Altar-
Special flat surface set aside for religious acknowledgement and/or magickal
workings. Generally of am all natural material, Such as stone or wood. [[Note.
For a Wood Altar I suggest only wood pegs to hold it together.]]
Athame-
black handled, double edged knife. Principally used to cast and dissolve the
circle, for which purposes it is interchangeable with the sword, wand and besom.
Also considered to be a tool of the Element of Fire. [[Note: In some states it
is illegal to carry a double edged knife or a knife over so many inches. So if
you plan on transporting an Athame or sword you may want to check with your
local police on the laws in your area.]]
Banish-
To exorcise unwanted energies and/or entities. To rid the presence of same.
Besom-
A broom used in magick to sweep physical debris and meta-physical negativity
from a place to serve as sacred space.
Beltane-
May Eve festival. One of the Ancient Celtic Fire festivals. Bel, meaning the God
Baal, and tane meaning fire, literally translates to Baal's Fire. Also a
festival of fertility. [[Note: I conceder this the best time for a hand
fasting.]]
Book of Shadows-
Traditionally hand copied book of rituals, recipes, guidelines, and other
materials deemed important to a Witch or a coven. Each Witch's book will be
different as he or she adds to it with time from many different sources. Only
another Witch should be allowed to se your Book of Shadows. Also traditionally,
it may never leave your hands or possession until death, when it should be
destroyed, or returned to the coven to be disposed of. [[Note: Depending on your
age and if you are in a coven I would suggest all your Magick supplies, tools,
and books be placed in your will with what you wish done with them.]]
Burning Times-
A term used for the period of persecution in the Middle Ages and later. It is in
fact a misnomer in some places, as Witches were mainly burned in Scotland. In
the continent of Europe, England and U.S., they were hanged.
Candlemas-
Festival held on February 1st. Also Called Imbog or Imboc.
Cardinal Points-
North, South, East, and West.
Cauldron-
Three legged cooking vessel. Used as a vessel to prepare brews and potions, as
well as a censer. Placed in circle or on the altar to represent the womb of the
Goddess.
Chalice-
One of the tools of a Witch. Placed on the alter to represent the element of
Water.
Charge of the Goddess-
The Traditional words of the Goddess to her followers. Originally written by
Doreen Valiente, It is a story of the message from the Goddess to her children.
Normally Declared by the High Priest/ess at every coven Circle.
Circle-
The area in which the magickal worship and spells takes place. Can also be used
to designate a particular group of Witches or Pagans such as "Blue Moon Circle
ect."
Cone of Power-
Power raised in the circle by Witches assembled, and sent out into the world to
work magick, is usually visualized as being retained and built in form of a cone
prior to release.
Coven-
An organized group of Witches. Led by a High Priest/ess who meet regularly for
worship and fellowship. The traditional membership is considered to be 13, but
many covens considerably less and new ones often do not have a member designated
as a High Priest/ess.
Covenstead-
The Regular meeting place for a coven. Usually the home of the High Priest/ess.
Cross Quarters-
The modern name for the Celtic Fire Festivals of Samhain. Imbolc, Beltane, and
Lammas.
Degree-
Levels of attainment, many traditions have three degrees or levels of adeptness.
[[Note: Usually a High Priest/ess or and Elder is of the 3rd Degree.]]
Deosil-
Clockwise. Traditional direction for working building magick.
Drawing Down the Moon-
Ritual invocation of the spirit of the Goddess into the body of the High Priest/ess.
[[Note: I do not recommend any one but a High Priest/ess or elder try this. ]]
Divination-
Magickal Method of exploration or inquiry into a situation by such methods as
Tarot Cards, runestones, and so on.
Elder-
Individuals who through their wisdom, age, experience, education, counseling, as
well as other areas have overseen the teachings of the Craft, and protected them
with their all. Seldom one under the age of thirty-five.
Elements-
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. These are regarded as realms or categories
of nature [both material and non-material] and are not to be confused with the
physicists table of elements.
Equinox-
Either of the two times a year when sun crosses the equator and the length of
day and night are approximately the same.
Esbat-
Meeting of Witches, Traditionally held either on the full or the new moon.
Familiars-
Either a Witch's pet animal which has been trained to be a magickal helper, or
an artificially created elemental which performs the same functions as the
animal friend.
Hallows-
Name used by some for Samhain, or Halloween
Handfasting-
An Equivalent of a wedding. It can be made legal if the Priest/ess are
registered as clergy with the local authorities, or may only be considered
binding within the coven.
Heathen-
One who dances on the Heath. Another word for Pagan.
High Priest/ess-
Technically speaking, a Witch who has received the third degree initiation. More
usually, the male and female leaders of a coven.
Invocation-
The Ritual calling-in of an entity or energies higher than human, either for
communication with the caller through a medium or by visible manifestation or
else to enter into a human body as in Drawing Down the Moon.
Lammas-
August 1st. The old Celtic name for this festival is Lughanssadh. IT is the
festival of the First Fruits, and is the first of the three harvests.
Left Hand Path-
Path less traveled, denotes that which is against Nature and Human Kind. Also
known as the Dark Path. [Note: This is not Devil Worship. For this is still a
path taken by Witches, and we do not believe in the Devil.]
Maiden-
An appointment held by one of the women of the coven. She acts as the assistant
High Priestess. This term is also the descriptive term used to describe the
first of the aspects of the Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
Traditionally associated with the Waxing Moon, and the period from Imbolc -
Candlemas till Baltane - May Eve, where the energies are those of initiating,
beginning, and creation.
Mother, Maiden, Crone-
The three aspects of the Triple Goddess.
Pagan-
One who is not Christian, Islamic or Jewish. From the Latin, Pagani or Paganus
meaning country dweller or bumpkin.
Paganing-
Presentation of an infant to the Circle and to the Gods. Similar in aspects to
the Christian Christening.
Pentacle-
An altar upon an altar, usually a disc shaped talisman; which can be fashioned
from wood, beeswax, stone or, more commonly in today's world, metal, Which may
or may not have inscribed upon it the five pointed star or Pentagram, as well as
other mystical symbols. Among the Witch's working tools, it is this disc which
represents the element of earth.
Pentagram-
The five-pointed star, often said to represent the five elements of life. [Which
inverted is said to be the sign of the Devil, but is often used to signify an
member of the second degree.]
Quarters-
The North, East, South, and West parts of a magickal Circle or the other ritual
area. Also same place as where Watch Towers are.
Rede-
Rule or Law
Sabbat-
One of the Eight festivals or high holidays of Wicca
Samhain-
The festival of remembrance for the dead, held on October 31st. It is the last
of the three harvests. This also marks the end of the Wicca year.
Scrying-
A form of divination by self hypnosis to achieve a trance state, in which joins
the conscious with sub-conscious to obtain useful information. Usually done by
using such methods as gazing into crystal balls, black glass or polished bronze
mirrors, heath fires, candle flames, smoke, or a bowl filled with water as
opposed to tarot or other means that may be manipulated.
Solstice-
Either of the two times a year when the sun reaches an extreme northward or
southward motion. Thus the days with the shortest and the longest amounts of sun
light in the year.
Spell-
The structured and focused direction of psychic energies towards the
accomplishment of a goal. Sometimes uttered in rhyme or the form of a prayer to
a specific deity.
Summoner-
The male officer of the coven who corresponds to the Maiden. This person acts as
the assistant High Priest.
Wand-
A rod or staff that is prepared so that it may be used for magickal or psychic
purposes, usually to project some form of power. One of the Witches tools,
representing Air.
Warlock-
Seventeenth century Scotland. Bad Scottish pronunciation of the Old English
words waer logga, denoting a traitor to the Craft, meaning oath breaker, or
betrayer of the faith.
Watch Towers-
Originally from Ceremonial Magick, has now incorporated into many Traditions of
Wicca, these are the four elemental directions or quarters called to protect the
Circle during its establishment.
Wicca-
The name most modern day Witches use for the Craft. It is, in actuality, the old
English word for male Witch, the feminine being wicce. The Old English word,
Wiccain meant to bend or to shape. This is the root word from which we get
wicker.
Wicce-
Old English, Female Witch.
Widdershins-
Counter Clock wise. Used for tearing down or Banishing magick.
White Handled Knife-
The working knife of a Witch. It is used to carve or gather herbs.