-1980s. New Agers share belifes that a person creates his or her own realtiy, and the God and Goddess exist within. Belifes in reincarnation and extraterrestrial beings are also common. Polytheism The belief or worship of more than one god/goddess. Poppet A specially prepared herb-stuffed cloth doll used in "sympathetic" magick rituals to represent a person at who a spell is being directed. Poppets are used for healing and binding commonly. Potion A herbal tea or brew used in many magickal or healing rituals. Traditonally potions are brewed in cauldrons. Priapic A term that describes deities possessing erect of exaggerated sexual organs such as Sheel-a-nig, Eros, and Pan. Reincarnation The repeated birth of the same soul in many lifetimes and different physical bodies. Ritual A religious or magickal ceremony. Runes Letters of a secret magickal alphabet that spell words og freat power and are widely used in magick and divination. There are many different sets of runes. Sabbat One of the eight pagan festivals celebrated annually. Scrying The art and parctice of interpreting the future, past, or present from images seen gazing into a crystal ball, candle flame, pool of water, or gazing mirror. Closely reltated to crystal gazing, mirror gazing, and fire gazing. Seance A gathering of persons to contact and receive messages from non-physical beings and the dead. Usually held in the dark or candlelight at a table where all persons attending are seating with joined hands to form a circle. There must be at least one medium present. Sex Magick A form of magick that uses sexual experince and orgasm to generate energy to work magick. Also called Tantric magick. Sixth Sense Another name for extrasensory perception (ESP). Skyclad Term used to mean ritual nudity and is common in certain Wiccan traditions. Talisman A manmade object infused with magickal poperties ot bring good luck, fertility, and ward off evil. Voudou practice of folk magick native to the Carribean Islands, South and Central America, and the Souther United States based upon the African religions and blending with Roman Catholism. Also called Voodoo and Voudun. Wand A stick used in rituals to trace circles, draw magickal symbols, direct energy, and stir the cauldron. Wicca An Earth-based Neopagan religion founding in the 1950s by Gerald Gardener. Occasionaly goes by the incorrect name "Witchcraft"; it's a religion not a craft. (Not to be confused with Witchcraft) Wiccan An individual who is a follower of the Earth based, Neopagan religion of Wicca. (Not to be confused with Witch.) Widdershins counterclockwise motion that symbolises banishing and uncasting. Witch An individual that practices Witchcraft (not to be confused with Wiccan). Witchcraft The art, or craft, of using natural energies to impose one's will. Thought of by most practicioners as a science. (Not to be confused with the religion of Wicca.) Wortcunning The knowledge and use of the healing and magickal propeties of herbs, the practice of herbalism. |