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| Gaea/Gaia - The Earth Mother; an aspect of the Goddess and representative of the planet Earth. The Greek Goddess Gaia is the primordial Goddess of earth, mother and grandmother of the first generation of Titans.
Gardnerian - A Wiccan tradition started by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Many people consider Gardnerian Wicca to be the most 'authentic', but many of the details of this tradition are only available to those who have been initiated into a Gardnerian coven. Belonging to this tradition requires a great deal of commitment and learning. There is a specific hierarchy within any coven (initiate, 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree). As with any Wiccan tradition, the defining qualities of an Gardnerian coven are not always clear-cut, and further research will help you understand the details of this tradition. Garter - A piece of fabric or leather that is laced, tied, or buckled around the thigh of a High Priestess of a coven. Genetic Mind - The theory of Carl Jung that describes the superconscious mind, a mind that connects all cultures and people. It is also called the Collective Unconscious and the superconscious. Geomancy - The practice of observing the Earths energy lines (called ley lines) and vortices and aligning ritual workings to them in order to affect greater change in ones environment. Certain areas such as Stone Hedge have become infamous for their locations over powerful energy centers. Glamour - A form of magick which involves changing people's immediate perception of you. It generally is simply altering your physical appearance (eye color, hair length, height, etc.) temporarily. However, it can also include changing people's emotional reaction to you. Glamours last only as long as the magician feeds energy into it. Glyph - A design depicting a principle or concept. In astrology, a particular graphical representation allocated to each sign of the zodiac and the planets, which relates to an animal, planet or something similar. Gnome - The traditional term for an Earth Elemental God, The - Loving father to all and the perfect compliment to the Goddess. He is viewed as co-creator of the universe. Often Identified with the sun, sky deserts, forests, agriculture, and wild animals. not to be confused with the monotheistic Christian concept of 'God' he is part of a pair. The consort of and co-creator with the Goddess; the masculine aspect of the Divine Power. Goddess, The - Definitions differ but Generally the universal mother of all who created the universe with the god. Often associated with the Moon, ocean, earth, fertility, birth and death. The creatrix of the universe and everything in it; female aspect of the Divine Power. Goddess Mother A wiccan godmother. Gods - Immortal beings, also called deities, worshipped by their followers and invoked for magick. A "god" is generally male, whereas the female version is "goddess". Goetia - Many forms of spellcraft pertaining to non-religious magical methods or systems. Godhead - Divine nature or essence, goodness.Source of all emanation and manifestation, of which all deities are but aspects of sides. Golden Dawn - Also known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a famous and very influential Victorian magickal society, albeit one that was short-lived in its original form. Grain Dolly - Figure usually woven at Imbolc from dried sheaves of grain collected at the previous harvest. The dolly is traditionally burned at Yule and a new one made the following Imbolc. Grammary - Written magick, including symbols, signs, Ogham, and sigils. Gray Witch - Along with White and Black Witches and Magick, there is Gray Magick. A Witch that practices Gray Magick is called a Gray Witch as well as Wiccan. A Gray Witch is the most powerful of all Witches. Gary Witches do not cast curses on people for infractions of courtesy. However, they are not doormats and will protect themselves and their families from danger, persecution, and evil in whatever manner necessary. Most adept Wiccan's are Gray Witches. Apprentices need more time to study ethics in order to understand Gray Magick. Great Rite - In Wicca, the major ritual of polarity between a man and a woman. It can be either symbolic or *actual*-i.e., involving intercourse. In most traditions, the actual Great Rite is performed by the couple in private, and only between a married pair of established lovers. Symbolic sexual union (also sacred marriage) of the Goddess and God that is enacted at Beltane in many traditions, and other Sabbats in other traditions. It symbolizes the primal act of creation from which all life comes. Great Sabbats - Ritual and devotional celebrations or festivals that are usually celebrated on the following dates: Imbolc - February 2 Beltane - May 1 Lughnasadh - August 2 Samhain - October 31 or November 1 As with all areas in witchcraft, the exact details (in this case exact dates) are dependent on tradition. Some traditions vary in their celebration of the Sabbats in part because of the geographic differences of the suns movement. For example, the winter solstice (Yule, a Lesser Sabbat and one of the Quarters) is known as the longest night of the year. However there are some areas of the world above and below our latitude where the longest night of the year is not on the 21st, but either a few days before or a few days after. This is why Christmas (the Christian name for the pagan holiday of Yule) is celebrated on the 25 day of December (which no longer varies with the solar calendar due to convention) rather than the 21st. The Christian calendar is aligned with the Teutonic calendar rather than the typical pagan calendar. This accounts for many discrepancies between the Christian and pagan holidays. The Great Sabbats, are also known as the Cross Quarters. They can be easily remembered as the four Sabbats that are celebrated at the beginnings of the month as opposed to the Quarters which are celebrated towards the latter part (usually on the 21 or 22 day) of the month. Great Year - The passage of an entire series of twelve Zodiacal Ages, from one sign all the way back to itself, is said to be a Great Year. According to Correllian reckoning this is a period of 19,200 years. Green Man, The - God of nature: The male spirit of nature, life and growth. An aspect of the God, this deity represented the Lord of the Forests. He is portrayed peering out from a mass of foliage. Green Witch - Usually a solitary. A Green Witch is one who bases her Magick on the uses of herbs and plants. These witches focus heavily on this area and often there is little or no religion involved. Grimorie - Although some Wiccan's use this term to refer to the Book Of Shadows, it is more correctly a name linked with ceremonial Magick. This name is also used more in a coven than in solitary work. Gris-Gris - In African religious systems, a charm, fetish, or amulet. Grounding - To disperse excess energy generated during magickal work by sending it into the earth. It also means the process of centering one's self in the physical world both before and after any ritual or astral experience. Also called centering. Grove - A small wood or stand of trees that lacks dense undergrowth; used for meetings of covens; most commonly used with druids. Groves Groves of trees were often sacred to the Moon Mother, especially if ther was water within them. 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 some witches envision them as the angels Michael, Ariel, Raphael and Gabriel. Guardian Angel - An angelic being who watches over a person and keeps them from harm; a force that can be called upon for protection, assistance in rituals, or help in gaining clarity on issues. Guardian Of The Watchtower/Four Quarters - Used by some witches to call and protect the elementals, each having their own special attributes. North - Earth - Green - Feminine - stable, solid, dependable. South - Fire - Red - Masculine - change, passion, willpower. East - Air - Yellow - Masculine - thought, intellect, wisdom. West - Water - Blue - Feminine - emotions, purification, healing. Guardian Spirits - Spirits that are present in our lives, and serve as protectors of our person and spirit. It is believed that everyone has Guardian Spirits, though very few are aware of the role they play. Guide - One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising; a spiritual being who assists individuals through certain aspects of their life; Also known as spirit guides or guardian angels. There are four types - Spirit Guide, Relative Guide, Guardian Angel, Master Teacher and Animal Guides (Familiars). |
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